Chapter 236: Between Husband and Wife

[Chapter 236: Between Husband and Wife]

During the fourth week of Speed hitting theaters, the summer blockbuster Forrest Gump made its debut, produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures. With a production budget of $55 million, the film starred Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Sally Field. It told the extraordinary life journey of the ordinary man, Forrest Gump, set against an extraordinary era.

In its opening week, Forrest Gump earned a staggering $24.45 million across 1,595 theaters, with an average daily per-theater revenue of $15,329. The film quickly became a hit, garnering high praise from critics and audiences alike. Already, some media outlets declared it the best live-action film of 1994. Many artists from CAA stood up to praise the film, recounting how it moved them emotionally and strongly recommending it.

In its second week, Paramount expanded the film's release to 2,514 theaters, bringing in $48.36 million, with cumulative box office earnings reaching $72.81 million, making it the box office champion for two consecutive weeks.

Forrest Gump's success severely impacted the performance of Speed, which only garnered $17.44 million in its fourth week and $13.17 million in its fifth week, with total earnings just breaking $100 million, a week later than expected.

...

Inside the CAA headquarters, Tom Cruise looked at the box office numbers in the newspaper, excitedly pumping his fist. Forrest Gump wasn't one of his movies, but seeing another film crush Guess Pictures' release was enough to make him happy, as it meant less money for Link to earn.

"If we had known Forrest Gump would do so well, we should've released it earlier to cut into Speed's earnings," he mused.

"No worries," Michael Ovitz responded with a smile. "Link's new movie Se7en comes out next week. Given the buzz around Forrest Gump, its earnings will keep going up. Se7en as a niche film is destined to struggle against such a well-received commercial movie."

Tom Cruise nodded. There were rumors that Se7en had a production cost of $30 million, and that Guess Pictures had poured millions into publicity to counter the major studios, bringing the film's budget over $40 million. According to box office rules, it needed over $80 million in the U.S. alone to break even.

With all the summer blockbusters vying for attention, Se7en reaching that milestone seemed like an uphill battle. Tom Cruise was eager to see Link's potential failure.

"Tom, let's set Forrest Gump aside. There's something else I want to ask you about." Michael Ovitz removed the newspaper from his hands. "I've heard that To Die For is already in production, with Nicole still as the lead. Has she mentioned anything to you?"

Tom shook his head. "I've been busy lately, so we haven't had much time to talk."

"Tom, you can't be like that. You and Nicole are married and should communicate more. Take note of any changes in her behavior or ask her assistant privately if she's been in touch with Link. You want to gather evidence of their meetings," Ovitz advised.

Tom frowned. "I heard Link's in Ohio filming, not in Los Angeles."

"I know. I'm just suggesting that you keep an eye on Nicole's whereabouts. Link is quite a notorious flirt, always trying to get together with beautiful women, and Nicole is incredibly alluring. It's impossible for him not to be interested. Now that the To Die For team is formed, Link might use work as an excuse to try to seduce her. Tom, as Nicole's husband, you need to take this seriously. You don't want to be the last to know if anything happens; that would be too easy for that bastard Link." Michael Ovitz clenched his fist in solidarity.

The idea of his wife potentially cheating with someone as distasteful to him as Link made Tom's face fall. "I will keep an eye on Nicole. I won't let Link near her."

"No, no," Ovitz interrupted. "It's not just about keeping them apart. You need to catch them in the act and gather solid evidence. That way, you can tarnish Link's reputation and drive him out of Hollywood."

Tom furrowed his brows but eventually nodded in agreement. "I understand."

"Tom, you're one of the actors I believe in the most. Remember, we men should prioritize our careers, earning more money, accumulating resources, and gaining higher status. Everything else is secondary. Without money and status, even women will leave you," Ovitz emphasized.

Tom nodded, though Ovitz could see his words didn't quite land, feeling a sense of resignation himself. It wasn't his intention to push Tom into sacrificing his relationship with Nicole. Last year's failed gamble against Link left him bitter and seeking revenge. He had hired detectives and paparazzi to tail Link, hunting for any dirt.

Yet there was little of value. Since rising to fame, Link's vices were scarce. He didn't smoke or drink heavily, abuse drugs, frequent clubs, or engage in reckless driving or discrimination. He even did charity work regularly.

