Just like Harvey Weinstein once said, Ryan's life had undergone a dramatic transformation in a short period of time. The taste of fame was certainly gratifying, but it also brought countless troubles—guarding against fire, theft, and paparazzi had become mandatory lessons for him.
Three weeks after The Sixth Sense premiered, Alien Body Publishing, riding the wave of excitement, released the second book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The manuscript for this novel had been handed over to the publisher by Kingsley long ago. The reason for delaying its release until now was to let the first book ferment for a longer period. Undoubtedly, the publisher chose the perfect time, and a week later, the novel smoothly appeared on the bestseller list.
"Ryan, the publisher has called several times, asking when the third book will be completed?" Kingsley made a special trip to the apartment, clearly feeling pressured by the publisher's urgency.
After the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the sales of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone also increased. Anyone with insight could see that this was just the beginning of a large series, and the little wizard wielding a magic wand was gradually showing his power, causing quite a stir in both the UK and the US. Especially in Britain, since the settings of the novel were in the United Kingdom.
Although many sour critics claimed this was just a whimsical fantasy of an odd boy and simply a children's book, they couldn't stop the ever-growing sales figures and the increasingly widespread influence.
Of course, Ryan was not in a hurry to release the third installment. He intended to hold on to the completed manuscript for a while longer, mainly because his age was a big issue.
Ryan was feeling troubled now, not because of the paparazzi camped outside his apartment, but because of some minor issues that had arisen between him and Natalie, who was far away in New York.
Ever since The Los Angeles Times published that article, Natalie hadn't replied to a single letter for more than half a month. Even when he called, it was always her parents who answered. She always had various excuses to avoid him. Mr. Avner and Mrs. Sherriff had both asked over the phone if the two of them had quarreled.
Quarreled? They practically argued every time they wrote or spoke on the phone. Ryan didn't think much of it. It was just that becoming friends with the star he had admired most in his previous life, and watching her grow step by step—it really was a wonderful feeling.
From the bits and pieces Natalie had revealed in the past, Ryan could more or less guess that, being such a smart and mature child, she wasn't popular among her peers. And it turned out he was right—except for him, Natalie had almost no friends.
For a girl with her own pride and ambition, suddenly finding that her only friend had risen to a place she could only look up to, the blow and disappointment could easily be imagined.
Alright then, you little tsundere, I won't hold it against you. Ryan glanced at the time, picked up the receiver, and dialed the number in New York.
Natalie walked through the front door and threw her school bag on the couch, her face full of displeasure, clearly ready to pick a fight at any moment.
"Jerk!"
Looking at the letter in her hand, Natalie felt like crumpling it up and throwing it in the trash. But after a brief hesitation, she habitually opened the envelope.
Familiar handwriting, familiar tone and writing style, just like those four books she had specially bought. But the letter lacked its usual sharpness and instead had a sincere tone of apology.
Though still a little annoyed inside, a smile crept onto Natalie's lips after finishing the letter. She could totally imagine how that annoying guy had nervously written the letter.
Hmph! I still got the upper hand! The girl felt a little proud in her heart.
Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Her parents weren't home, so Natalie had to put the letter down and answer it.
"Hello, this is the Hershlers' residence."
"Na...Nat?" The voice on the other end sounded hesitant, as if unsure.
"Ryan!" Natalie instinctively wanted to hang up.
"Wait, Nat."
"What is it?" Natalie's voice was clearly prickly.
"I'm really sorry, Nat..." Before the other person could finish, Natalie interrupted, "Ryan, do you know that children who lie will have their noses grow longer?"
"Well, if it makes you happy, then I'm Pinocchio, Your Highness Snow White!" Not wanting to argue outright, Ryan decided to fight back in a roundabout way.
"Hmph!" Natalie snorted coldly, but her eyes curved into a smile. This was the first time that guy had admitted fault to her.
"Nat, are you still there?"
"Mm-hmm~"
"I know there are some things I shouldn't have hidden from you, but I had an agreement with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax. There are some things I couldn't decide on my own…" Clearly, Ryan had started lying again, shifting most of the blame onto the publisher and film company. "You know, Nat, you're my only friend. I don't want any unpleasantness between us."
