261-265

Chapter 261: Never Been So Embarrassed in Two Lifetimes

"Luca, this is Ms. Angela, Vice President of Marketing for the Bill Blass brand," Thomas introduced, pointing to a heavyset, middle-aged woman with a complexion somewhere between black and white at the reception.

"Hello, Ms. Angela!" Luca greeted politely.

"Hmm." Angela, holding a cigarette, gave him a once-over, focusing on certain parts, and nodded slightly.

"Mr. Kelly, you have great potential. I can offer you a contract for $800,000 a year. How does that sound?"

"Wow, $800,000?" Thomas exclaimed.

"Yes, Mr. Kelly, I see a lot of potential in you." Angela suddenly patted his chest, her expression a bit suggestive.

Luca was taken aback. Something felt off—this contract was way too easy. Why did Ed say it would be hard to secure?

"Mr. Kelly, what do you think? If you agree, we can sign the contract right now," Angela said eagerly.

"Wait, is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Luca took a step back, asking in confusion.

"Misunderstanding?" Angela frowned, glancing at Thomas. "Didn't you explain everything?"

"Ms. Angela, please hold on a moment." Thomas pulled Luca aside and whispered, "Luca, this is a great opportunity. If you land this deal, you'll leave Ben Hill far behind."

"Yes, it sounds good. But isn't this contract a little too easy? Are you hiding something from me?"

Luca never believed in easy windfalls.

"Well, Luca, it's nothing much," Thomas hesitated, lowering his voice. "Angela just expects you to accompany her as a guide on her yearly vacations or be her date at some parties."

"A guide? A date?" Luca's face twitched. He finally understood—this was basically an escort deal. Was Thomas acting as a pimp now?

"Luca, it's only once or twice a year. Easy money," Thomas tried to convince him.

Luca wiped his forehead. "Thomas, thanks for introducing me to a client, but my focus is on Hollywood. I don't have time for other activities. Please explain to Ms. Angela."

"Luca, think about it again. You’ll get $800,000 a year, while I only get $400,000. This contract is really good. Don’t worry about what people say. Everyone’s doing this now. Most of Ben Hill’s contracts came this way."

"No!" Luca shook his head. $800,000 a year? What a joke. If he wanted to "sell himself," he could easily make $80 million a year.

"Alright," Thomas sighed in disappointment and went back to explain.

"He's not accepting? Is it because it's not enough money?" Angela huffed and walked over. "Luca, let's be honest. Name your price. Whatever you want, I can pay. Money is not an issue for me."

People around them started to take notice.

Despite Luca's thick skin, his face turned red with embarrassment.

"Sorry, ma’am. This is just a misunderstanding," Luca said, feeling too dirty to continue the conversation.

"Don't walk away! Just tell me how much. How about $2 million a year? Isn’t $2 million enough? Don’t act like you’re all high and mighty. You’re not Mr. Big—you're not made of gold," Angela yelled, furious.

Luca felt the heat rise in his body. He had never been this humiliated in two lifetimes.

"Ha ha ha!"

Just as he reached a quieter spot, he suddenly heard someone laughing behind him. Turning around, he saw Christina Aguilera. She had been invited to perform at the event.

They’d met during rehearsal, but Luca avoided her every time. She was trouble.

"Hey, Britney, let me tell you a joke. You’re gonna laugh so hard," he overheard Christina talking on the phone, so he slowed down to eavesdrop.

"Yeah, I’m performing at a ZARA event today. Guess who I ran into? That Brazilian bumpkin you used to date. Do you know what he was just doing? He was about to sell himself to some old, ugly, fat woman as her lover! I swear, I’m not making this up," Christina laughed.

Luca's face flushed again. This woman was truly toxic.

"Christina!" he called out in frustration.

"Who are you? Do I know you well enough to call me by my first name?" Christina replied coldly.

"..." Luca sighed. She had caught him eavesdropping, so he could only lower his voice and say, "Ms. Aguilera, please keep this to yourself."

"Hmph, what does my phone call have to do with you?" Christina shot him a glare and continued laughing, "Britney, your old flame is standing right here, eavesdropping. He’s threatening me not to tell you, or he'll kill me."

"I did not!" Luca weakly protested.

"Jerk, take the phone!" Christina stretched out her arm, handing him the phone.

Luca hesitated. If he took it, wouldn't that make him the jerk? After a brief moment of indecision, he accepted the phone.

"Hey, Britney."

"Ha ha, Luca, were you just negotiating a 'personal services' deal?" Britney teased.

"No, Britney, let me explain. A friend introduced me to some people who could help me get a contract. I didn’t expect it to be that kind of contract. I would never agree to that."

"You're lying!" Christina chimed in loudly, "Britney, don't believe him. He only said no because he wasn't happy with the price. He demanded $5 million!"

Before she could finish, Luca held her down by the shoulder, silencing her.

"Let me go, you jerk!" Christina waved her arms, trying to hit him, but at just 5'1", she was no match for his 6'1" frame.

The effort was laughable but highly insulting.

Christina was furious, her eyes rolling in frustration.

Luca, unfazed, spoke into the phone. "Britney, don’t listen to her nonsense. The moment I realized what kind of contract it was, I walked away."

"Ha ha, no need to explain. You wouldn’t sell yourself for a contract. But if you ever do, sell yourself to me—I’ll buy you out. What do you say?"

"Sure," Luca chuckled softly. "Thanks for believing in me, Britney."

"How about thanking me? Come over tonight?"

"…Alright."

After a few more words, Luca hung up the phone.

"Christina, thanks for the call!" Luca let go of her and smiled slightly.

"Luca Kelly, you’re a damn jerk!" Christina spat, seething.

"Yes, you’re right. Sometimes, I think I’m quite the jerk myself," Luca said, gazing out the window with a sigh.

"..."

Christina was speechless. How could someone say something so shameless and yet make it sound so deep, even striking a sexy side profile? She wanted to bite him.

"Luca, your watch is nice," Christina suddenly remarked, batting her eyes.

"Thanks."

"Can I take a look?"

"Sure, this was a gift from my sister—Ow!"

Before Luca could finish showing off his platinum watch, Christina bit his wrist.

"Christina, you’re a pop diva, not a puppy," Luca pushed her away, looking at his wrist now marked with two clear rows of teeth marks, some even drawing blood.

"You're ruthless!"

"Hmph, you deserved it. I’ve wanted to bite you for a long time," Christina wiped her lips, smiling smugly.

"Really?" Luca suddenly stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her waist, his smile charming.

"Don’t you want to kiss me?" He lowered his head slightly.

"..."

Christina froze, staring at his impossibly handsome face and perfect lips, her heart racing, cheeks flushing.

"Don’t want to? Okay, never mind."

"...I do!"

"Well, too bad!" Luca tapped her nose playfully and turned to walk back into the hall.

"..."

Christina stood there, stunned, her breath quickening and her face even redder.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! I fell for his charms again! How am I this pathetic?" She clenched her fists, both angry and frustrated.

What did he mean by "too bad"?

"Luca Kelly, you damn jerk! I swear, I will conquer you!" she fumed.

*Chapter 262: Will You Come Tonight?*

"Luca, what did you do today? Christina gritted her teeth when she mentioned you, like she wanted to kill you."

That evening, in a small apartment in Locust Valley, Long Island, Britney, dressed in a white slip dress, leaned against the kitchen counter with a soft smile.

Luca smirked, "She tried to seduce me, hoping to create a misunderstanding between us. I played a little trick on her, and now she hates me."

"She even called me 'darling' in front of a bunch of people at the party, trying to make me look like a complete jerk."

"Haha~"

Britney chuckled lightly. "You better watch out for her. Don’t be fooled by her height, she has a strong sense of revenge."

"I'll be careful!"

After dinner, the two of them curled up on the sofa, drinking wine and chatting.

"How’s the album sales going?"

"Pretty good! So far, it’s sold over 5 million copies."

"Wow, that’s amazing! I’m sure it’ll comfortably surpass 10 million. Britney Spears, I’ve got to say, you’re incredible!"

Luca held her face and kissed her happily.

"Thank you, darling!"

Britney leaned on his shoulder, smiling softly. "Dear, you deserve some credit too."

"Me?"

"Yes! After ‘Nobody’ was released, it did really well."

Britney stood up, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out some documents. "Look, there’s a surprise!"

