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Chapter 597: Men Are Just Kids

Ring ring~ ring ring~ ring ring~

Morning sunlight poured through the curtains, flooding the bedroom with brightness. White walls, stylish furniture, and elegant light fixtures decorated the room. On the east side stood a large bed.

The alarm kept buzzing relentlessly. From beneath the blanket, a hand shot out, smacked the phone to silence it, and tossed it aside, restoring peace to the room.

Knock knock knock~ click~

The door swung open, and Kate walked in holding a wooden spatula. Her golden hair draped over her shoulders, an apron wrapped around her waist, giving off a homely vibe.

“Luca, get up!”

“It’s already ten o’clock. Are you trying to turn into a sloth?”

With a dramatic flair, Kate yanked open the curtains. Sunlight flooded the room completely. The figure on the bed wriggled under the blanket a few times before going still again.

Kate placed her hands on her hips, frustration building.

“Get up already!”

She ripped the blanket off in one swift motion, raising an eyebrow at what she saw. This guy just never liked wearing pajamas. “Ugh, you look terrible,” she muttered, throwing the blanket over his waist.

“Luca, up!”

“Nope!”

Luca grumbled.

“You really aren’t getting up? If you don’t, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

Kate waved the spatula threateningly near his face.

“Nope!”

Luca snorted lightly.

“Fine, then I’ll beat you!”

Kate set the spatula down, sat on the bed, and squished his face between her hands until his handsome features scrunched into folds like a dumpling. “Ha! You look so ugly like this.”

“Stop it, let me sleep a bit longer!”

Luca wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down onto the bed, burying his face into her embrace. Breathing in her scent, a mix of floral perfume and breakfast, he felt he could sleep for another three hours.

“Get up already. Breakfast is ready.”

Kate ruffled his hair.

“I don’t want to. I just want to sleep. Why don’t you nap a bit too? Women should be a little lazy. Sleeping more keeps you young and beautiful—ah! Ow, ow, ow!”

Luca bolted upright, half his face twisted in pain.

“Are you getting up or not?” Kate asked, tugging on his ear.

“Fine, fine! I’m up!” Luca rubbed his cheek, muttering under his breath. “Filming is exhausting. Can’t a guy sleep in a little?”

“Early to bed, early to rise. It’s good for your health. I don’t care what you do on set, but at home, you need to keep a regular schedule.”

Kate rummaged through the wardrobe, tossed a pair of boxers onto his face, and followed it up with a T-shirt to his head.

“You’d make a great nanny,” Luca quipped as he stretched on the balcony. The cool breeze brushed over him, feeling utterly refreshing. Looking at the shimmering pool below, he was tempted to dive in.

“Don’t you dare!”

Kate yanked his arm. “This villa is great, but this pool design is awful. If it leaks at night and you dive in, wouldn’t you turn into tomato paste?”

“That’s a bit dramatic.”

“It’s not if it actually happens. In a few days, we’ll get someone to relocate the pool and make it bigger. How does that sound?”

“Sure, sure, whatever you say.”

Luca pushed her back into the room, obediently got dressed, and followed her downstairs to wash up and eat breakfast.

“Eat more beef and eggs. You’re losing weight,” Kate urged.

“I’m not losing weight. I’ve just been slacking on workouts. My muscles have shrunk a little. I’ll get back into shape soon.” Luca savored the steak in front of him.

“Acting is too tiring, and it doesn’t pay much. If you really want to win an Oscar, why not follow Miranda’s suggestion? Spend some money on PR. It shouldn’t cost much.”

Kate sat across from him, watching him eat.

“That would be meaningless,” Luca said between bites. “I’m not acting just for awards. It’s mainly because of this face. It’s perfect for being an actor or a star. Just like how you occasionally model—if you’ve got it, why not flaunt it?”

Kate chuckled softly. “Did you read the latest Fortune magazine?”

“No time. What rank are we?”

“212th. We own 2.9% of Google’s stock, worth $3.4 billion, 8.3% of Facebook, worth around $1 billion, and 0.6% of Amazon, worth over $500 million. Our total assets are around $4.8 billion, up $1.2 billion from last year. And that doesn’t include shares in Toucan Investment Company. Combined, we’re worth about $5 billion.”

“With that much money, why don’t I feel a thing?”

“Because money becomes just numbers after a certain point. Isn’t that what you always say? I’m starting to feel the same way.”

Luca smiled. Over the past year, excluding stock dividends, their investments in film, copyrights, publishing, fashion, and advertising brought in $220 million. There was a time when earning a couple of million dollars would make them giddy. Now, even hitting a small goal annually barely quickened their pulse.

“Martina said you anonymously donated $20 million to Rabbit Country?”

“Yeah, just a small gesture.” Luca sighed, taking a sip of milk to clear his throat.

“A small gesture? You’re so stingy you won’t toss old boxers, but suddenly you’re generous?”

“Cough, cough—can we drop the boxer thing? I just forgot to throw them out.”

“Fine. But why donate anonymously? You used to love the publicity. It’s a great way to boost your image. Why pass up this opportunity?”

“Anonymity is easier. If I donate $20 million to another country but not to ours or the U.S., wouldn’t people have opinions? Besides, my anonymity isn’t complete. The higher-ups in Rabbit Country know. When my films hit their market, it’ll come in handy.”

Kate nodded, adding a few pieces of cauliflower to his plate. “Hurry up and eat. Afterward, we’re going shopping.”

“Ugh,” Luca’s face turned as green as the cauliflower. “Do I have to?”

“Jenny, George, and Catherine are joining us at the ocean park. Are you sure you want to skip?”

Kate batted her eyes.

“Fine, I’m coming!”

Despite his exhaustion, Luca bit the bullet and spent the day with the kids—shopping, going to the movies, the ocean park, and the arcade. George and Catherine, nearly four, were bundles of energy, running non-stop without tiring.

By evening, back home, Luca collapsed on the couch, too drained to move.

“Daddy, I want an apple,” little George said.

“Go find one yourself. If you can’t, ask Kate,” Luca mumbled into the cushions.

“Brother, I found one!” Little Catherine held up a big apple, clutching a fruit knife in her other hand, ready to peel it.

“No, no, no, princess! Let Daddy do it!”

Luca took the knife and performed his apple-peeling “magic,” leaving the skin in one long, continuous strip resembling a tiny green dragon.

“Wow, Daddy! You’re amazing!” Catherine clapped her little hands and kissed his cheek.

Luca laughed heartily and gave George a knowing look, tilting his face.

George tiptoed and kissed him too.

“Haha, George and Catherine are the best!”

With those two kisses, all the day’s fatigue melted away.

“Sometimes, it feels like he’s just a big kid,” Kate said, glancing into the living room with a soft smile.

“Isn’t he exactly that?” Jennifer Aniston grinned, her smile radiant.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 598: Luca, Are You Out of Shape?*

After two days of resting at home, Luca had recovered some energy. He clocked in for work at the office after breakfast. However, after flipping through a few documents, he started yawning. Lethargic and uninterested, even a cup of strong coffee didn’t help.

Knock, knock, knock.  

Mr. Ross arrived.

Luca lazily glanced over. “Come in.”

“Haha, Luca, what’s wrong? Feeling sick?” Ross asked.

“No, just finished filming, haven’t adjusted yet. What’s up?” Luca rubbed his face and moved to the sofa, brewing a pot of tea.

“It’s about Greenwood Publishing. You know them well, don’t you?”

“What’s going on? Are you publishing a book?” Luca asked curiously.

“No. Our production department is eyeing a novel they’re representing—Fifty Shades of Grey. Have you read it? A global bestseller with over 50 million copies sold. The team wants the film rights, but Greenwood hasn’t been very responsive. Can you make a call?”

Luca smirked. “Fifty Shades of Grey? Isn’t that a bit... risqué?”

“Maybe, but it’s no more than Love & Other Drugs, the one you chose last time.”

“Fine, I’ll reach out.”

Luca poured two small cups of tea. “Here, try this.”

Ross took the tiny cup, shook his head, and sighed. “Luca, act fast. A lot of studios are after this. If we’re slow, someone else will snatch it.”

“Got it.”

Luca sipped his tea, the subtle aroma elevating his mood, as if his soul was being refreshed.

“How’s the tea?” Luca asked.

“Huh? Oh, not bad, I guess.”

Luca shook his head. “What a waste of good tea.”

Ross placed a file on the table. “This is the distribution deal for Inglourious Basterds. Right now, Iron Man has surpassed $300 million globally, making Robert Downey Jr. a superstar. Distributors who were initially scared off by your terms are coming back with better offers.”

“Impressive,” Luca said with a chuckle. “Who’s offering the most?”

“Fox Searchlight—$20 million minimum guarantee, 42% North American box office share, and 22% international box office share.”

“Not bad,” Luca replied, setting down his teacup. “Let’s go with them.”

“One more thing—The Hangover is officially greenlit and slated for a September shoot. Just giving you a heads-up.”

“I’ve been thinking... I won’t play the lead,” Luca said hesitantly.

“Why not?”

“Three reasons: First, my fee is too high. If I’m the lead, the budget will exceed $60 million. Second, comedy is exhausting—it’s not my thing. Lastly, after Sherlock Holmes, I’m feeling burnt out and uninspired. I don’t know how long this will last. I plan to take it easy—no more than two films a year.”

“Fair enough. You’re a mogul on Forbes and the head of Bra Industries. Acting is just a hobby for you now.”

“Exactly. People say I’m stealing jobs from regular actors with my resources. Makes me feel guilty.”

Ross laughed. “Well, they’re not entirely wrong.”

After Ross left, Luca stood by the window, watching the sunny blue sky. Staying in the office felt like a waste.

Ding!  

A message popped up on his phone—Blake Lively inviting him to play tennis.

Since meeting at a recent party, Blake had been texting him incessantly, chatting about everything from weather to gossip. When he had time, he’d reply; if not, he’d ignore it. But her enthusiasm never waned.

Luca sighed. Being too handsome was a burden sometimes.

He replied to her message, changed into sportswear, and left the office.

At the Beverly General Gardens sports complex, Blake was already there, dressed in a tight T-shirt, light-blue tennis skirt, and white sneakers. Her long, toned legs were on full display. At 5’10”, she had a striking presence, though Luca had grown used to seeing supermodels with even longer legs.

“Luca, you’re here!” Blake waved her racket excitedly.

“Let’s play, Blake. Go easy on me—I’ve been out of shape lately.”

“A guy like you, asking me to go easy?” Blake teased.

“But you’re younger. Isn’t that fair?”

“You’re 26, I’m 20—we’re practically the same age!”

“26? Why do I feel so old?” Luca frowned.

“Haha, Luca, you do act like a middle-aged man sometimes. Always telling me to take care of myself, avoid late nights, drink less coffee, stay away from clubs... You’re like my dad—no, my grandpa!”

“You don’t hate it?”

“Of course not. It shows you care. Why would I dislike someone who cares about me?”

“Thanks. Not many young people understand that these days.”

“Haha, you’re sounding like an old man again!” Blake laughed, her golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.

“Just remember, I’m an old man, so let me win.”

“Okay, Grandpa!” Blake giggled as she skipped onto the court, full of youthful energy.

Luca envied her vibrance. He wanted to leap like that, but his body didn’t cooperate.

“Come on, Luca!”

“Coming!”

They started playing. Luca’s technique was polished, while Blake relied on her youthful energy, running and laughing.

Nearby, Luca’s bodyguards were playing on an adjacent court, with Anne observing from the sidelines.

On the opposite court, another group noticed Luca.

“Is that Luca?”

“Is he targeting young girls now?”

“Let’s find out later.”

Back on the court, Blake teased, “Luca, are you out of shape already?”

“Ridiculous. Watch this!” Luca swung hard but felt a twinge.

Uh-oh... pulled something.  

(End of Chapter)