Ethan walked into the towering glass building of his label, feeling a renewed energy after his short but much-needed break. The past few months had been a whirlwind of studio sessions, media appearances, and meetings. Now, with the memory of recording a track with Eminem still fresh, he felt like he was riding a high that wouldn't come down anytime soon.
As he stepped out of the elevator and into the conference room, the familiar faces of his team greeted him: Jessica, the sharp and no-nonsense representative sent by the label to oversee his career; Rebecca, his publicist with an uncanny ability to turn even his smallest wins into headlines; and Bill, his ever-dedicated agent, whose loyalty sometimes bordered on overbearing.
"Morning, everyone," Ethan said casually, pulling out a chair and slumping into it with a grin. "Bill, man, I told you, you don't have to keep coming over. Don't you have a wife? She's probably tired of you spending all your time babysitting me."
Bill chuckled, shaking his head. "Kid, I've told you before, what we're doing here is important. My wife understands. Besides," he added with a smirk, "this babysitting gig of mine is about to pay off in a big way."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Alright, alright. What's so important that we had to meet this early?"
Rebecca leaned forward, her tablet already open with notes. "Have you forgotten? It's about your tour."
Ethan's face lit up. "Finally!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. He had been itching to hit the road, to connect with fans, and to feel the energy of live performances.
Jessica cut in, her tone measured but firm. "There's more to it than just the tour. Eminem's team has decided to release 'River' in one week's time."
"One week?" Ethan repeated, his excitement shifting into focus.
Jessica nodded. "Yes, and we're going to use that momentum to announce your 'One of a Kind' tour. This won't just be a quick run through California and the next twenty states like you initially thought."
Ethan tilted his head, confused. "Wait, what? I thought we were keeping it smaller for now."
Jessica's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "The label and I want this to be big, Ethan. Huge. The kind of tour that solidifies your name as a household brand. The label will fund everything—venues, promotion, the works. We're going all in. This is September now. We'll start with a few shows here in Los Angeles to get you ready, and by the beginning of the new year, the full tour will kick off. We're talking every state, Ethan. We want to make sure no one—whether it's the Grammys or any other award show—can ignore you."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, the weight of her words settling over him. The stakes were higher than ever, and the vision Jessica laid out was far grander than anything he had anticipated.
Bill jumped in, his tone almost fatherly. "Kid, remember when you said you wanted all of this? To be one of the biggest names in music? Well, it's happening now. We've done the groundwork. The fans are there. The label's backing you. All we're waiting for is your go-ahead."
For a moment, Ethan didn't say anything. He glanced around the room, taking in the determined expressions of his team. This was everything he had dreamed of—and more.
Finally, a smile crept across his face. "Let's do it. I'm ready."
Rebecca clapped her hands together. "Good. We'll announce the tour right after Eminem releases 'River.' The hype will be at its peak, and we'll make sure your face is everywhere to promote it."
As the team continued strategizing, Ethan found himself zoning out. He thought about what lay ahead: the relentless travel, the grueling schedule, and the responsibility of delivering on the promises they had all made. But more than that, he thought about the future. Where would this journey take him? What would it cost?
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the Netherlands, a high-stakes meeting was underway at the headquarters of Universal Music Group. The sleek boardroom overlooked the Amsterdam skyline, the city's canals glittering under the morning sun.
Lucian Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding even among a group of powerful executives. Some were physically present, while others joined via video call from different parts of the world.
Lucian cleared his throat, his voice steady and deliberate. "We need to have a serious conversation about Ethan Jones."
The room fell silent, all eyes on him.