Chapter 37: A Free Meal
Chapter 37: A Free Meal
Virginia was a bit excited. Going by the name, this was a movie with a female protagonist. With Eric's current level of fame, if she could land the lead role, she would garner immense attention regardless of whether the film turned out good or bad.
"Eric, do you mean... I... I..."
The expectant look in the eyes of the girl in his arms made Eric feel a bit guilty. "I'm very sorry, Virginia. Your temperament doesn't quite suit this movie; you are too glamorous. The female lead I have in mind should have a more pure demeanor, though still with a touch of sexiness."
As if she hadn't heard Eric's words, Virginia leaned her soft body forward, pressing tightly against him. She raised her fox-like, enchanting little face and whispered, "Eric, perhaps we could find a room to thoroughly discuss that script. I believe I have enough ability to play the role you described."
Exhaling a fragrance like orchids, the girl's hand below gradually reached the man's vital area, giving it a gentle squeeze.
For a split second, Eric genuinely felt an impulse to agree to Virginia's suggestion. Ultimately, however, he was a mature man with strong self-control at his core.
He understood that if he accepted Virginia's proposal to find a room and "discuss" things, he would be forced to cast her as the lead. Although hitting it and quitting it was not uncommon in this industry, he was not that kind of person. Moreover, his current foundation was still shallow; if he went back on his word later, a retaliatory strike from her would only bring him trouble.
Taking a deep breath, he gently pushed Virginia away once more and said, "Virginia, I'm truly sorry. Although Home Alone and Back to 17 have successively achieved success, many people still harbor doubts about my abilities. I cannot afford to fail. If there is a role suitable for you in the future, I will definitely consider you first."
This final promise was merely polite lip service. Seeing that Eric remained unmoved even after she had played her biggest trump card, Virginia felt a tinge of admiration for the boy's self-control, and she stopped pressing the matter. As the dance came to an end and the two parted, Virginia still left Eric with a business card.
"What's wrong? Still a little reluctant to see her go?" Drew popped out from nowhere, taking Eric's arm and teasing him.
"Of course, I am a normal man after all," Eric joked.
"Then you can go find her. I'm sure Virginia wouldn't mind spending the night with you."
Eric shrugged. "But that comes with a price. I'm a poor man right now, with a net worth of five hundred twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. I can't even afford a luxury suite at a hotel."
Seizing the opportunity, Drew licked her lips with her tongue, rubbing against Eric as she said, "Eric, there's someone right here who doesn't require any price at all, and she even offers home delivery."
Eric couldn't help but rap Drew on the head again. "A little goblin whose head is filled with wild thoughts all day long. Poor review, item returned!"
Drew cried out in pain and rubbed her head. "Eric, I strongly protest you always rapping my head. If you keep doing this, I'll bite you. I'm serious."
As they were bantering, James L. Brooks walked over holding a glass of red wine.
"Hey, Eric, how did the talk with Mr. Barry Diller go?"
"Pretty good. We've reached a preliminary agreement. For the next year, the movies I produce will be distributed by Fox."
James raised his glass. "Then congratulations, Eric. I believe your cooperation with Fox will be very pleasant."
Eric fetched a glass of red wine and raised it in return. "I hope so too."
After taking a light sip, James said, "Eric, come with me. I'll introduce you to some industry insiders. They are also very keen to meet you."
"It's my honor." Eric gladly followed James toward the crowd.
As if suddenly thinking of something, the large eyes of Drew beside him rolled, and she quickly followed them.
"This is Mr. Richard Zanuck. He was the producer of Spielberg's Jaws."
Eric raised his glass and said, "Hello, Mr. Zanuck."
Richard Zanuck was in his fifties, with a lean build and a somewhat fierce countenance, but at this moment, he offered a genial smile. "Hello, Eric. It's a pleasure to meet you. Oh, and little Drew, in the blink of an eye you've already become a big girl. Don't fool around so much in the future; you should learn more from Eric."
Now acting like a well-behaved girl, Drew said, "I will, Mr. Zanuck. May I propose a toast to you?"
"Of course," the other party replied.
Drew raised her glass, but it contained fruit juice. As if she had just noticed, the girl said apologetically, "Oh, I forgot I can't drink alcohol yet. Eric, can you take my place?"
Eric smiled and nodded. He clinked glasses with Richard Zanuck and drained the remaining red wine in his glass.
