meanwhile.

The gray Nissan, an ordinary model from the eighties, was parked in the farthest spot. The cold began to creep in, contrasting with the day's warm weather, making the chilly night even more uncomfortable for those exposed to it.

-I forgot my jacket, - said Mila.

-I think I have a spare in the car, - said Billy.

-You're an idiot, give me your jacket, - said Mila.

-Hahaha. Mila, you should be more direct, - said Billy, handing her the jacket. It looked way too big on Mila's small frame. Billy approached and adjusted the jacket while zipping it up to her neck.

-Better? - asked Billy.

-Yes, - said Mila cheerfully.

-Let's go. I think we can stop by the gas station and grab a midnight snack. I don't know if the hotel is closed at this hour, - said Billy.

-Well, the girls invited me to Vegas, but I decided to stay. Tomorrow, I'm flying to France in the morning. My parents live there, and I've been away for four months. I can't wait to get there; my parents will celebrate my birthday. Then, I'll return, rinse and repeat, continue with the acting, - said Mila.

-Your birthday! - exclaimed Billy.

-Yes, I turned 21 on March 30. The crew shared a cake in my honor. You were so focused that you lost track. Kurt even brought a great gift to the studio - said Mila.

-I'm sorry; it was a bit rude, - said Billy, opening the passenger door for Mila.

-Well, you're learning. You just need to be more perceptive, - said Mila, smiling, her black freckle standing out on her face when she stretched her cheeks.

Billy smiled back, nodded at Mila's words, gently closing the door, and contemplating Mila's birthday. He checked the surroundings, and even the hotel's toy store would open in the morning.

-It's so cold, - thought Billy as he got into the car.

-Well, miss, within a thirty-kilometer radius, there's a small roadside diner that's open twenty-four hours. We can go have something for dinner. Would you like to join me? - asked Billy.

-Sounds great to eat something other than cookies and packaged potato chips, - said Mila.

-Are you French, born in Israel? - asked Billy.

-I am. I started acting in Israel. My parents moved to France for work, and leaping to California was much easier. Now, with my lead roles, I've improved my prospects. I'll buy a place and live in California next year, - said Mila.

-I'm glad you're thriving on American soil. I'm a Californian; you can find me anytime. Just give me a call, - said Billy.

-Sure, - said Mila, squinting her eyes since Billy hadn't given her his phone number, and she hadn't given him hers. As an aspiring actress, having a phone number was a vital part of communication for any actor in a hurry to secure roles.

-Is this your first play? - asked Mila.

-As the protagonist, yes, although I've done a couple of voiceovers, participated in the Toy Story movie. Are you familiar with it? - Billy asked.

-Who do you take me for? It's been in the newspapers since Hanukkah; everyone talks about the incredible film that broke animation standards. My agent mentioned that many companies are interested in creating their movies, and dubbing work can be seen as a way to gain visibility, - Mila replied.

Stretching her arms in a V shape while crossing her legs, Mila fiddled with the car's heating. The night was freezing, and Mila was wearing a long white dress with matching sandals.

-You should pay attention to your agent, - said Billy, parking at Juan's gas station. - I'll put some gas in the car; wait for me a second. -

Mila nodded as she looked out into the air. Billy's phone started ringing. Mila waited once, twice, and on the third ring, she decided to get out of the car, making sure to check the car keys. The worst thing that could happen was to get locked out, but the keys were still in the ignition.

-Bill, they're calling you on the phone, - Mila shouted with the window down.

-Answer for me, - Billy said.

Mila nodded. -Hello. -

-Hello, who's speaking? - asked the male voice.

-Oh, hi. It's just Mila; Bill is buying some things. If it's urgent, you can call him in ten minutes or wait for him to return your call, - Mila said.

-Tell him that his grandpa is indignant because his beloved grandson has been absent and hasn't called in a month and a half, - said Richard Carson.

-Sir, I'll give him the message as soon as he returns, - Mila said, happily responding to the playful voice on the phone.

-With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking? - asked Richard.

-I'm Mila, but you, sir, haven't given me the pleasure of knowing your name, - Mila said.

-Richard. You can call me Richi affectionately or Grandpa, - said Richard Carson, with his usual sarcastic sense of humor. "Hahaha."

-Richard is fine, sir, - said Mila.

