Model to Holywood

"Haha, darling, how's the situation?"

In the bedroom at night, Luca received a call from Kate. He glanced at the sleeping Lima, rolled over, and went to the balcony to take the call.

"Kate, my dear sister, you knew Lima was coming. Why didn't you give me a heads-up?" 

He said helplessly.

"Why should I inform you? Lima and I are good friends. I can't betray a friend." 

Kate laughed heartily.

"But I'm your brother, your own brother!"

Luca complained.

"Haha, alright, alright, this time you were wronged, but I trust in your abilities. You should have settled things with Lima by now, right?"

Luca rubbed his sore spot and said grimly, "A Pyrrhic victory!"

"Haha~" 

Kate laughed so hard she couldn't catch her breath over the phone.

"Stop laughing. You don't know how dangerous it was today. If I hadn't used forceful measures, Lima almost kicked me out!"

Luca wanted to convey the seriousness of the situation to her, as this couldn't happen again.

"Kicked you out?" 

Kate chuckled, "Lima isn't that foolish."

"What?" 

Luca frowned.

"Why would Lima kick you out? To make way for you and Britney? Lima isn't as foolish as you. As long as she's still your girlfriend, Britney will always be the third party. Isn't it cool to have a superstar as the third wheel?"

Kate said casually.

Luca shook his head, "Just because of that? I don't believe it!"

"Then why else? You think it's because she loves you and can't bear to leave you?

Yes, Lima loves you because you are indeed an ideal partner.

But, my silly brother, you need to understand one thing. For a woman, love isn't everything. She has her career, honor, family, and ideals.

Do you think Lima tolerates your mistakes just because she loves you?

No!

You are simply her best option at the moment.

Do you think Britney's proposal gesture at the concert was because she loves you?

You're mistaken.

It's just a woman's little trick. She wants to kick Lima aside and have you all to herself.

This is a woman's war.

Do you understand?

My silly brother.

You need to know that no woman in this world will completely love, tolerate, or be entirely devoted to you...except for me!"

Luca fell silent. He gazed at the tranquil pool below the balcony, ". I love you too, with everything I have!"

" ."

Neither of them spoke, just holding their phones in the crackling static, only each other's breathing, like angels reciting Satan's verses.

" ."

Suddenly, a muffled voice came through the phone.

"Darling, you go to sleep first. I'll be there soon!" 

Kate shouted.

Luca's heart skipped a beat, "Who are you talking to?"

Kate didn't respond. After a while, she slowly said, "Luca, I'm in love too."

Luca gripped the phone tightly. He had thought about this day but didn't expect it to come so soon.

"Is it true?"

"Luca, I haven't dated in almost a year...this time, will you give me your blessing?"

" ."

Luca didn't know how to respond. He covered the phone's microphone and took a deep breath before whispering, "Of course. Who is he? Is he taller than me? More handsome than me...?"

"We're doing well. Next month, we'll come over together."

Kate said softly.

". Alright!"

Luca hung up the phone and stared blankly into the distant night. His mind was empty, yet full. He took a deep breath, patted his face, and picked up his phone to send a message to Kate.

"Goodnight!"

He felt it was too plain and added another line.

"As long as you're happy, no matter what, I'll support you. I'll always love you. Goodnight!"

After sending the message, he waited for a while. Then, he flung the phone towards the sky, but it missed the crescent moon and shattered the moon's reflection on the water's surface.

He sighed softly, standing on the balcony, closing his eyes, and fell backward.

Splash!

The pool water shattered into fragments.

He swam in the water for countless laps until he was exhausted. Then he climbed ashore, drenched, walked to the garage, and drove out of the gate. Suddenly, he wanted to return to New York.

He drove that battered pickup truck, racing along the Pacific Coast Highway, reaching the highest speed. Time and space disappeared, leaving only the sea breeze howling in his ears.

Screech!

He didn't know how long he had been driving. Almost reaching Zuma Beach, he suddenly stopped the car. Gazing at the ocean below the highway, he turned the car around and drove back to the villa.

Lima had gotten up and was about to leave in the BMW.

"Where are you going?"

Luca asked curiously.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Where did you go in the car last night?"

Lima got out of the car and asked.

"Nothing much."

Luca scratched his hair. The speed was too fast, and his hair had dried. But the wind was too cold, leaving his face numb. He rubbed his face and got out of the car.

"Where's your phone? Kate tried calling you, but it couldn't go through."

"It fell into the pool. I was going to drive to buy a phone, but I forgot my wallet."

"Silly, where can you find a phone store open in the middle of the night?"

Lima shook her head.

"Alright, we'll buy one tomorrow!"

Luca wrapped his arm around her waist and said.

"Your hands are so cold!" 

Lima touched his hand.

"Yeah, I was driving at three hundred miles per hour on the road."

"Three hundred miles? That junk car can go three hundred miles?" 

". Well, it was pretty fast anyway!"

Luca shrugged.

Lima smiled gently, "Don't race cars anymore. Don't forget how your career ended."

"I know. I'll be careful."

Luca pulled up the corners of his mouth and smiled.

"Kate, Luca's back. He said his phone fell into the water and was going to drive out to buy a new one."

Lima called Kate.

Luca walked into the kitchen, grabbed a few slices of pizza, stuffed them into his mouth, then picked up a milk jug and chugged it.

"Are you very hungry?" 

Lima looked at him in surprise.

Luca shrugged, "Not hungry, just thirsty!"

He picked Lima up and walked out.

"What are you doing? Stop it!"

"Darling, how about some overtime?"

"Are you up for it?"

" ."

An hour later, he answered the question perfectly with his actions.

"Darling, you seem a bit off. Did something happen?" 

Lima leaned against his chest and asked.

"Am I stronger now?" 

Luca stroked her hair and smiled.

"Yes, Mr. Beast!" 

Lima angrily pinched his chest muscles.

Luca grinned, ". Darling, Kate said she has a boyfriend now. Have you met him?"

"Kate's boyfriend?" 

Lima raised an eyebrow and suddenly laughed, "Yes, I've met him. He's alright, and you know him too."

"I know him too? Who is he?"

"Not telling you for now. You'll see him next time they visit."

Lima blinked.

"Tell me now!"

"Nope, nope, haha~"

"Then I won't be polite!"

(End of this chapter)