Luca opened the papers. They showed how "Nobody" was charting worldwide.

It ranked 87th on the U.S. Billboard Pop Chart and 16th on Italy’s FIMI Chart. It also placed 15th in Portugal, 22nd in Brazil, and charted in countries like Sweden, Australia, Austria, Denmark, and Finland.

"The real surprise is here!"

Britney pointed to the Asia section. "Look at Japan and Korea. The song’s a huge hit there, super popular with fans. It was number one in Japan for two weeks and held the top spot in Korea for three weeks. It’s still at number one."

"Darling, you’re amazing!"

Britney, excited, hugged his neck and kissed him deeply.

Luca, holding her waist, smiled after a while. "No, Britney, it’s you who’s amazing. Your charm is irresistible. They’re all captivated by your voice."

"Thank you! We’re both amazing!"

Britney said sweetly, her eyes shining brightly. Her lips, as red as strawberries, gave off a sweet scent.

"Exactly!"

Luca smiled slightly, thinking about Britney’s upcoming birthday. He suddenly said, "Let’s sing together! Since coming back to New York from L.A., I’ve gotten some inspiration and written most of a new song. Could you help me finish it?"

"Sure!"

Britney jumped up happily, barefoot on the carpet, and quickly ran into the room, coming back with a guitar.

She loved music, and even more, loved discussing music with the one she cared about. It created a shared connection, like a touching of souls—a kind of intimacy deeper than any physical exchange.

She liked that. And even though Luca’s voice wasn’t the best, didn’t that make it more fun?

"Wait!"

Luca grabbed a pen and started scribbling on the table, feeling like a bit of a copycat.

He used to think copying songs was a bit shameful. But after doing it a couple of times, it became easier. Now, it felt kind of... nice.

This time, he was copying the theme song from Coco—"Remember Me," the Oscar-winning Best Original Song.

Britney leaned over his shoulder, reading the lyrics. Her eyes lit up—it was another great song.

She tuned the guitar and began to hum softly.

*Ding ding dong dong…*

*Remember me though I have to say goodbye

Remember me don't let it make you cry

For even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart…*

The small living room was brightly lit as they sat on the couch, huddled together, strumming the guitar and humming the song. Suddenly, the night became enchanting.

---

The next day, Luca bid farewell to this cozy setting and boarded a flight to Paris. Kate and Lima's fashion show was about to begin.

Having nothing else to do, he decided to go check it out.

In business class, Luca leaned back in his comfortable seat, wearing noise-cancelling headphones and holding a fashion magazine. He stretched, finally able to rest after over a month of work.

As the plane ascended, Luca flipped through a couple of pages. It was a French edition of Vogue, with Kate and Lima on the cover. They were dressed in different versions of the SUN series rainbow dresses. One was cold and elegant, the other warm and fiery—contrasting yet complementary.

The cover referred to them as a "legendary duo."

Inside, the article was full of praise for them, saying that they, and the SUN series designs they brought, were the brightest colors and biggest surprise of this season’s Paris Fashion Week.

The collection featured many Brazilian elements, blending fashion with art perfectly. It was described as avant-garde and revolutionary, sparking a "color revolution" in the Paris fashion scene.

"Not bad!"

Luca mused, stroking his chin. The editor knew their stuff.

Kate and Lima had referenced multiple images of Brazilian parrots when designing, resulting in vibrant yet harmonious colors. Compared to their previous rainbow hoodie series, these designs were more mature and cohesive.

"Maybe they’ll both become great designers!"

As Kate and Lima’s careers flourished, Luca couldn’t help but think about his own mess of a public image, stuck in a scandal he couldn’t shake off. It was a little embarrassing, especially for someone who had been given a second chance at life.

"Hello, sir!"

A freckled blond guy approached him.

"Are you the infamous Luca?"

"The infamous Luca?"

Luca’s mouth twitched. "Yeah, I’m Luca. What’s up?"

"Hi Luca, I’m a big fan. Could you sign this for me?"

The freckled guy handed him a notebook and a pen, a bit nervous.

"My fan?"

Luca was surprised. I have fans?

Not a bad feeling.

"Sure!"

He signed his name in the notebook.

Finally!

