It was already 4 in the afternoon. And Viviana had one more scene to go before she was done. This was going to be her last day on the set.
She was sitting on a foldable chair in the shade, drinking a peach tea which she had made her assistant of that time bring as a treat for herself. Vivi couldn't thank her boxing training she had picked up as a bet when she was in high school, which improved her surrounding awareness.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure almost falling down on a trip and a tall shadow coming closer to her. Instinctively, she leaned on her left side. But she was not able to escape the falling object fully and an iron rod hit her right shoulder.
Viviana was confused and was thankful at the same time. The stand was heavy but PAR light itself was not installed yet and the Patio umbrella had shield off some of the impact or else her injury would not just be some muscle pain. But all her mood went south when she heard the person who stumbled upon the stand.
"Oh My God! Sister Vivi! Are you okay? I… I didn't mean to. The skirt was a bit long. I was wearing my slippers and your assistant…"
Came the anxious voice of the perpetrator of the whole scene. Lyra Dezu. She kept on apologizing and making excuses. But Viviana just stayed quiet. Clearly there were tears in her eyes while herself, the one who got hurt hadn't even made a sound yet. It was as if she was the one who got hurt instead.
Feeling pity, the bystanders too came to comfort her. With her assistant sent back to the hotel to get something, Viviana was alone. The moment was like a depiction of her life. Many people around her but none called hers and cared for her.
At that time, Viviana saw Elisa, who was Lyra's assistant at that time standing at the corner. And then there was also her assistant who was standing beside her, with guilt and panic in her eyes.
'She's not even leaving my assistant alone now, is she?'
After being notified, the director came and asked Viviana if she needed a doctor. Viviana was well aware of the type of injury she had attained. The pain would only increase with time. And with only one scene left to shoot in the crew, she opted to shoot the scene as soon as possible or she'll have to wait for a few days only for a scene. The director understood and arranged the site soon.
But it seemed that they were not the only one who was aware of this as Lyra kept on making mistakes. The scene was simple. The female lead, who is played by Lyra, had an argument with the evil consort, played by Viviana, who slapped her in anger.
It was relatively an easy scene hence why Viviana chose it as her last scene as it was better to go back home light minded. But Lyra was set on making things difficult for her. They had already taken five takes all caused by her. It was either a mistake in lines or wrong angle.
The pain was slowly starting to creep in and bite into her muscles. She clenched her jaw in pain and her opponent saw it. When she lifted up her hand and swung it pretending to slap Lyra turned her face at the wrong timing making it an NG.
"LYRA!! Do you wanna quit acting if you can't even take a simple shot? Making such stupid novice mistakes." Having had enough, the director roared.
"Sorry Director Ming. I'll do good this time."
"You Better!" He hissed out and turned to Viviana's shoulder before asking her. "Are you ready?"
The actress held her shoulder and did a few rolls before responding,
"So ready"
"Okay… Camera ready?"
"Ready"
"Sound ready?"
"Ready."
"Scene: Bridge Fight Take 6"
"…. ACTION"
Consort Yu, the vicious consort, sneered at the only female Imperial physician,
"If His Highness knows that you've been running around with his guard, don't you think he'll feel betrayed. By both of you."
The latter directed to the second male lead of the drama who was standing at the end of the bridge.
"Don't you feel guilty? Going after one man while His Highness is showering you with gifts.
Instead of being overwhelmed, Physician Bai came closer to her.
"There is nothing to feel guilty about. Those are not gifts but my hard-earned rewards gained by my well performance. And Guard Jing is bestowed to me for my safety by His Highness himself."
She smiled and mocked, "And if there is anyone who should be guilty, it should be Consort Yu." Her smile then turned into a glare as she continued " For betraying His Highness favor. With your own Foster Brother!"
"You_"
PHAA!!!
The sound echoed. Everyone was shocked but not so much like Lyra. She was clearly ready to act right this time and turn at the perfect time. But who would have thought that Viviana would swing before she finished her line.
"CUT!!! Vivi!"
"I came to realize that this is more in line with anger. Instead of giving a speech, Consort Yu would likely have done it like this."
Viviana just stated as if she was not the one who had just swung her hand just seconds ago.
"You should've said this before you acted out." The director scolded lightly.
"I just feared that Miss Xiao would get nervous at the sudden change and make a mistake. Again." Viviana sneered at the still shocked Lyra.
"Lyra?" The director called out.
The actress had now come to her mind.
"This time, start from the last line. Okay?"
"Yes Director." Lyra replied.
She glared at Viviana only to turn away her head as she glared back. It was not the first time she had caused trouble for Viviana. But it was the first time for the said actress to retaliate like this, throwing her off with no idea how to respond.
"Let's roll again. GET READY!!" The director called out.
After all was set the director once again called out 'ACTION'. And Lyra said her lines.
"And if there is anyone who should be guilty, it should be Consort Yu…. For betraying His Highness favor. With your own Foster Brother!"
"You_"
Lyra as she saw Viviana move her hand, she counted and turned her head. But_
PHHAA!!!
She never was caught off guard once again as she was slapped at her right cheek. Her face was burning from the impact.
"CUT!! VIVIANA!!" The director stood up from his seat, clearly not pleased at the turn of events.
"Sorry Director. My right arm is starting to ache. It's getting difficult to lift up now." Viviana gave the older man a pitiful look as if to show she was really in pain.
Sam didn't become a director just today. He had been in the industry for twenty plus years. In the two years of her career, Viviana was bound to many scandals. And her company, except for realizing some apology statements, never seemed to even try to defend its artist.
He, like others, was also under the impression that Viviana was really a troublesome woman to invite in the cast. It was only after she joined the crew that he realized that rumors are after all just rumors. She was just a genuine person who cared nothing of what was around her except for her role.
Before, he had witnessed Lyra cause troubles for Viviana but since the latter never retaliated, he always thought that Viviana was just a cold person who was unaffected or simply did have the power to mess with Lyra who had some to back her.
It turned out he was wrong. It was not that Viviana didn't have a temper or guts. It was just that she didn't care. This time, it seemed that she would not stop without letting Lyra suffer.
'Why not just let her vent a little?'
Director Sam clearly didn't like his Female lead who was snuck in by the investor and seemed to be under the impression that she was the queen in the set.
'Let this be a lesson!!' He thought before calling out.
"Lyra! Let Viviana slap you for the last time. This time you fall down as in the script and not stand like a statue."
"But Director… I…" Lyra tried to argue only to be cut off by the director.
"You have already caused many troubles today. Just suffer a little this time. Besides, this would give a better shot than a fake one. I hope you get what I'm saying." The director stared into Lyra.
The said actress got the message. 'Suffer this much for the trouble you've caused.'
"Got it!" Lyra was unwilling. But she had no choice. The director had made the decision.
After getting ready for the shot, Director Sam once again called out "ACTION"
And this time, Lyra didn't even stand the chance. Viviana gave a full swing with all her strength, remembering all the annoying things Lyra had said and done. Lyra fell to the ground without the need to pretend. The second male lead came and the shot continued.
"… And that's what happened."
Viviana narrated the incident to Manager An.
"And that's why you skipped the farewell party arranged by the crew?" An Mey asked.
"Uh Huh!" Vivi nodded.
Elisa, who had been listening quietly as though she was not present at the site of the incident suddenly asked.
"So… What do we do now?"