Model to Holywood

"Fanny, you're something else! You're grown, but you still like climbing trees. Aren't the pears at home sweet enough? Why eat the ones from the tree?"

It was afternoon at the Malibu Costco store. Standing in front of the dairy section, Luca was picking out milk while lecturing someone who had clearly messed up.

"I didn't know I'd get scared of heights after climbing! When I was little, I used to jump off tree branches without fear. Now I can't even compare to my younger self. Luca, do you think I'm regressing?" 

Fanny, pushing a shopping cart down the aisle, said this with some embarrassment.

Earlier that morning, under Theodore's encouragement, she climbed up the first branch of a tall tree in a rush of enthusiasm. She was about to flash a victory sign to the little guy but made the mistake of looking down. She almost wet herself, her head spinning as she nearly fell. 

Clinging tightly to the trunk, she froze in place, too scared to move. After a while, swallowing her pride, she called Luca for help, and he came with a ladder to get her down.

Now, though, she regretted asking for his help. He had been nagging her since 2 PM, going on and on for hours. It was driving her crazy.

"This isn't regression; it's just ignorance," Luca replied, picking up a large jug of milk, checking the expiration date before putting it back. "When you were little, you touched live wires without a second thought. Would you do that now? When you were a kid, would you have pulled a trigger on a gun pointed at yourself? You used to jump from tree to tree because you didn't understand the fear of death. And your parents were too soft to discipline you. If you were my daughter, I would've spanked you from day one, until you learned to behave."

*Wham!* 

Before he finished talking, Luca felt a swift kick to his calf.

"Luca, are you this obedient now because you were beaten too much?"

Fanny pulled her foot back and teased him with a grin.

"Of course not," Luca scratched his ear. "I've been 'beaten' by society. That's why I'm like this now. After you've experienced enough, you'll calm down too."

"Maybe, but I won't be as 'good' as you. You're practically a model citizen now: no smoking, no heavy drinking, no drugs, no messing around with women. You're just not cool anymore."

Fanny crossed her arms, leaning against the shelf.

"That's me—unique, like a different-colored firework."

"So, you've spent ten minutes just choosing milk. Does the brand even matter? Can't you just pick any carton? Your time gets wasted on these little things."

Fanny spoke with a bit of disdain.

Luca chuck

led, then finally selected two cartons of Clover milk and placed them in the cart. This brand was from Sonoma County in Northern California, where the cows were fed organic grass with no added hormones or growth stimulants. The milk was consistently high-quality with a smooth texture.

"Fanny, do you know why home-cooked meals always taste better than restaurant food?" Luca asked, pushing the cart forward.

"Why?"

Fanny playfully nudged his hand away and took control of the cart.

"Because the ingredients at home—bread, milk, oil, vegetables—are all carefully chosen by your mom. She picks the safest, most nutritious options for the family. When she cooks, she considers everyone's health and tastes. That's why home meals are more refined, while restaurant chefs just cook without that personal touch."

He paused, glancing at the milk cartons. "I take time picking milk because there are so many brands, and it takes effort to find the best. One carton's low-fat for me since I'm trying to stay fit, and the other is full-fat for you. You're too skinny and need the extra nutrients. Also, always check the expiration date—the fresher, the better."

As Luca spoke, Fanny leaned on the cart, watching him carefully select items. She smiled slightly.

"Luca, you must've been a stay-at-home mom in your past life."

"Wrong. I was still a man."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because—Daddy!"

Luca froze as a little voice interrupted. He looked down to see a small boy, around two or three years old, hugging his leg. The kid had black hair, dark eyes, and yellow skin—he looked like he could be Chinese.

For a second, Luca was stunned. If he ever had a son in this life, he was sure he wouldn't look like this. Could it be a son from his past life, chasing him all the way to America? No, that didn't make sense.

"Luca, is this your son? He's so big already! But why is your son Asian?" Fanny laughed, covering her mouth.

"Quit messing around. He's probably a lost kid."

Luca put down the whipped cream in his hand and knelt beside the boy. "Hey there, little buddy, what's your name?"

"Daddy!" The boy clapped his hands and shouted again.

"Ha! Luca, you've picked up a son at the supermarket today!" Fanny teased, also kneeling beside them, holding a tub of whipped cream.

"What's your name? Where's your mom?" Luca asked in Mandarin.

The boy ignored him, gnawing on the whipped cream container.

"Konnichiwa, onamae wa nandesuka?" Luca tried Japanese next.

"Annyeonghaseyo~" he greeted again in Korean, but the boy still didn't respond.

