Chapter 5

Vivianne woke up feeling good in the morning. She had released her anger last night by drinking and punching Beckett, the person she despised. Satisfied with what she had done, she looked at her fist—the one she used to punch him.

She smiled, confident that it was the first time the guy received a punch aside from those on his shows.

"He may seem pitiful, but he deserved it," Vivianne muttered before getting up from bed.

She did her routine afterward—fixing the bedroom, eating her usual breakfast of pancakes and apples, and getting dressed.

One of her strengths was drinking alcohol as if there were no tomorrow, getting wasted, and acting like nothing happened the next day. Well, she could feel the dizziness and headache of a hangover, but she could tolerate it.

This pain was nothing compared to the intensity of the rehearsals her father had given her. At a young age, she could say she was physically strong for a woman, although she preferred guns because they were easier and quicker to use than one-on-one fights.

However, she didn't want to be the best. She just wanted to have a good and peaceful life with her special someone, whom she thought was Tristan. Turns out, he was just another jerk who broke her heart.

"That's his loss. He's an idiot," Vivianne whispered as she finished changing her clothes.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing her usual black polo shirt and skinny jeans, paired with expensive white sneakers and a silver wristwatch. She only applied BB cream, eyebrow filler, and lipstick on her face because that's all she knew.

Being girly was not her thing, although some people told her she could enter the modeling industry because of her unique facial features.

Her main job was being a dress stylist, but sometimes she also took on side gigs as an event organizer connected to her degree in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing.

But for now, she wouldn't take on any event gigs. She would stay in their company and calm down Beckett's anger before working outside again. It would be difficult because he might attack her later.

"The Nation's perfect guy? That’s too impossible, idiots," Vivianne muttered before rolling her eyes.

When she stepped out of the unit and locked the door, she headed to the elevator. Her car wasn’t under the coding for today, so she could use it. 

Throughout the ride, Beckett was the only thing on her mind, and even though she didn't like it, she thought it was better to think of Beckett than Tristan.

"I wonder how his face looks... Did he get a bruise?" Vivianne asked herself before chuckling slightly.

She didn't mean to laugh, knowing she did something wrong too, but she suddenly remembered how Beckett's eyes widened because of what she did. She was sure he wouldn't report her, especially since she had something to fight back with if everything went haywire.

Based on how he disguised himself so no one would recognize him, Vivianne was certain that no one knew Beckett went to bars in the middle of the night. In fact, based on what Vivianne could remember, all the news about Beckett was positive.

Not a single rumor had been proven against him. It was as if he were the most perfect person in the world.

"Tch." Vivianne couldn't help but scoff, knowing that no one is perfect in this world. "It's a good thing I won't meet that guy again," she added with an annoyed tone.

Beckett was famous, while she was just an ordinary stylist in a small company—small compared to the employees who served Beckett, some of whom came from other countries.

"I shouldn't think about that guy—or about anyone else," Vivianne said to herself before gripping the steering wheel tightly. "You'll start a new life, Viv."

She smiled because this wasn't the first time she had been through something like this. The moment she left her father's house and decided to live on her own, she became physically and mentally stronger.

If she had endured it before, she could endure it again now.

As Vivianne arrived at the company, specifically the Hair and Dress Styles Department's office, everyone approached her, greeted her, and kissed her cheek. Since she was the youngest in the department, everyone treated her like a child.

Not that she was complaining, though. She was actually happy because it felt like she had gained more siblings. However, she was puzzled by what they were saying.

"Good morning, girl! You're so lucky!" Francine, her beautiful colleague who managed the makeup and dress inventory in their company, said.

"I wish I were Vivianne Allamino!" Stella chimed in, who was also assigned to the makeup for the artists.

"I told you all, right? Vivi will find a handsome guy because she's beautiful and sexy!" Jacqueline, her gay colleague who helped her organize the clothes and maintain their condition, said. "If she weren't a dress stylist, she could have been a model for Syneverse!"

"Wait, Syneverse?" Vivianne furrowed her brow, trying to remember. "Where have I heard that before?"

"Oh my gosh, girl! It's so weird, right? You're not into showbiz, but your job is connected to the showbiz industry," Stella replied before laughing. She, Francine, and Jacqueline also did the same thing. "Anyway, Manager Yu wants to see you. He's been waiting for you."

"What? Why?" Vivianne's brow furrowed even more. As far as she could recall, she hadn't made any mistakes in her last project.

'Did I do something wrong that I can't remember?' Vivianne wondered silently.

Stella, Francine, and Jacqueline exchanged glances before redirecting their gaze at her.

"Secret!" they exclaimed before leaving and going back to their work, leaving Vivianne puzzled.

She placed her sling bag on her office chair before heading to a small office within their office—the office of their manager.

"So many things going on today," Vivianne whispered to herself before knocking three times. "Manager Yu? It's Vivianne."

"Come in, baby!"

Vivianne smiled upon hearing Manager Henry Yu's voice... although she preferred to call him Helena. Despite their small company, Vivianne had grown fond of it, perhaps because of how well her colleagues treated her.

She turned the doorknob and entered with a smile. "Good morning, manager—"

Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. Not because of Manager Yu, who was waving at her with a wide smile, but because of the man sitting beside him.

"Hello there, little girl," Beckett greeted, lifting the corner of his lips.

'What. The. Hell.' Vivianne blinked her eyes twice, hoping that her imagination was just playing with her, but it wasn't.

Beckett was still there, staring at her with a grin. He was wearing a black polo shirt with two unbuttoned buttons at the top and black pants.

But it wasn't the only thing she noticed. She also noticed his good posture. One of his feet was raised on the sofa, and his elbow rested on his knee. His back was against the sofa, and his fingers toyed with his lower lip.

At that moment, Vivianne couldn't help but admire him. No wonder Beckett is one of the famous models in town. Even with his simple attire and posture, he exuded such a strong presence, especially when he was being styled for a photoshoot.

'I feel like it would be even more enjoyable if all his buttons were undone—Shit!' Vivianne quickly shook her head, realizing what she was thinking.

In a snap, Vivianne regained her composure as she confidently sat beside Manager Yu. It didn't take long for Manager Yu to notice the glimmer in her eyes, prompting him to ask.

"Oh my. You have such huge eyebags, baby girl. Doesn't Tristan tell you to sleep early?" he asked, causing Vivianne to wince.

"We broke up," Vivianne casually answered, catching Beckett’s attention. "I don't want to hear his name. I'm just annoyed with that cheater."

Manager Yu gasped at the revelation, in stark contrast to Beckett's reaction. Beckett's lips formed a playful smile as he continued to gaze at Vivianne.

"Ah, that's why you went to the bar?" Beckett asked with feigned innocence, his gaze fixed on Vivianne who was glaring at him. "It's just a hunch. Why? Did I hit a nerve?"