[Chapter 966: So Spot On]
If he continued like this, it would just be flirting. Eric raised his teacup to his lips, intending to ease the ambiguous atmosphere.
Noticing Eric's reaction, Natasha Henstridge's beautiful face lit up with a smile, and she deliberately stretched out her long legs, assuming a more seductive posture. All the angels from Victoria's Secret knew that Eric had a thing for legs.
In fact, even if Eric were to come over and pin her on the sofa right now, she wouldn't resist at all. Before landing this role, Natasha's status among the Victoria's Secret angels wasn't particularly prominent. However, she genuinely felt the significant changes that the title of Victoria's Secret Angel had brought to her life.
She had debuted at 14 and was now 24. In the highly competitive fashion industry, a model's career often began to decline by this age if they hadn't achieved the heights of supermodels like Cindy Crawford or Linda Evangelista.
But now, even if they weren't part of the top-tier supermodels that were heavily promoted by Victoria's Secret, the halo of being an angel still allowed them to effortlessly secure various endorsements, gigs, and runway opportunities. Their annual income hardly differed than that of first-tier models from before making waves at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. All of this stemmed from the man casually loafing on the sofa.
The influence of a person's power never relied on their existing wealth, but on their impact on a circle, an industry, or even a country. Eric had personally crafted what was dubbed the "Super Bowl of Fashion," the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. With his command over the entire Firefly Group's resources, his influence in this circle was undoubtedly far greater than that of glamorous figures like Anna Wintour or Karl Lagerfeld.
Eric's somewhat wicked ban on Victoria's Secret Angels dating Leonardo DiCaprio earned him the nickname "Jealous-Daddy." Yet, to this day, not a single angel dared to challenge this ban. Even the major modeling agencies discreetly reminded their signed models to steer clear of Leo.
During the few months leading up to the first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Eric left a deep impression on the first generation of Victoria's Secret Angels. Most of them regarded him with a mix of awe and admiration.
Faced with a man she could only look up to, even without any ulterior motives, Natasha found herself yearning for some connection with him.
...
Eric remained silent for quite some time, casually resting his leg on the sofa armrest, gazing dreamily out the floor-to-ceiling window at the golf course. The red tea in his hand had gradually grown cold.
Natasha, unaware of Eric's tendency to zone out when alone and enjoy those moments of emptiness, sensed that he seemed somewhat isolated from the world, appearing a bit lonely. Instinctively wanting to pull him out of that state, Natasha softly called, "Eric?"
Interrupted from his reverie, Eric turned to her and replied, "Hmm?"
Seeing Eric come back to reality, Natasha suddenly felt a pang of regret for speaking up. Her eyes flickered, and she casually changed the topic, asking, "Why did you want to personally play Tony Stark?"
"Other people's auditions were not very good," Eric explained. "The only guy I was satisfied with has been in and out of Los Angeles jails and rehab centers for the last few years, so I wasn't sure if he would get his act together, which left me no choice but to come in person."
"But you have so much money now. Is it really necessary for you to do all this?" Natasha Henstridge raised a dismissive hand, portraying a gesture that lacked significance.
"My job includes these things -- whether as a director or an actor. This is what I'm really good at. Other tasks, I leave to more professional people. Plus, Marvel's superhero films involve a large layout for the Firefly Group, so overseeing it personally isn't a bad thing."
As Eric explained, he set down his now-cold tea. "It's about time; let's run through the script."
Natasha straightened up, asking, "Are we really going to rehearse?"
"That's what you requested for," Eric said with a smile as he stood up. "So if you don't impress me later, I'll make sure to give you a proper training. How have you memorized your lines?"
Following Eric's lead, Natasha stood, saying, "I'm pretty good at it, like, I don't even need the script. Eric, where are you going?"
"Looking for a DV camera to use as a monitor so I can get a clearer view of your performance. I've seen your audition tape, and it's only average -- far from perfect."
A sudden sense of dread washed over Natasha.
