America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 153 A Match Made in Heaven

Burbank South Bourgeois Street, the shop where I got custom-made outfits for the last art party.

Anne followed Martin into the dressing room and asked curiously, "You've prepared a surprise? What kind? It's not a serial killer look, is it?"

She made it clear beforehand: "Martin, even if I dress up for Halloween, I don't want to look like an ugly monster."

"You're so beautiful and elegant, even God couldn't bear to spoil you." Martin's words were exceptionally pleasant: "Annie, even on Halloween, you must be the most beautiful."

The 50-year-old designer, Hannah, greeted the two: "Please come this way."

Anne saw a dark leather jacket hanging on the coat rack, with tall, high-heeled leather boots standing next to it, and black double-ear hair clips and goggles on the shelf above.

"Who am I?" she asked Martin.

Martin chose a look that naturally came from the role that left the deepest impression on Anne, saying, "Selena Kyle."

Anne frowned, thought for a moment, and tentatively asked, "Catwoman?"

Martin nodded: "Give it a try."

Anne went over to the clothes and accessories and looked them over: "They seem completely different from Halle Berry and Michelle Pfeiffer."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "A real-life Catwoman."

Annie turned back and asked, "Are you Batman?"

Martin laughed. "Of course."

Anne pursed her lips into a thin line as she sat on the makeup chair, and two stylists came over to help her with her styling.

Martin followed Hannah to another dressing room.

Hannah asked softly, "Where's Menez? Why didn't he come over?"

Upon hearing this, Martin remembered that Mene had gone upstairs with Hannah last time: "He's been quite busy lately. You can call him if you miss him."

Hannah muttered, "I really miss him... and his mouth." She quickly added, "Menée has a very nice voice."

Martin had heard Bruce mention a couple of days ago that Menez was recently getting very close to the woman he was hooking up with at the bar.

Once inside the locker room, Martin changed into his Batman suit—not the one with two grapes on George Clooney's chest, but the one similar to the one Bale wore in the new Batman trailer.

In the studio's lobby, Bruce glanced at the time, then went outside and found a public phone booth.

He pulled out his contacts and dialed the first number: "Hello, is this the rumor from America? I have some important news for you: Martin Davis and Anne Hathaway will be participating in today's Halloween parade. I have confirmation that they will appear at the open-air theater dressed as a couple."

The reply came back: "Thank you for your information. If it would be convenient for you to leave your name and mailing address, we would appreciate it."

"No need, I'm just a concerned citizen." Bruce hung up the phone and dialed the hotline of another gossip magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, once again "betraying" Martin and Anne Hathaway.

The stage is set up, so how can we forget the audience, including reporters and paparazzi?

Bruce made over a dozen phone calls in one go, notifying not only tabloids but also some freelance paparazzi.

The Hollywood Halloween Parade is about to begin this afternoon.

Martin and Annie got out of the car and arrived at the outdoor theater. Batman and Catwoman's stunning appearance immediately attracted a large number of reporters to take pictures.

Especially Anne's Catwoman.

As Martin walked, he said to Anne, "Let go, just let go. Don't think about the princesses of the past; those were all illusions. You are now a thief, a heart thief, and today you will steal everyone's heart."

Encouraged by Martin, Anne naturally relaxed, letting go of her princess memories, and strode forward with a cat-like gait.

Martin, that shameless guy, kept spewing out tons of flattering words: "Annie, your sex appeal and charm could absolutely captivate everyone."

Anne smiled charmingly. The Batman next to her was good in every way, but unfortunately he lacked Bruce Wayne's most important ability.

Martin removed the Batman mask.

As a celebrity, Annie doesn't need to be reminded; she automatically pushes up her goggles, which clip into her hair clip, making her look like she was born with cat ears.

While taking photos, Max, a reporter from Entertainment Weekly, couldn't help but exclaim, "These two are so cool! One is tall, strong, and handsome; the other is hot, sexy, and glamorous. They're a match made in heaven."

The Hollywood Bowl was packed with people preparing for the Halloween parade, creating a scene of utter chaos.

Among the horde of demons and monsters that entered at that moment, Martin and Annie stood out like beacons in the darkness.

Reporters and paparazzi swarmed around to take pictures.

Anne thoroughly enjoyed the media spotlight, which made her feel like a real princess.

Max from Entertainment Weekly came over for an interview, shoving the microphone between Martin and Annie, and said, "Martin, Annie, you two are so cool and stylish. Martin, you're Batman; Annie, are you dressed as Catwoman?"

Anne's words were quite interesting: "This Catwoman look was specially designed for me by Martin. He said it suits my figure and temperament perfectly."

Martin chimed in at the opportune moment, "Don't you guys think Anne is more charming than Catwoman in the comics?"

A chorus of exclamations and the clicking of camera shutters filled the air.

A reporter from the American media outlet asked, "Martin, Anne, are you two dating?"

