1,2,3 And.. Love! (GXG)

Chapter 20

Olivia's POV

I flinched at the sound of the magazine smacking against the table in front of me, my eyes darting towards a furious Ava as she paced back and forth in front of my desk.

"Look at this picture, Liv," she pointed towards a photo of me leaving the club with Zoya, both of us seemingly emotional.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to remain composed. "Ava, I was simply being a supportive friend. Zoya wasn't feeling well, and I was just taking her home."

Ava scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "Liv, you know how quickly rumors spread in this industry. The public will start speculating about your relationship. You need to be cautious and maintain a professional distance."

I hesitated, feeling conflicted. "I can't just abandon Zoya," I said, my voice laced with determination. Deep down, I knew my connection with her was something special, and I couldn't easily walk away.

Ava sighed, looking towards Elijah as if seeking assistance. "Please, Ava, give us a moment," Elijah interjected, his voice calm but firm. Reluctantly, Ava left the room, her frustration apparent.

Elijah walked over to me, his expression filled with concern. He gently held my face, searching my eyes for answers. I avoided his gaze, knowing that if I made eye contact, he would see the truth.

"I'm fine," I lied, trying to dismiss the tension. "Just stressed."

"Let's take tonight to relax," Elijah suggested, his words soothing. "We can discuss Ava's concerns tomorrow."

Before I could respond, he leaned in and kissed me. At that moment, something inside of me screamed that this wasn't right. It didn't feel like Zoya's touch, her warmth, or her love. My heart and mind were in turmoil, responding with a resounding "no," even though logic dictated it should have been the other way around. This should have felt wrong with Zoya and right with my husband.

But as his hands began to undress me, my body refused to respond. It wasn't guilt that overcame me; it was a deeper realization. I felt a profound desire to cry, to run away from this falseness.

"Elijah," I said, my voice shaky as I placed my hand on his chest, gently pushing him away. I quickly wiped away tears from my cheek, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

"I... I'm on my period," I lied, unable to meet his eyes. From the corner of my vision, I saw him nod, accepting my excuse.

"But you understand Ava's concerns, Liv," he said, gently rubbing my forearm. "As the show airs, speculations will grow, and our lives will be scrutinized. You know this, I know this. What has changed now?" he asked, his voice filled with frustration and a tinge of sadness.

I knew all too well what had changed. Throughout my career, I had always made sacrifices, putting my ambitions above everything else. But with Zoya, it was different. Letting her go felt unbearable, even with the looming consequences. The mere thought of losing her suffocated me, and it was a weight I couldn't easily dismiss.

"Why should I have to sacrifice my friend just because both of you think it's the right thing to do?" I exclaimed, my anger seeping into my words.

"We're not asking you to lose your friend entirely, but to keep your interactions professional, like you do with all the other cast members. Why is that so difficult for you?" Elijah asked, his confusion evident.

"Because it just is! She's not just someone I'm filming with; she's my friend," I tried to explain, frustration lacing my voice.

"Ava is your friend, Liv. But this girl, you barely even know her," Elijah insisted, and my patience reached its breaking point.