Attending with a companion

On December 9th, Wednesday, it was a cloudless and beautiful day. Hugo woke up early. He had insomnia the previous night and didn't fall asleep until after three in the morning. But he woke up before eight, and it was evident that he was feeling nervous. Although he had already experienced the premiere of "Scent of a Woman", today's premiere of "A Few Good Men" still didn't allow him to relax. It was not only because the film would be widely released in 1,900 cinemas, but also because it was a completely new work that would be subject to audience scrutiny.

Every time a new work was released, Hugo would go through such a process. Perhaps with accumulated experience, there would be some relief, but the nervousness would still exist. It was a manifestation of his importance to the work. He hoped to gain positive recognition from the audience and critics, and that feeling never disappeared. Maybe one day, Hugo would be able to create a work without worrying about whether anyone would appreciate it, and then he would no longer feel nervous. However, Hugo didn't know when that day would come, or if it would come at all.

After finishing his morning routine and preparing breakfast, Hugo's friends, Charlize and Alex, started waking up one after another. They looked at Hugo bustling around so early in the morning and immediately sensed his nervousness. However, they didn't have a good solution to the problem because they were in the same boat.

Charlize looked at Hugo, who seemed absent-minded, took a bite of his cornflakes, and thought for a moment before speaking, "Do you have a companion today? Are you prepared?"

"Oh, right, a companion!" Hugo suddenly realized that he wouldn't be walking the red carpet alone today. Uma would accompany him in front of the media. After remembering this, Hugo instantly felt much more relaxed. Going together with someone gave him more peace of mind than going alone.

But then Hugo remembered that he had to go and meet his companion, and they would go to the National Theater together. This made the process of the premiere more complicated, and Hugo's brows furrowed. Hesitatingly, he said, "Should I give Uma a call?"

Charlize looked at Hugo's troubled appearance, and couldn't help but find it both amusing and absent-minded. When she noticed Hugo's gaze, Charlize casually lowered her eyes, looked at her cornflakes, and absentmindedly stirred them a couple of times with her spoon. With a calm tone, she said, "Have you agreed on the meeting place and time? Oh, no, you should give her a call to confirm again. You know, girls always take more time than usual during important moments. Who can be sure that nothing unexpected will happen?"

Charlize finally organized a clear thought in her mind and then looked up at Hugo. Hugo's amber eyes were so clear and pure that Charlize felt her scattered thoughts settle down a bit. "Yes, you should give her a call." Uma was Hugo's companion for the premiere of "A Few Good Men", so it was only natural. Charlize silently reassured himself.

Hugo nodded and stood up directly. "I'll make the call." However, after taking just two steps, he turned back and placed his bowl of cornflakes and spoon on the table, then headed towards the direction of the phone once again. This absent-minded action made Charlize and Alex burst into laughter.

Watching Hugo walk away to make the phone call, Alex looked at Charlize and casually asked, "Why didn't Hugo invite you to the premiere?"

Charlize was momentarily stunned, then a smile appeared on her face. "Because we're friends, not a couple. I don't want to give the reporters the wrong idea."

"Why can't friends attend a premiere together?" Alex said indifferently. "But Uma is nice too. It's obvious that things are going well between her and Hugo." Alex recalled the interactions between Hugo and Uma, and a smile appeared on his face. Speaking to himself, he continued, "The media will probably make a fuss after this premiere. Regardless of the quality of the movie, the focus of attention has already been generated."

Charlize turned her gaze away from Hugo and poured some milk onto his cornflakes. She felt a dryness in her throat and needed to drink some water. "There are indeed many points of focus in "A Few Good Men". The conflict between Hugo and Demi, the sparks between Hugo and Jack, which will inevitably be compared to Al and Hugo's collaboration. Tom Cruise lost the audition and is now facing misfortune. Hugo's reunion with Kevin Bacon... The media has plenty of material to work with. It depends on how Columbia Pictures plans to handle it."

After having lunch, Hugo finally managed to wait until three in the afternoon. Then, together with Joseph, he boarded a luxury rented car and arrived at Uma's doorstep. It was only three blocks away from Hugo's house, and the architectural style and surrounding environment were quite similar. It was also a gathering place for many aspiring actors, which added a sense of familiarity.

