Dirty Tricks

The set was buzzing with energy as the crew made final adjustments for the preparation of the next scene.

Lights were being positioned, cameras were rolling into place, and the cast stood in their designated spots.

In the middle of it all, Yvette stood poised with her sword at her side standing before the second make lead character Zaiin ready for another intense action sequence.

She had been practicing for days to perfect the scene, a pivotal moment in the film where her character would deliver a breathtaking sword fight with the Prince to avenge the death of her families. It was one of the most emotional scenes in the drama and she knew she had to do her best.

She stood there decked in a peach costume and stockings with the tall leather boots hugging her legs tightly.

Zaiin flashed her an encouraging smile and she smiled back in return, gathering her composure.

Director Cole gave a nod and the clapperboard snapped. "Action!"

With fluid grace and practiced steps, Yvette moved into her first position, swinging the sword in a controlled arc and Zaiin immediately swung into action.

But as her foot hit the ground, she felt a sharp prick in her toes, as if something was jabbing her through the boot. She winced but couldn't bear to stop thinking perhaps it was just her foot being sensitive after long hours of rehearsals. She couldn't afford to be distracted now, not at the most crucial point.

She gritted her teeth and continued, her movements still as precise as ever with her expression and emotions on point.

Though the sharp sensation in her toes grew more intense with each step. She quietly chanted to herself to focus and not to let something so minor throw her off .

Because her top priority for now was to focus and film the scene successfully so she ignored the burning sensation in her foot.

She stepped forward again, the sword slicing the air, but this time the pain was almost unbearable. It felt as though several needles were stabbing into her skin.

Suddenly, she stumbled, the pain shooting up from her toes to her entire foot. She stopped mid-movement, her face contorted in agony as she let out a small, involuntary cry and the set immediately went silent.

Zaiin who had been in the middle of the scene with her, turned to her in confusion.

"Yvette, what's the matter?." Blair rushed to her side as she dropped to one knee, struggling to undo her boots.

"What's wrong?". Zaiin joined and asked, concern creasing his brow.

Yvette didn't answer immediately. Her fingers were trembling as she pulled off the tall leather boot, her eyes widening in terror as she saw the cause of her pain.

A stack of carefully placed pins had been inserted into the boot's sole, their sharp points hidden inside where they'd gone unnoticed.

Her stockings were smeared with blood from across her toes and she pulled it off , gasping in shock at her bleeding toes.

Blair's expression darkened as he saw the stacks of carefully infused pins, his face blazing with unconcealed rage.

"What the hell is this?". He roared, holding the boot up for everyone to see. His chilling voice cutting through the silence and all eyes turned toward the boot in his hand.

The crew, once bustling with activity, froze, and whispers of speculations began to ripple through the air.

"OMG, this is so scary". Someone shouted.

"Who could be so vicious to do this, the perpetrator is so wicked ".

"I know someone must have done this deliberately".

"But why?".

"To teach her a lesson of course. You're not new in this industry so you should be able to tell where all this is coming from. Who had she offended ?, no one. But she snatched Jocelyn's role".

Blair immediately turned toward the costume department. His eyes fell on the ladies in charge of handling and inspecting all the cast's costumes.

"Who was in charge of inspecting Yvette's costume before she came on set?". His sharp and crisp voice echoed through the now dead silent set, cold with anger.

A dark haired lady stepped forward, her expression wan. "I did ". She stammered, trembling under his harsh gaze.

"I swear on my life I inspected everything before I left it in the dressing room. There were no pins in the boots when I put them there! Someone must've . ."

But Blair unwilling to hear any further cut her off, his voice thunderous. "Do you realize how worse this could have been if she didn't retreat on time?. You were supposed to be responsible for the cast's safety!. You're fired."

The lady's eyes welled with tears as she fell on her knees begging for forgiveness. "Please, I really checked everything! I don't know who could have done this! Someone must've tampered with it after I left it in the dressing room."

But Blair wasn't buying it. "It was your negligence that led to this so you should face the consequences".

Then he turned to face Yvette who was still seated on the floor, cradling her injured foot. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?. He couldn't help but scold her gently but firmly, kneeling beside her to inspect her injuries. "You should have spoken up the moment you felt something was wrong. Do you think you're a robot".

Yvette gazed up at him, her expression wan and pained. "I thought it was just my feet being sensitive". She whispered with shaky breath. "I didn't know it was something this bad…"

Blair's anger softened as he saw the pain in her eyes. Without another word, he bent forward and scooped her up into his embrace.

Yvette gasped taken aback by his sudden actions but her body soon relaxed in his arms as he carried her toward the standby emergency van parked just outside the set.

Director Cole hurried over behind them, his face dark with concern. "This is the second time she's been injured on set this week. I want this matter thoroughly investigated. Someone is playing dirty tricks behind the scenes, clearly targeting Yvette and I won't have it." He ordered his assistant as he faced everyone on set, his tone clipped with anger.

It was only after Blair and the Director left that the cast could continue their whispered speculations afterall nobody dares to offend Blair and Director Cole was no small figure either.

As the paramedics helped settle Yvette into the van tending to her injuries, Blair stood just outside with his fists tightly clenched.

He knew very well this was someone clearly sabotaging her just like the earlier cosmetics incident that occurred earlier but why.

"Martins". He called his manager who was trailing behind him. "Investigate this matter thoroughly and find me the culprit".