superstar: sings for everybody

He woke up with a slight headache, likely from the noise, the jumping around, and the champagne—all things he usually tried to avoid. Unfortunately, the ship didn't have the gym he wanted, which was just another annoyance. By the small pool, he did some cardio exercises—walking, squats, and a bit of fast-paced workout, again and again, before moving on to boxing practice.

-I see that even after such a wild party, you're still working out, - said a man whose very presence exuded elegance, refined in every way, almost political in his demeanor.

-It's what I have to do. There's no cure for the soul like exercise... When I've got problems, I work out. My life is a problem, so I cover everything with exercise... It's become part of who I am, - Billy replied, pushing himself through the reps with focus and intensity.

He was strong, the result of four years of intense training, especially after Major Wallace—an army-born man—made it his mission to push Billy to quit. At first, it was a bother, but later, all that restless energy burned away, cleansing the stress and rough edges. Exercise was all he needed.

The man took a seat under a chair and umbrella. It was 10:00 a.m., and the ship was running in near silence; even now, breakfast was just a buffet.

-I hear you're a fan of the Rolling Stones, - Billy commented.

-Excuse me? - the prince asked, slightly confused.

Billy had just finished his workout.

-The band, the rockers who've been around for years. I heard from Adriana that you've got a thing for rock music, though maybe not too much, - Billy said with a slight sigh as he caught his breath.

-Yes. -

The man was quiet, keeping his thoughts to himself, and maybe that's what Adriana found appealing, as she usually dated a different kind of man. It wasn't long before a butler, dressed in a suit, invited them to breakfast. Billy nodded. The air currents were warm, shifting from spring to summer, softening the gray clouds hanging over the English Channel. They'd stop in Bordeaux and then fly to Monaco.

The table was set like a buffet, but Billy was surprised at the amount of fruit, along with different pitchers for tea, coffee, or milk. They both ate in silence, and even the other passengers seemed tired, with slight bags under their eyes. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, and Billy smiled at the staff, though they didn't return it. It was fascinating how people in these circles seemed stripped of identity. With a touch of disenchantment, Billy remained silent until he was fully satisfied.

-I see you woke up early, - Gisele said, freshly bathed, her long blonde hair cascading down in curls that danced over her back.

-I haven't adjusted to European time yet. I'm unlucky like that, I sleep little for reasons I can't figure out, so I take naps in the afternoon or after lunch... You still have a headache; you seem a bit stressed, - Billy remarked.

-Nothing's wrong, I think the alcohol's getting to you, - Gisele replied, her usual self—dominant, dismissive, and a bit harsh with her comments, but no one denied that it was normal for her to behave that way.

-Always so challenging. Anyone else would've run away by now, - Billy said, but that was her. With those expressive eyes that drew accusatory lines, if she tightened her features, she became even less approachable—something she was born to be.

…

The wind on the ship had softened, the music quieter now, but the restless hands of the young people on board led them to pop open another bottle of champagne—an indulgence beyond reason. It was the fourth of the day for the small group of six. Alongside Billy were the four girls on the ship—Gemma Ward, Coco Rocha, Jessica Stam, and Doutzen Kroes. They were the rising stars of the modeling world, part of the Teen Vogue group, but now more closely tied to Victoria's Secret Angels. Some of them lived in their fantasy world.

They were joined by Robert, who tried to hide the rising heat from being in such proximity to so many women.

Billy played his guitar at the table while Avril strummed hers... a soft ballad playing in the background, mellowing the mood and keeping the party atmosphere at bay. It was nearly sunset, and they were about to reach Bordeaux—a much faster trip than planned, but that didn't matter, not one way or the other.

-Listen to this, - Avril said.

And in the night, I could be helpless

I could be lonely, sleeping without you…

She paused her guitar, letting the melody linger. It was time to weave her song into the quiet space, something intimate between her and Billy. Though they were together, he saw her as a lover—a fleeting connection he allowed himself to indulge in, but he always warned her, reminding her of how bad he was for her.

And in the day, everything's complex.

There's nothing simple when I'm not around you…

But I'll miss you when you're gone,

That is what I do, hey, baby

And it's going to carry on,

That is what I do, hey, baby…

-I've had a lot on my mind, but lately, I've felt like I need to play more ballads, - Avril said.

-It sounds good, better than I expected. You've got a nice flow, a bit different from the girl who usually sings to me at random moments, - Billy commented, deep in thought. The song carried a hint of sadness, as if he was searching for something within it.

-If you sing something softer, I think a violin or a piano would suit it better, - Billy added.

They both sang quietly, finding the best way to harmonize. Avril murmured about how much she wanted her next album to win a Grammy—it was still part of the dream—or maybe an MTV Award, the kind of victory artists craved. But it seemed likely to fail, as so many people in her circle weren't enough to push her to the top.

-To me, you're already one of the best singers out there, - Billy said, weighing his words carefully. - Winning a prize is about the industry. Luckily, Jerry Wexler is friends with a lot of the old-timers who come to my shows and end up as my fans. But with you, the promotion isn't as good as we think… Your rep's not the best fit… We all know you're already a great singer. -

To soften the moment, he gently stroked her cheek.

-It just feels unfair, - Avril said.

-Life's always that way, - Billy replied, erasing all the worries hanging between them. Even in their quiet moments, Billy's voice was captivating, clear, and mesmerizing to anyone who heard it. Later, they both ended up in the pool—swimming, a passive activity for Billy.

Without wasting more time, the day slipped away faster than expected. Robert was still lost in conversation with Gemma Ward. They seemed close, or at least that's how it looked. The curious part was that Robert didn't get involved in any relationship unless it was completely serious. He was clear that relationships required time, and sharing thoughts was how they bonded.

…

Night fell, and everyone was either enjoying dinner or finishing it up. Later, they gathered around a round table to share their thoughts. Some were blushing; the only downside was that even now, playing cards wasn't an option.

-So, how did that scandal happen? - Jessica asked. The group's attention shifted to him. For a while now, even Avril had been curious about what had gone down.

...