76-80

Chapter 76: Nightclub

"Cheers!"

Nighttime at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York.

After the evening's filming wrapped up, director Bille Woodruff invited a dozen or so key members of the crew to gather here, including Luca.

This club is ranked among the top twenty nightclubs in New York, always buzzing with activity.

Every night, you could see people of all ages, races, and backgrounds at this place. It was a melting pot of diversity. There were also different halls playing various genres of music—hip-hop, a mix of '80s and '90s hits, electronic music, salsa, country, and some styles you couldn't even name.

People danced to different beats: hip-hop, jazz, pop, Latin dance—you name it. The dance floor was always packed, no matter the time.

The crew sat in the main music hall. Flashing lights assaulted the eyes, the intense DJ metal music tortured the ears, and over a thousand people twisted and shouted on the dance floor. It was overwhelmingly loud and chaotic.

Luca only sat for a moment before feeling dizzy, especially after a few dances. The mixture of sweat and perfume in the air from the dance floor brewed into something intense that made his head spin.

"Luca, you okay?"

Seeing his furrowed brow, Bille asked with concern.

"I'm fine… well, maybe I’m a little drunk."

He was ready to leave early.

"Haha, drunk after just two drinks? You're such a lightweight," Bille laughed, pouring him another drink. "Come on, one more and you'll feel better!"

Luca weakly smiled. "Bille, couldn’t we have had this gathering at a smaller bar? Why come to a place like this?"

Bille chuckled loudly, "Of course we came here to drink!"

"Why not find a quiet bar?" Luca shouted over the noise, plugging his ears.

"Quiet?" Bille looked at him as if he were crazy. "Are you even young?"

"I'm 21—I'm not that young anymore."

"Hahaha! I'm 43, and I still feel young!"

The older man shook his shoulders to the music, looking carefree and lively.

Luca sighed, leaning against the couch, feeling a little feverish.

"Luca, have you never been to a club before?"

"No, I’ve been to the Rose Sacrifice Bar."

"The Rose Sacrifice? Hah, that place is for women! This—this is a man's world."

Bille pointed to the dance floor, packed with bodies swaying under swirling lights. The heat from the dancing crowd radiated out, turning the cool spring night into a sauna. A strange mix of smells—some fragrant, some repulsive—permeated the air.

Bille took a deep breath and sighed with his eyes closed. "Ah, intoxicating!"

Luca coughed, covering his mouth, when he suddenly noticed a pair of eyes on him from across the room—Jessica, the stunning one.

Feeling awkward, he lowered his hand and raised his glass in a greeting. A bit frustrated, he wondered why everyone else seemed fine while he felt so uncomfortable.

"Luca, do you know why we came here?"

Bille, looking a bit flushed, possibly from too much "night oxygen," asked loudly.

"Why?"

"Because the next scene is shot here—the first and fourth scenes in the script, get it?"

Luca understood now. The first scene featured the female lead dancing at a nightclub, caught on camera by Michael’s men, and in the fourth, Michael himself comes looking for someone.

He scanned the venue, realizing it looked a lot like the original movie’s scene. No wonder it felt familiar.

"Got it. I’ll get used to it," Luca said, trying to settle his nerves, lifting his drink. He trusted he could adapt.

"Luca, that’s not enough! You gotta get loose, man!"

With a shout, Bille waved his hand like a cowboy with a lasso, then disappeared into the crowd with Blake and some others.

Luca was left at the booth with a few stylishly dressed actresses.

"Not much of a club-goer?"

Jessica suddenly spoke from across the table.

"No, I usually stay home."

"What do you do at home?"

"Read, listen to music, work out, and, uh, play games."

"Is that so?"

Jessica looked him over, curiosity evident. "You’re not that cool, honestly. Why would a girl as cool as Britney like you?"

Luca felt a little caught off guard. "I’m not cool?"

Jessica shrugged and turned to a nearby girl, Joy. "What do you think?"

The girl, Joy Bryant, played the second female lead, Gina—a girl with an amazing figure. At first, Luca had thought, with her last name being Bryant, she might be Kobe’s sister, but she wasn’t related to him at all.

Joy smiled. "Yeah, you’re like a tamed lion. You lack that youthful edge. Definitely not cool."

"Agreed!"

Jessica clinked glasses with Joy, laughing.

Feeling a little offended, Luca raised his glass. "So what kind of guy is cool, then?"

