June 8, 2004.
They approached in groups of three, all beautiful women. If anyone thought this was a fashion show, they'd be completely mistaken. Side by side, Billy stood with the famous "telenovela vampire," Robert Pattinson, who, contrary to expectations, was the only one to attend. The entry to the ship was, at most, a unique experience. Looking at its size, it was hard to call it a yacht, and if it was... it was far too large to be labeled as one. Billy's security team blended with the owner's staff. Jerry had used everything available to clean every inch of the ship and, beforehand, warned him to be mindful of the cameras in public areas.
-So, the twins decided to wait for another time?- Billy asked.
-That's the official report. Unofficially, their parents showed up with all sorts of demands, and upon hearing they'd be away on a yacht for a week, they canceled their permissions and set the rules straight. They wanted to come to your party... but not everyone can be as free as they hope,- Robert replied.
-And what's your excuse for being here so calmly?- Billy asked.
-My sisters—both of them—mentioned that my friendship with you might be beneficial for their music careers, something I didn't bother arguing about. If they knew how you break the mold, they wouldn't even offer that olive branch,-Robert remarked.
-I can help them, as long as they work on uploading their music online. I could feature them on my website. A lot of people from the UK follow me, so I could give them a push,- Billy replied thoughtfully. ---But it's probably better they don't head to America. It's a real cesspool—everyone is, at best, bad news... The music industry's red couch is an unspoken fact, and the web is so filled with drugs that I think 30% of the music business is cartel-funded. --
Robert raised his eyebrows, clearly taken aback by the intensity of the statement.
-My idea is for them to play here—in bars, taverns, and online—at least while they hone their basic skills. After that, it'll be easier to support them,- Billy added.
Robert didn't say much more, but Avril was listening carefully. She was part of the inner circle, and though she lived in New York solely to be with Billy, most of her work took place in Canada, which was enough for her.
Avril's contract expires in June 2009, and the usual terms for these kinds of deals involve large sums of money. It could stir up some controversy, but one of the industry's most used tactics is to buy out contracts for a set amount. Currently, Billy's contract is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, a part of what he's earned over many years, and what's expected to come.
After expenses and advance payments, Billy's fortune stands at $72 million from sales, tours, and endorsements, making him a millionaire in the eyes of many. His licensing and usage contract with Warner Music runs until 2015, and his current contract ends in 2008. It's common for such agreements to have many guarantees, and Jerry plans to extend the deal until 2015, with better profit margins and a smarter way to preserve the young man's wealth. They share a common idea: play non-stop until you're 30, then retire. Afterward, come back every two or three years, once you're more rested, something many have done with great success—it's almost like a refreshing revival, and even a break for the vocal cords is a form of self-care.
Avril shrugged and set off to find the room she'd be sharing with Billy for the next five days. There, she saw another woman—one who always sparked a hint of danger in Avril's mind whenever she observed her interactions with Billy. Her name was Jessica Stam. Like Avril, she was Canadian, so they had much in common. She called herself a fan of Avril's music but was equally a fan of Billy's, and that fueled a contrasting sense of jealousy.
Jessica was blonde with beautiful blue eyes, accompanied by Gemma Ward, a young supermodel who, despite her age, was one of the most stunning women Avril had ever laid eyes on, with her angular features and eyes that could melt steel. Avril shook her head.
The models moved in threes. The last was a raven-haired beauty, Coco Rocha, striking and intense—there was nothing more to say.
The recommended room was number 5, elegant with a double bed, a large window overlooking the upper deck, and one of 15 rooms in total. This one, however, seemed rather simple.
Her belongings were already unpacked, the guitar Billy had brought was resting in one corner along with an electric guitar. Avril spotted her red Fender Stratocaster in the other corner and sighed as she threw herself onto the bed.
…
Jerry sat in the front chair, organizing the products for half the day.
Billy was talking to Kate, who had just broken up with Jack over some trivial matter. The truth was, Kate was a force to be reckoned with.
-Old man, you're here on the boat too?- Billy asked. His friends, invited by the man beside him, had made this party possible. A blond man, wearing glasses, exuded little extravagance—he was more refined, often seen conversing with Adriana, a regular in their social circle. Curiously, every fashion event seemed to be preceded by her.
Jerry glanced over, exasperated, shaking his head.
-I'm too old for this. Michael will meet you in Monaco,- Jerry Wexler remarked.
-Alright, old man... A pleasure meeting you,- Billy said smoothly. His mannerisms, as Jerry had noted, were curious—his greetings to those princes were peculiar.
-I was at your concert in Vegas,- Adriana chimed in.
-I didn't see you anywhere,- Billy replied with a smile. -I guess the favor of tickets and passes ended up in the wrong hands. Although I may have found the recipient—this little girl, whose dream seemed to be meeting me.-
The prince raised an eyebrow at the boy's greeting; apparently, they were friends, but their tempers were hot.
-Oh darling, it's been dreadful,- Adriana said in Portuguese. They both tried their best to converse in several languages, a game neither could deny.
-It doesn't matter anymore! I was busy in Vegas, but I missed you when I saw little Zoe, -Billy replied in his broken Portuguese. Of the languages he spoke, his best was English and Spanish; he understood Portuguese and Italian… but was still learning French.
-Well, we can catch up over the next few days. After all, we're celebrating our birthdays, - Adriana said with a laugh. They shared almost the same birthday—hers on June 12, and Billy's on June 10. Last year, Billy had thrown an extravagant party on a terrace, surrounded by models. If there was one thing to understand about these women, it's that they desired nothing more than to be themselves during special occasions, for two simple reasons: to own the moment and to avoid sharing it with other men.
Robert made his way toward his room. Jerry had paid for the party, including 150 bottles of the finest champagne, along with 42 bottles of expensive French wine from the '83 vintage—Billy hadn't even been born yet—plus Corona beer, and enough food to feed the 25 guests for a month. However, the guest list had now shrunk, with five people confirming they wouldn't attend, including two band members, Sugar Egg, Connor, and Spencer.
The prince had been showering Adriana with multiple gifts for quite some time, and now, she was letting him in a bit more—this was just another token.
-Well, I think I'll head down to my room. Good luck, old man,- Billy said, hugging him and shaking hands firmly.
-See you later, - the prince replied. He had wanted to say something, but his education tempered his words. He was standing before the man who had made so much possible. Jerry excused himself, mentioning something about going home to sleep. The truth was, Jerry despised Billy's nonsense; he liked stirring things up, and Jerry saw those eyes challenging the ship's owner. What a despicable young man...
…
-So they are the owners of the boat?- Robert broke the silence.
-They are, Robert. I wasn't lying. You guys hit it off with me… this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,- Billy said.
-Yeah.-
...