ch 46-50

*Chapter 46: The Classroom Vibes*

“Ugh~”

Manhattan School of the Arts, in the acting classroom.

The room wasn’t large, maybe around 70 or 80 square meters, with rows of desks. At the moment, it was mostly empty, with just seven or eight students scattered in the front rows. Luca was one of them.

He sat in the front row with a thick acting textbook, Actor Training, open in front of him. The book had 807 pages, about the size of a large dictionary.

Apparently, this book was a collaboration by several Broadway acting masters, filled with detailed theories and case studies. It covered classic theories of acting, the masters’ interpretations, and their diaries on how they applied those techniques on stage.

One entry from Michael Chekhov was particularly interesting. In his diary, he recounted a night at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway during a performance of Les Misérables.

He played the lead role of Jean Valjean, and Gloria played the female lead, Fantine.

During one performance, Gloria unexpectedly passed gas—a really foul one, like a mix of rotten beans and potatoes. It made Michael feel nauseous. With a full audience, he had no choice but to endure the smell and power through the scene, completing the performance successfully.

Though the show went well, Michael wrote in his diary that it was one of his worst experiences on stage, and he would definitely remind Gloria not to eat potatoes before a performance again.

If Luca had only read Michael's diary, he would’ve sympathized with him. But after reading Gloria’s diary, the story became less straightforward.

Gloria, a famous opera singer and co-editor of the book, wrote in her own diary that Michael was a rude, talentless actor who wasn’t worthy of sharing the stage with her, and they had never even worked together.

So, who was telling the truth?

It was up to readers to decide.

Luca had read the entire textbook in about ten days, and finally found a helpful line in the diary of another famous actor, Leonard Pettit:

"Wow, Michael and Gloria make such an enviable couple. But I doubt they’ll last long—they’re in love with each other’s roles, not each other. That’s why I’d never fall in love with an actor.”

Well, what an interesting book this was.

“Ugh~”

Luca yawned again as he flipped through the textbook in the sunlight.

“Luca!”

Mr. Brown, standing at the front of the classroom, adjusted his glasses and said, “You’ve yawned countless times since the class started. Am I really that boring?”

The other sleepy students immediately perked up, amused smiles appearing on their faces.

Luca shrugged. “Mr. Brown, I’m sorry. I’ve been really busy with work the past few days and haven’t gotten enough rest. I didn’t mean to disturb your lecture.”

Mr. Brown nodded gently and smiled. “I think you need a strong cup of coffee.”

“Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll consider it. But I also have a proposal,” Luca replied with a slight smile.

“Oh?” Mr. Brown motioned for him to continue. “Let’s hear it.”

Luca gestured around the nearly empty classroom. “Don’t you think there are too few students attending?”

Mr. Brown frowned a bit. This was a general course offered by the school, free for students to attend. It was a foundational course aimed at improving their understanding of acting theory.

The course was heavy on theory and somewhat dry, so most students avoided it, even though it was free.

Mr. Brown didn’t really mind the lack of attendance—whether there were many or few students, his salary wouldn’t change.

Hearing Luca point out the problem, Mr. Brown smiled slightly. “Do you have a suggestion, Luca?”

Luca waved the thick textbook. “Mr. Brown, I’ve already read and even memorized the entire first half of this book. I’m sure many other students feel the same—we don’t need such detailed explanations.”

“Oh, really?”

Mr. Brown raised an eyebrow.

“If you’re interested, feel free to ask me any question,” Luca said confidently.

“Interesting!” Mr. Brown’s eyes lit up as he picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard: The essence of Symbolist Theatre.

Luca thought for a moment before answering, “Symbolist Theatre uses symbols to express human emotions and societal ideals. These plays often draw from myth, tradition, fables, and religious stories, exploring love, death, fate, and the universe. It employs symbolism to represent abstract ideas, creating an ambiguous, mysterious, and multi-layered effect. Examples include Maeterlinck’s The Blue Bird, John Synge’s Riders to the Sea, and Hauptmann’s The Sunken Bell.”

“Now, talk about the characteristics of Ancient Greek Theatre,” Mr. Brown followed up.

Luca responded, “Ancient Greek Theatre adhered to the three unities: unity of time, unity of place, and unity of action.”

He went on to elaborate on his understanding of Greek drama. Mr. Brown kept posing questions, and Luca answered them all confidently, showcasing the results of his self-study and strong memory.

“Perfect!” Mr. Brown clapped his hands.

