Malibu lies just thirty miles from Los Angeles. Starting from Santa Monica Beach and driving west along the coastline, one soon reaches this seaside city surrounded by endless sand, waves, and sunlight. Its twenty-seven miles of coastline are a paradise for surfers, while its many state parks, canyons, and rivers make it a haven of natural beauty. With its vast seascapes, tranquil privacy, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, Malibu has become the perfect retreat away from city life.
The history of Malibu dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. For centuries, it existed as a private estate owned by nobles until 1929, when the landowners lost a marathon lawsuit against the state government and were forced to allow the construction of a highway through the area. The owners were then compelled to sell and lease parts of their property—thus laying the foundation of what is now Malibu.
Beginning in the 1950s, Malibu's warm beaches and picturesque landscapes began attracting film crews from Hollywood, bringing prosperity and fame to the area. Vacation villas started rising along the coast, forming an exclusive resort district that coexisted harmoniously with nature—reserved, of course, for the wealthy.
By March 1991, Malibu was officially incorporated as a city under the state of California, within Los Angeles County. Despite its name, it was more of a small coastal town, home to fewer than ten thousand residents. Though only a forty-minute drive from Santa Monica, the lack of supermarkets and shopping centers meant that everyone had to make regular trips there for supplies. Malibu was, in essence, a holiday sanctuary for the rich—a place to stock up in the city, then escape to the quiet rhythm of the ocean.
If Beverly Hills was the star-studded enclave of Los Angeles, then Malibu was the glittering gem of the entire West Coast. Every villa here occupied vast plots of land, completely shielding its residents from prying eyes—trespassing was, after all, a crime. That privacy made it a beloved haven for celebrities and members of high society seeking peace away from the public gaze.
Although Malibu had only been incorporated for two years, its social ecosystem was already well established, and property prices were soaring. Of course, compared to the twenty-first century—when a single villa could cost over ten million dollars—the prices back then were modest, but still far beyond the reach of ordinary people. It was an exclusive circle—one that only a select few could enter.
And today, Hugo was stepping into that world for the very first time.
Joseph drove Hugo and Uma through the gates of a luxurious villa, helping them unload groceries and luggage brought from the supermarket before heading back to the driver's seat. He opened the car door with a smile. "Well then, enjoy your vacation. Have a wonderful and relaxing time."
"This place is huge, Joe. You should stay too," Hugo said cheerfully, extending an invitation. "You've been busy all year—you deserve a little break yourself."
Standing beside Hugo, Uma lifted her head and smiled warmly. "That's right, Joseph. You've been working nonstop these past two months. It's time you took some rest."
Joseph glanced at Uma, recalling what Charlize had said before they left: "Trust me, Uma wants time alone with Hugo. And when I say 'alone,' I mean just the two of them—no one else. For this holiday, Hugo belongs to Uma, not to us. We shouldn't join them—and honestly, we should stay far, far away. Completely out of sight."
Until now, Joseph had thought Charlize was exaggerating, but seeing Uma's expression, he suddenly understood and believed her words. Women's minds really are impossible to figure out, he thought with a sigh.
"No, I'd better not," Joseph replied quickly, realizing that staying would probably get him into trouble. "I've got two new scripts to read anyway. I'll go through them and let you know when I have updates. I'll also keep an eye on Sleepless in Seattle."
Hugo patted his shoulder with a smile. "Don't rush it. Take things slow—keeping a good mindset matters most."
Joseph nodded, waved goodbye to Uma, and then climbed into his car, driving off down the coastal road.
Hugo turned to Uma and grinned. "Well, it's just the two of us now!"
A few days earlier, Uma had suggested they spend some time alone together—partly to make up for missing New Year's Eve, and partly to give Hugo a well-deserved rest after months of nonstop work. Hugo had thought it was a great idea. He'd been in Los Angeles for nearly a year without a real break, and after everything that happened on New Year's Eve, he definitely needed time to clear his head.
After some discussion, they chose Malibu. While Hugo couldn't yet afford to buy a villa there, the area also offered rental options for unoccupied estates. These "rental" arrangements were less about profit and more about ensuring that the properties were regularly occupied and maintained. Renting one for a short vacation was well within Hugo's means.
