441-445

*Chapter 441: You Need to Be Mentally Prepared*

When Luca arrived at the venue, the lingerie show was about to begin. The place was packed to capacity, with 80% of the audience being men, ranging from 17-year-olds to those in their seventies or eighties.

Luca scanned the crowd and walked to a seat in the second row on the left.

“Luca, put your camera away. No photography is allowed here,” Ed reminded him.

“Got it!” Luca sat down and whispered, “Ed, you need to be mentally prepared.”

“Prepared for what?”

“I had a confrontation with Leonardo.”

He briefly recounted what had happened earlier. “Leonardo is serious this time, so we need to be ready in advance.”

“Hiss~ Why did you provoke him?” Ed covered his forehead, sounding displeased.

“It’s not like I wanted to. He’s delusional!”

Even if he had to do it all over again, he would still say the same thing.

“Hmph. Couldn’t you just ignore him? You still haven’t settled things with Pitt, and now Leonardo? Don’t underestimate him because he’s younger; in terms of connections in the industry, he’s even stronger than Pitt.

“If you piss him off and he teams up with Pitt, forget three years—one year will be tough for you in Hollywood!”

Ed rubbed his head in frustration. “You should just retire. You’ve got plenty of money anyway.”

“But the situation’s already happened, and I’m in the right. He used to say that Kate was beneath him, but now he wants to get back together. Isn’t that beneath her? Kate’s a supermodel and a successful author. How could she be with just some actor?”

“Shut up!” Ed rubbed his temples. “Ever since I became your manager, my migraines have gotten worse. Can’t you just stay out of trouble? From 2003 until now, you’ve been embroiled in one scandal after another, constantly provoking hard-to-deal-with people. Just look at the list—Pitt, Leonardo, Odom, Matt. Are you trying to make enemies with everyone in the industry?”

Luca grinned. “There’s a saying in China: ‘A sharp sword is forged through grinding.’”

“Are you a sword? No, you’re not. Facing off against Leonardo is like smashing an egg against a rock—completely foolish.”

“Am I really that weak?”

“Do you think you’re strong? Look at how Pitt blacklisted you for two years. Did you even get one move in? No, you’ve been on the defensive the whole time. Now you’ve got another heavyweight in Leonardo. It’s like two pro boxers versus an amateur. Do you stand a chance?”

Ed shook his head. “Just quit the industry already. You don’t even need the money.”

“Are you kidding? My goal is to become a superstar, surpass Leonardo. I’m only halfway there. I can’t quit now! Sure, those two are tough, but I’m no pushover either.”

“And what’s your advantage? Your looks? Your charm with women? Writing scripts? Alright, aside from that, what else?”

“...”

Luca thought it over.

Looks? About even.

Wealth? A little behind.

Acting skills? Two points behind.

Connections? Three points behind.

It seemed that apart from being younger and more talented, he didn’t have many advantages.

“Now do you see how dire the situation is?”

“I get it.”

“So, what’s your plan?”

“My plan?”

Luca frowned. Why did he always have to think about these problems?

At the moment, he had an even bigger issue to deal with—Britney’s pregnancy. If that got out, he’d be drowned in public outrage. At that point, Leonardo wouldn’t even need to do anything; Luca would be done for.

“Ow…”

For some reason, his head started hurting too, his temples throbbing like they were about to burst.

“Can you two calm down?”

Katie Ford, sitting ahead, turned around in annoyance. Having the two of them around was embarrassing.

“Ahem,” Ed cleared his throat, straightening up as if nothing was wrong. “Luca, the boss just gave the order—keep quiet.”

“I really do have a headache,” Luca said, massaging his temples, his thumbs moving in circles.

“Luca, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Ed asked worriedly, noticing that Luca’s face had gone a bit pale.

“It’s fine. I can tough it out. If it gets worse, I’ll go.”

Luca winced through the pain.

“Hey, Luca, what are you doing?” Suddenly, someone called out from behind him.

Luca turned around, and the first thing he noticed was a pair of 36D curves, along with a seductive feminine fragrance in the air. From just those details, he knew who it was.

“Hey, Ivanka!” Luca stood up and smiled.

“...”

Ed rolled his eyes at how quickly Luca had recovered. Was this some sort of ‘beauty healing technique’?

“Luca, my dad is here too. Want to go chat with him?”

“Mr. Trump? He doesn’t seem to like me much.”

“Haha, nonsense. Come on, I’ll introduce you to a couple of my friends over there.”

