166-170

*Chapter 166: Miranda's Boldness*

“Wow, Luca! You actually landed that contract! What a surprise! So many models, even Orlando, were after that endorsement, but no one expected you to be the winner.”

It was nighttime in Manhattan. A car cruised smoothly down the wide Fourth Avenue. In the passenger seat next to Luca was a girl with sweet dimples. Her sparkling eyes brimmed with curiosity.

“Luca, how did you get the contract?”

“A bit of luck,” Luca shrugged. “Ms. Aniston, she’s an alum from my acting school. We met once before, and I bumped into her at the party. She recommended me to the brand.”

“That’s it?”

Miranda tilted her head, her bright eyes staring directly at him.

“What else?” Luca glanced over at her.

Miranda blinked, a playful grin forming. “People are saying you used your ‘sacrificial technique’ to land the endorsement.”

“Sacrificial technique?” Luca asked, puzzled.

“You know, sleeping with someone for it, hahaha!” Miranda laughed, clapping her hands.

Luca shook his head. He’d heard that rumor at the party but didn’t pay much attention. He had already secured the endorsement, so what did it matter if a few sore losers gossiped?

There’s always that difference between once and countless times—once people think you’ve done it once, no matter what you achieve afterward, they’ll assume it was because you slept your way to the top. It’s something you get used to, no point in letting it bother you.

Luca smirked slightly and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Just as he was about to light one, the pack was snatched away.

“Kate said no smoking for you,” Miranda said sternly, holding the cigarettes.

Luca was momentarily taken aback. “When did Kate say that?”

“Just now!” Miranda smiled sweetly. “I told her I ran into you at the parking lot, and she asked me to make sure you don’t smoke.”

“What? That’s so unfair!” Luca patted the steering wheel in frustration, then put on a serious face. “Give me back the cigarettes, or I’ll get really mad. The consequences will be severe.”

“Oh, really?” Miranda smiled, placing her hand on the car window.

“No!” Luca shouted as Miranda tossed the half-empty pack out the window.

“Miranda!” Luca was fuming.

“Yes, I’m right here. What’s the matter?” Miranda responded sweetly, her Barbie-like face beaming with a mischievous smile, completely unafraid of him now.

Luca wiped his face and sighed helplessly. “Miranda, you’ve changed. You used to be so pure, sweet, and obedient. Now, you’re crafty, a bit rebellious, and even boss people around.”

“Hahaha!” Miranda collapsed into the seat, laughing hysterically. The seatbelt pressed tightly against her chest, pulling her strapless dress down slightly, revealing a flash of pale skin that reflected in the car’s interior light, almost dazzling.

Luca shook his head, silently repeating his mantra about patience and discipline, and focused on driving.

“Luca, do you know why I’m not afraid of you anymore?” Miranda asked, rubbing her chubby cheeks, still smiling.

“Why?”

“When we first met, you were always so serious, looking super cool and hard to approach. I was always so careful around you.”

“Now that we’re close, you can be bold, huh?” Luca's face darkened. He should’ve stayed cool and distant. Fooling innocent girls could’ve been easier.

Miranda smiled, “Exactly. Now that I know you better, I realize you’re not scary at all. In fact, maybe I can even tease you a little.”

“What?! Tease me? Who gave you that impression?” Luca was completely unsatisfied now.

“You did!” Miranda said with a sweet smile, counting on her fingers. “Look, Nina can tease you, Lima can tease you, Kate can tease you—everyone can tease you. Why can’t I? We’re friends, right?”

That logic was so solid that Luca couldn’t find a way to argue.

“Miranda, teasing… teasing people is wrong,” he said weakly.

“Hahahaha!”

Around 8 p.m., a beam of light pierced the darkness in front of an apartment building at 116th Street, Third Avenue. A black sedan slowly pulled into a convenient parking spot.

“Miranda, we’re here!” Luca called out gently.

“Huh? We’ve arrived?” Miranda rubbed her eyes, waking up. After walking around the party all day, she had worn herself out and dozed off while laughing earlier.

“It’s late. Do you think anyone’s been following you?” Luca glanced around the busy street. 116th Street, in the northern part of the Upper East Side, was more isolated than 76th Street, but still lively.

The street was full of night owls, hip-hop crowds, late-night wanderers, and the homeless. Looking for a stalker among them wouldn’t be easy.

Suddenly, Miranda honked the car horn twice, the sound echoing down the street.

“Is that supposed to bring out the stalker?” Luca asked, confused.

“I don’t know. Every time I drive home, I feel like someone’s watching me. They could live nearby,” Miranda pointed to the rows of apartment buildings on either side.

“That’s too broad of an area to pinpoint anyone.”

“No worries. I’ve got pepper spray and a stun gun with me. If that creep shows up, well...” Miranda pulled out a stun gun from her bag. She pressed the button, and blue sparks flickered, crackling in the night.