-Well, young lady, my grandson is a bit slow with women. The boy has only dedicated himself to work and study. Did he tell you he studies at Stanford? He's one of the best in his class. Ah, my boy, unfortunately, he's too polite, -Richard auspiciously said, pushing the boy to have a wonderful date with a wonderful young lady.

-Americans, - though Mila as she watched how they teasingly left Billy on a joke.

-, he's a good boy, -Mila said.

-Without further ado, I have to say goodbye. Tell him to call me when he has time for his grandpa, - Richard said, hanging up the phone.

-I'll be the first to tell him about his grandpa on the phone, - Mila said.

-And his grandma, my dear Helen, wants to make him a meatloaf and take him to church, - Richard Carson added.

-Hahaha, - Mila's sweet voice lit up the call. - Well, I'll talk seriously with Billy about not forgetting his grandma, and I'll advise him that he can't go another second without seeing his grandparents, - Mila said, pouting, as she normally did when exaggerating.

-Jojojojo, hit him hard. That boy is a bird that comes and goes. He visits us, but only stays a week and forgets that his grandpa likes to barbecue on weekends and go to the rodeo. He's a complete fool. One summer, I bought a special heifer to make the best lunch anyone could wish for, but it turns out he left for New York the next day, leaving me with all the work and no company, - Richard added.

-It's quite rude; we have to drag him forcibly. I'll take care of it, - Mila said, playfully.

-If you can do it, Helen will be so jealous that her little bunny brings a woman. We'll have to prepare everything. Objectively speaking, she's the most territorial person you could meet. But yes, if you manage to bring the boy, she'll forgive him, - Richard said.

-What are you doing? - Billy asked from the window.

-Ahhhhpp, - Mila screamed, clutching her heart. -- You almost killed me, - she said.

-I'm sorry, - Billy said.

-I was talking to your grandpa, - Mila said, handing him the phone, which was turned off as they had hung up. Richard Carson had fled after complaining to what he thought was his grandson's new girlfriend, who, in reality, was not very sociable.

-I can't hear anything, - Billy said, grabbing the phone. There was no one on the line.

-He hung up! We were talking, - Mila said.

-Grandpa is like that. I'll call him later. We have to go eat at Roadside Dinner, - Billy said.

They arrived in less than half an hour, so fast that Billy and Mila felt hungry.

-I'm very hungry. I could eat ten plates of rice with vegetables, - Mila said.

-Oh, a good piece of meat, - Billy said.

-I don't like meat much, but it would be fantastic, - Mila said. Both got out of the car, tired, and entered the restaurant with inherent fatigue. As they prepared to eat, Mila was taken completely by surprise when a strawberry cake for four appeared in front of Mila and Billy.

Billy took out a card with nothing more than a "Happy Birthday" written on a Christmas green postcard. Mila's eyes widened, and her cheeks lit up like yellow lights, silently captivated by the short and impromptu gift. In a second, Mila Avital looked at the waitress who served the cake, and in surprise, she tried to say something more but was silently captivated by the short and impromptu gift.

-How did you manage this? - Mila asked, taking a bite of the strawberry cake, and savoring it silently.

-I did what I had to. I bothered to order two special dishes, knowing your hunger. I wanted to surprise you with everything I had at my disposal, - Billy said.

-I think you did surprise me. You acted so quickly and captivated me in a way that surprised me, - Mila said, expressing her emotions, affected by the serenity of the day.

-After your birthday, what will you do? - Billy asked.

-Finish my education. Ronald Emmerich hired me unexpectedly. I didn't even know when I became part of this recording. When I got on the plane from New York, I cursed every second because I didn't exactly know what I was doing and what movie would end up being made. You can say, 'lie!' But it's quite the opposite, - Mila said.

Did you get the role without even auditioning? - Billy asked, surprised.

-Yes, as you speak, it seemed pointless that in less than a night, I got the role, and well, everything has gone surprisingly well, more than expected, - Mila said.

-What unexpected events, - Billy said, tasting the house specialty, a vegetable and meat sauce with rice, which was quite delicious, much tastier than he considered for a roadside restaurant.

-Excuse me, can you bring me the menu? - Billy asked.

-Of course, sir, - the employee said.

Two laminated menus, plastered in off-white, a color matched with a meager menu.

-Mila, would you like something to drink? - Billy asked.

-Ahhh, I'd like an herbal tea, and if so, thank you very much for everything, - Mila said, toying with her fingers.

-Of course, miss, - the waitress said.

Have a pleasant evening.

...