“Alright!”

Luca walked off.

Ed watched him go, puzzled. When had this guy gotten close to the Trump family? He glanced over and saw three older men and two young women nearby.

The three older men were all billionaires, and the two young women were Amanda Hearst, the great-granddaughter of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, and Paris Hilton, daughter of Hilton Hotels’ CEO Richard Hilton.

Along with Ivanka Trump, these were the three socialites of New York.

Watching Luca chat and laugh with the three socialites, even managing to strike up conversations with the older men, Ed suddenly felt that Luca’s situation might not be so bad after all.

America was a paradise for the wealthy. The more money you had, the more freedom you enjoyed. With his deep pockets and close ties to these powerful families, maybe Luca did stand a chance against the Leonardo-Pitt alliance.

After a while, Luca returned to his seat, just as the show was about to begin.

“You and Ivanka are close?” Ed asked.

“We’ve played tennis a few times.”

“What about Amanda and Paris?”

“Just met them today. Not that close.”

“First time meeting them, and you’re already chatting like old friends?”

Ed was skeptical. Earlier, the girls had been laughing nonstop, even whispering to each other like they were close.

Luca shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just that charming.”

“Yeah, right. And what about Mr. Trump and Mr. Hearst?”

“Not close. Just exchanged a few words.”

“Okay, then.”

As the lingerie show began, the lights in the showroom dimmed, and the runway was lit up with dazzling lights. In the darkness, smooth jazz music began to play.

At the end of the runway, a seven-meter-high curtain appeared, casting the silhouette of a voluptuous woman, barely dressed, striking sultry poses. The seductive atmosphere was set right from the start.

Here used to be a greying tower alone on the sea. You became the light on the dark side of me… 

As the music played, the stage slowly rotated, revealing a giant Christmas gift box at the center. Eight models emerged one after another.

“Wow~”

The audience gasped in awe.

“So beautiful!”

“Kate is stunning!”

“They’re glowing!”

As the crowd murmured in admiration, the lead model, Gisele Bündchen, took the stage, followed by other international supermodels: Karolina Kurkova, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio.

Kate was the last to appear. When she stepped out of the Christmas gift box, the music paused, and she strutted down the runway with high, arched wings, wearing pale gold lingerie and a sheer silver-white sash around her waist.

Her face was dignified and stunning, her skin pale as snow, with a striking aura of elegance and power.

As she walked with fierce confidence, all eyes were fixed on her. The room fell completely silent except for the music.

When Kate finished her walk, it took a moment for the audience to snap back to reality.

“She’s breathtaking!”

“Did Ms. Kelly bow just now? Is she retiring?”

“She’s a successful author now and doesn’t need the money. This might be her last show.”

“What a shame. I didn’t get to see more of her on the runway!”

Everyone watched her retreating figure, feeling a sense of loss.

“Kate, you’re mine. You should’ve always been mine. Damn that Luca, that wretched Luca!” someone muttered, clenching their fists.

“Kate’s allure is something else,” Luca said with a smile.

“The era of the gods is ending. Kate, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum—they’re all retiring. We won’t see scenes like this again,” Ed sighed.

“So what? The world moves on, and new talents will always emerge.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Let’s just enjoy the show.”

Chapter 442: Finally Took That Step

After Santa Claus opened the show, there were five themed sections: Little Devil, Russian Style, Cute Girl, Tin Soldier, and the iconic Angel of the World.

It was a spectacular show!

At the end, a woman behind the stage curtain finally took off all her clothes, leaving a seductive silhouette on the curtain, causing an uproar of cheers from the audience.

"Too vulgar!"

Luca shook his head. Whether she took it off or not didn’t matter—the move might have pleased the men in the audience, but it was very unfriendly to female viewers.

After last year’s Super Bowl "exposure incident," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had required all TV stations to strictly regulate broadcast content.

That performance, though not explicit, was even more provocative than bare skin—it definitely skirted the line of decency.

"That was pushing the limits!" Ed said.

"Yep, after this is over, I’ll call in and report it—no way they’ll air it on TV!"

"You’re tough!"

By around 5:00 PM, the Victoria’s Secret 10th Anniversary Show came to an end. It was a star-studded event featuring top supermodels like Heidi, Tyra, Kate, Gisele, KK, and many more alongside rising stars like Miranda, Morgan, and more.

The mix of veterans and newcomers delivered a truly iconic fashion show, even being dubbed the peak of Victoria’s Secret shows.

After this performance, Kate was essentially retiring from the runway. If she were to walk in future shows, it would only be as a special guest.

"Finally took that step!"

As she got into the car, Kate glanced back at the Victoria’s Secret sign and sighed.

"Feeling sentimental?"

Lima smiled.

Kate shook her head. "I worked so hard for years to make it to this stage, and now I’m just giving it up so easily. It makes me feel like all that effort was for nothing."

"Blame Luca. Want to beat him up?"

"Not a bad idea. Luca, drive faster, we’re going home to smack you!"

"Don’t do that, okay? I’m still recovering!"

"But I’m not happy. Can’t I vent my frustration on you?"

". . . No argument there."

The next day, CBS aired the Victoria’s Secret "Decade Show," pulling in 10 million viewers, making it the top-rated show in its time slot.

Soon after, many media outlets reported on the event, sparking controversy over Kate’s involvement.

Some claimed that Kate, as a bestselling author and member of the social elite, had tarnished her reputation by participating in a lingerie show. Words like "indecent," "improper," and "unladylike" frequently appeared in the headlines.

However, many people defended her, arguing that Kate was a model first, and writing was just one of her side gigs. Why shouldn’t she do the show? Women should be free to express themselves and display their beauty on any stage.

In response to the controversy, Kate didn’t address it directly. Instead, through her manager Nina, she hinted that her future focus would be on fashion design and charitable work.

After this announcement, Kate’s book fans were not happy.

Before, she said she didn’t have time to write because of her modeling career, which made sense. But now that she’s stepping back from modeling, shouldn’t she focus on writing? Why shift her focus elsewhere? Fans began to urge her to finish her books.

Soon, news of Kate’s upcoming book release appeared in the papers. A new novel, Before I Met You, would be released on December 10, followed by the final installment and a bonus chapter of Twilight in March 2006.

Upon hearing this, her fans calmed down. It turns out Kate was working hard. But what was Before I Met You about? The discussion quickly shifted to the new book.

With Kate’s issues gradually resolving, Luca’s troubles persisted. As time went on, it felt like the sword of Damocles hung over his head, ready to fall at any moment.

He didn’t know how to fix things, so he spent more time with Britney and Lima and even made time to visit Katherine and little George.

After ten days, he was nearly exhausted.

"Luca, this won’t work—it’s just a temporary fix, not a solution."

At the Dalisy Estate, in the Rose Garden, Kate was wearing a long dress and carrying a basket and shears, carefully tending to the roses, irises, bird-of-paradise, and jasmine. Among the flowers, she looked even more beautiful.

"Do you have a real solution?"

Luca, lying on the lawn, resting his head on his arms, looked drained.

"Simple—come clean. Now that both Lima and Britney are pregnant, it’s not just your problem anymore.

Lima knows about Britney, knows you’re a jerk, and still wants to have your baby. Britney feels the same way. They’re both willing, whether it works out or not.

So just be decisive—make everything public. If they’re okay with it, carry on as you are. If not, split up. Dragging it out helps no one."

Kate snipped off a dead branch with her shears.

"That’s easier said than done. What if I tell Lima about Britney’s pregnancy, and she leaves in a rage? What if she aborts the baby?"

"Then the problem’s solved. You’ll have one less option and can choose the other."

Luca shook his head. "But wouldn’t that just hurt the other one?"

"Hurt? Haha! You’re a jerk—leaving you would be like escaping a sinking ship!"

"I..."

Luca felt a sharp pain in his chest. "I don’t want to break up with Lima, and I’m not planning to marry Britney. I just want things to stay like they were."

"You’re too greedy. You want Lima, you want Britney, you can’t give up either baby, and you don’t want the scandal. You want it all, and you can’t let go of anything—so who’s surprised you’re stressed?"

"..."

Luca fell silent. He knew he was being greedy, like a beast trying to carry everything until it collapsed.

"What should I give up?"

"That depends on your choice—what’s most precious, what’s cheapest, what’s the heaviest burden, and what can be let go?"

"The kids are the most precious."

"Smart answer. If you dare abandon the kids, I’ll cut you myself."

Kate clicked her shears threateningly.

Luca forced a weak smile, but he wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

"Lima and Britney are important too."

"They are, but they’re also a heavy burden. If you had to choose between them, who would you keep?"

Kate asked curiously.

"…You!" Luca replied.

"Haha, good answer, but no reward. Now seriously, who would you choose?"

After thinking, Luca answered, "It would have to be Lima."

"Why? Britney’s richer, more famous, and she’s gotten even better these past two years. Clearly, she loves you too. Why not choose her?"

"…Because she’s Britney. She’s wealthy, famous, and independent. I’m not confident we’d last."

"So you’re giving up on Britney?"

"Of course not. I still have one more option, don’t I?"

"You’re going to sacrifice your reputation?"

Kate chuckled softly. "Do you know what’ll happen if you do that? Britney has so many fans—once this gets out, the whole world will condemn you as an irresponsible jerk and a liar.

If the right people push it, your reputation will be ruined, your career over, and all your hard work wasted. Can you handle that?"

"But out of all the options, isn’t that the easiest to let go of?"

Luca sighed.

"It’s up to you. Being an actor isn’t a great job anyway—exhausting, and it doesn’t pay that well. If you quit acting, you could stay home and do laundry, cook, and raise the kids. Haha, sounds pretty good when you think about it."

Kate laughed lightly.

Luca shook his head. He knew this wasn’t a real solution—it would only fix things temporarily, the worst of all options. But was there a way to have it all?

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 443: A Bad Feeling*

On December 12th, just before Christmas, the movie The Blind Side was simultaneously released in 2,868 theaters across the U.S., grossing $48 million in its opening week, and topping the box office.

In its second week, The Blind Side was overtaken by King Kong, earning $33.15 million and placing second.

In two weeks, it earned over $81 million, solidifying its success.

With an investment of less than $35 million, the film surpassed $100 million in just three weeks, with overwhelmingly positive reviews. The Blind Side and its lead actress, Ms. Aniston, became some of the hottest topics at the end of the year.

Luca, the screenwriter, also became quite popular, marking his second film to gross over $100 million. Both were low-budget, high-grossing films, and his writing talent was recognized within the industry.

Many media outlets wanted to interview him, and several film companies were eager to secure his next project. However, with unresolved personal matters, Luca wasn't interested in anything.

The day before Christmas, the weather in Los Angeles had cooled down a bit. Luca drove to a café in Beverly Hills.

The café was called Café Carfé, a Swiss café next to Beverly Park with stunning views.

Luca went upstairs, looking around.

He spotted Britney sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window. She was wearing a brown sweater by Bottega Veneta and plaid trousers, holding a magazine. Sunlight shone on her, and she was nestled into the fabric sofa, exuding a peaceful beauty.

"Britney!"

"Luca, you're here!"

Britney looked up with a sweet smile.

"Why this café? Is the coffee here that good?"

Luca naturally wrapped his arm around her waist.

"No, it's just that the atmosphere here is so relaxing."

Britney leaned into his embrace.

The air was filled with golden sunlight, soft piano music, and the rich warmth of coffee. As his back touched the soft sofa, he instantly felt at ease.

"This place is really nice. I like it too!" Luca laughed.

Britney smiled softly, brushing her hair back, and quietly flipped through her magazine.

It was a music magazine, reviewing this year's popular music in Europe and America, ranking the top songs, trends, and critiquing albums and singles by various artists.

Among them was Britney's fifth album, which featured twelve songs, four of which were written by Luca.

This album sold over 12 million copies, with three Billboard No. 1 singles. It ranked third in annual album sales.

Though not as sensational as her debut album, it far surpassed her second, third, and fourth albums. The magazine hailed it as the best-quality classic album of the year.

"Do you think you'll win the Grammy for Best Pop Female Artist next year?" Luca asked.

Britney smirked, "The Grammy judges don’t seem to appreciate my music. I've been in the industry for six years and only won one Grammy, for Best Dance Recording."

"Same with me. The Oscar judges don’t seem to appreciate my acting. I’ve been in the business for three years and haven’t even gotten a nomination."

"Haha~! You’ve only been acting for three years and already want an Oscar? What would the veteran actors think?"

"Are you saying I have to wait until I’m old to win an Oscar?"

Luca asked, resting his chin on her forehead.

"Maybe!" Britney laughed, putting down the magazine. "Luca, how about we make a bet to see who wins first—me getting a Grammy for Best Album or Pop Female Artist, or you getting an Oscar for acting?"

"Definitely you. You've already won a Grammy. I haven’t even touched the Oscar scene yet, but I’ll still take the bet."

"Alright! What's the wager?"

"You decide!" Luca smiled.

Britney blinked, "How about the winner has to grant the loser one request?"

"The winner has to grant the loser’s request?"

That was an unusual wager.