The other students followed suit, applauding in surprise. After all, they knew Luca as “Supermodel Luca,” Armani’s new spokesperson, a fashion icon. Seeing him yawn repeatedly, they had assumed he was just tired. No one expected him to be such a top student. The girls, in particular, looked at him with newfound admiration.

“Luca, you don’t need to attend this class anymore. I’ll give you an A when you graduate,” Mr. Brown said with a smile.

Luca smiled politely. “Thank you, Mr. Brown. But although I’ve understood the first half, I still have many questions about the second half.”

“The second half?” Mr. Brown was a bit surprised. The second half of the book was more like supplementary reading material, not critical for the course.

“What questions do you have, Luca?”

“In Leonard Pettit’s 32nd diary entry, he says he’d never fall in love with an actor. Did he keep that promise?”

Mr. Brown was caught off guard for a moment, then laughed heartily. “No, he didn’t. He married three actresses.”

The classroom burst into laughter at this.

Luca smiled. Looks like the ‘I’ll never’ rule didn’t apply here.

“Mr. Brown, did Michael Chekhov really say that Gloria passed gas on stage?”

“Wow, Luca, you should really become a journalist with all these great questions,” Mr. Brown said, wiping his forehead.

Luca shrugged. “I think I’m better suited to be on the other end of the microphone.”

“Yes, Luca, you’re right. You’re talented enough to be the star being interviewed,” Mr. Brown said, smiling.

“Thank you, Mr. Brown. But did Gloria really do it?”

“No, of course not,” Mr. Brown chuckled. “Gloria was a very professional actress. She would never make that kind of mistake.”

“So, did Chekhov lie?”

The other students were now equally curious.

“No, he didn’t!” Mr. Brown shook his head.

Now everyone was even more confused. If neither lied, then what happened? A classic case of Rashomon?

Mr. Brown smiled and explained, “Chekhov was a brilliant, perhaps even a great actor. He was so deeply immersed in his performances that he often experienced hallucinations.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, hallucinations. In the early days, when he first fell in love with Gloria, every time they performed together, he would say that she smelled like violets, and it drove him wild.”

At this point, most students understood and let out a knowing laugh.

Mr. Brown continued, “As Herzen once said, ‘The beauty of love is in its intensity, but anything intense is short-lived.’ Within six months, they started arguing, and soon after, Chekhov began saying that every time they shared the stage, he smelled nothing but a stench, making him feel sick.”

“Ha-ha-ha!”

“Mr. Brown, did Mr. Monette really see a ghost at the Brookside Theatre?”

“Did Clark Gable really eat tons of garlic while filming with Vivien Leigh?”

After Luca broke the ice, his classmates started asking all sorts of fun, celebrity-related questions.

Mr. Brown cheerfully answered them, and soon the classroom was filled with laughter.

At around three in the afternoon, class ended.

Luca got into his car and pulled out his phone. “Miranda, are you all packed? Alright, I’m coming over now.”

He was off to help Miranda move.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 47: Moving*

"I'm on my way to the north side. Yes, to help Miranda move. She’s got a new place, I know. Don’t worry, Ed, I’ll be at Bryant Park before five. I won’t be late for the show. Bye!”

Luca hung up the phone as he drove towards Miranda's apartment in Harlem.

Harlem is located in the Bronx, in the northern part of New York City.

The Bronx, also known as "the Bronx," is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City, primarily home to residents of African and Latin American descent. Compared to the other four boroughs, it's less affluent, with a higher crime rate, among the worst in the country.

After signing her contract, Miranda wanted to move to a better place, closer to the fashion district.

With Kate's help, she found an apartment near Third Avenue, not far from the 76th Street apartment. Today, she was moving, and Luca was there to help.

“Hey, Thomas!”

At the entrance of the apartment building, Thomas, the handsome Australian guy, sat on the third step, quietly smoking. Behind him were three large cardboard boxes and a brown suitcase.

“Hey, Luca!”

Thomas lifted his head, his previously tense expression easing a little.

“Sorry I’m late, Thomas.”

“No worries, I just came down.”

Thomas gave a shy smile and slowly stood up.

Thump, thump, thump.

A series of lively footsteps echoed from the apartment building.

Thomas quietly moved his foot, snuffing out three cigarette butts. Then a cheerful voice called out from the hallway:

“Luca, you’re here!”

Miranda came bouncing out of the apartment like a happy little deer.

Her golden hair floated lightly in the wind. She wore a loose, long knitted sweater on top, with tight jeans that hugged her hips, and a pair of chunky white sneakers. She looked fresh, stylish, and sweetly sexy.

