141-145

Chapter 141: Seductive Dance Performance (Seeking First Subscriptions)

Around 10 a.m., Luca drove to the Manhattan School of Performing Arts.

After acting in a scene with Tom Cruise last time, Luca felt a bit confused and wanted to talk with his acting teacher, Ross.

Yesterday, he made an appointment over the phone, and upon arriving at the campus, he headed straight to the school’s small theater.

Today, Ross was rehearsing the opera Chicago in the small theater.

The story is about two female dancers, Roxie and Velma, who, after being imprisoned for murder, manage to escape the death penalty and become celebrities with the help of a lawyer. It's absurd and highly satirical.

This musical is a classic, the longest-running revival musical in global history.

There weren’t many people in the small theater. Onstage were five students and two instructors, while only a couple sat in the audience.

Mr. Ross, with his bushy beard, stood at the edge of the stage, shouting at a female student:

"Megan, you’re playing Roxie Hart, an actress who was deceived by her lover and imprisoned for murder. To escape punishment, you must use every means to seduce Billy Flynn, the lawyer who can help you avoid conviction.

At this moment, you should be more wild, more alluring, more sensual. Look at your costume—it's not for warmth, it's to please men."

Luca smiled slightly, took off his hat, and sat in the front row, quietly watching the students perform.

The two lead actresses and three backup dancers were dressed in short black lace skirts, holding canes, and fully stretching out their long legs and flaunting their fiery figures.

They moved from playful teasing to seductive wildness—the scene was highly impactful.

The girl named Megan looked like Hollywood's famous bombshell Megan Fox. Unexpectedly, she was a fellow student.

"That’s not right, this won’t do!"

Ross suddenly shouted, "Megan, Minnie, you need to remember your roles—you’re two prisoners who use their beauty to seduce men. Your bodies are your greatest tools, and you must learn to use them.

How do you use them?

Like streetwalkers use theirs.

Have you noticed them?

Whenever a man passes by, their eyes are unashamed—money in the left eye, sex in the right. I need you to be just like them."

"F***, damn Ross, I’m not going to play a slut!"

Suddenly, Megan angrily threw down her cane and stormed off the stage.

"Hey, Megan, we’re in class. I’m talking about your inspiration," Ross called out, rubbing his forehead helplessly.

"F**, Ross, why do the other students get to rehearse Hamlet or King Lear*, but we have to practice this kind of musical?

Oh, I get it now! It’s because we’re pretty, so you make us rehearse these raunchy scenes. Damn you, Ross! I’m going to complain to the school board about your sexual harassment!"

Megan fumed.

"Megan, this is art, not sleaze."

Ross retorted angrily. "The boys rehearse Hamlet because they’re male students. You’re female students, and Chicago is the best fit for you."

"Bullshit! There are plenty of female musicals. Why not Wicked or Hairspray? Why not Rent?"

"Because you’re beautiful and have great figures. That’s why I chose this show. The female leads in those other shows are average-looking or even ugly—think about it."

"Really?"

Megan’s tone softened a bit.

"Yes!"

Ross exhaled in relief and suddenly noticed Luca in the audience. His eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Hey, Luca! You’re here!"

"Good morning, Mr. Ross."

"Let me introduce everyone."

Ross loudly pointed to Luca. "This is Luca Kelly. Does anyone know Luca?"

"Luca? Big Luca?"

"Is he Britney’s rumored boyfriend, Luca?"

"I know him! I applied to this school because of him and Ms. Aniston!"

Everyone in the room turned to look at Luca. He was tall and muscular, his features handsome, and his face was like a finely sculpted work of art, exuding a captivating charm.

The girls eagerly checked him out, squinting flirtatiously as their interest piqued.

"Yes, yes, he’s the one who gave his all for art," Ross chuckled softly. "Luca, I’ve heard your acting has improved a lot. Would you like to come up and perform?"

Luca felt a bit speechless. He had come to chat with Ross, and now he was being used as a prop.

"Mr. Ross, what should I perform?"

Luca stepped onto the stage and asked.

"Hmm, how about you play Roxie?" Ross handed him the cane with a smile.

"Me, play Roxie?"

Luca had rehearsed Chicago before, but his role was the lawyer Billy Flynn. Now they wanted him to play a seductive woman?

