Model to Holywood

"Ms. Julie, would you like coffee, tea, or juice?"

In the living room, Kate asked politely.

"Kate, could you please get me a milk coffee? I'm injured, and the doctor suggested I get more protein."

"Julie, are you hurt?" Kate asked, puzzled.

Luca hesitated, wondering what this woman was up to.

"Yes, I pulled a muscle in my thigh while filming," Julie replied after a brief pause.

"Filming can be dangerous."

"Indeed. How did Luca get hurt? He seemed fine at the party yesterday."

"Nothing serious, just a small accident while we were playing baseball."

Lima chuckled softly.

Luca forced a smile and took the coffee from Kate.

"Ms. Julie, here's your coffee!"

"Thank you!" Julie glanced at him and smiled. 

"Luca, I heard yesterday that you don't have any upcoming work. There's a role in my film, *Random Killings*, for a psychopath killer. I think you'd fit the part well. Interested in auditioning?"

"Ms. Julie, thank you for the offer, but I'm aiming for hero roles right now. I haven't considered playing a villain." 

Luca replied politely.

"Oh, what a shame!" Julie's lips curled into a slight smile.

Half an hour later, an orange-red sports car slowly drove away from the Big Pear Tree estate.

Luca let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, she left!

Earlier, in the living room, Julie, Kate, and Lima had gotten along well. They chatted about movies, fashion, and luxury goods, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

But Luca felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, worried Julie might suddenly cause trouble.

After half an hour, his undershirt was soaked in sweat, and his entire body felt weak, as if he'd just run a marathon.

"Honey, why are you sweating so much today?"

Kate touched his forehead, her slender fingers sticky with sweat.

"It's a bit hot today," Luca said, glancing at the sun overhead.

"Or is it guilt that's making you sweat?" Lima teased, her fox-like eyes staring at him.

"Guilt about what?"

"Julie!" Lima said casually. "There are rumors that Julie is cold and hard to approach. But you just met her, and she's already offering you a role. Why?"

Luca shook his head, "Maybe she's into me."

"Really?" Kate and Lima both looked at him.

"Yeah, she's newly divorced, a single mom. Maybe she's looking for a stepdad for her kid. I'm handsome and in great shape. I might be on her shortlist."

"Are you going to say yes?"

Lima smiled lightly and said seriously, "If you're thinking about moving on, just tell me. Don't forget, we're not just lovers but also good friends. I'll support you. Now, be honest—have you thought about getting a new girlfriend?"

"I swear, I've never had that thought!" 

Luca raised his hand and swore.

"That's more like it!" Lima kissed him and set down the baseball bat she was holding.

Kate smirked, poked his chest, and walked into the studio.

Luca shook his head and plopped down on the sofa, feeling emotionally drained and physically exhausted.

"Luca! Luca! Theodore climbed a tree!" Eve came bouncing into the living room just as he was catching his breath.

Her face was flushed, and sweat had dampened her hair, sticking it to her forehead and cheeks. Her overalls were dirty, and a few feathers were tangled in her hair, making her look like a little Native American girl.

"I told you not to climb trees! Why did he climb again? A bunch of little monkeys," Luca muttered, rubbing his face as he stood up and headed outside.

"Luca, it's not my fault! I told him it was dangerous to climb trees, that most people wouldn't dare. But he pounded his chest and said he was great at climbing trees, and even promised to pick pears for us. I really tried to talk him out of it."

Eve spread her hands, looking innocent.

Luca smirked, knowing this little girl's schemes.

She was pretty and smart. Just by saying she wanted pears, a bunch of little boys would eagerly scramble to climb trees for her. Bankers' sons, Jewish millionaires' heirs, or that actor's underachieving son—all were wrapped around her finger.

"Eve! Eve! Look, I'm almost up!" Theodore, hanging about three meters up the tree, had both hands gripping the bark tightly, his legs shaking as he struggled to climb, his face drenched in sweat. He seemed about to give up, but seeing Eve arrive gave him a burst of energy, and he called out, climbing further.

Seeing Gina nearby reassured Luca. He watched the kid inch along the tree, barely moving after a minute of effort.

Luca shook his head and shouted, "Theodore, come down!"

"No! I want to pick pears!" Theodore stubbornly replied.

"Don't bother; I have a whole basket of pears at home."

He had hired workers to pick over 200 pounds of pears a few days ago and had given most away to neighbors and friends. The remaining basket at home was barely touched and starting to rot.

"The ones on the tree are sweeter," Theodore insisted.

"Who told you that?"

"Fanny!"

"... Come down, or I'll tell your dad!"

"My dad's not home!"

"..."

"Theodore, come down. I don't even like pears!" Eve called, batting her eyes.

"Oh, okay!" The little boy quickly slid down the tree.

Luca scratched his head, wondering if Tom Hanks had seen this, would he have considered having another kid?

"Morning, Ed!" 

After a week of rest, Luca's injury was mostly healed. He drove to the Los Angeles branch of Ford Modeling Agency and greeted Ed in his office.

"Luca, you've had a week off, but you still look tired," Ed said, setting down his coffee.

"What week off? I've been cooking, cleaning, and doing chores all week. Plus, I've had to look after a bunch of kids. When did I have time to rest?"

Luca slumped onto the sofa, yawning.

These past few days, Kate and Lima had been busy with design work, and Miranda was occupied elsewhere, leaving him alone at home. He ended up doing all the chores, almost exhausting himself.

The biggest headache was those kids.

Eve, ever since she arrived, had been leading her little group on adventures all over—mountains, beaches, parks. They were practically feral at this point.

Yesterday, when Nina came to pick her up, the little girl cried, saying she didn't want to leave her friends. In the end, Nina had to drag her away.

Before she left, Nina had shot Luca a glare, as if blaming him for not looking after her properly.

Luca was genuinely worn out.

Ed chuckled, "Luca, I see you've been through a lot. Are you ready for the audition coming up?"

"Yes, I've arranged a meeting with Director Lee Ann today."

"Alright, then go ahead with the *Brokeback Mountain* audition. Need any help?"

"No, I've got Tony with me!"

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Thanks to reader 'liuliuqiu lw' for the reward.