He had practiced this signature for months, and no one had ever asked for it—until today.

"Thanks, Luca! You’re so cool. You’ve been with Britney, Aniston, Jessica, and so many other big stars. I admire you so much. When I grow up, I want to be just like you!"

The freckled guy happily walked away with his notebook.

Luca’s face darkened, his mouth twitching. Do all my fans have to be this pervy? Should I just call my fan club 'the pervert camp'?

There were a few muffled laughs around him. It seemed everyone had heard the freckled guy’s bold words, and now they were looking at Luca with strange expressions.

"Crap! I accidentally became a bad role model."

Luca felt wronged. He was talented, good-looking, brave, and intelligent. Why didn’t anyone notice those qualities?

He pulled out his notebook and jotted down a few ideas. It was time to do some PR work and clean up his image before things got worse.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 263: Kate is Working, Do Not Disturb*

There’s a six-hour time difference between New York and Paris. Luca boarded the plane at noon, and by the time he landed, it was nearly dark.

After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Luca skipped the crazy French taxis and hopped directly into a business car driven by Gina.

"Luca, welcome to Paris!" Gina said with a smile.

"Thanks!" Luca adjusted his collar. "Gina, has everything been going smoothly for you in Paris?"

"Not bad. Everything is handled by the event organizers, so no big issues," Gina replied as she started the car.

Luca nodded. The brand collaborating with Kate this time was Gucci.

Gucci was founded in Florence, Italy, and initially became a famous Italian brand. However, its parent company is the French Kering Group, which is why Gucci's headquarters are in Paris.

Gucci, along with the LV Group, is one of the two fashion giants in the French fashion scene.

Their strength is the main reason Kate chose to partner with Gucci.

"Has the Balmain family caused any trouble?"

The last issue hadn’t been completely resolved. Raoul Balmain had been severely injured, with multiple broken bones and even brain damage, allowing him to escape legal punishment.

Since Kate and Lima were now in Paris for events, Luca figured that if Raoul wasn't completely brain-damaged, he'd likely come looking for trouble.

Whenever Luca asked about the situation over the phone, Kate would always downplay any concerns, and Lima would assure him everything was fine. But Luca wanted to get a better sense of how things really were.

Gina shrugged. "Oh, they've definitely caused some trouble. They've been slandering us in the newspapers, accusing the SUN series of plagiarism one moment, and then saying the designs are too basic the next. They've also recruited well-known designers to publicly criticize the collection. A couple of times, they even sent thugs to harass us, but I took care of them."

"Sounds pretty bad." Luca frowned.

Kate and Lima were still new to the design industry. In a country so steeped in fashion and art, being targeted by seasoned professionals was undoubtedly putting a lot of pressure on them.

"Too bad that guy didn't just die from the fall," Luca remarked with some regret.

"Yeah," Gina agreed. "There's an old saying in our country: 'Good people don’t live long, but troublemakers linger for a thousand years.' It means bad people are tough to get rid of."

"Well said. Your ancestors really knew what they were talking about," Luca responded earnestly.

Gina chuckled softly. "Kate and Lima are preparing at the Petit Palais Museum. Want to drop by?"

"Sure, I didn't have time to sightsee last time I was in France. I might as well treat this as a little vacation."

"Alright!" Gina sped up the car, and in less than half an hour, they arrived in the heart of the Greater Paris area — the most artistic and fashionable part of the city.

On both banks of the Seine were countless iconic landmarks: Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Versailles, the Grand Palais, and more.

Classical architecture was everywhere, a source of pride for the French people, and part of their justification for surrendering quickly during World War II — they couldn’t lose their sense of romance.

After some quick sightseeing from the car, they arrived at the Petit Palais.

The Petit Palais sits at the intersection of Avenue Churchill and the Champs-Élysées, across the street from the Grand Palais. It’s one of the venues frequently used by major fashion brands for their shows.

The SUN series runway show was set up in a public gallery inside the museum.

As they walked down the corridor of the Petit Palais, they passed sculptures and paintings, as well as groups of men and women striking poses for photos.

The atmosphere was undeniably high-end.

In a place like this, even wearing a green military coat would feel fashionable.

Luca glanced at his own outfit: jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt, a lazy ensemble that didn’t exactly scream “model.”

