Bab 100: ## Chapter 100: Crossing the Line of Friendship
After a period of promotion, "Perfect Murder" began gaining traction in the United States.
This summer was packed with blockbusters, including Jim Carrey's "The Truman Show," the monster movie "Godzilla," and the black comedy "Dr. Dolittle." Amidst these, "Perfect Murder," starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Douglas, became one of the hottest new releases, with promotional previews airing on radio, television, and newspapers.
After the first round of promotions, it was June, and the weather was getting hotter. Richard reduced his outdoor activities, focusing on training at a boxing club.
**Bang, bang, bang...**
At noon, after finishing his training, Richard was having lunch when Charlize called, inviting him to her home.
"What's up?"
Recalling his last visit to her place, Richard instinctively didn't want to go.
"Em, nothing much. Come over, I'll cook for you."
Charlize said.
"Sally, I'm already having lunch. This place is quite good. Why don't you come over and I'll treat you?"
"No need, just come over. I'm not feeling well, you know, that time of the month. I haven't eaten anything since morning. Can you bring some food for me?"
Charlize's voice was a bit coquettish, which felt odd to Richard. He remembered her as a cool and assertive woman, and this tone didn't suit her.
"Alright, what would you like to eat?"
Despite knowing she might be lying, Richard didn't refuse her request.
Both had been busy with promotions and preparing for new movies, and hadn't had much chance to meet. Today was a good opportunity to catch up.
---
After lunch, Richard brought some takeout to an upscale apartment building in the Metropolitan area.
Located near the bustling Seventh Avenue, Grand Central Market, and not far from Staples Center, it had a fantastic location.
Riding in the fully transparent glass elevator, overlooking the busy streets of Los Angeles, felt great.
He decided that once he had the money, he would buy a luxury home near Central Park in New York and a high-rise apartment on First Avenue, offering a view over bustling Manhattan.
**Ding dong~ Ding dong~**
At Charlize's door, he rang the bell.
**Click~** The door opened, and Charlize, with disheveled hair, stood there, unmade up, wearing a tank top, denim shorts, and slippers, looking a bit messy.
"Good afternoon, Sally. Not going out today?"
"Come in!"
Charlize glanced at him and turned back into the living room.
Richard smiled lightly and closed the door. He understood that hormonal imbalance during her period could cause mood swings.
He went to the kitchen first, pouring the cream of mushroom soup he brought into a bowl. Since he arrived quickly, the soup was still warm.
"Here, eat something. It might make you feel better."
Richard brought a small bowl into the living room.
"Come over first, I have something to ask you!"
Charlize sat cross-legged on the sofa, arms folded, with a cold expression.
"What is it?"
Richard put down the bowl and sat on the sofa.
"I'm giving you a chance. Think carefully. Have you done anything to wrong me?"
Charlize asked coldly.
"No!"
After a second's hesitation, Richard answered. Taking too long would seem guilty.
"No?!"
Charlize was furious. She jumped up and pushed him down, her hands gripping his neck.
"You dare say no?!"
"Cough, cough... Sally, what are you doing? Are you crazy?"
"Hmph, I'm crazy! You said I was a serial killer, so I'll kill you first. Then your prophecy will come true. Isn't that perfect?"
Charlize pressed on his neck, saying.
Richard froze, then understood. It was about the movie interview. He had considered the promotional effect but overlooked her reaction. It was a mistake.
"Sally, I can explain. I was painting on the rooftop, and Gwyneth happened to come. She asked who I was painting, and I worried she'd misunderstand, so I said Aileen Wuornos. There was a lot of news about Wuornos then. It was just an excuse."
"Nonsense! Why did the woman in the painting resemble that female killer? Or rather, a combination of me and that female killer? You bastard, you thought of me as a killer?!"
Charlize tightened her grip.
"Sally, listen to me!"
"I won't listen. You're a liar. I'll never believe you again."
Charlize, sitting on him, hands around his neck, with her hair disheveled, looked quite scary.
Richard felt helpless. A truth had turned into a lie, explained again and again. He wished he hadn't spoken rashly.
"Sally, let go. I can't breathe."
"No! You predicted I'd become a killer, so I'll kill you. Isn't that perfect?"
"Really won't let go? I'll use my trump card."
"Dare you? Haha, you bastard, stop it. Haha... Stop tickling, or I'll get really mad!"
In the midst of her fury, Charlize suddenly twisted, laughing uncontrollably, her face turning red.
"Let go, and you can't strangle me anymore. Otherwise, I'll tickle you again."
Richard laughed. Charlize had mentioned before that she was very ticklish, especially around her waist.
"Let go!"
Charlize bit her lip, glaring at him fiercely, but her flushed face looked seductive.
"Okay!"
Richard let go, but to be safe, grabbed her wrists.
"Bastard, using this trick against me, I'll bite you!"
