Olivia's alarm blared at 5:30 a.m., dragging her out of a restless sleep. She groaned, smacking the snooze button before remembering today was her first day as Liam Hayes' personal assistant.
She sat up with a jolt. Shit.
Her nerves kicked in instantly. Was she really about to work for one of the most notorious actors in Hollywood?
She swung her legs out of bed, rubbing her face. "It's just a job," she muttered to herself. "You need the money."
Still, a part of her wondered if she was making a huge mistake.
By the time she showered, dressed, and grabbed a quick breakfast, it was already 6:45. She planned to leave early to avoid traffic, but Los Angeles had other plans.
The Commute from Hell
What should have been a thirty-minute drive turned into a nightmare. Traffic was horrendous. Bumper to bumper, horns blaring, people cutting each other off like it was some kind of death race.
Olivia gripped the steering wheel, glancing at the time. 7:30 a.m.
She still had thirty minutes. She could make it.
Except… fate wasn't on her side.
A delivery truck stalled in the middle of the intersection ahead, bringing traffic to a complete stop.
"Oh, come on!" she groaned, drumming her fingers against the wheel.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Ethan.
Ethan: Liam hates lateness. Don't screw this up.
Great. As if she wasn't already panicking.
By the time she finally reached the studio parking lot, it was 7:58 a.m.
Two minutes.
She barely had time to breathe before grabbing her bag and sprinting inside.
The Studio Disaster
The studio was massive, filled with crew members setting up for the shoot. Olivia had never been on a set before, and it showed she had no idea where to go or what to do.
She spotted Ethan near the monitor screens and rushed over. "I made it!" she panted.
Ethan checked his watch. "Barely."
Before she could respond, the sound of laughter and loud voices filled the room.
And then, he walked in.
Liam Hayes.
Dressed in a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, looking every bit the movie star he was. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his smug expression told Olivia everything she needed to know he was used to being the center of attention.
The entire room shifted as he entered. Crew members greeted him, stylists fussed over him, and the photographer shook his hand like he was royalty.
But Liam? He didn't even acknowledge half of them.
And he certainly didn't acknowledge her.
Ethan stepped forward. "Liam, this is Olivia Carter. Your new PA."
Liam's eyes barely flickered in her direction. "Cool."
Cool? That was it?
She stood there, expecting some kind of proper greeting, but Liam had already turned away, letting a stylist adjust his collar.
Olivia clenched her jaw. Okay. Rude.
Ethan handed her a clipboard. "Your job is to make sure he has everything he needs. Coffee, schedule updates, minor errands. Just… keep him on track."
Easier said than done.
She watched as Liam laughed with the makeup artist, flirting shamelessly. He was supposed to be preparing for the shoot, but instead, he was cracking jokes and acting like he had all the time in the world.
An hour passed, and they hadn't even started yet.
Olivia finally built up the courage to step closer. "Um, Mr. Hayes, the shoot was supposed to start thirty minutes ago."
Liam glanced at her, then went back to his conversation as if she didn't exist.
Olivia's patience thinned. She tried again. "Mr. Hayes"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you," he interrupted lazily. "Relax, sweetheart. The camera's not going anywhere."
Olivia's eye twitched. Did he just call me sweetheart?
Ethan shot her a warning look, but she ignored it. "I understand, but everyone's waiting. Maybe we could...."
Liam let out an exaggerated sigh, standing up. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
He strolled toward the set as if he was doing them a favor.
Olivia took a deep breath.
This was going to be a long day.
More Attitude, More Headaches
The shoot dragged on for hours.
Liam complained about everything. The lighting was wrong. The music was boring. The coffee wasn't strong enough.
And every time Olivia tried to help, he dismissed her like she was nothing more than background noise.
At one point, he called for a break and grabbed his phone, scrolling through messages while everyone else stood around, waiting for him.
Olivia clenched her fists.
This guy is the worst.
When the shoot finally wrapped, she let out a breath of relief. Maybe now she could escape.
But, of course, things had to get worse.
The Coffee Incident
"Olivia," Ethan called. "Liam needs his post-shoot coffee. Black. No sugar."
Simple enough.
She rushed to grab a cup from the catering table, poured the coffee, and walked back only for someone to bump into her.
The cup slipped.
And before she could react…
Splash.
Hot coffee. All over Liam's designer jacket.
The entire room went silent.
Olivia froze in horror.
Liam slowly looked down at the stain, his jaw tightening. Then, he lifted his gaze to her.
"Are you kidding me?" His voice was dangerously calm.
"I—I'm so sorry!" Olivia stammered, grabbing napkins.
Liam took a deep breath, clearly trying to contain his anger. "You had one job."
Ethan rushed over. "Liam, relax"
Liam ignored him, stepping closer to Olivia. "Do you know how much this jacket costs?"
She swallowed hard. "I.....I can replace it?"
Liam let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, sweetheart, you definitely can't afford it."
That was it.
Olivia's embarrassment turned into frustration. "It was an accident," she snapped. "Maybe if you weren't acting like a spoiled prince all day, it wouldn't have happened."
A hush fell over the room.
Ethan's eyes widened. The crew exchanged nervous glances.
Liam arched a brow. "Excuse me?"
Oh, God. Did she really just say that out loud?
Yes. Yes, she did.
And from the look on Liam's face?
She was so screwed.