Luca felt a bit uneasy. “Miranda, with all that, do you even need me?”

“Of course! You’re a man. Having you around makes me feel safer.” Miranda smiled, pulling him by the arm. “Come on, Luca, let’s head up. Maybe that person will follow us.”

“Alright.”

Miranda's apartment is on the sixth floor, about 80 square meters. It's not very large, but it's stylishly and intricately decorated.

After moving in three months ago, she added some branded furniture and trendy electronics to make the space feel cozy, with every detail reflecting her feminine touch.

Since she lives alone, the couch sometimes gets cluttered with tossed lingerie or smelly socks.

"Nina was rushing me this afternoon, so I didn’t have time to clean up. I'm not usually like this," Miranda said, a little embarrassed, while tidying up.

"It’s okay. Kate and Lima are the same way, so I’m used to it."

"So, do you handle all the housework?" Miranda asked, smiling slightly.

"Of course not! I’m a guy. Why would I do housework?"

"But Kate and Lima said you do all the chores, and they give you allowance money," she teased.

Cough Luca scratched his head. "I don’t think there’s anything else to do here today. Maybe I should head out and come back tomorrow."

"Luca, stay a little longer, please? It’s boring being here by myself."

Miranda, holding a pile of clothes, stood in the empty living room. Her tall, voluptuous figure seemed somewhat fragile.

"Alright, but you can’t bring up any more embarrassing stuff, or I’m leaving."

"Haha, okay, okay!" Miranda chuckled, dimples showing, and carried the clothes into her bedroom.

Luca took off his jacket and leaned back on the fabric sofa.

He suddenly noticed a large stuffed bear on the couch. It looked like the one that had been stolen by a gang of bikers after being tossed in a dumpster, but this one was bigger and better made. A limited edition from Mattel, the price tag still attached—$1,500 from the specialty store.

"Thomas gave it to me last week. I didn’t want it, but he just left it at my apartment door and took off," Miranda explained from the bedroom doorway. She was wearing nothing but a long white silk T-shirt, barefoot on the carpet, as a sweet, slightly tempting fragrance filled the air.

Luca glanced at her. "Did he make some money or something?"

"I don’t know. He seems to be doing well now, I guess." She shrugged, walking over to the magazine rack and turning on the record player. A soft piano melody filled the room.

Ting, ting, tong...

The two sat back on the sofa, heads resting on the cushions, gazing at the ceiling and quietly listening to the music without saying a word.

"Luca, let’s do something," Miranda said softly after a while.

"Like what?"

"Want to smoke?"

Miranda rummaged in the corner of the sofa and pulled out a pack of slim cigarettes.

"I don’t smoke. You’re Kate’s little spy; I’m not falling for that."

"Don’t worry, I won’t tell Kate," she said, placing a cigarette between her lips and expertly lighting it.

"Here," she said, after taking a few puffs and handing it to him.

"Do you smoke?"

"Of course. Not only me, but sometimes Kate and Lima smoke too. In the modeling world, there are people who do drugs, drink excessively, and have casual relationships. Smoking is nothing."

"Yeah, but they don’t even let me smoke. I’ve got it rough," Luca said, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"Haha, well, that’s because you’re too easy to push around!"

Miranda laughed softly, took the cigarette back from his mouth, and inhaled a few more puffs, exhaling slowly.

"Can’t you just get another one?"

"This one tastes better, don’t you think?" Miranda leaned against his shoulder, her long legs propped up on the table, pink toenails gleaming as they bobbed in rhythm with the music. The hem of her T-shirt slowly slid downward.

"Luca, you know... I’m not wearing anything underneath."

"I noticed," he said, smirking as he flicked the ash off his cigarette.

"You’ve never thought about taking advantage of me?" Miranda teased, brushing her hair against his cheek.

"Nope."

"Why not? Am I not beautiful? Isn’t my body sexy? So many guys would love to take advantage of me. Why wouldn’t you?"

Miranda knelt up on the couch, pouting in frustration.

Luca chuckled. "Don’t try to fool me. I know you’ve got a taser hidden in the couch corner. Do you think I’m blind?"

"A taser? Haha!" Miranda burst into laughter, tossing the taser aside. "Alright, now you can take advantage of me. I promise I won’t resist!"

"No thanks. A wise woman once told her son before she died: women are all liars, and the prettier they are, the better they lie."

"Which philosopher said that?"

"An Eastern philosopher named Soso Yin."

"Never heard of her, but Kate was right. You’re such a coward."

Miranda snatched the cigarette from his mouth, took a deep drag, and then suddenly leaned down to kiss him.

"Stop messing around. If you try anything with Lima’s man, she’ll come after you," Luca said, laughing as he held her by the shoulders.

"Luca, can you be serious for once?"

Miranda looked at him with soft, glistening eyes.

"Alright, I’ll play along this time," Luca said, reclining on the sofa, puckering his lips playfully. "Go ahead!"