"Yeah, since the loser is already feeling down, shouldn’t the winner comfort them?"

"Britney, you’re right. That’s a great suggestion."

Luca kissed her forehead.

"Deal. No backing out!" Britney extended her hand, smiling.

"Deal!" Luca high-fived her, then held her hand tightly, their fingers interlocking.

Outside, the sunlight grew brighter, warming the sofa. The two of them sat quietly, whispering, reminiscing about how they met, the surprise at that concert, and their Arctic trip last month.

Eventually, Britney fell asleep, and Luca quietly drifted off as well.

He wasn’t sure how long he slept, but when he woke up, he felt incredibly refreshed. He’d been running around a lot lately, with little restful sleep.

After that nap, he felt reinvigorated, though his chest was a bit damp—was it Britney’s drool?

He smiled softly, but then realized Britney wasn’t there.

"Britney?"

He looked around. Her bag and magazine were gone, and all that remained on the table was a newspaper with news of Lima’s pregnancy.

Luca’s heart sank. He suddenly had a bad feeling. He pulled out his phone to call her but found two messages.

"Luca, let’s break up. Saying break up is kind of funny since we’re not even officially a couple. So let’s just say we’re going our separate ways.

Please forgive me for this, but I’m not pregnant.

We’ve been together for almost three years now. We’re more than friends and closer than family, but our relationship has been stuck in the same place.

I can’t wait any longer. I don’t want to go on like this, so I lied about being pregnant. I wanted to see if you would choose me if I was.

But unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky as her. I didn’t meet you sooner, and I couldn’t get pregnant earlier.

So I can only end things here. Do you know? I’ll really miss you—your chest, your shoulders, your prickly chin, your scent, everything about you.

Ever since I met you, I’ve been so happy every day. It’s just a shame you were never really mine.

Thank you for staying with me for so long, dear. That time was supposed to be the hardest part of my life, but because of you, it became my most beautiful memory.

I’m going traveling for a while, leaving you behind to journey alone. Wish me a wonderful trip!"

Reading the messages, Luca felt suffocated, as if he were struggling to breathe at high altitude. He gasped for air, one breath after another. He called both Britney and Felicia.

Britney’s phone was unreachable, and Felicia refused to answer.

"If you can’t give her a commitment, never contact Britney again. Take care of yourself!" Felicia texted him.

Reading the message, Luca fell silent. Yes, if he couldn’t make a commitment, what was the point of finding Britney? To continue the same way?

That would be too unfair to Britney.

"I really am a jerk. I always think about my own gain and loss, never considering others’ feelings!"

Luca buried his face in his hands, curling up on the sofa without moving.

When the sunlight was no longer warm, he left the café and drove to Britney’s villa.

No matter what, he wanted to speak to her face-to-face. He didn’t want it to end like this. Was the pregnancy really just a lie?

When he arrived at Britney’s villa, she wasn’t there. The housekeeper said Britney had gone back to New York.

He flew to New York, only to see in the newspaper that Britney had left for a vacation in Germany.

Should he go to Germany?

Standing at the airport entrance, he stared blankly at the sky.

Am I really a jerk?

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 444: A Spontaneous Trip*

On December 28, the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards nominees and winners for film were announced.

"Brokeback Mountain" received seven nominations, including Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Song, and Best Screenplay, making it the film with the most nominations this year.

The film "Match Point," starring Luca, garnered four nominations: Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay.

"The Blind Side" received three nominations: Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy), Best Actress (Comedy), and Best Screenplay.

"North Country" got one nomination for Best Actress (Drama).

Luca had three films competing at this year's Golden Globes and secured one nomination. This news became a highlight of the event.

Among the familiar names, many also received nominations.

Ang Lee was nominated for Best Director, and Woody Allen was nominated for both Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Jennifer Aniston and Keira Knightley were nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy. Charlize Theron and Zhang Ziyi were both nominated for Best Actress in a Drama.

Heath Ledger was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama, while Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams (Heath's girlfriend), and Frances McDormand were nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

Two Chinese films, "Kung Fu Hustle" and "The Promise," were nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.

Looking over the list, Luca noticed that almost everyone was a familiar face—it was quite the lively scene.

Luca sighed and put down the newspaper.

"These are all good news stories, so why the sigh?" Kate asked.

Luca shook his head, not wanting to speak.

Kate got angry. "Is this all because Britney dumped you? Do you really need to act so miserable? Seeing you like this makes me want to punch you."

Luca shook his head again and sighed.

