Fireworks 1 and 2

Chapter Fifty-Nine

    The red carpet event for the VMAs was pure chaos. Blinding, flashing lights. Fans screaming at the top of their lungs. Media representatives screaming at the top of their lungs.

    The minute Mia stepped out of the car, she was overwhelmed by it all. Drake offered her his arm and she took it gratefully. "This is crazy," she muttered with wide eyes.

    "Welcome to the VMAs," he said, escorting her along the red carpet. The red carpet led up to a platform where MTV pre-awards show hosts were conducting a brief interview with Ciara. Beyond the platform, there was a long stretch of red carpet flanked by two tall walls that were barely holding back the hoarde of screaming fans and media outlet representatives.

    Chubbs and Tank followed close behind Drake and Mia as they moved towards the platform. They were dressed in stylish black suits, but they weren't here to enjoy the festivities. Their role was to keep an eye on things. Security detail.

    A tall, slim blonde with her hair pinned into a curly updo walked up to them. She wore a long, elegant ice blue gown. She touched Mia's arm. "Oh my God, I love your dress," she exclaimed with her eyes wide.

    Mia smiled. "Thank you so much. Cavalli. Your dress is beautiful, too."

    "Valentino," the blonde said smoothing down the skirt of it. She turned to Drake. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

    "Always good to see you, Taylor," Drake said, leaning forward and hugging her. When he pulled back from the embrace, he gestured to Mia. "Taylor, this is Mia. Mia, this is Taylor."

    "Taylor Swift," Mia said, shaking her head. "Taylor Swift just complimented my dress."

    Taylor laughed and hugged Mia. "You're adorable." She looked at Drake. "Are you two going to the afterparty?"

    "I'm not sure yet," Drake said.

    Chubbs moved forward and leaned to whisper in his ear, "MTV correspondent."

    Drake raised his head.

    A short brunette wearing a headset approached him. "You're up next. Can I have you move closer to the platform? You would step up as soon as Ciara steps down."

    With raised brows, he nodded. "Yeah, yeah, sure. I know the spiel."

    Taylor waved at them and walked away.

    Mia clung to his arm extra tight.

    He leaned down as they walked closer to the platform. "Are you okay?"

    She nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I think so."

    He laughed. "No pressure. Just remember what I told you."

    "And I believe we have Drake here with us!" the MTV show host on the platform shouted into the microphone as Ciara moved off the stage.

    Drake turned his head and kissed Mia on the temple. Then, he led the way up the stairs, forcing her to move with him since she was clinging to him for dear life. He grinned and warmly greeted the average height Latina show host.

    The show host equipped both Mia and Drake with microphones.

    "It's been too long, Victoria," Drake said into the microphone.

    "It's been so long," Victoria, the show host, returned. She adjusted the shoulder strap on her black, knee-length dress. "I don't think I saw you at last year's VMAs."

    "Well, I was busy working on an album."

    "And that worked out well for you," Victoria said, smiling. "That album went on to break all kinds of records."