December 28th, 2015
The days flew by, a whirlwind of interviews, studio sessions, and late-night pizza. The initial panic of Landon's disappearance had transformed into a masterclass in PR, his spontaneous actions now framed as the artistic genius of a reclusive superstar. After a month in Los Angeles, it was finally time for Landon, Emma, and Rachel to return home to their base in Canada.
But they weren't traveling alone. Joining them on the private jet were a group of young artists, all fresh signings to Echowaves Records, all brought to the label because of Landon's influence. There was Amala, her nervousness from their first meeting replaced with a quiet confidence and a professional demeanor. She was followed by a shy, talented fourteen-year-old girl named Billie Eilish, with her brother and guardian, Finneas, at her side. Next came a brilliant R&B singer, H.E.R, with her signature sunglasses never leaving her face. The final passenger to board was a confident and soulful vocalist named Kehlani.
Gemma, one of Rachel's workers back at the record label, had sent word that Ella Mai had also arrived earlier that day. Each of these names was a future titan of the music industry, destined to dominate genres in their own right. Yet, in this timeline, they all had one thing in common: they were assembled because of one person. Landon, with his strange, future-seeing knowledge, had become the architect of a new musical revolution. As the jet prepared for takeoff, Landon looked out the window at the city lights, a private smile on his face. He had lost one thing in Los Angeles, but he had found something far more valuable in return.
Landon watched the city lights of Los Angeles shrink beneath the plane's wing. The roar of the jet engine was a low hum, a stark contrast to the thumping chaos of the past month. He leaned back in his plush seat, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling over him as he thought of the roster he had gained for Echo Waves. He ran the names through his mind, a mental list of future legends all under one roof. One Direction, the world's biggest boy band, were already a cornerstone of the label. Then there was Tatiana Manaois, an indie gem with a raw, emotional voice he knew would resonate with millions. And now, thanks to him, the roster had expanded to include Amala,the future chameleon of talent. There was also Billie Eilish, a hauntingly brilliant artist, along with her brother Finneas, a production genius. He had also signed the soulful H.E.R and the powerful R&B singers, Kehlani and Ella Mai. And then, of course, there was himself.
The realization of the sheer, concentrated talent he had gathered filled him with a powerful mix of pride and amusement. This was no normal record label. This was a supergroup of superstars, a future he had helped build with his own hands. He smirked, the thought of what was to come a thrill in his veins. "Next year is gonna be a busy hell of a year for real," he whispered to himself, a private grin on his face as the plane ascended into the night sky.
Later that day, the jet touched down on the tarmac in Montreal, Canada. This was home, the base of operations for Landon, Rachel, Emma, and, most importantly, Echowaves Records. The air was cold, crisp, and filled with a sense of purpose. As the door of the plane began to open, a roar from the tarmac grew louder, a familiar and chaotic sound. Landon, seeing their unease, turned to them with a calm, reassuring smile. "Just a heads-up," he said, his voice clear over the noise. "The paparazzi of Canada love me a lot, so you guys might get swept up in the mess if you don't follow us immediately."
Rachel took charge the moment the plane door was fully open. "Alright everyone, listen up," she said, her voice cutting through the growing roar from the tarmac. "Security is waiting outside to escort you to the SUVs. We'll go first, and Landon will follow last."
The new artists nodded, taking a collective deep breath before stepping off the plane. They were instantly met with a blinding wall of camera flashes and a flurry of shouted questions. The paparazzi swarmed, a chaotic, disorganized mess of bodies and lenses. A few moments later, a figure emerged from the plane's doorway, instantly drawing every camera and every voice away from the group. Landon walked out onto the stairs, a calm, composed expression on his face. The collective gasp of the crowd was audible, followed by a renewed, feverish shouting of his name. He stood there for a moment, a human diversion, allowing everyone else to slip away and move freely through the chaos to the waiting vehicles.
Landon moved through the controlled chaos with a practiced ease. Camera flashes exploded around him, a blinding barrage of light. Shouted questions flew at him from every direction, but he kept his composure, a calm smile on his face. He signed a few posters here and there, a small gesture of appreciation for the fans who had braved the cold for him.
"Landon, what's with the album delay?" one reporter yelled.
"Did you really sign all those new artists?" asked another.
He answered with simple nods and smiles, but the questions quickly turned to the subject everyone was really there for. Rumors had been flying for a week, fueled by a grainy, leaked photo of him hugging a woman in a hoodie.
"Landon, who's the lady in the picture?" one voice called out.
"Are you seeing someone? Is that why you stayed in LA for so long?"another shouted.
Landon just shook his head, the smile on his face never faltering. He declined to answer any questions regarding his love life, a clear boundary that his team had prepared for. The media could speculate, but he wouldn't confirm anything that would put Amala's life in the public eye. He reached the black SUV, pulling the door open as his security team created a wedge between him and the crowd. He slid into the vehicle, the roar of the paparazzi fading into a muffled hum as the door closed.
Landon took a deep sigh as he sank into the plush leather seat of the SUV, the shouts of the paparazzi now a muffled drone. He looked at the driver through the rearview mirror, a wave of relief washing over his face.
"Santos," Landon said, his voice calm and clear. "Let's go home. Back to Echowaves."
The driver, a tall, muscular man with a serious expression, met his gaze in the mirror. "I thought a month of not seeing you meant you'd finally remember my name," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "But to think you still can't say Stephan. Damn it."
Landon laughed, a deep, genuine sound that reached his eyes. "Oh right. Sorry about that, Stiffler."
The driver, Stephan, just rolled his eyes, a familiar exasperation on his face. He shook his head and muttered to himself, "He's your boss, Stephan. You can't hit him." He put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb.
As the SUV pulled away from the airport, Landon pulled out his phone. He opened Instagram and found Amala's profile, a small smile on his face. He sent her a quick message, and moments later, she replied. Soon, they were engaged in a playful back-and-forth, their private joke about his antics filling their chat. He sent her a meme, and she responded with a laughing emoji, their shared world a quiet bubble in the midst of his chaotic celebrity life. Despite being in separate SUVs, the miles between them felt nonexistent.
About an hour later, the convoy of black SUVs finally pulled up to a massive, modern glass building. The Echowaves Records logo was emblazoned in sleek, silver lettering above the entrance. The sight of it filled Landon with a deep sense of pride. He stepped out of the car and looked at the towering structure, his gaze sweeping over the polished facade. He let out a tired but satisfied sigh, a familiar energy returning to him. "It's been a while," he said, a private grin on his face. "Daddy's back."
Amala, Billie, H.E.R., and Kehlani exited their respective SUVs, the cool Canadian air a crisp shock after the L.A. warmth. They all walked towards Landon, who stood with a proud, almost paternal look on his face. As Amala drew near, their eyes met, and a private smile passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the shared secret that had brought them to this moment.
Rachel clapped her hands, her sharp sound cutting through the low chatter of the group. "Alright, everyone, listen up!" she commanded, her voice full of pride. "Welcome to Echowaves. From this moment on, the building behind you is more than just a record label, it's your home. You are it, and it is you. Have pride in it. Now, let's head inside."
The doors of the building slid open, revealing a vibrant scene. Employees and other artists jumped out, shouting, "Welcome back!" A surprise party, complete with balloons, streamers, and cheers, was in full swing. But among the familiar faces, Landon, Emma, and Rachel spotted one that made them all smile. A young man with a warm smile and kind eyes stepped forward. It was Alex(Chapter 1), the friend who had recommended Landon sign with Echowaves all those years ago. He was also Rachel's nephew. "Welcome back," Alex said, his smile growing wider. "Oh, and I'm home."