266-270

*Chapter 266: Hard Work Deserves Praise*

On October 25th, the SUN Series new product launch was held at the Petit Palais Museum.

The event was a huge success.

The SUN Series fashion line received recognition from many renowned designers and caused quite a stir in Europe.

Coverage of the event appeared in magazines like VMAN, Elle, and Grazia.

The French edition of Vogue wrote in its latest issue that the SUN Series is the most dazzling highlight of this season's Paris Fashion Week. Its vibrant colors have taken Europe by storm and become a trendy street style.

Thanks to this launch, Kate and Lima’s reputations in the fashion world skyrocketed.

Luca also benefited from the exposure. During Paris Fashion Week, he received invitations to 22 fashion shows and secured endorsements for two top French brands, making great strides.

After the fashion week ended, Luca returned to Los Angeles early.

The Step Up project officially kicked off, and he dove into the work, traveling back and forth between New York, Los Angeles, and Baltimore for on-location shoots.

Casting actors, discussing the plot, and scouting filming locations kept him busy every day, so much so that he didn’t even have time to attend this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

"This is the main filming location at the Maryland Institute College of Art. During filming, set everything up from here to here exactly as I said. Got it, Jack?"

In Baltimore, Luca walked through the hallway of a local art school, wearing a baseball cap and a tan trench coat, giving instructions.

"Got it!"

Several crew members followed him, quickly taking notes after he spoke.

After the crew was formed, Luca took it upon himself to find filming locations and outdoor settings. After spending over half a month in Baltimore, he managed to recreate all the locations and scenes from the original movie.

In films, the location is just like a picture frame—a good frame can perfectly tie the story together and enhance the quality and realism of the visuals.

This past month, Luca had been racking his brain every day to recall the movie’s scenes, so much so that new wrinkles had appeared on his forehead.

Since he took charge, the pace of work had significantly increased, saving both time and a lot of money.

"Remember to remove this bulletin board, and these sculptures…” Luca frowned, thinking hard. “Replace them with two sculptures of dancing female figures."

He pulled a notebook from his pocket and quickly sketched the shape of the sculptures from memory. "Follow this design. You can decide the size and proportions."

"Got it!"

The production assistant nodded.

Luca continued organizing the work.

Riiiing~  

His phone rang. As soon as he answered, before he could even speak, a voice on the other end bombarded him with questions.

“Christmas is almost here! Are you coming back to Brazil or not? If not, I’m leaving early. You’re not the only one in the crew, running around all the time. I haven’t seen you for ten days to two weeks."

Luca was stunned for a moment. “Christmas already? Let me check my schedule… Okay, okay, I’ll stop. My work is basically done, so I’ll leave the rest to them. I’ll be back tomorrow or the day after.”

Hanging up the phone, Luca shook his head and said to the people around him, “Follow my instructions for now. If there are any issues, just call me. I’m going home for the holidays.”

“Okay, boss!”

“Boss, have a great holiday!”

“Mr. Kelly, Merry Christmas in advance!”

Several crew members sighed with relief.

When Luca worked, he was very strict and somewhat domineering.

Once he made a decision, it was final—no one was allowed to argue.

There were a few times when Director Billy had a different opinion, which led to arguments between the two, creating some tension.

Luca kept a stern face, buried in work every day, with no time for entertainment or relaxation. He didn’t go to bars or chase women, a far cry from the playboy image portrayed in the tabloids.

At the beginning of the project, everyone fought to work with him, thinking they could have fun while earning money. But two people had already been fired for not taking the work seriously.

“Guess we lost this round!”

Everyone secretly chuckled to themselves.

“You guys have done well,”

Seeing the assistants’ expressions, Luca paused for a moment and said, “Each of you will get a $300 weekly bonus. Consider it my treat for drinks.”

“...”

Everyone was taken aback, then quickly cheered up.

“Thanks, boss!”

“You earned it,”

Luca waved them off and continued arranging the next scene.

On December 4th, Luca handed over the crew's responsibilities to Annie, Billy, and Mr. Ross, then drove back to New York.

It was December, and the weather in New York had turned cold and dry. Pedestrians were bundled up in thick autumn and winter clothing—black jackets, tan trench coats, wool suits—and even in the cold, they remained stylish.

Back on 76th Street, Luca took off his hat, tidied his hair and clothes at the apartment door, and then gently knocked.

Click~  

The door opened.

A wave of warmth mixed with a pleasant aroma hit him.

“What are you standing there for? Come in!”

Kate, her long hair tied back and wearing a rainbow apron, stood at the door, the smell of food surrounding her.

