The black Mercedes drove out of Burbank under the night sky. Matthew glanced back, noticing a few cars and motorcycles still following, seemingly prepared to shadow him and Miranda Kerr all night.
Turning back, he cut to the chase, "Kerr, are these paparazzi related to you?"
Miranda Kerr was stunned, not expecting such a direct question from Matthew.
Her first instinct was to deny it.
Before she could speak, Matthew raised a finger and shook his head. "I have more connections with the media than you might think. Last night, some media outlets notified my agency before publishing their reports."
He smiled, "Dear, this is Los Angeles, not New York."
Hearing this, Miranda Kerr looked back at the trailing reporters and paparazzi, initially thinking of denying it. However, she quickly realized the truth. As a second-tier model, she had many contacts with New York fashion media. Matthew Horner, a top Hollywood star, likely had extensive connections with entertainment media.
Her agent had contacted primarily gossip entertainment media last night, with a few fashion media involved.
But fashion reporters rarely do stakeouts; only entertainment paparazzi have the persistence for such tasks.
She had spent most of the day in the entertainment room, unaware of what had transpired with Matthew, only hearing from the front desk that he had been in meetings with her agent.
Miranda Kerr wasn't stupid. She quickly realized that she and her agent had made a small mistake by underestimating Matthew Horner's connections with entertainment media.
"Matthew..." Miranda Kerr's mind raced. Despite many mistakes in her career, her ambitions and desires were matched by her intelligence. She didn't deny or admit anything but instead asked, "Did your agent do anything?"
"What do you mean?" Matthew replied with a question, then added, "This is nothing new to me."
He told the driver, "Head to the Hilton Hotel."
He knew that Miranda Kerr was staying at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.
His intentions were clear. Miranda Kerr's dimples froze on her face. She had specifically looked at newspapers and the internet today; last night's Victoria's Secret show was a major focus for both entertainment and fashion media. News about her completely overshadowed some of the top Victoria's Secret Angels.
Although a small portion of this was orchestrated by her agent, the majority came from media following her because she was with Matthew Horner and had spent the night at his place.
In just half a day, she had garnered significant attention, even with the media digging into her past from when she was a teenager.
In no time, her fame would significantly increase...
But Miranda Kerr wasn't naive. She knew all this hinged on her association with Matthew Horner. As an individual model, she would soon return to her ambiguous standing.
Her dimples froze for just two seconds before moving again. Like she had agreed with her agent's strategy, she was a woman with ambitions and capabilities. She smiled and said, "Matthew, I really like you."
Matthew smiled too. "Kerr, I really like you too."
Despite his words, Miranda Kerr knew better than to take them seriously. She knew her current strategy wouldn't work anymore. The car was heading to the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, and once she got out, all her efforts from last night would be wasted.
An opportunity was right in front of her, yet out of reach...
Miranda Kerr wouldn't give up easily, just like when she faced numerous challenges in her early modeling career, but still made it to the Victoria's Secret show.
She needed a new plan.
After a few seconds of silence, she had an idea. Unlike many models who could only follow their agency's directions, she was highly independent.
With a sweet smile, Miranda Kerr tentatively asked, "Matthew, will you be my boyfriend?"
"Uh..." Matthew was surprised, coughed into his fist, and said, "That's... too sudden."
Although it was unspoken, both knew this was a brief fling.
Hearing the clear rejection, Miranda Kerr didn't give up. Her previous question was more of a test. If Matthew had agreed, it would mean he was genuinely enamored and more emotional than rational, giving her a chance to influence or even control a top Hollywood star.
But Matthew refused.
Miranda Kerr's smile didn't waver. Her dimples were as charming as ever. "I mean temporarily." She raised the car's partition and continued, "For about two to three months."
This was a compromise compared to the ideal scenario.
Matthew looked at her in confusion. "Temporarily?"
Miranda Kerr nodded lightly. "I'll fulfill all the duties of a girlfriend if you let me stay at Horner Manor for a while."
Getting into Horner Manor might offer a chance to change things.
Matthew was silent for a moment. Miranda Kerr was unique, like Adriana Lima, playful and daring—a perfect bed partner. He didn't mind women using his fame for publicity. Sending her back to the Hilton Hotel was more a message to stop playing silly games.
Two to three months would also be the point of losing novelty. In that sense, her proposal wasn't bad.
"I'm very busy lately, no time for such games."
Since Miranda Kerr openly treated this as a transaction, Matthew was blunt. "Kerr, let's be more honest with each other."
Miranda Kerr didn't expect such a straightforward rejection, as if nothing had happened between them last night.
Matthew felt no embarrassment. He had seen the paparazzi when he left last night and didn't avoid the media. He had already cooperated with Miranda Kerr. Although she was excellent and her proposal tempting, he understood a simple truth—inviting trouble is easy, but getting rid of it is hard!
Miranda Kerr wasn't Charlize Theron. From last night until now, she had shown a strong sense of purpose. Even if the time ended, she probably wouldn't leave willingly like Charlize Theron.
For Charlize Theron, he wanted her to stay but couldn't. For Miranda Kerr, it was best to avoid complications...
Facing Matthew, Miranda Kerr knew she was at a disadvantage. The initial plan was good, but a small mistake made it unfeasible.
Giving up was hard.
The Victoria's Secret Angel platform was rare, and securing a contract would help her join the ranks of top models.
As for honesty, only a fool would be honest with him.
Even now, she didn't admit the paparazzi had anything to do with her.
With Matthew's firm refusal, she decided to retreat further.
"We can maintain a dating status, publicly." Miranda Kerr suddenly licked her lips seductively, "Matthew, there are many things you haven't tried with me yet..."
She still looked sweet, but with a different attitude. "I promise, you'll have a unique experience."
Matthew looked at her calmly. Like him, everyone pursued fame and fortune; there was nothing wrong with that.
Miranda Kerr bit her lip, her dimples quivering slightly. "You just need to date me publicly occasionally. I'll stay in Los Angeles or near your work for the next two months, always available." Seeing no response from Matthew, she added, "You don't need to admit we're in a relationship besides the public dates."
"That sounds good." Matthew rubbed his chin. "Kerr, is this period that important?"
Miranda Kerr hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. "Very important!" She decided to be somewhat honest. "It could determine whether I become a top model."
Matthew frowned slightly. "If you don't explain, I can't weigh the pros and cons and can't agree."
"This..." Miranda Kerr's round face showed some difficulty. After thinking for a while, she slowly said, "Gisele Bündchen left Victoria's Secret a few months ago. They need a new angel model and are selecting candidates. I'm one of them, but I don't have a significant advantage over others. So, I urgently need more fame."
Hearing this, Matthew suddenly thought of Orlando Bloom. Had he played an important role in her modeling career?
Orlando Bloom hadn't had a project since "Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew didn't know where the Elf Prince was. Given Miranda Kerr's current behavior, she probably wouldn't care about Orlando Bloom now.
Miranda Kerr's determination matched her ambition. Seeing no response from Matthew, she increased her stakes again. "Matthew, before I get married, you can come to me anytime you want."
The black Mercedes suddenly stopped. Matthew glanced outside and said, "Kerr, we've arrived at the hotel."
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]