[𝟏] 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨 | 𝐟𝐤&𝐜

Chapter 22: Haunted ★

I arrived at the coffee shop and walking in, I spotted Maddie sitting at a corner table, her face beaming with enthusiasm. I couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of comfort in Maddie's presence. We exchanged warm greetings, and Maddue wasted no time diving into the purpose of our meeting.

"Ronnie," Maddie began, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "I've listened to the tracks from Speak Now, and I must say, they are absolutely phenomenal. Your talent shines through every note."

My heart swelled with pride. I had poured my heart and soul into this album, and hearing Maddie's praise made all my hard work and heartbreak feel worthwhile.

"But," Maddie continued, her tone turning serious, "we need to discuss the next steps. Releasing an album is a big endeavor, and we have to make sure we do it right."

I nodded, remembering the pain from releasing Fearless. It was a huge hassle, especially since it was my debut album. Now, that I had already released a successful album, Speak Now had to satisfy my audience.

Maddie pulled out a notepad and pen, scribbling down a list of tasks. "First, we'll need to plan a release strategy. We want to create a buzz around your album, build anticipation among your fans, and attract new listeners. I have a few ideas in mind, but I'd love to hear your thoughts as well."

I leaned in, feeling nothing but enthusiasm. Together, we brainstormed various promotional strategies, from live performances to social media campaigns, ensuring that my music would reach as many ears as possible.

~~~

I stepped through the front door, a mix of anticipation and excitement bubbling inside me after my meeting with my manager. The meeting had gone better than I had ever imagined, and I couldn't wait to share the news with my brothers. I knew they would be thrilled to hear about the progress I had made on my second album.

As I entered the living room, I found Luke engrossed in a book, while Joel was strumming his guitar, lost in his own world of melodies. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, the familiar comfort of home enveloping me.

"Hey guys, guess what?" I said, unable to contain my excitement.

Luke looked up from his book, curiosity evident in his eyes. "What's up, Ronnie? You look like you've got some exciting news."

I took a deep breath, savoring the moment before sharing my success. "I just had a meeting with Maddie, and we finalized the tracklist for my second album!"

Joel's fingers froze on the guitar strings, his eyes widening with surprise. "No way, Ronnie! That's incredible!"

Luke closed his book, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Congratulations, sis! We knew you had it in you. Can we listen to the tracklist?"

I nodded eagerly, reaching into my bag to retrieve the flash drive containing the final tracks. "Of course! I want you both to listen and give me your honest feedback."

We gathered around the stereo system, and I plugged in the flash drive. The first track filled the room with a fusion of beats and melodies that I had poured my heart into. As each song played, I watched Luke and Joel intently, waiting for their reactions.

Luke's head bobbed along with the rhythm, a smile forming on his face. "Ronnie, this is amazing! The diversity in the tracks is fantastic. It's going to be a hit!"

Joel's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I agree! Your voice sounds incredible, and the lyrics are so relatable. This album is going to be a game-changer!"

Their words filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had poured my soul into these songs, and to receive such positive feedback from my brothers meant the world to me. But as we finished listening to the last track, an idea sparked in my mind.