96-100

**Chapter 96: The New Film**

 At noon, on Daimler Street, in LUIS Café.

 This café had two levels: the lower level was a bustling hall, while the upper level had a semi-open balcony.

 On the balcony, there were four small round tables, seven or eight casually placed sofas, and a few coffee trees used for decoration, their branches stretching quietly in the sunlight.

 It wasn’t clear how long the trees hadn’t been trimmed, with some branches long, some short, some tall, and some short. In the flowerpots, there were even a few discarded condoms, which looked pretty disgusting.

 Despite the café’s somewhat shabby and chaotic appearance, it was the highest-end, most popular café on Daimler Street.

 It was said that LUIS Café was part of a crime boss's operation, so no one dared to cause trouble here.

 The April sunlight was bright, especially around noon. Just looking at it made one feel warm all over, and basking in it was a perfect experience.

 "Ahh~"

 After finishing lunch, Luca strolled up to the second floor, leaned back on the sofa, and took a nap. Around 2 p.m., he stretched lazily and was about to get up when he saw Jessica slowly walking up the stairs.

 "Hey~ Jessica."

 "Hey~ Luca!"

 Jessica glanced around at the seating options but ultimately chose to sit across from him.

 Luca shifted in his seat; leaving now would seem impolite. He picked up the coffee pot and poured Jessica a cup.

 "Thanks!"

 Jessica took a sip from the cup, then set it down, slightly curling her lips.

 "Not good?" Luca raised his eyebrows.

 "What do you think?" Jessica shot him a glance. Just as she was about to speak, the server brought over another pot of coffee.

 "Thank you!" Jessica handed over a five-dollar tip, refilled her cup, took a sip, and a satisfied expression crossed her face.

 "Your acting’s really good!" Jessica said slowly after a while.

 "Thank you. Your acting is great too."

 "You're really insightful about the script."

 "Thanks, but—" Luca shrugged. "The plot of this movie is pretty simple. It's like an extended music video, so it's not that hard to understand."

 "True," Jessica nodded, her face showing a rare hint of emotion—worry and anxiety.

 "How much do you think this movie will make at the box office?"

 "Hmm?" Luca thought for a moment. The box office for *Honey* hadn’t been ideal; it had a $17 million investment and only made $35 million, but it had earned a fortune in VHS and DVD sales, grossing over $80 million worldwide.

 "This film should do well. I think it can hit $40 million."

 A flicker of delight crossed Jessica’s face.

 "You have high hopes for this movie?"

 "I have high hopes for you."

 "Oh?" Jessica furrowed her brow in confusion.

 Luca sipped his coffee. "You're beautiful, you have a great figure, and your dancing is very sexy. You're the biggest selling point of this film. You deserve the box office success."

 Jessica smiled, raising the cup to her lips. "Thanks."

 "No problem. Plus, Billy’s been trying hard to appeal to a diverse audience. I think $40 million is doable."

 Jessica gave a small smile, her eyes narrowing, and her lips curving into a seductive grin, sweeter than Miranda’s.

 "Why don't you mention yourself?" Jessica asked, looking at him. "You're a supermodel, a star, Britney's rumored boyfriend—you’re just as famous as me. You have box office draw too."

 Luca shook his head. "I'm just a supporting role, a villain at that. I don’t have much influence."

 Jessica didn’t say anything further, sipping her coffee quietly. As the wind tousled her hair, she casually tucked it back, making her look even more beautiful.

 "Hey~ So this is where you two are."

 Just as Luca was debating whether to leave or stay to admire the beauty, Billy, the director, lumbered up to the balcony, panting.

 Seeing them together, he chuckled, "Looks like you two are getting along well."

 Jessica smiled politely.

 "Billy, want some coffee?" Luca poured a cup and slid it over.

 Billy took a sip, then spat it out. "Oh my God, what is this? It tastes like it was brewed with vinegar. Too sour!"

 Jessica’s lips twitched, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

 "Is it that bad? This is coffee from my hometown."

 Luca took a sip himself. They had chosen Bourbon Santos from Brazil, a coffee with a subtle aroma and slight bitterness, smooth and velvety, perfect with fresh milk. The downside was that it had a bit of acidity, but for him, the taste was just right.

 "I can't drink this. It gives me heartburn," Billy shook his head.

 "Billy, how about Blue Mountain coffee?" Jessica asked softly.

