Chapter 443: Chapter 443: Hollywood's Venus
Early morning, Malibu's Dume Point beachside mansion.
Charles woke up and reached out to find no one beside him. Opening his eyes, he realized Charlize Theron, who had been lying next to him, was already gone.
He climbed out of bed, wearing only his boxers, and walked out of the bedroom. Sure enough, in the sunroom, he found Charlize Theron lounging in a chair wearing his white shirt, lazily smoking a cigarette.
Her long, smooth white legs were faintly visible under the shirt. Seeing Charles approach, she smiled and said, "Hey, you're awake!"
"Yeah, I'm awake," Charles walked up to her, and Charlize offered him a drag from her cigarette.
"Stayed up pretty late last night. How are you up so early?" Charles asked as he sat next to her, handed the cigarette back, and started to cuddle and stroke her golden hair.
Charlize took another drag, stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, leaned into Charles' embrace, and touched his face, "You know, you're the one who has to deal with the tiredness, right?"
"I've always had good stamina," Charles said before leaning in to kiss her.
"Alright, let's get a shower and have breakfast," Charlize laughed, pushing Charles away gently, seemingly still savoring his abs.
"Don't rush. Let's enjoy something else first," Charles said, stroking her head as he stood up.
An hour later, Charles and Charlize were relaxing in the bathtub, feeling refreshed.
"Charlize, your figure is amazing," Charles said, caressing her flawless body, savoring the moment.
Initially exhausted, Charlize felt somewhat restored after soaking in the warm water. She pinched Charles' waist and said, "Hancock's box office numbers are impressive. You were right; I need commercial films backing me."
After the failure of AEon Flux, Charlize preferred taking on art films like North Country and In the Valley of Elah, which didn't make much impact. This year's summer blockbuster, Hancock, with its 600-plus-million-dollar earnings, was genuinely a hit. Another art film, The Burning Plain, released in August, had very little influence.
With his eyes closed, Charles wrapped his arms around her, resting his hands on her chest, "You've already won the Oscar for Best Actress. Now it's time to focus on commercial success. Look at Angelina Jolie; this year, her action film Wanted, with a 75 million dollar budget, raked in over 300 million dollars worldwide. She and Julia Roberts are the highest-paid female actresses, with Julia Roberts earning 15 million dollars."
Last year's highest-paid actress was Reese Witherspoon with 17 million dollars, and the previous year, it was Nicole Kidman with 17.5 million dollars.
This year, however, Nicole Kidman seemed ignored, taking a 5.5 million dollar deal for The Blind Side, without Charles even negotiating the price. Nicole Kidman expressed willingness to lower her pay further, seeking compensation from the film's post-release earnings.
Charles couldn't agree to that; the lead roles wouldn't get a lower share, but things had to follow Hollywood's rules. Everyone understood that. Of course, there would be bonus dividends if the film became a hit, as The Blind Side relied heavily on Nicole Kidman's fame for promotion.
"Angelina Jolie, huh. She had twins this year, right?" Charlize, who feared marriage but didn't dislike children, remarked.
"Yeah, and she signed on for another spy action movie with Sony Columbia offering her 20 million dollars," Charles reminded her. "I actually think you'd fit that role well."
Charlize smiled bitterly, "I know about that project. Originally, Tom Cruise wanted to take on a spy action film after Valkyrie. Salt was designed for him, but he felt it was too similar to Mission Impossible and passed on it. Columbia Pictures President Amy Pascal suggested changing the lead to a female, and Angelina Jolie fit perfectly."
Charles laughed, "Indeed, Angelina Jolie's pulling power among female stars is truly formidable."
Charles knew all this; Tom Cruise not only dropped Salt but also the remake of Sophie Marceau's Anthony Zimmer, retitled The Tourist. Instead, he signed for 20th Century Fox's comedy spy film Knight and Day.
The leads for The Tourist ended up being Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.
"Alright, Charles, I have to go to New York for a UN charity meeting tomorrow," Charlize said, getting up from Charles' embrace.
Watching Charlize's sexy legs as she stepped out of the tub, he thought, "No wonder they call her Hollywood's Venus." Charles got up as well, favoring this title among all her others.
Last year, Charlize partnered with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to establish the "Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project" fund. Its purpose was to create safer, healthier, and better lives for impoverished South African children and their families, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. Just a few days ago, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed her a UN Messenger of Peace, focusing on ending violence against women.
After breakfast, both dressed elegantly. Charlize transformed back into the glamorous, aloof, and sexy star.
"Charlize, how long will you be in New York?" Charles asked, holding her hand.
"I'm just attending the meeting in New York, then heading to South Africa for a visit," Charlize replied, patting his hand. "I'll call you when I get back to the country."
"Alright, I'll drive you," Charles said, coincidentally needing to go to Burbank.
"Just drop me off at Beverly Hills," Charlize said, kissing him on the cheek. "I was really pleased with your performance last night."
Charles started the car, laughing, "You weren't so bad yourself, especially here." He ran his fingers over her red lips.
"Focus on driving!" Charlize said, putting on her sunglasses and giving his thigh a firm pinch.
That afternoon, Charles was meeting Shari Redstone. Who knows what surprises that might bring?
*****
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