Chapter 153: Chapter 153: A Match Made in Heaven
Annie followed Martin into the dressing room, curiously asking, "You've prepared a surprise? What kind? It's not a Serial Killer's outfit, is it?"
She made it clear in advance, "Martin, even for a Halloween costume, I don't want to turn into an ugly monster."
"You're so beautiful and elegant, even God would hesitate to ruin that," Martin said with flattering words, "Annie, even on Halloween, you have to be the most beautiful."
The 50-year-old designer Hannah greeted them, "Please, follow me this way."
Annie saw a dark leather jacket hanging on the rack, with thigh-high leather boots standing next to it, and a shelf above displayed black cat ear headbands and goggles.
"Who am I?" she asked Martin.
Martin's choice of costume was naturally the character that left the deepest impression on Annie, and he said, "Selina Kyle."
Annie furrowed her brow thoughtfully, tentatively asking, "Catwoman?"
Martin nodded, "Give it a try."
Annie approached the clothes and accessories to have a look, "It seems completely different from Harley Berry and Michel Pfeiffer."
Martin thought for a moment and said, "The realistic version of Catwoman."
Annie turned back and asked, "Are you Batman?"
Martin laughed, "Of course."
Annie pursed her lips into a line and sat in the makeup chair, where two stylists came over to help her get ready.
Martin followed Hannah to another dressing room.
Hannah asked in a low voice, "Where's Mene? Why didn't he come over?"
At her mention, Martin recalled the last time Mene had come upstairs with Hannah, "He's been quite busy recently, you can call him if you miss him."
Hannah muttered, "I really miss him a bit... and his mouth." She quickly added, "Mene speaks very nicely."
A couple of days ago, Martin had heard from Bruce that Mene had been getting cozy with a woman he met at the bar.
Upon entering the changing room, Martin changed into the Batman costume, certainly not the George Clooney type with grapes on the chest, but one similar to what Bale wore in the new Batman trailer.
In the studio lobby, Bruce glanced at the time and stepped out to find a public phone booth.
He pulled out his contact list and dialed the first number, "Hello, American Rumors? I have some important news to share, Martin Davis and Annie-Hathaway will attend today's Halloween parade. I have reliable information that they will appear at the open-air grand theater in couple costumes."
The person on the other end replied, "Thank you for the information, if you'd like to leave your name and address, we have a token of appreciation for you."
"No need, I'm just a concerned citizen," Bruce hung up the phone and then dialed the hotline of another gossip magazine, Hollywood Daily, to "sell out" Martin and Annie-Hathaway once again.
The stage was set, how could it do without the audience of journalists and paparazzi?
Bruce made more than a dozen calls in one go, informing not just gossip publications but also some freelance paparazzi.
In the afternoon, the Hollywood Halloween parade was about to start.
Martin and Annie got out of the car and had just arrived next to the open-air grand theater when their stunning Batman and Catwoman costumes immediately drew a throng of photographers.
Especially Annie's Catwoman.
As they walked, Martin said to Annie, "Let go, be natural, forget about being a princess in the past, all that is fake, you're now a thief, a thief of hearts, and today you're going to steal everyone's heart."
Listening to Martin's encouragement, Annie relaxed naturally, ditching the princess memory, striding forward with catlike steps.
Martin, shameless as he was, kept spewing flattering words by the tonne, "Annie, your sexiness and charm can definitely make everyone fall head over heels."
Annie's lips curled into a charming smile, the Batman beside her was great in every way, it was just a shame he didn't possess Bruce Wayne's most important ability.
Martin took off the Batman cowl.
As a star, Annie didn't need a reminder to automatically push up her goggles which, along with the headband, clung to her head like natural cat ears.
Max from "Entertainment Weekly" couldn't help but admire while taking photos, "These two are too cool! One tall and strong, sunny and handsome; the other with a hot figure, sexily enchanting, a perfect match by nature."
The Hollywood Open-air Grand Theater had gathered a large crowd ready to participate in the Halloween parade, it was a veritable dance of demons and monsters.
Among the throng of ghouls and ghosts entering at that moment, Martin and Annie were like bright lights in the night.
Journalists and paparazzi rushed up to take pictures.
Annie thoroughly enjoyed the media spotlight, which made her feel like a true princess.
Max from Entertainment Weekly came over for an interview, stretching the microphone between Martin and Annie, and said, "Martin, Annie, you guys are too cool, too stylish. Martin, you are Batman; Annie, is this a Catwoman costume?"
Annie spoke with flair, "This is the Catwoman style Martin specially designed for me, he said it suits my figure and temperament perfectly."
Martin added at the right moment, "Don't you think Annie is more enchanting than the Catwoman from the comics?"
Around them erupted a chorus of admiration and the sound of camera shutters clicking.