 "Thank you, Jessica."

 "No problem." Jessica poured him a cup from the new pot.

 Billy took a long sip, exhaling in satisfaction.

 "Luca, you're almost done filming your scenes. Have you picked up any other roles?"

 "Yeah, when I went to Hollywood last time, I landed a supporting role in *The Notebook*."

 "*The Notebook*?" Jessica frowned slightly. "That's a New Line film. I auditioned for it, but they ended up going with Rachel McAdams."

Luca smiled. "Maybe you were too beautiful for the role."

Jessica shot him a glance, her lips curling. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"Can I say something?" Billy interrupted, clearly annoyed.

"Alright, go ahead, Billy," Luca gestured.

"Luca, Paramount is starting a new film. My friend Mark is directing, and they’re casting next weekend. Do you want to give it a try?"

Luca felt touched.

Though Billy wasn’t always the most morally upright guy, he still had a good heart.

"Thanks, Billy."

"Haha, it’s nothing. My friend told me the lead role requires a sexy, brooding guy, and I thought of you right away. Go for it, Luca. I believe you'll nail it."

Billy patted him on the shoulder with a grin.

"Alright!" Luca smiled. "Billy, what's the movie called?"

"Emm... *Temptation 3*."

"Pfft!" Luca covered his mouth. "Are you serious?"

Jessica raised her eyebrows, a smirk flashing across her face.

"Haha, just kidding. The new movie's called *Mean Girls*. It’s a female-led film."

Billy laughed heartily.

"*Mean Girls*, huh?" That movie sounded promising. Although the male lead didn’t have many scenes, it had a strong box office appeal. Worth a try.

"Alright then."

"Haha, it's settled. I’ll recommend you to Mark."

"Thanks!"

At 2 p.m., the three of them headed downstairs and back to the film set.

"Scene 22, Take 1, Action!"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 97: Wrapping Up (Edited)

**May 15th afternoon, Brooklyn, Graffiti Alley.**

Luca had shot a promotional video here before, and today he was back to film the final scene.

In the movie, he played Michael, who, after firing Honey, found that the new choreographer was subpar and uncreative, nowhere near as good as Honey.

A Black singer refused to work with Michael and said they would only collaborate with Honey.

Michael’s company was in decline, so he had no choice but to apologize to Honey in person, hoping she would come back as his choreographer, but she refused.

"Hey Honey, what have you been up to lately?"

**On set**, in front of a graffiti-covered wall, Michael got out of his sports car and stopped Honey, who was walking toward him, greeting her enthusiastically.

Honey glanced at him without any expression and walked past him coldly, fully embodying the phrase, "You ignored me before, now you can’t even reach me."

"Wait, Honey, Honey, don’t be like this!"

Michael quickly chased after her, explaining, "Honey, I came to apologize."

"I'm not interested."

Honey said as she walked, her expression icy.

"Can you give me a little time?"

Michael blocked her way, bowing his head and clasping his hands, pleading, "Honey, I beg you, come back as my choreographer. I’ve lined up three gigs for you."

"Good!"

**Behind the monitor**, director Billy couldn’t help but applaud. "He’s great. He deserves better roles. He could win an Oscar."

"Agreed," Blake nodded slightly. "But he's too handsome, and he's Brazilian. He’s got an even harder path to Oscar than Leonardo."

Billy stroked his beard but didn’t respond.

Blake wasn’t wrong. To win an Oscar, one usually has to make sacrifices—get ugly, gain weight, do nudity, or play a character who’s mentally ill or LGBTQ. 

Would Luca, who’s known for his vanity, be willing to make those sacrifices?

Billy grinned. He suddenly found himself looking forward to seeing what would happen.

 he scene continued with the two actors performing.

 "Honey, don’t be like this. I know you need money. If you come back, I’ll give you a lot of money and buy you a beautiful dance studio. How about that?"

 Michael forced a smile as he spoke.

 "No, I don’t need your help. I’ll get what I want on my own."

 Honey flicked her hair and walked away.

 In the busy street, Luca, playing Michael, helplessly watched her leave. *Fuck*, the price of pork has gone up; now I can’t even afford her.

"CUT!"

**Billy** shouted through a megaphone, "I declare Michael’s role officially wrapped!"

"Yeah!!"

"Luca, congratulations!" 

Jessica walked over, smiling faintly.

