After Charlize Theron invested a significant amount of money in public relations, there was really no competition to speak of.
Naomi Watts, who had only appeared in a few low-budget horror and suspense films, was far behind Charlize Theron in financial power at the time.
At this moment, as Naomi looked at Charlize, there was a glimmer of surprise in her eyes.
Although Charlize Theron wasn't exactly a top-tier star, she had starred in several commercial films and worked with many big names. Among second-tier actresses, she was quite prominent, far surpassing Naomi Watts in fame and status.
According to the internal ranking system of talent agencies, Theron, with a salary of $2 million per film, was already considered a third-tier client.
If she managed to command a $4 million salary, she'd be considered second-tier.
As for the top tier, that required earning more than $8 million per film.
Don't be fooled by stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith earning $20 million per movie—that's an exception.
Even they would lower their salaries when starring in dramas, with their typical paychecks hovering around $12 million.
Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who would become globally famous 20 years later, only earned between $20-25 million per film.
And that's 20 years later.
Given that female stars generally earned less than their equally famous male counterparts, the upper limit for actresses was around $12 million.
So, with Charlize Theron pulling in $2 million per movie, she wasn't exactly a small name.
Naomi had seen her fair share of big stars in this bar, like regulars Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp.
What truly surprised her was that Charlize Theron seemed to have something going on with Wayne!
"Dressed like that, she's clearly aiming to sleep with Wayne!" Naomi thought to herself.
But why would a "big star" like Charlize be interested in Wayne? Even though Wayne was the owner of a film production company, wasn't it just a small one?
Could it be she was simply attracted to Wayne physically?
Naomi didn't believe that for a second.
In her mind, anyone who thought that was truly naive.
But the truth was just that—Charlize Theron was indeed physically attracted to Wayne. At least, that was a big part of why she reached out to him.
"This is Naomi Watts, a very talented actress I've just met," Wayne introduced with a smile.
Charlize didn't hide her appraising gaze as she sized up Naomi from a superior stance.
It was clear that Charlize, after years in Hollywood, had already figured out what Naomi was up to and why she'd approached Wayne.
Trading your body for opportunities, although often a fruitless endeavor, could be worth it if it succeeded even once.
This was Hollywood, after all, where opportunities were everything.
"Darling, can you get me an apple martini as well?"
Charlize ordered a drink identical to Naomi's, smiling as she said, "You're right, dear. With an actress as beautiful as Miss Watts here, her acting skills must be exceptional."
Naomi wasn't dumb; she immediately caught the hidden meaning in Charlize's words and nervously glanced at Wayne.
But Wayne seemed oblivious, taking a sip of his icy cocktail and smiling. "Since Sally, you think so highly of her, why don't you two try working together tonight?"
*Cough cough—*
Charlize nearly choked on her drink, coughing violently.
She had seen plenty of men play games in Hollywood, but none as composed and refined as Wayne, with his handsome features and elegant demeanor.
Yet Wayne had said those very words.
The term "wolf in sheep's clothing" popped into Charlize's mind, and the stark contrast between his appearance and behavior made her even more intrigued.
Who could resist a handsome, wealthy man like Wayne?
For reference, think of Tony Stark in the movies. Wayne was not only better-looking than Tony, but his physique was far superior too.
Naomi took a moment longer than Charlize to react, her eyes widening in surprise at Wayne's suggestion.
What shocked her even more was that despite Wayne's outrageous proposal, Charlize didn't seem angry at all.
Where was her temper? Where was her dignity as a big star?
If Charlize wasn't into something kinky, there was only one other explanation: Wayne's power and influence were far greater than Naomi had imagined, enough to make Charlize act this way.
Realizing this, Naomi's excitement only grew.
Three people? She had never tried that before.
But if Wayne could really offer her an opportunity, she didn't mind giving it a shot.
Besides, what if Charlize backed out?
"Sure, Wayne, if it's you, I don't mind at all~"
Naomi even shot Charlize a provocative glance, which made Charlize raise her eyebrows in response.
