**Chapter 199: Luca's Choice**

"Is Justin trying to get back together?"

"Will Britney agree?"

"There's some big news today."

Everyone was buzzing with gossip.

People from nearby gathered here.

Those indoors heard the commotion and rushed to the lawn.

In an instant, hundreds more people showed up.

They were all watching, eager to witness this big news unfold.

"Haha, did you see that?" Christina clapped her hands and said, "Justin dedicated a love song to Britney. Isn't that obvious enough? Do you really think Britney would give up such a good opportunity for you? You're wrong, very wrong.

In Britney's eyes, you're just a backup. Now that Justin wants to reconcile, what's the point of keeping you around?

If I were you, I'd leave already. Why stick around?"

Luca smirked. "Good point, but I'm not you, so I'm not leaving."

He lowered his head, staring into her eyes. "You asked if I understood Britney. Unfortunately, I don't, but I've figured you out."

"We just met today, and you think you've figured me out?"

Christina blinked, slightly startled by his deep, intense gaze.

"Yes, even though this is our first meeting, I've heard a lot about you from Britney."

"Like what?"

Christina felt a bit nervous as she looked into his eyes.

Luca grinned. "Britney says you've always been a mischievous little sister. Since your time in training, you've always competed with her over everything.

From toys to snacks, to roles, competition rankings, album sales, and chart positions—even boyfriends, you try to take everything.

When Britney and Justin were together, you stirred the pot between them, spreading rumors. Sometimes you'd tell Justin Britney was cheating, and other times you'd accuse Justin of having an affair. You even flirted with Justin a few times just to make Britney mad.

But when they broke up, you lost interest in Justin.

Now, are you interested in me?"

"Y-you're lying!"

Christina's cheeks flushed with anger. "Why would I be interested in a country boy from Brazil? You're shameless!"

"Really?"

Luca smiled charmingly and suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist, lowering his head as if to kiss her.

Christina gasped, closing her eyes in fear.

"Don't be scared, it's just a joke!"

Luca grinned and quickly let go of her.

"You!"

Christina was furious, thinking he was about to force a kiss, but was met with mockery instead.

She was livid, her face turning red with rage.

"You're shameless!"

"Great insult!" Luca clapped.

"..."

Christina bit her lip, glaring at him. If she had a gun, she'd shoot him right now.

"You're the most disrespectful man I've ever met!"

"Thank you, thank you for awarding me that title, Miss Christina. I'll treasure it and work hard to live up to it!" Luca pumped his fist.

Christina held her forehead, feeling dizzy and on the verge of fainting.

"Uh, are you okay? I was just joking."

Luca quickly supported her shoulders. Christina had millions of fans worldwide—he couldn't let her fall.

"Ahhh! Help! He's harassing me!"

Suddenly, Christina screamed.

At that moment, Justin had just finished singing. The crowd erupted in applause, cheers, and shouts. Her scream got lost in the noise.

"Damn it!" Luca shook his head. This woman was trouble—definitely best to stay away from her.

He took several steps back, putting some distance between them.

"Bastard!" Christina fumed. Her eyes flickered with cunning. She had to get revenge—she couldn't let this slide, not as a celebrity.

"Justin! Britney!"

"Get back together! Get back together!"

Justin stepped off the stage and slowly walked towards Britney in the crowd, like a prince approaching his princess.

Hundreds of guests watched them, clapping and cheering, as if everyone was rooting for their reconciliation.

"Britney, how did you like the song?"

Justin smiled as he asked, standing in front of her.

"...Not bad."

Britney glanced around, as if looking for someone.

"Luca, go up there! You should be standing by Britney right now!" Rachel walked over and urged him.

"Yeah, you should go up if you care about Britney," Ryan added.

Luca looked at Justin and Britney in the crowd, clenching his fists before relaxing them. He bit his lip. "How can I go up? What right do I have? We're just friends, right?"

"..."

Rachel blinked. True, he was still Lima's boyfriend. If he went up, it would mean admitting he was Britney's boyfriend, openly competing with Justin. But if they were just friends, shouldn't he be offering congratulations instead?

