48 – Mia Lauren CastielloSometimes, it’s the people no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine._ – The Imitation GameThe ballroom had descended into absolute chaos. The projector burned in furious flames, casting restless shadows across the gilded walls of the hall. Screams echoed through the space as guests, clad in their finest evening attire, scrambled like scattered chess pieces. Panic and confusion reigned, and amidst it all, Jamie stood still, as if watching the climax of a film he had directed himself. Smoke began to fill the air, mingling with the expensive perfume of the guests and the suffocating tension that hovered around us. My heart pounded violently in my chest, as if it was trying to remind me I was alive—at least for now. Apollo stood beside me, his eyes fixed on Jamie. I watched anger build on his face, transforming his features into a mask of controlled fury. “He did this,” Apollo whispered, his voice sharp like a blade, enough to make my
1 Mia Lauren Hudson “I'm afraid of everything. I'm afraid of what I’ve seen, of what I’ve done, of who I am. But most of all, I’m afraid of walking out of this room and never again in my whole life feeling the way I feel when I’m with you.”- Dirty DancingI was sitting in front of my bedroom window, admiring the white snow accumulating across the road and around our house. The cold made me shiver, and I hid my face with a thin sheet, the only thing covering me at that moment. The sound of a snore made me turn my head and admire the man sprawled across the mattress. I smiled to myself and gave a long sigh as I returned my gaze to the snow, now falling gently.I had been married to Bradley Hudson for two years. I loved him. Even though I knew he didn’t love me as much in return. But I understood he had a demanding job, I understood his stress, I understood why he didn’t show affection toward me, and how our time together always ended in fights. I frowned as my thoughts shifted. It almo
2 Apollo Castiello There are pains that are impossible to ignore.- Wild Instinct 2 The snow under my feet caused short steps, and each step felt like a struggle against the penetrating cold that seeped beneath my clothes. The early afternoon, covered in ice and a blanket of white, made me turn back home again, a temporary refuge amid the solitude surrounding me. I had gone out intending to meet my friends, those who knew the lighter version of me, but somewhere along the way, I simply gave up. It was a pattern that repeated itself, a vicious cycle I couldn’t break. I didn’t like going out much because I knew that when I got close to them, no topic would engage me, and I would end up feeling even more excluded, as if I were looking at them through a fogged-up window.The weight of loneliness became more evident on weekends, moments when laughter and joy seemed to echo in all directions while I stood still, immune to what was around me. Lately, I didn’t care about anything. What once
3 Mia Lauren Hudson There is a time for boldness and a time for caution, and the wise man knows the moment for each of them.- Dead Poets Society I was rehearsing vigorously and repeatedly what I would say to my husband. “Hi, Bradley, can I go out today? I need to attend a meeting for a film consultant competing with yours.” No, of course not. I couldn't say that. To tell the truth, nothing I could express would sound good to his ears, and I knew that in this case, I would hear things that would hurt me. The truth is that the simple act of asking left me with a knot in my stomach. With every word I formulated in my mind, a chill ran down my spine, reminding me of what was at stake. But what a drag! It was almost three in the afternoon, and I was ready, staring at myself in the mirror. My bright, full, wavy blonde hair fell around my shoulders and bust, reflecting a beauty ideal I barely recognized. I had thought so many times about cutting it, dyeing it, changing something about m
4 - Apollo CastielloEverything happens for a reason. - LostI was watching the movie my father starred in thirty years ago, an action classic that defined an era, and as the scenes played out before me, I studied every detail. I closely observed his expressions, the way he moved on screen, how he conveyed emotions without needing many words. Every gesture he made was carefully calculated, and I tried to emulate it. This wasn’t just preparation for what was to come in the next few days; it was a way to connect with the man I had always admired. Eros Castiello was a legend. An actor of such importance in the 80s and 90s that, for a while, his name was everywhere. He had a brilliant career, one brilliant enough to be remembered even after so much time.But he made a choice. At the height of his fame, when it seemed like nothing could stop him, he decided to quit. Everything changed when he met my mother, and when I was born, that decision became final. I have vague conversations in my m
5 - Mia Lauren HudsonBut if you have someone who will be there for you, someone you can count on, you'll be okay. Do you have someone like that?– How I Met Your MotherKayla and I were sitting in a café near NewScene, one of those cozy places with large windows that looked out onto the snow-covered street. People rushed by, wrapped in heavy coats, trying to shield themselves from the biting cold. I, on the other hand, was struggling to swallow the hot coffee, trying somehow to warm the ice that seemed to settle inside me. Each sip was a desperate attempt to ease the frosty atmosphere forming in my gut, but I wasn’t sure if the cold I felt was due to the snow outside or the weight of the decision I knew I would have to make in the coming hours.The mixture of euphoria and regret gnawed at me. It was a confusing and overwhelming duality. On one side, there was a part of me that felt alive, pulsing with the adrenaline of finally doing something that went against everything Bradley expec
6 - Mia Lauren Hudson"Do you believe in love at first sight? No, I bet you don't. You must be too sensitive for that. Or have you ever seen someone and knew that if that person really knew you, they would, of course, get rid of the perfect model they were with and realize that you were the person they wanted to grow old with? Have you ever fallen in love with someone you've never talked to?"- While You Were SleepingMy hands were cold and I felt that at any moment I would have a stroke as I watched the entrance to New Scene. The tall, golden letters were covered with tiny snowflakes, glowing softly in the dim afternoon light. The glass door, in contrast with the dark and imposing walls, looked like a portal to a new world. The cold of the snow didn't help calm my nerves, but served as a reminder of the hard and beautiful reality that awaited me.In that moment, a welcoming fear filled my heart. It wasn't a fear of them perhaps not liking my demeanor, but that good fear of feeling tha
Apollo Castiello - Chapter 7And now look at me. I accept the consequences.- Jumanji: Welcome to the JungleI was struggling the entire time to keep my eyes on Jamie as he talked about NewScene to Mia. His words echoed through the room, describing the vision, the values, and the grandeur of the production company, but my mind was elsewhere, completely captivated by another presence. I genuinely wanted to hear everything Jamie had to say, I wanted to pay attention, but it was impossible. My mind was shouting louder than Jamie, and my eyes were quicker to stray towards Mia than to follow the movement of his hands.As Jamie spoke enthusiastically, I found myself trying to disguise my attention. I kept my face forward, but my eyes stubbornly sought Mia from the corner of my eye, capturing every detail of her profile. I pretended to be interested in the wall on the other side of the room, but the truth was that all that mattered to me at that moment was her. Her eyes were serious, focused
48 – Mia Lauren CastielloSometimes, it’s the people no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine._ – The Imitation GameThe ballroom had descended into absolute chaos. The projector burned in furious flames, casting restless shadows across the gilded walls of the hall. Screams echoed through the space as guests, clad in their finest evening attire, scrambled like scattered chess pieces. Panic and confusion reigned, and amidst it all, Jamie stood still, as if watching the climax of a film he had directed himself. Smoke began to fill the air, mingling with the expensive perfume of the guests and the suffocating tension that hovered around us. My heart pounded violently in my chest, as if it was trying to remind me I was alive—at least for now. Apollo stood beside me, his eyes fixed on Jamie. I watched anger build on his face, transforming his features into a mask of controlled fury. “He did this,” Apollo whispered, his voice sharp like a blade, enough to make my
Chapter 47 – Mia Lauren CastielloLife is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get. - Forrest Gump: The StorytellerThe California sunset looked like a painting, but that day, no landscape could divert my attention from the letter I held in my trembling hands. The paper had the texture of something expensive, heavy. But nothing was heavier than the carefully chosen words that filled the invitation. "A night to celebrate the icons of cinema. The untold story." It was from Jamie. The same Jamie I thought I had left behind when I moved across the ocean, carrying with me the pains he helped fuel. His words sounded more like a challenge than an invitation. A silent, calculated provocation that made every nerve in my body vibrate in alert. Apollo stood beside me, staring at the letter as if it could transform into something alive and dangerous at any moment. His intense gaze and tense posture betrayed the same foreboding feeling that gripped me. "Do you think i
46 - Mia Lauren Castiello"I came here without expectations, just to profess, now that I’m free to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours." Sense and SensibilityA lot had changed since last year. Many wounds had finally healed. Tears were shed, but, as always, they also dried up, giving way to what could no longer be ignored: life went on. I watched Apollo while preparing dinner for myself in the backyard of our new home. He was shirtless, wearing only an apron, and with his usual skill, he was tending to the grill, where the burgers were slowly roasting, releasing a delicious aroma into the air. The warm summer of America called for that—heat, simplicity, and the feeling of a fresh start. “Taste this,” Apollo said, bringing a spoonful of mashed potatoes to my mouth with a playful smile. “Delicious,” I confirmed, letting the smooth taste of the mash linger on my palate, and he smiled with satisfaction, proud of his little culinary victory. Six months ago, we began this
