Chapter 106: Connections

[Chapter 106: Connections]

"A man who says one thing and means another," Drew casually scratched Eric's chest a couple of times. "I'll forgive you for that."

Eric habitually tapped her on the forehead. "So should I thank you for your generosity?"

"No need for that," Drew replied, resting her head against Eric's chest to prop herself up. She arched her soft body a bit, reached into the back pocket of her denim jeans, and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. "Here, it's all right here."

Eric took it, glancing at the list of names and audition roles, chuckling lightly. "I didn't expect you to be so busy with work."

"Well..." Drew sighed, expressing her resignation to the whims of life. "I've turned down everything I could. It's not like I'm directly asking you for a role; it's just an audition opportunity."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements," Eric said, not wanting to say much. He had a feeling her sudden return today had something to do with recent casting calls.

Eric had a general idea about Drew's future plans being similar to her past life's, and she even had a name in mind for her future film company, still going with Flower Films. With her sharp and capable personality, she was bound to be a great asset in the future. Helping her build a bit more of a network couldn't hurt.

As Drew said, it was just an audition opportunity. Ultimately, whether she succeeded or not was still up to him. Plus, he could earn a favor for her out of it; why not?

Reading through the list carefully, Eric did notice quite a few names of familiar Hollywood stars of later years, including Steven Spielberg's goddaughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, who should have only been around seventeen or eighteen that year. The role she wanted to audition for was that of the girl Andy met on the bus in the movie Infernal Affairs.

Recalling Gwyneth's appearance, Eric mentally marked her off as a candidate. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty -- she was a classic beauty -- but Eric wasn't drawn to the high cheekbones, straight noses, and deep-set eyes. He preferred softer facial features. Women like Jennifer Aniston, Drew barrymore, and Virginia Madsen all fit that type; even Julia didn't count as a high-cheekbone beauty.

Thinking of this, Eric couldn't help but pull Drew closer, who was adjusting the TV channels with the remote, cupping her little face and scrutinizing it. Remembering the risk she could grow into someone less appealing, he sighed involuntarily.

Drew, initially feeling a bit nervous with anticipation -- was he going to kiss her? -- immediately flared up at his sigh, baring her teeth in a threatening manner. "Eric, if you breathe like that at my face again, I swear I'll scratch you!"

"What's the rush?" Eric patted Drew's head. "I was just reminiscing about that cute little girl with the alien from four years ago. It's hard to believe how much you've grown."

Rolling her eyes dramatically, she pushed him down onto the sofa. "You perverted loli-lover! I'm reporting you to the LAPD for chemical castration and then let's see how you find yourself hanging out with that big-breasted woman all night long!"

Eric was momentarily surprised; he thought there wouldn't be many people who knew about his business with Virginia, right?

"Uh... is this whole thing common knowledge in Los Angeles now?"

"Yes, indeed! The word is out all over North America about how a third-rate actress snagged the lead role in a script written by Williams himself. Do you think everyone else is foolish? So you better be careful not to get caught by the paparazzi; otherwise, people will definitely say you've got some Oedipal issues -- she's ten years older than you."

"I absolutely do not have any such tendencies," Eric protested, raising his hand.

"Of course, I can prove it," Drew said, perched triumphantly on Eric's waist, lifting her chin in a teasing manner while squinting at him. "Because you're a loli-lover!"

"Alright, I'm a loli-lover; I'm guilty," Eric laughed, giving in theatrically. "Can you get off me now?"

Drew's big eyes widened as she slid her long legs down Eric's waist. Eric caught on to her intentions and promptly wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up and placing her to the side. "Cut it out, it's broad daylight."

"Then I'll come to your room tonight?"

"I've decided to stay out tonight; after all, everyone in North America already knows."

She promptly clasped his arm. "No, Eric, you can't just give in like that. You should learn from Drew Barrymore."

Eric pulled away from Drew, heading upstairs while he remarked, "Learn your truancy skills? Al told me yesterday that he saw a certain playful little girl at a party last Wednesday."

Eric had long given up hope of Drew being able to behave well in school. He didn't expect Drew to go to college either; he originally hoped she would stay in school until she was sixteen and then return to Hollywood. But given the current situation, that seemed unlikely. She couldn't sit still in class, and the only relief Eric found was that, somehow, Drew had managed to get their principal to stop calling him to report her "misdeeds" like corrupting the good girls at school.

Upon hearing Eric's words, Drew leaped up, shaking her small fist in frustration. "Al Pacino! I want to cut ties with him; I specifically told him not to tell you!"

"Then he must have misunderstood you," Eric replied with a laugh, not turning back. "But it pleases me to hear that he said you didn't drink. By the way, when did you get acquainted with Al?"

"After the movie premiered, I coincidentally saw him once."

Drew seemed to be hiding something, but Eric quickly grasped the implications in her words. "So, it looks like you did quite a few 'bad things' in my name. I'll need to interrogate you thoroughly sometime."

"Please, Eric, don't! I'm afraid of pain. If you kiss me, I'll confess everything."

Drew followed Eric into the study, watching him gather a few documents to put them into a messenger bag before heading downstairs. "Eric, are you going out? It is the weekend!"

Eric picked up the bag and went down. "This is all because of you. Auditions start officially next week, and the staff will notify the actors who made it past the first round in the next few days. I need to add the names you gave me to my list."

Drew pouted. "But I want you to take me to Malibu to check out our new house address!"

"What's there to see? It's still just empty land, and it'll take at least a year to get built. Just stay at home and watch TV. If your conscience moves you, make me dinner or something."

Drew batted her big green eyes. "If my conscience moves me, how about I just order you takeout?"

"Then I'd rather go to that third-rate star's house for a homemade, loving dinner."

"Don't, Eric! That's a transaction. A loveless dinner doesn't bring warmth. At worst, I'll order takeout and heat it up myself."

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.