satisfaction

June 29, 1995.

The conclusion of the filming of 'The English Patient' proceeded smoothly, with everything fitting together seamlessly. As the filming wrapped up, Jim Gianopulus appeared tired but attentive, taking note of every minute detail of the movie and pondering over director Anthony's phrase: 'Each frame is a stroke of art.' This statement particularly resonated among the present artists, succinctly encapsulating the contemporary vision of cinema.

-Billy, good to see you, - Jim greeted.

-Jim, how are things going in the east? - Billy asked casually. Although he was referring to the company, Jim interpreted it as an inquiry about the financial state, and he gathered his thoughts to respond, surprised to see Billy with his hair slicked back, presenting a calm and helpful demeanor that still indicated his authoritative position.

-W-well, I think we're on the right track. Pixar has set up its second production group properly, and we'll likely meet the requirements to start animations with humans this year. Additionally, we have some short films in progress, and the companies in the East are doing a fantastic job. If we maintain a clear goal, we could launch a new series next year. I'm also in touch with some distribution companies, so next year will be the pinnacle for all our enterprises, - explained Jim, nodding as he discussed the challenges they faced in the children's channel due to the lack of clarity regarding the books.

-Don't worry, our boss has already briefed me on everything I need to know, - said Billy, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

As the executives and directors took note of everything discussed, Billy retired to the hotel. Despite being 1000 kilometers away, the paparazzi quickly detected his presence and began snapping photos frenetically. Each click of the camera was like a successive flash, and Billy felt like the center of attention as he boarded a car that would take him through the city, accompanied by his bodyguards.

After a short ride, they arrived at a high-end restaurant. Billy found Mónica Bellucci, who seemed to have arrived earlier and was enjoying a glass of white wine. Billy apologized for his lateness, and they then shared a delightful dinner and pleasant conversation. Although fish wasn't the most suitable choice for a date, Billy embraced the challenge and prepared to enjoy the evening with Mónica.

-Hahaha please, no one will say anything about me, even if I arrived disguised. Dignity is what sets me apart. - Monica commented, eating the fish with her hands to avoid the bones, doing so in a way that seemed traditional, as if it were done in Italy. Even the smallest bite she took, she did it with methodical gestures.

She narrated that in all her years of modeling practice, two points should never be done: hunching the back and lowering the chin. Eyes forward, no matter the mistake; that's where magnificence shines.

-Well, even if I tried, eating with my hands wouldn't make me any faster. I'm a complete novice at this nonsense. I prefer grilled meat and a spicy sauce, - responded Billy, watching her movements.

Monica's intense gaze might have been overwhelming for some, but for Billy, it wasn't much. Intense people, whether women or men, always stand to gain certain skills. It's advantageous to be the least favorite person among negotiators like Terry Semel, Bob Daily, or even Paul Allen and Steve Jobs. In business dealings, they often exude more intensity than usual, like tigers in suits and ties. The instinct to hoard is different from that of a woman, which is more about disturbance and stimulation, yet they resort to the same principle.

-What are you laughing about? - Monica asked, raising her eyebrows in a friendly, curious, and joyful manner.

-Your gaze was very intense. It's funny how your demeanor adds attributes that someone wouldn't otherwise have a proper response to, but it's powerful in its way. I ended up comparing it to a business adversary who's in his forties. The first time I saw him, I was speechless and didn't worry about the details, - Billy remarked.

-That sounds like a story worth telling, but you keep avoiding the details that give the story its shape, - Billy commented.

-Powerful men tend to be complacent with me. Beauty is a trap, - Monica said.

-Powerful men are only powerful in special moments, and when they're not, we're just men. It's boring to be powerful all the time, and in my view, it's simply a matter of good sense to indulge in things we find valuable, from hobbies to women, - Billy said.

-It's so hard for them to admit weakness that they hide it behind whims. I like your term about masculinity. Once, I was at a fashion runway, captivating, and amidst all the catwalk, I found that many times, it's all about gratification. We're people made to love, from the deep looks of the admirers that struck me. It was the way of seeing, the key way of observing, it was the desire we have... - Monica murmured, finishing her fish. She elegantly took a cloth napkin and wiped her fingers, smiling as she did so, leaving each movement elegant, free, and majestic.

-Desire, reason... many points of view, - Billy commented, finishing his plate a few minutes later and asking for the check. He paid for both his employees and the dinner, and when the dark-haired woman smiled, her lips formed a heart shape.

As he rose from his seat, Billy noticed that she was still sitting. He pulled out the chair and allowed her to move. She smiled as she put her hand on his shoulder.

-A friend of mine has a gallery. Let's go see some good works, maybe buy a painting, and have some wine, - Monica suggested.

Billy smiled as he saw how the woman somehow drew attention, and they both continued in an idyllic return of forms, as they began a long relationship from there. When drinking wine in the woman's apartment, dawn broke, and the dark-haired woman smiled, raising her foot, barefoot, through a hallway, preparing the guest bed before saying goodbye with a kiss on the lips. It was sweet, almost a farewell kiss.

Billy held her in his arms and deepened the kiss, softer this time, starting with short kisses, then long ones, then short kisses again, until their lips were red. Billy bid her goodnight once more.

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