Model to Holywood

"Britney, you really scared me today!"

It was nighttime in Beverly Hills, with stars accompanying the moon.

On the second floor of Britney's villa, Luca held a glass of red wine, looking out the window, still shaken.

"Haha, did you think I was about to propose to you?" 

Britney's lips curled into a playful smile.

Luca shrugged his shoulders because that's exactly what he thought.

During the afternoon concert, Britney suddenly crouched down in front of him, holding a rose.

The scene instantly reminded him of a famous female singer in his country, who pressured a man into marriage on stage, ultimately forcing the man into being labeled a jerk, ridiculed by everyone.

When Britney crouched down, his mind went blank for a moment. At that time, he had only three options: accept, refuse, or ignore.

Accept?

It would mean he'd have to break up with Lima, become Britney's boyfriend, and possibly even marry her—an outcome he didn't want.

Refuse?

Turning her down in front of so many people would be incredibly awkward. The media would paint him as a bad guy who hurt Britney, and her fans would cancel him. Their relationship could never go back to how it was.

Ignore?

That would embarrass Britney too much.

That would be cowardly, so it wasn't an option.

Accept or refuse?

As he looked at Britney on stage and was about to stand up, he saw her pointing the rose at Rachel, Ryan, Fanny, and others.

She continued singing while pointing at them, "I want nobody, nobody but you~you~you~you~."

When Britney stood up, Luca let out a long sigh of relief, feeling like he had just walked away from the edge of a cliff, sweat soaking his back.

It turned out to be just a misunderstanding.

"Luca, you know, I really was planning to propose to you."

Suddenly, Britney said softly.

"Are you kidding?" 

Luca asked in surprise.

"No, I'm serious," Britney put down her wine glass, taking his hand. In the night, her eyes sparkled like stars.

"Luca, I love you!" 

She gazed into his eyes, speaking slowly but firmly, "Yes, I love you. I love being with you. I love coming home every day to hug you, kiss you, and rely on you.

I love eating breakfast with you at the same table, whether you made it or I did.

I love leaning on you to watch the stars and sunsets, listening to your voice and your corny jokes. I love dancing and singing with you in the garden, even though you're a terrible singer. I still think of you often.

When you're not around, I think about your advice at meals, I long for your embrace when I'm tired, I think of your face at dusk, and I miss your arms around me when I lay down at night."

Luca listened quietly. Faced with this sudden confession, he didn't know how to respond—whether to feel happy, moved, excited, or guilty, ashamed, or pressured.

"Luca, do you know that I realized, little by little, I've truly fallen in love with you? You've become a part of my life, an indispensable part. I want to be with you. So, why not propose?"

Britney smiled, "I'm Britney, the fearless and bold Britney. I love you and don't care if the whole world knows it. So yes, I was going to propose to you today."

Luca blinked, "But then you changed your mind."

"Yes!" Britney shrugged. "I know you're a very steady guy. You don't like surprises, and you don't like being pressured. I didn't want to lose you as a friend, so I backed off."

"Thank you!" 

Luca hugged her. "Thank you for thinking of me."

Britney Spears was impulsive and headstrong, but this time, she had taken him into consideration, and he couldn't help but be moved.

"Luca, if I had insisted on giving you the rose, would you have accepted it?"

Britney rubbed her forehead against his chin, the scratchy feeling making her giggle softly.

"I would have," Luca said, staring into her eyes.

At the time, he had made up his mind—he would've accepted the rose, and then tried to smooth things out afterward. He was already considered a jerk anyway, so he didn't mind a few more headlines. No matter what, he didn't want Britney to feel too embarrassed.

Britney looked at him and suddenly smiled, "I regret it. I should've pushed a little harder. Then tonight's party would've been our engagement party."

"Yeah, but I would've spanked you for it," Luca playfully slapped her.

"Jerk, how dare you hit me!" 

Britney jumped up and bit his lip.

"Ahem!" 

From the hallway on the second floor, Britney's personal assistant, Felicia, coughed softly after waiting for a while. But those two shameless people had no reaction.

"Ahem!"

She had to cough again, louder this time.

Still no response. The two shameless people kissed even more passionately.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

"Enough, Felicia! Aren't you afraid of coughing up blood?" 

Britney let go of Luca, looking toward Felicia in the hallway—her personal assistant and longtime friend.

Felicia adjusted her glasses. "Britney, this is your party. You can't disappear for too long."

"Alright, alright!" 

Britney waved her hand, linking arms with Luca as they headed downstairs.

"Luca, I need your help with something. Could you stay behind for a moment?" 

Felicia asked.

". . . Okay!" 

Luca stopped, "Britney, you go ahead. I'll be down in a bit."

"Hurry up!" 

Britney glanced at Felicia and then walked downstairs.

Tonight was her party. She wore a blue off-the-shoulder gown that hugged her figure, exposing just enough of her cleavage. Her waist was slender and toned, and the dress hugged her curves, highlighting her voluptuous, fiery figure. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she suddenly turned back and smiled—a playful gaze and sweet smile that made it hard not to smile along with her.

"Luca, I'll be waiting for you downstairs!"

"Got it!"

Sorry for the delay. This chapter is free. 

(End of chapter)