Lucas's heart ached as he observed his friend's downcast expression, the weight of recent hardships etched into every line on Paul's face. It was clear that losing his girlfriend had taken a devastating toll, not only emotionally but also on his once-flourishing acting career. As they strolled side by side, Lucas broached the subject cautiously, offering to leverage his connections—including his manager, Neil—to help Paul get back on his feet. However, Paul seemed reluctant to accept such generosity, as if he didn't want to burden his friend any further.
"Your song alone helped me so much, Lucas," Paul said, patting him on the shoulder. "I can't keep taking advantage of you every time I'm in deep shit."
Lucas could sense the prideful undertone in Paul's voice, and while he understood where it came from, he hated seeing his friend suffer. He yearned to take away the pain, to fix the unfixable, but he knew that sometimes, all he could do was be there for him.
Lucas chuckled gently, "That's what friends are for, isn't it?" He nudged Paul playfully. "If the roles were reversed, you'd do the same for me, right?"
Paul couldn't help but chuckle too. "Yeah, I guess so. But don't expect me to compose a song for you on the spot like you did for me at the bar…"
Lucas laughed softly, "Composing on the spot? Haha, no way. That song's been in my head for a while now."
"Don't be modest with me, Lucas," Paul teased, clearly not buying it.
Lucas just smiled, deciding not to correct him. After all, if Paul thought he was some musical prodigy, there was no harm in letting him believe that. Besides, he couldn't very well reveal that the song was actually one of his favorite from his past life.
As they entered Starbucks, Paul casually asked, "So, I heard you moved out of our old place. Where'd you end up?"
Lucas stirred his latte. "I'm at The Copper now."
Paul nearly spilled his mocha. "Wow, that complex is pricey. You're living the high life, huh?"
Lucas shrugged modestly. "It's got two bedrooms. If you ever need a change of scenery, you're welcome to crash."
"Thanks, man," Paul said, genuinely touched. "I'm good in my current place, but I wouldn't mind a tour sometime."
"Anytime," Lucas smiled, and after they finished their drinks, he led Paul to his car where Shawn, his personal driver, was waiting.
The ride to The Copper was spent catching up on more mundane topics, but when they arrived, Paul's jaw dropped. The moment they stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor, the breathtaking cityscape greeted them through the transparent wall. The spacious living room oozed luxury, and Paul couldn't help but be impressed.
"Damn, Lucas," he whistled. "You're really living it up."
---
A day after Lucas sang for his friend Paul in the bar, a heartfelt song about overcoming hardships, the video of his performance went viral on social media. Fans and celebrities alike couldn't get enough of his soulful voice and relatable lyrics.
@Lady Gaga: 😍 This guy's voice is pure gold! #LucasKnight #ViralSensation
@Katy Perry: 🎶💕 This song has me in tears! @LucasXKnight, you've got a new fan here. Keep shining! #LucasKnight
@Rihanna: 🔥🔥🔥 Yasss, Lucas! You just made it to my playlist! #LucasKnight #VoiceOfAnAngel
@Britney Spears: 💖🎤 I'm obsessed with this voice! @LucasXKnight, you're going places, honey! #LucasKnight #NewFanAlert
@TraceAdkins: 🎸 What a beautiful song from such a talented young man. #LucasKnight, you've got a new fan in me.
@Diddy: 🎤😍 Can't get enough of your voice, @LucasXKnight! Your talent and charm are undeniable. Hope to see you at my next party. #LucasKnight
As the video of Lucas's performance spread like wildfire, fans and new admirers alike took to social media to express their adoration.
@Melissa_1243: 🎧💕 @LucasXKnight, your voice is everything! Please tell me you're working on an album? #AlbumPlease
@JohnLee125: 🎶🙏🏻 Lucas, you have a gift! We need an album ASAP! #AlbumNow
@Sarah_190: 😍 @LucasXKnight, your voice is the serenade my soul needed. Can't wait for your second album! #LucasKnight #AlbumHype
@Mark_87: 🎧🎤 Lucas, you're amazing! Don't keep us waiting too long for an album, okay? #LucasKnight #AlbumCountdown
And so on, the tweets went on, flooding his mentions with requests for more music and an album.
"I wish I were friends with Lucas so he could serenade me anytime!" one user gushed, and the tweet was flooded with likes and retweets.
Another user joined in, "I'm curious about this 'Paul' guy he sang for. Anyone know what he looks like?"
A third user chimed in, "I think I saw him in another video of Lucas's performance. Heard he's an actor too!"
"Yeah, I remember now! Wasn't he in 'Walking Dead'?"
As the conversation continued, Paul was also in the spotlight, thanks to his association with the internet's newest sensation.
