Main Character in the Story:
Kang Han-na as Emilie 'Eun-hye' Seung
Minor Characters in the Story:
Amy Manson as 'Viv' Vivienne
Rebecca Mader as Melanie
Jonathan Whitesell as Jamie
Jessica Chastain as Louise
Chapter I: Belief
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Emilie 'Eun-hye' Seung had always worked hard. School. College. University. Work. She grafted. Never afraid of toil.
It was the way she had been raised – her parents instilling in her value of a hard day's work well done – a value which a lot of people her age seemed to lack.
Coming from a small town in South Korea, she was accepted onto a make-up artistry course at a university abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. Make up was her passion. She remembered playing with her mother's things when she was little and finding it amazing. It had her stuck with her whole life, she was always putting make up on her dolls – or her elder sister, much to her mother's dismay.
It was tough for her to leave home – very far away from her cultural land, she'd only ever lived in one house and was always surrounded by her family. For the first time in her life, she was scared. Leaving behind everything she'd ever known for a new start.
Her flat was small and overlooked the meadows – a large green area in the heart of the city that was filled with cherry blossom trees and laughter and looked amazing on a sunny day.
She shared the flat with Vivienne – a lovely and eccentric 21 year old whom Emilie got famously with. It wasn't much, a living room with a bay window that connected onto the kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a box room. But it was theirs. It was home.
Emilie didn't wear much make up on herself – she loved creating new looks for other people, seeing them smile after she had done her work. Making people feel more confident.
Confidence.
That was something Emilie struggled with. She was surprised she has been accepted onto the course to be honest. Never thinking herself good enough to get a potential career out of doing something she loved. She felt like the luckiest girl on the planet when the acceptance letter landed on her door mat.
That was 3 years ago.
Now 24, Emilie was in her third year at the university, she was absolutely loving her life here. She loved her course, her portfolio was coming along nicely and she loved her city and pokey little flat more than ever. Hell, she even loved her part time job. She'd found a temp job at a Starbucks across from the flat at Christmas and, luckily, she'd been kept on. The wages funding her time at the university and allowing her to buy the occasional treat.
Emilie was rudely awakened by her alarm. Her phone screeching at her from her bedside and telling her it was 5am. She'd agreed to do the early shift at work before going to the university at 12.
She was now beginning to question why she'd agreed to it.
"Yeobun-ui don-eul saeng-gaghaebosibsio {Think of the extra money}." She muttered. This had become her mantra on such early rises. She shuffled through the flat to the bathroom – not wanting to wake Viv – and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up. Pulling her long dark brown hair into a messy bun before getting in. The hot water soothed her skin and slowly wakened her up, ready for her 6am start.
Drying off, she pulled on a pair of dark blue skinny jeans with her Starbucks top and rooted around her bottom of her wardrobe for her black converse. She was never the tidiest of people and cursed herself each morning. Her hair was slung up in a loose bun, the scooped up style showing off her light brown highlights. She wore her usual winged eyeliner and mascara. Emilie liked showing off her eyes and didn't know how she'd survive without her gel eyeliner.
She grabbed her keys, bag and apron and headed out the door. Running down the stairs and out onto the street, the café was only a 2 minute walk from her flat.
She saw the lights were on and knew that Melanie must've already been in. She gently knocked on the window to let Mel know she was there. Mel waved and grabbed her keys from the counter to let Emilie in.
"Morning." Mel greeted Emilie.
"Morning Mel, how are we today?" Emilie asked.
"Good thanks him, you all set for another long day then?"
"Yeah, my portfolio work for the university should be finished today. Then I just have to figure out where to get some work experience." Emilie said, her eyes rolling.
"Really?" Mel asked. "Well something will come along for you Em, what's for you won't go past you."
Her words reassured Emilie. She and Mel had always gotten along well. Emilie looked at her as a kind of aunt. Someone who was always there for anything, no matter how trivial. Mel was a lovely woman, in her late 30s.