"Haha, Luca, you’re such a bad guy, a real bad guy!" Miranda giggled, playfully slapping his chest.

They huddled together on the sofa, not saying a word. The music around them faded to a whisper as their breathing grew quicker.

The heat in the air thickened with unspoken tension, the room growing warmer, the atmosphere becoming heavy.

"Luca, kiss me," Miranda whispered, tilting her head back, her flushed cheeks radiant.

Luca wrapped his arms around her waist, his fingers sinking into her soft curves like cotton.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm sounded from outside.

"Oh, damn, my car!"

---

Chapter 167: Kate's Feet

At night, in a high-rise apartment on 76th Street, the small living room beside the studio was illuminated by an exquisite $18,000 art floor lamp, casting a glow on the sofa in the center.

On the cream-colored leather sofa, a beautiful woman with a cool demeanor, dressed lightly, leaned against a cushion. She had her long, pale legs crossed and was quietly reading a hardcover edition of Jane Eyre.

She was fully absorbed, her deep blue eyes glimmering under the light, reflecting a mysterious and elegant shine, like sunlight on fine porcelain.

Swoosh  

After finishing a page, her slender fingers delicately turned to the next. She blinked her long eyelashes and glanced at the platinum watch on her slim wrist — a dainty and exquisite Patek Philippe, part of a couple’s set. The other half was on someone else's wrist.

The watch read 9:14 PM.

She pursed her lips slightly, her delicate nose twitched briefly, and she let out a faint hum.

Click  

Just then, the sound of the door closing came from outside. The cool beauty immediately lowered her legs, set down her book, and straightened up, revealing a toned abdomen with seductive abs.

But as soon as her feet touched the slippers, she laid back down again, holding her book and pressing her legs together, her eyes fixed on the page without a single blink, like a butterfly perched on a flower, quietly savoring the sweetness of the story.

Shuffle shuffle  

Ten minutes later, someone was approaching the small living room, dragging their feet. The footsteps were light but heavy, revealing both weariness and a bad mood.

The beauty furrowed her brows, but her sharp expression softened, and her overall aura became gentler.

The man entered, wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts, carrying with him the fresh scent of a shower and a sense of peace.

"Kate, reading again?"

"Mmhmm."

Kate fluttered her eyelashes and glanced at his face, noticing a hint of anger mixed with a desire to vent.

"What happened?"

She asked softly.

"My car got smashed."

Luca slumped down beside her, pulling her feet onto his lap, gently massaging her toes and heels — the parts that suffer the most when a woman wears high heels.

"Oh?"

Kate blinked, setting her book on her chest and looking him over. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I wasn’t in the car when it happened."

Luca chuckled slightly while continuing to knead her feet, explaining what had happened earlier.

"Miranda said someone had been following her, so I helped check it out. After the party, I drove her home. I was just sitting in her apartment for a bit when I heard an alarm downstairs. I went down to find my car window smashed. I think it was the stalker — that bastard. This time, I won’t let him off."

Luca spoke angrily, frustrated that his plans had been disrupted. If he caught the guy, he’d make sure to give him a good beating.

"Not so hard!"

Kate shot him a look. "You went upstairs with Miranda?"

"She said the guy sometimes follows her up and even spies on her through the window, so I went to check it out."

After finishing with her left foot, Luca began massaging her right. Kate’s feet were well cared for, small and plump, which was why she didn’t like wearing heels often.

"What did you do with Miranda in her apartment?"

Kate flipped another page of her book, though her mind wasn’t on it.

"Nothing..."

"Are you lying to me?"

Kate raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze sharp.

Luca tugged at the corner of his mouth, lowering his head and gently squeezing her toes.

"We just... smoked."

"Marijuana?"

"No, no, just a Capri cigarette, strawberry-flavored. We only had one."

"Mmhmm, go on."

Kate curled her lips as she flipped another page.

"..."

Luca pressed a bit harder. "Miranda kissed me."

"And then?"

Kate put her book down, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Then the car got smashed, and the alarm went off."

Luca shrugged. Seeing the dissatisfaction in Kate’s eyes, he quickly added, "That’s really what happened. She just kissed me once, and I even pushed her away."

"Pushed her away? Why?"

Kate asked, puzzled.

"We’re friends."

Realizing he had slept with several friends before, he quickly corrected himself, "I just see her as a little sister."

"Sister? Oh, you fool!"

Kate tossed her book at him, then leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck, playfully messing up his hair.

"Why would you treat her like a sister? Isn’t having me, your ‘big sister,’ enough? You need a little sister too?"

"No, no. You’re enough."

Luca mumbled.

"Hmph, you fool. You know what? You really missed out."

Kate cupped his face, seeing his messy hair and pitiful expression, making her laugh even more.

"The car was already smashed, so what’s the point of going down? You should’ve finished what you started with Miranda, that little minx."

