[Chapter 743: How Old are You?]
When Joanna heard that Eric really planned to film a 007 movie, she asked, "Isn't the shoot for the 007 series going to take place all over the world? Do you have that much time to travel?"
"If I want to do it, I can always make arrangements," Eric replied. In recent years, with the advancement of the internet and digital communication technologies, remote communication had become increasingly convenient. No matter where one was in the world, it was possible to stay in touch with Los Angeles easily. Therefore, being away for extended periods wouldn't affect his connection with the headquarters.
Moreover, Firefly Group had now completely gotten onto the right track, with no major expansion plans in recent years. Eric's absence wouldn't have a substantial impact on the company's operations.
Thinking this, Eric tossed the script aside and lazily lay down on the lawn, enjoying the warm afternoon light.
After all, the lead actress and shooting schedule were things that would have to wait until next year, so there was no need to rush to consider them right now.
MGM was currently filming a big production, Charlie's Angels 2, set to release in the summer of next year. Following that was Mission: Impossible 2, which Eric had just finalized with Kevin Costner, to be filmed early next year and released by the end of next year. So that meant the filming of Casino Royale should start around mid-next year, coinciding with the production of Night at the Museum 2, with both set to release in the summer of 1997. Therefore, it would take at least until early next year to begin specific preparations for those projects.
As for the Lord of the Rings series, that would need to wait until 1997 to start production. After all, MGM had just stabilized and would require another year or two to accumulate resources before announcing the significant investment of $300 million for the trilogy. With MGM's upcoming stock offering, announcing the project soon after raising funds would certainly raise concerns in the capital market, causing volatility in MGM's stock price. Stability was what MGM needed most right now. While Eric was well aware of the potential of the Lord of the Rings series, no one else could know that. They would only see the immense risk associated with such a massive $300 million investment.
Seeing Eric lying down, Joanna kindly took a pillow from the side and placed it under his head. With a gentle gaze, she looked at her man, lightly caressing his furrowed brow as if to smooth out the worries etched there. "You should take a nap. You're always thinking about things, and it can be exhausting."
Eric chuckled as he pulled her closer. "Come on, join me."
Joanna playfully wriggled a bit but leaned against Eric, feeling his big hand slide down her waist, lifting the hem of her T-shirt to sneak his way underneath. She laughed and playfully swatted him. "Stop it! Someone will see us."
Eric's fingers danced on Joanna's soft waist. "How about we go to the beach in front?"
"Ha, no," Joanna chuckled, twisting her body to press down on his mischievous hands. "Emma will be out of school soon, and I need to go pick her up."
"Have the maid take care of it."
"I can't trust them; besides, I don't have anything on my plate right now."
Eric laughed, wrapping Joanna in his arms, breathing in the faint scent of her golden hair. "Those three little ones are lucky to have you looking after them."
"I really like them too."
"If they're acting up, I can help discipline them as their dad."
"Ha, of course not. They're all very well-behaved."
"Really?" Eric feigned disbelief. "I've heard about Elia's recent antics -- Vicki told me in the last call."
"Don't bring that up; it was so embarrassing. Elia somehow got hold of the HBO password, and that night, I had just come out of the shower when Elia pointed at the screen and asked me, 'Mom, what are those people doing naked together?' I didn't even know how to respond."
"Ha ha ha..." Eric couldn't help but laugh again. After a moment, he asked, "And then what happened?"
"I barely managed to brush it off, but later I found out Ewa was watching TV and Elia saw her enter the password once and memorized it," Joanna expressed with a smile. "Elia isn't mischievous; she's just too curious and too smart."
"In that case, maybe after some time, we can hire her a tutor, or you could teach her yourself."
"I've actually been teaching her Polish lately; she picks it up quickly," Joanna replied.
Eric nodded. "That sounds good."
After chatting for a while, Joanna glanced at her watch and got up. "It's about time. I need to go pick up Emma."
