"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked, puzzled.
Jimmy, with a face full of jealousy and frustration, said, "Don't play dumb with me! Scarlett, Scarlett! You're hanging out with a movie star, and you're pretending to know nothing about Hollywood! Listen, she even said she's very satisfied with you! Damn it! How on earth did you pull this off?!"
The others looked equally shocked, and Katy stood there, frozen for a long time, unable to process what had just happened.
What's going on? Did a movie star beat me to it?
If anyone else heard this, they'd think it was a crazy dream, but right now, this group seemed to have their minds blown, as if what had just happened didn't feel real at all.
Apollyon even walked up to Ethan and gave him a hard slap on the shoulder. "You're amazing! Ethan, when we have the party later, you have to tell us all about this story! I really want to know how you and Scarlett... you know."
Dudley came over and wrapped an arm around Ethan's neck, affectionately saying, "Bro, big brother, or should I call you 'dad'? Tell me, I really want to know how to meet a movie star!"
Ethan was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, raising his hands, "Alright, alright, don't rush, we'll talk about it at the party later tonight."
"Yes, tell us in detail!" Jimmy shouted, and the group immediately surrounded Ethan and walked him out of the studio.
Meanwhile, downstairs on the set, Scarlett had just gotten into the car when her manager, Brian, started to complain.
"Scarlett! You shouldn't have done that!" His tone was full of urgency and displeasure, as if upset with Scarlett for keeping something from him.
Leaning against the car door with her legs stretched out on the back seat, Scarlett smiled, "What's the problem?"
"What's the problem?" Brian said, frustrated as he drove. "You're at the peak of your career right now! If any rumors start, it could be disastrous!"
"Don't be so serious, Brian, we're just friends."
"But you kissed him!"
"I just think he has great ideas and I admire his talent, what's wrong with that?"
Brian was at a loss for words. As the car rounded the studio and headed toward the airport, he finally sighed, "Scarlett, if you plan to see him again, at least let me know in advance, okay?"
Scarlett chuckled, "Thank you, Brian."
"Don't say thank you. Just don't cause any more trouble!" Brian said helplessly. He knew Scarlett's personality; once she made up her mind about something, she wouldn't back down.
Just like when she pushed herself to study relentlessly to improve her acting, spending countless hours in front of the mirror practicing roles. That drive was the key to her shining in so many films.
Brian knew he couldn't change her mind, but at the very least, he could try to manage things and prevent rumors from ruining her career.
The car quickly sped through the streets, the tires splashing water onto the driveway of a nearby villa.
"Whoa!"
"Hey! Watch it!" Jimmy dodged the splash, walking into Apollyon's villa with Ethan.
They had arrived in Apollyon's car, as his house was nearby. Meanwhile, the white girls, along with others who joined later, would take a "shuttle" to get there.
While white and Black people might have irreconcilable differences in many areas, when it came to throwing parties, they had similar approaches.
The rich had no problem throwing extravagant parties, hiring professional agencies to find high-class girls for a luxurious event. But someone like Apollyon, an ad director without much fame, couldn't afford such high costs.
So, he would often hype up a lot of girls on set, connect with a few fun-loving directors and photographers, and invite other women dreaming of making it in Hollywood to join the party by taking a bus from the set.
This is how the scene was set, with high quality and for free.
Occasionally, a daring girl might not have a free moment all night.
But in the end, it was all about mutual benefit. Many girls genuinely relied on these parties to land a role and slowly make their way into Hollywood.
You can't underestimate these small-time directors at the party, even if they weren't famous. Many had come out of big directors' teams and had their own resources and connections.
Take Apollyon, for example. If he really wanted to promote a girl, he might just be able to send her straight to a casting director for someone like Martin Scorsese.
Of course, without actual talent, having just connections wouldn't help, unless it was for a minor role.
Ethan and Jimmy sat with Apollyon on the couch, drinking for a while. Ethan made a quick call to check in with his family, and soon after, they heard a car honking outside.
"Woohoo!" Apollyon raised his glass. "The party's about to start!"
That night, the villa was lit up, bustling with activity all night long.
The seductive figures of the girls moved to the beat of loud music, mixing with the laughter and cheers of the men. Drinks were passed around, and occasionally, an unknown piece of lingerie flew overhead.
American parties were just that wild and chaotic.
By late night, the living room was filled with the pungent smell of smoke. Ethan wasn't into that stuff and didn't plan on joining them in their haze. Instead, he found a room for himself, locked the door, and went to sleep.
At that moment, he took out the small piece of paper Scarlett had slipped into his collar.
On it was her phone number. Ethan saved it into his phone and sent her a quick message.
He didn't expect her to reply today, and as he was getting ready to sleep, Scarlett's call came through.
Surprised, Ethan answered, "Hello?"
"Hi…" Scarlett's sultry voice came through, along with the sound of pages turning.
"I thought you'd be asleep."
"I thought I'd be able to sleep too…" Scarlett put down the script in her hand and slowly slipped out of her silk nightgown.
"But I was reading the script and only just finished." The nightgown slid down her smooth legs and pooled on the floor as she stepped into the bathroom, sinking into the already-filled bathtub.
Ethan frowned as he heard the sound of water, "Are you taking a bath?"
"Mm-hmm," Scarlett let out a soft sigh of comfort.
Ethan felt a surge of emotions but no way to release them, muttering, "That's so unfair. I've been alone in an empty room all night, and I don't even get to share your bathwater."
Hearing that, Scarlett laughed, "Haha, you're so funny. Where did you learn all these strange lines?"
"Maybe it's just a talent." A natural gift.
"Like the idea you pitched to Mr. Monaghan today?"
"Yeah, exactly." Ethan leaned back on the bed.
"You're really amusing. Too bad I'm in another city, or else…"
"Where are you?"
Scarlett glanced out at the shimmering city lights through the window. "Of course, I can't tell you that."
"Alright, sticking to the original promise, huh?"
"Yes, that's right. But let me think…" Scarlett bit her lip, speaking in a teasing tone, "Maybe you can take a look at a photo of me now to ease your frustration?"
"A fresh one?" Ethan perked up.
"Of course."
Ethan whistled, "Wow, I'd love to see that!"
"Alright then, I'll hang up now. Make sure to check your messages soon."
After hanging up, Scarlett's lips curled into a smile. She pouted slightly, then raised her phone…
Five minutes later, just as Ethan was about to fall asleep, he heard his phone buzz. Eagerly, he picked it up.
But the network was slow, and the picture wouldn't load.
"Damn, why is it loading so slowly?! FXXK this American internet."
.....
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