Link's reputation as a ladies' man was well known, but he never interfered with other people's marriages or pressured women into anything they didn't want. He was generous, showering women around him with gifts, property, and luxury items, and made time for them when he could. The women in his life seemed smitten; most quickly left past relationships to be with him.

Ovitz had even tried persuading Link's partners to accuse him of misconduct, offering them massive resources or cash. But none agreed, instead warning Link, making him even more cautious with his private life, willing to pay high sums for any compromising photos from the media.

All these attempts only stoked Ovitz's anger and jealousy towards Link and his allure that won over women so easily. As a fellow millionaire, Ovitz envied Link's many admirers while he juggled the responsibilities with just a wife and two lovers. Yet, this rivalry fueled his determination to take Link down, even if it required time and strategy.

Nicole Kidman was part of his plan to unsettle Link, a test to see if Link might break his own rules for her. He suspected Link would be interested in Nicole's captivating beauty. 

...

Given her cold demeanor lately, Tom hurriedly returned to their Beverly Hills home after leaving the CAA headquarters. On the drive home, unwanted images flooded his mind -- visions of Link and Nicole sneaking off together, entwined in each other's arms in his absence. It made Tom seethe with anger until he reached the house.

He grabbed a camera and quickly checked all the rooms, starting with the master suite and then the guest rooms and bathrooms. Everything was as it should be. The relief was tangible, but a shadow of disappointment lingered.

"Tom, what are you doing?"

Nicole Kidman returned home, wearing a white Prada summer dress, her golden hair cascading down her back. She looked stunning, her silhouette beautifully formed by the dress's contours. In her assistant's hands were several shopping bags.

"Where have you been?" Tom asked, trying to mask his agitation.

"Shopping. What's it to you?"

"With whom?"

"Why do I have to report that to you? Who I shop with is none of your business," she snapped, turning to head upstairs.

"Tell me!" Tom insisted, holding her wrist firmly.

"Ow! You're hurting me. Fine, I was with Naomi and Cindy. Happy now?"

Nicole jerked her hand free and marched upstairs, heels clicking defiantly.

Tom immediately called Cindy Crawford to confirm, and she reassured him that they'd been out shopping together. Being married to Richard Gere, someone hostile towards Link after an accident, Cindy's words carried weight, and Tom relaxed.

...

Overhearing the conversation from upstairs, Nicole's expression turned colder. She called her assistant to pack up, intending to move to an apartment.

Tom forbade it, warning that if she left, she'd lose everything -- her resources, the title of Mrs. Cruise, and all her luxury items.

Nicole, aware of those stakes, hesitated. Her career as an Australian actress in Hollywood had yielded limited success, relying on her marriage to Tom for access to better roles and a higher profile. Leaving him would mean scarcity, dimming her prospects and undoing years of hard-earned status.

On the threshold, she paused, biting her lip, eyes brimming with resentment.

Watching her poised but constrained form, Tom felt validated by Ovitz's words: focus on your career, power and influence prevail. Women? They would follow.

...

"I hear To Die For is in production," Tom said with a sly smile.

"Yes," Nicole replied coolly.

"You should have told me. As your husband, I have the right to know."

"Fine, next time I'll inform you."

"Good." Tom poured two glasses of wine, passing one to Nicole. "Have you met with Link about the lead role?"

"Link?"

Her brow creased as she recalled that charming man's courtesy. "No, I haven't seen Link. This project is being managed by Liz. She decided on my role. Any opinion Link might have, I wouldn't know."

"Is that so? He's currently filming in Ohio, away from the company. When he returns, he might discuss the script with you. I hope you..."

Tom clenched his fist and gazed at Nicole's blue eyes, "Remember who you are. You're my wife, Mrs. Cruise. I don't want you alone with someone like Link, understood?"

Nicole raised her slender brow. "Link hasn't requested any meeting."

"That's an 'if'."

"I understand. Do you have anything else?"

"For now, that's it. If Link returns and wants to meet, inform me. Tell me everything you discussed. We're married. No secrets between us."

"As you wish."

Nicole turned away, instructing her assistant to place her things in the guest room, opting not to share the master anymore.

Tom let her go without interference. His focus was on preparing for Mission Impossible, keeping fit, and visiting Sherry Lansing, using his time on things that mattered more than domestic quarrels.

*****

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