184 re-encounter with the stargate crew.

As soon as he got out of the car and entered, he was warmly welcomed. It seemed they weren't expecting Billy's attendance until tomorrow morning.

-Well, I had the time, - Billy said.

-Come on, kid, you have to give interviews. Oh, by the way, this is the Stargate poster. Don't you find it beautiful? I have some copies for you to take home, - Nigel said, patting Billy on the back.

He entered what seemed to be a room with three wooden chairs. Mila was sitting there, wearing dark black lipstick that beautifully contrasted with her messy black hair, giving her a daring look. They smiled at each other as they entered the set. She was giving an interview, narrating how she worked as a waitress in a restaurant, and a man spotted her, leading to a six-month-long selection process for the character Sha're.

-I was working in a restaurant in New York to earn money for school. I'm in my second year. I worked there for three weeks, and then one day, my manager, who was also the restaurant's manager, came to my table. She was a client, but I didn't know who she was. A customer approached the table and read the specials. Suddenly, she said, 'Come to my office.' She told me, 'I noticed that the role of Sha're hasn't been cast yet. I mean, I know they've been looking for girls.' So, she sent my tape to Ronald, along with many other things I had done in Israel. She received a call from him, saying he wanted me right away. 'Tomorrow, you have to travel for filming.' In eight hours, I was on a plane to Arizona, - Mila said.

-Thank you, dear. Let's take a break, and we'll ask you more questions later, - said the interviewer.

-Yes, - Mila took a deep breath after her lengthy speech and life story that left her somewhat discontented. She walked over and hugged Billy tightly, almost like a reunion.

-What time did you arrive? - Mila asked.

-Early in the morning. I was auditioning, and, well, I had time, so I came to work, - Billy said.

Mila noticed the glances of other people and took Billy to the actors' dressing room. There were only two people inside, and when Billy and Mila entered laughing, acting like an awkward third wheel, they decided to leave, resembling a pair of young lovers. The subtle slips inspired that strange and blind air that isn't commonly seen between colleagues.

-How was Paris? I hope you celebrated your birthday properly, - Billy asked.

-Everything was fantastic, more than fantastic, like a flattering illusion, - Mila said, with hidden meaning in her words. They reminisced about their preferences and shared their recent days. It wasn't love; it was friendship. But these friendships always get confused, and Mila, although experienced, with a heart as light as the fine droplets trickling through the leaves of trees after a drizzle, hasn't lived in the excesses typical of the profession, preserving that unprecedented and strengthening innocence.

-I envy such happiness. I'd like to take a break for winter, go somewhere else, and disappear from the world. A place where phones and cameras are forbidden, where silence is the norm, and only the words of the people I care about are with me, - Billy said, lying down on Mila's legs, while she fondly stroked his head, intertwining her fingers in his easy features.

-Sounds fun, - Mila said.

-Since I entered this world, I've become ambitious and have strong goals I want to achieve at all costs. I can't deny the strong feeling that embraces me when I accomplish my goals. However, there are times when I'd like to hide under a rock and wait a few months for the memory of my name to fade, letting other stars take their place - Billy said.

A sound at the door interrupted their reverie. - I think we should do our job - Mila said.

-One second, - Billy said, closing his eyes and sighing.

Mila was back at her place, nodding. The next thirty seconds were slow as a snail's pace but fast in distance. Physicists may know more about relativity, but the moment was special, in such an ephemeral pursuit that the assistant at the door only stopped to fix his shirt. And here was the protagonist of the series, initially centered on Kurt by Ronald Emmerich, but there was the one who had captivated the studio with his performance.

-So, where do we have to go? - Billy asked.

-Miss Mila already knows. We decided to modify the plan a bit, and now you two will have a joint interview, - the assistant said.

-Try not to bite your tongue, - Billy joked with Mila, referring to their ongoing playful challenge about who would perform better in certain scenes, as requested by Kurt. This had been Nigel's idea, relayed by Ronald. Billy's relationship with Kurt had significantly improved, and now, being together, they had forged a strong friendship.