She smiled broadly, her dimples filled with infectious joy.

“Hey, Miranda!”

Luca greeted her with a grin.

Ever since the last time he saw Miranda in the bathroom, whenever he saw her, an image would pop into his head:

In a steamy bathroom, a fair-skinned beauty with long golden hair reclined quietly in a heart-shaped bathtub. Her long arms stirred the water, while the rest of her body was submerged, except for two tempting parts floating above the water.

Thinking about it, Luca felt a warm flush in his nose. He quickly shifted his gaze to the luggage on the ground.

“Miranda, is everything packed?”

“Yes, just clothes and shoes. Nothing else really matters.”

Miranda kicked the cardboard boxes, all filled with clothes.

“Alright then, let’s load up and get going!”

Luca chuckled, putting the suitcase in the trunk.

Thomas quickly loaded the three large boxes into the car.

“Wow, finally getting out of this dump!”

Miranda hopped in excitement and opened the car door to the passenger seat.

“Miranda!”

Thomas called out to her.

“Goodbye, Thomas. I’ll miss you!”

Miranda paused, turning around to give him a light hug.

Thomas blushed, pulling out a bank card. “Miranda, you just signed the contract, and you probably don’t have much money. Here’s fifty thousand dollars. The password is your birthday.”

Miranda froze for a second, then shook her head. “Thomas, I can’t take your money. I should be thanking you for looking out for me these past few months in New York.”

“No need to thank me. We’re friends.”

Thomas smiled shyly, still offering her the card.

“Thomas, really, it’s fine. The company gives me a five-thousand-dollar stipend every month. I’m not short on money, but thank you!”

Miranda gently pushed his hand away, then got into the car.

Holding the unused bank card, Thomas stood there, lost in thought. Right, Miranda had signed with a big company—she didn’t need money anymore.

“Thomas, call me if you need anything.”

Luca patted his shoulder and got into the car.

Vroom~

The car engine roared to life.

“Wait!”

Thomas suddenly yelled and ran back into the apartment without any explanation.

“Miranda, did you forget something?”

Luca stopped the car, confused.

Miranda furrowed her brows for a moment, then shook her head. “Nope, we can go.”

Luca started the car again, but they hadn’t driven far when they heard shouts from behind.

In the rearview mirror, Thomas was running after them, holding a giant stuffed bear over a meter tall.

Luca stopped the car.

“Miranda, you forgot this!”

Thomas, out of breath, grinned outside the window. “You said you liked sleeping with it. It helps you not feel scared.”

Miranda furrowed her brows and shook her head. “Actually, I don’t really like it. It’s always shedding.”

“Heh, really? Well, I should get you a better one.”

Thomas awkwardly scratched his head, then tossed the stuffed bear into a trash can.

“Next time, I’ll definitely get you a better one, Miranda, I promise!”

He waved to the car and jogged back to the apartment with his head down.

Miranda blinked at the stuffed bear, “Luca, can I take it with me?”

“Of course, Miranda. It can sit in the backseat.”

“Thank you, Luca!”

Miranda smiled sweetly and was about to get out of the car.

“Careful!”

Luca shouted, grabbing her hand. He pulled her so forcefully that she fell into his arms.

“Luca, what’s going on?”

Miranda looked up at him, surprised.

Vroom~

Before he could answer, a Harley motorcycle zoomed past the car. Two punks on the bike whooped as they sped by, snatching the stuffed bear from the trash can as they went.

“Thanks for stopping me, Luca. I hate those biker gangs.”

Miranda patted her chest, still a little scared.

“The bear’s gone. My car can’t catch up to them.”

In the rearview mirror, the bike sped off, disappearing down the street.

Miranda sighed softly as she looked at the empty trash can lid. “It’s fine. It was shedding anyway.”

Luca nodded. “Don’t worry, Miranda. We’ll pass by a stuffed bear store later. I’ll get you a new one!”

“Really? I love sleeping with stuffed bears.”

Miranda’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Yeah, as a housewarming gift for your new place.”

“Yay, thanks, Luca!”

Miranda excitedly hugged him and kissed his cheek. Her kiss was soft and sweet, just like she was.

Luca stiffened for a moment but quickly recovered. It was just a friendly kiss, no big deal.

He released the handbrake, and they continued driving.

When they passed the stuffed bear store on Fifth Avenue, Luca stopped and picked out a much nicer one.

Miranda loved it and couldn’t put it down.