She recalled how, during the rehearsals for the first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show years ago, Eric had mercilessly made angels cry over their mistakes. The memories were vivid; the first generation of angels had developed a deep-rooted respect for Eric during that time.
Of course, many of the angels also picked up another 'skill' - being able to cry at any moment, because when Eric gets angry, their tears are definitely the best fire extinguisher. Whenever tears flowed, Eric's tone would soften immediately.
Lost in her thoughts, Natasha realized she'd forgotten to put on her shoes. Watching Eric leave the living room, she instinctively tiptoed after him, all the while simmering her emotions down, blinking her eyes to feel the moisture, and finally feeling at ease.
Fortunately, the skill was still there.
..
His assistant had just thrown a little fit and left without giving Eric a quick tour of the villa's layout.
This lavish villa, covering 1,500 square meters, boasted four living rooms, two kitchens, six bedrooms, and nine bathrooms. Including a study, a gym, a screening room, a pantry, and other amenities, there were a total of thirty-three rooms. Eric could only fumble around to find the study, where the assistants Caroline and Melanie would typically place things he needed.
After a fair bit of time, Eric finally emerged from the study carrying a photography tripod. Behind him, Natasha held a laptop and DV camera, along with a complete script for Iron Man.
Once back in the previously mentioned living room, he set up the tripod, connected the DV camera to the laptop, and sat down on the sofa, gesturing to Natasha. "Okay, tell me what you understand about this role."
Natasha Henstridge thought for a moment and, lacking confidence, gestured, "I think Christine Everhart is somewhat, well, sharp-tongued."
As soon as Natasha began speaking, Eric couldn't help but shake his head. "No, not at all; she isn't sharp-tongued. She doesn't have a midlife crisis. If you turn her into a bitter, acerbic middle-aged woman, I will immediately send you back to New York."
Natasha Henstridge recoiled slightly. Even though she had memorized her lines thoroughly, as a newcomer in Hollywood, she truly didn't know how to delve deeper into the character. If questioned, she could only perform based on her feelings in the moment.
Eric noticed Natasha's reaction and realized he might have been too harsh.
The role of Christine Everhart, a journalist for Vanity Fair, was quite domineering. If he were overly critical and discouraged Natasha, it would be difficult to revitalize her spirit quickly, especially with her scenes set to shoot the following day.
In original timeline, Natasha Henstridge had gained a bit of fame in Hollywood through the Species series. However, despite later working in multiple projects and collaborating with stars like Bruce Willis, she had primarily been steered toward commercial films, so he perhaps shouldn't hold too high expectations of her foundation.
Taking a moment to calm down, Eric spoke in a gentler tone, "Let's take it slow. First, you need to build this character from the ground up in your mind. Christine Everhart: a Vanity Fair journalist, Ivy League graduate from Brown University, the cream of the crop, a social elite. Due to her background, she's confident, competitive, energetic, enjoys questioning everything, boldly challenges authority, and is accustomed to being confrontational. Every plot point and line in the script related to her is intricately tied to these character traits."
Natasha Henstridge listened intently to Eric's narrative, knowing that such an opportunity was rare and might only come once in her life.
However, once Eric finished speaking, she gently raised her right hand.
"Don't joke with me," Eric said helplessly, though without a harsh tone, adding encouragement. "Put your hand down and be more confident. From now on, think of yourself as Christine Everhart. If you have any questions, ask directly."
Natasha did straighten her back, reporting, "Eric, based on Christine's proud and confident character, I don't think she would sleep with Tony Stark on their first meeting."
"Your last sentence is great; it's assertive, not a question. This aligns well with Christine's personality."
Eric didn't immediately answer Natasha's skepticism, nodding appreciatively first before continuing, "Now, about the bedroom scene. First off, Tony Stark is not only a billionaire but also a genius inventor. Although he can be arrogant, he is generous, witty, and charming, which are qualities that can strongly attract women.
