As the door to the recording booth swung open, Ethan's heart stopped in his chest. He could barely believe what he was seeing. There, standing at the mic in the center of the booth, was none other than Eminem. The legendary rapper, the man whose music had shaped an entire generation, was recording in front of him.
The track blasting from the speakers hit hard—sharp, commanding, and filled with the unmistakable cadence of Em's voice. The lyrics were raw, biting, and relentless. Ethan's mouth went dry as he realized that this wasn't just any random moment. This was the moment.
For a second, everything around him faded. The room—packed with eager producers, techs, and some of the biggest names in the industry—disappeared. All that mattered was Eminem, right there in front of him.
Bill, Rebecca, and Jessica were already completely absorbed in the magic of the moment. But Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief. It wasn't just a fan experience; it was like walking straight into a dream. He felt his heart thud loudly in his chest. The track finished, and the energy in the room shifted. The air practically hummed with anticipation.
Then, there was a brief silence before Eminem pulled off his headphones and stepped out of the booth. His gaze immediately found Ethan's, locking with a quiet intensity that sent a ripple of heat through Ethan's body. This wasn't a moment to blink or look away.
Eminem smiled—just a hint of a smirk, the kind that only someone like him could pull off—and moved toward him with a calm confidence. Ethan didn't know if his legs would hold up as he stood frozen in place.
"Ethan Jones," Eminem said, his gravelly voice familiar but more real than ever in that space.
Ethan blinked a few times, almost as if expecting to wake up from some insane daydream. "Yeah. Yeah, that's me," he stammered, feeling like a complete amateur as he shook Eminem's hand.
Eminem's grip was firm, but there was a quiet understanding in his eyes. "I've been waiting for you."
Ethan's breath caught in his throat. "Waiting for me?" he echoed, dumbfounded.
"Yeah," Eminem nodded, glancing around at the room. "I've been here for hours, actually. Wasn't going anywhere till I met you."
Ethan's eyes went wide as he caught the exchange. "Wait—you've been here waiting for me? " Eminem shrugged with a hint of a grin. "I don't do things half-assed. When I want something, I make sure it happens." He turned his attention back to Ethan. "I've been hearing your stuff for a while now. And then when I heard that song riptide,' I couldn't get it out of my head. There was something about your voice, your style… the raw energy. And I knew. I had to find you."
Ethan was still in shock, his mind struggling to piece together the whirlwind of words. "So you came all the way here just to meet me?"
"Exactly," Eminem said, as though it were the most normal thing in the world. "I don't usually do this. I don't chase after people. But there was something about you that grabbed me. You've got this vibe, this fire that's hard to ignore."
Ethan couldn't believe it. He was standing in front of one of the most influential artists in the world, and Eminem was talking about him like he was the next big thing.
Bill, Rebecca, and Jessica were practically vibrating with excitement. Rebecca's jaw was nearly on the floor. "This is unreal," she whispered, while Jessica grinned like she was about to explode.
Eminem seemed to read the room's collective shock and nodded. "I know it's a lot to take in, but listen. You're the one I've been looking for. I've got a track that's been stuck in my head for weeks. It needs someone with your raw sound, your edge. And I think you're the one who can do it justice."
Ethan could hardly breathe. "Wait, you mean you want me to work with you? On your track?"
"Yeah," Eminem said, as though it were the simplest request in the world. "You've got the fire I'm looking for. The world needs to hear what we can make together."
Ethan was barely keeping it together. He had dreamed of moments like this—of meeting his idols, of collaborating with the best of the best—but standing here, in the middle of a recording studio with Eminem himself, the reality seemed too good to be true.
"How long have you been planning this?" Ethan finally asked, his voice still shaky.
"Honestly? About a week. But I didn't want to just send an email or have my people reach out. I needed to see you. Meet you in person, y'know? Feel the energy for myself." Eminem ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly sheepish. "I don't wait around for anyone, but for you? Yeah, I'd wait."
Rebecca was bouncing on her heels now, grinning widely. "I can't even—this is everything," she muttered, half to herself, still in disbelief.
Jessica stepped forward, her eyes wide. "Ethan, do you even realize what's happening right now? This is huge!"
Eminem chuckled, clearly enjoying the enthusiasm of Ethan's team. "I think Ethan's starting to get it. This is history, right here. So let's make it happen. You in?"
Ethan nodded, the reality sinking in. This was his dream coming true. He was going to work with Eminem—Eminem, the man who had shaped his own sound, his own style.
"Yeah. I'm in," Ethan finally said, his voice more confident now, though his heart was still racing.
"Good," Eminem said with a satisfied nod. "Let's get to work then."
The room erupted into applause, but Ethan didn't hear it. He was too busy trying to process what had just happened. Eminem had come specifically for him, waited for hours just to meet him, and now he was offering him the opportunity of a lifetime. Ethan's head spun as the reality of it all settled in.
In that moment, Ethan knew his life was about to change forever.