Model to Holywood

"I'm really sorry, Ms. Hister. After I reported Kate's information to headquarters, they rejected my proposal. They believe Kate is too inexperienced to be the spokesperson for our new handbag collection."

That afternoon, on New York's 57th Avenue, in the Louis Vuitton Tower's director's office, a well-groomed middle-aged man stood with one hand holding a cigarette between his middle and ring fingers. His bright red nail polish was striking. 

This was Marc Jacobs, the North American brand director for Louis Vuitton and an openly gay man. 

"Marc, we already had an agreement. How can you change things at the last minute?" Nina frowned, clearly unhappy. 

"Nina, this decision came from headquarters. I'm truly sorry."

"Marc, can you at least tell us who you chose instead?" Kate chimed in.

Marc glanced at her and smiled, "Miss Bündchen."

"As expected." Kate frowned slightly, clenching her fists on her lap.

Suddenly, Nina's phone rang. She excused herself to take the call in a quiet corner and returned shortly after. 

"Marc, would it be alright if we watched TV for a minute?" Nina smiled as she asked.

"What?" Marc widened his eyes in surprise. No one had ever asked to watch TV in his office before.

Kate also looked at Nina with confusion. Was this a new PR tactic?

Nina smiled, "Marc, may we? It'll only take a minute."

"Okay, go ahead!" Marc, curious about what she was up to, agreed. Was she going to threaten him with a spoiler to make him change his mind? He had to admit that would be a clever tactic.

But Marc, who had been in the fashion industry for over 20 years, wasn't so easily threatened. 

Hmph, Nina, you may be known as one of the toughest agents in the industry, but this time you're bound to be disappointed. 

Nina quickly switched the TV to CBS News. 

"Nina, are you about to tell me the US military is going to invade Iraq?" Marc joked.

"Oh, Luca!" Kate suddenly gasped.

Curious, Marc looked at the screen and saw a stroller about to be crushed by a speeding bus. Then, out of nowhere, a young man dashed forward at an incredible speed, positioning himself in front of the bus.

Boom!

The impact was intense. 

Instinctively, Marc squinted his eyes and leaned back, as if worried the bus might crash right through the screen. 

"Oh, Luca, you're amazing! Hahaha!" Kate suddenly burst into laughter, clapping her hands enthusiastically, far from her usual icy demeanor.

Marc, squinting at the TV, had assumed the baby and the young man were done for. But to his surprise, the young man stood up like a giant, lifting the baby in triumph and shouting excitedly, "I got him! I got him!"

Without even realizing it, Marc found himself clapping along. How could he not? 

"Oh, how unbelievable! How did he do that?" The female news anchor exclaimed.

Everyone watching felt the same sense of wonder—both at the young man's extraordinary speed and his fearless, heroic actions.

"Marc, let's go interview that superhero!" the anchor said to the cameraman.

For a moment, Marc froze. Wait, was she talking to *me*?

He quickly sat back down, watching as the reporter and cameraman headed to the scene. But before they could reach the young hero, he handed the baby to an Asian woman and darted across the street.

"Superman, wait!" the reporter called after him, but the hero didn't hear. He walked straight toward two tall women, and one of them tugged on his ear.

"Oh my God, she's pulling Superman's ear!" Not only the reporter but everyone watching, including Marc, was wide-eyed with disbelief. Superman was begging a woman for mercy.

"Kate, is that crazy woman you?" Marc asked in surprise, looking at Kate. The image was a bit distant and blurry, but the three women on screen all had long legs. The one tugging Superman's ear had particularly stunning legs, and in the modeling world, no one had better legs than supermodel Kate Kelly.

Kate covered her flushed face, clearly unaware that this moment had been caught on camera.

"So what if it's me?" Kate flipped her hair, trying to hide her reddening ears.

"Hahaha, well done, Kate! So, is Superman your boyfriend?" Marc teased, tapping his nails. Women were just too fierce, he thought, no wonder he was gay.

Kate shook her head, glancing back at the TV.

On the screen, the reporter was now interviewing the Asian woman, who was holding an incredibly cute baby. She asked if the woman knew the hero's name, but the woman shook her head, explaining that he hadn't said a word, handed her the baby, and then left.

The reporter sighed with admiration. "He's a true hero. Who knows his name?"

The broadcast then returned to the studio, where host Charlie Rose humorously revisited the ear-tugging moment. 

He remarked how the scene played out like a movie: a thrilling build-up, a heart-stopping collision, a moment of despair, followed by an unbelievable twist, and then a hilariously unexpected ending.

Charlie Rose even showed a blurry photo of Luca. "Has anyone seen this Superman? I'd love to ask him why he got his ear pulled. Haha, sorry, I can't help laughing. I've never seen such a wimpy Superman!"

"Hahaha!" Marc couldn't help but laugh out loud, covering his mouth.

Kate bit her lip, but even she couldn't stop her mouth from curving into a smile.

"So, Kate, you really were the one who tugged Superman's ear?" Marc teased again.

"Yes!" Kate lifted her chin proudly. "Superman is my brother, Luca Kasev Dominguez Kelly."

"Your brother? You mean the model who collapsed backstage from a drug overdose?"

"No, Luca fractured his spine saving someone. He endured the pain and walked in three shows before finally collapsing and being rushed to the hospital," Kate said seriously.

"Oh, forgive me, Kate. Your brother is a true hero, a man worthy of respect," Marc said, sincerely.

"Marc, sorry to bother you, but we need to go," Nina said as she turned off the TV, preparing to leave.

"Wait, Nina!" Marc hurried to block them at the door.

"Nina, is there something else?" Nina, looking confused, stopped in her tracks.

"Oh, Nina, I think we need to reconsider the endorsement deal," Marc said earnestly.

"Sorry, Marc, we've got an appointment to see an opera with Daisy from Dior," Nina said, glancing at her watch and stepping toward the door.

"Oh, Nina, please, for the sake of our friendship, give me five minutes. I'll make you both an offer you'll be happy with."

"Five minutes?" Nina looked at Kate, who shrugged. "Well, alright then, for the sake of our friendship." 

(End of Chapter)