Chapter 18

Cast in scene : Olivia Lopez as Amelia Nilson

Anthony William as Paul

Zoya Eldeeb as Aurora

Place : Amelia's Penthouse

Scene description: Aurora arrives at Amelia's house to start her first day at work with Lana

1,2,3 and... Action!

INT. AMELIA'S HOME - LIVING ROOM - DAY

AURORA

Sorry I'm late, I kinda got lost.

Aurora enters the room, slightly flustered.

AMELIA

Sorry, I should have sent the driver to pick you up on your first day.

Amelia opens the door, wearing a welcoming smile.

AURORA

Oh no, that would be too much.

Aurora chuckles nervously.

Amelia leads Aurora to the living room, where Lana is playing on the floor.

AMELIA

Come and meet Aurora, she'll be your new friend.

Amelia picks up Lana, introducing her to Aurora.

AURORA

Hey, what is this little guy called?

Aurora points to the toy Lana's hugging.

AMELIA

(Lowered voice)

She doesn't speak much after Adam left us.

Amelia's smile fades, revealing sadness and exhaustion.

Aurora looks at Lana and Amelia, unsure of what to say or do.

PAUL

Who is this?

Paul enters the room, looking puzzled.

AMELIA

This is Aurora. She'll be keeping Lana company while I'm at work.

Amelia speaks, introducing Aurora as she puts Lana down.

PAUL

What is this nonsense? You're really doing this? Trusting a stranger to look after your child while you go to a job you don't know anything about?

Paul's voice grows louder, expressing frustration.

Aurora feels uncomfortable in this tense situation. She looks over at Lana, who clings to her mother's leg, visibly distressed.

AMELIA

Keep your voice down. You're scaring Lana.

Amelia's tone turns stern as she warns Paul.

AURORA

Why don't you guys talk about this somewhere else? Lana and I can play here.

Aurora tries to ease the tension.

Amelia nods gratefully and leaves the room, with Paul angrily following behind.

FADE OUT.

***

Zoya's POV

I couldn't deny or dismiss the undeniable connection that had just happened between Olivia and me. It was a moment of intimate vulnerability that crossed the boundaries of friendship. But she tried her best to show me that it didn't affect her, that it meant nothing.

I couldn't understand why she was interested in my private life or how she effortlessly reverted to acting as if nothing had happened. This left me feeling not only naive and used but also compelled to shoulder some of the blame for allowing her to have that level of power over me.

I tried to think how I could hide my true feelings, but the truth was, it was impossible. Amidst the confusion and conflicting emotions, the pull of Olivia's closeness was an irresistible force, igniting indescribable feelings within me.

"You're zoning out again," Sebastian said, interrupting my thoughts as he playfully tossed his pen at my forehead.

"I'm not zoning out. I'm just focused," I retorted, rubbing my forehead in response to the unexpected impact.

"Alright, Zoya, something's clearly bothering you. Ever since your date with Cadence, you haven't been yourself. It's been days," he said, exhaling deeply. "Just judging from the marks on your neck, I'd say you had quite a good time," Sebastian teased.

"It's really nothing, just exhaustion," I replied, lying through my teeth. I couldn't bring myself to confess the truth to him. It felt like something I should handle on my own.

"You've been avoiding her ever since," Sebastian squinted his eyes, observing my behavior closely.

"I have not," I replied, rolling my eyes. In reality, I had been avoiding her, overwhelmed by the situation. I simply couldn't confront it at the moment.

"Alright, I know you're lying, but I won't push you," Sebastian said, breaking the silence that followed.

"Actually, I was going to tell you that Ezra mentioned he's heading to the club tonight with his girlfriend. He invited us and our partners for a fun evening," Sebastian explained, and I was ready to decline. But then he added, "Olivia and Elijah will be there too."

"Oh, really? That does sound like fun. Let's go then. I'll text Cadence," I said, leaning back in my chair, putting on a nonchalant facade.

"You will?" Sebastian asked, visibly confused by my sudden change in attitude.

"Yeah, like I said, I wasn't avoiding her," I replied, attempting to play it cool and divert attention from Olivia.

"I'll let him know," Sebastian said excitedly.

Alright, Olivia, if you want to play with me, then let the games begin.

Olivia's POV

It had been days, and I lacked the courage to speak with her. I couldn't even confront myself and understand why I reacted the way I did, or why my body craved her closeness so much.

I knew I made a terrible mistake by avoiding the conversation. But what could I possibly say? How could I justify my actions?

Elijah had been suggesting going on a date, but truthfully, I didn't feel the desire to spend time with him. I knew that if we went out, thoughts of what happened with Zoya would consume me, and that unsettled me deeply.

So when Ezra proposed that we all hang out together, I immediately agreed. It wouldn't be a formal date, and I hoped it would provide a temporary distraction, a chance to clear my mind and escape from everything that had been weighing on my heart.

"Elijah, we are going to be late! How can you take longer than me to get ready?" I shouted at him, impatiently holding the apartment door open, eager to leave.

"Liv, what's the matter with you? You've been extremely agitated lately," he said, stepping out of the bedroom while putting on his watch. He walked over to me and gently pulled me closer, but I instinctively moved my face away when he tried to kiss me.

