Chapter 1
Is the car ready?” Isabella asked sharply as she checked the time on her phone for the third time in one minute.
“Yes, Miss Anderson,” her manager replied carefully.
Isabella closed her eyes in frustration. The photoshoot team had already delayed her by an hour. She hated wasting time, especially today. She had an important flight to catch, and if she missed it, everything would be ruined.
Without another word, she stood up from the couch in the waiting room and grabbed her handbag. Just as she was about to leave, the photographer rushed inside, breathing heavily.
“Miss Anderson, please wait!” he said nervously. “We still need one last shot. It will only take ten minutes.”
Isabella turned toward him with an annoyed expression.
“My scheduled time is over,” she said coldly. “I have to leave.”
“Please, Miss Anderson,” he begged again. “Just ten minutes.”
She folded her arms and looked at him sternly.
“If your team is late, that’s not my problem. I told everyone clearly about my timing.”
The photographer lowered his head. His face looked pale and tired.
“I’m really sorry,” he said softly. “My father was admitted to the hospital last night. I had to stay there to pay the bills and help my family. That’s why I got late.”
For a moment, Isabella stayed silent.
People often thought she was heartless because of her cold personality, but deep inside, she understood pain better than anyone. Hearing about his family situation softened her anger.
She sighed softly.
“You have ten minutes,” she finally said.
The photographer’s face immediately brightened with relief.
“Thank you so much, Miss Anderson.”
The shoot started quickly. Everyone worked carefully, afraid of wasting even one second of her time. Isabella posed perfectly in front of the camera, hiding her exhaustion behind a professional smile.
Fifteen minutes later, the shoot finally ended.
As soon as she stepped outside, her driver opened the car door for her. Isabella sat inside and leaned her head back against the seat with a tired sigh. Her entire body ached from standing under bright lights for hours.
Beside her, her manager Richa quietly checked messages on her phone.
Within just one and a half years, Isabella Anderson had become one of the top models in the country. Brands wanted her. Designers admired her. Fans followed her everywhere.
People feared her cold attitude, strict behavior, and sharp tongue. But the people close to her knew another side of Isabella — a girl who worked endlessly, cared deeply, and silently helped others without expecting anything back.
The car soon reached the airport.
“Miss Anderson, we’re here,” Richa informed her gently.
Isabella opened her eyes slowly and rubbed her face with both hands. She looked outside and instantly noticed the crowd waiting near the entrance.
Fans.
Paparazzi.
Cameras flashing everywhere.
The moment she stepped out of the car, people rushed toward her excitedly.
“Miss Isabella! Look here!”
“Ma’am, one photo please!”
“Can I get your autograph?”
Even though she was exhausted and running late, Isabella still gave them a small smile and waved politely.
“Sorry, guys,” she said while walking toward the entrance. “I’m in a hurry today. Next time, I’ll sign for everyone.”
Her fans screamed happily while photographers continued taking pictures nonstop.
Inside the airport, Isabella finally escaped the noise and headed straight toward the check-in counter.
The airport employee immediately recognized her.
“Miss Isabella Anderson,” the woman said politely with a smile, “your flight is ready. First class, row fourteen. Here is your boarding pass.”
“Thank you,” Isabella replied calmly.
She took the ticket and walked toward the boarding gate, ignoring the whispers and stares around her.
After entering the plane, she found her seat and sat down with another tired sigh.
“I seriously wish humans could fly like birds,” she muttered under her breath. “Waiting is the worst part.”
An elderly woman sitting beside her heard that and laughed softly.
“You seem excited,” the old lady said kindly. “Are you going to meet your boyfriend?”
The smile on Isabella’s face instantly disappeared.
“No,” she answered coldly. “And I don’t waste my time on things like that.”
The old woman looked surprised by her sharp reply and quietly turned away.
Isabella leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes for a moment. Just then, her phone started ringing.
The screen showed: Mom.
A small smile finally appeared on her lips.
She answered immediately.
“Izzy, did you board the flight?” her mother asked worriedly.
Isabella suddenly smirked mischievously.
“No,” she replied dramatically. “I missed my flight.”
“What?!” her mother almost shouted. “Then you’re not coming to the award ceremony? Your brother will be heartbroken!”
Isabella burst into soft laughter.
“Mom, relax. I’m kidding. I’m already on the plane.”
Her mother sighed loudly in relief.
“You scared me! Your brother has been talking about your arrival since morning.”
“I know,” Isabella said softly. “There’s no way I’d miss his big day.”
After ending the call, Isabella rested her head against the seat and stared out the airplane window quietly.
For the first time that day, her mind finally felt calm.
She thought about the photographer from earlier and smiled faintly to herself. Maybe giving him those extra minutes really had mattered.
Sometimes people only needed a little kindness during their hardest days.
A flight attendant came over and offered her a drink. Isabella accepted it politely before looking outside again as the plane slowly began moving.
The city lights became smaller and smaller beneath the dark sky.
Her eyes slowly grew heavy with sleep.
As exhaustion finally took over, Isabella closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep, unaware that this journey was about to change her life forever.
