Encounter

Getting rid of all the hustle and flatterings, Tom went to the hotel's private garden to rest for a bit. He should have informed Paula to not go over the top and publicize so much. Now he feels tried dealing with all the greetings and blessings every minute, especially when most of them are fake.

Anyway, one has to do this much if he wants to win awards. The past year can be called the year of Tom Cruise among actors. His both movies "Mission Impossible" and "Jerry Maguire" performed excellently on the box office and award season.

Tom loosened his tie and walked in the quiet garden.The difference was too big compared to outside. It's a rare peaceful moment of the day.

Suddenly, he heard a sound from the other side. It seems someone's here before him. He walked toward the direction of the sound, but after reaching close, he stopped in his tracks. A lady, maybe word girl should be more appropriate, was sitting on the bench eating packed candies and biscuits in a joyful manner.

Eve who was enjoying her snacks heard the sound of footsteps and looked up to see a person appearing in her sight. Seeing the face of the person, she was stunned. Can anyone tell her, What's Tom Cruise doing here. Didn't the staff say that no one would be here? And he also saw her eating in such a disgraceful manner.

Eve's mind kept running faster and faster, and she felt a headache.

Tom saw all the expressions of surprise, shock and blush appearing on girl's face, and felt a little funny. Her expressions are too easy to see. He already identified the girl the moment he saw her, Hollywood's new golden girl Eve Thompson. Surprisingly, its similar to his golden boy tag, although he doesn't like that one.

Feeling awkward at getting caught by someone eating, Eve didn't know what to do. She was shocked and confused. She looked at the snacks in her hand and don't know what she thought at the time, but she made a surprising move: "Do you want some?"

Few minutes later, two people who were most unlikely to be seen together, were sitting on a bench eating cookies. If someone were to see or record this scene, it would be one of the biggest scandals of the year. Tom bit the biscuit in his hand and smiled lightly. Well, it's surprising but pleasant. He looked at the person beside him who gave him cookies: "They are quite good."

Eve replied with a blush: "Thank you. Genny baked them, I mean my nanny, no, no, I mean maid." Don't get her wrong, it's not that she is shy everytime. But meeting a person you have admired for a long time in such an way, is quite embarrassing. She doesn't know why she did such a ridiculous thing like offering snacks, and Mr. Cruise even accepted them.

Feeling the environment a little awkward, Tom changed the topic: "Congratulations on getting your first golden globe nomination. Best of luck."

Eve replied: "To you too."

The time passed, the two had a pleasent conversation. Eve found Tom to be a bit different from the superstar persona she had of him in her mind. He seems to be much easier and gentler to talk to.

Tom was also surprised again in such a short time, although in a pleasant way. Eve Thompson is a lot different from the girls her age. He felt like he was talking to a peer. She seems to be much more knowledgeable, smart and mature than other teenagers of her age. As for wether she was pretending, that's not even a question. He has worked in this industry for more than ten years and can judge wether a person is pretending or is behaving real.

He has seen many people trying to act mature or intelligent, but they all are fake and easy to see. Eve Thompson felt a lot different. She's genuinely mature and intelligent, but also shy and innocent at the same time. Two contradictory qualities, yet blending in such a pleasent way.

Feeling it was time, he said: "We should go inside, the awards are about to start."

Hearing Tom's words, Eve hurriedly nodded and stood up. "Yes, it's time. It was nice having a conversation with you Mr.Cruise. I will be leaving first." After completing her sentence, she left as if she was running a marathon.

Tom stood up and was about to ask to go back together, but the girl ran before his even saying anything.

Seeing the leaving back of the girl in hurry, he smiled. One thing for sure, Eve Thompson has left quite an impression on him.

Inside the hotel hall, Eve was questioned by her agent. He has been looking for his client for quite sometime, and she was nowhere to be seen.

"Where the hell were you, the ceremony is about to start."

Eve replied: " I was feeling a little unwell, so I took a break. Anyway, I am back now."

Kevin nodded and didn't ask more. Eve sat on "Romeo and Juliet's" crew table alongside Director Baz Luhrmann. She feels a little confused now. Why did she hide meeting Tom Cruise from Kevin. It's not like it was anything wrong.

Seeing the confusion on Eve's face, Director Baz misunderstood: "Don't worry, I believe you will win the award. Anyway, it's your first Golden Globe and there are plenty of chances."

Being misunderstood, Eve didn't clarify things and let them be. She looked at the table of "Jerry Maguire", but immediately turned her gaze back. He's also looking at her. She immediately looked away. There are countless cameras here, and she doesn't want to be a part of any scandal.

Tom noticed the girl looking in his direction too, and smiled. Since coming back, his eyes haven't left the sight of the person. Nicole saw her husband frowning, and asked sweetly: "Is there anything wrong Tom?"

Tom heard shook his head, and looked away.

Nicole knew Tom was angry with her, but she's also helpless. Getting a role in Kubrick's film is a dream of every actor, and she can't leave this chance, even if she had gotten it with the identity of Miss Cruise. Tom doesn't want her to shoot nude scenes, and she cannot accept this request of him. She loves Tom, but maybe not as much as her career. She can only try to get his mood better through another way.

In a lively hall filled with almost all the famous stars of Vanity fair, Gears of fate started to turn. One of the biggest Hollywood scandals started today.

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P.S. I will not whitewash both Tom and Eve for the path they will choose. I already told in previous chapters that there will not be any specific villain in the novel. The biggest challenge and difficulty will be the forbidden love and Eve's own decisions.

>> Despite trying her best to learn from Marylin's tragedies and life, as her granddaughter, Eve still chose a forbidden path filled with thorns.