After a brief chat, James led Eric toward other people.
These were all connections that might be useful in the future, so Eric braced himself to converse with them. Because of this, he didn't notice that Drew was constantly using various methods by his side to make him drink more.
After making nearly a full round, Eric finally realized he had drunk too much. He rushed to the restroom to throw up once. When he came out, his steps were unsteady, his head was dizzy and heavy, and he was teetering on his feet.
Seeing this state, James had no choice but to temporarily give up introducing Eric to anyone else. "Eric, you're drunk. Let's call it a day. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I'll have someone see you back."
"Mr. James, let me take Eric home," Drew offered hurriedly.
Drew had stuck to Eric all evening. James subconsciously assumed Drew was Eric's girlfriend and didn't sense anything amiss, so he nodded. "Alright, Drew. Remember to have Eric drink more water when you get back."
Drew gave an affirmative nod and found a waiter. Together, the two of them helped support Eric to his car in the parking lot.
"Ms. Drew, do you need me to drive you both back?" the waiter asked politely.
Drew nodded, handed the car keys to the waiter, and opened the rear door herself. By this time, Eric had already slumped onto the back seat and fallen fast asleep.
Drew squeezed into the back seat and sat down. She forcefully lifted Eric's head to place it on her lap and gave the waiter the address to Eric's house. The waiter nodded and started the car.
After tipping and sending the waiter away, Drew let out a joyful, soft cheer and swiftly returned to the bedroom.
Kicking off her high heels, Drew climbed straight onto Eric's large bed. Lying on her side, she looked at Eric's sleeping face, affectionately reaching out to stroke it, and murmured, "You can't run away this time, can you? You're mine now."
Lying down closely against Eric, Drew's eyes swept across the surroundings continuously. This bedroom held the warmest memory Drew possessed since she became old enough to understand things. Recalling how meticulously Eric had cared for her the last time her drug withdrawal symptoms flared up, Drew felt that she ought to do something too.
With some effort, she stripped Eric of his clothes until only his close-fitting boxers remained. A drunk person always felt dead heavy; by the time she finished, Drew was panting slightly. After tucking Eric in with the blanket, Drew went to the bathroom to find a towel, turned on the warm water to clumsily rinse it, wrung it dry, and returned to the bedroom to carefully wipe Eric's face.
The sleeping Eric quietly allowed Drew to do all this. After wiping his face, Drew knelt on the bed and looked at everything before her. Suddenly, she felt how wonderful it would be if she could stay by his side like this forever. For him, she had already worked hard to kick her drug addiction; as long as he spoke the word, she could change anything else for him.
However, precocious as she was, how could Drew not understand in her heart that Eric was unlike those men she had met before—men who were polite on the surface but full of filthy thoughts inside? He truly did not possess much romantic affection for her. She even felt that Eric treated her like a daughter.
Although this feeling was very warm, and deep down she didn't dislike him rapping her forehead in a lecturing tone from time to time, this kind of relationship was not what she wanted. She didn't want to be his "daughter." Well... if he wanted to engage in certain types of roleplay, that would be acceptable too. But she wanted to be his woman; she loved him.
Thinking up to this point, Drew felt a bit excited. She tossed the wet towel straight onto the nightstand by the bed and stripped herself completely naked in a couple of quick motions. She looked down with satisfaction at her own exquisitely shaped figure, then swiftly lifted the blanket and slipped into Eric's embrace.
Under the somewhat suggestive light of the bedside lamp, inside the raised blanket, a diligent little honeybee was busy for a while. Ultimately, she poked her small head out from beneath the blanket in disappointment, her face slightly flushed and her breath turning shallow. Staring fiercely at the still-sleeping Eric with some reluctance, she wished she could pounce and bite him.
Don't people always say that men turn beastly after drinking? Why wasn't it working very well with this guy?
The girl had originally planned to forcibly have a free meal—to turn certain things into an established fact so that Eric would no longer treat her like a daughter. However, after a period of frantic effort, though the "tableware" showed a response, it just couldn't reach the standard required to partake in the buffet.
Perhaps next time she should prepare some performance-enhancing medicine in advance. Somewhat tired, Drew turned her frustrated thoughts around, pulled one of Eric's arms to use as a pillow, adjusted into a comfortable position against Eric's chest, and unconsciously drifted into a deep sleep.