Model to Holywood

At a window-side booth, the two of them discussed a cameo in *Along Came Polly*. He hadn't made up his mind yet, but now Jennifer brought up a script. She mentioned that she had read one of his scripts at Nia's place and couldn't stop praising it.

"Jen, you're a big star. You can't possibly be short on scripts, right?"

Luca raised his eyebrows. He had plenty of good scripts in his mind, but few that were suitable for Jennifer Aniston.

Aniston, a comedian at heart, was still somewhat trapped in her *Rachel* persona. Finding a role that fit her was challenging.

"You've got a whole bookshelf of books at home, why do you still feel like you're missing one?" Jennifer smiled softly.

Luca smiled, understanding what she meant. 

No matter how many books you buy, you always feel like there's one missing. That one elusive book is always the best.

"Luca, tell me about that script about race, struggle, and humanity. Nia mentioned it the other day, and it sounded great. Films on racial issues have been doing well lately."

Jennifer elegantly raised her hand, crossing her pale legs. Her white, straight-cut skirt clung to her hips, adding an extra touch of allure.

Luca sipped his champagne but suddenly remembered he needed to use the bathroom and shouldn't drink more. He quickly set his glass down.

"That idea came to me in April. I was reading the paper and saw an article that sparked my interest. It was in the sports section, talking about a high school student named Michael Oher."

His story was truly inspiring.

He was a homeless Black orphan, only eighteen years old, with an IQ under 80. Yet, despite his circumstances, the scouting website Scout.com ranked him as a five-star high school graduate and praised him as the best offensive line player in the country. The Carolina Panthers even signed him for $5 million."

"Wow! That's amazing," Jennifer was surprised. A story about an orphan, Black, and mentally disabled, rising to fame? It was the perfect underdog story.

"Please, continue!"

"In April, I read his story and became curious. Last month, while I was shooting in Carolina, I made a special trip to Columbia to watch one of his games. It was incredible, and Michael's performance was stunning. Someone is already planning to write his biography."

"At just eighteen, someone's writing his biography?"

Jennifer raised her eyebrows in surprise, frowning slightly.

"His story is excellent, but I'm looking for a lead role for a woman. This story doesn't seem like the right fit for me."

"Wait, Jen, I haven't finished the story yet."

Luca smiled. "Think about it—how could a Black orphan with an IQ under 80 make it to high school, let alone become a football star?"

Jennifer thought for a moment, her eyes lighting up. "Because of a woman?"

"Haha, yes, exactly."

Luca chuckled. "Michael met a woman like the Virgin Mary. Her name is Mrs. Tuohy, and she's beautiful, graceful, kind, and responsible, just like you."

"Go on!"

Jennifer laughed, covering her mouth, then said seriously, "Luca, I love when people compliment me. Feel free to keep going."

Luca didn't want to come off as overly eager, so he continued the story, drawing from the news article and the movie *The Blind Side*, which was quite successful. It not only grossed over $100 million but also won Sandra Bullock an Oscar.

In the realm of sports movies, *The Blind Side* had performed remarkably well.

Though Jennifer's acting might be a bit behind Sandra Bullock's, the comedic elements in the movie would suit her perfectly.

"When Michael was choosing a college, the NCAA got involved. They believed that the Tuohys only adopted Michael because of his athletic potential. Once they had groomed him into an athlete, they would send him to Ole Miss since both Mr. and Mrs. Tuohy were alumni and die-hard Rebels fans.

They accused the Tuohys of breaking the rules and denying Michael the freedom to choose his own college. They didn't want him playing for Tennessee, so they influenced him to choose Ole Miss.

Michael misunderstood the Tuohys' intentions and ran away from home."

"Luca, what happened next? Did they clear up the misunderstanding? Michael isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so how did Mrs. Tuohy explain things to him?"

Jennifer eagerly asked, clearly hooked by the story.

"Ms. Aniston, would you like some champagne?" A waiter, Ben Hill, approached with a tray.

"No, thank you," Jennifer waved him off, still focused on Luca. "Keep going!"

"Luca, would you like some champagne?" Ben squinted suspiciously at Luca, noting how close the two seemed. There was definitely something going on, and he had shown up just in time.

"No, thanks!" Luca glanced at him, puzzled. Why was Ben acting as a waiter?

"Luca, have one on me," Ben picked up a champagne glass, offering it with a fake smile. Suddenly, his hand jerked, and the champagne spilled onto Luca.

