Chapter 329: Monica Bellucci

After a night of rain, the morning in Paris became cool. There were many puddles on the streets along the Seine, and the classical buildings around looked like oil paintings by Monet after the rain, with vivid and delicate colors.

While Link was having breakfast, he heard from Frank that Director Allen caught a cold last night and hadn't gotten up yet.

After finishing breakfast with Marion, he specifically went to visit, but Director Allen had a dark face and didn’t welcome them at all.

Link didn't stay there to add to the tension. By noon, he followed Marion to the Pompidou Centre in the 4th arrondissement and met Director Jacques Audiard at a nearby café.

Director Audiard, in his fifties, is a renowned French director, screenwriter, and producer.

He made his directorial debut in 1995. His notable works include "A Self-Made Hero," "The Beat That My Heart Skipped," "Rust and Bone," and "A Prophet."

He has won multiple awards, including the Best Director at the César Awards, the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes, and the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. He is a capable director.

After meeting, they chatted about movies, and Link and Marion even performed a scene where the male and female leads first meet.

Having worked together for over a month, they had a close relationship and good chemistry in their performance.

Director Jacques watched for a while and approved of their performance, but he had some comments on Link's French pronunciation, hoping he would practice more before shooting.

Link agreed and said he would continue learning French with Marion.

Director Jacques also mentioned the investment issue. After obtaining the adaptation rights to the novel last year, he spent six months conceiving the script and started the project this month.

The initial budget for the film is 15 million euros, about 16.2 million dollars. If Link were to be the lead actor, the budget would be higher.

Director Jacques is also the producer of the film. He has already secured 8 million euros from Lumière Films. If Link likes the project, his company can invest the remaining amount.

Link agreed.

He mentioned that he would be touring and boxing in Europe and France in the future, and the ticket revenue and match earnings would be substantial. Transferring this money back to the US would incur additional taxes, so it's better to spend it where it's earned by investing in the film.

If the film investment is successful, he could use the money to buy villas, castles, or wineries in Paris or other parts of Europe for future vacations.

After discussing the film project, Director Audiard left early.

"Are you planning to start a film production company in Paris?"

In the Télescope Café, Marion stirred her coffee with a silver spoon and asked.

"Yes, investing in and producing niche art films, one or two, maybe two or three a year. What do you think?"

"It's tough. Currently, only Hollywood makes a lot of money in the film industry. French cinema was good in the seventies and eighties, but it has declined severely in recent years. Hundreds of films are made annually, and most of them lose money."

Marion shrugged.

"I understand. I'm not making films to make money. The main reason is to have an excuse to come and see you often."

Link said, holding Marion's hand.

Marion looked at his handsome face, her blue-gray eyes fluttered, and she retracted her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, giving him a charming glance, "Young man, I'm more than ten years older than you. Being lovers is fine, but you better not think about fully possessing me."

"Okay, my primary reason for investing in films here is to make money. Secondly, it's to see you and learn French. But I'm not very familiar with the French film industry, so I want to find someone who knows the industry well to help recommend one or two good investment projects a year, or even your film projects. Whether it makes money or not doesn’t matter. Is that okay?"

Link said, holding her hand.

Marion looked into his eyes for a few seconds, then nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a coffee-scented passionate kiss.

Link also wrapped his arms around her slender waist, responding passionately in full view of everyone.

This is Paris, the city of romance. Kissing in public places is common, which is one of the reasons he likes Paris.

"Marion? Oh, sorry to interrupt."

While kissing, two people came over to greet. Link released Marion from his arms and saw that he knew them as well.

The voluptuous woman in a blue spaghetti strap dress was the famous Italian movie star Monica Bellucci.

The man in a casual suit was her husband, the famous French actor Vincent Cassel.

"Hi, Monica, Vincent, you’re here too?"

Marion stood up and greeted them.

Monica Bellucci glanced at her, then at Link, with an amused expression.

"So the news was true. You two are dating?"

"Yes."

Marion said nonchalantly.

Link also stood up to shake hands with Vincent Cassel and greeted Monica.

Vincent, in his forties, was a handsome middle-aged man and one of the most famous actors in France.

His notable works include "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc," "The Apartment," "Brotherhood of the Wolf," "Ocean's Twelve," and the upcoming "Black Swan."

In comparison, his wife, Monica Bellucci, was more famous globally.

Her notable works include "Malèna," "Irreversible," and "Don't Look Back." Known for her stunning looks and ample bust, she was nicknamed 'The Flower of Italy.'

But Monica, now in her forties, had started to gain weight, with a round face, big breasts, and wide hips, still beautiful despite her age.

"Mr. Link, nice to meet you here. You look more charming than in the news."

Monica Bellucci glanced at him and smiled.

Link smiled back and complimented the couple for being loving, setting an example in the film industry. But he remembered that they seemed to be on the verge of divorce.

"Link, I need to talk to Marion. Can I borrow her for a few minutes?"

"Sure!"

Link glanced at Marion. Seeing her sitting down with Monica, he invited Vincent Cassel to sit down and chatted about the movie "Black Swan."