"Okay, seriously, what's wrong? Are you pregnant?" He asked, his concern evident.

"Elijah, obviously I'm not pregnant. I'm just tired and stressed. Why do men always assume it's hormonal? It could simply be my damn feelings, you know?" I replied, frustration seeping into my voice.

"Okay, okay," he raised his hand defensively. "Let's go out and blow off some steam then," he offered me a warm smile and pointed for me to take the lead.

We arrived an hour late thanks to Elijah's endless preparation. The moment we stepped inside, my eyes immediately landed on Zoya. There she was, sitting next to the girl from the other night, and my heart clenched in my chest. I had come here to distract myself, yet here stood the very source of my confusion.

When her eyes met mine this time, they held a different expression, one I couldn't quite discern. She quickly looked away, focusing her attention back on the girl beside her, caressing her thigh.

Ezra and Sebastian were also there, engrossed in conversations with their respective partners, leisurely sipping on their drinks.

"What are we waiting for? Let's head to the VIP lounge before we're swarmed by people," Elijah said, nudging me in that direction.

"Ah, there you are! We were starting to think you might not show," Ezra exclaimed cheerfully, rising from his seat to greet us.

The girl sitting next to Zoya lit up with excitement upon seeing Elijah and me. She greeted us with an enormous smile, eagerly expressing her fandom. I struggled to hear her words amidst the noise, feeling an inexplicable urge to dismiss her. After exchanging pleasantries, I took a seat beside Ezra, my demeanor turning noticeably cool. Observing my abrupt change, Ezra cast a confused glance my way, unaccustomed to witnessing such coldness towards a fan.

Concerned, he leaned in and whispered, "Are you alright?"

Frustration crept into my voice as I replied, "What is she doing here? I thought you told Zoya not to make a spectacle of herself in public."

Ezra's expression shifted to one of contemplation. "I advised her against dancing provocatively in the middle of a club, but she's free to date and bring whomever she pleases," he explained, clearly perplexed by my reaction.

My frustration boiled over. "So, you're allowing her to bring this person here?" I demanded, struggling to contain my anger.

"Liv, she has the freedom to do as she wishes. But why does it bother you so much?" Ezra responded, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It doesn't" nonchalantly, I replied with a shrug, evading further explanation. The girl's chatter with Elijah carried on, drowned out by the thumping music in the background.

My focus shifted to Zoya, who was engaged in a hushed conversation with Sebastian. Sensing my gaze upon her, she glanced in my direction, offering a forced smile accompanied by a curt nod. It resembled the strained smile one might give to that pesky uncle at a family gathering when he tirelessly recounts stories of his latest fishing adventures.

The girl settled down beside Zoya, prompting an unexpected display of affection as Zoya showered her with kisses. Even the girl appeared taken aback by the sudden display.

"Noticing this?" I nudged Ezra, trying to catch his attention.

"Liv, we're indoors, no one can see us. What do you want me to do?" Ezra replied, slapping his knee in frustration. "Are you jealous or something?" He maintained eye contact, challenging me.

"Are you insane? Why would I be?" I retorted, crossing my legs tightly while reaching for my drink on the table in front of us. I deliberately avoided looking in Zoya's direction.

Impatiently, I retrieved my phone from my purse and sent a text to Zoya: "Meet me outside in 5 minutes." I waited anxiously for her to glance at her phone, but she continued to keep her face buried in the girl's neck. The girl had her eyes closed, and I had the unsettling feeling that this image would haunt my dreams for days to come.

After a few agonizing minutes, Zoya finally glanced at her phone. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she cast a look my way as if questioning what the hell I was doing. I didn't care. I sent another text, more assertive this time: "Meet me outside, or I'll forcefully drag you out and create a scene." She bit her inner cheek, seeming conflicted, but eventually nodded her head slowly.

I stood up, excusing myself to Elijah and mentioning that I needed to retrieve something from my car. Walking towards my car proved to be a challenge, as a few people noticed me. Fortunately, with the assistance of the security team, I skillfully evaded them.

Once inside my car, I drove to the club's entrance. As soon as Zoya left the club, I rolled down my car window, gesturing for her to join me inside.

"What the fuck are you doing?" We both exclaimed at the same time.

"What am I doing?" We shouted in unison once again.

"Why are you all over that girl again?" I said, frustration lacing my voice.

"Why do you care AGAIN?" She challenged, her eyes narrowing.

"I don't," I muttered, crossing my arms defensively.

"Unbelievable," she scoffed, attempting to storm out of the car. Swiftly, I reached over and locked the door, trapping her in.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, OLIVIA?" she demanded, fury pulsing through her words as she pounded the dashboard.

But instead of responding, something within me took over. In an instant, my hand wrapped around the back of her neck, gently yet firmly pulling her closer. Our lips collided passionately, setting off sparks throughout my entire being. A gasp escaped her as our lips touched, her body pressed against mine. She let out soft moans.. or perhaps it was me that was moaning

I knew one thing , I had never felt this way before.

Just like Andrew and Ezra had told me, there were fireworks igniting in my heart.