Billy was iating with Gee over a few adjustments regarding the purchase of Lucasfilm, which roposed to take pce after the end of the lise. Lucas was a clever man; the first thing he did was extend the waiting period, pushing the purchase to the clusion of the three movies—a noiable obligation. Sedly, he mentioned he would only sell 49%, assuming no other pany could acquire his pertage. It had to remain under his trol, not in the hands of a corporation or iment fund—a costly and demanding stipution.

  -I'll do it, Gee. That margin of a seems fair to me, - Billy ented, g. The old man would likely demand at least 500 million for that pertage, but it was manageable. Billy stood to make far more in the long run.

  -That's good to hear. So, when do you pn to release the sed part? I'm afraid the first one has left audiences divided. While fans and children have shown their support, some critics weren't impressed, - Gee noted.

  -I'm waiting, still waiting. It's scheduled for year, hopefully in May. Steven has a lot on his pte and wants me to hahe entire produ while he focuses solely on filming, - Gee expined, gazing deeply at Billy. The profits Billy reported amouo 90 million, but every penny had been reied. The returns were still on paper, yet Billy had put up additional funds to improve produ elements, particurly the necessary special effects.

  -It's a great film, - Billy replied, ing up the versation. Gee observed him thoughtfully.

  -Why don’t you join my movie? I've seen your performances, and you're quite good. You could py Anakin. I believe a well-executed role could give you room to grow as an actor, - Gee suggested.

  -I'm not as good as you think, - Billy tered.

  -On the trary, I find you perfect for the role. You're one of the most talented young actors we have in Hollywht now. Even though you often sport a beard in your roles to appear older, Anakin is 20—close to ye. You're ideal for the part; the right wardrobe, and you'll be just the young man we need, - Lucas insisted.

  -No casting, ernal approval. Only like this, - Billy asked, deliberating the opportunity. He already had Titani his ste, and shifting to Star Wars seemed effit. But his ambitio beyond just nding a role. Gee smiled. With Billy as an actor, he could mentor him on produ work during the waiting period for the grand produ facility.

  Every decision Billy made was deliberate. Filming two movies back-to-back required more time, but wasting 1997 might be a bad move. However, with some schedule adjustments, he could make it work. He just o secure his mark on pop culture.

  ...

  The day ended in exhaustion. The tless meetings he had attended left him overwhelmed. On his desk y the approved publishing list, along with numerous inal scripts submitted by the animators at Lux Animation.

  -Anne, I wasn’t expeg you… I’m sorry for the dey. Work had me tied up; the meetings raime, - Billy said.

  -Don’t worry, - Anne replied nervously, holding a folder of ats in her hands. -These are the yearly at summaries. I’ve included an overview, personally reviewed and approved. Raimon is excellent with numbers. You see how he stretched our produ lines in ways I didn’t think were possible.-

  Billy g the folders, notig the evening sky darkening. He still had a mountain of work a utterly drained.

  -I’ll review them more thhly tomorrow, - he said.

  -We could go over them tonight, - Anne suggested. Her hair was loose, her gsses missing, and the vivid st of her perfume filled the room—a subtle sign of something he might have overlooked, perhaps a signal of obligations he had yet to fulfill with her.

  -You’re right. Nothing a good meal won’t fix. Go get ready, and we’ll order something to eat. We’ll work te, reviewing these ats. And bring the Lux Films reports as well; I want to see the bance sheets, - Billy instructed.

  -Sure, - she murmured, almost like a sigh, but her dreamy expression revealed she was hopeful. She gathered her essentials and her bag, knowing discretion was key. Everything o stay between them.

  Billy adjusted his thoughts and swiftly dialed a number, making one call after another in quick succession.

  -Let’s go, - he told his security team.

  The ride was short. His apartment loomed, stocked with groceries and other essentials. He knew he was digging his own grave, but Anne’s skill was too vital to overlook. Monica was everything he dreamed of—beautiful, endlessly passionate, seeking warmth and e. Their intimacy was fiery, a shared effort to satisfy each other pletely.

  Anne, oher hand, was brimming with anticipation and desire. Aloogether in the apartment, the atmosphere was charged.

  -I’m going to take a shower. I expect you to join me. From this moment on, in this pce, it’s just you and me. No one else. You and I belong to each other, - Billy decred, pulling Anne close and giving her a deep kiss. He wao set things straight before diving into what they both knew was iable.

  She followed him, feeling his hands undress her, making her feel beautiful despite her doubts. She wasn’t as striking as others, but with Billy, they shared a e that transded appearances. He kissed her skin and caressed her hair.

  The bathwater was warm, infused with oils and fragrant soaps. They synized their movements, surrendering to one another. She giggled like a girl as she rested her head on his chest.

  -If we have a child, they won’t take my surhey’ll take yours. But I’ll raise them as my own. I promise to care for them. We’ll be strict parents. I want children raised outside of Hollywood—nothing good es from it. I want a life filled with education, discipline, and care. The best schools, a governess, a tutor who teaches them to be self-reliant. They’ll practice sports, learn musid grow to be kind and well-mannered, - Billy mused, his firag the curve of her chest.

  His hand moved lower, slipping a finger inside her.

  -So, you’ll take care of us, even when you don’t have to, - Anne said, her voice esg in a deep moan.

  -I’ll provide for you, give you everything you need, and more. But for children… I fear bringing them into this world. It’s a pce filled with vanity and nonsense. Lives are wasted without motivation or limits. I need someone good, but that requires stant care, - Billy replied, kissing her ned nibbling her ears—her most sensitive spot.

  -And me? What am I to you? -

  -You’re my woman now, Anne. I want you, but you know I’m not ready for itment. Don’t ask for more than this, and I promise to give you everything else, - Billy said, cupping her breast. She arched her back, revealing her hips, which he gripped firmly. He entered her with ease, and she moaned deeply, her sighs filled with pleasure.

  -You’ll give me everything I want, - Anne murmured.

  -As long as you remember the promises I’ve made. And uand that I still have work to do, - Billy replied, his tone firm yet distracted as the rhythm of their bodies made them lose track of the versation.

  -Just don’t abandohat’s all I ask, - Anne said shyly. -I have no one else… no o you.-

  Billy climaxed again inside her. “It’s safe,” she whispered. “Again,” her voice echoed, her words a stant refrain.

  ...