Returning to the apartment, the sun was already slanting westward. The sunlight in New York today was exceptionally brilliant, casting a vivid red halo that spread across the sky, even tinting the Hudson River a shallow golden hue—grand and magnificent. Many people on the streets halted their steps to capture this wonderful moment with their phones.
Pushing open the apartment door, the radiant light spilled into every corner of the living room, so dazzling that it was hard to keep one's eyes open.
The floor was covered with balloons of various colors, and there were two large bags of uninflated balloons and an air pump on the table. The sofa was piled high with ribbons and colorful lights, as if all the Christmas decorations had been pulled out; on the right side of the entrance was a big box containing disposable cups, plates, and similar items.
The atmosphere of a party pervaded every corner.
"Renly?" Chris's cheerful voice echoed from inside the room. "Renly! I'm currently... searching for the right outfit! I'm hosting a costume party tonight. How about it? Will you join in too?" Although Chris was inside the room, his good mood was not hindered in the slightest. His booming voice conveyed his lively and excited emotions clearly, and it seemed like the sunshine filled the room, dancing along with his words. "Tell me you'll definitely come! Get your outfit ready now!"
As he spoke, Chris dashed out of the room, holding a perforated leather vest in his left hand and a police uniform in his right. "What do you think? Devilish imp? Or uniform temptation?"
Chris was currently wearing loose shorts, bare-chested. His long golden hair was casually tied into a ponytail, and he held the outfits high in his hands. While he didn't have an intentional smile, his eyes shimmered with excitement, sparkling radiantly in the sunset.
"Devilish imp." Renly raised his right hand and said with a smile...
Chris's eyes instantly brightened. "That's exactly what I was thinking. So, what about you? What are you planning to dress up as tonight? You always have endless creative ideas. Last Halloween, you weren't in New York, and the parties here were far less vibrant."
"Why suddenly decide to host a party?" Renly didn't answer the question. He walked to the center of the living room's sofa arrangement and sat down on one of the single seats, then asked in return.
Chris's expression paused momentarily, and he couldn't help avoiding eye contact, "Oh, nothing... I just, I just felt like I wanted to have some fun all of a sudden." Both hands were placed awkwardly down, and he tried to pretend to speak nonchalantly, "You know, I've been quite busy and tense lately. It's been a while since I've truly enjoyed a party."
"Indeed, we need to unwind a bit." Renly chuckled lightly, which made Chris relax slightly. He nodded repeatedly in agreement. Unexpectedly, Renly continued, "By the way, I received some good news today. Celebrating with a party is a good idea. I got a new project, and if all goes well, I'll be starting filming next week."
Without any pause, Renly swiftly delivered the good news. Chris's facial expression almost involuntarily twisted. Panic surged within him. Renly got a new project? What kind of project? Is it a major production? Is it related to Paramount? What's going on exactly?
But before Chris could even collect his thoughts, Renly continued, "I heard in the guild that you also received a new project?"
Caught off guard, Chris unexpectedly took a step back, his balance unsteady. "Uh, oh, yeah, right." Chris subconsciously nodded, giving an affirmative response. He lifted his head to steal a glance at Renly, only to find those translucent eyes, deep and unfathomable, as if they could peer into his innermost thoughts. This unsettled him, causing him to lower his gaze in haste. He wanted to turn and escape, yet his feet remained firmly planted in place. "Congratulations!" Renly flashed a big smile, offering sincere congratulations.
Renly didn't know, and he wouldn't know, and it was impossible for him to know. Chris tried to convince himself, regaining his composure to avoid revealing anything. But clearly, it wasn't an easy task. "Thank you. Congratulations to you too. You've finally confirmed your next project, right? So, what is it exactly?"
"An independent film," Renly replied simply. "But I think it's a good opportunity for performance. If it were you, I assume you wouldn't be interested, right? Or perhaps your agent doesn't want you to take on such a project?" Renly half-jokingly added, his light-hearted words floating in the sunlight.
Although Renly's words were ordinary, Chris had a nagging feeling that there was more to his words. That cat-and-mouse sensation made him fidget uncomfortably. He disliked that feeling.
