"Huh? You're back again? Don't tell me you want to crash on the couch?"
That night, Sofia saw Dunn and couldn't help but giggle.
Dunn laughed. "I actually came to say thanks. Thanks for helping me get in touch with your dad. Otherwise, today's mess would've been tough to clean up."
Sofia was surprised. "I'm dying to know how you convinced my father. He's such a stubborn old man!"
"Convinced? Nah, I never planned on convincing him." Dunn shook his head, speaking slowly. "I just told him Sofia's been harassed by a bunch of Italian punks on set, the local police won't step in, the crew's budget is tight, we don't have enough bodyguards, and we're helpless."
Sofia blinked, half-laughing, half-annoyed. "Dunn, you're shameless!"
Dunn slid closer, grinning mischievously. "Wanna see me get even more shameless?"
With that, he reached for her waist. He was confident—if a woman lets you sleep on her couch, it means she's okay with you in her bed too!
Sofia rolled her eyes, lifting his chin with a delicate finger, looking down at him. "I'll give you a chance! But… you'd better impress me. If you don't, don't blame me for spilling the beans about today. Trust me, that old man will lose it—he hates being played."
Joking aside, Dunn's calm, commanding presence during the day, like a prince from a fairy tale, was undeniably captivating.
"Don't worry, old Mr. Coppola's tough, but little Miss Coppola? Piece of cake!" Dunn scooped her up and headed to the bedroom.
"Wait, shower first," Sofia said, blushing, feeling shy. Doing this with a friend felt a bit weird.
Dunn leaned in, whispering, "Nah, I like you just the way you are."
"Pfft!" Sofia gave him a playful glare. "You're so bad!"
"So, do you like good guys or bad ones?"
Sofia couldn't help but laugh.
"Answer me!"
"Bad ones!" Sofia lightly punched him. "You jerk!"
…
"Hey, find a time for me to visit your dad."
After a long silence in the bedroom, Dunn dropped that mood-killer out of nowhere.
"Huh? Oh, sure." Sofia didn't want to move, half-asleep. "Dunn, don't you ever think about getting a girlfriend? Just gonna keep messing around like this?"
Dunn laughed. "Messing around? You're one to talk—you're in on it too! As for a girlfriend… I'm looking, but no rush. Taking my time."
Sofia perked up, rolling over to face him. "What type do you like? I know tons of gorgeous girls. You know, I've modeled, acted, made music, and I've got friends in the fashion world. You…"
"Alright, Sofia!" Dunn cut her off. "Let's leave it to fate. Introduce me to some… casual friends, sure, but a girlfriend? Nah, I'll pass."
Sofia, annoyed, bit his chest hard. "I've never met a jerk like you!"
Dunn winced but suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, didn't you say you're planning to make a movie?"
"Yeah, the script's ready. I was about to start shooting, but when I heard you were making a new film, I delayed mine to come learn from you." Sofia was open about it, no secrets.
Dunn was surprised. "Need any help?"
Sofia shook her head. "Nah, I've already talked to Paramount Classics. They're funding it and helping me set up the crew. You know, my dad's *Godfather* trilogy was for Paramount."
Dunn frowned. "In the future, just come to me for films. No need to use your dad's connections."
"You?" Sofia smirked. "How much money do you even have? What if the movie flops?"
Dunn shook his head, serious. "Big commercial films need caution, sure. But deep, artistic movies? Even if they lose money, I think they're worth making. Hollywood's made enough profits—it's time to give back."
Sofia mulled over his words, her dazed eyes slowly brightening. Ignoring her exposed state, she sat up. "Dunn, are you serious?"
Dunn smirked. "Sofia, we're both naked here. If we're being this open, there's no way I'd lie to you!"
Sofia's eyes sparkled like stars. "Dunn, I'm holding you to this. You've got to invest in my movies from now on. You *have* to, no conditions!"
Dunn laughed. "I'm a man of my word!"
…
By November, *Titanic* had dropped out of the top 10 weekly box office charts, but its $580 million North American haul had already driven the U.S. wild.
With its current trajectory, *Titanic* might leave theaters before Christmas, but hitting $6 billion is a lock.
As for overseas box office? "Explosive" doesn't even cover it. $103 million had Fox Studios so thrilled they held three days of celebration parties.
Dunn, busy shooting *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, didn't attend.
Word is, at the celebration, James Cameron pitched a new film idea to Bill Mechanic, which genuinely surprised Dunn.
In his past life, after *Titanic*, Cameron lost focus, spending years diving underwater, not releasing a mainstream blockbuster like *Avatar* until over a decade later.
Now Cameron's already planning a new film?
The news stunned Dunn for a moment, then he burst out laughing.
In his past life, Cameron could afford to dive into the ocean because he had no financial worries—*Titanic* earned him $100 million net.
But now? Dunn's the director, taking the lion's share of the profits. Cameron only got $3 million as a producer, nowhere near enough to fund his underwater adventures. Planning a new film makes sense.
Still, knowing Cameron's perfectionist pace, this project won't start for at least two or three years.
Dunn couldn't make it to the celebration, but Bill Mechanic called him personally, asking when the movie would wrap and insisting he return to LA by December 15.
That day's the Academy Governors Awards, where they hand out big honors like the Lifetime Achievement Award.
More importantly, it's a prime chance to network and build connections.
At the 70th Oscars in 1998, *Titanic* is sure to snag multiple nominations, but Best Director? That's up in the air.
*Titanic* is a great film, but Dunn Walker's only 18!
In 70 years of Oscar history, no director that young has ever been nominated.
So Bill Mechanic's point was clear: Cameron, Kate Winslet, and the technical awards are likely safe bets. But Best Director? That's the worry.
Dunn was silent for a long while.
With his personality, he really didn't want to deal with the damn Oscars! *I made the movie—why should you get to judge it?*
But there's a big problem: his sunglasses system!
The sunglasses have two major skills: "Mirror Possession" and "Contract Steal."
Unlocking "Mirror Possession" is tough—global box office needs to hit $10 billion. But for Dunn, that's doable. *Titanic* alone could unlock it twice.
"Contract Steal," though, is trickier. The condition? Win an Oscar.
One Oscar, one reward.
Dunn got the directing gig for *Titanic* using this skill, showing how powerful it is. The newbie package gave him two "Contract Steal" chances, and he still has some left.
But that doesn't mean he won't need more later!
So, facing the Oscars, Dunn has to swallow his pride and play nice with the big shots and stars, flattering, coaxing, and begging for awards.
It's humiliating!
"Alright, I get it. The movie wraps in about two weeks. I'll definitely make it back in time."
Dunn sighed, managing not to say anything too outrageous about the Oscars.
Who's Bill Mechanic?
After being pushed out of Twentieth Century Fox by Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos, he joined the Academy and climbed his way to Oscar chairman…
"No way I made *Titanic* and can't even get a nomination, right?"
Dunn didn't believe it!
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