"That wouldn’t be right. Lima wouldn’t be happy about that."

Luca shook his head.

"As if you’re some model of fidelity."

Kate pushed his face away and lay back on the sofa, casually flipping through her book again.

"Massage my legs!"

"Alright!"

Luca began massaging her legs, moving upwards from her ankles, focusing diligently on serving his queen. After some practice, he had improved from a novice to someone with experience in massage.

Kate continued reading, while Luca focused on the massage. The soft light in the small living room was bright but gentle, with only the occasional sound of pages turning and faint slapping sounds.

"I’m going to sleep!"

A little while later, Kate turned off the floor lamp in the corner and pulled a blanket over herself. The room fell into darkness and silence.

"It’s cool in here. Should I sleep here too?"

Luca whispered.

"..."

Kate had already fallen asleep, giving no response.

Luca pulled the blanket over himself and lay down on the outer edge of the sofa.

Thud  

Suddenly, he was kicked in the butt, sending him tumbling to the floor.

"Ha ha ha, you fool!"

Kate laughed heartlessly under the blanket.

"Kate!"

Luca sat on the carpet, annoyed, looking at her.

"Hmph, do you know why I kicked you? Because you’re an idiot. Next time, make sure you finish things with Miranda and tell me all about it when you get back. Got it?"

"...Alright."

Luca shrugged.

"Come back up!"

Kate scooted over to make space.

"You won’t kick me again, right?"

Luca hesitated.

"Get up here, or I’ll kick you again!"

Kate snapped, sounding like a queen.

"Okay, okay!"

Luca cautiously lay back down.

Kate grabbed his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Her breathing was soft, peaceful, sweet, and content.

The night grew late. Goodnight!

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 168: The Little Model Doesn't Play Fair*

Huff, huff~

It was early morning, and Luca was on the treadmill in the apartment’s gym, jogging at a high speed. His arms swung back and forth as he increased the pace. Sweat soaked through his shirt, showing off his well-defined muscles.

Beep~

A notification sound rang, and the treadmill began to slow down.

Luca stepped off the treadmill, taking a long breath.

"Wow, Luca! You’re so fast, like the wind!" Miranda exclaimed with wide eyes, full of admiration.

"This is nothing. I was even faster back in the day. Fans used to call me ‘the wind-like handsome guy’," Luca boasted.

"Stop bragging, your speed is all thanks to my training," Kate said, stepping off her treadmill and wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Kate, how did you train him?" Miranda asked curiously.

Kate smirked, "I held a gun and told Luca to run faster, or I’d shoot him. He was so scared, he ran like the wind."

"Hahaha~" Miranda laughed so hard she squatted on the floor before Kate even finished.

Luca rolled his eyes. Being the younger brother really meant getting no sympathy.

"What’s your plan for today, Luca?" Kate asked at the breakfast table. Kate and Miranda sat across from each other, with Luca in the middle. The table was filled with a lavish breakfast, including fruit pies and vegetable salads—Kate loved trying out new recipes.

"I’ll work on the script during the day, then go back to tracking that stalker tonight. I refuse to believe I can’t catch him," Luca said, stuffing an apple pie into his mouth.

"Oh, weren’t you bragging about how fast you are? How come it’s been three days, and you still haven’t caught him?" Kate teased.

Miranda, remembering the joke, laughed again.

Luca shrugged, "It’s not that I can’t catch him; it’s that he’s hiding too well. Today, I’m going to disguise myself as a homeless guy and stake out the street. I refuse to let him slip away."

"Luca, maybe you should just let it go. He’s only following me; it’s not like he’s dangerous," Miranda suggested.

"A potential threat should be dealt with early. If we let it go, it could become worse later," Luca said, shaking his head.

"Why don’t you leave it to the professionals? You two should act as bait, and let Gina handle the capture," Kate proposed.

Luca thought about it for a moment. "I’ll give it one more day. If I don’t catch him, I’ll call Gina. But I have a good feeling about today."

"Good luck!" Kate raised a glass of vegetable smoothie with a smile.

"Thanks!"

At 9 a.m., Kate and Miranda left for work. Miranda had been staying with them for a while.

Luca returned to his room to keep writing. He was determined to finish the third part of Eclipse before joining the crew.

“He grabbed my arm, his hand sliding down to my ribs, my waist, tracing down to my hips, and then to my leg, lingering at my knee before gripping my calf and suddenly pulling up.”

Ring, ring~

Just as Luca was furiously typing away, his phone rang.

"Good morning, Ed. What’s up?" Luca answered using his Bluetooth while continuing to type.

"Helmut Lang just sent word. The commercial shoot starts tomorrow. Get ready," Ed said over the phone.

"No problem, I’ll be there."

"Umm, there’s one more thing..." Ed hesitated. "There have been some nasty rumors circulating lately, all targeting you. Be careful over the next few days."

