Capítulo 164: Chapter 164: The Real Loss
[Chapter 164: The Real Loss]
"I found an apartment in Beverly Hills for $4,000 a month. You can call this number tomorrow and mention Allen Fisman's name, and a real estate agent will come to meet with you to sign the contract." That night, Eric returned home, and after dinner, he took out a business card to hand to Nicole. Before she could even reach for it, a small hand swiftly snatched the card away.
"Wow, wow," Drew exclaimed, waving the business card around with a triumphant smile at Nicole. "So, you're finally moving out?"
Nicole shrugged helplessly, sitting back elegantly on the couch without any intention of arguing or answering Drew's question.
During this time, she figured out a way to deal with Drew, who seemed to be just a little brat. Even though she often felt like running to the kitchen to grab a knife to scratch that annoying doll face, Nicole always maintained an air of grace, pretending that she wouldn't stoop to a petty fight with her.
She even speculated about Drew's reasons for bothering her. This seemingly carefree girl, although only fourteen, was as sharp as a little imp. Nicole thought that Drew's childish antics didn't come from an innocent desire to bully others; rather, she just wanted to create chaos and provoke a reaction, hoping Nicole would lose her composure and fight back.
If things escalated to a breaking point, one of them would surely have to leave the mansion, and Nicole knew that even if she stood on the moral high ground, she would be the one shown the door at the end. Nicole didn't mind a falling out with Drew, but she was terrified of losing her chance at being a leading lady, and the thought filled her with fear.
Through this time of interaction, she increasingly understood the value of being Eric's leading lady, and thus grew even more respectful in his presence. Compared to this opportunity, spending a couple of months as a maid in the mansion felt like nothing. If she could secure the outcome, she wouldn't mind wearing a sexy little uniform for a year. Many women often struggled for a decade in Hollywood without finding such an opportunity, making a few months, or even a year, seem trivial.
Amid various media reports, not to mention the flourishing Julia Roberts, even that actress who only appeared for a few minutes, Brooke Shields, recently snagged a major lead role in a Warner Bros. film, with newspapers speculating her pay would approach three million dollars -- almost the same as many top actresses. Before participating in the project, Brooke Shields, while beautiful and glamorous, had only been regarded as a third-rate star, and her acting had consistently faced criticism from the media, with her box office appeal being nonexistent.
Although Eric had made a series of promises and there was a contract involved, she still maintained a careful attitude until the last moment.
"Alright, Drew, give the business card back to Nicole. If you don't want her to leave, I wouldn't mind letting her stay a little longer," Eric said, shooting a glare at Drew, who was waving the card.
Knowing that Eric was just joking, the girl playfully stuck out her tongue and with a mischievous grin rolled up the business card. She leaned in close to Nicole and stuffed it down the neckline of her maid's outfit, adding with a smirk, "So sad; there's nothing to hold on to, it just fell out."
Nicole shot a glance at Eric, knowing she wouldn't receive a response, wearing a hurt expression. Normally, patrons at strip clubs would stuff bills down dancers' outfits to encourage them to disrobe, and if someone did that to an ordinary woman, she would likely slap them across the face.
Seeing Eric maintain his detached demeanor as he watched the children play, Nicole could only reach down to cover the business card that had fallen to her abdomen and stood up to head to the restroom to retrieve it.
...
Once Nicole ducked into the restroom, the little troublemaker jumped into Eric's arms, "What's wrong? Feeling sorry for her?"
"It wasn't easy for Nicole," Eric chuckled. "She's been bullied by you for over a month without saying a word. If it were me, I would've just splashed some acid on your face by now." He gently pinched Drew's youthful cheek as he spoke.
"She wouldn't do that," Drew huffed lightly, her body moving as she settled comfortably against Eric's thigh. She reached up to scratch at the stubble on his chin. "It's only brainless girls like Aniston who would act like that, and this woman, she wouldn't do anything unless it benefits her."
"Ha, next time I see Jenny, I'll definitely pass along your opinion."
Drew waved her hand, her expression nonchalant. "Whatever, let that little fat girl face reality quickly; the world is dangerous. She should just dig a hole and bury herself."
Eric couldn't help but smile, "I think if Jenny digs a hole, she will definitely bury you first."
"Ha, she doesn't have that ability," Drew laughed before her expression turned serious. Lowering her voice slightly, she said, "Eric, I don't care how you play with dumb girls, just don't engage with that woman in the restroom. It could lead to trouble."
"Yeah, ever since a certain little imp latched onto me, I haven't dared to mess with the same type of women anymore."
"I mean it," Drew insisted as she playfully swatted Eric's chin. "It's also your fault. Others can play around with girls, but you always end up entangled with them afterward."
Eric realized Drew was referring to Virginia and helplessly turned his head to evade her playful swats. "Alright, I get it."
The sound of clicking heels approached, and both paused the conversation. Nicole returned to the sofa, her expression neutral as she resumed chatting with Eric, but in the back of her mind, she recalled Drew's earlier comment and considered the little girl's fierce guarding against her. Suddenly, it dawned on her that she might have missed a better opportunity.
Initially, Nicole had felt a little proud of snagging this role without having to sacrifice anything physically. Now, she realized that not paying those dues was the real loss.
*****
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