“Kate, I missed you!”

Luca warmly hugged her by the shoulders.

Kate smiled and then suddenly wrinkled her nose, sniffing his neck.

“When was the last time you took a shower?”

“Uh, three or four days ago…”

“Three or four days?!”

Kate raised her eyebrows, disgustedly pushing him away.

“Go shower. Throw your clothes straight into the trash. And when was the last time you got a haircut? Don’t they have barbers in Baltimore?”

“Too busy, didn’t have time!”

Luca chuckled, taking off his coat and stuffing it into a trash bag.

“And you’re still smiling?!”

Kate grabbed his ear and started pulling him toward the bathroom.

“I was going to hit you, but you’re so dirty, I don’t want to get my hands filthy.”

“You could always use your feet!”

“You said it!”

Kate lifted her leg as if to kick him.

“Ha! Missed!”

Luca dodged quickly and darted into the bathroom.

“Hmph, I’ll deal with you when you come out.”

Kate flipped her hair and went into the closet, finding a set of loose clothes to place by the bathroom door.

“Clothes are at the door!”

“Got it!”

“Clean yourself thoroughly, or I’ll call two nurses to scrub your back—two 280-pound nurses.”

“…You’re ruthless!”

“Now you know!”

Kate laughed, turning back into the kitchen.

Half an hour later, Luca emerged from the bathroom smelling of body wash, his skin red from scrubbing.

“Barely clean enough. Come eat!”

In the dining room, Kate waved him over, sparing him from further punishment.

Luca sighed in relief and sat down to eat.

Lunch was lavish—chicken pot pie, pumpkin pie, truffle soup, steak, and, of course, a fresh fruit salad.

“Kate, your cooking gets better every time,”

Luca said after tasting the chicken pie, rich with the savory aroma of onions and butter.

“Then eat more. You’ve lost weight,”

Kate smiled, pinching his cheek.

“Alright!”

Luca eagerly dug in, showing his true appetite.

Kate, having eaten only a little, put down her fork and quietly watched him, a satisfied smile on her face.

“Honey, are you excited to go home?”

“Not really,”

Luca replied after thinking for a moment.

“Why not? You haven’t been home in two years.”

“My home is wherever you are. Whether it’s Brazil, America, or the Sahara Desert, it’s all the same to me.”

“Haha, good boy!”

Kate chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“Your hair’s grown out. It needs a trim.”

“Alright, whatever you say!”

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 267: A Man’s Paradise*

“Ed, I’m heading back to Brazil. I'll leave things here in your hands,” Luca said, sitting on the couch in the Fifth Avenue shopping plaza’s lounge area. There were a few shopping bags next to him, and Ed, sitting beside him, had some bags of his own. Clearly, they had spent the day carrying bags for others.

“How long are you staying in Brazil?” Kate asked, massaging her legs.

“It could be as short as a month, or as long as six months.”

“Six months?!” Ed grimaced. “Why so long? Are you planning to move back to Brazil?”

Luca smiled softly. “Maybe. A few Brazilian movie companies sent me some scripts recently, inviting me back to act. I want to go and see what’s up. I can make money shooting films in Brazil, and I won’t get as much criticism.”

Ed nodded. Brazilian films were pretty good, after all. Like Central Station in ‘98 and last year’s City of God. Both were high-quality and even took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

But Brazil’s film industry wasn’t that developed, with little box-office potential, and it didn’t really produce big stars. Staying in Brazil to shoot films seemed like a bit of a waste for Luca.

“What about those scripts I sent you last week? What did you think?”

Ed asked. Although rumors were circulating about blacklisting Luca, plenty of smaller productions still wanted to capitalize on his fame and actively invited him to play lead roles.

Luca shook his head. “Not great. Those scripts were completely slapdash, with no sincerity at all. They just want to use my fame to make money. But keep looking for scripts. If a decent project comes along, I’ll still take it.”

“Will do!” Ed replied, continuing to rub his legs.

“Dad, Luca, why are you still sitting there?” A little girl in a white knit hat came running over, looking at the two men with disdain.

“Ivy, your dad and I are tired from all the walking. Can’t we take a break?” Luca asked.

“How can walking make you tired?” Ivy furrowed her thin brows, curious. “I don’t feel tired at all, and I’m just a kid.”

“That’s because you’re a girl. Girls, big or small, are naturally better at shopping than boys. It’s a special skill,” Luca teased.

“Really?” Ivy blinked. “Okay, fine. You can rest a little longer, but take care of these.” She placed a few more shopping bags at their feet and happily ran back into the store.