Charlize lunged and bit his chin.
Richard's face twitched. "Let go, are you a puppy?"
"Mmm..."
Charlize ignored him.
Helplessly, he played rogue, holding her face and kissing her lips.
Charlize's eyes widened in surprise, then she pounded his chest a few times. Slowly, the room fell quiet.
---
"Sally, want some fruit?"
A moment later, he offered a plate of yogurt fruit salad.
Charlize lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, her blue eyes unblinking.
Richard felt awkward. He had been too impulsive, accidentally acting like a rogue. He wanted to say something but didn't know what.
Kissing was kissing, and for that long, no explanation would help.
"Have some. Your lips are dry. I kissed them."
Richard forked a piece of fruit and offered it.
**Shush~**
Charlize glared coldly, a death stare.
"Sally, it was my fault. I know explanations are useless. So, just see me as a pervert, someone with bad intentions, someone who revealed his true self... Regardless, I hope we can still be friends."
"I don't have friends like you!"
Charlize turned her head away.
Richard shrugged and pushed the fruit into her mouth.
Charlize glared again.
"Stop glaring. I just thought about it, and I don't think it's a big deal. We're good friends. What's wrong with a kiss, right?"
Richard pushed another piece of orange into her mouth.
"No big deal?!"
"Yes, a kiss won't kill you, and it felt pretty nice, didn't it?"
Richard smiled.
"Bastard, I'm going to kill you!"
Ms. Theron got angry again and was about to hit him when her phone rang.
"Sally, answer the phone first. You can deal with me later!"
Richard said.
"Hmph!"
Ms. Theron punched him a few times before slowly picking up the phone. The caller ID showed 'Keanu Reeves.'
"Hey, Keanu, what's up?"
"Sally, are you still in touch with Richard?"
"Him?"
Ms. Theron glanced at the guy beside her in surprise. "That guy is a fraud. I haven't kept in touch with him much. Why?"
"Jennifer is pregnant, over two months now."
Keanu Reeves said excitedly.
"Really? Congratulations! So why are you looking for that fraud? Did he and Jennifer...?"
Ms. Theron looked at the guy beside her again, her eyes turning cold as she picked up a fruit knife from the table.
"Ahem, Sally, don't overthink. Do you remember what Richard said last time at the wine bar?"
Keanu Reeves asked.
"I forgot. Who remembers what a fraud says?"
Ms. Theron pursed her lips and pointed to the fruit salad on the plate, then to her mouth, looking demanding and annoying.
But Richard had done something wrong, so he had no choice but to serve her with a fork.
"Richard said I would face the same fate as the protagonist in 'The Devil's Advocate.' He also said that before 2001, I would experience a major life change and should take good care of my family, especially my unborn child."
"Really?"
Ms. Theron suddenly remembered. That time, the bastard seemed to have mentioned Keanu's child. Keanu said his girlfriend wasn't pregnant, but Richard was very sure Keanu would have a child.
She stared at Richard, her eyes widening slowly. Did this guy get it right? Richard pushed a big strawberry into her mouth.
Ms. Theron glared at him while eating. "Keanu, don't overthink. That guy is just a fraud. His words aren't worth believing."
"Sally, Jennifer and I have been very busy with work over the past two years. We didn't plan to have a child, but she came as a surprise. It's a huge joy for us, so we decided to keep her. But every time I think of Richard's words, I get worried. What if it's true? I don't want to lose her."
"It won't be. That fraud only scares people to cheat them. Alright, what are you going to do?"
"I heard Richard is in Los Angeles. I don't have his contact. Can you reach him?"
"Em~, I can!"
After chatting a bit more, Ms. Theron hung up. She quietly looked at the guy in front of her: black hair, black eyes, very handsome features, and a well-built body. He didn't look like a fraud, but also not like a wizard.
"What's wrong?"
"Was everything you said before true? What you told us when we first met?"
Ms. Theron stared at him and asked.
Richard shrugged, "Sally, whether you believe it or not, I've never lied to you. From the first time we met until now, I've always been honest with you."
Ms. Theron blinked her blue eyes and thought for a moment. "Keanu's girlfriend is pregnant. Was it your doing?"
"What?!"
Richard was stunned.
"You seduced Keanu's girlfriend and got her pregnant, so your prophecy would come true."
"Are you out of your mind?"
Richard flicked her forehead and walked back to the kitchen with the plate.
"Then how did you know Keanu would have a child before 2001?"
Ms. Theron jumped up and chased after him.
"Haha, when a young couple spends a lot of time together, is it hard to guess they might have a child?"
"I don't believe it! Keanu wants to talk to you."
"I don't have time!"
"How about now?"
Ms. Theron asked, holding a kitchen knife.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Ilham_Yamin
Ilham_Yamin support me in patreon
belamy20
patreon.comuseru=47865997
comment and review for motivation
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone