"Starling, you'll be up in 20 minutes after commercial break. Make sure to warm up."
Jazmine, her manager, instructed as Alina glanced over and tapped her fingers on the surface of the white vanity table.
Observing the woman, she took notice of her new attire from the previous one she wore on the red carpet. Like herself, she dressed up fancy for the event but remained businesslike.
As always, Jazmine's long-brown hair was styled in a nice ponytail. She wore a shimmery all-black suit and black heels, which made her appear more presentable for the occasion inside the building
The crowded auditorium they would soon join after her performance and her last nomination announcement. The room where tonight's live award show is being held.
"I understand, thank you. And love the outfit. It looks great on you."
Alina smiled at her manager before locking her hazel eyes back on the Smart TV.
The brunette simply nodded before leaving the dressing room to make sure everything was perfect for the grand finale performance.
Again, Alina's fingers tapped the vanity's surface as she analyzed the live performance of another fellow artist displayed on the flat screen. The male was almost done performing his summer hit single of the year.
"15 minutes left."
A member of the camera crew informed, peeking through the dressing room's door he slightly opened after knocking.
She simply smiled with a nod as he left.
Drifting her eyes away from the door, she grabbed her phone and turned it on. Swiping away at the screen before pausing at a news article about a rising star.
* *
"YOUNG RUNWAY MODEL, AMERA JOHNSON IN A COMA STATE AFTER EXPERIENCING A TRAGEDY!"
Loved ones of the young model have said Amera hadn't contacted them since her casting for the forthcoming Kari's Fashion Show in the early morning. Only to find out, she'd been in a car accident.
James Luthien, a close friend of the professional model has shown his deepest concerns about her coma state. The infamous photographer was the one to start off her modeling career at the age of fifteen.
—"She's like a granddaughter to me. Someone I promised a friend to look after until she was ready to spread her wings and fly," He tells our journalist, Jason Drew.
» tap to read more «
* *
Alina raised an eyebrow, confusion leaping over her stunning face as she stared at the dim screen.
"Huh? It's been almost a month since her tragedy, so why is this article now showing up on my feed?"
Before she could question further, a message from Emitt Steward appeared on the top part of her mobile screen, which she pressed on.
Shortly, she smiled when she read her friend's message who wished her luck for her upcoming performance and various nominations.
All that was left for tonight was her imposing performance. The most awaited performance of the night.
'I should take my leave. It's almost time.'
Striding up from the leather chair, she examined her appearance through the vanity mirror and smirked at the appealing sight.
Her stage outfit was a two-piece designer. Made of shimmering light-pink fabric, which matched the precise color and look of her high heels.
It was simple, but pleasant. Exactly how she liked. Easy and comfortable to wear without the discomfort of any wardrobe issues.
Taking one last glance at herself, she walked out of the dressing room and made her way to the backstage. Her presence was recognizable to anyone in the halls of the huge building.
It didn't take long before guests and staff gathered around her to ask for pictures.
However, before she could even decline their requests as she was limited with time, a voice stopped her from doing so.
"Ah, Miss Starling. It's a pleasure to meet you so soon before your performance."
Her body shivered as the groggy voice of an older male greeted her from behind. Luckily, her slender backside was facing him, so he wouldn't see her disgust.
With clenched fists, she turned around to face the male and kept a false smile.
"Likewise. It's a surprise to see you here, Mr. Smith. I didn't expect the pleasure of bumping into you right before my performance. Are you enjoying the show?"
She replied with an elegant courtesy.
"Remarkable as ever, I see."
He murmured for his ears only, but his conniving smirk said otherwise to his spiteful and bitter feelings toward the beauty before him.
"Yes, I am. I hope you are as well, despite having to meet unwelcoming and unpleasant faces, I presume."
She wanted to scoff at his snarky remark, but refrained from acting on it. She contained her smile and replied with grace.
"Not at all, Mr. Smith. I'm enjoying the marvelous show beside wonderful guests like yourself. However, I must be on my way now. Unfortunately, my time is falling short."
She cut off their conversation short.
"Of course, I understand. I don't wish to take up more of your precious time, Miss Starling. I bid you farewell."
Before she could turn around and walk away, his groggy voice spoke again as he uncomfortably stared at her with an unknown gleam in his sly eyes.
"Oh, I heard the stage's floor is quite slippery. I'd be careful if I were you. I wouldn't want an accident to occur to someone on such a special occasion. Especially, to you, Miss Starling."
He warned while smirking with one of his golden wisdom tooth showing.
'Tsk.. lying bastard.'
Alina only gave a smiling nod before departing. Turning her slender back his way as she walked off toward the backstage of the main stage.
She didn't want to continue their conversation much further than she had already intended.
