[Chapter 246: Nicole Kidman Wants a Divorce]
After all the actors were cast, preparations for the film entered high gear.
Except for Monica Bellucci and Naomi Watts, all other cast and crew stayed in the hotel arranged by the production at Universal Studios.
Besides organizing script readings and rehearsing action sequences, Linton collaborated with Yuen Woo-ping's team to choreograph the fight scenes.
In the evenings, he often played games happily with Sophie Marceau, Winona, and Heidi Klum. Of course, he occasionally spent time with Charlize Theron. He was living quite comfortably.
...
That afternoon, Linton received a call from Nicole Kidman asking for a date. "Honey, are you free tonight?"
"I'm busy preparing for a movie right now," Linton replied. He knew she was looking to fill some loneliness, but his schedule was packed day and night, and he wasn't eager to go out.
"Dear, we haven't seen each other in a while. Your babies miss you a lot. Won't you come by and show some concern?"
"I'm really busy now, how about waiting a bit?"
"Honey, I've booked a room on the 12th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel. Come over tonight. There's a surprise for you."
"What surprise?" Linton thought of the beautiful, passionate times they shared and felt a bit moved.
"My dear, you'll find out when you get here. I prepared a big surprise for you. Your babies are waiting for you in good health."
"Alright then, freshen up and wait for me." Since Nicole was so sweet and insistent, he decided to go. After all, she was a charming lady -- so open and playful -- and the experience was truly special.
After hanging up, he asked his assistant to book the room on the 12th floor of the Four Seasons.
...
After greeting Sophie Marceau, Winona, and Heidi Klum, and when work at the crew wrapped up, Linton quietly drove to the hotel's underground parking, took the elevator to the 12th floor, and knocked on Nicole's door.
As soon as the door opened, a soft, curvy body threw itself into his arms.
Sure enough, there were surprises: various costume changes, playful antics, and songs, giving Linton the ultimate experience once again...
...
Four hours later, after a break, Nicole lay limp against Linton, her delicate hands absentmindedly tracing circles on his chest.
"Honey, I want a divorce from Tom."
"Baby, what's wrong? Can't you two live together anymore?" Linton was shocked. Could it be that their divorce was happening earlier because of him?
"Yes, I can't stand it anymore."
"Don't do this because of me," Linton said, feeling guilty about sneaking around with her but not wanting to destroy her family.
"Of course there are reasons beyond that."
"Tell me."
"Your reason, of course, is that ever since we were together, I couldn't feel anything with him, and we haven't been intimate for months.
And now he's getting deeper into Scientology. When he's in Los Angeles, he spends most of his time at Scientology headquarters, throwing parties there almost daily, rarely coming home. What kind of life is that?"
"Didn't you ever have a good talk?"
"We tried, but every time Scientology came up, it ended badly. He's been brainwashed by them and won't listen to any objections.
He even wanted me to change my beliefs and join Scientology, but I was repulsed by the lavish parties they threw every day."
"Baby, I can't really give advice about marriage since I have no experience myself, and you know I'm not big on marriage.
But I think you need to be cautious. This is a major life event. Whatever you decide, as a friend, I'll support you."
"We're already like this," Nicole said unhappily. "You've played with every inch of my body, and we're still just friends?"
"Very close friends, okay?" Linton reconsidered and softened his words.
"That's better, dear. If I get divorced, can we have a public relationship?"
"Public relationship?"
"I want to live at your estate like Sophie Marceau and the others."
"How did you know they live on my estate?"
"I figured it out. At first I wasn't sure, but now I am."
Nicole smiled mischievously, like she'd uncovered a secret.
"Honey, you and Tom are big stars. Even if you want a divorce, it's complicated. Your careers and reputations could suffer. You need to figure out how to handle that and minimize damage."
"I've thought it through. I plan to hype up the divorce and expose Tom's secrets and his Scientology ties to win media sympathy and public support."
"If you do that, will you two become enemies? Will Tom's career be hurt?"
"After a divorce, we're naturally enemies. Can you name any couple that didn't end up that way? People will use every trick to get what they want."
Linton shivered, remembering that in their previous life, Nicole's acting skills during her divorce were Oscar-worthy.
She used her image as a vulnerable woman to win sympathy and grabbed a huge settlement, boosting her film career to new heights.
As for Tom Cruise, his divorce and Scientology issues tanked his popularity. Fans deserted him; his career hit rock bottom. Eventually, his star rebounded after Mission: Impossible 4.
But Nicole's good times didn't last long. After milking public sympathy for a few years, her career faltered again, and she kept dragging Tom's name into the spotlight to gain attention.
If things were the same this time, Linton didn't want to enable her.
He felt sorry for Tom and didn't want to be part of ruining him again.
"Baby, you can divorce, but I don't support bitterness or turning against each other. I want you to separate peacefully. Otherwise, we can't date openly in the future."
"Why? Do you think Tom and I can break up cleanly?"
"If the divorce is just a crisis between you two and I'm not involved, I wouldn't judge. But you just said I was involved. You hope for an open relationship with me later, so please consider how I feel."
"Are you worried about negative public opinion?"
"Not really. I just can't accept the situation. We're already hurting Tom by what we're doing now. Using your vulnerable position in the divorce to hurt him, I can't accept that. And doing so stains you, and I can't accept a girlfriend like that."
"Are you saying it's a moral issue?"
"It's not about moralities; it's having basic human boundaries; no matter what others think or do, we have to keep our own standards and persistence."
"I didn't know you were so noble. So if I go too far in this divorce, you'll ignore me afterward?"
"I won't ignore you, but I can't be friends with someone without boundaries, let alone let her live on my estate."
"Really?"
"Baby, trust me. Don't worry about short-term gains and losses. Life is long. To live wonderfully and meaningfully, you need your own standards and perseverance."
"You're so noble. No wonder being with you feels like a spiritual renewal. I can't forget our time together -- every moment of joy and relief. Since you have such high standards, let me think it over. If I break completely with him, can I live at your estate?"
She was a voluptuous woman with an eager mind, already imagining the possibilities.
"Depends on your performance. Maybe in half a year. You're a big star, and the public and fans need time to accept it."
"Then I'll show you now." With that said, she got into bed.
*****
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