Naomi Watts came from an artistic family. Her mother was an antiques dealer and fashion designer. Her father was Pink Floyd's tour manager and sound engineer, though he passed away back in 1974. Her brother, Ben Watts, became a photographer for the BBC.
Gilbert, having been trained in the arts at both Beijing Film Academy in his past life and now USC, found he had plenty to talk about with Naomi Watts.
Just as the two were happily chatting away, the hostess of today's party came over.
"What are you two talking about? You look so happy!"
Gilbert and Naomi Watts turned around to see Nicole Kidman standing behind them, holding a wine glass.
"Nicole, you're here..." Naomi Watts looped her arm through Nicole Kidman's, showing off their close bond.
Gilbert chuckled, "Miss Watts and I were having a discussion about Eastern and Western art and culture. Miss Watts has some very insightful opinions."
"Oh, no, not at all," Naomi demurred, then buttered up Gilbert. "Director Gilbert is the truly impressive one! He knows so much about culture and even speaks fluent ."
"Oh?" Nicole Kidman's beautiful eyes widened in surprise as she scrutinized Gilbert, clearly impressed that he was such a learned man.
But that wasn't the main point...
Nicole Kidman then asked, "I heard your new film is coming out soon?"
"That's right," it wasn't a secret, so Gilbert had nothing to hide. "It's scheduled for an August release."
Seeing Cameron Diaz walking towards them in the distance, Gilbert gestured. "She's the lead actress..."
Naomi Watts turned her head and saw Cameron Diaz. She secretly compared herself to her and decided she was prettier.
Because of her interest in The Shallows and Gilbert, Naomi Watts had been following Gilbert's situation closely. Gilbert, two years her junior, had already successfully directed a film that grossed over a hundred million globally, while the new film starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman had only just surpassed that mark. But they weren't on the same path, so Naomi Watts could only feel envious.
However, Naomi Watts had done her homework on Cameron Diaz, who had been rumored to be with Gilbert for the past few months. Cameron Diaz had supposedly gotten a significant role in Gilbert's new movie by getting into his bed. This made Naomi Watts feel it was unfair.
Just sleeping with him? She could do that too...
But unfortunately, in Hollywood, "sleeping your way up" isn't as simple as just wanting to. So many people want to get into the bed of a top director or producer, but they just can't. The complex processes and huge investments in the film industry create immense pressure. Many times, just sleeping with someone doesn't guarantee a suitable role; it still depends on the person.
In contrast, Naomi Watts thought Gilbert was pretty good: young, strong, and definitely a better performer than those old guys. Cameron Diaz was really lucky, getting both the role and the man, plus enjoying the social connections Gilbert brought.
Attending parties, for instance, was a social connection. Without Nicole Kidman's invitation, Naomi Watts couldn't even get in, but Cameron Diaz just casually walked in with Gilbert.
Cameron Diaz noticed Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman chatting with Gilbert. She wasn't worried about Nicole Kidman, who was Mrs. Cruise after all, but Naomi Watts made her feel threatened. This was a woman whose beauty she felt was on par with her own (in her opinion), and Gilbert had always had a soft spot for beautiful women. Otherwise, Cameron Diaz wouldn't have been able to hook Gilbert so easily.
So, Cameron Diaz naturally linked her arm through Gilbert's and flashed a sweet smile, showing Naomi Watts her relationship with Gilbert. Although Gilbert had made it clear he wasn't considering marriage for now, she was willingly with him and knew he would have other women. But thoughts are one thing, and actions are another. In Hollywood, good men are a resource, and resources need to be fought over.
Nicole Kidman had already secured the excellent resource that was Tom Cruise, so of course, she didn't care about Gilbert. But Cameron Diaz and Naomi Watts were different; they hadn't made it big yet and were still in the stage where they had to fight for every resource.
Nicole Kidman, being a sharp cookie, naturally sensed the animosity between the two women. She smiled and said to Gilbert, "Naomi Watts is a good friend of mine, Director Gilbert. If you have any good roles, please give her a chance."
"Of course, I'm always happy to work with talented actors." Gilbert raised his glass and clinked it with Nicole Kidman's.
After finishing her drink, Nicole Kidman went off to greet other guests.
Watching Cameron Diaz and Naomi Watts glare at each other, Gilbert found it amusing. But he smoothed things over. "How about you two introduce yourselves to each other?"
Naomi Watts was two years older than Gilbert and four years older than Cameron Diaz, making her relatively more mature. She suddenly broke into a smile and started talking to Cameron Diaz, "Hello, I'm Naomi Watts. I know you, Cameron Diaz, Director Gilbert's rumored girlfriend."
She emphasized "rumored girlfriend," making it sound like she knew all the juicy details. Cameron Diaz, despite her small schemes, couldn't compare to Naomi Watts, who had been roughing it in the industry's lower ranks for years and was several years her senior. That one sentence almost made her lose her cool.
But the girl maintained her composure, after all, Gilbert was watching. "I've never heard your name before. Have you been in anything?"
Honestly, Naomi Watts had appeared in a few films and TV shows, but most of them were obscure. "I'm not as lucky as you, with Director Gilbert's special attention. I'm just playing small roles right now, barely making ends meet..." she said, putting on a pitiful act to gain sympathy.
Gilbert watched the two women vying for attention, feeling like he was watching a Hollywood version of Empresses in the Palace. Cameron Diaz, with Gilbert's favor, might not have been able to out-argue Naomi Watts, but her aura wasn't inferior. You could call her "Cameron, the Consort Hua." Naomi Watts, though lower in status, was eloquent and sharp-tongued, so you could call her "Naomi, the Consort Zhen."
Alright, that's enough, Gilbert couldn't let the two women keep arguing. So he timely interrupted their quarrel.
"Alright, alright, Michelle, it's getting late, we should be going."
Hearing Gilbert, Cameron Diaz obediently stood up, no longer squaring off with Naomi Watts. Gilbert, however, handed Naomi Watts a business card. "Miss Watts, it was a pleasure chatting with you. Here's my card. Keep it safe, and we should grab afternoon tea sometime."
Naomi Watts's smile grew even sweeter. "Oh, that sounds lovely! It's a date then. I know a great spot for afternoon tea."
"It's a deal..."
Though displeased that Gilbert was openly flirting with Naomi Watts right in front of her, Cameron Diaz held back. Outside, people called her Gilbert's woman, but Cameron Diaz knew her true status very well, and it was best not to annoy Gilbert.
After saying goodbye to Tom Cruise and his wife, Gilbert and Cameron Diaz left the party. On the way, Gilbert found it amusing to see Cameron Diaz's grumpy expression.
Still, he explained, "I gave Miss Watts my card because I think she has potential."
"So you thought I had potential back then too?" Cameron Diaz asked.
"Of course, you both have great potential, and I'm just here to help you succeed faster."
Gilbert said it all very grandly, but Cameron Diaz couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Help us? You just want to sleep with us, don't you...?"