Chapter 44 NEW FACE
Vivienne took a deep breath as she stared at her reflection in a small compact mirror.
Day two. A fresh start.
A small smile tugged at her lips. Then she snapped it shut and slid it back into her purse before stepping out of her parked car.
Today would be different. She had spent at least ten minutes this morning giving herself a pep talk in the bathroom mirror.
Focus on what needs to be done and get it done. You didn’t build CrossLight by hiding or shrinking yourself for anyone.
And it was true. She’d earned every inch of her success. Somewhere along the way, though, somewhere between Alexander’s sudden reappearance and a blackmailer trailing behind her, her confidence had slipped.
But that stopped today.
It was time to pull herself together.
She smiled as she remembered Noah's words when she dropped him off at school: "Show them how brave you are, Mom. Like when you fight the spider monsters with me."
She wasn't about to disappoint him either.
The Red Hook studio building looked less intimidating today. The same industrial brick, the same metal fire escape, but Vivienne squared her shoulders and moved toward the entrance with purpose.
As she reached for the door handle, someone behind her got to it first and pushed it open with force. A woman in sleek athletic wear rushed through, bumping hard against Vivienne's shoulder.
"Excuse me," Vivienne said, steadying herself against the doorframe.
The woman didn't even look back. She just kept walking, dark ponytail swinging, her expensive leather bag clutched under one arm.
She breezed past the security desk without even acknowledging Marcus.
"Rude," Vivienne muttered, but she quickly pushed the annoyance aside. She wouldn't let some random woman ruin her morning.
"Morning, Marcus," she said as she approached the desk.
The security guard looked up from his computer with a smile. "Good morning, Ms. Cross. Nice to see you back."
"Thanks." She signed in and glanced toward the elevator. The same woman who'd bumped into her was already inside, tapping on her phone.
Vivienne picked up her pace. "Hold the elevator, please!" she called out.
The woman looked up. Their eyes met. For a moment, Vivienne thought she would comply.
But then the woman's lips curved into a small smile as she deliberately pressed a button. The doors began sliding closed.
"Sorry," she mouthed, not looking sorry at all.
Vivienne reached the elevator just as the doors shut completely in her face.
She stood there for a moment, mouth slightly open. "Seriously?"
Marcus looked over sympathetically from his desk. "Stairs are to the left, Ms. Cross. Third floor."
"Thanks," she said, hitching her bag higher on her shoulder. "Some people, right?"
"Some people," Marcus agreed with a knowing look.
Three flights of stairs later, Vivienne pushed through the studio doors, slightly winded. The crew was already setting up, cameras being positioned, computers booting up. Riley waved from across the room, and Victor gave her a friendly nod.
Eliza walked over immediately, tablet in hand. "Morning, Vivienne. How are you feeling today?"
"Better," Vivienne said, surprised to find it was true despite the elevator incident. "Fresh start, right?"
"Absolutely. And I have good news. We've brought in someone to help make today easier for you." Eliza gestured toward the center of the studio.
Vivienne followed her gaze and froze. Standing there, chatting animatedly with Priya, was the woman from the elevator.
"That's Isabella Torres," Eliza said, obvious admiration in her voice. "Renowned stunt coordinator and performance coach. She's worked on some of the biggest action films in the last five years. Mr. Hunt called her in last minute to help with your action sequences."
The woman, Isabella, laughed at something Priya said, the sound rich and musical. She was undeniably gorgeous, with olive skin, high cheekbones, and an athletic build that somehow managed to look both powerful and graceful. Even in simple workout clothes, she commanded attention.
"Come on," Eliza said. "Let me introduce you properly."
Vivienne followed, trying to keep her composure. Maybe they just got off the wrong foot. Maybe they could look past the misunderstanding.
"Isabella," Eliza called. "This is Vivienne Cross, our Athena."
Isabella turned, and Vivienne saw the moment of recognition in her eyes. Not a misunderstanding then.
"Oh," Isabella said, her accent subtle but present. "We've already met, haven't we? Downstairs?"
"Briefly," Vivienne said, extending her hand. "Though not actually introduced."
Isabella looked at Vivienne's outstretched hand for a beat too long before taking it. Her grip was firm, almost challenging. "Isabella Torres. Sorry about the elevator. I was on an important call."
The lie was so blatant that Vivienne nearly called her on it. Instead, she forced a smile. "No problem."
"Isabella is going to help you with the action sequences. You'll be a pro in no time," Eliza explained, oblivious to the tension. "She's a miracle worker."