The shift went by really quick and before Emilie knew it, it was 11am, her shift was over and she had an hour to get to her class.
"Mel, I'm finished, see you next week." She said as she approached her boss, setting down the tray she'd been carrying.
"See you later, sweetheart." She replied. "And remember what I said earlier, the right work WILL come up for you. You're talented Em, you need to see that." She hugged Emilie before she left.
Emilie left work feeling good about the day ahead, picking up a couple of pastries and coffee as breakfast for her and Viv on the way.
She climbed the stairs to her flat, struggling to juggle everything while attempting to get her keys out of her bag. She entered the flat and was greeted by Viv.
"Morning sleepyhead, you were dead to the world when I left for work."
"Yeah, but you start work at silly o'clock don't you, Em?" Viv replied. Her short red hair sticking up in all directions – she always suffered terribly from bed head.
"Anyway, breakfast is served." Emilie said with a small bow."
"Em, you're amazing darling!" Viv gushed as she raked around in the bag for a pastry. She was a drama student and tended to have 'dramatic tendencies'.
Time at the flat always few by when the two of them got talking. And before Emilie knew it, it was time to head to class. She changed out of her work clothes, pulling on her clean jeans and a fresh top before picking up her pride and joy – her make up kit. She'd worked her back side off to pay for it all and she was very protective of it.
Viv had the day off and said she'd get in the shopping and a few dvd's for a movie night. "Sounds like heaven." Emilie replied, "I'll be home just before six." And headed out the door.
Arriving at the university building, she was walked in and was greeted by Jamie at the entrance. He and Em clicked on the first day 3 years ago.
"Morning sweetheart." He greeted her. "All set for the last week?"
"Bring it on." She replied as they linked arms and headed to the studio.
Her day at the university flew by – she'd pretty much finished her portfolio work – her lecturer was very impressed with her. She'd pulled her to one side later to talk to her about a work placement over the summer.
"Do you have anything sorted yet, Emilie?" Her lecturer Louise asked her.
"No, nothing yet, I was actually meaning to ask if you knew of anything. Everyone I've contacted has never even replied." She replied, her head falling, Emilie taking the 'no replies' to heart.
"Well, that's why I wanted to see you. You're one of the most talented students we have. There's a production company in London, they're looking for someone to work there for a few weeks on a big production they're doing."
Emilie's eyes widened. "And. And, you think I'm good enough? That I have a shot?" She asked, not believing for a minute that her lecturer would put her forward for it.
"Yes. Without a doubt. You're talent Emilie, you need to see that." She said, kindly as she gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "How about I drop them an e-mail, put your name forward?" She asked with a small smile.
"You would really do that?!" Emilie asked, mouth dropped and eyes wide.
"Louise laughed. "Of course Em, I'll put a good word in for you. I'll include a couple of pieces from your portfolio too."
Emilie squealed and gave her lecturer a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She grinned.
"You're welcome, now go home!" Louise laughed as she watched Emilie skip out of the building.
Emilie was such in a good mood that she pretty much floated home, a giant grin across her face the whole way. She bounded into the flat to find Viv cooking up a storm.
"Hi Em, enchiladas ok for tea?" her back to Emilie. She was caught off guard by Emilie squeezing her in a tight hug.
"Perfect, perfect, everything's perfect Viv!" She squealed. Viv turned around with an eyebrow raised. "Spill." She demanded.
Emilie filled her in about her day, barely stopping for breath and struggling to contain her excitement.
Viv looked at her with her best 'told you so' face. "Everyone's always told you something like this would happen, Em. I am so pleased for you darling! Now sit down, eat and out the DVD on madam. I got War Horse, that ok? I like to indulge my Benedict Cumberbatch obsession from time to time." Viv blushed, fanning her face in a vain attempt to cool herself down.
"Oh yes, Tom Hiddleston is in that too. Well picked, Viv. He's absolutely handsome." Emilie gushed, settling down on the couch for a girl night in.