Hollywood What If Chapter 157
The promotion for John Wick continued until premiere night.
"She's still not answering."
Kazir muttered. He tried calling Reese, but no one answered.
'Reese is out of town shooting Napoleon Dynamite III. She also signed an endorsement for a shampoo product. She is really busy. Still...'
Kazir tried to explain to Reese, but the woman remained silent. Even the reporters could not get any information from her.
Kazir sighed and hung up the phone. He had to meet Cameron Diaz for the premiere tonight. He was already in his tuxedo, ready for the big day.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Cameron's house. The woman came out of the house and got into the limousine.
"Good evening Cam, you look beautiful as always."
Kazir greeted her. After signing the contract, the two became much closer. Although they both understood that this was just business. Maybe they enjoyed their show. For they were truly intimate.
"Aww, I miss you baby~"
Cameron leaned in and kissed him. They shared a passionate kiss that lasted for dozens of seconds.
As for Erica, who was holding the steering wheel, her expression was stoic. She saw nothing as she drove the limousine out of Beverly Hills.
"It's amazing that your assistant can drive a limo."
Cameron was quite impressed. Looking at the assistant who looked rough.
"Erica can even fly a helicopter." Kazir shrugged.
"Really. You're not kidding, are you?"
"Don't worry Miss Cameron, I can even fly a jet."
Erica replied. She was proud of her achievement in the military.
"Wow! Erica, just call me Cam. I insist."
"Yes, Cam."
Cameron Diaz smiled and rested her head on Kazir's shoulder, cuddling.
"So when are we going to live together?"
"Hm, not in the contract."
"Geez, you bad guy."
She pinched his shoulder and Kazir chuckled. Cameron had actually tried to put in the contract that they were going to live together, but Kazir had denied it.
Actors are professional liars. It was amazing that Kazir could keep up with Cameron's acting.
"Anyway, when are you going to buy a house in Beverly Hills? You are richer than me, I think you can afford a nice house."
"Most of the money will be invested in our next projects. I don't know if I'm going to buy a house this year." He replied.
"Pfft-- Do you expect me to believe that? Kazir, your annual salary as a director is at least five times higher than mine. Your bank account is definitely full."
Kazir just smiled and didn't answer. It was private information and he kept his mouth shut.
Kazir Grey wanted to buy a house when the market bottomed out. The right time to buy a house would be around the year 2000. That was the year the dot-com bubble burst and many industries were affected. One of them was real estate.
The house could wait, especially if he lived in his office anyway. It was already a fact that his office was his home. Even the employees of Grey Pictures felt uncomfortable because their boss literally lived in the company 24/7.
The month of September was a dismal time for Hollywood. The Big Six usually released their weak movies during this month. So John Wick didn't have any strong competition, except for one.
'I heard that Rush Hour is coming out next week.'
Starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, a movie distributed by New Line Cinema. Rush Hour was the September 1998 winner.
Even Kazir was not confident that he could compete with Rush Hour. Because to be honest, his movie didn't have any selling point except for the action stunts... But the thing was, Rush Hour had great action stunts, too. Jackie Chan was known to do his own stunts.
Even John Wick's connection to Taken was not heavily emphasized. Maybe the only selling point was Kazir.
So his relationship with Cameron Diaz was the main method of promotion. Paramount didn't care much about the movie, and the resources they gave it weren't great either. They only care about director Kazir Grey, not John Wick.
Viggo Mortensen and the cast showed up one by one. Reporters were obviously taking pictures of them. The cast did their best to act normal and pose in front of the flashing cameras.
The interviews would happen and the important cast would be asked some questions related to the movie.
Usually the interviewer would ask "How is it working with director Grey?", "What do you think about the movie?" and "What is your role in the movie?
Nothing fancy or controversial. After all, this premiere was overrun with Viacom reporters. Unless Viacom was interested in making things spicy.
Just like that, Kazir Grey and Cameron Diaz arrived on the red carpet. They smiled and stood close to each other as if they were deeply in love.
"Director Grey! Please look into the camera!"
"Miss Cameron, please hug Director Grey!"
The reporters demanded a series of poses. Cameron was in a good mood, so she did her best.
"We meet again, Director Grey!"
"Yes, I remember you. You're Abella Boham. You're the one I interviewed last time."
"Indeed." The woman nodded happily. She was the reporter who interviewed Kazir when Taken came out. Of course, she worked for CBS.
"Director Grey, how does it feel to be the best up and coming director of this era?"
"Um, I feel good. Although I don't think I'm the best. I think Quentin Tarantino and my friend David Fincher are the best emerging directors of the 90's." Kazir was not lying at all.
"I see you have Miss Cameron Diaz with you. Would you like to explain your relationship with her?"
This time it was Cameron who answered.
"Hi, I'm Cameron Diaz. I'm his girlfriend." She said, hugging his arm.
"Looks like you two are doing well. You guys are so cute. Anyway, what about your relationship with Reese Witherspoon?"
Kazir looked at the reporter. Keeping his smile amiable.
'I fucking knew it.'
Maybe Paramount was trying to spice up the evening. Or maybe the reporter was asking the question on her own volition.
Either way, Kazir was thrust into the spotlight. Life was like a novel indeed.
'Novel huh... Well, if my life is a novel, I'm sure many readers will drop my story because of what I did to Reese. But that's not the case at all.'
"Reese and I have a good relationship."
He smiled for the last time before entering the theater. He didn't let the reporter ask him another question that could cause trouble.
The answer was not satisfactory, but who cared, Kazir Grey would be busy this month. He didn't have time to think about useless things.
"By the way, Kazir, happy birthday."
"Thanks, but my birthday was yesterday."
"Hm, I want to be the last one to greet you. Make sure I'm your last."
Holding Cameron's hand, Kazir was as composed as ever.