May 9.

  After the profits, the team began envisioning a format to help them create an online chat application. Using Microsoft’s ptform presented many challenges in developing what would beessenger and the early hurdles of online chat teology. However, since 1989, they have been leveraging a more than useful tool to the pany: I Rey Chat. This instant messaging ptform enabled real-time unication via multi-user els. Although it wasn't a modern instant messaging app, the unication capability was there.

  Creating the chat itself was the easy part; designing it, not so much. Billy had provided them with enough data to ehe page’s yout and accessibility were as simple as possible. Security protocols, IP usage, names, and emojis were perhaps a qualitative leap in traditional chat usage. But the real challenge was a siraightforward step: scability and server capacity. The server infrastructure had to hahe load of millions of users ected simultaneously.

  Furthermore, Billy khat Microsoft had an indepe vision for Messenger and was already using avaible teology to gain online subscribers. The online instant messaging service was one of the trickiest fields to pee. However, in Billy’s model, unifying an app with an at wasn’t the end goal—the aim was to attract as many online subscribers as possible.

  The challenge was to expand databases to store messages and user data. Miaintais databases but couldn’t rely solely on one pany indefinitely. Therefore, from the outset, they sought a way to create their robust database. But that would have to wait; winning the ra i development was the top priority.

  Fog on promoting their web pages would be a tough blow for any other entrepreneur. But for Billy, it was just aep forward. His ambitions were tered on simpler, more tailored eai applications. First, flix, Instagram, Steam, and p served as the pilrs for app development, but he didn’t uimate products like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat. Eae of these panies would be instrumental in building his anized oertai work.

  With ptforms like Lux Web Service, ID Software: Lux Games, aflix, he was setting up a core structure for creation. Acquiring strategipanies with unique development models was crucial for the business’s operation, as was creating a solid database.

  -Retly, we rolled out all the es,- remarked Aron Walter, the chief programmer, formerly of Hotmail and now heading Messenger development. He enjoyed having a sense of belonging. W on such challenging projects was a luxury in itself. The team, once a small group of ten, had grown into a solidated thirty, with some members handling the Steam page for video games and others w on Messehe web proposals were already heating up, as many of the sites were being more essential for the pany. After a potential sale of Messehey would work on web pages for Lux ics, Lux Toons, Lux Kids, Lux Animation (whicluded Pixar), Lux Nation, and Lux Films.

  All in one.

  -It might be time to unch it, - ented John Grew.

  -No problem; we have the puters ready. We’ll send messages from some servers in New York. Raimon will be joining us iing up that service,- replied Aron Walter.

  Aron knew well about Raimon’s business dealings in New York; they were extensive and formidable, involving plenty of work and siderations, none of them easy te.

  Over all his years of work, Aron erhaps a level-A programmer, yet much would still o be learned in the process of developing apps of various sizes. That erhaps the most crucial factor.

  -What about the Java nguage we’re trying to implement for Steam?- Aron finally asked.

  -It’s better to stick with HTML5 than switch to another system, but for certain funs, it’s best to implement designs with stable structures,- replied John Walter.

  ***

  Billy breathed in the summer air. Italy brought back familiar memories. Every moment in Italy reminded him of past visits—his younger, carefree days without a penny in his pocket, trips with his father, and his journey with Cudia, and now this trip for The English Patient, business, and Monica as his main focus.

  -We’ve got the transportation,- said Billy’s bodyguard.

  A weekend awaited him in Italy. They’d stop in Rome, and from there, embark on a lengthy jouro Arezzo, around four hours, but it didn’t matter; he’d spend those hours writing as much as he could.

  For some time, he’d had The Expanse saga and Altered Carbon in his hands. They’d be published in the ing months, but he still had extensive work to do ooryboards for the uping series. For instance, Spirit and Treasure P were nearly ready, though some minor adjustments remained.

  As his pencil glided across the pages, anizing one idea after another, he didn’t notice the sky darkening as Friday night approached.

  …

  Monica, waiting in a hotel, moved about zily. She had a double bed and made sure she had a spacious room. She first refreshed herself, smoothing out her skin and enhang her best features. A hint of bck lipstick, a sheer nightgown, and the st of amon lingered on her skin. She loved those aromas. And with a little champagne, she was ready. Billy had promised no work, and although she didn’t doubt him, she was sure he’d devote all his time tthening their retionship in the days ahead. She arranged a few gifts she had for Billy—a pair of handcrafted leather shoes from an artisan, along with a burgundy suit for formal events, featuring a deep-cut chest.

  She’d alsht some silk shirts, so light Billy would be thrilled, along with a special wool coat, softer than cashmere. The Italians’ expert craftsmanship felt like heaven to the touch, perfect for chilly nights.

  She received a call and picked up the phone.

  -I’ll be right down,- replied Monica, brimming with excitement. Billy was likely anizing their eay. She bit her lip in anticipation.

  She slipped into an oversized white shirt, a long embroidered skirt, and low-ptform heels. She was ready. Arezzo had many pces for them to explore.

  …

  -We’re a bit far from the capital, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great spots,- said Monica, taking Billy to a restaurant on their sed day, reended by a cameraman. The pce was cozy, with two Michelin stars; the food was incredible yet affordable, at least by Californian standards.

  -I ever pi es to food,- replied Billy, taking in the ambiahe soft violin musid the dlelight.

  -I just love trying new pces. Retly, I got another offer for a role that sounds intriguing. Although it feels surprising, I’m fttered to be sidered for new opportunities,- Monica shared, her beauty radiating more thahese past few months.

  -Everything will keep gettier, but you should stay in Hollywood for at least two more years. First, you atus; then, the big roles everyone wants will be yours, ing right to your door,- said Billy, brushing back a stray lock of her hair, and tug it behind her ear.

  -I rented a few movies,- Monica mentioned.

  -I’m dying to get back to the hotel, but not for the movies, darling,- Billy whispered, leaning in for a kiss, their lips meeting in the moment he had been craving.

  -Oh, my love… you’ll have to wait because now it’s my turn to take you somewhere,- Monica replied.

  ...