Two weeks later.
Nothing prepared me for this. Sure, I’d been at industry parties with Kier and other places throughout the summer. But those events felt like child’s play compared to an awards show. The second the black Phantom pulled up to the barricades, everything intensified at once. Cameras flashed so rapidly it almost looked like lightning bouncing across the carpet. Music blasted from somewhere ahead while voices doubled in every direction. Security moved quickly around us, guiding artists, managers, stylists, and publicists through the chaos. I was beyond overstimulated.
Kier stepped out first before reaching his hand back for me. The second I took it, another wave of cameras exploded around us. The flashes were blinding up close, and were bright enough to make my eyes water if I stared too long. People yelled Kier’s name from every direction while others leaned over barricades trying to record us on their phones.
And through all of it, Kier stayed calm. Couldn’t say the same about me. I knew he felt my nervousness. His grip tightened around my hand before his palm slid against the small of my back, grounding me as security ushered us onto the carpet. I could smell his cologne every time he leaned closer to hear a question over the noise. Suddenly, Kier was approached by Toryn Merosa, the girl from “The Greatest Morning Show.”
“Kier Stone!”
“What it do?!”
“You look great, who are you wearing tonight?”
“Preciate that. I’ve been rocking Billionaire Boys Club all summer, shout out to Pharrell. But tonight, I’m clean, wearing Dior.”
“And you do look clean. You are having an amazing year—your artists have had two album drops, and Legacee swept the BET Awards and Grammys. Plus, you’ve walked away with Producer of the Year twice so far, with your third nomination tonight. Now, Kaori is nominated for Single of the Year. How does it feel?”
“Indescribable, man. I’m grateful and blessed to be connected to so many talented people.”
The interviewer kept talking, but I barely heard her for a second. I was too busy watching Kier navigated through it all so effortlessly. Every camera followed him naturally. Every conversation bent toward him. People respected him in a way that couldn’t be manufactured, and somehow, he kept pulling me closer instead of letting me disappear beside him.
His hand rested firmly against my waist while he answered questions, his thumb brushing against the fabric of my dress absentmindedly whenever the crowd became too aggressive around us. He wasn’t keeping distance between us anymore.
“One last question for you here. Your reputation when it comes to privacy precedes you. We’ve watched you over the past few months. I know that once this award show is over, you’ll disappear from mainstream media all over again. So we gotta know—who is this beauty? Come on, Kier, give us the exclusive right here on the VMAs!”
Kier turned fully toward me. He watched me for a quick moment, like he wanted me to hear his answer before anyone else did. Then his arm intensified around my waist, pulling me securely against his side before he finally looked toward the cameras.
“This is my woman, Sibley,” he said smoothly. “She’s made the accomplishments I’ve experienced this past summer that much better.”
Voices erupted around us. Cameras flashed even faster. Someone behind the barricade yelled, “About time!” which only made the crowd laugh louder. But I couldn’t focus on any of them. My heart was beating too hard. For a second, I genuinely forgot where we were.
All summer long, I had questioned my place beside him. Questioned whether I was just another temporary experience passing through it. I spent months trying to read between his short answers, trying to convince myself not to fall too hard while simultaneously falling anyway. And standing there now, with Kier holding me against him in front of every camera I used to fear, something inside me relaxed. My fears didn’t disappear completely, but I no longer felt hidden.
epilogue
. . .
Busy was an understatement!Everything moved fast backstage. People crossed in and out of different areas at turbo speed, making last-minute adjustments whether they were needed or not. Every direction carried another conversation while stage managers barked instructions into headsets. Music from the crowd outside vibrated faintly beneath my feet every time the stage lights changed. I stood just off to the side of the main entrance with my tablet in hand, tracking time more than anything else while trying to make sure nobody lost their mind before showtime.
“Naomi got ten,” someone said while passing by me quickly.
“I know,” I replied without looking up. “She’s ready and in position. Make sure her mic is good before she steps out. We had issues during sound check earlier.”
They acknowledged what I said and kept moving. I glanced toward the stage entrance where Naomi paced back and forth, bouncing on her toes, probably trying to burn her nerves off before stepping in front of thousands of people. Her glam was flawless, but I knew her well enough to recognize the anxiety hiding underneath all that confidence.
“How’s my big sis?” I asked, stepping in front of her.
She let out one sharp breath before nodding quickly. “Sad it’s the final show, but I’m ready.”
“It’s the last show of the Stone Records tour. Your tour starts this summer. Just enjoy the moment.” I told her calmly. “Give them a taste of what to expect from the upcoming album."
Naomi looked at me for a second, something emotional passing across her face before she suddenly pulled me into a quick hug.
“Thank you for everything, Sibley,” she said quietly before pulling back. Then, almost immediately, her energy picked up again. “Okay, okay… let’s go.”
I laughed softly and watched her disappear toward the stage entrance before stepping back into motion myself. Someone intercepted me almost immediately after.
“Legacee wants to know if Kier is still going up after her set.”
