36-40

*Chapter 36: Miranda Kerr*

"Hey, Luca!"

It was another lunch break, and Luca was lying on the couch, flipping through a fashion magazine, when Thomas, the young model, walked into the lounge carrying two cups of Starbucks coffee.

"Hey, Thomas!"

Luca put down the magazine and sat up.

"Luca, I got you a coffee!" Thomas said with a smile as he set the cup down.

"Thanks!"

After working together for two days, the two had gotten pretty familiar with each other.

Thomas, despite his baby face, was actually four years older than Luca. He was an Australian model who had been in the industry for five or six years, a second-tier veteran. Supposedly, his persona was the shy, innocent type—the kind some powerful women were into. There was a market for that, after all.

"Luca, I have a friend who’s going to be working with you soon. She’s a newbie, a bit clumsy."

Thomas glanced at Luca, lowering his head slightly with a hint of nervousness.

Luca smiled helplessly.

After he had kicked out Ben Hill a few days ago, rumors had started circulating about him in the industry—claims that he was difficult to work with, too domineering, and one of the least collaborative models. Now, the models on set were walking on eggshells around him, afraid of upsetting him.

With a wry smile, he rubbed his forehead and said, "Thomas, are you asking me to look out for your friend?"

"Yeah!" Thomas nodded.

"No problem, Thomas. We’re friends!" Luca patted him on the shoulder.

"That’s great, thanks, Luca!"

Thomas let out a sigh of relief, visibly happy.

Luca, however, felt a bit resigned. If even Thomas was acting like this, it was likely others were feeling even more cautious. But it didn’t matter to him anymore.

After all, he wasn’t planning on staying in the modeling business forever. If people thought he was arrogant, so be it. What’s the big deal?

"Luca, this is my friend Miranda. Her full name’s Miranda Kerr. We’re from the same hometown."

Miranda Kerr?

Curious, Luca looked up. Oh, it really was her.

She had a round face, round eyes, a round nose, and round dimples. Her chestnut-colored wavy hair fell casually over her shoulders, and her fair skin had a healthy, natural glow.

She wasn’t exactly skinny, a bit on the plump side, like Lima. But while Lima was the type of curviness that bounced back when pressed, Miranda was softer, like her dimples, giving off a delicate, cushiony vibe.

"Hi, Luca, I’m Miranda. It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Miranda’s bright eyes sparkled as she spoke, her smile so sweet that it formed two adorable dimples. Her expression was a perfect blend of coyness and charm. Though she was smiling, there was an undercurrent of nervousness in her demeanor.

Luca cursed Ben Hill in his mind. If it weren’t for that guy’s rumors, he could’ve maintained a reputation for being friendly. But that wasn’t an option anymore.

He forced a cool smile and gestured toward the couch. "Miranda, have a seat."

"Thank you!" Miranda turned around, exhaling softly.

She didn’t sit on the available couch but instead pulled over a plastic stool and sat next to Thomas, using his body as a shield.

Ha, am I that scary?

Luca raised his eyebrows, a bit amused. "Thomas, are you two a couple?"

"No, we’re just friends," Miranda quickly replied in a lighthearted tone, shaking her head.

Thomas smiled shyly, looking down.

Luca chuckled. "Miranda, are you and Thomas with the same agency?"

Hearing this, Miranda’s smile faded a little as she nervously twisted her fingers. "I just arrived in the U.S., so I haven’t signed with an agency yet."

"Oh."

"I did win the national model search contest held by CoverGirl magazine back home," Miranda added softly, as if worried about being underestimated.

Luca nodded, smiling. "Miranda, you’re beautiful. You have the potential to become a supermodel."

"Really?"

Miranda’s round eyes widened in surprise, her small, rosy lips slightly parted. She seemed excited, as if Luca’s opinion meant a lot to her.

"Yes, your look is very unique."

"But... the agencies all say I’m not tall enough," she muttered.

Luca chuckled to himself. Supermodels typically stood at least 178 cm tall, while Miranda was around 175 cm—definitely on the shorter side.

