Chapter 32

Chapter 32
Marianne saw what was coming from a mile away. How did she know? Because it was Dylan and Vivienne. She had thought that an entire two days would be enough but she had guessed wrong. Because it was Dylan and Vivienne. And now with Dylan in her office telling her that he was having second thoughts. She had to refrain from rolling her eyes. Now, Marianne was finally able to understand why the internet was so invested and yet so done with this couple. It was this painful back and forth with them.

She also understood why people were mad at Dylan as well as with Vivienne. That comment she had seen a while ago had stuck with her. Dylan staying with Vivienne seemed to be more for selfish reasons and that him staying with her was making her think that how she behaves is ok. It was wrong to let a person continue in such an unhealthy way. He wanted to stay with Vivienne despite knowing, and being the one to bring it up, that she needed help.

"Dylan, do you love Vivienne?"

"What kind of question is that?" he asked her, with an incredulous look.

"If you loved Vivienne then do you not think that it's best for you to let her go. Let her go and let her receive the help that she needs. The help you know she needs."

"I am letting her go."

"It does not sound that way to me. I understand the hesitation. I understand that you want to be with her. And as you said, you love her, so why not do what's best for her in the end."

He gripped the base of his hair and let out an almost strangled cry. Dylan was in such inner torment with himself about this. One moment, he was doing the right thing and the next he was going back, hesitating, and fighting to stay afloat, in his own head.

"I'm not thinking of changing my mind. I'm not. I won't. Vivienne is not good for me and I am not good for her. She needs help and will not get help with me by her side because it will just not work."

Marianne pouted and pulled her lip between her teeth. It was hard to see something like this go on. It was like he was brainwashed or something. And could only think of Vivienne and it seemed like even though the thoughts of leaving her had probably been eating at his brain for a long while. He had still stayed with her.

"Mr. Carter, tell me about your childhood."

Childhood was always the quickest route to the problem.

"Why now?" he looked up at her with a tormented expression. "I'm not in the mood to talk about any issues that I may have right now. I need to just figure out what the best course of action is,"

"Did you have a mother?"

Marianne knew it was sudden but the situation called for sudden. If he decided to take the selfish way out and jeopardize Vivienne's mental health then she would have to do something about it.

"A mother? Why would you ask me about that?" he looked at her with an even more stressed out expression.

"I'm just wondering. I need to know if you are also compensating for something. I'm sure there is more to be known about why you have stayed with her all of this time."

"I stayed with her because I love her."

"I am aware of that."

"Then what's the point of asking me that?"

"Because I need to know if you are trying to get something out of Vivienne that you did not get when you were a child. Maybe affectionate, doting love, or something along those lines. Someone to worry and fuss about you. But I cannot assume that your father did not do those things for you. Just making a simple hypothesis."

"Ms. Blake, I get that you're trying to do your job to figure it all out, but I would appreciate if you did not try to pick my brain right now."

Marianne gave him a look, she knew that there had to be something. With the way he acted, it was possible. But then again. There was always the chance that there was nothing. But that didn't mean that she would all together stop trying. "My apologies."

Dylan let out another noise, making him sound like a wounded animal. His head rested against the couch cushions and he pulled at his hair as if he really were in pain.

"I think I should just run away. Before I do something that I will surely regret. Vivienne and I are not meant to be together. I need to leave. If I see her, then I will probably change my mind."

He got up from the couch and made his way to the door, practically tripping over his feet as he did.

"Mr. Carter." Marianne called hurriedly.

He was having some sort of panic attack and she needed to stop him from making wrong decisions while he was not in his right mind. Marianne got up from her seat, barely making it around the desk before he had flung open the door and left. Fleeing from your problems would only delay it, but they will not go away. If Dylan planned to leave and go back to Los Angeles, hiding himself away from Vivienne and all of his problems then it would eat him alive and he would not be able to find any sort of peace.

But then again, she was dealing with Dylan and Vivienne, so what did she expect?

"Vivienne," she heard him say.

Marianne had not gotten to the bottom of the hallway to see what it looked like, but when she did, Dylan was gripping Vivienne's shoulders. And there was a crowd of people next to them.

Vivienne looked like she had been through a hurricane. Her makeup was smeared all over her face, her eyes were bloodshot and her hair was frizzy, and matted.

"Dylan," she gave him a nervous smile.
Marianne prayed to every God that Dylan would not give in. Where did it all go wrong. He was ready to leave her and now, he was once again, putty in her hands.

"Vivienne, are you ok?" he asked, running his hands over her face.

Everyone around them looked like they knew what was about to happen next. The number of eye rolls and sneers were enough to make Marianne almost laugh out loud.

"I'm fine."

"That's great. That's good." Dylan brushed her hair away from her face and held her as if she was the most precious thing to him.

And then, he kissed her. He kissed her. And that was the end of all the help Marianne was willing to give them. She was done. She. Was. Done.