"If you keep shaking your head, do you believe I won’t hit you?" Kate threatened, pinching his nose.

"Stop messing around, I don't feel like talking!" Luca pushed her hand away with a sigh.

"Hmph, stop acting like a heartbroken romantic. You've dated 37 women in your life, had 18 relationships, been dumped three times, and now four. Shouldn't you be used to it by now?" Kate snapped.

Luca shook his head again and, worried he'd be hit, added, "This time is different."

"Why is it different?" Kate asked.

"After we broke up, I suddenly realized how great she was. I think I really fell in love with her," Luca said slowly.

"Are you sure? Do you know what loving her truly means? It means you have to fully accept her—her fame, her status, her personality—and genuinely be with her.

Are you certain you love her and can completely accept her, or are you just missing her because she's gone? Like how you miss the summer sun during winter, but when summer comes, you miss the coolness of winter?

I hope you can take a good look at your heart. If you still say you're deeply in love with her after really understanding your feelings, then go to Germany and win her back. I'll handle everything here. But are you sure?" Kate asked.

"..." Luca remained silent. Was he sure? Was he sure? He asked himself three times, and the answer was: He didn’t know.

"Your silence says it all. You're just not used to Britney being gone, not madly in love with her. I saw that clearly from the beginning. If you were truly in love with her, you wouldn't have come back from the airport that day," Kate said.

"I had already bought the ticket that day," Luca murmured.

"Really? So why didn't you go?"

"Your phone call," he admitted.

"Haha, if you really loved her, you wouldn't have cared about my call."

"I couldn’t, because no one is more important than you!" Luca blurted out.

"..." Kate was stunned. Slowly, her rosy lips curved into a smile, her delicate cheeks glowing. She smiled softly and sat on the couch, pulling his head into her lap and ruffling his hair.

"I'm so happy to hear you say that!" she said, kissing his hair. "But seeing you like this makes me sad. If you really love Britney and want to keep being with her, you can go to Germany and find her. I'll handle things here; don’t worry about a thing.

Remember, your happiness is what matters most. If there’s anything that will make you happy, I’m willing to help you with it, no matter what.

So, have you thought it through?" Kate asked, cupping his face.

Luca shook his head and buried his face in her lap, hugging her waist tightly.

Kate smiled and ruffled his hair. "You used to say you were just a playboy who only played around with women and never got emotionally involved. So why the real feelings now?

Once you involve emotions, the constraints in your heart will grow like a spider’s web, until you’re exhausted, just like you are now. Can you still handle it?"

Luca didn’t say a word; he just held her tighter.

Kate smiled gently. "Tired? Then rest for a while. You've been through a lot in the past two months, physically and mentally."

She paused for a moment, then smiled softly. "Honey, how about we go on a trip together? Just the two of us.

Let’s drive down Route 66, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Chicago, then New York. We can celebrate the New Year on the road. What do you think?"

"..." Luca suddenly stood up.

"What’s wrong?" Kate blinked in surprise.

"The trip you mentioned—let’s go right now!" Luca grabbed her and headed out the door.

"Now? We haven’t prepared anything!" Kate protested.

"No need. Preparing too much takes away the fun of traveling."

"Alright, let’s go then. I’m with you!" Kate laughed.

By noon on the 28th, an old pickup truck drove out of Big Pear Tree Estate, departing from Santa Monica, heading east along Route 66.

They traveled through Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.

They gambled a million dollars in Las Vegas, partied at La Fe nightclub, cliff-jumped at the Hoover Dam, took photos at the top of the Grand Canyon, camped in Yellowstone Park, graffitied the art wall at Santa Fe Tower, grilled steaks at Texas’ Cadillac Ranch, and prayed in the St. Louis Cathedral.

By January 15, 2006, the trip finally came to an end.

In just over half a month, they had crossed the entire United States, from the west coast in Los Angeles to New York on the east coast, covering a total of 2,753 miles.

Along the way, both of them had changed significantly.

Luca’s hair and beard were messy, his skin had darkened and roughened, giving him a wild look, almost like a homeless man.

Kate had also tanned and gained five pounds, making her figure even curvier and healthier.

"Feeling better now?" Kate asked with a smile, her long legs crossed as she sat in the car.

Her blonde hair was tied up, she wore a brown jacket, ripped jeans, knee-high leather boots, and a bone pendant hung over her full chest, exuding a wild charm.

"Of course! With you by my side, any ailment can be cured!" Luca grinned.