Jessica thought for a moment and smiled. "The kind of guy who makes people say ‘Wow’ when they see him."

Snap  

Joy snapped her fingers. "Exactly. Luca, you’re handsome, but not in a way that makes people go ‘Wow.’ You lack that aggressive sexiness."

The other girls chuckled softly.

"That’s all it takes to be cool?" Luca asked, confused.

"Yes."

"Well, that’s easy!"

With a confident smile, Luca stood up and, without warning, stripped off his sweatshirt and T-shirt, revealing a well-built body. His muscular chest, chiseled abs, and perfectly defined V-line left little to the imagination.

"Wooow!"

"Wooow!"

"That’s cool!"

The girls at the table, and even some nearby, gasped and covered their mouths, their eyes fixed on him.

Luca grinned slightly. Just taking off his shirt made everyone gasp. If he went further…

Slowly, he put his clothes back on, turning to Jessica and Joy with a smile. "Am I cool now?"

Jessica and Joy exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.

"Cool. You’re really cool!" Jessica gave him a thumbs-up.

"You’d be even cooler without the shirt. Wanna try?" Joy teased with a wink and a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

Luca shook his shoulders. "It’s cold out. Don’t wanna catch a cold."

"Hahaha!"

"That’s not cool!"

Luca smiled, slightly regretting his impulsive decision. He wasn’t sure what had come over him, but now, reflecting, he felt a bit silly.

He glanced at Jessica. Her sweet smile made her seem harmless, but there was something about her that could lead people astray. She wasn’t as simple as she appeared.

"Luca, it’s hard to believe a guy like you, so proper, would be the type to hook up with Britney in a car."

Jessica’s sudden question caught him off guard.

"Yeah, Luca, tell us about your hookup with Britney in the car," Joy and the other girls looked over, curious.

Luca shook his head, thinking Jessica really had a knack for bringing up uncomfortable topics.

He didn’t want to explain, but he had to. "There was no car hookup. It was all a misunderstanding. Like Jessica said, a guy as proper as me…"

"Hey, Luca!"

Suddenly, a petite girl squeezed through the crowd. She looked about 17 or 18, carried an electric guitar on her back, wore heavy makeup, and dressed fashionably.

Luca was taken aback. He didn’t recognize her.

"Remember me? Outside the Rose Sacrifice Bar, you grabbed my butt."

She swayed her hips playfully, laughing.

"Wow, Luca, is that true? You’d actually do something like that?"

"Woooooo~ Luca, and here you were just saying you’re a good guy!"

"Luca, you’re so cool!"

The girls at the booth hollered, banging on the table to add to the noise.

"To the good guy, cheers!"

Jessica raised her glass with a smile.

Luca’s face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly apologized to the girl. "Sorry, um, can I know your name?"

"Of course, Stephanie. You can call me Fannie."

"Nice to meet you, Fannie. I didn’t get a chance to apologize last time."

"No worries," Fannie waved it off with a smile. "Luca, I saw you take your shirt off just now. Wow, your body is so sexy!"

Now Luca truly regretted it. If he hadn’t taken off his shirt, none of this would’ve happened. His good guy image wouldn’t have shattered so dramatically.

"Fannie, care to sit and have a drink?"

"No thanks, I’m about to go sing."

She pointed to the stage nearby and asked, "Luca, will you cheer me on?"

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Fannie. I’ll cheer for you!"

"Thank you, Luca!"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 77: So, This is the Kind of Person You Are

Stephanie left with her guitar, and the booth fell into a brief silence.

Everyone was either intentionally or unintentionally staring at him. Jessica was looking at him too, with an inexplicable smile on her face.

Luca felt a bit awkward. He wanted to explain but thought better of it. This was a situation that couldn’t really be explained.

“Alright, alright, I’m not a good guy. You don’t have to look at me like that,” he said, surrendering to the situation.

“Hahaha~”

The women couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

“So, does that mean it’s true that you grabbed that girl’s butt outside the Rose Ritual Bar and got caught in the act?” Joy teased with a bright smile.

Luca shrugged. “If I told you I lost my balance and accidentally grabbed her, would you believe me?”

“No!”

The women all shook their heads in unison.

“Luca, so you like petite girls?”

“No way, his girlfriend Lima is a supermodel.”

“So, he has a pretty mixed taste.”