"You can’t do it?"

Ross frowned. "Don’t tell me you’re shy!"

"Of course not. Let’s do it!"

Luca shrugged. His intimate scenes had been viewed by billions, so he had nothing to be shy about.

"Music!"

Ross snapped his fingers, and the music from Chicago’s prison dance scene blared through the theater.

Luca and another female student portrayed two flamboyant lead characters.

They twirled their canes, moving their bodies to the rhythm, striking seductive poses, as if their wild dance moves were a protest against the times—a declaration of "entertainment to the point of death."

"See that? See that?"

Ross called out to the students nearby. "Look at Luca’s performance. That’s what sexy is. He’s wearing workout clothes but is still sexier and more eye-catching than Minnie in her short skirt. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

The three boys and the girl who had been arguing with him asked curiously.

"Because he’s completely let go of his ego. He’s not Luca right now; he’s the character, Roxie.

Even though his moves aren’t perfect, he’s using his brain to control his body, doing everything he can to show off the character’s allure.

This is what it means to break through yourself to portray a character, whereas Minnie hasn’t fully let go yet."

Ross smiled as he critiqued.

"But it’s kind of weird—a guy being so flirty, even more than the girls. Look at his eyes—they’re just like a woman’s. It gives me chills," Megan crossed her arms over her chest.

Ross shook his head. "Megan, acting is a visual art. If watching a performance gives you chills, it means it’s stimulating you, and that means it’s a success."

"Is that true?"

"Of course! If a performance leaves you with no reaction at all, can it be considered brilliant?"

Megan furrowed her brow and focused on the stage.

Onstage, Luca continued performing with enthusiasm. His movements were provocatively sexy, increasingly making the audience feel a bit uncomfortable—his acting was surprisingly good.

The scene was short, lasting only five minutes, and as the music gradually faded, the performance ended.

Applause!

Mr. Ross clapped as he walked onto the stage.

"Not bad, Luca! Your acting has improved a lot."

"Thank you, Mr. Ross, it’s all thanks to your guidance," Luca said with a smile.

"Haha, yes, I wholeheartedly agree," Ross laughed happily.

"Luca, wait a moment. We’ll talk about your questions in a bit."

"OK!"

Chapter 142: Luca's Ambitions

“These female students are so difficult to teach. They want to be stars but refuse to seriously practice acting. It’s really tough for me as a teacher,” said Mr. Ross, stirring his coffee with a hint of frustration outside the Manhattan School of Performing Arts café.

Luca smirked slightly. It wasn’t just the girl’s fault; Ross had some responsibility too.

The girl had just started learning to act, and Ross already had her rehearsing “Chicago,” a challenging opera. Learning to act like a courtesan? Acting more provocatively? His methods might work, but he didn’t consider whether the girl could handle it.

“Luca, you mentioned over the phone yesterday that you were having trouble with your acting?”

Mr. Ross stroked his chin with his bearded hand.

“Yes,” Luca smiled slightly. “I’ve played three roles so far—Chip from City Desires, Michael from Honey Dancer, and I recently did a cameo as a hitman in Los Angeles.”

“And?”

“I realized that no matter what role I play, I’m always just playing myself. Chip is me, Michael is me, and the hitman is me too. I haven’t been able to separate myself from the character’s personality and traits.”

Luca paused, spreading his hands. “Mr. Ross, is there a way to solve this?”

“Hm?” Mr. Ross chuckled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all,” Luca replied, sipping his coffee.

Mr. Ross took a drag and slowly said, “This is a common issue many actors face. It has nothing to do with your acting skills but rather with your personal choices and path. Simply put, do you want to be a big star, or do you want to be a true actor?”

“Is there a difference?”

“A huge one!” Mr. Ross tapped the table with his cigarette-holding fingers. “If your goal is to be a big star, you’ll keep showing off in front of the camera—your looks, muscles, charm, sex appeal, and uniqueness.

“These are your natural advantages, things you own. You can use them to gain attention and fame until time catches up with you or the audience gets tired of you, and that’ll be the end of your stardom.”

“What if my goal is to be an actor?” Luca frowned.

Mr. Ross smiled slightly. “Then you don’t need to sell your good looks or sex appeal. On the contrary, before performing, you should break down those advantages according to the character’s traits.

