Chapter 173: Caught in the Act!

[Chapter 173: Caught in the Act!]

"Am I really that unrecognizable?" Taylor stood in front of the mirror, face close to the glass, scrutinizing herself.

In the reflection, the girl with long golden curly hair looked back, her brow furrowed slightly.

"Not as pretty as you!" Ryan's voice came from outside, chipping in confidently.

"I wasn't even asking yet!" Taylor chuckled as she stepped out of the bathroom.

She found Ryan sitting at his computer, busy making music. Not wanting to disturb him while he worked, Taylor pulled out her makeup bag and began to apply makeup. At this stage, Taylor didn't have a full-time makeup artist following her around.

Ryan had his headphones on, lost in the world of music, completely unaware of the drastic change in Taylor's appearance happening behind him.

...

About an hour later, Ryan took a sip of his soda and casually glanced back, nearly losing his grip on the can of Coke.

"Do I look good now?" Taylor asked, sporting long false eyelashes and blinking rapidly, the lashes fluttering like wings.

Her blush was applied heavily, almost like a monkey's butt, and she had a thick layer of green eyeshadow...

It was clear: this was a major style change.

"Darling, I think you look great, but you really need a good stylist. For now, I suggest going back to your original look," Ryan replied, his expression serious.

Taylor's personal image had shifted with the release of each album.

From the "country girl" of her self-titled debut album to the youthful image in Fearless, the classic vintage look in Speak Now, and then to the trendy style seen in Red, followed by the modern, chic vibe in 1989, and finally, the darker edge of Reputation, and the vibrant look in Lover...

External appearances had always formed the first impressions people had of her, and she did this for the sake of keeping things fresh for the public; evolving her image was necessary.

Ryan's image had also changed since his debut, moving from a "normal guy" to a "fashionista," inspired by Justin Bieber's look in Where Are U Now.

As for which direction Ryan would take next, he was still figuring that out.

"Which song are you going to perform at the Grammys?" Ryan asked.

Taylor continued blinking madly. "Fifteen! I'm singing it with Miley!"

"I thought you didn't want to collaborate with her?" Ryan raised an eyebrow.

Previously at the VMAs, Taylor had turned down the organizer's proposal to co-host with Miley.

"But this is the Grammys! The producers think it's best for me to duet with Miley," Taylor said with a grin.

In the music realm, the Grammys were like the Oscars -- a true pinnacle. To perform at the Grammys was a dream for every singer.

It was understandable that Taylor would make a small concession to step onto that stage.

But singing Fifteen didn't completely align with Ryan and Taylor's interests.

"What if you perform solo at the Grammys? Wouldn't that be better?" Ryan suggested.

"Of course! But that's not up to me; it has to be approved by the producers," Taylor responded.

"If you performed a new song, the publicity would be even better. We could include it in the 'Collector's Edition' of Fearless, boosting sales further," Ryan continued to brainstorm.

"New song? Are you talking about the ones I just wrote?" Taylor asked.

"Exactly, like that song Superman," Ryan said with a raised eyebrow.

"I think it'd be better suited for a larger awards show, like the CMA or ACM. The Grammys are very strict about performance content and timing because the attention is so high," Taylor reasoned.

"Exactly because the attention is high, it would make it worthwhile," Ryan contemplated.

"I've got a plan..." he started explaining.

"Isn't this a bit risky? What if they decide to pull both of us from performing altogether?" Taylor laughed. Ryan surely was bold.

"Then let someone else take over. At minimum, you'd still have a major headline related to the Grammys -- consider it a minor loss. But if it works, it's a huge win!" Ryan mused.

This year at the Grammys, Taylor would essentially just be there for show, singing a song, not being a key player.

After hearing Ryan's analysis, Taylor began to consider the possibilities.

"What if I mess up my performance? I could just crack up on stage, right?" Taylor imagined the scene.

"Why even act? This situation is already going to be frustrating enough," Ryan said.

"What if Miley doesn't cooperate?" Taylor questioned again.

"Then that's on me; you just do your usual thing," Ryan shrugged.

...

At the Staples Center, the Grammy stage was being set up meticulously.

♫ Your mind's in disturbiaIt's like the darkness is lightDisturbia, am I scaring you tonight? (Your mind is in)Disturbia, ain't used to what you likeDisturbia, disturbia ♫

On stage, Rihanna was singing and dancing, while some heads of the production team sat in the front row, observing the lighting and the performers' movements.

Not only did Rihanna have a unique voice, but she also had impressive stamina; she didn't even lose her breath by the end of the song.

Ryan and Taylor Swift stood backstage with other performers scheduled to go on soon, and as Rihanna finished her set, Taylor couldn't help but clap excitedly.

Ryan glanced over at Chris Brown, who stood nearby. If there were any celebrity couple catching everyone's attention, it certainly had to be Rihanna and Chris.

"I need to get ready to go on stage," Taylor took a deep breath, spotting Miley Cyrus standing beside her, both dressed casually since it was just rehearsal.

...

Taylor grabbed her guitar and quickly walked on stage with Miley, who took her seat next to a microphone that had already been set up along with two high stools.

During the performance, Taylor and Miley barely made any eye contact, with no interaction at all.

The director eventually called for a re-do.

This time, the two managed to interact slightly, but it was limited to just a few smiles, clearly unable to recapture their previous chemistry.

The performance wrapped up, and Taylor and Miley returned backstage.

...

"I'm going to the restroom real quick," Taylor suddenly said to Ryan, passing her guitar to Erica.

Ryan nodded and glanced over at Miley, who was getting ready to take a break.

He called out to her and stepped closer.

"How have you been?" Ryan asked casually.

"Same old, countless performances, shooting shows, busy from dawn till dusk," Miley replied with a shrug, pretty accustomed to this lifestyle.

"By the way, did you really kill that guy?" Miley asked suddenly, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course not," Ryan quickly shook his head.

Miley laughed, a bit nervously.

"Where are you headed?" Ryan asked again.

"Back to the hotel. And you? Hanging out with Taylor?" Miley inquired.

"She... let's just forget about it," Ryan replied, shaking his head, appearing to hesitate.

"Sounds like trouble! Had enough of her?" Miley smirked slightly, recalling how Taylor had slapped her last time. If it weren't for the producer's request, she wouldn't be performing with Taylor.

"You know how she can be controlling, but I actually like... wild girls like you," Ryan said, nodding.

"Don't forget that kiss last time," Miley teased.

"That's hard to forget."

"Maybe you should just forget it; I don't want Taylor's fans after me," Miley replied, satisfied with how she outshined Taylor but didn't want to get too close to Ryan, especially in the busy backstage environment.

As Miley started to walk away, Ryan called after her, "I have a new song that would suit your voice; want to chat about it?"

Miley paused and turned back.

"How about we talk over there?" Ryan pointed to a nearby storage room.

...

Just as they stepped inside, Taylor returned, and Erica pointed to the storage room door, indicating the two had just gone in.

Taylor took a deep breath; it was her turn to perform now.

She quickly strode over and pulled the door open, only to see Ryan with his head down close to Miley, both leaning in quite closely.

Miley spotted Taylor at the door and quickly stepped back, creating distance between her and Ryan.

"What are you two doing?" Taylor asked, visibly annoyed.

"He asked me to come in! Said he wanted to collaborate on a new song!" Miley looked innocent.

"So, you just followed him in? If I had come in any later, would you have kissed him again? We're engaged, and you still can't let go?" Taylor raised her hand, the ring on her finger glinting.

"It's not what you think!" Miley tried to defend herself, clearly caught in a messy situation.

"What else could it be? Let everyone see what you've been up to!" Taylor shouted, fists clenched.

Seeing Miley and Ryan acting cozy, Taylor began to feel really upset.

"Calm down!" Miley panicked further.

"I can't calm down!"

The backstage area began filling up with staff and celebrities, drawn by Taylor's shouts, making their way towards the storage room.

"I need to leave; I'll explain later!" Miley, anxious, prepared to exit first.

"You have to clarify this today!" Taylor stood firmly blocking the door.

"Let me out!"

Miley and Taylor started shoving each other as more and more people gathered around...

*****

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