Of course, Charlize didn't want Naomi intruding on her date with Wayne, but she wasn't about to back down from a challenge posed by a "small fry."
"Then it's settled. After we finish this drink, we'll head to my place!" Charlize declared boldly.
From a distance, the bartender, who had been polishing glasses, couldn't help but twitch his lips.
He'd worked here long enough to see actresses competing over men, but those men were usually Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, or the recently rising Keanu Reeves.
But Wayne?
"He's just the owner of a small production company," the bartender thought bitterly.
To him, it made sense for someone like Naomi to suck up to Wayne, but even Charlize? That was too absurd.
But no amount of bitterness or disbelief could change the fact that, after downing their drinks, Wayne walked out of the bar, arms around both Charlize and Naomi.
This scene didn't go unnoticed by others who knew the two women. While it left them shocked, it also piqued their curiosity about Wayne.
Soon, even though Wayne hadn't released a single film, and not a single fan knew him, his name began spreading among the actors and especially the actresses who frequented this bar.
When some inquired about Wayne's background and learned that Hemera Productions had already invested in two independent films with budgets of $10 million each, 95% of the women in the bar became even more interested in him.
We all sat down in the living room and had a few drinks. The tension between Sally and Naomi was palpable, but in a good way.
Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and pulled Sally and Naomi to their feet. "Let's take this to the bedroom," I said, my voice low and husky.
Once in the bedroom, I wasted no time. I pulled Sally's shirt over her head and started kissing her neck. She moaned softly, her hands running through my hair.
I turned to Naomi and started undressing her, my hands roaming over her curves. She gasped as I took her nipples into my mouth, sucking and biting gently.
Sally watched us for a moment, then started undressing herself. She crawled onto the bed and spread her legs, inviting me to taste her.
I gladly accepted the invitation. I knelt between her legs and started licking her pussy, my tongue exploring every inch of her. She moaned loudly, her hips bucking against my face.
Naomi watched us for a moment, then climbed onto the bed and started playing with Sally's breasts. Sally reached out and started stroking Naomi's thighs, her fingers inching closer and closer to Naomi's pussy.
I could feel Sally's orgasm building, her moans getting louder and louder. I slipped a finger inside her, then two, fucking her hard as I continued to lick her clit.
Sally came hard, her body shaking with pleasure. Naomi and I watched her, our hands still exploring each other's bodies.
Once Sally had caught her breath, she turned to Naomi. "I want to taste you," she said, her voice husky.
Naomi grinned and spread her legs, inviting Sally to explore. Sally eagerly accepted the invitation, her tongue darting out to taste Naomi's pussy.
I watched them for a moment, then stood up and took off my pants. Naomi looked up at me, her eyes hungry. "I want to feel you inside me," she said.
I climbed onto the bed and positioned myself behind Naomi. She reached back and guided me inside her, her pussy tight and hot around my cock.
Sally watched us for a moment, then climbed onto Naomi's face, her pussy hovering over Naomi's mouth. Naomi eagerly started licking Sally's pussy, her hands gripping Sally's ass.
I started fucking Naomi hard, my balls slapping against her ass. She moaned loudly, her pussy clenching around my cock.
Suddenly, I felt something warm and wet around my balls. I looked down and saw Sally's mouth wrapped around them, her tongue swirling around them.
I groaned, my orgasm building. I grabbed Naomi's hips and started fucking her harder and faster, my balls slapping against her ass.
Sally moaned loudly, her pussy grinding against Naomi's face. Naomi's moans got louder and louder, her pussy clenching around my cock.
I came hard, my cock throbbing inside Naomi's pussy. She moaned loudly, her pussy milking every last drop of cum from my cock.
We all collapsed onto the bed, our bodies slick with sweat. We lay there for a moment, catching our breath.
"That was amazing," Sally said, her voice husky.
Naomi grinned. "Yeah, it was."
