CHAPTER 3-4

Chapter 3: The Fallout

Olivia kept her sunglasses firmly in place as she strode through the hotel lobby. Her heart still raced, her body buzzing from last night’s encounter with Ethan Cole. It was surreal, almost like a dream except it wasn’t.

Every glance at her phone reminded her of the very real consequences. Texts and emails flooded in, but none from the person she secretly hoped to hear from. Ethan had been nothing but a ghost since she’d slipped out of his penthouse hours earlier.

"Olivia! There you are!" Lily’s voice snapped her back to reality. Her sister appeared from behind a large potted plant, moving with purpose.

"We have to go! The press junket starts in less than an hour!"

"Lily, relax, I’m here," Olivia replied, pulling her sunglasses down just enough to meet her sister’s exasperated gaze.

"Don’t ‘relax’ me. I know you, Liv. You were *so* with him last night, weren’t you?" Lily’s eyes widened in curiosity, clearly eager for details.

"With who?" Olivia played innocent, though her sister saw right through her.

Lily groaned. "With Ethan Cole! You didn’t come home, and now you’ve got that post-perfect-night glow all over your face."

"Okay, fine," Olivia sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I was with him, but it’s not what you think."

"Not what I think?" Lily’s eyebrows shot up. "Liv, the whole world knows who Ethan Cole is. He’s basically business royalty. It’s exactly what I think."

Olivia shook her head. "It was just one night, Lily. Nothing serious."

Lily crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "You don’t get to just spend a night with someone like Ethan Cole and call it ‘nothing.’ Are you sure you’re okay?"

Olivia paused. "I’m fine. Really." She tried to sound convincing, but even to her own ears, it sounded weak. The truth was, she wasn’t fine. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. The way he’d looked at her, the way he kissed her it wasn’t something she could easily brush off.

But she had to. Ethan Cole didn’t do relationships, at least not the kind that lasted. He had his empire, and she had her career. Besides, there was no way their worlds could mix. She was an actress trying to carve out her place in Hollywood, and he was… well, Ethan Cole.

"Alright, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you," Lily said, giving her a playful nudge.

"Now, let’s go! You’ve got interviews lined up all day, and we need you looking flawless."

Olivia sighed, knowing there was no escaping her packed schedule. "Lead the way, boss."

---

The press junket was held in an upscale conference room with glossy white floors and an immaculate view of the city skyline. The cameras were already set up, lights positioned to highlight Olivia’s every feature. Her co-stars were scattered around, prepping for their interviews, but Olivia barely noticed.

"Olivia, over here!" a voice called from the far side of the room. It was Chloe, her best friend and fellow actress, waving her over with a grin. "I need details, now."

Olivia rolled her eyes, laughing as she joined Chloe at the media table. "What is it with everyone today?"

"Um, because you didn’t come home last night and the gossip mill is spinning like crazy," Chloe teased, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ethan Cole, huh? I didn’t think you went for the billionaire type."

"I don’t," Olivia said, shaking her head. "It was just a one-night thing. Seriously, no big deal."

"No big deal?" Chloe gasped, clearly enjoying the drama. "Liv, you’re an amazing actress, but even you can’t pull off that lie. You *so* have a thing for him."

"I don’t!" Olivia protested, though her heart skipped a beat as Ethan’s face flashed in her mind. "It’s complicated."

"It always is," Chloe said with a wink. "But complicated makes for the best stories, doesn’t it?"

Before Olivia could respond, a commotion near the entrance caught their attention. Jake Evans, Ethan’s assistant, strode in, his phone in hand and a distracted look on his face. Olivia recognized him instantly. She’d seen him around at industry events, always hovering near Ethan like his shadow.

Jake’s sudden appearance at her press junket was more than a little suspicious. Olivia’s stomach twisted. What was he doing here?

As if on cue, Jake’s eyes locked onto hers. He made a beeline for her, and Olivia felt her heart jump into her throat. Chloe’s eyebrows shot up as Jake stopped right in front of them.

"Miss Hart," he greeted her formally, though his tone was kind. "May I have a moment?"

Chloe’s mouth dropped open as she nudged Olivia. "Uh, yeah, sure," Olivia managed, standing up and following Jake to a quieter corner of the room.

"What’s this about?" Olivia asked once they were out of earshot.

Jake gave her an apologetic smile. "I didn’t mean to surprise you. Ethan asked me to reach out."

Olivia blinked. Ethan had asked him to find her? What for? "Why?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Jake cleared his throat. "He wanted to see if you’re free for dinner tonight."

Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. Dinner? This was definitely more than she’d expected. Last night had been fun, spontaneous, but it hadn’t been anything serious. Or at least, that’s what she’d told herself.

"Dinner?" she repeated, feeling the weight of the situation settle over her. "I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We’re from two very different worlds."

Jake nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I understand. Ethan doesn’t make these kinds of requests often, though. He’s… interested."

Olivia felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Interested? That was unexpected. But was she ready for this? Ethan wasn’t just some guy. He was Ethan Cole—the kind of man who had the power to change her life in ways she couldn’t even begin to understand.

"I’ll think about it," she said softly.

Jake smiled. "That’s all I can ask. I’ll let Ethan know. Have a good day, Miss Hart."

As Jake turned to leave, Olivia stood frozen, her mind racing. Ethan Cole wanted to see her again. A simple dinner, but she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. It never was with men like him.

---

Hours later, Olivia sat in her apartment, staring at her phone. The day’s interviews had been a blur, her mind too preoccupied with thoughts of Ethan and Jake’s offer. Lily had already gone to bed, exhausted from the day’s events, but Olivia was wide awake, wrestling with herself.

Could she handle this? Could she really open the door to someone like Ethan Cole, knowing what it could lead to? She’d told herself last night was a one-time thing, but now she wasn’t so sure.

Her phone buzzed, and her heart jumped. It was a text from Jake: *Ethan would like to know if you’ve made a decision about dinner. No pressure.*

No pressure? Olivia laughed to herself. If only it were that simple. She bit her lip, fingers hovering over the screen.

After what felt like forever, she typed a response and hit send.

*I’ll meet him for dinner.*

The moment the message was sent, Olivia collapsed back onto the couch, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside her. She didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain—her life was about to get a lot more complicated.

---

Later that evening, Olivia found herself standing outside a sleek, modern restaurant that screamed exclusivity. The kind of place where deals worth millions were made and relationships that could change lives were formed. The kind of place where someone like Ethan Cole felt right at home.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. The hostess greeted her warmly, and within seconds, she was being led to a private booth tucked away from prying eyes. And there he was Ethan, sitting calmly, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

"Olivia," he said, standing as she approached. His eyes held the same intensity as they had the night before, and it sent a shiver down her spine. "I’m glad you came."

"Me too," she replied, though her heart raced. She sat down, trying to steady herself. This was just dinner, right?

The night unfolded slowly, conversation flowing with ease. Ethan was charming, but there was a deeper layer to him tonight more personal, more genuine. He asked about her work, her dreams, even her fears. And in turn, he shared more of himself, more than she’d expected.

By the time dessert arrived, Olivia’s walls were slowly crumbling. She hadn’t planned on this on feeling so comfortable, so connected with someone like him. But there it was, undeniable and terrifying all at once.

As the evening wound down, Ethan leaned in slightly, his voice soft but serious. "I know we come from different worlds, Olivia, but I’d like to see where this goes. If you’re willing."

Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching. This was no longer just about a one-night stand or a fleeting moment of passion. This was real.

And she had no idea what to do next.