Chapter 52 BIG HATER PART 2
"The sequence requires you to fall backward into his arms," Isabella instructed. "Don't try to catch yourself. That ruins the flow."
Alexander repositioned himself behind her. "I won't let you fall," he said quietly, for her ears alone.
Vivienne nodded, focusing on the sequence. The first part went smoothly, but when the moment came to fall backward, she stopped.
"You're still not trusting him," Isabella called. "Again."
They tried three more times with the same result. Each time, Vivienne couldn't surrender to the fall. She didn't trust him enough to catch her, or she was concerned about something else.
"Maybe we should move on," Alexander suggested.
"No," Isabella insisted. "This sequence is crucial. We need to see if Ms. Cross can handle it."
Vivienne felt heat rise to her face. "I can handle it."
"Then prove it," Isabella challenged. "Or should we call in Maya?"
The studio went quiet. Even Victor stopped adjusting his camera.
"Isabella," Alexander's voice held a warning.
"What? I'm just being practical. If she can't perform the sequence"
"That's enough," Alexander said, barely holding back a hint of anger.
"Let's take fifteen," Eliza announced, stepping in smoothly. "Clearly everyone needs a breather."
Vivienne splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom, careful of the sensors still attached to her temples.
Pull yourself together.
The woman in the mirror stared back at her, eyes tired but defiant. She barely recognized herself sometimes, this woman who now let others dictate her worth, who retreated at the first sign of conflict.
That wasn't who she was. That wasn't Elara. That wasn't the woman she wanted others to see.
And it certainly wasn't the Vivienne Cross who had built this life from scratch.
She dried her face with a paper towel and headed back, her mind made up. She wouldn't let Isabella win.
When Vivienne returned to the studio, she walked directly to the green screen where Alexander stood talking quietly with Isabella.
"I'd like to try the sequence again," she announced.
Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? We were just discussing alternatives"
"I'm sure," Vivienne said, taking her position. "With one modification."
"What modification?" Alexander asked.
"Blindfolded." Vivienne pulled a scarf from her pocket. "If this is about trust, let's really test it."
Isabella scoffed. "That's completely unnecessary"
"I don't think it's a great idea," Alexander interrupted. "Ms. Cross, are you sure?"
Vivienne only nodded, then tied the scarf around her eyes. The darkness was immediate and complete. She instructed Alexander to go into position behind her.
"Ready when you are," he said softly.
Without her sight, she could still hear his breathing, feel his movement. They began the sequence, her body remembering the moves even in darkness. But this wasn't just her performing an act for the sequence. This was her reliving one of her best memories with Alexander.
This was similar to a game he used to play with Elara.
When the moment came to fall, she hesitated for only a fraction of a second before surrendering completely.
She fell backward into empty space, her heart betraying her.
Alexander's arms caught her perfectly, just in time. And for a brief, electric moment, time seemed to stop as their bodies connected.
But it was short-lived.
"Perfect," Victor said from behind his camera. "Absolutely perfect take."
Isabella's lips pressed into a thin line. "Impressive. Reckless, yes, but impressive." She moved forward, breaking the moment between them. "Since you and Mr. Hunt clearly have such great instincts together, let's try something more challenging."
By late afternoon, most of the crew had filtered out. Only Victor remained, packing up his equipment while Vivienne and Alexander reviewed footage from the day's session.
"Your performance improved considerably after the break," Alexander noted.
"I found my motivation," Vivienne replied, not looking at him.
Victor's phone vibrated loudly. He checked it, frowning. "Mr. Hunt, I'm heading out now. I need to go. See you tomorrow."
Alexander nodded. "Of course. We're almost finished here anyway."
As the door closed behind Victor, there was total silence in the studio. Vivienne and Alexander were alone now.
"Ms. Cross," he began, turning toward her. "About Maya"
"Don't bother." She busied herself with removing the sensors from her wrists. "I'm sure you had to."
"Vivienne"
"Ms. Cross," she corrected firmly.
The room was filled with tension. Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his face turning into a frown.
"I need to take this," he said. "Don't leave. Please. I'll only take a minute."
Without waiting for her response, he walked toward the back of the studio.
Vivienne headed to the changing room, eager to get out of the mocap suit and leave before he returned. As she undressed, she could hear Alexander's voice through the thin wall separating the rooms.
This was unlike her to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, it was becoming a habit. But she listened anyways.
"Yes, Mom," he said tensely. "No, I'm not bringing Camille to the gala. No, not Camille, Mom. Yes, it's important for the project. Her name? It's Vivienne Cross. You saw the contract and everything."
Vivienne froze, her heart racing as she strained to hear more.
"Mom, I know what I'm doing. No, I don't think she suspects anything. Yes, everything is going according to plan."
A sudden chill settled in Vivienne's chest.
According to plan? What plan?