December 6.

  The sharp chill of the early m in Los Angeles was unusual, with temperatures dipping to a frigid 2 degrees Celsius.

  "Don't go, my love. Stay with me on this ," whispered Monica Bellucci, burying her fato Billy’s neck. Pyfully, she licked his skin as she ughed, holding him close. As Billy tried to pull away, Monica bit his neck lightly, teasingly keeping him in bed.

  Billy returhe gesture with a soft kiss on her lips, the darkness of the early m ing around them as they shared a tender, intimate moment.

  -The ander will fire me. I ’t tell him my partner caught me in a tiger trap this m, my little empress,- Billy joked, kissing Bellucce more before relutly getting up.

  Billy soon found himself on patrol in Los Angeles with Carl.

  Meanwhile, Monica's day began a couple of hours ter. She stretched her arms as a faint sun, covered by gray clouds, dimly lit the room. After a two-hour beauty routine, she headed downstairs for a bowl of fruit and a gss of water. Keeping up with her regimen, she spent an hour doing yoga and bathing, and by 11 a.m., she was ready to face photoshoots, interviews, or perhaps some social appearances.

  -I thought you wouldn’t e,- Winona Ryder greeted her with a warm hug. Behind her, several eai industry figures mingled, enjoying peared to be a casual m barbecue.

  The settiured a small terrace with a baly adorned with viim Burton stood out, as always, with his wild hair and a motorcycle jacket that seemed out of pce but oddly fitting for him. His age only made his theatrical fashion choices more intriguing.

  -I almost enjoyed my time at home, but seeing you makes me so happy,- sighed Monica.

  Courtney Love, Sofia Coppo, Keanu Reeves, and the ever-stunning Uma Thurman were also present, the tter leaning under some shade with her usual charm. Despite the notable guests, the gathering seemed more like a simple wine-and-bread affair rather than a high-profile event.

  Monica found a seat but excused herself to freshen up ihroom. The expansive house was impressively minimalist, with gleaming bone-white walls, silver ats, and dark wood details that added a unique charm. She noticed the mirror was cracked in the lower er as she checked her refle.

  Returning to the terrace, a soft bald pyed, Winona’s signature touch.

  -I didn’t expect to see you in L.A., but here you are,- Sofia arked, her tone as straightforward as ever.

  -A beautiful flower,- added Burton, his pliment ced with his usual fir.

  -Thank you, dear,- Monica responded, her words filled with the casual fidence of someone used to suteras.

  -What brings you here? I thought you’d never leave Los Angeles,- Sofia pressed further, recalling how her father once admired Monica.

  -She’s with Billy. Why didn’t he e? I think I’ll call him to join us,- Winona interjected, holding a cheese ptter, her hair tied up, her rge eyes sparkling.

  - He’s w. He’s training with the LAPD for his role, so he doesn’t have time for these kinds of gatherings. Even if he wasn’t, I doubt he would e. His phone is always ringing off the hook; he’d probably be somewhere else handling things, - Monica expined, her voice softening as she spoke about Billy, a topic she didn’t particurly enjoy delving into.

  -Nothing new with him... I have your favorite, blue cheese with grape bread. Later, I’d love for you to try my Neapolitan sauce, - Winona said, pg more food oable, lightening the mood.

  -Honey, I adore your pumpkin pies, - Courtney Love chimed in.

  Everyone seemed to be nursing a mild hangover, Monica realized—it had been a while since she’d been out drinking.

  -It’s not a bother... I know the boy, Billy, a for the animation industry. What’s he up to year? No idea… but let him know I was impressed with his Ice Age film, - Tim Burton ented, p himself more wih a calm demeanor.

  Havily released Batman, in which Uma starred, Burton was also gearing up to release James and the Giant Peach.

  -He says you make great animated films. He loves your uyle and siders you one of the best directors in animated ema, - Monica replied, surprising Burton with Billy's high praise.

  ***

  Thomas Carson had spent aire month grappling with the distress of g for his ailing father, while his personal life seemed to crumble around him. His wife, Ivanova, three months pregnant, was exhausted, especially with the twins, who were already a signifit burden. Sitting in the hospital, crushed by the weight of his responsibilities and fresh from a steamy shower, his mind couldn’t stop wandering.

  The family business wasn’t doing well, and what y ahead wasn’t going to be easy. His brother, Jeffrey Carson, had made decisions that deeply disappointed him, pushing him toward selling everything before it all fell apart. Thomas had to think about his mother—about movio Los Angeles, where the care would be different. But the thought of dismantling his life caused a sharp pain in his chest. He sidered verting the garage into a small apartment for her, expanding the patio to give her a spot to enjoy coffee, but all of this felt like an attempt to escape his overwhelming despair.