Hugo stood next to the black Lincoln, waiting for Uma to arrive. The extended Lincoln today was not rented by Joseph; it was arranged by Columbia Pictures. With Hugo's current financial situation, he couldn't afford such a luxurious car on his own. It was evident that Columbia Pictures was putting in great effort to promote "A Few Good Men".

After waiting for nearly twenty minutes, Hugo finally got a taste of the time-delaying skills of women when it came to makeup and dressing up. He finally saw Uma walk out of the building.

Today, Uma styled her blonde hair into a neat bun, showcasing two sleek metal hoop earrings on her exposed ears. To complement Hugo's attire, she chose a clean pantsuit, pairing navy blue jeans with a white deep V-neck undershirt. Her outerwear was a light blue casual blazer with an open collar, adorned with a large spun silk flower petal on her right shoulder, captivating countless gazes and highlighting her alluring cleavage that peeked through in the bright afternoon sunlight.

Uma naturally possessed a unique and mysterious feminine quality, and when she donned this sleek pantsuit, her confident and charismatic charm was irresistible. Even though her alluring curves were subtly concealed beneath her robe, they emitted a distinctive allure.

Hugo couldn't help but sigh in admiration as he approached Uma, giving her a warm embrace and a simple greeting. "You look absolutely stunning today."

A radiant smile blossomed on Uma's face, but her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Am I not beautiful on other days?"

Hugo was momentarily taken aback, his expression frozen. Uma's laughter grew even more brilliant as she observed Hugo's perplexed state. With no other choice, Hugo explained, "You know what I mean."

"I don't know," Uma said triumphantly, leaving Hugo at a loss for words. Having achieved her little prank, Uma didn't persist any further. She glanced up and down at Hugo, assessing him. "If you hadn't told me that you weren't planning to wear a suit, I could never have imagined your outfit today. But..." Uma paused for a moment, "I still have to say, you look incredibly handsome today, almost taking my breath away."

Uma's praise made Hugo feel slightly embarrassed, and he could only respond, "That makes me relieved."

When choosing his attire for the premiere, Hugo hesitated for a long time before ultimately selecting a more casual and laid-back ensemble from Givenchy, instead of a suit.

He wore a sky-blue casual round-neck T-shirt with a relaxed collar and draping fabric, exuding a carefree vibe. Paired with blue-gray jeans and black pointed-toe high-top leather shoes, he completed the look with a knee-length black wool coat featuring asymmetric buttons. The coat's sturdy shoulder epaulets reflected a naval uniform style, while the longer length added a touch of military elegance. However, the combination with the T-shirt and jeans softened the military undertones, infusing it with a youthful aristocratic flair and a lazy, free-spirited style.

Hugo neatly combed back his dark golden short hair, highlighting his striking brows and forehead, refining his relaxed demeanor to appear more formal. Finally, he added a pair of bright red leather gloves, which became the focal point of his entire outfit.

It must be said that Hugo looked perfect in this ensemble. With his slender figure and an imposing rugged style mixed with youthful energy, he exuded charm and a hint of laziness. The leather gloves were the perfect finishing touch, igniting everyone's attention.

Uma spoke the truth. She indeed felt her breath tighten. Although she had always known Hugo to be incredibly charming, today, compared to the premiere of "Final Analysis", Hugo's carefully put-together appearance not only did not diminish his presence due to the casual attire but instead earned even more admiration. This was the embodiment of natural grace, and his captivating charm was truly awe-inspiring.

"Please come in," Hugo's voice interrupted Uma's trance. He politely invited Uma into the car, extending his right hand to protect the door frame, ensuring Uma's head wouldn't bump.

Uma took a deep breath. She knew this was her moment, standing by Hugo's side, facing the scrutiny of all the media's eyes. Before getting into the car, she clenched her fist, cheering herself on, and then gave Hugo a radiant smile as she sat in the car.

Shortly after, Hugo also got into the car, closing the door and giving Joseph, who was sitting opposite him, a confirming smile. Joseph turned around and tapped the glass between the driver's seat and the back seat. Then, the car slowly started moving towards the venue of the "A Few Good Men" premiere at the National Theatre.