routes.

Helen Carson was getting old, and the fact that Richard, her lifelong husband, could no longer drive or do things for himself made her need for help overwhelming. Their grandson had hired a maid from a large company who did all the shopping, cleaning, and organizing. Surprisingly, their little grandson turned out to be the most successful member of the household, but the loneliness and longing to see Thomas and his family left her feeling somewhat strange.

-Billy has released a new movie. - Richard Carson asked the woman accompanying them.

-He did; your son is quite famous now; he appeared in the newspaper. - Grancin commented.

Hahaha… Billy is a real Casanova; he's had such beautiful women in his arms, but I'm surprised he hasn't invited me to see the movie. It's been a while since he called… he hasn't left a message. - Richard said, now wearing pajamas as part of his daily attire at 85 years old; age was taking its toll on him.

-No, sir, but we can call him. - Grancin replied.

-I don't want to bother him; the boy is so busy! - Richard said in a depressed tone. The strength had left him, and he felt a sadness at not being independent like before. The fatigue was evident in his life, and going for a walk was the most daring thing he did; he couldn't even drive anymore.

-Come on, Mr. Carson. - Grancin said.

-You're a coward, that's what you are. - Helen interrupted, with her usual thinly veiled self-deprecation. - It's annoying that you don't call him. -

Helen murmured, her accusatory gaze only made Richard chuckle, his expression soft. His wife also missed Billy, even if she fervently denied it. She was more sentimental about family and likely missed Billy as much as he did; the most cherished grandson was often the most distant.

-I think I'll call him. - Grancin suggested.

-Don't bother the boy; he's a busy man… - Thomas Carson commented.

Grancin sent a text message to his direct supervisor, Anne Hall, who was in charge of all the expenses for Billy's grandparents.

***

It's surprising how the movie Sev7n began to gain popularity; this can often be inconsistent, and it doesn't always meet box office expectations. By early October, after two weeks, the official box office reached $48 million, and without a decline in scheduling, it was expected to reach the break-even point of $60 million nationally and could be distributed internationally for profit.

The score offered by the media averages at least 7.9/10, marking it as one of the best films of 1995. Many people have been drawn to it, and the strong performances are starting to open up opportunities for roles.

-We have an offer for a part. - Jim Waitt commented.

-I don't have time for that; we can make movies next year. I've had enough acting for one year, Jim. We've done film after film this year. What about sponsorships? Now that I have a bit more fame, I'd like to get some sponsorships, preferably with a luxury car brand like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi… I want to secure a contract with a car brand. - Billy stated.

Jim Waitt sighed, but there was nothing more he could do.

-I'll send you the scripts, and of course, I'll look for sponsorship from some car brands. We can extend a contract for the next year, for two years, and wait for your fame to flourish. - Jim Waitt commented.

Billy nodded as he determined his next job at Lux Animation, doing voice work. Normally, he was a voice actor, and this time he would be part of the dubbing for Lilo & Stitch, voicing several characters, a routine he followed to make some extra money, as he considered it a real success for the film and to adjust the payments.

He carried two bottles of wine in his arms; Monica was quite fond of drinking, especially wine, consuming it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at least a glass each time.

After finishing his tour in Toronto, he wandered the streets of New York, wearing a hat to shield his face, old clothes, and a scarf. People didn't recognize him. He spent the entire day searching for apartments, noting three buildings and four locations. He went up and continued to the building where Monica was staying, borrowed from Winona, who was now in Atlanta, starting to look for a year of rest.

The average price for a two-bedroom apartment was around $700,000, while the larger units cost about $1 million. It wasn't a low price, but Billy wanted to buy three apartments. His income hovered around $3 million, and for that reason and others, he hoped to purchase some properties in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Business in London was growing increasingly significant, as distribution passed through there. Additionally, some other deliveries to the capitals were special, but Lux Animation wanted to buy a large plot of land sufficient to create the grand Harry Potter studio, a space large enough to produce the films. Billy hoped to buy some countryside to recreate the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, establishing a stable

enough set to recreate the castle in miniature. If that wasn't possible, he would use Miami to his advantage.

Somewhere near the Midway River, close to Rochester or Chatan, he envisioned creating a grand castle, purchasing land, using the castle as a general model, and another large center to recreate the elements for CGI. However, recreating the basic elements was the crux of the matter, and if it could be done in a way...

-Come in. - Winona said from the door, surprising Billy.

-I told Monica you'd come, but she didn't check her messages or answer the phone. - Winona said with a reproachful tone.

-Where is she? - he asked.

-She has a runway show in Los Angeles… she was calling you all morning, but you're always busy with something else… but come in, you can come in. - Winona replied.

Billy entered; he had planned to return to San Jose, but he waited to see Monica. The issue with phones now was that they were very outdated, which was embarrassing. Staying informed was a problem for someone in the 21st century, years after the tech boom. He called three times, but there was no answer. Winona was in the kitchen, mixing ingredients, while Billy watched from the living room.

-It smells delicious. - Billy commented.

-I felt like making buttered potatoes and some chicken. Luckily, I cooked for three people. - Winona smiled at him.

Billy had no choice but to take off his pale blue jacket and check the kitchen, leaving the two bottles of wine on the counter.

-Would you like some wine? - he asked.

-I would love to… - she laughed. - It sounds a bit silly; I didn't expect you to show up here, tempting bad luck. I came back to see Monica this morning, but I found out she had already left. I'm thinking of taking a tour of Europe and getting some fresh air from acting. - Winona commented.

Billy remembered that Winona would later face legal troubles, perhaps due to a shoplifting incident. Her acting style was marred by a strong emotional struggle.

-Why don't you see a psychologist? - Billy suggested. Psychologists aren't very well regarded.

From the large eyes watching him, accusatory eyes, only the crazy seek that kind of treatment. Sitting and talking to someone who can listen to your problems is something that lacks trust in Hollywood.

-Don't give me that look; it's common for people under pressure to engage in activities that relieve their stress. It can be anything from meditation, massages, or talks with a good therapist… actors have evident issues regarding privacy, but CEOs, lawyers, and bankers suffer from different kinds of problems, such as anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Many times we confuse ourselves and make wrong decisions by not asking for help. - Billy said, pouring the wine, a bit more reflective than he intended, with a hint of doubt. The two glasses filled with wine were consumed in a moment; the wine was sweet, of the highest quality, and its flavor was particularly exquisite.

-It's not easy. -

-Expressing emotions is never easy. It's a problem of mine; I tend to be quite closed off with my feelings. - Billy admitted.

-Wash your hands; the food is almost ready. - the brunette said, adjusting her gloves. Billy couldn't help but notice her perky breasts without a bra, providing a view as she took the dishes out of the oven.

...