Bab 37: Chapter 37: Actually, I'm a Noble Person
Chapter 37: Actually, I'm a Noble Person
On the set of "The Perfect Murder," filming was underway.
"Look, here's your label. You're deeply interested in all forms of art."
In the studio, Richard, wearing a red shirt, held a sticky note in his hand as he walked behind Gwyneth, who was making coffee with a hand grinder.
"Sweetie, you didn't have to buy me this machine."
Richard hugged Gwyneth from behind, gently rubbing her arm as he spoke softly.
"I think you need to get more familiar with advanced technology."
Gwyneth smiled.
"Mhm, and what do you need?"
Richard kissed her ear and asked softly.
Gwyneth smiled and turned her head.
"Cut!"
Behind the monitor, Director Davis took off his headphones and rubbed his hair in frustration. This intimate scene had been filmed five times but still looked awkward.
"Gwyneth, you're still too tense. Your body isn't relaxed enough, and your expressions are unnatural. And Richard," Director Davis took a deep breath and raised his voice, "you're performing terribly. You need to seriously understand the character and cooperate with Gwyneth. I hope your next performance satisfies me."
"I understand, Director!"
Richard nodded. He didn't blame Davis for losing his temper. Their disagreement was delaying the crew's progress, and Davis was under a lot of pressure.
"Director Davis, I need a break to make some adjustments," Gwyneth said.
"Alright, is half a day enough?" Director Davis asked.
"Thank you!"
Gwyneth smiled and left the set.
"Attention, everyone. We're shelving this scene for now and moving on to other shots," Director Davis shouted, organizing the crew's work.
"Richard," Director Davis waved him over. "What's going on with you and Gwyneth? Why is she so nervous around you, like there's a wolf behind her?"
"I don't know."
Richard shrugged. "Maybe because I'm a boxer and come across as aggressive, so she's scared."
"Is that so? I don't care what she's afraid of. Your task is to resolve this quickly. If we can't film properly, the crew will be delayed. A delay of two or three days is acceptable, but if it drags on, the producers will have issues. Gwyneth is a big star; they won't touch her. You'll be the one out. Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
"Go resolve this quickly. I believe you can do it. After all, she's just a girl."
Director Davis patted his shoulder and walked away.
Richard shook his head. No wonder they tested my ability to handle women; it was to deal with Gwyneth. They're really scheming.
After inquiring with Gwyneth's assistant, he went up to the rooftop with two cups of Starbucks coffee.
——
Today's weather in Boston was nice, with blue skies and white clouds. The rooftop had a slight breeze carrying the scent of the sea.
Gwyneth stood in a sheltered corner, arms crossed, gazing at the distant bay. White seagulls fluttered, and the breeze ruffled her short blonde hair. Her fair cheeks had a pink tinge, making her look quite beautiful.
"The view here is nice."
Richard spoke from a distance.
Gwyneth's shoulders trembled, and she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Want some coffee?"
Richard held up a Starbucks cup.
Gwyneth didn't respond.
Richard put the cup down and stood next to her at the railing, looking out at the harbor.
"I finished that painting 'She-Devil,' but please don't misunderstand. I don't have any perverse hobbies. It was a request from a client. They paid $10,000 for it, and I mailed it out this morning."
He took out a FedEx receipt and showed it to her.
"Your painting is worth $10,000?"
Gwyneth asked.
Richard smirked. She spoke, at least. "Of course. I'm not just a boxer and an actor; I'm also a painter."
"Really? Your painting skills seem average. Is it that easy to be a painter nowadays?"
Gwyneth pursed her lips.
"You know how to paint?"
"A little. I had a solo exhibition at the Beverly Art Museum when I was eighteen."
"..."
Richard spread his hands. "Master, how do you think my painting is?"
"Not bad, about the level of a ten-year-old."
"Alright then!"
Richard climbed onto the railing of the building, which was eight stories high. The wind was a bit fierce.
"What are you doing?"
Gwyneth exclaimed.
"It's too embarrassing. I want to jump."
Gwyneth covered her mouth and laughed, "Get down, it's dangerous up there."
"Let me ask you again, how is my painting?"
Richard asked seriously.
"... Fine, it's good, very nice. Is that enough?"
Gwyneth said, holding back laughter.
"Thank you. I told you my painting wasn't that bad. Your approval gives me confidence."
Richard clapped his hands and laughed.
Gwyneth rolled her eyes at him. This guy has a problem—thick skin. But compared to being a pervert, neurotic, or a killer, it's a mild flaw.
"Want some coffee?"
Richard asked again.
"Thank you."
Gwyneth took the cup, feeling warm and comfortable.
"Gwyneth, I need to apologize to you."
Richard said softly after a moment of hesitation.
"For what?"
"The scars on my body didn't come from what I told you. I was just trying to scare you."
"Oh?"
Gwyneth raised an eyebrow.
"Want to hear a story?"
Richard looked at her.
"Is it scary?"
"Haha, not at all."
Richard laughed and pointed to his shoulder. "This gunshot wound is recent. Two months ago, Anthony, my agent and assistant, needed a lot of money for his mother's breast cancer treatment. His mother, Cathy, was a caregiver at our orphanage and was very kind to me. I wanted to help, so Anthony and I set up a scam."
Richard then recounted the night they conned Andy at the underground fight club.
"Oh, so you stormed a gang's stronghold alone, captured their leader, and escaped safely?"
Gwyneth was surprised.
