Cameron watched that tall, straight back quickly disappear into the morning mist, her pace unconsciously slowing as a look of bewilderment and faint frustration appeared on her face.
She couldn't help but look down at herself, then touched her face, wondering: Did she look bad today? Was she not attractive enough? That handsome young man didn't even give her a second glance or say a single word?
Landon followed his own pace and plan, running four full laps along the circular track of the villa district.
With every lap, he would "overtake" Cameron and her team of bodyguards again.
Every time they crossed paths, he keenly noticed Cameron's increasingly obvious gaze and her hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Twice, she even seemed to adjust her breathing, preparing to start a conversation.
But each time, Landon only gave a polite nod and then accelerated without hesitation, like a gust of wind that couldn't be caught, quickly leaving her and the expectation in her eyes behind.
During the final encounter, Landon caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of Cameron stopping completely, hands on her hips, watching his back with a face full of defeat and unwillingness.
Finally, she shook her head and, with a helpless look and two equally confused bodyguards, turned and walked back in another direction—toward her residence.
Landon's heart didn't flutter much. It wasn't that he didn't recognize the big star, nor was it that he didn't appreciate her beauty.
On the contrary, Cameron Diaz's radiant beauty was beyond doubt.
But his current life was already "colorful" enough.
Tracy's rationality and mystery, Rachel's innocence and dependence, Elisha's obsession and complexity... it was already a tangled mess of emotions that he needed to handle carefully.
He didn't have the energy for now, nor did he want to actively provoke new "flowers and grass."
Moreover, he vaguely remembered that during this period, Cameron Diaz seemed to be dating a certain musician whose dating history was also quite extensive.
He didn't want to get involved in an even more complicated situation.
After finishing his run and returning to the villa feeling refreshed, Landon recalled the real estate agent Lucy's initial introduction—"Several stars live in the community; privacy is very good."
He didn't expect it to be verified so quickly, and that he would encounter someone of Cameron Diaz's caliber.
It seemed Lucy really hadn't exaggerated.
The villa was very quiet.
The master bedroom was empty, but the faint sound of splashing water and playful laughter came from the direction of the bathroom.
Landon walked over and, through the door, could hear Rachel teasing Tracy: "...Haha, you're always the one to provoke first, and yet you're always the one to beg for mercy! Overestimating yourself!"
Tracy fought back, unwilling to be outdone: "Still better than a certain little rookie who can't even last through three minutes of passion!"
The sound of splashing water and playful scolding came from inside.
Landon smiled and shook his head, then pushed the door open and walked in.
The expected screams and playful banter rang out again, and the morning bathroom became lively once more.
After breakfast, Tracy needed to go to the WMA Headquarters. On one hand, she had to follow up on the latest progress and negotiations for 'the fast and the furious' project; on the other hand, she had to handle the feedback from Rachel's audition last week and several ongoing advertisement offers.
Rachel, meanwhile, was going to a pre-booked small-group acting improvement class, which was part of the long-term career investment Tracy had planned for her.
Landon drove the ford explorer and picked up Zoe, who was waiting at the intersection.
As soon as she got in the car, Zoe couldn't wait to talk about what she had seen at the racetrack audition yesterday, her tone still excited: "Boss, you were really too cool yesterday! Especially that J-turn drift! I saw Paul Walker's face turn pale! Do you think we can get it? What did Miss Tracy say?"
"Still in negotiations," Landon replied briefly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
He could feel that with the success of the audition, Zoe's attitude toward him had gained a deeper layer of recognition and expectation, in addition to her original respect and liveliness.
The car drove into the '24 hours' set.
Today's filming had moved to a constructed office interior, and the atmosphere was much quieter and more focused than on outdoor days.
Just as Landon parked the car, a figure came jogging over to meet him.
It was Elisha Cuthbert.
She looked like she had dressed up carefully today, with light makeup and her hair draped softly over her shoulders, wearing a pale yellow knit sweater that made her look fresh and lovely.
But her eyes weren't as bright as her outfit; they held obvious resentment, grievance, and a hint of subtle unease.
She almost ran up to Landon, looking up at him with her lips slightly pursed.
Landon's heart skipped a beat, and a familiar feeling of his scalp tingling washed over him.
He hadn't replied to the text message she sent later last night, and he had come out early this morning.
Elisha's sensitivity and level of involvement were clearly higher than he had initially anticipated.
"Morning, Elisha," Landon tried to make his voice sound natural while shaking the three cups of coffee he had just bought from a passing coffee cart—one black coffee for himself, another for Elisha, and the third in Zoe's hand.
At that moment, he naturally handed the cup with milk and sugar to Elisha, "For you."
Elisha took the warm coffee cup, her fingertips touching his fingers, and paused for a moment.
She looked at the coffee, then at Landon, and the resentment in her eyes seemed to melt a little, but the look of grievance grew stronger. "Were you... very busy last night?" she asked softly, her tone tentative.
"Yeah, had some things to handle," Landon said vaguely, not wanting to discuss this at the entrance of the set.
He could feel Zoe's eyes next to him practically rolling to the sky, as well as the occasional gossiping glances from those around them.
"Oh." Elisha lowered her head, poking the lid of the coffee cup with her straw. She didn't ask further, but she didn't mean to leave either, just standing silently by his side.
Landon felt a wave of powerlessness.
This relationship was like a candy accidentally swallowed; it was sweet at the beginning, but now it was a bit sticky, and he didn't know how to spit it out properly without hurting her.
Elisha actually knew Landon had a girlfriend, but she just didn't care.
He knew he had to do something, say something, but definitely not at this busy set entrance.
"Let's go in, it's time for makeup." He took the lead, and Elisha immediately followed, still walking by his side, so close they were almost touching.
Zoe followed behind them, looking at Elisha's closely following back, sighed silently, and shook her head.
She took out her phone, hesitated for a moment, but still didn't send a message to Tracy.
For some things, as an assistant, it was better for her to pretend she didn't know.
After all, in this dazzling Hollywood, who could really untangle all the emotional lines?
She only needed to ensure Landon's work wasn't affected; as for the rest, she'd leave it to the parties involved to handle themselves.
Just looking at Landon's slightly stiff back and Elisha's possessive closeness, Zoe vaguely felt that this "interlude" on set probably wouldn't end so easily when filming concluded.
And the huge opportunity that 'the fast and the furious' might bring would perhaps make all of this even more complicated.