章節 24: Leisure

As Bill opened his door, intending to check on Ethan, he was surprised to find Ethan standing there, hand raised to knock.

"Hey, Ethan. I was just about to come see you. There's something I need to tell you," Bill said, but Ethan interrupted.

"Bill, I've decided," Ethan said firmly. "I'm going to sign the deal."

Bill paused, momentarily thrown off. "Are you sure? I mean, we can talk—"

"I've thought about it," Ethan cut in, resolute. "You said it yourself: this is the best deal I'll get. It's time I take charge of my career."

Bill studied him for a moment, noting the determination in his expression. He wanted to bring up his earlier reservations, but seeing Ethan so resolute, he decided against it. I just need to protect him as best I can, Bill thought. His years as an agent in the entertainment industry had taught him how to navigate tricky situations. The music world might be different, but the game remains the same.

Ethan shifted awkwardly. "Sorry for rambling. What were you going to say?"

"Nothing, nothing," Bill replied, dismissing it with a wave. "So, what's the plan now? Should we call them, or are you ready to head over there directly?"

"Let's call them now!" Ethan said, his eagerness shining through.

Bill chuckled. "Calm down, kid. We've got the whole week. It won't hurt to let them sweat a little. Take today and tomorrow to relax. Enjoy the sights, the hotel—everything's paid for. You've got the green light to kick back."

Bill lightly pushed Ethan out of his room. Ethan stood in the hotel lobby a moment later, unsure of his next move. Dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, he left his expensive watch in the room, still not used to wearing something so valuable. "What now?" he muttered. He hadn't traveled outside the U.S. since his family moved from England when he was young.

When in doubt, Google it, he thought, pulling out his phone.

"Best things to do in Hilversum, Netherlands," he typed. But as he scrolled through the search results, nothing caught his interest. Guess I'll just hang around the hotel. He glanced around the elegant lobby, then headed toward the pool area.

The poolside was stunning. Sunlight sparkled off the turquoise water, and lounge chairs surrounded the pool, occupied by relaxed guests sipping cocktails. Ethan made his way to a bench in a shaded corner, sitting down with a sigh.

As he gazed at the tranquil scene, his agent's words popped into his head. You should engage with your fans sometimes. Pulling out his phone again, he opened Instagram. His notifications showed a steady stream of likes and comments on his posts, but it had been a while since he'd uploaded anything.

Maybe I should give them something new, he thought. Standing up, he positioned himself near the pool, angling his phone for the perfect shot. The background featured the serene water and bright blue sky, and he smiled faintly before snapping a photo. He typed out a quick caption:

"Relaxing by the pool in the Netherlands. Big things coming soon. Stay tuned. 🌍💧"

With a final glance, he hit "Post." The photo uploaded instantly. Ethan put his phone back in his pocket, returning to the bench. Within moments, the notifications began rolling in.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

Curious, he opened the app again. The likes were pouring in at an astonishing rate, and comments flooded the post.

No wonder Precious loves doing this, he mused, referring to his sister, who was an avid social media poster. She always said posting was fun. Can't believe I used to hate it.

He began scrolling through the comments. Most were heart emojis, fire emojis, or fans expressing their excitement about the "big things" he teased in his caption.

One username caught his eye: Bella_T. Her comment read:

"You're so hot, Ethan! 🔥🔥🔥 When are you dropping a new song? I need it like yesterday. Love you, king!"

Ethan chuckled to himself, shaking his head. Some fans are really out there, he thought, though he couldn't deny that the attention was flattering. He scrolled further, laughing at the sheer creativity of some comments and the relentless thirstiness of others.

But then another comment struck a different chord.

"We're rooting for you, Ethan! Don't let the industry change you. Keep being you. ❤️"

It reminded him of the responsibility he now carried—not just to himself but to the fans who believed in him. They really think I can do this, he thought, his confidence growing with each passing moment.

Just as he leaned back to relax, he heard a voice. "Ethan Jones

P.S I have decided to start a Patreon I hope for you guys' support typing with a phone is pretty hard 😔