Luca shrugged, "But this also means I’m leaving the crew. I feel... I don’t know, a bit reluctant."

"Luca, that’s the life of an actor. You’ll get used to it," Jessica said with a slightly resigned smile.

"Hey, Luca, you can rest now. I’m so jealous!" 

Blake, the assistant director, came over to congratulate him.

"Blake, you’re really jealous of Luca? I can give you a break too," Billy said casually from behind.

"Haha, just kidding!" Blake made a silly face and went back to work.

"Luca, here’s Mark’s business card. When you go to Hollywood, reach out to him in advance. It’ll help with auditions."

"Thanks, Billy!"

Luca took the card and gave Billy a shoulder hug.

"Don’t make this so emotional," Billy patted him on the back. "You’ll make people think this is sad."

 Luca smiled. "Billy, I’ve got a great script—another musical. How about we chat after you wrap up?"

 "You write scripts?" Billy asked in surprise.

 Jessica’s eyes widened too.

 Luca raised his chin, looking a little smug. "Didn’t you know? I’m also a screenwriter."

 "Haha!"

 "No, really. I’ve already sold three scripts. One of them has even been greenlit. Walt Disney is prepping it—it’s called *Goal!*. If you’re curious, you can check the writer credits. My name’s in the second column."

 "Is that true?" Jessica looked at him closely, her expression turning a little strange.

 This guy was not only a former soccer star, supermodel, and talented actor, but also a hidden screenwriting genius? But then, thinking of his sister being a famous author, she silently accepted it.

 "Jessica, don’t look at me like that. The last person to give me that look ended up falling for me."

 Luca tugged at his collar, cracking a joke.

 Jessica rolled her eyes at him and walked off, hips swaying.

 "Goal!?" 

 Billy rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "I think I’ve heard of it. A 20 million dollar production, supported by Adidas and FIFA. Didn’t expect you to be the screenwriter."

 "That’s right, Billy. My new script was inspired during this shoot. It’s a high school musical... But the leads are both white. Are you interested?"

 Billy gave him a side-eye. "You make it sound like I’m racist against white people."

 "Aren’t you?" 

"Hmph!" 

Billy turned away, dismissively waving his hand. "Finish your shoot and get out of here. Don’t hold us up." 

"Okay, okay!"  

Luca shrugged and said his goodbyes to the crew—the screenwriters, cinematographers, makeup artists—before leaving the set. 

On the street, the sunlight glimmered through the treetops, adding a fresh green hue to the elm trees as the shadows deepened. 

Under the big elm tree, **Ed** leaned against the car door, flashing a bright smile.

 "Feeling sentimental?" 

Ed grinned, showing his pearly whites. 

"A little."  

Luca shrugged and got into the car.

 "Missing the crew or Jessica?"

 Ed teased.

 "Ed, don’t you have enough work to keep you busy?"

 "Haha, you seemed down. I was just trying to lighten the mood."

 "Please don’t, it’s a little awkward."

 Luca yawned and lazily stretched out on the back seat.

 "Ed, what’s next on the schedule?"

 "Nothing major this week. Oh, you’re still set to be a backup dancer for Britney, right?"

 Ed started the car.

 "Yeah."

 Luca rubbed his forehead and sighed. Dancing in tights and a miniskirt—just thinking about it made him blush.

 "If all goes well, we should finish shooting the MV by the end of the week."

 Ed nodded slightly. "You focus on the dancing. Next week, we’ll start shooting the CK summer underwear ad and then head to LA for auditions."

 "Got it."

 After a while, the car arrived at the apartment on 76th Street, and Luca got out.

 "*Sex and the City* premieres tonight. You should watch it—it’s your first appearance in showbiz," Ed called out from the car window.

 "Got it, Ed." 

(End of Chapter)

**Chapter 98: Dancing Through Life**

 With both Kate and Gina out, the 4,000-square-foot apartment felt empty, the sound of his voice echoing.

 "Am I cool or what?" 

Luca shouted loudly. 

"COOOOL!!" 

He smiled, hearing the echo bounce around the apartment. "My house talks," he thought with satisfaction.

 He kicked off his shoes and coat, took a quick shower, then wandered into the kitchen wearing shorts and a t-shirt. 

Living alone, he kept things simple. 

Two tomatoes were washed and peeled, tossed into the electric pot to simmer with some juicy cuts of beef.

