The dressing room wasn't quite the jaw-dropping spectacle Dunn had imagined.
Sure, the Victoria's Secret angels were changing, and each had assistants and stylists helping them out. But they weren't stripping down completely—key areas were covered up with patches, so it was more like a mosaic than a full reveal. Still, the sight of them, all smooth and hairless below the eyebrows, was pretty captivating.
There wasn't anyone guarding the door, which made it clear that, in theory, any backstage staff could come and go as they pleased. Even the angel supermodels didn't get private changing spaces. At most, they avoided the chaos of lesser-known models who'd swap outfits in plain sight.
Plenty of guys were around, helping the models change, though—honestly—they didn't exactly scream "macho." More like a vibe that was neither here nor there.
When Dunn walked in, he instantly caught the girls' attention. Before he knew it, a dazzling wave of curves was swaying toward him, nearly blinding him!
Okay, that's enough!
This was more than enough!
Dunn sniffed hard and rubbed his nose. Good—no nosebleed!
Gisele Bündchen already had her "wings" on her back. As Victoria's Secret's hot new star and Leonardo's girlfriend, she carried herself with confidence. She strolled over casually. "Hey, Dunn!"
Dunn's eyes lit up. "Hey, Gisele! Not inviting Leo in? He's right outside."
Gisele smirked, leaned in, and whispered, "He's too shady. He's been eyeing my friends, thinking I wouldn't notice. No way I'm letting him in!"
Dunn gave her a thumbs-up. "Impressive! I'd bet you're the only one in the world who can keep him in check."
"No way—there's you too," she said with a sigh. "He's got that new movie you're funding. He's been training hard, working on his moves. Comes home every day so beat he can barely stand straight. I feel bad just watching him."
Dunn nodded. "That's his job, Gisele. Nobody stumbles into success."
"Thanks for the wisdom." She flashed a bright smile, then stepped aside. Suddenly, she noticed the room full of supermodels closing in, their eyes sparkling with excitement and admiration. "Dunn, want me to introduce you around?"
She knew what Dunn was after—and she got her friends' hopes too. Playing middleman? Win-win for everyone.
Take Lima and Ambrosio, the two Brazilian newbies. They'd been in New York less than two years and were already living in swanky Manhattan townhouses—way beyond what their paychecks could cover. They never said it outright, but the gossip and rumors pointed to one thing: Dunn was their backer.
This was Victoria's Secret backstage, the heart of the fashion and modeling world. These girls were living on their youth, chasing luxury and glamour. And when the guy in question was young, handsome, and Hollywood's hottest director, Dunn Walker? Way more appealing than some out-of-shape old rich guy or a clueless Wall Street suit.
"This is Heidi—Heidi Klum, our big sister," Gisele said, introducing the veteran who'd helped put Victoria's Secret on the map.
The German model Heidi Klum was arguably the most successful VS alum to pivot careers. No fancy degree, no big background—just guts and grit to make it in this cutthroat world. She'd even cozied up to Harvey Weinstein to break into entertainment, landing a few lukewarm TV roles before nailing it as a host.
"Hey, Heidi." Dunn smiled, shaking her hand. "You've got an amazing figure!"
"Thanks!"
Heidi dipped slightly, meeting his gaze with a warm smile. She hadn't put on her bra yet and stood there confidently, striking an elegant pose with a hand on her hip.
Dunn's throat went dry. He quickly looked away.
These women are trouble—pure trouble!
"This is Angela—Angela Lindvall," Gisele went on. "She's a huge fan of yours. She's seen every one of your movies multiple times."
"Your eyes are gorgeous, Angela," Dunn said, shaking her hand with a sigh.
The young "old fox" had golden hair, blue eyes, and a killer body—every bit as stunning as Gisele in her prime. Dressed in black lace lingerie, she oozed charm and allure, her cool features only adding to the vibe.
"And these two don't need intros, right?" Gisele teased, nodding toward Ambrosio and Lima with a playful look.
Everyone in the room caught the hint and stifled giggles.
Dunn, thick-skinned as ever, waved it off. "Alright, the show's about to start, so I won't hold you up. Get changed, and after it's over… Adriana, bring everyone back to my place. We'll throw a huge party—how's that sound?"
