America 1987

Chapter 91 Howard

"And then, how did you feel at that moment?"

"It's alright," Naomi recalled, "much better than I expected. I should have asked you about this when we talked on the phone before; it made me so nervous at the last minute."

"You're really something, daring to ask me something like this."

"Why wouldn't you dare? Didn't you set us up? Why are you jealous?"

"Oh, no, that's not true. Don't slander me," Nicole denied. "I just think this question is too private. But since you've asked, let me ask you, what position were you in?"

"I'm not as flexible as you, so I can't do the splits. I'm using the most conventional method," Naomi replied calmly.

"That's nonsense. My ballet training was years ago."

Nicole retorted, "Didn't you do some modeling recently? Didn't you get some flexibility training?"

"No, this job doesn't require much flexibility. You're talking about a few specific artistic portraits, which are custom-made shoots. I do the most regular kind."

The mainstream aesthetic of the Western modeling industry in this era is centered on a tall and well-proportioned figure. It focuses on hard indicators such as height, bust, waist, hip ratio, and head-to-body ratio, as well as stage presence and personal temperament. It does not include abilities such as flexibility in the professional entry requirements.

"Not to mention a small-time model like me who spent four months there and didn't gain anything at all."

Naomi joked, "At least you've been practicing since childhood, and you still have a dance background. It's easy for you to pick it up again if you practice in your spare time. Don't think I don't know you like to do yoga."

"Are you done with your work over there?" Nicole ignored that question and changed the subject. "I can only chat with you on the phone every day, and you have to go to sleep after a while, so it's really not very enjoyable."

"You'll have to ask David; I'm not sure."

Naomi shrugged. "Anyway, mine's almost finished filming, so it shouldn't be long before we can meet."

"Hey David, missed me?" "Nicole?"

David, who had just emerged from under the covers to take the phone, immediately sat up. "How did you get here? Who gave you this number?"

What do you think?

"It couldn't be Naomi, could it?" David asked, puzzled. "Why would she tell you this?"

"Is that strange?"

"It's very strange, extremely strange. I guess I'll have to rethink how I define your relationship."

David scratched his head. "What do you want?"

"I heard you really like red dresses?"

"That's not true, don't listen to what your best friend told you," David retorted. "As long as you're pretty enough, you can wear anything."

"Why did Naomi say that you couldn't resist after she put on the red dress?"

"That's because she happened to be free of filming at that time, so my intervention wouldn't affect the subsequent filming schedule."

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Nicole teased, a hint of jealousy in her voice. "Why didn't you think of this much when I was with you?"

"That's not the same thing. You've already given me a script reading in the dark. If I don't accept it, wouldn't that be disrespectful to you?" David thought to himself.

"I had no experience, I had no experience," David certainly couldn't say that on the phone. "Back then, I couldn't resist your charm and couldn't control myself. I fell for you."

"Now that you have experience, can you resist it?" came the emotionless question from the other end of the phone.

"No," David answered decisively without hesitation, "I still can't resist now. As soon as you appear in front of me, I can prove it to you immediately."

When the movie reaches this point, the doorbell usually rings, and the person on the other end of the phone will appear outside the door, giving the person on the other end a surprise.

But that's a movie, not reality, and Nicole isn't that sentimental.

"You're so glib, you know I can't possibly fly there right now." Despite saying that, Nicole sounded quite satisfied with the reply.

"When will you be back?"

"In about two weeks," David replied after a moment's thought. "I can make movies pretty quickly; it shouldn't take long."

"Yes, yes, you're fast at everything, David," Nicole said, subtly teasing him over the phone.

"Nicole, I'm not saying this to be mean, but you're calling me so late at night instead of sleeping. You're not just trying to seduce me over the phone, are you? How old are you to be so horny?"

"You're the one who's thirsty; you didn't even spare my best friend whom I recommended."

Nicole feigned anger and said, "By the way, who did you learn this mannerisms from, Howard Hughes?"

"Who?" David was surprised by the other person's extensive knowledge. "That Hollywood villain? Please, no way you can curse someone like that. I don't plan to be childless for the rest of my life."

Due to his infertility and injuries sustained from flying, Howard gradually retired after the age of 45. In his later years, he also suffered from severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, leading a very painful life.

"So where did you learn this unusual playboy style from? There's probably no one else in Hollywood besides him."

"You don't understand," David thought to himself. "Even if I told you about the gambling king of Macau, you might not know him."

"Stop, stop, let's not talk about that for now. Let's talk about your best friend."

David quickly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, you used to always want to dye your hair blonde, were you trying to imitate Naomi Campbell?"

"What? That's a natural light blonde. I want a warm blonde, a warm blonde, you understand?"

Pale gold? Warm gold? David searched his memory for their respective blonde hairstyles.

Yes, that's exactly what Nicole said. Naomi's hair is light blonde, leaning towards platinum blonde, brighter and lighter overall, with a cool tone and a softer, more natural shine.

Nicole Kidman's makeup in "Batman Forever" is a warm gold, similar to honey gold, containing more gold and amber tones, making it visually fuller and richer.

"I know, I know," David replied casually. "Actually, I'm not saying you're imitating her. In fact, just in terms of looks, you actually..."

"What's wrong with me?" the person on the other end of the phone quickly asked.

David thought about what he had said before, then got out of bed to make the call. "I'm only telling you this privately, so don't go back to your best friend and betray me. Even if you do, I won't admit it, understand?"

"I understand, I understand. Hurry up and tell me, were you just trying to say that I'm actually taller than Naomi in terms of looks?"

"No," David thought, "this linguistic trap is too obvious to fall into. I just wanted to say that your features are more defined and your contours are sharper. In terms of visual impact on the big screen, you are definitely stronger."

"What about Naomi?"

"Naomi is the kind of person whose beauty grows on you; she has soft features and a friendly demeanor. She doesn't have the same style as you, so there's no need to compare them."

"When did you start speaking so tactfully?"

"Who knows if you have a voice recorder in your other hand right now? If you do, I'll be in trouble."

Nicole secretly hid the voice recorder she had just taken out and was holding in her left hand, and replied without the slightest guilt, "You're being too suspicious. How could I possibly do that?"

"How could it be impossible? I know you too well. You never miss an opportunity to mess with me."

David bluntly stated, "Your personality is just like your face—too aggressive. Your best friend is much gentler in this regard."

"Gentle? How gentle can she be? Can she satisfy all your needs except for the splits?"

"Cough cough," David was drinking the tea that had gone cold on the bedside table when he heard this and almost soaked the sheets. "What are you talking about? She's only just started experiencing it, and I'm already going to go on and on with her? I haven't seen you satisfy all my needs, have I?"

"Just kidding, just kidding. I know you're a great lover, you won't be in such a hurry."

The person on the other end of the phone chuckled jokingly.