Luca wasn't as cool as Thomas imagined. As soon as he got home, an angry woman grabbed his ear.
"Luca, where have you been? It's snowing so much, I told you to come home early. Wait a minute, why do you smell like a woman's perfume? Oh my God, Luca, have you been messing around outside again? How could you do this to Lima?"
In the apartment hallway, Luca was late, and Kate grabbed his ear. He smiled awkwardly, tilting his head, trying to appease her—definitely not cool at all.
Luca chuckled, "Kate, don't be mad. I was out buying a gift."
"A gift?"
Kate raised an eyebrow.
"Yes!" Luca smiled and pulled a bouquet of red tulips from behind his back. The deep red petals revealed delicate pink centers, blooming more passionately than roses in the winter. Snowflakes dotted the petals, melting into crystal-like dewdrops, resembling a young girl's tears.
"Oh, they're beautiful!"
Kate immediately let go of his poor ear, hugging the tulips.
Luca sighed in relief, rubbing his ear. He should've taken them out sooner—what a pointless surprise!
"Luca, it's not even my birthday today. Why are you giving me flowers?"
Kate carried the bouquet into the living room, found a long-necked crystal vase, and placed the tulips inside.
Hanging up his coat, Luca smiled, "Kate, I made some money today from selling my script. I earned $100,000. This is the most I've ever made, so I wanted to get you a few gifts. That's why I'm late."
As he spoke, he pulled out two more small gifts from his pocket—a bottle of French wine and a Dior perfume.
Kate raised an eyebrow, examining the wine and perfume.
"$100,000?"
"Yes, $100,000," Luca said proudly.
"Is that a lot?"
Kate pursed her lips, giving him a sidelong glance.
Uh... $100,000 is a lot for most people, like a middle-class salary for six months. But for Supermodel Kate Kelly, it's just a fee for one fashion show—something she could earn in a day.
Luca scratched his head awkwardly, "It's not much, I know. Next time, I'll make even more."
Before he could finish, Kate came over and cupped his face in her hands.
He quickly covered his ears with both hands, "Kate, I have an ad shoot tomorrow. Please, no more ear-pulling!"
Kate couldn't help but laugh softly, biting her lower lip like a rose petal, teasingly showing the tip of her tongue, as if the tulip itself was blooming with fragrance.
"You silly thing!"
Kate's affectionate voice soothed him, and she kissed the corner of his lips softly, leaving a slight dampness.
"Kate, you're not mad?" Luca asked.
"Hmph!" Kate gently rubbed his cheek, scolding, "It's freezing and snowing outside. If the roads are icy, driving would be dangerous. You should've come back when I called you the first time, instead of running off to buy gifts."
"But I made money. I wanted to get you something, to share my happiness with you."
Luca looked into her eyes as he spoke.
Kate smiled, "Alright, I appreciate your happiness. Thank you, Luca."
"You're welcome. I'll buy you even more gifts in the future, and you won't need to thank me. It's what I should do."
Luca said grandly.
"You're really going to buy me a lot of gifts?"
Kate raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Yes, of course. Why?"
"I'd rather you not."
Kate shook her head, holding up the bottle of wine with a laugh, "This is a rebranded wine. It's originally from the U.S., not Bordeaux, France."
"What?"
Luca frowned, "I bought it at a French restaurant."
"Silly, that restaurant must be rebranding too."
Kate chuckled and then picked up the Dior perfume, asking, "Do you know who endorses this perfume?"
Luca thought for a moment and shook his head.
"Gisele Bündchen!"
"Oh, no!"
Luca slapped his forehead, "I didn't know that. I got back too late, and Dior was the only luxury store still open."
"Enough, no need to explain. I like the gifts you bought. How about I keep them as mementos?"
Kate smiled, holding the gifts in both hands.
Luca spread his hands awkwardly, "Please don't. Every time I see them, I'll just feel embarrassed. It won't remind me of my first paycheck but of how terrible I am at choosing gifts."
"Haha!"
Kate laughed heartily, "Now that you've made money, will you buy a gift for Lima?"
Luca frowned slightly, "I thought about it, but... I've lost all confidence in my gift-buying skills."
"Oh, poor Luca. How about I pick the gift for you?"
Kate smiled mischievously.
"That sounds like a great idea!"
Luca figured this was the best plan. If he picked the wrong gift again, Lima would definitely call him an idiot. He just didn't have a knack for choosing things.
"By the way, Luca, about the perfume on you—she's wearing the Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche I endorsed last year. It has a light woody scent, fresh and sensual. She's probably under 20, right?"
Kate asked confidently.
"Yes, her name is Miranda Kerr," Luca confessed, hiding nothing. He had no reason to.
Kate listened quietly, resting her chin on her fingers as she pondered. "Have you considered that she might be playing innocent to get close to you?"
Luca shrugged, "What does it matter? I haven't lost anything."
Kate's eyes sparkled, and she relaxed, smiling, "True. Our Luca is a very handsome man—even more so than Leonardo. It's only natural for girls to like you."
Luca smiled shyly, "Kate, don't praise me too much, or I might get cocky."
"Hahaha!"
Kate dropped her icy queen persona and laughed like a carefree girl.
"Oh, Luca, if I get wrinkles from laughing, I'll blame you."
Kate rubbed her cheeks in mock complaint.
"So what? In my eyes, you'll always be the most beautiful Kate, even when we're both old and gray."
"Haha, you're too sweet!"
Kate playfully tugged at his lower lip, laughing, "Emily suggested we take a few photos together for a book cover. What do you think?"
"Using people on the cover?"
"Yes, it might boost sales."
"Hmm... we could try it!"
They chatted for a while, and the night gradually deepened.
Luca leaned back in bed, reading for a bit. Listening to the faint sound of falling snow outside the window, he slowly sank into the warmth of his bed, drifting off to sleep along with the city.
(End of chapter)