**Chapter 19: Confessing to Adriana Lima**

**Morning, Mount Sinai Hospital, private room.** Golden sunlight poured through the window, casting warm reflections across the bed.

Luca lay on the bed, his white hospital gown slightly lifted as a doctor in his thirties performed a routine check-up on him.

"Luca, you're recovering well. Just remember, no intense physical activity for the next six months," the attending physician reminded him after completing the examination.

"I know, Joel. Thank you!" Luca replied, turning over slowly with a sigh of relief.

"Get some rest!" The doctor closed his chart and started to leave. At the door, he paused, glancing at Kate, who was helping Luca adjust his clothing. Hesitantly, he asked, "Kate, are you free this weekend?"

"Oh, Joel, is there something you need?" Kate straightened up, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

"Uh, well, I have two tickets to *Catch Me If You Can*. Would you like to join me?" Joel asked.

"*Catch Me If You Can*?" Kate furrowed her brows slightly. "Sorry, Joel, but I'm not a fan of Leonardo's movies."

"Uh… that's a shame," Joel muttered, scratching his messy hair as he left the room, visibly disappointed.

Luca chuckled slightly. If Joel wanted to win over Kate, he should have done his homework first.

"What are you laughing at? Do you still want to play the superhero?" Kate asked as she helped Luca sit up.

"Yes, I'll be your superhero from now on and protect you forever," Luca said, holding her hand.

Kate hadn't expected that response. A smile crept onto her lips before she quickly composed herself. "You talk sweet, but why don't you say those things to Lima? You could win her over with such words!" 

Luca felt a bit helpless. These days, Kate had been trying to set him up with Lima. Adriana Lima was a supermodel, fresh on the scene, but already worth a couple of million dollars. He wasn't planning to win her over with empty promises.

Though he had no idea what Lima was thinking, she didn't seem to mind that he had injured his back. She visited him daily without fail.

"Lima's great, but she's too… well, let's say she's quite attractive. Joel said I can't do any strenuous activities," Luca said, shrugging helplessly.

"Strenuous activities?" Kate paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, finally catching his drift.

"If Lima heard that, she'd kill you!" she laughed.

"Heard what?" Adriana Lima entered the room, her long, toned legs striding in. She wore a fitted, low-cut knit top paired with a sleek pair of long pants that accentuated her curves. In her hands, she held a long, stick-like object wrapped in packaging, making it impossible to tell what it was.

"Hi, Lima. Luca said you're very… uh, attractive," Kate teased with a smile.

"Really?" Lima glanced at Luca, curiosity in her eyes. "Why would I hit him if he complimented me?"

"Nothing, Lima," Luca quickly interjected before Kate could reveal more. "What's that you're holding?"

"This?" Lima waved the stick in her hand. "It's a baseball bat. I heard you were talking about me, so I came prepared. Now, tell me, what were you saying?" She raised the bat playfully, pretending to aim at his head.

"No, no, I wasn't saying anything bad about you!" Luca signaled Kate with his eyes for help.

Kate sat back on the sofa, crossing her long legs and watching the scene unfold with a grin.

Sighing, Luca confessed, "Alright, I'll tell you. Kate was just asking me if I like you."

"What?" Lima was momentarily stunned, glancing at Kate.

"Yep, that's exactly what I asked him," Kate confirmed with a mischievous grin.

"And what did you say?" Lima asked, eyes fixed on Luca. The bat still hovered above his head as if the wrong answer would warrant a whack.

"I said I like you," Luca said sincerely.

"You like me?" Lima asked again, seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes, Lima, I like you," Luca reiterated, looking into her eyes. "You have a cheerful personality, you're warm to your friends, you work hard, and you're beautiful. I've liked you for a long time."

Lima looked down, a blush spreading across her honey-colored cheeks. Over the time they'd spent together, she had noticed how Luca had changed. He had become more attractive, more manly, warm, and even funny. She had seen his brave act in front of the Lincoln Center and felt safe and secure around him.

She crossed her long, slender legs slightly and murmured, "Am I really that good?"

"Of course. You have so many good qualities. You have great habits, you're sincere, and you take good care of people," Luca said, praising her earnestly.

Kate covered her mouth, barely containing her laughter. She kept signaling to Luca with her eyes to keep going.

"But if you like me, why would I hit you?" Lima asked softly.

"Kate asked me why I wasn't pursuing you if I liked you," Luca explained.

"Yeah, why not?" Lima was curious, and even Kate had stopped laughing to hear his response.

"I said you're too strong-willed. If I pursued you, you'd probably hit me with a bat," Luca joked.

"I wouldn't! Why would I hit you… uh…" Lima quickly tried to wave off the notion, but the bat in her hand accidentally fell onto his leg.

"Hahaha!" Kate burst into laughter, unable to control herself.

Lima quickly picked up the bat, hurriedly explaining, "Luca, don't worry. This isn't a baseball bat. It's a cane I bought for you, not a weapon. I wouldn't hit you."

She removed the packaging, revealing a dark red cane. It had a rounded top, was as thick as a child's arm, and was intricately carved with fine details.

"Do you like it? I spent a long time picking it out," Lima asked expectantly.

"It's a beautiful cane. I like it very much," Luca said. In truth, he didn't like the idea of using a cane; it made him feel old or weak. But it was a thoughtful gift from Lima, so he accepted it with a smile.

"So, Luca and Lima, when are you two planning to start dating?" Kate teased.

Lima looked at Luca expectantly.

Luca was momentarily stunned. Did his confession actually work?

He had been joking before. Lima was a supermodel. He never thought she would be interested in dating a jobless man with a back injury.

With a smile, Luca held the cane and said, "Lima, you might have to wait a little longer until I can walk with this cane and take you for a stroll."

"I'd love to go on a walk with you!" Lima smiled, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

"Wow, today is such a beautiful day," Kate stretched lazily in the sunlight.

Luca and Lima both smiled softly.

"Luca, we have a problem!" Suddenly, Ed rushed into the room, several newspapers in hand. His frown was deep, and his graying hair seemed more noticeable.

"Ed, what's going on?" Luca asked.

"There's a rumor going around that you were using drugs backstage during the fashion show," Ed said urgently.

"What?!"