Chapter 307: Putting My Mark on You
Chapter 307: Putting My Mark on You
Hearing Paula Wagner’s answer, Eric quickly recalled some information in his mind before saying, “Actually, that’s not bad either. You can let go of a lot of unnecessary matters and focus on being a producer. Maybe we could work together in the future.”
“Work together?” Paula Wagner asked in confusion.
Eric glanced at Tom Cruise, who was animatedly describing Days of Thunder to Nicole beside her, then turned back to Paula Wagner and said, “Yeah. I think you’re a very capable agent. Firefly also happens to be in a period of rapid expansion right now, so we really need talented people like you.”
Paula Wagner quickly caught the hidden meaning in Eric’s tone and shook her head with a smile. “Mr. Williams, Tommy and I work together very happily, so let’s not bring up this kind of thing again.”
“Of course. I also know there’s no way you’d agree right now. But circumstances are unpredictable. If one day you feel like changing work environments, Firefly’s doors will always be open to you.”
The moment Eric finished speaking, Cruise’s voice rang out.
“Hey, Eric, I’m still sitting right here, you know. Digging away my partner right in front of me is a bit too much, isn’t it?”
Seeing Cruise’s completely unconcerned joking expression, Eric laughed as well. “Tommy, any company would gladly accept outstanding film talent. So you’d better keep a close eye on Ms. Wagner. Who knows when she might suddenly jump ship?”
Cruise looked at Eric as though he were an idiot. “How’s that possible? Paula would never leave. Hollywood can’t produce a second Tom Cruise.”
Hearing Cruise say that, Paula Wagner’s expression became slightly unnatural. Eric sharply caught the fleeting awkwardness on the woman’s face opposite him, and a satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Consider this planting a seed.
Maybe in just a few years, Paula Wagner could once again become producer for the Mission: Impossible series. There was no doubting this woman’s ability.
As for the male lead…
In any case, it definitely would not be Mr. Cruise anymore.
While pondering this, Eric raised his eyes and glanced once more at Paula Wagner across from him. Soon, he thought of another woman.
Perhaps he could also try prying away another of Cruise’s cornerstones. Pat Kingsley was also an extremely capable agent. Moreover, just two days ago, Eric had coincidentally heard Nicole Kidman complaining that her current agent was not very competent.
Eric knew Nicole had said that because she wanted him to intervene and move her contract under Kapur’s management. However, Kapur already managed several A-list stars now and could not possibly take on too many more.
At this moment, although Cruise continued trying hard to persuade her, after hearing his description, Nicole still shook her head slightly and said, “Mr. Cruise, sorry, but I can’t give you an answer immediately. I need to think about it.”
Cruise revealed a look of disbelief and asked, “Nicole, do you know about Top Gun from a few years ago? That movie made many unknown actors instantly famous. I believe Days of Thunder won’t be inferior to that film at all. If you play the female lead, it’ll definitely push your acting career to another level.”
Nicole glanced at Eric beside her, hoping the man would say something for her. Before Eric could react, Cruise seemed to realize something and said, “Nicole, you can’t still be thinking about playing the female lead in Ghost, can you? I think Molly in that script does nothing except cry. She’s completely a decorative vase role with no room for performance at all.”
Hearing Cruise say such things, Paula Wagner once again felt the urge to hold her forehead.
Since their original goal of obtaining the rights to Mission: Impossible had already been ruined by the two men working together, combined with Cruise’s current behavior, Paula Wagner truly no longer dared remain there any longer.
Although on the surface Eric showed no signs of anger no matter what Cruise said, he was ultimately still a hot-blooded young man. In Paula Wagner’s eyes, Eric maintaining this attitude was no different from young men pretending to be mature. Who knew when he might suddenly explode?
Therefore, hearing Cruise once again mercilessly belittle Eric’s script, Paula Wagner quickly interrupted.
“Tommy, I think we should go. We still have some work to do this afternoon.”
Cruise, interrupted mid-sentence, quickly came to his senses. It had always been actresses crying and begging for the chance to work with him. Since the woman in front of him was unwilling, was it possible he could not find another female lead?
“Nicole, think it over carefully. But there isn’t much time,” Cruise still said with a smile before snapping his fingers stylishly to summon the waiter and pay the bill.
“I will, Mr. Cruise,” Nicole still nodded politely.
After settling the bill, Cruise and Paula Wagner left directly.
Eric remained seated there and even had the waiter bring over a fresh pot of coffee for the two of them before turning toward Nicole beside him and asking, “So, how did it feel?”
Nicole thought for a moment before saying, “Self-righteous, not particularly smart, and absolutely terrible at dealing with people.”
Eric wiggled his brows. “Men like that are actually very easy to keep in hand.”
