Fireworks 1 and 2

Chapter Eight

    The energy was off the chain and the audience was restless. The entire afternoon, a variety of music artists took to the stage and showed the crowd just how they'd earned the right to grace the stage. Each artist was shown a multitude of applause, but there was no denying that most attendees were eagerly awaiting the performance from Drake.

    Bri still didn't feel one hundred percent better, but there was no way she was going to miss this event. It was her whole reason for coming. She dressed in an adorable, pastel floral print sundress and sandals.

    Desirae, as always, had gone the more scandalous route with a short, tight black skirt and tight pink tank top that revealed her cleavage to the world.

    Mia had chosen a long red dress with crisscross cutouts on the sides and jeweled sandals. Her thick hair cascaded around her shoulders. 

    They stood in the audience. Bri buzzed with excitement, seemingly forgetting that she felt under the weather. Desirae fretted about whether or not she'd chosen the right outfit. Mia tried her best to pay attention to her friends, but found her mind wandering.

    The performing male R&B artist, aptly nicknamed "Mr. Steal Yo Girl," thanked the audience for their love and support, signaling the end of his performance. Drake appeared on stage, and the crowd went wild. Looking especially delectable in a sleeveless white OVO jersey he'd had custom-made, white jeans, and white Timbs, he crossed the stage. He greeted the well-known R&B artist with a complicated handshake, followed by a hug.

    Trey waved to the audience as he exited the stage. Drake approached the microphone stand, all smiles. "Show Trey some love, one time!" he shouted into the mic.

    The audience screamed and waved their hands. Random articles of lacy clothing were tossed onto the stage.

    Drake laughed, leaned down, and lifted one of the garments, a lacy black bra. "Is that how you're feeling tonight?" he questioned rhetorically, his voice lowering seductively. He hung the bra on the microphone stand that had been placed front and center on the stage. "Victoria Secret, too. Why am I not surprised?" He adjusted the height of the microphone and scanned over the crowd while repositioning the earpiece in his ear.

    The audience continued to scream as a slow instrumental played on the speakers. Bri grabbed Mia's arm, screaming along with the rest of the crowd. Mia laughed and continued to watch Drake on the stage. There were approximately ten rows of people in front of them, but she could see everything on stage clearly, Drake included.

    "Most of you know exactly who I am," he went on. "But for those few of you who don't know me, I go by the name of Drizzy Drake."

    The women in the crowd continued screaming.

    He chuckled into the microphone. "If you don't know me by that name, you may know me by the name of Aubrey Drake Graham."

    More screams.

    "If you don't know me by either of those names, you may recognize me as the King of Toronto." He stepped back from the microphone and spread his arms outward and basked in the love shown from the crowd. He stepped back up to the mic and said, "Thank you, thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate you all for joining me this evening. OVOFest has been amazing so far. We've seen some amazing talent come to the stage this year, just as with previous years. Please give the performing artists a round of applause."

    The instrumental playing behind his voice increased slightly in volume as the audience roared. He turned his back to the audience and strode over to a stool located near an elevated DJ booth. A slender, brown-skinned man wearing a TOPSZN hat skillfuly and swiftly maneuvered the audio controls, effortlessly transitioning from the current instrumental to the intro of another.

    "I've got a great show planned for you all tonight. It will feature a lot of songs from my newest album, Views from the Six, maybe you've heard of it?" He waited for some of the screaming to subside before continuing, "I will also take a walk with you down memory lane and perform some songs from one of my previous mixtapes and albums, including If You're Reading This It's Too Late, andNothing Was the Same, maybe you've heard of 'em?"

    In the audience, Mia smiled. He was definitely a showman. Most artists would have walked onto the stage and immediately started singing, but he intended to give them a well-rounded show, a complete entertainment event. He wasn't just a music artist there to sing songs. He talked to the audience as if they were friends he'd invited over for the evening. It was as if those 45,000 fans were all gathered in his living room for a dinner party. It was surreal to watch him after having spent time with him, but she realized that he treated the audience the way he treated his women. He made sure the audience was comfortable. He catered to them. He paid attention so he could determine what the audience wanted so he could provide it to them. They'd seen his hosting skills at the ESPYs the year before, so they no longer just wanted him to sing and rap for them. They also wanted him to talk to them.

    She had a better understanding of why he had so many fans, and why they obsessed over him. It was hard not to obsess over someone who seduced his audiences the same way he unknowingly (and sometimes knowingly) seduced his women. She turned and surveyed some of the crowd, seeing that women weren't his only fans. There were quite a few men who were nodding their heads to the beat of the song playing behind Drake's voice.

    "I think we've talked, gotten to know each other a little better," Drake said, removing the microphone from its stand. "I think we can get on with the show, now. What do you think?"

    From the decibel level of the audience, they agreed with him. The stage lights died down, and only his silhouette was visible.

    The music increased in volume again, a lot more noticeable this time.

    Drake closed his eyes and started singing softly.

    Mia licked her lips as she watched him. Her imagination ran wild. She was no longer standing in a crowd. She was the only person there, with a spotlight shining on her, and he was singing those words to her. She imagined him walking off the stage as he sang them, approaching her while serenading her. Wrapping his arms around her and pulling her tight against him. Feeling the length of his body as he continued to sing.

    Bri excitedly grabbed her arm again. Get it together, Mia, she thought as the imagery from her fantasy dispersed into thin air.

    She swayed to the beat of the music and closed her eyes as she listened to his words. The sound of his voice traveled through her. The emotions that welled up within her were overwhelming. She felt longing. She felt desire. She felt an urge to go to her, audience be damned. She wanted to feel his hands on her, wanted to feel his love wash over her. She bowed her head while moving to the music.

    When the song ended, she lifted her head. When she raised her eyes and looked at Drake, standing on the stage, quiet with beads of sweat rolling down his face, she realized that he was looking right at her.