Chapter 125

In the Brentwood community of Los Angeles, in Nicole Kidman's luxurious bedroom, Charles lay contentedly over the lady.

Heavy breathing indicated exhaustion. An utterly exhausted Nicole Kidman weakly patted Charles's back and said, "Get off!"

Charles rolled over and lay beside the lady, both staring at the bedroom ceiling.

"How does it feel?" Nicole Kidman inquired.

"Hmm? A bit tiring, I guess."

"No, I mean, how does it feel to conquer an Oscar-winning actress?"

Charles suddenly understood and responded, "Satisfaction. A lot of mental vanity and satisfaction, I suppose!"

"Haha, countless viewers see me as a screen goddess trampled by you. That must feel satisfying," Nicole's words sounded philosophical to Charles.

"They don't know that Hollywood goddesses can be terrifying when they go wild," Charles, feeling sleepy, glanced at the time, indicating it was already the early hours of the morning.

"Yeah, sleep now!" Nicole pulled the covers over the two of them and immediately closed her eyes, holding onto Charles.

The next noon, Nicole peeked out from under the covers, covered her mouth, and rushed to the bathroom.

Charles lay in bed, chuckling. It took quite a while to coax the high-and-mighty Oscar-winning actress to have breakfast - or rather, lunch - under the covers!

Soon after, Charles also went to take a shower. While Nicole lay in the bathtub, she glanced at Charles showering under the spray and grumpily remarked, "You really have no manners with your goddess!"

"It's all part of the fun, isn't it?" Charles laughed as he enjoyed the hot water.

"Are you leaving now?" Nicole asked.

"Yes, but I really don't want to leave. Sigh!"

"Don't think about it; there won't be a next time. Don't expect me to do that again with you!"

"Hmm, hard to say. In Hollywood, you ladies are like grass, and I am the wind. Where the wind blows, the grass bends, right?"

Nicole felt Charles was a bit arrogant but couldn't help but agree inwardly. After all, Charles's rise had been extremely fast and fortunate.

"Do you want me to be your lover? I want to get married and start my own family now. My beauty won't last forever," Nicole, being smart, remained clear-headed.

Charles, finished with his shower, came over to the bathtub where Nicole was soaking, and said with a smile, "If in the future you face some tough issues, let me help you once!"

"Like what tough issues?" Nicole, who now had the title of an Oscar winner, was renowned in Hollywood and internationally, getting the highest salary among foreign actresses in Hollywood. What tough issues could there be?

"Remember, Harvey Weinstein. All Hollywood actresses know him. If possible, keep a normal distance from him," Charles said and then left the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.

Nicole frowned. Of course, she knew who Harvey Weinstein was. She had collaborated on several good movies with Miramax before.

But back then, she was shielded by her status as Tom Cruise's wife. Now, as a globally famous star, she had many project choices.

Though her recent works hadn't met expectations, her immense popularity could sustain her. Another good film would keep her going!

"Keep distance from Harvey Weinstein?" Nicole muttered, then got out of the bathtub.

At the villa's entrance, Nicole asked Charles, "Not staying for lunch?"

Charles shook his head, "I need to get back to the office!"

Nicole nodded, hugged him, and smiled, "It was a wonderful night!"

Charles hugged her waist and kissed her. After finishing, he whispered in her ear, "Glad I used freshener!"

Nicole got the hint and, before she could speak, Charles waved and got into the car with a smile.

As Nicole guessed, newspapers were soon filled with Mel Gibson's comments on Brokeback Mountain: a stupid film, a movie against faith, a signal to fight for same-sex marriage rights.

However, director Ang Lee quickly responded to the media: Love can transcend cultural and racial differences. When love arrives, heterosexual love and homosexual love are indistinguishable.

Soon, various major publications like the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, and Vanity Fair published articles criticizing Mel Gibson.

Returning to Capet Pictures, Charles was swarmed by reporters inquiring about his thoughts.

Of course, he accepted the interview:

"Mel Gibson sees Brokeback Mountain as a pioneer for same-sex marriage rights, which is entirely wrong. This film isn't a call for gay rights, nor is it a conservative observation on homosexuality. I'm a producer. For me, the bottom line of this movie is it's just a love story."

Brokeback Mountain is neither a gay film nor a western, nor is it the 'gay western' as some call it. Because such labels make some people miss the essence of the film.

Brokeback Mountain isn't about sex but about love - love that ties, separates, and hides deep in the heart. The emotions the film expresses are complex and profound, resonating deeply within human hearts like all great love stories before it."

Charles said quite a bit, and as he was about to go inside, a reporter asked, "Charles, what do you think of Mel Gibson openly criticizing the film?"

"What do I think?" Charles looked at the reporter and said, "I'm in my twenties. Should I bicker with a drunken fifty-year-old?"

Then, with the help of security, he entered the company's doors, leaving the reporters puzzled and deep in thought.

In his office, Phyllis Jones came in to report, "Boss, we've stirred up a lot of gossip. It'll get noisier in the coming days. Mel Gibson kind of did our advertising!"

"Haha, speaking carelessly comes with a cost," said Charles. Gossip tabloids loved making things up and often distorted Mel Gibson's words.

Brokeback Mountain needed controversy; supporters and opponents clashing was best. Otherwise, how else to draw more people into theaters?

*****

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