The filming set was brightly lit.
Upon hearing that Britney Spears had arrived, the extras in the cabin couldn't help but glance back. At this time, Britney was practically at the height of her fame. In the global music scene, only Michael Jackson and Madonna could rival her.
But with MJ arrested over child abuse allegations and Madonna cutting down on public appearances due to health reasons, Britney's future fame would soar. No one could compare to her.
Luca had heard about Britney before. Aside from seeing her referenced in comedy sketches, like the "Sweet Britney" joke from *A Chinese Odyssey*, there was also her never-ending news scandals: a 55-hour marriage, dating a paparazzo, shaving her head, drug arrests, one-night stands, legal battles with her father, and more.
But all those events happened after 2003. Right now, at just 22, Britney was still a slender, idolized pop star.
"Britney!"
Suddenly, someone shouted her name.
Then many people started yelling "Britney" and "I love you!"
Luca glanced back. Britney, dressed in a sky-blue flight attendant uniform, walked into the cabin. When she heard people greeting her, she smiled sweetly and waved back, fitting the "Sweet Britney" image perfectly.
"Quiet!"
Just as Britney was interacting warmly with the extras, the director, Roy, yelled through a megaphone. His voice was so loud, and the space so confined, that everyone instinctively covered their ears.
Britney clutched her chest and said, "Oh, Roy, you scared me!"
"Britney, we're on set for a music video, not a fan meet-and-greet. And everyone, listen up: no unnecessary interaction or conversation with Ms. Spears during the shoot!" Roy barked, his face stern.
The extras and dancers obediently returned to their seats, and the cabin quieted down again.
After establishing order, Roy began explaining the performance process to Britney and the four backup dancers.
"Wait, Roy, has Mr. Luca arrived yet?"
Britney suddenly spoke up, scanning the cabin.
"Luca?"
Director Roy looked towards the middle.
Following his gaze, Britney immediately spotted the tall, handsome, and artfully chiseled Luca standing among the crowd.
"Hey, Luca! You were so cool at the CK shoot last time!"
Britney pushed the chubby director aside and walked straight over to Luca. As she spoke, her eyes drifted downward, taking in his full appearance.
Here we go again! Luca awkwardly smiled and said, "Hello, Miss Spears. I really like your music. Could I get your autograph?"
Luca pulled a blue-covered album from his pocket, Britney's third album *Britney*.
It was Kate who had prepared this album.
The last time Luca had a minor incident with Matt Damon at a bar, it left Kate with the impression that he wasn't good at dealing with celebrities.
To avoid another mishap, Kate had prepared the album, instructing him to greet Britney as a fan.
"Wow, thank you for liking my music!"
Britney took the album case, grabbed a pen, and as she signed, asked, "What's your favorite song from this album?"
Uh...
Luca froze. He had no idea what songs were on the album. How should he answer this?
"Sometimes!" he blurted out.
"Are you serious?" Britney fluttered her long eyelashes at him and smiled. "Too bad you guessed wrong. That song is from my first album, not this one."
Luca flushed a bit, realizing he'd messed up his celebrity encounter yet again.
"Okay, Britney, I don't actually remember the songs from this album. My sister is a big fan of yours and she wanted your autograph," Luca shrugged, coming clean.
"Haha, Luca, you're so cute. Has anyone ever told you that?"
Sweet?
Luca felt awkward. After two lifetimes, this was the first time someone had called him "cute." For a 6'2" guy, that word didn't feel like a compliment.
"Hey, Britney, is your fan meet-and-greet over? We need to get started," Director Roy interrupted, looking irritated. His earlier command for no distractions had been completely ignored, which wasn't sitting well with him.
"Relax, Roy. I'm almost done!" Britney waved him off, then leaned in close to Luca's ear and said,
"Luca, did you know? I was at the CK fashion show last time too. You were so cool, like a soldier with a rocket launcher, so heroic, hahaha!"
She patted his chest and laughed before walking away.
Luca forced a smile and awkwardly sat back down.
