Capítulo 213: Chapter 213: Anne'sGuilt
At Los Angeles International Airport, the paparazzi, who had received prior notification, gathered near the exit gate, poised to capture the latest scoop.
Judy, donning a Dodgers baseball cap turned backward, had her camera at the ready in the designated photography area at the airport.
Earlier that morning, she had received a call from Atlanta, a message from an old acquaintance.
The airport announcement confirmed the arrival of the target flight. After a brief wait, passengers began to emerge from the VIP channel.
Judy raised her camera, poised to capture the moment. As Martin emerged from the passage, she rapidly pressed the camera's shutter repeatedly.
And there it was, the headline-worthy news.
Walking alongside Martin was Angelina Jolie.
Their interaction was more akin to that of partners and friends than anything else.
Jolie, clad in a short windbreaker, held a young boy's hand in her left and a little girl's hand in her right. Her aura radiated maternal love, as if the children were her entire world.
Martin briskly moved ahead and departed, leaving the stage to Jolie alone.
During their flight back to Los Angeles, the two had engaged in a deep conversation. Julie was gearing up for her upcoming endeavors upon their return to the city.
Martin left the terminal and hopped into a car driven by Jessica. He casually remarked, "Don't head back to the apartment just yet; take us to the Four Seasons Hotel."
As they left the airport, the paparazzi trailed closely behind, but Martin had grown accustomed to this and advised Bruce, "Keep an eye on the news about Jolie."
"It's only a matter of time before things escalate," Bruce suggested. "Aniston is America's sweetheart, and you're an American hero. Why not dethrone Aniston? It's worth considering."
Martin couldn't be bothered to entertain Bruce's suggestion. He was well aware that he was several levels behind Aniston in terms of fame. Instead, he turned to Jessica and inquired, "Have there been any noteworthy developments recently?"
Jessica, aware of the implications of Martin's question, responded, "No, everything has been normal."
As they entered Beverly, the car soon pulled up in front of the hotel.
Martin and Bruce entered the hotel together, checked in, and proceeded to the elevator, where they coincidentally ran into two individuals exiting.
Anne Hathaway and her agent, Maha, had stopped simultaneously.
Martin displayed his charm and nodded in acknowledgement to Anne and Maha, saying, "What a coincidence."
Maha, a seasoned agent, responded with a smile, "Long time no see, Martin."
Anne's gaze locked onto Martin's face, and she hesitated for a moment before softly saying, "Do you have some time to talk?"
"Of course," Martin replied, leaving the elevator and heading to the nearby coffee shop. Finding a quiet spot, he took a seat.
Anne followed suit, sitting across from Martin.
After not seeing each other for more than two months, this man had become a celebrated hero in the eyes of the United States, receiving the coveted golden key to honorary citizenship in Los Angeles and even rumored to be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
But Anne's sadness didn't stem from these achievements; rather, it was for other reasons entirely.
A few days ago, Anne had read in the newspaper that "Wanted" was in production in Atlanta, with a budget of $65 million revealed. Martin wasn't just the lead actor; he was also overseeing the production and appeared to have attracted significant investment.
Furthermore, the cast for "The Departed," a movie directed by Scorsese, had been announced. Martin was set to play the second male lead and had contributed financially to the project.
Anne couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. She hadn't expected any of this.
In a hushed tone, Anne asked, "According to the news, you're filming in Atlanta?"
Martin replied calmly, "Yes, I'm filming 'Wanted' there, and I've returned to attend a premiere this time."
Anne looked up at Martin, scrutinizing his face, and said with uncertainty, "But looking at the news, you told me that the investors had pulled out of the project..."
Martin was taken aback, "When did I ever tell you that the investors had backed out?" He racked his memory, "I never said such a thing!"
Anne then recalled that Martin hadn't personally informed her of this; rather, she had overheard him speaking with Bruce. "That morning, Bruce came to my room, and I overheard what you were discussing."
Martin finally recalled the incident, "I remember now. You mentioned that on the day we broke up, I was preparing for an audition on the set of 'The Departed.' I asked Bruce to help me rehearse the scenes so that I could go to the set for a second audition."
Anne, her own cleverness working against her, was stunned by the realization.
She couldn't believe it and asked, "Are you telling the truth?"
Martin affirmed, "In order to review my performance, I had asked Bruce to bring a video camera. We recorded the session, with Bruce reading lines from the provisional script. If you want, I can have Bruce retrieve the video."
Anne lowered her head momentarily but then raised it again, asking, "Why didn't you explain this to me?"
Martin appeared helpless, "You said you wanted to break up, and you didn't give any reasons. How could I explain without revealing the truth?"
Anne, trapped in her own thoughts, couldn't help but feel regret for letting go of such a promising partner.