-Oh, you, sir, - Mila said, feigning offense.

In the interview, everything was arranged but uncomfortable, given the numerous people around the studio. Mila took a deep breath, battling stage fright. Being in the spotlight was different from acting.

-Good afternoon, Clara, - Mila said.

-Miss Mili, Mr. Bill, - Clara greeted, a woman with sparkling red-dyed hair styled in '80s fashion, wearing a formal women's suit. Billy could only focus on her tiny eyes hidden behind the glasses frames.

-A pleasure, - Billy said in his business mode, a big smile, showing his teeth, eyes wide open, and a crossed posture. One hand rested on his leg, the other open—a businessman's training, distinct from Mila's modest posture. She didn't cross her legs and just sat with a small smile, a contrast to Billy's demeanor.

-Now that we're gathered, we have a question that many people are seeking an answer to—the enviable chemistry between you two on set. Are you in a relationship? - Clara asked, spicing things up from the start.

Mila's flushed cheeks vibrantly expressed more than an excuse. - I'd be lucky to date such a beautiful woman as Mili Avital, but we are friends and have a very good friendship. -

-What do you think, Miss Mili? - Clara asked.

-Friends. We're friends. We're more than just colleagues; we're competitors. Billy is always challenging me on set with his excellent performances. It's natural, and that's why I declare him my rival, - Mili Avital said.

-Mila tends to be competitive, - Billy added.

-If you were to invite Mili out, Billy, where would you take her? - Clara asked.

Billy raised an eyebrow, and looked at Nigel, who could only give a thumbs up. Ah, publicity, Billy thought. -To the amusement park. Mila hasn't had the chance to visit one, and, well, there should always be a first time, - Billy said.

-Awww, - Mila exclaimed, remembering that she mentioned that a month ago. She didn't think he remembered.

-I think what we should do is play a game of questions. What do you think if we play charades on the blank board? You have two squares; in the top one, you'll write your answer, and in the bottom one, you'll write what you think the other person answered, - Clara suggested.

Both nodded with their boards and markers in hand. As Billy covered the board, Mila let out an indignant groan. -You must know I'll be the winner, - Billy said.

-Oh, incredible, you're such a child, - Mila said.

Clara smiled; the chemistry was evident and would likely appeal to the audience. - What is your favorite food? - Clara asked.

Billy wrote down grilled meat and shakshuka.

-Looks like you failed again, Billy, - Mila said, seeing Billy's note, and laughing uncontrollably.

-How is it possible? You wrote green, - Billy said.

-No, it says emerald green, there's a difference, - Mila said.

-Point for Mila, - Clara said, playing along with the girl who had used the rules to her advantage.

Billy lost the next question too, as Mila's favorite travel destination was Egypt, not Paris. But she guessed Spain, and for the fourth question—favorite animal—Billy wrote cats and kittens.

Mila surprised him again by getting Billy's answer right—lions. - Lions can be kittens, -Mila chuckled, reveling in Billy's defeat.

-There's a conspiracy, - Billy said, determinedly poking Mila's nose gently while she wrinkled hers.

-It can only be because you're not good, - Mila said, shrugging.

Billy lost the following questions, getting swept under the rug at 6-0. Mila won, performing a victory dance. Billy could only smile at his defeat. The interview continued, navigating the tension created by the interviewer.

Two more interviews followed with some crew members, individually. Billy walked to his car and was stopped by Mili.

-Invite me to dinner?" -Mila said.

Billy was surprised by her audacity, the way she ordered him to eat. Still, he smiled at Mila's charming grin.

-Let's go for pizza. After all, it's your favorite food, -Billy said. Mila just shook her head at Billy's evident jab.

-Hahaha, I think I like lobster more now, - Mila said, smiling at Billy.

...