I smiled, my hand reaching out to squeeze Sally's. "I told you it would be worth your while."
That night, Wayne's god-like performance completely reshaped Charlize and Naomi's perceptions in certain ways.
Afterward, Charlize even felt grateful for Naomi's participation.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have made it to the film set the next day.
"Cut!"
"Charlize, you're a bit off today."
"Sorry, director. Give me five minutes to adjust."
Charlize glared at Wayne, who was sitting with Jessica, and apologized to director James Wan.
The scene they were filming was the final one in the movie. After the villainous second female lead, Lori, was taken out by Teri, a TV reporter interviews Danielle, the sorority president.
During the interview, "Danielle" uses exaggerated language and gestures to mock Lori as reclusive and antisocial, claiming she'd always suspected Lori was mentally unstable, a psychopathic killer.
It was meant to be a bit of dark humor.
Charlize was exhausted from the previous night. Even with makeup, she lacked the energy required for the flamboyant performance in Wan's script, causing her to shoot four NGs in a row.
She had even messed up more than Jessica, the "eye candy."
(End of Chapter)
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
However, Charlize Theron winning the Oscar shows that she does have some acting skills. Once she got serious, she quickly regained her focus and didn't affect the filming schedule.
But tonight, she didn't dare invite Wayne over to her place for a drink again. Even if Naomi Watts helped divert some attention, she knew she couldn't handle it.
After wrapping up early, Wayne went to Annie's place.
Wayne couldn't take his eyes off of Annie as she moved gracefully through her yoga routine at the park. Her toned body stretched and contorted in ways that made his heart race. He had to have her.
After what felt like hours of mustering up the courage, Wayne finally approached Annie. "Hi, I'm Wayne. I couldn't help but notice how incredible you look in those yoga poses. Mind if I join you sometime?"
Annie looked at Wayne, sizing him up. "Sure, why not. I could use a good workout partner. But don't get any funny ideas, I'm not that kind of girl."
Wayne chuckled, "Oh, I assure you, I have nothing but respect for your yoga skills."
Annie led Wayne through a series of poses, each one more challenging than the last. Wayne was determined to keep up, but he couldn't help but notice how Annie's body moved as she stretched and contorted. Her breasts bounced gently in her sports bra, and her shorts rode up, revealing the curve of her ass. Wayne felt his cock growing harder by the second.
As they moved into the more advanced poses, Annie suggested they try some partner poses. Wayne eagerly agreed, excited at the prospect of being so close to her. They started with a simple back-to-back pose, but as they moved deeper into the pose, Wayne felt Annie's ass pressing against his cock. He couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
Annie looked over her shoulder at Wayne, a sly smile on her face. "Did I hurt you?" she asked.
Wayne shook his head, "No, not at all. It just feels...nice."
Annie chuckled, "Well, if you're enjoying that, you're going to love this."
She moved into a downward dog position, with her ass high in the air. Wayne couldn't help but stare, his cock throbbing in his pants. Annie looked back at him and beckoned him closer.
Wayne moved in behind her, his cock pressing against her ass through his pants. He reached out and placed his hands on her hips, pulling her back towards him. Annie let out a soft moan as she felt his cock pressing against her.
Wayne started to grind his hips, rubbing his cock against Annie's ass. She pushed back against him, encouraging him. He reached up and pulled her sports bra down, revealing her perky breasts. He cupped them in his hands, teasing her nipples between his fingers.
Annie let out a loud moan as Wayne continued to grind against her. She reached back and unbuttoned his pants, freeing his cock. She wrapped her hand around it, stroking it gently. Wayne let out a loud moan as he felt her hand on his cock.
Annie turned around and dropped to her knees, taking Wayne's cock in her mouth. She sucked and licked it, teasing the tip with her tongue. Wayne let out a loud moan as he felt her mouth on his cock.
Annie stood up and turned around, bending over in front of him. Wayne didn't need any more encouragement. He moved forward and entered her from behind. She let out a loud moan as he filled her up.
