belamy20

356-360

Added 2024-11-30 02:14:12 +0000 UTC

*Chapter 356: Being Too Beautiful Can Be a Hassle*

In the evening, after the crew wrapped up for the day, Aniston returned to a villa in the suburbs.

This place was her temporary base in South Carolina. Although the crew had arranged a hotel room for her, she found it inconvenient and decided to move here.

Once back at the villa, Aniston discussed some matters with her assistant Veena and her lawyer-agent over the phone.

She and Pitt were in the process of finalizing their divorce. However, with both of them being major celebrities and having significant assets, it wasn't easy to divide everything cleanly. This process would take at least six months.

“I don’t need any alimony, but we need to clearly divide the business interests, and regarding the media, we should control the narrative. Also, we should negotiate not to sabotage each other. What? Pitt is targeting Luca? Fine, let’s talk about that later.”

After hanging up, Aniston started handling some company matters, with Veena assisting her.

"Jen, I’m back!"

A while later, Luca walked into the villa carrying several food containers.

“Veena, want to join us? I bought a lot.”

“No thanks, I’m heading out,” Veena said, glancing at him before leaving the living room.

Luca found it odd. Britney's assistant, Felicia, seemed indifferent to him, and now Aniston's assistant, Veena, was acting the same way. Was he doomed to have bad luck with assistants?

"What did you buy?" Aniston asked, putting down her documents and stretching.

“A lot of good stuff—sour, spicy, and sweet. Try some and see what you like.”

After finishing the day’s shoot, he had driven into the city and gone on a food tour of some famous restaurants, bringing back over a dozen gourmet dishes, including ginger-orange fish fillets, vegetable chicken soup, kimchi hot pot, and roasted asparagus with cheese.

"Looks good," Aniston said as she opened a few of the containers. The room was instantly filled with delicious aromas.

“Wait a sec, some of these are cold. Can we use the villa’s kitchen?” Luca asked.

“Of course. I’ll have Nalia handle it,” Aniston said, calling the housekeeper to warm up a few of the dishes.

“This one doesn’t need heating,” Luca said, leaving the cucumber salad and cold black vinegar noodles he had bought in Chinatown.

“What’s this? Pasta?” Aniston asked, pointing to the noodles.

“This is Chinese food—noodles made from starch. Want to try?”

“I’ll give it a shot!”

Aniston twirled one noodle around her fork and popped it into her mouth.

“How is it?” Luca asked.

“Surprisingly good,” Aniston's eyes lit up. “It’s sour and spicy, and chilled—very tasty!”

She took the container and happily slurped down a few more noodles.

"Jen, they're too cold. Don’t eat too much," Luca cautioned.

“It’s fine, stop treating me like a kid, okay?” Aniston gave him a playful glare and started tasting the other dishes. “You eat too. It’s not fun eating alone.”

“Okay!”

Once all the dishes were heated, Luca poured two glasses of coconut milk, and the two sat down to eat together.

“Jen, does the crew know about your pregnancy?” Luca asked while eating.

“Quite a few people know. I’ve been dealing with morning sickness lately, so they’ve probably figured it out. But the crew members have signed confidentiality agreements, so the news is still under wraps for now.”

“Seems like it won’t stay secret for long.”

“True. It doesn’t matter if it gets out. Even if the media doesn’t leak it, my team will slowly release the news. The timing of the announcement will just be adjusted slightly.”

“Does Pitt know?”

“It doesn’t make much difference.”

Aniston took a bite of asparagus and twirled her fork. “As a pregnant woman dealing with an unfaithful husband, I have the right to file for divorce. Legally, I’m in the right and protected by the law.”

“Pitt’s infidelity is a fact, and I have plenty of evidence. If he doesn’t want a peaceful split, we can go for a contested divorce. The real challenge will be the custody and rights over the baby.”

“Is Pitt willing to split amicably?”

“Of course. He wants the divorce over as soon as possible. The longer it drags on, the worse it is for him.”

“I see.”

“Alright, enough talk about that. This is really good—you should try it,” Aniston said, pointing to a bowl of Italian three-flavor soup. “It’s a mix of tomato sauce, cream, and olive oil, and it’s super delicious. You’re really good at picking food. From now on, I’m counting on you to handle my meals during shoots.”

Luca smiled. “Kate loves cooking, and I love eating, so I’ve become really picky about food because of her influence.”

“Kate? She’s gorgeous, has a great figure, and is a famous writer. Our daughter would be perfect if she takes after her. Actually, no matter what our baby looks like, they’ll be perfect.”

Aniston touched her belly, smiling apologetically as she spoke to the baby. "Sweetheart, Mommy will love you no matter how you look, even if you're not super cute."

Luca chuckled. “Don’t worry, with our genes, the baby won’t be anything but beautiful. Though being too pretty can be a problem—maybe it’s better to have an ordinary appearance.”

“Hmph! Nonsense!” Aniston said, laughing. “Of course, the prettier, the better! Who wouldn’t want to be good-looking? If you were an ugly duckling growing up, would you like that? All the princes and princesses in fairy tales are beautiful—who would praise an ugly prince or princess?”

