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?"
Vivianne didn't answer. She was afraid that Manager Yu might notice that they knew each other if she responded. She tried to calm herself down before smiling."You called for me, manager?" Vivianne changed the topic.Henry had many questions in his mind, but he dismissed them for now. They were still within working hours, and the famous Filipino-Italian model Beckett Clainfer was right in front of them."Vivianne, baby, I want you to meet your new client," Henry looked in Beckett's direction as he pointed at him. "From now on, you'll be working outside. Mr. Clainfer personally requested you as his personal dress stylist.""W-What?" Vivianne asked incredulously.At that moment, Vivianne would have believed it if Henry said that the sky had turned white or the moon had turned purple."W-Why would he need a dress stylist from a small company like ours?" she added."Because I liked how you style your clients' clothes," Beckett interjected, his lips forming a pretentious sweet smile... bef
The loud sound of her favorite song, "As It Was" by Harry Styles, reverberated around the room as someone was calling Vivianne on the phone. Suddenly, she forgot that she had a hobby of maximizing the volume of her ringtone, especially outside her house. She did that so when someone called her, she could easily hear it. And that foolishness was what Vivianne didn't expect to get her into trouble now."Shit!" Vivianne muttered to herself before ending the call, but before she could put her phone on silent mode, it rang again. It was an unregistered number, and as much as she wanted to know who it was, she couldn't answer the phone. She was at work, and the director at the photoshoot was already giving her a stern look."Sorry…” she apologized as she turned off her phone instead.She was panicking, so she decided to turn off the phone before putting it in her pocket. She just hoped that she wouldn't receive an important call at this moment.Unlike earlier, the room was now filled with
Suddenly, Director Valeria knelt in front of Vivianne, causing her eyes to widen."W-What—""I'm sorry, Vivianne!" the director pleaded, his voice filled with desperation and tears. "I-I know what I did earlier was wrong. I shouldn't have humiliated you like that... I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"Vivianne was frozen in her spot. She didn't know what to say, and she didn't know how to feel because she sensed the desperation in the person in front of her."As you should."It was Beckett who interjected as he pulled Vivianne slightly away from Director Valeria, especially when the director tried to hold her hand and plead even more."Let's go," Beckett commanded again, but he didn't wait for her response this time.Beckett kept his hand on Vivianne's pulse as they walked out, and they could still hear the director incessantly begging for forgiveness until they finally left the studio."I still have another photoshoot," Beckett said as they reached the parking lot."I know," Vivianne re
"What do you mean?" Beckett raised an eyebrow and bit his lower lip, appearing nervous at Fiona's statement.Fiona could be referring to two things. One was Vivianne being the heiress of the Allamino Corporation, and the other...'No, Fiona shouldn't know about that,' Beckett thought with a hint of anxiety. 'At least, not yet.'"Her real identity." Fiona raised the folder she was holding and handed it to Beckett."Vivianne Allamino, the sole heiress of the Allamino Corporation and the entire Allamino Empire. Beautiful, a bit rebellious, but skilled in negotiation and strategies..." Fiona raised a brow, giving Beckett a suspicious look. "Are you going to use her for your own gains?"Beckett breathed a sigh of relief at Fiona's assumptions. Though his manager said a lot, he was glad that it seemed that was all the woman knew."I know that everyone is already aware that I want to build my own business now, but I'm not that evil to use someone that way." Beckett leaned against the doorfr
Fiona placed the paper bag on Vivianne's thigh before leaving her alone. Despite what Fiona said to her, she wasn't offended. If anyone cared deeply about Beckett, she knew it was Fiona.She's his manager, after all.But Fiona's last sentence made the hairs on her neck stand up in confusion and fear at the same time. It felt like Fiona knew something about her… something that scared her.The hours quickly passed, and she didn't realize it was already time to go home. It was Thursday, and her father wanted her presence at the mansion. She wished she didn't have to go, but she knew she had no choice.She had power... but she felt powerless.She went back to the dorm to freshen up. Vivianne wore a black sleeveless Saint Laurent dress, paired with Gucci black high heels. The bag she used was from Dior, and even the earrings she wore.Today, she wasn't Vivianne Allamino, a mere dress stylist at a small company... but the sole heir of the Allamino Empire, along with its other subsidiaries.
IS IT POSSIBLE to bring someone to Heaven even if they're still alive? Sounds impossible. But for Vivianne, that's the most fitting thing to say for what she's feeling right now.Beckett isn't the typical guy she used to date in the past. Contrary to his innocent-like features and his reputation as a good boy, his kisses were the opposite. They were deep and daring, as if Beckett was craving her."S-Stop—" Vivianne couldn't finish her sentence as Beckett suddenly grabbed both of her hands. Using one hand, Beckett pinned Vivianne's hands above her head, while his other hand went from her nape, down to her arms and waist.It was a shallow but electrifying touch that made Vivianne bite the lower lip of the man. It was slightly forceful, and she didn't know why she did it. She only knew one thing. Each stroke of Beckett's hand drove her crazy.It was gentle yet seductive. Beckett seemed to know exactly how to seduce her even with just a kiss."Kiss me back, Vivianne," Beckett whispered as
"TRISTAN ESTEFAN."Beckett's mention of that name sent a cold and chilling feeling. The man, who was already in front of him, felt the same way too."W-Why do you know my name?" the man stuttered. "Who are you? Are you the one who kidnapped me—""Place that fucking towel inside his mouth again," Beckett said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "So fucking noisy."Nathan and his men were right. The man was even more talkative than a woman. Beckett didn't want to hear his blabberings or complaints. He only wanted to hear Tristan groaning in pain and begging for his life.For now, Beckett was getting what he wanted. Tristan now looked at him as if he saw death itself."What I hate the most is being fooled by someone," Beckett said in a cold tone before tightening his grip on the baseball bat. "What's the use of a contract if you don't follow it?"And that was what Tristan, Nathan, and the rest of the gang felt. Everyone became more alert, especially Tristan, because there w
Beckett frowned upon hearing Vivianne mention the name. Suddenly, his body went stiff as images of Tristan beaten up and killed lingered in his mind.He had been trying to push those thoughts out of his mind earlier, but here was Vivianne, reminding him again."I don't know what you're talking about," Beckett said, his jaw tensing. "So, is that it? That's the reason why you're acting cranky all day? You're not thinking about the kiss?""No." Vivianne rolled her eyes before looking away. She could feel her cheeks flushing, so she quickly composed herself. "And why do you keep mentioning the kiss, huh? Can't you forget about it?""Nope." Beckett leaned forward, narrowing the distance between them. "Never."Nor did he have any plans to forget it."I-I don't know about you."Vivianne cleared her throat to divert Beckett's attention, but it was a wrong move. As she looked away, Beckett's gaze focused on her lips.His gaze grew darker as he licked his lower lip. It seemed like he wanted to