Luca and Ed exchanged a helpless smile.

“Luca?” A voice called out suddenly.

Luca looked up curiously and saw a couple walking toward him with a few assistants and bodyguards in tow.

“Leon! Long time no see. Ms. Bündchen, you’re looking more beautiful than ever,” Luca greeted as he stood.

“Hmph!” Gisele Bündchen shot him a glance but didn’t reply.

Last time, due to a scandal, she and Leon almost broke up. She later realized from the magazine photos that it was all part of Luca’s scheme. She wasn’t happy with him at all.

Leonardo DiCaprio laughed heartily. “Luca, long time no see! How’s everything been?”

“Not bad,” Luca replied.

“Really? I heard you had some beef with Pitt?”

“Just a misunderstanding,” Luca said.

“Haha, Brad and I get along well. If you ever need help, feel free to ask.”

“Oh? Thanks!”

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

“...”

That was debatable.

“Leon!” Bündchen urged.

“Luca, say hi to Kate for me!” Leonardo patted him on the shoulder, laughed again, and walked away.

“Bündchen, we’re thinking of going back to Rio for Christmas this year. Are you heading back too?”

“What’s that got to do with you?” Bündchen huffed and walked off without looking back.

Luca shook his head. Family turning against each other—how unfortunate.

“Ed, do you think I’ll ever surpass Leon?” Luca asked suddenly.

“Do you think Brazil will ever surpass the U.S.?” Ed shot back.

“...”

“Stop dreaming, man. Let’s go, or we’ll get scolded.”

“Alright!”

---

The next afternoon, Luca and Kate boarded a plane back to Brazil. Joining them were Gina and two work assistants.

Kate wasn’t just going back for a holiday and to spend Christmas, but also for a series of business activities.

On December 1st, New Moon, the second installment of Twilight, was released on Amazon’s online bookstore and soon hit physical stores. After six months of promotional buildup, it debuted at number seven on the New York Times bestseller list, doing even better than the first book.

In Brazil, New Moon became the top novel on the charts in its first week, showing impressive sales.

At the request of Brazilian booksellers, Kate planned to hold several book signings in major cities.

Besides promoting her book, Kate also had to push the Sun fashion line. After fashion week, the Sun-Gucci line had hit Gucci’s flagship stores, and sales were solid. Among Gucci’s dozen or so new products, their line ranked in the top five in terms of sales.

With the income from royalties and fashion sales, Kate and Lima would take home 35% of the profits.

Between book royalties and fashion earnings, Kate could easily pull in thousands of dollars daily without doing a thing—a certified rich woman.

“...”

Luca thought about his own financial situation.

His house was mortgaged.

He had several million in loans to pay off.

The film director, Billy, was constantly demanding a bigger budget.

And that tiny startup he’d invested in in San Francisco? Barely three months old, and he’d already poured nearly a million dollars into it. More would be needed soon.

Thinking of all this made his head hurt.

“What’s with the long face? We’re almost home,” Kate asked from the business class seat beside him, setting down her magazine. “Missing Britney?”

“No,” Luca replied, stroking his chin. “I’m just reflecting on this past year, and it feels like I didn’t achieve anything. A whole year of doing nothing.”

“How could you say that?”

Kate chuckled. “This year, you walked the runway and became a supermodel. You starred in three movies and became a B-list celebrity. You started a film company and began working on a major motion picture.

You also wrote several books and made good money. You’ve done all that, and you’re still not satisfied?”

Luca shook his head. “Let’s not even talk about the books. As for earnings, I blew through all the money I made this year. I still owe the bank millions. And B-list celebrity? That’s just for show. No film company is asking me to work right now. So, when you add it all up, what did I really do this year?”

Kate smiled softly. “You forgot one important thing.”

“What?”

“Me!” Kate said seriously. “Without you, I wouldn’t be a bestselling author. Without you, the Sun fashion line wouldn’t have taken off, and I wouldn’t be a designer, let alone the top earner on MDC’s model income list this year.

Honey, thank you!” Kate said playfully, holding his hand.

Luca raised an eyebrow and smiled. “It’s what I’m here for.”

After hearing Kate’s words, his mood suddenly improved. “Kate, we haven’t been home in a while. Is our place still standing?”

Their family home was in Santa Maria, near Brazil’s capital, Brasília. But after some family troubles, they had moved to Rio, where they had a small apartment for when Luca was recovering from illness.

The apartment was near a favela, and after two years of no one living there, it had likely been taken over by criminals.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already taken care of everything. Don’t forget, we’re rich now. In Rio, being rich makes you a god. All you have to do is follow me and enjoy your vacation.”

