Bell adjusted her dress, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on her as she stepped into the grand ballroom. The deep ocean-blue gown clung to her perfectly, the slit on her leg showing just enough to exude confidence, but the attention it garnered still made her stomach churn. She'd been to fancy events before—well, as Vivica had—but nothing prepared her for the suffocating blend of admiration and scrutiny that surrounded her now.
Heads turned as she walked by, murmurs buzzing through the room. Every gaze followed her, some in awe, others in disbelief. Even though she'd spent hours preparing with Lisa, who reassured her constantly that she looked like the superstar she was supposed to be, Bell still felt like an imposter in someone else's life.
Okay, deep breath. You've got this. She reminded herself, giving a small smile to the onlookers as she approached the center of the room.
The elegant venue was filled with high-profile guests—industry titans, influencers, and celebrities. Bell felt out of place. Conversations buzzed around her, but she was too distracted by trying to act as Vivica would to focus on much else. She took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, hoping it would calm her nerves.
As she surveyed the room, searching for a familiar face, she suddenly felt a hand on her arm. Turning, she was met with the warm smile of Liz Jones who had help her with the media earlier.
"Vivica, darling, you look breathtaking tonight, I haven't had the time to compliment youwith all those ruckus" Liz said, her eyes sparkling with the charm of an old friend.
Bell felt a mix of relief and unease wash over her. Liz seemed genuine, but there was an edge in her voice as if she sensed something was off.
"Thanks, Liz. It's good to see you," Bell responded, trying to match Vivica's usual boldness.
"You know, we should talk," Liz said, lowering her voice as she leaned in closer. "Not here, though. Let's find somewhere more private."
Bell nodded, following Liz as they weaved through the crowd. They ended up on the terrace, the cool night air offering a welcome relief from the heat of the party.
"So," Liz began, resting her arms on the balcony as she looked out over the city lights. "I don't know what's going on with you lately, but you're not the Vivica I know. You've been... off."
Bell stiffened at the words, her heart racing. She forced a smile. "What do you mean?"
Liz's expression softened, but her eyes remained sharp. "Come on, Vica. I know you. You're confident, bold, always in control. But tonight, it's like you're playing a part. And that dance comment earlier in your interview? What's going on?"
Bell hesitated, her pulse quickening. She couldn't reveal the truth, but Liz was perceptive—too perceptive. She needed to find a way to respond without raising more suspicion.
"Oh you saw the interview. Let's just say, I've been... rediscovering myself," Bell said, choosing her words carefully. "Trying new things, taking some risks. You know how it is."
Liz raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Yes I did it was all over the internet well 'is' cause it's still trending. Well, whatever's going on, you need to remember who you are, Vivica. The world is watching. This isn't just about some party. We're talking about your career, your reputation. And it's not just yours anymore. There's a lot at stake here."
Bell swallowed, the weight of Liz's words settling over her. She had been thrown into Vivica's world, but it wasn't just her life she was living now—it was Vivica's entire legacy.
Liz stepped closer, her tone softer now. "Listen, I don't know what's really going on, but we need to talk. For real. After tonight, let's meet. There's too much happening for you to just wing it."
Bell nodded, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. "Yeah. We'll talk."
Liz gave her one last searching look before turning to head back inside. As Bell watched her go, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. Liz was right—there was too much at stake to keep playing this role blindly.
I need to figure this out, Bell thought to herself. Before everything falls apart.
As the night dragged on, Bell felt exhaustion creeping in. She had smiled, posed, and mingled enough for one evening. Even though Vivica's friends seemed convinced she was back to her old self, Bell knew she was barely holding it together.
"Ready to head out?" Lisa asked, appearing at her side with Jacen trailing close behind.
Bell nodded, grateful for the escape. "Yeah, let's get out of here."
They slipped out of the party, the cameras flashing as they passed the paparazzi waiting by the entrance. As they drove back to Vivica's penthouse, Bell leaned her head against the cool glass of the window, watching the city blur by.
What am I doing? she wondered. The weight of living someone else's life pressed down on her more than ever after the conversation with Liz. She had survived the night, but for how long could she keep up this charade?
