Nicole Kidman sat on the sofa with a sullen expression, exuding a cold and sharp aura like an iceberg. Although she was furious inside, she hadn't said a single harsh word—first, because saying anything to the person across from her, Ryan, would just go in one ear and out the other; second, because she couldn't bear to scold him.
If what happened the night before last had only aroused her suspicion, then after what happened today, if she still couldn't see that this little guy was acting with a plan and premeditation, she'd really be a fool.
Just thinking about how she stood up the famous Tom Cruise for an entire morning made Nicole want to slap her own forehead. She hadn't expected that a simple trip to the supermarket would lead to the superstar calling her house to ask her out. And Ryan, that little bastard, promised to pass on the message but acted like nothing happened and didn't even bring it up all day.
If Tom Cruise hadn't called back after waiting nearly the whole morning, she might still be completely in the dark.
"You did it on purpose?" Nicole looked up at the boy with no shame whatsoever, and her tone turned into a statement, "You did it on purpose! That night too!"
Ryan hadn't expected to fool Nicole anyway, so he simply spread his hands and shrugged. Since it was already done, at worst he'd be grounded. A dead pig doesn't fear boiling water.
"Ryan Jenkins, what exactly are you trying to do?" Nicole's tone was low and slow, but still chilling. "Do you even know what kind of consequences your actions might bring?"
She had never underestimated this boy's intelligence. Sometimes she even felt he was smarter than she was. There was no way he didn't realize this would ruin her audition opportunity.
Of course, judging from the somewhat cold tone in Tom Cruise's voice when he hung up, that opportunity was already gone.
"You like him, don't you, Nicole?" Ryan's question stunned Nicole a bit. "Don't deny it, I'm not an idiot."
For the first time, Nicole felt a headache from Ryan's precocious nature. After a brief hesitation, she nodded. "I do like him… but only a little."
"I don't like him. Not at all."
Ryan's words surprised Nicole again. They had lived together for several years, but it was the first time she heard him express his feelings so clearly.
Just that one sentence made Nicole feel like she understood his motives. Without thinking further, she made a decision in her heart. "Alright, Ryan. Since you don't like him, I'll try not to associate with him."
Ryan thought he'd have to argue and persuade her, but didn't expect Nicole to agree so quickly. From that, he could see his place in her heart. For a moment, he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all turned into one sentence.
"Thank you, Nicole."
Nicole didn't say anything more. She just walked over and hugged him tightly. He felt her icy elegance; she felt his warmth. In that moment, it was as if the world only held a woman and a boy. She was his pillar, and he was her everything.
"Ryan, if you don't like something, just tell me directly next time, okay? Don't make me worry."
"Mm~ Thank you, Nicole."
"It's just a pity about that opportunity." A duck that was almost in her hand had flown away. Nicole couldn't help feeling a little regret.
"Oh come on, Nicole, that role wasn't suitable for you at all."
Not yet ten years old, Ryan climbed out of her embrace, striking a mock-serious pose, ready to talk it out—something that happened often between them. Nicole didn't mind. "Ryan, I know you're smart and mature for your age, but do you really understand film?"
"Who says I don't understand film?" Ryan's nose practically pointed to the ceiling.
"Alright then, give me your reasoning."
"I heard Pat talk about the general plot of the movie. That female lead is nothing but a pretty face, just there to show off her charm and figure. There's no room to actually act. Honestly, Nicole, you're already too beautiful—and that's a good thing—but I can totally see it: if you took on that role, you'd be typecast as just a pretty face. Once that happens, it'll be extremely hard to break out of it. Are you really willing to be a flower vase?"
Though Ryan's words were a bit blunt, Nicole Kidman could see the logic behind them. She needed a film to break into Hollywood and establish herself, but after hearing this, she didn't think about herself first.
"Ryan, you little devil. When did you get into film?" But as soon as she asked that, Nicole remembered—back in London, he bought a lot of books on screenwriting and film. Could it be…
"Does that even need studying? Don't forget, I'm a genius!"