“If the character doesn’t need to be so handsome, you can control your facial muscles to look less attractive. If the character isn’t as muscular, you should lose or gain weight.

“At that point, you’ll find that all your natural advantages become obstacles to your progress.

“If you can abandon all your advantages and immerse yourself in the role, sacrificing yourself to enhance the character, the more you give up, the closer you’ll be to success. That’s when you become a true actor.”

Mr. Ross chuckled, stroking his beard. “You said you always end up playing yourself and not showcasing the character’s traits.

“So let me ask you—what do you want to show most in front of the camera? Your good looks, your sex appeal, your charm? Or the character’s charm and your acting?”

Luca pondered for a moment. When standing in front of the camera, he wanted to show off his most handsome side and highlight his personal charm—something typical of a movie star.

“Can’t I have both?”

“Both?” Ross asked, confused.

“Yes, I want to be a talented big star, like Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, or Al Pacino.”

“Impossible!” Ross interrupted Luca’s dream with brutal bluntness.

“Why?”

Luca tugged at his collar. “Am I not handsome enough? Is my acting bad? I’m only 21; my future holds endless possibilities.”

“Endless? No, no, no~” Mr. Ross wagged his finger. “First of all, those actors are all Oscar winners. Can you achieve that? No, you can’t, because you’re Brazilian. Even if you emigrate to the U.S., you’ll always be seen as a foreign actor in the eyes of Oscar voters. In that regard, you’ll never be their equal.”

“…”

Luca was speechless.

Ross was right. The Oscars are very exclusive. Even Japanese actors, who once dominated Hollywood, have never won Best Actor. Luca’s chances of winning an Oscar for acting were very slim.

“Don’t be discouraged, Luca,” Ross continued, stroking his beard. “You won’t be Marlon Brando, but you could become an actor like Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, or Brad Pitt.”

“Really?” Luca sipped his coffee. “All of them have been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars.”

“But none of them are Oscar winners, and they probably never will be.”

“Why is that?”

“Tom Cruise’s religion makes him unpopular with Oscar voters. Leonardo is too handsome—if he doesn’t make sacrifices, he’ll struggle to get recognition. And Brad Pitt? He’s just like you, always showing off his good looks and sexy body in front of the camera.”

Luca nodded, realizing the truth in Ross’s words. Just as he was thinking, he noticed a pair of bright eyes and a beautiful face behind Ross.

Blonde hair, a sweet face, and playful lips. Isn’t that Rachel from Friends?

No, it’s Jennifer Aniston, the big star. America’s sweetheart, ranked #1 on People magazine’s list of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

What’s she doing here?

Luca was startled.

She was sitting in the booth next to them. Since the backs of the booths were high, he hadn’t noticed her earlier. But when Mr. Ross mentioned Brad Pitt, she turned to listen with a frown.

Rachel and Brad Pitt aren’t divorced yet, right?

She noticed him looking, blinked playfully, and smiled mysteriously.

“Brad Pitt’s acting is good, but his performances are too monotonous. He always tries to look cool, which distracts from his acting.”

“Ahem~”

Seeing that Mr. Ross was still talking about Brad Pitt, Luca quickly blinked. Brad’s wife was right there!

“What’s wrong?” Mr. Ross asked, confused.

“Hi, Mr. Ross. Long time no see!” Jennifer Aniston stood up from her booth. She was dressed casually in a blue plaid T-shirt and blue jeans. Although dressed simply, she looked stunning and comfortable.

“Jen?!” Mr. Ross’s eyes widened, and a flash of embarrassment crossed his face.

“Haha, Jen, what a coincidence!” he exclaimed. “It’s really great to see you!”

“Yes, Mr. Ross, your conversation was quite interesting,” Jennifer smiled meaningfully.

“Haha, really?” Mr. Ross rubbed his beard, his expression a bit awkward. He shot a quick glance at Luca as if to say, “Jennifer’s here—why didn’t you warn me?”

Luca shrugged in response, signaling that he had just noticed too.

Mr. Ross shook his head. “Jen, let me introduce you. This is Luca Kelly, a student here.”

“Ms. Aniston, hello! I’m Luca Kelly, nice to meet you!” Luca stepped forward, flashing a charming smile.

