Chapter 7

Olivia's POV

I glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table, its digits glowing 6:05 am. It had become a routine for me to be awake at this early hour, unable to find any respite in peaceful sleep. Turning my gaze to Elijah, his strong hand gently encircling my waist, I realized that he remained blissfully unaware of my sleep troubles. I didn't want to burden him with the knowledge, fearing it might disturb the harmony we had cultivated in our relationship.

Fortunately, my work obligations required me to be up by 7 am, so I found solace in knowing I wouldn't have to lay here much longer. I couldn't help but wonder if I would cross paths with Zoya today. It had been two days since I gave her my number, but she hadn't reached out to me. It seemed she had no trouble getting along with the rest of the cast. Recalling the look on her face when I handed her my number, a mix of surprise and a hint of horror, I couldn't help but giggle at the memory. Thinking about it, she always looked at me in that unique way. While I had encountered many fans who admired me, there was something different about Zoya. She made me smile not just because she was a fan, but because her personality was genuinely fun. She was refreshingly real, unafraid to embarrass herself. I missed having someone around who felt authentic, even if she still admired me.

I haven't had the chance to see her act yet, but Ezra informed me that Zoya was excelling in her table reads, diligently memorizing her lines and putting in the hard work. We still had two more table reads lined up, and I couldn't help but hope for an opportunity to be paired with her in today's session. Unlike every other day, my table read was scheduled for the evening not the mornings, as I had to shoot an advertisement for a new perfume before heading to Ezra's production company.

As my alarm clock began to ring, Elijah stirred beside me, enfolding me tighter in his embrace. I reached over and turned off the alarm, attempting to gently remove his hands from around my waist. However, instead of releasing his hold, he pulled me even closer, trailing kisses along my neck.

"Where do you think you're going?" he groggily asked me.

"As much as I enjoy this, I have to go to work," I giggled, slipping away from his grasp.

"That's not fair," he grumbled, frustration evident in his voice as he hit the pillow.

"You were the one who fell asleep last night," I replied, planting a quick kiss on his forehead before making my way to the bathroom.

Our intimate life and relationship were both satisfying and healthy; I couldn't complain. I was grateful to have someone like Elijah. However, sometimes things felt like more of a routine or obligation. Maybe it was natural with our busy schedules and the inevitable monotony that crept into our lives. We found ourselves planning every step, even our intimate moments. Ezra often commented on how strange it seemed, but for me, love was about more than just the physicality. At least we had a mutual understanding when it came to this aspect of our relationship.

I took a refreshing shower and opted for a simple, comfortable t-shirt knowing that my stylist would take care of choosing my outfit when I arrived. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I noticed the slight bags under my eyes, causing a hint of dissatisfaction. Deciding to cover them up, I reached for my sunglasses and confidently walked out of the house to get in my car.

"Good morning, Noah," I greeted, fastening my seatbelt, to which he simply nodded in response.

"Always the talkative one, aren't you?" I chuckled, casting a glance at him through the rearview mirror.

"You've got Miss Ava for that," he finally said, a slight smile gracing his lips.

"Touche. Let's pick her up before we end up being late. I have a jam-packed schedule today," I replied, recalling the busy day ahead of me.

Shooting advertisements was always something I detested. It seemed to churn my insides and leave me feeling dreadful. From the heavy makeup to the wardrobe choices, everything about it made me feel like a prop. Acting, on the other hand, was a different story. It was my genuine passion. People admired me for my acting abilities, but in advertisements, it all boiled down to superficial appearances. Hence, the provocative makeup and outfits became obligatory.

"That was absolutely dreadful," I expressed to Ava, relieved when she handed me my cup of coffee after finishing the shoot.

"I understand, but you're aware that your agency requires you to do four advertisements a year as per your contract," Ava reminded me, highlighting the harsh reality.

"I was young and ambitious when I signed that contract, I didn't fully comprehend the implications," I admitted to Ava, reminiscing about the terms and conditions I agreed to.

"I understand, and we're nearly done with the ten-year mark. Once that's over, you'll have the freedom to sign with any agency you desire," Ava assured me with a comforting tone.

"Please remind me to warn Zoya about that trap," I absentmindedly requested from Ava.

"Zoya?" Ava questioned, seeking clarification.

"Yes, the girl I mentioned to you the other day," I reminded her.

"Oh, the one who fainted at the sight of you?" Ava chuckled lightly.

"Hey, let's be careful not to mention that in her presence. She's quite sensitive," I warned Ava with a serious tone.

"Sensitive? How did you come to that conclusion?" Ava inquired curiously.

"Well, I can't say for sure, but she gives off an air of vulnerability. Being new to all of this, the whole experience can be overwhelming for her. It's important to me that she doesn't feel embarrassed or uncomfortable around me. I genuinely want to be someone she can trust and consider as a friend," I explained to Ava, hoping she would understand, although her perplexed expression left me questioning whether I properly conveyed my intentions.

