Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - Apollo Castiello

"Good night, good night. 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. Jamie explained what the movie would be about but mentioned he was still open to changes. He scheduled additional meetings, but I was no longer paying much attention. As the meeting concluded, while greeting other colleagues, I spotted Mia slipping out through the NewScene doors, as if she was begging not to be noticed. I quickly said goodbye to an actor who had just arrived and followed her out those doors.

The cold made my skin prickle, and I noticed faint raindrops starting to fall. I scanned the area for the sole reason I had left the warmth of the production office—and then I saw her. She stood under the overhang of a jewelry store next to NewScene, shielding herself from the drizzle.

I approached her in complete silence, watching as Mia tapped her phone against her palm, visibly upset, and then stuffed it into her pocket. She zipped up her coat, her body trembling as the rain began to pick up.

"Hudson!" I called out, finally making myself known.

I saw her roll her eyes and sigh. She turned to look at me, an incredibly fake smile on her face, which only drew out a genuine smile from me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked seriously. "In less than two minutes, these light drops are going to turn into a full-blown storm."

I looked up at the sky, void of stars. Mia did the same. Despite the vast darkness, the night felt luminous to me.

"What are you waiting for? Is your driver coming to pick you up?" I glanced back at her as she gazed upward, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders and down her back. "Or is it your husband?"

Mia shot me a look—quick, sharp, yet infinitely beautiful. Her eyes held a silver-blue hue, reminiscent of a full moon night.

Damn it! I had to stop noticing every little detail about her, like the way she clenched her coat around herself so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"No," her voice, soft yet husky, snapped me out of my trance. "He's not coming to pick me up, and no driver is coming either," she said calmly.

"Then…" I raised an eyebrow, shivering as the cold hit me harder, seeping into my bones. "What are you waiting for?"

Mia bit her lip, and I unconsciously mirrored the gesture. She took out her phone, tapped the lock screen, but didn’t turn it on.

"Damn it!" she muttered.

I was smart enough to figure out the reason for her frustration—her phone was dead, and she needed someone to give her a ride home. With a triumphant grin, I extended my hand in front of her.

"I can take you home. Will you let me?" I asked confidently, though strangely, I felt nervous.

The suggestion carried an ambiguous undertone, and deep down, I was rooting for the latter meaning.

"Why would I go with yo—" A flash of lightning illuminated her face right in front of me. She was dazzling. "I think I’ll take you up on that," she quickly changed her mind and placed her hand in mine.

And then, a warmth that no heater could replicate set my skin aflame. I think Mia felt it too. Despite the darkness, I sensed her blushing. Damn it, don’t be so stunning.

The rain finally poured down. I held Mia’s hand, and we ran to my car, parked in front of the studio. I unlocked the doors and opened one for her. She seemed surprised and whispered a shy "Thank you" before getting in.

I circled around the car but paused before entering, letting the rain soak my face, cooling the fire burning within me. I could feel this was going to be a long journey.

Once inside, I realized I was drenched more than Mia. She noticed.

"You didn’t have to open the door for me. You’re soaked," she said, her eyes momentarily locked on my shirt, clinging to my chest.

"I prefer being polite," I shrugged, smiling, and started the car. "Buckle up," I added, glancing sideways to catch her grinning widely. Whatever was making her smile, I had no idea—but I didn’t want her to stop.

We drove in silence for a while, and Mia told me her address—unnecessary, considering I knew all too well where Bradley lived. Still, the silence started to bother me. I liked hearing her voice, and I wanted to know more about her.

"How was your weekend?" I asked.

Mia seemed caught off guard, as if no one had ever asked her that before. So, I pressed on:

"Tell me how your day went, how you’re feeling. I like listening to your voice," I admitted.

The light turned red, so I looked over at her. Her eyes sparkled like never before, her lips curving into a small smile. The temperature inside the car reminded me of an American Fourth of July, not an early December night. Outside, a snowstorm raged, but inside, Mia’s gaze and smile were igniting 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 going to come true, and I met someone incredibly irritating who’s going to help make it happen. So…" I glanced sideways at her—she was glowing like starlight. "Believe it or not, I’m doing well. I’m happy."

And that made me happy too. I was the incredibly irritating person who would help make her dream a reality.

"And you?" she asked back.

Her sudden change of mood surprised me. For a moment, I thought she merely tolerated my presence.

"My mood mirrors yours," I began. "Except for the part where an extremely talented and beautiful woman is helping me fulfill my dream."

Mia lowered her gaze, her shyness overcoming her. I loved being the reason behind the redness of her cheeks. She remained silent for a while, and I found myself wishing it would take longer to reach her house.

"Apollo, could I borrow your phone?" she asked, her voice low and nervous. "I need to…"

I handed her my phone without hesitation.

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

I focused on the road as Mia typed on my phone. I noticed her expression change in surprise and wondered what she had seen. Soon after, she handed it back 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 down as we neared her house.

"Who’s your favorite singer, Hudson?" I asked, seeing her clench her jaw to the side.

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

"Adele," she finally answered.

"Good choice!" I replied. "I only have one song of hers on my playlist, but I haven’t listened to it. Yet," I added. Her smile faltered a little. "Or maybe, Mia Lauren…" I used her full name, and her eyes lit up again. "Maybe I’ll save it to listen with you."

"I’d like that," she said, her voice hoarse.

Before we reached the corner near her house, she touched my arm, sending waves of heat through me just like before.

"Here is fine," she said with a tremor in her voice. I stopped the car because, deep down, I understood. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome," I recovered from those last seconds.

I leaned over to unlock the car door. She held her breath.

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

She parted her lips slightly, and I couldn’t help but stare at their rosy color. I swallowed hard.

Damn it.

"You’re very kind," she smiled and lightly squeezed my hand. The gold wedding band on her finger unsettled me. "Good night, Apollo."

Then she stepped out of the car, and I stayed there, watching her from a distance.

I observed the woman I didn’t know at all, yet suddenly realized, by the way her body stiffened as she entered her house, that she desperately needed to believe she was beautiful and deserving of love once more.

"Good night," I repeated to myself.

Because I knew that tonight, a pair of silver-blue eyes and golden hair would haunt my dreams. She was an angel.