“The Frog Prince?”

“Haha, the Frog Prince turns handsome in the end!”

The two of them chatted as they ate, and soon, most of the food was gone.

"Wow, I’m stuffed. I haven’t eaten this much in a long time,” Aniston said, leaning back on the sofa with a contented smile.

“I’ll eat with you every day from now on. How did you like the black chicken soup? It’s supposed to be really good for pregnant women.”

“Mmm, it’s pretty good. But I can’t eat too much—I don’t want to gain too much weight.”

Aniston worriedly touched her face.

“I remember you were a bit chubby before. Didn’t the papers say something about it?”

“What did they say?!” Aniston’s eyes flashed with mock anger as she clenched her fists.

“Nothing, really,” Luca quickly backed down, laughing.

After dinner, the two went for a walk in the yard.

Though gaining weight was inevitable, Aniston wanted to delay it as long as possible, at least during filming.

“Wow, the sunset is beautiful!” Aniston stopped on the lawn, gazing at the golden sun dipping below the horizon. The golden light bathed her face, and her hair glowed in the gentle breeze.

“Yeah, it really is,” Luca said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as they silently watched the sunset.

They stood there in the yard for a long time.

As the sun set and the sky dimmed, Aniston, tired from a full day of filming, let Luca help her freshen up before he gave her a massage.

Aniston slowly drifted off to sleep in his arms.

Luca put on his clothes, kissed her on the head, and quietly left the villa.

With so many people watching on set, he needed to be more cautious.

So, he chose to stay at the hotel.

But just after he returned, the director, John, knocked on his door.

“Luca, do you have a minute? There are a few scenes I want to discuss with you.”

“Sure,” Luca said, pouring two cups of coffee, ready for a long night of script revisions.

He was determined to keep his promise and be a dedicated screenwriter.

After staying up late that night, Luca woke up around 7:30 the next morning. After his morning workout and breakfast, he made sure to order a nutritious breakfast for Aniston.

Looking at the breakfast in his hands, he thought about writing a book titled The Years I Spent as a Nanny.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 357: The First Ten-Year Plan*

After more than a month of hard work, the film crew finally wrapped up shooting.

With the final scene completed, the crew members gradually left South Carolina.

On December 6, after seeing off a visibly pregnant Aniston, Luca also boarded a flight back to New York.

However, as soon as he got off the plane, he was once again ambushed by reporters.

"Mr. Kelly, someone saw you frequently bringing maternity meals to the set. Were they for Ms. Aniston?"

"No, it's just regular food that everyone was eating. I’d like to clarify that the meals on our set were amazing—abalone, lobster, foie gras, caviar, and even Chinese dishes. You can see for yourself if I’ve put on weight. Haha, yes, I gained five pounds in just over a month, and it wasn’t just me. In fact, everyone gained weight. If you're interested, you can interview the others."

"Mr. Kelly, please stop avoiding the question. We're not concerned with what you were eating. We want to know about your relationship with Ms. Aniston. It's been said that you two spent a lot of time alone together on set."

"Is that a problem? I'm the screenwriter, and Ms. Aniston is the lead actress. Occasionally, we would discuss the script together. You know, I've only written a few scripts, and in some areas, I’m not that experienced. Sometimes I’d ask for her advice. She’s read more scripts than I’ve read books. She’s a great teacher."

"Luca, stop deflecting. There’s a rumor that Ms. Aniston is pregnant with your child. How do you explain that?"

"Haha, that rumor is quite amusing. Alright, enough jokes, Mr. Reporter. I'm going home now. Goodbye."

Luca waved and got into the car.

"Mr. Kelly! Mr. Kelly, please wait!"

"Luca, is it because you’re guilty that you won’t answer directly?"

Outside the car window, a large group of reporters shouted loudly. Some pressed their faces against the glass, others banged on the windows, hoping to ask more questions.

"Drive faster! These reporters have lost their minds!"

Luca covered his forehead, feeling a headache from the yelling reporters outside.

"I’ll try my best!"

Tony revved the engine and broke through the reporters' blockade.

"Whew~"

As the car pulled away from the airport, Ed in the passenger seat also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luca, how did Ms. Aniston get pregnant?"

Ed asked curiously.

"Uh~ that’s an interesting question. Do women need a reason to get pregnant? And I only found out about it when I arrived on set, no earlier than you guys."

Luca shook his head.

Last month, news of Aniston’s pregnancy started circulating.

Some said it was fake, pointing out that she had been married for four or five years without getting pregnant, so how could it happen all of a sudden? Others provided evidence of Aniston’s infertility, believing it was fake news.

But more people thought it was real.

As media debated the truth, a newspaper published a photo of Aniston’s baby bump.

Boom~

That photo had the effect of a nuclear bomb, causing a media frenzy worldwide.

