Tangled love Affairs

Olivia's POV I was roused from slumber by the insistent ring of my phone, its sound cutting through the morning silence. Groggy and disoriented, I struggled to open my heavy eyelids, still weighed down by the fatigue of the night before. With a sigh, I reached for the phone and answered, only to be met with the excited screams of my assistant at the other end. "Olivia, you're nominated for the Stellar Performance Award!" Her joyful tone echoed through the phone, painting a vivid picture of her excitement even without seeing her face. As her words echoed in the silence, I finally mustered a response, "I am listening." "Then why aren't you excited? This is a major milestone in your career, one of the most prestigious awards. And you, one of the youngest nominees," she exclaimed. "Oh," I murmured, feeling the weight of her words. "Olivia, you've got to show some enthusiasm! Your fans are going wild online. They're fighting under the award show's post," she continued. "Fighting?" I questioned, perplexed by the revelation. "If you don't believe me, go check yourself. I'll go sort your outfit for the big day. You can join the online chatter about it. Anything's better than talking to someone as cold as you," she retorted before abruptly ending the call. It's not that I lack emotion; I simply can't shake the feeling that this nomination wasn't earned. If it weren't for shady dealings, I'd be thrilled beyond words. Feeling a surge of responsibility towards my fans, I picked up my phone and navigated to the official site of the award program. As I scrolled through the comments, I was struck by the intensity of the online conflict. Some fans were brimming with excitement, while others engaged in heated battles with supporters of rival nominees. Amidst the chaos, one comment stood out: "My Livia is the best, she is the most innocent one in the industry, she achieved everything with hard work, unlike your stars who achieved things by dating different producers and directors." Reading those words left me unsettled; my fans perceived me as an innocent figure, unaware of the truth behind the facade. They praised my purity while condemning others for their dating history, oblivious to the complexities of my own situation. I couldn't bear the hypocrisy any longer, the weight of their expectations suffocating me. "What are you dazed about?" A charming voice broke through my reverie, pulling me back to reality from my thoughts. I glanced up to find the man standing before me, just emerged from a bath, covered only in a towel. His wet hair dripped with water, his stature commanding at 182 cm tall. With a face that could only be described as perfect, he exuded the charm of a young billionaire, the most eligible bachelor in the country, Joshua Brown. He is my secret affair, or perhaps more accurately, my sugar daddy. "Oh, nothing much," I began, attempting to downplay the significance of the call. "I just received a call from my agent. She informed me that I've been nominated for the Stellar Performance Award," I added tentatively. "Mr. Joshua... are you...," I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "Are you the one behind this award? I mean, I don't want you to help me in this way," I confessed, my voice laced with uncertainty. He raised his eyebrows in a surprised manner, his expression one of genuine astonishment. "Miss Olivia, have some faith in your talent," he responded, his tone reassuring. "I remember our agreement well. I'll assist you if others try to snatch what rightfully belongs to you. However, I'll never aid you in gaining something undeserved," he asserted firmly before turning to leave. "Now, go and get ready. I'll prepare breakfast," he added before disappearing into the kitchen. As his words sank in, a wave of relief washed over me, lifting the weight of doubt from my shoulders. It was comforting to know that my talent had earned me this nomination, free from any undue influence. Yet, amidst this newfound clarity, a flicker of confusion arose at Mr. Brown's unexpected offer to prepare breakfast. In the six years of our acquaintance, he had never extended such a gesture of kindness. "I must have heard it wrong," I whispered to myself, trying to dismiss the unsettling feeling creeping over me. But the air seemed charged with an unspoken tension, leaving me to wonder what lay beneath his sudden act of hospitality. With a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of my stomach, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. I hastily retrieved my clothes from the floor, remnants of our last night's activities, and threw them on without bothering to shower. Rushing to the kitchen, I convinced myself that I must have misheard him earlier. As expected, the kitchen was deserted; he must have left. This has been the routine for the past five years. We only crossed paths when he desired intimacy, and he'd vanish by morning as if nothing had happened. Even at other events, we maintained the facade of strangers. It was the epitome of a secret affair. With a heavy sigh, I dragged my weary body back to my apartment, leaving his behind and entering the adjacent one. Yes, we were neighbors. This entire floor comprised only two apartments, his and mine. The media praised his choice to live in an apartment rather than his lavish villa, believing it showcased humility. Little did they know it was to conceal our affair; he had purchased the entire floor to maintain our secrecy. What a masterstroke... Entering my own apartment, I was startled by noises emanating from the kitchen. "Am I hallucinating?" I muttered in disbelief as I laid eyes on Joshua, standing in my kitchen and preparing breakfast. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, baffled by his presence. "Oh, I ran out of ingredients at my place, so I thought you might have some. And sure enough, your refrigerator is well-stocked," he replied casually, his tone betraying no hint of unease. "By the way, why didn't you take a bath?" he added, his question hanging in the air, loaded with implications. As I stood there, grappling with the unsettling realization of his intentions, Joshua's presence felt suffocating. "What a beast," I cursed inwardly, struggling to comprehend how he could be so shameless. "I came back because I don't have spare clothes at your place," I retorted firmly, refusing to let him see the turmoil raging within me. But even as the words left my lips, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his presence. "Why are you even cooking in the first place? You've never done it before," I questioned, observing him pause for a moment. "I just felt like cooking, must there always be a reason?" he replied, surprising me with his sudden chattiness. Normally, he treated words as precious commodities, sparing them like rare jewels. Bewildered, I handed him some eggs as he requested, but he didn't let go of my hand once he took them. Looking up, I caught him staring at my body, and I realized my top had slipped, leaving my breasts partially exposed. Quickly retracting my hand, I hugged myself defensively, only to be met with laughter from him. Before I could react, he drew closer and forcefully captured my lips in a violent kiss, his hands boldly exploring my body. As I closed my eyes, he abruptly ceased kissing and whispered in a charming voice near my ear, "What's there to hide? It's been five years, and you're still shy?" I struggled to hide my blush as he released me, warning, "You better go and take a bath, or else don't blame me for being a real beast." Pushing him away, I fled to my room, shouting, "Shameless beast," leaving him laughing in my wake.