Jennifer looked him up and down and smiled. “Luca, I know you. You’re that ‘Supermodel Superman,’ right? You’ve been in the news more than me this year.”

“Jen, his stories are all about cheating scandals. How can that compare to you?” Mr. Ross said dismissively.

Luca’s eyelid twitched. Did he really have to embarrass him like that?

“Jen, what brings you to the school today?”

“I’m here to see…” Jennifer started, but then she looked toward the door. “Oh, there she is. Hi, Nia! Over here!”

The newcomer was Ms. Nia, a fashionable woman nearing 50 with a refined look. She had spent time in Hollywood, was an experienced professional, and taught screenwriting and stage acting at the school. She was a strict, critical teacher.

“Hello, Ms. Nia!” Luca stepped forward to greet her.

“Luca, what are you doing here?” Ms. Nia glanced at him, then at Jennifer, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

“Ms. Nia, don’t misunderstand. We just ran into each other by chance, we’re not on a date.”

“Did I say you were?”

“…”

*Chapter 143: Aniston's Ambition*

"What were you just talking about? Why does it seem a bit awkward?" Nia sat down and asked curiously.

"Haha, nothing much," Mr. Ross rubbed his nose. "Luca was just saying he wants to win an Oscar and asked me how to do it."

"Really? Luca, you want to win an Oscar?" Ms. Nia asked in surprise.

Luca glanced at a certain unscrupulous teacher, "Yes, that's my goal."

"Hmm, not bad. It's good to have a goal," Ms. Nia nodded approvingly, then glanced at Ross and sighed, "Too bad you asked the wrong person. Asking him how to win an Oscar is like asking a blind man for directions."

"Hey, Nia! I'm a member of the Actor's Guild and I've participated in the Oscar voting three times. Why can't I answer this question?"

"Then tell us, how can Luca win an Oscar?"

"It's impossible! He's Brazilian. How could he win an Oscar?"

"Anything's possible. Luca writes scripts, and he's very good at it. Why couldn't he win an Oscar?"

"We're talking about an Oscar for acting."

The two started arguing again.

Luca shook his head. They like to argue so much—why don't they get married? Imagine the noise at home.

Just as he was thinking this, he caught sight of a pair of eyes across from him. Ms. Jennifer was holding her coffee cup, raising an eyebrow, her eyes filled with a playful smile, as if to say, "I knew this would happen."

Luca smiled softly. Ms. Nia and Ross were like Chekhov's master and Ms. Gorya from the textbooks.

It was rumored that the two had been passionately in love when they were younger, but Ross had cheated. Now, being targeted like this was just karma.

"Jen, I watched your new movie the other day. Your portrayal of Grace was amazing. Here's to a huge box office success!" Luca raised his coffee cup in congratulations.

"Thanks!" Jennifer smiled softly.

The comedy film Bruce Almighty, starring her and Jim Carrey, had just been released this week. It was leading the box office after five days and was expected to take the top spot for the week.

However, with Disney's Toy Story and The Matrix Reloaded about to be released, competition in the box office was fierce, and Bruce Almighty would struggle to maintain its momentum.

"Luca, I also saw your performance. It was very impressive," Jennifer smiled slightly.

"My performance?" Luca was momentarily stunned. So far, the only role he had played was in Sex and the City. Was that nude scene really that impressive?

"Thank you!" He said awkwardly.

"Ross, shut up!"

At that moment, Ms. Nia stood up and said, "Jen, how about we move somewhere else? There's someone here I really can't stand."

"No need!"

Mr. Ross, embarrassed, wiped his beard and stood up. "Jen, you two chat. I'm heading out!"

"Uh, okay!" Jen was momentarily stunned and then chuckled softly.

Luca glanced at Ross, then at the two ladies. With Ross gone, was there any point in sticking around?

"Ms. Nia, Jen, I've got something to take care of. I'll head out. See you later!" He waved goodbye and prepared to leave as well.

"Luca, wait!" Jen suddenly called out.

"Jen, what's up?" Luca stopped and asked.

Jen looked him up and down before suddenly smiling, "I've taken on a new film called Along Came Polly, a romantic comedy. There's a role that needs a sexy male actor. Would you be interested in trying out?"

"Along Came Polly?" Luca hadn't seen this movie before, so it probably wasn’t a big deal. Still, since his senior was asking, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse.