Headlines like "Aniston Pregnant," "Rachel Pregnant," and "America's Sweetheart Pregnant" dominated global news for half a month. Soon, everyone around the world knew about it.

This news, coupled with Aniston’s divorce from Pitt, sent the media into a frenzy.

From November onward, the world’s media reported daily on the two of them, almost on par with coverage of an international war or the Olympics.

No celebrity in the world was more talked about than Aniston at that moment.

Pitt was also in the spotlight, branded as the entertainment industry's biggest scumbag for cheating while Aniston was pregnant.

Luca, having previously been linked to Aniston in rumors and now being on set with her, also found himself thrust into the spotlight.

Some media outlets fabricated stories, claiming the child was his.

However, an alleged private doctor of Aniston revealed to the press that she had likely conceived around June and was due to give birth in April of next year.

But Luca had been in Brazil filming a movie before July, making it impossible.

"Luca, thank goodness you were in Brazil in June, or it would’ve been risky."

Ed sighed.

"It wouldn't have mattered. The innocent stay innocent, and the guilty remain guilty. I have a normal friendship with Aniston and am not afraid of rumors."

Luca said calmly.

"But you have a reputation for attracting rumors. As long as there's a woman around you, gossip follows. Remember, all it took was a few photos of you with Bündchen, and those rumors lasted a long time."

"Yeah, I’m helpless when it comes to this ‘rumor magnet’ thing."

Luca said with a bitter smile, resting his head on his hand.

This rumor magnet reputation started with an infamous fashion show incident, where everyone became aware of his so-called "tool of the crime."

Not long after, the "car scandal" with Britney Spears, complete with explosive footage, became a massive news story.

He was branded a womanizer, and his image as a rumor magnet became solidified, further fueled by rumors involving Jessica, Bündchen, and Aniston.

"Luca, if you want to fix this issue, I have two suggestions."

Ed said.

"What are they?" Luca asked curiously.

"Pfft~ Are you going to suggest gender reassignment surgery?"

Tony joked.

"Haha, stop it," Ed shook his head. "The first suggestion is to get married and settle down."

"Come on, I’m only 23. I’m still a rising star. Isn’t it too early to think about marriage?"

Luca hadn’t considered marriage yet.

"The second suggestion is to avoid spending time alone with actresses or making friends with them. Because of your reputation, people automatically assume any female you’re with is in an inappropriate relationship with you."

"That's a good suggestion. I’ve been careful about that since last year. Look, I haven't been involved in any new scandals this year. All the talk about Britney and Aniston is old news."

"Really?"

Ed thought for a moment, frowning, and realized that Luca was right.

"Good job, Luca. Keep it up!"

"Haha, will do!"

Luca shook his head. "Actually, there’s one more good solution: quit the entertainment industry."

"Luca, are you thinking about leaving showbiz?"

Ed was surprised.

"Luca, you don’t want to be a star anymore?"

Tony, who wasn’t done with his job as a celebrity assistant, sounded worried.

"It’s just an idea. My goal is to become a superstar, a movie legend. Once I’ve achieved that, maybe I’ll retire, but I’ll give myself ten years."

"Ten years? I think 20 years is more realistic. Look at Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Leonardo. They’re all American and took over a decade to reach superstar status."

Ed reminded him.

"Yeah, Luca, they’re American. Their films are Oscar favorites, and they have the support of American audiences. You're at a disadvantage in that regard."

Tony added.

"Alright, you guys make good points, but I’m not giving up. At the same time, I won’t abandon my ten-year plan. If I become an international superstar within ten years, it’ll mean I’m better than them. If I don’t, I’ll slowly retire. By then, I’ll be in my thirties and ready to enjoy life. When I retire, there won’t be any more rumors to deal with."

"Haha, Luca, I hope you become an international superstar soon, and I get to be a superstar's assistant."

"Don’t worry, I’ll make your wish come true soon."

Luca laughed.

The car continued forward, slowly heading back to 76th Street.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 358: What Kind of Crazy Author Is This?*

"Luca, there's news that the baby Aniston is carrying is yours. Is that true?"

Back at the apartment, Luca was met with another round of questions from Kate, with Lima eyeing him suspiciously, Miranda smirking, and Fanny grinning.

Of course, Luca wasn’t going to admit to anything.

"Come on, don't joke about stuff like that! I was in Brazil all of May and June. You think I could just fly to the U.S. and get Aniston pregnant?"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Luca, from what I know about you, I think you totally could," Miranda teased, covering her face as she laughed.

"What you know about me? Isn’t it more like a misunderstanding?"

Luca protested.

"No, no, I know you. You’re a total freak."

Miranda laughed.

"A freak? Have I ever done anything freaky?"

"Of course. Don’t forget this."

Miranda waved a book in her hand. "Don’t think using a pen name will fool me. I saw the manuscript in your study, handwritten, no less. Anyone who writes a book like this has to be a freak, right?"

"Fifty Shades of Grey?"

Luca was stunned. In mid-October, Fifty Shades of Grey quietly appeared on the shelves of bookstores across the U.S. and online platforms. No promotions, no advertising—just silently released.

