**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)