Hey ya!. I would've uploaded the chapter earlier. But, I accidentally poured my coffee on my laptop😫. So, I had to use my phone, it's old and slow but it got the job done regardless. Some please paypal me😂
Anyway, back to the story.
Alex's face broke into a wide grin, and he bolted toward his aunt. Rachel's expression was a mixture of utter disbelief and pure joy as Alex's arms enveloped her in a tight hug. She buried her head in his shoulder, her usual professional demeanor completely gone. "I can't believe it," she muttered into his shirt. "You're really here." After a long moment, Alex pulled away and shifted his attention to Landon. The two of them met in the middle of the crowded room, skipping a formal hug for their own special greeting. They shared a fast, intricate fist-bump handshake, a silent language they had developed over the years, a testament to their deep bond.
"It's been a while, man," Landon said, his voice full of genuine warmth. "How's Cuba?"
Alex laughed, the sound bright and full of life.
"It's nice, actually. But studying to be a doctor is hard, you know? It's all books, all the time."
His smile faltered slightly as he looked between Landon and Rachel. "I came back on the 20th to surprise you guys, but I was the one who was surprised when I found out you were still in California. Man, talk about being slefiah. You even missed Christmas with us."
Landon punches him softly on the arm. "Watch who you're calling selfish. If memory serves me right, you didnt even come home last Christmas."
Landon and Alex stood in the middle of the crowded room, a comfortable tension lingering between them. Their playful banter was a clear sign of their deep-rooted friendship. Rachel, seeing the moment had passed, stepped between them. "Alright, you two," she said, her voice a mix of a command and a loving sigh. "We have a party to attend, and you have some people to meet." She gestured toward the group of new artists standing a few feet away. Alex's eyes widened with genuine excitement as he took them all in.
Landon clapped Alex on the back. "Speaking of selfish, Alex," he said with a grin, "I went all the way to L.A. and I came back with a whole new team. This is my friend Alex, the one responsible for convincing me to sign with Echowaves...and Alex, these are the new artists of Echo Waves." He gestured to each of them. "This is H.E.R, Kehlani, Billie and her brother Finneas, and of course, Amala."
Alex moved through the group, shaking hands and offering sincere welcomes. Amala watched the exchange from a distance, a soft smile on her face. She saw how Landon's easy charisma in front of the press was simply a magnified version of his true self. Here, in this room, he was just Landon, the proud friend, the returning prodigal son, the architect of a new musical family.
A new voice, smooth and laced with a playful accent, cut through the welcoming chatter. Zayn, with a wry smirk on his face, walked over to Landon and the group. He put a hand on his chest in mock offense. "So that's the reason it took you a month to return," he said, his eyes twinkling. "You got bored of us and assembled a new team! I feel so betrayed."
Landon's smile widened. He walked over to Zayn and clapped him on the shoulder. "Look at you, all dramatic. If you really felt that way, you would've found me in Los Angeles." He leaned in with a whisper. "Besides, I found a girl who can write a hook better than all of you combined."
Zayn's playful scowl broke into a laugh. "That's a bold claim, mate." Just then, Harry, Liam, and Louis joined them, their faces a mixture of relief and genuine curiosity.
"Mate, we were worried sick," Liam said, patting Landon on the back. "A whole month? Didn't even send a text."
"And then we see all the headlines about the album delay and a new tour," Louis added, a hint of a grin on his face. "You really know how to make an entrance, don't you?"
Harry, ever the perceptive one, simply looked at Landon. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft. "We saw the articles about you and Liz..."
Landon just smiled and shook his head, looking back at the group of new artists. "I'm more than okay," he said. "The album delay is a good thing. And I'm not the only one with new music. We've got an entire wave of new talent ready to take over the charts." He gestured to Amala and the others. The One Direction boys' attention shifted, their initial worry replaced with the excitement of a new project. For the first time, all the artists of Echo Waves were together, and the future of the label felt limitless.
Landon smiled, the energy in the room building with every word. He looked at the entire group of artists, from the members of One Direction to the new signings. "And speaking of the tour," he said, his voice dropping slightly as a playful smirk spread across his face, "all of you are coming with me, so I won't be lonely." The words hung in the air, a silent, monumental shockwave. Amala's eyes went wide with disbelief. Billie, H.E.R., and Kehlani stared at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and awe. A world tour. With Landon Asher.
But they weren't the only ones in shock.
The members of One Direction looked at each other, their faces a mix of stunned disbelief and utter excitement. They had only just become a band, their debut album not even set to release until next March. This wasn't just a tour; it was a launchpad, a chance to perform their music to millions of people before it even hit the shelves. The sheer, unprecedented scale of the opportunity left them completely speechless. Landon just laughed, enjoying every second of their stunned silence.
Rachel, who had been standing silently in awe of the moment, suddenly snapped out of her daze. She moved swiftly, wrapping her arm around Landon's neck in a light but firm headlock. "You bastard," she hissed, a playful fury in her eyes. "I thought we agreed not to tell them until the new year."
Landon's eyes went wide, and he started to tap her arm. "I'm sorry!" he screamed, muffled in her grip. "I forgot!"
The entire team, a mix of new and old artists, burst into laughter. The sound was a loud, joyful chorus that completely broke the tension.
"We missed you guys!" Liam shouted, his voice full of genuine affection.
"I knew you'd come back eventually!" Louis chimed in with a grin.
Rachel finally let go of Landon, a fond, exasperated smile on her face. "You two are impossible," she said, looking from Landon to Alex. And with that, the party truly began. The music from the speakers was turned up, and the room was filled with the celebratory energy of old friends reuniting and new friendships being forged. The new artists, now officially part of the Echo Waves family, were finally able to relax and enjoy the moment.
Just as the party was in full swing, the front doors to the studio swung open again. A young woman with a warm, apologetic smile walked in. It was Tatiana Manaois, and beside her was another new artist, Ella Mai.
"I am so sorry, I totally overslept," Tatiana said, her voice a little breathless as she looked around at the celebrating crowd.
Ella Mai stepped forward, a poised and confident smile on her face. "Hello everyone," she said, her British accent a charming addition to the lively room. "Glad we could make it."
Rachel walked over to greet them with a warm hug. "Don't worry about it," she said. "We're just glad you're here. The party officially starts now." Landon moved through the crowd to greet them as well, a sense of quiet pride swelling in his chest. His team was now complete.
The party hit a new level of energy as Tatiana and Ella Mai were welcomed into the fold. The room was now a vibrant mix of old and new faces, a testament to the future of the label.One Direction found themselves in conversation with the new signings, bridging the gap between their eras. Louis was telling Kehlani a story, his gestures animated and his laugh loud, while Harry was in a quiet corner with Billie Eilish, their conversation soft and earnest.
Amala, now fully at ease, was talking to Liam and H.E.R., the three of them sharing stories about their musical influences. She felt a sense of belonging she hadn't known was possible just a month ago. Landon stood to the side with Rachel and Emma, a private smile on his face as he watched the scene unfold. His eyes swept over the room, taking in the future of music standing right in front of him. He saw the world's most popular band, the next generation of R&B and pop icons, and a few diamonds he'd plucked from obscurity, all of them now connected through him. He was no longer just a solo artist; he was the center of a musical universe, a silent orchestrator of a new destiny. He had brought them all here, and from this moment on, nothing would be the same.