SuperStar!

Ethan Jones sat nervously in the sleek reception area of Universal Music Group, his legs bouncing as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. The room was all glass, chrome, and quiet sophistication, the kind of place that screamed "important people work here."

He glanced at the assistant seated nearby—a young woman in a sharp blazer who had introduced herself earlier as Rebecca. She stood up and approached him, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor.

"Sir, the CEO will see you now," she said, her voice smooth and professional.

Ethan gave her a quick nod. "Thank you. I'm just waiting for my agent—he went to the bathroom," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

As if on cue, a chubby man in a suit that seemed to barely contain him came rushing into the reception area. He was wrestling with his tie and muttering to himself.

"Sorry! I'm here now," said Bill Miller, Ethan's agent, slightly out of breath.

Rebecca raised an eyebrow but maintained her composure. "Very well, this way, please."

Ethan rose to his feet, his palms suddenly damp. He adjusted his jacket and followed Rebecca, with Bill trailing close behind. His heart pounded louder with every step. This was it. This was the moment he had been working toward, yet he couldn't shake the wave of anxiety twisting in his stomach.

As the assistant opened the grand double doors to the CEO's office, Ethan froze for a split second, his nerves spiking.

January 5, 2021

The memory came rushing back as the scene shifted to the cozy living room of Ethan's parents' home. It was his birthday, and the small family gathering was filled with warmth and laughter.

The past few weeks had been surreal for Ethan. Ever since he had released his first song, Shape of You, online, his life had changed in ways he couldn't have imagined. By the time January rolled around, the song had amassed a staggering 221 million views and 169 million likes on YouTube. His follow-up track, Sing, wasn't far behind, with 150 million views and 111 million likes.

Social media had exploded around him. Thanks to the PR team Bill had put together, Ethan's Instagram now boasted 19 million followers, while his Twitter had grown to 6.3 million followers. All it had taken were a few casual pictures with his family during lockdown and some heartfelt replies to fans.

That day, the house was filled with music and joy as his parents and little sister celebrated with him. They danced, sang along to his songs, and ate his favorite cake.The family still as close as ever spent the entire day together where Ethan took a few pics and posted them. But it was later that night when the real surprise came.

Ethan was lying on his bed scrolling through his phone, a grin spreading across his face as he read the flood of birthday messages pouring in from his fans.

@BellaT: Happy Birthday, Ethan! 🎉🎂 Please drop another song today so I can ugly cry in my room like last time. Love youuuu! P.S i need a new song im dying here P.S P.S can i get your number 😉

@MusicLover99: Happy b-day to the one and only! 🥳 Can we talk about how you're 10/10 talented and 12/10 good-looking? Like, save some talent for the rest of us, Ethan!

@GuitarGuyTom: Dude, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Also, what strings do you use on your guitar? Asking for a friend. (Okay, it's me, I'm the friend.)

@JuliaFanGirlForever: HBD ETHAN! 🎉🎶 You're the reason I made it through the pandemic. Also, my mom now knows the lyrics to Shape of You better than I do because I played it so much. Thanks for that.

@EthanIsTheGOAT: Happy Birthday, King!!! 👑✨ Please give us another song today. My playlist is begging for it!

@StellaWrites: HBD, Ethan! 🎂 Hope your cake is as sweet as your voice. PS: I tried singing Sing and nearly scared my cat. It's harder than it looks, okay?!

@PizzaPartySam: Happy Birthday, Ethan! 🎉🎸 Please don't forget about us little fans when you're at the Grammys. Also, do you like pineapple on pizza? I need to know.

Each message made Ethan laugh a little harder, his excitement growing. These people weren't just fans; they were part of the journey he was on. Their humor, love, and dedication fueled then his phone rang it was his agent

"Hey, Ethan! Happy birthday!" Bill's cheerful voice rang out.

"Thanks, Bill," Ethan replied, sitting up.

"Listen, I know I told you to hold off on releasing any new songs for now, but it's your birthday. If you want to share something special with your fans today, go for it," Bill said.

Ethan's face lit up. "Really? I was just thinking about that! I've got this track called What Do I Know? I'd love to post it tonight."

"Perfect. Do it," Bill encouraged. Then his tone shifted slightly. "Also, we need to talk. Do you remember that comment you once told me about? From a Julia? You thought it was a scam?"

Ethan frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened. "Yeah, I remember. She said she represented Universal Music Group, but I didn't think it was legit."

"Well, it turns out it was real. And she wasn't bluffing. They want to sign a record deal with you," Bill said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Ethan's mind blanked for a moment. "Wait, you're serious? Universal Music Group? The biggest record label in the world?"

"The very one," Bill confirmed with a laugh. "They want to do a video call first thing in the morning. So release your track and get some rest, and be ready."

Ethan hung up after a few more minutes of hashing out details, his head spinning. He stared at the phone in his hand, trying to process what had just happened.

Still buzzing with excitement, he set up his webcam—the best model he had splurged on after his payment from YouTube last month also buying his sister the latest iPhone and his mom a diamond necklace and for his dad a nice Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium watch and also one for himself. Sitting down in his room, he hit the record button.

"Hello, everyone! Hi, it's Ethan. Today is my birthday, and I wanted to celebrate by sharing a brand-new song with you. It's called What Do I Know?."

He took a deep breath, picked up his guitar, and began to play.

Back to the Present

The memory faded as Ethan stepped through the imposing doors of the CEO's office. The space was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. The sunlight streaming in made the minimalist décor gleam.

Behind an expansive desk sat a tall, commanding figure in a tailored suit. The CEO of Universal Music Group stood to greet them, his sharp gaze locking onto Ethan.

"Mr. Jones, welcome. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, extending a hand.

Ethan shook it, his own hand trembling slightly. "Thank you, sir. The pleasure is mine."

Bill, ever the talker, launched into pleasantries, but Ethan's mind wandered for a moment. He glanced around the room, taking it all in. This was the pinnacle of the music industry, and somehow, he had found his way here.

As they sat down to discuss the details of his future with the label, Ethan couldn't help but reflect on how far he'd come. From posting songs in his bedroom to being courted by Universal Music Group—it all felt like a dream.

But he knew this was just the beginning.