Generating gossips

Hugo and Uma stood side by side on the red carpet, with Uma holding Hugo's arm. Her beautiful and gentle smile was particularly eye-catching, and her neat attire subdued the enchanting charm she usually exuded. Instead, it added a touch of mystery and elegance that the media had never seen in Uma before. The current Uma Thurman in front of them surprised the reporters, almost making them doubt if this was the Uma they knew.

A trench coat outlined Hugo's tall and upright figure perfectly, and his simple and stylish hairstyle showcased his handsome and clear-cut features. Although Hugo chose an unexpectedly casual outfit, the lazy demeanor in it stunned every pair of eyes. Whether it was the elegance of "Dead Poets Society", the embarrassment of the Golden Raspberry Award, or the handsomeness of "Scent of a Woman", none could compare to Hugo's grace today.

The combination of the handsome man and the beautiful woman made the bustling red carpet lose its color in an instant. All the cheers and shouts seemed like blooming flowers, reaching their peak, but they were all directed at Hugo and Uma.

In the eyes of the media, the handsome and sunny Hugo had always been surrounded by scandals. Since the period of "Dune", there had been rumors about him and his co-star Virginia Madsen. However, neither of them were well-known at the time, so it didn't attract much attention. After that, Hugo's intermittent scandals continued, and the most talked-about one was his love-hate relationship with the famous producer Tracey after "Hudson Hawk" last year.

The problem was that Hugo never officially acknowledged any of these scandals. They remained at the stage of rumors and were never confirmed. However, today's situation seemed different. The rumors about Hugo and Uma had been circulating since the beginning of the year, and although neither of them had confirmed it, no one forgot the earth-shattering kiss between Hugo and Uma at the premiere of "Final Analysis." And now, Hugo appeared with Uma at the premiere of "A Few Good Men". It was almost equivalent to admitting that they were in a relationship.

Usually, when a gentleman accompanies a lady to a premiere, it could be a co-star from the same film, a family member, or a girlfriend. Obviously, Uma neither starred in "A Few Good Men" nor was Hugo's family, so the most likely possibility was that they were in a relationship.

"Hugo, Uma, are you two dating?" The reporters' shouts came from all directions, and the calling voices intertwined with the screams of fans, making it hard to determine the source of the sound. However, even if the words were unclear, it didn't prevent the reporters from clearly conveying their meaning. The first focus of everyone's attention was this question.

Hugo and Uma, who had only walked halfway on the red carpet, were stopped in their tracks by the overwhelming wave of questions. If they were to give an answer, the reporters probably wouldn't let them continue. So the two of them stopped, smiled at each other, and then Uma shook her head. "No, we're not a couple."

Uma's answer significantly reduced the frequency of the flashing lights at the scene. Everyone hoped to direct their attention to the response of the two individuals as soon as possible, but they didn't expect Uma to deny the reporters' question. It felt like she was saying something that contradicted the obvious.

Fortunately, Uma quickly followed up with an explanation. "Hugo and I are friends. Yes, we have had dinner together a few times and met privately. But today, we are attending the premiere as friends and showing support for Hugo's new film."

Uma, who had calmed down, no longer showed signs of nervousness. After regaining her composure, her resolute and firm personality gradually revealed itself, skillfully controlling the atmosphere on the scene.

Upon hearing Uma's response, the reporters had a general idea but remained uncertain. With the individuals in question right beside them, there was no need for detailed contemplation. Naturally, all eyes turned to Hugo, standing next to them, hoping he would provide a clear answer.

Hugo maintained a smile on his face but didn't immediately respond. Instead, he pointed at the cameras in the reporters' hands and asked, "Are you sure it's okay for me to stand here and answer questions?" His words instantly silenced the noisy reporters.

Photography and interviews on the red carpet followed a certain protocol. Typically, it was divided into two parts. The first half focused on documenting the red carpet, and reporters would conduct some impromptu interviews. However, most of these conversations were casual small talk, aimed at building rapport, or random questions like "How's your mood today?" The main focus remained on the red carpet itself, with brief exchanges.

The second half involved a designated photo area, usually featuring the event's sponsors' backdrop. For a film festival, it would display the festival's logo, while for a premiere, it would showcase the movie's poster. After taking posed photos in this area, the interviews with reporters would delve deeper. Journalists would hand over a bunch of microphones connected to cameras or recording devices. These microphones were not handheld on the spot; instead, they recorded the interview dialogue for reporters to use when writing their articles later.

