Landon took a deep sigh, a final, quiet moment of preparation before opening the car door. The moment he stepped out, a wall of light and sound hit him. Camera flashes exploded in his face, and voices shouted his name from every direction. "Landon! Where were you? Are you okay? Was it a breakdown?"
He ignored the deafening questions, his gaze fixed straight ahead. He held up a hand in a peaceful gesture as he walked toward the studio entrance, a composed expression on his face." I had a long night," he said, his voice calm but firm, cutting through the noise. "All of your questions will be answered in the interview. Just be patient."
Inside the studio, the atmosphere was a mix of controlled chaos and palpable anticipation. Lights hummed, cameras were tested, and a young host with a bright, hungry look in her eyes sat on the edge of the sleek, modern sofa that served as the set. Her name was Chloe, and this was the biggest break of her career. Her boss's voice buzzed in her earpiece, a sharp, urgent command. "Chloe, you get in there and you get the story. Don't let him leave without an answer. Strike while the iron's hot. The internet is already linking his disappearance to Liz and that Corcoran guy. Ask him straight up if that's what made him go MIA. It's the only question that matters."
Landon walked onto the set, calm and composed, the chaotic night a distant memory. He sat down across from Chloe, her confident smile not quite reaching her eyes. He knew exactly what was coming. But it didn't make a difference in his eyes, whether it was his old life as a hitman or this new one as Landon, he knew he had to swim with sharks and he knew how to survive.
The studio lights hummed, their warmth a familiar comfort as Landon settled into his seat across from Chloe. She began the interview with a bright, professional smile, her voice clear and upbeat. "Landon, congratulations on your incredible night at the American Music Awards," she started, her eyes shining. "Winning six awards is historic. What did that night mean to you?"
Landon smiled, a genuine, quiet look on his face. "It was... it was a dream," he said. "It felt like a validation of all the hard work, not just my own, but my team's, their my family, so I cherish them a lot. To see people connect with the music on that level, it's the greatest feeling in the world."
Chloe nodded, moving on to her next question. "While accepting k e award you teased a new album. Your first album was such a massive success. Can we expect a similar sound and structure on your next project?"
Landon shook his head. "No," he said, a hint of a new energy in his voice. "My first album was a 50/50 mix of pop and R&B. This next one is definitely more to the R&B side. It's a different sound, a different me. It gives off a more grown-up, raw vibe."
The two went back and forth for a few more minutes about the new album, Landon's answers short but intriguing. He was composed, professional, and in control. The interview was going exactly as planned.
Then, Chloe's smile tightened, and she leaned forward, her voice dropping to a serious, confidential tone. "Landon, yesterday was an incredible night for you," she began again. "But it seems the world is just as interested in what happened after you left the venue. Social media is speculating that you went missing after seeing Liz, a friend who appeared in your video, with her boyfriend, Michael Corcoran. Was your disappearance because of them?"
Landon let out a dry, mirthless laugh. It was a sound of calm amusement, completely at odds with the serious tone of the question. He shook his head slowly, a hint of a smile on his face. "No," he said, his voice as smooth as it was on his records. "That's not what happened." He looked directly into the camera, addressing the millions of viewers and the journalist who was fishing for a story. "I did read the article on my way here, though. 'Winning six awards but couldn't win a single heart.' I have to say, that headline is wrong."
He leaned back in his chair, now completely in control of the interview. "The reason I didn't show up to the after-party wasn't because of a Liz and Michael. It was because I wanted to go celebrate with the people who actually made sure I won. The fans." He paused before continuing. "That's why I went to a nightclub in the city after the awards. And honestly," he said, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone, "it was the best decision of my life. I met a beautiful, talented individual, and I can promise you, the world isn't ready for her music."
Chloe's eyes lit up, the scent of a new scoop overpowering her. "Who is she?" she pressed, leaning forward. "Is it an up-and-coming singer? A new girlfriend?"
Landon just smiled and shook his head. "Sorry," he said, his expression serious. "For the time being, I want her to enjoy being normal a little longer. Soon, she's gonna have you vultures chasing her every movement for a headline."
Chloe, sensing the unyielding authority in his voice, knew better than to push any further. She smoothly transitioned, a practiced smile returning to her face as she looked directly into the camera. "And with that, we'll wrap up for today," she said. "Landon, thank you for your time. Do you have a final message for your fans watching at home?"
Landon turned to face the camera, his gaze serious and direct. "First, I'm sorry to the fans, but I'm going to have to delay the album by a month. After meeting with that talented lady I mentioned earlier, I realized my album is still lacking. So now, I'm going to restructure it a bit. I'll see you all in February."
He paused, a small, mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Oh, and next year, in September, I'm planning my first international tour. So get ready. If you want to see me in your city, I want to see your city in my top 10 streaming areas."
Landon's words hung in the air, a final, definitive statement that sent a shockwave through the studio. The moment the cameras cut, Chloe's professional facade dropped, and her jaw fell open in stunned disbelief. She had expected an emotional interview, maybe a few tears, but he had just turned a public relations crisis into a strategic masterpiece. He simply stood up and walked off the set, Rachel and Emma immediately falling in step with him, their faces a mix of stunned silence and dawning realization. The walk back to the car was a controlled stampede. The paparazzi were in a frenzy, shouting about the album delay and the new tour. He had given them exactly what they wanted, a narrative, a story, a reason to keep watching.
As they got back into the car, Rachel let out a long, theatrical groan. "A month?" she said, her voice a mixture of exasperation and pure excitement. "You just cost us millions in marketing, and you're adding a tour to my workload, and you did it all on live television!" She looked at him, shaking her head. "But I've got to admit, Landon, you just won the morning. You're the top story on every network. They're already calling you a genius."
Landon Looked at her. "Millions, sh-millons. Dont worry, I'll make it back." He said jokingly before pulling his phone out of his pocket. He had successfully controlled the public narrative. Now, it was time to check in on his personal one. He went to his messages, a faint smile on his face as he saw a new text from Amala. The chaos of the paparazzi and the strategic exhaustion of the interview all faded away. All that mattered was this.
He opened the message.
Amala: "The song sounds incredible on a proper sound system. Thanks for leaving the pastries, your team is so nice."
A quiet smile spread across his face, a real one this time. The public could speculate all they wanted, but here was the truth, in a simple text message.
Landon: "Good. And yeah, they're the best. We should find you a few producers to work with, get you some different sounds."
He put his phone back in his pocket, a new sense of calm settling over him. Rachel looked at him in the rearview mirror, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you smiling about?" she asked, her voice filled with a familiar mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Did you just get some good news?"
Landon shook his head, looking out the window as the city lights blurred by. "Yeah," he said quietly, a private world humming just beneath the surface of his celebrity life. "The best."