Rhythm and Ray: A DJ’s Journey

[Chapter 261: The Clumsy Microphone Grab]

Canada, Craven.

Taylor raised her Swarovski custom guitar studded with crystals, basking in the crowd's cheers. After delivering an intense one-and-a-half-hour performance, she felt her breath quicken. Although the show had ended, she didn't leave the stage. Instead, she grabbed the microphone to chat with her fans.

"Thank you all for braving the rain to be here tonight! I contacted some buses backstage; they'll take you back to the city for free!" Taylor waved to the crowd.

"But before that, maybe you haven't had enough yet... right?" she aimed the microphone at her enthusiastic fans.

Amid the thunderous applause, Taylor began to perform an encore. She often gauged the audience's energy and sung a few new songs during her encores, making each one feel like a surprise, like unboxing a gift.

...

After about 20 minutes on stage, Taylor reluctantly returned to the backstage area. Just as she stepped down the metal stairs, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and instinctively pressed her forehead.

Nearby, her bassist Amos rushed to steady her. "You're just a bit tired," he said, his arms as robust as Ryan's.

"I just need a break," Taylor chuckled softly.

"You need to pace yourself, Taylor; the tour schedule is too packed," Amos quickly advised.

"Once this leg of the tour is over, I can take a break," she nodded.

"I think you should cut back on the shows. I don't know what Ryan thinks, but I believe this hectic touring schedule isn't good for your health. Don't you agree?" Amos replied.

"These dates were my idea," Taylor shook her head.

"True, you two are busy, but he sometimes lacks concern for you, doesn't he? Maybe I shouldn't be butting in; I'm just saying what I think," Amos said cautiously.

"I'll rest for a bit; I'll see you in the next city," Taylor told the band members.

In reality, her rest was short-lived. She had to attend a T-party where she would take photos and interact with many fans.

...

As Taylor entered the green room, she noticed Erica suddenly hiding something. In that moment, Taylor glimpsed what looked like a newspaper.

"What's the matter? You seem tense?" Taylor casually asked while changing her shoes from heavy cowboy boots to comfortable slippers.

"It's nothing," Erica chuckled lightly.

"Is it about Ryan?" Taylor seemed to put the pieces together.

"You have to promise me not to get upset when you see this, and please don't tell Ryan I was the one who showed you," Erica said nervously, slowly handing the newspaper to Taylor.

Taylor glanced at it; the front page bore a photograph of Ryan in full gear next to a masked blonde woman. There were several images: leaving a pool together, entering a restaurant, and going into an upscale gym side by side.

Compared to the previous hearsay about their relationship, this was now actual evidence.

"That's Ryan's assistant. She goes everywhere with him; I know her, and she's got a fiancée," Taylor observed, shaking her head, untroubled.

Erica sighed in relief. "I thought you were unaware; tabloids just make things up."

As Taylor prepared to leave the green room for the T-party, she turned to Erica and instructed, "No staff should discuss Ryan's news."

"Got it; I'll inform everyone right away," Erica nodded.

After Taylor left, Erica couldn't help but wonder why this news affected her; they had frequently made headlines in the tabloids before, usually with stories about relationship troubles. Taylor had never seemed to care about that before -- why was this different?

...

"Taylor, did you not rest well?" Taylor's mother, Andrea, frowned.

During the T-party, Taylor seemed absent-minded throughout the event.

"Uh, what did you say?" Taylor finally lifted her gaze to her mother.

"I'm fine," she shrugged, although her expression looked gloomy.

As a mother, Andrea noticed these details.

"You saw Ryan's photos, right?" Andrea sighed.

"That's what I'm worried about. Ryan is a star just like you, and you two often live apart; it creates a rift easily. I was worried about this from the beginning."

Taylor remained silent as she listened to her mother's concerns.

Andrea took her daughter's hand, speaking earnestly, "But Ryan is a good earner, and your dad needs his help to get back on his feet. Maybe you should halt the tour and talk it out with him. This is just a small bump in the road."

"Forget it; the next show is already sold out," Taylor pulled her arm away.

"I'm tired. I want to go rest," she said dismissively, heading back to the green room.

...

"You have to wake up early tomorrow; you'll travel with the crew to the next city," Erica reminded her of the plans.