“That sounds good!” Luca said, feeling a sudden surge of excitement.

In Brazil, 53.74% of the population is white, 38.45% is of mixed race, and 6.21% is Black.

Brazilian mixed-race women are famous worldwide.

With the genes of Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans, they possess all the essential elements of beauty: curvy figures, healthy skin tones, thick flowing hair, and stunning faces.

Even more importantly, they radiate the unique passion and liveliness of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is a paradise for beautiful women. Walk down any street, beach, or nightclub, and you’ll find women whose figures rival those of top models.

It’s a paradise for men, and a hunting ground for wealthy men.

“Am I considered wealthy?” Luca smirked. With over 200 million people in Brazil, fewer than 130,000 had a net worth of over a million dollars, and only around 10,000 had a fortune in the tens of millions.

He was definitely a wealthy man.

Maybe this would turn out to be a fantastic holiday.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 268: Brazil's Hottest Guy*

From New York to Rio, the entire flight took eleven hours. They departed in the afternoon, and the next morning, at 9 a.m., the plane landed at Rio de Janeiro International Airport.

Rio used to be the capital of Brazil and is its second-largest city, right behind São Paulo.

Located in Brazil’s southeastern coastal region, Rio is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Most of the area has a tropical savannah climate, which means it's hot year-round with plenty of sunshine.

"So hot!"

As soon as they stepped out of the plane, a wave of heat hit them, and a thin layer of sweat instantly formed on their skin.

Back in New York, wearing a coat felt a little chilly, but suddenly arriving in Rio, in the Southern Hemisphere, was like stepping out of a winter wonderland and into a sauna. The summers here were even hotter than in California.

“Finally back! The weather’s amazing!”

Kate looked up at the sky and stretched with a smile.

Her face lit up with a bright smile, and she seemed totally refreshed, much more relaxed than when she was in the U.S.

"Kate, maybe we should stay here a little longer."

"I was thinking the same thing!"

Kate smiled slightly and put on her sunglasses.

"Gina, don’t be so nervous. It’s not as chaotic here as you think," Kate teased.

"I know!"

Gina nodded, but her eyes still scanned the surroundings cautiously.

"Don’t worry, I'll get you a gun later, and you’ll feel more secure."

Kate laughed softly and strode ahead.

Her blonde hair and the edges of her clothing swayed gently in the breeze, elegant and sexy, with a hint of coolness.

She exuded a mix of strength and charm.

Luca chuckled and followed her with long strides, walking with the grace of a supermodel.

“Kate! Luca! Welcome home!”

At the airport exit, a middle-aged woman in her forties rushed over and hugged Kate, then gave Luca a big embrace.

“Wow, Luca, you've changed so much! You’ve gotten taller, more handsome, and you’re much more built. You’re like a whole new person!”

The woman laughed as she patted him on the shoulder.

It took Luca a moment to recognize her—it was his aunt, Regina. She had black hair, was a light-skinned Brazilian woman, and wore a colorful patterned dress that made her look like an Indian auntie.

During a tough time in his life, when Luca was injured, Regina had taken care of him for a year, so they were quite close.

“Regina, it looks like you’ve gained some weight. Did you hit the jackpot?”

Luca smiled.

“Haha, yes, thanks to Kate! She got me a great job,” Regina laughed heartily.

"Regina, Luca, let's talk in the car!" Kate called from the car door.

“Alright!”

This time, Regina had brought two cars—one was a Hyundai sedan, and the other a Mitsubishi van, with two armed bodyguards standing by.

“Kate, Luca, there are a lot of fans and reporters outside the airport. Do you want to meet them?”

“How many are there?” Kate paused and asked.

“About a few hundred.”

Kate nodded and looked at Luca, “Wanna go meet your fans?”

“Let’s check it out.”

Luca glanced through the glass doors toward the airport entrance, a little surprised.

Outside, the streets were packed with hundreds of fans. Some were holding up pictures of Kate, clearly admiring her looks. Others held copies of the "Twilight" novels, obviously book lovers.

Then there were fans of Luca—98% of them were women.

Most held posters of him playing soccer, clearly soccer fans. Some had pictures of his muscles, likely admirers, while others had movie posters, indicating film fans. The crowd was a bit mixed.

There were also dozens of reporters, cameras and microphones ready, waiting eagerly.

As the two of them walked out, the fans outside the airport erupted in loud cheers.

"Kate, I love you!"

“Kate, I’m your biggest book fan! Can I get your autograph?”

“Luca, you’re so handsome!”