 Half an hour later, the tomato beef stew was ready—vibrant colors, a sweet and sour flavor, with tender beef soaking in the rich sauce poured over pasta.

 A delicious plate of pasta was done. 

Luca carried his meal to the window-side booth in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

 Now that he was living alone, he limited his movements to a few areas: the bedroom, gym, and this cozy spot by the window, keeping the cleaning to a minimum.

 *Ring, ring...*

 Just as he was about to dig in, Kate called.

 "Kate, it’s 11 p.m. in Paris. Aren’t you asleep yet?"

 "Can’t sleep!"

 "What’s up?"

 Kate chuckled lightly. "Today, Lima, Miranda, and I went shopping, and we ate so much: Parisian lobster, coq au vin, bouillabaisse, foie gras... especially the coq au vin. They used Bordeaux wine to stew the chicken; the meat had a fragrant wine taste—light and not greasy. It was amazing."

 Luca glanced down at his plate of tomato beef pasta, suddenly finding it less appetizing.

 "Sweetheart, have you eaten? What did you have, and with how many people?"

 Kate asked, sounding excited.

 Luca smacked his lips and responded coolly, "Nothing much. The film crew wrapped today, so we had dinner at the MAYA restaurant on Fifth Avenue. We didn’t order much, just some French escargot, Chinese roast duck, Mexican chicken quesadillas, and Turkish pot stew."

 "Wow! You had all that today?"

 Kate asked in surprise.

 "Yes, of course!" 

 Luca wiped the corner of his mouth and stabbed a piece of tender beef with his fork, chewing slowly and pretending it was Parisian foie gras.

 "But... didn’t Ed tell me you were cooking dinner alone at home?"

 Kate’s voice suddenly turned sly.

 *Cough, cough!* 

Luca nearly choked on his beef.

 "Hahaha!"

 A burst of laughter came from the phone, with Kate’s voice mixed in with others, probably Lima and Miranda. It sounded lively.

 "So, Kate, did you call just to tease me?"

 He gritted his teeth, annoyed.

 "Haha, no, I just wanted to check on you and send you a little warmth. Feeling better now?"

 "Not at all. I feel way worse."

 Luca set down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

 "Haha, maybe Lima can comfort you instead."

 Kate called out, "Lima, come on! Use your sultry voice to comfort this lonely soul far away."

 "No problem!"

 Lima’s voice came through the phone. "Luca, you’re done filming?"

 "Finished today."

 "That’s great! Come to Paris. We can walk the Champs-Élysées together, visit the Louvre, eat lots of delicious food, and I’ll even sleep with you. How about that?"

 Luca raised his eyebrows. The idea was tempting. 

"I’d love to, but I can’t. I promised Britney I’d be her backup dancer, so I have to rehearse tomorrow."

 He sighed regretfully.

 "Britney? Hmph, Luca, you’re definitely cheating. Otherwise, why would you ditch Kate and me for Britney?"

 Lima’s voice held a playful grumble. 

Luca shook his head. "Lima, don’t be like that. I’m already sad enough, eating alone, watching TV alone. Do you really need to make me feel worse over the phone?"

 "Alright, alright, I’m not mad. It’s just... I care about you too much."

 Lima’s voice softened.

 Luca sighed, feeling a little touched. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Kate shout, "Lima, stop bothering Luca. The game’s starting!"

 "Coming, Kate. But you know I don’t like playing games," Lima muttered before raising her voice.

 Luca could hear everything clearly. He rubbed his forehead. "Lima, I’m hanging up now. My beef pasta’s getting cold."

 "Okay, sweetheart. Eat up before it gets cold. And... I love you."

 "I love you too."

 Luca hung up, picked up his fork, twirled some noodles. They were cold now, but he didn’t care.

 After finishing his meal, Luca headed to the bedroom and began writing the script for *Step Up*.

 This movie became one of the most successful dance films in Hollywood, with five sequels, proving its massive potential.

 The story centered around two people from different worlds—the male and female leads (both white). 

The male lead was a bad boy from the rough streets, while the female lead was an exceptional dance student at an elite performing arts school.

 They were brought together by dance, sparking a passionate love story with an underlying American Dream vibe. It was like an upgraded version of *Honey*, but with a deeper, more meaningful plot.

 **Scene One:** 

Two vibrant dance studios: one, a luxurious, brightly lit ballet studio; the other, a cluttered, dimly lit auto repair shop.

