Page 7 of Flawless

Our segment continues until the first break. Patrice rushes out to refresh my makeup, and I see Mel hanging near the door, watching me closely. I turn my gaze away from hers as the first trickle of sweat pours down my spine.

I grab a few tissues, preparing to dab at the sweat on my face when Patrice taps my hand. “What are you doing? You’re messing up my work.”

“You know that I can’t stand sweat, Pat.”

“There’s no sweat, Dani.”

“On my top lip.”

“You’re imagining stuff. Now, hold still.”

It’s a struggle but I manage to incorporate mind over matter and remain still. It seems like only three seconds have passed since we went to the commercial break, but we’re being cued that the break is over.

“Now, before we get into the good stuff, girlfriend, walk to the center of the stage and show off that shoe porn!”

Tia giggles and gets up to do as I ask. She dances in the middle of the stage before returning to her seat.

A fun, upbeat tune begins to play as the crowd shouts, “Ten dash!”

The room is hot as hell, and I want to ask someone to please turn on the air conditioner, but the music seems to grow louder.

Guests have to answer as many questions as they can in ten seconds. The buzzer begins, and I start with my questions.

I feel a wave of dizziness as I look at the floor. I close my eyes and slowly lift my head, opening my eyes once more. I press a smile to my lips as I turn to Tia who has a look of concern on her face.

“Kids.”

“Three.”

“Years in the industry.”

“Eighteen.”

“Favorite male actor you’ve worked with.”

“Taryn Spiers.”

“Ma—”

The world spins all around me as the voices grow further and further away. Darkness claws at me, and no matter how hard I try to fight it, no matter how scared I feel, I can’t stay away from its evil grasp.

I feel my body hitting the floor before I black out.

2 – DANICA

“...says that she was in the middle of interviewing Tia Santana when she passed out on set. Danica Maxwell, known by her modeling name, Nica, hasn’t looked healthy for some time. She’s always maintained a trim and toned figure because of her career, but lately, she appears to have lost more weight, and it looks unhealthy. Sources close to the former supermodel say that she hasn’t been eating, and she’s showing all the signs of an unhealthy alcohol and possible drug addiction.”

“Turn it off!” I grumble.

“That’s just one of the reports,” Jade, my agent says of the report that was just aired on CLM, the Celebrity Life Magazine talk show. “Social media is going crazy with replays of you falling from your chair and Tia trying to catch you.”

“There weren’t supposed to be any images captured or videos taken inside of that studio! That’s part of the agreement, Jade.”

“I know that, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it now. I’m not sure who leaked it and who these supposed sources were, but we’ll find out, and they will be held liable. In the meantime, we need to consider what we’re going to do to get ahead of this and paint things in a positive light. You’ve signed the release allowing your doctor to discuss your health issues with me. We’ll get a story together to paint this in your favor, Dani. I promise.”

“What about the contract?” I ask, clearing my throat.

Briefly, Jade looks away, and I know that isn’t promising. She’s always been nothing but sincere with me.

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