Luca smirked. He knew what Ed was talking about. Ever since the party, rumors had been spreading that he had used his charm to land the Helmut Lang contract, claiming he had “buttered up” Rachel. The gossip claimed that the new models were ruthless and had no morals.

But Luca didn’t care. If they thought he was bad, he’d embrace it. He could be like stinky tofu: smells bad, but tastes amazing.

"What exactly do I need to be careful about?" he asked casually.

"During the shoot, try not to be alone with Ms. Aniston or have any intimate interactions," Ed warned.

Luca shook his head. "Ed, don’t forget, Ms. Aniston is the big name here. In our relationship, she’s the one in control. If she wants to be alone with me, should I refuse her?"

"..."

The phone line went quiet for a moment. "She’s always been careful with her reputation. I doubt she’d let things go that far."

"Let’s hope so," Luca said with a slight grin. "Ed, you’re a good guy, but not the best agent. If this had happened to another model, their team would’ve capitalized on the gossip, turning it into a scandal, dragging Brad Pitt into it, and creating a media frenzy. After a month of news, that model would go from a no-name to a solid B-lister."

"Should I start stirring things up for you?" Ed asked hesitantly.

"I’m kidding," Luca chuckled. "That’s a tactic for new models. I’m a supermodel and an actor. I don’t need more fame—I need projects that can live up to my name."

"Exactly! Your fame is a bit overhyped right now. Until your next movies come out, don’t make any big headlines, or people will start resenting you. And don’t forget—you’re just a Brazilian country boy. If you manage to sleep with both Britney and Rachel, I don’t know how others will react, but I’ll want to punch you."

"Hahaha, Ed, Ed. We’re on the same team, buddy. Whatever I do, you should be supporting me, not threatening me."

"I support you, but I still want to punch you," Ed said with a laugh.

"Alright, alright!" Luca chuckled, then they chatted about work before hanging up so Luca could return to his writing.

Not long after, the phone rang again. This time, it was Lima. She had been in Vancouver promoting products, doing car shows, and walking in fashion shows—the usual model routine.

"Hey, sweetie, when are you coming back? I miss you," she said.

Luca shook his head, chatted for a bit more about specific work arrangements, hung up the phone, and continued typing.

But it wasn’t long before his phone rang again. There were only a few familiar contacts stored in this phone, so whenever it rang, he would answer as soon as possible.

This time, the call was from Lima. A few days ago, she had gone to Vancouver for product promotion, a car show, and a fashion show. That’s just part of a model's daily routine.

Kate used to travel a lot for work too, practically living on planes.

Now that she’s become a bestselling author, her status has risen, and so have her appearance fees. She turns down most regular events and avoids any that could hurt her image as a writer. She’s now focused on a more high-end path.

As a result, her work invitations have been cut in half, giving her more free time to read, design, and occasionally bully her little brother. Sigh~

Lima, however, is still a mid-tier supermodel and can't afford to act like Kate, or she’d starve.

“Hey, darling, when are you coming back? I miss you, Rachel.”

Luca tugged at the corner of his mouth and said helplessly, “Darling, have you heard that rumor too? Of course, it’s a rumor. You don’t actually think there’s something between me and Rachel, do you? She’s 34! No, no, even if she were younger, I still wouldn’t do anything. I’m not that kind of guy.”

“Still, let me explain. I thought you wouldn’t get jealous.”

“Okay, okay, you're not jealous. You just care about me a lot—I get it.”

“Haha, so here’s the story. Rachel and I were both students at the Manhattan School of Performing Arts. Before I went to Charleston last time, I stopped by the school.”

“I happened to run into her there. Coincidentally, we have mutual acquaintances, and we only chatted briefly. She offered me a small guest role.”

“This time running into her at the party was pure chance. I had no idea she was collaborating with Helmut Lang. Ed’s incompetence is unbelievable. He didn’t even dig up such important information.”

“I’m starting to realize Andrew was right; Ed’s business skills are average at best. He just got lucky—lucky to have me, someone with real potential.”

“Alright, let’s not talk about Ed anymore. After I ran into Ms. Aniston, we discussed my new script, The Weakness. You’ll get to see it when you come back.”

“She loved The Weakness and was really interested in the script. Afterward, we parted ways. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back, I heard the designer from Conrost announce, with great fanfare, ‘We’re honored to have supermodel Mr. Luca Kelly as our spokesperson.’”

“Wow! I was completely stunned. I had no idea what had just happened.”

“I only found out later.”

“But even now, I don’t understand why Ms. Aniston recommended me.”

“I thought about it carefully. Maybe it’s because I’m just too handsome. What do you think?”

Hearing Lima’s laughter on the other end of the phone, Luca finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she wasn’t mad, he didn’t care about any rumors.

At six in the evening, after finishing two long chapters, he changed clothes, put on a wig, and hopped on his bike, heading toward 116th Street for another capture mission.