She wasn’t just short; she was also plump. While Lima’s fullness was a healthy, toned kind of voluptuousness, Miranda’s figure leaned more toward softness.

"Miranda, height doesn’t matter as long as you’re beautiful. Remember, in the fashion world, looks are everything."

Both Miranda and Thomas were taken aback. Looks are everything? That sounded so reasonable.

"Luca, time to change outfits!"

"On my way!"

After some chatting, it was time to start filming.

They had finished shooting the print ads and promotional posters. Now the crew was moving on to a short, one-minute fashion video ad.

Luca was the main focus, with Miranda and two other female models as supporting actors.

The shoot was simple: Luca flaunted his physique in different denim outfits in front of the camera.

In the first shot, he took off his denim jacket, revealing his muscular body. The sunset, the industrial-style windows, and the posters on the wall—all of it looked beautifully artistic.

In the second shot, he wrapped a hand strap slowly around his hand and approached a punching bag.

In the third shot, he punched the bag powerfully, sweat dripping down from his broad chest to his defined abs, and further down to the sharp lines of his V-cut.

In the fourth shot, he wore another denim outfit and sat by a windowsill, guitar in hand, gazing thoughtfully out at the sunset. The golden light bathed his face, highlighting the chiseled angles of his forehead, brow, cheekbones, and jawline.

"Beautiful!"

The cameraman couldn’t help but praise him.

"Yes, stunning!" The director agreed with a nod.

True beauty transcends subjective taste. When art reaches a certain level, it resonates with everyone. Luca’s face had that quality—it was a work of art that could be appreciated by all. Those who couldn’t see it must be blind.

"Cut!" the director called out, then pointed at Miranda. "Your turn!"

"Oh, okay!"

Miranda replied, her cheeks flushing. She had been so engrossed in watching Luca that she had almost forgotten her cue.

She quickly walked over to the window and, without thinking, blurted out, "Luca, you’re so cool!"

Her face reddened again as soon as the words left her mouth.

From his higher vantage point, Luca could see the tips of her ears turning pink.

"Miranda, come on up!" Luca said coolly.

"Sure!"

The windowsill was about 1.4 meters high. Miranda tried to hoist herself up but didn’t quite make it. She didn’t think to grab a stool to help, instead clumsily pulling herself up, her soft body struggling slightly.

"Miranda!" Luca chuckled softly and extended a hand to help her up.

Phew. Sitting on the windowsill, Miranda let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Luca!"

Luca smirked. "Let’s start."

"Action!" called the director, and the scene began.

Luca continued to sit at the windowsill, lost in the sunset, looking effortlessly cool.

Miranda leaned her head gently against his shoulder.

"Miranda, relax a little!" the director called out.

"Okay!" Miranda was nervous, becoming more so the closer she got to him.

Luca chuckled quietly. "Are you afraid of tigers?"

"No, tigers are cute."

Of course, there are no tigers in Australia.

"So, what animal are you afraid of?"

"Hmm... I’m scared of spiders."

"Who’s scarier—me or the spiders?"

"You."

"What?"

"Haha, I mean, of course the spiders! You’re not scary at all."

Miranda blinked, surprised. Wow, someone this cool can actually make jokes. How interesting!

"Scene five, take three—action!"

The camera rolled again. Luca maintained his cool composure, while Miranda leaned on his shoulder, both of them smiling sweetly.

Dressed in matching denim, surrounded by the warm glow of the sun, the two looked perfectly harmonious.

"Perfect!"

"Next scene!"

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 37: The First Paycheck*

Ding ding ding!

In downtown Manhattan, on Worth Street, there’s an abandoned subway station.

This subway station has been out of service for over 40 years, and everything around it reeks of decay. The remnants of an early urban era linger here.

Even though it's abandoned, the walls of the subway are covered in artistic graffiti.

A few dim traffic lights struggle to illuminate the old subway, but amid the gloom, a subtle artistic vibe starts to emerge.

Today, the crew came here to shoot an outdoor scene.

Luca stood by the subway entrance in a denim outfit, standing on a track that still shimmered with metallic luster.

Behind him was the architecture of a bygone era, while in front of him lay the prosperity of the new.

At the intersection of the old and new stood Luca’s fashionable outfit and the graffiti on the wall.

The ad campaign was designed to convey a message: times keep moving forward, but classics and art never fade away.

Luca didn’t fully grasp the sentiment behind the concept, but it didn’t stop him from playing his part.

Following the director’s cue, he tugged on his collar and struck a cool pose. Behind him, three other models stood, scattered across the tracks, striking rebellious poses.

They looked like a group of rebellious youths.

"Good!"

The director shouted, ending the shoot.

"That's a wrap!"

It was past five in the afternoon, and the day's work was done. The crew began packing up, ready to head out for drinks.

“Luca, great job. You’re really getting the hang of this.”

Ed, carrying a black leather bag and dressed in a suit, walked down the subway stairs. The sunset illuminated his face, making him look even darker, with his teeth shining even whiter. He had recently dyed his hair too, getting rid of the white strands on his temples, and his overall energy was great.

"Ed, I know you're busy. No need to come down here every day. I’m doing fine."

Luca took a sip of coffee from his cup, smiling. Ed was juggling two other signed models besides him, so he had a lot on his plate.

“Haha, but there’s good news this time, so I had to come!”

Ed smiled and pulled a check from his bag.

Luca took it and, upon seeing it, raised his eyebrows, a smile lighting up his face.

It was a check from National Bank for $100,000.

“This is the money from selling your script,” Ed said with a grin.

“Well, that’s certainly good news!”

Luca shook the check, listening to its crisp sound, feeling a wave of satisfaction. He’d been living off others for so long, and now he finally had something to show for it.

"Ed, as we agreed, ten percent is yours. Deduct it from the next endorsement fee?"

"Sounds good!"

The endorsement was worth $500,000, and Luca had a 60/40 split with the company and his agent. Compared to the script sale, the endorsement was where the real money was.

“Ed, I’ve written two more scripts recently. I’ll bring them to you tomorrow and you can help manage them.”

“Two more scripts?!” Ed was surprised.

“Yep, they’re both about soccer.”

Since he had free time, he’d copied two more soccer-themed movie scripts, She’s the Man and Kicking & Screaming, both of which had decent box office numbers. Selling them would be an easy way to make extra cash.

"You’re really full of surprises."

Ed couldn’t help but feel amazed.

When he first noticed Luca, it was because of his looks and aura. He didn’t expect Luca to be so talented—writing novels, scripts, and with decent quality at that. It was a pleasant surprise. Still, wasn’t the original plan for Hollywood? Maybe this was a little off track?

No, once the commercial is done, we need to get him back to auditions.

"Luca!"

The crew had dispersed, and Miranda waved from the top of the subway stairs.

She was wearing an oversized wool coat, carrying a pink backpack. She was tall, with a sweet smile, looking like a college student.

“See you tomorrow!”

Luca waved back, striking a cool pose with his fingers.

Miranda hesitated for a moment, then walked up the steps, the long strap of her backpack playfully slapping her hips. It was a bit lazy and kind of funny.

"Ed, what do you think of her?"

“She’s a pretty girl, could make a good actress.”

Ed observed her for a few seconds and gave his verdict.

“What about as a model?”

“Sure, she’s a model now, isn’t she?”

“Do you think she could become a supermodel?”

“Her?”

Ed looked again. “No. She’s a bit short, her calves are too short, and she’s a little chubby. She also lacks that commanding presence. Compare her to your sister, Gisele, or Eugenia—next to them, this girl looks like a kid.”

Luca smirked. Ed’s analysis was spot on. Compared to Gisele Bündchen, the current Miranda did seem like a naïve girl. Even if she became a supermodel one day, it would probably be thanks to tabloid headlines. On the big runways, she’d be crushed by the likes of Bündchen or Lima.

“Ed, I think she’s got potential. It’s the 21st century now. Models like Kate Moss, who are praised for being super thin, are gradually falling out of the mainstream. The fashion world will become more inclusive and diverse, and pretty faces like Miranda’s will become more common. If you’re interested, check out her profile. She’s not even nineteen yet, lots of potential. Just a suggestion.”

With that, Luca went into the RV to change out of his outfit. Not wearing any undergarments under new clothes felt uncomfortable, and a bit chilly too.

"Luca, I’ll think about what you said."

Ed said softly.

Luca smiled. "I’m giving you a potential star; it’s up to you to take it or leave it."

“But…”

Ed hesitated and then said, “Luca, you’re not interested in that girl, are you?”

“What?”

Luca tilted his head.

Ed grinned. “Luca, you’ve got a girlfriend. Lima’s a great girl. She’s one of the few supermodels in the industry with almost no scandals.”

Luca burst into laughter. “Ed, Ed, I’m just recommending talent, not trying to cheat. No need to worry about that.”

“Haha! Luca, don’t mind me. I just hope you have a warm, happy, and stable family while pursuing your career, just like me and Nina.”

Ed smiled happily.

Luca was a bit touched. He walked down from the RV and gently hugged Ed’s shoulder.

“Thanks for the reminder, Ed. I’ll cherish everything I have.”

“Haha!”

Ed patted him on the shoulder.

It was nearly six, and night was falling.

Darkness gradually engulfed the abandoned subway, the traffic lights in the tunnel dimming one by one, like a black curtain slowly covering the old era.

Whoosh whoosh.

Suddenly, eerie winds echoed from deep in the dark tunnel, urging people to pick up their pace as they left.

Climbing the stairs, they reached the parking lot.

Luca got into his car, a black Ford.

Beep beep!

Ed honked twice and drove off first.

Luca waved as the car slowly pulled out of the parking lot.

Outside the abandoned station, only a few streetlights lit up the long road. Compared to other parts of New York, this area seemed much quieter.

Under the dim lights, a tall girl with a pink backpack walked slowly, keeping her head down and steering clear of the looming figures nearby.

Luca honked twice and slowly pulled up.

“Hey Miranda, need a ride?”

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 38: Miranda’s Tears*

In February, New York was still very cold. Today, a north wind was blowing, and the evening temperature was below 41°F.

Miranda exhaled a puff of warm breath as she got into the car, and the air inside was filled with a sweet fragrance.

“Luca, thank you!”

“You're welcome!”

Luca smiled and started the car again.

“Miranda, why didn’t you just take a cab?”

“I... I ran out of money!”

Miranda lowered her head and replied.

“You ran out?”

Luca asked, confused.

“Yes!”

Miranda sniffled, pouting, and said, “This afternoon, I went out to buy some desserts. Just as I pulled out my wallet, two guys came up from behind and grabbed all my money. Those damn rats!”

Miranda cursed angrily and pulled out a white wallet, completely empty.

Luca shook his head. The area around Woof Street was pretty remote, with a mix of Black, Asian, and Mexican communities. The city was also planning to build a prison on nearby Central Street, making the area even more chaotic. A girl walking alone on the street could easily run into trouble.

“How much did they take?”

Luca asked gently.

“Over 300 dollars, plus two fifty-cent coins. And they also took my kangaroo crystal pendant. Those two idiots! That pendant was a birthday gift from my mom, worth hundreds of dollars.”

As Miranda spoke, her voice choked up. She lowered her head, and two teardrops fell onto her lap, leaving dark stains on her blue-and-white jeans.

Luca sighed softly, then said thoughtfully, “Miranda, don’t cry. Actually, you were really lucky!”

“What?”

Miranda wiped her face and looked up, her round, tear-filled eyes staring at him in surprise.

“Luca, I got robbed, my birthday gift was stolen, and you're saying I’m lucky?”

She pouted, her cheeks puffing up slightly in frustration.

“Yes, you’re lucky. Have you read the New York Times recently?”

Miranda shook her head. Why bother with newspapers when there were magazines, TV shows, and good food to enjoy?

“You should read the news.”

Luca continued, “A few days ago, the Times reported a murder case. Some Black guys robbed a British college student here on Woof Street. She was attractive, and after they took her money, they didn’t stop there…”

“What else did they do?”

Miranda's eyes widened in curiosity.

Luca furrowed his brow and then said in a deep voice, “They raped her and then killed her.”