Oceanfront villas in Malibu were prime real estate, with an average rental price of around twenty thousand dollars per day—excluding maintenance costs like utilities and housekeeping. Much like luxury cars or yachts, the real expense wasn't in the purchase but in the upkeep.
For instance, the British television series Downton Abbey—which began airing in 2010—used a mansion valued at around $400 million, with annual maintenance costs reaching $8 million. Cleaning alone cost $1.7 million each year, not to mention electricity, gas, security, and landscaping. True luxury, as it turned out, wasn't just about buying—it was about maintaining.
Compared to that, a $20,000-a-day Malibu villa wasn't outrageous, but the additional expenses were still significant. Thankfully, Hugo was only staying for a short holiday—one he could afford, and one he certainly intended to enjoy.
As soon as they arrived, Hugo and Uma couldn't wait to step into the spacious house. The moment they looked around, they understood what true comfort and luxury meant.
The villa sat just a few steps away from Malibu Beach, covering over 6,000 square feet (around 560 square meters). Touring the entire property took some time — it included four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The exterior was made of stone, with a scenic terrace, while the interior followed an elegant European style. Most rooms faced the pool and the ocean, offering an uninterrupted view of the blue sky meeting the endless sea. Every corner of the house seemed painted with beauty.
This was a real luxury home every design detail was intentional. Lavish sofas, a sweeping spiral staircase, a vintage fireplace, classic bookcases, ornate chandeliers, a skylight opening to the heavens, an indoor bar big enough for parties, and palm trees casting lazy shadows outside all of it left a deep impression in Hugo's mind.
Living in such a place was pure enjoyment. The space felt a little too big for just the two of them, but Hugo and Uma quickly fell in love with their private little world. Their vacation had originally been planned for a week, but as it drew to an end, Uma still didn't want to leave.
"We could stay a few more days," Uma said wistfully. "Neither of us has work right now. Who knows when we'll have time to relax like this again?"
Hugo laughed softly. He loved it here too, but reason still held him back. "Our vacation's already over, remember? Once we're back, we need to focus on work again. The Golden Globes are just around the corner."
"It's only a forty-minute drive from here to L.A.," Uma replied, resting in his arms and gazing at him with her bright green eyes. "Even if work comes up, we can make it in time. And didn't Joseph say he'd call if there were any updates? When you talked to him yesterday, did he mention anything?"
"No." Hugo sighed, a little disappointed himself. Still, he tried not to dwell on it. He knew how difficult it was to get a new project off the ground. Joseph was doing his best, and all Hugo could do was wait and trust him.
"Then that's settled," Uma said quickly. "Until you get the call, we're still on vacation. Let's just enjoy it while we can!"
Hugo couldn't help but chuckle. He gave in, smiling as he gently nipped at Uma's nose. "All right then, how many more days do you want to stay?"
Since it was a rental, they couldn't just extend their stay without notice — he'd have to contact the agency. But with it being winter, Malibu wasn't exactly in peak season, so extending the lease shouldn't be a problem.
"Three more days. How about that?" Uma asked hesitantly.
Hugo took a deep breath, then nodded. "Okay, three more days." There wasn't much waiting for them back home, and he did bring plenty of books to read here. Life in Malibu was far from dull.
"Oh, yes!" Uma cheered, jumping up. "Then we need to hit the supermarket! We're out of food and fruit oh, and bug spray. There are so many ants here, my God! And I'm almost out of sunscreen too—"
"Make a list first," Hugo said, wrapping an arm around her waist and flipping her playfully back onto the couch. His voice was muffled as his lips traced a path down her neck. "It's a long drive to the store… we can't forget anything."
And so, Hugo and Uma stayed longer in the Malibu villa. When Joseph heard the news, the first thing he saw was Charlize's "I knew it" expression.
"They stayed, didn't they?" she said.
When Joseph confirmed it, Charlize smirked triumphantly and held out her hand. Joseph, Alex, and Kal each dropped a dollar into her palm — the result of a friendly bet.
Seven days became ten. Ten days became fifteen. Finally, Hugo and Uma didn't leave Malibu until the 24th the day of the Golden Globe Awards. Their "one-week vacation" had stretched into twenty-one blissful days before they finally packed up and returned to Los Angeles, just in time for the ceremony that night.
.....
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