That jerk not only messed up his plan last time but also wrecked his beloved car. He had to teach him a lesson.

“Hey, Miranda, I’m here. Are you ready?”

“Okay! The third capture mission officially begins. Action!”

*Chapter 169: Life is More Than Just Survival*

In the evening, on 3rd Avenue and North 116th Street, Luca sat slumped on a bench outside a greenbelt, wearing a messy wig and torn jeans with dirty shoes.

Like the homeless man sitting nearby, he lazily crossed his legs, his gaze constantly scanning the street, trying to spot any suspicious individuals.

"Hey, man, this is my turf," the homeless man suddenly said.

"What did you say?" Luca turned his head, puzzled.

"Uh..."

The homeless man, small and frail, seemed intimidated by Luca's cold expression, his eyes flickering. "Man, if you're planning to sleep here, I'll give you the spot."

"Wait!"

Seeing the man about to leave, Luca smirked. "I'm not staying here. The weather’s nice tonight; I'm planning to wander elsewhere."

"Really?"

The homeless man sighed in relief and sat back down on the bench.

"You don't look like a drifter," the man said after a while.

"Oh? And why’s that?" Luca withdrew his gaze and asked.

"Your eyes are too sharp, like a cop hunting a thief," the homeless man said, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"Haha, take another look now!"

Luca softened his gaze, filling his eyes with confusion and loneliness.

"Haha, you must be an actor!" the homeless man laughed.

Luca shrugged. "And you don’t really seem like a drifter either."

"Oh? Why’s that?" the man asked, curious.

"Your clothes, although worn, are clean, and you don’t smell weird," Luca said slowly.

"No, I really am a drifter, a professional one. I spend at least a month every year drifting, and I’ve been doing it for six years now."

"Why do you do that?" Luca asked.

"I have cancer. Eight years ago, the doctors told me I wouldn’t live past two years. So, I gave up my job, my family, all my relationships, and just wandered. I thought I’d die in some corner of a city. But after two years of drifting, I didn’t die."

The homeless man chuckled, his yellow teeth and messy beard showing his expertise.

"Did you recover?" Luca asked, surprised.

"Yes, my doctor said my condition was improving, haha! Ever since then, I go drifting every year, letting go of everything and aimlessly roaming from city to city. Over time, I fell in love with this lifestyle."

"Congratulations!" Luca said, slightly envious.

"And you? What’s your story?" the homeless man asked.

Just as Luca was about to answer, he saw Miranda stepping out of a car holding a bouquet of red roses. His demeanor immediately changed, his eyes widening like a vigilant cat.

"Haha, I get it now. You’re after that girl, right? She’s a real beauty. Good luck!" the homeless man laughed.

"Thanks. And I wish you a full recovery," Luca said, smirking, but his eyes were locked on the crowd behind Miranda, searching for anyone suspicious. Unfortunately, he found none.

"Excuse me, coming through!"

A tall, skinny man walked by, hands in his pockets, and sat on the bench. He was fixated on the distant crowd, his blue eyes filled with a mix of emotions—joy, frustration, and melancholy—all intensely focused.

Luca was startled to realize that this man’s gaze was also on Miranda, and he looked familiar.

"Thomas?" Luca hesitated before calling out.

The man blinked, turned to look at him, first with confusion, then with surprise and embarrassment.

"Are you... Luca?!"

"You're Thomas?" Luca was also surprised. Thomas had changed a lot.

The last time Luca saw him, Thomas had a rosy complexion, full of energy—a shy, sunny boy.

But now, he had lost a lot of weight, his face pale, and he seemed more melancholic, as if he had been through a serious illness.

Suddenly, Luca remembered something.

At a party, a group of supermodels had casually mentioned that four male models were hospitalized after a trip with some wealthy women. One of them, named Thomas Milton, lost a lot of weight after being discharged. Could it be him?

"Thomas, you don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?" Luca asked, fingers interlocked, in a brightly lit café by the street.

"It’s nothing."

Thomas lowered his head. "Luca, congrats on landing another big contract."

"Thanks, just lucky," Luca shrugged.

"It’s not luck. You’ve got the talent," Thomas said.

Luca nodded in agreement. "You’re right. I believe I got the endorsement through my own ability, not by any underhanded means."

"Haha, you’ve heard the rumors too?" Thomas laughed.

"Of course! I’ve got thick skin, but I still have some pride, right?" Luca spread his hands.

Thomas chuckled again, the gloom on his face easing a bit.

Luca smirked as he stirred his coffee slowly.

"Thomas, why are you here tonight?" Luca asked.

"I, uh, moved here," Thomas hesitated before answering.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Miranda didn’t mention anything about that."

"I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet," Thomas muttered, his hands clenching and unclenching.

"You should tell her. Miranda would be thrilled to know you’re living nearby," Luca said, watching him closely.

"I… I will tell her," Thomas said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Luca, what are you doing here tonight, dressed like that?"