 Background music: a strong hip-hop beat.

 Characters: male lead, female lead, several dancers.

 **Scene Two:** 

A chaotic bar party, filled with people dancing to hip-hop.

 Background music: hip-hop.

 Characters: male lead Tyler, his friends Mike and Kenneth (both Black), a girl street dancer, and her boyfriend PJ (also Black).

 As he wrote this, Luca chuckled. He thought, "Using this many Black supporting characters should make Billy happy, right?"

 He continued writing the second act:

 The male lead flirts with the Black girl at the party, their dance moves seductive, making them the center of attention. This sparks jealousy in her boyfriend, PJ.

 "Hey, stay away from my girl!"

 PJ storms into the crowd, shoving Tyler hard.

 "PJ, stop. We’re just dancing," the Black girl protested.

 "Shut up, you slut!" PJ shouted angrily. 

"Yo, dude, she doesn’t have your name tattooed on her. Why can’t I dance with her?" Tyler shrugged, smiling nonchalantly.

 "F***!"

 A fight broke out between Tyler and PJ.

 PJ, a big shot in the neighborhood with a bad temper, pulled out a gun and aimed it at Tyler.

 Tyler’s friend, Mike, stepped in to calm things down.

 *Tap, tap, tap.* 

At his computer, Luca typed quickly, recalling scenes and outlining the first half of the script in no time.

 *Beep, beep, beep.*

 At 10 p.m., the alarm went off. 

He stretched and headed downstairs, turning on the TV. 

*Sex and the City* was about to air. 

His scene was in the first episode.

(End of chapter)

**Chapter 99: It's All Desire**

“Hey~ Wait a second!”
“Thank you. I live here, and this is my key.”
“My name is Chip Gigandy. I just moved in.”
“Samantha Jones. I live on the third floor!”
“I live on the fourth floor, so I’m right above you.”

 HBO’s late-night show begins with the first episode of *Sex and the City* season 6.

 Around the 18th minute, Chip, the character he plays, appears. The scene is from Samantha’s perspective.

 A Hummer H2 SUV appears on the street. Samantha stops to watch.

 The car slowly comes to a stop, and a tall, muscular man in a black designer suit steps out. His face is strikingly handsome, with chiseled features highlighted by the streetlights, exuding charm.

 “Hot!”

 Luca grinned. His debut was definitely impressive.

 *Ring, ring...*
Ed called.

 “Hey~ Luca, great performance! Your entrance was perfect. The audience will definitely remember you. Congratulations!”

 Ed said excitedly.

 “Haha, congratulations to you too!”

 Luca was holding the phone, chatting while watching TV.

 “Damn!”

 When he saw the second bedroom scene, he couldn’t help but curse.

 “What’s up, Luca?” 

“Hey~ Ed, did you see that last part?”

 “What part?”

 “Fuck! We agreed to only shoot the upper body. Why did they leave in the shot of me in my underwear? That scene lasts more than two seconds. It’s a glaring mistake! I don’t believe the director didn’t notice.” 

“Haha, I noticed too. I was just wondering why you were still wearing underwear after getting into bed. Now I get it—you’re Mr. Big! But yeah, that was a pretty big slip-up.”

 “Hey~ Ed, this isn’t funny. They broke the contract. You’re my agent, so you should make sure they’re held accountable.”

 Luca reminded him, dissatisfied.

 “OK, OK, I’ll file a protest with HBO. They owe you an apology.”

 “An apology? No, no, Ed. Let’s aim for something more... substantial.”

 “Substantial?” 

“Yeah, like money?”

 “So, as long as you’re paid, you don’t mind showing off your *bug*?”

 “Of course. Money makes everything better.”

 “Alright, Mr. Moneybags!” 

Luca shrugged and hung up.

 *Ring, ring...*
The phone rang again after two minutes.

 “Good evening, Britney!”

 “Haha~ Luca, guess what I just saw on TV?”

 Britney’s voice was still as cheerful as ever.

 “What?”

 Luca glanced at the bedroom scene on the TV. Could it be that?

 “Haha, I just saw a nearly naked man! Wow, Luca, your body is so sexy, like a work of art. I’ll have to rewatch it a few times!”

 “Uh~ Britney, let’s talk about tomorrow’s rehearsal instead.”

 Luca quickly changed the subject, feeling awkward about the TV scene. “Are we meeting at JIVE Records tomorrow?”

