Chapter 19: I'm Following You

After circling around the west side of Santa Monica, the Hummer drove onto the coastal highway, heading south. Murphy followed, and half an hour later, they arrived in the southern suburbs. This area consisted of independent houses hidden among tall trees, making it a quiet and secluded place, perfect for doing things one wouldn't want others to see.

Seeing that there was only a straight road ahead, Murphy sped up, overtaking the Hummer and pulling into a 24-hour convenience store by the roadside. He walked inside and asked the cashier for a pack of gum.

While buying the gum, Murphy kept an eye on the road outside. When he saw the Hummer pass by, he put his wallet away and walked out.

He retrieved the Nikon D1 digital camera and telephoto lens from the trunk, got back into his Audi, and resumed following the Hummer. A few minutes later, the Hummer stopped by the roadside. By the light of a nearby streetlamp, Murphy could see the people in the driver's and passenger's seats embracing.

Finding a suitable distance and angle, Murphy parked the car, rolled down the window, adjusted the camera and lens, and started taking photos, capturing every scene unfolding inside the Hummer.

Before long, the Hummer's door opened, and Kobe Bryant stepped out. He looked around, saw nothing unusual, and then helped the red-haired woman out of the car. They headed toward a nearby house, heads close together, hands roaming over each other's bodies.

Although the lighting wasn't great, Murphy's photography skills ensured that the shots, though slightly blurry, clearly identified the two individuals.

Murphy snapped close-ups, wide shots, and everything in between, like a skilled hunter capturing his prey.

Finally, the two reached the house door. The black man pinned the red-haired woman against the door, engaging in a passionate make-out session for nearly a minute and a half before finally opening the door and stepping inside.

With the door closed, Murphy lowered the camera, now understanding why so many celebrities were caught by paparazzi. They could be incredibly reckless.

But then again, it wasn't surprising. Superstars had money, power, and felt like the center of the world. Without self-discipline, women, money, and drugs would inevitably enter their lives.

Compared to other celebrities, Murphy had heard that Kobe Bryant was relatively disciplined and maintained a good public image, making him a darling of fans and sponsors alike.

That was precisely why these photos were so valuable.

Inside the house, what would happen next was obvious. Murphy didn't leave but patiently waited.

Sitting in the driver's seat, looking at the house through the open window, Murphy felt a bit envious. To say he didn't envy the lives of superstars at all would be a lie.

Kobe Bryant was one of the more disciplined stars. Murphy had only heard of one scandal involving him. In contrast, the private lives of Hollywood stars were even more chaotic. Some big-name actors who started as heterosexuals later became homosexuals, likely because they got bored with the opposite sex and sought thrills with the same sex.

Murphy believed there were quite a few homosexuals in Hollywood, along with many so-called bisexuals.

Staring at the house, his mind wandered as he killed time. Before he knew it, the eastern horizon began to lighten, and the sun slowly rose, transforming the dark, sinister city into the bright, vibrant City of Angels once again.

Under the soft morning light, Murphy wiped his sleep-covered face and grabbed the camera. Turning to the house, he saw nothing happening, indicating that the people inside had likely lost track of time.

He took a few photos of the house and the Hummer in the better light conditions and waited for about half an hour. Suddenly, the door opened, and a black man wearing sunglasses and a hat stepped out. As he left, the red-haired woman pulled him back, and they shared another passionate kiss.

Murphy coldly recorded everything through his camera lens.

The shooting conditions were perfect now. In the soft morning light, Kobe Bryant was clearly visible in the camera, recognizable even with his hat and sunglasses.

Once Kobe Bryant got into the Hummer, Murphy lowered the camera and started his car, following at a distance.

This time, Murphy made no effort to hide, blatantly following the Hummer, as if telling the driver, "I'm following you."

Kobe Bryant, apparently without bodyguards or companions, wouldn't cause much concern. Even if he tried to get physical, Murphy, with his prison experience, wouldn't fear anyone.

In fact, he almost hoped Kobe Bryant would try something.

Perhaps exhausted from the previous night, it wasn't until they returned to the busy streets of Santa Monica that Kobe Bryant noticed he was being tailed. Realizing this on a narrow road, he slowed down and swerved to block Murphy's car.

Murphy stopped, seeing the superstar get out and walk toward him. He also got out, locking his car, and stood in the morning sun, ready for a confrontation.

Standing in the sunlight, with the car window reflecting light, Murphy appeared almost like a legendary hero from Greek mythology.

But Kobe Bryant wouldn't see it that way. He quickly walked up to Murphy, stopping five feet away, surprise in his eyes. "Why is it you?"

Murphy shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not me?"

Seeing the change in Kobe Bryant's eyes, Murphy pointed to the nearby pedestrians. "This is a public place."

Kobe Bryant, not just a jock, unclenched his fists, asking, "Are you a reporter?"

"Owner of a video collection company," Murphy said, adding prestige to his name.

"What did you capture?" Kobe's expression changed, "What do you want?"

There was a hint of anger and a trace of subtle panic in his voice.

Murphy, confirming that Kobe wouldn't get physical, replied calmly, "I got everything I needed—pictures of you with a pretty red-haired girl."

A fierce look flashed in Kobe's eyes, but remembering his agent and publicist's advice, he suppressed his anger. After a brief consideration, he took out his wallet. "Name a price, and give me the camera."

Murphy shook his head, handing over a business card. "This is my card. Check tomorrow's headlines."

Though reluctant to take the card and wanting to punch the calm face in front of him, Kobe wasn't stupid. The surrounding pedestrians had already started to notice them. Doing anything rash would only make things worse for him. He wasn't foolish like Dennis Rodman.

Furthermore, the fact that the guy was giving him a card meant there was still room to maneuver.

"Alright then, Mr. Bryant," Murphy said, making sure Kobe understood. "I hope we meet again."

With that, he got back into his car, started it, and drove off, leaving the superstar behind.

Watching the Audi drive away, Kobe clenched his teeth, crushing the card in his hand as if it were Murphy himself.

"Hey, isn't that Kobe Bryant..."

As a basketball superstar and city hero, he was quickly recognized. Kobe hurried back to his car to escape the gathering crowd, still clutching the crumpled card.

A superstar with such a good public image wasn't a fool or a rash person. Kobe knew he had to keep the card, if only for his public image and sponsorship deals.

Driving away, he pulled out his phone and called someone. "I have a problem..."

Meanwhile, Murphy returned home, took out the memory card from the camera, and connected it to his laptop. The card contained not only the photos he had just taken but also some images Kara had shot.

Ignoring Kara's pictures for now, Murphy reviewed his own. The digital camera technology wasn't mature yet, and many photos weren't very clear due to last night's poor lighting. However, Kobe Bryant's face was recognizable, which was enough for Murphy.

After a cup of coffee and a brief rest, Murphy was about to take a nap when his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.