She considered Martin's current fame and career and attempted to salvage their relationship, saying, "I misunderstood you. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, we..."
Martin swiftly interrupted her, stating, "I'm sorry, Annie, it's all over. I've been through a lot with the shooting incident, and I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. Right now, I just want some time alone, away from relationship discussions."
Anne still sought redemption, but Martin appeared deeply hurt as he walked away, leaving her feeling lonely and regretful.
Her eyes welled up with guilt, and she whispered, "I'm sorry."
She watched Martin grow more distant, disappearing from view, with the painful realization that she had failed in their relationship.
Martin returned to the hotel lobby, joined by Bruce, and they headed upstairs together.
Once inside the suite, Bruce couldn't help but ask curiously, "Did Annie want to get back together?"
"I turned her down and placed all the blame on her," Martin replied. He explained, "Making her feel guilty and she admited her mistakes, that is something most people can't do."
"That's not a bad strategy," Bruce noted, sounding different from his usual self. "Compared to some of the creeps on that film crew, you're maintaining higher moral standards."
In contrast to others, Martin's character and principles remained strong, even amidst the chaos.
Bruce packed his bags and mentioned, "I'm going out tonight."
Martin teasingly suggested, "Going to meet your Kardashian sisters?"
Bruce, seemingly more confident and carefree after witnessing some of the crew's behavior, didn't deny it. "Perhaps."
Finally back in Los Angeles, Martin could finally take a break. He enjoyed a hot bath and a peaceful night's sleep.
Being a male celebrity was no easy feat either, as maintaining a constant public image was challenging. The pressure to perform at any moment was often more demanding than it seemed.
That night, Martin slept soundly, even missing a call from Blake Lively.
Upon waking up the next day, Martin was greeted with news about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in various entertainment newspapers that Bruce had brought back.
Jklie was focused on showcasing her maternal love, making her appear as a motherly figure.
On the other hand, Pitt still yearned for family and children.
The publicity campaign, initially interrupted due to the Burbank High School incident, had now resumed. Their aim was to rebuild their public image, and with just over a month until the premiere of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," it was their final chance.
In the suburbs of Los Angeles, at Jolie's farm, reporters and photographers from Warner's "People" magazine were busy setting up for a photoshoot.
The magazine's editor-in-chief had struck a deal with Jolie and Warner Bros. executives for a series of exclusive features.
Jolie emerged from the cabin with her children, playfully interacting with them.
No script was necessary; Jolie's acting prowess made everything seem natural and authentic. The skilled photographers captured these moments perfectly.
After some time, a minibus arrived, and Brad Pitt stepped out. He waved to the dozen or so orphans on the bus, prompting them to disembark in an orderly fashion.
He then led the children over to join Jolie.
The theme for today's photoshoot was family and children.
Numerous photos were taken, and with Jolie's guidance, the photographers captured beautiful moments of Brad Pitt enjoying quality time with Julie and their two children—a perfect cover opportunity.
After the photoshoot, the children were taken on a tour of the farm, and the chief reporter from People magazine conducted an exclusive interview with the child-loving couple.
Jolie was in full control of the situation.
Finally, the interview concluded, and the People magazine staff began to leave.
Brad Pitt had been busy, but he eventually found a moment to sit down and chat with Julie.
"Shall we go to your place or mine later?" he asked Jolie. "We haven't been together for several months."
Julie replied, "It's not convenient for me right now; I have to take care of the children."
She had deliberately planned for Brad Pitt to divorce Jennifer Aniston, causing him to lose some of his charm in her eyes. She explained, "Our current patience is for a better future. We can't afford any mishaps at this crucial time."
Brad Pitt agreed, saying, "I understand. We've waited this long; we can wait a bit more."
Jolie smiled slightly and said, "Let's stay in touch."
Brad Pitt got into his car and left, making a phone call on the way, presumably arranging for his usual housekeeper to address a specific need.
Female housekeepers, nannies, and cleaners had always been his favorites.
Once Brad Pitt's car departed from the farm, Jolie took out her phone and dialed Martin's number. As soon as the call connected, she smiled and asked, "teacher Martin, do you have some free time? I'd like to come over for a lesson."
With that, Jolie promptly handed over her two adopted children to the nanny, borrowed the nanny's car, and headed straight for Beverly Hills. She arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel alone.
After a night of recharging, Martin was ready to resume his teaching duties. Jolie left in the mid-afternoon.
This was because Martin had an upcoming event.
In the afternoon, the premiere of "Sisterhood of Traveling Pants" was set to take place at the Sunshine Cinema in Los Angeles. This youth film was scheduled for release in major theaters across North America on the second weekend of the summer season.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder