Model to Holywood

The weekend had arrived, and Britney's concert was about to begin.

This was a small live concert promoting her new album, *In the Zone*, meant to build anticipation for its release.

The concert was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in the Los Angeles Music Center, which had a total of 2,265 club seats and a capacity of 6,000 people. Due to the limited number of tickets, they sold out in less than a day, generating $830,865 just from ticket sales.

"Luca, hurry up! The concert's about to start!"

"No rush, we've still got half an hour."

That afternoon, Luca was driving slowly through the traffic on Figueroa Street. The concert hall was located in downtown Los Angeles, so the traffic was a bit heavy.

"Aren't you going to the backstage to talk to Britney?" Fanny teased him.

Luca shook his head. "What's there to say? Cheer her on? She's done three world tours. She's not going to be nervous for such a small concert."

Fanny nodded and leaned back in her seat, staring at the distant traffic. The street was clearly busier than usual today, with more police cars and ticket officers around.

"Luca, are you planning to continue this relationship with Britney?" After a moment, Fanny asked.

"Isn't it fine the way it is, like friends?" Luca replied.

"We're not talking about friends. We're talking about lovers, aren't we?" Fanny reminded him.

"Lovers?" Luca thought about the word. "No, we're friends, not lovers. Lovers, even without the legal formalities, have a sense of belonging to each other in their hearts or in the eyes of others. Britney and I don't have that. I have a girlfriend, and Britney will find a boyfriend in the future. We'll still be friends. I won't interfere with her life."

Fanny thought for a moment. "But if Britney wanted to be your girlfriend, would you say yes?"

Luca paused. "We're not a good match."

"Why not? Britney is a world-class superstar, she's beautiful, sexy, and rich. She's ranked number one in surveys of men's dream partners."

Luca smirked. "You've just answered the question. She's a superstar. If I became her boyfriend, people would call me 'Britney's boyfriend,' just like when Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston. Despite his fame, some still referred to him as 'Rachel's husband.' Same with Nicole Kidman—people used to call her 'Mrs. Cruise.'"

"So you don't want to be seen as just her accessory?" Fanny was beginning to understand, and she let out a sigh of relief, realizing Luca's girlfriend Lima didn't have to worry about him being stolen away.

"Exactly. If I were a superstar myself, I might consider it. But I'm not, and I hate being labeled."

"If you did become a superstar, would you dump Lima and choose Britney?" Fanny asked curiously.

"Of course not!" Luca shook his head, then smiled. "After spending two days with me, don't you find me annoying?"

Fanny blinked. "Haha, no way! How could I?"

Luca chuckled softly. "By now, you must know my problem. I'm a talker, and I'm very controlling. Most people can't handle it. If I had a headstrong girlfriend who hated being controlled, we'd be fighting all the time. But Lima doesn't mind."

Fanny unconsciously nodded. Lima had a great personality—bold, generous, and smart.

"The reason Lima and I have lasted so long is because she can tolerate my behavior. She's a lingerie model, and she used to participate in lingerie shows regularly. But she knows I don't like that, so she's gradually cut back on those events. That's compromise and sacrifice. If she couldn't tolerate it or wasn't willing to change, we would've had problems and maybe even broken up by now. Do you think Britney could do the same?"

"Britney's a big star with a strong personality. She wouldn't like being controlled," Fanny thought out loud.

"Exactly!" Luca agreed.

This was clear from Britney's strained relationship with her father, Jamie Spears, who was also very controlling. Britney disliked being restrained, which caused their relationship to deteriorate over time.

As friends, Luca couldn't interfere too much, so there were no conflicts. But if they became lovers, Luca felt entitled to some control, which would lead to fights, and eventually, they wouldn't even be friends anymore.

Luca sighed and instinctively reached for a cigarette, though he hadn't brought any.

"Britney's a superstar. She belongs to music and to her fans. She has a responsibility to both her company and her fans. Sometimes she'll drink, smoke marijuana, wear revealing clothes while dancing on stage, or party in clubs. If I became her boyfriend, I'd have to accept all that and overcome some aspects of my nature—mainly my controlling side. I doubt I could do that," Luca shrugged.

"Even the revealing clothes?" Fanny frowned. She often performed in revealing outfits on stage as well.

"Aren't Brazilians known for wearing revealing clothes and being sexually open? Brazil has drug dealers everywhere—what's the big deal about smoking weed? You don't seem very Brazilian," Fanny teased.

"…" Luca had no response. Another person with regional stereotypes.

"You're such an old-fashioned guy. I can't believe Lima puts up with you," Fanny mocked.

Luca smiled softly. "You're right. It's not easy being my girlfriend. I'm a failure in some ways. When you choose a boyfriend, be careful. If you don't want to change, don't date a guy like me."

Fanny smirked. "If I had a boyfriend like you, it'd be worth making some sacrifices."

"Really? Weren't you just complaining that I'm a nag and a busybody?"

Luca joked.

Fanny burst out laughing. "You said Lima made sacrifices in the relationship. What about you? What have you sacrificed?"

Luca smirked mischievously. "You know, I'm naturally a very lustful guy. If it weren't for Lima, I'd have been with more women than a small army by now."

Fanny was startled for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Would I be part of that army?"

"Most likely, as long as you're female and warm."

"Pervert!"

Fanny laughed heartily.

At around 2:00, the car finally arrived at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a newly completed modern building with a metal-clad roof that reflected the sunlight brightly. Its museum-like design had quickly made it a new landmark in Los Angeles.

After parking, Luca made a call. "Hey, Ryan, are you here?"

"Yeah, we're in the parking lot by the front plaza," Ryan Gosling answered.

"Really? I'm parking here too!"

"Haha, I see you!" Ryan and Rachel McAdams walked over.

"Is she part of your army too?" Fanny whispered, looking at Rachel.

"Stop it. She's Ryan's girlfriend."

"But she's female and hot."

"…"