"It's only been two years since we last saw each other." In the restaurant, Rachel looked at Matthew and remarked, "You've changed so much."
Matthew smiled back. "For the better?"
"You've matured," Rachel corrected him. "And there's sothing different about you now, it changes you. I guess... it's an aura?"
The two had just finished lunch and were chatting idly.
"When did you get back to Hollywood?" Matthew asked.
Rachel lifted her glass of iced tea and answered before taking a sip, "About two weeks ago, but I only just rented a place today, got settled, and thought of you."
Matthew guessed, based on her past habits, "In North Hollywood?"
Rachel pointed sowhere behind Matthew. "No, on the east side, near Burbank."
"What a coincidence." Matthew pointed to himself. "I live in the neighborhood just west of Burbank, not far from North Hollywood."
Rachel smiled, revealing her dimples. "You should co visit
soti."
Matthew nodded and replied casually, "Of course."
"I saw the news in the paper." Rachel seed curious. "Are you starring in Disney's blockbuster of the year, 'Pirates of the Caribbean'?"
This had been in the press for a while, so Matthew confird, "Yes, we're heading to the Caribbean to shoot next week."
Rachel didn't hide her envy. "I'm so jealous. You're getting such incredible opportunities."
Matthew offered a modest reply. "I just got lucky. I have a great agent."
Rachel, however, countered, "If you didn't have the talent, you wouldn't have gotten the role. Disney would never take a risk like that on such a big project."
Matthew changed the subject. "What about you? Have you found any suitable work yet?"
"You could say that." Rachel had clearly co back better prepared this ti. "I'm also in a Disney movie, but it's just a small role."
"Take your ti." Seeing that Rachel looked a little disheartened, Matthew reassured her, "There's always a chance."
Rachel shrugged slightly. "There is, but it never seems to co my way."
She sighed. "I'm not my agent's priority client, so I don't get the best resources."
As she said this, Rachel looked at Matthew with a aningful expression in her eyes.
Matthew didn't know what to say. He couldn't just suggest she co to the Angel Acting Agency and ask Helen to help her out or sothing similar.
If Rachel joined the Angel Agency, there would be a direct conflict of interest between them. They would never be able to sit and talk as easily and comfortably as they were now.
Seeing that Matthew hadn't caught her hint, Rachel didn't linger on the topic and instead said, "I've heard the Caribbean is beautiful."
Matthew picked up the new thread. "It is, but the weather there can turn on a di, and it's often windy."
They talked for another half hour before Matthew checked the ti and said, "Rachel, that's all for today. I need to get to the gym."
Rachel nodded.
Matthew paid the bill, and as they left the restaurant, Rachel added, "Can you drop
off in front of the acting school? I need to pick up my bike."
Without wasting any ti, Matthew dropped Rachel off at the entrance to the acting school.
Rachel unbuckled her seatbelt, pushed the door open, and was about to get out when she suddenly turned back.
"Is there sothing else, Rachel?" Matthew asked.
Rachel hesitated but spoke anyway. "Matthew, you have access to more productions and scripts now. If..." She adopted a pleading expression. "I an, if a suitable opportunity cos up, could you recomnd ? Even if it's just a small supporting role."
They had been on good terms back in acting school, and even though they hadn't seen each other for two years, Matthew said, "If I really find a role that suits you, I'll do it."
At the sa ti, he knew perfectly well that such opportunities were few and far between. After all, he was only just beginning to gain traction himself.
Rachel got out of the car. Matthew watched her walk into the acting school, then drove off toward Westwood, reflecting on his eting with her. He couldn't help but think that this was no longer the simple, carefree Rachel from two years ago.
But then again, two years was a long ti—long enough for many people and many things to change.
...
When he arrived at the gym, Matthew went straight to the second floor. Nibora wasn't there, and the free-sparring instructor was idle. The club catered mostly to high-end clients, and since it was a weekday, only two or three people were doing basic exercises.
