Later that day, the lively energy of the party slowly began to fade. The surprise celebration had served its purpose, transforming a group of strangers and colleagues into a tight-knit family. As artists began to say their goodbyes, Rachel took control, her pragmatic side kicking in. "Alright everyone, listen up," she said, her voice a calm but firm command. "I've booked rooms for all of you at the same building Landon is staying in. Stay there at least until you've settled in and can afford your dream houses. It's time to go home." As she ushered people toward the door, Rachel looked around for the one person who was missing. "Has anyone seen Landon?" she asked.
The artists all shook their heads. "He and Alex went outside for a walk a while ago," Kehlani said. "They said they just needed some fresh air."
Outside, the cold Montreal night air bit at their skin, a crisp, invigorating contrast to the warm, celebratory atmosphere of the party. Landon and Alex walked side-by-side, their conversation quiet and personal. "So," Alex began, his voice soft. "I heard a lot of things. The whole media circus, the album delay, the tour. What's going on, man? What really happened in LA?"
Landon sighed, his breath a white cloud in the cold air. He looked at Alex, a friend he trusted implicitly. "It's a long story," he said quietly. "After the awards, I felt...off. All the money, the fame, the awards... none of it mattered. I felt so completely alone." He paused, a faint smile on his face. "Then I met this girl, Amala, and she reminded me of what it was like to make music for the love of it, to do something real. She's a good person, Alex. A really good person." He turned to face his friend, the moonlight illuminating his face.
"Amala?" Alex asked, his voice laced with surprise. "You're not talking about the new artist? Damn it, I knew there was something going on between you two." He laughed, a warm, genuine sound that cut through the cold air. "Well, if anything, I'm glad you found someone who keeps you grounded. So my advice to you... don't break her heart trying to protect yours."
"What about you, though?" Landon asked, his voice full of genuine curiosity as they continued to walk. "How was Cuba? Did you find someone you like there? Come on, man, tell me everything."
Alex sighed, a faint smile on his face as he looked out at the night sky. "Yeah, there was this one girl, but it didn't work out." He laughed, a small, knowing sound. "You know, the people at my university actually love your music so much. One day, I remember telling them that you and I are childhood friends and grew up together, but all they did was call me a liar. They even threatened to beat me up if I kept making up stories."
"Man, I don't blame them," Landon said, a hint of a smile on his face. "You do have the face of a con artist after all."
Alex stopped in his tracks, his face a mask of feigned rage. "You dumb-ass!" he yelled, a laugh bursting from his chest a moment later. "Not everyone was blessed with hot model genes like you.You're not a person, man," Alex said, a mixture of exasperation and humor in his voice. "You're like the child of prime Halle Berry and Will Smith. That's why it's so easy for you to attract fine women like Liz, Amala, and Jamie."
Landon rolled his eyes, a soft laugh escaping his lips. "Man, are you still on the whole Jamie thing? That was like two years ago."
"Of course I am!" Alex said, his playful outrage returning. "She was my crush for the longest time, and when I finally asked her out for prom, all I got was a big, fat no. She told me she'd rather gag her eyes out with poison than be seen with me, and then a few days later, I learned that the very same Jamie was nervously asking you to go to the same prom."
Landon laughed first, the sound a low, rumbling chuckle that soon had Alex joining in. The two of them just stood there, laughing at the absurdity of it all, a shared moment of brotherhood in the cold night air. The laughter died down, and a comfortable silence settled between them. "I'm proud of you, man," Alex said, his voice soft and sincere. "You did good for yourself."
Landon smiled, his gaze turning to the starry sky above. "Thanks," he said quietly. "But up until now, I feel like I've been doing it for someone else. But now I feel like I can finally do it for me." Just as the words left his lips, both of their phones chimed in unison. Alex's screen lit up with a call from Rachel, while Landon's showed a call from Amala. The two friends looked at each other, the private, shared world they had just created suddenly intertwined with the reality of their new lives.
Alex held up his phone with a knowing smile. "Looks like the party's over," he said. "We gotta go back."
Landon nodded, his own phone still ringing in his hand. The weight of the moment had been lifted, replaced by the familiar urgency of their real lives. As they started walking back toward the towering glass building, Alex answered his phone.
"Yeah, Aunty, we're on our way," he said, rolling his eyes as he held the phone away from his ear.
Landon, meanwhile, answered his own call. "Hey, Amala," he said, his voice soft. He listened for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I'm with Alex. We're just heading back in." The cold air bit at their faces as they walked, but inside the building, the celebration was still humming. They re-entered the warmth of the party, leaving the quiet moment of their walk, and the profound words that had been said, behind them.
Later that night.
The elevator doors glided open with a soft chime, revealing a world of breathtaking luxury. Landon stepped out first, and Amala followed, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. The penthouse was a sprawling, modern masterpiece of glass and steel. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Montreal's city lights, a glittering sea that seemed to stretch on forever. "Welcome," Landon said with a warm smile, gesturing to the expansive space. "I hope you enjoy your stay."
Amala was silent, completely lost in awe and admiration. The minimalist decor, the sleek furniture, and the sheer, overwhelming scale of the place were a world away from her small, one-bedroom apartment. For a moment, she just stood there, mesmerized by the quiet luxury and the impossible view.
Amala found her voice, a small, reverent whisper. "This place is... unbelievable," she said, her eyes still scanning the panoramic view of the city. "It's a whole other world."
Landon smiled, the genuine, easy grin that was reserved for moments like this. He walked over to her and gently put a hand on her back. "It's just a place," he said softly. "The view is nice, but it's just a place. I'm glad you're here, though. After all the craziness, it's good to be somewhere quiet."
He led her further into the room, past a massive, dark wood table and towards a cozy seating area with a fireplace. "It's all so much, isn't it?" he asked, his voice low and empathetic. "The parties, the travel, the new record label... I know it can feel like you've been dropped into the deep end."
Amala nodded, finally looking at him. "It feels like a dream I'm going to wake up from at any second."
"I promise you," Landon said, his voice earnest as he looked into her eyes. "This is real. And it's not going anywhere."
"Besides," Landon said softly, his voice a low, intimate hum that was just for her. He leaned in, his gaze dropping from her eyes to her lips. "Even if it is a dream..." He closed the small distance between them, and their lips met in a gentle, tender kiss. It was a kiss that held all the promises he had just made, a silent confirmation that he was there, real and solid, a grounding force in the whirlwind of her new life. When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers. "...you're just gonna wake up next to me, so it's not that bad of a dream. Is it?"