He was also acquainted with Darren Aronofsky, the director of "Black Swan," who had offered him a role as a ballet dancer last year, but he declined.

At the adjacent booth, Marion and Monica Bellucci were also chatting. Both were French actresses living in Paris and part of the same circle. Having interacted for a long time, they were good friends.

Comparatively, Marion's boyfriend, Guillaume Canet, had a better relationship with the Bellucci couple, having collaborated several times. Marion also met the couple through Guillaume.

"Marion, how does it feel to date a young, strong man?"

Monica Bellucci teased with her sexy Italian accent.

"Wonderful!"

"Yes, young people are full of energy, like an angry rhino."

Monica smiled mischievously.

"Link is no ordinary young man. He's the world champion boxer, the strongest man in the world, powerful in every way."

Marion held up two fingers, hinting Monica to guess how long they had been together since last night.

"Twenty minutes?"

Monica asked, blinking.

Marion shook her head slightly, indicating that it should be measured in hours, not including foreplay.

Monica glanced at Link in the adjacent booth, stirring her coffee, "Last night, Guillaume came to my house to drink with Vincent. He said he's in great pain."

"Because of me?"

"Yes, Marion, Guillaume loves you very much. He doesn't want to see you taken by Link."

"He doesn't have to feel that way. I told him when I left that I would stay with the crew for the next two days and return after filming. What's he suffering about?"

Marion asked.

"Because he loves you, very, very much."

"I know, I love him too."

"But you and Link, do you love Link too?"

Monica asked.

"Of course!"

"That's the root of Guillaume's pain. He hopes you only love him."

"Is that why you're here to talk to me?"

Marion glanced at her. Even though they were friends, she didn't appreciate someone interfering in her private life.

"No, Marion, don’t misunderstand. The weather is nice today, and Vincent and I came to stroll around. We just happened to run into you."

Monica shrugged.

Marion said, "If he loves me, he shouldn't limit me, just like I wouldn't stop him from seeing Diane Kruger."

Diane Kruger is Guillaume's ex-wife, a famous German actress and model, known for "National Treasure" and "Inglourious Basterds." They married in 2001 and divorced in 2006.

"Guillaume said he regrets seeing Diane Kruger. He now realizes that you are his true love and plans to propose to you."

Monica Bellucci held Marion's hand, persuading, "Marion, you should seriously consider it. Link is too young and a playboy. It's okay to sleep with him, but don't take it seriously. He will never love you like Guillaume does."

Marion Cotillard pondered for a moment, shaking her head, "Monica, you're wrong. Link is not a playboy."

"American media reports say he's had many girlfriends. Isn't that a playboy?"

"No, a playboy uses his advantages to toy with women's feelings and bodies. But Link doesn't. He never had that intention.

He treats relationships seriously and sincerely, never intending to use and discard anyone.

If initially, I

 dated him because he was handsome and talented, now, Monica, I seem to have truly fallen in love with him, even more than with Guillaume.

He is gentle, elegant, humorous, serious about his work, and very ambitious, unlike Guillaume, who has no goals. Also, he has a strong sense of possessiveness towards everything.

Sometimes, when he holds me, it feels like he wants to merge me into his body. I thought I would hate that, but after meeting him, I found myself infatuated with it. I know it's not right, but I can't help but love him."

Marion propped her forehead, gazing at Link in the adjacent booth, her eyes gradually becoming obsessed.

Compared to Vincent next to her, although he didn't have the weathered, mature charm of an older man, he was equally mature and stable, with a masculine demeanor, an impeccably handsome face, a bright and clean smile.

Also, his strong muscles and physique under his clothes, and his sometimes gentle, sometimes domineering, sometimes humorous, sometimes melancholic demeanor, like a cup of strong yet fresh cocktail, often made her unable to resist.

Monica glanced at her, shaking her head helplessly, not understanding how Marion Cotillard, a woman who had been in the entertainment industry for many years, could be infatuated with a young man like Link, just because he was strong?

"Marion."

"Monica, don’t worry about me. I'm in my thirties. I know how to handle my relationships."

Marion said, putting an arm around Monica's shoulder.

"Alright, let's go back. Those two men don't seem to have much in common to talk about."

Monica Bellucci looked at the awkwardly chatting men and smiled.

Marion also laughed a few times, stood up, and sat back beside Link.

Seeing them return, Link also breathed a sigh of relief.

At first, they could talk about "Black Swan," but after that, when he mentioned sports, Vincent wasn't interested and even said that Guillaume was his friend and hoped Link would leave Marion to not affect their relationship.

Link said he also loved Marion and had no intention of ruining anyone’s relationship.

Then Vincent, in an elder tone, retorted that the reason Link pursued Marion was because she was famous, beautiful, and known as the French Rose, giving him a sense of accomplishment.

He said it was like a poison he had once experienced.

Link disagreed, saying he was more famous than Marion and didn't need such a way to satisfy his vanity.

Marion was a charming and profound French woman. Dating her helped him understand what love is and how to live.

That was why he chose to continue the relationship.

Vincent didn’t believe him and stopped talking.

When the two women returned to the table, the atmosphere became lively again.

(End of chapter)