Martin didn't answer, and the question automatically shifted to Anne.

Anne, being somewhat shrewd, said, "Actually, no. Martin and I are very good friends now. Martin is outstanding and incredibly talented."

It's like after saying you're a good person, she doesn't forget to give you hope: "The future? Who can say for sure what the future holds?"

Martin stayed by his side the whole time, grinning like a devoted admirer.

The paparazzi's frantic photography only made his smile even brighter.

Martin and Anne entered the open-air theater together, and Anne's hand touched Martin's arm intentionally or unintentionally.

Several times, she took Martin's arm, then quickly let go.

After Max put away his camera and was about to look for a new target, a burly man appeared in front of him.

Bruce was very polite: "Could I have your business card?"

Max wasn't a newcomer, so he understood what this meant, took out his business card, and handed it to the other person.

Just as Bruce was about to leave, he saw a familiar face—the female paparazzi who had appeared below his North Hollywood apartment before.

Jody recognized Bruce as one of Martin's men and, seeing him approach, asked, "Is there something you need?"

Bruce pointed to the parked cars on the side of the road: "Let's chat for a bit."

Jody put away her camera and followed him to the roadside.

Bruce invited her into the car.

Jody got into the passenger seat and was particularly direct: "You have some high-value news? What do you want?"

She glanced at Bruce; he was much better than that fat landlord in the North Hollywood apartment building.

Bruce asked, "I heard you have partnerships with several media outlets?"

Jody nodded: "I run an entertainment blog and also contribute articles to several entertainment newspapers."

Bruce specifically asked her: "Your reporting is more biased towards Martin. If Martin has any news, we will give you priority notification."

Jody thought seriously, considering the box office success of Madame Tussauds, Martin's affair with the popular young actress Anne, and Martin's upcoming film release. She pulled out her business card and handed it to Bruce: "You can call me anytime."

Bruce reiterated: "Don't forget the premise: your articles and photos must be biased towards Martin. You should be able to see that Martin's upward momentum is very strong, and there will be a lot of news that the public is interested in."

This gave Jody an idea. She thought back carefully and wondered if the series of news reports about the wax museum had a huge impact on Martin.

She suddenly realized a crucial point: that shameless Menez often followed Martin around like a lackey.

And then there's Anne Hathaway, who is widely recognized by the entertainment media industry as one of the top four actresses born in the 80s.

If Martin were to pair her up, it would definitely be more than the sum of its parts!

Jody immediately said, "I am a staunch supporter of Martin."

Bruce said, "That's settled then."

Jody got out of the car and left.

Then, Aquaman Bruce went to find the next paparazzi.

Martin's pond will grow bigger and bigger, and it can hold a lot of fish.

Jody got out of the car, found a quiet place, and took out a voice recorder.

For a paparazzi, news is everywhere.

Jody held the phone to her ear, pressed play, and a burst of static filled the air.

"Shit!" She turned around to look for that bastard, but couldn't find him. She couldn't help but feel ruthless. Sooner or later, she would sleep with that guy and make him obediently provide inside information.

The annual Hollywood Halloween Parade has begun.

This is a feast for ordinary people, and also a stage for celebrities to create buzz.

Just as Martin and Anne were walking hand in hand on the street, Bruce picked up his camera and became a temporary photographer, snapping photos of the two being intimate, which he would then post on his blog that evening.

Suddenly, Bruce noticed that Anne's sidekick, Laura, was also taking pictures.

The two greeted each other in perfect unison.

"What a coincidence."

"What a coincidence."

The two exchanged a smile and continued taking photos.

Such a poignant love story among celebrities.

Martin and Anne walked along Hollywood Boulevard, waving to each other from time to time and whispering occasionally, looking both intimate and happy.

The Batman outfit was alright, but Annie's Catwoman costume, while not revealing at all, was incredibly eye-catching.

Every now and then, people from the same group would come over to take photos together.

Some passersby even ran into the parade, wanting to take photos with the two.

Martin and Anne are very approachable and welcome everyone.

There were always a few paparazzi following Martin.

The Halloween parade continued into the evening, but it wasn't even 10 p.m. when Annie said goodbye, "Martin, can you take me home?"

Martin replied, "I'll have someone bring the car over right away."

Anne glanced at the Bentley parked on the side of the road, but said nothing.

Martin noticed and grabbed Annie's hand, saying, "This way."

As Anne walked, she said, "Today is the happiest day I've had since I came to Los Angeles."

Martin turned back, looked into her eyes, and said, "There will be even happier times to come."

Anne encouraged him, saying, "Then I'll wait."

Bruce drove up, Martin pulled Annie into the car, and drove her back to the hotel.

This time, he came out very quickly.

We can't do the same thing every time. We need to have ethics and professionalism, control the pace, and consider the livelihoods of the reporters and paparazzi who follow us.

(End of this chapter)