[ Anna’s relationship drama unfolds on set ]
Another article intensified the situation, paving the way for the netizens’ gossip. Anna couldn’t handle her scandal, as it was taking a toll on her. She had to wear shrouding clothes to hide herself from the media. When she arrived on set the next day, she was informed that Ivy had no scene that morning, only towards dusk. During filming, her mind was in a blur. She said wrong lines many times, not to mention her inattentiveness when Director Tim was instructing her on what to do.
“CUT!” He groaned with a piercing sound, his assistant had to cover his ears and step back. “What is wrong with you? You’ve been making so many intolerable mistakes since the start of the day.”
His assistant whispered in his ears. “Director Tim, I think she is distracted because of the scandal…”
“What scandal?” Director Tim raised his voice, and that made the other members of the crew swerve into the gossip mood.
“She cheated on her fiance.”
“Was it with George?”
“Yes.”
“I heard her fiance came from a very influential family.”
“Then why did she choose George over him? George is just a playboy. Isn’t she aware of that?”
Every word traveled to her ears. The more she heard them, the more she fumed with anger, and it was all directed towards one particular person…
“Director Tim, can I take a break today?”
“No, you can’t. You can’t override the schedule,” Director Tim replied. If not, Stephen wanted filming to conclude on time; he would have granted her the day off. He was fed up with her. “Clear your head for two hours. Maybe after that, you might give me something impressive.” He, too, needed to clear his head. Her distraction was making him lose his mind. In the film, he wanted every scene to be flawless. If flawlessness was too much to ask for, he wanted it to be at least close to perfection.
She decided to use the two hours given to her to clear her head and confront Ivy.
She returned to the hotel with her personal assistant and knocked on Ivy’s door. Ivy was currently taking a nap before the pummeling sound of the door jolted her awake. She reached for the door tiredly, but who she saw wasn’t who she was expecting.
“What are you doing here?”
“To pay my co-star a visit,” Anna shot her reply, sternly washed with hostility.
Ivy sighed. “The same conversation, isn’t it?” The feeling of resentment visible on Anna’s face irked her to her brim. “Anna, let me repeat myself. I have better things to do other than spreading the news of your relationship with George.” Though she knew her words were not enough to make Anna change her mind, she still made herself clear.
“Listen, Ivy…”
“I’m done listening.” Ivy abruptly cut her off. “Is there not a better way to suppress the scandal, or did you actually think fighting with me would solve your problem?”
Anna opened her mouth to protest, but Ivy had already shut the door in her face.
Ivy’s last statement etched into her. While delving into her thoughts, her manager gave her a call, informing her of the scandal and how her management agency planned on solving it.
Her scandal had moved to the next level. Anti-fans sprang up with their harsh criticisms. Worst of all, her fiance made a public appearance, intensifying the gossip after an interview with reporters.
At dusk, Ivy returned to the set, Anna was currently filming the scene she didn’t complete in the morning.
“I was… um…”
“CUT!” Director Tim hollered, tossing his drink to the ground. “I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!”
“I’m sorry, Director Tim, let me try again,” Anna pleaded, trying to contain her emotion. “I’ll get it right this time.” She straightened herself, looked at the script, then turned to the other character. It seemed the bit character’s performance outmatched hers, and it was frustrating Director Tim. He slumped in his chair, stroking his forehead, while his other hand signaled the clapper loader to clap the clapperboard.
“Act 2, scene 111. Action.” It was a simple scene where she was to give her classmate a helping hand, but she still faltered.
“Check the library, it might… um… it… might… um… Oh, God…”
Oh, God wasn’t part of the line…
This time, Director Tim didn’t bother raising his head to see the repetition of her fluff. Her voice was quivering; he was sure her face was blank while reciting the line. The other crew members sighed in frustration. The whole scene was a waste of their effort; they’d be stuck on one scene for hours.
Seeing the frustration visible on their faces, Ivy decided to help out. She walked over to Director Tim and took the script. His eyes flickered with relief when he saw her. “Ivy, thank God you’re here early. Let’s start your next scene.”
“Director Tim, allow me to help.”
His face scrunched. “What?”
Ivy didn’t reply. She smiled at Anna, assuring her with her intentions. She skimmed the script and handed it back to Director Tim. In the blink of an eye, her facial expression transformed; even without a costume, she was in line with the character. She repeated the same line Anna had been struggling with ever since.
“You can do this, Anna. Just breathe.” She collected the script back from Director Tim and gave it to her. “Come on, you can do it, block your inner critic.” The smile on her face blazed, slowly grazing Anna’s heart with warmth. She didn’t even realize her lips slightly twitching, threatening to curve with a competitive smile.
She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. “Okay…”
“Act 2, scene 111. Action.”
“I can help, just come with me…” She gestured to the bit character. “Check the library…”
“Cut. Was that a miracle?” Director Tim’s voice lifted with excitement. His eyes darted between the both of them.
“Director Tim, it isn’t supernatural…” Ivy couldn’t contain her laughter. Anna’s relief from her block had turned into a miracle in his eyes. “She just needed a gentle nudge.”
“Alright, let’s move to the next scene,” Director Tim clapped his hands. “Get the camera rolling…”
Anna felt touched. Despite her hostility towards Ivy, she still gladly offered to help. “Thank you. And… I’m sorry.”
Ivy shrugged. “It’s nothing.”