Wayne started to thrust, harder and faster. Annie pushed back against him, meeting him stroke for stroke. They moved together in a rhythm, their bodies slapping together. Wayne reached around and teased Annie's clit, making her moan louder.
Annie let out a loud moan as she felt herself getting close. Wayne could feel her pussy tightening around his cock. He thrust harder and faster, pushing her over the edge. She let out a loud moan as she came, her body shaking with pleasure.
Wayne couldn't hold back any longer. He felt himself getting close, his balls tightening. He thrust harder and faster, pushing himself over the edge. He let out a loud moan as he came, filling Annie up with his cum.
Annie stood up, turning around to face Wayne. She looked at him, a sly smile on her face. "Well, I guess you're not such a bad workout partner after all."
Fast forward a few weeks, and Wayne and Annie were practically inseparable. Their yoga sessions had turned into something more, with Wayne's hands lingering on Annie's body just a little longer than necessary.
One day, as they lay in savasana, Wayne couldn't resist any longer. He leaned in and kissed Annie, who responded eagerly. Their yoga mats were soon forgotten as they tore each other's clothes off.
"Fuck, you're so hot," Wayne growled as he trailed kisses down Annie's neck.
"Mmm, I want you inside me," Annie moaned, pulling Wayne on top of her.
Wayne entered Annie with a groan, their bodies moving in sync as they found their rhythm. "Yes, just like that. Harder," Annie demanded.
Wayne obliged, pounding into Annie as she cried out in pleasure. He could feel her getting close, her pussy clenching around him.
"I'm gonna cum," Annie gasped, her nails digging into Wayne's back.
"Cum for me, baby," Wayne urged, his thrusts becoming erratic.
Annie let out a keening wail as she came, her pussy flooding with wetness. Wayne couldn't hold back any longer, his own release triggered by Annie's orgasm.
He pulled out, his cum spilling onto Annie's stomach. Without a moment's hesitation, Wayne leaned down and licked up his own release, his eyes never leaving Annie's.
"Squirt on face," Annie demanded, her voice hoarse from her screams of pleasure.
Wayne didn't hesitate, his fingers finding her clit and rubbing in circles. Annie's eyes rolled back in her head as she came again, this time squirting all over Wayne's face.
"Fuck, that was hot," Wayne groaned, collapsing next to Annie.
In two hours, he successfully convinced Annie, who had been anxious all day because she hadn't received any text replies, to rent a single-family house in the Roxbury neighborhood, just a 15-minute drive from Wayne Manor.
"Sweetheart, think about it. With my help, you'll become a big star in no time. If the paparazzi catch you living with Jessie at my place, even though I wouldn't care, it could impact your reputation."
"Then why doesn't that bitch Jessica live in a regular house while I get to live in Wayne Manor?" the young Annie couldn't help but think.
Of course, she only dared to think such things; she definitely wouldn't be foolish enough to say them out loud.
Wayne hadn't sent her a single message all day.
This made her realize her position during her anxious wait.
With Jessica Alba and Mia as his girlfriends, she wasn't indispensable to Wayne.
"Okay, sweetheart, I'll listen to whatever you say!" Annie snuggled in Wayne's arms, speaking softly and sweetly.
But deep down, her determination only grew stronger.
She didn't think she was less attractive than Jessica. Her acting skills might even be better, and she was a year younger than Jessica. So why should she lose to her?
Wayne didn't stay at Annie's place that night. After she fell asleep, he checked the time and saw it was only a little past ten. So, he drove back to Wayne Manor.
The next day, when Annie woke up around noon, she saw the empty space beside her and became even more determined—one day, she would live in Wayne Manor, too!
It wasn't an impossible goal, but it wasn't exactly easy either.
Hanna, his assistant and bodyguard, didn't count. Mia and Jessica were there because Wayne valued them for certain reasons.
Annie soon faced her first temptation.
