HWI 275

Hollywood What If Chapter 275

"So you're going away for a while?" Angelina pouted as she cut her steak. To maintain her figure, Angelina made sure to eat as little as possible. It was the punishment she had to take to maintain her status in this industry.

People in Hollywood were very prejudiced against chubby women. They don't cast chubby women and they prefer skinny women. That was the preference at that time.

To keep up with the ideals, Angelina has to play by the book and keep her stomach as flat as possible. Honestly, there were times when she wanted to eat a whole pizza, but she couldn't because she had to shoot the next day and the director might nag her if she didn't look fit and sexy.

But when she was with Kazir, she didn't feel self-hatred. Instead, the man encouraged her to eat and stay healthy.

Women in the acting and modeling industries suffer from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder and fear of gaining weight.

It was a sad notion that showbiz pushed on many women that being sexy meant not eating for a day or two.

Angelina was happy in her relationship with Kazir. The man was different from the men she usually dated, Kazir was sincere and serious. The type who didn't like to play games had a clear vision of his future. Besides, the guy was cute and good in bed... The last statement was the biggest reason why she liked him.

Their relationship was getting better and Angelina knew that Kazir was the best man out there... She had many rivals because of that.

Whenever they go out and have fun, there are times when a woman flirts with Kazir.

For the same reason, Angelina was a little upset that Kazir was leaving the country.

"I have three months before I go to Canada. We have plenty of time." Kazir assured her.

After calculating their budget, the production crew decided that it would be better to shoot the movie in real snow than to create artificial snow and do a green screen. Using a real natural background was cheaper than creating a snowy mountain and jungle.

"But you're also going to be gone for three or four months. I don't want that."

"I promised I'd come back every weekend."

Kazir was actually surprised that he had reached the point where he could ignore his work for something else. Damn, weekend rest, Kazir would actually do something like that? Really?

"Besides, Canada's not that far away. We can still call and text and stuff."

"Hm." Angelina nodded sadly after finishing her steak. Kazir encouraged her to have some fun and enjoy life, eating delicious food was one of the best things in the world.

Angelina had two projects this year, one was currently underway while the second was scheduled to start shooting in March, the same month Kazir would be going to Canada. Both of them would be busy then and Angelina was worried that they would lose interest in each other.

A long-distance relationship was not that easy, even if it was only for three or four months. A lot could happen in that time.

Angelina had two projects. The first was Life or Something Like It. Kazir read the script and was not impressed. However, the production team was willing to give Angelina a salary of $7 million, so Angelina's agent begged her to accept.

Then she received another script called How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. This time Kazir had a good opinion of it, so Angelina decided to audition. Even though her salary for this movie was only $5 million, Angelina felt it was worth it.

It was important to keep her fame.

Coincidentally, the said project, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, would start shooting in March, just like The Revenant. How climatic...

Kazir felt that Angelina was sad. He took her hand and held it.

"Look, we'll spend our days together when I'm back. I promise you that."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise."

"Take me to a nice restaurant tomorrow, no, for a week."

"Babe, I'm doing that right now."

"So you're backing out?"

"Of course not." Kazir chuckled.

Kazir had already spent a week with his family back in September. Even though half of that vacation was pretty dark because of 9/11, he had still spent a week with them.

So now, on Christmas Eve, Kazir decided to spend it with Angelina. Just like two years ago.

"Remember our first Christmas Eve?" He asked.

Angelina didn't answer. Instead, she smiled and blushed. Of course she remembered. That night had been amazing and out of this world. God, she didn't regret making a move on Kazir back then.

"Actually, this is our third Christmas Eve together and our second anniversary. We should have fun."

"I love you." Angelina squeezed Kazir's hand.

"I love you too."

They smiled at each other. If they were not in public, they might already be kissing and undressing each other.

...

...

...

"Director Grey! Director Grey!"

"Hm?"

Kazir frowned as he came out of the cafe near Grey Pictures. His eyes were puffy after "cuddling" with Angelina all night, and he loved every second of it.

"Director Grey!"

"Sorry, I don't have time for an interview."

As always, some paparazzi would show up and ruin his beautiful day. It was not the first time this had happened.

"I'm just here to ask a few questions. Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings are doing well at the box office. Everyone thinks that one of them is going to be the champion of this year's box office." The paparazzi proceeded to ask more.

"But considering that Spider-Man has already grossed $800 million worldwide, your movie should be added to the list. Are you afraid that Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings will overtake Spider-Man as the highest-grossing film of the year?"

This question got Kazir's attention, so he stopped walking and faced the paparazzi.

"If Harry Potter and The Lord Of The Rings fought Spider-Man, would you lose?"

Kazir grinned and said.

"Nah, I'd win."

+++++

[Author's note: this was very, very late.]

[Funny that I wrote a Christmas Eve chapter on Christmas Eve. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all! Thanks for all your support. I hope everyone has a blessed and abundant Christmas!]