Listening to their chatter, Luca slumped back on the sofa, defeated.

At that moment, the heavy metal music in the main hall stopped, and the crowd that had been wildly dancing on the dance floor dragged their tired bodies back to their seats.

Thump, thump~

Billy and a few others from the crew returned to the booth with slouched shoulders, collapsing onto the sofa like dead fish, exhausted and drenched in sweat.

Luca chuckled to himself, wondering if they would have danced until they dropped if the music hadn’t stopped.

“Billy, at your age...”

“Better than sex!”

Luca was about to tell Billy to take care of himself, but before he could say anything, Billy sighed in satisfaction, as if he had just experienced an intense thrill. Luca decided to keep quiet.

Don’t pretend you're sorry

I know you're not

You know you got the power...

A four-person band took the stage and started playing the Backstreet Boys’ “Drowning.” It was an adult ballad, slow in rhythm. The band was called SGBand, and the lead singer had strong vocals, almost as good as the original.

But by now, most people in the nightclub were too tired from dancing. Everyone had started drinking and chatting, and there wasn’t much interest in the band’s performance. Even when they finished, there was only sparse applause.

“Wow~ Luca, look, the girl you grabbed is going on stage!” Joy suddenly shouted.

Luca glanced at Billy and the others, feeling embarrassed, and turned his head.

“Joy, what’s this about Luca grabbing someone’s butt?”

Billy and a few others who weren’t around earlier finally heard about the incident and asked curiously.

“Nothing, just listen to the music,” Luca tried to change the subject.

“Haha, Billy, this is a funny story. Let me tell you.”

Joy began to embellish the tale, turning Luca into some pervert with a bad habit of grabbing petite girls with big butts. She made it sound like Fannie, the girl on stage, was the victim, and she had just come to confront him.

After hearing the story, Billy and the others looked at him with wide eyes. “Wow, Luca, so this is the kind of person you are!”

Luca couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore. He waved his hand and said, “Fannie’s about to perform. Let’s give her some applause and support.”

He raised his hands and clapped hard a few times to show his support.

The others in the booth joined in, and Joy even let out a loud whistle.

On stage, Fannie waved towards them and began playing her guitar.

I know I may be young

But I've got feelings too

And I need to do what I feel like doing...

Fannie was singing Britney Spears’ “I’m A Slave 4 U.” Her voice was lovely, with a raspy, sexy edge.

But even with her performance, few people in the venue were paying attention. Most were busy with their own conversations, and in some spots, the noise even drowned out her voice.

She stood there like a small sapling on a deserted island, at risk of being overwhelmed by the waves.

“She sings well, but she’s not suited for this kind of nightclub performance,” Jessica said lazily, resting her chin on her arm as she watched the stage through half-closed eyes.

“Yeah, she’s too small, not curvy enough, and her voice isn’t powerful. She doesn’t have that ‘wow’ factor, so of course no one’s paying attention to her. Well, except for you, Luca!” Joy teased with a smile.

“Luca, is she really the girl you grabbed?” Billy asked, scratching his chin in confusion.

Luca gave him a tired look, not even bothering to explain.

“Haha, Luca, I’m curious. You never seem interested in someone as hot as Jessica. How could you go for a petite girl like that?”

Billy’s voice was loud, and everyone in the booth—Jessica, Joy, Blake, and the others—looked over.

Luca rubbed his forehead, wishing he could sew Billy’s big mouth shut. Couldn’t they discuss this in private? Why bring it up in front of Jessica?

“Wow, look!”

Just as the situation was becoming awkward, there was a sudden commotion from both their booth and the crowd.

Luca looked towards the stage and saw Fannie suddenly taking off her jacket. Then, she took off her T-shirt, leaving her in just a black bra on stage.

She held the microphone, shaking her hair, and belted out the climax of “I’m A Slave 4 U”:

Like that

Do you like it

Yeah, watch me now...

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as soon as she removed her clothes.

“So cool!”

“Yeah, amazing!”

Gradually, all eyes in the nightclub were on her. People began to appreciate her music and started clapping along to the beat.

The small figure on stage grew larger and larger, becoming the star of the night.

“Fannie, you are the best!”

Luca shouted, saluting the brave girl.

When he turned around, he found Jessica, Joy, and the other women in the booth all staring at him.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“She learned that from you,” Jessica said with a strange look on her face.

“Yeah, Luca, you’ve corrupted that poor girl,” Joy teased.

“No, she’s way braver than me,” Luca waved it off and turned back to listen to the music.

I’m a slave for you

I won’t deny it

I’m not trying to hide it...

The song on stage came to an end, and the crowd erupted into applause and cheers.

The once unnoticed little girl had become the undisputed star of the night. The next performer couldn’t match Fannie’s boldness, and the crowd quickly lost interest, leaving the stage cold once again.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah, let’s.”

With the drinks finished and the dancing done, the crew decided it was time to leave.

After retrieving their coats from the lockers, the group left the nightclub.

As Luca drove out, he spotted Jessica standing at the entrance. A thought crossed his mind. “Hey, Jessica, the night is still young. How about coming over to my place for a drink?”

Jessica looked up, her electrifying eyes coldly staring at him.

Just then, a Mercedes-Benz pulled up beside them. Jessica opened the door, got in, and, before closing the door, flipped him the finger.

Luca laughed. After being teased by Jessica several times tonight, he finally got a little revenge.

“Haha, nice job, Luca!”

Billy’s car pulled up next to his, and through the window, he laughed. “That’s how you do it, man. If you want to get with her, you’ve got to make a move!”

“No, I don’t want to get with her. I was just messing around.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not cool!”

Billy shook his head, didn’t even say goodbye, and drove off.

Luca shrugged and slowly started his car.

“Hey, Luca, can you give me a ride?”

(End of the Chapter)

Chapter 78: I’m Studying You

"Luca, can you give me a ride?"

Just as Luca was about to drive off, a young girl with a guitar on her back appeared at the door—it was Fanny.

"I'm headed to NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Is that on your way?"

She stood on the curb, slightly on her tiptoes, hopeful.

"Alright, Fanny, I'm headed that way."

"Luca, you're so nice!"

Fanny hopped into the passenger seat, casually giving him a "nice guy" compliment.

Luca smirked slightly and started the car.

"Fanny, you're a student at Tisch?"

"Yep! I'm pretty good at music, got early admission to the arts school. I'm a freshman this year."

"Wow, impressive."

NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts is ranked top three in the U.S., with an incredible faculty. In its forty years, it’s produced over thirty Oscar winners, including Woody Allen, Angelina Jolie, and Martin Scorsese.

Only 20 students globally get early admission each year. Luca once wanted to snag one of those spots, but he didn’t have the credentials. He didn’t expect Fanny to manage it.

"Fanny, did you know I'm a college student too?"

"Really?"

Fanny looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah, I study acting at the Manhattan Academy of Performing Arts. Also a freshman, I guess."

"Haha, so we’re in the same year!"

Fanny laughed out loud.

From the Upper East Side to Tisch was more than ten kilometers, and the night road was long. They started talking about the nightclub performance.

"Luca, how was my performance earlier?"

"It was cool, very cool. No one expected you to be so bold—you’re really brave!"

"Haha, Luca, I got the inspiration from you."

Fanny laughed loudly.

"Because I took off my clothes earlier?"

"Not just this time."

"Oh?"

Luca was puzzled. "Did I take off my clothes in public before?"

"No, but some things don’t require taking off clothes to have the same effect."

Fanny leaned back in her seat, staring out the windshield. The neon lights reflected on the glass, blurring as the car sped along, turning into streaks of light that flashed by in an instant, giving way to new colors.

"Luca, you know, ever since you grabbed my butt last time, I’ve been keeping an eye on you."

"Uh, Fanny, I’m really sorry about that."

"No, I should thank you. Because of you, I found the key to success."

Fanny said seriously.

"What?"

Luca glanced at her in surprise. The girl hadn’t had anything to drink, so why was she suddenly talking nonsense?

"Have I been successful?"

"Yes, you have."

Fanny nodded with certainty. "Not even mentioning your past in Brazil, just the past six months—you’ve risen faster than anyone else."

"Risen?"

Luca chuckled, his face a bit flushed.

But Fanny wasn’t laughing. She tapped her knee and said slowly, "Before December, in the U.S., in the fashion world, and in the entertainment industry, you had no fame at all. But in the past six months, you’ve risen quickly. You became Superman, Mr. Big, a CK underwear model, a supermodel, and even Britney Spears’ rumored boyfriend.