Luca felt pleased. Buying gifts for Kate and Lima always stressed him out, but buying for Miranda felt rewarding.

After settling Miranda into her new place, Luca drove to Bryant Park to attend the upcoming fashion show.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 48: The Fashion Show

Every February, major fashion brands hold fall and winter fashion shows in New York, marking the New York Fashion Week, one of the four global fashion weeks.

According to statistics, the 2002 New York Fashion Week featured 230 shows in one week, with over 160 fashion companies participating, attracting more than 200,000 attendees.

This event is a grand party for the fashion industry and a lucrative opportunity for models. Many famous supermodels make their fortune and build their reputations during these fashion weeks.

Luca, also a model and a spokesperson for Armani, received numerous invitations during this fashion week, including from top brands like Kenneth Cole, H&M, and Hugo Boss.

When Ed first received these invitations, he planned to reject them. His goal was Hollywood, and he didn’t want to spend time in the fashion world.

He intended for Luca to finish shooting a commercial and immediately head to auditions for film roles, aiming to establish himself in the entertainment industry as soon as possible.

However, after seeing the offers from these brands, he hesitated.

This time, the pay wasn’t a mere few thousand dollars. It was based on top-model rates: $20,000 per show, which meant Luca could earn $200,000 from ten shows.

Ed carefully calculated that in just five days, Luca could make $180,000.

"That’s too good to pass up!"

Ed shared the news with Luca.

Luca considered it: $20,000 per show, which means $20 for every step taken. It felt like free money. Why not agree?

Acting in Hollywood might pay $1,000 for a day’s work, and he'd have to endure grueling conditions. The comparison wasn’t even close.

Ed sighed and delayed his plans for Hollywood, instead focusing on organizing Luca's participation in fashion week.

Yesterday, Luca walked in two shows: one for Armani suits and another for HUGO BOSS furs. Today, he had another for Calvin Klein in the afternoon.

In the evening, Luca drove to Bryant Park.

This park, built to honor the famous poet William Cullen Bryant, has no relation to Kobe Bryant.

Bryant Park is located in the heart of Manhattan. Compared to the bustling business district around it, the park is peaceful and elegant, often called an oasis amid the noise.

The park hosts a series of popular annual events, including outdoor movie screenings, large concerts, and fashion shows.

Since 1993, it has been the site of New York’s Fall/Winter Fashion Week.

The organizers set up large white tents in the open space, with runways inside the tents.

Each tent showcases a different brand’s collection, and only invited buyers, industry insiders, media, and celebrities are allowed in.

Models are the tools through which brands present their fashion to buyers, the media, and industry insiders. Top models are the best of these tools.

Today, Luca came to serve as one of these tools.

He parked his car outside the public library, crossed the bustling crowd, and arrived at a white tent in the center. A sign for the “Calvin Klein Show” was prominently displayed at the entrance.

“Luca, over here!”

Ed waved from a distance.

“Ed, you don’t have to wait outside for me every time. It makes me feel guilty,” Luca joked.

“Guilty? You? You never show up on time for these shows, always arriving later than the other supermodels. Do you know what people in the industry are saying about you?”

Luca smiled lightly. “What could they say? That I’m arrogant? Unprofessional? Bad-tempered? What else?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Ed stopped walking, clearly irritated. “There were rumors going around recently about how difficult you are to work with. The company and I were planning to handle the PR for you, but then you go and prove them right by being arrogant and unprofessional!”

Ed glared at him. “Sometimes I wonder if you’re secretly working for the enemy.”

Luca was taken aback. Was he being called a traitor? After thinking for a moment, it did seem a little like that.

Luca smirked slightly and sighed, “Ed, did you forget our goal again? We’re aiming for Hollywood, not the fashion world. We don’t need to waste too much energy here.”

“I…”

“Remember, Ed, stay focused on the goal. Why do I always have to remind you?”

“You!”

Ed clenched his teeth. He was the one scolding Luca, yet somehow Luca was lecturing him now. What a situation.

Before Ed could speak again, Luca cut him off, “Ed, you keep talking about auditions. How many are lined up?”

Ed frowned and let out a small grunt, “Three. One TV show and two movies.”

“A TV show?”

Luca thought for a moment. “Filming a TV show takes too long. A whole year for one season, and if the ratings are good, they’ll make sequels. It’s too much hassle. Let’s just focus on the movies. What are they?”

Ed scratched his curly hair in frustration. Other actors would kill for these opportunities, but Luca was already being picky.

