Prologue

"How dare a maid think she can easily show her face here?"

At those words Kiera tried to keep herself from tensing, keeping her frail and subservient position. When she felt the light shove against her shoulder, she went with it and fell behind. She tried not to breathe as she was plunged into the cold lake. She counted the seconds she needed to be down before she gasped up for air.

She made sure to keep a pitiful appearance as her head rose up the water and looked up at the group of women in front of her.

"What do you think you're doing acting so pitiful?" One of the them sneered at her.

"Cut!" the director shouted from behind the camera. "Court lady 4 you're supposed to look domineering not giggling like some school girl!"

He turned to one of the assistant directors, "Let's use the take of the falling into the water just now and start on the next scene. I want a touch up on make-up.

And concubine 6 remain where you are. On the next take I want you to plunge your head then rise from the water again."

She gave a nod to acknowledge her new instructions, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. The lake was practically freezing and with the early morning air she could barely feel her face. 

The went through the next scene for several more takes with her being in the water for more than half an hour. By the time the director was satisfied, she felt like a frozen block of ice.

She thanked the costume assistant who handed her a coat as they hurried her towards the costume trailer, wanting to dry the dress before the next scene.

After changing into her own clothes, she found a hidden and out of the way corner of the toasty trailer to try and warm up before she went to her part-time job. She was intent on massaging her hands and get the blood circulating again, when she heard several people walk in.

"That poor girl in the water earlier, did the director have to keep her there all throughout those takes? And how many times did she have to dunk her head back into the water? It was just pitiful."

At those words Kiera, tried her best to remain inconspicuous behind the hanged costumes and prayed they will not go towards her hiding place.

"Don't say that, someone might hear you!"

"You're new here so you won't know but she turned the director down during an event, or so the gossip mill says."

"What? I thought it was because she seduced someone's boyfriend and the director got orders to make life hard for her?"

Someone sighed. "If I had her face and that figure I would be a best actress by now."

"As if someone would want you with your terrible acting!"

They all jointly laughed. 

Someone made to shush the group, "There are a lot of rumors about her. All you need to know is to stay away. She's not able to help anyone in her state." There were sounds of agreement and the door closed behind them.

 Kiera kept still and listened if there was anyone else left in the trailer. It will be embarrassing for everyone if they knew she heard what was said. 

She tried her best not to let it get to her but it still stung when you're face with the reality of all the gossip about you. Gossip that won't go away however you deny them.

She peaked behind the costumes and made her way out quietly.

She wasn't as stupid as they said, she knew exactly what would happen if she kept refusing advances and proposals that would eventually help her career. Her damn pride would never let her do it. But sometimes part of her asks if her pride is worth it.

But she had kept pushing back that insistent little voice and kept auditioning hoping it would be with some good director and producer and she would for once get her big break.

She looked at her watched and winced; she will be late to her morning shift at the diner if she missed the next bus. 

She nodded to some of the crew she passed by and greeted those she knew, but kept a good speed towards the nearby bus stop. The bus arrived just as was about to cross. She waved at the driver to let her know to wait and quickly crossed. 

One moment she had her hands shoved into her coat and another she was looking at the bright blue sky.

She could barely make out screams and mentions of 911.

Her brain was getting fuzzy and a part of her bitter thought they will have to put another actress as Concubine 6 and all that time in the cold lake would be for nothing.

Then she felt like she was on a free fall.

Then darkness.