"Recently, your popularity even surpassed that of A-list celebrities. You went from complete obscurity to being a superstar in just six months. Compared to the hundreds of thousands struggling in Hollywood, isn’t that kind of speed considered a rise?"

"That’s a good point. Please, continue!"

Luca slowed down, making the ride smoother.

"When studying you, I found that three events had the biggest impact on you."

"Which three?"

"The first was the 'Superman incident.' Before that, you were just an ordinary model, like tens of thousands of other models in America. But after that, you became the 'Superman model' and landed the Armani gig, which made you a near-first-tier model."

Luca nodded slightly. That was true. The Superman incident was key to his success.

Without it, he would’ve stayed in the entertainment industry, acting. He wouldn’t have wandered into the fashion world. Maybe by now, he’d already be a big star.

"The second event was 'Mr. Big.' This made you the highlight of Fashion Week, the big star of the season, catching CK’s attention and securing your spot as a supermodel. And then there was the third event, the 'car scandal.'"

Fanny paused and gestured with her hands. "The first event helped you gain a foothold in the fashion world, the second made you a supermodel and brought you fame, and the third made you famous across the U.S."

Luca shook his head, feeling like she was painting him as some scheming mastermind.

"If I told you all of that was just coincidence, would you believe me?"

"I believe you."

Fanny shrugged. "I didn’t believe it before. When studying you, my partner and I concluded that all of this must’ve been part of your plan.

"But after meeting you, my opinion changed. You’re actually a nice guy—sincere, polite, and warm. You don’t seem like someone who’d do anything to get famous."

Luca smiled helplessly. "Thanks."

"No, thank you. Like I said, I’ve found the key to success by studying you."

"What’s the key?"

Luca asked, intrigued.

"The key is to do everything you can to get attention."

Fanny swung her short legs, speaking seriously. "The first event, saving people, was about luck, kindness, perseverance, and your athletic talent. There were too many factors, both random and inevitable, that I can’t replicate.

"The third, scandal, well, I can’t use that yet.

"The second event, though, is what I focused on. On the most mainstream, serious, and professional stage, you did something shocking to get attention."

"Why not call it 'embarrassing'?"

Luca raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"Haha, yes, it was embarrassing. Just like my performance tonight. If I’d just sung seriously, how many people would’ve cared? Not many."

Fanny spread her hands. "But when I took off my clothes and set aside my pride and dignity, everyone started paying attention. Whether they cursed, criticized, or cheered, in the end, I succeeded."

"Fanny, you’re brave."

"Thanks! But I’m not as brave as you, Mr. Big!"

"Haha!"

As they spoke, the car arrived at the entrance of Tisch School of the Arts. Luca slowly pulled over.

Fanny unbuckled her seatbelt, smiled at him, and suddenly said, "Hey, Luca, it’s a long night, and I’m not sleepy. Want to come to my dorm for a drink?"

Luca hesitated. That line sounded familiar, like something he’d just said to Jessica.

"Haha, alright, alright. I know you have a girlfriend, and she’s a hot supermodel. I’m jealous of her," Fanny said sincerely.

Luca wasn’t sure how to respond, so he just smiled and said, "Thanks."

Fanny shook her head slightly, hesitated, then pulled out a cassette tape from her pocket. "Luca, I was going to give this to you tomorrow morning, after you woke up in my dorm. But you don’t seem like that kind of guy."

"What’s this?"

"A song I wrote. Could you give it to Britney for me?"

Fanny, who had been so bold on stage, now blushed. "I know it’s a bit embarrassing, but you don’t seem to mind that kind of success."

"Emmm, yeah."

Luca took the cassette. "In this world, there are only two types of people: the successful and the unsuccessful. Successful people stand on the brightest stage, showing their true selves.

"Unsuccessful people stand in the shadows. They want to be on stage but hesitate. They can’t succeed, so they criticize those who do, pointing out their flaws, trying to bring them down."

Luca sighed, not sure why he was saying all this. "So, to me, there’s no such thing as embarrassing. Anyone brave enough to chase success deserves applause."

"Thank you, Luca."

Fanny wiped her eyes, gave him a quick hug, then got out of the car. Carrying her guitar, which was almost as tall as she was, she stumbled into the night.

Luca smiled. "Seems like my 'poisonous chicken soup' has some nutritional value."

He put the cassette on the dashboard and then noticed something written on the case.

