Chapter 168: Seduction in the Air
"A Chinese-language film," Catherine Zeta-Jones asked as Aaron rested an arm casually around her shoulders.
"Interested?"
"Let's go watch it," Aaron replied.
He had recognized the female lead on the poster at a glance—Joey Wong. Her beauty was unmistakable, striking and unforgettable.
Aaron hadn't expected to run into the film A Chinese Ghost Story III at Sitges. But then again, this was the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival—genre films were its lifeblood. At the moment, Hong Kong cinema's export power ranked second only to Hollywood, and its presence at fantasy-focused festivals was only natural.
With Barcelona having hosted the Summer Olympics earlier that year, Spain was crowded with visitors. Attendance at Sitges was higher than ever.
Inside the theater, Aaron and Catherine watched A Chinese Ghost Story III together.
This period marked the absolute peak of Hong Kong cinema. With more than two hundred films produced annually, it was astonishing that a city of barely five million people could sustain the world's second-largest film export industry.
By contrast, Catherine—now starring as the female lead in The Mask of Zorro—had recently appeared in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery, which had earned only eight million dollars at the box office.
Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise had performed even worse, barely scraping past seven million.
Later, in the production office on the Mask of Zorro set, Aaron discussed filming progress with Ridley Scott.
"Based on our current schedule," Scott said after a sip of coffee, "we'll need to move the remaining shoots to Mexico. The areas around Mexico City fit our needs perfectly."
Aaron nodded. With Spain's locations wrapped, shifting production made sense.
That evening, Aaron drove with Salma Hayek to a bar in Barcelona.
"How's filming been?" he asked softly, one arm around her slender waist.
"It's been great," Salma replied warmly. "There are so many Spanish and Latin actors on set—it feels welcoming."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"You haven't come to see me in a while. After Sleepless in Seattle, I finally joined the Screen Actors Guild."
She smiled knowingly.
"That was thanks to you. Don't you think I deserve a proper thank-you?"
Aaron answered by kissing her, his hand resting lightly against her curves.
A short while later, he settled onto the sofa with her in his arms.
"They say Latina women are irresistibly passionate," he murmured. "Seems the reputation is well earned."
Salma laughed softly.
"Do you like Spanish women too? Penélope Cruz made quite an impression this year in Jamón Jamón. Sexy enough for your taste?"
"Penélope Cruz?" Aaron nodded. "I met her at the Venice Film Festival. She really is one of Spain's finest."
"She's also starring in another romance," Salma added. "Belle Époque. It opens in Spain next month."
Seduction lingered in the air, quiet and unspoken—just like the night itself.
As a Mexican Latina, Salma Hayek paid close attention to Spanish-language news.
Aaron, on the other hand, couldn't be bothered with such things. As for Penélope Cruz, his interest had been nothing more than momentary curiosity. With his current standing and influence in Hollywood, he had neither the time nor the inclination to deliberately pursue anything—if he so much as lifted a finger, countless beautiful women would willingly step into his world.
"All right," Aaron said calmly. "I'll be heading back soon. The crew will also be moving to Mexico for the next phase of filming. I won't be staying in Spain much longer."
Spain's economy, bolstered by the recent 5% devaluation of the peseta and the global attention brought by this year's Olympic Games, was clearly on the rebound. The shadow cast by the Gulf War was rapidly fading, and as one of Europe's fastest-growing economies, Spain appeared poised for a sustained upswing.
Salma looped her arms around Aaron's neck and leaned in affectionately.
"I don't have many scenes coming up. Should I go back with you?"
"I'm definitely leaving," Aaron replied, "but I still have a few things to take care of."
Not long ago, he had purchased a seaside villa on Ibiza, part of Spain's Balearic Islands. After earning seventy million dollars from shorting the pound, it only made sense to enjoy life a little. And after Spain, he still planned to stop in France—Sophie Marceau had nearly wrapped filming on a romantic feature titled Fanfan in Paris.
"Then let's head back early and rest," Salma said softly, her gaze lingering on him.
Aaron smiled and leaned close. "Addicted already?"
She laughed quietly. "Any woman who's been with you would be waiting for the next time."
---
In the wake of the European currency crisis, both the Italian lira and the British pound had temporarily exited the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. Meanwhile, France held a national referendum on the Maastricht Treaty, a proposal aimed at forming a unified political and economic entity—what would one day become the European Union—complete with a shared currency, foreign policy, and security framework.
In the western suburbs of Paris, at Sophie Marceau's home in Hauts-de-Seine, Aaron sat on the sofa watching the news.
"A European federation?" he murmured, stroking his chin.
So this was the road toward the EU.
"The Franco-British co-production 1492: Conquest of Paradise hasn't done well, critically or commercially," Sophie said, settling onto his lap in a silky nightdress, her scent enveloping him. "Now Ridley Scott is directing The Mask of Zorro for you—won't that be a problem?"
Aaron chuckled, resting his cheek against her neck. "Not at all. The script for 1492 was weak to begin with. Even in Hollywood, people couldn't understand why he took that project."
Sophie kissed him lightly.
"Fair enough."
Then she smiled.
"By the way, I just bought a seaside vacation home on Ibiza. Come with me for a few days—we can return to the U.S. together afterward."
With Thanksgiving approaching, followed by Christmas and the New Year, and with recent profits still fresh, investing in real estate felt only natural.