Model to Holywood

"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!"