"Wow, awesome!"
"Sweet!"
"Is it a lingerie party?"
"Mr. Walker, you're not up to something sneaky, are you?"
"Huh?" Dunn blinked, then burst out laughing.
…
Victoria's Secret was in a transition phase. Gisele rocked the $15 million Fantasy Bra, stealing the show. Most of the models were still '90s vets, over 30, and with newbies like Ambrosio and Gisele rising, they'd soon fade out.
But man, this show was worth it.
Honestly, the older pros still had it. Supermodels like Cindy Crawford and the seasoned crew—including Gisele—owned the runway with effortless swagger, poise, and power. No way the later wave of influencer models could touch that.
During the show, Leonardo sat next to Dunn, whispering slyly, "Party tonight, huh?"
Dunn shot him a look. "You brave enough to show up?"
Leo pouted and sighed. "All these pretty flowers, and they're all yours!"
Dunn shook his head, smirking. "Leo, forget this batch of models. Gisele's tight with them. If you tried anything… awkward, right? Even if you could handle her, could she handle her friends giving her grief?"
"It's fate, man!" Leo grumbled, slumping in his seat.
Dunn patted his shoulder and leaned in. "How about this: I'll take the VS angels, you get the fashion week crowd. We split it even, no stepping on toes. Deal?"
"Hmm?" Leo eyed him warily. "You serious?"
"Dead serious."
"But Gisele's my girlfriend!" Leo frowned, his tone firm.
Dunn chuckled. "Relax, I won't touch Gisele—promise! And I'll keep an eye out, make sure no other guys get near her."
"For real?" Leo's eyes lit up, a stark contrast to his earlier gloom.
"A man's word is gold!"
"Deal!" Leo slapped his thigh, grinning. "Heh, Dunn, you don't know the modeling world that well. VS angels? Maybe 20 or 30 tops. Fashion week? Thousands of top-tier models from around the globe. You're getting the short end here!"
Dunn rolled his eyes, unimpressed. He was just dabbling in the modeling scene for fun. The VS angels were a small, elite group—perfect for his curiosity. But his real focus? Hollywood's starlets.
He cleared his throat and got serious. "By the way, how's prep going for New York Stories?"
"Martin says we start in January. Mostly shooting in Italy," Leo said with a shrug, then perked up. "Oh, you know Daniel?"
"Daniel Day-Lewis? What about him?"
Leo frowned. "He's… weird."
"How so?"
"I met him a few days ago, and… his whole vibe's different."
"What do you mean?"
"He's playing a butcher in the movie—real menacing type. Last time I saw him, it was like he'd become someone else. Creepy."
"He's in character?" Dunn was stunned. He'd heard of actors like that, but it sounded intense.
Leo looked worried. "I've heard he's tough to work with. On set, he's not himself—he's the role. Filming or not."
Dunn nodded. "Well, his talent's undeniable. Leo, if you want to make it big, you've got to up your acting game. That's your foundation—not your looks."
Leo snorted. "I know. After Titanic, Kate's career took off, and I got trashed. Critics acted like I was just a pretty face. I'll prove them wrong!"
Dunn grinned. "Big attitude, huh? Look, the Oscars, the old-school critics—they're tough on you for your own good, and the industry's too."
Leo scowled. "What, I'm supposed to thank them?"
Dunn spoke slowly. "Hollywood's different now than it was decades ago. There's two benchmarks: box office and awards. Your charm and looks? They'll pack theaters. But the Oscars won't let you peak too young. It's not good for you—or the business."
Leo's face stayed neutral, like he wasn't buying it.
Dunn sighed. "Forget it, let's watch the show. We'll revisit this in a few years. You'll get what the Oscars and critics are really about then. They're old-fashioned, sure, but they're also the backbone keeping Hollywood solid."
"Maybe…" Leo waved it off, clearly not listening.
Dunn shook his head. Back in his past life, as an outsider, he'd thought the Oscars were just a flashy show, like any film festival. But now, after rubbing shoulders with veteran filmmakers, voting in the Oscars, and gaining real influence in Hollywood, he finally understood its deeper purpose.
Outsiders saw the glitzy ceremony. Dunn saw the gears turning behind it.