"L-A-D-Y G-A-G-A."

He paused for a moment, then quickly read it again.

"Lady Gaga?!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 79: Under the Covers

Click~

Around 8 PM, Luca opened the door to his apartment on 43rd Street in downtown Manhattan.

These past few days, Kate had been flying around for her book signing events, leaving the 76th Street apartment empty and quiet. Since the place was too big and lonely for just one person, Luca had temporarily moved to Lima's place, beginning their cohabitation.

He took off his sneakers, hung up his trench coat, and quietly pushed open the bedroom door.

The main light in the bedroom wasn’t on, only the soft orange glow of the bedside lamp filled the room, casting a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Under the light, Lima was leaning against two pillows, intensely focused on playing a video game.

Hearing him come in, she lifted her head in surprise, her expression changing slightly. "Haha, honey, you're back!" she said while discreetly slipping the game console under the covers.

Luca smirked, "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing!"

Lima pulled her hands out from under the covers and patted the bed, trying to appear innocent but with a hint of impatience.

"Humph, you're always playing games. Watch out or you'll ruin your eyes," Luca teased.

"Oh, I know, I know, you nag too much!" Lima rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. Suddenly, she grabbed his sleeve and sniffed, her expression changing.

"Luca, why do you smell like women's perfume? Be honest!"

She reached for a baseball bat.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Luca laughed helplessly. "I told you over the phone this afternoon. The crew had a gathering at the concert hall tonight. That place is always crowded. Isn't it normal to pick up a little perfume scent?"

"Really? Hmm, yeah, I think you did say that. Sorry, I forgot."

Lima scratched her head, then pushed him away, fanning her nose. "Coming back from a place like that, why didn’t you shower before coming in? You smell terrible, you know?"

"I know," Luca replied.

"Then why didn’t you take a shower?"

"Because if I came back all clean, you’d definitely suspect that I did something wrong and cleaned up to cover it up."

"Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think I'm that petty?"

Lima blushed slightly and waved her hand dismissively. "Enough with the excuses. Go take a shower. You’re not getting into bed without one."

"Fine, fine!"

Luca turned to leave, but after a few steps, he looked back. "And no more playing games!"

"I got it, I got it!" Lima quickly pulled her hands back out from under the covers.

After he closed the door, Lima stared at it for three seconds, then sighed and pulled out her game console.

"Ugh, damn it! I have to start over again."

Grumbling, Lima fiddled with the game console. If she had known a boyfriend would get in the way of her gaming progress, she would have never gotten one.

After playing a round of Street Fighter, Luca finished his shower and joined her. They played a few rounds of a more adult game together.

Around 10 PM, the moon outside was round and full, silently spilling its silver light. It layered the frost-covered windows, adding a romantic glow to the room.

"Luca..." Lima lay on his shoulder, her face flushed, speaking in a melancholic tone. "I... I might have to leave you."

"Mhm~" Luca lazily responded with his eyes half-closed.

"Luca, I said I might have to leave you!" Lima pinched his chest muscles, raising her voice.

Luca chuckled, "Okay, where are you going?"

"Ugh, I said I’m leaving you! Why aren’t you nervous at all?" Lima asked, displeased.

"Haha, you? A lazy, clumsy woman like you? Even if I left you on the street, no one would take you. Where could you go without me?"

"Ugh, you’re horrible! Luca, get up! I’m going to fight you!"

Lima sat up, her brown hair cascading around her, ready to fight for three hundred rounds.

"Stop it, it's freezing," Luca pulled her wrist and tucked her back under the covers.

The silly girl shivered under the blanket, hugging him and humming softly. "I’ve noticed, ever since Britney showed up, you’ve been caring less and less about me, boo hoo~"

Smack! Luca gave her a playful swat.

"Spit it out. Don’t act like you’ve eaten a lemon. That’s not like you."

Lima grinned and snuggled into his arms, secretly laughing for a while before lazily speaking again.

"Honey, the Paris and London Fashion Weeks are about to start in a few days. I’ll be heading to Europe for about two weeks."

"Oh?" Luca remembered that Fashion Week had both Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer seasons. This year, New York and Milan were earlier, while Paris and London were in March.

"Honey, I’m going to miss you so much." Lima hugged his neck tightly.

"I’ll miss you too," Luca said.

"I’ll miss you more," Lima switched into romance mode.

Luca smirked. "Will you really miss me?"