Taylor nodded as she walked into the luxury suite alone.

As the door shut, darkness enveloped the room. Taylor didn't turn on the light; instead, she sat on the sofa and remained there for nearly 20 minutes. She eventually got up to wash up, then climbed into bed. Although exhausted, she couldn't fall asleep and tossed and turned. She took out her phone to search for news about Ryan again, rechecking those photos.

She had only glanced at them earlier, and immediately recognized that the assistant next to Ryan couldn't be his usual assistant -- though they both had blonde hair, the figure didn't match her curvy shape.

Taylor thought carefully and realized only one person fit the description: Ivanka, who had left her role at the Spirit club a month ago and now appeared next to Ryan...

With a sigh, she put down her phone. Just then, her phone rang, and it was Ryan's exclusive ringtone.

Taylor instinctively covered her phone with a pillow, reluctant to answer.

But when the ringing almost stopped, she impulsively reached out and pressed the answer button.

"Hello?" Taylor realized her voice sounded hoarse and scratchy.

Ryan repeated the usual greetings, asked about the performance, and mentioned the photos. He explained he hadn't found a replacement, so Ivanka had to return to work since they both enjoyed fitness, which led to them being photographed together.

"Oh," was all Taylor murmured.

After hanging up, she found it even harder to sleep and wasn't sure how she drifted off, waking up the next morning with dark circles under her eyes.

...

After another performance, Taylor didn't interact with the audience like before but quickly turned and left.

"Taylor, the Entertainment Weekly reporter from Canada is waiting for you," Erica said as soon as Taylor entered the green room.

"I'm tired; I don't want to do an interview now. Did you get the sleeping pills?" Taylor rubbed her eyes.

"They're here, but you agreed to the interview. It might not look good to back out now."

"Fine, have the reporter come now," Taylor said reluctantly.

The reporter started with questions about the tour and country music, but it quickly shifted to inquiring about the photos of Ryan.

"I... I don't know anything," Taylor shook her head.

"Are you not willing to discuss this topic?"

"For questions about Ryan, you can ask him directly. If there's nothing else, let's end the interview," Taylor declared as she crossed her legs.

...

The next day, Taylor boarded the flight back to America. As soon as she passed through security and entered the terminal, she was shocked to see dozens of reporters waiting; her disguise didn't work, and they found her instantly.

"Taylor, you seemed impatient when answering questions about Ryan during the interview. Is it because of those photos?"

"Do you know who that mysterious woman next to Ryan is now?"

"Are you calling off your engagement with Ryan?"

Surrounded by reporters hurling questions, Taylor kept her head down and said nothing.

Suddenly, there was a stir in the crowd, and she bumped into a solid chest.

Taylor looked up, and although she couldn't see his face, she recognized the man by his build. It was Ryan.

"You shouldn't have come," Taylor whispered.

Ryan didn't answer; he simply moved in front of her, creating a path through the crowd. They both climbed into an SUV and sped away.

...

"Have you not slept well these past few days? Those dark circles are serious," Ryan gently took off Taylor's hat and mask.

Taylor nodded and suddenly said, "I really am exhausted. I want to rest for a while."

"Of course, but you have to participate in the VMAs with me, right?"

"Fine," Taylor nodded.

Regarding Ivanka, Taylor didn't ask, nor did Ryan mention her. They shared a silent agreement that lasted throughout those next few days, never bringing up Ivanka again. Everything stayed the same, although Taylor no longer wore the bright smile she used to have.

The night before the VMAs, Taylor carefully wrote down some notes to prepare for her speech and tucked them away, ensuring Ryan wouldn't find them.

...

This year's VMAs took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where the organizers arranged an extravagant entrance for Taylor. She would arrive in a Cinderella crystal carriage, dressed in a long white gown adorned with sparkling decorations that left her right shoulder bare, resembling a fairy-tale princess and stunning everyone as she made her entrance.

By the organizer's intentional arrangement, Taylor and Ryan did not arrive together for the first time ever. Inside, Taylor didn't sit with Ryan but alongside Selena Gomez at a corner seat.

Presenting the award for Best Female Video of the Year were Taylor Lautner from Twilight and Shakira.

"The winner is... Taylor Swift for You Belong with Me!"