Sighing, Ed explained, “Two movies. One is ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ from Touchstone Pictures, and the other is ‘Underworld’ from Lakeshore Entertainment. Both are lead roles.”

“These two?”

Luca recalled the details of both films. They were decent. The first was a drama, and the second was a commercial action film. Both performed well at the box office.

However, both films were led by strong female protagonists, with the male lead being more of a supporting, decorative role, offering little opportunity to showcase his acting skills.

“You’ve got something to say?”

Ed frowned. They hadn’t even started the auditions yet, and Luca was already displeased. How could a picky actor like him make it in Hollywood?

“Ed, I have no objections. Both sound good. I’ll give them a try!”

“Settled then!”

Ed nodded with satisfaction and pointed to the makeup room. “Go get ready!”

“Alright!”

As Luca reached the door of the makeup room, he paused. “The makeup artist in there isn’t Tony, right?”

Ed chuckled, “No, I heard Tony went off with a film crew to Hollywood.”

“Smart choice.”

Luca smiled and walked in.

The makeup artist wasn’t Tony, but a man even more flamboyant, with a heavy perfume and mediocre makeup skills.

Luca couldn’t help but miss Tony.

Tony may have had a bad reputation, but his makeup skills were exceptional. When Tony worked on him, Luca could just relax with his eyes closed, and when he opened them, he’d be ready to shine on stage.

This new guy didn’t even compare.

After his makeup was done, Luca headed to the dressing area.

He had rehearsed here last night and was familiar with the layout.

There were over 20 male models in the dressing area, all top models and supermodels. Among them was last year’s highest-paid male model, Noah Mills, a seasoned veteran in his thirties and Calvin Klein’s go-to male model and current spokesperson.

However, rumors had it that due to his age, CK was looking to replace him with a younger face and might not renew his contract.

So, the male models were all taking this show seriously, creating a tense atmosphere backstage.

Luca, however, wasn’t concerned. He found two assistants to help him change while he sat on a bench, texting Kate and Lima to report his progress.

Both Kate and Lima were also in the park, walking in other shows, which made Luca feel much more at ease.

Suddenly, the strong scent of perfume wafted through the air. The fragrance was a mix of musk, hawthorn, green apple, and vanilla. It smelled quite pleasant.

But the person spraying the perfume went overboard and sprayed it on Luca’s head.

“Hey, watch it!”

Luca looked up and frowned. “It’s you?”

The person spraying the perfume was none other than the bearded Ben Hill, someone Luca hadn’t seen in a while.

Last time, after being kicked out by Luca, Ben Hill had spread rumors, claiming Luca was difficult to work with, arrogant, and unprofessional.

Thanks to Ben’s gossip, Luca’s reputation in the industry had grown, though mostly for the wrong reasons.

“Hmph.”

Ben shot him a cold glance and walked off.

Luca raised an eyebrow. Was that supposed to be a challenge? How childish!

He didn’t pay it any mind. The show was about to start, so he focused on adjusting his outfit—a military-style ensemble made from denim.

Military-inspired fashion was CK’s focus this year.

His look featured dark brown combat boots, large utility pockets on the jacket and pants, detailed zipper pockets, metal buttons, and a sharp, well-fitted shirt. The denim added a casual, free-spirited vibe to the outfit, while the military influence gave it a cool, edgy sex appeal. Together, the combination highlighted masculinity.

Luca admired his reflection in the mirror. The outfit worked well, showing off his long legs, firm backside, and V-shaped torso.

“Kevin, who’s the most handsome model in this show?” Luca struck a cool pose, chin raised.

His assistant Kevin glanced at him, silent.

Swoosh!

A crisp green bill was waved in front of him.

Kevin snatched the money and cheerfully responded, “Luca Kelly, of course, you’re the most handsome and coolest model here!”

“Hmph!”

Annoyed grunts came from nearby.

"Luca, that’s enough!"

Ed walked in with a dark expression. As if being annoying wasn't bad enough, now Luca's buying his own hype? Is he trying to get himself kicked out of the fashion circle?

Luca shrugged his stylish shoulders and sighed deeply in front of the mirror, "Magic mirror, oh magic mirror—"

"Shut up!"

"Alright, everyone! The fashion show is about to begin, get ready to go onstage!"

The event director shouted a few times from the center.

All the models gathered in the middle, lining up in the same order as yesterday’s rehearsal. Twenty-eight models formed a straight, snake-like formation.

Crawling in my skin

These wounds, they will not heal

Fear is how I fall

Confusing what is real

The music started playing.

