"Jeez, it's almost March, why is it still so cold?"
It was noon at the Ford-Models agency, and Luca and Ed were lounging in the company's coffee room. The red sun had just peeked over the Empire State Building across the street, streaming through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a crimson glow over the two of them, as if splashing them with blood.
Luca glanced at Ed, whose dark skin had taken on a reddish hue. He couldn't help but laugh, "Ed, looks like luck's really on your side lately."
"What?"
Ed gave him a puzzled look.
Luca shrugged. "Never mind if you don't get it."
"So, Ed, why did you call me here today? Something going on?"
"Can't I just call you over without a reason?"
Ed set down his coffee cup, a little annoyed. "I haven't seen you for three days! If Kate hadn't told me you were still around, I would've thought aliens had abducted you for research."
Luca chuckled, leaning back into the cream-colored leather sofa. "Didn't I tell you I'd be busy these past few days?"
"Busy? Busy with what? Romancing Lima?"
Ed's tone was sharp.
Luca raised an eyebrow. "Ed, you're not sounding quite right today. Did Nina catch you sneaking out for drinks last night?"
Ed's face turned red. He didn't have many hobbies, but drinking was one of them. Every time he went out for drinks, he couldn't resist downing a few, though his low tolerance often left him calling Nina to pick him up. Nina had scolded him plenty of times for it, and both Kate and Luca knew about it, which is why Luca teased him now.
But today, Ed's bad mood had nothing to do with drinking. It was because of Luca.
"Luca, just look at yourself! Your hair's a mess, you're pale, there are bags under your eyes, and even in this sunshine, you're shivering."
Ed shook his head. He knew about Luca's relationship with Lima and supported it, but now Luca looked utterly exhausted, and Ed couldn't help but worry.
"Luca, you've got to take it easy. Overindulgence will wreck your health."
"Overindulgence?"
Luca nearly splashed his hot coffee at Ed. "You can't seriously think I've been spending all my time in bed these past few days?"
Ed didn't say anything, but his expression gave him away.
Luca chuckled and grabbed a stack of over ten newspapers and magazines from the rack beside him.
"Take a look!"
"At what?"
Ed was confused.
"Check out all the press coverage for *Twilight*."
Luca leaned back into the sofa, half-closing his eyes as he watched Ed.
Ed flipped through the papers, which included *The New York Post*, *New York Daily News*, *New York Tribune*, *Book Magazine*, and *The New Yorker*, among others—both large and small publications.
Each one reported the same thing: supermodel Kate Kelly was releasing a book and hoped for public support.
The reports detailed the novel's style and unique features, highlighting what set it apart from other vampire novels on the market. They even quoted specific excerpts and scenes for analysis and critique. The articles were well-written, likely by veteran editors.
"Luca, why are you showing me this?"
Ed had already known about Kate's book release and had forced himself to read *Twilight*. He wasn't curious anymore.
Luca, with his legs crossed, yawned and said, "I wrote all these articles."
"You wrote them?"
Ed was surprised.
"Yep. I know *Twilight* inside and out, so it made sense for me to write the promo articles. I wrote over a hundred in the past three days, and this is just the first batch. The rest will be published when the book hits the shelves."
Ed was impressed. "You wrote that much in three days?"
"Yeah, that's why I have bags under my eyes from staying up late. What, did you think I was up to something else?"
Luca folded his arms and let out a small huff.
Ed glanced at the newspapers and then at Luca. Suddenly, he pointed to Luca's neck and said, "So, did you also get that hickey from staying up late writing?"
"Uh…"
Luca quickly covered his neck, a little embarrassed. Of course, the hickey wasn't from writing—it was from Lima, who had a habit of nibbling on his ear and neck like a vampire when she got excited.
"Anyway, let's get down to business!"
Luca uncrossed his legs and asked seriously, "So, Ed, why did you call me over? You haven't actually told me yet."
Ed shot him a look and pulled out a document.
"This is the contract for the Calvin Klein endorsement. Take a look, see if you have any issues."
"Alright."
Luca skimmed through the contract.
It was a result of multiple negotiations between Ford-Models and CK, with every clause meticulously examined. There weren't any major issues.
He focused on the endorsement fee.
"One million over three years, with two ads per year, including print and video, plus event promotion."
Luca smiled. "I'm really climbing the ranks fast."
Ed shook his head. "You're not worth that much. It's what's below the belt that's worth the money."
Luca froze for a second before bursting into laughter.
