[Chapter 346: After the Screening]
The next day, Monday, Link arrived at the office to handle some work that had piled up during his vacation. At noon, he watched Final Destination 2 in the company's theater.
Final Destination 2 continued the theme of death's design from the first film. The story began with a premonition of a horrific highway pile-up. The main character, Kimberly, suddenly foresaw a devastating accident while driving. She quickly managed to stop several cars from entering the highway, saving seven people, herself included.
However, after the accident, the survivors quickly realized that they had only temporarily escaped death's grasp. Death would continue to collect their lives in the order they were meant to die. The survivors frantically brainstormed ways to elude death's pursuit. But as time went on, they found themselves dying one after another, in the very order they had escaped in the accident.
Kimberly teamed up with Clear, a survivor from the first Final Destination, to try and break death's 'design.' In their investigation, they discovered that introducing new life was the only way to disrupt the chain of death. But Kimberly and Clear weren't willing to sacrifice others to save themselves. They hoped to rescue their fellow survivors by sacrificing themselves instead. However, after their desperate attempts, they managed to save only one other person, leaving death's threat still looming.
The second installment echoed the first, skillfully creating a tense and terrifying atmosphere through a series of intricately designed death scenes that explored the inexorable nature of fate and death.
The film was directed by the talented James Wong, the original director of the series, who was 36 years old this year. He had previously written the teen comedy, The Boys Next Door, in '85, penned the crime series, 21 Jump Street, in '87, and contributed to the sci-fi television series, The X-Files, in '93.
The main cast included Drew Barrymore, Liv Tyler, Joshua Duhamel, Casey Affleck, Tobey Maguire, Naomi Watts, and Charlize Theron, all of whom were in their twenties and performed well, especially Drew Barrymore, whose appearance suited the horror genre perfectly.
Applause erupted as the film ended. Compared to the first one, it had some gaps, yet it stood out as a solid thriller.
...
"Link, congratulations! Guess Pictures has produced another good film. I have a hunch it will be a hit like the first," Nicole Kidman said, clapping her hands and gazing at him with a smile as beautiful as a blooming rose.
"Let's hope your hunch comes true," Link replied with a gentle smile, congratulating several key creative team members.
...
At the conclusion of the screening, he felt a warm rush as he received a 2% physical bonus, and after the crowd dispersed, he returned to his office, where Nicole Kidman soon followed.
...
Nicole Kidman walked in with her golden curls cascading down her shoulders, wearing a sleeveless dress that glimmered under the sunlight, highlighting her fair skin. As she walked, the high-slit hem swayed delicately, revealing her elegantly long legs, making her radiate an enchanting charm.
"Link!" Nicole exclaimed, seeing him, and dashed into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist tightly, breathing heavily, reminiscent of a mermaid surfacing after being away from the shore for too long, exuding an irresistible scent.
Link felt heat rush through him as she hugged him. He gently lifted her delicate chin and asked, "Nicole, are you sure you want to be my lover and not Mrs. Cruise?"
"I'm sure. I used to not know what kind of man I wanted to spend my life with. I followed the standards of other women, choosing handsome, wealthy men. But meeting you made me realize those things don't matter; what truly matters is how I feel inside. I believe you are the best, and only you can fulfill me," Nicole replied, tilting her exquisitely shaped face, with her blue eyes more mesmerizing than the skies outside.
Link smiled softly, satisfied with her answer. "If you need help with the divorce, you can let me know."
"No need, I've already decided to file for divorce, and the rest is up to the lawyers. You don't need to get involved; you're a big shot now, and if the media catches wind of it, it could tarnish your reputation. However, there's something else I need your help with," Nicole said, biting her red lips, her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Link scooped the stunning woman into his arms. The sunlight outside burst forth, turning brilliant.
---
After spending some wonderful time in the office, Nicole Kidman donned a mask and left, content. Upon arriving at the parking garage downstairs, she noticed that Naomi Watts hadn't left yet, so she walked over, opened the passenger door, and hopped in.
"Naomi, you're still here?"
Nicole's voice was slightly hoarse yet even more sensual.
"I just spoke with Drew and a few others upstairs, and I lost track of time," Naomi explained quickly.
"Same here, I found Link and chatted for a bit. We had a great conversation," Nicole said, touching her throat and sipping from an unopened water bottle in the car.
Noticing that Nicole's face was redder than before, her fragrance more intense, and there were clear fingerprints on her thighs, Naomi internally gasped, realizing that the rumors from March and April were indeed true.
"What's the matter? Do you think Link and I are having an affair?" Nicole leaned back against the window, glancing at Naomi out of the corner of her eye.
"No, no! I just noticed your voice was hoarse. It must be the heat; you should drink more water," Naomi quickly covered.
"No need to explain. Link and I definitely have an intimate relationship, and I'm not afraid of others knowing. Tom and I have already broken up last year, and I'm getting ready for the divorce," Nicole stated.
"What? You're getting a divorce from Tom Cruise?!"
"Yes!" Nicole said with a slight shrug of her white shoulders.
"Why? Is it because of Link?"
"It's not because of Link; Link isn't a third party. I fell in love with him with all my heart, and I'm willing to divorce for him. He's worth it," she declared.
"Nicole, calm down. Even if Tom Cruise has his flaws, he's still your husband. Link has a ton of girlfriends; being with him means sharing him with others," Naomi gently warned her.
"Even if it means being a mistress, I'm still willing to do it."
"Nicole?" Naomi looked at her incredulously. Nicole Kidman was one of the first Australian actresses to make it big in Hollywood, and she was among the most successful. Everyone envied her after marrying superstar Tom Cruise. Now, she was willingly giving up her status as Mrs. Cruise to become Link's mistress. It was unexpected.
Despite Link being young, handsome, and wealthy, and one of Hollywood's most powerful men, he had a complicated love life with over twenty girlfriends. Being his girlfriend meant sharing his time and resources, which seemed less appealing than being Mrs. Cruise.
"Don't be so shocked; you'll understand later," Nicole smiled gently, brushing her long fingers over Naomi's delicate cheek. "You're beautiful too. When you auditioned for Final Destination, Link chose you for a supporting role, which shows he appreciates you. I can bring you along to one of my private gatherings with Link. You'll understand why women like me would choose him, and you might end up falling for him just like I have. I promise!"
Naomi felt a strange power in Nicole's fingers, causing her cheeks to heat up quickly after the touch.
"Nicole, think carefully about the divorce matter. Don't rush your decision."
"No need to think. Drive, please. I'm a bit tired and would like a lift back," Nicole said, leaning in her seat and closing her eyes like a sleeping beauty.
Naomi looked at her and slowly started the car.
*****
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