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HWI 454
🕑 Added 2024-10-02 15:37:37 +0000 UTCHollywood What If Chapter 454
The sizzling of steaks and hotdogs was like music to the ears. It was a small party after Fremont won the Best Director Award. He invited his friends in the industry to have a barbeque party.
Being invited, Kazir was in Fremont's house. Kazir was proud to see that Fremont had acquired his own property in Beverly Hills. In Hollywood and Showbiz, it was basically a wealth status if you could buy a house in Beverly Hills. Because most of the rich people and celebrities were living in this place. It had better security, free from stalkers and paparazzi.
At the back of the house, Fremont was cooking steak, hotdogs, bacon, and all kinds of meat that American households eat, except for pigs.
Kazir, Scarlett, Brianna, and Enzo were also at the party. They were all Salvatore's clients, but they could be considered friends.
"This place is great. I'm kinda jealous that you found a nice house with a swimming pool." Brianna teased the young director and Fremont just laughed.
Being a director, he made millions every year. Of all of Salvatore's clients, Fremont was the second highest-paying client. First was Kazir, obviously.
Even though actors and actresses were the faces of the movie, their salaries were incomparable to top-notch directors. Well-respected directors like Kazir and Fremont could make $100 million every year, depending on the project they choose.
In fact, Fremont had a 7% worldwide box office share for the movie La La Land. As of March 25, the movie already grossed more than $362 million worldwide. It meant that Fremont would earn $25 million at least once the screening of La La Land ended.
So it was not a surprise that Fremont could find a nice house in Beverly Hills.
"I got lucky. The real estate agent I talked to showed me this house and offered a low price, so I decided to buy it."
"How much?"
Both Brianna and Scarlett were interested to hear the price. Perhaps they both wanted a house with a pool in Beverly Hills.
"Around $7 million."
"Hiss..."
Scarlett was speechless, while Brianna was irked. Brianna could probably afford it since she was in demand. She also won the Best Actress Award so she could ask for $10 million per movie if possible.
As for Scarlett, her usual salary per movie was around $1-2 million. So yeah, it might take a while for her to afford a $7 million house.
On top of that, properties increase in price every year. Inflation was something that people would never escape.
The real estate properties in Los Angeles were expensive.
"New York is more expensive than California. The apartment that my brother lived in five years ago cost $2.3 million. It's in Manhattan. They decided to live in a house after 9/11, the house they bought cost $16 million, also in Manhattan."
When Kazir said that, all of them shut their mouths because of the expensive prices. They couldn't believe that the house in New York would cost a lot, more than in Beverly Hills.
While they were talking, more people arrived at the small gathering. Most of them were blacks, and Fremont greeted them with enthusiasm.
Some were rappers, some were actors, and some were people whom Kazir didn't know. The industry was small and most people knew each other. It was not a surprise that Fremont was friends with rappers.
When more people showed up, the house became livelier. Fremont didn't have time to accommodate all of them so he had to converse with every group to make sure everyone felt comfortable.
Being the host of this party, Fremont had to entertain his guests. Or else he would get a bad reputation.
Overall, 30+ people attended the party... Was this still considered a small party?
"Hey, Enzo? Are you okay?"
While the girls decided to have fun in the pool, Kazir found Enzo quiet and in deep thought. The Korean actor was quiet the whole time, he was just drinking alcohol.
"I'm fine... I think."
"We are friends, you can tell me your problem. Perhaps I can help you."
Enzo looked at Kazir and found that he was serious. Kazir wanted to see the people around him happy. If he could help them, he would help them.
Enzo chuckled and chugged down his beer. The rap music in the background was getting louder.
Out of Salvatore's clients, Enzo was probably the lowest one. He had projects every year and he was famous, but he knew that the roles he could get were limited. Most of them were related to his race as an Asian.
Whenever a movie needed a handsome Asian or even an Asian male, Enzo Park would be invited to audition. Sometimes, he got the roles, and sometimes, Jackie Chan or Jet Li would get the roles.
... He was tired of it. He was tired that the only roles he could get were all about being Asian. He was also devastated that he couldn't get a leading role.
So last month, he decided to audition for a gangster film. This film was going to be directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie was called The Departed. Enzo auditioned for one of the two protagonists.
Yet the moment he entered the audition room, most of the people were not even interested in talking to him. He just performed in that suffocating room and left.
"I see." Kazir listened to what Enzo said and realized the problem.
Kazir tapped his shoulder and tried to encourage him.
"Enzo, do you want to hear my opinion?"
"Of course, you're one of the most talented directors in the industry."
"Thanks for the compliment... But you won't like what I will say."
"..." Enzo turned to Kazir.
The director was staring at him with clear yet cold eyes.
"Don't be fucking stupid."
"Huh?"
Enzo was stunned.
"Don't be such an arrogant prick and believe that you deserve everything."
"..."
Enzo swallowed hard. He rarely saw Kazir talk like this... He was actually scared right now.
