-So, you're leaving.- Billy asked, watg Avril as she prepared for her trip to handle some important matters. They were at the airport, with Avril returning to the U.S. Billy believed her, not realizing that what the blonde was doing was retreating to her family, her friends, and her pets.

  -The bel wants to see my progress with the songs.- Avril ented, lying. She was running from Billy, a tig time bomb lodged in her heart. If she stayed with him, she’d break down in tears at any moment. The best choice was to distance herself and stick to the "just friends" agreement. She despised herself; she’d made so many foolish mistakes for Billy, yet all he wanted was to live freely, while she wanted him to love her like she was the only woman in the world.

  -I don’t like leaving, or being apart from you, but I have to.- Avril said, sounding pletely detached.

  -What if I e with you, and we blow off the bel? - Billy replied, making her ugh with his carefree attitude. It filled her with a strange unease, but she shook her head. The st thing she wanted was for him to wait for her, an expectation that would only deepen her regret.

  -Enjoy Monaco... This try suits you. Live a little, and e find me when you’re ba America. - Avril said.

  She boarded the ph her heart in pieces, mind bnk as they took off. Everyone had warned her about getting involved with Billy, but she hadn't listened; she'd thought she was just giving him what he wanted, but she had pletely miscalcuted... She was crushed, torn apart by their retionship.

  I hate your way of being, - Avril muttered as tears streamed down her face. This was worse—this was a real heartbreak, the kind that leaves you with open wounds. Something had shattered pletely.

  She cried for all seven hours of the flight.

  Upon arrival, Billy saw a blonde in a white dress, Jessica Stam, who was alluring airely different from Avril. The sight made him fet all the baggage that Avril had left behind. They slipped away together, to indulge in what they’d both been holding back, and Alessandra couldn’t hide her jealousy as Jessica hung onto Billy, resting on his shoulder in a way that made her anxious.

  ***

  -So, Avril left? - Adriana asked.

  -She did. I thought she’d stay with me, - Billy replied.

  -Then why did you let her go? - Adriana pressed.

  -It’s a bel thing, one of those itments that ’t be postponed... Besides, she’s been writing and wants to win a Grammy—that’s her dream. We ’t deny it; for an artist, it’s the ultimate prize. She works hard, I even tried helping her win one, but she refused—something about earning it on her own. - Billy said. Dinner was in full swing, everyone dining together, but Billy’s mind was elsewhere. His phone had tless missed calls, which he ignored, even as the media specuted.

  In a moment of craziness, he had a plete pse when he heard the reality of the situation.

  -So, the Grammys… it’s a tough game for music artists. - Adriana ented.

  -Billy, you’ve woy. Didn’t you win four just this year?- Jessica Stam remarked, pg her arm on Billy’s shoulder, much to Alessandra’s dismay.

  With that, Alessandra couldn’t hold back. She wao make him hers, to push him to his limits and take him to a pce he hadn’t known.

  -Well, I do what I .- Billy responded, deep in thought.

  -But there’s no doubt you’re an amazing singer. - Alessandra added.

  Billy looked at her thoughtfully, refleg on the journey he had with his Brazilian friends.

  -I don’t love singing in Puese, but I might give it ano… I prefer Spanish and English." - he said, taking a deep drink.

  -It’s beautiful when you sing in Puese. - Adriana replied, deg that watg him sing was fantastic. Billy smiled ahem through their fifth evening, which was captured by the cameras. Jessica followed him into a whirlwind of fun, more entrahan Avril ever was.

  -It’s hard, very hard, but I’ll do my best. - Billy said.

  -Everyone will love you in Pal and Brazil! - Adriana excimed.

  They ehe perfect spot, with fshes going off. Billy was the main attra, even with Gisselle absent for the night. Yet, she joihem halfway through with friends from Leonardo’s circle, sparking a bit of rivalry with Miranda as the night unfolded.

  ***

  Jerry reviewed photos of Billy, the young star seated with two models on his p, smiling with a signature charm that everyone koo well. Who could deny him? Even Jerry couldn’t overlook how the circle of women gravitated around him.

  -What a foolish kid. -

  -Yes, we have everything ready for the publiunication campaign. - Jerry stated, shaking his head as Warner’s mae went to work, and Billy’s fifth album hit gold in nine tries. The tour was fully sold out, driving the success.

  -Yes, let’s use it to our advahe more desirable and unreachable he seems, the closer people will flock, like moths to a fme. Let that photo circute, let people see this as his norm… We add interviews with women describing what they’d give to be with Billy. - Jerry added.

  The calls kept ing, so Jerry turned off his phone. With Nike and Blueberry campaigns underway, and new photos being taken, brands were drawn to him—including Dior Homme, although the braated due to his youth. But he erfect for the teenage market.

  ...