"Jen, do you know when filming will start?"

Luca explained, "Next week I’m heading to Charleston for a shoot, and I'll be there for about three weeks."

"No worries, your scenes will start filming in early July."

"Great, thanks, Jen!"

"You're welcome. I'm your senior, after all," Jen smiled and exchanged phone numbers with Luca.

After the two left, Nia rubbed her temples and asked in confusion, "I've read the script for Along Came Polly. Is there really a role that suits him?"

"There is!" Jen smiled after putting down her phone. "What do you think about the scuba instructor? I watched his performance in Sex and the City. He’s got a sexy physique, especially with that joke about Mr. Big. Someone mentioned it on set, so I thought of him."

"The scuba instructor?" Nia recalled the character and said with a strange expression, "That role requires full nudity. Do you think Luca can handle it?"

"Not full nudity, just a bare butt. If he was willing to do Sex and the City, this shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

"That’s not certain. Back then, he had no roles and had to take anything. Now he's somewhat famous. What if he doesn't want to strip?"

"You're right. I'll ask him when I get a chance."

Jen nodded, then suddenly smiled. "Nia, you said Luca has little chance of winning an Oscar. What about me?"

"You?" Nia's stern face broke into a smile. "You've already won an Emmy. Why are you still thinking about an Oscar?"

"Why not? If a rookie like Luca can dream of winning an Oscar, why can't I?"

Jen raised an eyebrow and began to talk about her film plans.

Ms. Nia, in addition to teaching, was also a director, playwright, and producer on Broadway.

Jen wanted her opinion.

"You want to make a female-centered film?"

"Yes!" Jen took a sip of coffee. "Looking at the recent Oscar winners, the Academy seems to favor female-centric films. Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich, Halle Berry in Monster's Ball, and this year, Nicole Kidman in The Hours—they're all strong female leads."

"It's difficult. You've won an Emmy, and winning an Oscar would make you a part of history," Nia laughed.

"It’s hard, yes, but I still have a better chance than that Brazilian junior, right?" Jen teased.

Nia nodded slightly but then remembered something.

"You don’t lack funding. To win an Oscar, the first step is picking a good script. Look at Charlize Theron’s new film Monster. It's not a hard movie to make, but the script is excellent.

"You might want to talk to Luca about it. During our screenwriting class, he shared a concept with me, and I thought it was really good."

"Luca?" Jen was surprised. "Which Luca?"

"The little guy from earlier," Nia smiled.

"Why would I talk to him? What could a small-time actor do for me?"

"Jen, don't underestimate that little guy. He's more than just a model or actor. He’s also a very talented screenwriter. This year, two of his scripts, Goal! and Soccer Dad, have both been picked up, with investments in the millions."

"Goal!? I've heard of that one."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Jen’s eyes.

"I’ve read all of his scripts, and they’re excellent. The foundation is incredibly solid. I couldn’t find a single flaw. I honestly think he might be a better writer than I am."

"Better than you? That can’t be. He’s so young."

"It's true. He's young, but his mind is sharp and he’s full of ideas. During the last screenwriting class, he brought up another script idea to get my opinion. It’s a female-led film that deals with race and humanity. The story is quite good. You might want to talk to him about it."

"Alright, I'll find some time to chat with the junior. Hopefully, he won’t disappoint me."

Jen smiled lightly.

(End of the chapter)

*Chapter 144: Lima's Choice*

"Damn Tony, why isn't he here yet?"

On Monday morning, Luca had packed his luggage and was waiting on 76th Street.

He checked his watch; it was 8 o'clock. The two had agreed to meet at 8, but damn Tony still hadn't shown up. Now Luca finally understood how Kate felt last year—having an assistant who's always late could easily drive you mad.

"When we get back, I'm definitely going to fire him!"

"Why fire him? Tony's a good makeup artist. You hired him as an assistant, and that's a bargain," Lima said with a smile, her full red lips curving.

"But I need an assistant, not a makeup artist. Oh, there he is."

As they were talking, a yellow cab pulled up on the street.

"Hey~ Good morning, Luca! Good morning, Ms. Lima!" Tony waved his long arms while dragging a pink suitcase, loudly greeting them as he approached.

