Model to Holywood

"Huff huff~"

At a little after 5 PM, the rehearsal ended, and Jamie Dornan lay on the couch, wiping his sweat and breathing heavily.

"Hey, Jamie, get ready, the lingerie show is about to start," Luca said, putting on his T-shirt and urging him.

"Alright!" Jamie propped himself up with his arms, but after lifting his body just a bit, he fell back onto the couch, lying flat like a dead fish.

"Ahh, it feels so much better just lying here!" Jamie sighed.

Luca shook his head. They had rehearsed for over four hours without a break, and everyone was feeling sore, especially the newcomers with little experience in big shows.

Jamie Dornan was one of those. He used to be the bassist in a band, but because of his cool and handsome appearance, he was recruited by a modeling agency and came to America from the UK. Like Luca, he wasn't originally a model, and, also like Luca, he became famous because of women.

Jamie hadn't done many big shows, and today's rehearsal had been intense. The hot weather didn't help, and he was feeling worn out.

"Need to recharge!" Luca grabbed two bottles of water from Tony and handed one to Jamie.

"Thanks!" Jamie chugged the water and let out a deep breath.

"Luca, we've been rehearsing for so long. Aren't you tired?" Jamie asked.

"Of course I'm tired, but just thinking about the upcoming lingerie show gets me pumped! Jamie, don't you want to watch the show?" Luca smirked.

"Of course I do!" Jamie slapped the couch and, with a determined look, forced himself to sit up. He patted his legs and said, "Back when I was in the band, I could stand for hours with no problem. Now, after switching to modeling, just a few hours of practice, and I feel sore all over!"

"Did you have a long-term girlfriend back when you were in the band?" Luca grinned, taking a sip of water.

"No!" Jamie shook his head, confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Sore muscles, body feeling weak—doesn't that have something to do with not having a girlfriend?" Luca teased.

"Haha, maybe you're right!" Jamie laughed, patting his legs. "But Luca, with all your rumored girlfriends, how are you still in such good shape?"

"Do rumors have anything to do with physical fitness?" Luca shot back.

"They don't?" Jamie raised an eyebrow and burst into laughter.

Ding-ding-ding~ Jamie's phone rang.

"Keira, the rehearsal just ended. What's up?" Jamie answered the call.

"Jamie, when are you coming home?" Keira Knightley asked on the other end.

Jamie hesitated for a moment. "Keira, we're planning to go out for a bit. I'll be home later."

"Going out? It's getting dark. Who are you going with?" Keira asked suspiciously.

Jamie glanced out the window and realized it was almost evening. "With Luca."

"Luca?!" Keira exclaimed. "You're going out with *Luca*?!"

"Yeah, why? Is there a problem?" Jamie asked, puzzled.

"Jamie, why are you out of breath?" Keira asked sharply, making Luca chuckle as he cleaned his ears.

"The rehearsal was tough. I can barely stand," Jamie explained.

"And you still want to go out?"

"..."

Jamie sighed. "Alright, Keira, we're actually going to a CG lingerie show. I didn't want to make you misunderstand. Do you want to come along?"

"No, I'm not going!" Keira hung up angrily.

"Jamie, maybe you should skip it and head home to Keira," Luca laughed lightly.

"It's fine," Jamie smiled as he put down his phone. "Keira's not one to get upset over something this small. Let's go!"

"Are you sure?" Luca asked.

"Totally!"

"Alright then!"

The two left the Hammer Museum together.

"A lot of big names are showing up tonight," Luca remarked as they arrived at the front of the Oceanarium in the evening.

There was a formal lingerie show happening, and the atmosphere was lively. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars: stretch Lincolns, Bugatti Veyrons, Rolls-Royces, and Maseratis. Compared to these, a BMW looked almost ordinary.

At the entrance of the Oceanarium's main hall, well-dressed guests moved about, and the place was lit up with the glamour of stardom.

"Look, it's the Beckhams!" Jamie excitedly pointed ahead as they entered.

"Do you want an autograph?" Luca asked, pulling out their tickets, which Nina had gotten for them.

"Nah, I'm not a fan," Jamie shook his head, then his eyes lit up. "Look! That's Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt!"

Luca glanced over. The Beckhams were entering the hall and had just bumped into Aniston and Pitt. They stopped to chat, surrounded by other well-known personalities.

"Luca, aren't you going to say hello?" Jamie teased with a grin, nodding in that direction.

"They're big stars. Why should I interrupt?" Luca shook his head.

Since returning to LA, Jennifer Aniston hadn't reached out to him. Whether she was avoiding him or for some other reason, he didn't want to make things awkward by approaching her now.

"Got it, got it!" Jamie clapped him on the shoulder, laughing.

"What exactly do you 'get'?" Luca asked, irritated.

"Nothing, nothing!"

"Jamie! Wait up!" A shout came from behind as they were about to enter.

"Keira, why are you here?" Jamie asked, surprised.

"Why shouldn't I be?" Keira retorted, annoyed.

"Of course you can be here. It's just that you said you weren't coming."

"Well, I changed my mind."

"Alright then."

Jamie walked over to her and they began whispering. Luca wiped his forehead, sensing he was about to witness some couple drama.

"Luca, did you invite Jamie to this lingerie show?" Keira, dressed in a white gown, approached aggressively.

"Yes, I did. Is that a problem?" Luca smiled calmly.

"Are you trying to corrupt him?" Keira accused.

"Keira, that's rude!" Jamie interjected.

"Fine, fine! Sorry, Mr. Kelly. By the way, have you heard back from your audition for *Brokeback Mountain*?" Keira asked.

"Not yet," Luca replied.

"I see," she said, before turning to Tony. "Is he your assistant?"

"Yes, any issues with that?" Luca glanced at Tony, confused.

Tony looked back, equally puzzled.

"No," Keira shrugged. She pulled Jamie aside and whispered something to him.

"Really?!" Jamie glanced at Luca and then at Tony, noting his tight T-shirt, skinny jeans, and heavy makeup. Jamie's expression turned uneasy.

"Now do you see why he's hanging out with you?" Keira whispered seriously.

"That can't be true!" Jamie's face turned red, then pale.

"What are you two whispering about?" Luca asked, his face darkening as he sensed something off in their expressions.

"Oh, nothing," Jamie laughed awkwardly.

Luca shook his head. "Jamie, I'm not—"

"Not what?" Keira interrupted.

"Never mind!" Luca decided it wasn't worth arguing with an 18-year-old.

"Jamie, are you still going in?" Keira asked.

Jamie hesitated.

"Come on, you wanted to see the show. Let's all go together!" Keira said generously.

"OK!" Jamie agreed, and the three of them entered the Oceanarium's lower hall together.

(End of chapter)