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 Sleeping
My 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 that the door to my dream was ajar. It was a fear of change, of leaving behind everything I knew and diving into the unknown. But it was also a palpable excitement, an anticipation of something big and significant. It was as if my whole body was aware of the crucial moment I was about to experience.
The feeling, already nostalgic within me, made me gather strength and take the first step, followed by the second... Until my hands were already turning that doorknob. The cold metal against my skin seemed like tangible proof that I was there, that it was all real. With each movement, the anticipation grew, and I could almost hear my heart beating louder, as if it wanted to break free from my chest.
When I finally pushed the door, I felt a warm breeze envelop me, bringing with it the distant murmur of busy voices. I stepped in, allowing the door to close softly behind me. I took a step forward, feeling the firm ground beneath my feet, and took a deep breath, letting the new reality completely envelop me.
The walls were cream-colored, smooth and immaculate, conveying a sense of calm and professionalism. With my hands tucked into my coat, I carefully observed the entire place. There was an organized reception, decorated with green plants that added a touch of life to the environment. Abstract paintings hung on the walls offered a bit of color and modernity to the space. A little further ahead, there was a woman behind a large desk, busy with papers and a computer. She seemed absorbed in her work and didn't notice my arrival.
I felt uncomfortable and somewhat lost, not knowing what the first thing I should do was. My body was tense, and I could feel the anxiety growing. I didn't know whether I should flash a friendly smile or simply sit in one of those comfortable armchairs and wait for the director to call me. The brown leather armchairs looked inviting, but my nervousness prevented me from making any decision clearly.
How I wished my mother was with me at that moment. Her presence always gave me security, and I desperately wanted to ask her what to do. I missed her advice and her ability to dispel my fears with a simple look or encouraging word. But I was alone. Indeed, completely alone. Who besides my mother could dispel my fears at that moment? Her absence made the place seem even more intimidating, and I wondered if I could face it all without her support.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to find some strength within me. I took a deep breath, trying to remember all the times my mother told me I was strong and capable. The memory of her words gave me a small comfort, and I opened my eyes again, determined to do my best, even without her by my side.
And it was at that moment that a warm and firm voice reached my ears.
"Just smile, show confidence, and be yourself." that voice, almost like a whisper, sounded familiar.
"Do you think it's easy to be myself?" I asked whoever it was and then turned on my heels. "My God!" I gasped.
Was that Apollo Castiello? My heart raced as I recognized him. Why was he there? And why were his eyes so incredibly blue? It was as if my mind had been transported out of the real world, getting lost in the depth of those eyes. My mother had acted alongside Eros Castiello, Apollo's father, years ago, but I had never had the opportunity to meet him. And now, there he was, in front of me, like a vision out of a dream.
His golden blonde hair seemed to have been combed with his fingers, giving him a messy yet irresistibly charming look. The soft light of the room reflected off the golden strands, making them shine in a mesmerizing way. The light, clear beard added a touch of maturity to his young face, but it was in the eyes that my attention was fixed. They were such a deep and clear blue, like the summer sky I loved so much. Those eyes brought me an unexpected peace and left me completely speechless.
I tried to understand what he was doing there. Why was he in that place, at that moment? It seemed like an encounter orchestrated by fate, something I couldn't have predicted. His presence filled the room with an energy I couldn't describe. It was as if everything around me had faded into the background and only he existed.
The image of my mother acting alongside Eros Castiello appeared in my mind, blending with the reality of standing face to face with Apollo. There was something almost magical about that unexpected encounter. My heart was beating wildly, and I felt small and large at the same time, scared and excited, confused and curious.
"Being a Hudson is never easy." His smile pulled me out of my reverie. "Pleasure, Mia, I'm Apollo."
"How do you know me?" Distrust hit me.
He laughed and then scanned my face.
"I dare say our parents knew each other." He smiled sideways.
"Yes. But I don't." I turned my head and looked ahead.
