Chapter 32: Come to My Place for a Coffee

"We're just temporary partners."

Uma Thurman shrugged indifferently. Duke had no intention of continuing the conversation. This type of temporary relationship, often referred to in the past as a 'casual fling', was far too common in Hollywood.

When two people were interested in each other, they'd come together. If it worked out, they might take it further. If not, they would part ways with a simple goodbye. This kind of scenario played out in Hollywood daily, from extras to major stars, even leading directors. Both insiders and the general public weren't surprised or shocked by it.

In the half-hour Duke had spent at the banquet hall, he had lost count of how many glasses of alcohol he had consumed. Though most were champagne, Duke's tolerance for alcohol wasn't very high. While he wasn't drunk, he did feel somewhat light-headed.

"I suggest you go to the restroom and throw up once."

His long-time agent, Nancy, appeared beside him, whispering in his ear, "It will help you feel better, and then you can come back and continue."

"I'll go if I really need to," Duke nodded slightly.

"Good..." Nancy Josephson took his arm and began leading him toward the left side of the hall. "I'll introduce you to a few people."

"Some of them you might not like," she added quietly as they walked, "but even if you have a grudge, you'll need to hold back in a setting like this."

"Nancy," Duke replied in a soft voice, "I think you know I'm not the impulsive type."

"Hi, Rae…"

Nancy let go of his arm and waved warmly at a woman in her forties who turned toward them. After giving her a light hug, she said, "It's been a while. You look younger than ever."

"Nancy, you always know just what to say to make people happy."

After some brief pleasantries, Nancy turned toward Duke and introduced them, "Rae, this is Duke. Duke, this is Ms. Rae Sanchini, a very talented producer."

"Nice to meet you…"

Duke extended his hand, and after a light handshake, they exchanged a few typical polite words, as was expected at these events.

"Rae Sanchini works frequently with 20th Century Fox."

After leaving the small circle, Nancy filled Duke in on some details. "She's in charge of James Cameron's new project, and Fox is nearly certain to greenlight it."

"Will that project affect us?" Duke asked immediately.

"Not too much," Nancy explained as they walked. "Cameron's required budget is enormous. Fox will only cover fifteen to twenty percent, and the rest will be funded through external investments."

It was obviously *True Lies*, Duke thought, but he didn't say it aloud. His eyes wandered ahead, where a group of people had gathered, most of them surrounding two women.

One of the women was petite, and the other, wearing high heels, was incredibly tall. They appeared close.

The petite one was Naomi Watts, and the taller woman, who was well over six feet, had a broad forehead and pale skin that left a lasting impression. Although a warm smile graced her lips, there was always an icy feeling beneath the surface.

"She's a complicated woman," Nancy whispered a warning to Duke. "What do you think of Naomi? But even two Naomis together wouldn't be able to handle her."

"Hi, Naomi…" Nancy, leading Duke forward, waited for the surrounding crowd to scatter before speaking again. "Aren't you going to introduce your friend?"

Though none of them were A-listers, they were somewhat well-known, so introductions weren't entirely necessary. Naomi Watts kept it brief.

"Hello, Mrs. Cruise."

Upon hearing Nancy's greeting, Duke's eyes swiftly scanned the tall woman's face, catching a flicker of shadow.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Kidman."

He shook her slender hand lightly before saying, "You can call me Duke…"

"Nice to meet you, Duke." She nodded, her smile appearing a bit more sincere. "You can call me Nicole or Mary."

"The pleasure is mine."

Like many others in Hollywood, Duke knew that Nicole Kidman wasn't a simple woman. However, most people only saw her as Tom Cruise's accessory. Duke alone understood that her ambition and cunning would later place her among the top-tier actresses.

"I saw *Far and Away* earlier this year."

Duke waved down a passing server, taking four glasses of champagne from the tray and handing them to the three women. After raising his glass and taking a sip, he continued, "Your performance as the lead was impressive."

"Unfortunately, the box office couldn't compete with your *Speed*."

Though she said it, Nicole Kidman didn't seem too disappointed. "I hope we can collaborate someday."

"I'm sure we'll have the chance," Duke replied politely.

"It's about time I left," Nicole said, having just finished her drink. "Goodbye, Naomi. Goodbye, Duke."