"Okay," Eric nodded and kissed Joanna as she moved away. He squinted his eyes, basking in the last bit of warmth from the approaching evening sun.
...
Joanna returned to the villa and briefly spoke to the maid about dinner but didn't see Hawaii or Kevin, so she inquired.
"Ma'am, Miss Ewa has arrived. She didn't let us tell you or Mr. Williams. She's in the screening room with the young lady and young master watching a movie."
Joanna nodded and headed to the villa's private screening room. Upon opening the door, she saw her sister sitting in a luxurious armchair with the two little ones in the dim light, while the screen played Men In Black.
Seeing the door open, Ewa Pacula quickly turned the volume down and greeted, "Hi, sis."
Joanna turned on the lights, looked at the two youngsters sitting obediently beside Ewa, then faced her sister. "Isn't it fashion week right now? Aren't you supposed to be working?"
Ewa cuddled Kevin like a doll in her arms and said pitifully, "Can you please not use that tone with your sister? I've been working back-to-back on three shows in the last two days; I'm totally exhausted."
Although Ewa once harbored a crush on Eric, that feeling had long faded over time.
Joanna understood that her carefree sister now simply relished the comfortable life at the East Hampton estate. As for her younger sister, who was 14 years her junior, Joanna felt a protective big sister instinct -- both indulgent and hopeful for her sister's independence.
Seeing Ewa's pitiful expression, Joanna felt a little helpless but softened. Leaning against the door, she asked, "How's it going with that boy Emily introduced you to?"
"Oh, that guy? We broke up a while ago. He actually has a drinking problem. Who knows if he might get violent when drunk? I heard American men can have that flaw. You wouldn't want your sister to deal with domestic violence in the future, would you?"
"Alright, alright, I'm done meddling," Joanna sighed, glancing at the big screen. "Just don't let Elia or Kevin watch this kind of movie. I need to go pick up Emma, and since you're here, don't forget to say hi to Eric later."
"Sure, sure," Ewa said, relieved that her sister was finally letting her off the hook. She eagerly pointed at Hawaii. "Elia, say goodbye to Mommy."
"Bye, Mommy," Hawaii replied, her eyes glued to the screen without turning her head.
Joanna left, feeling a bit resigned. Once the door closed, Ewa cheered, settled into a comfy position, and lazily leaned back in the chair.
Moments later, a small voice emerged beside her. "Aunt Ewa, why are the cockroaches in the movie so big?"
"Because they're alien cockroaches."
"What are alien cockroaches?"
"They're cockroaches from outer space."
"Where is outer space?"
"Um, little pest, you really ask a lot of questions. I might as well buy you an encyclopedia."
"What's an encyclopedia?"
"It's a kind of book that can answer all the questions you want to know."
Hawaii's eyes brightened. "Aunt Ewa, can you buy me an encyclopedia?"
"Well, an encyclopedia isn't just one book; it's a whole set. Such an expensive thing? Have your dad buy it for you; he's rich."
Hawaii blinked her pretty eyes and stored that idea. She then asked, "So, Aunt Ewa, is Daddy an alien too?"
"Hmm?" Ewa Pacula paused, then recalled Eric's cameo in the movie and burst into laughter, pinching Hawaii's cheek with a mock mysterious tone. "Yes, your dad is an alien, and so are you, little alien, ha ha!"
Just then, the movie on the screen ended. Ewa stood up, turned on the lights, and shut off the equipment, hugging the silly little Kevin while holding Hawaii's hand as they walked outside.
...
The three of them came out to the backyard lawn and saw Eric lying there asleep. Ewa patted Hawaii on the head, grinning wickedly. "Elia, go ask your dad which planet he came from."
Hawaii looked at Eric lying on the lawn and then turned to Ewa. Hmph, did she think I was as silly as Kevin? Dad was sleeping; he would definitely be angry if he got woken up. Blinking her eyes, Hawaii said, "Aunt Ewa, Mommy said to remind you to say hi to Daddy."
