Chapter 76 – A Night to Celebrate
New York City never slept, least of all on a night as special as this one. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show had been an absolute success, and now it was time to celebrate.
Jacob Stewart, already accustomed to the spotlight, knew that this night could go down in history as yet another unforgettable experience.
And he was right.
After the official Victoria's Secret party, many guests began to leave. But Jacob wasn't going home anytime soon.
As he walked through the hall, he felt a light touch on his arm.
—CANDICE SWANEPOEL: "Jacob… Are you leaving already?"
He turned and saw Candice Swanepoel, one of Victoria's Secret's most iconic Angels, looking at him with that playful smile.
Before he could answer, Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima approached as well, each holding a glass of champagne.
— ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO: "I think we still have a lot to celebrate."
— ADRIANA LIMA: "And you, Jacob? Are you in a hurry?"
Jacob smiled. He already knew where this was going.
— JACOB: "Definitely not."
The three exchanged glances and smiled.
Candice took the lead, pulling Jacob's hand.
— CANDICE: "Then let's go. The night is just beginning."
They left the party and got into a black limousine that was already waiting for them outside. The car glided smoothly through the streets of Manhattan, illuminated by bright billboards and neon signs.
Their destination? A luxurious penthouse in one of the city's most sophisticated buildings.
Upon arrival, the elevator took them directly to the top of the building. As soon as the doors opened, Jacob was impressed by the place.
The penthouse was absurdly elegant, with enormous glass windows offering panoramic city views, modern decor in shades of gold and black, and a private bar stocked with rare drinks.
— JACOB: "Wow… If this isn't a place worthy of supermodels, I don't know what is."
Candice tossed her hair back and smiled.
— CANDICE: "We like to live well."
Adriana walked to the bar and picked up a bottle of very expensive red wine.
— ADRIANA: "And we like to toast to the great nights."
Jacob picked up a glass while Alessandra and Candice sat beside him on the enormous black velvet sofa.
They toasted, and the champagne bubbled gently in their glasses.
— ALESSANDRA: "So, Jacob… Now that you have a contract with Calvin Klein and are in all the fashion magazines, when are you going to walk for Victoria's Secret?"
He laughed, shaking his head.
— JACOB: "I think I'd be a little out of place on that catwalk. I prefer to watch from afar."
Adriana approached and rested her arm on the back of the sofa, looking at him with a provocative smile.
— ADRIANA: "Out of place? Have you seen your presence on the red carpets? Trust me, you'd do well."
Candice laughed and raised her glass.
— CANDICE: "To Jacob, the most coveted man in Hollywood."
They toasted again, and Jacob just smiled.
Time passed, and the conversation flowed lightly and playfully. They talked about their careers, the challenges of fame, and funny moments backstage at fashion shows.
Jacob was relaxed, enjoying the company of the three incredible women around him.
The night wore on, and the lighting on the rooftop grew dim.
Alessandra stood up and walked to the enormous glass balcony. — ALESSANDRA: "You have to see this."
Jacob and the others followed her.
The view was breathtaking.
Down below, Manhattan shone like an ocean of golden lights. The Empire State Building illuminated the night sky, and cars moved slowly through the streets like tiny shooting stars.
Jacob leaned against the railing and took a deep breath.
— JACOB: "Definitely one of those moments you need to stop and appreciate."
Candice leaned against him.
— CANDICE: "And even better when you're surrounded by good company."
He turned his face and met her blue eyes, which were full of a mischievous glint.
Adriana approached and took Jacob's arm.
— ADRIANA: "We have to make a final toast."
Alessandra brought the bottle of champagne and filled the glasses one last time.
— ALESSANDRA: "To now." They clinked glasses, and as their glasses clinked in the air, Jacob realized that the night was only just beginning.
Chapter 77 – Back Home
The sun rose over the New York horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. The streets began to bustle, and the city, which never sleeps, awoke to another day.
