The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 408

The next day, around eleven in the morning, Matthew called Alexandra Daddario. After a moment of hesitation, she accepted his invitation for lunch the following day, agreeing to meet at an Italian restaurant near the Ritz-Carlton.

It was nearly eleven in the morning when Matthew left his hotel room. He had just stepped into the elevator when Keira Knightley's voice called out from behind him.

"Hold on! Wait for me, Matthew!"

Hearing Keira, Matthew held the elevator door open. Once she was inside, he asked curiously, "Meeting someone today?"

"I am," Knightley replied with a smile. "I spoke with Natalie last night, and we arranged to meet for lunch today."

As the elevator descended, she glanced at Matthew. "Want to come with me?"

Matthew shook his head. "I have a lunch meeting as well."

"A meeting?" Keira eyed him from head to toe. "It's not with a woman, is it?"

"It is," Matthew admitted, not bothering to deny it. "A young woman."

Keira bit her lower lip, a familiar habit, and rolled her eyes.Matthew spread his hands, feigning innocence. "I'm just meeting an old friend while I'm in New York."

"Do you take me for an idiot, Matthew?" Keira scoffed. "You've slept with all your old 'friends,' haven't you?"

The elevator doors slid open, and Matthew stepped out without a word. Keira followed, taking his arm as they walked toward the hotel lobby.

They exited the hotel together, and after a brief exchange, discovered they were both heading to the same Italian restaurant.

"What a coincidence," Keira remarked, still holding his arm as they walked the short distance to the restaurant. "I can't believe we picked the same place."

She asked Matthew, "Do you like Italian food?"

Matthew replied, "The person I'm meeting is of Italian descent, and she prefers Italian food."

Keira nodded. As they reached the entrance, she mentioned, "Natalie Portman is a vegetarian, and this place is famous for its vegetarian dishes."

A waiter held the door for them. Inside, Matthew and Keira gave their names for their separate reservations and were led to their tables, which were situated a short distance apart.

Since their respective lunch dates hadn't arrived yet, Keira simply sat down opposite Matthew to continue their conversation.

"So, are you going to get into it with her here?"

She folded her arms. "I'm annoyed that Natalie snatched the Chanel endorsement, but I'm not about to cause a scene."

"You've grown up, Keira," Matthew said with a smile.

Hollywood stars cultivate a glamorous public image. When you're a small-time actor climbing the ladder, you can get away with a lot. But once you reach a certain level of stardom, your public image dictates your actions. The biggest names in Hollywood go to great lengths to avoid public, irreconcilable conflicts.

Of course, in a world driven by competition for fame and fortune, it was impossible to avoid scandal entirely.

Matthew spotted a woman with a short haircut, bearing a slight resemblance to Keira, entering the restaurant. He nudged her. "She's here."

Keira turned toward the entrance and waved.

A moment later, the woman approached their table.

"Hey, Nat!" Keira greeted her brightly. "It's so good to see you."

Judging by her enthusiasm, if Matthew hadn't heard Keira complain so much, he would have assumed she and Portman were the best of friends.

"It's good to see you, too," Portman replied.

Keira took her by the hand and led her over to Matthew, who had politely risen to his feet.

"Matthew, this is my friend, Natalie Portman." Keira made the introduction. "Natalie, this is Matthew Horner, my co-star."

"Hello," Matthew said, shaking her hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Hello," Portman replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

Once the pleasantries were exchanged, Keira asked Portman, "What's with the new look?"

Portman, whose short haircut gave her a tomboyish look, replied, "I cut it for a film role."

The three of them stood and made small talk for a few moments.

It didn't take long for Matthew to realize he had nothing in common with Portman. It made sense, really. She was a Harvard graduate discussing Shakespeare's four great tragedies, while he was a high school dropout who couldn't contribute a thing to the conversation.

"Excuse me, Keira," Matthew said, spotting Alexandra arriving. "Why don't you show Natalie to your table?"

Portman gave Keira a confused look. Keira explained quietly and then quickly led her to their table nearby.

Alexandra was already walking toward him from the entrance.

Matthew smiled and waved. Seeing him, Alexandra picked up her pace and reached the table moments later.

"It's been too long, Anna." Matthew pulled out a chair for her. He took the purse she was carrying, set it on the empty seat beside her, and welcomed her with a warm smile.

As she sat down, Alexandra looked at Matthew and asked, "When did you get into New York?"

"The night before last," Matthew said, taking the seat opposite her. "I had a Pirates of the Caribbean event yesterday, which freed up my schedule today. I suddenly remembered I had a friend here in New York."

A waiter approached, and they each ordered a few Italian dishes.

While Alexandra placed her order, Matthew glanced over at Keira's table. She was chatting with Natalie Portman, all smiles and with no trace of animosity.

Hollywood stars, he mused, were all magnificent actors.

He was no exception. "I meant to call the last few times I was in town," he told Alexandra, "but I was always too busy."

Alexandra smiled. "I get it. You're a star, after all."

Matthew offered a humble smile before asking, "Are you still in school?"

"I am," Alexandra confirmed, pursing her lips. "I'm studying literature at the State University of New York. I've still got three years to go."

"College," Matthew repeated with a hint of longing. "It's a shame I never got the chance to go."

Then he asked, "Any plans to come back to Hollywood?"

After appearing in two films that year, Alexandra had returned to New York. Helen, mostly as a favor to Amanda, had kept her on a yearly contract with the agency, but Alexandra hadn't taken on any new roles and seemed to have lost interest in Hollywood.

"I'd love to. My dream is still to be an actress," she confessed. "But when I came back to New York, the offers dried up. I figured I'd put it on hold until I finish my degree."

She rolled her eyes. "I think Helen's forgotten I exist."

Their food arrived, and Matthew added, "Hollywood has a short memory. You've been out of the loop for over two years, so it's not surprising people have forgotten."

Alexandra met his gaze. "So if I go back to Hollywood, I'll have to start from scratch?"

"Pretty much," Matthew said honestly. After a moment, he added, "But Anna, we're friends. If you ever decide you want to come back, just let me know. I'll help you find an opportunity."

He recalled Alexandra saying something similar to him before she left, but back then, he was just a supporting actor with little influence, a far cry from the star he was today.

"Okay," Alexandra smiled. "Thank you, Matthew."

She paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Seeing you again makes me think about the scenes we filmed together. It really makes me want to get back to Hollywood."

Matthew replied without hesitation, "You have my number. Feel free to call anytime. We can talk more when I'm back in Los Angeles."