Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The Arrival of the Star**
**Chapter 33: The Arrival of the Star**
"Are you ready?"
In the living room of the apartment, Bangchen was lounging on the sofa, her head tilted back and her lips slightly pursed as she gazed out the window. She had maintained this pose for over ten minutes, and her neck was starting to feel sore.
"Just hold on for five more minutes!"
On the small stool opposite her, Richard was holding a paintbrush in his left hand and a drawing board in his right. He glanced at Bangchen and continued to sketch away on the drawing.
Gradually, the figure on the paper began to take shape.
The setting sun cast a slanting light through the window. Bangchen, with her long legs crossed and her body turned to the side, looked out the window. Dressed in a white lace gown, her tall and sexy silhouette was accentuated.
Her brown-golden long hair was loose, revealing her pale, slender neck, delicate collarbone, and a single white pearl on her chest that reflected the dazzling sunset.
"Five minutes are up."
Only two minutes had passed when Bangchen called out again.
"OK, darling, you're free."
Richard smiled.
"Finally done."
Bangchen jumped up and leaned on his shoulder to take a look. "It's really good. After less than half a month of learning, you can draw so well. If you keep it up, you might become a great painter."
"Haha, don't tell Angela that, or she'll laugh."
"Why?"
"This is just beginner's level. Angela will definitely sneer if she sees it."
"I think it looks great. Can I have it as a gift?"
Bangchen asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Of course."
Richard made some final touches and added the date and signature in the lower right corner, along with the note, 'To my dear Giselle, wishing her eternal happiness and beauty.'
"Thank you, I'll treasure it."
Bangchen smiled gently as she looked at the painting.
"I'm glad you like it!"
As the painting was done, the sky gradually darkened, and Richard prepared to leave.
"Why don't you stay?"
At the door, Bangchen said softly.
Richard was momentarily stunned and then smiled, "Are you ready?"
Bangchen lowered her head without speaking, her ears and cheeks turning red.
"It's okay!"
Richard hugged her waist and kissed her ear gently. "We have plenty of time. We can continue to get to know each other and take it slow. How about we live together once you're completely ready for it?"
"Oh!"
Bangchen leaned into his embrace, cursing him silently in her heart. Didn't he know that a refusal is useless? If he insisted, could she really refuse?
Hmph, Angela was right. This guy is such a blockhead. I'll never主动 again. It's too embarrassing.
"Darling, I'm going to Boston tomorrow for filming, so I won't be able to see you every day. Call me if you miss me."
"Got it. You should call me too, every day."
"I will. When you're free, you can visit the Bronx. It's your home too."
"Okay, anything else?"
Bangchen tilted her chin and blinked her eyes.
"Of course, how could I forget?"
Richard smiled softly and kissed her again.
——
The next morning, Richard and Anthony drove to Boston.
Boston, located on the East Coast in Massachusetts, was less than a four-hour drive from New York. They left at 8 a.m. and arrived at the Boston Harbor area just before noon.
There was a large film base here, and a significant portion of "The Perfect Murder" would be filmed on location.
Upon arriving at the set, he saw producer Copson, director Davis, screenwriter Smith, and other crew members.
They chatted for a while and had dinner that night. Alexander, the camera assistant who had been knocked out the night before, knew Richard was a professional boxer and insisted on sparring with him.
Richard didn't disappoint. He knocked Alexander down a few times, making him understand why flowers bloom.
Richard trained in an abandoned factory at the set in the morning.
At noon, he sketched in the crew area. Director Davis advised him to calm down before shooting and cultivate the demeanor of an artist, so Richard followed the suggestion.
In the afternoon, the big star Gwyneth Paltrow arrived.
Gwyneth, at 26 this year, came from a family of actors. She was the protégé of renowned director Steven Spielberg and had appeared in over ten major productions, including "Se7en," "The Double Life of Veronique," and "Captain Hook." With such resources, she became a top Hollywood star in less than three years.
According to records, Gwyneth won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1999 for "Shakespeare in Love," becoming an Oscar winner. Although it was somewhat undeserved, it was still impressive.
Gwyneth, being a big star, arrived in an RV with her manager, assistant, makeup artist, bodyguard, and several others. The star walked in the middle, wearing sunglasses and a stern expression, avoiding interactions and seeming difficult to approach.
"Richard, what are you looking at?"
Someone asked from behind.
Turning around, Richard saw Alexander, the camera assistant he had knocked out last night, holding a handheld camera and filming him non-stop.
"Alexander, what are you filming?"
Richard asked.
"Director Davis asked me to shoot some behind-the-scenes footage for the video tape release later. You need to cooperate with me and answer my questions quickly."
Alexander urged.
"Oh, I heard Ms. Paltrow has arrived. I'm just taking a look."
Richard said.
"Do you think Gwyneth is beautiful?"
"Of course. Every film fan knows that Ms. Paltrow is a beautiful woman."
Richard shrugged.
"Richard, I heard you have a passionate scene with Gwyneth. Are you looking forward to it?"
Alexander grinned.
"Hmm, working with Ms. Paltrow is an honor. I'll perform seriously and do my best."
"Can you stop being so formal?"
Alexander complained.
"Can you put down the camera first?"
"Alright!"
Alexander laughed, turned off the camera, and leaned on the railing, watching the star in the crowd. "Her skin is so white, and her figure and demeanor are quite alluring. Richard, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Yes."
"That's a shame. Gwyneth just broke up with Brad Pitt in June and is currently single. If you want to pursue her, you have a good chance."
"I'm not interested. Why don't you give it a try?"
Richard joked.
"I'm already married."
Alexander showed off the ring on his ring finger.
"Too bad. She'll be available for someone else then."
"Ha ha, yes. I wonder which idiot will get her."
Alexander laughed.
"Richard, producer Copson is looking for you."
After chatting for a while, Anthony called out from downstairs.
"Coming!"
Richard said goodbye and walked downstairs with his hands in his pockets.
"Richard, when you meet Gwyneth, try to perform well. It's best to impress her like you did with Charlize Theron that day. Keep Gwyneth on board."
Bill Copson whispered as they walked.
"Why?"
"You have a passionate scene with Gwyneth. During casting, we respected her opinion. When we selected you, we gave her your photos and a video tape. She agreed before we chose you.
But seeing a photo and seeing a person are two different things. If she's not satisfied when she meets you and asks for a replacement, the crew will have no choice but to find someone else."
Copson explained softly.
"Is that so? I thought my role was secured."
Richard shook his head.
"She's a big star. You have to understand."
"I understand."
Richard took a deep breath. Damn, I want to become a big star too.
**(End of Chapter)**
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