How strange! I had never seen him in person before, except on movie screens or TV, and now, standing in front of me, was that guy I knew only through the characters he played. It was the first time I saw him for real, and yet there was a strange familiarity, as if this meeting had happened before somewhere distant in my memory.
His features were even more impressive in person: the way his strong jaw moved when he spoke, the shine in his eyes that seemed to hold secrets of worlds he had explored in his roles. It was as if the screen couldn't capture his entire presence, all the energy he emanated. Every detail of him seemed to resonate with something inside me, something I couldn't identify, but that was there, palpable and undeniable.
"You're not being yourself." He suddenly said and then placed himself in front of me, blocking my view. His frame was much larger than mine and he wore a light blue long-sleeved shirt.
"You don't know me." I insisted, and suddenly an irritation took over me.
"You're a Hudson." He arched an eyebrow.
Why did he keep repeating that? Why was that unbearable man in my way?
"For mentioning my married last name, you shouldn't be talking to me and shouldn't be in my way. So, if you'll excuse me." I passed by him.
I simply hated it when someone addressed me as just Bradley's wife, as just Mrs. Hudson. Damn it, I was Mia Lauren. I had my own qualities and not Bradley's, and God forbid if I had his.
"Apollo and Mia!" An excited and extremely anxious tone reached my ears. Apollo didn't seem surprised to call our names together, but I was. "We've been waiting a long time to show you both to the world."
What? The penny dropped with an almost audible impact. Apollo would be acting alongside me in the movie. The realization that that man would be by my side on the screens hit me hard. And at that moment, I realized my life was about to change drastically and that the peace I had imagined might be a distant dream.
"Now it's our turn, Mia Lauren." Apollo's voice was a soft whisper in my ear, loaded with unexpected intimacy. I felt a shiver run down my spine and a sudden warmth spread through my body. "We started well and you're even more beautiful in person." He added, his blue eyes fixed on mine for a brief, eternal second before stepping away to join the producer.
I stood there, mouth agape, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. That unexpected compliment, coming from someone like him, made my heart leap. I was... Happy. A genuine and almost childlike happiness, as if I had received the most precious of gifts. The insecurity that so often haunted me gave way to a feeling of validation and pride. Was I beautiful?
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
8 - Apollo Castiello Good evening, good evening. Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow. - Romeo and JulietThe meeting lasted another hour and a half, enough time for Jamie to detail what the film would be and the ideas he had in mind. He spoke with enthusiasm, gesturing as he described scenes and characters, but mentioned that he was still open to changes, implying that the creative process was far from finished. He also scheduled more meetings to discuss adjustments and progress, but, to be honest, my attention was already beginning to drift.My mind wandered, too occupied to focus on every word Jamie said. At the end of the meeting, while greeting other work friends, my gaze wandered around the room, and through the glass doors, I saw Mia leaving through the New Scene doors. There was something about the way she moved that caught my attention. It was as if she was trying to slip away unnoticed, almost begging not to be seen. This sparked an im
9 – Mia Lauren HudsonWhy are you here? How is it possible for you to bring me down even more? What else can you take from me?- The IncrediblesI crossed the doors of the house, and the cold that had been absent until then hit me once again. I tried not to get nervous or scared as soon as I saw the empty, dimly lit living room.“Duart?” I called out, not raising my voice much because deep down, I didn't want Bradley to notice my presence.Our maid quickly stood in front of me.“Yes, Mrs. Hudson,” she began.My body stiffened instantly at the reminder of…No, no. I refused to think about that... That annoying person.“Where is Bradley?” I asked, finally.Duart paused for a moment, her dark eyes looking at me as she replied:“He left an hour after you. But he didn’t give me any explanation that I could pass on to you.” Her face was embarrassed, and I disguised the lump forming in my throat.“He must have gone to take care of something at Starlight,” I said, trying to convince myself of
10 - Apollo CastielloI feel better when you're around.- One DayI stayed up all night, as I had predicted, sleep refusing to find me, leaving me at the mercy of my own thoughts. The heat I felt in my body was intense, as if I were burning with fever, though the icy cold of the European dawn was enough to freeze anyone else. The combination of the external cold and the internal fire left me restless, tossing and turning, trying to find a position that would bring me some comfort.When morning finally came, the contrast was evident. The sun shone high and strong in the blue sky, melting the snow that had accumulated overnight, but the cold still lingered, reminding me that the European winter, even with the presence of the sun, did not give up so easily. I stood for a moment, staring out the window at the world outside, trying to force my mind to focus on the simple fact that the snow was melting. I desperately wanted this to be what held my attention, to distract me from the turmoil
11 – Mia Lauren Hudson"I did all of this for you! I'm exhausted from living to satisfy your expectations."LabyrinthI was in Apollo's car once again, and the temperature seemed to rise considerably the moment we left the diner behind. It wasn't just the physical heat spreading through the space, but something more, something that seemed to fill the gap between us, loaded with a tension I couldn't name. From the moment I got into the car, I felt a restlessness growing inside me, a mix of conflicting sensations ranging from agitation to peace, as if I were on the brink of something I didn't fully understand.To begin with, I had no idea why I had stayed with him at that diner for so long. In my mind, there were countless reasons why I should have left the moment Kayla got up and walked out. Yet, the fact that I stayed and exchanged barbs with Apollo for what felt like an eternity left me confused. It wasn't something I usually did, and it was definitely not something I expected to fin
12 - Apollo CastielloYou meet thousands of people, and none of them touch you, and then you meet one person, and your life changes. Forever.- Love and Other Drugs.Okay, insomnia has become my best friend. Once again, I had been awake, and it was frightening me. Another night awake and...Mia.All my thoughts revolved around her, and I couldn’t help it; I needed to talk and hear her daring observations in my favor. And she replied... And I had never felt so powerful in my life.My father was the first to notice those reactions in me. I had spent the day restless, staring at my phone, and now and then, he had caught me smiling. And as the night approached, the nervousness became evident.“Are you going to tell me her name?” my father asked as I came out of the shower. He was walking down the hallway when he decided to stop in front of my room.“Who is she?” I remained serious and opened the wardrobe.The night was cold.“I’ve known you since before you were born.” He crossed his arms
13 – Mia Lauren Hudson"I like the way it makes me feel."Back to the Blue LagoonI was intensely anxious for the upcoming meeting at NewScene. The desire to know what awaited me in the coming months was palpable, a mix of expectation and nervousness. And despite all this anxiety, there was a part of me that really didn’t want to see Apollo again. But who was I trying to fool?The previous night had been perfect. I felt truly capable and at peace, something I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I realized that my life didn’t need to carry all the weight I had imposed on myself. And I wanted to feel that lightness again. I could only experience these feelings when I was with him, and that was what I was waiting for at that very moment.As I waited, I stared at the covers of the numerous movies that had achieved international success under NewScene’s aegis, displayed in the center of the recording studio. Jamie had scheduled another meeting, and I had arrived too early, but it was a good
14 - Apollo Castiello Don’t stop. Kiss me. - Fifty Shades DarkerIt was obvious that my idea of keeping my distance from Mia had gone down the drain. Every time I tried to put a barrier between us, it crumbled like sand slipping through my fingers. And the same was true for her. The resistance Mia showed, that effort to keep away, seemed as fragile as mine. And here we were again, alone inside the car, with the road stretching out before us, taking us to one of the most isolated spots in the city.I drove in silence, absorbing the tension between us that hung in the air. With every mile traveled, I felt the weight of unspoken words, of restrained emotions. It was almost palpable, as if it could explode at any moment. Mia, on the other hand, seemed calmer than I expected. Her gaze, fixed on the window, reflected a mix of curiosity and suspicion.“So, you’re not going to teach me how to drive,” she said, finally breaking the silence, her voice laden with a lightness I knew was disguis