Nova felt the tension rise in the room but didn't want to stick around to feel uncomfortable. She quickly muttered a quick goodbye, forcing a smile before turning to leave. As she walked away, she could feel Eva's eyes on her, but she kept her focus straight ahead, determined to stay professional and not let her emotions get the better of her.
The words Eva had said kept replaying in Nova's head. She thought about what happened every single minute. "Is she even pretty? Yes, she is... But he was looking at me every chance he got, what does that mean?" She was lost in her thoughts until her phone rang, it was her sister.
"Hey, Lara! What's up?" she answered the phone.
"Everything's fine, are you still at work?" her sister asked.
"Yeah, but it's okay, we can talk, I'm on a break," Nova replied, walking to a private spot to continue the conversation.
"So, what happened? Did you see him? Obviously, you saw him! Did you touch him? Or talk to him?" Lara bombarded her with questions.
"What would I even talk about with him? It's just today..." Nova interrupted her sister.
"Are you crazy? You don't know what to say? You should confess that he's your crush! Oh God, Nova, stop being so clueless!" Lara insisted, eager to hear more about Nova's feelings for Liam.
"Lara, you don't understand. I can't just go up to him and say, 'Hey, I have a crush on you.' That's weird, I might lose my job, you know," Nova explained, unaware that Eva was listening behind her.
"So, that's what made you fight for this job, huh?" Eva's voice cut in, making Nova jump and drop her phone.
"You scared me!" Nova exclaimed, picking up her phone. "Were you talking to me?" she asked, trying to act as if she hadn't understood the question.
"Do you see anyone else around? Besides you and me?" Eva replied, raising an eyebrow.
Nova glanced around "Oh... sorry, I didn't realize we were alone here, what are you doing here?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
"I saw you talking in the dark and followed you, everything is dangerous for girls nowadays, so I thought I should look out for my fellow lady here," Eva said, her voice dripping with false concern. She continued, her tone sharp, "And the moment I got here, I overheard some exclusive news… actually I already knew you had a crush on Liam since you tagged him in your posts."
Nova's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about? Is it a crime to tag someone in my posts? That doesn't mean I have anything to do with him! I tagged him because his songs were playing in the background of my videos, that's all." Her voice was firm.
Nova was kind, but she wouldn't back down when someone tried to get under her skin.
"Oh, and if you're referring to the comments, it's normal to comment on something interesting, he's my favorite musician, after all," she added confidently.
"Wow! You never change, Nova, huh? Still talkative, maybe even more than before," Eva sneered.
Nova clenched her jaw.
"Do you have anything else to say, or should I leave?" She didn't want to risk losing her job over Eva's provocation, but she was dangerously close to snapping.
Just as she was about to turn away, Liam appeared, unnoticed by either of them.
"What are you two talking about? Do you know each other? It seems that way," Liam asked, his eyes moving between them.
"Oh, babe, you can't be without me for a minute? Were you looking for me?" Eva's tone softened a complete shift from moments ago.
"Yes, I was looking for you, but... do you two know each other?" Liam repeated his curiosity evident.
Nova, already frustrated, started to walk away without answering.
"Nova, why are you leaving without saying anything? I didn't even introduce you properly, even if we weren't friends in school, we can be friends now, right?" Eva's voice was laced with mock sweetness, clearly trying to provoke her.
"Oh, you went to the same school as Eva? What a coincidence!" Liam said, smiling. "I'm glad you've reconnected."
Nova muttered under her breath, "Yeah, you must be happy to hurt me right in front of my eyes."
"What was that, Nova?" Eva pressed.
"Never mind," Nova replied sharply. Then, with a pointed look, she added, "Oh, and Eva, I'm flattered you have such a handsome man by your side, but I don't think we can be friends." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "He's my favorite musician, remember? I'd get jealous of you, and that wouldn't be good for our 'friendship.'"
She locked eyes with Liam, her meaning clear. "I should give you two some private time," she finished coldly, and then walked away, anger simmering beneath the surface.
