Chapter 167 – Your Reward
After Bill Clinton's successful election, Aaron and Jack Wells attended the victory celebration together in Washington, D.C.
"Our security company has recruited several more former U.S. Marines recently," Jack said as he clinked glasses with Aaron. "They're coming over from Haiti."
Aaron paused. "Haiti? That small Caribbean country that had a coup last year?"
Jack chuckled. "Exactly. The Caribbean is practically our backyard. Haiti is in complete chaos right now."
Aaron nodded. "Let's go, then. A presidential victory banquet always provides plenty of interesting conversation."
After leaving Washington, Aaron returned to Los Angeles, where Scent of a Woman had begun its U.S. theatrical run. As an art-house film, its release scale was limited, relying primarily on word of mouth to build momentum.
That evening, Aaron went to a club on Hollywood Boulevard to meet Elizabeth Hurley, who had called him earlier.
She stumbled into his arms slightly unsteadily. "You've been drinking quite a bit, haven't you?"
Elizabeth's fair, delicate face was flushed with the glow of alcohol. "Passenger 57 just premiered. We were celebrating with the crew."
She leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "The director Kevin Hooks and the male lead Wesley Snipes keep trying to take advantage of me. In Hollywood, you're the only one I can turn to."
Kevin Hooks and Wesley Snipes were both well-known Black filmmakers in Hollywood. Passenger 57 was essentially a Die Hard-style action thriller. For a newcomer like Elizabeth Hurley, opportunities were scarce—her looks and figure were her greatest assets.
Aaron shrugged lightly. "This is Hollywood. Nothing that happens here is surprising."
He shook his head. "Passenger 57 isn't exactly a great film anyway. You're basically there as eye candy."
Then he stood. "Come on. I'll get you out of here."
Aaron wrapped an arm around Elizabeth and led her out of the club.
In the passenger seat of the car, Elizabeth gazed at him dreamily. "Aaron… would you prepare a room for me at your place?"
Aaron smiled and rested a hand on her thigh. "So you're not going back to England—planning to stay in Hollywood instead?"
"That depends," she replied softly, eyes fixed on him. "On whether a young Hollywood tycoon like you is willing to give a small actress a chance to stay."
Elizabeth Hurley spoke with an openly hopeful look in her eyes.
After returning to the Bel Air villa, Aaron helped her sit down on the sofa and made her a cup of coffee.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said after taking a sip. "Four Weddings and a Funeral is coming out next spring, right?"
"Yes," Aaron replied. "It opens in the U.S. in April. The U.K. release will be a couple of weeks later, during the summer."
Elizabeth nodded, leaned closer, and kissed Aaron lightly on the cheek.
"Luckily, I didn't spend long on the Passenger 57 set. Otherwise, I would've been completely chewed up and spat out."
Aaron pulled her onto his lap, smiling as he felt her warmth against him.
"Aren't you being 'chewed up' right now?"
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly.
"That's different. If it's you, I don't mind at all."
The two soon collapsed back onto the sofa, their kisses growing heated and unrestrained.
---
The next morning, Aaron woke with Elizabeth curled against him.
"Look at you," he said with a grin. "You look much better today."
Elizabeth smiled lazily.
"The Mask of Zorro is filming right now, isn't it?"
"Yes. The crew already moved on to Spain. Earlier scenes were shot in California."
He traced his hand lightly over her figure.
"Feeling a little jealous?"
"Of course," she admitted. "Catherine Zeta-Jones is starring in a sixty-million-dollar production. After this, she'll be famous everywhere."
She hesitated, then looked at him seriously.
"Aaron… do you have a role for me? Something that could help me truly gain a foothold in Hollywood. If I did, I could stay by your side anytime."
Elizabeth was genuinely envious. A massive production, a leading role—and opposite one of Hollywood's biggest male stars, Kevin Costner.
Aaron considered it for a moment.
"There is a role I could give you."
He was already thinking of a future project—Forrest Gump. The female lead could very well be hers.
"Really?" Elizabeth sat up instantly, eyes shining.
"What kind of movie?"
"It's adapted from a novel—Forrest Gump, published a few years ago. Buy a copy and read it first."
"We'll develop it next year."
Her excitement was impossible to hide.
"And… I'd be the female lead?"
"Of course," Aaron said calmly. "You've given something. It's only fair you receive something in return."
With that, he shifted and gently pressed her back down.
"It's still early. We can take our time."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him, kissing him eagerly, as if she wished she could melt into him entirely.
---
Spain, Catalonia—near the coastal town of Sitges.
One of The Mask of Zorro's filming locations was set here. The town was picturesque and not far from Barcelona, and Aaron had flown over personally to inspect the production's progress.
Coincidentally, Sitges was hosting its International Fantastic Film Festival—the most famous genre festival in Spain, focusing on fantasy, horror, and action cinema. Alongside Brussels and Portugal's fantasy festivals, it was considered one of the world's top three.
Since the festival was underway, Aaron toured it with Catherine Zeta-Jones.
"Aaron?" Catherine asked, noticing him stop in front of a poster.
"Something wrong?"
He shook his head.
"Nothing."
The poster was for a Chinese film:
A Chinese Ghost Story III: Tao Tao Tao.