At the time, he was busy with theater work and a film shoot in South Carolina, so he hadn’t paid much attention.

"Luca, Fifty Shades of Grey is yours?"

Fanny had already heard the rumor from Miranda but needed confirmation in person.

Luca scratched his head. "Alright, yeah, I wrote it. But the story is completely fictional."

"Wow~ Uncle Luca, you're so cool! This book is amazing. So many of my friends are reading it. The fact that you wrote this? You’re beyond cool!"

Fanny shouted excitedly.

"Don’t you think it's a bit freaky?"

"Haha, not at all! How could a romantic novel like this be freaky? The ones writing about zombies, murder, and world destruction—now those people are the real freaks. Fifty Shades is totally normal! Just like being gay, the SM stuff in it exists in real life. What exists is reasonable. It’s totally reasonable for Luca to write a novel like this."

"Haha, Fanny, you nailed it. Thanks for the support. But let’s keep the author thing a secret—it could hurt my reputation."

Luca urged.

"Got it, but I need your autograph. Sign it to ‘Demon Miss,’ okay? I'm Miss Gaga, and you’re Demon Miss. It just feels right."

Fanny opened the book with a grin.

"No problem!"

Luca signed it with a flourish.

"Miranda, want one?"

"No, thanks!"

Miranda pulled her book back. "If people find out I know Demon Miss, they’ll think I’m a freak too. I don’t want your reputation rubbing off on me."

"Alright, suit yourself. But when Fifty Shades of Grey becomes a bestseller, don’t come asking for an autograph."

"Haha, this book? A bestseller? Only if the whole world’s full of freaks!"

Miranda scoffed.

"Maybe."

Luca chuckled, went for a shower, and then called Felix to ask about Fifty Shades of Grey's sales.

"Hmm? So, you actually care about this?"

Felix teased on the other end of the line.

"Of course! I’m the author. Isn’t it normal for me to care about the sales?"

"Haha, totally normal. But for an author to ask about sales more than 50 days after the book’s release? That’s a first for me in my 10+ years in this business."

"Haha, well, I’ve been busy with other stuff. Better late than never, right?"

Luca laughed.

"Not too late!"

Felix chuckled and started reporting the figures.

Fifty Shades of Grey had been released on October 16, and in 54 days, the total sales both online and offline had reached 320,000 copies.

"Only 320,000?"

That seemed tiny compared to the millions of copies record-breaking books sold. Was this bestseller going to flop because of him?

Luca started to worry.

"320,000 isn’t bad! There’s been zero promotion, and it’s written under a pen name. Selling 320,000 copies in a little over a month and making it to the New York Times Bestseller list in November? That’s impressive!"

Felix said, a bit irritated.

When the book first hit the shelves, Felix didn’t expect much. There was no big author name behind it, and it wasn’t high literature, so he didn’t think it would sell.

In the first week, only about 10,000 copies were sold. As the head of a mid-sized publishing house, Felix wasn’t going to waste his time on such small numbers.

But by the fourth week, sales shot up to 100,000, then 150,000, 200,000, until it hit bestseller lists and made headlines.

That’s when Felix realized he had underestimated the book and the power of fans. The surge in sales had come entirely from word-of-mouth recommendations by fans.

After the book took off, some fans complained on the Fifty Shades fan site, accusing the publisher of being cheap and refusing to invest in marketing, which nearly buried a great book.

Felix admitted his mistake and spent money on promotions and celebrity endorsements, leading to another spike in sales.

So, he was happy with the sales. But he was frustrated that the author hadn’t cared at all until now. What kind of author is this?

Finally, Felix had a chance to vent when Luca called, but he held back, remembering that Luca’s sister was a famous writer, and Luca himself had serious potential. He didn’t want to make an enemy.

"Luca, if you're not happy with the sales, I’ve got an idea. Just publicly admit you wrote Fifty Shades of Grey, and I guarantee the sales will explode! We could hit a million by the end of the year."

Felix suggested eagerly.

"No way. I’m a serious actor. There’s no way I’ll admit to writing that book. Stop trying to drag me into it. Use your imagination for marketing instead. Like, maybe a kid sneaks a peek at Fifty Shades and gets hooked, making their mom furious. Or a male model sues the author, claiming he’s Demon Miss’s ex and that the book is based on his real-life experiences. He accuses the author of invasion of privacy."

"Hey, that’s actually a pretty good idea! That second one is genius. When the scandal blows up, you can come out and reveal that Demon Miss is actually a guy. Problem solved."

"Sigh, Felix, why are you always trying to expose me? Alright, I’m done talking. I’m going to watch TV."

"Okay, stop by the office sometime. Drinks on me!"

"Deal!"

After hanging up, Luca headed downstairs.

To welcome him back, Kate and Lima had thrown a small party with a few models and coworkers from the design company.

It turned into a lively day of fun.

(Chapter ends)

Chapter 359: Where is Leon’s Child?

“Hey~ Luca!”

“Hey~ Leon!”

In mid-December, at the lobby of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Luca ran into Leonardo. They exchanged a few words.

“Leon, I think this is the second time I’ve seen you at this hospital.”

“Yes, I… I have a friend who’s sick, so I’m here to visit them,” Leonardo replied with a charming smile.

“Oh, really? The last time you were here, you were visiting a friend too. Being your friend seems a bit dangerous,” Luca teased.

Leonardo’s face twitched slightly. MMP, what nonsense are you talking about? He forced a smile, “What about you, Luca? Is your back acting up again? Oh, if it’s personal, just pretend I didn’t ask.”

“No, no, of course not. I’m fine. It’s a relative, just six years old, born with a congenital heart defect. She’s in surgery right now. I just stepped out for a breather,” Luca explained.

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. May God bless her and bring her a swift recovery,” Leonardo sighed.

“Yes, yes. May God bless her,” Luca said, making the sign of the cross on his chest sincerely.

Leonardo rolled his eyes inwardly. What a fake believer.

“Luca, I heard you’ve been auditioning a lot recently but with no luck. Do you need some help? I know a few producers who are working on projects right now,” Leonardo offered with a slight smile.

“Oh, are they respectable producers?” Luca asked, curious.

Leonardo’s mouth twitched. Are there disreputable producers? “Yes, of course. They’re all very serious and professional producers,” he assured with a wave of his hand, as his assistant handed Luca a few business cards.

The first name on the pile was Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films.

Luca’s lips twitched. Is this guy respectable? At that time, nothing bad had come out about him, so he still seemed legit.

“Haha, thanks, Leon!” Luca smiled.

“No problem. We’re friends, aren’t we?” Leonardo grinned.

Luca’s expression changed. Being friends with this guy seems dangerous. I might end up in the hospital too.

“Haha, yes, Leon, we are friends. How’s Gisele doing? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

Leonardo’s eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth, “She’s fine,” he muttered, then suddenly smirked, “Hey Luca, I heard you’re going to be a dad soon. Congratulations!”

“Huh? What? I’m going to be a dad? How come I don’t know about this?” Luca looked shocked.

“Isn’t that right?” Leonardo said in surprise. “Jennifer Aniston’s baby…”

“Leon, what are you saying? Can you speak up?” Luca interrupted, holding up his phone, recording.

Leonardo spread his hands, “Oh, it’s nothing. Just joking.”

“Oh, was that a joke? Hahaha, that was really funny,” Luca replied coldly, his expression deadpan.

Leonardo, looking flustered, waved it off. “Anyway, I gotta go. I have something to take care of.”

“Wait, Leon. You’re 31 now, right? Have you ever thought about having a child?” Luca asked sincerely.

“That’s none of your business!” Leonardo snapped, shoving his hands into his pockets, his demeanor growing cold.

“Oh, Leon, don’t be upset. I mean, you’re good-looking, so your child would probably be amazing too. As a fan, I’d love to see what your kid looks like,” Luca complimented.

Leonardo raised an eyebrow. “Of course, my child would look like an angel. But right now, I’m focused on my career. No plans for kids.”

“Well, if you ever need help, let me know. After all, we are friends, right?” Luca offered warmly.

Help with having a kid? Leonardo’s face flushed red and white. His temper flared, and he almost lashed out.

“What’s wrong, Leon? I meant I know some miracle workers, indigenous doctors from the Amazon. They’re amazing at treating men’s health issues,” Luca said, puzzled.

“Hmph, no thanks, I’m perfectly fine. Keep your contacts to yourself. Goodbye!” Leonardo snapped, storming out of the lobby with a scowl.

“Alright, see you, Leon!” Luca called after him, shaking his head. That guy’s terrible at small talk.

Luca made his way to the second-floor waiting room, carrying several coffees.

Kate, Gina, Gina’s mother, and little Eve were there. Today was the day Gina’s little girl, Yaya, was having surgery.

In November, Gina had completed a series of procedures and brought her daughter to New York. After a month of observation, Yaya’s condition stabilized, and the hospital decided to go ahead with the surgery.

It had been over two hours now, so it should be finished soon.

“Luca, you’ve been downstairs for almost an hour. I’m dying of thirst,” little Eve complained, jumping up as he entered.

“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s bottled water here. How could you be thirsty?” Luca chuckled, ruffling her hair. Over the past year, Eve had grown taller by 7 or 8 centimeters and blossomed into a beautiful girl, though the braces on her teeth did detract a bit.

“Don’t mess up my hair!” Eve pouted, fixing it dramatically.

Luca laughed, handing out the drinks. Gina’s mother tried to decline, but Gina accepted on her behalf.

“Gina, Auntie, don’t worry. This hospital is one of the best. I spoke with the lead doctor—Yaya is doing great. The surgery will be a success,” Luca reassured them.

“Thank you. Now that we’re here, I’m not too worried anymore,” Gina said, showing strength.

Her mother, not fully understanding, stared blankly at the door, mumbling to herself.