---
The cast of Modern Family, including Ty Burrell, Julie, Sarah, and Ariel, were on their break when they noticed their co-star, Lucas Knight, was trending on social media again. They gathered around a phone, their faces a mix of awe and melancholy.
Ty Burrell sighed, his fingers tapping on the table. "Can you believe it? He was just a beginner when the series started."
Julie nodded, her eyes glued to the screen. "And now, he's everywhere."
Sarah tapped the play button on her phone, and the video began to play. The sounds of the bustling patrons in the bar filled the quiet space, along with the soft tinkling of piano keys. On the screen, Lucas appeared wearing a cap and sunglasses, casually testing the instrument's sound. Nolan and Ariel leaned in closer, captivated by the clip.
Nolan nudged Ariel, a grin spreading across his face. "He looks so cool, right?"
Ariel nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the video. "Yeah, he really does."
The video continued to play, and on the screen, Lucas Knight finally stopped fiddling with the piano and began to play for real. The beautiful melody filled the room, captivating the cast and crew alike. In the clip, Lucas looked directly into the camera and said, "This song is dedicated to my friend, Paul." Then, he started to sing.
"Laying in the silence, waiting for the sirens, signs, any signs I'm alive still. I don't wanna lose it, but I'm not getting through this, hey, should I pray? Should I pray? Yeah, to myself? To a God? To a savior who can unbreak the broken, unsay these spoken words, find hope in the hopeless, pull me out of the train wreck, unburn the ashes, unchain the reactions now, not ready to die, not yet, pull me out of the train wreck."
Ty Burrell, Julie, Sarah, Nolan, and Ariel were taken aback by the raw emotion in his voice. Even some of the crew members nearby had stopped their work to watch the viral footage of Lucas singing on their phones.
Christopher and Steven, who weren't usually big on social media, noticed the commotion and approached the group. "What's all the fuss about?" Christopher asked, eyebrow raised.
One of the crew members handed their phone to the two, and they watched in silence as they listened to Lucas's soulful performance.
After the song ended, Christopher turned to Steven, awe-stricken. "It's hard to believe we cast this guy for a guest role as Dylan, isn't it?" he mused aloud.
Steven nodded, still processing the talent they'd just witnessed. "Yeah, who would've thought he was this talented? He's come a long way since then."
---
Lucas Knight stepped foot into Liza's restaurant, lowering his cap further on his face. Although New Yorkers were used to celebrities, he didn't want to attract too much attention. He knew that people often visited Liza's restaurant hoping to catch a glimpse of him, and while he appreciated his fans, he needed a break from the paparazzi. Liza had complained about the increase in customers with digital cameras lately, who seemed more interested in stalking him than actually dining.
Lucas sent Liza a text, and she was in the kitchen, overseeing the chefs and servers. The moment her phone buzzed, she excused herself and checked the message. Recognizing the sender, she dropped everything and rushed outside.
Liza scanned the tables, and spotted a man in the corner, wearing a cap and sunglasses. Even with the disguise, she knew it was Lucas. She couldn't help but smile as she approached his table.
Liza tapped Lucas on the shoulder, and he turned to her with a questioning look. With a warm smile, she led him through the bustling restaurant and into her office. As soon as the door was shut, she pulled him into a tight hug. "It's been so long. It's good to see you," she said, genuine happiness in her eyes. She was always grateful that he hadn't forgotten them even after becoming famous.
Lucas returned the hug, relief evident on his face. "Good to see you too, Liza. I'm glad to see that business is still booming."
Liza poured them both a cup of coffee as they sat down on the sofa. "I see you're trending on Twitter again," she said, raising her mug in a cheeky toast.
Lucas smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I saw it. I've kind of gotten used to it by now."
"Our little friends at the hospital love the new song, by the way. It's all they can talk about." Liza chuckled, referring to the children they both knew from the Bellevue hospital.
"Well, what can I say? As long as it's me, it's their favorite," Lucas joked, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
"Your their idol, after all," Liza teased, clinking her mug against his.
The mood sobered as Lucas asked, "How are they really doing?" His concern for the children was evident.
Liza sipped her coffee, her expression softening. "They're doing well, all things considered. James is actually recovering gradually."
Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders visibly relaxing.
Lucas and Liza caught up for a while longer, discussing everything from his new songs to the children's progress at the hospital. Eventually, they agreed to visit them together once Lucas had some free time. As he prepared to leave, Liza was called back to the kitchen, apologizing for the interruption. They hugged goodbye, promising to stay in touch.
Lucas exited the restaurant, his heart lighter after the heartwarming conversation. Just as he reached his car, his phone buzzed with a message from his manager, Neil. "Big Machine Records wants to talk about your second album. They're eager to capitalize on your viral videos. Call me ASAP," it read.
Lucas chuckled at the record label's impatience. It seemed they wanted to strike while the iron was hot, hoping to cash in on his fame.