### Chapter 28: Want to Come Up and Sit?
The romance of two people turns into the fun of three with an extra person. The three of them had a lively dinner and walked for a while in the twilight, eventually arriving at a cinema on West Fourth Street.
Richard had originally bought two tickets for "Juliet and Romeo," but with Angela joining, watching a romance movie was out of the question.
"How about we watch 'Scream'?" Angela suggested, pointing at a movie poster on the wall.
"That's a horror movie, watching it at night…" Richard was about to object when Angela kicked his leg, signaling him to stop talking. Richard shrugged and looked at Gisele.
"I'm fine with anything," Gisele said with a smile.
"Then it's decided," Angela said, snapping her fingers and nudging Richard's shoulder. "What are you waiting for? Go buy the tickets!" She lowered her voice and whispered, "Are you stupid? When Gisele gets scared during the horror movie, that's your chance. You can hug her and maybe even kiss her. This is a common trick guys use to win over girls. Don't you know?"
"Can I really do that?" Richard scratched his head.
"Trust me, just go buy the tickets."
"Okay, do you want any snacks?" Richard asked.
"Do we look like we need snacks? We're models," Angela said, linking arms with Gisele.
Gisele nodded in agreement.
"Alright, wait here," Richard said as he walked towards the ticket counter.
"That guy is so clueless, like he's never dated before," Angela commented, watching Richard's back.
"Yes, he's a bit introverted. He used to be busy with boxing, school, and part-time jobs, so he's not good at interacting with girls," Gisele replied with a soft laugh, pulling Angela to sit on a nearby couch.
"If that's the case, dating a guy like him could be tiring," Angela said with a slight shake of her head.
"It's fine. He's tall, strong, handsome, gentle, and considerate. With these qualities, everything else is secondary," Gisele said, propping her chin on her hand and smiling.
"True, he seems great so far. If I'd known, I would've gone to the Bronx that day too. Maybe I'd have found an injured hunk to bring home," Angela said.
"You can try now, but don't get your hopes up. Guys like Richard are rare," Gisele chuckled.
"Ugh, so cheesy," Angela said, scratching her hand. "So, you've decided to accept him?"
"Yes, having a boyfriend like him is nice. He's handsome, fits my aesthetic; he's strong, gives me a sense of security; he's gentle and considerate, warms my heart. In this unfamiliar city of New York, meeting someone like him is wonderful," Gisele said, holding her cheeks and smiling softly.
Angela frowned in envy. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you. You'll find someone like that too," Gisele said.
"Of course, I'm so beautiful."
Clap clap—someone patted their shoulders twice.
Gisele and Angela turned around simultaneously. Gisele blinked in surprise at the sight of a white twisted ghost face with a sinister smile and hollow black eyes.
"Ahhh!" Angela screamed and fell to the ground.
"Haha, did I scare you?" Richard lifted the mask off his face and laughed mischievously.
"Richard!!" Angela yelled angrily, getting up to punch him a few times.
"Haha, my bad. I didn't know you were so scared. Gisele was much calmer than you," Richard said, laughing.
"Hmph, I just wasn't ready," Angela said, her face red.
"I was scared too," Gisele said, patting her chest.
"This is the ghost face mask from the movie. Want to try it on for fun?" Richard offered them the masks.
"No way, it's childish!" Angela said disdainfully.
"You can keep it as a souvenir, or use it to scare away creeps," Gisele said, taking the masks and handing one to Angela.
"Scare away creeps? That's a good idea," Angela said, putting the mask on and making clawing motions at Richard.
"Ah, so scary!" Richard said with a straight face.
"Too fake. Can't you show a bit more fear? How did you even get cast opposite an Oscar winner with such bad acting?" Angela complained.
"I was just lucky."
"Tch."
"Alright, the movie's starting," Gisele said, laughing as she pulled Richard and linked arms with Angela, walking into the theater.
"Scream" premiered last December and is about a psychopathic killer in a small town. The killer wears a ghost face mask, a black robe, and often appears as a grim reaper, targeting young, beautiful students with brutal methods. The movie's sound, visuals, and plot are incredibly scary and innovative.
This movie, with an investment of less than $15 million, grossed over $100 million in North America. Even after nearly a year, it still fills about 30% of seats per show, a testament to its quality.
The movie features many familiar faces, starting with the chubby Drew Barrymore and "Friends" star Courteney Cox, along with Liev Schreiber, among others.
"Ah~~~" The movie had just begun when a pale ghost face suddenly appeared, causing Drew's character to scream, followed by many girls in the theater.
"Ahhh~" Angela screamed louder, clutching Richard's arm tightly and burying her face in his shoulder, sneaking glances at the screen.
Richard smirked. "You suggested the horror movie, and now you're scared?"
"Don't laugh. I'm helping you. Sacrificing myself for you. Comfort Gisele; she's more scared than me," Angela urged.
"No need. Gisele didn't even flinch," Richard chuckled.
"Hey, Angela," Gisele waved with a smile.