“Luca, welcome back, Prince of Football!”

“Luca, Brazil’s hottest guy! I love you!”

A few girls even tried to break past the barriers to get closer, but airport security and the bodyguards Regina brought managed to hold them back.

“Luca, you’re too handsome! I want to date you!”

One girl with a great figure struggled in the arms of security, shouting loudly.

They were so passionate!

Luca was stunned by the enthusiasm. In the U.S., although he was famous, the attention was a mix of love and hate, and he had few true fans. Many weren’t even serious.

But back in Brazil, it seemed like his fans were truly devoted. For the first time, he felt like a real star.

"Mr. Kelly, Ms. Kate, this is an airport, so if you want to meet the fans, please do so quickly," said the head of airport security, reminding them.

"Of course, we'll be quick."

Kate nodded and gave some instructions to the staff.

"Thank you for your cooperation," the security chief said, then pulled out a poster from his pocket, hesitating for a moment. "Mr. Kelly, my daughter loves your movie. Can I get an autograph?"

"Not a problem!"

Luca grabbed a pen and signed it.

Afterward, they quickly signed autographs for a few dozen fans and answered some questions from reporters before getting into the van and leaving the airport.

“Regina, did you tell these people we were coming?”

Luca took a sip of cold water and asked.

"No, I have no idea how they found out,” Regina said with a shrug.

“I told the bookstore, clothing retailers, and our agent. They probably arranged this,” Kate said, crossing her long legs and tapping her knee with a smile.

“And what about my fans?”

Luca chuckled. "They’re calling me Brazil’s hottest guy. Who came up with that title? It’s kind of bold."

Kate laughed, "That's not the only title you have. Check tomorrow’s newspapers, and you'll see a whole string of titles in front of your name."

"That’s right, Luca," Regina added. "In April, Made in Brazil magazine featured a few of your modeling shots and named you Brazil’s top male model.

When Sweetheart Honey came out in September, one newspaper even promoted it as a movie starring Brazil’s hottest guy, Luca, alongside America’s sexiest woman, Jessica.

Since then, whenever the media mentions you, they add ‘Brazil’s hottest guy.’”

"Really?"

Luca shook his head. He knew he was very handsome, but the title seemed a bit over the top.

He just wanted to be a quiet, charming guy, but life had other plans.

"How does it feel? Now that you have that title, no girl in Brazil would say no to a date with you," Kate teased.

Sounds kind of nice!

Luca smiled.

The car left the island where the airport was and headed toward the southern district along the coastal highway.

Rio is divided into eight districts, including the Capital District, Central-South District, and Northwest District, among others.

In terms of function, there are only three: the administrative center downtown, the northern industrial and residential areas, and the southern tourism and commercial district.

The southern district, where most of Rio’s famous spots are located, includes Christ the Redeemer, the Niterói Bridge, Maracanã Stadium, and some of the world’s most famous beaches—Ipanema Beach and Copacabana Beach—with stunning scenery.

"Luca, we’re here!"

The car pulled to a stop in front of a residential area in the Central-South district.

"Finally home!"

Luca stepped out of the car and walked into the mansion Kate had prepared.

The main structure was made of gray and white marble.

The garden was lush with trees, and the atmosphere felt serene. There were twisting columns in an antique style, intricately carved window frames, and even shells and anchors decorating the moss-covered stones around the fountain.

It was a classical manor with a clear Manueline influence.

"This property was originally built in the mid-19th century as a vacation home for the Portuguese Baron of Candeias. It’s been renovated several times, adding modern and stylish touches to make it both more fashionable and comfortable while still keeping that classic feel.

You once told me you liked classical-style homes. How do you like this one?” Kate smiled, arms crossed.

“It’s amazing! Thank you, Kate!”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 269: Visitors and Arrangements*

"Former National Youth Team striker, Brazil’s number one heartthrob, world’s top male model, international movie star, and acclaimed author Kelly’s brother, Britney’s rumored boyfriend, Luca Kelly, returns home in glory."

The next day, Luca opened the newspaper and immediately saw the news of their return, which was featured in many papers and on TV.

Since both of them were celebrities, some reports mentioned them together, using terms like "Brazil’s most famous siblings" or "the Kelly siblings."

Other media outlets covered them separately, highlighting their achievements in fashion, entertainment, sports, and culture, praising their accomplishments.

Brazilian media has a habit of tagging personalities with titles, such as "Prince of Football," "National Treasure of Brazil," "Brazilian Jewel," "King," or "Queen."

In Kate's case, she was given five titles, including "world-renowned best-selling author" and "world-class supermodel and famous fashion designer."

Luca, however, was given even more titles. One newspaper, Rio Daily, assigned him eight or nine, calling him a "famous screenwriter, songwriter, and teammate of Kaká."

Luca nearly spat out his breakfast when he saw the labels.

These titles were too over-the-top and didn’t align with his usual humble and cautious approach.

"What are you laughing at?"

Kate grabbed the newspaper and laughed out loud, "Are you proud of being called Brazil’s number one heartthrob?"

"Why shouldn’t I be proud? I’m this good-looking. It’s only fitting to be called the top heartthrob."

Luca took a bite of his feijoada. He hadn’t expected to like it, but it surprisingly tasted great, like a Brazilian version of the Chinese dish Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Kate smiled and set the paper down. "Being Brazil’s number one heartthrob means there’s no room to improve. What’s there to celebrate?"

"That’s not true."

Luca counted on his fingers, "Above Brazil’s number one heartthrob, there’s South America’s number one heartthrob, the world’s number one heartthrob, and the world’s sexiest man. There’s plenty of room to grow."

"Hah, you’re getting more vain by the day."

Kate stuffed a piece of grilled meat into his mouth. "Eat up. Once you get fat, you won’t be vain anymore."

"Grilled meat in the morning?"

Luca glanced at Jinna and Regina, who were both focused on their food, and decided not to comment further.

In South America, where there are vast grasslands, meat is more common than vegetables. Countries like Argentina, with its Pampas grasslands, have such an abundance of beef and lamb that meat is cheaper than greens.

After breakfast, the servants brought out trays of fresh fruit—lychees, mangoes, pomegranates, and blueberries—filling the table.

"Any plans for today?" Kate asked.

"Nope," Luca replied, spitting out a grape peel.

"Aren’t you meeting up with your friends?"

Kate teased, "I remember you had quite a few buddies in Rio. You guys used to drink, pick up girls, and even get into fights and steal stuff together."

"…"

Luca smirked. Just hearing that made it clear those weren’t exactly true friends.

When he was still the star striker for the national youth team, he did have a lot of friends who loved spending his money. But after his car accident, those kinds of friends disappeared.

After spending two years in New York, he lost touch with most people back in Brazil. Besides a few teammates, he didn’t have many friends left here.

"I’ve lost contact with most of them, and I don’t plan on reconnecting. I’m Brazil’s number one heartthrob now, there’s a gap between me and those ugly people." Luca said, touching his cheek.

Kate chuckled lightly, "Want to come with me to the store? It’s near the beach, and the view is nice."

Kate owned a few small businesses in the area—three high-end clothing stores and a coffee shop.

Luca thought for a moment. "Not today. You’ve just gotten back, and you must have a lot to deal with. I’ve got to meet with my local agent later, but I’ll come by afterward."

"Alright, remember to take a bodyguard. You’re a celebrity now."

"Got it!"

Kate, along with Jinna and Regina, left the house.

Now, the only ones left in the house were Luca, a few servants, and the bodyguards.

After being so busy in the U.S., suddenly having free time felt a little odd for Luca.

He went upstairs to the rooftop, lay down on a beach chair, and made a few phone calls.

First, he updated Ed on his whereabouts and discussed his upcoming work schedule.

Then, he spoke with Billy, Annie, and Ross about the film production.

Most of the work was done, with Billy handling extras and music, Annie in charge of choreography, and Ross overseeing finances.

After handling business, Luca called the few friends he had left: Fanny, Felix Hanley, Rachel Ryan, Aniston, Amanda Lince, and Jamie Keira Knightley.

He also reached out to Miranda, who had returned to Australia, and Britney, who was in Las Vegas preparing for a Christmas show. Finally, he called Lima.

Lima had returned to Brazil early after the Victoria’s Secret show.

She lived in Salvador, also along the southeastern coast, about a five-hour drive from Rio.

Her grandmother was ill, and her condition wasn’t looking good.

Luca planned to visit in a few days to fulfill his duties as a boyfriend.

"Mr. Kelly, Miss Camila has arrived!" Barbara, the housekeeper, called from downstairs.

"Please have her wait in the living room. I’ll be down in ten minutes."

"Yes, Mr. Kelly!"

Ten minutes later, Luca changed into a T-shirt and casual pants and walked into the living room.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kelly!"

In the living room, Miss Camila stood to greet him.

Camila Gadim was not yet 30, with tanned skin and a well-proportioned figure. She wore professional attire, looking sharp and composed.

She was the temporary agent assigned to him by Ford Agency’s Brazil division.

"Miss Camila, welcome!"

