Next came makeup and wardrobe.
Zoe sprang into action, starting with Landon. Now that she knew him better, she was bolder, sneaking touches whenever she could—though she still kept herself in check, remembering Landon was her boss.
As shameless as this fujoshi was, her professionalism was flawless.
This time she chose a lighter base than she'd used for the magazine shoot, sharpening the line of Landon's jaw to keep the action-hero masculinity while ensuring the look stayed flawless under 4K lenses.
When it was Rachel's turn, Zoe didn't cut corners.
She swept warm brown shadow across the sockets to brighten Rachel's almond eyes, then dusted faint blush over the apples of her cheeks, perfectly showcasing those sweet dimples.
The result was capable yet gentle, exactly the "protected yet reassured" woman the ad needed.
Eric leaned in, took one look at the finished pair, and gave Zoe a thumbs-up—clearly delighted with their looks.
Filming began.
The first setup showed Rachel choosing coffee in the "convenience store," then walking toward the register with two cans of Del Monte luncheon meat.
Though nervous, she appeared natural—leisurely while picking coffee, startled when she heard a noise; the switch was smooth.
Eric stared at the monitor and muttered to his assistant, "This rookie's got better camera sense than half the veterans."
The big moment came: the Robber burst in, closing in on Rachel step by step.
The bandit was played by a veteran Stunt Actor; his face was painted fierce, his moves big yet controlled.
When he reached for Rachel, the fear, helplessness, and stubbornness that flashed across her face hooked everyone on set.
The camera cut to Landon by the shelves.
His eyes hardened, shifting from onlooker to cheetah-ready-to-strike.
He snatched a can of Del Monte from the shelf, hardly aimed, and whipped his arm—
Whoosh!
The can sliced the air in a clean line and smacked the pad on the Robber's wrist.
Bang!" The prop gun clattered to the floor.
Cut!" Eric leapt from behind the monitor, voice bright with glee. "Perfect! One take! My God, Landon, how did you nail that?"
The studio erupted—gasps and applause mingling.
No one had expected the toughest shot of the day to fall in a single take.
Landon scratched his nose, smiling modestly. "Beginner's luck. Want a safety take?"
Safety? Absolutely!" Eric nodded frantically.
But every repeat looked measured with a ruler—force, angle, arc identical, as though each trajectory were printed over the last.
This wasn't luck; it was raw body control, right down to knowing when the camera should catch him.
The rest of the shoot rolled just as smoothly.
Landon subdued the "Robber" with crisp, powerful moves—no wasted motion.
Once the man was pinned, Landon lifted another can toward camera and delivered his line, voice steady, the epitome of reliability:
Del Monte cans—carefully sourced meat, master craftsmanship, flavor locked in."
The sturdy seal gives you more than great taste; it buys you peace of mind."
The copy sounded natural, product points woven into story without a seam.
Rachel matched him beat for beat—fists unclenching, eyes settling on Landon's can with trusting light that sold the word "reassurance."
On camera they looked like the strangers who'd met in that real convenience-store incident.
Zoe touched up makeup between takes, keeping the leads fresh.
A three-day schedule wrapped by sunset.
Eric watched the playback, mouth agape.
In all his years he'd rarely seen a smoother shoot—especially with action and rookies involved.
Incredible! Landon, Rachel, Zoe—you were all pros!"
He walked straight to Landon and pulled out his phone.
Landon, can we swap numbers? We'll definitely work together again. Your moves, your camera sense—and Rachel's performance—blew me away."
Landon happily traded contacts with the 4A-agency director.
Outside, the setting sun painted the sky orange.
Rachel, still buzzing, hooked her arm through Landon's.
Zoe felt proud of her boss; daily chances to cop a feel made this the sweetest gig ever.
Tracy watched the pair ahead, recalled Rachel's "He's amazing" and "We can be sisters," and brimmed with anticipation.
She caught up and slipped to Landon's other side.
The ad rocked; we should celebrate tonight."
Tracy suggested, eyes flicking from Landon to Rachel.
Landon glanced left and right, feeling oddly outnumbered, though neither woman showed any malice.
He didn't understand, but harmony suited him fine.
Sure—where to?"
I know a great Italian place…" Tracy smiled; Rachel nodded.
Landon looked at the two gorgeous, contrasting women beside him and felt a strange contentment.
Life in Hollywood really was… richer than he'd imagined.
He draped an arm over Rachel's shoulder and smiled at Tracy.
All right—your call." Their shadows stretched in the sunset.
That night at the Italian restaurant the celebration stayed platonic: success toasted, Rachel welcomed to Tracy's team.
Though Tracy and Rachel had forged a silent "strategic alliance," neither rushed to Landon's bed.
Tracy still savored the delicious tension of their ambiguity.
She knew full well that having everything at once could dull desire, whereas delicious uncertainty often itched more than possession.
Had Landon overheard the women's balcony talk, he'd have smashed that thin barrier without hesitation—sure that the infatuated Rachel would gladly help, perhaps even cheer him on.