"Of course!"

"Then, can you leave the game console behind?"

"Luca, you're such a jerk! I just said I’ll miss you more, and you’re talking about the game console? You know I love gaming just as much as I love you—no, wait, I love you and gaming. I can’t bring you to Europe, so if I don’t have games, how will I survive?!"

Lima pouted and lightly hit his chest.

"Okay, okay, I was just joking."

Luca quickly apologized and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Lima, have you ever thought about quitting the fashion industry?"

"I’ve thought about it. Do you think I actually enjoy walking the runway? Practicing catwalks and taking photos every day cuts into my game ti—uh, I mean, it takes time away from missing you. But if I stop being a model, what would I do?"

"I could take care of you."

"You?" Lima poked his chin playfully. "You’re just a male model yourself, still relying on Kate. Can you really support me?"

Luca laughed. "Nonsense! I have two endorsement deals worth over a million, plus I write scripts, books, and act in movies. I can earn a lot of money!"

"Well, I don’t want you to take care of me. The person I am now is the real me—the one you love. If you support me, that wouldn’t be me anymore, and you wouldn’t love that version of me. I don’t want to become someone you’d hate."

Lima murmured in his arms, her tone sincere.

Luca sighed. Having an independent girlfriend was sometimes a real headache.

"Lima, I’ve saved up some money. How about we start a business together? Do you like fashion? We could create a clothing brand, or maybe start a modeling school or an agency?"

"Emmm~ No, not for now. We don’t have the money, the experience, or the connections. It’s all just a pipe dream. Maybe in a couple of years."

Before he could say anything else, Lima gave him a quick kiss on the corner of his lips and smiled. "Honey, I know what you're worried about. You don’t want me to keep modeling because you’re afraid I’ll cheat on you, right?"

Luca smirked. That time they went shopping in Hearst Plaza, he explained to her what "wearing the green hat" meant. He hadn’t expected her to still remember.

"I’m not. Do you really think I’m that insecure?"

"Hmph, what do you think?" Lima teased, nuzzling her forehead against his chin. "I know you’re possessive. Lately, I’ve turned down a lot of private parties and private runway shows, and I’ve been rejecting some of the more revealing jobs. From now on, I’ll only do big-name shows. And when I go to events, I’ll always have an assistant with me. Does that make you feel better?"

"Emmm~ Fine!"

Maybe he should hire her a bodyguard when he got the chance.

"Hah! You said you weren’t possessive just now. Look at you!" Lima smirked up at him, her lips curved playfully and her blue-gray eyes filled with mischief.

"Whatever. Let’s just sleep," Luca said, pulling the blanket over both of them.

"Ah, stop it~ Your back!"

"It’s fine now!"

Night deepened, silence fell, and the moon grew fuller. When the morning star rose, it would be a new day.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 80: Filming the Routine and Conflict

"All positions ready, Scene 7, Take 3 of 'Honey' is about to begin!"

"Lights, music, and all background actors, move! Dance like you usually do!"

"Actors, on set. ACTION!"

At noon, inside the Rockwood Music Club, the crew of Honey started filming Scene 7.

The main plot of Scene 7 involves Michael, played by Luca, coming to the club where the female lead, Honey, works. He invites her to join his production company, and the two engage in a series of conversations.

The scene features Luca, Jessica, Joy Bryant, who plays Honey’s best friend Gina, and hundreds of extras—it's a large-scale scene.

As the filming began, the club was filled with flashing lights and loud music. Extras on the dance floor began to move energetically, creating a typical nightclub atmosphere.

Ahh oh wee

Ahh oh wee

I used to say that I'll never fall in love again

At the bar, Honey and her friend Gina were drinking.

"What are you doing? You're about to get her drunk!" Honey scolded the bartender behind the counter, holding her tipsy friend.

"It’s fine, give me another drink," Gina waved her hand, swaying slightly.

At that moment, Michael entered, wearing a striking red shirt. He pushed past a few writhing bodies and approached Honey.

"Excuse me, are you a dancer?"

"Yeah!" Honey shrugged while holding her glass. Her shoulder-length, wavy hair was loose, and she wore an off-the-shoulder dress. She smiled sweetly, radiating confidence and sensuality.

"I figured," Michael smiled and gestured with his hands. "Here’s the thing—I’d like you to dance for me."

