Model to Holywood

"Take care, Luca!"

"Luca, I've got scenes tomorrow, so I can't see you off. Let's grab drinks when we're free!"

"Luca, you promised to invite us to your estate, don't forget!"

"Goodbye, everyone!"

Luca packed his bags in the bedroom of the villa, ready to leave Toronto the next morning.

He had arrived with a somewhat dull mood, and now, as he prepared to leave, the same sense of melancholy lingered.

Over the past two days, his mood had improved slightly, but saying goodbye again, hugging everyone, brought his feelings back to square one.

He lazily packed his things, then grabbed a beer and walked out to the balcony. Lighting a cigarette, he stared blankly at the clouds.

*Ring, ring~*

His phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Luca blinked twice. It was Kate calling.

They used to chat on the phone daily, often talking for hours without restraint, sharing everything. They were closer than friends, more intimate than lovers.

He loved that feeling.

But now, Kate had a boyfriend. She hadn't mentioned it to him, and that left him feeling betrayed and incomplete.

It wasn't quite heartbreak, but it felt worse in some ways.

He knew he shouldn't blame her, shouldn't be selfish, but he just wasn't ready to face this change.

Luca rubbed his face and answered the call.

"Hey, Kate, good afternoon!"

It was an awkward start, Luca knew that. It wasn't like before. He used to say things like, "Miss me?" or "How's your mood today?" or "I miss you." But now, those lines felt awkward, and he didn't feel like saying them.

"Luca, you haven't called me in three days."

Kate's voice was soft on the other end.

"Really? I'm sorry, I've been busy with my scenes."

Luca gave an embarrassed explanation.

"Excuses!" Kate said lightly.

Luca smirked. He had revealed too much in the past; with Kate, he couldn't hide anything.

"Alright, you're right. It's all excuses. I've only got three scenes in Toronto, plenty of time to call. But what would I say?"

He exhaled, watching the dark clouds on the horizon. "This morning, I wanted to call you, but I was afraid a man would answer. That would've ruined my mood for the whole day.

At lunch, I stared at your number, wanting to complain about the terrible crew food, the beautiful scenery in Toronto, and the makeup artist who keeps farting.

But I thought, what if you're eating with your boyfriend and don't have time to hear me ramble?

At night, I picked up the phone again, thinking I'd say goodnight as usual. But you haven't said goodnight to me in three days, have you? You've been saying it to someone else, right?"

Luca shrugged. "I guess you don't need me anymore, do you?"

There was silence on Kate's end of the line. He couldn't tell if she was crying or laughing.

Luca sighed. "Alright, Kate, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be blaming you. You have a boyfriend now, and I should be happy for you, hoping you're happier. Not sulking like this. I just… I'm not used to it yet. I haven't fully accepted it.

Maybe in a while, I'll be better. I'll come visit you in New York. I wonder what my future brother-in-law likes as a gift. Oh, Canadian maple leaves are nice. I could bring him a few. What do you think?"

There was a soft laugh from Kate. "Yes, Canadian maple leaves are a good gift. But a few are too little; bring a whole box if you can."

Luca chuckled. "Is he Canadian?"

"No, he's Australian."

"Alright then."

Luca leaned back, holding the phone, listening to the background noise, waiting for Kate to speak again or say goodbye.

"Is there nothing left for us to talk about?" Kate asked quietly.

"There is. Lately, I've done a lot of stupid things, but I can't tell you because they might become jokes between you and him."

"Luca, actually, I..."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Kate sighed. "I called because I had something to ask you."

"Go ahead. It seems you don't call unless there's something you need."

"Jerk. You know, I feel like punching you right now."

"Alright, what do you need?"

"Remember last time when you brought Britney to my place? Was she wearing that rainbow hoodie?"

"Rainbow hoodie?"

Luca rubbed his temple. "Yeah, why?"

He had mentioned it to Kate, but he hadn't detailed what Britney was wearing.

"Of course, it was you."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. When you get back to LA, I'm going to punch you hard, you stingy jerk!"

*Beep beep!*

Kate hung up the phone.

Luca shook his head, picked up his half-finished cigarette from the railing, and took a drag. He looked up at the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the trees. The light and shadows flickered, but there was no warmth. He missed California.

*Honk honk!*

Before he could finish his cigarette, two honks came from downstairs.

He glanced down to see a silver Porsche parked in front of the villa, with a floral wreath hanging on the front. 

In the middle of the wreath was a sign that read "Just Married." It was clearly a wedding car.

The car door opened, and a slim woman stepped out.

She had brown, medium-length wavy hair, and wore a gray business suit with high heels and nude stockings—elegant, fashionable, and a bit sexy.

"Rachel, what are you doing here?"

Luca was surprised. Rachel had finished shooting yesterday and taken time off to attend her cousin's wedding.

He hadn't seen her when saying goodbye to the crew earlier and felt a bit regretful. He hadn't expected to see her again.

"Haha, Luca, I'm here to keep our date. Come on down!"

Rachel leaned against the car door, looking up at the balcony with her signature red lips and a bright smile.

Seeing her, Luca's mood lifted a little.

"Where to?"

"Niagara Falls. Remember? We talked about it on the plane. We've got half a day left, plenty of time for a round trip."

"Emm, sounds like a good idea."

"Is this a wedding car?"

"Yes, the decorations are beautiful, so I didn't take them down."

"They are pretty, with a bit of a happy vibe."

Luca got into the wedding car and noticed a bouquet on the back seat.

"Did you catch the bride's bouquet today?"

"Haha, yes. I was the wedding officiant and the MC, so when it came time to catch the bouquet, I shouted, 'It's mine!' No one dared to compete with me."

Rachel laughed heartily.

Luca smiled gently. "Rachel, thank you."

"For what?"

Rachel tilted her head, her brown eyes bright under her fluffy bangs.

"Thanks for keeping our date. Otherwise, I'd have spent a boring afternoon alone."

Luca sighed.

"No need to thank me. If it weren't for this date, I wouldn't have found an excuse to escape from the wedding banquet."

Rachel laughed.

"Why did you run away?"

Luca asked, puzzled.

Rachel shook her head and sighed. "They were pushing me to get married."

Luca smiled. He wanted to ask if she and Ryan had any wedding plans, but then thought better of it. In the entertainment world, few couples made it to the end.

"Are you in a bad mood?"

Rachel suddenly asked.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes."

Rachel smiled slightly. "Just now, you were leaning on the balcony, smoking. You looked a bit melancholic, though it was kind of charming."

Luca shook his head. "I'm a little reluctant to leave the crew. To leave you all."

"Is that so?"

Rachel glanced at him, her lips curving. "You're quite sensitive."

"You want to say I'm dramatic, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Feel free to say it. I won't get mad, but I might hit you."

"Haha~"

The wedding car left Toronto, crossing a sea bridge and heading down the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) toward Niagara.

The sky had been gloomy since noon, and now it was even darker.

"Do you think it'll rain?"

"Rain makes the falls even more beautiful, doesn't it?"

"Yes, we're quite lucky!"

(End of Chapter)