FLAWLESS

CHAPTER 39

Vincent POV

As I forced my way through the chaotic backstage area, my heart pounded in my chest. The atmosphere was thick with panic as everyone scurried around, desperately searching for Shanelle. The vibrant energy that usually filled this space had been replaced by an unsettling tension.

I scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Shanelle or find someone that could at least tell me what the hell is going on. That's when I spotted a familiar face amidst the frantic crowd. Shelby stood nearby, her expression etched with worry. Without a second thought, I made a beeline toward her, dodging crew members and models.

I reached out and gently touched Shelby's arm, hoping to grab her attention. She turned towards me, her eyes filled with concern.

"Vincent, thank goodness you're here," she said, her voice tinged with relief. 

"I was just about to call you. Have you seen Shanelle?"

I shook my head, my mind racing to comprehend the situation. 

"No, I have no clue what's going on. I came out here to look for her." My words came out in a rush as I struggled to process the gravity of the situation.

As I glanced past Shelby, my eyes locked on a couple standing nearby. In an instant, I recognized them as Shanelle's parents. The worry etched on their faces mirrored Shelby's concern. Shelby noticed the tension in my gaze and quickly clears her throat out loud.

"Mom, Dad, this is Vincent," she said, her voice weirdly steady. 

"He's Shanelle's boyfriend."

Confusion washed over me like a tidal wave. I looked at Shelby, bewildered, hoping for an explanation. It was true that Shanelle and I had been together and now we're not and Shelby knew that already. Yet, her parents didn't question anything. Instead, her mother gave me a small, reassuring smile.

"Nice to meet you, Vincent," Shanelle's mom said, her voice filled with warmth despite the worry in the air.

I managed a weak smile in return, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. It was as if the whole world had suddenly shifted, and I was left stumbling through the chaos, trying to make sense of it all. Thoughts raced through my mind—where could Shanelle be? Was she safe? What happened?

Before I could gather my thoughts, a frantic voice sliced through the air. I turned my attention to the approaching figure, recognizing her instantly as Ava, Shanelle's manager. Panic consumed her features, her voice trembled with worry.

"Everything was fine the last time I saw her backstage. I can't believe this is happening." She exclaimed, her voice laced with desperation."

Shelby took a deep breath, trying to calm Ava down. 

"Ava, we'll find her. We'll figure this out. Stay calm."

Ava's voice cracked as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes. 

"But...but this event was important to Shanelle. There's no way she would just run out and leave. Something must have happened."

Shanelle's parents listened intently, their eyes filled with a mix of worry and sadness. Ava's words struck a chord with them, and they nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Her mother reached out and placed a hand on Ava's shoulder, offering a reassuring touch.

"Thank you for everything you've done, Ava," she said, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and concern. 

"We know you care for Shanelle as much as we do. We'll find her, no matter what."

Ava nodded, tears streaming down her face. 

"I'm so sorry for what happened. I'll do everything in my power to help find her."

"I found her!" A male voice rang out from the back, breaking through the panic.

Every pair of eyes in the room turned towards him, and without wasting a moment, I sprinted towards the source of the voice.

I grabbed the man by his collar, my grip tight and urgent.

"Where is she?"

He pointed towards a room at the back, his voice trembling with fear. 

"She's in there," he stammered, "but she's unconscious. I found her like that."

I pushed the man aside without a second thought and burst into the room. There she lay, sprawled on the floor. Her hair, usually so perfectly styled, cascaded around her like a golden waterfall. Her beautiful gown, once pristine and elegant, now lay in disarray, mirroring the chaos of the moment.

I rushed to her side, my heart pounding in my chest. Without hesitation, I gathered her delicate form into my arms, cradling her gently. 

"Shanelle?" I pleaded, my voice choked with emotion. 

"Can you hear me? Shanelle! Wake up dammit!"

Tears welled in my eyes as I held her close, desperate for any sign of life. Her pale face, usually radiant with joy and laughter, now looked fragile and lifeless. Time seemed to stand still as I silently begged her to come back to me.

I turned my head, scanning the room for any sign of help. There, at the doorway, stood her parents, Shelby, and a sea of concerned faces, their worry etched deeply in their expressions. I couldn't hold back my desperation any longer.

"I need a car ready outside!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the hallway. 

"She needs to be taken to the hospital immediately!"

Shelby nodded solemnly and swiftly took charge. The crowd parted, making way for me as I carried Shanelle in my arms, unwilling to let her go for even a moment. The weight of her fragile body was inconsequential compared to the weight of my fears.

As I rushed through the backstage corridors, time seemed to blur around me. Shelby walked ahead, her voice steady and composed as she spoke into her phone, arranging for immediate transport to the hospital. I could only focus on the fragile girl in my arms, praying silently that she would hold on.

I stole glances at her pale face, her once rosy cheeks drained of color. Her lips, usually adorned with a vibrant smile, now lay still and silent. Fear gnawed at my insides, threatening to overpower me, but I couldn't afford to falter. I had to stay strong.

As we burst out of the building, the cool evening air washed over us, a stark contrast to the raging storm within. The car awaited, its engine humming with anticipation. I gently laid Shanelle on the backseat, adjusting her limp body, praying that we could get to the hospital faster before it's too late

Shelby joined me in the car, her voice a steady reassurance as she continued her conversation, arranging for the medical team to be ready upon our arrival. Every second felt like an eternity as we raced against time, the world outside a mere blur.

In the backseat, I held Shanelle close, my hands trembling with a mixture of fear and love. I whispered words of encouragement, pleading with her to hold on, promising her that everything would be alright. The desperation in my voice matched the ache in my heart.

As the car sped towards the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of hope and anguish. I wished with every fiber of my being that she would wake up, that she would open her eyes and then tells me that she's okay. I wished for more time, just a little while longer, so that we could get her the help she desperately needed.