June 8, 2004.

  They approached in groups of three, all beautiful women. If ahought this was a fashion show, they'd be pletely mistaken. Side by side, Billy stood with the famous "telenove vampire," Robert Pattinson, who, trary to expectations, was the only oo attend. The entry to the ship was, at most, a unique experience. Looking at its size, it was hard to call it a yacht, and if it was... it was far te to be beled as one. Billy's security team blended with the owner's staff. Jerry had used everything avaible to every inch of the ship and, beforehand, warned him to be mindful of the cameras in public areas.

  -So, the twins decided to wait for aime?- Billy asked.

  -That's the official report. Unofficially, their parents showed up with all sorts of demands, and upon hearing they'd be away on a yacht for a week, they celed their permissions ahe rules straight. They wao e to your party... but not everyone be as free as they hope,- Robert replied.

  -And what's your excuse for being here so calmly?- Billy asked.

  -My sisters—both of them—mentiohat my friendship with you might be beneficial for their music careers, something I didn’t buing about. If they knew how you break the mold, they wouldn’t even offer that olive branch,-Robert remarked.

  -I help them, as long as they work on uploading their musiline. I could feature them on my website. A lot of people from the UK follow me, so I could give them a push,- Billy replied thoughtfully. ---But it's probably better they don’t head to America. It's a real cesspool—everyone is, at best, bad news... The musidustry’s red couch is an unspoken fact, and the web is so filled with drugs that I think 30% of the music business is cartel-funded. --

  Robert raised his eyebrows, clearly taken aback by the iy of the statement.

  -My idea is for them to py here—in bars, taverns, and o least while they hoheir basic skills. After that, it'll be easier to support them,- Billy added.

  Robert didn’t say much more, but Avril was listening carefully. She art of the inner circle, and though she lived in New York solely to be with Billy, most of her work took p ada, which was enough for her.

  Avril's tract expires in June 2009, and the usual terms for these kinds of deals involve rge sums of money. It could stir up some troversy, but one of the industry’s most used tactics is to buy out tracts for a set amount. Currently, Billy’s tract is worth hundreds of millions of dolrs, a part of what he’s earned over many years, and what’s expected to e.

  After expenses and advance payments, Billy’s fortuands at 72 million from sales, tours, and endorsements, making him a millionaire in the eyes of many. His lising and usage tract with Warner Musis until 2015, and his current trads in 2008. It’s on for such agreements to have many guarantees, and Jerry pns to extend the deal until 2015, with better profit margins and a smarter way to preserve the young man’s wealth. They share a on idea: py non-stop until you’re 30, theire. Afterward, e back every two or three years, once you’re more rested, something many have doh great success—it’s almost like a refreshing revival, and even a break for the vocal cords is a form of self-care.

  Avril shrugged a off to find the room she’d be sharing with Billy for the five days. There, she saw another woman—one who always sparked a hint of danger in Avril’s mind whenever she observed her iions with Billy. Her name was Jessica Stam. Like Avril, she was adian, so they had mu on. She called herself a fan of Avril’s music but was equally a fan of Billy’s, and that fueled a trasting sense of jealousy.

  Jessica was bloh beautiful blue eyes, apanied by Gemma Ward, a young supermodel who, despite her age, was one of the most stunning women Avril had ever id eyes on, with her angur features and eyes that could melt steel. Avril shook her head.

  The models moved in threes. The st was a raven-haired beauty, Coco Rocha, striking and intehere was nothing more to say.

  The reended room was number 5, elegant with a double bed, a rge window overlooking the upper deck, and one of 15 rooms in total. This one, however, seemed rather simple.

  Her belongings were already unpacked, the guitar Billy had brought was resting in one er along with aric guitar. Avril spotted her red Feratocaster iher er and sighed as she threw herself onto the bed.

  …

  Jerry sat in the front chair, anizing the products for half the day.

  Billy was talking to Kate, who had just broken up with Jack over some trivial matter. The truth was, Kate was a force to be reed with.

  -Old man, you’re here on the boat too?- Billy asked. His friends, invited by the man beside him, had made this party possible. A blond man, wearing gsses, exuded little extravagance—he was more refined, often seen versing with Adriana, a regur in their social circle. Curiously, every fashio seemed to be preceded by her.

  Jerry gnced over, exasperated, shaking his head.

  -I’m too old for this. Michael will meet you in Monaco,- Jerry Wexler remarked.

  -Alright, old man... A pleasure meeting you,- Billy said smoothly. His mannerisms, as Jerry had noted, were curious—his greetings to those princes were peculiar.

  -I was at your cert in Vegas,- Adriana chimed in.

  -I didn’t see you anywhere,- Billy replied with a smile. -I guess the favor of tickets and passes ended up in the wrong hands. Although I may have found the recipient—this little girl, whose dream seemed to be meeting me.-

  The prince raised an eyebrow at the boy’s greeting; apparently, they were friends, but their tempers were hot.

  -Oh darling, it’s been dreadful,- Adriana said in Puese. They both tried their best to verse in several nguages, a game her could deny.

  -It doesn’t matter anymore! I was busy in Vegas, but I missed you when I saw little Zoe, -Billy replied in his broken Puese. Of the nguages he spoke, his best was English and Spanish; he uood Puese and Italian… but was still learning French.

  -Well, we catch up over the few days. After all, we’re celebrating our birthdays, - Adriana said with a ugh. They shared almost the same birthday—hers on June 12, and Billy’s on June 10. Last year, Billy had thrown aravagant party on a terrace, surrounded by models. If there was ohing to uand about these women, it’s that they desired nothing more than to be themselves during special occasions, for two simple reasons: to own the moment and to avoid sharing it with other men.

  Robert made his way toward his room. Jerry had paid for the party, including 150 bottles of the fi champagne, along with 42 bottles of expensive French wine from the ’83 vintage—Billy hadn’t even been bor—plus a beer, and enough food to feed the 25 guests for a month. However, the guest list had now shrunk, with five people firming they wouldn’t attend, including two band members, Sugar Egg, or, and Spencer.

  The prince had been sh Adriana with multiple gifts for quite some time, and now, she was letting him in a bit more—this was just aoken.

  -Well, I think I’ll head down to my room. Good luan,- Billy said, hugging him and shaking hands firmly.

  -See you ter, - the prince replied. He had wao say something, but his education tempered his words. He was standing before the man who had made so much possible. Jerry excused himself, mentioning something about going home to sleep. The truth was, Jerry despised Billy’s nonsense; he liked stirring things up, and Jerry saw those eyes challenging the ship’s owner. What a despicable young man...

  …

  -So they are the owners of the boat?- Robert broke the silence.

  -They are, Robert. I wasn’t lying. You guys hit it off with me… this is a on-a-lifetime opportunity,- Billy said.

  -Yeah.-

  ...