Craving You Midnight Verses

The apartment was quite enough to hear the fridge hum.

Her Coffee had gone cold. She stared at the message.

She didn't answer. Thumb hovering, mind louder than the room.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Why are you glaring at your phone like it called your coffee ugly?

Hazel Fernandez / FL

It's him.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Who?

Hazel Fernandez / FL

The blind date guy. He Texted One hour ago. "Still awake?"

Hazel angles the phone towards Fiona. Screen washes Fio''s face in blue.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Ohh…. No name. No punctuation. Just Vibes..

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

He's exactly my type. Girl.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Exactly...

Hazel Fernandez / FL

But, three weeks later? That's not a vibe. That's driftwood.

A draft slips under the window. The message sits like a dare.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

I think he's chasing you.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Fio, I blamed my project to dodge him, remember? Why now?

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Maybe he figured your project finally spat you back into the world.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

I'm not interested, Fio.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

I want to meet someone who makes me alive.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

You mean someone who makes you forget to talk?

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Rude. But yes.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Someone who actually listen.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Someone who wants me as I am.

The word wants hangs in the air, heavier than it should be.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Stop spiraling babe. Don't Overthink 🥺

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Don't reply. Just ignore

Hazel Fernandez / FL

But....mom 🥺

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Aw... She is such a terrible woman.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

So, the problem isn't him. It's your mom.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Hmmm

Hazel Fernandez / FL

She wants me to meet him. Just once.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

And after "once," you're suddenly his fiancée.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Yes... That's the trap. If I meet him, I'm engaged. If I didn't, mom camps here.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Ohhh no...

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Go on, go... Pick a dress for your blind date.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

No... I'm not starring mom's favorite forced romance.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Then go for you. Meet him for closure. Say what you need to say. And walk away.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Be brave, girl

Hazel Fernandez / FL

You think I'll survive?

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Take a deep breath

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

Now tell me... what do you want to survive for?

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Peace...

Hazel Fernandez / FL

I live my life for my own sake.

The decision softened her shoulders. The night loosens its grip.

Fiona Andrews/ FL Friend

That's the Spirit. You work hard today. Time to Sleep.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Yes... I want my bed...

Fiona smiles and disappears into her room.

Hazel pads down the hall, peels back the covers and sinks into the soft, familiar dip of her mattress. The world exhales.

Her Phone buzzes on the nightstand. one new message. "Tomorrow 9"

Hazel sat up again and ignored his message like no one was there.

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Hyy... Midnight Verses 🥰 After long time 😘

She asked Can hearts freeze Mine did, long ago Yet tonight... I crave fire. 🔥

Hazel Fernandez / FL

His Heart is frozen ☹️ Who the hell did that to him 🥺

Hazel Fernandez / FL

Even though his heart seems a bit frozen, he’s definitely not my typical cold-hearted CEO type😘

CRYSTAL BAR

Joseph Ravanscroft drains his gin and tonic.

Ethan / ML's PA

Sir, I believe that it’s time to stop. Over drinking is not good for your health.health.

Joseph / ML Dad

Who really cares about my health?

Adrian maintains a cold and unyielding demeanor as he firmly holds onto the glass.

Ethan grips a folder

Joseph / ML Dad

~slurring: pokes Adrian's chest~

Joseph / ML Dad

Your mom cries every night. Thirty with no wife, no heir. Just your towers and numbers.

Joseph / ML Dad

Even Ethan had a girlfriend 😏

Ethan / ML's PA

~Small wince~ Ex-girlfriend sir. Since Tuesday.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

My life is not a board vote, Dad.

Joseph's phone lights. "Wifey" He shows it at Adrian.

Joseph / ML Dad

Answer it. Let it her hear it from you.

Adrian takes the call, jaw tight.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

Mom

Elode /ML Mom

Adrian, listen to me. I watched you work until you bled for this company. I'm proud, but I'm so tired.

Elode /ML Mom

The Atherton's daughter is so kind.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

"Mom... I told you not to talk about marriage"

Elode /ML Mom

But, she wants a family. I want a grandchild before I die.

Elode /ML Mom

Why do you push love away? Are you ~her voice breaks~ emotionally bankrupt?

Ice cracks in Adrian's glass. He doesn't blink.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

~Angry eye turned red. His Jaw tightened more~ When I choose to marry, I will. Stop arranging my choices.

Elode /ML Mom

Don't stall me with 'when.' I need answer.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

I said enough 😡

He drops the phone onto the velvet seat. The bar hushes.

He smooths his cuffs. Breath resets. Control returns like a switch.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

~To Ethan~ Report?

Ethan / ML's PA

Mr. Kian secured the Landon merger. You were right to trust him.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

~eyes forwarded~ Mr.Kian Rarely fails

Joseph snorts, waves for another drink.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

Berlin meeting moved to 7AM. Alert the team.

Ethan / ML's PA

I am already alert, sir. They are prepared for it.

Adrian looks up Ethan just once.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

Good. Keep the rest of the world from wasting my time.

He pulls a tablet, opens a locked app: MidnightVerses. Fingers move in clean lines, like Signing a deal.

ON ADRIAN'S SCREEN She asked Can hearts freeze Mine did, long ago Yet tonight... I crave fire. 🔥

Joseph / ML Dad

~muttering~ Poem won't give me heirs.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

~without looking~ Heirs come from power, not poems. Berlin ar seven. No excuses.

He save the verse.

Adrian Ravanscroft / ML

~to joseph~ Go home dad. tell mom im healthy, profitable and unavilable.

He buttons his jocket. The piano finds its rhythm again. Adrian Steps out into the night, The city's chill fitting him like armor.