Chapter 210: Spanish Flair
After spending two days in Spain, The Mask of Zorro crew departed.
Aaron, however, chose to remain in Madrid.
The reason was simple—Penélope Cruz had volunteered to be his personal guide.
Along the banks of the Manzanares River, the two sat side by side on a long bench, enjoying the gentle spring scenery reflected on the water.
"Aaron, tomorrow we should visit Buen Retiro Park," Penélope suggested brightly.
"It used to be a retreat for generations of Spanish kings—beautiful, elegant, and full of history."
She was clearly thrilled at the chance to spend time with him, eager to show him every corner of Spain.
Aaron smiled.
"We've already been to Paseo del Prado, Puerta del Sol, and the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida," he said calmly.
"There's no rush for the rest."
Penélope nodded, then leaned closer.
"Then how about Barcelona? Sunshine, beaches, the sea…"
As she spoke, she slipped naturally into his lap, her lips brushing his cheek in a playful kiss.
"Mmm."
Aaron wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back without hesitation.
Penélope looped her arms around his neck, responding with unmistakable warmth, fully displaying the passionate charm unique to a Spanish woman.
---
That night, in a room at the InterContinental Madrid, Aaron lay in bed with Penélope in his arms when his phone rang.
Because of the seven-hour time difference, it was already morning in Los Angeles.
"Oh?" Aaron said, sitting up slightly.
"You're saying the owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets, Charlie Thomas, wants to sell the team?"
"Yes," came Jack Wells's voice from the other end.
"After the Rockets were eliminated by the SuperSonics in the Western Conference semifinals, Thomas expressed his intention to sell."
The Rockets had finished the regular season with an excellent record—second in the Western Conference and fourth overall in the league, trailing only the Suns, Knicks, and Bulls.
More importantly, they still had their franchise star: Hakeem Olajuwon.
"I'll return as soon as possible," Aaron said decisively.
"Set up a meeting with Charlie Thomas for me."
He had long been interested in owning an NBA team, and this was the perfect opportunity.
If memory served him right, Michael Jordan would announce his first retirement later that year after the Bulls' third consecutive championship.
With Jordan temporarily gone, Olajuwon would lead the Rockets to back-to-back titles.
Besides, Houston was a major city—the largest in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, as well as the most important economic hub along the Gulf Coast.
He ended the call.
Penélope turned her head slightly, resting against him.
"Aaron… are you heading back to the States?"
After the man beside her put down his phone, Penélope curled up against his chest, a trace of reluctance in her movements.
Aaron kissed her gently and ran his hand over the warm, supple body of the Spanish beauty.
"Yes. Something important came up—I'll have to head back."
"Next time I come to Spain, I'll look you up again. All right?"
"Of course," Penélope said, rubbing against him softly.
"If I go to Hollywood in the future… can I come see you?"
Aaron nodded.
"You're only nineteen. You've got endless possibilities ahead of you. If I come across a role that suits you, I'll let you know."
"Latin America has always been an important market for Hollywood," he added.
"Spanish-language projects are taken very seriously as well."
For now, though, there was no real need for Penélope to rush into Hollywood—her English still needed work, and she had only debuted in Spain two years earlier.
Besides, Aaron already knew another Latin actress—Salma Hayek, a Mexican beauty currently filming Ace Ventura in Miami.
Penélope smiled, resting her cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"So… how have these past few days been? Satisfied?"
"Very," Aaron replied, his hand gliding over her body.
"The passion of a matador's muse is exhilarating."
"You'll definitely become one of the most outstanding Latina actresses," he continued.
"You'll leave your mark in both Spain and Hollywood. Trust me—I've always had a good eye."
"You're Hollywood's golden prodigy," Penélope said, intertwining her fingers with his.
"Who wouldn't believe you?"
"It's just a shame," she added softly, "you're leaving after only a few days. I still had so much more I wanted to show you."
Aaron chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"Next time. Let's save it for then."
"I've prepared some gifts for you—there's a box in the drawer. I was planning to give it to you when I left, but it looks like I'll have to give it to you early."
"Really? What is it?" Penélope asked, genuinely curious.
"Go take a look."
"All right!"
She jumped out of bed without hesitation and padded into the living room, returning with a gift box in her hands.
"Oh! Cartier custom jewelry—this is beautiful!"
Standing by the bed, completely unbothered, she admired the necklace and earrings inside. The set was clearly expensive.
"Do you like it?" Aaron asked as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"I love it!" Penélope exclaimed, turning to kiss him eagerly.
Soon after, the room grew quiet again.
---
Although Aaron had returned early because of the potential sale of the Houston Rockets, time had already reached late May.
Hollywood's summer box office was in full swing.
The Mask of Zorro had been out for ten days, grossing $47 million in North America.
Four Weddings and a Funeral had surpassed $30 million domestically and over $150 million overseas—an incredible return for a film whose total production and marketing costs were just over $10 million.
In Burbank, Los Angeles, at an old-style bar near Dawn Pictures' headquarters, Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction was being filmed.
It was the iconic scene where John Travolta's hitman takes Uma Thurman, playing the boss's girlfriend, onto the dance floor for a twist contest.
Travolta's slicked-back long hair paired strikingly with Uma Thurman's tall frame, short haircut, and crisp white shirt—it was a look that immediately stood out.
"Uma Thurman's styling here is really stunning," Jack Wells, standing beside Aaron, remarked thoughtfully.
Tarantino and Jack Wells were on good terms, and during filming in Los Angeles, Wells had been invited to the set several times.
"She's beautiful to begin with," Aaron said casually, taking a sip of his drink.
"By the way—how's it going with Charlie Thomas?"
"It's set," Jack Wells replied.
"June 1st. We'll head to Houston for the meeting."
Jack Wells was as efficient as ever.