He felt a bit embarrassed, like he didn’t belong in such a high-fashion environment.

Tugging down his hat, he strutted confidently into the museum.

The corridor outside the public gallery was bustling with people: staff, models, and curious tourists.

The runway show had been in preparation for a month, with a dreamy theme of gold and white.

Underneath the gallery’s glass ceiling was a massive two-story carousel platform, though instead of horses, the platform was decorated with Gucci’s signature diamond-patterned bags, camellia flowers, and pearl necklaces.

On the platform and steps stood over a dozen models in SUN series outfits, striking poses as still as statues.

One of them was Lima.

She stood in the most prominent position, wearing a colorful long dress.

The base of the dress was light yellow, splattered with vibrant patches of color.

These patches didn’t appear to be painted on but looked as though they had been dripped onto the fabric, creating a beautiful blend of water and color. The dress was adorned with splotches both large and small, some the size of a hand, others the size of grapes, giving the garment a rich texture.

It was stunning.

Lima's bare arms hung gracefully, with a silver bag draped over her shoulder, completing the look with a touch of elegance.

When Lima spotted Luca, she blinked at him before quickly returning to her statuesque pose.

Luca smiled and blew her a kiss.

As a model himself, Luca understood the grueling nature of the job. Once a model steps onto the runway, they lose all personal agency, becoming mere tools to display fashion.

Among the other models were familiar faces like Morgane Dubled, Laetitia Casta, and Mathilde Frachon.

They were all top French models, each with first-rate figures and elegance.

This group of models had been through professional training, making even their casual poses exude luxury.

Seeing such a high-end setup, Luca suddenly felt like all the shows he had walked in were rather low-end by comparison.

The artistic and cultural significance here was on another level entirely.

Paris was the fashion capital, the cutting edge of global style.

In the fashion world, it was a common understanding: if you hadn't walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week, you hadn't really made it as a model.

Making a name here would skyrocket both fame and fortune, which is why models from all over the world flocked to Paris.

Even after a year of being a top model, Luca hadn't had the chance to showcase his work in Paris, and it left him with a twinge of regret.

"No. 1 and No. 2 can switch places. Morgane is better suited to stand here."

"No, doing that will ruin the overall feel!"

In front of the rotating platform, a few men and women in formal attire were holding files and scrutinizing the models, deep in concentration like a group of sculptors perfecting their statues.

Among this group of ‘sculptors’ was one particularly striking figure.

She had tied up her golden-brown hair, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a white Gucci blouse paired with silver-gray trousers. Her tall frame and commanding presence were softened by an air of intellectual elegance.

Her stunning long legs, accentuated by the light-colored pants, made her look incredibly alluring.

She stood with her arms crossed, her brow furrowed, occasionally discussing adjustments with the designers and assistants around her, her expression serious and focused.

"Ms. Kelly, would you like some water?"

Luca quietly approached and offered her a drink.

"No, thank you," Kate replied without turning her head, her tone cold and distant, keeping him at arm's length.

Luca smiled softly, content just to stand there and watch her work from behind.

No need to get too close, no need to disturb her — just being there silently was enough.

After a while, Kate seemed to remember something.

Suddenly, she turned her head, her gaze landing on Luca's face.

She blinked, and her icy expression slowly thawed.

Like a blank canvas being filled with color, her features softened and brightened, like a frozen river melting in the spring and blossoming with vibrant life.

In an instant, her beauty shone through like a breathtaking bloom.

"You’re here!" Kate smiled, the corners of her lips lifting.

"Kate, you scared me!" Luca said, holding up the water bottle, looking a bit hurt.

Kate smiled gently, but when she noticed the people around them, her face suddenly turned cold again, and she waved her hand dismissively.

"Gina, this is a work area. Get him out of here!"

"Yes! Sir, this way please," Gina said obediently.

*Chapter 264: Do You Know Why You're Getting Hit?*

In the evening, the Ritz Hotel in the Place Vendôme of the palace district was brightly lit.

The hotel's private band played Beethoven’s "Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor," with the music drifting melodiously through the air.

Dozens of elegantly dressed men and women sat at dining tables, savoring gourmet food and fine wine while chatting softly, creating an atmosphere that was both refined and comfortable.