Secondly, even though it's Tony Stark who initiates the flirtation, Christine Everhart does not play the passive role; she's a hunter as well. In bed, she might insist on being on top, claiming the initiative. In that sense, she's also a feminist and doesn't believe ONS (One Night Stand) is solely a man's privilege. Throughout their future scenes together, Christine's attitude towards Tony doesn't change, which supports this perspective."
Natasha Henstridge nodded. Eric's profound understanding of the script made her feel a bit embarrassed; however, recalling Eric's earlier advice, she tried to maintain her mindset as Christine Everhart, saying, "Eric, I didn't see any description about the bedroom scene in the script?"
"That part will be captured in one shot; thus, it won't be explicitly described," Eric shook his head. "Do you have any other questions?"
"None."
"Alright, let's give it a try. I want to see how prepared you are for this area."
As he spoke, Eric stood and turned on the DV camera, handing Natasha the TV remote to use as a recording device, then clapped his hands, saying, "Okay, let's start with the scene outside the casino. Don't be nervous; we have plenty of time."
Having started to build some imagery of Christine Everhart, Natasha felt more relaxed, thanks to Eric's unexpectedly patient demeanor. She let out a soft sigh, walked out of the living room, and, under Eric's gesture, calmly approached to hand the recording device, directly diving into the scene.
"Mr. Stark, some people say you are the modern-day Da Vinci. What do you think?"
"That's utterly ridiculous; I don't paint."
"..."
"Isn't it possible to experience insomnia in your line of work?"
"I'd be more than happy to spend a few sleepless nights with you."
Watching Natasha Henstridge gradually steel her expression, Eric lightly clapped his hands, signaling the end.
During their first real audition together, Natasha didn't stumble over her lines at all, indicating that she had worked hard behind the scenes. Eric was very pleased with this, saying, "Great! Let's check the results."
They moved to the laptop together, and Eric clicked the playback button, reviewing their earlier performance. Ultimately, as it was their first rehearsal, the outcome was average; Natasha had essentially read her lines in a routine manner.
"I can confirm that your lines were spot on," Eric remarked to Natasha after watching the footage. "However, your expressions need to be more dynamic. And there's no need to deliver lines so stiffly. If your delivery is too precise, it means you're not really in character or treating yourself as Christine Everhart. To change this, later, I'll ad-lib some lines, and you'll need to improvise accordingly. Once you can do that, you'll be in character."
...
After giving a succinct analysis, Eric began detailing the adjustments Natasha needed to make.
Before long, they moved into their second performance session.
The following afternoon, inside the villa at the country club, both worked time and time again on the scenes between Tony Stark and Christine Everhart. Eric later even stepped in as Pepper Potts, running through some of the confrontational dialogues.
As dusk settled in, they finally paused rehearsals.
Natasha Henstridge eagerly prepared dinner, while Eric took the opportunity to check his work phone for missed calls.
Before long, in the villa's pristine dining room, Natasha laid out dinner, and Eric opened a bottle of red wine, pouring it into two glasses before handing one to Natasha. He sat down at his place, observing her expression, which still bore signs of fatigue. "Do you feel it's not worth all this effort for such a minor role?"
"Of course not," Natasha replied, shaking her head. She had seen the difference in her performance from their initial rehearsal to their last run earlier that afternoon.
In the first audition footage, she felt like a complete wooden mannequin, delivering a performance that screamed "acting" -- and it was rather stiff. Her fluent lines appeared to be more like reciting lines from memory than a natural delivery.
Yet by the end, through Eric's painstaking guidance -- down to every line, every small gesture -- the character she played of the Vanity Fair journalist had truly come alive, making the interaction between her and Eric incredibly organic. Natasha felt as if a new persona, Christine Everhart, had settled in her heart.
Eric nodded in affirmation: "Since you don't feel that way, let's continue tomorrow."
"Ah?" Natasha, who had just raised her glass of wine, instantly deflated, looking with a plea towards Eric.
After all that effort, she felt her performance had been quite commendable, and genuinely didn't want to continue the monotonous repetition.
