Model to Holywood

"Hey, Luca!"

It was another lunch break, and Luca was lying on the couch, flipping through a fashion magazine, when Thomas, the young model, walked into the lounge carrying two cups of Starbucks coffee.

"Hey, Thomas!"

Luca put down the magazine and sat up.

"Luca, I got you a coffee!" Thomas said with a smile as he set the cup down.

"Thanks!"

After working together for two days, the two had gotten pretty familiar with each other.

Thomas, despite his baby face, was actually four years older than Luca. He was an Australian model who had been in the industry for five or six years, a second-tier veteran. Supposedly, his persona was the shy, innocent type—the kind some powerful women were into. There was a market for that, after all.

"Luca, I have a friend who's going to be working with you soon. She's a newbie, a bit clumsy."

Thomas glanced at Luca, lowering his head slightly with a hint of nervousness.

Luca smiled helplessly.

After he had kicked out Ben Hill a few days ago, rumors had started circulating about him in the industry—claims that he was difficult to work with, too domineering, and one of the least collaborative models. Now, the models on set were walking on eggshells around him, afraid of upsetting him.

With a wry smile, he rubbed his forehead and said, "Thomas, are you asking me to look out for your friend?"

"Yeah!" Thomas nodded.

"No problem, Thomas. We're friends!" Luca patted him on the shoulder.

"That's great, thanks, Luca!"

Thomas let out a sigh of relief, visibly happy.

Luca, however, felt a bit resigned. If even Thomas was acting like this, it was likely others were feeling even more cautious. But it didn't matter to him anymore.

After all, he wasn't planning on staying in the modeling business forever. If people thought he was arrogant, so be it. What's the big deal?

"Luca, this is my friend Miranda. Her full name's Miranda Kerr. We're from the same hometown."

Miranda Kerr?

Curious, Luca looked up. Oh, it really was her.

She had a round face, round eyes, a round nose, and round dimples. Her chestnut-colored wavy hair fell casually over her shoulders, and her fair skin had a healthy, natural glow.

She wasn't exactly skinny, a bit on the plump side, like Lima. But while Lima was the type of curviness that bounced back when pressed, Miranda was softer, like her dimples, giving off a delicate, cushiony vibe.

"Hi, Luca, I'm Miranda. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Miranda's bright eyes sparkled as she spoke, her smile so sweet that it formed two adorable dimples. Her expression was a perfect blend of coyness and charm. Though she was smiling, there was an undercurrent of nervousness in her demeanor.

Luca cursed Ben Hill in his mind. If it weren't for that guy's rumors, he could've maintained a reputation for being friendly. But that wasn't an option anymore.

He forced a cool smile and gestured toward the couch. "Miranda, have a seat."

"Thank you!" Miranda turned around, exhaling softly.

She didn't sit on the available couch but instead pulled over a plastic stool and sat next to Thomas, using his body as a shield.

Ha, am I that scary?

Luca raised his eyebrows, a bit amused. "Thomas, are you two a couple?"

"No, we're just friends," Miranda quickly replied in a lighthearted tone, shaking her head.

Thomas smiled shyly, looking down.

Luca chuckled. "Miranda, are you and Thomas with the same agency?"

Hearing this, Miranda's smile faded a little as she nervously twisted her fingers. "I just arrived in the U.S., so I haven't signed with an agency yet."

"Oh."

"I did win the national model search contest held by *CoverGirl* magazine back home," Miranda added softly, as if worried about being underestimated.

Luca nodded, smiling. "Miranda, you're beautiful. You have the potential to become a supermodel."

"Really?"

Miranda's round eyes widened in surprise, her small, rosy lips slightly parted. She seemed excited, as if Luca's opinion meant a lot to her.

"Yes, your look is very unique."

"But... the agencies all say I'm not tall enough," she muttered.

Luca chuckled to himself. Supermodels typically stood at least 178 cm tall, while Miranda was around 175 cm—definitely on the shorter side. 

She wasn't just short; she was also plump. While Lima's fullness was a healthy, toned kind of voluptuousness, Miranda's figure leaned more toward softness.

"Miranda, height doesn't matter as long as you're beautiful. Remember, in the fashion world, looks are everything."

Both Miranda and Thomas were taken aback. *Looks are everything?* That sounded so reasonable.

"Luca, time to change outfits!"

"On my way!"

After some chatting, it was time to start filming.

They had finished shooting the print ads and promotional posters. Now the crew was moving on to a short, one-minute fashion video ad.

Luca was the main focus, with Miranda and two other female models as supporting actors.

The shoot was simple: Luca flaunted his physique in different denim outfits in front of the camera.

In the first shot, he took off his denim jacket, revealing his muscular body. The sunset, the industrial-style windows, and the posters on the wall—all of it looked beautifully artistic.

In the second shot, he wrapped a hand strap slowly around his hand and approached a punching bag.

In the third shot, he punched the bag powerfully, sweat dripping down from his broad chest to his defined abs, and further down to the sharp lines of his V-cut.

In the fourth shot, he wore another denim outfit and sat by a windowsill, guitar in hand, gazing thoughtfully out at the sunset. The golden light bathed his face, highlighting the chiseled angles of his forehead, brow, cheekbones, and jawline.

"Beautiful!"

The cameraman couldn't help but praise him.

"Yes, stunning!" The director agreed with a nod.

True beauty transcends subjective taste. When art reaches a certain level, it resonates with everyone. Luca's face had that quality—it was a work of art that could be appreciated by all. Those who couldn't see it must be blind.

"Cut!" the director called out, then pointed at Miranda. "Your turn!"

"Oh, okay!"

Miranda replied, her cheeks flushing. She had been so engrossed in watching Luca that she had almost forgotten her cue.

She quickly walked over to the window and, without thinking, blurted out, "Luca, you're so cool!"

Her face reddened again as soon as the words left her mouth.

From his higher vantage point, Luca could see the tips of her ears turning pink.

"Miranda, come on up!" Luca said coolly.

"Sure!"

The windowsill was about 1.4 meters high. Miranda tried to hoist herself up but didn't quite make it. She didn't think to grab a stool to help, instead clumsily pulling herself up, her soft body struggling slightly.

"Miranda!" Luca chuckled softly and extended a hand to help her up.

Phew. Sitting on the windowsill, Miranda let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, Luca!"

Luca smirked. "Let's start."

"Action!" called the director, and the scene began.

Luca continued to sit at the windowsill, lost in the sunset, looking effortlessly cool.

Miranda leaned her head gently against his shoulder.

"Miranda, relax a little!" the director called out.

"Okay!" Miranda was nervous, becoming more so the closer she got to him.

Luca chuckled quietly. "Are you afraid of tigers?"

"No, tigers are cute."

Of course, there are no tigers in Australia.

"So, what animal are you afraid of?"

"Hmm... I'm scared of spiders."

"Who's scarier—me or the spiders?"

"You."

"What?"

"Haha, I mean, of course the spiders! You're not scary at all."

Miranda blinked, surprised. *Wow, someone this cool can actually make jokes. How interesting!*

"Scene five, take three—action!"

The camera rolled again. Luca maintained his cool composure, while Miranda leaned on his shoulder, both of them smiling sweetly.

Dressed in matching denim, surrounded by the warm glow of the sun, the two looked perfectly harmonious.

"Perfect!"

"Next scene!"

(End of chapter)