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

Chapter 31

Zoya's POV

The way she looked at me when she saw Anne shattered my heart. It nearly compelled me to confess that my heart still belonged to her. But then Elijah's presence and his arrogant remarks flashed in my mind. I remembered how she didn't even bat an eye to put him in his place. That's when I chose to walk away, clinging to whatever dignity remained.

"So, is it true?" Anne interrupted my thoughts.

"True about what?" I asked, puzzled.

"About you and Olivia. Is something going on between you two? Is that why we're here pretending?" Her innocent question carried an underlying edge that I knew better than to entertain. I didn't trust Anne one bit.

"Are you serious? Olivia wouldn't leave Elijah for anyone, and as far as I know, she's straight," I replied nonchalantly, trying to play it cool.

"I don't think it's true, for what it's worth," she shrugged, catching my attention. Did she really think so little of me? The thought provoked me, and she seemed to have achieved the reaction she wanted all along.

"And why is that? You think someone like Olivia wouldn't look at someone like me?" I asked, annoyed.

"Of course not." She stopped walking and turned to face me. I watched as her hands gently cupped my face, and before I could react, she pressed her lips to mine, catching me completely off guard. The kiss lasted only a second, but it was enough for the sudden flashes of the camera to blind me. Between the unexpected kiss and the paparazzi's onslaught, I was left frozen in place.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you by their side, Zoya," she smiled sweetly, though behind her smile, I sensed a satisfaction about the photos that would undoubtedly flood the media tomorrow.

"Why did you do that?" I tried not to show any signs of anger or disapproval, aware that all eyes were on us, and the thought of Olivia witnessing that kiss made me uneasy.

"Because there's nothing straight about Olivia, and if the rumors are true, I'm just helping out a friend," she said casually, pulling me towards the bar to get more drinks as she walked away.

I took a seat beside her at the bar while we waited for the drinks she had ordered. I was too apprehensive to glance behind me and see if Olivia was watching. I wanted to hold onto hope and tell myself she probably hadn't witnessed the kiss, but even if she hadn't seen it, she would likely discover it once the pictures were released.

"I have to say, I didn't think you had that in you," Sebastian remarked as he approached, his usual cheerful grin in place.

"She doesn't. I stole the kiss," Anne chimed in with a giggle.

"This isn't funny, either of you. That wasn't the agreement," I huffed angrily.

"The agreement was to give them something else to focus on," Sebastian tried to soothe my tension, though I could tell he was already relishing the impending drama.

"If you claim nothing is happening between you and Olivia, why are you so upset?" Anne prodded, aiming to provoke another reaction from me.

"I'm upset because you don't just kiss someone out of nowhere like that, especially someone you dumped and hurt due to selfish impulses," I retorted, regretting listening to Sebastian. I didn't feel good about potentially hurting Olivia, and I certainly didn't feel good about being kissed by my ex whom I despised. The entire situation was spiraling into chaos, but perhaps it would indeed divert attention away from Olivia and me, allowing me a moment to catch my breath.

"Zoya, I know I hurt you. Trust me, I regret it every single day. I've tried to make amends and fix my mistakes. I understand if you don't forgive me, but I'm genuinely trying to help you now. That has to count for something," Anne said, her tone serious. I wrestled with her words, unsure if I could trust her despite feeling a twinge of guilt for my earlier outburst. Before I could respond, she excused herself, mentioning she needed to touch up her makeup in the restroom.