Luca glanced at him and said with a smile, "I'm catching a thief!"

"A thief?"

"Yes."

Luca shrugged. "Recently, someone’s been following Miranda, and it’s scared her so much she won’t walk alone at night. She’s been losing sleep over it. She asked me to help catch the guy, but after three days, I still haven’t caught him."

"Really? Is that so? I didn’t mean for that to happen. I was just watching from a distance, didn’t mean to scare her."

As Thomas listened, his face alternated between red and pale, his hands tightly clasped together as he mumbled.

"What did you say?"

Luca asked.

"Oh, nothing," Thomas muttered, lowering his head and picking up his coffee cup, only to put it down again.

Luca smirked slightly. "Thomas, do you have some free time lately? I’m shooting a commercial tomorrow and won’t have time to keep watch. Could you help keep an eye out for me?"

"Yes, yes, I can," Thomas nodded eagerly, sounding a bit excited. "Don’t worry, Luca. I promise no one will ever follow Miranda again."

"Good, now I can work in peace."

Luca smiled faintly.

"Miranda, is anyone still following you?"

Two days later, while on the set of the commercial shoot, Luca received a call from Miranda and casually brought it up.

"Strangely enough, no. Has that guy been caught?"

Miranda asked curiously.

"Yep, I caught him that day and gave him a good beating. He was so scared he promised he’d never follow you again."

"Wow, Luca, thank you so much!"

"No problem!"

Then Luca remembered something. "By the way, Thomas moved to your street a few days ago. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, I have. But he’s acting really strange lately. He’s become more withdrawn. I asked him if something was wrong and if he needed help, but he didn’t say anything. I’m a little worried about him."

Miranda sighed softly.

"Maybe he's just having trouble at work."

"Hopefully."

Miranda exhaled, "Luca, have you finished shooting your commercial yet?"

"Not yet. It’ll take two or three more days."

Luca glanced at the set behind him.

"Got it. If you have time, come over to my place. We can smoke together again, how about that?"

Miranda said sweetly.

"Sure!"

"Luca, we’re ready!"

The assistant director shouted loudly from the set.

"OK!"

*Chapter 170: The Daily Life of a Tool*

"Luca, swing your arms, keep the rhythm, and don't change your expression!"

"Okay, let's go again!"

After resolving Miranda’s issue, Luca began focusing on his work for the commercial shoot.

He signed a three-year contract with Helmut Lang, agreeing to film twelve video ads, four per year, representing each season: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Helmut Lang is a luxury ready-to-wear brand, offering suits, casual wear, formal attire, and more.

Luca was endorsing the suit collection. This year, the brand released 13 different suit designs, and there were two main ad scripts.

The first commercial was a collaborative shoot with the designer. Luca would stand still while the designer made adjustments to the suit on him, showcasing its style, quality, and fabric. The suit was the star, so Luca didn’t even need to show his face much.

The second commercial was a solo shoot, where he would wear the 13 suits and strike various poses in front of the camera—adjusting his tie, tugging his sleeves, waving, and walking.

The performance was straightforward, requiring no acting skills—just getting the movements right.

"Okay, take a break!"

"Makeup, touch up Luca!"

"Costume department, switch to product #8!"

After filming for over two hours in the afternoon, the director, Cred, announced a break.

Luca headed to the dressing room, took off his black suit, and changed into a gray casual suit, switching his necktie for a red bow tie.

"Luca, you got three calls: one from someone named Rachel, one from Lindsay, and the other was just a number without a name."

Tony, holding Luca's phone, walked in.

"Got it," Luca replied, taking his phone and sitting on a couch. The stylist, hairdresser, and makeup artist surrounded him, tweaking his look.

Earlier, he wore a black suit for a serious and cold vibe, aimed at a mature look.

Next up was a casual suit, giving a more youthful and lively appearance, with a 'young professional' style.

Fortunately, Luca’s young appearance, combined with his mature aura, made him versatile and capable of pulling off various looks with ease.

"Luca, is Rachel the same Aniston lady?"

Tony asked quietly from the side.

Luca glanced at him. This guy had recently completed a two-week intensive training at the company, which helped, but he still couldn’t stop being chatty.

"I’ll grab you a coffee," Tony said, covering his mouth as he left.

Luca shook his head, called Rachel McAdams, and sat back in the chair.

Today was the start of filming for Mean Girls. Most of the lead actors were already on set, but Luca’s role, though important, had fewer scenes, so he could join the crew a bit later.

"Hey Rachel, good afternoon!" he greeted.

"Haha, Luca, you’re quite the busy guy," Rachel laughed.

Luca couldn’t help but smile. "Not really. I’ve just been shooting some ads this week. Otherwise, I’m mostly at home, being a homebody. Are you on set for Mean Girls?"

"Yep, we’re all here. Tina Fey, Lindsay, Amanda. Oh, by the way, I called because I’ve got something interesting to ask you," Rachel said.

