25. Kiana

25

KIANA

ONE YEAR LATER…

I pull up outside the recording studio in my Mustang convertible with a grateful smile on my face. Three whole hours to work on my upcoming album.

Otherwise known as the final touches recording the songs that'll be included.

The process has been long and grueling but absolutely worth it. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.

Once my things are gathered, I head inside still wearing my shades. The receptionist greets me and lets me know the sound and tech engineers are waiting for me inside. I thank her and push the doors open expecting the low lit, intimate atmosphere of the recording booth.

Instead, I walk into a group of people jumping out at me, screaming, "SURPRISE!"

Tyson, Amari, Tai, Monica, and the others all spring out, blowing party horns and throwing confetti in the air. Even the sound and tech engineers are in on it. They're clapping along, grinning ear to ear as I take in the scene.

Party streamers hang. A giant banner's draped across the back wall congratulating me on my album. There's a large red velvet cake waiting for me in the seating area with the cover of my album frosted onto the top.

Tears mist my eyes as my hands come up to my mouth, yet I find myself speechless.

"How did you pull this off?" I laugh after a moment.

"Easy, princess. We knew you'd be running a little late."

"And that you'd stop by Grindhouse for your coffee," Amari adds, smirking.

"And that red velvet's one of your favorites," Tyson continues.

"Okay, I get the idea!" I walk into Tyson's arms, then go for hugs with Amari and the rest. "But you didn't have to do all this for me. It's just an album recording."

"Not just any album recording. Your first album you'll be releasing as an independent artist," Amari says. "It's a huge deal."

My belly quakes with nerves. "It won't sell half as well as the albums I released with Smash Records."

"Are you kidding?" Monica says, waving a hand at me. "Have you been following the hype on social media? Your stans literally have a countdown that goes viral just about every day."

"All the blogs I've read are excited for your new sound," Tai agrees. "Even Messy Mandy's excited!"

Everything they're saying is true.

My dedicated fanbase is waiting on pins and needles for the new album. All the music critics and bloggers are too.

The whole world is waiting with bated breath for former music darling Kiana's return to the music scene. I've promised a brand-new, innovative sound and direction for my music—and feel I've delivered creatively—but that doesn't make it any less nerve-racking.

Releasing an album under a major label was stressful enough.

Releasing an album as an indie artist feels both freeing and terrifying.

But everyone standing in this room has helped get me through the process. From encouragement to support, they've each stood by me at one of the most soul-searching periods of my life.

No one more than Tyson.

As the moment turns into a mini party with everyone mingling, I thank him a second time. He drops a kiss on my forehead, pulling me into his arms for another embrace.

"You have no idea how much it means to me that you've stuck with me," I murmur.

"If it means half as much as you mean to me, then I think I've got an idea."

We seal the moment with another kiss before joining the others gathered around the cake.

I might be full of nerves, but as I stand by Tyson's side and we cut up the cake into smaller slices that get passed around, I'm filled with happiness too.

More happiness than I've ever felt in my entire life.

I've finally gained a level of freedom I never imagined. Complete creative control over my own art.

My fanbase has remained loyal, and the sponsorships have continued rolling in.

Others haven't been so fortunate. Shawn's had the worst season of his career, performing so badly there's a rumor going around he's about to be cut from the LA Stars. According to several sports gossip blogs and vloggers, he's been caught up in the party scene a little too much, hurting his game. He and Alexis broke up and she's now dating his teammate. He's reached out to me several times only to go ignored.

Tommy and Smash Records have come under investigation for fraud after several other artists under the label came forward to allege mismanagement. I aided authorities in whatever way I could, detailing their bully tactics and borderline inhumane contracts for pennies in exchange.

Rumor has it, the label will be going under any month now, while Tommy's drowning with that sinking ship.

But he's not the only one going down—Hal Fischmann, my first manager, was recently found guilty for conspiracy to murder and was sentenced to ten years in federal prison. I had to testify at the trial along with many others from my team.

Tyson took the stand too, leaving the courtroom in stunned silence as he detailed the extent Hal went to in order to target me. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when the judge hit his gavel and issued his sentence, feeling like the dark chapter had closed so that a new one could begin.

A new chapter that saw me with my creative freedom and independence, happily in love with Tyson. He's more than my security and bodyguard protecting my life on a daily basis. He's the most caring and loving boyfriend I could ever ask for. So beyond amazing that he makes what I had with Shawn look and feel like some insignificant puppy love.

We spend our time together how we want to, often in Tyson's large, secluded home where we can enjoy each other—and occasionally at industry events where he attends as both my bodyguard and my date.

We've struck a balance that works for us and that couldn't make us happier.

"Ready, princess?" Tyson asks once we've finished our cake.

Everyone's watching as I set down my plate and smile. I step into the recording booth and slide on the headphones as the sound engineers give me the thumbs up.

As soon as the music begins, I do what I do best. I sing.

THE END