The First Clash

A heavy silence filled the studio. The tension was thick enough to slice with a knife.

Everyone stood frozen, eyes bouncing between Olivia and Liam, waiting for his reaction.

Liam's sharp blue eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. Then, ever so slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice dangerously smooth.

Olivia swallowed hard. Every rational part of her brain screamed at her to back down, to apologize, to salvage whatever was left of her first day.

But her pride had already dug its heels in.

"I said," she repeated, her voice steadier than she expected, "maybe if you weren't acting like a spoiled prince all day, this wouldn't have happened."

A few crew members inhaled sharply. The makeup artist looked like she wanted to bolt. Even Ethan ran a hand down his face, mumbling something under his breath.

Liam, on the other hand, seemed… amused.

"Oh," he drawled, tilting his head. "So, not only are you clumsy, but you've got a mouth on you, too?"

Olivia clenched her fists. "I said it was an accident. You're acting like I set your jacket on fire."

Liam let out a short, humorless laugh. "Do you have any idea how much this jacket costs?"

She crossed her arms. "More than my rent, I'm guessing?"

His smirk widened. "Try more than your yearly rent, sweetheart."

Olivia barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "That sounds like a you problem."

Gasps rippled through the room. Someone muttered, "Oh, she's so getting fired."

Ethan stepped between them. "Alright, that's enough." He shot Olivia a warning glance before turning to Liam. "Go change, and I'll handle this."

Liam didn't move. His gaze flicked over Olivia once more, assessing her like she was some kind of puzzle he couldn't quite figure out.

Then, with a scoff, he muttered, "She won't last a week."

Without another word, he turned and walked off toward his dressing room.

Olivia exhaled sharply, realizing she had been holding her breath.

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you trying to get fired?"

Olivia crossed her arms. "I'm trying to do my job. He's the one being impossible."

Ethan let out a tired sigh. "Look, Liam's difficult. We all know that. But you can't go mouthing off at him on your first day."

"I wasn't 'mouthing off,'" she defended. "I was standing up for myself."

Ethan rubbed his temples. "Whatever you want to call it, just don't do it again. Liam has fired assistants over less."

That shut her up.

Ethan must have sensed her frustration because his tone softened. "Look, I get it. He's a handful. But if you really want this job, you're gonna have to learn how to handle him."

Olivia inhaled deeply, forcing herself to calm down.

Was she really about to let some arrogant movie star push her out of a much-needed paycheck?

No.

She needed this job.

Even if it meant dealing with Liam Hayes and his unbearable attitude.

"I'll handle it," she finally muttered.

Ethan gave her a knowing look before patting her shoulder. "Good. Now, go home. Tomorrow's another day."

Yeah, another day of pure hell.

The Aftermath

By the time Olivia got home, exhaustion had settled deep into her bones.

She collapsed onto her couch, staring at the ceiling.

What a disaster of a first day.

She had never met someone as insufferable as Liam Hayes in her entire life. He was arrogant, spoiled, and treated people like they were beneath him.

And she was supposed to be his assistant?

God help her.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

Unknown: You better not spill anything on me tomorrow, sweetheart.

Olivia's jaw dropped.

She knew exactly who it was.

Olivia: How did you get my number?

Liam: I'm a celebrity. I have my ways.

Olivia: You're also a pain in the ass.

Liam: And you're a walking disaster. This is gonna be fun.

Olivia groaned, tossing her phone onto the couch.

She was so screwed.

The Next Morning

The second Olivia stepped into the studio the next morning, she could feel the tension in the air.

Word had clearly spread about her run-in with Liam. Crew members threw her curious glances, and some even whispered as she passed.

Fantastic. She had officially become that assistant.

Ethan greeted her with a clipboard. "Liam has a press interview today. Your job is to make sure he doesn't say anything that gets him canceled."

Olivia frowned. "He has a habit of saying things that get him canceled?"

Ethan snorted. "Oh, you have no idea."

As if on cue, Liam strolled in. He was dressed casually today black jeans, a fitted navy shirt, and that same infuriatingly smug expression.

"Morning, sweetheart," he greeted lazily.

Olivia resisted the urge to throttle him. "My name is Olivia."

Liam smirked. "Sure, sweetheart."

She clenched her jaw so hard it hurt.

Ethan, sensing another argument, quickly stepped in. "Liam, the interview starts in ten. Olivia will be there to assist."

Liam made a face. "Great. My very own babysitter."

Olivia exhaled slowly. "This is going to be a long day."

Liam flashed her a dazzling smile. "Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea."