When the director shouted, "Wrap! We continue tomorrow!" today's filming finally came to an end.
Landon finished all the scenes requiring co-stars today; tomorrow will focus on his individual close-ups and some pick-up shots.
"Hey, Landon!" Lil Jon's booming voice rang out as he walked over with his arm around Ludacris's shoulder.
"Great job! And you, Eliza, fantastic! How about it, let's go grab a drink together?"
Following behind him were several people from Def Jam and members of the local filming crew; they had clearly already planned the next stop.
Landon instinctively looked toward Tracy, who was not far away.
Sensing his gaze, she turned her head.
Their eyes met briefly in the air.
Tracy's face was expressionless, but she gave a very slight nod.
To maintain the relationship with Lil Jon, a key producer, and the Def Jam team, some socializing was essential.
Landon understood. He turned to Lil Jon and smiled. "Sure, whatever you say, Lil Jon."
Alyssa Dushku smoothed her hair and gave Lil and Landon a radiant smile. "Why not? Let's celebrate today's smooth progress."
The group headed to another bar a few blocks away that was quite famous in the New York underground music scene.
Although Lil was from Atlanta, he clearly had his own circle in New York as well.
As soon as they entered the bar, Lil Jon acted like he was on his home turf; people constantly recognized him, coming up for high-fives and shoulder bumps.
He navigated through the crowd with ease, introducing Landon and Eliza to several well-known local hip-hop producers and DJs.
After the pleasantries, everyone scattered into the crowded dance floor and booth areas.
The place was filled with heavy-hitting Southern Trap music and East Coast hardcore rap.
Simultaneously, alcohol, tobacco, and a frenetic atmosphere quickly enveloped everyone.
Landon swayed naturally to the music, his movements fluid and infectious.
Soon, a few bold young girls were drawn by his looks and dancing, gathering around him.
However, before Landon could react, Eliza Dushku pressed close to him, staking her claim to the girls.
At the same time, she looked up and gave Landon an exceptionally bright smile, as if saying, "Tonight, you're mine."
The girls curled their lips and tactfully dispersed.
The restraint the two had shown during the day's filming began to ferment uncontrollably under the catalyst of alcohol and music.
The boundaries between Landon and Eliza became blurred. The daytime performance had now given way to nothing but desire.
Their bodies drew closer and closer; arms, waists, and thighs touched from time to time in the rhythm.
Eliza's eyes began to glaze over under the lights, and Landon's responses grew increasingly bold.
The surrounding clamor became their background noise; at some point, their lips pressed together.
Landon could taste the sweetness on Eliza's lips, along with a more enticing scent.
Eliza's arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers sliding into his hair.
Regaining some clarity, Landon was the first to pull back slightly, his breathing a bit ragged.
He looked around and saw Lil Jon laughing and talking loudly with a few people at the bar, while Ludacris had completely blended into the center of the dance floor.
Landon leaned into Eliza's ear. "It's too noisy here. Shall we go somewhere else?"
His breath brushed against her ear, the meaning self-evident.
Eliza's cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering. She looked at him, her lips curling into an expectant arc, and gave a gentle nod.
Landon pulled her along, squeezed through the crowd, found Lil Jon, and said goodbye.
"Lil Jon, Eliza and I are heading out first. I'm a bit tired. See you on set tomorrow!"
Lil, in the middle of a lively conversation, flashed an ambiguous "I get it" smile and waved.
"Have fun, brother! Don't be late tomorrow!"
Leaving the bar and getting into a taxi, the cool air cleared Landon's head a bit.
The brilliant New York night scene flashed past the window, his fingers interlaced with Eliza's.
Eliza leaned on his shoulder, quietly watching the view outside, but the way her fingertips gently traced his palm betrayed her urgency.
Back at the hotel where they were staying, they crossed the quiet lobby and entered the elevator.
Only the two of them were in the small space, and the passion suppressed in the bar earlier found a new outlet.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, they were kissing again, more urgently than at the bar, their hands exploring each other's bodies.
The elevator reached their floor, and they practically stumbled into Landon's room.
Landon fumbled with the key card to open the door, and they stumbled into the room.
They were so engrossed that they didn't notice the lights in the room were actually on, nor did they hear the sound of a shower coming from the bathroom.
Upon entering the bedroom, they collapsed onto the soft bed, continuing their unfinished kiss.
When the last restraint was removed, Eliza's eyes suddenly widened, and she instinctively covered her mouth, letting out an incredulous gasp:
"Oh, My God!"
Immediately after, an even more intense light burst from her eyes, her previous surprise quickly replaced by a mix of excitement, challenge, and thoroughly ignited desire.
*Click.*
The bathroom door opened without warning.
Warm steam surged out first, followed by Tracy, wrapped in a white bathrobe, her hair still dripping wet.
She wiped her hair with a towel as she naturally stepped out, her face carrying a post-bath lethargy.
Then, her gaze fell upon the large bed in the center of the bedroom.
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
"Ah—!" A short scream erupted from Tracy's throat.
The towel in her hand dropped to the floor, the color drained from her face, and her eyes widened, filled with shock and bewilderment.
This scream also startled Eliza out of her intoxication.
She whipped her head around and saw the dumbfounded Tracy at the bathroom door, letting out a scream of her own: "Ah!"
Her face instantly flushed crimson, a mixture of shame and terror.
However, once the arrow is on the string, how can it be easily stopped?
Landon was also so startled by the sudden situation that his heart nearly stopped, his drunkenness and lust instantly retreating by half.
But his body's instinct and the extremely awkward, no-win situation instead provoked a sort of "might as well go all the way" toughness in him.
Since they had been caught, and the worst had already happened, evasion and explanation seemed pale and weak.
He took a deep breath, and his expression instantly shifted from shock to one of arrogance and rascality.
Instead of letting Eliza leave, he looked up at Tracy, trying to make his voice sound calm, even with a hint of desperate raspiness. "Tracy..."
Tracy's shock slowly transformed into a kind of hesitation.
Tracy understood Landon's gaze; she knew how powerful Landon was.
Eventually, her heart softened, and she sighed.
She took a few steps forward and tossed the towel onto a nearby chair.
Eliza was completely stunned.
And so, this night slid toward a direction that was completely out of control, chaotic, and deviated from all conventional morals and plans.