"Thank you, Mr. Kelly."

After they sat down, a servant brought in refreshing fruit juice.

"So, Camila, what’s on the agenda?" Luca asked, sitting on the sofa.

"Mr. Kelly, your return has caused a major stir in Brazil, and many media outlets want to interview you.

So far, the agency has received requests from three television stations, fifteen newspapers, as well as numerous invitations for endorsements, fashion magazines, and film and TV productions."

Camila laid a document on the table.

There was a lot of work to consider. Luca glanced at it and said, "I came back mainly for a vacation. I’m not looking to take on too much work. As for interviews… just select Rio TV and Rio Daily. Decline the rest."

"Understood!" Camila made a note.

Luca reviewed the document again. "I’m not considering endorsements at the moment. As for magazines, Made in Brazil looks good—accept their invitation. Reject the TV series offers. I won’t be in the country long enough to film."

"And the movies…"

He carefully looked through the project details, which were mostly small-budget films with less than 10 million reais (about 3 million USD). They offered him a salary of one or two million reais.

"As for movies, I have my own plans. But there’s something else I’d like you to handle."

He got up, went to his study, and returned with a script.

"Camila, could you pass this script to directors Walter Salles, Carlos Diegues, and Fernando Meirelles to see if they’re interested in directing?"

These were some of Brazil’s most renowned directors.

Walter Salles made Central Station and The Motorcycle Diaries. Fernando Meirelles directed City of God, and Carlos Diegues made Orfeu and The Great Art—all excellent films.

Working with these directors could help Luca gain valuable experience.

"Luca! Luca!"

"Mr. Kelly is in a meeting. Please wait a moment!"

"Hurry up!"

Just as they were talking business, a commotion erupted outside.

Luca frowned and paused the conversation.

"Mr. Kelly, a man named Marcio is here to see you. He says he’s your cousin," Barbara reported from the doorway.

Cousin?

Luca thought for a moment. He did recall having such a relative.

However, family ties weren’t strong here. This cousin was not exactly reputable. After Luca became a football star, his cousin had followed him to Rio to freeload.

He was always setting up parties, chasing women, and trying to wear Luca down. When things went south for Luca, his cousin was nowhere to be found.

Most of the other relatives were the same, except for his aunt Regina.

So, after becoming wealthy, Kate only took care of Regina, ignoring the rest.

"Barbara, have him wait in the other living room. I’ll speak with him after I finish here."

"Yes, Mr. Kelly!"

*Chapter 270: People Grow Up*

“Villain! Villain!”

Around noon, after seeing Camilla off, Luca strolled to the gazebo next door with his hands behind his back, only to hear loud squawking from inside.

The house had two macaws and a toucan, always squawking in the yard, adding to the lively atmosphere.

“Stupid bird, stop calling me a villain! I’m Maceo! Call me Prince Maceo!”

In the gazebo stood a tall, lean young man teasing the parrots under the perch.

“Villain! Villain!”

The two vibrant macaws squawked loudly.

“Shut up, you stupid bird!”

The young man grabbed one parrot's leg and shook it vigorously.

The parrot flapped its wings wildly, trying to escape.

“Ahhh!”

Suddenly, the young man screamed, clutching his hand.

“Damn bird, you bit me! I’ll roast you!” he shouted angrily, still holding the parrot.

“Ahem!” Luca shook his head and stepped into the living room, glancing at the young man.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with golden-brown hair, wearing a tank top, beach shorts, and flip-flops.

His arms had several tattoos, including a winged Amazon anaconda and a Chinese character that awkwardly read "strength."

Luca remembered that Maceo was three years older than him and had once been about sixty percent as handsome as him.

But now, with tattoos, a beard around his chin, and skin darkened by the sun, he looked much older, almost greasy.

“Are you... Luca?”

Maceo let go of the parrot, turning around in surprise.

“Hey, Maceo! Long time no see!” Luca smiled lightly.

“Haha, Luca, you’ve changed so much!”

Maceo laughed, hugging him familiarly. “I remember we were the same height and equally handsome. Now you’re way taller and even a bit more handsome than me.”

Luca smirked slightly. “A bit? More like a lot more handsome.”

“I’ve been eating well, hit my second growth spurt, and grew a lot.”

“Oh, really? I heard the tap water in New York is sweet. I envy you for going to the U.S. When are you heading there, Luca? Can you take me with you?” Maceo grabbed his arm excitedly.

“I’ve always wanted to go to New York. Look at my body — don’t you think I’d make a great model? You and Kate became supermodels, I wouldn’t be too bad either.”