"Sweet talker! I gained ten pounds just to help you unwind, and my skin got worse. If you dare act moody again, I’ll stab you with a knife!" she teased, waving a foot-long curved blade.

"I believe you. When have I ever not? You’re my faith!" Luca replied with a grin.

"Good! I bless you!" Kate laughed heartily, ruffling his hair.

*Ring ring*—the phone rang.

"Luca, where are you? When are you coming back? The Golden Globes are about to start," Ed’s anxious voice came through the receiver.

"Ed, don’t worry. I’m in New York!"

"Really? Then I’m relieved!" Ed sighed in relief.

"Ed, I don’t really have a chance of winning. Does it even matter if I go?"

"It does. It’s like being invited to a dinner party. If you’re invited but don’t show up, will they invite you next time? If you want to win awards, you shouldn’t skip these events."

"Got it."

A moment later, Kate’s phone rang. It was Ms. Nina, and she wasn’t happy about Kate’s impromptu trip.

At the beginning of each year, all the industries host award ceremonies to honor the previous year’s winners, including fashion, literature, and design. Kate’s sudden decision to travel left Nina in a difficult position.

Kate apologized a few times before finally shifting the blame to someone else.

"Nina, you know Luca recently went through a breakup and was in a bad state. I was worried he might do something rash, so I had to go with him to help him relax."

"A breakup? How could a man who’s so fickle with his feelings even have a breakup? Haha, I don’t believe it. At most, he’s just being dramatic, trying to show that he still cares about the relationship, pretending he’s not completely heartless..."

"Hahaha! Nina, you’re so right! Luca is just being dramatic. You know how sensitive he is, always full of feelings. Being a bit moody is normal for him," Kate laughed.

Kate tilted her head back, her face lighting up with a bright smile.

"I didn't!"

Luca blushed, clearly embarrassed.

"Nina, Luca says he's not being melodramatic, he really feels terrible!"

Kate laughed.

"Stop talking about him, just hearing his name irritates me."

"Haha, same here!"

Kate playfully pushed Luca's head.

"Come by the office tomorrow if you're free, there's still a lot of work waiting for you."

"OK! No problem!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 445: How Did I Suddenly Become So Desperate?

Back at home, the two took a shower and changed into casual clothes.

During their travels, they hadn’t cared much about food or clothes, but once they were home and back in comfortable outfits, it felt like shedding a layer of armor—relaxing in a way that was hard to describe.

"Luca, next time, let's go further and make our trip even longer. What do you think?" Kate asked with a smile, sipping a glass of red wine as she leaned back on the sofa.

"Sure! This time we toured America, so next up could be Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Amazon rainforest in South America," Luca replied, drying his hair.

"Sounds good, but some places are too dangerous. Next time, we should bring Gina along for extra security."

"Whatever you say!"

On this trip through America, they’d already encountered two street shootings and one robbery, though they managed to escape unharmed each time.

"Kate, are you hungry? Want something to eat?" Luca asked after putting down his towel.

"Whatever you make is fine. You’re tired, don’t overdo it," Kate said, waving her hand while picking up her phone.

"Alright then!"

There wasn’t much food left in the house, so Luca rummaged around and made two servings of pasta. One large portion of buttered pork ham stir-fried pasta and a smaller portion of tomato and cauliflower cream pasta. One with meat, one without—both smelled amazing when finished.

"Kate, dinner’s ready!"

"Just a second!"

Kate was still on the phone with Lima.

After last year's Victoria’s Secret show, Lima had gone back to El Salvador. Luca had planned to go with her, but with the release of The Blind Side, he had to stay behind for promotional duties as the screenwriter.

He was planning to visit her soon and bring her back.

"Luca, is there any more pasta? Miranda’s coming over, and she hasn’t had lunch yet," Kate asked as she walked into the dining room.

"No, we’re out. She ate all the groceries last time and didn’t restock. You should call and ask her to bring something."

"Ask her? Forget it, she’s worse than you at shopping. We’ll go buy groceries after we finish eating."

"Alright, fine."

A little while later, Miranda arrived, wearing a long white down coat and a knitted hat. With her round face, she looked like the girl next door. As soon as she saw Kate, she rushed over for a hug.

"Kate, you’re finally back!"

She hugged Kate tightly, refusing to let go.

"Want to hug me too?" Luca teased, spreading his arms.

"No way!" Miranda wrinkled her nose, then burst out laughing. "Luca, what’s with your look? Trying to be a bearded uncle now?"