 “Hey~ Luca, are you embarrassed? No rush about rehearsal! Let’s talk about your bedroom scene with Samantha. Did you wear a diaper during that shoot, like last time? Oh wait, I saw your underwear!” 

Luca rubbed his forehead. “Hey~ Britney, can we be serious? What should I prepare for tomorrow’s rehearsal?”

 “Alright, alright.”

 Finally, she took the hint and replied, “Tomorrow, bring some women's clothes—like black stockings, short shorts, and a spaghetti strap top.”

 “Are you joking?” 

Luca asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

 “Okay, yes, I’m joking.”

 Luca let out a sigh of relief, but then Britney added, “You don’t have to bring anything. I already got all that for you. Just change into it when you get here. Isn’t that thoughtful?”

 Luca’s face darkened again, but he had already agreed and wasn’t about to back out.

 “Fine, so I’m really wearing that tomorrow?” 

“Yep, unless you don’t want to. I won’t force you.”

 Britney said in a considerate tone. 

“How could I say no, Britney? If I agree to something, I’ll see it through.”

 Women’s clothing or not, it was all for the sake of art.

 ---

 The next morning at JIVE Records, in the dance rehearsal hall...

 In front of a large correction mirror, about a dozen men and women danced to the music, performing hot and sexy moves.

 Leading the group was Britney, dressed in a black leather skirt that hugged her hips and a sleek jacket, revealing her smooth, toned legs and a tight, athletic midriff. Her abs and firm, lifted hips were clearly defined. 

Behind her were a dozen scantily dressed dancers—women in white stockings, short skirts, and blazers, blending sexy with a playful edge.

 The men, on the other hand, wore quirky outfits—pink vests, black stockings, tight denim shorts, and makeup, including eyeshadow, lipstick, and glitter.

 They danced to the music just like the women, mimicking sultry moves, their energy through the roof.

 Luca stood by the sidelines, arms crossed, feeling a little overwhelmed.

 Was he really about to sacrifice for art? 

He started to hesitate.

 ---

“Hey~ Luca, you’re late!” 

Britney, holding a towel, walked over, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her eyes sparkled, and she wore a sweet yet fiery smile.

 “Britney, you said rehearsal was at ten. It’s only nine forty—I’m not late.”

 Seeing her drenched in sweat, Luca didn’t want to argue.

 Britney glanced at him and smiled lightly. “So, how was our dance?”

 “Very sexy, very intense—much more polished than when I last danced.”

 Last time, he’d only come up with a few moves on the fly.

 Now, Britney and her team were performing an entire routine—much more captivating, and definitely a visual feast.

 “Britney, where’s my costume?”

 “Costume?”

 Britney raised an eyebrow. “Luca, are you really that into women’s clothes?”

 “I’m your backup dancer. How else am I supposed to dance?”

 Luca asked, confused. 

Britney shook her head and, taking his arm, led him to the floor-to-ceiling window.

 “Luca, I’m touched you’re willing to be my backup dancer, but you’re one of the song’s writers and choreographers. Dressing you up like that would be disrespectful.”

 “Is it that serious?”

 “Absolutely!” 

Britney stood with her hands behind her back, sunlight reflecting off her eyelashes and making her amber eyes glow.

 “Luca, while art has no class, the people who make it do. You’re the brother of acclaimed author Kate Kelly, a former Brazilian footballer, and, let’s not forget, my ‘rumored boyfriend.’ Do you realize who you are?” 

Luca calmed down, realizing he hadn’t considered this carefully enough.

 Setting aside the “rumored boyfriend” part, being the brother of a famous writer and a former Brazilian national player would definitely cause a stir if he danced in those clothes.

 He had been too focused on repaying a favor and forgot to think about the bigger picture.

 “Britney, thank you for looking out for me.” 

“No problem. You’re my friend—and the man I’m after—so of course, I’m going to look out for you.”

 Britney gazed up at him, her eyes filled with both desire and determination.

 Luca shook his head, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as he looked out at the bustling rehearsal hall. “So, I’m not a backup dancer anymore. What am I doing here? Was this a joke?”

 “Of course not. You’ve got a part to play. Come with me to meet the director.”

 “Alright!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 100: The Unconventional Actor

"Luca, the role you're playing is a big shot. It could be a gang leader, a big boss, or even a king."

 "Is it that complicated?" 

