Chapter 211 – Spending More Time Together
"Aaron, the Rockets aren't going to be cheap."
"They're a strong Western Conference team, Houston is a major city with a solid economy and a large population, and the local fan base is very healthy."
Jack Wells had done thorough research on the Houston Rockets.
Charlie Thomas, who had owned the team since 1982, was now looking to sell for two main reasons: his age was catching up with him, and the Rockets' recent playoff results had consistently fallen short of his expectations.
"How much could he possibly ask?" Aaron replied casually.
"I'm a billionaire in the U.S. now too, you know."
"That's true," Jack Wells chuckled, then sighed.
"Too bad Donald Sterling and Jerry Buss aren't willing to sell their teams. Otherwise, we could just watch games right here in Los Angeles."
"But it's fine," he continued.
"Angel Corp has already purchased land in Texas and plans to build a new training facility there."
"Looks like I'll be spending quite a lot of time in Texas from now on."
Aaron stood up and stretched lazily.
"That works out nicely. You'll be able to watch games live whenever you want."
"I'm heading out," he added.
"Quentin Tarantino is a walking hormone storm—someone needs to keep an eye on him during filming so he doesn't mess up the schedule."
Pulp Fiction simply had too much potential. Otherwise, Aaron wouldn't have bothered paying attention to a project with a budget under ten million dollars.
"Don't worry," Jack Wells said confidently.
Since Aaron had his sights set on the Houston Rockets—and Dawnlight Pictures was flush with cash—there was no reason to let this opportunity slip by.
Before long, Aaron flew to Houston, Texas, accompanied by his glamorous assistant Christiana Reali, to meet with Rockets owner Charlie Thomas.
The Houston Rockets had been founded in 1967. Charlie Thomas, the team's seventh owner, had purchased the franchise in 1982 for $11 million.
Houston lies in southeastern Texas, north of the Gulf Coastal Plain, and is named after Sam Houston, former president of the Republic of Texas.
The city is known for its oil industry, aerospace sector, and shipping canals. With the Johnson Space Center located there, Houston is often referred to as "Space City."
At the Hilton Hotel in downtown Houston, Aaron lounged on a sofa, reading the Houston Chronicle.
There was no shortage of coverage about the Rockets potentially being put up for sale.
Although Charlie Thomas was prepared to sell the team, he clearly had his own set of conditions.
"Aaron," Christiana Reali said, approaching him,
"Tonight we'll head straight to the Compaq Center. Mr. Thomas will meet us at the Rockets' home arena."
Christiana Reali walked over and reminded Aaron of their next appointment.
"A meeting at the Compaq Center?" Aaron set the newspaper aside and smiled faintly.
"Is this some kind of sentimental farewell for the team? Besides, I'm not the only bidder."
After all, Aaron Anderson wasn't the only one interested in acquiring the Houston Rockets.
"I don't believe anyone can compete with you," Christiana said confidently, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek.
"Compete with me?"
Aaron chuckled, pulling Christiana onto his lap.
"I've never been afraid of competition."
He ran his hand lightly over her waist and asked casually,
"By the way, have you filmed your scenes for Pulp Fiction yet?"
"Not yet," Christiana replied.
"They've been shooting Madonna Ciccone's scenes first."
"My role is small. It should only take a week or two, and it's all in Los Angeles—no rush."
In Pulp Fiction, Christiana played the female half of the couple of lovers-turned-robbers.
She already had all her lines memorized and was simply waiting to step onto the set.
"Oh, and filming for Ace Ventura in Miami is moving fast," she added.
"They'll probably wrap in a little over two months—around July."
"And the comic you had adapted, The Mask—it should be entering full pre-production soon, right?"
Christiana knew very well that Jim Carrey had already been chosen by Aaron as the male lead.
"The Mask, yes," Aaron nodded.
"It's about time we got it moving."
Jim Carrey as the lead was a sure thing—but the female lead still needed to be cast.
She had to be young, sexy, and eye-catching—ideally a classic American blonde with a Playboy-cover kind of appeal.
Aaron knew plenty of beautiful women, but not many blondes.
Nicole Kidman, for example, was a redhead, and although Winona Ryder was technically blonde, she was almost always seen with dark hair.
He glanced down at Christiana in his arms.
"The female lead needs to be young, sexy, and attractive—someone who really pulls in audiences."
"Most likely a blonde, blue-eyed actress with a very American presence."
Christiana wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Then let me audition for it."
Aaron nodded.
"Don't worry. Even if it's not the right fit, I'll find another role for you."
The Mask was a pure American-style comedy, and Christiana—who had grown up in France—would probably struggle to match Jim Carrey's rhythm.
Aaron wasn't particularly confident, but he didn't say that out loud.
"I know," Christiana said calmly.
"I'll treat it as audition experience. My English still needs work anyway."
She had been with Aaron long enough to understand him—if she truly fit the role, he'd cast her without hesitation.
Before she could say more, Aaron kissed her deeply, their tongues intertwining as the atmosphere heated instantly.
"You've been in the U.S. for a few months now," Aaron murmured, pressing her back against the sofa, his hands slipping beneath her lingerie.
"Getting used to it?"
"Yes," she whispered, unfastening his belt.
"It's much faster-paced than life in France."
She smiled faintly.
"It's just that you're always so busy."
Aaron laughed softly.
"You're my assistant. Don't we already spend plenty of time together?"
"That's true," Christiana said, holding him tightly.
That evening, Aaron and Christiana arrived at the Houston Rockets' home arena—the Compaq Center in downtown Houston.
The venue, in use since 1975, was undeniably aging.
With a capacity of just over 16,000 and no real possibility for expansion, it felt outdated by modern standards.
Aaron's first thought was clear:
If I buy the Rockets, the first thing I'll do is build a brand-new, multifunctional indoor arena.
When Aaron Anderson arrived at Charlie Thomas's office, he happened to see another man leaving.
"That was Leslie Alexander," Charlie Thomas said with a smile.
"A stockbroker from New York. He's interested in the Rockets as well."