[Chapter 121: Pepsi Music Video Shoot, Nicole Kidman]
[T/N: Starting from this chapter, there appear to be issues with the source material I was using. Most of the sentences were jumbled or out of order, except for the first few lines. I'm not sure whether this problem exists only in the free version or if it also affects the original. As a result, I've been reconstructing these chapters from scratch. If you notice any inconsistencies or errors, please feel free to let me know.]
Preparations for the Speed film crew were progressing smoothly. With the addition of assistant directors Michael and Ryan, Linton finally felt some relief from the pressure.
By late October, Pepsi had finalized the production plan for the Taste the Feeling music video. Since casting auditions for Speed were about to start—and Linton, as both director and lead actor, would only get busier -- he agreed to begin shooting the music video in two days.
To stay focused on the MV, Linton decided to skip the first two audition rounds entirely, assigning the responsibility to Robert and only planning to attend the final selection.
---
On October 23, Linton flew to Hawaii with Meena, Mira, and Danny to begin the shoot.
Upon arrival, he was surprised to find out that the female lead of the MV was none other than his neighbor -- Tom Cruise's wife, Nicole Kidman.
Nicole Kidman truly was stunning -- standing about 5'11" with a perfectly proportioned, sexy figure. Her glowing pale skin meant she looked striking in any outfit, radiating captivating charm.
It seemed that Nicole Kidman was currently very popular. Any actress signed by Pepsi as a spokesperson had to have both exceptional style and image, and most importantly, be at the peak of her career.
Though Nicole hadn't yet starred in a blockbuster film, she had won widespread American admiration through her breathtaking beauty and role as Tom Cruise's wife, and now she had landed Pepsi's endorsement deal.
...
Pepsi, as always, spared no expense. Both the MV and the commercial were shot on high-quality film with cinematic standards. Directing the shoot was Jonathan Glazer, a rising star in the world of music videos and commercials.
The shooting schedule planned three days for the song's promotional video and four days for the Pepsi commercial video, totaling seven days.
What surprised Linton was that director Jonathan treated him with great respect, without the usual sycophantic attitude.
The script and shooting plan were repeatedly revised to get Linton's input. During filming, lighting and camera effects were often consulted with Linton as well.
Linton sighed, realizing Hollywood opportunities were truly rare. He had just let Zack and Anne direct a movie alone. His influence wasn't negligible. It was clear Jonathan was hoping to bring Linton on board for his next feature film.
...
The video itself followed a romantic arc: Linton and Nicole as a couple, walking on beaches, lying under schoolyard lights, laughing across hilltops, and sharing soft, sweet moments. The chemistry was visible. Nicole's beauty practically glowed on camera -- tall, pale-skinned, and perfectly styled for each shot.
Of course, much of the video involved Pepsi product placement. Linton noticed less than five shots in total featured Pepsi, with only two close-ups -- one of each holding a bottle.
...
Pepsi had reserved the top floor of the hotel exclusively for the two leads, giving them privacy in matching presidential suites. Other members of the crew lived on different floors with similar room standards, including Linton's agent, assistant, and bodyguard, none of whom stayed in standard rooms.
Though they lived on the same floor -- the only two on it -- it was more about not disturbing others and not being disturbed themselves.
It seemed Nicole was dealing with the disappointment of her and Tom's indie film, Far and Away, bombing at the box office, leaving her mindset unsteady.
...
Jonathan fully proved himself, showing that giving Linton a chance might not be such a bad idea.
The romantic male and female leads were handsome and beautiful, the visuals were exquisite, with just the right amount of sweetness. The scenes were intimate but tasteful, the visuals tender and visually striking.
During filming, there were few intimate scenes, though Nicole seemed to be subtly seducing him.
Facing such a stunning and forward woman, Linton found it hard not to be tempted. But with Nicole being Tom Cruise's wife and their families being neighbors, he kept his distance.
...
"Such audacity -- he's just a young director and actor. Does he really understand the entertainment business?" Nicole murmured to her assistant. "There are so many unspoken rules, and there are many film crew couples. There's no way he doesn't know."
"Hey, you are neighbors after all, and he knows Tom and you. May be he is worried about awkwardness?" her assistant suggested.
"Then why does he avoid me during the day?"
It seemed that popularity based on someone else's fame was fragile, far less solid than popularity earned through one's own works.
---
At night, while Linton and Robert checked on Speed's production progress by phone, ready to relax, the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, he found Nicole standing with a bottle of red wine. "Got some wine left. Want to share a drink?"
Nicole wore a sheer gown with white stockings, crystal half-heel shoes, her red hair flowing over her shoulders. In the lighting, her sultry look was utterly captivating.
...
A few glasses in, the conversation turned personal.
"How's everything with Tom?" Linton asked casually.
Nicole gave a half-smile. "He's... predictable. Everything follows his rhythm."
"Nicole, you're impressive too."
"Is that a compliment or a warning?" she teased. "Maybe you're just afraid you won't be able to resist."
At that moment, Nicole took the initiative, leaned in and kissed him, slow and deep, the wine glass slipping from her hand and spilling onto the carpet.
"Be a good boy," she whispered, climbing on top of him.
Once they crossed that line, things escalated quickly. Nicole was bold and inventive. There wasn't much room for complaint.
After two hours, when the passion ended, "Honey, you are really amazing," Nicole whispered softly, lying on top of Linton, her delicate fingers intentionally tracing circles on his chest.
During the passion, Linton discovered Nicole's actual popularity was quite low, barely different from Naomi's.
After a moment of silence, another slow, sweet round began.
Without the revitalizing essence, Nicole's seductive power naturally weakened though she never gave up, repeatedly trying despite losses.
---
To Nicole's surprise, despite the sleepless night, they were full of energy during the day.
"Honey, how do you manage to stay so energetic? You haven't had a wink of sleep yesterday, yet you're still so full of energy."
"Maybe we're just good for each other. We draw the best out of one another," Linton said, giving the usual diplomatic excuse.
Before dinner, Nicole naturally accompanied Linton back to their room.
---
During breaks, Nicole showed clear jealousy when discussing Naomi, vaguely mentioning Naomi's rough modeling days after they met.
Nicole and Naomi were from the same hometown, and Nicole had introduced Naomi to Hollywood. They should have been inseparable best friends.
Now, seeing Naomi without a breakout role, barely holding onto the Hollywood seventh tier, it was different.
Linton realized Nicole's jealousy, making her a partner unsuited for a long-term relationship -- though she might peacefully coexist with Linton's other women as a regular fling, especially as she was top-notch.
---
Whether genuinely fascinated by Linton or seeking a better experience, Nicole even had her assistant bring along some rare enhancing props. Various outfit shows followed--school uniforms, nurse outfits, flight attendant costumes, lingerie, stockings...
Originally, Nicole wasn't a once-in-a-lifetime beauty, but with the help of props, her seductive effect on Linton maxed out, turning him into a brave lover every night.
Thus, they filmed the music video during the day, and Nicole openly stayed at Linton's room at night.
Thanks to Nicole's wholehearted efforts, Linton gave her some revitalizing essences each night. This made Nicole's energy and spirit grow stronger by the day; her skin became even more radiant, her allure increasing as if years younger.
---
After their relationship had significant breakthrough, their on-screen couple performances grew more intimate and natural, pleasing Jonathan, who praised their acting skills and smoothly finished the day's shooting.
For six long days and nights, with at least an hour of rest each night, they shot by day and explored new intimate experiences by night, both reaching peak sensations.
*****
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