  His foot tapped incessantly against the floor, a physical maion of his rising ay. His father’s surgery had begun in the early hours of the m, and now it was already noon. The disfort that gripped him remained, eveer did nothing to soothe his dry throat.

  By 1:30 p.m., the unease lingered.

  -Thomas, darling...- Ivanova's voice pulled him from his reverie. Despite being visibly pregnant, the rge blue coat she wore cealed her growing belly.

  -Livi...- Thomas responded with a sigh.

  -Your mother is about to arrive,- ivanova informed him, sitting down beside him. At 39 years old, she was tired—worn out both physically aionally by the pregnand life with the twins—but, as always, she mao keep her posure.

  -I see... And the kids?- he asked, notig the absence of her usual double stroller.

  -Fed and taken care of... They were asleep when I left. Yamile’s watg them now. Your mother’s probably arguing with the receptionists. It’s not good, to leave a pregnant woman, an elderly dy, and two kids home alone. Very bad of you, Mr. Carson,- Ivanova added, stretg her arms aing her feet on a small stool. Her shirt was stained with applesauce, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.

  The hospital remained in near silence, broken only by the hum of the air ditioning and the occasional footsteps of staff or patients. That silence was soon shattered by the arrival of Helen Carson.

  With her slow but purposeful stride, Heleered the room with her usual presehis hospital is utterly inpetent! Ba my day, employees would be running to get things done... We’ve raised a geion of zy, good-for-nothing people!- Helen grumbled, her displeasure palpable, making everyone in the room tense up.

  -Mother... How o see you looking so well,- Thomas remarked, knowing that the rare times when his mother wasn’t pining were often the most ing.

  -Lazy, all of them... Where’s Billy? He’s been gone for too long. Even Jeffrey’s worthless sons have been ing daily. Where’s that altar boy who thinks he’s from a better family?- Helen tinued, adjusting herself in her seat with visible dissatisfa. Despite her harsh to was clear she missed Billy, who had bee the primary financial support for his grandparents, overseen by Anne Hall.

  -Mom, he has a lot of itments. Everything was scheduled before Dad’s act. While it’s true this is an important cause, we ’t ighat he’s busy,- Thomas expirying to ease the tension.

  But Thomas knew Billy would e before Christmas. That, at least, was certain.

  ***

  he sports pany that holds the rgest market share in North Ameri basketball, was founded in 1964 and has experienced a growth trajectory akin to a surge isellers. Its rival, Adidas, is not far behind, but it is reized that Nike excels iain aspects of footwear and basketball.

  - I thought I would eventually hear back from Nike, but I didn't expect such a quick response, - ented Anne Hall.

  - I was just an advisor for the sports brand when we first sighe traow, six years ter, I am the Director of Marketing and Advertising for the pany. I have a certain e with you; this was one of the first major tracts I brought to the pany, and I do nret taking that gamble, - remarked Peter Rupe.

  The man who met Billy a long time ago has a signifit reason for this e; he has known Billy since his beginnings. The little boy, who was oe around adults, now runs a massive eai pany. He is unsure how much they will pay for the lise. Taking a seat, both were deeply engaged in preparations. Real was a true powerhouse; his story could reso only with the Ameri audie with many beyond its borders. He uood that reag out to an overlooked audiehe disabled unity, while it may sound harsh, was a lucrative business opportunity.

  - I believe we seize this opportunity to enhaual uanding. The Sm Dunk products are among our favorite brands, embraced by all young people. We want to revitalize the brand, and of course, I saw Real's assistant... we want to unch a campaign with that ic, - Peter Rupe ented.

  - We rehe Sm Dunk tract for four years at double the previous terms, - Anne Hall stated. Eleven million dolrs; a whistle escaped from Peter Rupe, ted immediately. It wasn't a lot, especially with the 9% of sales geed, it remained a great deal. The issue was Real; if Sm Dunk was extravagant, Real was a bombshell—four years, 20 million, 5%.

  - That's a tough pill to swallow, - Anne Hall remarked.

  - This is the offer Adidas made; I am extending my goodwill for the many years of iation, - Anne Hall expined.

  - I see, - he replied, more anxious tha on. The position is crucial, and they found in sports ics a clear deaking opportunity that signifitly affected the audiehe Sm Dunk ic was read by millions and viewed by even more; children loved Sm Dunk, and that was a fact.

  What about the Real campaign? Just the name alone made all the executives salivate. Goodwill wins loyal ers, and those are better than any ordinary buyers.

  ...