Eric disregarded Natasha's pitiful expression, saying, "Remember what you mentioned to Larry at lunch?"
Natasha Henstridge nodded, recalling her jab at Larry Ellison.
"Look," Eric continued, "Larry Ellison's portrayal of Happy Hogan in this film practically mirrors the nature of your role and amounts to little more than a cameo. But during our lunch gathering, he constantly sought advice from Joss and the others about how to deliver that small role better. And Larry only took a one-dollar salary, and I even roped him into a five million sponsorship deal. He probably won't develop a Hollywood career either, but not once did he dismiss that role. Instead, he was determined to make it shine. Why do you think that is?"
Natasha genuinely couldn't understand Ellison's mindset, but she wisely opted to surrender, raising her glass of wine towards Eric. "Alright, Eric, we'll continue tomorrow."
Eric raised his glass in response, took a sip of wine, and smiled as he elaborated, "There are individuals who instinctively aim to do their best at every turn, which frames them as the successful people in the eyes of ordinary folks. My expectations of you beautiful girls aren't that high. However, the role you have is an incredible opportunity. While your screentime might not be ample, it's very much one that offers a chance to stand out. Leaving a strong impression on the audience could elevate your reputation across the globe and provide you with a key to Hollywood. Such opportunities might be rare for most aspiring actors here."
As Natasha Henstridge rubbed the wine glass, her other hand propping her chin while gazing across at Eric, she listened to him intently until he finished, a smile spreading across her face. "Eric, why are you so good to us?"
"Because I want to excel in everything I do as well," Eric replied, his words heartfelt. "You are all products of my labor, and I want each of you to soar as high as possible."
Suddenly, Natasha understood, her smile brightening even more. "We stand higher, making us untouchable, right?"
"Exactly."
"Hehe, I just realized how spot on Linda's nickname for you really was."
"I also suddenly feel that when I go to New York next time, I should properly 'reward' Linda for coining that nickname."
With a chuckle, Natasha fell silent, deftly bringing the wine back to her lips for another sip, all the while savoring her dinner at a leisurely pace.
...
After dinner, Natasha eagerly cleaned up the dishes while Eric once again headed upstairs to the living room, turning on the television and settling back on a spacious sofa with his laptop to check emails for the day.
A little while later, Natasha Henstridge joined him upstairs, heading straight to the floor-to-ceiling windows to draw the light blue curtains closed. She then turned back towards Eric.
Noticing her long legs swaying in his peripheral vision while he kept his focus on the keyboard, Eric continued typing casually, "You can sleep here tonight; it's way more comfortable than a hotel. If you're worried about a nighttime visit from me, just lock the door."
Before Eric could finish that sentence, Natasha seized the laptop from his lap and tossed it aside. He looked up just in time to see Natasha leaning over him, pushing Eric down onto the couch, riding on his waist as she reached for his shirt collar with both hands and tugged hard. However, whether it was her lack of strength or the durability of his shirt, she couldn't quite manage to rip it open.
Eric gazed at the delicate and stunning face framed by her golden locks, not resisting as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and chuckled, "You're going about unbuttoning this the wrong way. I've seen someone do it with their tongue before. But can we first clarify your current state of mind?"
Struggling to tear at Eric's collar without awkwardness, Natasha sat upright, yanked off her snug knit top, and, shaking her beautiful golden hair gracefully, looked down at him from above, stating, "Mr. Williams, you've been tantalizing me for the whole afternoon, plus there was that earlier snafu. So I feel I owe you some payback."
Eric's hands slid along her soft waist, slipping into her bra's gap, savoring the extraordinary sensation. "I thought you were going to rehearse for your second act scene from Iron Man first."
"Of course, Mr. Stark," Natasha retorted, her face flushed but her demeanor suddenly transforming. With a proud gesture, she extracted Eric's hands from her bra, pressing them against his head before leaning forward to nibble playfully at his neck and declared, "So, go ahead and resist."
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.