Chapter 396: Chapter 118: Digression

“Is it a film you can tell me about, Adrian? I promise I won’t tell the media.” Sitting on a bench in Central Park where she had often sat before, Natalie asked with a grin.

“Hmm… alright, I’ll tell you, but you must keep it a secret,” Adrian thought for a moment and then cautioned, “It’s a Stanley Kubrick film.”

Natalie blinked in surprise, “…Sorry, did I hear you incorrectly, or did you make a mistake, Adrian? I was asking about your new film, not someone else’s.”

“Ha, I always thought you were clever, Nata, but it seems you can be confused sometimes too,” Adrian laughed heartily.

“Hey, playing a trick on a young girl is not gentlemanly behavior,” Natalie scolded, waving her fist.

“Alright, alright,” Adrian switched to a “surrendering” gesture, “you know who Stanley Kubrick is, right?”

“Of course, one of the most outstanding film directors in the world, his works are few but cover various genres. It has been said that once he made a film in a certain genre, other directors might as well put their cameras down.”

“So have you heard the news recently that Kubrick became paralyzed in bed because of a stroke?”

“Really? I didn’t know, I rarely watch entertainment news, oh, that’s terrible.”

“He was just about to prepare a new film, which was nearly finished, but unfortunately, he had a stroke at this time and couldn’t continue. But with his permission…” Adrian’s lips curved into a proud smile, “I am preparing to take over the production of this film.”

“Kubrick agreed to let you take over?” Natalie’s eyes widened, “I heard… heard… heard he’s a very stubborn person.”

“Yes, but I still convinced him,” Adrian shrugged.

“That’s incredible.” Natalie looked him up and down with an utterly surprised expression, “Can you really capture Kubrick’s style?”

“He has already agreed.” Adrian shrugged again, then cautioned, “But remember, definitely don’t let this get out, or it’ll be trouble.”

“Is there a problem?” Natalie asked, puzzled.

“Kubrick doesn’t want people to know I’ve taken over his work, and we also have an agreement that if the film produced isn’t satisfactory to him, it’s not allowed to be released,” Adrian explained, “Otherwise, Warner would have already started a huge publicity campaign, ‘Adrian allowed to take over Kubrick’s new film’ would be quite a hook.”

“That makes sense; film companies or producers always like to use all means to promote,” Natalie nodded immediately, her annoyed expression looking particularly adorable.

“Hey, Nata, I’m a producer to some extent too,” Adrian reminded her.

“You’re different,” Natalie waved her hand, “you are Adrian.”

“Oh? To be distinguished by you is truly an honor indeed,” Adrian said exaggeratedly, ruffling her hair.

Natalie pouted, looking at him with deliberate contempt, while Adrian just grinned back. They stared at each other for a while, but then a wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over the girl. She turned away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“So,” she coughed to change the subject, “did you come to New York mainly to scout for locations for the new movie?”

“Yes,” Adrian nodded, “originally I wanted someone familiar here to help find suitable spots, like you or your parents, but fortunately, a little girl I know was just about to vacation in New York with her mom; she volunteered to find a few places for me, which turned out quite well.”

“A girl you know?” Natalie said carelessly, but her hand, resting on her knee, clenched involuntarily into a fist.

“Yes, I think you might have met her, Kirsten Dunst,” Adrian still had a casual manner.

“Oh, last year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress,” Natalie looked enlightened, but then felt she was perhaps overdoing it and added, “Right, I remember when we shot ‘The Professional’ in New York, I met her. Didn’t she also audition for it?”

“Your memory is very good, dear Nata,” Adrian laughed, but his expression soon turned troubled, “I have to say, clever girls are too crafty, always liking to tease, without regard for the time or place.”

“Is that so?” Natalie’s tone remained casual, and her gaze drifted off into the distance, but her teeth were already gently biting together.

“Alright, Nata, it’s about time I took you back,” Adrian suddenly said. “You know, my actions today were already helping you deceive your parents.”

“How so?” Natalie, coming to her senses, shrugged, “I just told my mom and dad that I could hitch a ride with you to see friends in the city. I just changed my mind halfway, wanting to stroll around the city like last time.”

