The Greatest Showman #682 - Private Party

"Sorry to disturb you, I'll leave now." Renly paused for a moment, offering a polite apology, his gentlemanly demeanor evident as he raised the champagne glass in his hand in a respectful gesture.

His simple action elicited a soft chuckle from the other person. After regaining composure, they lowered their head slightly, hiding a fleeting smile. Long red hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and a smile lingered between the strands, soft as autumn haze. "No need to apologize, and certainly no need to leave. This isn't my private territory," they said.

Renly took a sip of the champagne, the warmth in his palm seeming to enhance the flavor after holding it for more than an hour. The taste was indescribable, and he couldn't help but furrow his brows. Then, a bold voice broke through his contemplation, and a crisp laugh echoed through the sparse woods nearby.

"Thanks for inviting me to your private party," Renly said with a grin, setting the champagne glass down and holding it close to his chest, as far from his mouth as possible.

"This isn't private property; it's a private party." Jessica Chastain's smile lingered at the corner of her mouth. She stared at Renly, a flash of loneliness briefly surfacing between her brows before it was quickly replaced with a playful demeanor. "Is dancing allowed? I thought this would be a bit different," Renly added.

The smile on Jessica's face grew wider. She straightened up, then extended her right hand to him. "So, would you like to dance with me now?"

"To this music?" Renly gestured toward the swimming pool about twenty yards away, where the booming beat of remixed "California Girl" reverberated. His surprise was evident.

Jessica laughed even more brightly, shrugging as she began to move to the rhythm, her steps in sync with the music. She twirled, her bright yellow skirt flaring out like falling autumn leaves, her smile spreading wider. It was a moment of elegance, like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Turning to Renly, Jessica winked playfully, as if daring him: Why not join in?

Renly chuckled, shaking his head with amusement. He raised his hands, his left hand still balancing the champagne glass. With a subtle movement of his shoulders and chest, he began to sway to the rhythm, his steps restrained but precise. His movements were effortlessly graceful—fitting the funk style of the music with a touch of retro charm. A gentleman, elegant and undeniably handsome.

Jessica's eyes widened in surprise. She had assumed Renly couldn't dance, but he was an unexpectedly skilled dancer. Not just competent, but excellent.

As the song continued, Renly executed a smooth step, passing Jessica back to back. Their movements flowed effortlessly as they exchanged positions, dancing face-to-face. Jessica laughed joyfully, her movements growing more exuberant. The skirt twirled, and her energy was infectious, lighting up the atmosphere.

There were no choreographed steps. They danced instinctively, letting the music guide their bodies. And yet, despite the lack of structure, the dance was fluid, the emotions sincere. By the time the song ended, their radiant smiles and unrestrained joy had brought the entire party to life.

"Jesus Christ, this is a party!" Jessica laughed, throwing her hands up in the air, her voice filled with the exhilaration of the moment.

The afternoon pool party was divided into two groups. One group consisted of models and aspiring actors who were there to entertain—dancing, playing in the water, and showing off their physiques. The other group, the elite of the entertainment world—actors, directors, producers, financiers—stood in sharp contrast, dressed impeccably, chatting and laughing as they observed the spectacle.

Some followed the party's lead, with one person tossing Halston-Sage into the pool, fully dressed in a formal evening gown. Tyler Kitsch and a few others followed suit, drawing attention and eliciting playful cheers. Taylor even took off his shirt, revealing a toned physique that drew a circle of admiring looks and excited exclamations.

Despite the playful antics, the party maintained an air of restraint. It was more of a "show" than an actual party, with hidden agendas beneath the surface. The event, hosted by Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio, was a celebration of their collaboration on the "Reversal of Ace" project, which had just been officially approved. Other prominent guests included Hollywood producer Duncan Henderson, who was working with Universal Pictures on the "Super Battleship" project, alongside his newly confirmed actor, Taylor.

While the party appeared to be a casual gathering, there were underlying motives—auditions, networking, and industry deals in the works. Jessica, tired of the social masks, wanted to enjoy the afternoon without the pretense, and Renly was happy to oblige.

"Are you sure? This is just a warm-up," Renly laughed, shedding the usual social constraints and letting himself enjoy the moment.

His words made Jessica smile even more, and she exclaimed, "I never knew you were such a good dancer!"

"We've always had some secrets, I guess. Shhh," Renly teased, gesturing for her to keep it between them, and they both laughed, the camaraderie between them undeniable.

In aristocratic social circles, basic ballroom dancing, especially the waltz, was considered a crucial skill. Social dances were still held occasionally, where gentlemen invited ladies onto the floor to display their style and grace. Dance was a mark of upbringing and refinement.

Renly had grown up with such social expectations. Though not a professional dancer, his experiences on the West End and Broadway had taught him the basics of various dance styles—tap, jazz, ballet—all necessary to convey physical expression in acting. It wasn't that he excelled at dancing, but he could certainly hold his own.

"I think I owe you a word of thanks," Renly said, referring to Jessica's timely suggestion earlier about the rum, which had allowed him to blend into the social atmosphere. Without her help, he might have had an awkward conversation with Jeff.

Jessica smiled, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "My pleasure." She added with a wink, "And congratulations, by the way."

Earlier, Renly had walked with Jeff, who had subtly made a recommendation on his behalf, and though no explicit offer had been made, those in the know had picked up on the cues. Jessica, who attended the party as Brad's friend, was well aware of the conversations taking place around her, including the project Brad and Jeff had discussed, positioning her as one of the "concerned" parties.

"Though it's just the beginning, it's a good start," Renly said, accepting her congratulations with grace, adding humor to his words. "How about you? How's your day going?" He gestured toward the ongoing carnival-like atmosphere. "Perhaps we'll have a chance to collaborate soon—it's an exciting possibility."

Jessica laughed, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "It's fine, really. I just played a stepmother role not long ago. I don't want to get typecast!" Her self-deprecating tone was full of humor, and she clapped her hands, still grinning.

"Help," Jessica said, referring to her breakout role. It had catapulted her from an unknown third-tier actor to a star under the Hollywood spotlight. "It was a pivotal moment in my career."

Despite the age difference—Jessica being twelve years older than Renly—their friendship was genuine. Hollywood often portrayed relationships between older women and younger men in a particular light, but they were both equals in each other's eyes, free from those stereotypes.

Renly, taken aback for a moment, realized he had never seen their friendship from that perspective. Yet, despite the unspoken barriers of age and experience, their connection felt like a true partnership. "I thought we were friends? Or have I misunderstood? Are you starting to notice my masculinity?" he teased.

Jessica blinked, raising an eyebrow, her smile sly but affectionate.

In the end, their friendship was rooted in mutual respect and a shared passion for their craft, free from the constraints of Hollywood's gender expectations.

"I've always thought you were a very attractive man. Be careful, women might start flocking to you," Jessica teased with a bright smile. To her, Renly was no longer just a young man, but a true friend—a talented adult in his own right.

Renly spread his hands with a knowing grin. "I know now."

"I auditioned for Super Battleship, but the results were lackluster. Tyler… is just too young," Jessica mused, recalling the experience. Despite their relatively small age difference, Tyler Kitsch hadn't quite sparked the chemistry they needed.

Both of them shared a knowing smile, acknowledging the unspoken understanding between them.