"You're not scared?" Angela frowned.
"A little, but knowing they're just actors, I don't feel much fear," Gisele shrugged.
"How can you be like this? If you're not scared, how does Richard get his chance?" Angela said.
"What chance?"
"Ah, too scary, help me block it!" Richard said, grabbing Gisele's arm and hiding his face behind her.
"Richard, have some shame. You're a boxer, scared of this?" Angela scolded, laughing.
Gisele also covered her mouth, laughing.
"I'm really scared. Gisele, can I borrow your shoulder?" Richard asked, holding her shoulder.
"Go ahead," Gisele said, smiling with her lips pressed together.
"Thank you!" Richard said, hugging her shoulder, happily watching the movie.
"Hmph, this guy isn't so clueless after all... Ahh!" Angela screamed again as the ghost face reappeared, looking left and right for a place to hide. How embarrassing. She suggested the horror movie, yet she was the only one scared.
"Here, take my hand," Richard offered.
"Hmph, I don't need it!" Angela said disdainfully, but still clung to his big arm.
—
Watching a horror movie resulted in Angela saying she couldn't sleep alone at night and needed Gisele to accompany her.
This completely ruined Richard's plans.
"Hehe, Richard, you're not mad at me, are you?" Angela laughed.
"Of course not," Richard forced a smile.
"That's good. Good thing you're not living together yet; otherwise, I'd have nowhere to sleep tonight," Angela said, linking arms with Gisele.
"Aren't there many people in the company's apartment?" Gisele laughed.
"You lived there, so you know their habits. They all go out to date at night, making the apartment colder than a haunted house," Angela said.
"That's true. I moved out because the company's apartment was too chaotic," Gisele said.
"Richard, isn't your house in the Bronx? Why don't you invite Gisele to move in with you? It's not far," Angela said.
Richard's heart leaped with joy; this was a perfect assist from Angela. "Gisele, the house I bought back is the one I used to live in. It has five bedrooms. Want to move in and stay with me?"
"Move to your place? I'm not ready for that yet. Can we talk about it later?" Gisele thought for a moment and replied.
"Of course. I completely respect your choice," Richard said.
"Richard, you're so clueless. Can't you be more persistent? At this rate, holding hands will take a month, kissing a year, and living together at least ten years. Do you think you're in the Middle Ages?" Angela complained.
"It's not slow. Not long ago, Gisele and I didn't even know each other. It's already progressed quickly," Richard said.
"Fine, suit yourself! No matter how much I help, you're hopeless," Angela said.
"Don't say that. This pace is comfortable. I don't feel pressured," Gisele smiled.
"Really?" Angela leaned in and whispered, "Don't you crave his body?"
"What nonsense!" Gisele pushed her away, blushing.
Half an hour later, as the night fully descended, the car arrived at an apartment building on Houston Street in DC.
"Want to come up and sit?" Gisele asked.
"No, it's cold. You two go up," Richard said, adjusting her scarf.
"Idiot, go up and stay. Gisele won't kick you out," Angela said.
Gisele shot her a look, telling her not to talk nonsense.
"It's late. Drive safely," Gisele said.
"Got it," Richard smiled.
"Goodnight, then!"
Gisele waved and walked into the building with Angela.
"That guy is so clueless. No wonder he's always single," Angela said as they walked.
"He's not clueless. He understands and respects me, making me feel comfortable," Gisele said.
"Really?"
Angela teased, "Don't you miss his presence?"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Gisele said, pushing her away with a blush.
"Richard!" she suddenly called out.
"What is it? Did you forget something?" Richard asked, holding the car door.
"You... you said you wanted to kiss me, right?" Gisele asked, standing still, her chest rising and falling slightly.
"Can I?" Richard asked, excited.
"I don't think I can refuse," Gisele said.
"Haha, indeed!" Richard said, striding over and lifting her into his arms, spinning her around.
"I'm going to kiss you now!" he said softly.
"Kiss me," Gisele said, tilting her head and closing her eyes, her cheeks turning a rosy red.
Richard chuckled, cupping her face and kissing her icy red lips.
—
"Tch, if you wanted to kiss, just do it earlier. Why all the drama? Intentionally hurting this single girl," Angela muttered, stepping into the apartment building in her high heels.
Thud—A dark figure jumped out from the corner.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Angela, what's wrong?"
"Uh, nothing. Carry on!"
—
"Hey, Richard, why have you been acting all goofy these past few days, laughing to yourself? Did you lose your mind?" Anthony teased.
"Do you need something? If not, don't bother me while I'm drawing," Richard replied from the rooftop, holding a drawing board and pencil, sketching the sunset.
"Huh, it's all black like a lump of lead. I could draw better with my feet," Anthony said.
"What do you want? If you have something to say, say it," Richard said.
"Here! Bill Copeland, the producer, called. He wants to talk to you about an audition," Anthony said, handing over the phone.
"Okay," Richard said, wiping his hands and picking up the phone.