“You know that’s an excuse, Nata.” Adrian looked at her gently. “Although I don’t mind doing some things for you, and I visit you every time I come to New York, and although I really like you, that doesn’t mean I can help you deceive your parents. That’s not right.”

Natalie’s cheeks turned red before she frowned and looked at him somewhat angrily.

“Why have you turned into just like my dad?” she asked unhappily. “Always saying this isn’t good and that’s not okay. I’m not a child, I have enough judgment.”

Saying this, the young girl hopped off the bench. “I’m usually well-behaved enough, but can’t you even tolerate this little bit of rebellion? Besides, let me remind you, Mr. Adrian, no matter how lofty your words, your actions have already amounted to collaborating with me to deceive my parents!”

With that, she huffed loudly and walked towards a nearby skating rink. Adrian chuckled, spread his hands in resignation, and then stood up to follow her.

“Alright, Nata, I was just giving you a little reminder. Do you need to be this way with me? I’m not Mr. Evan,” he said half-joking, half-complaining.

Natalie didn’t respond but just turned her head to make a face, still looking puffed up with anger.

“Let’s talk about something else then. We still have some time,” Adrian continued. “I can keep you company.”

“Really? Then tell me about the new movie you’ve just taken on,” Natalie thought for a moment and then asked.

“Ha, strictly speaking, it’s an erotic film. It’s not suitable for a girl like you to watch. Let’s change the subject,” Adrian shook his head refusively.

“Anyway, you still treat me like a child,” Natalie spread her hands, teasing him, “Oh, Ed, my words just went to waste.”

“I’m serious, Nata,” Adrian suddenly turned serious. “I admit you’re smart and mature, Nata, but some things are still too early for you. I’ve warned you about this in my last letter.”

“But we had such a pleasant chat in our letters, didn’t we?” Natalie immediately retorted.

“Because that was in letters. Writing letters and having conversations are not the same. Face-to-face conversations can often be influenced by emotions, whereas writing is more rational. That’s why I always ask you to state the book and page number for any quotes in your letters,” Adrian explained.

“…That really did help me develop the good habit of looking things up,” Natalie fell silent for a moment and then looked into the distance, a reminiscent look in her eyes. “I still remember asking you in my letters about the debate on desires.”

“You need to know when to release and when to control,” Adrian quickly responded, “Both asceticism and indulgence are foolish. Don’t hesitate when it’s time to let go, and don’t cross the line when it’s time to hold back. Understanding how big your desires are and how much capability you have is a must for every successful person.”

“What about you? What are your desires? How big are they?” Natalie suddenly turned to Adrian with a teasing smile. “Don’t tell me you’re not a successful person.”

“I think those more private questions better remain unanswered,” Adrian replied in a jesting tone, yet his eyes changed slightly in an indescribable way, lingering on the girl’s face for about two seconds before quickly shifting away.

Instantly, the girl twisted her head away, her heart beating rapidly.

“Sorry, I need to go to the restroom. Please wait here for me.” Without waiting for Adrian’s response, Natalie rushed to a simple restroom at the other end of the skating rink.

Bang, she closed the door. The young girl then leaned against the wall, held her cheeks, and let out a big sigh, followed by a long groan.

“Oh, hell, Natalie, what are you doing? Has your brain fried?!” she whispered harshly to herself, her tone stern but soon weakening.

Yesterday, after school, she visited her mother’s gallery in Brooklyn. As she came out, she saw a distressing scene. At the end of the street, a girl about her size was around Adrian’s neck, fiercely kissing him on the face.

At first, she thought she had seen wrong, but after observing carefully, she confirmed it and even recognized that the girl hugging him was Kirsten, giving rise to an inexplicable and irritable emotion inside her.

Although Adrian looked like he was being played, and Kirsten seemed to be just joking, Natalie was still dominated by this mood, which prevented her from greeting them.

This feeling intensified after she returned home, and the neglected scenes of voyeurism surfaced in her mind again. That night, the seldom occurring situation forced her to get out of bed with a flushed face and change her underwear.(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on wuxiaworld.site. Your support is my greatest motivation.)