"Jerk! You deserve a miserable end!" Ryan shot him a glare and shook his head.

"Britney, I wrote that song you just heard at the concert after listening to your song 'Everytime'. I want to dedicate it to you."

Justin held the microphone as he spoke.

Britney took a step back and glanced towards the edge of the crowd.

"Luca, go! No matter what, this is your last chance," Rachel urged.

"Luca!" Felicia and Fanny also stepped forward.

"Compared to Justin, I'd rather see you and Britney together," Felicia said.

"Uncle Luca, no matter what you choose, I support you!" Fanny cheered him on.

Luca saw Britney in the crowd, and she happened to look back at him, her eyes full of hope. He couldn't help but want to walk over, but... should he really go?

In that moment, he faced a tough decision: step forward or hold back?

Stepping forward meant choosing Britney, accepting the role of her boyfriend, and hurting Lima in the process—a decision he didn't want to make.

If he held back, he'd be letting Britney go, watching her and Justin reunite.

Even if they didn't reconcile and Britney rejected Justin, their relationship would never be the same again.

What should he do?

He hated making choices, hated being forced into decisions like this.

Maybe this was the price of trying to juggle two relationships. When the storm hit, he had to choose between the two: Lima or Britney?

"Britney!"

As he hesitated, Justin pulled out a bouquet of roses. "We—"

"Boom boom!"

Suddenly, the microphone in the middle of the band was tapped twice, creating a sharp feedback sound.

"Hello~ Look here, look here!"

Everyone frowned and turned towards the stage. Christina had grabbed the microphone and was shouting, "Does everyone think Justin's new song is great?"

"It's pretty good!"

"Justin is really talented!"

"Christina, get off the stage and stop interrupting Justin's confession!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

"Haha, Justin is great, but someone else said he wrote a love song just as good as Justin's, and he wants to dedicate it to Britney."

Christina announced loudly.

"Whaaat? Who is it?"

The crowd was stunned. Who else in the industry dared to upstage Justin?

"It's Luca Kelly!!!" Christina shouted.

Somehow, she had convinced the lighting crew to spotlight Luca.

In that moment, Luca, Britney, and Justin were all under the lights.

"Luca Kelly is the creator of the song 'Nobody.' He's a screenwriter and a songwriter, talented and successful."

People on the lawn looked at each other. Luca was still Luca. The rumors said he was a soccer player and model—since when was he a brilliant screenwriter and songwriter?

"Mr. Kelly, you just said you wrote a song for Britney. Is that true?" Christina smirked, proud of herself.

In the spotlight, Luca slowly lifted his head. He glanced at Christina in the distance, and his lips curled into a smile.

Christina's heart skipped a beat. What was this guy smiling about? Could he actually have a new song?

No, impossible! No way. This guy had thick skin—he was just pretending to be calm.

"Hey, Luca, are you coming up?" she teased.

"Why not?" Luca shrugged, confidently smiling as he strode forward.

"Whoa, he's so cool!"

"I heard he's Britney's rumored boyfriend. Is he trying to stir things up because he sees Britney and Justin reuniting?"

"A homewrecker! This guy has bad morals!"

"Get off! Britney and Justin are true love!"

As he confidently walked forward, people whispered around him.

"Uncle Luca, you're the best, even though you talk too much!" Fanny shouted from the crowd.

"Stop shouting!" Rachel pulled her back, then asked, "Did Luca write a new song?"

"Uh..." Fanny paused, confused. "I haven't heard him mention it."

"Then why is he going up there?" Rachel smiled.

"But I did write a new song," Fanny suddenly clapped her hands.

Rachel's eyes lit up. "Why don't you go up there and sing it? Say Luca didn't sing it well, so you're singing it for him."

"Great idea!" Fanny jumped excitedly, but then her face fell.

"What's wrong? Go!" Rachel encouraged.

"But... my song's about a guy."

"..."

Rachel rolled her eyes. All that excitement for nothing.

(End of Chapter)