Stranger or Danger??
Someone
(his tone flat, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he looked at Xander)
Didn’t expect to see you here, Xander.
Small world, huh?
Xander’s heart skipped a beat. Luca—his estranged former best friend. The one person who knew him better than anyone, and yet, had become a stranger over the years.
LUCA:
Appearance:
6'1", lean with dark brown hair and light brown eyes. He has a sharp, calculating look, often dressed in dark suits that make him seem mysterious.
Personality:
Luca is a former friend of Xander's who harbors a deep resentment toward him. He’s manipulative, ambitious, and used to getting what he wants by any means necessary. He’s always played second fiddle to Xander and resents him for his success and relationships. However, beneath his villainous exterior, Luca has a tragic past that shaped his bitterness. He is given a chance at redemption as the story unfolds.
Luca
(his tone flat, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he looked at Xander)
Didn’t expect to see you here, Xander.
Small world, huh?
The air between Xander and Luca thickened with an unspoken history, a tension that neither could ignore.
Xander (Top ML)
(eyes flicked briefly toward Milo, hoping for a distraction)
Milo (Bottom ML)
(unfazed, watching the encounter with quiet amusement)
Xander (Top ML)
(forcing a smile, his voice betraying a hint of discomfort)
Apparently so.
Xander (Top ML)
(He cleared his throat, taking a half-step back, suddenly feeling exposed under Luca’s gaze.)
I didn’t know you were involved in charity work now.
Luca’s lips twisted into a faint smirk, a little too knowing. He looked Xander up and down, as though weighing something in the air between them.
Luca
(shrugging, his tone nonchalant but the words laced with something more)
I get around, Xander. You know how it is.
Luca
You should try it sometime. Get out there, network. Not everyone lives in their own little bubble.
The words stung more than Xander expected. The years of silence between them seemed to echo in the space, each word from Luca landing with the weight of unresolved issues.
Milo (Bottom ML)
(interrupting the tension, his voice light and playful)
Hey, guys. I don’t know about you, but I came here for the art. Not for whatever this is.
Milo (Bottom ML)
(Gestured loosely between Xander and Luca, a small chuckle escaping him.)
Maybe we should all just enjoy the night, yeah?
Xander (Top ML)
(Let out a soft breath of relief at Milo’s interruption)
Milo’s easygoing nature seemed to cut through the years of tension, offering a strange sense of ease.
But Luca wasn’t done yet.
Luca
(Eyes flicked to Milo, assessing him with the same quiet intensity he had reserved for Xander)
Luca
(nodding slowly, sizing Milo up)
Right... Art.
Luca
(He shot one last look at Xander, his expression unreadable.)
See you around, Xander. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of chances to catch up.
Luca’s words hung in the air as he turned and disappeared back into the crowd, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Xander (Top ML)
(Exhaled, his muscles tense from the brief but loaded encounter)
Milo, unfazed by the exchange, gave Xander a knowing look, the playful glint in his eyes still present.
Milo (Bottom ML)
(grinning)
Well, that was…
interesting.
I take it you two have some history?
Xander nodded stiffly, unsure of how much he wanted to share.
Xander (Top ML)
(softly, his voice barely a whisper)
You could say that.
Milo didn’t press further, but his gaze lingered on Xander with a hint of curiosity, as if waiting for him to say more.
Xander wasn’t ready, though. He could feel the weight of the past pressing down on him, but tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight was about the art—and perhaps, about something else entirely.
Milo (Bottom ML)
(changing the subject, with a mischievous grin)
So, you like the painting?
Or are you just here for the show?
Xander looked back at the canvas, his eyes searching the bold strokes of color, feeling a renewed sense of admiration for Milo's talent.
Xander (Top ML)
(after a pause, with a small smile)
It’s... powerful.
There’s something real about it. Something raw.
Milo (Bottom ML)
(Smile widened at the compliment)
For a moment, Xander felt as if he had found something worth exploring—something beyond the confines of his world. Something different.
As the night went on, the crowd swirled around them, but Xander’s attention remained fixed on Milo, the artist with the defiant smile and the energy that seemed to pulse through every word, every glance.
Tonight had just begun, and it already felt like a turning point.
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So what do you think about our new character - Luca....
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What does the future holds...... For our ML's
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Stay tuned to know 😉
Milo (Bottom ML)
Comment...
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See you in next chapter 😁✌️
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