"It's not complicated at all. You just need to show the aura and presence of a big figure. Leave the rest to us."

 "Alright then!"

 In Huntington, Long Island, inside a closed makeup trailer, Luca changed into a black designer suit, his hair slicked back. A black vine-like tattoo adorned his temple.

 With his makeup done, his facial features appeared more chiseled, his looks more striking. The black tattoo added a strange allure to his handsome face, giving him a cold, ruthless edge.

 "Not bad!" 

 MV director Terry Hunter stroked his short beard. "Luca, your eyes need to be sharper, colder. Okay, that’s better!"

 Luca smirked. "Terry, don’t I have a script?"

 "Your role is simple. You get out of the car in front of a villa, walk up the stairs, enter the hall, sit in the middle to watch the dance, and then you go upstairs with Britney, where she kills you."

 Luca froze for a moment. Does this sound simple? Why does it feel complicated?

 "Terry, do Britney and I have beef? Why does she want to kill me? Is this all a setup?"

 "Well, honestly, it doesn't really matter whether you know or not. The MV is straightforward. Britney is a hitwoman. She’s taken a contract on you and seduces you through the performance before killing you." 

"Alright!"

 The plot was intense, but wasn’t **Nobody** supposed to be a love song? Is murder really the right fit? 

"Luca, ready? We’re about to start filming!"

 "OK!"

 Filming began with Luca seated in a black stretch Lincoln, flanked by two stone-faced bodyguards in the front.

 The car slowly started moving, and after a few minutes, stopped in front of a luxurious villa.

 The villa was massive, with a European classical design. Glistening in gold and marble, it resembled an ancient castle. The sky was overcast, heavy clouds looming above, casting a dark shadow over the mansion, adding an oppressive atmosphere to the scene.

 In front of the villa was a small plaza, with a fountain, lush green lawns, marble sculptures, and gray-white tiles.

 A film crew of more than a dozen people was gathered at the small plaza, filming.

 "Action! Actor out of the car!" 

 Director Terry shouted into a megaphone.

 With a click, the car door was opened from the outside. Four men in black suits stood by and pulled the door open.

 The bodyguards stepped out first, forming a line with guns drawn, scanning the area vigilantly.

 Luca silently applauded their professionalism. He bent down, stepping out of the car, both feet landing firmly on the marble tiles.

 "CUT!"

 Terry walked over, saying, "Luca, your presence wasn’t strong enough. Let’s do it again!"

 "Alright!"

 Luca got back in the car.

 The car reversed a dozen meters, then slowly drove back to the villa entrance.

 "Step out!"

 Just like before, the four men opened the car door from outside.

 Luca closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. His once-bright eyes turned cold and sharp, his face hard and emotionless.

 In previous scenes, he’d always had a reference point, just mimicking movements with his own flair. But this time, there was no one to imitate. He had to rely on his own imagination, drawing inspiration from scenes of crime bosses stepping out of cars in movies like **The Godfather**, **God of Gamblers**, and **Once Upon a Time in America**, trying to surpass their energy with his own style.

 With a thud, his right foot touched the ground, followed by the left. His body straightened as he exited the car, his posture tall and commanding. He gave the villa a cold glance, his expression indifferent.

 Suddenly, raindrops began to fall, landing on his hair, eyelashes, and clothes, forming a light drizzle.

 The group stood still in the rain, looking as if they were ready for a funeral.

 "Perfect! Keep going!" 

 Luca looked at the steps leading up to the villa, then took the lead, his long legs striding forward, with four grim-faced bodyguards following. The group exuded a deadly aura, looking like they were filming a gangster movie.

 "CUT!"

 As Luca approached the villa entrance, Terry called for a stop.

 "How was that, Terry?"

 Luca asked as he walked back down the steps.

 Terry folded his arms and stared at the monitor. "Not bad. Just like that, one more time."

 "Got it!"

 After the exterior shots were done, Luca shook the rain off and followed the crew into the lavish villa.

 From the outside, the villa was already impressive, but the interior was even more luxurious. Giant crystal chandeliers, vibrant murals, red carpets, and marble sculptures adorned the place, giving it the vibe of an art museum.

 As they entered the grand hall, the other half of the MV crew was busy filming different scenes.

 Around fifty people were arranged in various poses by the choreographer, with a camera moving around, capturing every angle.

 "CUT! Take ten!" 

 After a while, Terry called for a break, and the music and dancers in the hall all paused.