“Ah!!”

Miranda gasped, covering her mouth in shock, her eyes even wider than before.

“Did they catch the killers?”

“The paper said the police caught three of them, but two are still on the run. They warned everyone to be extra careful.”

Miranda was silent for a moment, then nervously asked, “Could the two guys I ran into today be the fugitives?”

“It’s possible.”

“Phew~”

Miranda patted her chest, letting out a long breath. “Thank God! Luca, you're right. Compared to that poor girl, I only lost a bit of money. I really am lucky.”

“Exactly. As long as you're safe, that’s the biggest blessing,” Luca said softly.

Miranda furrowed her brow and suddenly said, “I think I should thank the dessert shop owner.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“When those two jerks grabbed my wallet, they started getting handsy. It wasn’t until the shop owner pulled out a gun that they ran away.”

Miranda exhaled, still shaken. “I was so scared, I forgot to thank him. I want to go back tomorrow and say thanks.”

Luca nodded.

“But…”

Miranda looked down, nervously twisting her fingers, “That street is so scary. I don’t want to go there alone.”

Luca chuckled, “I can go with you.”

“Really? Thanks, Luca!”

“I told you, we’re friends.”

“Yes, we are,” Miranda said, smiling happily. “Luca, tomorrow I'll treat you to dessert. That shop has all kinds of stuff—fruit pies, black-and-white cookies, strawberry cake…”

Gurgle~ 

Suddenly, a strange noise interrupted her.

Miranda blushed, clutching her stomach.

“I was so focused on dessert that I skipped lunch,” she said, embarrassed.

Luca chuckled softly. Still such a foodie, no wonder she’s a little chubby.

He glanced outside and spotted an “Allen’s Diner” nearby, its window displaying beautiful pictures of desserts that looked delicious.

He slowly pulled over. “I’m hungry too. Let’s get something to eat.”

Miranda looked at him and smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Luca!”

“Don’t mention it!”

After a quick snack, it was already 6:30.

The evening sky had darkened, and tiny snowflakes, like grains of rice, were falling from the sky.

Worried that the snow might get heavier and make the drive home difficult, Luca sped up. After about 20 minutes, they reached the northern part of the Bronx.

Miranda’s rented apartment was on 183rd Street in the northern district.

“That’s Thomas!”

As they approached the apartment, Miranda pointed to a figure on the sidewalk.

The handsome Australian, Thomas, was pacing under a streetlamp. His large down jacket was covered with snow, and his hair was turning white too.

Luca slowed the car and stopped at the apartment.

“Thanks for the ride, Luca!”

Thomas walked up to the car door, his nose red, and smiled shyly.

Luca shook his head. “Thomas, no need to thank me.”

“Thomas, I called earlier and said I’d be back soon. You didn’t have to wait outside!”

Miranda got out of the car and shivered from the cold.

“Haha, I was just taking a walk,”

Thomas replied with a smile.

“Here, this is for you—fruit pie!”

Miranda handed him a paper bag.

“Thank you, Miranda!”

Thomas eagerly accepted it; the pie was still warm.

“Don’t thank me, thank Luca!”

“Haha, no need for thanks. It’s cold out—go inside!”

Luca waved and drove off.

The snow grew heavier, and within a hundred yards, Luca’s black car disappeared into the snowy night.

“Miranda, let’s go inside,”

Thomas said, stomping his feet.

Miranda gazed into the distance for a moment before quietly saying,

“Luca is so cool.”

Carrying the pie, Thomas walked ahead. Hearing her footsteps crunch in the snow behind him, he hesitated for a moment and then said,

“Luca has a girlfriend.”

“I know.”

Miranda kicked at the snow, silently walking for a bit.

“One day, I’ll be a supermodel too.”

Miranda stopped and gazed confidently into the snowy night.

Thomas looked at her standing in the snow, beautiful like a fairy, her smile pure and vibrant like a tulip blooming in winter.

“Miranda, you will definitely become a supermodel.”

“Thank you!”

Miranda smiled sweetly and walked up the stairs and into the apartment.

“Goodnight!”