"Ed, I didn't expect you to be so funny!"
"I'm dead serious, not joking!"
Ed's expression remained stern.
Luca couldn't help but laugh again.
"You're right, Ed. Tons of newspapers and magazines have run photos of it, and its fame is no less than some D-list celebrities. It's what landed me the CK deal, so it's definitely valuable."
"As long as you understand."
Ed pulled out another document.
"*Women's Health* wants to do a nude photoshoot with you. Are you going to take the gig?"
"A photoshoot?"
Luca thought for a moment. "How much?"
"About ten photos for one issue. Five thousand per photo."
"Forget it. Do I look like someone who needs fifty grand?"
Luca responded smugly.
Ed nodded and moved on without comment.
"Director Michael Winterbottom has invited you to audition for his new movie, *9 Songs*."
Ed paused and glanced at him. "It's an erotic film. Are you going to take it?"
"*9 Songs*!?"
Luca thought for a moment before his eyes widened. Holy crap, it's *that* movie! The film was a classic, famous for its real, unsimulated scenes. Director Winterbottom had insisted on full authenticity from the actors. This wasn't just media hype; it was true.
Luca had read about it in the news recently—over three thousand men had applied for the lead role, while female applicants were few.
He hadn't expected a personal invitation. Could it be because of his "asset"?
It seemed like his... friend was really becoming famous.
"Luca, you're not actually…"
Ed gave him a skeptical look.
"Huh? Haha, no way! I wouldn't take a role like that."
Luca quickly shook his head, pretending to be disgusted.
Ed breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to be managing an actor in erotic films.
"One last invitation. I hope you'll consider it."
"What is it?"
"Britney Spears' team is shooting a music video for her album *Blackout*. Apparently, Britney saw your fashion photos and thought you looked cool, so they've invited you to appear in one of the videos."
Ed's gaze was intense. Although his tone was calm, he was clearly excited. Britney Spears was a global superstar, and being in her music video would be an incredible opportunity.
"How much are they offering?"
Suddenly, Luca asked.
"What?"
Ed looked stunned.
"They're asking me to be in the video, right? Aren't they paying?"
Luca frowned.
Ed didn't say a word and just stared at him. This kind of opportunity was priceless, yet all this guy could think about was money.
Feeling a bit awkward under Ed's gaze, Luca shrugged. "Alright, alright, I'll do it, even if there's no pay."
Ed covered his face with his hand, sighing. He was genuinely exasperated.
"They're offering two thousand per scene, but you only have a few shots."
"Hmm, not bad."
"Hmph!"
Ed gave him a sidelong glance. "The shoot starts this week. Get yourself ready. I don't want to see you looking all worn out next time."
"Got it, got it."
Luca scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
The sun was fully up now, and the booth had warmed up. After chatting for a bit longer, Luca started feeling drowsy.
He stretched and stood up, ready to head home for a nap.
"Oh, Ed, tell Eve I'm done with my work. She can come hang out whenever she wants."
*Cough cough.*
"Cough, cough~"
Ed was drinking coffee and almost choked when he heard this. He wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and asked in a low voice:
"Luca, for a child Eve's age, shouldn't she be eating more?"
"Huh?"
Luca was taken aback for a moment by the question. "Yes, a ten-year-old is still growing, so eating a bit more is good for them."
"Then should things like chocolate, ice cream, chicken nuggets, waffles, chips, and burgers be eaten more often?"
Luca thought for a moment. "Kids have a sweet tooth. It's okay to let them eat a little of that."
Ed gripped his coffee cup tightly. "So, Eve saying that drinking a glass of red wine every day for beauty is something you taught her?"
"Drinking red wine for beauty?"
"Hmph, Eve said that you were the one who said all this."
"Hehehe~ Little Eve is being naughty. How could she lie?"
"A well-intentioned lie doesn't count as deceit, right? Isn't that what you said?"
"Ah~ Ed, I just remembered, I have something to do, I'll be leaving now, bye~"
Luca grabbed his things and quickly ran off.
Ed let out a deep sigh with a dark expression on his face. This time, Luca hadn't managed to get kicked out of the fashion circle. The most disappointed person wasn't anyone else—it was Nina. Nina was fed up with Luca, thinking he was a bad influence on Kate and a bad influence on Eve.
Ed held his head and thought for a moment. He realized he needed to push forward with the casting for the production team. Getting Luca to Hollywood wasn't just for work; it was for the sake of family harmony, too.
(Chapter end)."