"Ha!" Honey shot him a playful look, her eyes full of spark. She turned to Gina and said, "Let’s go!"

"No, no! Don’t go, I’m serious," Michael stepped forward and squeezed into the crowd, coughing slightly as if adjusting to the club's atmosphere.

"Good!" Director Billy smiled in satisfaction as he watched the monitor.

Based on his discussion with the screenwriter, Michael, being white, would feel out of place in a club mostly frequented by Black patrons. Just like how Luca felt when they first came here, Michael’s discomfort needed to be shown.

Before shooting, Billy had told Luca to act naturally and stay true to the character’s feelings. From his subtle reactions, Billy could tell Luca understood his instructions perfectly, and he was pleased.

"Don’t go, I’m serious!" Michael caught up with Honey and Gina and introduced himself. "I’m... I’m a video director. I’m starting a project next week."

"Haha, are you saying you’re giving me a chance to whip something and shake my ass in front of your camera?" Honey glared at him with disdain. "Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. Gina, let’s go."

Honey pulled Gina into the crowd. The main camera smoothly pulled back, and the lighting and sound followed automatically.

"Honey, what are you doing? He’s a director!" Gina asked, confused.

Honey scoffed, "Every guy says he’s a director when he’s hitting on someone."

"Hey, wait!" Michael followed them again, pointing to his ear. "It’s too loud here. How about we go upstairs to the VIP lounge and talk?"

"Sure!" Gina replied.

Honey waved it off, refusing, "It doesn’t matter where we go—I’m not doing any stripping."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Did I say anything about stripping?"

"Yeah, someone told her that before," Gina chimed in.

"No, no, I’m not that kind of director. My name is Michael Ellis."

"Wait, what? Who did you say you were?" Honey asked, surprised.

"Michael Ellis!" Michael repeated, a bit smug as he rubbed his ear.

"Wow! You’re Michael—Michael Ellis? Honey, this is the guy you’ve been looking for!" Gina said excitedly.

"CUT!" Billy called a short break. The extras continued dancing, but the three lead actors paused their performance.

Billy walked over to them and said, "Jessica, your emotions aren’t intense enough. You need to be more excited! In the music industry, Michael is a big deal, someone who can give you a real opportunity. You’re an ambitious person—you want to work with someone like Michael. When he’s in front of you, you should light up like a bulb and dazzle him, not look at him coldly."

"Hehe," a soft laugh came from the side.

"Is something funny, Luca?" Billy asked curiously, while Jessica and the others turned to look at him.

Luca shrugged and said, "Give me a second."

He pulled Billy aside, away from the camera.

"What’s up, Luca? Are you going to tell me a joke? Now’s not the time," Billy said, slightly annoyed.

Luca stopped, spread his hands, and said, "Billy, didn’t you notice? Miss Alba has a problem with me—a serious problem."

"Really?" Billy was surprised.

He glanced at Jessica among the extras. "I didn’t notice anything."

Luca shrugged. "It’s true. She’s not just cold to me in the scene; she’s like that off set too—aloof, cautious, and dismissive."

"That bad?" Billy frowned. "Maybe you’re mistaken?"

Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "Billy, read my expression."

Billy looked into his eyes and paused.

Luca’s eyes were dark and clear, like a screen displaying his every emotion.

Billy was quietly impressed. For an actor to show this much depth at such a young age—Luca was only twenty-one—was remarkable.

"Don’t you see it?" Luca frowned.

Billy stroked his chin. "There’s disdain, coldness, and even a little hurt in your eyes."

"Exactly!" Luca sighed in relief. "My acting coach always said reading eyes is a crucial skill for great actors. It helps you understand your scene partner’s mood and adjust accordingly, so I know I’m not wrong."

"I see..." Billy scratched his head, looking conflicted.

Luca and Jessica were key actors in the film. If they were having issues, it could slow down production. This needed to be sorted out quickly.

"Luca, hold on a minute," Billy said and walked over to the bar, where he had a brief conversation with Jessica.

After a few minutes, he returned.

"Well, Billy?" Luca asked.

"She didn’t say much," Billy shrugged, "but she assured me it won’t affect filming. Maybe you could talk to her privately?"

"Umm, alright," Luca frowned as he headed back to the set.

Jessica walked over with her arms crossed, acting like nothing had happened.

"Scene 7, Take 4 of 'Honey.' ACTION!"

(End of chapter)