Stay The Night

POV Camden: Every night is a futile battle. Twelve morphs into one, then three, then five. I'll fall asleep in a minute, maybe ten, an hour... any f*cking time now. Damn, it's torturous how long the nights are. I've familiarised myself with every c***k on my ceiling, every whirring sound from the AC, the ominous ticktock of the clock counting down to the end of my misery. I have insomnia. I can't sleep. No matter how hard I try, I just f*cking can't. So, I choose not to. Who made it a rule that nights were meant for resting? That nights were supposed to be silent? I was never one to follow the rules. If I can't be at peace, I'll gladly fling myself into the chaos. I turned my apartment into a haven for night crawlers like me, where there are no rules. The Night Society, they call it. Only after I'm deliriously intoxicated... Only after I've ridden out a high that has me weary down to the core of my being... Can I finally... In the day Alfred: Young Master Camden. It's time to wake up now. Camden: F*ck. Alfred: I'm here to escort you to your mother's luncheon this afternoon. The one you promised to attend in return for that Porsche? Valeria: Morning, Alfred. Morning, Batman. Camden: Do you have to do this every time Alfred comes around in the morning? Valeria: He's your family's butler and his name is Alfred. Just try and stop me. Alfred: Good morning, Miss Valeria. I chanced upon the state of your lingerie on my way in, should I contact Bordelle to order some new one? Valeria: Someone got a little rough last night. It's fine. I'll have my chauffeur stop by on the way home. See you tonight, babe. Alfred: And you, Miss...? Esther: I-I'll show myself out! Alfred: Please, at least allow me to call a cab for you. It is my job to clean up after the Alderidge family after all. In the mean time - Young Master Camden, Mrs Alderidge hates to be kept waiting. At the car Alfred: Here's your coffee with three extra shots of espresso. Why do you do this to yourself, Young Master? Camden: It's funny how you make it sound like I have a choice. Alfred: I don't suppose anyone forced you to entertain your friends every night. Camden: I don't entertain them. I simply open up my apartment to them and they make my long nights bearable in return. Alfred: How did the last appointment with Dr Fermand go? Camden: He said that if he were to increase the dosage any more, he'd have his license revoked. Alfred: Young Master, when was the last time you had a good night's sleep? Camden☁️: The last time? Flashback Little Camden: I'll stay beside you until you fall asleep every night. I promise. End Flashback Camden: Under the moonlight, in the warm embrace of a liar. Alfred: What's that? Camden: It's nothing. What's this luncheon for anyway? Alfred: It's the annual Alderidge Foundation Luncheon where the Alderidge Scholarship is awarded. Your mother is the head of the selection committee. I hear that this year's Alderidge scholar is remarkable. At Luna Luna: Mum! We're running late! Cass: You heard that, honey? She was talking about you! Margo: Excuse me? I was ready hours ago! She was talking about you! Luna: Mums, please. We cannot be late for the luncheon, especially not when I'm the one receiving the scholarship! Margo: We're so proud of you, sweetie. You've worked so hard for this. Luna: Han! Are you done?! Han: Coming! Luna☁️: What's taking my brother so long? Han: I'm here! I'm here! A luncheon full of wealthy ladies? I have to impress my future meal ticket. Luna☁️: I'm so not going to miss this when I move out. In the luncheon Lady: Thank you all for attending the Alderidge Foundation Luncheon today. I'd like to invite the ricipient of this year's scholarship to say a few words. Miss Luna Davis-Yang, please? Margo: Told you we'd make it with plenty of time to spare. What was Luna worried about? Luna☁️: Now, how should I do my thank you speech? Luna: Firstly, I'd like to thank my mothers and my brother. I couldn't have done this without their support! Margo: Oh dear! Mrs Alderidge looks pissed. Cass: Who cares? That's our daughter. Luna: Everything that I've done is in their honour. Today, especially, I hope I've done them proud. Margo: Of course we're proud of you, you silly baby! What are you talking about? Cass: That's our daughter up