Bab 34: Chapter 34: I Want to See Your Skin (Please Collect and Vote)
### Chapter 34: I Want to See Your Skin (Please Collect and Vote)
In the bathroom, Richard washed his face, stood in front of the mirror, and looked at himself. He was wearing a light blue shirt stained with red and yellow paint and wrinkled jeans.
This was the costume for his role in the play. Wearing it made it easier to immerse himself in the character.
Because the character was an artist, his hairstyle had also changed. Previously, he had medium-length hair, but after a month of growing it out, it had turned into long hair hanging down to his ears.
He scratched his head, making his long hair messy, hanging diagonally over his forehead, complementing his finely chiseled features, making him look like a free-spirited artist.
"Will this be satisfactory?"
Coming out of the bathroom, he walked straight to Gwyneth's temporary resting room.
Kopeson, the producer, said Gwyneth was resting here and wanted him to come alone.
Having heard many rumors, Richard felt a bit apprehensive. Would he be taken advantage of? Should he resist if it happens?
Knock, knock, knock~
At the office door, he knocked.
With a click, the door opened from the inside, and a short, chubby middle-aged man came out, looking him up and down warily. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Hello, sir. I'm an actor in the play, Richard Blade, playing David Shaw. I want to discuss the script with Miss Paltrow."
This should be one of Gwyneth's agents. He really didn't understand why a big star would choose a short, chubby, greasy-faced agent. Well, future Anthony might end up like this too.
"Gwyneth just got off the plane and needs to rest. Make an appointment for another day. And next time, wear clean clothes. You look very disrespectful."
Saying that, he was about to close the door.
"Kaplan, let him in!"
Someone shouted from inside.
"Gwyneth, you need to rest!"
"It's okay, let Mr. Blade in. I also want to talk to him about the script."
"Alright!"
The chubby man gave him a look and whispered, "When you see Gwyneth, be polite. Don't get too close to her. She has a cleanliness obsession."
Cleanliness obsession?
Richard raised an eyebrow. So do I.
Entering the room, Gwyneth was reclining on the sofa, holding a phone. There was a cup of coffee on the table and a female assistant organizing clothes behind another table.
"Hello, Miss Paltrow. Nice to meet you."
"Hello!"
Gwyneth shook his hand briefly, then said to the other two in the room, "I want to talk about the script with Mr. Blade. You two can go and get busy."
"Alright!"
The chubby man and the female assistant left the office.
"Richard, please sit down. You can call me Gwyneth."
"Alright, Gwyneth."
Richard sat on the opposite sofa.
"I heard you're a boxer?"
Gwyneth crossed her arms, her eyes constantly scrutinizing him.
"Yes, a professional boxer."
"Then why are you acting?"
"Um, because of a dream!"
"Pfft~"
Gwyneth smirked. "Richard, you look pretty good. I guess that's why they chose you to play David Shaw. But since we have intimate scenes, I need to know more about you before shooting. This will make our cooperation more pleasant. Do you understand?"
"Yes, what would you like to know?"
Richard asked.
"You heard from Kaplan, my executive agent, that I have a cleanliness obsession. I need to see your body, mainly your skin, to make sure you don't have any skin diseases, rashes, or needle marks. Seeing those would make me uncomfortable and unable to shoot normally. Do you understand?"
Gwyneth stared at him.
"My skin is very healthy, and I have no history of drug use."
Richard said.
"Is that so?"
Gwyneth crossed her legs and stared at him. "I want to see for myself. Do you mind?"
"Here?"
"Yes."
Richard frowned. Although he often fought shirtless, being asked to undress by a woman here made him feel a bit awkward.
Should he agree or not?
"Mr. Blade, this is just my personal request. If you're unwilling, you can leave."
Gwyneth picked up her phone, speaking lightly.
"I don't mind. If it helps our cooperation, I don't mind."
Richard shrugged, taking off his shirt and T-shirt, revealing his strong, muscular body.
"Wow, Richard, your body is amazing!"
Gwyneth propped her chin with her fingers, looking him up and down. His prominent shoulder muscles, strong arms, and firm chest muscles were impressive. He was indeed a professional boxer. This physique was very impactful. But what did it matter? In the crew, he was just a small actor at her mercy.
Gwyneth's eyes held a hint of playfulness.
"Richard, as a boxer, why is your skin so fair?"
Gwyneth touched his shoulder with her finger. "And so smooth!"