Watching the tall figure leave in a hurry, Naomi Watts took two sodas from a passing waiter, handing one casually to Duke as she glanced toward the door. "Her husband is a very controlling man. After Mary married him, she had to give up her Catholic faith for Scientology. She can't stay out too late, even at social events. She's secured her place in Hollywood thanks to Tom Cruise, but is it really worth it?"

"Only those in the situation know whether it's worth it."

Duke wouldn't have achieved what he had without his mother's help, either. "Hollywood only cares about the outcome, never the process."

"True." Naomi clinked her glass against his, her small front teeth slightly protruding as she took a sip of soda. "You're one of the lucky ones who got the good outcome, but not everyone is as fortunate as you."

She glanced toward Nancy's back and rolled her eyes. "Take me, for example. After *Speed*, I've had three auditions, including one for an independent film. The producer hinted to Nancy, who in turn suggested I agree to his terms. I refused, of course, and didn't get the role."

"Independent films…" Duke shrugged. "It's an even messier scene than the commercial film world."

Hollywood had many unwritten rules, but big-budget films had intricate financing structures and power hierarchies. No director or producer would dare gamble millions, or even hundreds of millions, of dollars on someone just because they slept with them. In contrast, independent films, with smaller budgets and more concentrated power, could be far dirtier.

"What about you? What's your second project?" Naomi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nancy's working on it," Duke sighed, suppressing the effects of the alcohol. "But no production company has confirmed funding yet."

"Seems like this rising director…" She playfully poked his chest. "...isn't having it as easy as I thought."

"What did you imagine?" Duke asked, confused.

"That production companies would be throwing money at you, and the media would be lining up for interviews."

She leaned in closer, her breath free of alcohol, probably because she hadn't drunk much. "And that beautiful women would be chasing after you."

"That only happens in the movies."

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Duke felt a headache coming on. Rubbing his temples, he said, "I'm still struggling to get financing for the next project. The media moved on from *Speed* as soon as it left theaters, and as for women? Besides Uma Thurman being a bit warmer toward me…"

"Sorry…"

Before he could finish, Duke realized he couldn't hold it in any longer and quickly headed for the restroom.

As he walked away, Naomi Watts tilted her head in thought, a slight smile playing on her lips. She called over a waiter, asked for a handkerchief, and followed Duke, waiting outside the restroom.

Nancy Josephson's advice had been spot on. As Duke washed his hands at the sink, he felt much better. While he could handle some alcohol, his tolerance wasn't high. After throwing up, he felt lighter.

He checked his reflection in the mirror. His suit was still clean. Breathing in deeply, he adjusted his posture and slowly walked out of the restroom.

"Feeling better?"

As soon as he stepped out, a handkerchief was handed to him. Duke took it, wiping the corner of his mouth. "Thanks, I feel much better."

"The party's almost over," Naomi said, tossing the handkerchief into a nearby bin. "Most of the Fox people have left. You should head home early."

Knowing his body wasn't in great shape, Duke nodded, trying to clear his head a little more. "Naomi, could you let Nancy know for me?"

With that, he didn't return to the banquet hall. Instead, he walked down a side corridor toward the hotel's exit. Just as he stepped through the glass doors, not yet reaching the parking lot, he heard the rapid click of high heels behind him.

"Duke, Duke…"

He turned around, surprised to see Naomi Watts catching up with him quickly. "Is something wrong?"

"You've had quite a bit to drink…" She closed the distance between them. "Let me drive you home."

In his current state, driving wasn't the best idea, so Duke didn't refuse. He followed Naomi to her red Ford and got into the passenger seat.

As the car sped westward on the highway, the alcohol and wind made Duke feel drowsy.

He wasn't sure how long had passed, but he woke up feeling parched. Forcing his eyes open, he realized the car was parked in front of an apartment building, not in Santa Monica

"Are you awake?" Naomi Watts's clear voice echoed beside him, her blue-green eyes shimmering softly. "I didn't know where you lived, so I brought you to West Hollywood."

"Do you have any water in the car?" Duke asked, rubbing his forehead.

"No..." Naomi Watts turned her head, glancing at Duke before gesturing toward the apartment building nearby. "How about coming up for a cup of coffee?"

Naomi Watts gazed at Duke, and Duke looked back at her. There was a palpable tension in the air, a spark—the raw, instinctual pull of attraction between a man and a woman.