lv. CITY OF LOVE.
February 25, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Paris, France.

Paris, France—just saying the name in her head made Sedona's heart race with excitement. The city of love, the place she had dreamed of visiting for years, and now she was finally here, not just as a tourist but as a performer. It was the tenth stop on her tour, and she was determined to make it unforgettable.

Amsterdam was nothing short of incredible. The energy from the crowd was electrifying, and Sedona fed off every cheer and lyric sung back to her. The city's vibrant atmosphere left a lasting impression, and she made sure to capture countless memories with pictures at iconic monuments, each snapshot a testament to the unforgettable experience. Yet, as remarkable as Amsterdam had been, her heart was set on the next destination—Paris. The anticipation was palpable, knowing that the City of Lights awaited her she couldn't stop smiling.

Dressed in black biker shorts, an oversized concert merch jacket, and well-worn Converse, Sedona moved with purpose as she ran through her set during rehearsals at the AccorHotels Arena. Even in a casual fit, she still exuded confidence, her presence commanding yet inviting. She was meticulous as always, ensuring every transition, lighting cue, and harmony was perfect. She wasn't the type to let things slide—not when it came to her show. Still, she directed with grace, making corrections in a way that uplifted rather than discouraged her team.

Between run-throughs, she tested out her French, determined to greet her fans in their native language. "Bonsoir, mes amours," She practiced, tilting her head toward Kendrick, who stood by the sound booth watching her with that signature smirk. "That sound okay?"

He folded his arms, nodding approvingly. "Yeah, you got it. Say it just like that tonight."

She grinned, slipping her hand into his for a brief moment. His presence always grounded her, no matter how hectic the tour got.

After a long day of rehearsals, they finally got a moment to themselves. Back in the hotel, Sedona leaned against the open balcony, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance. Kendrick came up behind her, arms slipping around her waist as he pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. "Can't believe we're really here," She murmured.

He chuckled. "You still can't believe that you're here."

"Yes. It's my first time performing here. First time ever stepped foot in Paris. I'm in the city of love. This is different," She said, turning in his arms to face him. "And I want tonight to be perfect."

"You stress too much. You know you're gonna kill it." He tapped her nose, making her scrunch it. "They've been waiting for you, D. Just go out there and do what you do best."

She sighed, resting her forehead against his chest. "I know, I know. It's just—Paris, you know?"

"I know," He murmured, kissing the top of her head. "And Paris ain't ready for you."

Finally, after hours of prep, it was showtime. Sedona stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room, drinking in the reflection and staring back at her.

A bold, all-red ensemble hugged her body in all the right places. The fitted turtleneck and matching high-waisted shorts accentuated her curves, while sheer tights gave her a sultry edge. Her wrists were adorned with fluffy red cuffs, adding a touch of playful elegance. Black boots elongated her legs, giving her the perfect balance of sophistication and stage-ready allure. With her hair pinned up, wisps of curls framing her face, and her signature glasses resting on her nose, she looked every bit the powerhouse she felt inside.

She turned slightly, hands smoothing over the fabric before glancing at Kendrick, who was leaning against the doorway, taking her in like she was the only thing worth looking at in the entire city.

"What?" She teased, slipping on her final accessory—a small black shoulder bag she'd take off before stepping on stage.

"You know what," He murmured, eyes roaming over her from head to toe. "Paris ain't ready for you."

She smirked, stepping closer until she was inches from him. "Guess we'll find out, won't we?"

With a final deep breath, she huddled with her team, whispering a prayer before stepping into the dimly lit backstage area. Her fingers fidgeted with the fluffy cuffs on her wrists, a nervous habit she hadn't shaken since her early performances. The roar of the crowd was deafening, her name was chanted in waves. She took a steadying breath, pressing a hand to her stomach for a second before rolling her shoulders back.

From the wings, Kendrick watched, his jaw tightening as he took in the moment. He had seen her perform countless times, but tonight felt different. The energy in the air was palpable, electric. She wasn't just about to put on a show—she was about to make history.

The lights dimmed before a single spotlight hit the stage.

"Bonsoir, mes amours," She purred into the mic, the audience erupting in screams. She giggled, biting her lip before launching into her first song.

Flirty, magnetic, and in her element, Sedona worked the stage like she was born to do this. She engaged with the audience effortlessly, winking at fans, taking brief moments to reach for their hands, and feeding off their energy. She spotted a girl in the front row holding a sign that read, Your music saved my life, and she took a second to crouch down, squeezing the fan's hand before mouthing, "Thank you."

As the show neared its peak, a familiar beat dropped—See You Again.

The arena erupted, recognizing the opening chords before Tyler, the Creator's voice came through the speakers. Sedona let his verse ride out, closing her eyes, vibing to the music before seamlessly taking over. Her voice melted into the melody, smooth, evocative, and dripping with emotion. The entire venue swayed with her, immersed in the magic she effortlessly created.

Kendrick watched from the side, arms folded, a small smile playing on his lips. She was transcendent up there, weaving herself into the hearts of every person in that arena.

Paris wasn't just getting a show tonight.

They were witnessing a moment.

By the time she made it backstage, Sedona was still buzzing, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she ran into Kendrick, who was prepping to head on stage. "That was insane! Did you hear them? Paris loves me!" She gushed, grabbing onto his arm.

