**Chapter 270: People Grow Up**

"Villain! Villain!"

Around noon, after seeing Camilla off, Luca strolled to the gazebo next door with his hands behind his back, only to hear loud squawking from inside.

The house had two macaws and a toucan, always squawking in the yard, adding to the lively atmosphere.

"Stupid bird, stop calling me a villain! I'm Maceo! Call me Prince Maceo!"

In the gazebo stood a tall, lean young man teasing the parrots under the perch.

"Villain! Villain!"

The two vibrant macaws squawked loudly.

"Shut up, you stupid bird!"

The young man grabbed one parrot's leg and shook it vigorously.

The parrot flapped its wings wildly, trying to escape.

"Ahhh!"

Suddenly, the young man screamed, clutching his hand.

"Damn bird, you bit me! I'll roast you!" he shouted angrily, still holding the parrot.

"Ahem!" Luca shook his head and stepped into the living room, glancing at the young man.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with golden-brown hair, wearing a tank top, beach shorts, and flip-flops.

His arms had several tattoos, including a winged Amazon anaconda and a Chinese character that awkwardly read "strength."

Luca remembered that Maceo was three years older than him and had once been about sixty percent as handsome as him.

But now, with tattoos, a beard around his chin, and skin darkened by the sun, he looked much older, almost greasy.

"Are you... Luca?" 

Maceo let go of the parrot, turning around in surprise.

"Hey, Maceo! Long time no see!" Luca smiled lightly.

"Haha, Luca, you've changed so much!"

Maceo laughed, hugging him familiarly. "I remember we were the same height and equally handsome. Now you're way taller and even a bit more handsome than me."

Luca smirked slightly. "A bit? More like a lot more handsome."

"I've been eating well, hit my second growth spurt, and grew a lot."

"Oh, really? I heard the tap water in New York is sweet. I envy you for going to the U.S. When are you heading there, Luca? Can you take me with you?" Maceo grabbed his arm excitedly. 

"I've always wanted to go to New York. Look at my body — don't you think I'd make a great model? You and Kate became supermodels, I wouldn't be too bad either."

Luca chuckled. "Maceo, that's not gonna work."

"Why not?"

"Professional models can't have tattoos."

"Really?"

Maceo glanced at his arm, feeling down for a moment, but then perked up. "Then how about being an actor? Lots of actors have tattoos."

"Yeah, maybe you could give it a try," Luca said, handing him a bottle of guarana juice.

"So, what do you say about going to the U.S. to be an actor?"

"How's your English?"

"..."

Maceo fell silent.

Most people in Brazil spoke Portuguese, and not many were fluent in a second language.

Luca smiled, playing with a few Brazil nuts as he fed the parrots.

Brazil nuts, also known as Amazon almonds or abiu, were crispy, flavorful, and nutritious snacks that both people and animals loved.

"Hello, Miss Kelly! Hello, Miss Kelly!" The two parrots chirped sweetly after getting some nuts.

Meanwhile, the toucan sat high and mighty, eating silently, offering no pleasantries, perched like a statue.

"Maceo, have you been in Rio these past few years?" Luca asked.

"Yeah," Maceo replied, munching on some nuts. "I went back to the countryside once, but it was boring, so I stayed in Rio."

"What do you do here?"

"I've been a waiter, a tour guide, done deliveries. Now, I'm working security at the Degar Nightclub."

"Are you married?"

"I'm only in my twenties — why get married? Oh, Luca, I heard your girlfriend is Lima, your rumored fling is Britney, and you slept with Rachel! Is that true? You're amazing!"

Maceo suddenly shifted the conversation to gossip, brimming with excitement.

He was referring to Rachel from Jennifer Aniston's character in *Friends*.

Luca shook his head. "Britney, Ms. Aniston, and I are friends. The rumors are just the company's PR stunts to boost visibility — none of it is real."

"But you did get Lima! That's impressive. She's got such a hot body and makes tons of money. If you marry her, you'll never have to work again."

Ugh. He made it sound like I'm some freeloader, Luca thought to himself.

"Luca, let's go!"

After munching a few more nuts, Maceo clapped his hands.

"Go where?" Luca asked, puzzled.

"Marsel, Kura, and I set up a huge party at Degar to welcome you back to Rio. We've invited tons of beautiful women! You used to love threesomes, right? Tonight, you can have ten if you want. So many women want to meet Brazil's most handsome guy! Everyone asked me to invite you. Come on, let's go!"

Maceo's excitement was through the roof.

Luca shook his head. In his younger days, he'd been reckless. But now, his body couldn't handle that kind of lifestyle. Ten women at once? I'd be dead by morning.

"Maceo, thanks, but I'm busy today. I can't join you."

He barely remembered those friends, and the ones he did, he didn't care for much.

"This is your welcome party! How can the star of the show not show up? Or are you too famous now to hang with us?"

Maceo wasn't happy.

Luca nodded slightly. "It's been a long time. We've grown apart. I don't think I'd enjoy it."

"You're really not coming?"

"Nope!" Luca patted him on the shoulder. "Maceo, you're welcome to hang out here anytime, but parties... I'm not into them anymore."

"Then what do you like? Tell me, we can change the plans," Maceo offered.

"I like reading. Want to join?" Luca said, pulling a book from the shelf.

"Reading?" Maceo paused, then cursed under his breath, "Foda-se!"

"Luca, you've changed so much. You used to be so lively. Now you're all slow and into books? You're nothing like you used to be."

"People grow up."

"Hmph, fine, whatever." Maceo waved dismissively, dragging his flip-flops toward the door, muttering to himself.

"Wait a sec."

Luca thought for a moment, then went to his room and came back with a stack of reais.

"Maceo, I can't join you, but tonight's party is on me. Hope you all have fun," he said, handing over the cash.

Maceo counted the bills, grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, Luca, I'll let everyone know. But are you sure you're not coming? There are lots of beautiful women — models, students, even your ex-girlfriends Suzana and Sonia. They want to see you."

"No, no, definitely not going." Hearing about exes sealed the deal — he had no intention of rekindling anything.

"Fine, next time we'll find some book-loving women for you."

Maceo waved goodbye as he left.

Book-loving women? Luca shook his head, returning to his study to review more materials.

Camilla had sent over a lot of fashion and entertainment industry reports, along with social and political news from Brazil.

Living in Brazil, you couldn't afford to be clueless about the world around you — or you'd pay the price. 

(End of Chapter)