Liam watched her leave, the tension in the room palpable. It was only her first day, yet she had left a strong impression… fiery, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore. But there was something else. Something familiar
'Where have I seen her?' he wondered, scanning his memory. Those eyes, that voice... it was on the tip of his mind. Then it hit him, the videos. Fans had sent him clips, and she had been in the background, laughing, talking. But there was more. The video call, a sudden realization struck him. Months ago, a brief, casual chat with a stranger, it had been her. What were the odds?
Nova walked briskly down the hallway, her mind racing. She didn't care if she'd left a bad impression; it wasn't in her nature to hold back, especially when emotions ran high. Footsteps echoed behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Nova, wait!" Liam's voice called out, firm yet concerned.
She stopped but didn't face him. "What? Are you here to tell me I overreacted?" Her tone was sharp, defensive. "And I'm fired?"
Liam paused a few steps behind her, searching for the right words. "No. I just... I don't understand what happened back there."
Nova turned slowly, her eyes meeting his. "It's nothing you need to worry about. It's... personal."
"It didn't feel like nothing," he insisted. "You're new here, and Eva..."
"Eva," Nova cut him off, her voice icy, "has nothing to do with this place, maybe you should ask her why she felt the need to interfere my conversation."
Liam ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "Look, I'm just trying to understand, you seemed... different in those videos and now..."
Nova's eyes flashed. "You don't know me, Liam, whatever you think you saw, it doesn't matter." Her voice softened. "Just stay out of it."
He watched her walk away, confusion and intrigue swirling inside him. He wasn't used to feeling off-balance, especially not over someone he barely knew. But there was something about Nova, a storm behind her eyes that he couldn't ignore.
He sighed, pulling out his phone. A message from Eva lit up the screen: "Everything okay? Call me." Liam stared at the message, hesitating. Nothing is okay. And he had a feeling it was only going to get more complicated.
The day ended awkwardly between Liam and Nova. Eva had left earlier, but Liam's thoughts were still tangled with Nova. He kept glancing at her, each look pulling him back to the videos where he'd seen her before. His mind was restless. 'I just met her today, what's happening to me? Why can't I stop wondering about her?' He tried searching for her videos again but realized he'd forgotten the name she used on Instagram. Frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior.
Nova, too, stole glances at Liam, anger still bubbling inside her. Yet, every moment her eyes met his, a mix of hurt and longing clouded her thoughts.
"Everything is going well, let's wrap up for today," the woman from earlier said, approaching Liam. "The other talent has finished their parts."
Liam nodded, exhaustion settling in. "Yeah, it's been a long day, tell everyone to head home, we'll settle the payments tomorrow."
"I'll take care of it," she replied, barely hiding her fatigue.
As the crew dispersed, Nova made her way home, her mind swirling with emotions. Lara was already at her apartment, lounging on the sofa and scrolling through her phone.
"What are you doing here so early?" Nova asked, dropping her bag.
Lara stood, grinning. "You didn't answer your phone, so I came over, you look exhausted, what happened?"
Nova sank onto the couch. "I can't talk about it right now, I need to sleep."
Lara's eyes narrowed playfully. "Promise you'll tell me everything later?"
"Yeah, yeah. But first, can you get me some beers?"
"Always ordering me around," Lara muttered, rolling her eyes. "You owe me."
Nova smirked. "Then I won't tell you anything."
Lara sighed dramatically, grabbing her keys. "Fine, be right back."
Later, with beers in hand, Nova recounted the day's events.
"Why am I even feeling like this? She's doing it on purpose trying to show off, is she that insecure, thinking I'll steal him from her?"
Lara nodded, her expression serious. "Eva's insane, do you think Liam might fire you because of her?"
Nova shrugged, frustration evident.
"I don't know, he's confusing, one moment he's watching me like I'm the only person in the room, the next he's wrapped around Eva, still looking at me, what's his deal?"
Lara put an arm around her. "Don't lose hope, just be yourself, you need a break, we'll go out tonight, have some fun."
Nova managed a small smile. "Yeah. I need it. But go... you'll be late for work."
As Lara left, Nova collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion finally winning
They planned to go out that night not knowing what they will face there.