In the central seat, Luca was dressed in formal attire, with his hair meticulously styled. He held a fork in his right hand, tasting the hotel’s signature dish—foie gras.

The foie gras here was authentic, with a smooth and tender texture. When cooked, it had a very low melting point of just thirty degrees Celsius, and it would slowly melt in the mouth.

As it dissolved, a rich aroma exploded in his mouth, accompanied by the subtle fragrance of red wine, which then slowly flowed down his throat, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

He had tasted authentic foie gras several times in New York before, but the flavor here was much more profound.

“How does it taste?”

Across from him, Kate was wearing a creamy white long dress, gracefully swirling her wine glass.

“It’s delicious!”

Luca praised.

“Right? Try this too, it has an even better texture!”

Kate smiled slightly and forked a baked snail for him.

Luca opened his mouth and ate it, and it indeed tasted wonderful.

“Come on, open up!”

Kate tried to feed him again.

“That’s enough, Kate. If I eat too much tonight, I’ll gain weight.”

They had only ordered a few signature dishes: steak, foie gras, French baked snails, and a fruit salad.

Kate and Lima were both on diets, so they only ate a few pieces of fruit, leaving Luca to finish the rest.

“It’s fine, you look even more handsome with a bit more weight.”

Kate smiled slyly and fed him another snail.

“Don’t lie to me. Last year when I gained weight, everyone called me a damned fatty, an ugly fatty. When you guys went shopping, you wouldn’t even take me along, afraid I’d embarrass you.”

“Haha~”

Kate covered her mouth, laughing heartlessly.

Luca smirked, “When I was fat, you made me exercise to lose weight every day. If I didn’t, you’d beat me up, pinch my face, and turn me into a pig head. I couldn’t go out for days and had to stay home exercising.”

Kate bit her lower lip, holding her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably. Her face turned red, and she didn’t look at all like the ice queen she usually was.

Luca swirled his wine glass, his face full of mock resentment, and said, “I think you developed the habit of hitting me back then. Now you’re trying to fatten me up again, is it because my muscles make it less satisfying for you to hit me?”

Kate, still trying to contain her laughter, held onto the table and said, “Stop talking, or I’ll really hit you.”

“What’s so funny?”

Lima, wearing a colorful long dress with a gold ribbon cinched at her waist, walked over, her figure drawing admiring glances from everyone around.

Luca stood up to pull out her chair, and once again, all eyes were on him, filled with a cold sharpness.

“Thank you, darling.”

Lima smiled sweetly and kissed him on the cheek.

If looks could kill, he would have been torn to shreds by now.

Playfully, Luca gave her a discreet pat on the butt.

Lima chuckled softly and sat down, asking, “Kate, what are you laughing at? Your face is all red.”

Kate, propping up her face with slender fingers, her golden-brown hair cascading down on either side, smiled and said, “Lima, remember last year when Luca hadn’t lost the weight yet? Did you ever call him a fatty?”

“Fatty?”

Lima blinked, glanced at Luca’s face, and then burst into laughter.

“No, I didn’t!”

“You did!”

Luca complained. “I remember once when we were out shopping, you two were striding ahead while I carried dozens of shopping bags, panting like a dog. You turned around and yelled, ‘Fatty, hurry up!’”

“Hahaha~”

After dinner, the three took the elevator to the hotel’s upper floors.

The hotel’s interior was incredibly luxurious, gilded and gleaming, borrowing from palace design with carvings and art pieces everywhere. It was an opulent space with a strong artistic atmosphere.

Kate and Lima’s suite was on the top floor, and it was an apartment-style suite.

The room was as large as an apartment in New York, with both a living area and a recreational area. To the east was an open-air balcony with a view of the distant Seine River.

“The view is nice.”

Luca stretched lazily on the balcony.

“Of course, we wouldn’t settle for less.”

Lima smiled as she walked into the dressing room.

“Luca, I heard someone’s planning to blacklist you. How are you going to handle it?”

Kate set down a cup of coffee and sat cross-legged on the sofa.

Luca shrugged, “I’ll wait and see. Compared to those old guys, I’m still weak, both in terms of resources and connections. Going head-to-head with them wouldn’t be wise. Right now, I need to lie low, build up some strength and contacts, and start my own business.”

