Chapter 11

Zoya's POV

As the days passed, I couldn't help but replay the events of that unforgettable evening with Olivia over and over in my mind. The way her hand had gently rested on top of mine, her words echoing in my ears like a soothing melody, and that unexpected kiss on my cheek that sent shivers down my spine. It was all so overwhelming, like a whirlwind of emotions that had left me feeling both exhilarated and completely spellbound.

Despite Sebastian's continuous advice not to raise my expectations, and despite knowing deep down that he was probably right, I couldn't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope within my heart. Perhaps, just maybe, someway and someday, we would find ourselves closer.

The table reads had come to an end, and tomorrow marked the first day of filming. My anxiety soared, knowing that I was about to step onto a set unlike any I had ever encountered before. Everything was bound to be different, and despite my worries, I couldn't contain my excitement for the new experiences that awaited me.

As I anxiously waited for Sebastian to arrive at my house, ready to help me with studying as we had agreed, I desperately hoped that his guidance would somehow alleviate the mounting pressure of my upcoming exams. Just as anticipation gripped me, a notification chimed on my phone, leading me to assume it was a message from Sebastian. I eagerly snatched up my device, greeted by the sight of my lock screen displaying a cherished photo of Olivia and me. Her gentle lips pressed against my cheeks, capturing a fleeting moment of happiness that contradicted the horrified expression on my face. Despite the unexpected contrast, it remained one of my favorite pictures, a bittersweet reminder of a taste of what I can never have.

With a quick swipe, I unlocked my phone, only to be met with an unexpected sight: it wasn't Sebastian, but Olivia who had sent the message. My hands grew clammy with nervousness, as I never anticipated she would actually reach out to me. My finger hesitated for a moment before finally pressing on the notification, unsure of what awaited me in her message.

Olivia 6:55 pm Hey Zoya! Just wanted to give you a heads up that Michelle took the time to review and revise your contract. I'll make sure to bring it along tomorrow so you can reach out to Emre and set up a meeting. Michelle will accompany you during the signing process to ensure that everything goes well.

I re-read the message repeatedly, trying to comprehend its contents, and finally breathed a sigh of relief upon digesting the news. Now, all that remained was for Emre to sign it. I couldn't help but wonder about the adjustments Michelle had made, but I fully trusted Olivia's judgment.

After contemplating for a few moments, I decided to simply express my gratitude. I typed back, "Thank you, Olivia! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow." However, my finger hesitated over the send button for a while. The message sounded a bit formal, and I wanted to establish a closer connection with her. In a moment of clarity, I deleted the message and replaced it with, "Thanks, Oli! Let me treat you to coffee tomorrow." Determining it was the best option, I finally pressed the send button.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the message Olivia had sent. Seeing the three dots that shows she is typing, I swiftly closed the chat window to ensure it wouldn't show as "seen" once she sent her message. Overwhelmed with excitement, I buried my face in my pillow and let out a gleeful squeal. The fact that I was having a conversation with Olivia felt almost too good to be true, like a blissful dream come to life.

I heard my phone ding once more, i tried to wait for few secones before i opened it but miserably failing to do so, i ended up opening it rignt away

Olivia 7:04 Oli? That's a new nickname, most people call me Liv, but I really like the sound of Oli. As for a nickname for you, I haven't quite come up with one yet, but Zoya is already such a cute name.

With a silly smile on my face, "You can call me baby," I whispered jokingly to myself, I couldn't help but let out a giggle at my own little joke.

The thought of Olivia finding my name cute sent a surge of excitement through me. I couldn't contain my exhilaration any longer as I leapt up and down on the bed.

"So, that's a yes to the coffee?" I replied, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as I bit down on my lip.

Olivia 7:07 Can't ever say no to coffee , see you tomorrow, Zoya

I let out a sigh of relief as I collapsed onto my bed, gripping my phone tightly in my hand. For a brief moment, I hugged it close, feeling a sensation of comfort. As I scrolled through my contacts, I found her name and quickly changed it to Oli.

As the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house, I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed, emitting a low groan. I completely forgot about my study session with Sebastian. Right now, studying was the farthest thing from my mind.

I swung open the door and stepped aside to allow him entry. He walked in, observing me with a quizzical expression as his eyebrows rose curiously.

"Okay, spill it. What's with that silly smile on your face?" he asked, shutting the door behind him.

A playful giggle escaped from me as I handed him my phone, its screen still displaying the conversation between Olivia and me.

With an intrigued expression, he carefully read through the messages before a hint of disbelief flickered across his face. He whispered something under his breath, before returning my phone to me.

