ADRIAN'S BROTHER
1156 Words
**INT. LUNA'S APARTMENT**
Mia sat cross-legged on the soft rug of Luna’s cozy living room, flipping through a half-crumpled magazine she wasn’t really reading.
The lights were dim, the scent of cinnamon from a nearby candle lingering in the air.
A mellow playlist floated through the room while Luna lounged on the couch in oversized pajamas, sipping wine from a mismatched glass.
Between them sat a bowl of popcorn, mostly eaten.
“So,” Luna began, a teasing glint in her eye. “You’re just going to casually not mention that you spent the night at Mr. Mysterious Billionaire’s house?”
Mia rolled her eyes without looking up. “I didn't spend the night. I just cooked. That’s it. No drama. No scandal.”
Luna lifted an eyebrow. “Did you cook in a bedroom... or his bedroom?”
Mia shot her a glare. “Luna!”
“What?” Luna grinned, sipping again. “I’m just saying. At this rate, you might as well start cooking for him. Bolognese, maybe?”
“I’m not making Bolognese,” Mia muttered. “Or anything. And I’m definitely not ending up with him.”
“‘Definitely,’” Luna repeated, mockingly. “As if destiny listens to declarations made over popcorn.”
“I have nothing to do with that man’s... empire. Or fur. Or charm.” Mia tossed a piece of popcorn at her. “I’m just trying to live my normal little life.”
They both laughed.
After a moment, Mia tilted her head. “Hey... How bout you and Maverick? You haven't talked about him for sometime now.”
Luna’s smile faded slightly. She sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. “Caught him cheating again.”
Mia’s eyes narrowed. “Again?”
“Yep.” Luna stared at the ceiling, like she could burn holes through it. “Right on top of his bed. That was supposed to be our spot. I told him it’s over. For real.”
Mia dropped the magazine entirely. “Gosh, men are trash.”
“Certified garbage,” Luna muttered.
“Walking disappointments,” Mia added.
“Unrecyclable waste.”
They both cracked up laughing, though there was real frustration under their laughter.
“If one more man cheats on someone like you, I’m starting a commune. No boys allowed. Just us and snacks.” Mia said.
“And maybe a punching bag with Maverick’s face on it,” Luna added, mouth full of popcorn.
“Ugh. Men,” Mia said with venom, tossing another popcorn into her mouth like it offended her.
Luna nodded solemnly. “Which brings me to my new emotional support plan…”
Mia blinked. “... Another guy?”
“It's a cat silly.”
Mia tilted her head. “A cat?”
“Yeah. A moody little gremlin who only loves me. I feel like we’d get each other.”
Mia chuckled. “You’d train it to hate men.”
“Obviously. It’s called boundaries.”
They laughed again, louder this time.
“What are you gonna name her?” Mia asked.
“Garlic.”
Mia stared. “...Garlic?”
“She keeps the bad energy away. Just like the real thing.” Luna said.
“You really are insane, aren't you?”
They clinked glasses as they both laughed.
In that moment, tucked away from the noise of their chaotic lives, both women felt lighter.
---
*INT. LUNARLUX MOTORS – ADRIAN’S OFFICE – DAY*
Adrian Lancaster sat behind his sleek glass desk, eyes scanning over a digital report on his tablet. His office overlooked the skyline—clean, modern, and silent except for the soft hum of the city outside.
Victor, his personal assistant, stood in front of him, tablet in hand.
“We’re seeing consistent growth this quarter,” Victor began, flipping through slides. “Online engagement is up by 12%, test drive sign-ups are flooding in, and the new luxury hybrid line is already making waves.”
Adrian nodded, barely looking up. “Good. Keep pushing the sustainability angle. People eat that up.”
Victor hesitated for a beat. “But... we seem to have a rival.”
That caught Adrian’s full attention. He set the tablet down and leaned forward, expression sharpening. “Go on.”
Victor swiped to the next slide, voice lower now. “Nightshade Motors. Their sales have spiked almost overnight. Their new model "the Eclipse Phantom" launched with a campaign that’s... alarmingly similar to ours.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “Similar how?”
“Identical messaging. Aesthetic. Even the slogan is a reworded version of ours. It’s like they had access to our pitch decks.”
Adrian grunted. “Xavier can be sneaky, but there’s no way he could’ve found out our strategy unless—”
His sentence trailed off as a realization hit him.
His eyes widened. “Unless someone’s been leaking information.”
Victor glanced around, tension building. “But who?”
The office doors burst open.
Xavier Black strode in like he owned the place. His dark suit sharp, expression sharper. One hand in his pocket, the other gripped around the collar of Adrian’s secretary, who struggled against her hold, gasping for breath.
“It’s rude to talk about someone behind their back,” Xavier said smoothly, voice laced with smugness.
Adrian shot to his feet. “Put her down, Xavier.”
Xavier chuckled, loosening his grip just enough for the secretary to gasp. “Relax. Just saying hello. Seems like you’ve been thinking about me.”
He stepped further into the office, presence overwhelming—like his very aura bent the air around him.
Victor instinctively stepped back.
Xavier looked at the screen showing the Nightshade sales spike and smirked. “Looks like you’ve been keeping tabs. I’m flattered.”
Adrian’s fists clenched. “What do you want?”
Xavier smiled wider. “Oh, nothing much. Just thought I’d drop by and... return the favor. After all, it’s only fair you get a peek at how it feels to be blindsided.”
He finally released the secretary, who stumbled away, coughing.
Adrian stared him down, jaw tight. “It wasn't my choice Xavier.”
Xavier tilted his head. “Of course not. It never is. you're the chosen son aren't you?
Adrian grunted.
"But keep something in mind, will you?" Xavier added. " I'll take what is rightfully mine.”
And with that, he turned and walked out, leaving the weight of his presence and his warning hanging in the air.
"Oh, i almost forgot." Xavier stopped, "I met that pretty girlfriend of yours."
Adrian's eyes widened, " Mia... "
" Oh, so that's her name... " Xavier smirked.
”If you touch her, I'll kill you!" Adrian said coldly.
”Oh I'll love to see you try." Xavier chuckled.
"There's currently a bomb at her apartment which will blow up any minute from now." He added.
Adrian gasped. "A BOMB"
- Writer
