[Chapter 40: Keeping Her Company]
What John didn't know was that after Charlize closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, her heart pounding wildly. If John had known, he might have been even more excited.
In fact, Charlize hadn't really thought much about her relationship with John before. Although they had gotten along well and become closer after their earlier conversations, she hadn't felt anything special at that time.
But ever since she started filming her first movie, facing all kinds of challenges, Charlize couldn't help but think back to those nights in the apartment when she would chat with John. Every time she vented her frustrations, John always found a way to help -- whether to comfort or cheer her up.
Even between shoots, John often made phone calls to check in, encouraging and comforting her in ways that made Charlize feel like a cherished girl. She found a rare sense of security with him. It was quite astonishing to her that she found this sense of safety in a 17-year-old boy -- sometimes she even wondered if she was crazy for developing feelings for him.
...
John was well aware of how the internet and media later painted Charlize -- as someone insecure and afraid of commitment. Looking back at her life, it made sense. Due to family issues growing up, when Charlize was 15, her mother tragically shot her father at home. Such trauma left deep scars in her young heart.
Thinking about how she had nearly a decade-long relationship with someone she loved deeply, only to break up shortly after he proposed, it all added up. Her subsequent relationships followed a similar pattern -- while the men were captivated by her charm, when talks turned serious, Charlize would always pull back.
Because of this, during their time together, John played the role of a mature, decisive, and strong figure. In short, John was very satisfied with their current situation.
---
Starting the next day, with nothing pressing, the two decided to spend time exploring Los Angeles together.
Over the course of a week, from Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Shrine Auditorium, to Beverly Hills and the beaches around the city, they were seen everywhere.
Standing in Beverly Hills, John confidently told Charlize that by this time next year, he would have made it his home.
In front of the Shrine Auditorium, John told her he wanted her to come to the Oscars every year.
On the Walk of Fame, John told Charlize that her goal should be to have her name and handprints there as soon as possible.
Of course, Hollywood's bustling areas were filled with countless shopping centers. Unfortunately, most of the luxury items were beyond John's current means. Though he proudly called himself a millionaire, he was still short on cash.
He often joked to Charlize about his emptiness in his pockets, which always made her laugh softly.
Of course, a trip to Los Angeles wouldn't be complete without visiting the city's famous beaches. LA boasts eight iconic coastal spots, including the famous Malibu, Santa Monica, and Long Beach, as well as lesser-known ones like Venice and Manhattan Beach.
Malibu, with its rocky hillside shores and sparse crowds, was a retreat for the rich and famous -- a perfect escape from the media's glare. Many beaches there were private.
In John's opinion, Santa Monica was the place to be for real fun. It's known as an affluent area by the shores of the legendary Highway 1 and the terminus of Route 66.
There was the pier, street performers, crowded beaches, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, and a shopping district with both high-end brands and affordable stores. Venice Beach was just beside it, making the area irresistibly lively.
---
While John was happily spending time with Charlize, Michael Moritz finally got back to him, inviting John to make a trip to Silicon Valley for a detailed discussion.
John had to pause his carefree days with Charlize for now.
He wanted Charlize to come along, but she declined, saying she didn't understand any of the tech stuff and didn't want to add to the chaos. After a week of fun, it was time to get back to work. Looks like they'd be apart for a while.
John could only accept it, feeling resigned. After all, he was just an ordinary guy. With a sigh, he prepared to head out to Silicon Valley with Zach again.
However, his relationship with Charlize was now firmly established -- that was John's greatest gain. They could hold hands while strolling around and occasionally share a quick kiss -- a fantasy come true for John's previous ordinary self.
He thought, 'Getting Charlize isn't far off now. Keep pushing forward.'
Their relationship was also known to Zach and Bob, who couldn't help but admire the youthful and radiant Charlize.
But Zach cooled things down, warning that if anything happened between the two in public, it would be trouble. John was only 17, and if the world found out, Charlize could face serious legal consequences.
After Zach's explanation, they realized that no matter what their relationship was, if anyone found out they'd been intimate, Charlize would be charged with statutory offenses -- something she couldn't escape.
This sobered John up, reminding himself not to get careless.
Setting aside his relationship with Charlize for the moment, John and Zach were now on their way to Silicon Valley.
John had plans in his mind, hoping for the best possible outcome from this trip.
*****
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