Chapter 132: Visiting the Set
Chapter 132: Visiting the Set
Between Eric and Cruise, Brooke Shields still leaned more toward the former. If Eric showed no sign at all after today’s work, then Brooke Shields would not mind having dinner with Cruise to build a connection.
Although she had started acting in films at twelve, she still had not fully entered the Hollywood circle and had always hovered around its edges. This was partly because Brooke Shields’ acting skills were not up to standard, but more importantly, because she did not have many connections in that area.
After becoming an adult, Brooke Shields had spent a long time fantasizing about marrying the superstar Michael Jackson. For this, she even publicly told the media that she was still a virgin. She herself had once believed there was real hope in this matter, so for a long time, she was not especially enthusiastic about her acting career.
But after all these years, she finally discovered that Jackson had regarded her only as a good friend from beginning to end. Jackson’s inner self was entirely like a child who had never grown up. He was not enthusiastic about marriage, and Jackson’s family also strongly opposed him marrying her.
Brooke Shields, who was already twenty-four this year, had no choice but to plan for her future after her wish to marry into wealth completely fell apart. Compared with Jackson’s childlike temperament, Brooke Shields was much more mature and realistic, and she was also clear about what her greatest capital was.
Hearing Brooke Shields’ answer, Cruise still said with gentlemanly grace, “No problem. I hope to hear good news.”
The two had only exchanged a few sentences when they received the notice that everything was ready.
Eric sat in front of the monitor and signaled for the clapper loader to begin.
In the shot, Yoyo smiled and said, “What’s your name?”
Receiving no answer, she was not angry at all and introduced herself first. “My name is Yoyo.”
“Cut!” A very mood-ruining voice rang out. Eric stood up, pointed at Brooke Shields, and said loudly, “Curiosity. Curiosity. How many times have I said it? You’re very curious about Andy. So open those pretty eyes of yours a little wider. Again!”
Everyone on set could feel that Eric was already on the verge of exploding. They restarted the shot anxiously while looking at Brooke Shields with worry, hoping this beautiful vase would not make another mistake.
“What’s your name… My name is Yoyo.”
“Knowing who I am won’t do you any good.”
“I saw the newspaper that day. I know what you did.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have time.” Andy spoke gloomily, picked up the glass of water in front of him, and then began coughing violently.
“What if you had time?” Just as she asked, the blood Andy coughed up directly stained the glass red. Yoyo instinctively leaned back, her eyes widening and her red lips parting slightly. This time, Brooke Shields finally managed not to frown.
“Cut. Very good. That was already close to perfect. But Brooke’s frightened expression still isn’t natural enough. We still have some time. Let’s do it once more.” Eric’s expression relaxed slightly, and everyone in the crew relaxed with him.
But the next take was unsatisfactory. At the final moment, Brooke Shields reflexively frowned again. This kind of natural human reaction was indeed rather difficult to overcome, so Eric could only helplessly announce a break and decide to try a few more times after lunch.
Just as he stood up and prepared to eat, Allen walked over. “Eric, Miss Julia has already been waiting outside for you for a while. She doesn’t have a pass, so she can’t come in.”
“Julia?” Eric asked in confusion. “Julia Roberts?”
“Yes,” Allen answered.
“Isn’t she in Louisiana?” Eric asked in confusion as he walked outside.
Allen’s tone carried some ambiguity. “Maybe she came back because you were injured.”
Eric shrugged and ignored his assistant’s teasing.
Walking out of the soundstage doors, Eric immediately saw a commercial vehicle parked across the street.
After Eric appeared at the entrance, the car door opened. Julia, dressed simply yet stylishly and wearing sunglasses, stepped out. Her assistant followed behind her, and two men who looked like bodyguards also got out.
Almost at the same time, seven or eight paparazzi who had been waiting nearby for a long time began frantically photographing Julia.
“Hi, big star!” Eric walked closer and could not help calling out teasingly when he saw the scene around them.
“Hi, great director!” Julia retorted without backing down.
The two hugged lightly, and this scene immediately drew another burst of frantic clicking.
After taking photos, the paparazzi began surging forward with recorders raised, quickly asking questions. Their questions were nothing more than why Julia had returned to Los Angeles, the progress of her new film, and of course, they did not forget Eric’s Running Out of Time.
Under the protection of bodyguards and assistants, the two said nothing and quickly got into Julia’s commercial vehicle, which then started and left. The large group of paparazzi also quickly climbed into their cars and motorcycles and followed.
In front of the soundstage entrance, Brooke Shields, who had just walked out and was preparing to go across the street for lunch, saw this scene, and deep envy appeared in her eyes. She had been famous for so long, yet she had never enjoyed the grand formation of paparazzi “escorting” her through an entire trip. Meanwhile, Julia Roberts, a female star who had only risen a few months ago, had already easily obtained such attention.
She looked around in disappointment. There had originally been a few paparazzi lingering outside, hoping to interview someone about Running Out of Time’s filming, but just now, all of them had left with Julia Roberts and Eric.
A great beauty like her was standing here, yet not a single person came over to take photos or interview her. The lecherous fat security guard in the booth nearby was staring greedily at her long legs, which made Brooke Shields even more irritated and disgusted. Thinking of Julia Roberts’ path to fame, Brooke Shields became eager again.
“Maybe I should wait patiently,” Brooke Shields murmured. She made up her mind to refuse Cruise’s dinner invitation. Compared with Eric, who could provide an opportunity for fame, Cruise was very famous, but he was ultimately only an actor.
Moreover, even spreading gossip with him for publicity was impossible, because Cruise was already married. Doing that would only bring the opposite effect. If Eric Williams still remained unmoved after Running Out of Time finished shooting, Brooke Shields decided she would take the initiative to move closer to him. Before then, she still had to wait patiently. The difference in benefits that could be obtained between taking the initiative and being pursued was very large.
“These two are Hunter and Chris.” In the back seat of the commercial vehicle, Julia took the initiative to introduce her two drivers and bodyguards to Eric, her tone carrying a hint of showing off. Eric had not yet reacted, but Allison Green, the freckled assistant who had followed Julia for a long time, could not help laughing softly.
Julia awkwardly tapped her assistant on the forehead. “Allison, careful or I’ll dock your salary.”
Eric reached out, fiddled with a few things, and raised the soundproof partition between the driver’s seat and the back seat. Only then did he smile and say, “Alright, I already know you’re a world-famous star now. Where are we going?”
“Not far. I booked a restaurant. We’ll be there in five or six minutes. Don’t worry, it won’t delay your afternoon filming.”
As Julia spoke, she pointed at Eric’s forehead, which was still wrapped in gauze. “This… what exactly happened? When I heard the news, I was shocked.”
“I can testify to that. At the time, Julia…” Allison had just started to say something when Julia covered her mouth.
Julia glared and threatened, “Allison, I really will dock your salary.”
Only after receiving Allison’s pleading gaze did Julia release the girl.
Eric smiled and teased, “Allison, you can’t reveal Julia’s scandals in front of outsiders. Otherwise, the consequences will be serious.”
Allison rubbed her little face. “Of course I wouldn’t. But Mr. Williams isn’t an outsider.”
She knew everything clearly about Eric and Julia’s relationship, and deep down, she also hoped Eric and Julia could end up together. That was why she could not resist mentioning Julia’s loss of composure when she saw the news that Eric was injured and unconscious, in order to bring the two closer.