Zeroed Out And Going Home

I became the NPC in a romance novel, and the Systems mission was simple: get the supporting male lead.

He wanted me to fetch his bespoke artisanal coffee, bring him water, and even rub his shoulders after a long day. If he craved a specific kind of late-night ramen from a noodle shop six miles away, I drove straight there.

But when the success meter hit ninety-nine percent, the heroine kissed him right in front of me.

The meter zeroed out.

The System asked me, its voice a tired buzz in my head. Third failure. Do you want to continue?

I felt the life drain out of me. No. I want to go home.

In that instant, I saw himLiam Kinsleysnap his head up, his eyes suddenly wide with panic as he looked at me.

1

Eliza Reed lost a round of Truth or Dare, and the forfeit was to kiss any guy in the room. Her eyes, of course, locked immediately onto my fianc, Liam.

I was sitting beside him on the sofa, painstakingly peeling the white pith from a clementine that he preferred to eat perfectly clean.

One of Liams friends glanced my way. Audrey wont mind, right? Its just a party game.

Liam slung his arm around my shoulder and gave the guy a cold, sidelong look. Knock it off. Thats disgusting.

His friend recoiled, muttering about how lucky I was to be so loved by Liam Kinsley.

But I knew the truth. His fingers were digging into my shoulder, making it ache. When I looked up, silently pleading with my eyes, his attention was completely focused on Eliza, his awareness of me entirely absent.

This was an alumni gathering, and Eliza had been the undisputed campus queen. Everyone was chanting for her to go through with the kiss.

Elizas eyes were glistening, a fragile smile plastered on her face, her peripheral vision fixed squarely on us.

Dean, a guy whod been obsessed with her back in college, slid an arm around her. If Liam wont play ball, I will. Im here. Dean gave a lewd smile and edged closer. Just a peck, come on. Right here.

Liam lowered his head and took the clementine Id just finished peeling, popping a section into his mouth. He looked as effortlessly charming and gentle as always, and he even broke off a small piece, offering it toward my mouth.

But I could see the success meter above his head ticking down.

He was using me to distract himself. He was hurting for her.

Eliza winced, holding back a sob. Just as Deans face was about to connect with hers, she shoved him hard.

I wont do it. Her voice cracked.

The clementine segment froze halfway to my lips.

My heart has always belonged to only one person, Eliza announced, her voice gaining a dramatic strength. I know hes about to get married, but I still want to be brave today.

With that, she strode over, pulled me back by my arm, cupped Liams face in both her hands, and kissed him.

The whole room fell silent.

Liam didnt resist. In fact, the moment Eliza started to pull away, he gripped her arm, pulling her back in to deepen the kiss.

The clementine in my hand slipped, rolling onto the ground and collecting dust.

The room erupted. Everyone was cheering, several people pulling out phones to film. I bent down to retrieve the fruit, only to watch it burst under the heel of someones expensive loafer, turning into a piece of disgusting mush.

Irretrievable.

The System was screaming at my side. Liam Kinsley, do you remember you have a girlfriend?!

No one could hear it but me. The alarm bells in my mind were shrill and repetitive: Success meter zeroed out! Zeroed out!

They kissed for a long time, finally pulling away, breathless, hands still clinging to each others shoulders, their eyes glazed with a mutual, sticky affection.

The next second, Liam swept Eliza up into his arms right in front of everyone and carried her toward the door.

The System, defeated, asked me again. Third failure. Do you want to continue?

I shook my head, my heart a dead stone. No. I want to go home.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Liam pause for a split second, but then he kept going, disappearing without a backward glance. He had abandoned me in front of all our friends.

Liams car was long gone. We were miles from the city center, and I was left to walk. One luxury SUV after another sped past me.

Then, Dean, the guy Eliza had humiliated, pulled up beside me, leaning out of the window to sneer.

I always knew you were a sneaky hanger-on, he scoffed. Always swooping in when Eliza wasnt around. Go back to being his errand girl, and stop trying to steal whats hers.

He floored the gas pedal, deliberately choking me with exhaust fumes.

I pulled out a tissue to wipe the grit from my face, catching and wiping away the tears as well.

I hadnt tried to steal anyone.

When I was dropped into this romance novel, Eliza had already left Liam to get engaged overseas to the actual male lead, Felix Shaw. The System told me that achieving a hundred percent success would not only save Liam from his destined tragic death but also pay me four million dollars to go home.

This was my third try.

The first time, I pulled him from a set mishap fire. He woke up with amnesia, publicly accused me of being the arsonist, and dragged my name online.

The second time, he finally agreed to marry me, and I spent six months meticulously planning the wedding. On the day, Eliza called him, crying, and he walked out on the altar, leaving me for her.

Before, I could blame my seventy or eighty percent meter reading. But this timeninety-nine percent. And still, the same fate.

The System tried to comfort me, saying I only had ten days left before I could return home. But it warned that because I was going against the tide of the worlds narrative, I would experience some kind of backlash right before leaving.

