Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Seize the Youth

Milo had definitely changed. He'd gotten used to having women around during his baths, sometimes even helping him wash. Nights were rarely spent alone, and a sleepy impulse would often lead him to… well, take advantage of whoever was nearby. It was a bad habit, a kind of pleasant disease with no apparent cure."Milo, which of these two dresses do you think looks better?""Think? Don't bother. If you like them, buy them both. No need to stress.""Really? Oh, Milo, you're the best!" Julie Delpy said, giving him a quick kiss. She then told the stunning Dior sales assistant to wrap up both expensive dresses without hesitation.Cate Blanchett watched, a look of admiration on her face. Milo's casual extravagance was definitely appealing. But she wasn't keen on Dior; she found the styles a bit too mature for her. Blanchett herself had a timeless look, appearing older than her years as a young woman, and likely to look much the same later in life. She preferred Chanel, something that would keep her looking fresh.Zeta-Jones, however, was less impressed. She'd been just as excited as the other two when she first met Milo, but after being showered with gifts regularly, the novelty had worn off. For Julie and Cate, this was only their second shopping spree with him, and their excitement was palpable.Milo enjoyed this. He liked seeing these future Hollywood stars, these Oscar winners-to-be, in their early days. A little bit of money, a small act of generosity, was enough to earn their adoration. What seemed like a fortune to them now—tens of thousands of dollars—would be nothing to them later. And he knew, with a cynical edge, that their bodies, so fresh and vibrant now, might be… well, let's just say they'd likely have seen a lot by the time they reached the heights of fame. He preferred them like this.After the clothes, it was time for jewelry. For fancy events, the right accessories were essential. Not necessarily to be flashy, but to look effortlessly elegant. That was why Milo had brought them out.It was November 17th, just two days after they'd wrapped filming on "Angels & Demons." Milo had given Wendy three days off, a mini-break for himself too, before diving headfirst into his next project. He'd already made the plans. He was in a hurry to get started because, he realized, besides making movies, "writing" novels, and "creating" screenplays, he didn't really do anything else. He wasn't interested in politics, didn't have the drive of a Paladin. He couldn't build a financial empire like the greats. He was a rich American kid, born into privilege. So, he figured, like some famous guy once said, "While you're young, enjoy the company of many women." Hollywood was the perfect place for that. Filmmaking didn't get in the way of his goal; it actually helped. He could work and… play. Plus, his writing and directing talent had a shelf life. He needed to use it while he still had it.So, a three-day break it was. But even during his time off, there were social obligations. He'd been back in LA for five months, and aside from that first pool party, he'd been focused almost entirely on filming. The book launch and the "Gospel" scandal had kept him out of the spotlight. His grandfather had advised him to keep a low profile, which meant no parties. But in America, parties were how you networked. Now that the film was done and things had calmed down, it was time to get back out there.Disney was throwing a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate the upcoming release of "Toy Story," their collaboration with Pixar. Milo had a decent relationship with Disney, so they'd sent him an invitation. Zeta-Jones and the others had seen it in the living room and, naturally, were eager to go. It was a Disney party, after all! Milo, who was enjoying their company, agreed to take them.And of course, for a party like that, you needed new clothes. And with new clothes came the need for matching jewelry. It was the Hollywood way. Every big event meant new everything. Men had it easy, just rotating a few expensive watches. But women were like peacocks, always needing to put on a dazzling display. You never knew who you might meet – a big-time producer, a famous director – someone who could change your life. Not that everyone was looking for a hookup or something shady. Some people just wanted to find the right talent for their projects.Compared to this kind of big Disney bash, filled with A-listers and producers, the really wild stuff happened at private parties hosted by Hollywood's notorious playboys. Guys like Robert Downey Jr., already known but not yet the superstar he'd become, threw some seriously crazy parties at their mansions. Milo's own pool party, where he'd met the women, was tame in comparison. His was just a bit of casual fun. Theirs… well, theirs was a whole different level of messy.