“What kind of business?”

“Making movies!”

He then went into detail about his plans for a film company. “I’ll do my best to make this project a success. Once the movie is a hit, Bra Films will have a foothold in Hollywood. With that company, I’ll have leverage.”

“That sounds great, but making a successful movie... it’s not easy.”

Kate shook her head.

“It’s fine. I’ll learn from you guys and work hard to make it happen!”

Luca said confidently.

Kate smiled, patting his head. “What about in the fashion world? Do you have any plans there? I can’t help you much in the entertainment industry, but I do have connections in fashion.”

“No need for your help. I’m tied to my agency. This year, I’ve made them a lot of profit, so they won’t just watch me fall. Ed said the company is handling the PR, and it’s going pretty well.”

Luca smiled.

“Indeed, you’ve been a dark horse in the fashion world this year. Ford was lucky to sign you. If they don’t treat you right, you could always jump ship.”

“True!”

Luca shrugged and started massaging Kate’s legs.

“Darling, Paris Fashion Week is coming up. Why not try your luck here? There are plenty of opportunities.”

Kate suggested.

“Hmm, maybe!”

Paris Fashion Week was a festival in the fashion world and a golden opportunity for models to shine.

Before the SUN series launch, Luca thought he might give it a try, and maybe earn some extra income along the way.

Ben Hill’s earnings had been rising rapidly lately, and many believed he’d be this year’s top earner.

To maintain his position, Luca needed new sources of income.

Thinking it over, he pulled out his phone and called Ed, mentioning Paris Fashion Week.

Ed supported his decision and said he would contact the local branch to offer guidance and advice.

“Ed, your voice sounds off. Are you sick?”

“Hmph! Do you even know what time it is? It’s the middle of the night here in New York.”

Ed grumbled.

“Sorry, sorry.”

Hearing Nina’s yelling in the background, Luca quickly said goodnight and hung up.

---

*End of Chapter*

Chapter 265: "Luca, You Fat Idiot"

The next day, Kate and Lima continued their rehearsals.

Luca wandered alone along the Champs-Élysées.

With Fashion Week approaching, the Champs-Élysées was packed with people, bustling with excitement.

At the Place Georges V, over a hundred fashion brands were preparing to hold fashion shows, with tens of thousands of attendees and tents set up everywhere.

Amid the dense crowd, Luca, wearing a hat, walked around, watching as he went. Whenever he saw a fashion show venue, he would walk in and submit his resume, hoping for an interview.

It felt like a job hunt.

But things weren’t going smoothly. He attended twelve interviews in a row, and all ended in failure.

Some said his runway walk wasn’t good enough, others claimed he wasn’t cost-effective. Some even tried to lowball him, treating him as just another regular model. Others felt he was simply too famous.

After being rejected so many times, Luca started doubting his own abilities.

In the afternoon, he entered the exhibition area of a brand called Kooples.

This was a niche but high-end brand, quite famous in Europe.

He had taken his time deciding to interview here.

Back in New York, his agency handled everything. If a brand found him suitable, they’d contact his agent, make an offer, and schedule a booking.

He had never experienced this basic stage himself. Now, going through it in person, he finally understood what it felt like to be among the masses.

Under the hot sun, the exhibition area was stifling, and before long, he was drenched in sweat.

In front of the brand's tent, a group of models was lined up—handsome guys with great figures, the kind that would make girls scream anywhere else, but here, they were just people desperately seeking opportunities.

Luca was one of them.

"Are you Luca?"

Amid the crowd, as he was looking at his materials, someone nearby asked in disbelief.

"Yes, hello!"

Luca nodded.

"Is it really Luca?"

"The champion!"

"Why is he here?"

Voices of surprise rippled through the crowd.

Luca shrugged. He had been recognized multiple times today and could understand the other models' feelings. It was like encountering a boss character in a newbie zone—it was a lot of pressure.

"Mr. Kelly?"

After a while, a staff member called at the door.

"Yes!"

Luca followed the staff into the temporary workspace, and the interview began.

The process was simple: walk the runway to demonstrate his walk, personal image, and style.

