**Chapter 95: Passionate Performance**

"Let go of me, let go of me!"

The room was brightly lit.

Luca was dressed in a black suit with a gold-striped tie, looking sharp and dashing.

At this moment, he was tightly holding Jessica by her slender waist, lowering his head, attempting to kiss her red lips.

Jessica struggled hard in his arms, "You jerk, let go of me, stop!"

"Honey, I'm serious. I really like you," Luca whispered sweet nothings as he kissed the corner of her lips.

*Slap!*

Immediately, Jessica swung her hand, landing a hard slap on his face. The crisp sound echoed in the empty room.

"CUT!"

In the corner of the room, Director Billy was staring at the monitor, stopping the scene.

"What's wrong, Director Billy?" 

Luca touched the corner of his mouth and looked toward the director.

This was the set of the movie *Honey*.

It had been four days since Kate left, and Luca had completed most of his scenes. Today, they were shooting a key moment. 

Luca's character, Michael, brought the female lead, Honey, to an important party.

Mid-party, Honey went upstairs with her phone to call a friend. 

While she was on the phone, Michael entered the room, confessed his feelings for her, and tried to pin her against the wall.

Honey resisted fiercely, slapping Michael hard across the face. 

Afterward, the two had a major fallout.

This scene marked the turning point in their relationship, from collaboration to conflict. It was also one of the most intense scenes in the film.

"You two, come here and take a look!"

Billy furrowed his brows and waved them over.

Luca and Jessica left the performance area while the camera, sound, and lighting crew adjusted the set.

"Do you see the issue?" 

Billy played back the footage and, with his arms crossed over his belly, asked the two actors standing beside him.

Luca stroked his chin, deep in thought but said nothing.

"Director, just tell us directly," Jessica shrugged.

Billy chuckled, "Jessica, the character of Honey is a fiery, wild girl, like an untamable mare. Only someone special can ride her."

*Snicker* 

There was a faint laugh from behind.

Billy turned around, annoyed, "Blake, what's so funny?"

"Nothing," Blake, the assistant, grinned and walked away from the director's area.

Billy shook his head slightly and turned back to Jessica, "Do you get what I mean? Honey is a firecracker, so your resistance should be more intense. You need to put more force into it during the performance, making it more passionate."

"Right," Luca smiled slightly. "The audience will enjoy seeing Honey slap Michael with full force and not give in. They'll like the heroine more for staying strong, isn't that right, Billy?"

Billy smirked a little, admitting that Luca had a point, but he didn't like the way it turned the film's interpretation into something less serious.

He let out a cold snort, then seriously said, "Jessica, Luca's suggestion is good. You should hit harder next time."

"No problem," Jessica responded calmly.

"Hey~ Billy, you can't be serious. I've already been slapped three times today," Luca rubbed the corner of his mouth in protest.

"Why not?" Billy looked at him with confusion. "You can sacrifice for literature, but not take a hit for the sake of cinema?"

Jessica smirked, giving Luca a meaningful look.

Luca's face darkened. Ever since the last press conference, many newspapers had run with the joke about Luca "sacrificing for literature."

The incident had involved Britney Spears, making it quite the headline.

Then, Jimmy, the host of ABC's late-night show, poked fun at it, saying, "Luca is the first person of the 21st century to sacrifice for literature. His name will live on forever with *Twilight*."

The joke spread around all circles, and acquaintances couldn't help teasing him about it whenever they saw him.

"Okay~ Luca, Jessica, go prepare. We'll shoot again," Billy clapped his hands, signaling the crew to get ready.

Luca and Jessica returned to the set.

"Luca, during the next take, can you ease up a bit? You're holding me too tightly, and I can't struggle enough to meet Billy's direction," Jessica said calmly, spreading her hands.

"Sorry, Jessica. It wasn't intentional. I'll pay more attention," Luca nodded, then pointed to his cheek. "Could you go a bit lighter with the slap? My face is already red."

Jessica glanced at his face and smiled slightly, "Sorry, Luca. That's Billy's note. He wants me to hit harder. But alright, I'll be careful this time."

"Thank you!" Luca sighed in relief and went back to his mark at the door.

Jessica took out her phone, preparing for the scene.

"Take 20, Scene 5, Third take, Action!" 

Blake clapped the board, and the crew resumed filming.

"Remember, Gina, if it's 16, stick with it. If it's less, keep looking. Yeah, okay. I miss you, happy birthday!"

By the window, Honey hung up the phone, a hint of guilt on her face. It was her friend Gina's birthday, and because of this party, she had missed the celebration. She was feeling awful.

"Huh~ this place is nice!" 

Just then, Michael walked into the room, looking sharp in his suit.

Honey turned around, surprised. 

"Oh~ Michael, you scared me."

Michael leaned against a liquor cabinet, wiping his forehead with his thumb, his gaze burning as he looked at Honey.

"Michael, what are you doing?" 

Honey asked, nervous.

"I'm just admiring the view."

His eyes grew greedier.

"The view of the house?" 

Honey pretended not to notice, glancing around.

"No, no, I'm looking at you."

Michael smiled, stepping away from the cabinet, moving slowly toward Honey, his steps heavy and deliberate. Each footfall landed like a drumbeat: *thump, thump, thump~* His gaze, like that of a hungry wolf eyeing prey, was intense and scorching.

"Good!" 

Behind the monitor, Billy stroked his beard and smiled slightly. "Luca's acting has matured, hasn't it?"

"Yes!" 

Blake watched the screen intently.

On the monitor, Luca looked like a perfectly dressed predator.

At first glance, he appeared like the typical righteous male lead, sharp-dressed and handsome.

But his eyes, his movements, and his sly smile turned his image upside down, making him seem more like a villain in disguise.

Blake grinned, recalling rumors in the industry: "Maybe... he's just playing himself."

"Playing himself? Haha~" 

Billy stifled a laugh, then refocused. They were getting to the crucial part.

"Honey, do you know? When I first saw you, I told myself, 'This girl is amazing.'"

Michael's eyes roamed over Honey's figure, lingering on her slightly exposed chest, slender waist, and long legs.

"Oh~ Michael, stop it."

Honey crossed her arms, stepping back.

"I'm not joking, who's joking? I'm serious, okay?"

Michael stepped forward, tightly wrapping his arms around her waist. "Honey, I'm serious. I really like you."

"Michael, let go of me. No, stop!" 

Honey pushed against his chest, struggling fiercely. "You can't do this, let go of me!"

"No, I like you," 

Michael lowered his head, trying to force a kiss, but Honey turned her head away, and he only managed to kiss the corner of her lips.

*Slap!*

Honey slapped him hard and pushed him away with all her might.

"Stay away from me!"

Michael staggered back a couple of steps, touching his face. His expression turned dark, a mix of surprise, anger, and betrayal flashing in his eyes.

"Hmm?"

Behind the monitor, Billy was surprised. Luca's performance was outstanding. That look in his eyes was perfect, as if he had really been deceived.

"Bitch~ how could you play me like that?" 

Luca dropped his hand, glaring at Jessica in frustration.

Jessica froze. Seeing the resentment in his eyes, she suddenly remembered that they had agreed she would hit him lightly, but she had forgotten and slapped him hard again. The sound was loud and clear.

Guilt flashed in her eyes, and she forgot to say her lines.

"Director, uh..." 

Blake was about to ask if they should stop, but Billy waved him off.

"This is fine. Honey didn't want to ruin things with Michael. He helped her a lot, so it makes sense she'd feel a bit guilty after slapping him."

On set, Luca was waiting for Jessica to deliver her lines, but since she didn't, and the director didn't yell "cut," he had to improvise.

"Wow~, I get it now. I totally get it. You're just like the others, using me, aren't you?"

Luca sneered, stepping back a few paces.

"I'm not what you think. I didn't come up here for this," 

Jessica said helplessly.

"Hah~ alright, alright, fine!" 

Luca swung his arm, scattering the pool balls across the table with a loud clatter.

"CUT!"

*Applause!*

The director called cut, and the set erupted in applause.

"Wow~ Luca, that was fantastic!" 

Billy laughed.

"Thank you

, Director Billy. My face still hurts, though," 

Luca smiled slightly.

"Jessica, that was excellent too! Now, let's take a break."