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’re very kind.” She smiled and squeezed my hand lightly. The golden ring made me uneasy. “Good night, Apollo.”
Then she got out of the car, and I stayed there, admiring her from a distance.
Observing the woman I didn’t know anything about, but suddenly, I knew, by the way her body stiffened when she entered the house, that she needed to infinitely believe she was beautiful and deserved love again.
“Good night.” I repeated alone.
Because I knew that night, a pair of silvery blue eyes and shining blonde hair would lull me to sleep.
She was an angel.
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
15- Mia Lauren Hudson"I'm here for you, body and soul. If there’s anything I can do for you, tell me."- ReignMy body was numb, my mind was high, and on my lips, I could still taste him. Three days had passed, and all those sensations lingered. The taste, the fire, the desperation, and the reasoning.My consciousness was still high because I could feel the phone vibrating on the table, and I simply got distracted by the cutlery. My thoughts zigzagged through my mind, and they all had only one name. One cause. Apollo Castiello.I was lost; I needed a path and a light, and for a moment, I thought that if I stayed away from him, I’d find my way again. But I was terribly wrong. I couldn’t escape when there was no road. I couldn’t move forward knowing that my heart seemed to be on one of those streets.I took a deep breath and pressed my temples.I had never felt anything like this. And the more I tried to understand it, the more desperate I became. Damn it! He kept calling me, filling
16 - Apollo CastielloThere are few things sadder in this life than watching someone leave after they’ve just walked away, and seeing the distance between your bodies expand until there's nothing left... but empty space and silence.- Someone Like YouIn recent days, I found myself perplexed, immersed in a storm of emotions and reflections. The intensity of the feelings I tried to avoid had surprised me in a way I didn’t expect. I was aware that by giving in to this emotional turmoil, I was being weak, but deep down, there was no regret. Mia had come to fill the gaps that the loss of my mother and Joy had left, and she also brought a new perspective with the unexpected work. She was becoming my escape zone, even if she wasn’t entirely mine.I never imagined I would experience something like this, the agony of sharing moments with someone who was already with someone else. And despite the suffering and the complexities involved, I knew it was part of the path I was walking. The desire