Chapter 38 - Chapter 38: Best Friend

Breakfast was lavish: coffee, vegetable salad, bacon, fried eggs, and veal steak. Mrs. Sorley's cooking was excellent, though a bit too greasy for Monica's usual healthy breakfast.After breakfast with Milo, Monica noticed he wasn't going out. He usually left early in the morning when he stayed here. Following him to his study, she sensed something was up. Milo smiled at her and said, "I'm not going out. The people I'm meeting said they'd come here. I told them to come over.""Oh," Monica nodded and quietly asked, "Should I go out, then?"This Italian beauty, who had studied law at the University of Perugia and originally aspired to be a lawyer, possessed higher intelligence and sharper intuition than most Hollywood women. Why did she choose to work in this industry? It showed just how clever she was. Ordinary lawyers didn't earn as much as celebrities. She knew her greatest assets were her figure and beauty. And in terms of intelligence, she couldn't compete with the top minds. So, she decided to capitalize on her strengths."No need," Milo said with a smile. "The two people coming are one of my brother's close friends and… well, someone I consider a good friend."Good friend is good friend. Why add "consider"? Monica wondered, but since Milo wasn't asking her to leave, she stayed. Seeing Milo start to "create" again, Monica hesitated before deciding to go upstairs to change and reapply her makeup. She felt she should look more presentable when Milo's friends arrived.Around eleven o'clock, Monica, looking elegant and regal after reapplying her makeup, almost got pulled back into the bedroom by Milo for another round of "exercise." She finally met Milo's two friends. One looked to be around forty, the other about Milo's age. Both were handsome, but not as striking as Milo."Milo, good morning.""Good morning, March."Monica watched Milo shake hands with the older man first. Then, he and the man his age, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and looking refined, stared at each other. For several seconds, they didn't speak. Their expressions were serious, creating a strange atmosphere that caused Monica and March to gradually lose their smiles.Then, Monica saw Milo suddenly laugh."Tsk, Hector, I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you'd stay on that little island in the Hudson forever, never moving.""Ha, I didn't expect it either. The barbarian of Plymouth suddenly had a brainwave, writing novels, making movies, and becoming a famous investor in Silicon Valley… Honestly, I truly believe you heard God's gospel. How else can you explain a barbarian becoming a great writer and genius investor?" Hector Cabrera, the man in glasses, replied with a smile."Hahaha!" Milo and Hector burst into laughter simultaneously, then opened their arms and embraced, vigorously patting each other's backs. March finally smiled, watching their interaction.Monica was confused but could only smile.After a long while, perhaps ten seconds or so, Monica saw them separate. Milo smiled as he introduced her. "Hector, this is the guy who drank my pee when we were kids. He naively thought it was juice from too many squeezed lemon peels, which is why it tasted a bit bitter.""Fuck you! If you dare mention that again, I swear I'll shove your face in my shit!" Hector retorted, half-jokingly."Hahaha, okay, okay, I won't. Seriously, Monica, this is my good friend, Hector Cabrera, and his brother, March Cabrera."Hector Cabrera was one of Milo's closest friends from the past, one of the few he'd reconnected with after the Gospel incident. Strictly speaking, Hector had been the original Milo's best friend. They had grown up together and were extremely close. However, the brainless original Milo had caused an accident involving Hector's father's godson—a mixed-race, but black-passing, orator who had influence over Paladin's rise to power.They had fallen out, and the Cabreras and Blackburns had been at odds for a time. But there are no eternal enemies in this world, except for blood feuds. The Blackburns and Cabreras were not blood enemies; they were even related through marriage. After a period of conflict due to differing interests, they reconciled. However, Milo and Hector's relationship had become strained."Hector, March, this is Monica, my girlfriend," Milo introduced.Unlike the strange atmosphere between the men, Monica felt a surge of sweetness at Milo's use of "my girlfriend." She forced a smile, trying to appear elegant and composed. "March, Hector, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Monica Bellucci."The Cabrera brothers exchanged a look, then smiled and shook her hand politely.A few minutes later, they were all enjoying morning tea in the garden pavilion overlooking Beverly Hills."Thank you, March," The weather was perfect, not too hot or cold, with sunshine everywhere. Los Angeles had a pleasant climate year-round. Plants could grow in all seasons, so some annual plants became perennials in Los Angeles. Ignoring the frequent wildfires, it was paradise for the wealthy.Milo smiled at March Cabrera. "Thank you for helping me with that little trouble."March shook his head with a smile. "On the contrary, I should be thanking you. It's my job, and thanks to you, I have another small achievement to add to my record.""Ha, so it's a win-win?" Milo said.March nodded with a smile.Their conversation was casual, but Monica felt a chill. Milo had already told her that March Cabrera was the current head of the Los Angeles DEA.There was a recent rumor circulating within Hollywood: Robert Downey Jr., already a well-known actor, had offended someone he shouldn't have at a party. Not long after, Downey Jr. was arrested and imprisoned for drug possession.This was Robert Downey Jr., an Oscar nominee, a BAFTA Best Actor winner, a rising star with a bright future. But now, he was in prison. After his imprisonment, the studios and production companies that had worked with him quickly announced they were severing ties and demanding compensation. Downey Jr.'s career was likely over, and perhaps even his life, considering the substantial amount of money he would have to pay.The rumor pointed clearly at who Downey Jr. had offended. Hearing Milo and March's conversation, the intelligent Monica immediately connected the dots.How could this not frighten the Italian beauty?