Jacob Stewart, however, was wrapping up his stay in Manhattan. After an unforgettable night with Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio, it was time to return to Los Angeles.
Still in the luxurious penthouse, he stretched on the enormous living room sofa, feeling the slight lingering fatigue from the previous night. He looked around and saw the three Angels scattered throughout the space: Candice asleep in an armchair near the fireplace, Adriana wrapped in a blanket on the other sofa, and Alessandra lying with her face turned towards the panoramic window.
Jacob smiled.
— JACOB (softly, to himself): "Yeah… definitely a night to remember."
He stood up carefully, picking up his Rolex watch from the glass table and slipping it onto his wrist. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water, feeling his throat a little dry.
That's when Adriana slowly opened her eyes and saw him there.
— ADRIANA (sleepy voice): "Are you leaving already?"
Jacob turned to her and smiled.
— JACOB: "Yes. My flight to LA leaves in a few hours, I need to get ready."
Adriana stood up, adjusting her hair and looking around.
— ADRIANA: "It doesn't even seem like we spent the whole night talking and toasting… Time flew by."
Candice began to stir in her armchair and opened her blue eyes, yawning.
— CANDICE: "Jacob… leaving already?"
He nodded.
— JACOB: "Unfortunately, yes. But it was an incredible night. Thank you for having me here."
Alessandra opened her eyes and smiled sleepily.
— ALESSANDRA: "You'll always be welcome, Jacob."
One Last Conversation
Jacob grabbed his jacket and walked to the door. Candice, Adriana, and Alessandra approached him, still sleepy but smiling.
— ADRIANA: "When are you coming back to New York?"
Jacob thought for a moment.
— JACOB: "I don't know exactly. I have some commitments in LA, maybe next month?"
Candice smiled and crossed her arms.
— CANDICE: "Don't make us wait too long, or we'll have to kidnap you and bring you back."
They laughed.
Jacob then said goodbye with a hug for each of them.
— JACOB: "Take care. And try to sleep more than three hours."
— ALESSANDRA (laughing): "Who needs sleep when you have champagne and good company?"
He smiled, shaking his head, and headed for the elevator.
The doors closed slowly, and the last image he saw was the three supermodels smiling at him, with the city of New York shimmering in the background.
The black Mercedes-Benz glided smoothly through the streets of Manhattan. Jacob looked out the window, observing the vibrant city.
His thoughts were far away. He remembered the conversation with Candice, Adriana, and Alessandra, the glow of the city lights, and the feeling of simply living in the moment.
But now it was time to return to reality.
He picked up his cell phone and opened a message from his agent, Richard Calloway.
RICHARD CALLAWAY: "Jacob, when you arrive in LA, call me. We have some meetings to discuss new projects."
Jacob sighed and typed a quick reply.
JACOB: "Okay, I'll call you as soon as I land."
Upon arriving at JFK Airport, Jacob quickly went through check-in. He didn't much like the excessive attention he received at airports, so he always wore a black cap and sunglasses to avoid curious glances.
Upon boarding the plane, he went to first class, where he had a spacious seat reserved.
He settled comfortably and ordered a black coffee to stay awake.
As the plane taxied on the runway, Jacob took out his notebook – a habit he'd had since difficult times, when he dreamed of a bright future.
He scribbled a few words:
"New York was unforgettable. But now it's time to go home and continue growing."
He sighed, leaning back in his seat. The plane began to take off, and the city lights grew smaller below him.
Los Angeles awaited him.
After a few hours of flight, the plane landed smoothly at LAX Airport.
Jacob picked up his carry-on bag and walked through the terminal. Some people recognized him, but he kept a low profile.
Outside, a black car was already waiting for him.
The driver opened the door, and Jacob got in, taking a deep breath.
— DRIVER: "Welcome back, Mr. Stewart."
— JACOB: "Thank you."
The car drove along the sunny streets of Los Angeles. Jacob lowered the window and felt the warm California breeze.
He was back.
And he could hardly wait for what was to come.
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