Lucas stepped out of the taxi and onto the bustling sidewalk of New York City, Neil close behind.
They entered the sleek glass building that housed Lucas's apartment, the doorman tipping his hat as they passed.
Inside the living room, Neil went straight to the point, spreading out a series of contracts on the coffee table. "We've got some great offers lined up for you, Lucas. Clothing brands, tech companies... they all want a piece of the action."
Lucas flopped onto the couch, "So, what's the catch this time?"
Neil smirked, flipping through the stack of papers. "It's all about product placement, my friend. You won't even have to say a word. Just wear their clothes, use their phones in public... you know, the usual."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so I don't have to film any commercials or anything?"
"Nope, just wear it, be seen with it, and let the fans do the rest. It's all about making it look organic, like you genuinely love these products." Neil slid a thick folder across the table. "Here's the list of brands we're working with. Apple, Armani, the works. Stick to these bad boys, and the cash will keep rolling in."
***
After wrapping up the brand deal discussion with Neil, Lucas decided to visit his friend Liza to talk about the upcoming screening of his film, "50/50." As soon as he arrived at the restaurant with his two burly bodyguards, Jack and Simon, Liza greeted him with a warm hug and led him to her office. Leonard joined them shortly after, shutting the door behind him.
They settled in, ready to discuss the film they were about to watch together.
"So, this is the film that made you go bald, huh?" Leonard chuckled, showing a photo on his phone of Lucas's shaved head from last year. The picture had been plastered all over the internet.
Lucas just smiled good-naturedly at Leonard's teasing.
"Don't mind him, Lucas," Liza said, shooting Leonard a playful glare before turning back to Lucas. "I heard this movie is about cancer. I was thinking of inviting some kids from the hospital to watch it with us."
"Hey, is that a good idea?" Leonard asked, his tone laced with concern.
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Lucas said, surprising both Liza and Leonard. "I rented out a private theater for them."
Liza's eyes widened. "You really did? That's so thoughtful, Lucas."
Lucas nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yeah, I know they have to be careful with germs and stuff. I didn't want them to feel uncomfortable. I even arranged for a bus, food, and drinks so they can just focus on enjoying the movie."
Leonard whistled, eyebrows raised. "Dang, bro. It's true what they say, you're swimming in cash now, huh?"
Liza couldn't help but smile. "Look at you, Mr. Philanthropist."
Lucas shrugged modestly. "Hey, might as well put the money to good use, right? No point in letting it rot in a bank account."
Liza and Leonard exchanged a knowing look before breaking into soft laughter.
Unbeknownst to Liza and Leonard, Lucas had bigger plans for his wealth. He intended to invest most of his money in various business ventures, with the goal of making even more. Once he amassed a sizable fortune, he planned to open several charities and fund research into diseases like cancer.
Lucas's motivations went beyond just bringing down the predators of Hollywood; he also wanted to help as many people as possible. For him, this life was about more than just fame and fortune; it was about leaving a lasting impact on the world.
As they continued their conversation, Lucas couldn't help but smile to himself. If all went according to plan, this time around, he would be able to help countless people in need. With such an achievement under his belt, Lucas knew he could leave this world more peacefully than he did in his previous life.
***
Lucas exited the restaurant, his bodyguards and disguise ensuring that no one recognized him. Shawn was waiting for him in the car. He gave Shawn the destination, and they soon pulled up in front of the bar.
The place was buzzing with activity, a stark contrast to the last time he'd been there. Lucas made his way inside with Jack and Simon flanking him, finding a table with a clear view of the stage.
Samantha was on stage, strumming her guitar and belting out a soulful rendition of "Let Her Go." The crowd sang along, their faces alight with joy. When she finished, the patrons erupted into applause, cheering for more. Samantha, however, had already left the stage, leaving them wanting more.
Lucas couldn't help but smile, pride swelling in his chest.
At a nearby table, he overheard a conversation.
"See how amazing Sam is? That's the woman Lucas has taken a liking to," one person bragged.
"No way, really?" His friend responded, eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Yeah, didn't she just sing Lucas's song? And didn't I tell you Lucas performed on that very stage three years ago?" the first person said, nudging his friend. "There's even proof that he visits her now and then!"
