[Chapter 312: Nicole, You Made Me Break My Rules]
"Nicole, Michael told me you didn't sleep with Link. You said that just to provoke me, right?" Tom Cruise's voice came through the phone.
"Stop talking nonsense! Just say what you want to say," Nicole Kidman replied, her voice somewhat muffled.
"Nicole, I'm sorry. When I heard you say you were sleeping with Link every night, I got so angry that I couldn't help but say those hurtful things. I really regret it; can you forgive me?" Tom Cruise said sincerely.
Nicole remained silent.
"Please don't be mad at me. This was my mistake; I know that now. I promise it won't happen again. And about using you to deal with Link -- I know that wasn't the best idea, but Link is just unbearable. He's competing with major studios and hogging resources from CAA. With him around, none of us can thrive in Hollywood. We're doing this for the greater good of the industry," Tom continued.
"Honey, are you listening? I know dealing with Link every day is tough for you. I realize my doubts have upset you. Once we get rid of Link, I promise to make it up to you. I won't mind whatever happened between you and him. I'll treat you even better than before. You want kids, don't you? We can have one, two, or even three!"
Tom spoke enthusiastically over the phone. As the evening sky grew darker, the last beams of sunlight faded away, submerging everything -- good and evil -- into the night.
...
"I finally understand why Michelle Pfeiffer and others don't want to leave you. It's not just your money or resources; it's because you're just incredible." After a long pause, Nicole smiled at him, adding, "Michelle was right: meeting you is a blessing for us women. Nothing else matters. I originally thought about using you to get back at Tom, but now I don't want that anymore. I just want to divorce him and be your lover, your legitimate woman. But until the divorce is final, I won't get too close to you or cause you any trouble."
Nicole tidied her tousled hair, swaying her attractive figure as she left the office.
...
Link shook his head and returned to his workstation. After clearing some memory, his productivity soared; work that would usually last until 9 PM was finished by 8:30.
Back at the hotel, his assistant Annie informed him that Winona Ryder had arrived. She felt tired from her flight and had gone to rest in the bedroom after sitting in the living room for a bit.
Link returned to his room, showered, and changed into comfortable pajamas before heading to the bedroom. He found Winona curled up beneath the covers -- a sight that made his heart swell. Winona blinked up at him, her eyes sparkling, and nestled into his embrace.
...
The following morning, after he returned from the gym, Winona lazily emerged from under the sheets, dressed in a pink silk nightgown. Her golden hair fell messily over her shoulders, and despite a hint of sleepiness on her exquisite face, she appeared both sultry and sweet.
Compared to Monica Bellucci and Jennifer Connelly, Winona wasn't as statuesque or curvy. She resembled a delicate rose, her innocent looks and angelic face often revealing a rebellious spirit and a hint of melancholy -- qualities that added to her unique charm.
Link kissed her hair as they headed to the dining table for breakfast.
"Did you finish filming?" he asked, handing her a sandwich with lettuce and crab sticks tucked within.
"It's done! The moment we wrapped, I rushed over to find you. Will you blame me for not calling you in advance?" Winona blinked at him, looking fragile like a delicate flower.
"Of course not. You should know how happy I was to see you last night," Link responded.
"Yes! I had a great time last night too. It's always magical being with you. Before I met you, I had never felt this kind of joy. You're like a medicine that heals all my ailments and cleanses the poison in my life. Link, I truly feel so lucky to have met you."
Winona rested her chin on her hand, gazing at him with adoration.
Initially, Link found her poetic remarks a bit overwhelming, but over time, he embraced her quirky charm. Among all his women, she seemed the most genuine in her feelings. Being with her meant not just sharing her body, but also her passionate love.
He told her how fortunate he felt to have her in his life, calling her a long poem he had read hundreds of lines of, but never finished. He wished it would never end.
Upon hearing this, Winona beamed, climbed into his lap, and planted a kiss on his neck.
They shared the same breakfast with effortless intimacy.
...
Later that morning, while they were on set, Nicole's assistant Millie came to request a leave. She explained that Nicole had accidentally burned her mouth and throat while eating the night before and needed to rest for a couple of days before filming again.
Link approved her request and began shooting other scenes in the meantime.
As he worked, he could see Winona watching him from the sidelines, her gaze unwavering, often not even noticing when others greeted her.
...
"Sometimes I truly don't understand how dating a playboy could lead to real love," Ryan Phillippe remarked, sitting opposite Ben Affleck after Winona didn't respond to his greeting.
Ben kept reading his script, muttering the lines to himself.
"Can you give me some feedback?" Ryan nudged him.
"What?"
"I'm talking about Winona and Link. I used to think girls liked him just for his wealth and talent, but it seems different. Look at the way she looks at him -- it's like he's the love of her life, like she's been devoted to him for decades."
Ryan shook his head in disbelief. "I once thought that being extremely wealthy cost you true love. Now I realize I was wrong. Link not only makes a ton of money but also gets women's affection -- it's just so enviable."
Ben glanced at Winona, seeing the depth of love in her bright eyes, a gaze he had seen from more than one woman in that very spot while looking at Link.
He didn't feel the need to comment further.
"Hey, can you lighten up? You're so dull now. Is saying something going to kill you?" Ryan frowned at Ben, noting how much he had changed since taking on the Batman role.
His expression had grown intense, detached, and moody, moving from sunny optimism to dark brooding.
During the last Oscars, when he and Matt Damon won for Best Original Screenplay, Ben had taken the stage with a stony face and said nothing.
Afterward, everyone commented on how Ben had changed -- how he was starting to resemble Link.
Ben shot him a sidelong glance. "What's it to us if Link and her share true love? We're actors; our job is to portray our current roles well. Let's not drag anyone else down." With that, he returned to his script.
Ryan stood up in frustration and moved to the side, perusing his script while keeping an eye on Winona.
Winona Ryder had long been a Hollywood sweetheart, and once, she had been his celebrity crush. He had hoped that becoming a star might bring him closer to his old idol.
Yet now, with half a set between them, he found the distance still painfully vast.
Ryan sighed, his expression reflecting some of Ben's gloom.
"Ryan, Ben, it's time to change for makeup. You guys are up next." A crew member announced.
"Got it."
...
As Batman and Robin prepared to perform, Nicole Kidman arrived on set, dressed casually in a spaghetti strap dress with her golden hair flowing loosely. She had a tall, striking figure but wore a mask that concealed her charming face.
Seeing Winona there, she approached to say hello before swiftly departing the set.
Upon returning to the hotel, her assistant Millie informed her that Tom Cruise had arrived.
*****
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