there! POV Luna: My name is Luna Davis-Yang. I was 6 when my mothers warmly welcomed me into their home. ( Flashback) These 14 years have been filled with a lifetime of happy memories. We're not the most well-to-do, but my mothers did everything they could to provide for us. I swore that when I grew up, I'd repay their kindness and be less of a burden to them. (End Flashback) 14 years later, and I've finally done it. With the Alderidge scholarship, I can finally enroll into the prestigious Yale and graduate with the highest honors. Luna☁️: I have my whole life planned out perfectly. Luna Davis-Yang, nothing is going to stand in your way! At Camden and Alfred Alfred: Oh dear, it has already begun. Everyone is already gathered outside. Camden: Well, better never than late. Alfred: Young Master Camden! Camden: I don't see the point of me being here. That wide starry-eyed scholar had to beat the odds of what? One to a thousand? Just to be awarded the fancy scholarship. Yet here I am, with everything they want and more, because I was lucky enough to be born an Alderidge. It's just my mother's way of showing yet again, how undeserving I am. Alfred: Please just wait here while I inform Mrs Alderidge of your arrival. Camden: You're killing me, Alfred Alfred: I believe I'm dealing you no more damage than your hangover, Young Master. Also, I believe you're missing a few buttons. Please fix that while I go look for your mother. At the luncheon Luna: Thank you. Meanwhile... Stef: Congratulations, Miss Davis-Yang. My name is Stef. I'm Mrs Alderidge's personal secretary. She'd like to personally congratulate you in private. She's waiting for you in the Orchid room. Luna: Oh! Sure! Where is the Orchid... Room...? She left without me! Luna☁️: I guess I'm supposed to show myself there. At Camden POV Camden: I hate showing up for pretentious events like these. I hate the stifling buttons, and I hate it even more that I sold myself out for a car. But it is a very sexy Porsche with it's streamlined bodywork. F*ck, that rush when I step on the gas? Nothing comes close. Luna☁️: Orchid room... orchid room... Luna: Sorry! I wasn't looking!(First meeting Camden and Luna in the future) POV Luna: Dark eyes bored into mine and I couldn't look away. I found myself staring at the owner of the very chiselled chest that I just bumped into. To say that he was an attractive man would be an understatement. He was perfect in every possible sense. His features looked as if they were perfectly carved, and his tousled hair had strands falling perfectly in place. Deliberate or not, the few buttons he missed provided a tantalizing glimpse that was just enough to leave you wanting more. But there was something else about him that had me captivated. I barely knew him, but there was a sad longing in his eyes that had my heart aching for him. There was an unexplainable pull towards him and I yearned to run my thumb under those tired eyes of his. Luna: Are you alright? Camden☁️: She's - ! Flashback Little Luna: Camden! Wait for me! My father used.to sing me a lullaby to sleep. Shall I sing one for you? I'll stay beside you until you fall asleep every night. I promise. Author: At the cemetery, Camden started crying because his dearest person had died. End Flashback Camden☁️: There's no mistaking it! Her hair, those piercing eyes... it's Luna. I'm sure of it! Camden: Luna? POV Luna: My heart did a little squeeze. Luna☁️: I've never seen this man before in my life - I mean, I'd definitely remember someone like him. But why does his voice sound so familiar? And the way he said my name... it's compelling, almost. Luna: Yup, that's me. Do I know you? Author: Camden shocked. Camden☁️: But that's impossible! That child is dead. How is it possible for two different people to look exactly the same and have the same name? Luna☁️: Why is still staring at me like that? Mrs Alderidge is waiting for me! Luna: Well, if you're not hurt anywhere, I should really be on my way now. Camden: Huh? Is there a blackout? Who turned off the lights? POV Luna: I could feel my heart thundering wildly in my chest. All the air was knocked out my lungs as I struggled to breathe. For reasons unknown to me. I've always had a fear of the dark. It suffocated me. It had me crippled with fear. Camden: I can't believe