"Wow~ Ms. Lima, you look stunning! You’ve brightened up the entire Manhattan morning!"

"Thank you!" Lima smiled gently. "Tony, please take care of Luca from now on. He can be a bit careless at times."

"No problem, Ms. Lima. That's my job."

Tony grinned, loaded the luggage into the cab, and climbed in.

"Am I really that careless?" Luca raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Of course, you're very careless!" Lima sighed, then covered his mouth with her hand and said, "Stop talking, just kiss me!"

Five minutes later, the yellow cab slowly pulled away from 76th Street.

Waving goodbye, Lima got into her small sports car and headed to her modeling agency.

Elite Model Management’s headquarters was on Madison Avenue, not far from Madison Square Park.

Just like IMG, DNA, and Ford, Elite Model is a world-class professional modeling agency. The Elite Model Look competition it hosts is one of the most prestigious, globally recognized, and influential modeling contests today.

Since its founding in the 1970s, Elite Model has discovered and cultivated many world-class supermodels, including Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Lima.

"Good morning, Ambrosio!"

As she entered the building, Lima bumped into her fellow model, Ambrosio, in the elevator.

"Good morning, Lima!" Ambrosio greeted her and smiled, "Lima, you don’t look too great today."

"Really?" Lima touched her cheek and smiled, "Luca’s heading to South Carolina for a shoot today. I got up early to see him off and didn’t sleep well."

"Or maybe you went to bed too late?" Ambrosio winked, her face showing a playful expression.

Lima’s lips curled slightly. She didn’t deny it.

"And how are things with Jamie?"

Ambrosio’s boyfriend, Jamie Mazur, was a wealthy California heir from a fashion business family. They’d been dating for two years and things were going well.

"We broke up!"

Ambrosio waved her hand like she was shooing a fly.

"Again? That’s your third breakup, right?" Lima raised her eyebrows and laughed.

"No, the fourth."

"What was it this time?"

Lima couldn't help but chuckle.

Ambrosio shook her head, "We were on vacation in Hawaii last week, and he cheated with a small-time actress. This time, I’m definitely not forgiving him."

"Really?" Lima furrowed her brow. "If that’s the case, he’s not worth forgiving."

Ambrosio nodded, then suddenly remembered something.

"Lima, didn’t Luca cheat too? Why did you forgive him?"

"Luca cheated? I don’t know anything about that," Lima raised an eyebrow in response.

Ambrosio looked at her in surprise, then burst into laughter.

"Alright, alright, you really are a good girlfriend."

"Is that being dumb?"

"No, it’s being smart. Luca’s a great catch—he's Brazilian, and a potential husband. A lot of people envy you."

Ambrosio spread her hands as she spoke.

"Envy me?"

Lima was a little surprised.

"Yes. Before, Luca was overweight, sleazy, and a total mess. No one liked him. But in just over half a year, he’s completely turned his life around."

Ambrosio clicked her tongue in admiration. "He went from being a mere assistant to a supermodel, from a lost cause to a household name. It’s unbelievable. And on top of that, his body’s gotten stronger and sexier, and he’s looking more handsome and charismatic than ever."

As Ambrosio excitedly talked about Luca, she noticed Lima’s expression changing—her blue-gray eyes filled with playfulness, displeasure, and suspicion.

"Lima, why are you looking at me like that?"

"What do you think, Ana? You seem to be very interested in my boyfriend," Lima replied, annoyed.

"Uh—"

Ding! The elevator arrived at the office floor, and the two went their separate ways.

"Good morning, Bridget!"

Lima greeted her agent, Bridget Freemond, as she entered the office.

"Good morning, Lima!" Bridget rubbed her eyes and looked up. She was in her late thirties, African American, with curly hair. Her gray women’s suit was stretched tight over her sturdy frame.

"Bridget, did you need me for something?"

Lima poured herself a cup of coffee and sat on the couch, crossing her legs.

"Are you still taking fashion design classes at NYU?"

"Yes!" Lima raised her eyebrows. She was taking extra courses alongside her fashion design studies.

"That’s great!" Bridget handed her a document.

"What’s this?"

"Your upcoming events. Puma is hosting an official event, and they’ve invited their brand ambassadors and models to promote new products. You’re required to attend."