"Inborn!"
Richard moved his shoulder away.
"Is that so?"
Gwyneth smirked, pointing to his jeans. "Can you take those off too?"
"Is it necessary? Director Davis said there wouldn't be any full-body shots."
Richard frowned.
"I know. But without seeing everything, I can't fully accept you, and it would affect my mood for filming. Of course, this is just my personal request. It's okay if you don't want to."
"."
Richard said nothing, took off his jeans, shrugged, and pointed to his underwear. "Miss Paltrow, do I need to take this off too?"
Gwyneth hesitated for a moment, then smirked. "If you're willing, I don't mind."
"I don't mind!"
He reached for his waistband.
"Wait!"
Gwyneth looked, blushing, and turned away. "That's not necessary."
"Is that so?"
Richard tugged at his lips.
"Hmph!"
Hearing his sneer, Gwyneth turned back.
She raised her chin, scrutinizing him from head to toe, then walked around him, inspecting from chest to buttocks. Her gaze was filthy, making Richard feel violated.
"Miss Paltrow, are you satisfied with my skin?"
Richard asked.
"I'm checking. Wait, what's this?"
Gwyneth pointed to his shoulder.
"Gunshot wound!"
Two months had passed, and the wound had healed, leaving a pink scar.
"You've been shot?"
Gwyneth exclaimed.
"Yes, I live near the chaotic Bronx. One night there was a street shootout. I happened to pass by and got hit by a stray bullet here."
Richard said casually.
"And this one, also a gunshot wound, right?"
Gwyneth pointed to his abdomen, near the second row of abs, where there was a slight indentation.
"Yes, when I was fifteen, I was working part-time in a supermarket. There was a robbery, and a shootout broke out. I couldn't dodge in time and got shot."
"Again by accident?"
Gwyneth chuckled, pointing to his back. "And this? A two-inch knife scar, also an accident?"
"Yes, the street is chaotic, and there were often home invasions. I'm timid, so I slept with a kitchen knife at night. One time, I turned over in my sleep and accidentally cut myself. Riiip~"
Richard smirked, gesturing with his hand.
Gwyneth's shoulder twitched. It must have hurt a lot, but seeing the smile in his eyes, she snorted. "All accidental injuries. Do you think I'm that easy to fool?"
"Miss Paltrow, do my scars have anything to do with filming? During the audition, the casting team discussed this. The character I play, David Shaw, grew up at the bottom of society, became a con artist, a wanted criminal, and went to prison twice. Having a few scars is not a problem."
"But I won't work with a criminal."
Gwyneth said coldly.
"You say I'm a criminal?"
Richard frowned, his voice cold.
"You—"
Gwyneth took a step back, forcing herself to speak. "You have gunshot wounds and knife scars. Would an ordinary person have so many injuries?"
Richard smirked, stepping forward. "Gwyneth, do you want to know how I got these scars?"
"No!"
"I can tell you. Here—"
Richard pointed to the scar on his abdomen. "In the 70s and 80s, the Bronx was chaotic, with gangsters rampant, killing and robbing everywhere. When I was seven, in 1984, one night, just after my birthday party, a few men with weapons broke into my house, smashing, robbing, and burning. My father resisted and was shot dead. I was also shot here. Are you satisfied?"
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Gwyneth covered her mouth.
"Here!"
Richard pointed to his back, his eyes red. "After my father died, there was no protection at home. Once, two thugs tried to assault my mother. I fought them with a kitchen knife, injuring them and getting cut in the process. Shortly after, my mother died of illness, and I went to an orphanage."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I shouldn't have asked."
Gwyneth covered her mouth, her eyes reddening.
"And this one. Do you know how I got it?"
Richard pointed to his shoulder, a cruel smile on his lips.
"When I was twelve, I left the orphanage. At fifteen, a rumor spread in the Bronx that my father left me a large sum of money, tens
of thousands of dollars, and that I planned to use it for revenge. One night, seven men came to my house, including three who killed my father and two who bullied my mother and me. Hey, do you know what happened to those scumbags?"
Richard's eyes narrowed, a manic smile on his face.
"I-I don't know. I don't want to hear it."
Gwyneth shook her head, trying to leave.
"Don't rush. The next part is even more exciting."
Richard grabbed her arm, pinning her against the wall.
Thud~
Thank you for your votes and recommendations. (End of Chapter)
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