If this had been before filming Sleepless in Seattle, Nicole might indeed have thought that way. But now she was already a Hollywood A-list actress. Why should she make herself suffer? Getting along with a self-centered man like Cruise definitely would not be any pleasant experience.
Picking up the silver spoon beside her and stirring her coffee, the woman propped her chin on one hand and gazed at Eric with sparkling eyes. Rarely, she took the initiative and said, “Actually, there’s another man I’d rather keep in hand.”
Eric had not expected Nicole to suddenly bring the topic into the open. “Give up sooner rather than later. You won’t succeed. I’ll always only ever be a hunter, never prey. Besides, in Hollywood, there are only women I’m interested in and women I’m not interested in. There are no women capable of keeping me in hand.”
Nicole raised her brows and asked, “Then which kind am I?”
Eric answered without hesitation, “The kind I’m not particularly interested in.”
“…”
After a speechless silence, Nicole resentfully asked, “If you weren’t interested, then why did you keep me back then during the open casting for the encounter girl role in Running Out of Time?”
Eric tilted his head and thought for a moment before answering, “Because it was fun.”
Nicole stared at Eric in disbelief. After a while, a smug smile suddenly appeared at the corner of her lips.
“I understand now.”
Eric had not expected such a reaction from Nicole and asked in confusion, “Understand what?”
Nicole confidently declared, “You’re jealous. Seeing me chatting with Tom Cruise, you were definitely jealous.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?” Eric asked in astonishment. “I mean, what exactly made you think I was jealous?”
“I figured it out from what you just said,” Nicole replied, raising her chin slightly. “I know you definitely won’t admit it out loud, but you were absolutely jealous.”
Eric smiled and shook his head. “Fine. Think whatever you want.”
Hearing that answer, Nicole assumed the man had tacitly admitted it. Secretly pleased with herself for a moment, she soon leaned closer again and curiously asked, “What do you think about the Days of Thunder movie Tom Cruise is producing?”
“If you want to take it, then take it. There’s no need to ask for my opinion. After all, a man who’s secretly jealous deep down definitely won’t say anything nice.”
Nicole smiled and shook her head. “I’m not taking it. That female doctor role is completely just a decorative vase, and she barely has any scenes. Even if the movie achieves huge box office success, it won’t help my image much at all. Critics might even attack me for playing a flower vase role.”
“Then there’s even less to talk about,” Eric said after finishing the coffee in his cup and standing up to leave.
Nicole quickly stood and followed after him. “Hey, wait for me.”
The two walked together into the parking lot. Only after starting the car did Eric continue speaking.
“Oh right, didn’t you say a few days ago that your current agent wasn’t very good? There actually is a pretty suitable candidate.”
Nicole asked doubtfully, “You mean…”
“Tom Cruise’s current agent, Pat Kingsley. Maybe you could try contacting her. She’s a very capable woman.”
Nicole felt somewhat disappointed.
Although Eric had already sold UTA to ICM and Kapur had become an ICM partner, the relationship between the two remained very close. Moreover, Kapur’s abilities were among the absolute best in Hollywood. No matter how she looked at it, Nicole still preferred to have Kapur handle her career affairs.
“Whether you want to is up to you. If you still want Kapur to represent you, then go talk to him personally. As long as he’s willing, I have no objections.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll go try talking to Pat Kingsley,” Nicole said.
Soon, however, a mischievous glint flashed through her eyes. “But aren’t you worried that if Tom Cruise and I end up under the same agent, something might happen?”
Eric curled his lips. Looking around briefly, he slowly pulled the car over to the roadside. Swiftly unfastening the woman’s seatbelt, he dragged Nicole into his arms and kissed those luscious red lips.
Nicole was startled at first and quickly glanced nervously around them. But she soon realized the car windows were specially treated, making it impossible for passersby to see inside. Without hesitation, the woman wrapped her arms around Eric’s neck and extended her little tongue in retaliation.
After thoroughly kissing the woman’s lips, Eric moved down along Nicole’s cheek and neck, roughly tearing open the buttons on her chest and pulling down her bra.
Nicole breathed rapidly as she pressed Eric’s head against her chest, allowing the man to do as he pleased. A moment later, she suddenly felt a sharp pain from her softness.
“Ah…”
The woman cried out as she pushed Eric away and quickly retreated back into the passenger seat. Lowering her head to look at herself, she saw a faint circle of bite marks surrounding the small cherry on her right breast.
Eric glanced at the woman and started the car again with a wicked grin.
“Putting my mark on you. Remember this. From now on, you’re mine.”
Nicole anxiously massaged her softness for quite a while. Hearing Eric’s words, she punched the man’s shoulder several times in frustration.
“Eric Williams, you rogue, bastard, hooligan, scoundrel, pervert, lecher…”