"What’s up?" Luca asked, intrigued.

Rachel giggled for a while before finally saying, "I’m curious—how did you manage to offend both leading ladies without even stepping foot on set?"

"Are you talking about Lindsay and Amanda?"

"Please don’t move!" the makeup artist reminded him.

"Sorry," Luca gestured to apologize and then said into the phone, "It’s just a misunderstanding."

"Haha, Lindsay calls you 'Drool Guy,' and Amanda says you're a 'big liar.' Amanda, especially, seems to have a bone to pick with you. She even said she’s going to settle the score when you arrive, so be careful," Rachel teased.

"'Drool Guy'?" Luca was speechless. Lindsay had quite the mouth on her.

After finishing the call with Rachel, Luca dialed Lindsay Lohan to scare her a little, telling her not to talk nonsense on set or she’d get her mouth slapped.

Unfortunately, she didn’t pick up. So, he dialed the last number.

"Hey, superstar! Recognize my voice? It’s your elementary school classmate, Amanda! Hahaha!" The voice was lively and clear—it was Amanda Seyfried.

Luca chuckled, "Hey Amanda. I’m really sorry about last time; I didn’t mean to lie to you."

"It’s fine, Ryan. You should come to set soon. I promise I won’t get revenge. After all, we’re old classmates, right?" Amanda hinted with a mischievous tone.

"Alright, Amanda. I’ll join the crew next week. Are you ready for me?" he asked.

"Of course! We’re planning a warm welcome for you, so you’ll know just how popular you are."

"Thanks, I’m looking forward to it!" Luca replied with a smile.

"Rachel’s on her way!" Tony rushed back into the room while Luca was still on the phone.

"What Rachel?"

"Ms. Aniston."

"Why is she coming?" Luca was curious. The ad shoot wasn’t supposed to involve Rachel; their parts were filmed separately.

Luca's schedule was flexible, but Rachel Aniston was a big name, so the production team had to adjust according to her availability. She was busy filming Along Came Polly in New York, which had pushed back their joint ad shoot.

"Ms. Aniston is almost here," the director's assistant announced, rushing in. "Costume department, switch Luca to product #10! Makeup, touch up Luca's face. Ms. Aniston’s time is very valuable, so let’s move quickly."

"Understood!"

As soon as they heard Rachel Aniston was coming, the dressing room turned chaotic.

Luca followed instructions, taking off the outfit he had just changed into and putting on a new suit. Half of his makeup had to be wiped off and replaced with a look that matched the outfit—accessories, hairstyle, and even facial hair, turning him into a human mannequin.

"Hi, Luca, sorry to interrupt your shoot," Rachel Aniston greeted as she knocked and walked in.

She wore a white, straight-cut suit dress, nude stockings, and black high heels. Her makeup was flawless, and her presence was warm and approachable.

"Rachel, you’re too kind. Everyone here, including myself, is thrilled to have you. If it weren’t for the stylists holding me down, I might have jumped up to celebrate," Luca joked, pointing at the crew around him.

Rachel smiled, her lips curling slightly. "Luca, you have a knack for comedy. Ever thought about becoming a comedian?"

"Probably not," Luca said, pointing at his face. "Everyone says when I don’t smile, I look like a cold-blooded killer, and when I do smile, I look like a villain. I think I’m best suited to play bad guys."

"Haha!" Rachel laughed, fanning her face with her hand. "Stop it! If you make me mess up my makeup, I’ll have to get it redone."

"Alright," Luca straightened his face and stared at the mirror, not moving.

Rachel chuckled again. His serious expression, paired with his deep-set eyes, was indeed very cool.

"Luca, is the script finished?"

"It’s done. My assistant has it. Do you want it now?"

They hadn’t spoken much recently, but Luca had been prepared for her arrival.

"No rush. Let’s finish the shoot first?"

"Sounds good!"

Once ready, Luca headed to the set.

The shoot was taking place in a futuristic exhibition hall in the Koch Building, designed to resemble a sci-fi film set. It was filled with technology, modernity, and art.

With everything in place, the crew started filming Rachel’s scene.

In the script, Rachel plays a stylish urban professional. As she walks into the room in her sleek suit, all the handsome men turn to look at her.

Among them, only one man wearing the same suit as her stands up and walks confidently past her. That man is Luca.

"Luca, you need to be confident and composed, got it?" the director, Cred, reminded him.

"Got it!"

Even though he had just received the script, the role was simple enough to understand.

"Okay! Ready, everyone? First scene, first take—action!"

At the director's cue, the shoot officially began.

Rachel Aniston entered the scene.

Luca and the other male models turned their heads in unison.

"Cut!"

"Numbers 3, 4, and 7, your movements need to be slower, okay?"

"Ms. Aniston, could you please reset for another take?"

"First scene, second take, action!"

(End of Chapter)