"I think I already know what's on your mind," I confessed, my voice tinged with a hint of resignation, as I followed him over to the couch.

"Oh, do you now?" he asked, settling onto the cushions while unpacking his books from his bag.

"That she's simply being friendly. That she's happily married. That I shouldn't allow myself to become too invested and invoke false hope," I said, recounting the self-admonitions that frequently echoed within my thoughts.

"I wasn't going to say any of that," he shook his head in denial, his gaze fixed firmly on mine. " I don't think she's happily married, more like comfortably married."

I watched as he carefully chose his words, his concern radiating from every syllable. His voice held a gentle yet firm tone, I know he is trying to protect me from potential heartbreak. "I'm simply worried about you diving too deeply into this, losing sight of the bigger picture, which is your career and studies."

I was well aware that he had my best interests in mind, advising me to focus on my career and studies. Deep down, I understood the importance of these aspects and the impact they would have on my future. However, despite this knowledge, I couldn't deny the overwhelming pull of my emotions.

"I understand everything you're saying, and I know I should follow your advice, but it feels almost impossible to resist getting closer to her," I admitted, frustration lacing my words. "She's just such an incredible person, and it only makes things more challenging. I can't help but be drawn to her."

He nodded in understanding, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. "And if circumstances were different, I'd be rooting for you to pursue her without hesitation. It's not that I hold any ill will towards her husband, but their relationship seems more like a business arrangement than a true marriage."

"Why would you say that?" I asked, unable to suppress my curiosity. Deep down, I knew it was wrong for me to feel this way, but I couldn't help but resent how seemingly happy they appeared together.

"Just hearsay from Ezra, but let's not dive in gossip about your crush's personal life. We're here to study," he replied, rolling his eyes as a gentle reminder of our purpose.

"What? You don't want to gossip? But you're my gay friend! Isn't that all we're supposed to do?" I pouted, half-jokingly. He playfully slapped my hand and gestured towards the pile of books in front of us, signaling the end of our conversation.

Olivia's POV

"What are you doing, baby?" I flinched as Elijah's voice suddenly interrupted my concentration. I realized I had been so engrossed in texting Zoya that I hadn't noticed him approaching.

"You scared me," I exclaimed, placing my hand on my chest to calm my racing heart. "I was just texting Zoya about her contract update." I quickly finished the text, letting her know that I'd love to grab coffee with her tomorrow.

Elijah's face softened as he walked closer to me, holding a stunning bouquet of white tulips that had somehow escaped my notice. "It's incredibly sweet of you to support her at her agency," he remarked, his voice filled with warmth.

I couldn't contain my excitement. "Elijah, these are absolutely beautiful!" I exclaimed, eagerly taking the bouquet from his hands. I gently ran my finger over the delicate petals, cherishing their fragrance and admiring their elegance.

"Not as nearly as beautiful as you are" he said as he pressed his lips on mine.

"You always have a way with words," I replied, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks, my fingers gently caressing his cheek in return.

"Are you ready for dinner?" he asked, extending his hands towards me.

I hesitated for a moment, thinking about the dinner we had planned with his friends from work. "Not really," I pouted, realizing I'd much rather stay in tonight.

Laughing, he pleaded jokingly, "But Liv, you wouldn't leave me to face this boring dinner alone, would you?"

"Oh, I definitely would," I teased back.

His eyes widened in mock horror. "No, you wouldn't! The paparazzi would have a field day with divorce rumors. Now, get up, you lazy." With that, he scooped me up effortlessly from the couch I had been resting on and carried me towards the bedroom.

I entered my dressing room and grabbed the first dress I laid my eyes on; at this point, I didn't really care much about which one it was. All I wanted was to go to sleep, knowing I had a busy day ahead of me.

Tomorrow would be filled with shooting for the new tv show, and Ezra wanted me there early to discuss the direction the writers had in mind for my character.

From the glimpse I caught, it seemed that they planned to depict my character falling in love with the nanny, which would intensify her conflict with the late husband's family as she struggled to keep their relationship private.

I couldn't help but wonder how Elijah would feel about this revelation. It could potentially start a lot of rumors, especially considering Zoya's sexuality. But, in all honesty, I didn't really care. This new role was an exciting opportunity for me to explore different aspects of acting. Still, I couldn't help but hope that it wouldn't make Zoya feel uncomfortable.

I understood that Zoya might not want these types of rumors or unwanted attention early on in her career. If she wasn't comfortable with this idea, then I wouldn't be either. Ezra and I had planned to have a conversation with her about it tomorrow.

Given all that, this dinner was the last thing on my mind. I sincerely hoped that tomorrow would go as smoothly as possible. And I couldn't wait for that coffee she promised.