 "Hey, Luca!" 

 Britney called out with a wave. "What do you think? Isn’t your role cool?"

 "It’s definitely cool. Thanks for not making me wear a dress."

 "Of course, you’re my guy!"

 Britney looked him up and down, her eyes glowing. "You look so cool and sexy!"

 "Thanks!" 

 Luca chuckled, gesturing around. "You guys are going all out for this MV. A stretch limo, a luxury villa, all this setup. How much does an MV like this cost?"

 Britney shook her head. "Not a dime. In fact, we’re making money."

 "Making money?"

 Luca thought for a moment. "Sponsorships?"

 "Exactly. Don’t forget who I am." 

 Britney lifted her chin proudly. "The car’s easy, but this villa? It’s one of Trump’s real estate properties. The price is too high, so it’s been unsold for three years. This MV doubles as an ad for the house. Same with the wine, watches, and outfits—all provided by sponsors."

 "Got it." 

 Luca now understood what being a big star meant.

 "Jealous?"

 "No way. I couldn’t handle being followed by paparazzi every day."

 Britney smirked. Suddenly, she blinked and leaned in closer. "Luca, after we finish shooting tonight, how about I come over to your place?"

 "Wait, what? That’s a bit sudden, isn’t it?"

 "You don’t want me there?"

 "Of course, you’re welcome!"

 "Great, it’s a date!" 

 Britney snapped her fingers and headed back to the stage.

 "Hey, Luca!" 

 Terry walked over, pointing to a chair in the middle. "In a minute, you’ll sit there and watch the performance. When it’s over, you’ll go on stage, take Britney’s hand, and walk her upstairs. Got it?"

 "Got it, Director!"

 After a ten-minute break, filming resumed.

 Luca sat in the chair, his face stern as he watched the performance on stage, not needing to act at all.

Director Terry had said that coolness was a form of stillness. Any unnecessary movement would ruin the effect.

After watching for a while, Luca suddenly noticed a familiar face among the backup dancers. The tall, lean figure in stockings and shorts had heavy makeup, but the face looked familiar—it seemed to be Thomas, Miranda’s boy toy.

Isn’t Thomas a model? What’s he doing as a backup dancer?

Suddenly, **boom**!

Thomas tripped over his own feet, face-planting on the stage.

"CUT!"

"Hey, Thomas, what’s going on? You’ve been practicing for two weeks. How could you mess up?" 

Terry and the choreographer shouted in frustration.

"Sorry, sorry!" 

Thomas quickly got up and apologized.

 "Alright, Martha, don’t scold him." 

 Britney waved her hand. "Thomas, can you still dance?"

 "I can, Ms. Spears!" 

 Thomas quickly bounced around like a monkey, drawing laughs from the crew.

 "Alright, let’s continue!" 

 Terry shouted.

 "Wait!" 

 Luca stood up. "Director, can we take a five-minute break?"

 Everyone looked at him in surprise. He’d been sitting the whole time and had the easiest role. Why was he asking for a break?

 Terry and the choreographer frowned. They knew he was rumored to be Britney’s boyfriend, so they treated him with respect. Otherwise, who would care about him?

 "Haha, let’s take a break. Coffee’s on me!" 

 Britney shouted.

 "Yeah!"

 "Thanks, Ms. Spears!"

 "Britney’s the best!"

 The backup dancers and extras cheered.

 Britney had the final say, so the director had no choice but to announce a five-minute break.

 "Luca, what’s up?"

 Britney asked as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

 "He’s a friend of mine." 

 Luca glanced at Thomas. "Hey, Thomas!"

 "Hey, Luca!" 

 Thomas smiled shyly.

 "Thomas, are your feet okay?"

 When he was jumping earlier, Luca noticed a pained expression on his face. That’s why he asked for the break.

 "I'm fine!"

 Thomas glanced at Britney beside him and shook his head repeatedly. Being Britney's dance partner was a golden opportunity, and he didn't want to give it up.

 Luca patted him on the shoulder. "Thomas, there's still five minutes left. Go take a break."

 Thomas hesitated for a moment, nodded to both Luca and Britney, then limped off the stage.

 "Your friend?" Britney asked.

 "Yes, Thomas used to be a model, but I think he's changed careers now."

 "Haven't you also changed careers?"

 "No, I've always been an actor from the start."

 "A porn actor?"

 "..."