I managed a bitter laugh, suppressing the urge to cry again. After all the emotional turmoil Id endured to win him over, what was a little more pain?

The next day, Liam had an early shoot, so I arrived on set before dawn to prepare everything. Since I was going home soon, I didn't want to leave any loose ends.

Liam was an hour late, and he wouldn't pick up his phone. The director, a well-known veteran, wouldn't dare yell at Liam, so he turned on me.

Youre his assistant! Why didnt you coordinate his schedule properly?

I had confirmed everything with Liam yesterday. I apologized profusely, bowing again and again, and desperately texted Liam, asking when he would arrive. I instinctively worried about his career. This film was his shot at the Best Actor award hed coveted for years. And this director was not a man you wanted to cross.

As I was spinning in a panic, I learned Liam had just messaged the director, asking for a sudden three-day personal leave. Given his stellar reputation and high status, the director immediately agreed.

However, the production had already incurred losses. The director billed the costs to Liams manager, Denise. Denise, furious, blamed me entirely, docking three months of my pay as a lesson. She even posted about it in the company group chat, using me as a public example.

Liam remained silent. He didn't defend me.

Moments later, Eliza posted an Instagram Story.

The photo showed their fingers tightly intertwined. Teehee, I told the future Best Actor I was bored, and he canceled work to come play with me.

The comments flooded in.

Now this is a power couple! A match made in heaven!
Stay together forever! Dont let that trash Audrey Stone worm her way back in.
Ha! She had four years and couldnt hold onto him. Total waste.

Liams only reply was to Eliza: Anything for you, El. Just be happy.

He was openly displaying his devotion to her and ignoring the public humiliation I was facing.

I couldnt help but message him. Why didnt you tell me you were taking leave? Im not just your assistant, Im your girlfriend.

He replied almost instantly. Youre just the assistant, Audrey. I dont need to give you a heads-up on everything.

Just the assistant.

For Eliza, the man who had never taken a personal day in his life had suddenly taken three days off. And now he was drawing a cold, hard line between us. It was clear: nothing was more important than Eliza.

I didnt bother replying. I deleted every message thread with him. I was done. I needed to quit.

I went to the agency office to find Denise and bumped directly into Eliza.

She winced, rubbing her shoulder. She looked up, ready to snap at the offender, but her expression softened when she saw it was me. Fancy meeting you here.

Liam must have come back to deal with some business, and she was too clingy to let him go alone.

She spotted the crumpled resignation letter that had fallen from my hand and gasped dramatically. Liam just took a little break to hang out with me. Why are you throwing a tantrum and quitting?

With one sentence, she had successfully framed me as irrational.

She took my hand and apologized sweetly. Im so sorry, Audrey. We were having so much fun that we forgot to tell you that Liam took the day. We promise it wont happen again. Well make sure youre always in the loop.

She lowered her voice. That post was terrible. Please dont take it to heart. Honestly, Im so grateful to you for taking such good care of Liam all these years. She gave me a gentle, generous smile.

I managed a polite smile and tried to pull my hand away. You dont need to say that. Im truly

Eliza's smile didn't falter, but her grip on my hand tightened.

I didn't overthink it; I just didnt want any more connection with her. I yanked my hand free and slapped her across the face.

A bright red handprint bloomed instantly on Elizas pale cheek. She clutched her face, looking utterly shocked. She started to raise her hand to strike back.

Liam burst into the room and grabbed her arm.

Eliza, what are you doing?

He was standing between us, defending her. A wave of pent-up bitterness and betrayal surged up, and I started to cry.

Eliza was tearful too, pointing at her face. Liam, she hit me first! She called me a home-wrecker and a slut and slapped me! I only tried to defend myself, and you just happened to see it! She did this to provoke me!

Liam slowly released her hand.

He believed her. He gently touched her cheek, his voice soft with concern. Im sorry. I misunderstood. Does it hurt?

He wiped her tears, sheltered her behind his body, and turned a cold gaze on me. Apologize.

My tears were still streaming, but he just clicked his tongue in impatience. And youre still crying? Youre the one with no integrity. How can you have the gall to look upset?

The System, furious, yelled next to me. You need to get your eyes checked, Liam! Why do you believe her but not your own girlfriend! She abandoned you for Felix Shaw! Audrey saved your life when you were suicidal! You said she was the only saving grace you had! You forgot all of it! Just wait, youll regret it when shes truly gone!

Liam gave a quiet, measured laugh, and then spoke calmly. My heart has only ever been with Eliza. I dont care about anyone else.

His words stunned me, and even the System froze. Did he just hear me?

I remained silent, simply wiping the tears from my cheeks. Then, I spoke lightly.

Youre right. I lack integrity. I picked up my resignation letter and signed it. I dont deserve to be your assistant.

So I quit.

His expression solidified for a moment, and his charming smile slowly faded. Are you serious?

I ignored him, walking past.

He moved to follow me, but Eliza grabbed his arm. Liam, shes just being dramatic. Shed never actually leave you.

He stopped.

I scoffed, not looking back. Whether I was serious or not, he would find out soon enough.

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