"Okay, little imp," Ewa Pacula replied, rubbing Hawaii's head. Remembering she had a little one in her arms, she quickly set Kevin down, squatting down to him. "Kevin, go wake your dad up and tell him it's time for dinner."
Kevin blinked his eyes, nodding clumsily, then walked over to Eric.
Meanwhile, the two scheming girls stood in place watching as Kevin approached his dad, eagerly anticipating the hilarity that would unfold. But to their surprise, Kevin seemed to completely forget Ewa's instructions. He plopped down next to Eric, picked up the script Eric had tossed aside, and began flipping through it, showing no intention of waking his father.
Ewa's eyes widened in shock. Could Kevin be the hidden little schemer here?
Feeling something unusual beside him, Eric opened his eyes just in time to see Ewa sitting close to him, looking at their son, who was trying to read the script with a childlike wonder in his eyes. Kevin clearly couldn't read, as a few pages had already been torn out.
"What's going on here? Did your eyes wander to the wrong subject?" Eric sat up, picking up his son and giving him a kiss, then pulled Hawaii closer and asked, "What's going on?"
Ewa shook her head but lingered on Kevin for a moment before saying, "Wow, Kevin is definitely growing up to be something. I could see him being the kind of kid suited to be president one day."
"Ha, don't speak nonsense," Eric shook his head. "What about you? Weren't you supposed to be working during fashion week..."
"Yeah, isn't it Fashion Week recently? Why didn't I go to work?" Ewa cut him off with an annoyed pout and complained, "Ugh, please don't be like my sister. I've just been interrogated about that!"
Eric shrugged innocently, not quite understanding the situation. "Alright then."
As he spoke, Eric stood up, holding the two little treasures and walked toward the villa. He instructed Ewa, "Have the maid come over to tidy up here."
"Got it, sir," Ewa said, dragging her voice playfully.
...
Eric carried Kevin and Hawaii into the living room, sitting on the couch. The little girl cozily leaned against her father, her big eyes scanning him up and down. After a while, she asked, "Daddy, where is Pandora Planet? Are you really from there?"
Eric froze for a moment, then remembered, pinching his daughter's cheek and smiling. "Honey, why do you suddenly ask this?"
Hawaii raised her face and looked at Eric's head. "I just saw you in a movie with Aunt Ewa."
"Alright, Daddy isn't a Pandora alien; that was just a movie," Eric explained.
"Then, Daddy, can you buy me an encyclopedia set?"
"What do you need that for?"
"Aunt Ewa said all questions can be found in an encyclopedia."
Eric scratched his chin, taking a moment to examine his little girl before smiling. "Sweetheart, do you know how old you are right now?"
"Two years and five months." Hawaii answered with clarity.
"Right," Eric laughed. "Two years and five months, so it's best for you to do what a little kid your age should do, like play with toys, eat, and sleep, just like Kevin."
Hawaii looked at her brother and shook her head. "But those things are so boring."
"But that's the life you should be living at your age. Once you're grown, even if you want to go back to this time, you won't be able to."
Hawaii didn't understand why she would want to go back when she grew up, but obediently nodded. Her eyes shining brightly as she watched her father, she put on a cute expression she learned from Emma. "Daddy, can you buy me an encyclopedia set?"
Eric slapped his forehead. Alright, that conversation was pointless.
However, hearing his daughter repeat the request for an encyclopedia, he suddenly remembered that Yahoo didn't have an encyclopedia section yet, and that could definitely draw significant web traffic. Perhaps he should email the Yahoo team about that tonight.
After thinking for a moment and noticing his little girl still gazing at him with hope, Eric finally said, "Alright, I'll have someone bring a set over tomorrow."
"Thank you, Daddy," Hawaii cheered, leaning in to kiss Eric's cheek. After a few moments of gazing up at her dad's expression to confirm he wasn't brushing her off, she jumped off the couch and scurried away.
This... might be a tad too obvious, wasn't it?
Eric watched as his daughter ran off, feeling lamentable thoughts.
*****
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