King of Hollywood

Chapter 108: Chapter 108 Goodnight, Sweet Dreams

“If you’re trying to console me, don’t bother. I’m not that fragile,” Adrian said with a slight smile, interrupting Julia. “It’s just one defeat. I’ll get it within two years at most.”

His confident words momentarily stunned Julia.

“Of course, thank you nonetheless,” Adrian said as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from Julia’s temple behind her ear, looking into her eyes earnestly, “You look truly beautiful tonight, Julie.”

His gesture instantly evoked memories in Julia. She opened her mouth as if to say something but quickly turned her head away, seemingly conflicvted and at a loss.

Fortunately, Adrian shifted the topic, “By the way, when did you get to the party? I didn’t see you around.”

“Um, I just arrived not long ago. I was at another party at the Melita Hotel, and because it was a bit boring, I decided to take a walk. Then I ran into a friend who dragged me here,” Julia responded with a shrug and a smile.

“So, is it as boring here as it was there?” Adrian asked with a half-smile as he looked at her.

“More or less,” Julia hesitated for a few seconds but then spoke the truth, “Parties are always like this, everyone just eating, drinking, and chatting. I was actually thinking of heading back when I saw you here on the balcony. So… I came over to say hello.”

Adrian didn’t respond for several seconds, simply gazing at Julia’s face until she showed a slightly irritated expression, then he spoke again, “Is your assistant downstairs, Julie?”

“Of course, why?” Julia asked, puzzled.

“Do you have other clothes with you?” Adrian continued.

“Um… yes, in the car,” Julia still didn’t understand.

“That’s fine then, come on,” Adrian said, taking her hand irresistibly. After checking the hall, he led her towards the exit along the wall, “Since the party is boring, let’s go somewhere fun instead.”

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“Wait. Adrian, this doesn’t seem quite right,” Julia stuttered hesitantly as he pulled her along.

“It’s okay, we’ve finished all the necessary talks,” Adrian chuckled, “Come on, Julie, the Oscars are over, it’s time to indulge a bit now.”

Indulgence is a neutral term, mostly used to describe acting impulsively and unrestrained, except in specific contexts where it might be derogatory. Clearly, Adrian meant the former.

“Delicious!” After biting off a corner of her wrap, Julia immediately gave a thumbs up.

Sitting on a bench outside a typically American snack bar, Julia was already in a new outfit—a pair of trousers and a jacket, topped with a cloche hat, and under the streetlights, she hardly looked like a big star.

“Of course, this is a place I recommend. Everyone knows that I’m more than familiar with these spots in Los Angeles,” Adrian said, teasingly self-deprecating as he toyed with the toast in front of him.

Julia suddenly stifled a laugh with her hand. Even though her hat was pulled down low, her eyes were still visibly curved in amusement: “Sorry, Adrian, it’s just…”

“It’s fine. Reporters, especially those from the tabloids, have quite the imagination,” Adrian shrugged nonchalantly, “Besides, their stories aren’t completely untrue, though there’s only a hint of truth.”

“Really? So which parts are true?” Julia asked with keen interest.

“Do you really want to know?” Adrian asked teasingly.

“Of course, whenever I see those reports about you, I can’t help but wonder, did you really do those things? It doesn’t seem like you at all,” Julia recalled with curiosity.

With her words ringing in his ears, Adrian raised his eyebrows slightly, “Alright then, after we finish eating, we can talk as we walk. Of course, I have the right not to answer some questions…”

After they had eaten their late night snack, they strolled down the brightly lit streets, playing little games such as asking each other peculiar questions. Julia occasionally burst into giggling laughter, and when she felt particularly cheerful, she danced alone on the sidewalk for a few rounds, seeming very happy.

“Be careful, don’t twist your ankle,” Adrian warned her with a smile.

“Do I look clumsy to you?” Julia twirled around, sprightly as a young girl of less than twenty, “Don’t underestimate me, Ed, you know… Ah!”

As she turned around, a dark shadow suddenly bumped into her face, and Julia cried out, about to fall backward, but Adrian quickly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

“It’s really cursed, this is…” Julia gasped, and then realized that the dark shadow was just a tree branch stretching onto the sidewalk.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a tree branch,” Adrian comforted her while holding her in his arms. “Clearly, someone in the government has been neglectful. Maybe we should find a place to file a complaint. They’ve let the branches reach onto the road.”

“This is the downside of being too tall,” Julia sighed, not moving away from Adrian’s embrace immediately. “They always tell me I am too tall for a woman, my shoulders too broad, my chest too flat…”

“So what?” Adrian grasped Julia’s shoulders and turned her to face him. “You are still very beautiful and still mesmerize many men. Those people don’t speak for everyone.”

“You still… have such a way with words, Ed…” Julia stared at his deep, dark eyes, and without warning, cupped his face and kissed him on the lips.

Adrian, not resisting at all, held Julia and sucked on her lips, the two embracing and kissing passionately on the street, their built-up passion erupting. Once, twice, thrice, over and over as if endlessly.

Finally, amidst quick breaths, they parted and embraced each other head-to-head to calm their emotions.

“Julie…” Adrian softly called out, but as Julia opened her eyes, she suddenly pushed him aside, rushed to the side of the street, and started looking around in panic. “I need to get back now, Ed.”

“Julie, wait, Julie.” Adrian reached for her arm. “I just want to tell you…”

“Don’t like this, Ed,” Julia turned sideways to avoid his hand and looked back at him pleadingly. “Don’t.”

“…I can take you home,” Adrian said after a few seconds of silence.

“No, I can get back on my own. That’s it,” Julia smoothed her hair blown messy by the wind, not daring to look at him again, and waved down a taxi.

Adrian sighed, no longer trying to stop her, only speaking again just as Julia was opening the car door. “Julie.”

Julia stopped what she was doing and eventually turned her head back.

“Good night, sweet dreams,” Adrian said, watching her.

Julia managed a strained smile and got into the car. After watching the taxi disappear at the street corner, Adrian turned and walked toward his parking spot, then a light smile crossed his face.