Chapter 45 OLD FLAMES PART 1
Vivienne tore her eyes away from the scene, looking down at her hands, then anywhere else.
What did she care if Isabella was all over him. It wasn't her business. The man was married. If anything it should be his wife's problem not hers. Though he hardly wore his ring, it still wasn't in her place to police him...
She shook her head slightly, trying to stop the spiral of thoughts. Alexander Hunt's personal life had nothing to do with her. She was here to do a job and save her company.
Nothing more.
But as Isabella laughed, Vivienne felt that pang at her chest again.
"Let me just adjust your stance," Isabella was saying to Alexander, her hands still on his shoulders. "Perfect form, as always."
Victor coughed loudly from behind his camera. "Can we get back to work, please?"
Vivienne shot him a grateful look.
Isabella straightened up, as she flashed a fake smile. "Of course. Ms. Cross, your turn."
Vivienne stepped forward, taking Alexander's place on the green screen. He moved to the side, his blank as he watched.
"Now," Isabella circled Vivienne like a hawk eyeing its prey, "let's see what we're working with."
For the next hour, Isabella put Vivienne through a series of moves that grew increasingly complex. Each time Vivienne completed one successfully, Isabella would add something more difficult. Then followed by a tinged surprise after every success, as if she couldn't believe Vivienne had managed it.
"Not bad, honey," she said after Vivienne did a complicated dodge. "Though your balance is all wrong. Here..."
Isabella's hands were on Vivienne's waist, pushing her roughly into position. Her grip was firm, bordering on painful.
"Your center of gravity should be lower. Like this." She forced Vivienne's shoulders down with more pressure.
Riley appeared at Vivienne's side with a fresh bottle of water. "Five-minute break," she announced, giving Isabella a pointed look.
Isabella stepped back, rolling her eyes slightly. "Fine. Take five, everyone."
As the crew dispersed, Isabella made her way directly to Alexander, who was reviewing footage with Victor.
"Alex," she said randomly and loudly enough for Vivienne to hear, "remember that project we worked on in LA three years ago? The night shoots on the beach?"
Alexander nodded distractedly. "Vaguely."
"We make such a great team," Isabella continued, leaning against his shoulder to look at Victor's screen. "Those were some of the best months of my career."
No one had asked, but Isabella seemed determined to insert her history with Alexander into every conversation. Vivienne sipped her water, trying not to listen, but Isabella continued.
"You still owe me dinner from that bet we made," Isabella was saying. "The one about who could hold their breath underwater longer during that underwater scene."
"I thought I paid that debt," Alexander replied, his focus still on the screen.
"Not even close." Isabella laughed.
Vivienne looked up just in time to catch Alexander glancing in her direction. Their eyes met briefly before he turned back to Isabella.
Isabella wasn't even his type. The thought came unbidden. But how would she even know what his type was? It had been ten years. People change. And besides, he was married. Unless...No. Alexander wasn't that type of man. And from what it seemed, Isabella is just desperate for his attention, nothing more.
"Alright, let's continue," Isabella called out, clapping her hands. "Ms. Cross, let's try that sequence from the beginning."
Vivienne moved back to her mark on the green screen, pushing everything else from her mind.
"Remember," Isabella said, stepping into position opposite her, "Athena is desperate here. She's fighting for her life. I need to see that desperation."
They ran through the sequence, a dodge, a spin, a block. And each time Vivienne made the slightest mistake, Isabella would stop her.
"No, no, no." Isabella grabbed Vivienne's arm, repositioning it roughly. "Like this. See how my arm is? Copy that exactly."
"I'm trying," Vivienne said, her patience wearing thin.
"Try harder, sweetie." Isabella flashed that fake smile again. "Again, from the top."
By the time they broke for lunch, Vivienne ached all over, drained of energy. She sat alone at one of the small tables in the break room, picking at a salad she'd brought from home.
"Mind if I join you?"
Vivienne looked up to find Priya standing there, tray in hand.
"Please." She gestured to the empty chair.
Priya sat down, immediately launching into a conversation. "Isabella is a lot to deal with. I mean, she's always a lot, but this is next level."
"You seem to know a lot about her," Vivienne said carefully.
Priya shrugged. "Industry gossip. She's worked on some huge projects, but no one likes working with her. Too much drama." She lowered her voice. "Rumor has it she's been after Alex, I mean Mr. Hunt for years. Since before his wedding went south."
"What?" Vivienne almost choked on her salad, but quickly recovered, trying her best to appear only mildly interested.