Chapter 98: Chapter 98: boarding the plane
At Los Angeles International Airport, Martin donned a fashionable white short trench coat and black sunglasses, accompanied by his trusty companion, Bruce, who carried his bags. Martin exited the car and strolled through the airport, garnering attention from onlookers who wondered which celebrity was traveling.
Freelance reporters and paparazzi stationed at the airport immediately swarmed him when they saw his striking outfit.
Flashes from cameras popped before anyone could approach.
Upon realizing that Martin was not a familiar face, some reporters dispersed with muttered complaints.
A few individuals, who were well-versed in internet forums and B-movies, vaguely recognized Martin and snapped a few more pictures.
Among the handful of remaining freelance reporters, a woman asked her colleague, "Do you think we can sell these photos and make some money?"
Her male colleague was pessimistic, responding, "It's going to be tough."
With keen eyes, Martin spotted a petite blonde woman ahead and quickened his pace. "Hi there, my twin sister, what a coincidence."
Elisha matched his pace and replied directly, "My sister might be a big star, but her writing skills leave much to be desired."
Pretending to be heartbroken, Martin clutched his chest and extended his arms. "Your twin brother's heart is shattered into pieces by your words. I need some comfort."
Amused by his response, Elisha offered Martin a gentle hug.
Several paparazzi and reporters eagerly snapped photos.
The contrast between the petite and sexy Eliza and the tall, robust Martin made for striking images.
Elisha's assistant, a plain woman with glasses and freckles, cleared her throat loudly, drawing their attention.
With innocent intentions, Martin greeted, "Shall we head inside?"
The four of them proceeded into the airport terminal.
One female reporter outside commented, "Elisha seems quite close to him. We might recover our investment and even make a small profit."
Her male colleague, preoccupied with his thoughts, didn't respond. He already had his opening shot and was busy reviewing and writing his piece.
The headline began forming in his mind: "Hollywood Star Elisha Cuthbert's New Relationship Revealed..."
After obtaining their boarding passes, passing through security, and reaching the boarding gate, many crew members had already assembled.
Adrian approached them, giving Martin a fist bump. "We're all lucky to land the roles."
Standing behind Martin, Bruce, usually reserved, chimed in, "We're all friends in the same company, ready to support each other."
Elisha asked Martin, "Is he your friend?"
Before Martin could reply, Adrian flashed his most charming smile. "I'm Adrian Grenier, the lead actor of 'Entourage.' Martin here was my co-star in that series."
Playing along, Martin put his arm around Adrian's neck, as they did during filming. "So, this time, he's playing the role of Nick's follower and partnering with me."
Adrian made no effort to break free from the situation. He realized that this association was beneficial to him.
The rhythmic clatter of high heels approached, and Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian arrived.
Martin released his hold on Adrian and signaled to Bruce, who nodded imperceptibly.
Recalling their earlier conversation at Avalon, the two had devised a plan for networking and building relationships.
Combining two somewhat less-than-desirable individuals often led to a more palatable result.
Bruce retrieved the bag he had brought with him and reminded, "It's almost time."
Martin pointed to the VIP lounge and proposed to Elisha, "Shall we go inside?"
As they both held business class tickets, they passed through the VIP channel.
Upon arriving in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, their flight had gone smoothly. As they disembarked, Bruce was eagerly anticipating his meeting with Martin.
Martin inquired, "Did everything go as planned?"
Bruce replied, "The news is out, and she has a favorable impression of me."
Martin cast a glance toward Adrian in the distance and commented, "If someone else creates trouble for him, he won't have much time to trouble us."
Bruce went to retrieve their luggage and returned to inform Martin, "Kim informed everyone who flew in from the crew that Paris is treating us to a lavish buffet tonight."
Martin questioned, "Is there anything unusual?"
Bruce nodded, "Most likely, but I'm not aware of the details. Let's just play it by ear."
"We're civilized people, not involved in such matters," Martin asserted, unwilling to jump into anything rashly. "We'll simply be spectators."
The crew had already arranged accommodations at the Hilton Hotel. Martin's room was a spacious two-bedroom suite, one of which was reserved for his assistant.
"We're civilized individuals, not entangled in such matters," Martin asserted, refusing to rush into anything. "We'll merely be observers."
As the crew reached the hotel, room assignments were already sorted. Martin's suite included two bedrooms, one of which was designated for his assistant.
...
Later that evening, as the crew gathered in the hotel's dining area for Paris Hilton's promised buffet, the atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Martin and Elisha, both accustomed to the unpredictable nature of show business, chatted with their fellow cast and crew members while Bruce and Kim Kardashian discreetly discussed the unfolding situation.
Paris, always the center of attention, welcomed everyone with a radiant smile. "I'm so glad you could all make it tonight. Let's enjoy the evening together!"
As the night progressed, the buffet provided a lavish spread of culinary delights, and conversation flowed freely. Paris Hilton, well-connected in the celebrity world, effortlessly introduced Kim Kardashian to influential figures within the crew. They mingled with producers, directors, and influential industry players, making sure that Adrian's role in the crew was thoroughly discussed.
Meanwhile, Bruce kept an eye on the interactions. He discreetly approached a few key individuals and shared the news of Adrian's potential involvement in framing Jason Shaw. Whispers and murmurs began to circulate among those who had connections to the casting decisions. It seemed that the seeds of doubt had been planted.
Eliza, who had a vested interest in the matter, carefully observed the reactions of her colleagues and made mental notes of their opinions on Adrian. She knew that this information could be valuable in the days to come.
As the night drew to a close, Paris Hilton made a brief announcement, "I hope you all had a wonderful time tonight. Remember, in Hollywood, connections matter. Let's continue to support each other and make this project a huge success!"
The crew members dispersed, carrying with them not only the memory of a sumptuous buffet but also the seeds of suspicion regarding Adrian's involvement in Jason Sean's unfortunate incident.
In the following days, tensions within the crew subtly increased. Whispers about Adrian's role in the scandal reached the higher-ups, and discussions about his continued presence on the project grew more frequent. The situation had become a delicate balancing act, with friendships, alliances, and careers hanging in the balance.
Amidst all this, Martin remained focused on his work and the role he had to portray. He understood that in Hollywood, the show must go on, regardless of the backstage drama. However, he also knew that sometimes, the most compelling drama happened off-screen.
As the crew embarked on the production of their project in Queensland, the tension continued to simmer beneath the surface. The Hollywood game, with its intrigues and rivalries, was in full swing, and Martin and his companions were about to face challenges they hadn't anticipated when they first set foot on that plane at LAX.
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