Fireworks 1 and 2

Jungle: Chapter Twenty-Nine

    Beyonce. A beautiful woman who didn't have to open her mouth to exude power and wealth. Even if you didn't particularly care about money or being rich, being around her - especially at first - you were very aware that she could most likely buy your very life.

    Photographs and video didn't do her beauty justice. Glowing golden skin, light brown eyes, pretty features, hair dyed in multiple shades of blonde and pinned up into a bun. She was dressed casually in jeans, a t-shirt, and heels, but managed to make that outfit look chic.

    They met over brunch. Throughout their conversation, Mia got a feel for just how down-to-earth Beyonce could be. Beyonce refused to talk about work on their first day meeting. She asked questions about Mia's background, where she grew up, whether or not she was close to her family, what made her start writing.

    Mia turned those questions right back around on the pop diva, unable to hide her curiosity. It wasn't every day that you got to pick the brain of a woman of Beyonce's clout. Their conversation flowed naturally; nothing had to be forced. Just two girls talking about life, their upbringing, their friendships, past relationships, and their aspirations. Even though Beyonce had already achieved a lot, there was still much more that she wanted to do.

    "There is a drive in me, and I couldn't stop it if I wanted to," Beyonce said in her husky Texas accent. "No matter how much I accomplish, I keep coming up with these ideas of more that I want to do."

    Mia hadn't accomplished nearly as much as Beyonce had, but she could relate. As a songwriter, she could have easily felt like she'd peaked in her career after working with an artist of Drake's caliber, but instead, she wanted to work with more artists, across numerous genres. She wanted to improve upon her writing skills. She confided in Beyonce that Nicki had her considering becoming a singing artist.

    Beyonce nodded thoughtfully. "The song you sang with Drake...it was a definite hit. If you're going to launch a career, now would be the time. While there is still buzz about that song. You'd want to strike while the iron is hot. This industry, though..." She paused and slanted her mouth as she thought of which words she wanted to use. "This industry isn't for the faint of heart. You have to have a strong backbone. You have to know what you want and how to get it. You also have to be careful of people who would exploit you to get what they want out of you."

    Mia nodded. "Aubrey has said pretty much the same thing."

    Beyonce smiled and lifted her teacup. "How are things with him?"

    "He has been amazing. Things are great."

    "He's one of the good ones," Beyonce said with a smile, setting her cup back down. "I don't know you very well, but you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders. You seem humble and considerate. Genuine. I'm glad he has someone like you. In the past, I have been...concerned for him. But you? You're a good fit. From what I can tell, you're what he needs."

    Mia's cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze. "I really do appreciate that."

    "I'm glad that you have him to help guide you throughout your career," Beyonce went on. "Having someone who has been there and made some of the wrong choices can help prevent you from making those same mistakes. He has also made some very wise decisions with his career. I know there are also some things he wishes he had done differently. You'll be able to learn a lot from him." She raised her wrist and looked at the Cartier watch that was wrapped around it. "My, time flies when you're just talking and getting to know each other. Since this is your first time to the city, I wanted to take you for a walk around Central Park."

    Tank, along with Beyonce's security team, escorted them away from the restaurant after Beyonce picked up the tab. Every few steps, a few fans would approach and ask Beyonce for an autograph.

    "Maybe I didn't think this whole walk through Central Park idea through," she quipped after a few fans scampered off with their newly acquired autographs. She perched a pair of sunglasses on her nose.

    "I'm curious to know what other advice you would have for me," Mia said as they walked.

    "Hmm." Beyonce walked in silence for a few minutes. "I would say not to sweat the small things. Being an artist, you're in view of everyone. The world, really. And there are some people in this world who are going to hate on you, even if you give them no reason to. Things like that, just let it roll off. Holding onto it is poison, and it will ruin you. No artist in the world can make everyone happy. Some people will have criticism for your music, or the way you dress, or the way you live your life, but ultimately you have one life to live. It's best that you live it the way you want to, the way you feel is right."

    Now it was Mia's turn to lapse into silence.

    Both of their phones rang at the same time. Beyonce was the first to pull hers out of her Luis Vuitton purse. She pressed an onscreen button and lifted the phone to her ear. "Where are we at with the Tidal billboards?"

    Mia's phone notifications weren't due to a phone call, but text messages. The first was from Bri, and was a screenshot of a TMZ article side by side with a MediaTakeOut article. Now what? Mia wondered, scrolling down the TMZ article.

"DRAKE AND RIHANNA RECONNECTING?" the headline for the article read. She'd had a feeling that the gossip articles were going to run rampant with that story, the minute Drake had told her he'd be meeting with her. The title of the article didn't surprise her. But as she scrolled down to the photographs that the paparazzi had captured...that was a different story. One photograph showed Rihanna leaning close to Drake, more than halfway across the table, as if she were getting ready to kiss him. The second photo showed her hand covering his - complete with a zoom into their joined hands, a drawn red circle, and an arrow.

    Beyonce ended her phone call and looked over at Mia's phone. "What is that?"

    "Rihanna and Aubrey met at a restaurant to discuss a song. The gossip sites picked up on it."

    At the mention of the name Rihanna, frost layered over Beyonce's eyes. She turned her head away from Mia's phone and kept her gaze fixed ahead of them.

    Mia's brows furrowed. "What is it?"

    Beyonce didn't response for several minutes. She continued walking in silence, but just when Mia thought that Beyonce had forgotten a question was asked, the pop diva said, "I don't mean any disrespect or shade with what I am going to tell you. But...do not trust that woman. Don't trust her with anything. Especially your man." The look in her eyes only grew frostier. She angled a look at Mia. "I trust that you would keep this advice I've given you between us."

    Her entire world had just been shaken by the emotion behind Bey's words, but Mia nodded. "Yeah," she replied. "Of course." They continued to walk, but the seed of worry had been planted within her.