He chuckled, adjusting his in-ear monitors. "Told you. You killed that shit."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly before pulling back. "Now it's your turn. You ready?"

"Always," He smirked, brushing a hand over her cheek before Monica suddenly appeared, tugging at Sedona's arm.

"Okay, picture time! I need you while you're still glowing," Monica insisted, already pulling out her camera.

Sedona laughed, throwing one last glance at Kendrick before getting whisked away. They posed for pictures against the backstage backdrop, laughing and making faces before Monica got a few serious shots.

Sedona had stolen a moment for herself, her eyes lighting up at the sight of an elaborate spread. Seated at one of the long tables where an array of French delicacies had been laid out. The spread was impressive—charcuterie boards, fresh pastries, cheeses, and an ice-cold platter of oysters.

She eyed the shellfish warily, a memory surfacing from a conversation long ago.

"If you ever make it to Paris, you have to try an oyster," Monica had once dared her. At the time, Sedona had scrunched her nose in disgust, swearing she'd never do it. Yet, here she was, eleven tour stops in, fresh off a high-energy performance, with nothing left to prove but her own bravery.

Monica appeared beside her, a knowing grin on her face. "So? You doing it, or what?"

Sedona sighed, picking up the small shell and examining the glistening meat inside. It looked... slimy.

"I hate you for remembering this," She muttered before squeezing a bit of lemon over it and tipping it back into her mouth.

The initial taste was briny, cold, and unfamiliar, but the burst of citrus and the slight sweetness made it bearable. She swallowed quickly, shaking her head as Monica burst into laughter.

"That was not as bad as I thought," Sedona admitted, though she reached for a macaron immediately after, just in case. "Would I do it again? Probably not."

Monica smirked. "Well, at least you can say you did it."

"But back to these pastries." Sedona redirected her attention toward the French pastries, macarons, éclairs, crème brûlée—she didn't even know where to start. Grabbing a plate, she helped herself, sinking into the couch as the sound of Kendrick's performance began echoing through the monitors. Watching him command the stage, she felt a wave of pride wash over her. This was their dream, their life.

And right now, Paris was theirs.

—

Backstage was alive with post-show energy—crew members buzzing with adrenaline, dancers high-fiving, Monica gushing about the flawless execution of the setlist. As soon as Kendrick stepped through the back entrance after his performance, the team erupted into cheers. 

"First night in Paris and we already shut it down," Dave grinned, dapping Kendrick up. 

Monica handed him a cold bottle of water. "I don't think you understand how crazy the crowd was for y'all tonight. Like, historic level." 

Kendrick took a long sip, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, Paris came through." 

Meanwhile, Sedona had wandered off, enjoying the rare silence of the empty hallways. The rush of performing still coursed through her veins, but now, all she wanted was to savor the moment in peace. With a half-eaten chocolate éclair in hand, she chewed slowly, leaning against the wall as she let herself decompress. 

She was mid-bite when a familiar presence appeared beside her. 

"You just out here roaming?" Kendrick's voice was low, teasing, and laced with amusement. 

Sedona startled slightly before narrowing her eyes at him. "What happened to professionalism?" She shot back, swallowing the bite in her mouth. 

Kendrick smirked before pulling her into a shadowed corner of the hallway, away from any lingering crew members. His fingers brushed the curve of her waist as he leaned in, pressing a chaste kiss against her lips. When he pulled away, he hummed. "Damn. You taste sweet—chocolate?" 

She held up the éclair, grinning. "They're so good." 

Kendrick eyed the pastry before swiping his thumb across the corner of her mouth, where a trace of chocolate remained. He sucked the pad of his thumb into his mouth, tasting it with a satisfied nod. "I see why you hiding in the hallways." 

She rolled her eyes, nudging him lightly. "We should probably get back before Monica starts dragging me by my hair." 

As much as they would've liked to sneak off and enjoy the rest of the night alone, their duties weren't done yet. They spent the next hour engaging with fans, signing posters, taking pictures, and chatting with VIP attendees. It was all love—Paris showed out, and Sedona made sure to give the energy right back. She laughed with fans, exchanged a few words in French, and even signed a girl's tour hoodie with a little heart next to her name. 

By the time they finally slipped into the black sprinter van, exhaustion was beginning to creep in, but Sedona was still buzzing. The city lights illuminated the streets as they drove toward their exclusive hotel, and she couldn't help but press her hand against the tinted window. 

"That's the Place de la Concorde," She murmured, pointing out the grand square lit up beautifully. "And over there—look! That's the Seine." 

Kendrick followed her gaze, lips twitching at her excitement. "You really studied up, huh?" 

She nodded, still looking outside. "Of course. I wasn't about to come to Paris and not know anything." 

He chuckled, resting his head against the seat as he watched her admire the city. This wasn't just another tour stop for her. Paris meant something, and he loved seeing her soak it all in. 

Leaning over, he hooked a finger under her chin, guiding her gaze away from the window to meet his. "We'll explore tomorrow. Just us." 

Her smile softened. "Promise?" 

"Promise." 

Satisfied, she rested her head on his shoulder, finally allowing herself to relax as the city rolled past them, a perfect ending to their first night in Paris.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Fifty-five.
— ０２／２１／２５
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It's only downhill from here. Tehehe.

Thoughts on the chapter? Thoughts on their growing relationship? And what do you expect for the next one?

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
-shea