"I wouldn't say miracle," Isabella laughed, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder. "But I do have a knack for making even the most inexperienced performers be more competent."
The subtle dig wasn't lost on Vivienne.
"Fantastic," she managed to say.
Riley appeared at Vivienne's side with a cup of coffee. "Thought you might need this. The good stuff, from Blue Roof."
"You're a lifesaver," Vivienne said, genuinely grateful.
Isabella's eyes narrowed slightly at the interaction. "You must be the production assistant. Can you get me a green tea? No sugar."
Riley's smile faded. "I'm actually busy with setup right now, but the break room is just through there."
Isabella blinked, obviously not used to being refused. Before she could respond, the studio doors opened again.
Alexander walked in, and the energy in the room immediately shifted.
"Mr. Hunt," Eliza greeted him. "We were just getting Ms. Cross acquainted with Isabella."
When Alexander spotted them, a genuine smile crossed his face. "Perfect timing. Isabella, thank you for coming on such short notice."
Isabella's whole demeanor changed. Her smile widened, her posture softened. "Alex! It's been too long." She stepped forward and hugged him, holding on a moment longer than necessary.
"Good to see you too," Alexander said, stepping back. "How was Madrid?"
"Beautiful, as always. But I dropped everything when you called." She touched his arm lightly. "You know I can't say no to you."
Vivienne watched the interaction with growing discomfort. Isabella's hand lingered on Alexander's arm, her body angled toward him in a way that screamed familiarity.
"Vivienne," Alexander turned to her. "Isabella is one of the best in the business. She'll help you with the physicality of Athena."
"So I've heard," Vivienne said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I was just telling Ms. Cross that I'll make sure she doesn't embarrass your project," Isabella said with a laugh.
Alexander's smile faltered slightly. "That's not..."
"I'm kidding!" Isabella playfully swatted his arm. "But seriously, by the time I'm done with her, you'll think she's been doing this her whole life."
The condescension in her tone was subtle but clear. Vivienne felt her newfound confidence wavering.
From his workstation, Victor caught Vivienne's eye and subtly rolled his own. Priya was watching the exchange with a frown, while Riley made a gagging motion behind Isabella's back.
At least she wasn't the only one put off by Isabella's behavior.
"Let's start with some basic movement exercises," Alexander suggested, moving toward the center of the green screen area. "Everyone ready to begin?"
The next hour passed in a blur of instructions and demonstrations. To Vivienne's surprise, Isabella was actually a good teacher when she wasn't being condescending. Her explanations were clear, and so were her demonstrations. If only she didn't punctuate every instruction with "sweetie" or "honey" or "don't worry if this is too complicated for you."
During a water break, Priya sidled up to Vivienne. "Please ignore her," she said quietly. "She has a reputation of being a b!tch."
"Has she worked here before?" Vivienne asked.
"No, but she's an old friend of Mr. Hunt's. She worked for his father briefly before he died."
But that still didn't explain the excessive touching and laughing. Every time Alexander spoke, Isabella responded with either a hand on his arm or a laugh that was just a little too loud for the comment.
"Alright," Alexander called out after the break. "Let's try a combat sequence. Vivienne, this is where Athena first learns to defend herself."
He stepped onto the green screen area. "I'll demonstrate with Isabella, then you can try."
Isabella moved into position opposite him, her body coiled with a fighter's readiness. Alexander began to explain the sequence, a dodge, a spin, a countermove, while acting it out at half speed.
"See how the weight shifts?" he said, demonstrating. "It's all about balance and control."
"Let me show her," Isabella said, stepping closer. "I'll be the attacker, you be Athena."
Alexander nodded. "Sure."
They moved through the sequence again, this time with Isabella playing the aggressor. Her movements were fluid, her form perfect.
"And then when he lunges," Alexander explained to Vivienne, "Athena steps aside like this..."
As he stepped to the side, Isabella suddenly moved differently than before. Instead of passing him cleanly, she seemed to trip on nothing and fell directly against Alexander's chest.
"Oh!" she gasped dramatically, her arms wrapping around his neck for balance. "I'm so sorry!"
Alexander steadied her, his hands at her waist. "Are you okay?"
"Just lost my footing," Isabella said, making no move to step back. She looked up at him with a smile.
Vivienne watched the scene unfold, her face the color of a tomato. Isabella's fall was so obviously staged that it was almost laughable, except no one was laughing.
Especially not Vivienne.