Model to Holywood

At night, in a high-rise apartment on 76th Street, the small living room beside the studio was illuminated by an exquisite $18,000 art floor lamp, casting a glow on the sofa in the center.

On the cream-colored leather sofa, a beautiful woman with a cool demeanor, dressed lightly, leaned against a cushion. She had her long, pale legs crossed and was quietly reading a hardcover edition of *Jane Eyre*.

She was fully absorbed, her deep blue eyes glimmering under the light, reflecting a mysterious and elegant shine, like sunlight on fine porcelain.

*Swoosh*

After finishing a page, her slender fingers delicately turned to the next. She blinked her long eyelashes and glanced at the platinum watch on her slim wrist — a dainty and exquisite Patek Philippe, part of a couple's set. The other half was on someone else's wrist.

The watch read 9:14 PM.

She pursed her lips slightly, her delicate nose twitched briefly, and she let out a faint hum.

*Click*

Just then, the sound of the door closing came from outside. The cool beauty immediately lowered her legs, set down her book, and straightened up, revealing a toned abdomen with seductive abs.

But as soon as her feet touched the slippers, she laid back down again, holding her book and pressing her legs together, her eyes fixed on the page without a single blink, like a butterfly perched on a flower, quietly savoring the sweetness of the story.

*Shuffle shuffle*

Ten minutes later, someone was approaching the small living room, dragging their feet. The footsteps were light but heavy, revealing both weariness and a bad mood.

The beauty furrowed her brows, but her sharp expression softened, and her overall aura became gentler.

The man entered, wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts, carrying with him the fresh scent of a shower and a sense of peace.

"Kate, reading again?"

"Mmhmm."

Kate fluttered her eyelashes and glanced at his face, noticing a hint of anger mixed with a desire to vent.

"What happened?"

She asked softly.

"My car got smashed."

Luca slumped down beside her, pulling her feet onto his lap, gently massaging her toes and heels — the parts that suffer the most when a woman wears high heels.

"Oh?"

Kate blinked, setting her book on her chest and looking him over. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I wasn't in the car when it happened."

Luca chuckled slightly while continuing to knead her feet, explaining what had happened earlier.

"Miranda said someone had been following her, so I helped check it out. After the party, I drove her home. I was just sitting in her apartment for a bit when I heard an alarm downstairs. I went down to find my car window smashed. I think it was the stalker — that bastard. This time, I won't let him off."

Luca spoke angrily, frustrated that his plans had been disrupted. If he caught the guy, he'd make sure to give him a good beating.

"Not so hard!"

Kate shot him a look. "You went upstairs with Miranda?"

"She said the guy sometimes follows her up and even spies on her through the window, so I went to check it out."

After finishing with her left foot, Luca began massaging her right. Kate's feet were well cared for, small and plump, which was why she didn't like wearing heels often.

"What did you do with Miranda in her apartment?"

Kate flipped another page of her book, though her mind wasn't on it.

"Nothing..."

"Are you lying to me?"

Kate raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze sharp.

Luca tugged at the corner of his mouth, lowering his head and gently squeezing her toes.

"We just... smoked."

"Marijuana?"

"No, no, just a Capri cigarette, strawberry-flavored. We only had one."

"Mmhmm, go on."

Kate curled her lips as she flipped another page.

"..."

Luca pressed a bit harder. "Miranda kissed me."

"And then?"

Kate put her book down, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Then the car got smashed, and the alarm went off."

Luca shrugged. Seeing the dissatisfaction in Kate's eyes, he quickly added, "That's really what happened. She just kissed me once, and I even pushed her away."

"Pushed her away? Why?"

Kate asked, puzzled.

"We're friends."

Realizing he had slept with several friends before, he quickly corrected himself, "I just see her as a little sister."

"Sister? Oh, you fool!"

Kate tossed her book at him, then leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck, playfully messing up his hair.

"Why would you treat her like a sister? Isn't having me, your 'big sister,' enough? You need a little sister too?"

"No, no. You're enough."

Luca mumbled.

"Hmph, you fool. You know what? You really missed out."

Kate cupped his face, seeing his messy hair and pitiful expression, making her laugh even more.

"The car was already smashed, so what's the point of going down? You should've finished what you started with Miranda, that little minx."

"That wouldn't be right. Lima wouldn't be happy about that."

Luca shook his head.

"As if you're some model of fidelity."

Kate pushed his face away and lay back on the sofa, casually flipping through her book again.

"Massage my legs!"

"Alright!"

Luca began massaging her legs, moving upwards from her ankles, focusing diligently on serving his queen. After some practice, he had improved from a novice to someone with experience in massage.

Kate continued reading, while Luca focused on the massage. The soft light in the small living room was bright but gentle, with only the occasional sound of pages turning and faint slapping sounds.

"I'm going to sleep!"

A little while later, Kate turned off the floor lamp in the corner and pulled a blanket over herself. The room fell into darkness and silence.

"It's cool in here. Should I sleep here too?"

Luca whispered.

"..."

Kate had already fallen asleep, giving no response.

Luca pulled the blanket over himself and lay down on the outer edge of the sofa.

*Thud*

Suddenly, he was kicked in the butt, sending him tumbling to the floor.

"Ha ha ha, you fool!"

Kate laughed heartlessly under the blanket.

"Kate!"

Luca sat on the carpet, annoyed, looking at her.

"Hmph, do you know why I kicked you? Because you're an idiot. Next time, make sure you finish things with Miranda and tell me all about it when you get back. Got it?"

"...Alright."

Luca shrugged.

"Come back up!"

Kate scooted over to make space.

"You won't kick me again, right?"

Luca hesitated.

"Get up here, or I'll kick you again!"

Kate snapped, sounding like a queen.

"Okay, okay!"

Luca cautiously lay back down.

Kate grabbed his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Her breathing was soft, peaceful, sweet, and content.

The night grew late. Goodnight!

(End of Chapter)