Lima nodded. She was a print model for Puma’s sports bras, so attending brand promotional events was part of her job.

As she browsed the schedule, she suddenly frowned.

"A beach party in Palm Beach?"

Palm Beach, Florida, was a summer tourist hotspot filled with wealthy people, and beach parties were essentially parties for the rich.

"A securities club is hosting the event, and they’ve invited many models to attend. You’re being offered a $100,000 appearance fee," Bridget explained.

"Remove it, Bridget," Lima said, shaking her head.

"Why?" Bridget asked, slightly agitated. "It’s just a party, and you’re being paid $100,000. A hundred thousand dollars!"

"I’ve explained my reasons before. Did you forget?"

"Because of Luca?"

Bridget frowned. She knew Lima was dating Luca, a celebrity who attracted a lot of media attention. At first, Bridget supported their relationship, but now, she was reconsidering.

Ever since Lima started dating Luca, she had turned down any events that required revealing outfits or seemed remotely suggestive, which had lowered her income—a point that didn't sit well with Bridget.

"Lima, you know how beach parties are. Even if the outfits are revealing, you don’t have to participate in certain activities. With so many people around, nothing will happen."

Bridget tried to persuade her.

Lima shook her head. "Luca is a very sensitive person. If he hears about it, he’ll definitely overthink."

"A man who cheated on you—why care so much about what he thinks?"

Bridget scoffed, her lips curling into a cold smile.

Lima ignored her and continued reviewing the event schedule with even more scrutiny than before, marking up the plan with a red pen.

Bridget sighed, "Lima, think about it again. The modeling world is becoming more competitive. If you don’t push yourself, other supermodels will leave you behind."

"Will they?" Lima softly replied. "I’ve attended fewer parties and events this year, yet my income has increased. Hasn’t it?"

"You could’ve earned even more."

Lima’s career was on the rise, and thanks to her relationship with Luca, her media exposure had increased, bringing more offers her way.

"Bridget, people need to learn to be content. Those who are content are the ones who find happiness. That’s something Luca taught me, and I’m passing it on to you."

Lima smiled as she handed the folder back to Bridget.

Seeing the three red Xs on the schedule, Bridget twitched her lips in frustration—those Xs represented cold hard cash.

Lima smiled casually, "Bridget, I’m heading to the gym now. Care to join me?"

"No, I’m too heartbroken!"

"Haha!"

Chapter 145: Joining the Crew (Subscribe)

"Last week, South Carolina was hit by an Atlantic cyclone, experiencing heavy rains. The Charleston Port was affected, and many buildings were damaged. However, according to the latest report from the weather bureau, South Carolina will enjoy clear skies for the next month."

"Recently, the film Monster, directed by famous Hollywood director Patty Jenkins and starring renowned actress Charlize Theron, has been filming in South Carolina. The film is based on the story of Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer."

Around two in the afternoon, Luca ordered an iced coffee at a café outside Charleston Airport, quietly reading the local newspaper.

Half an hour earlier, he and Tony had arrived at the airport, but the crew's greeter hadn't arrived yet, so they had to wait.

"Luca, the crew is here!"

About ten minutes later, Tony walked in with someone. The man was in his twenties, short, with darker skin and a hint of Latin American heritage.

"Hello, Mr. Kelly, I’m Hall, the crew's greeter. Sorry for being late," the young man named Hall said, stepping forward.

"No problem."

Luca shook his hand and asked, "Can we leave now?"

"Yes, your luggage is already in the car."

"Thanks!"

The three of them left the café together.

The sun outside was blindingly bright. Under the fierce sun, the sky held only a few wisps of cloud, like strips of tissue paper. Squinting into the distance, the air seemed to shimmer as if something was burning, with faint waves, almost like water ripples, but on closer inspection, it felt like an illusion. Still, there was a constant smell of something burnt, making the atmosphere somewhat unsettling.

"Luca, do you want to sit in the front or the back?" Tony asked as he opened the door of a Chevrolet pickup truck, which had two rows of seats but wasn't very spacious.

"I'll sit in the back."

Luca got into the back seat.

"Alright!"

Tony and Hall sat in the front, and the car slowly started. The burnt smell in the air grew stronger.

The car left the airport avenue, heading south quickly.

The crew of The Notebook was staying in a small town called Ashley.