"Yes, but it wasn't a big deal. The Vipers' men were all out looking for people, and Andy only had two men with him. I've practiced martial arts since childhood, so dealing with two people was easy. Taking down Andy wasn't hard either. I just got unlucky and was shot on the way out."
This story is well-known in the Bronx. I have no reason to lie to you.
"That's really cool, like an action movie. Do you live that dangerously every day?"
Gwyneth asked, her eyes curious.
"I don't want to, but we need money, so we have to take risks."
Richard sighed.
"You were helping a friend. You did the right thing."
Gwyneth said.
"Thank you. And this scar..."
Richard pointed to a knife scar on his waist. "When I was in seventh grade at Stevenson Middle School in the Bronx, I was walking home with some classmates when we encountered four robbers on Douglas Street. Relying on my years of martial arts training, I fought them off with my school bag. Eventually, the police arrived, and the robbers fled. I got stabbed here."
Richard shook his head. "Instead of praising me, the police and teachers scolded me, saying I should have handed over my belongings to stay safe. I wanted to be a knight, fighting evil, but ended up being called a fool for my recklessness. This scar was in vain."
Gwyneth laughed softly.
"Am I reckless?"
Richard laughed.
Gwyneth shook her head. "You're brave!"
"The synonyms for bravery are reckless and impulsive. I know. No need to comfort me."
"Haha, okay, maybe a bit impulsive."
Gwyneth smiled and pointed to his stomach. "What about this one?"
Richard fell silent for a while, sighed, and said, "I didn't lie about that one. My father was in a gang and did some bad things, making enemies. On my seventh birthday in 1984, an enemy broke into our home and shot my father. I couldn't dodge in time and was shot here. I almost died."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
Gwyneth said softly.
"It's okay. It happened over ten years ago and doesn't affect me anymore."
Richard sighed, looking up at the sky. "After my father died, my mother soon fell ill and passed away. As a child, I hated those who destroyed my family. I swore to kill them for revenge when I grew up. So, I trained hard in martial arts, kung fu, Muay Thai, boxing, and firearms. Anything that could make me stronger, I learned. After seven or eight years of hard work, I became a martial arts expert, able to fight seven or eight people at once. I thought I could finally get my revenge."
Richard clenched his fists.
"Did you kill them?"
Gwyneth asked.
Richard shook his head. "In the '70s and '80s, gangs were rampant across the US. In the '90s, the government cracked down hard, reducing gang power significantly. Some gangs disbanded, some went legitimate, and some went underground. The small gang that killed my father quickly disbanded under police pressure. When I found a few enemies, some were already dead, some were in jail, and some lived worse than beggars. Seeing their condition, I remembered the priest's words, 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' Killing them would taint my soul. So, I spared them and let them live like rats. And I decided to live well and be happy. I believe my parents would be happy for me too."
Richard looked up at the sky
, feeling a deep sense of peace.
"You're a good person."
Gwyneth said softly.
Richard smiled. "I'm not a noble person. I was just influenced by the priest's teachings."
"I'm serious. You're a good person."
Gwyneth insisted.
Richard's expression turned serious. "Gwyneth, I'm an ordinary man with many flaws and shortcomings, but I try my best to be a good person. I won't betray your trust or let you get hurt. I hope you can believe in me, too."
He extended his hand to her.
Gwyneth stared at him for a while, then smiled and shook his hand. "I believe you."
——
In the dimly lit basement of the church, Robert, wearing a priest's robe, knelt at the altar, chanting prayers. Candles flickered in the wind, casting an eerie glow.
"Priest, there is something unusual about the target."
Jack walked up behind Robert and whispered.
"Oh? What's unusual?"
Robert asked, not turning his head.
"He seems to have discovered our men following him, but he didn't confront them or act suspicious. It's like he didn't care."
Jack said.
"He's calm, and his mental state is strong. This guy isn't easy to deal with."
Robert said.
Jack remained silent.
After a long pause, Robert stood up, turning to face Jack. "Send two people to keep a close watch. If he tries to escape or act suspiciously, take him down immediately."
"Yes, priest!"
Jack nodded, then hesitated. "But priest, if he really is the Son of God, aren't we committing a grave sin by harming him?"
Robert's expression turned serious. "If he's truly the Son of God, we have nothing to fear. God will protect him. But if he's just an ordinary person, he will die by our hands. Understand?"
Jack nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission.
——
On the filming set of "The Perfect Murder," Gwyneth and Richard stood in their places, ready for another take.
"Action!"
Director Davis called out.
Richard, with the sticky note in hand, walked behind Gwyneth, who was making coffee.
"Look, here's your label. You're deeply interested in all forms of art."
Richard hugged Gwyneth from behind, gently rubbing her arm.
"Sweetie, you didn't have to buy me this machine."
Gwyneth smiled, relaxed and natural this time.
"I think you need to get more familiar with advanced technology."
Richard smiled.
"Mhm, and what do you need?"
Richard kissed her ear, his touch tender and sincere.
Gwyneth turned her head, smiling warmly.
"Cut! Perfect! That's what I wanted!"
Director Davis exclaimed, pleased with the performance.
Richard and Gwyneth exchanged a smile, a new understanding and trust between them.
---
As the sun set over Boston, the city lights began to twinkle. Richard and Gwyneth stood on the rooftop, looking out at the beautiful view, a sense of peace and contentment in the air.
"Thank you for believing in me."
Richard said softly.
Gwyneth smiled, her eyes filled with trust. "Thank you for being honest with me."
They stood there, side by side, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone