Model to Holywood

Ed Dominic was in a great mood today.

He was just wandering around the square in the evening, not expecting to meet someone with such potential as Luca.

The first time he saw Luca, he noticed how this young man navigated the bustling crowd alone. His tall, slender figure, handsome face, and otherworldly demeanor immediately caught the eye.

After talking with him, Ed discovered that this young man's inner qualities were equally exceptional.

Luca had a graceful manner of speaking, extraordinary insight, and a warm, polite demeanor. Combined with his British-style looks, he resembled a true gentleman.

In the entertainment and modeling circles, there's never a shortage of beautiful appearances. What's lacking is a striking aura.

According to the *Model Industry Rules* survey and analysis, there is a consensus in the modeling industry: to become a top model, looks and physique can account for at most 50%. The remaining part is all about aura.

Take supermodels, for example—Kate Moss has a sickly beauty, Carmen Kass has a Madonna-like aura, and Kate Kelly has an icy charm. They aren't the most beautiful, but their auras make them the most memorable.

This kind of distinct aura serves as an identifier, like a red mole at the corner of the mouth.

Luca is also this kind of talent.

"Thank God!"

Ed grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth. He took out his camera and uploaded the photos he had just taken to his computer. Among them were several pictures of Luca.

In the neon-lit square, amidst the bustling crowd, Luca had his head slightly lowered, with a lock of hair falling over his forehead, partially covering his furrowed brows.

Under the glow of the neon lights and the setting sun, his forehead, brows, cheekbones, and jaw were like meticulously carved sculptures from the Renaissance period. His lips, arguably the most sensual and perfectly shaped among all men, weren't too thick or too thin. His looks would astonish not only women but men as well.

In another photo, Luca brushed his long hair aside and looked up at the sky with a complex expression on his face—melancholy, nostalgia, and sorrow.

A young face, yet it was marked with a mature sense of weariness. He seemed like someone carrying countless stories within him. Such a unique face is perfect for acting. His aura resembles that of the late Hollywood golden boy, River Phoenix, a talented actor who passed away too soon.

When Ed saw this scene through his lens, he was instantly moved and couldn't wait to approach him.

"Wonderful!"

Ed admired Luca's photos one by one. These photos were so artistic that a few could be used for a magazine spread without any retouching.

"What's wonderful?"

Ed's wife walked into the study.

"I met a very promising newcomer. Come take a look!"

Ed said excitedly.

"Really?"

His wife glanced over curiously. He was indeed handsome and had a star quality. But when she looked closer, she was stunned. "Isn't this Luca?"

"Huh~"

Ed turned around in surprise. "Nina, you know Luca?"

"Don't you know him?"

Mrs. Nina Heath asked in confusion.

"Of course, I know Luca, but how do you know him?"

"Luca is Kate's brother. I remember introducing him to you. Did you forget?"

"Kate's brother? Kate Kelly's brother?"

Ed exclaimed loudly. "No way, no way! I met Luca last year. He had dyed, multi-colored hair, weighed over 200 pounds, had a messy beard, and looked utterly disheveled. How could he and this Luca be the same person?"

Nina chuckled, "I told you before, Luca was once an outstanding football player. A car accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, ruining his bright future. He stayed in the hospital for over a year, gained weight, and became very despondent—that's the Luca you saw.

After coming to New York, Kate supervised his weight loss every day and encouraged him to pull himself together. Now, he's doing a bit better."

"So that's how it is!"

Ed sighed softly. "No wonder he looked so melancholic when I saw him. He's a young man whose dreams have been shattered."

"Ed, when did you take these photos? Why did you photograph him?"

"I'm planning to sign Luca."

"Sign Luca? Are you crazy?"

Nina was shocked.

"Nina, Luca's external qualities are at an A level. His melancholy aura, while not fully mature, still reaches a B+ level. Additionally, his elegant demeanor and gentle nature, which I really like, also rate at an A level. He's faced setbacks and is now trying to rise again. Such resilience I rate as A+. With such an overall performance reaching an A level, why shouldn't I sign him?"

Nina was silent for a moment. "Elegant demeanor, gentle nature? Are you talking about Luca?"

"Of course!"

Ed turned to look at her. "Nina, I'm puzzled. How could you not see how outstanding Luca is?"

"Luca, outstanding? Hahaha~"

Nina laughed a few times, then suddenly asked, "You haven't signed him yet, have you?"

"No, Luca doesn't trust my capabilities yet. He wants to work together for a while before deciding."

Ed said regretfully.

"Oh, that's great!"

Nina breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't pursue Luca any further. I'll call Kate later and tell her it was a misunderstanding. Your verbal agreement is null and void."

"Nina, this is my job. Please don't interfere!"

Ed said with a displeased look.

"Ed~ Do you know what kind of person Luca is?"

Before Ed could respond, she continued excitedly, "He's lazy, likes to drink, fight, and is quite the womanizer. He often harasses other models. He's a good-for-nothing who causes trouble. Do you know what people who know him call him?"

Ed frowned but didn't say anything.

"Damn Luca! Everyone says he's just a pretty face living off his sister, a failure who can't do anything right. Today, Kate had a runway show and asked him to bring her hat from home. Instead, he went off to fool around with two women, almost messing up Kate's show. Do you still think he's outstanding?"

Nina asked coldly.

Ed stroked his chin and silently stared at the photos on the screen.

Nina shook her head and took her phone, ready to make a call.

"Nina!"

Ed called out calmly.

Nina stopped at the door.

"Nina, remember in high school, you were the president of the ballet club? You even won second place in the community competition."

"Ed?"

Nina didn't understand why he was bringing this up.

"Nina, your dream was to become a professional ballet dancer, right?"

"Why bring that up? It's all in the past."

Thinking about her youth, Nina felt a little emotional.

"Remember when you were seventeen, you accidentally fell off a ladder and broke your right foot? The doctor told you you could never dance again. You were very upset, became quite irritable, and gained 20 pounds in a year."

"Ed!"

Nina was a bit annoyed. Why bring up embarrassing stuff? Can we still have fun together after this?

Ed smiled slightly, turning to look at his wife. "Nina, don't you think Luca's experience is very similar to yours?

You were both excellent. You had a lot of talent for dancing, but unfortunately, you had to give it up due to an injury.

Luca was even more of a genius. He once led his regional club to win the National Youth League Championship. He delivered amazing performances in world-class football matches and even secured a spot with Real Madrid.

He was just one step away from success, the final step. But just as he was nearing paradise, his wings were broken. Heaven drifted further away. Can you understand the pain and sorrow he must have endured?"

Nina's eyes reddened immediately.

"He experienced deeper despair than you, bore more sorrow than you, yet he is as strong as you are."

Ed gently wiped the tears from his wife's face.

"Nina, I saw his melancholy and inner struggle with my own eyes. Now he wants to pick himself up again. Shouldn't we help him?"

"Just like you helped me back then?"

Nina smiled through her tears.

"No, you helped me!"

Ed gently embraced his wife.

"Mom and Dad, are you kissing?"

Suddenly, a little girl around ten years old burst in, her big eyes blinking curiously as she looked at the two of them.

Nina and Ed exchanged a smile.

"Eve, it's time for bed!"

"Okay, okay. Goodnight, Mom and Dad!"

The little one waved her tiny hand and closed the door thoughtfully.

*(End of Chapter)*