Chapter 2
To pay off my debts fast, and thanks to my great physique, I decided to become a model.
As the interest kept piling up, my work pressure just got heavier and heavier.
To maintain my figure, I started eating just one cucumber a day, sometimes skipping meals altogether.
Eventually, I developed anorexia.
I was just about to ask Bailey something.
But before I could say anything, his assistant whisked him away to handle some urgent business.
I looked at Clarissa's full cheeks, unconsciously touching my own hollow face. I couldn't help feeling complicated.
"Vivian, don't misunderstand, there's really nothing between me and Mr. Davidson," Clarissa said.
"Don't get upset with him just because he gave me a present and didn't give you one," she added.
Her not-so-subtle denial just made me want to laugh.
Why would I even be mad about that?
After all these years, I was used to it.
I was kind of disappointed in Bailey, so I swore to myself.
If Bailey pissed me off three more times before our wedding, I'd just dump him.
Clarissa being so unprofessional just made my work a nightmare.
I was getting more and more frustrated, so I had no choice but to increase my dosage.
Sure, it wasn't great for my health, but taking them for a short time wouldn't do too much damage.
Just had to hang in there until Clarissa finally bailed.
But turns out, I was the one who had to go.
"Vivian, my feet really hurt. Can I skip the heels today?" Clarissa complained.
The modeling department wasn't run just for Clarissa.
If I agreed to her request, the others would definitely be pissed.
So I turned her down without a second thought.
I hit play on the music and had everyone follow the beat, adjusting their steps as they went.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the room.
Clarissa just tumbled right off the runway.
Before I could even process what happened, Bailey was already at her side, rushing over out of nowhere.
Clarissa, sprawled on the floor, started babbling almost hysterically.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Vivian! I didn't mean to fall, please don't scold me!" she cried.
Bailey gathered her gently into his arms, comforting her in a soft, protective voice.
But when he looked at me, his gaze was icy, almost poisonous.
"Vivian, what are you doing? I asked you to train her, not to be so harsh," he snapped.
"Mr. Davidson, don't blame Vivian. It's all on me. I screwed up," Clarissa stammered.
Abuse? Wearing heels was abuse now? Seriously?
Wow, that was a new one for me.
I was just about to speak up, but Clarissa, crying her eyes out, jumped in before I could get a word out.
"Mr. Davidson, my feet hurt so bad! I already felt awful today and really didn't want to wear heels, but Vivian..." Clarissa whined, her voice trembling.
"But what? Go ahead, say it," I shot back, keeping my tone cool.
I exhaled slowly, trying to stay calm.
"I'm scared, Mr. Davidson. I swear I didn't mean to upset Vivian," Clarissa sniffled.
"Don't worry, Clarissa. I'll take you to the hospital in a bit," Bailey said.
With a look of concern, Bailey scooped Clarissa up from the floor.
Clarissa leaned into Bailey's arms, looking all sweet and helpless.
She was clinging to him, and honestly, it was pretty obvious there was something going on between them.
As Bailey walked by with Clarissa in his arms, he stopped right in front of me.
"Since you clearly can't manage the modeling department, someone else will take over," he said, his voice icy.
"Go work in HR. Clarissa's running the modeling department now," he added.
I grabbed Bailey's sleeve, my voice breaking with disbelief.
"Are you really sure, Bailey?" I asked.
Bailey met my pleading eyes, his gaze icy and unyielding.
"I'm sure," he said.
My hand, still clutching Bailey's sleeve, suddenly went numb with shock and slipped away.
I'd been with the modeling department since day one.
Everything we've accomplished was built on my blood, sweat, and tears. This department honestly felt like my baby.
"What if I don't want to?" I asked.
"Then just quit. Vivian, are you done with the drama? Can't you see Clarissa's hurting so much she can't even talk?" Bailey shot back, his voice cold as ice.
"When did you get so cold? All you ever do is think about yourself. If you can't handle it, let someone who actually can take over," he continued.
Bailey's cold, dismissive words left me feeling utterly shattered.
As I watched the two of them walk away together, it felt like someone had stabbed me right in the heart.
Sixteen years, gone in an instant, our bond was weaker than I ever imagined.
It hadn't even been a few days since I started in HR, and I collapsed on the floor, all because I hadn't been eating properly.
Everyone at the company knew I was supposed to be Bailey's future wife, so they freaked out and called him in a panic.
"Mr. Davidson, Ms. Mercer just passed out! You need to get here right now!" one of them blurted out.
Bailey was clearly impatient on the other end.
"If she fainted, just take her to the hospital! Why are you calling me? Do I look like her doctor?" he shot back.
"But..." Max started, but before he could finish, Clarissa's voice piped up from the other end of the line.
"Bailey, what are you doing? I want to go on the roller coaster!" she whined.