The following morning, Olivia stood outside Liam's penthouse building, arms crossed,
eyebrows knit together as she checked the time on her phone.
9:58 AM.
She was early. A rare thing these days.
She tapped her foot, wondering where they were going. His text from last night had been
vague, almost teasing. And after the tension with Serena yesterday, Olivia had spent most of
the night replaying conversations in her head.
What did Serena mean by not every lie stays a lie forever? And why did it rattle her so
much?
A soft chime sounded as the elevator door slid open. Liam stepped out, freshly groomed,
dressed down in a navy sweater and dark jeans. His usual playful smirk tugged at the
corners of his mouth when he saw her.
"You came."
"You said 10. I'm on time. Don't act surprised."
He chuckled. "You're grumpy when you're suspicious. It's cute."
She rolled her eyes. "Where are we going?"
He tossed her a pair of sunglasses. "You'll see. But wear those. It's bright."
Before she could argue, he led her to the black SUV waiting by the curb. The driver tipped his cap as they slid inside. The divider rose, giving them privacy.
"You look tired," Liam said, watching her closely.
"You try being the center of Hollywood gossip overnight. It's exhausting."
He hesitated. "I didn't mean for this to spiral. I told Ethan to ease up, but he sees dollar
signs."
"And you? What do you see?"
That shut him up.
For the rest of the ride, they sat in silence.
Not tense, not awkward. Just… quiet.
Olivia gazed out the window, wondering what kind of mess she had gotten herself into.
Wondering why Liam Hayes , a man with the world at his feet seemed to want her in this.
***********************************
They pulled up to a low-rise building in a quiet neighborhood, nothing like the glitz and glamour of Liam's usual haunts.
Olivia stepped out slowly, looking around. "Where are we?"
Liam motioned for her to follow. "Come on."
He led her through the entrance, down a hallway, and finally to a door marked 'Children's Creative Therapy Center'.
Inside, it was a burst of color, murals, toys, tiny chairs, and laughter. A group of kids sat on the floor, finger-painting under the guidance of two smiling volunteers.
Liam greeted one of the staff members warmly. Olivia stood stunned.
He turned to her. "Every month I come here. Usually in secret. These kids… they don't care about fame or press. They just need people."
One of the children spotted Liam and squealed. "Liam! Liam! Look what I made!"
A little girl with frizzy hair ran up with a crooked, rainbow-painted picture. Liam knelt down and accepted it like it was the Mona Lisa.
"This is beautiful, Maya. You did all this yourself?"
Maya nodded proudly. "With Miss Angie's help!"
"Well, I think you're a genius. Can I hang it on my fridge?"
Maya giggled and ran off.
Olivia blinked. She didn't know what she expected but this wasn't it.
Liam approached her again, softer this time. "I started supporting this place after my sister
passed away. She was a therapist. Loved working with kids."
Olivia's heart twisted. She'd never seen this side of him.
"Why bring me here?"
He shrugged. "Because I want you to know there's more to me than the tabloids. And maybe
I wanted you to see something real."
*****************************
They spent an hour painting with the kids. Olivia helped a boy named Theo build a rocket
from cardboard. Liam read stories. Laughed. Played.
When they finally stepped outside again, Olivia felt… lighter.
Liam looked at her. "You don't have to say anything. I just wanted to share it."
She nodded, her voice quiet. "Thank you for trusting me."
He gave her a small smile. "You're the only one lately who doesn't treat me like a product."
Her phone buzzed. A message from Ethan:
ETHAN: Big interview with Rolling Vibe tomorrow. You two need to be picture-perfect.
Drama-free. No surprises.
She sighed and showed Liam the message.
He read it, then grinned. "Then let's give them the best fake love story Hollywood's ever
seen."
She laughed, but it felt different this time. Less forced. More… dangerous.
Because the lines were beginning to blur.
*************************
Later that evening, back at Liam's penthouse, Olivia helped him sort through wardrobe options for the interview.
He tossed a ridiculous velvet blazer over his shoulder. "Too much?"
She wrinkled her nose. "You look like an off-brand magician."
He laughed. "Brutal honesty. Refreshing."
She found a classic grey suit and held it up. "This one. Trust me."
He took it, then paused. "Stay for dinner?"
Her lips parted. She should've said no. This wasn't part of the job.
But something in his eyes, soft, hesitant, made her nod. "Okay. But I'm picking the movie."
His grin widened. "Deal."
They ate takeout on his couch, watching a random thriller that made Olivia jump and Liam laugh.
At one point, he reached for the remote and his hand brushed hers.
She didn't move.
Neither did he.
They both looked down at their hands. Then up at each other.
The moment stretched.
Tense. Suspended.
But before anything could happen, her phone buzzed again. Another text.
UNKNOWN: You should know the truth about Liam Hayes. Before it's too late.
Olivia's blood ran cold.
She didn't recognize the number.
Didn't recognize the message.
But the timing?
Uncanny.
Liam noticed her expression. "You okay?"
She forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… spam."
But her heart was racing.
Who sent that message?
And what truth did they think she didn't already know?
As she sat beside Liam, laughter fading into silence, Olivia realized something:
She wasn't just faking a relationship anymore.
She was falling into a story she didn't understand.
And someone, somewhere, didn't want her getting too close to the truth.
Not now. Not ever.