Of course, major award ceremonies like the Oscars would have red carpet hosts conducting interviews with the actors for television broadcasts. This part of the interviews focused primarily on topics such as the guests' outfits, their moods, and their expectations.

At this moment, Hugo and Uma stood on the red carpet, which belonged to the first half. The reporters' questions were not recorded, relying solely on their memory. Moreover, once Hugo and Uma reached the photo area, they would inevitably have to answer the questions from the reporters once again. That's why Hugo asked his question, leaving the reporters dumbfounded—they were all too eager and had forgotten about this aspect.

Hugo's words made Uma chuckle, and even the other nearby reporters found it absurd, showing an awkward smile. But Hugo didn't let the situation continue. He promptly continued, "Yes, we are friends." After saying this, he glanced at Uma, and both of them couldn't help but burst into laughter. Hugo then explained, "Perhaps we're more familiar than ordinary friends. Yes, that's it."

The reporters immediately understood the meaning behind Hugo and Uma's words. The relationship between a man and a woman is indeed complex, with various explanations and definitions. Dating is one of them, meaning both parties have a mutual interest and decide to give each other a chance to meet and go on dates, seeking further development. If successful, they become a couple; if not, they part ways amicably. It was clear that Hugo and Uma were in such a relationship.

However, the subsequent questions quickly followed. How far had Hugo and Uma's relationship developed? Did it start in March? How many times had they gone on dates, and what were the results? Did attending the premiere together signify that they were on the verge of becoming a couple?

If they were to ask questions, they would undoubtedly come one after another. This was not only a professional habit of the reporters but also the gossip curiosity inherent in ordinary people. However, they were hindered by the lack of recording devices in their hands. Hugo's reminder earlier was indeed sensible. As a result, the reporters on both sides of the red carpet were left stifled in their original positions, their minds brimming with questions they wanted to ask but couldn't articulate. It was an extremely frustrating feeling.

And so, the reporters watched as Hugo and Uma, with their "scheming" smiles, took another step and proceeded toward the photo area at the end of the red carpet.

Besides the irresistible gossip that tickles people's curiosity, Hugo and Uma's looks today can definitely be described as captivating the entire scene. Not only do they perfectly match the movie's theme, but they also add a lot of vitality to the red carpet, becoming the most eye-catching scenery tonight. So, the photo session lasted for a long time.

For a full three minutes, the photographers kept repeating, "Hugo, over here," "Uma, Uma," "Look here, look here," "Give us a smile..." Hugo felt his facial muscles stiffening; he still wasn't quite used to such occasions. Clearly, he hadn't mastered the art of posing.

Finally, after the exhausting photo shoot, the journalists couldn't wait to start asking questions. Hugo and Uma reiterated their previous responses from the first half of the red carpet, and when faced with further inquiries, Uma took the lead, saying, "So, what do you want to know? Although Hugo and I are good friends, I don't think today, as the protagonist, he should be overshadowed and forced to smile."

The implied message was: We are friends, and that relationship is clear enough. Please stop pressing further.

It must be said that Uma's personality was quite tomboyish. Her bold and straightforward attitude made the media reporters bitter with a smile. Standing beside her, Hugo also cooperated well and displayed an angry expression. 'Don't you realize that Jack and Rob are already angry? Today is the premiere of "A Few Good Men". I think it's important to focus on the movie. Otherwise, I'll be in a difficult position the next time I attend a premiere.'

Hugo even implicated Jack Nicholson and others standing nearby. However, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, who were ignored, clearly didn't look happy. They were supposed to be the most prominent couple on the red carpet today, but who would have expected Hugo to appear with Uma, effortlessly attracting all the journalists' attention with this tantalizing gossip.

It can be imagined that major newspapers and magazines will definitely dedicate a prominent place on their front pages to Hugo and Uma tomorrow. This indeed achieves Columbia Pictures' publicity goals, but it was not good news for Demi.

Sure enough, after hearing Hugo's words, the reporters' sensitive news instincts immediately grasped the key information. Nicholas Allum from the Los Angeles Times immediately shouted, "Hugo, we heard that you and Demi had a strained relationship during the filming of the movie. Is that really the case? You haven't had any interaction with Demi since arriving at the event!"