A mental image of a big red-haired monkey flashed in Ryan's mind, making him shiver. He quickly shook his head to stop his wandering thoughts.
A black Cadillac slowly pulled into the small parking lot in front of the apartment. In the back seat sat a chubby middle-aged man with somewhat Jewish features. Looking at the woman beside him, he asked again, "Pat, is this script really written by a ten-year-old?"
"Correction, Harvey, Ryan is just over nine. Not even ten yet."
They all worked in the same industry and saw each other often, so Pat Kinsley and Harvey Weinstein could be considered acquaintances.
"I'm just surprised. It's unbelievable. Even though the story is about a child, the deep emotions—loneliness, family love—this just doesn't seem like something a kid could write."
As they walked toward the apartment, Harvey Weinstein couldn't help repeating himself. Pat Kinsley just smiled knowingly. "Harvey, once you meet the boy, you won't think that way anymore."
"Really?" Harvey knew a bit about Pat's background. If she praised someone this much, maybe that Ryan kid really was something special. "Well, I'll see for myself then."
Ding dong—the doorbell rang. Nicole was just about to get up to answer it when Ryan jumped off the sofa and darted to the door in a few quick steps.
"Hey, Pat. You finally made it." Ryan greeted the female agent, then looked past her at the fat man behind her. Though a little different from the image in his mind, he immediately recognized him.
"Hi, Ryan. Hi, Nicole." Inside the small living room of the apartment, Pat Kinsley began introducing everyone. "This is Mr. Harvey Weinstein from Miramax Films. Harvey, these two are Ryan Jenkins and Nicole Kidman."
After a few simple pleasantries, Weinstein got straight to the point. "Ms. Kidman, are you Ryan's guardian?"
"Yes." Though still confused, Nicole nodded.
"Well, Miramax has decided to purchase the script The Sixth Sense…" Weinstein didn't get to finish before Nicole interrupted, "Script? The Sixth Sense? What script?"
With her question, the atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Nicole Kidman and Harvey Weinstein both turned their eyes to Pat Kinsley, clearly waiting for her to explain.
Kinsley looked at Ryan, who sat calmly without moving. There was no need to ask—clearly this little guy hadn't told Nicole anything about the script or today's meeting. She had no choice but to explain, "Ryan gave me a script he wrote. I submitted it to Miramax. After Harvey read it, he decided to buy it. I called this morning… Looks like Ryan forgot to tell you."
"Ryan~" Nicole turned her eyes to him.
"Nicole, I just wanted to surprise you. Okay, okay—I'm sorry."
Ryan quickly explained everything to Nicole. The script had been written back in London and given to Pat Kinsley. When she called that morning, he purposely didn't say anything to surprise her.
"Sweetheart, you really scared me. I knew you read a lot of screenwriting books in London, but I didn't expect…" Nicole's hands waved slightly, as if she didn't know what to say. After calming herself, she turned to the man opposite. "I'm sorry, Mr. Weinstein. May I take a look at the script first?"
"Of course."
Weinstein handed her the script. As a savvy businessman, patience in the face of potential profit was essential. While waiting, he silently observed, especially the boy named Ryan.
Thin and a bit small, he had seemed a bit reckless earlier—but those bright blue eyes revealed a maturity and intelligence far beyond his years. Perhaps this really could be a major discovery.
The script wasn't long—around a hundred pages. Nicole was already familiar with Ryan's writing style, so she read quickly. But the more she read, the more her heart sank. The lonely, helpless boy needing love and care was clearly Ryan before the age of seven. The single mother? That was clearly based on her.
Some scenes in the script even mirrored their life together. Those mother and son characters were clearly the two of them—relying on each other, not bound by blood, but closer than family.
But why had these touching scenes been set in a thriller? Perhaps it had to do with Ryan's lingering dark memories. Nicole sighed to herself, suddenly feeling she hadn't cared enough for him.