Chapter 150: First Meeting at the Film Festival

[Chapter 150: First Meeting at the Film Festival]

Charlie didn't even look back as he said, "It's too small, checking it in is risky."

"Oh, you really like your cat?"

"That's right, because she likes me too. Evelyn, come here." Charlie smiled and called out.

Evelyn, who had been scratching clothes in the suitcase, perked up her ears and immediately jumped out. She trotted lightly to her owner's feet and climbed up using both her paws and legs.

Rachel watched with a smirk as Charlie winced from being scratched and chatted with the kitten. Her glasses spun as she thought:

Ha, could it be that this bastard has finally been moved by my care these past few days? Is he hinting at something?

If I declare now that I'm planning to dump him, will he fall to his knees crying, begging me to stay?

The kitten's name was Evelyn, which made Rachel misinterpret the situation. Maybe she was just feeling a bit off.

Staring at Charlie for a moment, Rachel tossed the clothes aside and walked over, her tone sour and probing, "It would be great if you treated people with the same respect. I helped you pack for so long and you didn't even say thank you."

"I never asked you to pack."

Charlie placed Evelyn on the table and halfheartedly flipped through the newspaper.

"You think I liked it? We're rushing to catch a flight and you haven't prepared anything."

Rachel rolled her eyes and glanced curiously at the paper.

"What's there to prepare? I have my phone and bank card checks."

"Ha, look at you now, Mr. Moneybags," Rachel said sarcastically. "Is this the Playboy magazine? You're so focused... Oh, missing person, Alicia disappeared?"

Charlie clearly didn't want to talk about it. He folded the paper and threw it aside, checked his watch, and stood up. "Alright, that's all the luggage, let's go. Uncle Lamont, get ready!"

A reply came from outside.

Rachel zipped up her suitcase, complained a bit, and followed Charlie outside, muttering curiously, "It's been a while since I heard about that escort. How did she suddenly disappear? This seems more like a missing persons notice than a police report. You're such a bastard. Even if Alicia was an escort, she used to be your friend. And you are happy to hear she's gone."

"Shut up. You sound like a nag, always making noise in my ear!" Charlie held the kitten with one arm, grabbed Rachel's chin with the other, and pressed his lips against hers for a few seconds to silence her.

Rachel looked disgusted, wiped her mouth, grabbed her suitcase, and chased after Charlie who had already turned away. Wearing high heels, she struggled to keep up. "You're so annoying. I just put on my lipstick this morning. Can you stop surprising me like that repeatedly? Why don't you just do that in the street, in front of reporters?"

...

"Hello, Emma."

Charlie shook his head helplessly as he greeted Emma Thomas waiting in the parking lot.

Uncle Lamont followed behind carrying a black canvas travel bag, quickly transferring the luggage into the Chevy Tahoe.

Everyone got into the car and as Rachel nagged Charlie, the car drove off.

They first went to the Sinai community and handed over Evelyn to Judy, then headed to LAX.

...

After more than ten hours of flying, they finally arrived in Berlin in the late afternoon.

After getting off the plane, Charlie for once complimented Rachel, "It's cold here. Luckily, you packed warm clothes, otherwise I'd waste time shopping near the airport."

Although the praise sounded odd, Rachel smiled, pleased, "Ha, you finally realize how thoughtful I am!"

Uncle Lamont and Emma helped retrieve the luggage and the group took the BMW sent by the Berlin hotel straight to their accommodation.

They planned to rest well, wash away their fatigue.

...

The next morning, at the hotel restaurant, Charlie met Harvey, who had arrived earlier.

Harvey was accompanied by seven or eight people. Upon seeing Charlie, he gave him a warm hug and whispered, "You even brought your little pet?"

Before Charlie could answer, Harvey introduced his entourage, "Let me introduce them. They're the cast and crew of The English Patient..."

Charlie politely shook hands with everyone. He didn't know most of the directors and actors except the lead, "Hello, Voldemort, no, Mr. Fiennes."

"Mr. Corleone, nice to meet you!"

They all knew Charlie, the unusually young film company owner, and seemed impressed by his capability, showing warmth and no strange reaction to Rachel's presence.

Director Anthony Minghella, possibly because he was also British and had met Rachel before, chatted with her a bit more casually.

After meeting, everyone scattered to have breakfast.

...

Rachel held onto Emma's arm and went to grab a tray. "Emma, have you contacted your boyfriend? This is a good chance to meet industry folks. Maybe I can introduce him to Charlie."

Emma shook her head, "No, not yet. He's preparing to shoot a feature film. Directors without work aren't taken seriously. Rachel, stop worrying about me. How about you? Has your agent arranged media interviews or other events? I haven't heard anything from him."

Rachel shook her head, took some fruit from the table, "No, I haven't planned any public activities. I'm just here to attend casually. No projects. I'm heading back to England in a few days; Charlie said he's going too."

Emma sighed, "Honey, you should focus more on your career. I've noticed you're friendlier to Charlie these days. I told you I'd remind you."

"Oh yes! He's sly; I've been played around by him repeatedly," Rachel lamented. "He hasn't used cold threats on me in a while, so I let my guard down."

"Your dynamic is really hard to understand," Emma said, speechless. "But Dr. Foreman told me that deep down, Charlie also thinks you're special -- you're definitely not just a casual fling to him."

"Really?" Rachel brightened. "So, maybe I have a chance to get back at him! By the way, who is this Dr. Foreman?"

"Uh... just a friend," Emma nearly slipped up. Good thing Rachel's attention was drawn away by Charlie's behavior nearby.

"He's quite the playboy, flirting with other women."

Emma glanced over and said, "That lady seems to be a film festival juror."

Actually, Rachel exaggerated. Charlie was just being politely courteous, smiling normally, "Maggie, your performance in Comrades: Almost a Love Story was really great. I really liked the movie and your role was a surprise!"

*****

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