Chapter 24 – The Invitation to The Tonight Show
The sun was beginning to set in Brasília when Gustavo Salles entered his hotel suite, still absorbing the madness of the last few days.
He had won an Oscar.
He had sambaed at the Rio Carnival with the statuette in his hand.
He was honored by the president at the Palácio do Planalto.
Now, finally, he could rest a little.
Or at least that's what he thought.
Because as soon as he dropped his jacket on the couch, his cell phone vibrated intensely on the table.
He picked up the device and frowned when he saw a message from his agent.
Gustavo, are you sitting down? Because I think you better be.
"Here it comes…" he murmured, opening WhatsApp.
The agent sent another text right after.
We just received an official invitation from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You'll be the main interviewee next week. They want you in New York as soon as possible.
Gustavo froze.
— I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
Selton, who was in the next room, heard the scream and appeared at the door with a look of someone who was already expecting another twist in his friend's life.
— What's up now? Hollywood called you to be the new James Bond?
Gustavo looked at him, still in shock.
— Jimmy Fallon invited me to his show.
Selton's eyes widened.
— Fallon?!
Gustavo nodded, speechless.
Selton clapped his hands and pointed at him.
— This is officially out of control! You blinked and became the most famous guy in the world!
Gustavo laughed out loud, still processing.
Fernanda appeared in the hallway, holding a glass of wine.
— Why are you yelling now?
Gustavo turned his cell phone toward her, showing the message.
She read it, took a sip of her wine and smiled with satisfaction.
— Nothing surprises me in your life anymore.
Walter, always calm, appeared soon after.
—The Tonight Show? That's huge, Gustavo.
He took a deep breath and smiled.
—Then I think I'll go to New York.
A few minutes later, Gustavo replied to his agent's message.
Of course I accept! When do I have to be there?
In less than five minutes, he received the reply:
We're already organizing everything. You're flying to New York in two days.
Gustavo ran his hand over his face, still in disbelief.
He had always loved Jimmy Fallon's show.
And now, he would be the main interviewee.
—Wow... this is really happening.
Selton threw a pillow at him.
—Get ready, kid. You're going to have to tell the world what it was like to become a meme dancing samba with an Oscar in your hand.
Gustavo laughed out loud.
"I'm ready for this."
New York was waiting for him.
Chapter 25 – Among the Stars of Fashion
New York was cold that night, but Gustavo Salles didn't feel the slightest bit cold.
He was still absorbing everything that had been happening in his life in the last few days.
—Oscars, Carnival, Planalto, Jimmy Fallon... and now a fashion show? — he muttered to himself as he adjusted the impeccably tailored suit jacket that his personal stylist had chosen for him.
He had never been much connected to the fashion world, but the industry had noticed him.
With his global success, invitations began to pour in, and one of them took him there, to the luxurious New York Fashion Week show.
He still didn't fully understand how he had ended up there, but he thought it best to take advantage of it.
He entered the event under the flashes of photographers, gave a few shy waves, and was led to his seat in the front row.
And it was only when he saw who was sitting next to him that he realized how surreal that moment was.
He swallowed hard when he noticed Anna Wintour, the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue, sitting right next to him.
On the other side, Gigi Hadid, one of the most iconic models in the world, was fixing her blonde hair while talking to an assistant. Gustavo, still getting used to these ridiculously surreal situations, just kept his composure and sat down. But then, Anna Wintour turned to him.
With her unmistakable sunglasses and perfectly symmetrical haircut, she looked at Gustavo for a moment before speaking. "Gustavo Salles, right?"
He held his breath for a second. Anna Wintour knew who he was. "Yes, ma'am. It's an honor to meet you."
She just nodded with a slight smile. "Your Oscar made quite an impact. The world loves a good coming-of-age story."
He smiled, still surprised to be there talking to a living legend.
— Well, I just wanted to make a movie. Now I'm here in the middle of fashion without understanding anything.
Anna laughed softly, and Gigi Hadid, hearing the conversation, turned to him.
— So, Gustavo, is this your first show?
He nodded.
— First show, front row, first reality check.
Gigi laughed and crossed her legs.
— So you're off to a good start. Front row, next to Anna? You're already on top.
Anna adjusted her sunglasses and smiled slightly.
— He has presence. That helps.
Gustavo was surprised by the compliment.
— I think I gained fashion points today.
Gigi laughed again.
— Absolutely.
The lights went out for a moment, and the show began.
Models walked down the runway in haute couture outfits, and Gustavo found it all impressive, even though he didn't quite understand it.
But then, something caught his attention.
A Brazilian model was walking with confidence, her gaze serious and her posture impeccable.
Her name?
Luíza Perote.
He had heard of her recently, a 19-year-old, just a year younger than him, who was dominating the international catwalks.
And at that moment, he understood why.
There was something magnetic about her.
The way she walked, the way she looked, the way she dominated the space… It was like watching a great actress on stage.
Gigi Hadid, who noticed his gaze, smiled from the corner of her mouth.
"She's incredible, isn't she?"
Gustavo, still watching Luíza on the catwalk, nodded.
"Yes. You can tell she was born for this."
Anna Wintour, next to them, was also watching attentively.
"Luíza Perote is on the right track to becoming a big name in fashion."
Gustavo smiled slightly.
— Another Brazilian woman taking over the world, then?
Anna looked at him and smiled.
— It seems that Brazil is on the rise.
After the show, Gustavo was led to a reserved area where models, designers and special guests gathered to celebrate.
While he was having a drink, he noticed some movement nearby.
It was Luíza Perote.
She was talking to some people, and Gustavo thought for a moment whether he should go to her.
But then, to his surprise, she turned around and recognized him first.
She smiled, approaching.
— So it's really you. The guy who won an Oscar and then became a meme at Carnival.
Gustavo laughed out loud.
— I don't know which of the two was harder to get.
Luíza laughed along and extended her hand.
— Luíza. But I think you already know.
He shook her hand.
— Gustavo. But I think you already know.
She smiled.
— So, what did you think of the show?
— Amazing. But honestly, I only started to understand everything when I saw you on the catwalk.
She raised an eyebrow, amused.
— Was that a compliment?
He smirked.
— Definitely.
Luíza laughed and crossed her arms.
— Well, coming from someone who just conquered Hollywood, I accept.
The two exchanged glances, both smiling.
Gustavo felt that this meeting was just the beginning.
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