Chapter 8

8 - Apollo Castiello 

Good evening, good evening. Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow. 

- Romeo and Juliet

The 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 immediate curiosity and an irresistible urge to follow her.

I quickly said goodbye to another actor who had just arrived, using some excuse, and hurried out through those same doors. As soon as I stepped outside, the cold enveloped me, making my hairs stand on end. The air was heavy with moisture, and I noticed a few light raindrops beginning to fall, increasing the chill. I looked around, searching for the one reason that had made me leave the comfortable warmth inside the production company.

And then I found her. Mia was under the awning of a jewelry store, part of the recording complex next to New Scene, trying to shield herself from the raindrops. Her posture, slightly hunched, revealed a discomfort that made me uneasy. I approached in absolute silence, my footsteps light on the wet sidewalk, watching her every move intently.

Mia was tapping her phone against the palm of her hand, visibly upset. She murmured something inaudible to herself before putting the device away in her pocket with a frustrated gesture. She closed her coat tightly, pulling the zipper up to her chin, and I began to notice the slight tremor that overtook her body as the rain intensified.

That sight affected me in a way I hadn't expected. There was something incredibly vulnerable about Mia at that moment, as if all the strength and determination she displayed in the meeting room had been left behind. The expression on her face, the way she tried to hide her discomfort, all made me feel an almost instinctive need to protect her, to ensure she didn't face this alone.

“Hudson!” I shouted, finally introducing myself. 

I watched as she rolled her eyes and huffed. She directed her gaze at me, an incredibly false smile on her face, which reflected a genuine smile on mine. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked seriously. “I think in less than two minutes, this drizzle will turn into a storm.” 

I looked at the sky, not a single star visible. Mia did the same. However, despite the immense darkness, that night seemed bright to me. 

“What are you waiting for? Is your driver coming to pick you up?” I turned my gaze back to her, who was still looking at the sky. Her golden hair falling over her shoulders and back. “Or your husband?” 

Mia gave me a look. Quick, hard, and at the same time, infinitely beautiful. Her eyes had a silvery blue, capable of being mistaken for a full moon night. 

Damn! I needed to stop paying attention to every detail of hers, like how she held her coat around her body to the point where the knuckles of her fingers turned white. 

“No.” Her voice, soft and deep at the same time, brought me out of my trance. “He’s not coming to pick me up, and no driver will come.” She spoke calmly. 

“So…” I raised an eyebrow and shivered the moment the cold hit me harder. Hitting even my core. “What are you waiting for?” 

Mia bit her lip, and unconsciously I did the same. She took her phone, clicked on the lock screen, but did not make a call. 

“Damn it!” she whined. 

I was smart enough to know the reason for her restlessness; she was out of battery and needed someone to take her home. So, with a triumphant smile, I extended my hand to her. 

“I can take you home. Will you accept?” I asked confidently, but strangely, I was nervous. 

That phrase carried an ambiguous meaning, and deep down, I hoped for the second one. 

“Why would I go with yo…” – Then a flash of lightning illuminated her face in front of me. She was stunning. “I think I’ll accept.” She changed her mind quickly enough and then placed her hand on mine. 

And then, a warmth that no heater could give me set my skin on fire. I think Mia felt the same. Despite the darkness, I sensed her face turning red. Damn, don’t be so beautiful. 

The rain finally poured down, falling from the sky with a force that seemed to reflect the intensity of the last moments. The thick, heavy drops hammered the ground, creating instant puddles on the sidewalk. Without thinking twice, I grabbed Mia’s hand, and together we ran to my car parked in front of the production company. 

When we reached the car, I unlocked the doors with a quick click and, in a nearly instinctive gesture, opened the door for Mia. She stopped for a second, seeming surprised by my gesture, and whispered a timid “thank you” before getting into the car. There was something in the softness of her voice, in the way she seemed hesitant, that made me realize how much that simple gesture meant to her. It was as if, amid the storm, that small act of care had broken an invisible barrier between us.

As Mia settled into the passenger seat, I walked around the car, but before getting in, I paused for a moment. I looked at the sky, now covered by dense, dark clouds, and allowed the rain to wet my face, running like small rivers down my neck. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting the coolness of the rain cool the fire that was beginning to burn inside me, a flame that Mia, somehow, had ignited.

That heavy, constant rain seemed to be a harbinger of what was to come. I could feel that it would be a long road. 

Finally, I got into the car, feeling the cold of the soaked clothes against my skin. As I closed the door, the muffled sound of the rain against the glass gave me a sense of isolation, as if we were in a small world of our own. I looked at Mia and realized that, despite having gotten much wetter than she had, I didn’t feel any discomfort. In fact, what intrigued me was her gaze, fixed on me. 

“You didn’t have to open the door for me. You’re soaked.” She finished the sentence, locking her eyes on my shirt clinging to my chest. 

“I prefer to be kind.” – I shrugged, smiling, and continued with the car. “Put on your seatbelt.” I looked at her sideways and saw her smiling widely. What made her smile, I didn’t know. But I didn’t want her to stop. 

We drove in silence, and Mia told me her address, which was unnecessary because I knew terribly well where Bradley lived. But then, that silence bothered me. I liked hearing her voice, and I wanted to know more about her. 

“How was your weekend?” I asked. 

Mia was caught off guard, as if no one had ever asked her how her weekend or day was. So, I pressed on: 

“Tell me about your day, how you’re doing. I like hearing your voice.” I confessed. 

The light turned red, so I looked at her. Her eyes sparkled like never before, her lips stretching into a small smile. The temperature inside the car reminded me of a July 4th in America rather than an early December. Outside, a snowstorm was falling, and inside, Mia’s gaze and smile were burning me. 

The light turned green. I accelerated. 

“Well…” she cleared her throat. “My day was… Intense. I got a call that made me happier than I’ve ever been. My dream is coming true, and I met an extremely annoying person who will help me achieve it. So…” I looked at her sideways, she was shining like the star lights. “Surprisingly, I’m fine. I’m happy.” 

And that made me happy too. I was extremely annoying and would help her achieve her dream. 

“And you?” she asked back. 

I was surprised by her change of mood. For a moment, I thought she only tolerated my presence. 

“My state reflects yours.” I began. “Modifying the part where an extremely talented and beautiful woman will help me achieve this dream.” 

Mia lowered her eyes, shyness overcoming her. I loved that the reason for her red cheeks was me. She remained silent for a few moments, and I hoped it would take a little longer to reach her home. 

“Apollo, can you lend me your phone?” she asked, her voice still low and nervous. “I need to…” she was going to explain to me. 

I took my phone and handed it to her. 

“You don’t have to explain.” I smiled at her, and she smiled back. 

I kept my gaze on the road while Mia typed on my phone. I noticed the look of surprise on her face and wondered what she had seen there. But then, she returned the device to me. 

“Thank you.” She said. “I sent a text to let my friend know she didn’t need to pick me up anymore.” She explained. 

I nodded and slowed the car as I noticed we were close to her home. 

“What’s your favorite singer, Hudson?” I asked, and saw her clench her jaw on the left side. 

She didn’t like it when I called her Hudson. That made me happy. 

“Adele.” She replied, finally. 

“Good choice!” I responded again. “I only have one of her songs on my playlist, but I haven’t listened to it. Yet.” I added. She smiled, but her smile was weak. “Or maybe, Mia Lauren…” I called, and her eyes sparkled again. “Maybe, I’ll save it to listen to with you.” 

“I’d love that.” Her voice was hoarse. 

Before reaching the corner of her house, she touched my arm. Sending the same waves of warmth over my body from hours earlier. 

“This is fine.” She said, her voice trembling. I stopped the car, because deep down I understood. “Thank you!” 

“You’re welcome!” I recovered from the last few seconds. 

I reached to unlock the car door. She held her breath. 

“Good night, Mia.” I said. “And that lipstick suits you.” 

She slightly opened her mouth, and I stared at her pink lips. I swallowed hard. 

Damn! 

"You are very kind." She smiled, and a soft glow danced in her eyes as she lightly squeezed my hand.  

The delicate touch made my heart race in an unexpected way. But the sight of the golden ring on her ring finger stirred a restlessness in me that I couldn’t ignore. It was a symbol of a commitment that, though invisible to me, seemed to weigh on her like a dark cloud.  

"Good night, Apollo." The words left her lips with a lightness that contrasted with the gravity of the moment. Then, she opened the door and stepped out of the car, and I stood there, motionless, admiring her from afar.  

As I watched the woman I didn’t know but who had suddenly become the center of my thoughts, a wave of understanding washed over me. It was as if, somehow inexplicably, I knew she carried with her a story of pain and hope, of broken promises and unfulfilled longings. As I saw her walk away, I noticed how her body stiffened as she entered the house, as if she were trying to protect something precious within herself. She needed to believe, infinitely, that she was beautiful, that she deserved to be loved again.  

"Good night." I repeated, almost in a whisper, as if I wanted my words to echo in her mind, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me.  

In that moment, I was left alone with my thoughts, reflecting on the strange and deep connection I felt for her, even without truly knowing her. It was an almost ethereal feeling, but it carried an intensity that couldn’t be ignored. I knew that night, as the world around me sank into silence, a pair of silver-blue eyes and shining blonde hair would cradle my sleep. She had become the personification of a dream—"an angel who had crossed my path, even if only for a brief moment."