Penelope Cruz, a well-known actress from Spain, had been to plenty of high-end places, but she'd never seen anything like the breathtaking private estate of "Mid-Hill Manor." It was straight out of a fairy tale—everything you could ever want, right there.
"I love it here!" Penelope said, linking her arm with Dunn's and taking a deep breath of the flower-scented breeze, her face glowing with delight.
Dunn smiled. "If you like it that much, stay as long as you want. I'll set aside a room for you."
Penelope pursed her lips, hesitating for a moment before giving a soft smile. "I'm good with whatever you say."
Dunn nodded lightly. "Later, take a look around and see what kind of car you'd like. Just tell the butler, and we'll order a few."
"Huh?" Penelope's eyes widened as she stared at him. "A Lamborghini?"
"Sure."
"What about… a Bugatti Veyron?"
"Yep."
"I love Koenigsegg—the red one. It's so gorgeous!"
Dunn chuckled, pulling her close by the shoulders. "Anything you want, we'll get. If you're staying here, I've got all the expenses covered."
The film market in Spain is tiny, and actors don't make much. Even in Hollywood, Penelope was just a minor player, pulling in a max of $250,000 per gig—barely enough to keep up her glamorous lifestyle. Now, with one generous word from Dunn, she could have the supercars she'd always dreamed of. She was over the moon.
"Dunn, you're amazing!" Penelope bounced with excitement, wrapping her arms around his neck, her cheeks flushed. "I get it now—why all those women love being with you."
She snuggled into his arms as they walked into the mansion, chatting and laughing. The first thing that hit her was the stunning classic decor. The second? She nearly collapsed in shock.
If Dunn hadn't been holding her tight, Penelope might've crumpled to the floor.
Coming toward them was a familiar face—Natalie Portman!
Dunn could sense Penelope's embarrassment and felt a little guilty himself. Putting on a calm front, he smiled and said, "Nat, this is Penny—Penelope Cruz. She's a new friend who'll be staying with us for a bit. Penny, this is my girlfriend, Natalie Portman."
Penelope's face went pale. She couldn't even muster a word.
Natalie shot Dunn a quick glare before plastering a polite smile on her delicate face. "Hi, Penny. I'm Natalie. Welcome to our home."
Penelope's mind was racing, trying to figure out what was going on between Dunn and Natalie. She'd heard Natalie was a Harvard student—super smart, no doubt. There's no way she couldn't see what was up between her and Dunn. Were they… in an open relationship or something?
Since the lady of the house had greeted her so warmly, Penelope quickly stepped away from Dunn and stammered, "Hi, Miss Portman. I'm Penny, from Spain."
Natalie didn't glance at Dunn again. Instead, she stepped forward, took Penelope's hand with a bright smile, and said, "Come on, I'll show you around and help you pick a room."
"Thank you, Miss Portman. You're so kind."
Penelope was seven years older than Natalie, but in front of this poised young woman, she couldn't pull off any big-sister vibes.
After dinner, while Penelope was soaking in the tub, Dunn finally got a moment alone with Natalie. With a sheepish grin, he asked, "You mad?"
Natalie rolled her eyes hard, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Two just left, and now another shows up. The women around you never stop coming, do they?"
Dunn plopped down beside her, pulling her into a hug with shameless confidence. "What can I say? When a guy's this great, women just keep throwing themselves at me. I can't even shoo them away!"
"You've got some nerve," Natalie scoffed, shooting him a disdainful look. "They can't force you if you say no, you know."
Dunn grinned cheekily. "I'm too much of a gentleman to keep turning them down."
"You've always got an excuse."
Natalie pouted and turned away.
Dunn lowered his voice. "Come on, are you really mad?"
"No!"
"You're definitely mad."
"I'm not. I'm used to it by now." Natalie paused, letting out a quiet sigh. "I just think if word gets out, everyone's going to laugh at me."
"Laugh at you?" Dunn's face hardened, and he huffed. "Don't worry. Once we're married and you're my wife, let's see who dares laugh then!"
Natalie pursed her lips. "That's exactly why they'd laugh—can't even keep her husband in check…"
Dunn smirked confidently. "Relax, I've already got it figured out. I've got a plan that'll not only stop anyone from mocking you but make you the most respected woman in the industry!"
"Really?" Natalie's face lit up. "What's the plan?"
Dunn said, "I've told you before—I'm going to make you the greatest actress in Hollywood history!"
"You mean… an Oscar?"
"Of course!"
Natalie looked skeptical. "The Oscars aren't your personal playground."
Dunn shrugged casually. "Trust me, I'll find a way. Just focus on finishing school. By the time you graduate, I'll have a solid foothold in Hollywood. Then… you and me, husband and wife, we'll take over the place!"
Natalie's cheeks turned pink. "What are you blabbering about? Husband and wife? I never said I'd marry you."
"Huh? If not me, then who?"
"I… I haven't decided yet."
Dunn leaned in with a goofy grin, planting a kiss on her cheek and whispering, "Babe, Penny's in the bath right now."
Natalie narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you up to?"
Dunn teased, "How about… we join her?"
Natalie snapped, "Dunn, you're pushing my limits step by step!"
Dunn played innocent. "I think it's pretty normal. Think about it, honey—you're only 19, I'm 22. We've got decades ahead of us. Right now, things are hot and heavy, but over time, it's bound to cool off."
Natalie stared at him coldly. "What's your point?"
Dunn said, "If we bring another woman into the mix, it's like a little spice for life—mentally, physically, it'd keep things fresh. Especially if we switch up the spice now and then, right?"
Natalie fumed. "So after all that, you just want me to team up with other women to… fool around with you?"
Dunn didn't flinch. "A while back, with Sophie and Charlize, we all had a good time together. They were into it too. It wasn't that wild, honestly."
"Well, I'm not okay with it!"
Natalie kicked him in the shin.
Dunn shrugged and stood up. "Just putting it out there. We've got years ahead, and stuff like this is bound to happen. You should prep yourself for it."
"Dunn, you're such a jerk!"
Natalie grabbed a throw pillow from the couch and hurled it at him.
Dunn dodged with a laugh, glancing toward the bathroom. "If you're not coming, fine. I'll just go join Penny in the tub."
"Go! Get out of here!"
Natalie chucked a few more pillows in a huff. As Dunn reached the corner and was about to disappear from sight, she shouted, "Old rules—don't forget!"
His figure vanished, but his voice floated back: "I know!"
The "old rules" were something Natalie had set with Dunn back when Sophie Marceau and Charlize Theron were staying at the house.
She didn't care how much Dunn messed around with them—she wouldn't interfere or stop him. But every night, no matter how late he stayed out playing, he had to come back to her room and sleep with her in his arms.
It was one of the few "claims" Natalie could hold onto when she couldn't curb Dunn's wandering ways. It might've just been a symbolic claim, but… better than nothing.
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