"Luca, what are you even saying?" Fanny asked curiously.

"I'm asking him his name. Looks like the only word he knows is 'Daddy.'" Luca sighed, waving down a store clerk to help find the boy's parents.

Just then, a woman with a stunning figure came rushing down the aisle, calling out, "Maddox! Maddox!" She seemed frantic, clearly looking for someone.

"Is that... Angelina Jolie?" Fanny gasped.

Luca raised his eyebrows. He saw the famous red lips and instantly recognized her. Was the child hers? He recalled she had adopted a kid from Cambodia.

"Laura, Sue, have you found Maddox yet?" Two other women, one dressed like a nanny and the other like an assistant, soon followed.

"No, not here!" 

"Still can't find him!" 

"How could three adults lose track of one kid?" Jolie complained.

"Hey, Ms. Jolie, are you looking for this little guy?" Luca asked, lifting Maddox up.

"Wow, Maddox! How did you get over here?" Jolie sighed with relief, clutching her chest.

"Mommy!" Maddox shouted, his face covered in whipped cream as he reached for her.

The nanny rushed over, scooping him up and cleaning off his face.

"Thank you, sir!" Angelina Jolie smiled, offering her hand, her lips curling in that iconic way.

"No problem, Ms. Jolie," Luca replied, shaking her hand.

"Luca, she didn't even recognize you!" Fanny giggled.

"I'm just a small-time actor. It's normal she doesn't know me," Luca said, pushing the cart towards the meat section for beef and lamb.

"Well, she might not have recognized you, but she was definitely checking you out. She said you had a good look and even gave you her card. Looks like she's trying to flirt!" Fanny teased.

"Of course, with my good looks and charm, what woman wouldn't like me?"

"Ha! So full of yourself!" Fanny smirked, tossing a tub of popcorn into the cart.

Luca smiled gently. "Fanny, there are some pears ahead. Want to grab some?"

"No thanks, I don't like pears."

"Then why'd you climb the tree?"

"Can we please drop this already, Uncle Luca?!"

"Ha! Alright, alright!"

Not far off in the baby aisle, Angelina Jolie snapped a few pictures with Maddox before handing him to the nanny.

"Laura, that guy looked familiar. Did you recognize him?" Jolie asked, frowning slightly.

Her assistant, Laura, nodded. "He's Luca Kelly, Britney Spears' rumored boyfriend."

"That's Luca? *Mr. Big*?" Jolie gasped.

"Yes, that's him!"

"He's even more handsome and charming in person," Jolie murmured to herself as she casually tossed a couple of diapers into her cart.

Her assistant said nothing.

"Why was he here?"

"Judging by what he was buying, it looks like he lives nearby."

"Really? An interesting new neighbor," Jolie smirked, pushing her cart away.

That evening, Luca returned home and began organizing the groceries, putting snacks in the cabinets, and storing vegetables, meats, and milk appropriately.

"Do you always live like this? So... meticulously?" Fanny asked, munching on a bag of chips from behind him.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Luca replied, removing the packaging from the lamb chops and placing them in the freezer.

"Once you have money, you could hire someone to do this for you. Get a housekeeper, and you'd be free from all these little tasks."

"And then what? Start smoking, drinking, and messing around because I'm bored? Like all those rock stars? They only do that because they're bored out of their minds."

"Hey, I'm in a rock band too, you know!" Fanny retorted.

"And aren't you bored?" Luca gestured at the chips in her hand. "We're having dinner soon, so maybe go easy on those, or you won't have an appetite."

*Crunch!*

Fanny defiantly bit into a chip, chewing loudly.

Luca shrugged. "Fine, whatever. You're in your rebellious phase, so I won't argue. And stop rolling your eyes—go watch a movie. Dinner will be ready soon."

"I am *not* in a rebellious phase!" Fanny huffed, walking off to the home theater with her bag of chips. After a few bites, she set them aside. 

Luca's cooking smelled too good. Giving up the chips felt like admitting defeat, and that annoyed her.

"Hey, Lima, can I ask you something? You've been with Luca for six months. Don't you ever get tired of him?"

"Haha, Fanny, only one day and you're already tired? Tell me, what did Luca do to annoy you?"

"Okay, let me tell you everything," Fanny said, sprawling on the couch and diving into a phone call.

Near the doorway, Luca overheard part of the conversation. He couldn't help but grin. Was he really that annoying? He wondered if he'd end up as the subject of one of her future songs. For some reason, that thought made him a little nervous.

(End of Chapter)