Taylor stood up and walked to the center stage to accept the silver astronaut-shaped trophy from them.

"Thank you, everyone! Today I don't want to give an acceptance speech, but rather say something else," Taylor opened her palm, revealing the speech she had written the day before, filled with Ryan's name and thanks for him, concluding with, "I think it's best if we take some time apart now."

This was a breakup announcement.

Before Taylor could even begin to speak, a figure suddenly stepped onto the stage.

...

"Give me that!" Kanye West snatched the microphone from her without waiting for her response.

"Taylor, I am genuinely happy for you, but I'll let you finish your words later!"

Afterward, Kanye ignored Taylor completely and turned his attention to Beyonce sitting in the audience. "But Beyonce's music video is the best! Of all time!"

The live broadcast shifted its focus to the stunned Beyonce in the audience.

As the shot returned to Ryan, however, his seat was empty.

When the camera cut back to the stage, Ryan had unexpectedly rushed up and slapped Kanye across the face.

The venue fell silent!

The chain of sudden events thrilled viewers watching the live broadcast while the guests in attendance stared in disbelief at one another.

Ryan, unfazed, then seized the microphone again.

"No matter what the facts are, at least as a person, you should respect basic rules; otherwise, you show disrespect to everyone! So, it's Taylor's time. She's going to finish her speech," he returned the microphone to Taylor.

He then embraced her for a moment.

"This guy is crazy; don't let him affect you," Ryan reassured while patting Taylor's smooth back.

He stepped aside, leaving the spotlight for Taylor. Kanye then retreated shamefully downstage.

"Uh..." Taylor struggled to find her words again.

The audience erupted into applause.

"...This song is dedicated to Ryan. Although I've written him many songs, this is the first, so it holds special significance for us. Thank you, Ryan. But if I see you hanging out with other women again, I won't write you any more songs," Taylor raised an eyebrow, using humor to deftly diffuse the previous photo controversy.

Ryan finally clasped Taylor's hand as they walked off stage.

...

Rather than returning to her seat, Taylor pulled Ryan away.

"Ryan, if it weren't for you... I would have been so humiliated tonight," Taylor said, relieved that Ryan had intervened.

"Someone really ought to teach him a lesson; he messed with you this time, and that's on him," Ryan nodded confidently.

But then Taylor abruptly shifted her tone, "However, this little stunt was a bit clumsy." She looked at Ryan.

"What do you mean?" For the first time, Ryan seemed flustered.

"Kanye was your setup, right? I guessed the VMAs got the message in advance, which is why they didn't have you walk the red carpet with me? This whole thing is your little production!" Taylor crossed her arms.

"I needed to promote my new song, you know, the Black Eyed Peas' second single is also about to drop," Ryan hastily explained.

"Beyond just promotion, it's more important that you wanted me to forgive you, right? For what happened with Ivanka? You two got together!" Taylor glared at Ryan, finally venting the frustrations she had bottled up.

"As for the past, I'll pretend I didn't know. What's your plan now?"

"Ivanka is pregnant."

"Shit!" Taylor held her forehead, overwhelmed.

"This child has to stay; that's why all of this happened," Ryan continued.

"At least Ivanka comes from a wealthy family and won't need money. Just don't let the child take your last name; otherwise, what will become of our future kids?" Taylor began calculating the inheritance implications. While upset, the idea of a child unexpectedly entered her mind.

"You are my lawful wife; the child would just be like a half-sibling to our kids," Ryan laid out his intentions.

"That's more acceptable," Taylor replied, seeming satisfied.

Having an illegitimate child might be normal, after all -- who doesn't have one when you're a wealthy man?

Yet Taylor felt that this news about an unplanned child came too early, especially since she wasn't even pregnant yet.

"Let's change clothes; you both need to meet up and get to know each other."

"Why should I meet her?" Taylor pouted.

"If you're sisters, you need to be like sisters and get along. I don't want to see you both competing for my attention when I'm older. I know you're not that petty. If she sees how generous you are, it will certainly earn her respect," Ryan gently wrapped an arm around Taylor's shoulders and whispered in her ear.

"I'm not generous; I'm selfish," Taylor scoffed. "Seeing her is fine, but I need to redo my makeup first!"

"You already look great; it's not a beauty pageant," Ryan said, pulling her along.

*****

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