Chapter 58 THE SABOTAGE PART 1
Vivienne splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom, watching the drops slide down her chin and into the sink. Her reflection stared back at her with tired eyes and pale skin.
Victoria's visit had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. The way those cold eyes had studied her face, lingered on the scar, then moved away. But Victoria knew something. Vivienne could feel it in her bones.
She dried her face with a paper towel and checked the time. 2:47 PM. The afternoon session would start soon. She needed to pull herself together, to focus on work instead of the nightmare waiting for her at that gala.
When she returned to the studio, Isabella was already there.
Isabella stood near the green screen, tablet in hand, looking fresh and ready in a new workout set. Black this time, with cutouts that showed off her toned stomach. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail that swung when she turned her head.
She looked up when Vivienne entered, and her smile was pure venom.
"Ms. Cross. Feeling better?"
Vivienne didn't answer. She walked to her mark on the green screen and started stretching, trying to loosen the tension tearing her up.
Alexander was in the corner with Victor, reviewing footage from the morning. He glanced up when she entered, concern etched across his face, but Vivienne looked away before he could say anything.
"Alright everyone," Eliza called out, clapping her hands. "Let's get started. We have a lot to cover this afternoon."
Isabella stepped onto the green screen, positioning herself in front of Vivienne like a general addressing troops. "We're going to work on flexibility today. Your movements yesterday were too rigid and mechanical. Athena needs to flow."
Vivienne nodded, adjusting her stance.
"Lower," Isabella said immediately.
Vivienne lowered her center of gravity.
"No, higher. You're too low now."
Vivienne straightened slightly.
Isabella sighed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Split the difference. Find your balance."
Vivienne tried to find the middle ground, but Isabella was already shaking her head.
"Let's just start the sequence," she said, sounding exhausted. "Maybe your body will figure out what your brain can't."
Heat crept up Vivienne's neck, but she bit her tongue and got into position.
The sequence was one they'd practiced before. A series of defensive moves followed by an offensive strike. Vivienne had nailed it before, but now, with Isabella's eyes boring into her and the memory of Victoria's visit still fresh in her mind, she felt clumsy.
"Stop." Isabella held up a hand. "Your footwork is all wrong. Watch."
She demonstrated the sequence, her movements perfect. When she finished, she turned to Vivienne with raised eyebrows. "See the difference?"
"I see it," Vivienne said flatly.
"Then do it."
Vivienne ran through the sequence again. This time she made it halfway before Isabella stopped her.
"Your arm extension is weak. You're pulling your punches."
"I'm following your guide."
"I need more from you." Isabella stepped closer. "Every movement should look like you mean it. Like you're actually fighting for your life."
Vivienne took a breath and tried again. She put more force into the movements. More intentional this time. When she finished, she looked at Isabella, waiting for the criticism.
It came, but not the way she expected.
"Hmm." Isabella tapped her tablet thoughtfully. "Maya would have added more flexibility there. A natural grace that makes it look effortless instead of forced."
That statement hit Vivienne like a slap.
Vivienne's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I'm not Maya."
"Clearly." Isabella's smile was sweet as poison. "But perhaps that's something to aspire to."
Behind them, Victor coughed awkwardly. Eliza busied herself with her notes, pretending not to hear.
"Isabella, can I see you for a moment?" Alexander intervened.
"Of course." Isabella walked over to him, her hips swaying deliberately.
Vivienne turned away, focusing on her breathing. In through her nose, out through her mouth. She would not let Isabella get under her skin. She would not give her that much.
But when Isabella came back and the session continued, it only got worse.
Isabella corrected every move Vivienne made. Her stance was wrong. Her timing was off. Her facial expressions didn't match the emotion of the scene. Nothing Vivienne did was right.
"Again," Isabella said for the tenth time.
Vivienne ran through the sequence again, her muscles burning with fatigue.
"Again."
And again.
"Again."
On the fifteenth run, Vivienne executed it perfectly. She knew she did. She finished and looked at Isabella, daring her to find fault.
Isabella was quiet, then sighed. "I suppose that will have to do."
That will have to do? Is she serious?
Vivienne wanted to scream.
"Let's move on to the partnered sequences," Isabella announced, setting down her tablet. "These are crucial for the final act. Athena and her nemesis in close combat."
Alexander stood from where he'd been reviewing footage. "Do you need me for the demonstrations?"
"Actually, yes." Isabella's smile widened. "These sequences work best with a partner who understands the intimacy required."
She positioned herself in the center of the green screen and motioned for Alexander to join her. He hesitated, but walked over.
"This scene is about two warriors who are perfectly matched," Isabella explained, circling Alexander slowly. "They know each other's moves. Anticipate each other's attacks. There's a dance to it. A rhythm."
She placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder, adjusting his stance.
"When you work with a partner this intimately, Ms. Cross, you need complete commitment." Her other hand moved to Alexander's chest, right over his heart. She looked directly at Vivienne. "Otherwise you're wasting everyone's time. Right, Alex?"
Alexander stepped back, removing her hand. "I think Vivienne understands the concept."
"Does she?" Isabella's eyebrow arched. "Because from what I've seen today, commitment isn't exactly her strong suit. Maybe she's distracted. Maybe another family emergency."
The room went very quiet.
Vivienne felt something snap inside her. Something that had been stretched thin for too long, finally reaching its breaking point.
"Enough."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Vivienne stepped forward, pulling off her mocap gloves. Her hands were shaking. But from rage.
"You've been undermining me since the moment you walked into this studio," she said, her voice steady despite the fury burning inside her. "The corrections, the comparison to Maya, every snide comment about my family emergencies. I'm done pretending I don't see what you're doing."
Isabella's eyes glittered with triumph. "I'm simply maintaining standards. If you can't handle professional criticism..."
"Professional?" Vivienne's laugh came out bitter. "There's nothing professional about your behavior. You're threatened because you think you still have a chance with him." She gestured toward Alexander. "I don't know what that has to do with me, but no amount of sabotage will ever make him choose you among millions of other women out there. I'm sure he has better taste than..." She let her eyes travel over Isabella from head to toe, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "This."
Isabella's face flushed red. "How dare you. You're not even fit for this role."
"And yet I'm here," Vivienne shot back. "I'm the one he chose. Not you. Me."
"Ladies." Alexander stepped between them. "That's enough."
"No, let her speak," Isabella said, her voice rising. "Let everyone hear how unprofessional she really is. Attacking me because she can't handle a little constructive feedback."
"Constructive?" Vivienne's voice shook. "You've done nothing but tear me down since you got here. Nothing I do is good enough. Nothing I try meets your standards. Well guess what, Isabella? I don't care anymore. I'm done trying to please you."
"You should care." Isabella's smile turned cruel. "Because Maya is waiting in the wings, ready to step in the moment you fail. And from what I've seen today, that moment is coming soon."
"Isabella." Alexander's voice dropped low, dangerous. "Stop."
But Isabella was on a roll now, her ego completely shattered. "She's not right for this role, Alexander. You know it. Everyone knows it. I don't even know why you chose her."
"I said stop." Alexander stepped forward, his whole body radiating controlled fury. "I chose Vivienne for this role because she embodies everything Athena represents. That decision isn't changing. If you can't work within those parameters, perhaps we need to reconsider your involvement."
Isabella's face drained of color. "You can't be serious."
"I am." His tone left no room for argument.
"Vivienne is Athena. That's final."
The studio was silent.