“Goodnight.”

Thomas watched the door close and sighed softly to himself.

How can I be as cool as Luca?

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 39: The Awkward Gift*

Luca wasn’t as cool as Thomas imagined. As soon as he got home, an angry woman grabbed his ear.

“Luca, where have you been? It’s snowing so much, I told you to come home early. Wait a minute, why do you smell like a woman’s perfume? Oh my God, Luca, have you been messing around outside again? How could you do this to Lima?”

In the apartment hallway, Luca was late, and Kate grabbed his ear. He smiled awkwardly, tilting his head, trying to appease her—definitely not cool at all.

Luca chuckled, “Kate, don’t be mad. I was out buying a gift.”

“A gift?”

Kate raised an eyebrow.

“Yes!” Luca smiled and pulled a bouquet of red tulips from behind his back. The deep red petals revealed delicate pink centers, blooming more passionately than roses in the winter. Snowflakes dotted the petals, melting into crystal-like dewdrops, resembling a young girl’s tears.

“Oh, they’re beautiful!”

Kate immediately let go of his poor ear, hugging the tulips.

Luca sighed in relief, rubbing his ear. He should’ve taken them out sooner—what a pointless surprise!

“Luca, it’s not even my birthday today. Why are you giving me flowers?”

Kate carried the bouquet into the living room, found a long-necked crystal vase, and placed the tulips inside.

Hanging up his coat, Luca smiled, “Kate, I made some money today from selling my script. I earned $100,000. This is the most I’ve ever made, so I wanted to get you a few gifts. That’s why I’m late.”

As he spoke, he pulled out two more small gifts from his pocket—a bottle of French wine and a Dior perfume.

Kate raised an eyebrow, examining the wine and perfume.

“$100,000?”

“Yes, $100,000,” Luca said proudly.

“Is that a lot?”

Kate pursed her lips, giving him a sidelong glance.

Uh... $100,000 is a lot for most people, like a middle-class salary for six months. But for Supermodel Kate Kelly, it’s just a fee for one fashion show—something she could earn in a day.

Luca scratched his head awkwardly, “It’s not much, I know. Next time, I’ll make even more.”

Before he could finish, Kate came over and cupped his face in her hands.

He quickly covered his ears with both hands, “Kate, I have an ad shoot tomorrow. Please, no more ear-pulling!”

Kate couldn’t help but laugh softly, biting her lower lip like a rose petal, teasingly showing the tip of her tongue, as if the tulip itself was blooming with fragrance.

“You silly thing!”

Kate’s affectionate voice soothed him, and she kissed the corner of his lips softly, leaving a slight dampness.

“Kate, you’re not mad?” Luca asked.

“Hmph!” Kate gently rubbed his cheek, scolding, “It’s freezing and snowing outside. If the roads are icy, driving would be dangerous. You should’ve come back when I called you the first time, instead of running off to buy gifts.”

“But I made money. I wanted to get you something, to share my happiness with you.”

Luca looked into her eyes as he spoke.

Kate smiled, “Alright, I appreciate your happiness. Thank you, Luca.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll buy you even more gifts in the future, and you won’t need to thank me. It’s what I should do.”

Luca said grandly.

“You’re really going to buy me a lot of gifts?”

Kate raised her eyebrows slightly.

“Yes, of course. Why?”

“I’d rather you not.”

Kate shook her head, holding up the bottle of wine with a laugh, “This is a rebranded wine. It’s originally from the U.S., not Bordeaux, France.”

“What?”

Luca frowned, “I bought it at a French restaurant.”

“Silly, that restaurant must be rebranding too.”

Kate chuckled and then picked up the Dior perfume, asking, “Do you know who endorses this perfume?”

Luca thought for a moment and shook his head.

“Gisele Bündchen!”

“Oh, no!”

Luca slapped his forehead, “I didn’t know that. I got back too late, and Dior was the only luxury store still open.”

“Enough, no need to explain. I like the gifts you bought. How about I keep them as mementos?”

Kate smiled, holding the gifts in both hands.