After the female models took the stage, Noah Mills led the group, with Luca in the twelfth spot.

"Luca, you’re up next!"

One of the staff called out.

Luca nodded and, keeping time with the music, strutted coolly onto the runway.

"Hmph, hmph~"

Watching Luca’s back, Ben Hill let out a cold smirk. "Show off all you want today, let’s see how far it gets you."

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 49: Unexpected*

Like I love you, You're a good girl  

With Justin's sexy voice playing, Luca swaggered into the scene.

Fashion Week had many shows every day, so the venue was simple—no palace corridors, no bridges over flowing water, not even a glowing runway.

Just hundreds, maybe thousands of people sitting around an open space with a four-foot-wide path down the middle for the models to walk and showcase the clothes.

Although the venue was plain, it was a place where real business got done. Each year, billions of dollars in orders are placed here.

This type of show was more practical.

Luca walked onto the runway with a blank expression. He moved in sync with the music, swinging his hands at his hips in a way that screamed confidence.

After a few shows, he had become a seasoned model. He wasn’t as nervous as he was at the start, nor did he walk with the same stiffness.

Both Kate and Lima had told him that true supermodel charisma develops over time, becoming something others see in you. Unlike him, who was forcing it, as if he was constipated. It was too forced, awkward, and impossible to maintain.

Since then, Luca stopped trying so hard. He walked naturally, showcasing his charm with the most confident and flamboyant moves.

Mr. Marton even praised his performance in the latest issue of Details, saying his vibe had matured and his future looked promising.

It was an unexpected surprise.

As he was walking, a female model approached him. Her body was great, but her face was average. Still, when Luca saw her, a few inappropriate images suddenly flashed through his mind.

He imagined a voluptuous Lima in black stockings, walking seductively with her toes pointed. Her full lips, perfect chest, sexy curves, and honey-toned skin gleamed with a healthy glow under the lights, radiating irresistible allure.

“Luca, do I look good?” Lima asked seductively, biting her lip and batting her lashes.

“Gorgeous!” Luca almost blurted out before he realized—wait, this is a fashion show! He couldn’t let his mind wander like that.

Quickly, he refocused and continued walking.

“Wow! Look at that!”

Suddenly, a woman nearby pointed at his pants, shouting in surprise.

“Oh my God, what’s happening?”

“Britney, look! That model has…”

“Wow! That’s intense!”

The excited whispers of women, followed by screams, shouts, and rapid camera clicks, echoed around him.

Luca froze. He could feel something… fuck, why is this happening? Why did this have to awaken now?

If he had known, he wouldn’t have drunk that tiger bone wine.

A few days ago, after a nosebleed, he checked the wine more closely and realized it wasn’t just ginseng and Polygonatum in there, but also deer antler, Morinda, Cistanche, and Psoralea—herbs known for boosting vitality.

What should he do?

He still had over 200 meters of runway left. How could he keep going like this?

Luca bit his tongue, hoping the pain would help him focus.

But his mind kept flashing images: Miranda, the bathtub, Kate’s abs—all swirling in his head, with their lingering scents filling his nose.

It only made things worse.

“Wow! It’s sooooo big!”

“Yanzu, look, is he wearing a mink on his waist?”

“I think his name is Luca. Superman Luca. His body is so strong!”

Everyone around him noticed his unusual condition. Some even stood up to get a better look, like they were watching a rare animal at the zoo. They made comments as they observed.

Luca was mortified. He wanted to find a hole to crawl into. But there was no hole.

Ouch!  

He bit his tongue even harder. The sharp pain brought him some clarity. Blushing, he tried to walk as if nothing had happened, standing tall and composed.

But the paparazzi kept running onto the runway, snapping pictures from every angle—upward, downward, side views—capturing his embarrassing state.

Click, click, click!  

Fuck!

Luca was losing it. How could they be like this? Weren’t they civilized? Couldn’t they just focus on the fashion?

Click, click, click!  

The sound of cameras, the gasps, the giggling of women—it was all too much. His face turned red, then pale, back and forth. Eventually, the embarrassment numbed him.

Whatever, he thought. It’s already happening, so what’s the point of being upset?

Worst-case scenario, he’d quit modeling after this. Why stress over it?

His mind set, Luca decided to just let it go, totally shameless. He strode confidently down the narrow runway in front of thousands of spectators, as if he was the king of the world.

Hmph, when you're shameless, you’re invincible, right?

“Wow!”

