𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝙁𝙍𝙊𝙕𝙀𝙉

Late into the night, Hope found herself immersed in a rigorous practice session with her backup dancers in the comfort of her own home. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she executed each move with precision, determined to perfect her performance.

"Let's take a break," Hope announced, her voice breathless as she gestured for her dancers to pause.

As she reached for a bottle of water to quench her thirst, her hand trembled slightly, causing her to accidentally spill some of the liquid onto herself.

In an instant, the cool sensation on her skin triggered a terrifying hallucination.

With a bloodcurdling scream, Hope recoiled in horror, her mind consumed by a vivid hallucination of acid being poured onto her skin.

She thrashed wildly, her movements erratic and frantic, as if trying to escape an invisible assailant.

Her backup dancers rushed to her side, their faces contorted with concern as they tried to snap her out of her hallucination.

But Hope was lost in her own nightmare, unable to distinguish reality from the terrifying visions plaguing her mind.

Even the security team, trained to handle any situation, found themselves at a loss as they struggled to contain the panic-stricken superstar.

In her distress, Hope ripped off her glove, the action a desperate attempt to rid herself of the imagined torment. Her cries echoed through the room, a haunting symphony of fear and anguish.

Amidst the chaos, Hope's loyal maid, Ms. Brown, sprang into action

. With a sense of urgency, she dialed Mark's number on the house phone, her voice trembling with worry.

"Hello, who is this?" Mark's voice crackled through the receiver, his tone sharp and focused.

"Hello, sir, it's Hope's maid. She's having a panic attack, and no one knows what to do," Ms. Brown explained, her voice shaking with apprehension.

Mark's brow furrowed in concern as he processed the information.

Ms. Kim had failed to mention Hope's susceptibility to hallucinations during panic attacks, leaving him unprepared for the severity of the situation.

"No, she didn't, but it's fine. I'm on my way. Tell everyone to leave the room," Mark instructed, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.

With a sense of relief, Ms. Brown relayed Mark's instructions to the bewildered onlookers, ushering them out of the room as she prepared to face the nightmarish ordeal unfolding before her.

-

Hope's racing heart began to calm as Mark's steady presence grounded her in reality. She looked down at her trembling hand, the shock of the hallucination still lingering in her mind.

"I must have scared everyone," she murmured, her voice tinged with guilt.

Mark knelt beside her, his movements gentle as he reached for the first aid kit. "It's okay, Hope. Let me wrap your hand. It's bleeding a little," he said, his voice reassuring.

Hope dismissed the remaining staff, leaving her alone with Mark in the quiet of her home. As Mark tended to her injury, Hope felt a sense of gratitude wash over her. Despite the chaos and confusion, he remained calm and collected, a steady anchor in the storm.

"I'm sorry that my maid called you," Hope apologized, her voice filled with remorse.

Mark shook his head, his expression understanding. "No worries. It was out of nowhere, so I understand why she did," he replied, his tone reassuring.

Hope couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the realization that Mark had been caught off guard by the severity of her panic attack. After all, he was her bodyguard, not her therapist.

"  You're my bodyguard. It's not your job to deal with this," Hope insisted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Mark looked at her with a knowing expression, his eyes softening with empathy. "I'm doing this from a place of understanding," he admitted, his tone gentle but firm.

Hope's breath caught in her throat as she realized the depth of Mark's compassion. She had never considered that he might have his own demons to contend with, his own past traumas to overcome.

"Oh, so you've..." she began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words.

Mark nodded, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering honesty. " Yes, now good as new," he replied, a flicker of determination in his eyes.