"What time is it?" I asked, deciding to shift the focus.

"It's 4:30, we're 30 minutes late for the table read," Ava replied, checking her watch.

"Damn it, Ezra is going to kill me. I don't have time to change," I exclaimed, examining the short black dress I was wearing.

"Don't worry, you look fantastic. Let's go, Noah is waiting," Ava assured me as she tugged on my arm, and reluctantly, I followed her.

I sent a quick text to Ezra as soon as I settled in the car, letting him know that I was running a bit late but would be there soon. I didn't want him to be too upset with me. Ezra and I had a strong friendship, but when it came to his work, he was unwilling to make compromises for anyone, which was one of the qualities I respected about him and one of the reasons behind his success.

I walked into the room where the cast already settled in their places and was going over their scripts, just like last time, I noticed Zoya sitting on her own by the end of the table, her eyebrows furrowed as she read through her script in silent focus

"This is Zoya over there," I whispered to Ava while subtly nodding in her direction, "remember to keep quiet about what I told you."

Ava, curious, asked, "Why is she sitting there all alone, like the high-school outcast?"

"She holds opinions about everyone just like you," I said with a chuckle, "you two would actually make great friends."

"Go on now, before Ezra starts breathing fire. I'll take my well-deserved break in the cafeteria and wait for you," Ava teased, earning an eye roll from me as I made my way to my assigned seat.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm running a bit late," I sheepishly announced as I approached the group huddled around Anthony, my co-star who's practically a legend in the business.

Anthony flashed me one of his classic charming smiles, rising from his chair to give me a friendly peck on the cheek. With a wave of excitement, I went around greeting everyone else, and honestly, they didn't strike me as snobs at all.

But then, my eyes locked onto Zoya. There was something about the way she looked at me, always different, kind of mysterious. It had this strange power that drew me in.

"Why isn't Zoya sitting with you guys?" I finally spoke up, directing my gaze towards Anthony. "She seems a bit lonely."

"Zoya?" Anthony looked at me, his expression momentarily puzzled. "Oh, the new girl. Well, she hasn't really made an effort to mix with everyone. She just stays at her spot from the moment she arrives until it's time to leave," he replied, his tone devoid of emotion.

"But she's new, maybe she just needs someone to help her feel included and engaged in the conversation," I replied, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Zoya.

"Liv, why are you so concerned about the nanny?" Layla chimed in, followed by an annoying laugh. She leaned on Anthony, who joined in on the joke.

"That's not funny or appropriate. Her role as a nanny doesn't diminish her value as a human being or as a colleague," I fired back abruptly, causing their laughter to instantly fade. I didn't wait for their response and walked over to Zoya, who still had her eyes fixed on me. Fortunately, she was at a distance where she couldn't hear our conversation.

"Hey again," I said, gently resting my hand on her shoulder.

She glanced at my hand and then back at me, her smile lighting up her face. After a moment, she exhaled a soft "hello," almost escaping my notice if our eyes hadn't been locked together.

I took the seat next to her and asked, "Are you okay?" My gaze briefly shifted to the script on the seat, which was labeled Layla.

"I honestly didn't expect to see you here today. You're never present for our table reads," she confessed, her surprise evident in her words. She quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing red.

Feeling a hint of amusement, I replied, "I missed the morning table read because I had a commercial shooting."

"I... noticed you have a different outfit and makeup on today. You look absolutely stunning," she struggled to articulate her thoughts. As endearing as it was, I wished she could feel comfortable around me. I wanted her to have a friend in this place, knowing she was young and I didn't want her to end up like me-unable to control my own life because I had no one to advise me when I was her age.

"Thank you," I replied, wanting to make her feel at ease. "You look beautiful today as well." Before she could respond, Ezra's voice interrupted, asking if we were ready to begin.

Layla approached me, her demeanor indicating that she was still upset about the scolding I had given her earlier.

"Liv, you're in my seat," she murmured, her gaze fixed to the ground.

"Can you take the seat next to Anthony? I would like to stay by Zoya's side today," I requested, confident that Layla would gladly switch seats. True to my expectations, she nodded eagerly, grabbing the script in front of me before making her way towards Anthony.

As I turned to face Zoya, concern etched across my face, I noticed her blushing complexion and slightly parted lips. She looked on the verge of fainting once again.

"Are you alright?" I asked, my voice filled with worry. Zoya nodded, taking a sip of water as she looked towards Ezra.

In the meantime, I took out my own script from my bag and began jotting down some notes. Occasionally, I could feel Zoya's curious gaze lingering on me, but she remained silent, simply observing.

The silence between us wasn't awkward; rather, it was surprisingly peaceful. There was no pressure to constantly talk, and Zoya refrained from making any inappropriate remarks just to catch my attention. We were both focused on our work, yet somehow keeping each other's company. It made me realize just how much I craved this kind of friendship.