Luca chuckled. “Maceo, that’s not gonna work.”

“Why not?”

“Professional models can’t have tattoos.”

“Really?”

Maceo glanced at his arm, feeling down for a moment, but then perked up. “Then how about being an actor? Lots of actors have tattoos.”

“Yeah, maybe you could give it a try,” Luca said, handing him a bottle of guarana juice.

“So, what do you say about going to the U.S. to be an actor?”

“How’s your English?”

“...”

Maceo fell silent.

Most people in Brazil spoke Portuguese, and not many were fluent in a second language.

Luca smiled, playing with a few Brazil nuts as he fed the parrots.

Brazil nuts, also known as Amazon almonds or abiu, were crispy, flavorful, and nutritious snacks that both people and animals loved.

“Hello, Miss Kelly! Hello, Miss Kelly!” The two parrots chirped sweetly after getting some nuts.

Meanwhile, the toucan sat high and mighty, eating silently, offering no pleasantries, perched like a statue.

“Maceo, have you been in Rio these past few years?” Luca asked.

“Yeah,” Maceo replied, munching on some nuts. “I went back to the countryside once, but it was boring, so I stayed in Rio.”

“What do you do here?”

“I’ve been a waiter, a tour guide, done deliveries. Now, I’m working security at the Degar Nightclub.”

“Are you married?”

“I’m only in my twenties — why get married? Oh, Luca, I heard your girlfriend is Lima, your rumored fling is Britney, and you slept with Rachel! Is that true? You’re amazing!”

Maceo suddenly shifted the conversation to gossip, brimming with excitement.

He was referring to Rachel from Jennifer Aniston’s character in Friends.

Luca shook his head. “Britney, Ms. Aniston, and I are friends. The rumors are just the company’s PR stunts to boost visibility — none of it is real.”

“But you did get Lima! That’s impressive. She’s got such a hot body and makes tons of money. If you marry her, you’ll never have to work again.”

Ugh. He made it sound like I’m some freeloader, Luca thought to himself.

“Luca, let’s go!”

After munching a few more nuts, Maceo clapped his hands.

“Go where?” Luca asked, puzzled.

“Marsel, Kura, and I set up a huge party at Degar to welcome you back to Rio. We’ve invited tons of beautiful women! You used to love threesomes, right? Tonight, you can have ten if you want. So many women want to meet Brazil’s most handsome guy! Everyone asked me to invite you. Come on, let’s go!”

Maceo’s excitement was through the roof.

Luca shook his head. In his younger days, he’d been reckless. But now, his body couldn’t handle that kind of lifestyle. Ten women at once? I’d be dead by morning.

“Maceo, thanks, but I’m busy today. I can’t join you.”

He barely remembered those friends, and the ones he did, he didn’t care for much.

“This is your welcome party! How can the star of the show not show up? Or are you too famous now to hang with us?”

Maceo wasn’t happy.

Luca nodded slightly. “It’s been a long time. We’ve grown apart. I don’t think I’d enjoy it.”

“You’re really not coming?”

“Nope!” Luca patted him on the shoulder. “Maceo, you’re welcome to hang out here anytime, but parties... I’m not into them anymore.”

“Then what do you like? Tell me, we can change the plans,” Maceo offered.

“I like reading. Want to join?” Luca said, pulling a book from the shelf.

“Reading?” Maceo paused, then cursed under his breath, “Foda-se!”

“Luca, you’ve changed so much. You used to be so lively. Now you’re all slow and into books? You’re nothing like you used to be.”

“People grow up.”

“Hmph, fine, whatever.” Maceo waved dismissively, dragging his flip-flops toward the door, muttering to himself.

“Wait a sec.”

Luca thought for a moment, then went to his room and came back with a stack of reais.

“Maceo, I can’t join you, but tonight’s party is on me. Hope you all have fun,” he said, handing over the cash.

Maceo counted the bills, grinning from ear to ear.

“Alright, Luca, I’ll let everyone know. But are you sure you’re not coming? There are lots of beautiful women — models, students, even your ex-girlfriends Suzana and Sonia. They want to see you.”

“No, no, definitely not going.” Hearing about exes sealed the deal — he had no intention of rekindling anything.

“Fine, next time we’ll find some book-loving women for you.”

Maceo waved goodbye as he left.

Book-loving women? Luca shook his head, returning to his study to review more materials.

Camilla had sent over a lot of fashion and entertainment industry reports, along with social and political news from Brazil.

Living in Brazil, you couldn’t afford to be clueless about the world around you — or you’d pay the price.

(End of Chapter)