Chapter 45"Yes, the past can hurt. But, as I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." — The Lion KingIt took me many long years to wake up from a long, dark night. I had to fall, all the way to the bottom, feel pain like never before, so that I could wake up. React.And it was with my mind sharp, just like the pain, that I was planning my encounter with Bradley. The conclusion of this cruel and painful story he painted on my heart. Since Eros Castiello told me everything he had taken from me, I had been planning it. Alone. I wouldn’t drag Apollo into this. Not when everything started between Bradley and me.After downloading and saving all the files Eros had emailed me onto a flash drive, I went to Bradley’s house. Duart opened the door, looking so happy and surprised to see me. I hugged her quickly and asked where Bradley was.“Mrs. Hudson, he…”“I’m no longer a Hudson.” I interrupted, disgusted.“Sorry.” She blinked rapidly. “Mr. Hudson is in his office.”“May I come
Chapter 44 - Apollo CastielloWhatever happens, let us survive togetherThe last love letterMia was discharged two days later. She was fine, physically she was well. The medical procedures performed as soon as we arrived at the hospital, shortly after the explosion, were the reason that it didn’t mark her skin too deeply. I had broken my arm, but honestly, if I could, I would have walked into the fire for her. The news my father revealed still lingered in my head, and I simply couldn’t believe that, even before we had a relationship, Joy had such a cruel and dark past with Bradley. It was surreal how, in this life, we don't really know anyone. Nothing more than the version the other person presents to you. I was still trying to rationalize it and avoid bringing up the subject with Mia, especially after the terrible news my father brought, which had affected her deeply. Something had changed in Mia, and that scared the hell out of me because I was afraid she would lose herself, tha
Chapter 43 - Mia Lauren"Nobody hits you as hard as life, but not as hard as you can hit yourself. It doesn't matter how hard you hit, but how much you can take and keep fighting; how much you can endure and keep moving forward. That's what victory is made of." - Rocky BalboaMy eyes felt like they weighed tons. I could feel my body burning. A supernatural heat filled me. It felt like I couldn't breathe, but I forced myself, and my lungs, unwillingly, received the stimulus and helped the air escape. Slowly, I opened my eyes, and all I could see was white space. "What?" I whispered, but at the same moment, my throat ached. What was happening? I looked around, realizing I was in a hospital room. The smell of ether, the beeping of machines, and that intense white of the walls that I hated. What was happening? I looked at my body, and in that moment, I wanted to scream. But the words were stuck in my throat. My leg was bandaged, wrapped in some kind of dressing, and my arm as well. I
42 – Apollo Castiello I didn’t agree with you before, but at least I respected you. — Friends“Apollo, you need to lose that look on your face.” Mia stopped in front of me, arms crossed.“I’m fine.” I shrugged, looking away.I heard Mia’s laughter ring in my ears as she knelt in front of me, searching my eyes.“Deep down, you know I need to do this alone. You coming along wouldn’t help much.” She told me with patience.“I don’t trust Bradley, Mia. I can’t stand the thought of leaving you alone with him.” I confessed.Mia smiled, holding the back of my neck, her wild blue eyes locked on mine.“That’s why Paul’s going with me.” She smiled, then kissed me. “No need to worry.”I looked at the woman who could break me so easily, seeing just how she always got what she wanted, because I’d always let her. And once again, I gave in. The woman beside me was one of the strongest people I knew, and I knew she could handle this without needing a protector.“All right,” I finally said, and we bo
41 - Mia Lauren HudsonIt was you. You made it happen.— Brooklyn Nine-NineThe day had finally arrived! I was picking up the stones thrown in my path and building a huge castle with a sign that said: I DID IT. Even though there had been people along the way who almost made me give up, I persevered. I went all the way. And there I was, in a hall full of people finishing getting me ready for my movie premiere. I would be there that night because of my work, not just to accompany a man. I was there for myself because I did it.At that moment, I knew the whole media outside was digging into my life, speculating why I was premiering at NewScene and they could assert the reason for the end of my marriage. I had left Bradley because I was too selfish and needed to premiere in cinema alongside my lover. And well, I wasn't making any effort to deny any of that. If it was on the internet, it was true, right?Sometimes, rumors could be cruel, but well, they were almost always truths. And yes, I
40- Mia Lauren Hudson"Even to be a flower, you need luck. Some are born to beautify life, others, death."MatildaMy heart was pounding, and I could hear its beats in my ears. I didn’t know how I should feel at that moment. I was just too confused, too scared, and too disappointed.Seeing those photos made me remember every moment I spent with my mother. Beyond any mother-daughter relationship, we were friends. And she had never told me about Apollo's father. She had never mentioned the intimate relationship they obviously had. I wondered if my father knew too, if it lasted for a long time.Damn, I was nauseous.Apollo and I drove the whole way to his house in silence, lost in our thoughts. Now we had just arrived, and he was opening the door. I stepped into his home and faced a bright, comfortable living room. There were two sofas and two armchairs in front of a TV that was on, and his father was watching."Should I be expecting you?" Eros Castiello got up from the armchair and appr