With a clenched jaw, Alina walked in the halls momentarily until she arrived to her destination—the backstage.
Quickly, she spotted her manager at a distance to her fast arrival.
"Starling, you got 7 minutes left until—is everything alright?"
After scanning a file of pages on a clipboard, Jazmine paused midway before displaying huge concern for her.
"It's nothing. I've only bumped into some influential figure on my way here. Precisely, a dislikable and crucial one."
She hissed as she neared the brunette. Clearly, her neat and soft voice held resentment towards the unnamed individual.
"Who—?"
"A nobody."
She snapped, which her manager didn't question further about.
Thankfully, she knew the brunette was aware that her anger wasn't aimed toward her, but rather at another. A possible nemesis.
Macon Smith, a man of sixty years of age. He was the very person who got her brother and she started in the entertainment industry. Remarked as an intelligent and great businessman.
The older man having various connections with wealthy and elite men in the business world. The greedy kind of man who'd do anything in his power to get what he wanted and make it happen at any given cost.
The type she strongly disliked. Especially, being the woman he wanted out of the equation shortly after her brother's passing. Terminating her past contract with the company he owned.
After all, he was the very reason her brother's idol image and life became a difficult time for him.
'Tsk. What is that old bastard up to this time?'
Ignoring the odd feeling, Alina simply looked at Jazmine and gave her a reassuring smile.
"It's fine. Right now, I just want to focus on the main event. The performance."
"I.. I understand."
The brunette nodded despite the worry she couldn't shake off knowing Alina's dark past. The negative feelings and thoughts she hid behind her 'perfect' idol image from the world.
Before she knew it, the black-haired beauty uttered words of comfort as she briefly patted her shoulder with one of her hands.
"Jazmine... thank you. I truly appreciate your efforts and everything you do for me. I mean it."
At the sentimental moment, they stared at each other. Their eyes revealed unspoken words between two good friends who understood one another.
Without further explanation, they both went to their positions as the remaining minutes passed. Then, seconds were left as every staff and team member readied themselves for the grand performance of the night to start.
Finally, her time has come.
•
•
The cheering.
That was all Alina could hear backstage while she patiently waited for the announcer to finish his given script on the screen.
She didn't even need to seek the sitting audience to know they were her fans. The ones in the crowd cheering with excitement at the fact that she was the next artist to perform.
"Now, I know everyone enjoyed all the performances of tonight, but there's one we have yet to hear..."
The audience went silent as her fans clenched their fists from excitement. All because of the beloved person they've been waiting for since the beginning of the award show.
At long last, the final and main performance of the night was about to begin.
"Everyone, let's welcome not only our country's biggest icon, but a phenomenal superstar with her biggest hit single of the year!!"
A man announced with excitement, glowing richness in his magenta designer suit and luxurious cologne perfume.
Indeed, a common sight of a famous actor, Nathan Varén.
As the crowd cheered to welcome Alina before the cue to start her performance, she got in position behind the huge screen that covered the stage where she stood.
'It's okay. You got this.'
She took a big breath before the head-worn headset microphone was on seconds prior to the drums playing in the background.
"I present to you, our all-time nominee winner, Alina Starling!"
*CROWD CHEERING*
As the performance began, her beauty and undeniable presence immediately hypnotized the crowd. There was no doubt she was the star of the night.
No matter how many great artists performed that day, none of them could top her or even stand on the same level as Alina. A true performer and artist she was.
Whenever she went on tour, she always sold out on tickets. Never having the inconvenience of an empty seated row or a vacant seat.
Her stage presence was outstanding and memorable to anyone who laid eyes upon her. Her pink dazzled outfit, sparkly makeup, long black hair, and fancy lighting only enhanced her stunning appearance.
A beautiful and elegant existence. The definition of a 'perfect' idol and ideal woman various would agree on. It's a reason the public favors Alina and has a huge fandom besides loving her humble persona.
Of course, such favor could be a curse because of the envious nature human beings possess. The people with malicious intent, that is.
Halfway through the song, Alina spotted the very man who equally despised her like she did with him—Macon Smith. However, her hazel eyes narrowed as she got a glimpse of his face. Precisely the expression he held the entire time.
He was smirking and intently watching her as if he was awaiting something that was yet to occur.
Suddenly, the eerie feeling she once had immersed within herself again. This time, she couldn't shake off the feeling as she moved through the huge stage. Regardless of how hard she tried to focus on the cheerful audience and her unfinished performance.
Then, she recalled their previous conversation. His warning before they went their separate ways.
"Oh, I heard the stage's floor is quite slippery. I'd be careful if I were you."