The crowd was amazed. This model’s vibe had suddenly changed. He looked especially flamboyant, shameless, and seductive. But damn, he was sexy!

“Ha! Mr. Curtis, look at that model. That’s Superman Luca. I can’t believe how unprofessional he is!”

James, Ben Hill’s agent, sneered. He stood beside CK’s Senior VP of Fashion Sales and Marketing, Barry Curtis.

Curtis furrowed his brow, watching Luca. When he saw Luca’s flushed face and embarrassment, he shook his head slightly. Definitely unprofessional.

James noticed Curtis’s reaction and felt even more smug.

“Mr. Curtis, this model is just a rookie. If it weren’t for that incident where he became famous for saving someone, he wouldn’t even qualify to walk in this show. Having him wear CK is an insult to CK’s reputation.”

James continued to criticize the newly famous Luca, feeling secretly delighted. Ed, let’s see if you can still laugh now.

“Hm...”

Suddenly, Curtis rubbed his chin, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

James looked at the runway in confusion. There was Luca, the shameless one, walking freely as if he didn’t care about anything. It was like he was streaking through Times Square, completely out of control.

“Mr. Curtis, I suggest we remove him. His presence is tarnishing the purity of this fashion show,” James said with disdain.

Curtis waved his hand, staring thoughtfully at Luca’s back.

“Mr. Curtis, that’s my artist, Ben Hill,” James said, shifting his attention. Ben Hill had just stepped onto the runway.

“Ben started his career two years ago. He’s walked over a hundred shows, including Paris Fashion Week. He has plenty of experience. Mr. Curtis, I heard CK is looking for a new spokesperson. I hope you’ll consider Ben.”

“Ben Hill?”

Curtis glanced at Ben on the runway. “We’ll consider him.”

“Thank you, Mr. Curtis! Thank you!”

James pumped his fist excitedly.

“Ed, where’s the knife? I’m cutting it off—it’s messing with my show!”

Luca stormed backstage, his face dark with rage.

---

Note: If any female readers found this chapter offensive, I apologize.  

(End of chapter)

Chapter 50: The Girlfriend's Responsibility (Fourth Chapter of the Day – Please Recommend)

"Ed, where's the knife? I need to cut it off! It's messing with my runway walk!"

Luca stormed backstage, face full of rage after leaving the stage.

"Stop it!"

Ed was covering his forehead, speechless, his face dark.

He had just witnessed Luca’s "shocking" performance on the runway. He saw the changes in Luca’s body, and how he ran around the stage with something… threatening. Ed was embarrassed, sweating nervously. What kind of person had he signed?

"Luca, can you focus when you're on the runway and stop thinking about ridiculous things?"

Ed said helplessly.

Luca shrugged, looking innocent, "Ed, it’s not my fault. It just happened suddenly. I couldn’t control it."

Usually, models wear tight underwear or wrap things up in plastic to avoid accidents before going on stage. This time, he hadn’t expected to be so stimulated, so he hadn’t prepared, which led to this disaster.

"Sigh, forget it!"

Ed waved his hand, "After something like this, no one’s going to hire you to walk the runway anymore. You should just focus on being an actor."

"Fine, I was an actor to begin with anyway. But I need to hit the bathroom first. It's uncomfortable to keep it... like this."

Luca tugged at his pants as he spoke.

Ed turned away, too annoyed to talk to him anymore.

"Haha, did anyone see someone ‘raising the flag’ on stage just now?"

Ben Hill came striding back from the front, shouting loudly to the backstage.

"Haha, yeah, we saw it! So bold and powerful!"

"Totally unprofessional!"

"How embarrassing! How is someone like that even a model?"

People standing behind their clothes racks in the changing area loudly mocked him.

Luca heard all of this and was upset, but he held his tongue. What could he say? Wrong was wrong. Even if he argued and won, what difference would it make?

Ignoring the ridicule, he rushed to the bathroom. He had three more walks to do; he couldn’t stay like this, could he?

"Haha, Luca, there you are!"

Ben Hill walked over with a friendly tone. "Luca, congrats! You’re going to be famous again, haha!"

"Thanks, well, I am the most handsome model in the fashion world, so fame is just a matter of time."

Luca kept walking forward, but Ben Hill backed away quickly, looking disgusted.

"Luca, I have some great news for you."

Ben Hill whispered excitedly, "Do you know? Curtis, CK’s Senior Vice President of Fashion Marketing, was in the audience."

"So what?"

Luca wasn’t planning on staying in the fashion world, so what did it matter if the CK VP or the LV director was there? It had nothing to do with him.

