The Message

Olivia couldn't sleep.

Even after leaving Liam's penthouse, after smiling through dinner and acting like everything was fine, her mind kept returning to that anonymous message.

'You should know the truth about Liam Hunt. Before it's too late'.

She replayed the words a hundred times.

There was no name, no hint. Just a single,

ominous warning.

What truth?

She stared at her phone screen from her bed, the message still open, waiting for something, another text, a follow-up.

Nothing came.

By morning, Olivia looked like she hadn't slept in days. She dragged herself into Ethan's office at the studio for a pre-interview prep, only to find Liam already there, charming as ever.

He was leaning back in a chair, coffee in one hand, tossing peanuts into the air with the

other.

"Morning, sunshine," he said with a wink.

"You look... devastatingly tired."

"Late night." She offered a tight smile and dropped her bag. "Where's Ethan?"

"Running late. Big shock."

Liam studied her a little too long, his teasing fading into concern. "Hey, you okay? You've got that haunted writer look going on."

She hesitated. Should she tell him about the message?

No. Not yet.

"I'm fine," she said. "Just anxious about today. Big interview. Big lies. You know the drill."

He chuckled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "We'll survive it."

Moments later, Ethan burst in. He looked flustered, juggling his phone and two iced coffees.

"Alright, lovebirds," he said, slapping a folder on the desk. "Let's prep. This is Rolling Vibe.

You don't half-ass Rolling Vibe."

He went through the questions, standard PR fluff: how they met, how long they've been

together, what they love about each other. Olivia took mental notes. She could write better lines in her sleep.

But then Ethan added, "One twist, they want an unscripted moment. Something raw.

They're asking you both to bring a personal item that symbolizes your relationship."

Olivia blinked. "What does that even mean?"

Liam grinned. "I think it means we dig into our closets and fake vulnerability."

"Exactly," Ethan said. "So figure it out. You've got six hours. Don't screw it up."

*****************************

Olivia left the studio feeling off-balance. Something was shifting, and she didn't like how fast

it was happening. The message. The interview. The strange glint in Ethan's eyes.

She didn't go home.

Instead, she found herself at a quiet coffee shop downtown, tucked in a corner booth with

her laptop open but not writing. Just staring.

Her thoughts kept circling.

What if the message was real? What if there was something about Liam she didn't know?

She typed back to the number. Who are you? What do you mean about Liam?

No response.

She sighed and closed the tab.

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.

UNKNOWN: You'll see it soon enough. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Chills broke over her skin.

**********************************

Back at Liam's penthouse, he stood in front of a display shelf, holding a small object in his

hand. A worn silver bracelet.

It had belonged to his sister. She'd given it to him on her last birthday before the accident.

He hadn't touched it in years.

Why now?

Because Olivia mattered more than he liked to admit. And this charade, it wasn't feeling fake

anymore.

She saw him.

And it terrified him.

He slipped the bracelet into a box and closed it gently.

******************************************

Olivia showed up at the interview hours later in a black pantsuit, hair pulled back, face

composed. She carried a small leather notebook, her first writing journal. The one she had

before she met Liam.

They were ushered into a soundstage dressed like an intimate loft. Lights everywhere.

Cameras. A stage director counting down.

"And we're rolling in 3… 2…"

The host, Marla Pierce, smiled wide. "Welcome to Rolling Vibe. We're joined today by

Hollywood's newest obsession, Liam Hayes and Olivia Carter."

Liam gave a charming nod. Olivia smiled, nerves tapping at her spine.

The first few questions were easy. Rehearsed.

Then Marla leaned in. "Let's talk about first impressions. What did you think of each other

when you met?"

Olivia laughed, remembering his arrogance. "He was late, egotistical, and I thought he was

probably the worst boss I'd ever have."

The crew chuckled.

Liam smirked. "She hated me. I thought it was cute."

Marla smiled. "And now?"

Liam paused. Looked at Olivia.

"Now," he said, softer, "I think she's the best thing that ever happened to me. Even if she

won't admit it."

There was a silence.

Not fake. Not rehearsed.

Marla leaned forward again. "You were asked to bring something that represents your

relationship. Olivia?"

Olivia opened the notebook and flipped to the first page. Her handwriting was messy,

uncertain.

"This was my first story. I wrote it before I met Liam. Before I knew if I'd ever be good

enough to publish. But every time I wanted to quit, I came back to this. And somehow… he

reminded me I could be more. Even if he drives me crazy."

Liam looked down, visibly moved.

"Your turn," Marla said.

Liam opened the box and held out the silver bracelet.

"My sister gave me this. She was the best part of me. After she died, I stopped letting people in. Fame, parties, all of it, it was a distraction. But Olivia… she cut through all of that. She reminds me of her. Brave. Kind. Honest."

The room went still.

Marla blinked. "That's… beautiful."

A beat passed. Then she said, "Thank you both for sharing that. We'll cut here."

The cameras powered down.

Ethan approached with a huge grin. "You two just sold the love story of the century. Perfect."

But Olivia couldn't stop staring at the bracelet.

Liam placed it back in the box. "Too much?"

"No," she whispered. "It was perfect."

He smiled. But his eyes held something else.

Something like fear.

******************************

Later that night, Olivia walked home instead of taking a car. The streets were quieter now.

Her head buzzed with everything that had been said.

The message. The bracelet. Liam's eyes.

Her phone buzzed again.

UNKNOWN: It's starting. Watch your back.

She froze.

This wasn't just about a fake relationship.

Something darker was unfolding.

And she was right in the center of it.