"I know, I know," his friend replied, sounding a bit deflated. "That's why I became a regular here, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lucas with other women! But no such luck."
"Just be patient," the first person said, patting his friend's back.
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle dryly. It seemed his friendship with Samantha had been grossly misunderstood.
Meanwhile, Samantha scanned the crowd, her eyes landing on Lucas almost immediately. They had arranged to meet up tonight, so she wasn't surprised to see him there. She gave him a discreet wave before excusing herself from the crowd.
Samantha made her way over to Lucas's table, a bright smile on her face, then she led him to a private room, where Jack and Simon took up posts outside the door.
"Hey there, stranger! I thought you'd forgotten all about me."
Lucas grinned as he removed his hat. "As if I could forget my friend," he teased, but Samantha couldn't help but notice the emphasis on "friend."
He couldn't help but study her appearance. Samantha still exuded an air of innocence, but she'd also matured since he last saw her. Contact lenses had replaced her glasses, and her style had evolved into something more rock-chic while still retaining her signature modesty.
Samantha flashed him a sad smile, trying not to let on that she'd caught the undertone in his words.
Samantha couldn't bring herself to voice her true feelings. Instead, they stuck to safer topics like music. Lucas then broached the idea of featuring her in one of his upcoming songs, and Samantha eagerly agreed.
After discussing their respective careers, Lucas casually invited her to join him for a screening of "50/50" at the private theater he'd rented. Samantha was caught off guard by the invitation, but she accepted nonetheless.
***
As October 10th, 2011, drew closer, the buzz around "50/50" intensified. Lionsgate, the film's distributor, had released promotional materials featuring Lucas as the lead character on social media a few days prior, and it didn't take long for his fans to notice.
"I'm mindlessly scrolling through Twitter, bored out of my mind," one user tweeted, accompanied by a crying emoji. "Then I see a movie starring Lucas, and my day is saved!" The tweet quickly garnered likes, comments, and retweets.
"Lucas looks so skinny in the poster! I can't wait to see the character he's playing that made him go through such a transformation," another fan commented.
"Better be good, boi Lucas," a third user chimed in.
"Finally, a movie where Lucas isn't ridiculously attractive," a fourth fan wrote, their excitement palpable. "I mean, even in '127 Hours,' he still looked hot! I'm hoping this one will be different. I want to see him to look more miserable and suffer for once."
"I think this is the movie where Lucas went bald, right?" another fan joined the conversation. "I've been waiting for this since those photos of his shaved head surfaced online!"
"Damn, Lucas and Seth Rogen in one film? I can't wait to see how this turns out!"
"A comedy-drama? They better make me laugh and cry at the same time. My expectations are through the roof!"
***
On the day of the "50/50" screening, Liza, Leo, and Samantha arrived at Bellevue Hospital to meet the kids and their parents.
The moment they laid eyes on Lucas, the parents readily agreed to let their children tag along. They were touched by the bus he'd rented for them and even more so when they found out he'd booked an entire theater just for their kids.
The kids, brimming with excitement, practically bounced with glee. Many of them still recognized him as "Dylan" from "Modern Family," and they couldn't contain their excitement.
Soon, they were all settled in the bus, the driver was Shawn, Lucas's personal driver. Jack and Simon helped the kids get seated while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
As they watched Lucas interact with the children, both bodyguards couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for their boss. Seeing him so kind and compassionate around these kids with health issues warmed their hearts, and they found themselves respecting him even more.
Jack and Simon, with Liza, Sam and Leo, served the children and their guardians food that they had prepared together with Lucas earlier that morning. The bus continued its journey, playing cheerful songs as it drove towards its destination.
Finally, they arrived at the movie theater where Lucas had rented a private screening room. Everyone disembarked the bus and walked towards the building, assisted by the theater staff.
Once inside, they were led by the staff to the private theater. As they settled into their seats, the children began to argue about who would get to sit next to Lucas.
The adults chuckled at the ridiculous banter, and Lucas made a funny attempt to carry some of the kids, but some of them slipped out of his arms, making everyone, including the children, burst into laughter.