"Hehe..."

Ben Hill grinned and whispered, "Just now, Curtis said he’s considering me to be CK’s new underwear spokesperson. Aren’t you happy for me?"

Luca stared at him for three seconds, then his face changed. "Wow! Really, Ben? Curtis himself said he wants you to be the spokesperson? Wow! That’s huge!"

"Shh..."

Ben Hill made a shushing gesture, instantly regretting saying anything. It wasn’t confirmed yet, and he shouldn’t have blurted it out.

But it was too late. Everyone backstage had heard.

"What? Curtis wants Ben to be the spokesperson?"

"Ben’s only been in the business two years! Why him?"

"No wonder Ben’s been jumping around recently. He’s been aiming for this all along. Smart guy."

Everyone forgot about mocking Luca and focused on the CK contract instead. Making fun of Luca was just for laughs, but the CK deal could change their careers.

"Ben, is it true?"

"Ben, congrats! You’re going to be a supermodel!"

"Ben, have you signed the contract yet?"

They all crowded around him.

Ben, with a forced smile, said, "It's just an opportunity, nothing’s confirmed yet. Luca was exaggerating."

"Ben, you told me yourself! You can’t hide it; what’s yours can’t be taken by anyone."

After saying that, Luca stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked into the bathroom.

When he came out, the atmosphere backstage was cold. Everyone looked tense, like someone had stolen their girlfriends.

Luca smiled slightly, changed his clothes, and went back to the runway.

At 7:30 PM, the CK show ended.

Luca said goodbye to Ed and drove to the west exit of the park.

A little while later, Kate and Lima showed up in thick, long down jackets.

Honk honk~

He flashed his car lights from under a tree.

Kate and Lima got into the car.

"Wow, Luca, we just heard that a male model had a, um, reaction during the CK show. Did you hear about that?"

Kate, sitting in the front passenger seat, asked gossipingly.

Luca awkwardly started the car, which shook a little as it pulled onto the road.

"Luca, CK uses top models. How could such an amateur mistake happen?" Lima asked, lounging on the backseat, her long legs crossed.

Luca glanced at them, suspicious. "Did you really not hear the guy’s name?"

They both shook their heads.

Luca let out a sigh of relief. "Good, no need to talk about it then."

"Why not? It’s the biggest gossip in the modeling world at this Fashion Week! It’ll definitely be in the papers tomorrow," Kate said confidently.

"No way! How could something like that make it to the papers?"

Luca started to panic. If this got out, people would laugh at him behind his back everywhere he went.

"Luca, why do you look so nervous?" Kate asked, eyeing him.

"Nervous? Me? Haha, no way. I’m totally fine," Luca replied, forcing an awkward laugh.

"Hello, Daria?" Lima started making a call from the backseat. "Were you just in the CK show? I heard there was a male model who had an incident..."

"Lima, don’t make calls while we’re driving."

Luca said sternly, his face dark.

"Wait, what?!" Lima suddenly raised her voice in shock. "Daria, did you say it was my boyfriend, Luca?"

"Luca?" Both Kate and Lima turned to look at him.

Screech~

Luca stopped the car, slumping over the steering wheel, unable to lift his head.

Too awkward.

He didn’t feel much on stage, but now that Kate and Lima knew, it was far more embarrassing than he imagined.

"Wow, Luca, it was really you?!"

Kate touched his cheek with the back of her cold hand, feeling the warmth and confirming the truth.

"Wow wow wow! Unbelievable, Luca! It was really you? Hahaha!"

Kate laughed so hard she could barely stay upright.

Lima rubbed her forehead, half-crying and half-laughing. "Luca, I had no idea you were so… excitable. I guess I have some responsibility in this."

Luca pushed away the still-laughing Kate and explained to Lima, "It’s not your fault. You know, last time Emily gave me that bottle of medicinal wine for my bone injury? That wine also has some... stimulating ingredients. I drank too much of it, and that’s why that happened."

"Medicinal wine?"

They both looked surprised.

"Yeah, I think I won’t be drinking that again."

Luca started the car and drove off quietly.

"Hmm, Lima, this is your responsibility. What are you going to do about it?" Kate asked casually, crossing her long legs.

Lima smiled softly, "Don’t worry, Kate. I’ll take responsibility."

"Good!" Kate turned to Luca.

Luca forced an awkward smile. Talking about such ridiculous things so seriously was embarrassing!

What else could he say?

"I’ll follow orders!"

(Chapter ends)