Luca smiled and sat down beside them.

“Kate, there’s one coffee and one soda left. Which one do you want?” he asked, holding up the drinks.

Kate put down her magazine, glancing at him. “Can’t I have both?”

“Uh… sure, but you’ll gain weight.”

“Hmph!” Kate grabbed the coffee, flipping through her magazine.

“Did you know, according to medical journals, 30% of people are born with some sort of congenital defect, like disabilities, hereditary diseases, or genetic issues? Think about us—nothing like that. We’re healthy, smart, and good-looking. We should really thank our parents,” Kate mused.

“You’re right. Next time we visit their graves, I’ll sit there and chat with them for a while. How’s that sound?” Luca said with a light smile.

“Do you really need my approval for that?” Kate raised an eyebrow.

“I’m just used to asking for your opinion,” Luca shrugged.

“Fine, I approve,” Kate teased, nudging him.

Ten minutes later, the surgery was over, and it went smoothly. Yaya was moved to the ICU.

Still under anesthesia, Yaya lay pale and delicate on the bed, her tiny face as white as snow, like a fragile, transparent jelly, tugging at their heartstrings.

“Yaya?” Little Eve’s eyes turned red as she peeked through the window.

“She’ll wake up tomorrow. Once she does, you two can play and go to school together,” Luca whispered.

“School’s not cool. I want to take her surfing, skiing, and traveling the world,” Eve declared.

“Uh, let’s wait on that,” Luca chuckled.

Since Yaya hadn’t woken up yet, Luca and Kate decided to head home.

Back home, Kate sat on the couch, reading the newspaper with a serious expression.

“Bad news?” Luca asked, setting down a fruit platter.

“No, I just have a question I want to ask you again after seeing Yaya,” Kate said gravely, putting the paper down.

“What is it?” Luca asked, already suspecting the answer after seeing the news about Aniston’s pregnancy, with pictures showing her noticeable bump.

“Look at me!” Kate grabbed his ear, her blue eyes drilling into him. “Now that it’s just the two of us, tell me honestly. Is Aniston’s baby yours?”

Luca avoided her gaze, his eyes downcast.

“It’s really yours?!” Kate’s face changed as she shook his ear, “So it’s your child? My niece or nephew?!”

Luca grimaced, “I can’t talk about it.”

“Oh my God!” Kate stood up, pacing back and forth, exclaiming, “You bastard, you got her pregnant and didn’t tell me?!”

“Kate, I can’t talk about it. If I do, there’ll be big trouble. Besides, Jen said the child has nothing to do with me—never will. The baby is hers, and hers alone,” Luca sighed.

“But, but that child is part of the Kelly family! How could you let a Kelly baby live out there in the world?” Kate fumed.

"I can't possibly fight her for custody, right?"

Luca sighed, "Kate, it was just an accident, really just an accident. Aniston has infertility issues, it's very hard for her to conceive. We have no idea how it happened this time. We were all shocked."

"So, you're saying this child is special, a child born from barren land, bound to be extraordinary.

But now, this wonderful child, a child of the Kelly family, can’t even take the Kelly name?!"

Kate took off her jacket, pants, and shoes, rubbing her wrists, and slowly approached with a hint of menace.

Luca quickly stepped back, "Kate, can you go easy on me? I have things to do tomorrow."

"What do you think?! You've cost me a one-of-a-kind nephew, cost the Kelly family an outstanding heir. Do you really think I should go easy on you?"

“..."

Luca lowered his head deeply.

"Nothing to say? Then prepare to die!"

Bang!

(End of chapter)

Chapter 360: Luca's Desert Journey

After spending more than ten days recovering in the hospital, little Yaya was finally able to leave.

Before Yaya arrived, thanks to Kate’s support, Gina had rented a single-family villa in an upscale community on Long Island. The villa had sunlight, a lawn, a children's playground, a nearby lake, a square, and even a botanical garden. Plus, it was close to the school.

The air here was exceptionally fresh and peaceful, perfect for recovery. Having a stable residence also helped with Yaya's growth and health.

Three days after Yaya returned, Luca, Kate, Lima, Nina, Ed, little Eve, and the newly-born daughter of Tony and his wife all came to celebrate Christmas in the villa. They had a delightful holiday.

After Christmas, Luca flew to New Mexico in the southwestern United States to learn mining techniques.

This was serious.

In his upcoming role in Never Back Down, Luca would play a miner. He needed to convincingly operate mining machinery on camera.

To prepare for the role, Luca and the rest of the cast went to a mine in New Mexico for a week-long training. They had to learn mining techniques, safety procedures, how to operate heavy machinery, and even how to mimic the lives, slang, and harsh talk of miners.

Luca had another task—he had to look more rugged and worn out.

To achieve this, he continued to lose weight, grew a beard, and tanned under the sun every day, making his skin rougher. The transformation from a clean-cut, handsome gentleman to a rugged, masculine man was part of his dedication to the role.

He had made many sacrifices for this film.

“Luca, want to ride a camel?”