Luca spread his hands awkwardly, “Please don’t. Every time I see them, I’ll just feel embarrassed. It won’t remind me of my first paycheck but of how terrible I am at choosing gifts.”

“Haha!”

Kate laughed heartily, “Now that you’ve made money, will you buy a gift for Lima?”

Luca frowned slightly, “I thought about it, but... I’ve lost all confidence in my gift-buying skills.”

“Oh, poor Luca. How about I pick the gift for you?”

Kate smiled mischievously.

“That sounds like a great idea!”

Luca figured this was the best plan. If he picked the wrong gift again, Lima would definitely call him an idiot. He just didn’t have a knack for choosing things.

“By the way, Luca, about the perfume on you—she’s wearing the Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche I endorsed last year. It has a light woody scent, fresh and sensual. She’s probably under 20, right?”

Kate asked confidently.

“Yes, her name is Miranda Kerr,” Luca confessed, hiding nothing. He had no reason to.

Kate listened quietly, resting her chin on her fingers as she pondered. “Have you considered that she might be playing innocent to get close to you?”

Luca shrugged, “What does it matter? I haven’t lost anything.”

Kate’s eyes sparkled, and she relaxed, smiling, “True. Our Luca is a very handsome man—even more so than Leonardo. It’s only natural for girls to like you.”

Luca smiled shyly, “Kate, don’t praise me too much, or I might get cocky.”

“Hahaha!”

Kate dropped her icy queen persona and laughed like a carefree girl.

“Oh, Luca, if I get wrinkles from laughing, I’ll blame you.”

Kate rubbed her cheeks in mock complaint.

“So what? In my eyes, you’ll always be the most beautiful Kate, even when we’re both old and gray.”

“Haha, you’re too sweet!”

Kate playfully tugged at his lower lip, laughing, “Emily suggested we take a few photos together for a book cover. What do you think?”

“Using people on the cover?”

“Yes, it might boost sales.”

“Hmm... we could try it!”

They chatted for a while, and the night gradually deepened.

Luca leaned back in bed, reading for a bit. Listening to the faint sound of falling snow outside the window, he slowly sank into the warmth of his bed, drifting off to sleep along with the city.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 40: A Gunshot Without Warning*

The snow had stopped the next day. Luca opened the window, feeling a bit disappointed. Outside was still filled with towering buildings—no picturesque, snow-covered landscape like he had hoped for.

In this fully commercialized city, time is money, and efficiency is life. Snow only disrupts the rhythm of daily life.

So, after the heavy snow, New York couldn’t even take time to dress in a winter wonderland. It had to greet its visitors in a hurry.

Yet, even in her bare form, the city was still stunning.

In the melting snow, Luca and the film crew traveled across various neighborhoods in New York—an art café on DeKalb Avenue, the Spanish vibes of Knickerbocker Avenue, a charming beer house in Grove Court, and the graffiti-laden streets of Brooklyn.

As they moved through these areas, Luca posed for stylish photos and footage in front of the camera. Miranda couldn't stop gushing about how cool he looked. Luca merely smirked; anyone can fake it, especially when Armani is footing the bill.

“Luca, ready? We need to head out,” Kate called.

After several busy days, Luca hadn’t even had a chance to relax, and now Kate was dragging him out of the gym for a book cover shoot.

Han Li said that the final checks for Twilight were done, and the templates had been sent to the printing house. The book was in production.

With the cover shoot done, the book would hit New York bookstores in two weeks.

This was important and couldn’t be delayed.

“Ugh…”

Luca yawned, lounging in the back seat of Kate's Ferrari.

Before becoming a model, he never understood why Kate and Lima liked to lie down so much. Now he got it—modeling involved standing all the time. Whether on the runway, in front of the camera, or at parties, standing in the perfect posture for hours was exhausting.

Sometimes, lying down felt like a rare luxury.

“Look at you, Luca!”

Kate fastened her seatbelt and turned back with a teasing grin, “If anyone saw you right now, they’d think you were out partying with women last night.”

Luca gave her a lazy glance. “You should talk. Don’t you remember what happened last night?”

“Oh? What happened last night?” Kate blinked innocently, smiling.

