The air inside the grand hall was thick with tension—electric, suffocating, and charged with anticipation.The cameras continued to flash, catching every expression, every forced smile, every awkward glance.Millions of viewers across the globe were already glued to their screens, waiting for the drama to unfold.
Aria stood at one end of the room, holding her composure as if sculpted from ice.Her gaze never left Liam Hunter, who, standing tall and composed, seemed equally determined to act like nothing mattered.
But they both knew better.
Because beneath the professional facades, a war of memories had already begun.
Flashback – Two Years Ago
It was late at night in Los Angeles.A small, dimly lit apartment.Aria sat cross-legged on a worn-out couch, tears streaking down her cheeks.Her phone was clenched in her trembling hand.
"Liam… please," she had whispered over and over, her voice breaking.
But there was no answer.
Weeks earlier, their relationship had been electric—a secret romance between a rising starlet and a powerful actor.Liam, the golden boy of Hollywood, and Aria, the ambitious underdog, had once been inseparable.They had laughed, fought, loved, and dreamed together.But ambition, insecurity, and fear tore them apart.
Without warning, Aria had ghosted him.No calls.No explanations.Just silence.
She had blocked his number, erased his messages, and disappeared into the shadows of her failing career.
And Liam… had been left in the dark.
Back to Present
Now, standing under the bright lights, their unresolved past crackled in the air like static.
"Aria Morgan and Liam Hunter," the show's producer announced, voice booming through the speakers, "two stars whose secret history will either ignite passion or destruction."
Aria clenched her fists.
Julian's voice rang in her ear through the earpiece, low and insistent:"Remember your role. Push him. Create tension. Make them love to hate you."
She sighed, almost bitterly.
What if this was no longer a role?
Her first 'move' came naturally—like a reflex.
As another contestant approached Liam, a charming young actress named Vanessa, Aria deliberately stepped between them.
Her eyes were sharp, her voice louder than necessary."So, Liam, still trying to play the perfect gentleman, are you?" she smirked.
Vanessa looked confused, Liam's expression unreadable.
"Aria…" Liam's voice was calm but held a sting. "What are you doing?"
"Oh, just making sure the cameras don't miss a thing," she replied with a smile laced in venom.
The crowd of reporters roared in excitement.The producers grinned.
The first episode was already trending worldwide.
Public Reaction
"OMG Aria is SUCH a diva!" "Liam looks so uncomfortable… Is there history there?" "I LOVE this drama. Keep it coming!" "Aria is savage, but why does Liam look like he's hiding something?" "I can't stop watching!!!"
Backstage, Aria's phone buzzed.
Her manager, Julian, called.
"Aria, listen carefully," Julian's voice was tense. "This episode was a hit. Millions are hooked… but the producers want more. They want another scandalous episode tomorrow. You'll need to step it up."
Aria stared at the phone, a bitter smile playing on her lips.
"Of course," she replied coldly."This is far from over."
Her eyes flickered one last time toward Liam.
She didn't know whether it was regret… or revenge.
But one thing was certain—The game was only just beginning.