It was Mr. Sandor Beckley, the fifth male lead, who walked into the dorm and asked.

“Oh, no thanks. After shoveling ore all day yesterday, I’m exhausted.”

Luca lay back on the sofa, looking drained.

“Haha! Luca, yesterday was just observation. Why did you actually go and shovel the ore?”

Chris Mulkey, the sixth male lead, was a young man who burst into laughter upon seeing him.

“It’s different. I have several scenes where I need to shovel ore, so I need to experience it for real. I need to understand how an old miner shovels efficiently. Otherwise, Director Carlo will accuse me of being lazy.”

“Haha, you’re such a dedicated actor!”

Chris laughed.

“Luca, come on, don’t forget tomorrow is New Year’s. How about we welcome it with a long-distance desert camel ride?”

Mr. Beckley suggested.

“Agreed!”

“A desert camel ride? Sounds like a great idea, count me in!”

“I’m free. I’ll join too!”

The cast enthusiastically chimed in.

“Luca, you’re still young—show some enthusiasm!” Beckley teased.

“Alright!”

Luca threw down his book, stood up, and said, “Fine, I’m in too!”

“Great! Everyone, get ready. We’ll head out soon!”

Beckley waved his hand cowboy-style.

“OK!”

Luca put on a cowboy hat, a leather jacket, jeans, boots, and packed a large travel bag filled with essentials like blankets, scarves, a water bottle, and a knife.

“Oh, Luca, you’re well-prepared!”

Someone joked.

“We’re going into the desert, isn’t it better to be prepared?”

Luca continued packing.

“Yeah, it's smart to prepare.”

Everyone else began preparing as well.

Soon after, Beckley returned, holding a tray. “Good news, everyone! The ladies next door are joining us. What do you think?”

“Wow! Suddenly I’m full of energy!”

“Me too, I can’t wait to get into the desert and have some fun!”

“Haha, same here. Let's go, go, go!”

The group of rugged men, as if they had taken a shot of adrenaline, rushed outside.

Luca shook his head and slowly finished packing.

When he stepped out, a small bus was honking repeatedly outside the dorm.

“Hurry up, Luca, you’re the last one!” Beckley shouted from the door.

“I’m coming!”

Luca glanced east at the sun. It was December in New Mexico, and the sun was still blazing hot. Even at 9 AM, the bright, scorching rays mixed with the distant haze of dust, signaling another dry, sunny day.

Oh, my poor smooth skin... Luca thought, touching his now rough face, feeling a bit disheartened.

“Hey, cowboy! Going hunting?”

Once Luca boarded, Ms. Theron teased loudly.

Everyone looked at him and burst into laughter.

Luca was dressed head to toe in cowboy gear, carrying a travel bag over a meter tall, with two Mexican knives strapped to his thighs, looking like a western hunter straight out of a movie.

“Aren’t we going on a desert camel trip? If it’s a trip, why not take it seriously?”

Luca took off his cowboy hat and sat down in an empty seat.

“Haha, Luca has a point. But we’re not going to the middle of nowhere; you don’t need to bring so much.”

Beckley and the crew leader did a headcount, making sure everyone was there.

With a creak, the door closed, and the bus slowly pulled away from the mine.

“Hey, Luca, you really are something. You take everything so seriously.”

The second female lead, Frances McDormand, who was also the chairwoman of the jury at the 2004 Berlin Film Festival, spoke. They had met once during the award ceremony, and now they were in the same crew again less than a year later.

“Thank you. I just think bringing all this stuff adds to the ceremony. I like things to have a sense of ritual.”

Luca shrugged.

“Well said. Hearing that makes me want to get off and pack more.” Frances laughed.

“No need. If you want, I can lend you my bag.”

“Hahaha! Luca, you’re a man, right? Are you really asking Frances to carry your bag? Your face must be overflowing with nutrients!”

Theron teased bluntly.

“Nope, I’m just offering it as an act of gentlemanly chivalry.”

“Chivalry, my foot!”

Theron gave him a sideways glance.

Frances smiled at the banter between the two of them. “Seeing you two reminds me how fate works in mysterious ways. I was the jury chair at Berlin in ’04. Sally won Best Actress, and Luca won Best Actor. That would make quite the news story.”

“Yes, although I still don’t understand why the jury awarded Best Actor to Luca. He was just a newbie, and his acting wasn’t particularly outstanding, was it?”

Theron said.

“Uh, Sally, aren’t you worried about offending Luca by saying that?” Frances was surprised.

“Oh, it’s fine, Frances. Honestly, I’m curious myself. Compared to the other four nominees, I was way too young.”

Luca smiled.

“Haha, youth can be an advantage. The decision was simple: your acting was impressive, you carried the whole film, and the audience reaction was the strongest.

Second, your youth made you more interesting than the others. Third, you’re Brazilian. It’s been a while since a Brazilian actor was involved, and we needed to encourage that. Plus, Director Babank lobbied for you. All these factors led us to choose you for Best Actor.”

Frances explained.

