In the evening, golden sunlight spread across 76th Street. The quiet street, the calm treetops, the silent benches, and the smiling elderly man with white hair—what was he smiling about? Ah, there's a Labrador peeing on a lamppost.
In the sunset, everything seemed muted. Luca quietly drove into the garage without making a sound, not even the tires scraping the ground.
"It's too quiet!"
He shook his head, feeling listless as he stepped into the elevator.
Lima was gone, Kate hadn't come back yet, and now he was living alone in the empty apartment, something he hadn't quite gotten used to.
"Fuck!"
He used to be able to stay home alone for months, too lazy to even go downstairs for a delivery. Now, why couldn't he stand the loneliness?
Luca shrugged and opened the door.
**Swoosh**
As soon as he opened the door, the lights inside suddenly lit up, illuminating his dark eyes. A faint, familiar fragrance filled the air, awakening his sense of smell and all his senses.
He grinned and quickly walked forward. In the brightly lit living room, he finally saw her.
She was sitting on the sofa, her golden-brown hair cascading over her shoulders. A rose-colored silk dress highlighted her fair cheeks. The long dress wasn't quite as long as her thighs, and her bare, white legs crossed and swung restlessly from the slit of the red dress.
"Surprised, little brother?"
Kate held a glass of red wine, her rose-colored lips curving up like a crescent moon.
"Haha~"
Luca couldn't help but laugh, but felt it was a bit silly, so he quickly composed himself and said reservedly, "Kate, why did you suddenly come back? You said this morning you'd be gone for a few more days."
"How's that for a surprise? I've got more surprises! Come here!"
Kate set down the wine glass, stood up, and opened her arms with a doting smile.
Luca couldn't help but quicken his steps a little.
**Whoosh**
Just as he stepped onto the carpet, a sudden gust of wind came from the side.
Before he could react, someone grabbed his arm.
**Bang**, the world spun around him.
He hit the ground, sprawled out like a cockroach, staring up at the ceiling in utter confusion. Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
"Hahaha~"
A burst of laughter erupted from nearby. It was loud, full of joy, and entirely without mercy.
"Surprised, darling?"
Kate, in crystal slippers and dragging her red dress, walked over, her shoulders shaking slightly with laughter. Her smile bloomed across her face like a rose with thorns, or a sweet pomegranate.
"Kate, *this* is your surprise?"
Luca glared at her, clearly not pleased.
But being too close, he inadvertently caught sight of something he shouldn't have.
Blushing, he quickly turned his head and saw a pair of dark brown boots, blue jeans, and a gray Nike sweatshirt standing at the edge of the carpet. The chest muscles looked strong—definitely a woman.
But when he saw the face, he wasn't so sure anymore. Thick eyebrows, big eyes, bronze skin, short black hair, and a sharp gaze. At about 5'7", she looked like a tough guy.
"Luca, this is Gina!"
Kate wrapped her arm around the person's shoulder and said with a beaming smile, "I told you the other day, Gina's really strong. She can take you down in less than a second. Do you believe me now?"
Luca forced a smile. *I never said I didn't believe you. Was it necessary to demonstrate it like this?* He glanced at Gina, then hesitantly asked:
"Is she... a woman?"
**Swoosh**
Gina's thick brows furrowed, her gaze turning icy cold. The intensity of her killing aura was even scarier than Nina's.
"Luca, of course Gina's a girl. Apologize now!" Kate said, a little annoyed.
"Sorry, Gina. You know how it is—Westerners tend to think all Asians look the same. You can understand my mistake, right?"
"No sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have hit you!" Gina said in broken English.
"Haha, Luca, I was the one who told Gina to throw you. It wasn't her fault. You're not mad at me, right?" Kate blinked and smiled.
"Hmph!"
Luca turned his head, rolling his eyes. "Ah! My back hurts!"
"Really?"
Kate asked nervously.
"Yes!"
"Gina, you can rest now."
"Alright!"
Gina nodded and walked with precise steps toward the guest room on the first floor.
"Come on, let me give you a massage!" Kate crouched down and offered.
Luca was about to enjoy the offer when he suddenly noticed a patch on her wrist that looked like something for rheumatism.
"What happened to your wrist?" he quickly sat up, grabbing her hand to check.
"It's nothing, just a bit sore. Gina said wearing this patch makes it feel better, and it really does," Kate rotated her wrist and casually asked, "Is your back still hurting?"
"No, it's fine now!"
"So, you were lying? You dared to lie to me?!"
"Ahh, no, don't hit me! Kate, I was wrong!"
Despite his pleas, Kate pinned him to the floor and gave him a good beating. His ears were pulled red, and his once-handsome face, which could be considered a work of art, was now a mess. If photographer David saw this, he'd surely scold Kate for ruining art.
But Queen Kate didn't care. She sat on the carpet and stretched with a contented sigh, "Ah, that was satisfying!"
Luca sulked, turning his head in frustration.
"Haha, don't be mad, dear. I swear I'll never hit you again."
"Really?"
"Really, I swear to God."
"To God?"
Luca's eyes lit up with surprise.
"Yes, I swear to God. If I hit you again, may I... become even more beautiful and perfect! Hahaha~"
"..."
Luca turned his head in despair. *I should've known better than to expect anything from her. Why am I still so naive?*
"Are you mad?"
Kate blinked with a playful grin. Suddenly, she swept her hair aside and kissed the corner of his lips.
"How about now?"
Luca smiled helplessly, "Stop messing around, help me up!"
"Let's just lie here a little longer!"
Kate tugged at her skirt and, like a wild girl, lay down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
The living room quieted down, with the crystal chandelier casting a bright light above.
On the floral carpet, the two lay quietly together.
"Kate, is the book signing done?"
"No, only halfway."
"Is that so?"
Luca sighed quietly. "I must be causing you trouble."
"Of course not!"
Kate lightly pressed her slender finger against his lips. "*Twilight* brought me countless applause, praise, and honors. Those should've been yours."
"But it also brought you countless troubles and criticism. Those should've been mine."
"Let's not talk about any of that, okay?"
Kate said, fluttering her long lashes.
"Alright."
Luca gently patted her shoulder, over and over.
After a couple of minutes, he noticed her body had relaxed.
Looking down, he saw that Kate had already drifted off to sleep. Her peaceful face still had a hint of a smile lingering at the corners of her lips.
After waiting for ten minutes, once her breathing became steady, Luca gently picked her up, her red dress flowing as he carried her up the staircase to the second floor.
Suddenly, he felt like someone was watching him. When he turned around, all he saw was a military boot disappearing around the corner.
He shook his head. *Wearing boots indoors?*
*Also, is she really a woman?*
(Chapter ends)