"Hey, Eve, good morning!"
That morning, on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, Luca drove to Ed's house.
Upon entering, he saw little Eve in Dalmatian pajamas, her dark red hair all fluffy, sitting on the couch, dozing off with her face unwashed, her eyelids drooping.
When she heard his voice, Eve blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering open like a fan. She stared at him for two seconds.
"Ahhh~!"
The little girl let out a scream, covered her face, and dashed into the bathroom.
Luca smiled slightly. So young and already knows how to be shy.
Ed shrugged and pointed to the couch, "Have a seat, breakfast will be ready soon."
"Sure!"
Luca sat down and casually looked around.
Ed's apartment was over a hundred square meters, with a spacious living room, bright windows, and three bedrooms, two bathrooms. The decor was stylish and refined, with warm tones for the walls, floors, and furniture, giving it a cozy feel.
The surroundings were nice too. The balcony overlooked Sunset Park, with the Atlantic Shopping Center behind it, and Brooklyn College just two streets away—a typical middle-class apartment.
"The movie is about to start shooting. Are you ready?"
Ed handed him a large apple, took another one for himself, and started munching.
"Of course!"
Luca hesitated for a second after taking the apple, silently complaining that Ed wasn't much of a host. Who gives their guest an apple to munch on without cutting or peeling it?
He took a bite—it was sweet, though a bit cold on the teeth. The juice dripped onto his hand, making it sticky. Sighing, he thought, "This will have to do."
"If you're ready, we can head over after breakfast. The crew started filming yesterday; they were shooting some dance scenes."
The *Honey Dance* crew was shooting on Hamler Street in Brooklyn, a predominantly Black neighborhood not far from Atlantic Avenue. That's part of why Luca came here so early.
"When will my scenes start?"
"If you're prepared, we can film today. If not, I'll talk to Billy and get you a few more days."
Ed, still munching on his apple, continued, mouth half-full of fruit, finishing his words just as he finished his apple.
"Let's go check things out first. It doesn't matter if I say I'm ready; it's the director who decides. If he says no, there's nothing I can do."
Luca mimicked Ed, speaking between bites of the apple. He accidentally spat some out and, under Ed's gaze, had to grab a napkin to clean up the floor. Nina was a bit of a clean freak.
"Ugh…"
He sighed. "This is the most awkward visit I've ever had. Ed, I've been struggling with something lately."
"What's that?"
Ed wiped his hands with a napkin.
Luca pointed to his face, drawing a circle around it with his finger. "Ed, don't you think I'm too handsome?"
Ed blinked and then propped his face up, sighing. "Luca, if you're fishing for compliments, just check out the fashion magazines. *Women's Health* used your photo from the CK runway, dedicating two full pages to praising your looks, body, and even Mr. Big."
"Really?!"
Luca's eyes widened in excitement.
Seeing Ed's unimpressed look, Luca coughed and said seriously, "You misunderstood me. I'm not someone who enjoys flattery.
What I mean is, I'm too handsome. My character is a director, a talented, rich guy, and I'm so good-looking and sexy—the perfect leading man template. But in the movie, the heroine rejects me and chooses a not-so-handsome Black guy. Uh, Ed, don't get me wrong. I'm not being racist. It's just that Mekhi Phifer, the lead actor, isn't exactly a looker—not as handsome as you, even."
Luca spread his hands. "I don't get it. The script says the heroine is ambitious. Why would she reject a rich, talented, handsome guy who could make her famous, and instead go for some barber? Is she dumb?"
"Emmm…"
Ed rubbed his forehead and thought for a moment. "Because of love."
"What?"
Luca raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah, love."
Ed said confidently, "Look at me and Nina. Nina is beautiful, from a middle-class family, and talented. Yet she chose me. That's love."
"Heh…"
Luca smirked. "Ed, you graduated from Columbia, have a stable job, and your dad's a seasoned lawyer. Heh, if you were a barber, do you really think Nina would pick you?"
"Of course she would!"
Ed said earnestly.
"Really? How about I ask Nina?"
"What are you asking me?"
Nina popped her head out from the dining room.
"Haha, nothing, Nina."
Ed stood up and said, "Luca and I were discussing love. Luca's got it all wrong. He thinks relationships are all about looks, money, and talent, not love. He's too practical. I'm trying to steer him straight."
"You're talking about love?"
Nina gave them both a strange look before turning back into the room. "Get ready; breakfast is almost ready!"
"Okay!"
Ed hurried into the kitchen.
"Whipped!" Luca muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, he saw Eve come out in a cute cartoon skirt with a fluffy little cat on her cream-colored outfit. Adorable!
"Oh my God, where did this little fairy come from? So pretty!"
Luca exclaimed, his eyes wide.
"Giggle~ Luca, I'm pretty, aren't I?"
Eve smiled, twirling her skirt like a little lady.
"Yes, yes, I've never seen a girl more beautiful than Eve."
Luca praised loudly.
"Giggle~"
Eve laughed with her head held high.
"Alright, stop giggling. Come in and eat!" Nina glanced at Luca, then at the giggling Eve, shaking her head helplessly.
She used to think Luca would be away for months filming in Hollywood. Now, not only had he stayed close, but he was also shooting practically at their doorstep. Was God playing a joke?
Luca smiled slightly and held out his hand. "Lovely Princess Eve, may I invite you to dine?"
"Sure!"
Little Eve smiled shyly and put her small hand in his large one.
Hand in hand, they walked to the dining room.
Crashing the meal was Luca's main goal for coming here.
Today, Nina had prepared a hearty breakfast.
On his plate were fried eggs, toast, and two sizzling black pepper steaks—just his style.
There was also a big bowl of fragrant borscht made with ham, beets, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and sour cream. The soup was rich, but not greasy, with a perfect sweet and sour flavor. Delicious.
"Nina, thank you for the meal."
"No problem, just something simple."
"Haha, really? Your cooking is amazing!"
"Stop talking and eat. You've got to head to the set after."
"Uh, okay!"
Though he had much more to say, Luca had to sigh—his moment was lost.
(End of chapter)