Model to Holywood

(Previous chapter revised)

In the afternoon, Luca returned from the city and arrived at Zuma Beach in Malibu. 

The sky was bright, and the ocean shimmered under the sun's rays. 

On the white sandy beach, Malibu residents, after finishing work, were walking, chatting, surfing, and building sandcastles. Many celebrities could be seen among them. 

Everyone was dressed casually, enjoying themselves with family, undisturbed by others. 

"Luca~ We're over here!" 

On the shallow waters by the shore, Kate Kelly stood barefoot on the sand, wearing a colorful long dress and sunglasses. 

The sea breeze blew through her long, golden-brown hair, making it ripple like a golden scarf, casting a beautiful silhouette by the seaside. 

Luca left his jacket and shoes in the car, rolled up the hem of his shirt, and walked over with uneven steps. 

The fine white sand easily covered his feet, only to be lifted again, leaving behind large footprints. 

"Kate, your dress is gorgeous!" 

Luca complimented her. 

"This is a new design by Lima and me!" 

Kate twirled on her toes. 

The colorful dress was primarily a bright yellow, spiraling down from the shoulders, flowing over her chest, waist, and hips, ending at the hem, perfectly highlighting her curves in a three-dimensional way. 

As she danced, the dress fluttered beautifully in the wind, more dazzling than the ocean at that moment. 

"Kate, you're stunning! You and Lima are the best designers!" 

Luca praised sincerely. 

"Really? But someone wanted to force me to become a writer and Lima to switch careers and become a game designer. Who could that be?" 

Kate teased. 

"I was wrong!" 

Luca quickly admitted, "Kate, you know I've never been a good decision-maker. Thankfully, you didn't listen to me." 

"Good to know!" 

Kate raised her eyebrows in a playful manner before breaking into a laugh, her charm captivating everyone around her. 

Luca smiled, glancing toward the beach, where Lima Miranda and a group were playing volleyball. Curiously, he asked, 

"How did you find time to come to the beach today? Are all the designs finished?" 

"Yes, all 13 main design drafts and samples of the Rainbow series are completed, and Gucci's designers are very satisfied." 

"That's no small feat, congratulations to both of you!" 

Luca gently touched her shoulder, his words heartfelt. 

In the past few days, Kate and Lima had been tirelessly working on several drafts, revising them repeatedly whenever the other party wasn't satisfied. 

They had pulled out a lot of hair to come up with good ideas, and their appearance had taken a hit as a result. 

Now that everything was completed, they could finally relax. 

"Congratulations to you too!" 

Kate smiled slyly, "You won't be getting beaten up anymore." 

Luca chuckled wryly. 

These two had gone a bit overboard. 

Whenever they got frustrated, they teamed up to beat him, hoping to spark inspiration. They also tried to tap into his creativity, asking him to help brainstorm ideas. 

These past days had been tough for him—living in constant anxiety. 

"Are you leaving again soon?" 

He suddenly remembered the upcoming Spring/Summer Fashion Week. 

"Yes, once Paris is ready, we'll head over to prepare for the fashion show." 

"When are you leaving?" 

"Very soon. After Fashion Week, how about we go back to Brazil?" 

Kate suddenly suggested. 

Luca paused for a moment, "Sure, I don't have any work planned for the second half of the year. I'll follow your lead!" 

"It seems like you can't live without me now!" 

Kate smiled. 

"Yeah, I've never thought of leaving you!" 

"You'd better not. If you try to run off, I'll break your legs." 

Kate playfully wrapped her arms around his neck and began running along the beach. 

"Kate, let go! You're choking me!" 

Luca shouted. 

"Haha, silly!" 

Kate ruffled his hair and let go, running lightly ahead. 

Her slender, fair legs danced as her colorful dress billowed in the wind, like a daughter of the sea casting a net, catching the most beautiful sunset in the sky. 

Luca smiled, tidied his hair, and hurried after her. 

"Luca, Kate! Come on, let's play volleyball together!" 

Lima and Miranda called out from a distance. 

"We're coming!" 

It was Luca and Lima versus Kate and Miranda. 

Wham! 

The game began, and Luca scored the first point. 

"Luca, you're a guy, you can only use one hand!" 

Miranda protested. 

"Fine, I'll still beat you with one hand." 

Wham! 

"Luca, don't jump so high!" 

"Okay!" 

Wham! 

"Idiot, no hands allowed!" 

"…" 

"How did the audition go today, Luca?" 

In the evening, they dined at Sherman's Seafood Restaurant. Luca sat with the three beautiful women. 

The restaurant was built over the sea, surrounded by large floor-to-ceiling windows. The sound of waves crashing, along with the vast ocean view, made it feel like dining on a ship. 

All the food on the table was seafood—fresh oysters, fist-sized scallops, and sweet lobsters, paired perfectly with white wine. 

"All in all, it went well. I might land one or two roles." 

Luca put down his fork, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin. 

"Only one or two? You've been so busy these days, I thought you'd land all of them!" 

Miranda teased with a smile. 

Luca shook his head, "These movies are all big projects, with the smallest budget being at least ten million. *Fantastic Four* is rumored to have over a hundred million, so casting decisions are made very cautiously." 

"How about *Brokeback Mountain*?" 

Lima placed another oyster on his plate. 

Kate smiled slightly. 

Luca slurped down the oyster and replied, "Jake Gyllenhaal has a better chance. If Director Ang Lee is bold enough, I might have a shot." 

"Luca, isn't that too passive? Haven't you considered taking the initiative?" 

Kate pondered thoughtfully. 

"Take the initiative?" 

"Yes, you know your competition. You could hire paparazzi to follow him. *Brokeback Mountain* is a sensitive film about same-sex relationships. If he says anything controversial, he could lose the role. What do you think?" 

Kate's sharp eyebrows lifted, full of fighting spirit. 

Luca thought for a moment and shook his head. "No need. It's just a small project, not worth that much effort. 

Besides, *Brokeback Mountain* has faced a lot of criticism since its inception and has been delayed for years. 

Whether I or someone else plays the role, getting the movie made quickly is a good thing." 

"Luca, I agree with you. You're a newcomer, a foreigner at that. You're already progressing fast enough. If you start getting too aggressive, you'll become unpopular." 

Lima placed yet another oyster on his plate. 

"You're right, Lima!" 

Kate shrugged, "Luca, is *Honey* coming out soon?" 

"Yes, this weekend!" 

"This weekend?" 

Kate thought for a moment, "Too bad we're heading to Paris the day after tomorrow. We might miss it." 

Lima held his hand, looking a little disappointed. 

"It's okay. I'm just a supporting role. You don't need to be there. When I star in a movie, I'll invite you all to the premiere." 

Luca smiled gently. 

"That sounds good!" 

"Luca, are you secretly happy we won't be there?" 

Miranda smiled mischievously. 

"Why would you say that?" 

Luca asked, confused. 

"The news says Britney Spears will be at the premiere." 

Miranda said slyly. 

Luca gave her a look—she had hit a sore spot. 

"Lima, I feel like Luca's bound to make a mistake soon. Should we beat him up in advance?" 

Miranda suggested. 

"Good idea!" 

Lima pursed her lips, put down an oyster, and said, "Hurry up and eat, once you're done, I'll beat you up!"

"."

end.