Model to Holywood

Morning, 43rd Street apartment.

Sunlight quietly slipped through the curtains, hoping to sneak a peek into the bedroom, but the two people inside had already woken up.

The tall, handsome man dressed himself, bending down to pick up the scattered clothing on the floor—T-shirt, underwear, bra, stockings. 

The sultry, sexy woman leaned against the headboard, noticing a few new pink marks on her body. She glared playfully, "Luca, is this the color you gave me?"

"How do you like it? Satisfied?" 

Luca smiled faintly.

"Jerk!" 

Lima threw a pillow at him with all her strength.

Luca laughed heartily, catching the pillow. He lifted his shirt, showing off several long, red scratch marks on his back.

"Look, this is the color you gave me. Do you really have a right to be mad?"

Lima burst into laughter, biting her full lips as she scolded, "You deserved it! I was defending myself, you jerk!"

"Okay, okay! I deserved it. My bad." 

Luca tossed her bra and stockings at her and turned to leave. "I'm making breakfast. Hurry up and get up, lazybones!"

"I'm not lazy!" 

Lima shouted in protest. She grabbed the bra and stockings from her shoulder, sat up to get out of bed, but when she saw it was only 7:10 AM, she thought for a moment and curled back under the blanket, smiling slyly as she drifted off to sleep.

"Wake up, Lima! The sun's up already!" 

After what seemed like forever, an annoying voice sounded next to her, accompanied by a hand rubbing her face persistently—so irritating.

"Stop it! Let me sleep!" 

Lima groaned, waving her hand in frustration, pulling the blanket over her head as she prepared to go back to sleep.

*Smack! Smack!*

Just as she was about to doze off, she felt two heavy slaps on her backside.

Lima frowned, her long eyelashes fluttering open like fans.

"Luca, are you trying to die?!" 

She glared at him angrily.

"Nope!" 

Luca chuckled. "Chubby girl, last night you said you had a public class this morning and couldn't be late. Now, there's less than 40 minutes before class. Are you sure you want to skip?"

"Ahh! Jerk! Why didn't you wake me sooner?" 

Lima shot out of bed, scrambling through the wardrobe for underwear. "Damn it, it's already past 8! I'm going to be late! This is all your fault, staying up so late last night. Tell me, did some other woman get you worked up? Was it that little tramp Jessica? I bet it was her. She looks just like Britney!"

"Stop it!" 

Luca smiled slightly as he tidied the bed. If he didn't clean it up, the bed would look the same tonight as it did in the morning.

*Ding-dong, ding-dong!*

"It's Fanny! We planned to go to class together. Hurry and open the door!" 

Lima nudged his shoulder.

"Alright, alright. Don't stress. It's just a public class. Being a little late isn't a big deal."

"Don't be ridiculous! I'm a good student. How can I be late for class?"

"Okay, okay. Miss 'Good Student' Lima." 

Luca waved his hand and walked out of the bedroom. He glanced around the living room—sofa, carpet, countertop—everything was neat, so he opened the door.

"Hey, Luca! Good morning!" 

Sure enough, it was Fanny Joanne.

She wore a white Chanel dress, her ponytail high, red sandals on her feet, and a black LV handbag in her hand. She looked fresh and vibrant.

She smelled faintly of lavender, clean and elegant.

At this moment, she seemed more like a college freshman than the queen of the nightclubs who took off her jacket and sang her heart out with a guitar.

"Good morning, Fanny! Come on in!" 

Fanny had been getting along well with Lima lately, so this wasn't her first visit. She knew her way around.

She glanced around the room, noticing the breakfast still sitting on the dining table in the adjacent room—fried eggs, toast, milk—smelling delicious, though no one was eating.

"Where's Lima?" 

Fanny asked curiously.

Luca shrugged. "Just woke up. She's getting dressed."

"Luca, what are you saying?" 

Suddenly, Lima walked into the dining room from the kitchen, holding a plate of sliced fruit. She greeted Fanny while talking, 

"I woke up at 7 and made breakfast. You just got up, and you're calling me lazy? Hmph! Fanny, look at this. This is how men are—never a truthful word."

"Uh..." 

Luca glanced at the kitchen, then at the fully dressed Lima.

Does she know how to teleport? How did she get ready so fast? And those fruit slices—I cut them!

Fanny looked from Lima to Luca and burst out laughing.