Matthew went to change and warm up. An assistant coach in full protective gear ca over to serve as his temporary sparring partner.
About ten minutes into his training, soone from outside the ring called out to him.
"Hey, Matthew! Matthew!" Nibora's voice rang out. "Stop for a minute!"
Taking off his gloves and wiping away his sweat, Matthew looked toward the voice. Nibora was waving at him, and next to him stood a well-built young man carrying a briefcase.
It was the man he'd t a while back—the rich kid, Fox Sherman.
After stepping out of the ring, Matthew first went to the rest area to grab a towel to wipe the sweat from his body before walking over.
"Hi, Matthew," Fox greeted him. "We et again."
Matthew nodded at him. "Hey, Fox."
"Fox wanted to et with you about sothing, but he didn't have your contact information," Nibora said with a smile. "He's been by the gym a few tis hoping to catch you."
Nibora left imdiately after saying that, clearly not wanting to interfere in the conversation between Fox and Matthew.
Fox waited until Nibora was gone before saying to Matthew, "Shall we go down to the lounge area on the first floor and talk there?"
"Sure."
The two of them went downstairs to the private lounge area on the first floor, which was quiet today.
"Can I get you sothing to drink?" Fox asked as he sat down.
Matthew shook his head. "No, thanks."
He got straight to the point. "What did you want to see
about?"
"Nothing too serious." Fox, who looked young but carried himself with worldly experience, smiled and said, "I heard you landed the lead role in Disney Pictures' ga-project 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' and I wanted to congratulate you."
Hearing Fox's words, Matthew imdiately replied politely, "Thank you."
Fox looked at Matthew and said, "Do you have any new work plans after 'Pirates of the Caribbean'?"
Matthew shook his head slightly. "No, I'm planning to focus on this film and don't want any distractions."
"After this film," Fox added, "wouldn't it be better if you could line up your next job?"
"I don't have ti to audition," Matthew gradually pieced together Fox's intentions, "and I haven't had ti for enough preparation."
Fox waved his hand dismissively. "None of that matters."
He opened his briefcase, took out a script, placed it in front of Matthew, and said, "You must have heard Nibora ntion it. I ca to Los Angeles to invest in the film industry. I've reached a co-production agreent with Lakeshore Entertainnt and will be investing in an action film they're producing. The female lead and so of the supporting cast have already been decided; we're just missing a male lead."
He smiled and looked at Matthew, expecting him to take the initiative, but Matthew said nothing and waited for Fox to continue.
Matthew had once read about Lakeshore Entertainnt in the Angel Agency's files. It was a mid-sized Hollywood production company based in Beverly Hills, known for producing independent and B-movies, as well as so notable films like 'The Gift' and 'Runaway Bride'.
The fact that Fox could invest in a production from a company like that ant he had, at the very least, significant financial resources.
Seeing that Matthew was still silent, Fox had no choice but to continue. "Most of the cast and crew are in place. All that's missing right now is the male lead! Matthew, I know you want to focus on 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' so you don't need to audition or prepare specifically for this role. The team is currently in pre-production, and by the ti they're ready, your part in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' should be finished."
He spoke eloquently, with the air of soone who valued Matthew very, very highly. "Even if you can't finish shooting on ti, it doesn't matter. The crew can wait for you and film the scenes involving the male lead when you're done."
Matthew said slowly, "That sounds great."
He asked Fox, "The question is, does the crew agree?"
"Of course!" Fox stated with conviction. "I'm the biggest investor in this project. The producers answer directly to
and Lakeshore Entertainnt. I'm the one footing the bill."
He deliberately lowered his voice. "Honestly, Lakeshore Entertainnt and the film crew would be thrilled to have a well-known actor like you on board."
In fact, as Fox spoke those words, Matthew's mind was already racing.
He wasn't the type to snatch up a pie that fell from the sky without first looking for the trap hidden beneath it. There were so many actors in Hollywood, so why had Fox approached him specifically? They knew each other, certainly, but that couldn't be the only reason.
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