my mother chose an inferior place like this for her luncheon - Camden☁️: What the - Luna: H-h help. POV Camden: She was shaking uncontrollably in my arms as she clenched onto my jacket as if her life depended on it. Camden: Hey? Are you alright? Luna: H-h help... Camden: Are you hurt anywhere? Should I call for someone? Luna: N-no... I'm just scared... Camden☁️: F*ck. What should I do? Oh! The lights are back on! Camden: Hey, it's okay now. Breathe. Luna: I can't. Camden: Look at me. Luna: I can't. POV Luna: He tilted my chin and forced me to look at him. Camden: In. POV Luna: On his command, I took a deep breath. Camden: Out. POV Luna: Then, released it. Camden: There you go. POV Luna: I slowly came to my senses as I realised the room was now lit. Luna☁️: Did I just leap into the arms of a complete stranger? Author: Luna punched Camden down. Camden: F*ck... Luna: I'm sorry... I really am! Camden☁️: What the f*ck? Alfred: Young Master Camden! We're affected by the blackout? It seems a switch tripped. And so did you. Camden☁️: F*ck. Alfred: Rest assured, your mother will be sending a strongly worded letter to the management to express her disappointment. Young Master Camden? Camden☁️: Who was that? At the Orchid room Luna☁️: Finally. The Orchid room. I can't believe the journey it took to get here. Stef: I'll have the letter sent out to the management immediately. Luna: Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs Alderidge. Genesis: Please, take a seat, Luna. Luna☁️: Mrs Alderidge may have a smile on her face, but she's clearly annoyed - she didn't even acknowledge my apology. Luna: I bumped into someone on the way here then there was a blackout - Genesis: I'm not interested. Please just take a seat so we can stop wasting everyone's time. I make it a point to get to know the Alderidge scholar better. After all, we will be spending a million dollars on you. Luna: My mothers say I'm an open book. Feel free to ask me anything. Genesis: So, you were adopted at 6... Do you have any memories of what happened before that time? Luna: Not really... it's pretty hazy. It's the reason why I had a late start in life. After all, I'm supposed to be in my second year of college. But I refuse to use that as an excuse! It only serves to motivate me even more - Genesis: You can skip the pretentious speech, darling. You've already gotten the scholarship. We were talking about your past. You're a splitting image of her. Luna☁️: What an eccentric lady. Why is she so interested in my past? Luna: Erm... I suppose my parents must be pretty desperate to leave me at an orphanage? I tend to get this unbearable headache when I think about the past so I try not to. Genesis: Hmmm, I guess it's just a coincidence. So, trust that everything is going well with your admission application? Luna: Yup! All that's left is my dorm room arrangement! I've been having some issues with that... Genesis: Dorm room? Alderidge scholars don't live in dorms. The scholarship provides for your housing needs. You can easily rent any apartment of your choice. A penthouse, if you want. Luna: That's true, but I don't see a need for that, especially if I can put that money to better use. I just need a place to lay my head at night. There's no need for it to be too fancy! Genesis☁️: If only Camden could be half as considerate as her. I had to purchase a Porsche for him to attend today's luncheon but he's nowhere in sight! Genesis: Wait a minute! You don't have anywhere to live yet? Genesis☁️: Of course! Why didn't I think of that? Maybe a good influence in his life is what he needs. Genesis: I have a little proposal for you - consider it a side deal to the scholarship. How would you like a fully-furnished room that's located just a stone's throw away from Yale? There's even a gym, a pool, any facility your heart desires! Luna: That's sounds amazing! But the rent must be crazy expensive. Genesis: I'll gladly charge you whatever the dorm is charging you. Luna: Oh! I can't possibly accept your offer... Genesis: Of course you'd have to work for it. Luna: What do I have to do? Genesis: You'll have to babysit my son. Luna☁️: Her son? At Camden Camden☁️: Found it. Author: "Knock knock" Genesis: That must be him. Come in! Author: Luna see Camden. And she is shocked. To be continued...