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

Chapter 24

Olivia's POV

I could barely swallow my food, as a lump formed in my throat. Everything had happened so quickly, leaving no opportunity for me to speak to Zoya. I wondered if her parents were aware of her sexuality, and what their relationship was like. Uncertainty swirled around my mind regarding how much her mother had heard or seen. My own carelessness haunted me, as I knew better than to let my guard down, but with Zoya, my common sense always seemed to disappear. My eyes couldn't help but scan her face, my worries focused solely on her. Was she uncomfortable? Scared? Were we even okay? Numerous questions ran through my mind. This day had been an emotional rollercoaster, yet despite everything, simply being in the same room as Zoya gave me strength. She was meant to be mine, and nothing and no one could alter that.

"So, Olivia, how did you meet Zoya?" Omar asked, diverting my attention from my pretense of eating by aimlessly swirling food on my plate.

"On the floor," I absentmindedly replied. Zoya choked on her water, giving me a confused look as the realization of what I had said sank in.

"Pardon me?" Omar inquired, and I nervously chuckled.

"I walked into a room and discovered the crew of my new TV show trying to revive an unconscious girl lying on the floor," I explained, attempting to clarify the situation.

"Sounds like Zoya, she's always been frail," he remarked. While I could have assumed he was merely referring to her health, there was something about his smug smile and the way Zoya shifted uncomfortably in her seat that made me suspect otherwise.

"I have to disagree. She is far from that. Personally, I could never juggle studying and working simultaneously. Both of those endeavors demand full time and dedication, yet she manages to strike a perfect balance. I'm certain she is your pride and joy," I remarked, offering a warm smile to both of her parents. However, my smile faded as both Zoya and her father scoffed simultaneously, locking eyes in an uncomfortable exchange. It compelled me to look to Zoya's mother, hoping for some clarification.

"Nevermind these two and enjoy your dinner," she cheerfully interjected, disregarding them with a casual wave.

"And how do you find the life of an actress?" Omar finally shifted his attention from the unsettling eye contact exchange he had been engaged in with Zoya, redirecting his focus back to me.

"It can be stressful and demanding, but overall, it's incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling," I cautiously replied, sensing that there was something far more significant happening beyond my understanding.

"So, standing in front of a camera and reading from a script is both stressful and fulfilling?" he questioned, punctuating his inquiry by slicing into his steak. The sound of his knife scraping against the plate echoing through the room, filling the silence that followed his statement.

"Acting is much more than just standing in front of a camera," I replied, attempting to maintain a calm demeanor as I started to piece together the situation. It was clear that Omar disapproved of Zoya's life choices.

"What is your purpose in life, Olivia?" he condescendingly asked, his tone dripping with judgment. Throughout this entire interaction, I purposefully avoided looking at Zoya, afraid that she might interpret it as a plea for her to fight my battles for me.

"Do you believe that just because I am an actor, I don't have a purpose?" I retorted. "What's your definition of having a purpose in life? What matters is that I have something I believe in, something I fight for, and it brings me joy. I am living life to the fullest without causing harm to anyone. On the contrary, my work brings people happiness, and I express my own beliefs through my work." Setting my knife and fork down, I was grateful for the excuse to claim a loss of appetite.