Tel Aviv, Bat Yam District. The Cadillac slowly came to a stop in front of an apartment building.
Despite the relatively short distance, Chen Xing took a full hour to drive, skillfully making it seem like an unintentional delay. His skill in this had noticeably improved.
Regarding Bar Refaeli, Eric was certainly not foolish enough to flirt with one girl in front of another. Moreover, Judy was clearly more interested in Bar, so he gave them one car, providing the clever girl with an opportunity for which she would undoubtedly be grateful.
He and Gal Gadot talked all the way, not discussing work. Eric merely admired her beauty and chatted about hobbies and culture. Gal turned out to be open and sociable, speaking more often while Eric listened, which suited them both perfectly.
"Well, here's my apartment. It seems our pleasant conversation has come to an end, Mr. Cooper."
"Then have a good rest. By the way, it's my first time in Jaffa. Would you mind being my guide for a day and showing me around this beautiful city?"
Gal thought for a moment and nodded. "No problem, I happen to have the day off tomorrow."
Eric opened the door for her, walked a few steps, and watched her until she reached the entrance without offering anything further. It would have been foolish. As he was returning to the car, her laughter suddenly rang out, "Mr. Cooper, you are an interesting man."
With these words, the door closed, and Eric got into the car.
Back at the hotel, he heard a knock on the door. Judy was standing there, very drunk.
Eric frowned, "What's with you? Why did you get so drunk?"
Judy, half-closing her eyes, mumbled, "I don't know, Bar and I were drinking, and then I came back to the hotel."
Sighing, Eric helped her inside, removed her outer clothes, and put her to bed.
"It seems Bar Refaeli is not easy. Have you considered she might not be a lesbian? Don't waste your efforts in vain."
"Of course not, but I love a challenge. There aren't many women I couldn't conquer."
"Haha, well, as you wish. But Bar is not a simple girl. She, like Gal Gadot, is only 17 years old, even a few months younger, and has already managed to charm such an experienced playgirl like you."
But Judy was already asleep, quietly snoring.
Eric was at Gal Gadot's apartment entrance at exactly ten in the morning.
A few minutes later, the girl appeared in a light brown coat, jeans, and sneakers.
"Wow, I thought you looked great only on the runway, but in everyday life, you're even more beautiful."
Gadot laughed, "Well, then you should see me dance. It's even more beautiful."
"You dance?"
"Doubt it? I've been dancing for 12 years: ballet, hip-hop, modern dance, and jazz. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a dancer."
"So why did you become a model?"
Gal shrugged, "I don't know, it just happened."
"Life, huh? It often takes us where we never expected."
"You're right, maybe that's true!"
"Ever thought of becoming an actress?"
"Haha... I don't even know anything about it. By the way, where do you want to go?"
Eric made a welcoming gesture, "You're the guide, you choose."
"Well, let's start with the old city of Jaffa? Everyone who comes to Tel Aviv must see this historic corner."
...
On a colorful street among old brick houses, Eric and Gal Gadot strolled, enjoying the atmosphere reminiscent of Europe several centuries ago.
"It's really beautiful here, but I have a question: are these buildings really old?"
Gal laughed, "Of course not. There are authentic historical buildings, but they are under special protection. Most of the streets were restored by the government."
"If you want to see the grandeur of that time, I recommend visiting St. Peter's Church, which dates back to the 17th century, as well as Simon the Tanner's house and Tabitha's tomb."
Eric looked around, "For filming a movie, this is a great place. It reminds me of the French film 'Perfume'."
"What is this movie?" asked Gadot, squatting by a street stall. Eric picked up an elegant bottle decorated with cloves.
"The plot reveals human desires and weaknesses. A man with a natural talent for scents discovers that the best smell comes from girls at the moment of their death."
"And to create the perfect perfume, he kills several girls, but his crimes are uncovered."
"When he is sent to the gallows, the scent he created drives everyone mad, and he is released."
"In the end, he pours the perfume on himself, and the crazed crowd tears him apart and eats him."
Gadot shivered. "Who came up with such a disgusting plot?"
"Patrick Süskind, a German writer. But that's not the main thing. The main thing is that I want to give you a bottle of perfume."
Eric handed her the bottle adorned with cloves.
Gadot smiled. "Do you want to tear me apart and eat me too?"
"Of course not. Cloves symbolize passionate women, and I see those qualities in you."
She smiled wider, accepted the perfume, and lightly sprayed it on herself. "How is it?"
Before Eric could answer, the vendor commented, "You have excellent taste, sir. This lady indeed radiates charm."
Giving the vendor a thumbs-up, they headed to a café.
...
Not noticing how time flew by, they saw that the sun was already beginning to set. Gadot threw food to the birds, and a flock of pigeons immediately gathered around her.
"Aa…aa…"
A loud scream startled the birds, and they flew up, making her laugh.
She was 17 years old, having just finished school, radiating the vibrancy of youth.
After a brief dance, Eric took advantage of the moment and snapped a photo with an old camera that he had some trouble with.
"Let me see!"
They unintentionally moved closer to each other to look at the photo.
"You're a terrible photographer, my legs look so unattractive."
"Don't blame me, I'm not a professional. But don't you think this natural look is better than on the runway?"
In the rays of the setting sun, they silently looked at the photo.
"Eric, I was very happy today," Gadot, always open and passionate, broke the silence after a while.
"I was happy too. But can we continue this?"
"What do you mean?"
"The day after tomorrow, I have to return to Los Angeles. I have a lot of things waiting for me there, I can't stay in Tel Aviv forever."
Gal bit her lip slightly, then smiled. "Yes, you're the vice president, running such a large company as MGM, and you also make films. You have a lot on your plate."
Eric cautiously asked, "So, I hope you'll come with me to Los Angeles, to develop in Hollywood. Help me make films, I'll make you the leading actress, and you'll become a global star!"
"Of course, you don't need to answer right away. Think it over."
He waved his hand into the distance, and Chen Xing immediately ran over to them. He was always in Eric's sight but never interfered.
"This is for you."
Seeing the elegant box in his hands, Gal Gadot took out the clove-scented perfume from her pocket. "Eric, you already gave me a gift."
"No, this is for your grandfather. These are the wristwatches worn by Oskar Schindler. I think he will like them."
Opening the box and seeing the antique watch inside, the girl felt something stir in her soul.
"Eric..."
"Take your time. And don't forget about that stack of papers at the bottom. It's a contract. When you get home, read it carefully. I'll be waiting for your answer."