This film is based on Nicholas Sparks' novel The Notebook, which topped The New York Times best-seller list.

In the original novel, the story takes place in a town called Creek in North Carolina, but Ashley was chosen for the filming due to its more scenic beauty.

In the backseat, Luca leaned back lazily, sending updates to Kate and Lima while also listening to the conversation in the front.

"Hall, are the actors staying in town or in the city?" Tony asked.

"In town. There's a four-star hotel there."

"A four-star hotel in town?"

"Yes, Charleston is one of the most famous vacation spots in the south. Every spring and summer, countless rich people and celebrities come here to vacation.

"See those vacation villas? Each one costs at least $500,000, and those are the cheaper ones. The ones near the Charleston Port cost at least $1 million.

"And Ashley, where we're filming, is a famous vacation town. It has many tourists every year, with seven or eight star-rated hotels."

"Really?"

Tony stuck his head out to look and asked, "Do the assistants get separate rooms?"

"Yes, it's all arranged."

"Haha, that’s good to hear!"

Tony breathed a sigh of relief.

Luca shook his head and continued messaging Kate. Suddenly, Tony exclaimed.

"Wow! It's beautiful!"

Curious, Luca looked up and realized the car had already left the city and arrived by a lakeside.

The lake was vast, stretching far into the distance.

Under the blazing sun, two white boats floated slowly on the water, and near the shore, there was a flock of ducks, white waterfowl, and even some beavers visible.

Surrounding the lake was a large forest.

In the summer, the trees were lush, providing a cool shade, hiding luxurious villas, tall churches, and sanatoriums.

As Luca took in the view, he couldn’t help but imagine a movie scene — the sun setting, the male lead rowing a boat on the lake, the red sunset coloring the water. The boat seemed to glide through wine, while the reeds on the shore gently swayed with the breeze, and white seagulls occasionally flew overhead, creating a perfect picture.

"We’re almost there!"

The driver, Hall, called out, snapping them back to reality. The car entered a bustling vacation town — Ashley, where the crew's set was located.

The small town spanned dozens of kilometers, with wide streets, uniquely styled buildings, a retro amusement park, and a busy lakeside dock.

"Filming here is like being on vacation," Tony said, rubbing his chin, grinning.

"Yeah, see those bars with the six-colored flags?"

Hall winked playfully.

"Yeah, what about them?" Tony asked, confused.

"Don’t you know?"

Hall glanced at Tony’s bright outfit. "Those places are gay havens. Charleston is a gay paradise, with lots of people finding true love here."

"Stop!!"

Suddenly, Tony shouted, his face turning red. "I’m not gay, and I’m not interested in gay havens."

"Uh... you’re not?"

Hall looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, Tony. I didn’t know. Forgive me for the slip-up."

"Hmph!"

Tony turned away, annoyed.

Luca couldn’t help but laugh. Tony did look flamboyant today.

Red short hair, a low-cut T-shirt, tight white pants, with eyeshadow and lip gloss, smelling of perfume. His look was misleading, so it wasn’t surprising people misunderstood.

"We’re here!"

The car stopped at the center of town, in front of a garden hotel. The eight-story hotel had an elegant, lavish design with a 1930s vibe, a bit retro but matching the town’s artistic charm.

As Luca got out of the car and was about to grab his luggage, a voice called out from afar.

"Hey, Luca!"

A tall, thin man with a beard stood at the fountain in front of the hotel, waving. He wore a dirty, old white shirt, popular in the 1940s and 50s.

"Ryan, what are you doing here?"

Luca put down his suitcase and walked over to hug him. His clothes were soaking wet — he must have been playing in the fountain.

Ryan Gosling laughed. "Luca, I knew you’d be here around this time, so I waited for you. Am I a good friend or what?"

"Yes, thanks!"

"Ryan, get in the car! We have to go!"

A small bus pulled out of the parking lot, and a familiar-looking woman leaned out of the window, shouting.

"Uh..."

Ryan hesitated for a second, then smiled. "Luca, I have to head to the set. I’ll buy you a drink tonight."

Luca smiled, glancing at the bus. "Mind if I come along?"

"Oh, of course!" Ryan waved. "Come on, I’ll introduce you to the crew."

"Thanks!"

Luca climbed aboard the crew's bus.