The brand's designer and marketing director watched from below. If they found someone suitable, they would keep them. Every model represented a design element, and a good model could best showcase the fashion’s style, so the selection process was strict.

"Mr. Luca Kelly, I’m pleased to welcome you here. I’m just curious—why are you attending this interview?"

The designer, holding his information card, asked with curiosity.

"I love your designs. This year, Kooples’ designs are particularly unique. Just one look and I was deeply attracted. I would love to walk the runway in them."

Luca replied confidently.

"Thank you!"

The designer nodded and then consulted with a few others.

The interviewers started debating because his asking price was too high.

With the money they’d need to pay him, they could hire over a dozen decent models.

It wasn’t cost-effective.

But this was unavoidable—he was a supermodel champion, and there was no way he could reduce his fee just to get the job.

This was his biggest dilemma—being priced out of the market.

After some discussion, the marketing director stepped forward, "Mr. Kelly, we’re delighted you attended the interview, but your style doesn’t fit with our designs."

Luca sighed inwardly. Another rejection with the same excuse. "Mr. Luc, could I share my thoughts?"

"Oh?"

The director paused, looking puzzled.

"Mr. Luc, I’m an experienced model. I’ve participated in hundreds of fashion shows and can adapt to various styles. I don’t believe style should be a barrier to our collaboration."

Director Luc frowned slightly. Of course, the style excuse was just a pretense—Luca was simply too expensive and not worth it.

"Moreover," Luca continued, "I understand your brand is changing its marketing strategy, trying to expand beyond Europe.

I’m a globally recognized model, and I believe our collaboration could be a great way to start."

Before coming in, Luca had studied the brand carefully.

France was home to many fashion brands, and the market was oversaturated. Kooples, once a niche, boutique label, had become a bit of a hidden gem.

But now, boutique fashion was no longer in vogue. The bigger the brand, the more popular it became. Kooples was facing competition and needed to explore new markets to survive.

Director Luc pondered for a moment. "Mr. Kelly, do you have time to discuss this further?"

"Of course!"

Luca smirked slightly.

He had failed many times today, but from those failures, he learned that the French liked eloquence and persuasion.

In France, you didn’t have to be the most handsome model, but you certainly couldn’t be mute.

Sometimes, good speaking skills mattered more than looks.

That evening, at the Ritz Hotel, Luca returned to his room with a slight buzz from the wine.

"How did your job-hunting go today?" Kate asked with a smile, looking up from her laptop.

"Not bad. I got three gigs."

Luca grinned, feeling quite accomplished.

"Wow, that’s a lot."

Lima, wearing her pajamas, walked out of the bedroom. "This week, I only got 54 gigs, and Kate only got 72. You getting three is pretty impressive."

"."

Luca sighed, loosening his tie. "You little brat, do you want a beating?"

"You dare?" Lima playfully waved her fist, swaying her hips as she headed to the bathroom.

"Haha~ Darling, you need to stop indulging her. You should give her a good spanking," Kate teased.

"Yes, I agree."

Luca poured two glasses of wine, placing one beside Kate. "What are you working on?"

"A work journal," Kate laughed, brushing her long hair aside. "I’ve learned a lot from the folks at Gucci these past few days. I want to note everything down so I can plan my own show next time."

Luca nodded. "Your growth is impressive."

"I have no choice but to grow. Bundchen has been killing it this year—she’s landed thirteen top endorsements, and you see her at every fashion week. Sometimes, I can’t help but admire her."

Kate sipped her wine, her sharp brows raised high.

"I get it. It’s like with Ben Hill—he’s been pushing so hard that I haven’t had a chance to slack off."

Luca raised his glass with a smile.

"Maybe having a strong rival isn’t such a bad thing for us."

"Agreed!"

Clink!  

The two toasted.

"Okay, back to my journal," Kate said, handing her glass to Luca. "You can go to the bathroom and deal with Lima now. While you were gone, I had to discipline her every day. It’s exhausting."

Luca smiled, took a few steps, then paused. Something didn’t seem right. "Kate, have you and Lima been sleeping together?"

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" Kate asked, her face serious.

"Uh, no!" Luca scratched his head, feeling like something was off.

"Haha~"

Once he left, Kate laughed to herself, put on her headphones, and resumed typing away on her laptop.

(End of Chapter)