Not many people noticed him. He was just wearing a white shirt and jeans—something simple. What stood out were his bold metal earrings and that distinct bohemian vibe he carried.

  He had lunch at a tapas shop, sipping on a pitcher of beer with a perfectly cooked steak. Nothing unusual happened until his luggage arrived at the hotel, accompanied by Adriana, who looked somewhat embarrassed.

  -What are you doing here? - Billy asked.

  -Don’t ugh, but Alessandra kicked me out. Apparently, her fiancé suspects something. I’m terrible at lying—I hate lying—and I ended up blurting out that we just wanted some privacy. So here I am, stuck in a hotel with you. - Adriana rambled, looking frazzled and completely out of sorts. She noticed the guitar in the corner.

  -We can py the guitar if you want, - Billy said, picking it up. -You know, it’s not as bad as it seems. And maybe tonight, we could go dancing all night long. I bet you’d love wandering the streets and moving those hips. -

  -Sure, why not? - Adriana replied, perplexed yet utterly happy, a serene and bold smile crossing her face. She nodded as they began pying the guitar together, in perfect rhythm and harmony.

  -I like that song. Whenever I py something in private, I just want to rex. Oh, and I always sing in Spanish, - Billy said, strumming effortlessly as he began to py La Casa by Caramelos de Cianuro. His voice was strong and soulful, delivering each note with heartfelt passion.

  ???????? ????????

  Now I go out and get drunk, watch the night turn into dayI have breakfast with leftovers and a cold oneSince you’ve been gone, my life’s been control and chaosI’ve seen every alien movie, bloodbaths, and zombiesVegetative in front of the TV, motionlessEvery night’s darker, and even alcohol can’t lift me

  Because this house is no longer a home since you leftCold walls, empty bedsWithout your breath, time feels slower

  Because this house is no longer a home since you leftCold walls, empty bedsI have so much, yet I regret so much

  ???????? ????????

  ...

  ???????? ????????

  And now I try to avoid anything that moves meHibernating like an animal in its caveSince you’ve been gone, my life’s been loneliness, desotion

  I’ve seen every alien movie, bloodbaths, and zombiesVegetative in front of the TV, motionlessEvery night’s darker, and even alcohol can’t lift me

  Because this house is no longer a home since you leftCold walls, empty bedsWithout your breath, time feels slower

  ???????? ????????

  ...

  ???????? ????????

  Because this house is no longer a home since you leftCold walls, empty bedsI have so much, yet I regret so much

  This house is no longer a home since you leftIt’s cold, it’s emptyWithout your breath, time feels slower

  This house is no longer a home since you leftIt’s cold, it’s emptyI have so much, yet I regret so much

  ???????? ????????

  -That’s a great song. When you sing like that, putting your signature touch on it, I’ll always want you to sing for me, - Adriana said, enchanted by his deep, magnificent voice that made her close her eyes and savor the music.

  -Forget it. I sing when I feel like it. It’s better to do it privately, - Billy replied, his gaze resting on Adriana, the fiery Brazilian. Her sun-kissed skin, green eyes, and striking beauty were captivating. She had an aura of rebellion that made her seem alive and expressive, so charismatic that he couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss her.

  It was a short kiss—just enough to recharge their energy. She smiled radiantly, her big eyes shining like stars in the night, her white teeth gleaming. Billy adjusted a few strings on the guitar, and by nine, they were out for dinner. The luxurious hotel was just three blocks away from the most popur club in town.

  The paparazzi were out, snapping photos. They weren’t the aggressive press from big cities, but the fshes came relentlessly. Click after click, the sound filled the air.

  They ughed together, and that was the moment captured—a perfect image.

  ...

  The next morning, they woke up tangled in each other’s arms. This time, Adriana was drooling on his chest, a tender scene. They both tried not to disturb each other’s sleep.

  For some reason, Billy felt an unsettling sense of disgust, not for Adriana, but for the ck of passion, the sweetness that now felt cloying. He craved the thrill of something new, the first woman who wouldn’t bother him, someone he could shatter emotionally before walking away.

  A man hollowed out, torn between love and loathing, marked by a hypocritical and false upbringing. He despised the closeness, the way it reminded him of a mother who wasn’t there for him—a mother absent from his life.

  Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to wake Adriana. She reminded him of Avril, who used to grumble and pout when they cuddled at night. Moments of love shadowed by a demon that whispered disaster into his heart whenever something good came into his life, roots of doubt digging deep into his soul.

  -You’re doing that thing again, - Adriana murmured, her arm draped over his chest.

  -What thing? - Billy asked, curious yet composed, masking his inner chaos with his usual calm demeanor.

  -You’re anxious. It’s funny how we all have these little quirks. You move your fingers as if you’re pying the piano. At first, I thought it was just a finger exercise, maybe something to relieve stress. But now I see—it’s the opposite. You do it when you’re anxious. - Adriana said, nuzzling against him like a cat.

  -Nothing at all, - Billy replied. -Sometimes I just get these thoughts—like driving down the highway, spitting on conventions, quitting music, walking away from everything. -

  -Even music? -

  -Even music. Living in a cabin by the sea, letting the breeze hit my face. Eating empanadas, drinking water, and fishing. I don’t know—just forgetting the world for a second, - Billy said, his words ced with madness and pretense.

  -When will you do it? When’s the limit? When will it all be enough for you to leave, live your life on your terms? Like a hermit. Though maybe you’d need books—something to fill all that time disconnected from the world and its pressures, - Adriana said, stretching as she leaned on him.

  -Probably when I get bored. For now, it’s fun. The tours are long but enjoyable, and I have time to rest, - Billy replied, kissing her on the lips. Adriana shifted slightly, her long nightgown covering her neck but revealing her endless legs if you looked closely.

  -Let’s do some sightseeing, - Adriana suggested, stretching. -I don’t know much about this city.-

  ...