"Lima, did you make all this breakfast?" 

Fanny asked, suspicious.

"Of course! Luca is so lazy. He does nothing every day, so I have to make breakfast myself." 

Lima sighed dramatically, looking burdened.

"Fanny, let me give you some advice. When you get a boyfriend, choose wisely. Find someone hardworking. Don't go for a lazy guy like Luca."

"Is Luca really that lazy?" 

Fanny asked, stifling a laugh as she looked at Luca's frustrated expression.

Lima nodded seriously. "Yes, he's lazier than a sloth."

"Shut up!" 

Luca muttered under his breath, "You haven't even washed your face or brushed your teeth, and you're acting all diligent."

"I washed up in the kitchen!" 

Lima said proudly.

"Good for you!" 

Luca smiled to himself, reminding her, "You haven't put on any makeup yet."

"Do I need makeup to look good?" 

Lima shot him a cold glare.

"You look great!" 

Luca replied quickly.

"Hehe~" 

Lima rolled her eyes at him, then put down the fruit plate. "Fanny, have you had breakfast yet? Come try my cooking!"

"No, thanks. I've already eaten." 

Fanny smiled and sat on the sofa.

"Fanny, would you like some coffee or juice? Or tea? Luca somehow got some tea from China. It's called pre-rain Dragon Well, very refreshing. Want to try it?" 

Lima suggested.

"I'll have some tea!" 

Fanny smiled.

"Fanny, hold on a sec!" 

Without needing Lima's order, Luca immediately went off to make tea.

A little while later, Luca returned. Lima had disappeared, and sounds were coming from the makeup room.

Luca placed the teacup down. "Fanny, the water's hot. Be careful."

"Thank you!" 

Fanny accepted the white porcelain cup. The clear water held a few delicate green leaves, looking as elegant as a watercolor painting.

The smooth cup, the wafting steam—it smelled like a fresh mountain after the rain, calming and refreshing.

"It smells wonderful! Is this Chinese tea?" 

Fanny inhaled deeply, loving the scent.

"Yes, it's much lighter than black tea. It's good for the morning. You should give it a try." 

Luca sat at the dining table, finishing Lima's leftovers, regretting not eating first before waking her.

"It does taste light, but the aroma is so refreshing. It's really beautiful." 

Fanny took a sip, commenting.

Luca nodded. This tea was a gift from Han Li. She had noticed his love for Chinese liquor and sent him this pre-rain Dragon Well tea, which cost over $500 per pound.

"Do you like it, Fanny? I can give you a pack." 

Luca offered.

"Oh, no need." 

Fanny smiled. "Next time I feel like having some, I'll just come over for tea."

"Anytime! You're always welcome." 

Luca grinned.

"Thanks!" 

Fanny set the teacup down gently. "By the way, Luca, I've written a new song recently. Can you help me polish it when you have time?"

"Me? Help you edit a song?" 

Luca was sipping milk and nearly choked.

"Wait, Fanny, you want me to help with your song?" 

Luca asked again.

"Yes!" 

Fanny blinked at him. "Britney told me you wrote that song 'Nobody.' I thought it was amazing—really strong rhythm. Isn't that right?"

".…Alright, I'll listen to your song when I have time. But I'm busy this week. I'm going to South Carolina for a shoot on Monday."

"I know! Then let's wait until after your shoot."

"Sure!" 

Luca smiled wryly. After this film, he'd have to shoot *Mean Girls* in LA. There wouldn't be much time to play cool.

"Haha, Fanny, are you done with your tea? Let's head out!" 

Lima appeared, her brown curls cascading down, her makeup flawless. She wore a long white shirt tucked into blue jeans, her curves on full display. This was when Lima looked her best.

"Lima, you're so beautiful!" 

Fanny complimented with a bright smile.

"You too! Your skin is so fair, like an elf!"

The two exchanged compliments.

"Lima, aren't you going to eat anymore?"

Luca pointed to the half-eaten breakfast.

"No, I'm on a diet."

Lima waved her hand, pulling Fanny out the door.

"Lima, should we ask Luca to come to school with us?"

Fanny asked as they walked.

"No need, he'll head to school soon."

"Manhattan School of Performing Arts?"

"Yes."

*Bang* 

The door closed.

Luca kept eating enthusiastically. After finishing, he still needed to hit the gym—otherwise, he might have to sign up for the water gun squad.

(End of this chapter)