Once they arrived home, Bell barely made it through the front door before kicking off her heels and collapsing onto the couch.
Lisa and Jacen exchanged worried glances.
"You should get some rest, Vivica," Lisa said gently. "It's been a long night."
Bell forced a smile. "Yeah, I will."
As the two of them left her alone, Bell lay there staring at the ceiling, letting out a heavy sigh. Liz's words kept ringing in her ears. Who are you really, Vivica?
She needed to figure things out soon. But for now, sleep was all she could think about. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for tonight, she could finally let her guard down.
The next morning arrived far too quickly for Bell's liking. She had barely slept, her mind buzzing with thoughts about the party, her conversation with Liz, and now the impending meeting with Vivica's mentor. Lisa had arranged the meeting at Vivica's home studio, a place that felt more foreign than familiar to Bell, despite living in her body well over a month.
As Bell walked into the studio, her nerves were on edge. She had gone over everything Lisa had told her about the mentor, Brian Kayson, a renowned music producer who had worked with Vivica since she was a teenager. He had guided her rise to stardom, and now Bell was going to meet him face-to-face, pretending to be the same Vivica he had mentored.
I can't mess this up, Bell thought as she adjusted her hair, which she had dyed to a rich auburn shade, a color that felt more authentic to her than Vivica's previous bold look.
"Vivica," Lisa called from the studio entrance, "Mr. Kayson is here."
Bell took a deep breath and entered the room, greeted by an older man with silver-gray hair and a sharp, calculating gaze. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, exuding an air of authority.
"Vivica!" Brian said, spreading his arms for an embrace. "It's been too long! Look at you, still the shining star."
Bell awkwardly returned the hug, her pulse racing. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Kayson."
He pulled back, studying her face for a moment. "You've changed a bit, haven't you? There's something different about you… and I've told you to call me Brian."
Bell's heart skipped a beat. "Just trying out new things. You know how it is. Got to keep evolving, right?" "I'm sorry, just used to calling you Mr. Kayson."
Brian nodded, though his eyes lingered on her longer than she liked. "I suppose so. I heard you've been training hard again. That's good, but don't overdo it. Your voice is your greatest asset. Remember that."
Bell nodded quickly, trying to focus on his words instead of her nerves. "I'll keep that in mind, Brian."
They sat down to discuss the future of Vivica's career. Bell tried her best to listen intently, but the entire time, she was hyper-aware that Brian might sense something was off. He spoke passionately about Vivica's upcoming projects, the new album, and how proud he was of her growth.
"I've heard some things about your recent interviews," he said with a raised eyebrow, "You're bringing something new to the table. That's what I've always loved about you—you've got a way of surprising everyone."
Bell forced a smile. "I'm just trying to stay true to myself... and to the music."
Brian chuckled. "That's the Vivica I know." He glanced over at the piano in the corner of the room. "Now, why don't you play me something? It's been too long since I've heard you at the keys."
Bell froze. Playing piano was not part of her training so far, and she had no idea if Vivica had any specific way of playing. But she couldn't back down now.
"I—uh, sure." She walked over to the piano, her hands trembling slightly as she sat down on the bench. She took a deep breath and placed her fingers on the keys, praying that muscle memory would take over.
As the first few notes rang out, Bell realized she had lucked out. Vivica's body, or at least her fingers, seemed to remember how to play. She improvised a slow, melodic tune, keeping it simple yet elegant. Brian closed his eyes, nodding along to the rhythm.
When she finished, Brian clapped lightly. "Still got it, Vivica. Beautiful."
Bell smiled, relief flooding through her. "Thank you."
They spent the next hour discussing more details about her career, with Brian offering advice and sharing stories from the past. Bell listened carefully, absorbing everything she could about Vivica's world.
As the meeting wrapped up, Brian gave her a pat on the back. "I'll be back in town next week. Let's get together again and discuss the album. I've got some ideas you're going to love."
Bell nodded. "I'm looking forward to it."
As Brian Kayson left, Bell exhaled deeply, feeling like she had just dodged another bullet. But the longer she stayed in Vivica's world, the more she realized just how much there was to learn. The next challenge was waiting, and she knew she had to keep pushing forward.