Cautiously, Alina moved on the stage with precision as she sang. She didn't want to slip because someone in particular wanted to sabotage her grand performance.
Fortunately, it was almost the end of the song. Her performance was almost over. She only had to sing for a minute longer and that was it. It seemed like luck was on her side.
As she sang the last chorus of her song, she took one last glance at the old bastard, but he was no longer sitting with the audience. His seat was empty with no one to occupy it.
Her expression almost faltered, but she maintained her calm composure while she proceeded to sing her heart out. Soon, the song came to an end and the audience applauded her captivating performance.
She stood there on stage taking in the love and support she received. Another memorable memory she'd take to the grave.
Before she could express her thanks, the lights went off, along with her mic. Everything was pitch black and the audience gasped in disbelief at the sudden darkness inside the huge auditorium.
'What is going on? Did he pensively plan such a childish thing? He can't be serious.'
For a moment, her heart wavered until she heard footsteps from behind. She felt relief knowing a staff member came to fetch her and guide her out of the darkened stage.
However, instead of getting the help she thought she'd receive, she got stabbed from behind shortly before she got hit on the head with a hard object.
The incident was too much for Alina to comprehend and react to. She didn't even have time to defend herself as she got pushed down the stage stairs with her body tumbling against each step.
How could anyone get past security with a weapon? Especially without getting caught by the weapon detector at the main entrance? Unless someone inside the building with power and influence was the reason behind it.
'That old conniving bastard...'
She mentally cursed after her body fell down the stairs and landed on the floor. She could feel a cold substance leaking from her abdomen. The place she got stabbed.
The wound she received hurt as seconds passed. The gasps and shouts of the scared audience muted her pained groaning. It didn't help that nobody could see her bloodied state because of the blackout.
It was solely up to her to save herself by trying to gain somebody's attention. To scream for salvation.
"I-I need help! Anyone..!"
She shouted with desperation, but nobody seemed to notice or hear her cry for help.
'Shit.. I'm losing my consciousness...'
Rapidly, her sight became hazy and the strength in her body weakened. She couldn't die here. Not if it'd satisfy the man who wanted her dead for good.
Unfortunately, Alina's breathing weakened, and her life was coming to an end. There was no doubt she wouldn't survive such a deadly stab that caused a deep loss of blood. Not at this rate.
Alas, she lost consciousness without getting the help she heavily needed. Nor being able to identify the person involved in her attempted murder—her killer. She only received a miserable death along with the flashbacks of her harsh, yet lavish, life.
Specifically cherishing moments of her beloved twin; her younger brother, Jaxon Starling.
However, before Alina knew it, she slowly gained a conscious mind. Unaware of how long she'd been lying motionless on the ground like she assumed.
'Huh? I'm alive...?'
For a moment, she believed someone had saved her right on time before being so close to her deathbed. She was grateful and relieved that she was alive.
Carefully, Alina arose from the comfortable mattress and rubbed her eyes for clarity.
Yet before she could observe her surroundings, a female voice yelped in panic and surprise at her awakening state.
"O-Our lady has awoken! Inform the Marquis and bring the family's doctor immediately!"
As the woman shouted in a hurry, Alina could only groan as she lifted herself up to sit on the huge, soft mattress.
"My Lady! Please don't—!"
"Goodness, you're so loud. Please, be quiet for just a minute, sweetheart."
She hissed in pain before rubbing her head in soothing circles. Her head hurt deeply and felt like it was spinning.
In a blink of an eye, the room stilled and became silent at her remarks.
"Oh, dear Gods.. something is wrong with our wonderful lady!"
"What nonsense are you—?"
Before she could finish, a deep male voice cut her off as he yelled an unfamiliar name in a rush.
"Angelina!"
The doors were pushed wide open as a handsome middle aged man hurried inside the room and ran towards her.
"Sweetheart, do you know how worried we were?"
The handsome man declared while he hugged her tightly in his muscular arms. His voice laced with worry and guilt.
"Who—?"
"Sweetheart, you're truly awake! Thank the heavenly Gods!"
A woman cried out as she made her way inside the bright room, along with a younger male hurrying beside her.
Peeking over the older male's shoulder, Alina could only stare at them in shock. Had she been mistaken by someone else? Perhaps mistaken as their daughter who she must've resembled?
"Angelina... sister.. I'm glad you're okay.."
The younger man whimpered out as he gradually fell to his knees. Then, he reached his shaken hand to hers and held it while he kneeled at the edge of the bed.
He uttered nothing else.
He solely stared into her perplexed eyes with his unordinary and breathtaking golden irises. They spoke of so many things: tenderness, love, and affection.
She was stunned. Stunned by everything and everyone around her. Unknown to her, it was only the beginning of her new life.