Model to Holywood

"Luca, why do you have a cold?"

In the car, Ed glanced at the rearview mirror.

Luca lay lazily in the backseat, occasionally sneezing and yawning, looking tired, weak, and a bit out of it.

"I went to see the big waterfall yesterday, then went boating, and it suddenly started pouring rain. I got drenched," Luca explained lazily.

"Do you need to see a doctor?"

"No, it's just a mild cold. I've taken some medicine."

"Alright, we've got three hours until the event at 3 PM. You can head back to the hotel and catch a nap."

"Sounds like a great idea!" Luca said, yawning.

"Are you sure it's just a cold?" Ed asked suspiciously, glancing at him. "Why do I feel like you were up to something else?"

"Up to something? Haha~ No way. I don't know anyone here in Canada," Luca said, rubbing his nose.

"No need to explain. Just a reminder—if you're going to fool around, always use protection," Ed said with a grin.

"Protection?"

Luca blinked. Last night was unexpected, and neither of them had prepared anything.

"You didn't use one, did you?" Ed frowned. "I've warned you before—catch any disease in the entertainment industry, but don't get an STD. It'll ruin your career."

"Stop imagining things. I didn't fool around, so why would I need protection?" Luca spread his hands, seriously saying, "Ed, you know me. Am I the kind of guy who messes around?"

"Aren't you? You had Lima and still got involved with Britney, causing all that commotion. 

Men cheat all over the world, but who makes as big of a scene as you? Nina complains to me daily, saying I've been a bad influence on you, and now she watches me like a hawk, afraid I'll learn bad habits from you."

Ed said, clearly unhappy.

"Learn bad habits from me? Haha~ That's the biggest joke ever. I'm 21 and have only been with two women. How is that bad? Don't tell me you only had one woman in your twenties."

"Yes, I've only ever had Nina," Ed said with a slight nod, looking blissful.

Luca opened his mouth but had no words. How do you even continue a conversation with someone like that?

Yawn~

Luca yawned again, lying back in the seat. "Ed, anything else? If not, I need a nap. Got up too early this morning."

"Wait a second. Did you read the newspaper on the plane?"

"Nope!"

"Didn't think so. Take a look now; it's somewhat related to you."

Ed tossed over two newspapers, the *Los Angeles Times* and the *San Francisco Chronicle,* both on the entertainment section.

The front page had a picture of Britney, with a headline about her press conference addressing the "proposal incident" for the first time. The next two full pages were filled with explanations, interviews, and a detailed recap of the event, with thousands of words in small print.

Luca felt a headache coming on. "Ed, just tell me the main points. I'll read the papers tonight."

"Alright, first point: Britney's spokesperson stated that her sudden squat during the concert was due to an old knee injury, not a proposal gesture."

Luca nodded. He'd already known this. Britney's management team came up with this explanation. 

Last year, she hurt her knee while filming an MV. Afterward, the world tour and dance rehearsals aggravated it, and the injury never fully healed. Fans worldwide knew about this.

As for why they were only now addressing it, they probably wanted to let the rumors linger for a bit.

"Second point: When asked about Justin wanting to reconcile, the spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied it, saying they are just friends for now.

When a reporter asked Britney if there was any chance of her and Justin getting back together, she said there was no possibility.

The reporter then asked if it was because of you. Britney said no."

"Hold on!" Luca waved his hand. "Ed, is any of this the main point?"

"Haha, don't rush. The good stuff is coming."

Ed smiled, clearing his throat. "A reporter asked Britney if she had to choose between you and Justin, who would she pick. Britney straightforwardly said she'd choose you. Her spokesperson quickly clarified that Britney just admired your talent and that you're only friends. Haha~"

"That's not really the main point, either, is it?" Luca said, rubbing his chin with a smirk.

"Haha, here's the real kicker. This part might help salvage your reputation."

"Really?" Luca perked up. "Spill it!"

"A reporter mentioned that fans see Britney as a princess, Justin as a prince, and you as the villain standing in the way of their reunion. They asked what Britney thought of this."

"And what did Britney say?" Luca asked curiously.

"Haha, Britney scoffed and said, 'Everyone thinks the princess should be with the prince, but it's the princess's choice who she's with. Why can't she choose the villain? Is it racial discrimination?'"

"Cool!" Luca praised.

"Yeah, very cool. Because of that bold stance, she's gained a lot of support. Now, many fans are rooting for the princess and the villain to be together. And the villain, by the way, is you," Ed said with a wide grin.

"Villain, huh? I'll take it. Villains are cooler than princes, anyway," Luca chuckled, pulling out his phone to text Britney and thank her for the explanation. He was genuinely worried about getting blasted by both fanbases.

"Do you want to be with Britney?" Ed asked, turning his head.

"Of course not. We're not right for each other. You know me—I've got a bit of an alpha personality. I'm not cut out to be some weak guy," Luca shrugged.

"You're not a weak guy? Haha~ Luca, how can I believe that when Kate and Lima constantly boss you around? Kate gives you your allowance, tells you what to do, and scolds you when you mess up. If that's not being a weak guy, then what is?"

"Go on, keep talking," Luca said, glaring at him.

"Haha, nothing," Ed said with an awkward laugh, realizing he was essentially describing himself, making the situation all the more uncomfortable.

Luca shook his head, thinking, *Same boat, different oars. No need to recognize each other.*

Ring~

Luca's phone rang.

"Luca, are you in San Francisco yet?" Britney asked over the phone.

"Yes, dear Britney. How's your mood today?"

"Haha, it was so-so, but hearing your voice has lifted my spirits."

"Really? Well, I'm not feeling great. This morning, someone called me a villain."

"Sorry about that, Luca."

"Is 'sorry' enough? I'm not just any villain. I'm Mr. Big, not just a villain. Being called one feels a bit off."

"Haha~"

A long string of laughter echoed from the phone.

Luca smirked and said, "Britney, thanks for sticking up for me. I'm touched!"

"No problem, Big, Big, Big Villain. I'd gladly do more for you," Britney said sweetly.

"So would I!"

Britney's call was also about her new song *Young and Beautiful*.

The last version was only a rough draft with barely correct lyrics, and the song still needed some polishing. Britney's team had taken charge of completing it.

Now that the song was done, Britney loved it and planned to release it as a single. However, there were some copyright and royalty issues, and the record company offered two options.

One was to buy it out for $300,000, and the other was profit-sharing, where Luca would get 8% of the revenue for both the lyrics and music. Given Britney's success, 8% was excellent, considering most songwriters only got 5%, and many were forced to sell outright.

Luca naturally chose the second option. The song would eventually be featured in a movie, and its sales were bound to be solid. While it felt like he was leeching off someone's success, at least he was doing it with *talent.*

"Luca, we're here!"

"Got it!"

Once they reached the hotel, Luca, half-asleep, didn't even bother greeting Billy, Jessica, or anyone else. He went straight to his room and crashed.

Later that afternoon, there was a street dance competition in the Bay Area. The *Honey* cast members were participating in the amateur category, and both he and Jessica had to show off some moves.

Street dance practice was physically demanding, so he needed to rest up and recharge!

(End of Chapter)