Billy arrived home after filming, with Curtis' shots and the produ schedule typically running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. fht shoots. Today's work had been smooth, so Billy returo his mansion at 3:00 p.m. He saw Monica with Winona w in the garden, whiow featured fruit trees, strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries, es, and a rose garden that would bloom seasonally. That was the charm of flowers.
Their efforts had extended beyond the garden, adding pnts and decor to the mansion—art, furniture, and vibrant touches that gave the home a more Italian vibe. Everythi luxurious yet alive with color.
-You’re home early, my love,- Monica said softly. trary to popur belief, she spoke gently, especially to her loved ones. She stood up, walked over to Billy, and greeted him with a deep kiss as he stepped out of his blue car.
"It was a good day," Billy replied, surveying the ges around the house. When they debated between building a poarden, Monica had chosen the garden and even suggested a vineyard, but they realized they’d o buy a vil in San Jose.
-Oh, darling, yent called. He mentioned another audition, and guess what? I might have ooo. I’ve been improving my at and ag skills,- Monica murmured, embrag Billy.
"That’s great, Monica. I’m gd things are moving forward," Billy said, notig Winona frowning from a distance, dressed in her gardening clothes.
-I think it’s time we went out somewhere—a restaurant, maybe a club. We could use a little fun,- Billy sighed.
Moniodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. The mansio warmer now with the ret ges. While the women got ready, Billy used the time to finish the day’s work. He set aside watg Shaman King and Samurai X for now, as he focused on how the artistic style of both series, blending Victorian and anime influences, erfect for adapting ic designs. He also pondered One Pieoting how its art carried a Van Gogh-like, Impressionist touch.
After finishing the test chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh, and with the women still getting ready, Billy picked up the phone and dialed Jim Waiit. They had discussed a promising audition that Jim wanted Billy to be part of.
-Not too long ago, we talked about Titanic. There’s been some bad forth, but the first step in building that retionship is for you to join the audition,- Jim said.
-Where are the auditions being held? -
-At Fox Studios. You still manage your work on the Regenbsp;film. The auditions are in Los Angeles, and they expect to start filming in May. The audition is the day after tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., - Jim informed him.
-Perfect. I retly had a versation with Jim Gianopulos, and we’re looking to establish a close retionship with CAA, at least for their produ packages, as long as they don’t interfere with any terms we set with directors or producers. Speaking of which, a novice director handling cuts for animated series could be brilliant. Call him—there might be some new busio discuss with Jim Waiit. Oh, and you mentioned something about a role for Monica. - Billy respohoughtfully.
Illy took a deep breath as he listeo Jim Waiit oher end of the phone, nodding in approval. Jim was ensuring that the roles for Mónica wouldn't involve any unfortable or inappropriate ses, and that gave Billy a sense of relief. Yet, he couldn’t shake the weight on his shoulders. He found himself at aional crossroads, torween his desire to protect Mónid his tendency to keep his distance, a strategy he had adopted as a form of self-preservatiohe years. As he took a sip of pure whiskey, the strong taste mixed with his thoughts, bringing back memories of past retionships where his ck of itment aional detat had left deep scars.
-It’s good that you’re handling it this way, Jim. We’ll talk more ter about the roles and everything else we’re dealing with,- Billy said, extinguishing the cigarette he had lit moments before.
The versation shifted to other topics, and Billy briefly reflected on potential iments in the projects he had in mind. However, s about Mónica li the back of his mind. The project she was involved in o be handled with care, especially when it came to the tract details.
***
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Gwyh arrived at her apartment, exhausted after a trip to Paris filled with excess. The city had been a whirlwind of parties, self-indulgence, and escapism, and now the fatigue was evident in every step she took. She felt caught between her parents' stant warnings about her impulsive behavior and the sequences of her as. Paris had been released, but the price she paid was her dignity—a thought that echoed in her mind, especially after Carson had distanced himself from her.
Upon arriving at her apartment, she spotted a gift box oable—a neckeralds with a card. It wasn’t Billy’s handwriting; she khat. It was Mónica’s. The card simply read: “Merry Christmas, I hope you have wonderful holidays.”
Gwyried on the neck front of the mirror, admiring its beauty, but before she could fully savor the moment, she heard the door open. Leonardo, her young and charming boyfriend, arrived shortly after, and his mere presence prompted her to quickly hide the neckd the box ihroom. Leonardo was jealous, and any sign of a gift from someone else could spark suspi.
--We should invite some friends over and throw a good party,-- Leonardo said casually as he unbuttoned his shirt. He was vibrant and charming, but also uable, with many women orbiting around him. For him, itme somethiirely different; he didn’t ge girlfriends every week but rather kept multiple retionships going simultaneously to avoid emotional attat.
--Don’t even think about it. I’ve got work tomorrow, and I don’t even know my lines. Last time was a drunken mess, but this time I o deliver,-- Gwyh replied, trying to sound firm, though the emotional chaos of the past few days still echoed in her mind.
...