The luxurious breakfast y in front of him as he wore a white bathrobe, his hair still wet. He sighed into the air, sav the citrus on his lips. Alessandra breathed peacefully; they had both had long nights retly. But that art of what allowed them to live, driven by that i force called passion—irresistibly, it was easy to surreo it. Even if she de, her bewitg catlike smile aretches were just a drop in the iceberg.

  Billy couldn’t help but gaze at the curve of her colrbone, her slender body carved like a sculpture, from her delicate, feminine hands to her por-thin arms that reacted to any touch. Her neck, framed by dark-brown curls, seemed made for kissing, and her lips were swollen.

  They looked at each n the passage of time that typically beloo workdays, absorbed in the moment. Filled with reveries, in a shared world that felt like fantasy, daytime was their refuge, while nightfall became a pyground of freedom, marked by grand, recurring parties. Michael Ockrs observed everything with a fetful eye, merely attending to his duties, and inf Billy about the schedule and his obligations. Billy discarded his robe, revealing his naked form as he prepared for his beach workout, pushing his limits to the beat of musi his MP3 pyer. Two security guards tracked his every move, a small team but enough for this kind of privacy. Tours were a different story, where the chaos of crowds and euphoris followed every song.

  Billy jogged along the beach, w up a healthy sweat. He remembered running in Arizona, feeling at home in a pce that, though dangerous, had shaped him with a unique sense of honor.

  -Michael, I have some songs to record. I hope the band will be ready when I get to Engnd, - Billy told the man who would temporarily manage his affairs.

  -What date do you have in mind? I arrange for the group to meet. Most of them have the time now, even the guy from the uy finished his project, -Michael replied.

  -I’m not sure, but I want them ready by week at the test. I have to go on the 23rd for my back tattoo. Ideally, I’d like them to be there early so they get a good rhythm with the songs. Some are challenging and need dedicated time, - Billy expined.

  -I’ll see what I do. Let me know if anything else es up, - Michael said, reviewing the agenda. -You have lio rehearse for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the Nike campaign started st week. You o do a photoshoot for them, to produce various dispys. Finally, we’ve got new brands ied in making you the face of their pahey eve a state-of-the-art guitar—one is waiting at your London home, and another in New York. -

  Michael adjusted his gsses, rereading the details, while Billy nodded absentmindedly, absorbed in anything but his obligations. But it didn’t matter now; he khe lines by heart, and the photo sessions were easy with professional photographers.

  -Sounds good, Michael, but week. - Billy gave him a casual smile, g him on the shoulder before heading to his room, where he found his guitar case lying on the bed. A good song was never a missed opportunity.

  …

  Alessandra went shopping with her friends, browsing new colles and unique local designs. In different parts of the world, she always found clothing to suit her taste; this was her way of expl style, sidering dresses she might e back for.

  -So, you’re into a guy four years younger, Alessandra. hought you’d go for the youype, - Isabelli Fontana teased, heating things. It was a shame Giselle wasn’t there; her lively personality would surely have added to the fun.

  -In love? Ha, we’re just living in Monaco, Isabelle. Maybe you should shake off the dust a little, - Alessandra replied, eyeing a cropped top, which made the young woman smile, exuding the rebellious charm she embodied.

  -Oh, so you admit it—quite an admission for someone who was in denial. Maybe you’ll even have a few kids with him, - Isabel replied, her eyelids fluttering pyfully, nudging Alessandra, who rolled her eyes but couldn’t help ughing. The happy look on her friend’s face was enough to firm that Billy made her feel special, like a smitten schoolgirl.

  -Don’t tease her. Alessandra’s more than captivated, -Adriana added, hugging her. She knew Billy wasn’t like just anyone.

  -I’m not in love, enough with this nonsense, - Alessandra retorted.

  -Sometimes, a few minutes are all it takes for infatuation to take over. Doesn’t matter,- Adriana whispered. Billy’s charm y in his unusual way of viewing things; his magism was captivating but carefree. His defiance didn’t e from drinking s, but from living life on his terms, following his desires with passion—a trait whispered about by the women he left heartbroken.

  …

  Billy arrived at the store where the girls were, wearing white shorts and an open bck shirt. His jewelry glimmered, not gold s, but a thin silver one from his mother, and two small medallions engraved with their names, along with bracelets on his arms. His fident presence made people turn.

  -My love, - Billy said, holding Alessandra’s waist as she turo push him away, only to be met with a passionate kiss that she couldn’t stop, responding just a little. The kiss was charged with enough desire to take her breath away.

  -What are you doing here?-

  -I found you by ce. I was in the music store across the way, buying some picks. I lost my st one, -Billy expined, pointing to the music store nearby. tally, he had wao buy some picks, but the clerk, reizing him, offered them for free if he signed a guitar. Billy hesitated but finally agreed. The long-haired man had that bohemian musi look, clearly passionate about music.

  Have any song requests? - Adriana joked.

  -Actually, they asked me to close the final set. I came to invite you all to paint street art - Billy responded, giving them a wink. The woman, though unsure about street art, decided to take him up on the invitation.

  .......................................................................................................................................