Breakfast in a Golden Cage
Vortega Mansion — sunlit glass breakfast room, marble table, gold cutlery, fresh roses, expensive suits.
[8:12 AM – Vortega Mansion]
Adrian Vale(MC)
(sliding into a velvet chair in silk pajamas) Morning. Your chef still overcooks eggs.
Lucien Vortega(ML)
(smirks over coffee) Maybe you should learn to cook for yourself.
Adrian Vale(MC)
Maybe you should stop rearranging my schedule without asking.
Lucien Vortega(ML)
You have art class at ten, lunch with your professor at one—cancelled.
Adrian Vale(MC)
You— what?
Lucien Vortega(ML)
He’s… untrustworthy.
Adrian Vale(MC)
Translation: he smiled at me in the hallway.
Lucien Vortega(ML)
(low voice) Too much.
Damien Vortega(ML's Younger Brother)
(appears from nowhere, shadow flickers) Morning, sunshine. You’re glowing.
Adrian Vale(MC)
You say that like I’m pregnant.
Damien Vortega(ML's Younger Brother)
Relax, big brother. I’m just saying, pajama boy looks better than your fiancée this morning.
Lucien Vortega(ML)
Damien—
Damien Vortega(ML's Younger Brother)
What? Celeste isn’t here.
Celeste Armitage (ML's fiancée)
(walks in, heels sharp on marble) I heard my name
Adrian Vale(MC)
(smiling innocently) We were talking about eggs.
Celeste Armitage (ML's fiancée)
Pity. I thought maybe you’d finally talk about something you’re good at.
Adrian Vale(MC)
I am good at making Lucien’s blood pressure rise.
(Lucien’s coffee cup pauses midair.)
Adrian Vale(MC)
Which part? The talking, the looking, or the breathing?
Lucien Vortega(ML)
All of it.
Don Raphael Vortega(ML MC Father)
(enters in tailored black, gaze like ice) Lucien. Private words.
Don Raphael Vortega(ML MC Father)
Now
Adrian Vale(MC)
(mutters) Someone’s in trouble.
Don Raphael Vortega(ML MC Father)
(to Adrian) You are the trouble.
Lucien Vortega(ML)
Father—
Don Raphael Vortega(ML MC Father)
Your attachment will ruin everything. (leaves without waiting)
Lucien Vortega(ML)
Protected
Lucien Vortega(ML)
(meets his eyes, calm but dangerous) For now.
(Silence, the sound of silver on porcelain echoing in the golden room.)
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