Should he stay and listen for news about Renly's new project, or return to his room to avoid the risk of exposure? Chris forced a smile, though it was more unseemly than crying. He turned his head to look at his room's door and then at the hallway's entrance, yet his chaotic gaze lacked focus. His mind couldn't form a coherent thought; there was only an overwhelming restlessness.
"...Chris?" Renly's voice gradually approached, suddenly exploding in his ears like spring thunder. Chris reflexively lifted his head, looking at Renly. "Ah?" "I mean, what kind of project is it this time?" Renly sat calmly on the sofa, comfortably nestled in it. He looked at ease. "Last time, didn't you collaborate with Sean Bean? Are you working with another top actor this time?"
An utterly ordinary question that, in the past, would have prompted Chris to chatter away. But today, Chris felt like Renly's eyes could see through all his disguises, uncovering the secrets deep within him. This feeling was terrible, as if he was being cornered step by step. The stifling predicament left him with no escape.
"...Thor," Chris attempted to straighten his spine and answered with conviction, "I'll be playing Thor this time. I'll be working with Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins." Both were Academy Award winners, undoubtedly heavyweights.
"Oh? Truly a rare opportunity." Renly's voice carried a faint smile. "Not long ago, I also received an audition invitation for "Thor". Unexpectedly, it turned out this way." Renly chuckled lightly. "Hollywood is a small world, isn't it?"
He knew.
In Chris's perception, he could see the condescending scrutiny in Renly's eyes, as if he were sizing up a street performer, a glance filled with disdain and contempt that continuously mocked his inflated arrogance. Chris was certain that Renly had learned the truth. He got the audition opportunity by taking Renly's script. And now, Renly was sitting there like a judge, elevated on a moral pedestal, passing judgment on his actions.
In an instant, the sense of humiliation reached its peak, and an uncontrollable surge of anger spread.
Why? Why did Renly assume a superior stance? Why should he bend over backward in front of Renly? Why did Renly appear so aloof and detached, portraying an air of otherworldly superiority? Why must he lower his voice and compromise? He was the one who should be assertive, unbeatable, wasn't he? This was Hollywood, where anything goes for success. Both Renly and he had made choices. So, why was Renly now playing the victim?
Ridiculous, how utterly ridiculous.
"Heh." Chris straightened his chest, slightly raising his chin. A mocking smile involuntarily appeared on his lips as he stood tall, looking down at Renly on the sofa. "Right, I got the role, and you didn't. So, are you regretting it now?"
Chris's response caught Renly somewhat off guard. His eyes narrowed slightly. He had never seen this side of Chris before.
"Do you know what's even more ironic?" Chris's eyes flickered with madness. His handsome face began to twist. "You discarded the script for "Thor" and yet, it became my opportunity. I seized the role with determination. The chances you didn't cherish led to my success. And now you regret? Envy? Jealousy? It's laughable."
Renly remained silent. For the first time, he seemed to see Chris as a stranger. There was a distance in that calm expression, tinged with assessment. Perhaps, they had never truly understood each other.
Renly's composed gaze pricked Chris like a thorn. It seemed to carry pity and commiseration, a chilling sympathy that struck him like a heavy blow to the stomach. He erupted like an injured lion, roaring in fury, "Don't give me that look! It was your lack of care back then! After I took the script, you didn't even notice, did you? It proves you didn't care at all! I was just a tool for your waste! You're the real failure here! Don't play the saint and judge me! You're not a judge, and I'm not a criminal! I haven't done anything wrong! I don't owe you anything, remember? You abandoned it, you abandoned it yourself!"
How shameless, to boldly claim innocence like a thief caught in the act, to unashamedly stand upright in the face of wrongdoings, to twist and tangle values this way.
Renly's response wasn't anger but a smile. He adjusted his sitting posture, straightening his upper body, leaning slightly forward, fixing his gaze unwaveringly on Chris. The two clashed like kings, meeting head-on. Renly spoke deliberately, word by word, "You can just ask me directly."