Chapter 4

4 - Apollo Castiello

Everything happens for a reason.

- Lost

I 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 mind, fragments of memories where my mother, with the soft voice that always characterized her, told him he didn’t need to abandon his career. She understood who he was at his core, understood the passion he had for acting. She didn’t want to be an obstacle, and yet, he chose family.

My father wanted to be fair, and he was. He gave up his career, the dream, and the work he loved to be a father to me. I remember him always being present at my first steps, afternoons playing ball in the yard, the nights when he would read stories to help me sleep. He traded the spotlight of the cameras for the sparkle in my eyes. He wanted me to have a normal childhood, with normal parents. He sacrificed everything for that, and for a long time, I couldn’t grasp the true weight of that decision.

Now, sitting on the couch, with the soft afternoon light filtering through the curtains, watching my young father full of life on the screen, his face still immortalized at the peak of his career, something stirred within me. With a clear mind, understanding the complexities of life and dreams, I felt an enormous sense of responsibility growing inside me. I wanted to continue the dream he had paused for me. I wanted to show the world that Eros Castiello’s talent wouldn’t end with his premature retirement. His dream had become mine. The emotions, the sensations of being in front of the cameras, the adrenaline of telling stories and living other lives – all of that now coursed through my veins.

I wasn’t doing this just for me; I was doing it for him. It was a way to honor the sacrifice he made, to ensure that everything he gave up hadn’t been in vain. Every step I took in my career was a way to show my old man that it had been worth it, that his choice to give me a normal life not only shaped me as a person but also planted within me the desire to continue the legacy he had built.

It was more than acting, more than fame or success. It was about family, about heritage, about shared dreams. Eros Castiello may have left the stage, but his essence, his love for the art, lived on in me. And I was determined to show him that his life still had meaning beyond what he could have imagined. I was doing it for him. After all, he was all I had left. My mother had gone too soon, and now, he was all that remained. And, in a way, I was all he had, too.

Watching his image on the screen, smiling, fighting, being the hero the world had loved, I felt more resolute than ever. The movie may have been filmed decades ago, but for me, it was the beginning of something much bigger. A continuation. A living tribute to the man who gave me everything, even his dream.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re watching this movie for the thirty-sixth time.” My father’s voice echoed in the room, lighthearted, contrasting with the weight of the last few days. It was his current voice, but the youthful timbre seemed to float through the memories pouring out of the TV screen.

“It’s because I love this actor.” I raised my head to look at him and smiled, trying to hide the melancholy that followed me like a shadow.

The alcohol had already left his veins, and as a result, his expression was calmer. The blue of his eyes, though soft, didn’t shine like it once did. Both of us had lost that sparkle since last Thanksgiving, a holiday that now felt like a distant echo of happiness.

“Feeling better?” I asked, concerned, as my father sat in the armchair next to the couch where I was seated.

He took a deep breath, as if preparing to dive into the murky waters of his memories. Looking at the screen, his gaze fixed on the woman who played his romantic interest in the film, a figure that seemed so distant from who he really was.

“It was an adventure acting in that movie.” He ignored my question, as he always did when the topic became delicate. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

I frowned, looking at him repeatedly, confusion settling in my mind.

“Mom?” I asked, feeling a knot in my stomach.

My father shut his eyes tightly and shook his head, the familiar gesture that always preceded difficult moments. Talking about Mom always caused this reaction in him, and I silently thanked myself for having thrown away all the alcohol in the house before the conversation became more painful.

“No,” he said, in a tone that left no room for misunderstanding. “Karen Lauren.” He pointed to the blonde on the screen, and only then did I understand what was about to unfold. “We worked together for a long time, and unlike me, when her daughter Mia was born, she didn’t give it all up.” He shrugged, as if wanting to divert attention from the weight of his words. “She died two years ago. She was a great friend, even though your mother was always jealous.” He smiled, nostalgic, and the smile had a tinge of longing, as if recalling moments that could never be relived.

So, that blonde with the light blue eyes was Karen Lauren, Mia Lauren Hudson’s mother. And the man with copper hair and blue eyes was my father. An epiphany struck me: a whole story was about to repeat itself, but with protagonists from different generations. I smiled to myself, the connection between past and present illuminating my mind.

“Dad?” I called, tilting my head to the side, and saw when he looked at me, his eyes capturing my attention. “I got a call earlier today, and well, Eros Castiello will be replaced by Apollo Castiello and Karen Lauren by Mia Lauren.”

My father’s face lit up as realization hit him like a ray of sunlight after a storm. His mouth opened and closed, unable to contain the joy. Then, he came to me and hugged me tight. My heart seemed to relax again as I felt the warmth of his body against mine, and I saw his gaze gleam as he looked at me.

“This is wonderful, Apollo.” His eyes were moist, and the emotion in his voice made my chest tighten. “This will be a huge leap in your career.”

“It’s for you, Dad.” I touched his shoulder, sincerity resonating in every word. “The dream you gave up grew inside me, and I want to honor it.”

My father pressed his lips together, trying to hold back the emotions, but I could see he was on the verge of tears. It was a moment that resonated deeply between us, a connection that transcended words.

“Today at 5:00 PM, there’s a meeting at NewScene’s headquarters,” I declared, the excitement in my voice palpable.

It wasn’t my first time acting; I had already appeared in some TV series and even a few movies. But as the lead? This would be my debut, and the idea of starring with...

“Mia Lauren is as talented as her mother,” my father echoed my thoughts, as if reading my mind. “She just needs someone to believe in her since she’s been alone.”

I didn’t immediately understand.

“But she’s married, she’s not alone.” The response slipped from my lips, confusion enveloping me.

My father just smiled broadly, understanding spreading across his face, and he stood up from the couch, gripping my shoulders firmly, as if transferring all the strength I needed.

“You need to learn that being accompanied doesn’t mean there’s complicity. Now, come on. I have important things to tell you, my great actor.”

I went, even without fully understanding what that meant. But the one thing that remained in my head was the certainty that this wouldn’t be the start of a fictional movie, but the beginning of the movie of my life, and Mia Lauren would be the leading lady. A new chapter was unfolding before us, and I was determined to live it fully.