Fading Spotlight

Chapter 2: "Ticktock Ticktock"

Isabella Parker went about her day like any other, unseemingly bothered by the letter she had received in the morning.

Edward hurriedly caught up with her just before she could press her door's knob to enter, his breath slightly labored.

"Miss Bella!" he gasped.

Edward Sinclair was in his late fifties, so Isabella didn't burden him with excessive work due to his limited stamina.

"Why are you in such a rush?" Isabella asked. "You know the doctor advised you to avoid overexertion."

Edward ran a hand through his hair and responded, "I remember, Miss Bella, but you left your phone on the center table. Someone's been trying to talk to you." He handed the phone to her and turned away.

With the phone in Isabella's hand, she pressed the doorknob and entered her room. When she turned to close the door behind her, she heard faint footsteps, as if someone was hastily retreating.

"Who's there?" she demanded, her eyes widening in alarm.

A gentle, low voice came from her left, "It is me, Ma'am Isabella."

Isabella turned to the direction of the voice, uttering, "Selena?"

"Yes, Ma'am," a young girl holding a tray responded, her gaze lowered. She was almost the same age as Isabella.

"Oh, did i forget my medicine?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I have it here," Selena said.

"Oh, right, I forgot." Isabella accepted the medication and a glass of water from the tray. She swallowed the pill and washed it down with water. 

As she placed the glass back on the tray, she was hit by a wave of dizziness.

Selena sprang into action, catching her just before she nearly collapsed. She then placed the tray on the floor, and helped her to her room, settling her on the bed.

"Are you all right, Ma'am?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," Isabella assured her.

"I think you need to rest."

"No, the awards show is in an hour, and if I rest now, I might feel lazy waking up."

"Alright. Please let me know if you need anything," Selena offered before making her way toward the door.

Isabella called after her, making her turn. "Thank you for everything you've been doing for me."

"No need to thank me," Selena said, humility in her voice. "It is an honor to serve you."

Isabella smiled. "You're not just my servant, you're like a sister to me."

With a reciprocal smile, Selena continued her exit from the room.

Isabella pushed herself up from the bed, and her reflection appeared in the circular mirror with bulbs on the wall, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She looked in the mirror and tucked a strand of her curly, cascading hair back, admiring her own beauty.

A knock sounded on her door.

"Come in," she called out.

Edward entered, accompanied by four uniformed ladies who carried smaller black bags with a face design on them.

"These ladies will assist you in getting ready for tonight's show, Miss Bella," Edward told her.

The uniformed ladies murmured in excitement, having the chance to assist a renowned actress like Isabella. They took out their phones and snapped pictures with her.