Luca nodded. “Frances, thank you again for your vote and support in the media.”

“No need to thank me, it was my duty!” Frances said.

“Anyway, Luca’s a lucky guy!”

Theron joked.

“Yes, I feel lucky too. To win an award in the same year as Theron, and to have met her in Berlin, is a true blessing from Lady Luck.”

Luca said earnestly.

Theron raised an eyebrow. “A smooth-talking rogue!”

“Haha~”

Frances and the others burst into laughter.

Half an hour later, the bus arrived at the edge of the mine, in a tourist area. Beyond that lay a vast desert, with a line of camels, horses, and desert ATVs waiting.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s grab some food and supplies here. In an hour, we’ll head into the desert for a New Year’s party!”

Beckley, the temporary group leader, shouted.

“Got it! I’m so excited!”

“Let’s go buy water!”

Everyone started preparing.

Theron turned to leave. “Luca, aren’t you getting supplies?”

“Oh, no need. I’ve got everything I need.”

Luca patted his oversized backpack with a smile.

“Really? Did you bring a bulletproof vest? I heard there are terrorists in the desert.”

Theron smirked.

Luca stroked his beard and nodded. “Good point. I wonder if they sell rocket launchers here? A tank would be even better.”

“You planning on fighting bandits?”

Ms. Theron rolled her eyes at him, stuck her hands in her pockets, and walked into the supermarket.

Luca shrugged and followed her, playing the role of a bag boy.

At 10:30 a.m., the “North Country” film crew’s New Year trip officially set off.

Four or five people rode camels, three or four decided to ride horses, and Ms. Theron decided to drive a jeep through the desert.

Luca curled his lips—driving too fast in the desert would damage his delicate skin. He wouldn't do that. After checking the condition of the rides, he decided to pick a gentle camel.

“Luca, let's drive together!”

Just as he was about to climb onto the camel’s back, Ms. Theron grabbed his backpack, her expression very serious, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Uh, Sally, I don’t know how to drive that kind of vehicle.”

“I’ll teach you!”

“Um… that’s not a good idea, I’m a man.”

“Stop talking, get in the car!”

Ms. Theron threw him a hat and climbed onto the vehicle, pulling the bumper as she revved the engine impatiently.

Luca, holding the helmet, forced a smile. How could he refuse her?

Ten minutes later, the ragtag group set off, led by Ms. Theron’s jeep, followed by the camels and horsemen, along with a security vehicle and luggage car.

“Sally, don’t stray from the group,”

Mr. Beckley, the temporary group leader, shouted.

“OK, got it!”

Ms. Theron slowed down briefly.

After a few miles on the road, the group took a break as they entered one of New Mexico’s largest deserts, the Tularosa Desert.

As soon as they entered the desert, Luca was blown away. The entire desert was pure white, like a world wrapped in silver. The snow-white dunes were dotted with only a few short bushes; everything else was white. He grabbed a handful of sand, which glittered like salt.

Before coming, he had looked up travel guides.

The map explained that since most of New Mexico is in the subtropical zone, it has high temperatures. However, being deep inland and blocked by the Rocky Mountains, it receives very little rain year-round.

This desert receives even less precipitation, and the sand contains gypsum crystals. Gypsum dissolves easily in water, but since there’s no rain here, over time it has become a white desert.

“Luca, isn’t it beautiful?”

Ms. Theron asked, brushing her hair back from her ear.

“It’s gorgeous!”

Luca marveled softly at the snowy dunes in the distance.

But after seeing Ms. Theron’s expression, he suddenly felt something was off. Why did this feel like a simple, beautiful girl falling into the romantic trap of a domineering CEO?

“Then let’s go faster and see more of the beautiful sights.”

Vroom! Ms. Theron slammed the gas pedal, ready to speed off.

“Sally, don’t drive too fast. This is a desert. Going too fast is dangerous, and we’re not in a rush.”

Luca gripped the bumper tightly.

“No worries, everything is under control!”

“Sally, you need to slow down. Look behind us—we’ve already lost sight of the camel team.”

Luca pointed behind them, where the group was nowhere to be seen.

“I know. Can you stop nagging like a woman?”

Ms. Theron revved the engine.

Luca blushed. Her words didn’t hurt much, but they were deeply insulting. He decided to shut his mouth and say nothing. Even if she flipped the car, he wouldn’t say a word.

“Haha, that’s more like it!”

Ms. Theron seemed too excited, forgetting herself for a moment, and suddenly hugged him and kissed him.

“…”

Luca’s face turned even redder. The action didn’t hurt, but it sure was embarrassing.

“Hahaha, off we go!”

Ms. Theron laughed loudly and pushed the car to its limit.

Vroom~

The off-road vehicle roared, flying over the white dunes, kicking up a cloud of white sand that floated down like snow.

“Sally, stop going any further! That area isn’t open!”

From atop a camel, Mr. Beckley, the temporary group leader, shouted.

But the jeep was already far ahead.

“Chris, call Luca and tell them to come back!”