"Yes, Kate, I've landed and will be out soon."
On the afternoon of July 5th, Luca walked through the exit channel of Los Angeles International Airport, pulling his luggage and talking on the phone.
"I'm at the fourth exit. What? You're still more than ten minutes away? You know what, don't bother coming. I'll just take a taxi."
As he spoke, a sudden commotion erupted ahead.
"Luca is out!"
As soon as he reached the exit, dozens of reporters swarmed him.
"Mr. Kelly, may we have an interview?"
"Luca, rumors say you're getting close with Aniston. Is that true?"
"Mr. Kelly, some claim that your involvement caused a marriage crisis between Pitt and Aniston. Do you admit to this?"
The reporters bombarded him with questions, their cameras firing off rapidly.
"Getting close? Marriage crisis? What the hell is all this?"
Luca was completely baffled.
"Luca, what's happening?" Kate asked on the phone.
"There are reporters trying to interview me. I'll talk to you later."
Luca hung up the phone.
"Mr. Kelly, hello, I'm Bimos from The Hollywood Reporter. What's your take on the recent rumors about Pitt's marriage?"
A greasy-looking reporter asked loudly.
"Marriage rumors? Sorry, I just got back from Brazil, and I don't know anything about that."
Luca shrugged.
"Luca, there are reports saying that your involvement with Jolie caused Pitt and Aniston's marriage crisis. How do you explain that?"
Another reporter, wearing a Hollywood Star Weekly badge, shouted.
"Nonsense. I have a girlfriend, and I have my own life. I've never interfered in anyone's relationship," Luca responded with a dark expression.
"Mr. Kelly, are you denying that you interfered in Britney and Justin's relationship?"
"Yes, and after filming Honey last year, did Jessica Alba break up with her boyfriend because of you?"
A few reporters, clearly with bad intentions, continued to shout.
"None of that has anything to do with me. If you insist on blaming me, I have the right to sue for defamation."
Luca coldly stated.
He could tell these people were trying to smear him on purpose, so he ignored them and kept walking.
But the reporters didn't want to let him go, continuing to follow him.
"Mr. Kelly, we have a picture of you and Aniston. Were you on a date?"
One of the reporters opened a newspaper, showing a front-page photo of Luca and Aniston having coffee together. The sunset reflected on the window, casting a romantic glow over their conversation, making it look intimate.
Luca glanced at it. "Ms. Aniston and I were only discussing a new movie. We were not on a date. I don't see what the issue is."
"What new movie?" a reporter quickly asked.
"No comment!"
Luca spotted Jenna approaching with her team and quickly broke through the circle of reporters, getting into the Mercedes van.
Inside, Kate and Miranda were sitting, smiling at him.
"Welcome back, emotional wrecking ball!" Miranda Kerr teased with a playful laugh.
"Emotional wrecking ball? What is that supposed to mean?" Luca asked, frowning.
"Haha, look at this! The news says you're responsible for several couples' relationship problems. First, it was Britney and Justin, then Gisele and Leonardo, and now you're about to ruin Pitt and Aniston. Wow, Luca, you're really something!" Miranda waved the newspaper, laughing.
"That's nonsense!" Luca grabbed the paper and skimmed it.
It really did say that. The article used phrases like "according to reports," "speculation," and "allegedly" to blur the facts without violating any legal boundaries. Even with the vague wording, it was clear who they were talking about.
"This is a total smear job!" Luca angrily tossed the newspaper aside.
"Yeah, the recent news has been weird. It seems like someone's targeting you," Kate handed him a few more newspapers.
Luca skimmed through them. In over 60% of the entertainment sections, the same story was being reported: "Jolie interferes, Aniston and Pitt's marriage in crisis."
At the beginning of the year, rumors had surfaced about Pitt and Jolie's close relationship, even suggesting secret dates, though both denied it. In an interview, Pitt clarified: "Jen and I are the real deal. Jolie and I are just work colleagues. There's nothing more."
Last month, at the Cannes Film Festival, Pitt and Aniston attended the global premiere of Troy, walking the red carpet hand in hand, seemingly in love, dispelling the divorce rumors to some extent.
But shortly after, a tabloid published a photo.
A paparazzi caught Jolie and Pitt on a date with a child, which shocked the world, and rumors of a marriage crisis between Aniston and Pitt spread like wildfire.
The story was heating up, with media outlets around the world competing to report on it. Some criticized Pitt, calling him irresponsible, while others labeled Jolie as a homewrecker, and many sympathized with Aniston.
All three were huge stars, and the media frenzy was intense.
"This was two weeks ago. Check out the more recent papers," Kate handed him a few more.
"What's the problem?" Luca asked as he read.
"The problem is huge. Two weeks ago, the media focus was on those three. Pitt and Jolie were criticized, and Aniston got sympathy.
But last week, the papers started mentioning you, claiming that you caused Pitt and Aniston to fight, leading to Pitt dating Jolie.
Some outlets even dredged up your old rumors with Britney and Gisele, saying you're the 'emotional wrecking ball' responsible for Aniston and Pitt's marriage breaking down."
Luca flipped through the recent papers. Kate was right; earlier stories had mostly attacked Pitt and Jolie, but now he was being dragged into it.
Some papers brought up his rumored fling with Aniston, while others implied a secret affair between the two, painting Pitt as the victim.
Other reports accused him of ruining the relationships of pop and movie icons, branding him as some sort of emotional saboteur.
"This is all nonsense! I've spent most of this year in Brazil. How could I be involved in their marriage problems?"
Luca said, clearly frustrated.
He'd intentionally stayed in Brazil to avoid any trouble, but no matter how careful he'd been, he still ended up taking the blame.
"Dragging you into this benefits Pitt the most. This probably has something to do with him," Kate said, thoughtfully rubbing her chin.
"Pitt?"
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