NOSTALGIA

Chapter 1

The studio strobes illuminated the room as Jenny Lee stepped in for yet another photoshoot. She moved with effortless elegance, each step measured and deliberate. Every angle of her face was striking, and with each click of the camera, her expressions shifted, capturing an entirely new emotion.

Three hours later, she emerged from her Porsche to find a crowd surging toward her. Her bodyguards immediately formed a protective barrier, shielding her from the eager fans and the cameras pointed in her direction.

Jenny knew better than to assume everyone around her meant well. Not everyone who followed her was a genuine admirer. Some were searching for the right opportunity to hurt her, while others disguised their dangerous obsession behind the label of “fan.” Any one of them could do something reckless, which was why she never allowed herself to lower her guard.

As she made her way toward the airport, one woman fought desperately to reach her. She struck at the bodyguards, screamed Jenny’s name, and resisted every attempt to push her back. Fear tightened in Jenny’s chest, but she was not surprised. Scenes like this were nothing new.

She had learned to conceal her fear behind an unreadable expression, especially in moments like this. Without breaking character, she quickened her pace as the bodyguards forced the woman farther away.

Two additional guards soon joined them and escorted Jenny into the airport. Relief washed over her, though it faded almost immediately. More fans and cameras waited inside, calling her name, recording her, and shouting with excitement, or at least appearing to.

A reporter from Upfront stepped forward and asked about her schedule for the following month. Jenny gave a brief response, explaining that she planned to take a holiday after Paris Fashion Week. She also intended to take a hiatus after the event, though she made it clear that the reason was personal and private.

Before the reporters could ask anything else, she walked away. Her bodyguards matched her pace, guiding her toward the private terminal.

Jenny needed to get through all of this. She loved modeling, but she was desperate to finish Paris Fashion Week. Afterward, she would fly to Miami to see her ride-or-die best friend, Linda.

Linda was about to get married, and Jenny wanted to be there for the most important moments of her life. She rarely shared details about her personal life, including her friendships and relationships, with the public. If she could have abandoned everything to stand beside Linda, she would have. But Paris Fashion Week was too significant to sacrifice, and she was grateful that Linda understood.

By the following week, Jenny would be flying to Miami, and she could hardly wait. The thought of seeing Linda gave her the motivation to endure the painfully long week ahead.

Little did Jenny know that before the week was over, her life would change in the blink of an eye.