"Alright, Ryan, I'll let it go this time. But if it happens again, don't even think about me talking to you again." As she listened to his words, Natalie suddenly remembered the newspaper report about Ryan's background. Even though, at her age, she couldn't fully comprehend life in an orphanage, she still felt she had been too harsh on him.
"I promise, Nat—anything you ask."
Anyway, this chapter could now be closed. After the usual exchange of barbed comments, Natalie asked about Ryan's current situation.
"Don't even mention it. I'm stuck at home. I've taken a long leave from school. Those crazy paparazzi are blocking the entrance downstairs. Not just Nicole and I—even the neighbors have been harassed multiple times."
"That's the price of fame!" Natalie said mockingly.
"But I made it to the big screen. So many people are praising my acting." Ryan naturally began to fight back.
"That's only because they haven't seen me yet. Ryan Jenkins, just you wait. One day, I'll surpass you!" Unknowingly, Natalie had gotten competitive again.
"I'll be waiting, dear Nat." His voice was full of pride on the other end. "Even if your acting surpasses mine, you still can't write as many stories as I do."
"Stories? Ryan, you sure are thick-skinned. I've read those four books already, but they're just children's stories." Natalie was clearly unconvinced.
"Oh really? Do you consider The Sixth Sense a children's story too?" The guy on the phone was seriously infuriating.
"Ryan, you're good at writing stories and scripts, huh?" Natalie asked through gritted teeth.
"Of course. In fact, after filming The Sixth Sense, I finished two more screenplays." He was completely showing off.
"Fine then, Ryan, don't forget—you've lied to me twice before." Natalie habitually pinned the blame back on him. "To make up for the emotional damage you caused me, you'll have to write a hundred screenplays for me in the future!"
"O-one hundred?"
Hearing the astonished voice on the other end, Natalie felt an immense satisfaction from her successful prank. After hastily saying goodbye, she hung up the phone.
Just then, the door creaked open—it was Mrs. Sherriff returning home.
"Nat, did something good happen? You haven't smiled this happily in a long time." She noticed the letter on the coffee table. "A letter from Ryan? Looks like you two made up?"
"Yes, Mom. There was nothing between us anyway—just some disagreements." Natalie quickly tucked the letter away, grabbed her backpack, and headed for her room. "Mom, I'm going to my room."
Mrs. Sherriff sighed. She never expected that her daughter's only friend—the boy who had once visited their home—would achieve such jaw-dropping success.
Back in her little sanctuary, Natalie habitually circled around the photos hanging on her walls. They were pictures of her dancing and performing in theater productions. But compared to dancing, she still preferred acting.
Although she was still over a month away from turning nine, she already knew she was different from other children. She knew she had ambition. She knew what she liked and what she wanted. That's why she had been working so hard. She even used her school holidays to attend drama camp.
Shaking her head to dismiss the thoughts in her mind, she couldn't help but think of the boy in Los Angeles. This boy, only a year older than her, had shown such stunning acting in The Sixth Sense that it left her speechless. Honestly, she thought the comment that his performance was the best ever by a child star wasn't an exaggeration at all.
If it had been her in the same role, could she... Alright! She admitted she had indeed been sulking and upset lately. One reason was that her only friend had kept so many secrets from her. The other was—she was jealous!
Who wouldn't want to be the center of attention? Who wouldn't want to be chased by the media? Who wouldn't want to be a dazzling superstar?
Opportunities will come! Natalie told herself this in her heart. Ryan, just wait. I'll surpass you very soon!
Listening to the beeping disconnection tone on the phone, Ryan scratched the back of his head. He didn't know why, but every time he dealt with Natalie, he just couldn't help but argue with her—and even show off, like a proud little peacock.
One hundred screenplays! Ryan rolled his eyes. Of course, he knew Natalie was joking and mocking him, but one hundred scripts was a lot. Ten, though, wouldn't be a problem.
He recalled the only time they had met. Natalie had appeared much thinner and smaller than he remembered. If she were to star in that movie now, her age would make things even more sensitive than in his past life—better to wait a few more years.
Luc Besson was already quite famous now. Looks like he should have Kingsley try to find his address. He absolutely had to finish the script before Besson did—and mail it directly to France!
Yes! That was definitely a great idea! The shameless Ryan revealed a brilliant smile.