“Come on, don’t play dumb. You know exactly what you did…”

“What did I do?” Kate squinted, a dangerous glint flickering in her deep blue eyes. Beneath her long lashes, the danger felt like a hidden assassin—silent until deadly.

“Nothing!”

Of course, Luca chickened out. He shrugged and shut his mouth.

“Ha!” Kate chuckled, triumphantly starting the car and speeding down Third Avenue.

“Kate,” Luca spoke after a moment of silence.

“Mm-hmm?”

“Can you stop going to those fashion parties?”

Kate laughed softly. “You’re a full-fledged model now too, Luca. Attending fashion parties is part of the job. How else do you meet designers, editors, and brand reps?”

Luca rubbed his forehead, feeling annoyed.

The previous night, Kate had attended an LV winter fashion party at their Fifth Avenue store. She came home a little drunk, puking everywhere and acting wild.

It took him until midnight to calm her down, and he hadn’t slept well.

It’s not that he minded her attending parties; he just worried about her getting drunk and someone taking advantage.

“Just try not to drink at these parties,” Luca said sternly.

“Alright, Mr. Kelly!” Kate gave a mock salute, smiling gently.

She knew he was concerned, and she appreciated it. Last night at the party, she’d mingled with so many people, each offering a drink. By the time she left, she was tipsy, and the car ride only made it worse. When they got home, she felt so giddy that she dragged Luca into a dance, scaring him.

Hmph, scaredy-cat.

“Luca, I was wearing safety shorts. You saw them when you helped me change into my pajamas last night, didn’t you?”

Kate glanced at him through the rearview mirror and saw him blush, his expression awkward.

“Hahaha!”

Kate tilted her head back and laughed loudly.

“Shh—”

At a Brooklyn intersection, the Ferrari came to a stop, and a guy with dreadlocks in a nearby Maserati whistled at Kate, flashing a sleazy grin.

“Say hi to your mom for me!” Kate flipped him the bird.

“HAHAHA!”

The guys in the car burst into laughter.

With a roar, Kate shot forward as the light turned green. The Maserati quickly gave chase, the guys inside yelling like maniacs.

After about ten minutes of pursuit, Luca suddenly grabbed a large double-barrel replica gun from the car, stuck it out the window, and fired a smoke bomb.

Screech—

The Maserati screeched to a halt, immediately backing off from the chase.

“Yeah!” Kate and Luca high-fived.

“Luca, you’re awesome! Just like John Rambo!” Kate laughed.

Luca chuckled coolly and slid the replica gun back under the seat.

They did have real guns in the car, though. Both Luca and Kate had permits.

Not only could they shoot, but Kate had once taken down a robber in the streets of Rio.

“Kate, no matter what danger you face, always protect yourself. Even if you have to kill someone, it’s fine. Worst case, we’ll flee to Brazil together.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Kate smiled softly, holding his hand. A new sense of security washed over her.

Soon, they arrived at the Patch Tower in Long Island, home to Greenwood Publishing.

“Kate, Luca, welcome to Greenwood Publishing!” Han Li greeted them inside.

Han Li, who had recently become a project manager for Twilight after taking time off for maternity leave, now looked sharp in a suit with her hair tied back—a far cry from her stay-at-home look.

“Here are the mockups our designer came up with for the book cover. There are three versions; take a look,” she said, handing over a folder.

Kate opened it. The three designs were straightforward.

The first had a black background with a blood-red ribbon twisting from the top left to the bottom right.

The second showed a pair of pale hands cradling a bright red apple.

The third depicted two pale profiles facing each other, with a red apple between their mouths.

The second cover looked familiar to Luca—it seemed to be the original version. He wasn’t surprised it had made a return.

“Amy, will all three covers be used?” Luca asked.

“Yes,” Han Li replied. “The first will be for the budget version, the second for the hardcover, and the third, ‘Vampire’s Kiss,’ for the limited edition. What do you think?”

“They’re great. I’m happy with them,” Kate said, glancing at Luca.

Luca shrugged. He was still a newbie at this and felt it was best to keep quiet.

“Shall we start the photoshoot?”

“OK!”