Chapter 236 – A Beauty with an Eastern Allure
Kate Beckinsale had always carried a subtle, almost Eastern elegance in her features. At just twenty-one, she radiated youth and vitality.
Compared to classically Western beauty, Aaron had long been drawn to actresses with a more delicate, exotic charm. Women like Sophie Marceau, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Winona Ryder all shared that quality. Now, Kate Beckinsale had joined that list.
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The next morning, Aaron woke to find Kate already up, preparing breakfast. She was wearing one of his white dress shirts, the hem brushing against her long, slender legs. Her short, neatly styled hair gave her a sharp, confident look — refined yet effortlessly alluring.
"Up so early, sweetheart?"
He stepped into the kitchen, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and kissed her cheek.
She turned slightly and kissed him back. "Don't rush me. The eggs and sausages are almost ready."
"I'm not rushing," Aaron said with a grin, teasing her lightly before stepping back just as her breathing grew unsteady.
"Go sit. Breakfast is ready."
She shot him a mock glare before carrying the plates out.
---
After breakfast, the two settled onto the sofa. Aaron pulled her into his arms.
"Getting used to America?"
"I'm adapting fine," Kate said. "I spent time alone in Paris earlier this year. I'm pretty good at adjusting to new places."
She brushed her cheek against his.
"But you… since I arrived in the U.S., I've noticed you've had quite a few tabloid rumors."
"Oh?" Aaron raised a brow.
"Australian, French, British… and American."
He smirked. "That's just the press making things up."
He conveniently didn't mention Mexico, Spain, or Brazil.
---
Meanwhile, Dawnlight Pictures moved swiftly on new projects.
They secured the film adaptation rights to the comic The Men in Black and began development.
At the same time, producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer helped open negotiations with The Walt Disney Company to acquire the script for Bad Boys.
Disney, however, named a steep price.
"Three million dollars?" Aaron repeated in his office as Evelyn Beckett delivered the report, a faint smile crossing his face.
Three million for an original screenplay was top-tier pricing — on par with what had once been paid for Basic Instinct.
"Agree to Disney's terms," Aaron said calmly. "Will Smith — the lead from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — has strong comedic instincts. Recommend him."
"And Salma Hayek impressed in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. She's Mexican Latina, and since Bad Boys is set in Miami, she'd be a natural fit for the female role."
Evelyn nodded.
As expected, her boss already had a complete casting and production strategy mapped out before even closing the deal.
If everything moved efficiently, Bad Boys could be in theaters by the end of next year.
Was three million dollars expensive? Absolutely.
But the script was worth it — especially with Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer backing the project. Their instincts for commercial action films were rarely wrong.
As for Salma Hayek, Aaron genuinely believed she had potential. She took acting seriously, her skills were solid, and her screen presence — sensual, confident, undeniably beautiful — made her someone worth cultivating.
Of course, in Aaron's mind, Penélope Cruz would also be a strong option. Another Latina beauty, equally captivating.
The only difference? Penélope was still in Spain. She hadn't stepped into Hollywood yet.
---
As Thanksgiving 1993 approached, another shake-up hit Hollywood.
Joe Roth, chairman of 20th Century Fox, stepped down. A client of CAA, Roth had initially planned to launch his own independent studio. But after lobbying from Michael Ovitz, he shifted course and prepared to join The Walt Disney Company to oversee its live-action film division.
At the time, Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner was locked in an escalating power struggle with animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. Eisner reportedly hoped Roth would eventually replace Katzenberg.
Tensions were already high. Katzenberg had begun bypassing animation chairman Roy E. Disney, issuing direct orders within the department — a move that did not sit well with the Disney board member.
But the bigger bombshell in Hollywood wasn't at Disney.
It was Sumner Redstone.
Viacom raised its bid to a staggering $10.7 billion to acquire Paramount Communications, outbidding Barry Diller and QVC by more than a billion dollars. Diller withdrew from the contest shortly after.
With that, Viacom officially swallowed Paramount.
The deal handed Redstone control of Paramount Entertainment, Simon & Schuster, the MSG Group — including the New York Knicks — and a 50% stake in the USA Network (the other half owned by MCA).
Hollywood had a new heavyweight.
---
At the Bel-Air Hotel in Beverly Hills, Redstone hosted an extravagant celebration. Over three hundred guests attended — executives, politicians, financiers, studio heads, media moguls, and stars.
Because Dawnlight's Philadelphia was set for release in December, Aaron attended the party with Monica Bellucci, who was helping promote the film.
"Mr. Buss — what a coincidence," Aaron said, surprised to run into Jerry Buss.
Buss chuckled. "Well, Aaron, Mr. Redstone is technically the owner of the Knicks now."
He gestured between them. "That makes the three of us club owners."
Aaron slapped his forehead lightly. "Right. I almost forgot — the Knicks belong to MSG."
At the moment, the most valuable NBA franchises were the Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks were Eastern Conference contenders, much like the Houston Rockets in the West.
The Lakers, however, were struggling.
"Another franchise just sold," Buss sighed. "Jordan's retirement has really shaken the league."
Aaron knew exactly which deal he meant — the San Antonio Spurs had just been sold to businessman Peter Holt and a group of investors for $75 million.
Michael Jordan's retirement had rippled across the NBA's finances.
Aaron smiled faintly. "The Lakers aren't looking great right now. And if I remember correctly, you're still paying Magic Johnson."
Back in the day, Buss had shocked the league by signing Magic Johnson to a 25-year, $25 million contract.
No one had foreseen Johnson's sudden retirement after his HIV diagnosis.
Yet the contract obligations remained.
And in the NBA's new, post-Jordan era, every financial decision suddenly felt heavier.