That embarrassing stunt he had pulled at the CK show, forced under pressure, always made him sweat when he thought about it. Now, he'd met someone who had witnessed it live. So awkward!
"Okay, everyone, attention! We're starting the first shot for the 'Toxic' music video!"
"Music, please!"
With the director's shout, the music began playing.
*Baby, can't you see I'm calling
A guy like you should wear a warning
It's dangerous, I'm falling...*
With the beat of the music, Britney and her dancers began their routine. All five of them wore specially designed flight attendant outfits, revealing and incredibly sexy.
After two hours of filming, it was finally time for Luca's scene. Roy stood in the aisle, explaining the upcoming performance to Britney, who was leaning on a trolley.
"Britney, in a moment, you'll dance past Luca and accidentally spill a drink on his pants. You'll wipe it up, strike a few sexy poses, sit on his lap, and kiss him."
"Sure thing, Roy, I'll do great!" Britney whistled and smiled.
Roy nodded. "Luca, when Britney's dancing, I need you to keep your eyes on her—hot and intense."
"You mean, like I want to take her to bed?" Britney interjected.
Roy scratched his thinning hair. "Exactly, Britney. You've got it."
"Luca, you know how to act that, right?" Britney asked, blinking playfully.
Luca smirked and replied, "Britney, I'm actually an actor."
"Wow, really? I thought you were a model?" Britney asked, intrigued.
"Modeling is just a side gig. Acting is my profession," Luca said confidently.
"So, you're saying your acting is pretty good?" Britney tilted her head, touching her chin, her long eyelashes batting mischievously. From Luca's angle, her eyes held a playful, almost naughty glint.
Luca suddenly felt uneasy. Was she planning something?
"Hmmph!" Director Roy grunted disapprovingly. "Hey, I'm the director here. Could you two please respect my authority?"
"Okay, okay, Roy, hurry up! I'm excited to perform!" Britney waved him off and leaned back on the trolley, playfully twirling a white cloth.
Roy glanced at her, then at Luca, rubbing his shiny forehead. He had completely lost his train of thought.
"Luca, do you remember what I told you earlier?"
"Yes, Roy!"
"Good, then. 'Toxic,' take five, first scene! Music!"
*Don't you know that you're toxic?
It's getting late to give you up...*
As the music started, Britney pushed the trolley, strutting seductively. She sang along to the lyrics, mouthing the words as she tossed items from the trolley to the seated passengers in a playful manner.
Britney was in the midst of a career transition. Her songs and album style had significantly changed.
In her first two albums, she was the sweet, innocent Lolita type, with pigtails and cheerleader outfits. But starting with her third album, *Britney*, and the single *I'm a Slave 4 U*, she began embracing a sexier, more mature and rebellious persona.
Now, in her fourth album, her performances were even more sultry and provocative.
*I took a sip from my devil's cup
Slowly, it's taking over me...*
When Britney reached Luca's seat, she picked up a small glass of whiskey, spun around, and spilled it right on Luca's pants—perfectly on target.
Luca was wearing his CK military-style jeans, tough fabric but not waterproof.
But he didn't have time to think about his pants.
He was an actor now—a professional one.
As per the director's instructions, he gazed intensely at Britney. Her golden hair was pinned up, her flight attendant uniform was revealing, and she looked incredibly sexy.
He didn't need to act much; simply appreciating her as any man would a beautiful woman was enough to meet the director's demands.
Director Roy, watching through the camera, was pleased. Even though acting skills weren't essential for a music video, working with a smart, cooperative person was always nice.
In the frame, Britney bent over, wiping the spill with a white cloth, while Luca's gaze stayed locked on her, his eyes smoldering with desire.
"Good!" Roy praised quietly. But then he noticed Britney was still wiping—too thoroughly and too forcefully.
"CUT!" Roy shouted. "Britney, you just need to go through the motions. Don't overdo it, and don't use so much force."
"Okay!" Britney signaled with a hand gesture, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Alright, let's go again!"
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Author's note: Thank you to reader "No Cigarette" for your support! Thanks, everyone, for the votes!
(End of Chapter)