"I’m going for the rugged, charming type!" Luca said, running a hand over his short beard, still wearing an apron.

"Yeah, right—a househusband!" Miranda circled around him, eyeing him. "Do you drop your beard in the food while you’re cooking?"

"You eating or not? If not, you can cook for yourself!" Luca shot back, brandishing a kitchen knife.

"Fine, fine, you cook. Just make sure to pick the beard out before I see it," she quipped.

Luca gave her a glare. "You’re acting up again. Is it time for me to remind you who’s boss?"

"Boss? You think you can take me?" Miranda taunted, leaning on Kate's shoulder and laughing smugly.

"Just wait till Kate isn’t around. I’ll make sure to give you a proper beating."

"Think I’m scared?"

Miranda bared her teeth playfully.

"Should I leave you two alone so you can fight it out?" Kate put down her phone, laughing.

"No! Next time you two travel, you have to take me with you. Staying home alone was so boring," Miranda pouted, clinging to Kate’s arm.

"Alright, alright. Next time, we’ll bring you," Kate said, pinching Miranda’s nose.

"It’s a deal!"

Miranda went off to change and wash up, then came back and sat at the dining table, tapping her fork like an impatient little kid.

"Time to eat!" Luca announced, bringing out a plate of creamy pork ham stir-fried pasta.

"Not bad, but still a bit worse than Kate’s pasta. It’s passable," Miranda said after taking a bite.

"You’re so picky. Next time, you cook!" Luca shot back.

"No way! Yours still tastes better than mine... Oh, Luca, why is there a beard hair in my pasta?" Miranda suddenly yelped.

Luca rolled his eyes. This girl was always stirring up trouble.

"Miranda, stop teasing him. He’s already on edge. Don’t push him, or he really might give you that beating," Kate said, laughing as she washed the dishes.

"On edge? Because of Britney?" Miranda laughed again. "Britney’s so cool! That’s how you deal with jerks—make them fall head over heels for you, then kick them to the curb and leave them heartbroken and depressed. Britney did us girls proud!"

Luca sat across from her, leaning on his hand, watching her lips move non-stop.

"Why are you staring at me?" Miranda asked, feeling a little awkward.

"Nothing. Please, continue. I’m genuinely curious how you manage to talk and eat at the same time. I want to study it, so keep going," Luca said coolly.

Miranda blushed, shooting him a glare. "Pervert!"

After dinner, Kate and Miranda went out shopping.

Luca returned to the study, stared at the wall for a while, then took out his phone to chat with Lima, checking on her and discussing upcoming plans.

Once the Golden Globe Awards were over, he needed to head to Brazil to deal with company matters and meet Lima’s family. These issues couldn’t be left unattended, or they’d grow bigger later on.

After the call, he opened his laptop and wrote two emails to Britney.

He’d been trying to stay in touch with her lately, but she hadn’t responded.

Still, he hadn’t given up.

In the emails, he talked about his recent travels and shared some amusing stories. He also sent lyrics and sheet music for two songs—Someone Like You and The Truth About Love—both classic love songs, one about the pain of a breakup, the other about reflections on love. They fit his current mood well.

After sending the emails, he waited, but there was no response.

He tried to recall the emails, but they had already been read. It was too late to take them back.

He smirked slightly, wondering if Britney had read them. Doing this made him feel a bit better, and he hoped she’d win a Grammy soon.

Ding-dong~

His phone buzzed with a new message.

His heart skipped a beat. Was it Britney?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

It was Ed, confirming that the plane tickets were booked for tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM to Los Angeles. The Golden Globe Awards ceremony was set for 6 PM at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

"Got it, I won’t forget," Luca texted back, putting down his phone.

Still, there was no reply from Britney.

"How did I suddenly become so desperate?" he sighed, shaking his head. This wasn’t right.

Setting Britney’s situation aside, he turned back to his computer and started working on Kate’s third novel.

"When I woke up, the other half of the bed was cold. I reached out to test the warmth of the sheets, but only felt the rough fabric. Polym must’ve had another nightmare and crawled into mom’s bed again. Yup, no doubt—it’s harvest day today."

Luca typed away, getting lost in his work.

By the time night fell, he slowly came back to reality.

Looking at the screen full of words, he realized that writing was a good way to forget his worries. His mind felt calm and at peace, though his back was sore from sitting too long.

"Luca, come down and have some strawberries!" Miranda shouted.

"Are they regular strawberries?"

"..."

(End of Chapter)