Chapter 18: Kathrin
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“That’s it. Goodnight, and rest well, the film will be screened tomorrow.” Adrian kissed Kathrin goodbye after he sent her back to her hotel room.
Although the two of them kissed intimately that night, it did not progress further, so they booked two separate rooms in Venice.
“It’s still early, can you stay?” Kathrin added, “I’ll feel bored by myself.”
“No.” Adrian shook his head on purpose. “Though your mom didn’t say anything…”
“Hey, Eddy!” Kathrin shouted at him, but her angry face was very adorable.
“Alright, alright, I didn’t say anything.” Adrian laughed and raised his hands.
In the room, they cuddled with each other, then began drinking champagne on the balcony while they talked. Occasionally, they played some games, which Kathrin enjoyed very much. The sky was extremely dark at that moment, but the stars on Lido island, as well as the gentle lights in the room, gave a quality suggestive of poetry or a painting. Additionally, the slight sea breeze made the moment very enjoyable.
“Oh right, I recall you saying that you’ll apply to Oxford after you graduate from high school next year?” A moment later, Adrian talked about Kathrin’s studies.
“Why? Do you think I can’t make it?” Kathrin, who was leaning against his chest, asked. Her reddened cheeks due to the champagne made her look extra attractive.
“Why would I? It’s a piece of cake for you.” Adrian purposely spoke in a flattering manner, which made her smile happily.
Adrian shrugged. He was about to say something as he caressed her face, but he stood up instead since it was late. “Alright, I should leave, and you should rest.”
“Wait, Eddy.” Kathrin clung onto his arms, then pulled him to the couch. “Wait for a moment, I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Adrian was surprised, but he did not ask further. Subsequently, Kathrin went into the bathroom.
“I love you, Eddy.” When she came out, she hugged him tightly.
“I… Really don’t know what to say.” Adrian hugged her thin waist, then proceeded to kiss her lips without any hesitation, slowly guiding her tongue with his.
The Sun shone in through the balcony, and the fresh sea breeze blew the curtains. Adrian shifted his body a little so that the kitten that curled up next to him could sleep more comfortably. He stroked her face gently as he indulged in the moment. Honestly, he did not fully enjoy himself last night, but Kathrin obviously could not withstand the intense action. However, he was not a selfish man in this aspect, and he was more pleased if his lady was satisfied.
Right then, Kathrin opened her sleepy eyes. Her body tensed up for a while, but she quickly relaxed and smiled. “Morning, Eddy.”
“Morning, baby,” Adrian replied softly, then kissed her cheeks, her ears, and her neck.
Kathrin responded to his kisses gently, then the two of them were ready to get out of bed. Just as she was about to sit up, she lay back down.
“It hurts.” She frowned at Adrian, embarrassed.
Adrian could not help but chuckle. “It’s normal. After all, it was your first time, so it hurts.”
“I won’t be able to walk today then.” Kathrin was upset.
“It’s alright, you can just rest in the hotel today,” Adrian comforted her.
“How can I! ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ will be screened today, how can I be absent!” Kathrin tried her best to sit up again, but she could not move after that, so she leaned against her pillow.
“Enough, Kate. It’s just a screening, and there won’t be a premiere, so it doesn’t matter if you attend or not.” Adrian put his arm around her shoulder. “How about this, I’ll stay here with you.”
“No, Eddy, that won’t do.” Kathrin shook her head. “Don’t you want to know how the audience will react?”
“Their reactions are well within my expectations, don’t worry,” Adrian replied casually.
Kathrin shook her head again. “No, you must go, and I must go!”
Following that, she tried to get off her bed, but Adrian hugged her tightly. “Don’t do this, Kate, listen to me.”
While Kathrin did not say a word, she pursed her lips and looked at Adrian firmly. After being in a deadlock for a few minutes, he could only give in. “Alright, I’ll go, but you…”
“I’ll go too!” Before he finished his sentence, Kathrin cut him off. Though she was still slightly afraid, she stuck her chest out. “I’ll just bear the pain, I’ll be fine as long as I don’t walk too fast.”
She did have an imposing manner, but when the blanket that was covering her body suddenly slid down, she shrieked.
“It’s not like I’ve never seen it before.” Adrian teased her by pulling the blanket down again.
Kathrin stared at him snappily, then declared, “I’m going!”
“Alright, alright.” Adrian shrugged helplessly. “You’re so stubborn, Kate.”
“You told me that it’s my style anyway.” Kathrin lifted her chin to look at him proudly.
It was then when Adrian’s heart moved. After being stunned for a few seconds, he finally knew why he found Kathrin familiar. The feature of British English was that it was spoked in measured tones and that the final tones of some syllables were subconsciously omitted, which was why Kathrin’s family name was pronounced as Beckinsell. According to American English, it would be pronounced as… Beckinsale! Kate Beckinsale, the charming English rose in ‘Pearl Harbor,’ the cold vampire in the city’s steel jungle!
‘Pleasure to have you, Kate,’ Adrian said to himself as he helped her with her clothes.
2
Palazzo del Cinema was situated to the south of Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta street, the most bustling street on Lido island. It had 7 screening halls with roughly 600 seats and was a medium-sized theatre. Every year, many films were screened in the theatre during the Venice Film Festival. Different films were played in different halls, and spectators could watch any of them depending on their preference.
By the time Adrian and Kathrin arrived at the middle hall where ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ was screened, the hall was already dark, and the film would start playing in 2 minutes. Dennis and the others were already in the seats reserved by the organizers. After greeting them, Adrian helped Kathrin to her seat, and also placed a soft cushion for her.
Without an opening logo, the film began as soon as the screen lit up. In the beginning, Bacon, who was from the four-men group, was seen selling stolen goods on the street while Eddy, who was played by Dennis, promoted them to the onlookers. Honestly, Dennis’ acting skill was not that great, but he stood out in his own way. Although Jason Statham who played Bacon in the original film was the only one who attracted attention, nothing in the world was constant. At the very least, Adrian felt that Dennis performed better than the original actor who played his character.
20 minutes passed in the blink of an eye, and there was not much suspense going on, but all parties—the four-men group, “Hatchet” Harry and his bodyguard, the weed-growers, and Big Chris—appeared in order in different ways, which attracted the audience’s attention. Especially when “Hatchet” Harry was introduced, the strong contrast caused by the old man and the bunch of sex toys in front of him caused a few people to chuckle.
Nevertheless, the first time the audience dissolved into waves of laughter was when the two dumb thieves went to steal the guns. One of the thieves’ unkempt curly hair had a hole in it due to a bullet, and their silly looks really cracked the crowd up, but it was just the beginning.