"What? You got me an audition for a lead role in a movie?!"
Annie, still exhausted and reluctant to get out of bed, practically jumped up when she heard her agent's words over the phone.
Oh my God! What's happening?
Her agent, who had barely contacted her in a year, suddenly called to say she got her an audition for a lead role?!
Even just getting an audition was a big deal!
And with a handsome, wealthy boyfriend like Wayne, Annie felt incredibly lucky.
"What movie? What's the budget? Who's the director? And who's the male lead?" Annie asked excitedly, not even giving her agent time to respond.
"It's a modern take on the 'Ugly Duckling' story, produced by Disney," her agent, Katie, explained.
"The publicly stated budget is $37 million, though it's probably closer to $12 million."
"The director is Garry Marshall, who directed *Pretty Woman* and *Runaway Bride*. You've heard of him, right? He's a master of romance films."
"There's no male lead in this movie, so if you pass the audition, you'll be the absolute star."
Annie's excitement only grew.
A romance film, casting a relatively unknown actress like her? Of course, the budget wasn't really $37 million. Even with distribution costs, it couldn't be that high.
Annie quickly calculated in her head. The $12 million was definitely inflated by her agent, with a large portion likely going to Garry Marshall's salary.
But so what?
This was the lead role in a new film by a well-known romance director!
Even A-list actresses would jump at the chance!
"Why me? I mean, why was I chosen?" Annie asked, trying to contain her excitement.
Katie's next words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing Annie's excitement.
"Garry Marshall is one of CAA's top clients, so we've secured a lot of influence in this project."
"Marshall wants to use fresh faces, so CAA compiled a list of all eligible clients and sent it to him."
"Out of over 500 profiles and photos, he selected seven people, including you. So, you only have a one-in-seven chance of passing the audition."
"If you want to succeed, you'll have to put in the effort."
This was CAA's unique packaging service. If you used their director or big-name stars, they'd try to fill the entire crew with their people.
At its peak in the 90s, this greedy practice angered some of Hollywood's biggest players, leading to a crackdown. But they hadn't given up on packing their actors into as many projects as possible.
Now, all the audition candidates were CAA clients, and it was up to the actors to fight for the roles.
As for how Annie could fight for it, she wasn't naive. She wasn't new to Hollywood and knew what it took.
For an actress like her, what else could she offer besides her body? Acting skills? Even Oscar-winning actors are replaceable!
"What should I do?" Annie asked after a moment of silence, taking a deep breath.
"There's a party tonight at producer Whitney Houston's house. Marshall, along with some Disney executives involved in the project, will be there," Katie said.
Whitney Houston was a woman, and there was no male lead. That was at least a small piece of good news, right?
Annie couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"What about the audition and filming schedule?" she asked.
"The audition is in three days, and shooting will likely begin around the 20th of this month."
Before Katie finished speaking, Annie gasped.
"That soon?! It's already the 11th!"
Katie explained, "The film's preparation started two months ago, and most of the groundwork is already done."
"Marshall just hasn't been satisfied with the female lead. He's looking for someone who seems plain at first glance but exudes a clean, beautiful charm. When she transforms, she must be able to appear as an elegant princess."
"We initially suggested several A-list actresses, but he found them too polished, not 'clean' enough."
"In short, he thinks the established stars can't convincingly play the 'Ugly Duckling' role."
"As he put it, the Ugly Duckling needs to be ordinary enough for her transformation to be spectacular, but she can't be too ordinary. She needs something unique that draws people in."
Annie's expression grew thoughtful.
Katie's words were basically hints.
But Annie was sure that the other six actresses who got auditions received similar tips. After all, Marshall was a CAA client, and there was no way they'd let the lead role slip out of their grasp.
In fact, if CAA hadn't insisted on casting one of their clients as the lead, Marshall might have already found someone from another agency who fit his vision.
But Annie couldn't help feeling frustrated.
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(End of chapter)
Creation is hard, cheer me up!