Model to Holywood

"Katie, you look stunning tonight. Everyone is enchanted by you. You're like the moon in the sky."

In Kate's dressing room, Leo wrapped his arms around her, showering her with flattery.

"Ahem..."

Luca cleared his throat to remind them of his presence.

"Luca, Depp's having a party at the Viper Room this weekend. Want to join me?" Leo asked, eyeing him sideways.

"Sorry, Leo. You know I'm always busy. I've got a million things to handle every day and no time for parties!"

Leo's smile faltered, clearly displeased.

To Leo, Luca was a nobody—a castaway living off his sister, trying to make his way into the high society but without any real chance. Depp's parties were infamous for their chaos—beautiful women, drugs, and booze. He thought inviting Luca would be an irresistible offer. But rejection was unexpected.

"Luca, I need a word with Kate. Could you give us some space?" Leo frowned, clearly annoyed.

"Luca, go ahead. I'll be fine," Kate gently pushed Luca's shoulder. She knew Luca didn't like Leo—or any other man for that matter, when it came to her. She understood but didn't want them to fight. She still hoped Leo could help Luca break into Hollywood.

"Wait, Kate. I just have one question for Leo, then I'll leave," Luca said.

"What?" Leo asked, clearly impatient.

Luca asked calmly, "Leo, I heard you've been dating Gisele. Is that true?"

Leo's face twitched slightly, but he quickly smiled, looking charming again. "That's just a rumor. Everyone in the entertainment industry has rumors."

"But I just saw you and Gisele kissing in her dressing room for three whole minutes," Luca said coolly.

"That's nonsense. I haven't seen Gisele today," Leo shot back, startled.

Luca smirked and opened his phone gallery. "Kate, take a look."

Kate glanced at the phone, her face immediately turning pale. The photo showed two people hugging. Though the image was a bit blurry, it was clear enough to recognize Leo and Gisele.

"Bullshit! This is just a bad angle. Gisele and I only talked briefly," Leo said, now visibly rattled. He thought no one was in the dressing room. How had Luca taken the photo? Could it be...?

"It was you!" Leo pointed at Luca angrily, realizing he'd fallen into his trap.

"What trap? You said you hadn't seen Gisele. You're just a liar, Leo. You've been deceiving Kate!" Luca fired back.

"No, I haven't!"

"Liar. Are you still going to try fooling Kate?" Luca sneered, pulling Kate closer. "Kate, don't blame me for ruining your date. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Luca..." Kate's eyes welled up.

"You two should talk," Luca said, walking out of the dressing room, mission accomplished. Earlier, he had slipped a few bucks to a staff member to send Leo a message: Gisele was looking for him in her dressing room. He just wanted to see where Leo's loyalty lay. Turns out, Leo rushed off eagerly.

Leo and Gisele had hit it off immediately and even shared a goodbye kiss. Serves him right, Luca thought.

"Oh, Kate, listen to me. We didn't kiss. How could you believe Luca? He's just a drunken, drug-addicted loser!" Leo protested.

"Shut up!" Kate's voice rang out from behind Luca as he left. "Luca's no drunk or addict! He was once the most promising young soccer player in Brazil. He was a prince on the field!"

"That was the past. Now, he's just a bum you're supporting," Leo sneered.

"Shut up!! Luca's not a loser. He's a genius. He once scored a critical goal for our national team. He brought honor to our country. And who are you? A selfish, pleasure-seeking playboy. What gives you the right to talk about him like that?"

". . . Oh, Kate, I didn't realize you felt that way. Maybe we need some time apart to cool down," Leo sighed, storming out. When he saw Luca standing by the window, he paused with a cold smile. "Is this what you wanted?"

Luca shook his head. "It's not about what I want, Leo. It's about what you did. Don't even try denying your fling with Gisele."

Leo snorted, lighting a cigarette. "Whether I'm with Gisele doesn't matter. What matters is that Kate's my girlfriend. Do you know what that means?"

He blew out a puff of smoke, a smug look on his face. "It means a stylish, beautiful label. It means exposure. It means Kate's career will soar, and she'll become one of the top models in the industry. But you just ruined it all."

Luca chuckled. "Don't overestimate your importance. With or without you, Kate can still become a top model."

"Do you think becoming a top model is that easy?" Leo laughed derisively, looking out at New York as if he owned it. "Look at the women out there. They're just as beautiful as Kate, but they haven't had her luck. Give them a chance, and they'd easily replace her on the Victoria's Secret runway."

"Bullshit!" Luca shot back. "The reason they're out there while my sister is on that runway isn't just luck. It's effort and grit. Kate wakes up at 5 a.m. every day to work out. Do they? Kate practices her walk for four hours every day. Do they? Kate nearly wrecked her body from dieting. Have they gone through that kind of pain?"

Luca shook his head. "They haven't. But Kate has. And more. You think Kate's success is just luck? No, Leo. I've seen her hard work, her sweat. You think Kate is just a pretty face who can be replaced at any moment. But to me, Kate is irreplaceable. No one can take her place."

"Oh, Luca..." Kate suddenly ran out of the dressing room and threw her arms around his neck. "You're irreplaceable to me, too!"

"Katie..." Leo looked awkward.

"Leo, we're done. You should leave," Kate said firmly, wiping her eyes.

"Katie, we don't have to end it like this. We can still talk..." Leo tried.

"There's nothing left to talk about. You may look down on me, but you should never have underestimated Luca. To me, he's a thousand times better than you."

"Ha!" Leo laughed, shaking his head. "Katie, you're being dramatic. When you calm down, if you still want to talk, I'll give you a chance to make up."

"No need!" Kate said resolutely. "You were right, though. Out there, a woman could replace me with just one chance. But you? You're Hollywood's golden boy, but no one in entertainment is irreplaceable. If Luca gets the chance, he could replace you. He could even surpass you."

"Replace me? Hahaha!" Leo laughed, shaking his finger at Luca before strolling off.

"What an arrogant jerk!" Kate snorted. "Luca, you have to work hard now. Become a star and show him."

"Wait!" Luca interrupted. "Kate, did I ever say I wanted to be a big star?"

"Yes, you've mentioned it 22 times. How you want to be an actor, become a star, hit Hollywood, and pick up girls. I was too worried to let you, but now you'll have to try on your own."

Luca twitched. "Twenty-two times? Really, Kate? Are you obsessed with numbers?"

"Luca, I know you were serious. But don't worry, I'll support you."

Luca smiled to himself. He'd rather just be her assistant, living the easy life.

"No way! I told Leo you'd make it. You're not going to let us lose to someone who looks down on us, right?"

"NO!" Luca responded firmly.

"Good! Now get to work, Luca. You've got the looks to rival Leo. If you put in the effort, you could absolutely replace him, maybe even surpass him. Don't you think?"

"You're right, but..." Luca hesitated.

"But nothing! You're the best, my dear brother. I believe in you!" Kate kissed him on the cheek and walked back into her dressing room.

Luca stood frozen. His sister had just skillfully manipulated him into a tight spot. Now what? Did he really have to become a big star?

He sighed. All he wanted was to enjoy the easy life, but apparently, that wasn't in the cards for him anymore.

(End of chapter)