The reporter from American Rumors asked, "Martin, Annie, are you guys dating?"
Martin didn't answer, letting the question fall to Annie.
Annie, with some poise, said, "Actually not, Martin and I are very good friends right now. Martin is very outstanding and talented."
After delivering what sounded like the 'you're a good person' speech, she didn't forget to offer hope, "The future? Who can tell what the future holds?"
Martin stood by all the while, grinning like a lovesick puppy.
The frenzied snapping of the paparazzi bolstered his beaming smile even more.
Martin and Annie entered the open-air grand theater together, Annie's hand unintentionally touched Martin's arm.
Several times, she hooked her arm through Martin's, only to quickly let go again.
Afterward, Max put away his camera and was about to look for a new target when a beefy man appeared in front of him.
Bruce was quite polite, "Can I have one of your business cards?"
Max was no rookie, understanding what this meant, he pulled out a business card and handed it over.
Bruce was about to leave when he spotted an acquaintance, the female paparazzi who once showed up below the North Hollywood Apartment.
Jody recognized that Bruce was one of Martin's men. Seeing him approach, she asked, "Do you need something?"
Bruce pointed to where cars were parked on the side of the road, "Let's have a chat."
Jody put away her camera and followed him to the roadside,
Bruce invited her into the car.
Jody took the passenger seat, very straightforward, "Do you have high-value news? What do you want?"
She looked at Bruce, a vast improvement over that fat landlord at the North Hollywood apartment.
Bruce inquired, "I hear you work with several media outlets?"
Jody nodded, "I run an entertainment blog and also contribute to various entertainment publications."
Bruce had done his homework on her, "Your reports tend to favor Martin. If there's news about Martin, we will notify you first."
Jody thought carefully, the massively successful wax museum ticket sales came to mind, as did Martin getting involved with the darling youth star Annie, and there was also Martin's new movie release. She took out a business card and gave it to Bruce, "You can call me anytime."
Bruce emphasized again, "Don't forget the condition, your articles and photos must favor Martin. As you can see, Martin's momentum is surging, and there will be plenty of news that the public is interested in."
This remark sparked an idea for Jody. She carefully recalled that the series of news about the wax museum had created an extremely sensational effect. Could it be related to Martin?
Then she realized a key point, Mene, that shameless guy, often followed Martin around like a lackey.
And now there was Annie-Hathaway, recognized by the entertainment media industry as one of the top four actresses born in the '80s.
If Martin really paired up with her, they could surely achieve a synergy where 1+1 would be greater than 2!
Jody immediately said, "I am a firm supporter of Martin."
Bruce responded, "That will do."
Jody got out of the car and left.
Then Bruce, styled as Aquaman, went to find the next paparazzo.
The pond that was Martin would grow bigger, housing many fish.
After getting out of the car, Jody found a quiet spot and took out a voice recorder.
For a paparazzo, news was omnipresent.
Jody held the recorder to her ear and pressed the play button, noise blaring out.
"Damn it!" She turned to look for that bastard, but no one was in sight. Frustrated, she swore to herself that one day she'd bed that guy to have him willingly supply insider news.
The annual Hollywood Halloween parade had begun.
It was a feast for the common folk and a stage for celebrities to create talking points.
As Martin and Annie walked hand in hand on the street, Bruce picked up his camera and became a makeshift cameraman again, capturing intimate photos of the two to post on the blog that evening.
Suddenly, Bruce noticed that Annie's assistant, Laura, was also taking photos.
The two greeted each other tacitly.
"What a coincidence."
"What a coincidence."
They exchanged smiles and continued taking pictures.
Such memorable celebrity romance.
Martin and Annie walked down Hollywood Boulevard, waving to both sides from time to time, occasionally whispering together, both intimate and joyful.
The Batman costume was fine, but Annie's Catwoman outfit, though not revealing at all, somehow still grabbed everyone's attention.
Every now and then, peers would come over for a group photo.
Some passers-by even ran into the parade to take photos with the two.
Martin and Annie were very approachable, turning no one away.
A few paparazzi were always following Martin.
The Halloween parade lasted until the evening, and before ten o'clock, Annie took the initiative to leave, "Martin, will you take me back?"
Martin replied, "I'll have the car brought around."
Annie's gaze swept over the Bentley by the side of the road, without saying more.
Martin caught on and took Annie's hand, "This way."
As they walked, Annie said, "Today has been my happiest day in Los Angeles."
Martin turned to look into her eyes, "There will be even happier times."
Annie encouraged him, "I'll be waiting."
Bruce drove up, Martin helped Annie into the car and dropped her off at the hotel.
This time, he came out quickly.
It couldn't be the same every time; one must have morals and professional integrity, control the rhythm well, and give more consideration to the livelihood of the reporters and paparazzi following them.