Sulfuric acid?

Luca was startled. Ben was definitely jealous of his looks and trying to get revenge. 

Without thinking, Luca jumped up.

Splash!

As he stood, the liquid from Ben's glass fell onto his pants. It felt warm, slightly hot.

Was it really sulfuric acid?

Luca quickly realized that Ben wasn't after his face—his target was Mr. Big. This was a clever misdirection, a true play of strategy.

He hurriedly touched his pants. It didn't seem like acid after all, and he sighed in relief.

"Luca, I'm so sorry! That was careless of me," Ben apologized, wiping Luca's pant leg with a cloth from his tray.

"Ah, a shark!"

As he wiped, Ben suddenly recoiled in shock, as if he had seen something horrifying. Jennifer, eyes wide, glanced down a few times before bursting into soft laughter.

Her assistant stood in stunned silence. Was this the legendary Mr. Big? It seemed the rumors were true.

"I'm really sorry!" Luca sat down, covering his stomach, his face alternating between red and white.

He had been holding it in for a while and was about to excuse himself to Jennifer to use the restroom. But before he could take care of business, this unexpected incident had him flustered, unable to control certain things.

"Luca, that's incredibly rude! Ms. Aniston is still here, how could you do that?" Ben chastised with righteous indignation.

Ben's plan was to spill champagne on Luca and then apologize profusely. In front of a woman, Luca would have to play the gentleman, brush it off, and go change his clothes. This would stop him from getting any closer to Jennifer.

By the time he came back, it would be too late.

But to his surprise, Luca had reacted inappropriately, just like during the fashion show, revealing his true nature.

Ben couldn't help but feel a bit gleeful. In high society, etiquette was everything. Luca had embarrassed himself in front of Jennifer, so how could he maintain his swagger now?

"Luca, you're so perverted! How can you let your mind wander like that while talking to Ms. Aniston?"

"Shut up!" Luca glared coldly at him, hands in his pockets as he stood up.

"I'm really sorry, Jen. I've got to go take care of something."

"It's fine, Luca, go ahead," Jennifer said, holding back her laughter.

"Apologies!" Luca waved and walked off into the crowd.

"Ms. Aniston, did you see that? Luca is a total creep," Ben said with a smug grin as he watched Luca leave.

"A creep?" Jennifer glanced at Ben and said coolly, "So you spilled the champagne on him to warn me about him, right?"

"Uh…"

This was a tricky question. If he admitted to it, he would seem too conniving. If he denied it, he'd lose his chance to earn favor.

"Yes, that's right," Ben's eyes darted as he quickly decided to go with the first option. Being sneaky wasn't a problem, as long as it earned him some points. If he could gain Jennifer's favor, maybe he could even replace Luca as her new beau.

With Aniston as his backer, future endorsement deals would be a sure thing.

He couldn't help but feel excited.

"Yes, Ms. Aniston. Everyone knows Luca is ambitious. He'll do anything for fame. He made a fool of himself at Fashion Week, then hitched a ride with Britney Spears. Now he's acting disgusting in front of you. He's completely shameless."

"Hmm, indeed, he is shameless," Jennifer smiled, thinking back on the incident. She stood up, smoothing her straight skirt, once again exuding grace and elegance.

"Your name is Ben Hill, right?"

"Yes, that's me, Ms. Aniston," Ben responded, thrilled.

"Thank you for the reminder."

"You're welcome, you're welcome!"

Ben could barely contain his excitement.

Jennifer Aniston smiled slightly, then walked into the crowd with her assistant.

"Yes!" 

After she walked away, Ben punched the air in excitement. He had worked hard to secure a recommendation from a senior executive at Prada, and now he had earned Jennifer's recognition. Everything was falling into place.

"Today is a good day," he muttered to himself.

"Vina, is that the model Helmut Lang selected to work with me?" Jennifer

In the crowd, Ms. Aniston casually asked,

"Yes, his name is Ben Hill. This year, he's ranked first on the male model income list. He's fairly well-known in the fashion world and was recommended by the Prada Group," replied her assistant, Vina, fluently.

"Male model income list?"

Ms. Aniston raised an eyebrow, a slight smile forming at the corner of her lips. "Luca is a model too, right? What rank is he?"

Vina thought for a moment. "Luca was ranked first in April, but now he's ninth."

"Ninth, huh?"

Ms. Aniston smiled slightly. "Looks like Luca owes me a favor."

(End of chapter)