However, Sarah hesitated, her weak voice filled with determination. "No, the hospital is two hours away. If we leave, I'll be late for my show."

Meesha understood Sarah's concerns, but her health was a priority. "You can't perform like this, Sarah. You're clearly unwell."

Sarah weakly waved her hand. "Thank you, sister, but I'll be fine."

Meesha gazed at Sarah's pale appearance, feeling a pang of pity. If Sarah performed in her current state, the director would likely send her home and replace her with Paulina, shattering her chances of becoming famous.

Meesha sought an alternative solution and walked to her closet. She returned with a packet of over-the-counter medication. "Since it's just a fever, try this," she said, handing Sarah the packet. "It was recommended by a pharmacist, and I've used it before when I had a fever. It's effective."

Sarah stared up at Meesha, her face filled with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, taking the packet.

Meesha poured a glass of water and handed it to Sarah. A few minutes after taking the medication, Sarah asked with heavy eyes, "I'm feeling drowsy. Can I sleep here?"

Meesha patted Sarah's head, noticing the medication already taking effect. "Yes, of course. Sleep, and I'll wake you up when it's time for your runway. By then, your fever should be gone."

Sarah looked up at Meesha gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Meesha. You're a good person."

Meesha smiled, feeling warmth in her chest. She genuinely liked Sarah and wanted to see her succeed in her career.

Meesha offered to get Sarah a blanket, and Sarah nodded. Meesha quickly retrieved a blanket from her closet and returned to find Sarah sleeping on the couch, her face still etched with fatigue.

Meesha smiled and gently draped the blanket over Sarah before returning to her work.

An hour later, Meesha's door rattled with knocks. "Meesha, open the door! It's the director," a voice called out.

Meesha realized who it was and quickly got up to answer the door. She opened it to find Director Gu standing alongside Vanessa, whose face was contorted into a sneer.

Meesha ignored Vanessa and turned to Director Gu. "Director, do you need something?" Director Gu nodded, explaining, "I came to fetch Sarah. The designer mixed up the clothes, and the models need to try them on again to find their correct outfits."

As he peered into the room, he spotted Sarah sleeping. "Can you wake her up?"

Meesha re-entered her dressing room, feeling uncertain. "Okay, but she had a fever earlier... I think she should be fine by now."

Meesha leaned down, gently tapping Sarah. "Sarah, wake up." 

But Sarah didn't stir. Meesha tapped her again, her voice louder but soothing. "Sarah, wake up. The director needs you to try on the clothes."

When Sarah still didn't respond, Vanessa's annoyance grew. "Can't you see? She's unreliable and lazy. Just use Paulina instead."

Meesha ignored Vanessa, focusing on Sarah. She sensed something was wrong and had a bad feeling. After tapping Sarah again without getting a response, Meesha's hand accidentally slipped onto Sarah's bare arm. Feeling the chill emanating from her, Meesha quickly recoiled, her eyes widening in shock.

The director and Vanessa exchanged confused glances. "What's wrong?" Director Gu asked, his face etched with concern.

Meesha remained frozen, unable to respond. Director Gu reached out to touch Sarah, but as soon as he made contact, he jerked his hand back, taking a step away.

Vanessa's curiosity got the better of her, and she reached out to touch Sarah. As soon as she made contact, she pulled back, her eyes wide with shock. "Sarah's body is freezing cold!" she exclaimed.

The director stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate. He reached out to place his finger under Sarah's nostrils, searching for any sign of breath. But there was nothing – no flow of oxygen, no whisper of air.

The director's face was ashen as he turned to face them. His voice trembled. "She's dead," he announced.

Vanessa gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth. She turned to Meesha, her eyes wide with shock. "How did she die?" she demanded.

Meesha stood frozen, unable to respond. Her mind reeled with the sudden turn of events. How could Sarah just die like that?

Director Gu sprang into action, quickly calling the ambulance. "We need to get her to the hospital, now," he urged.

As they waited for the ambulance to arrive, the room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of those in shock. Meesha's eyes remained fixed on Sarah's lifeless body, her mind struggling to comprehend the tragedy that had unfolded.

*********

[IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM]

Meesha paced back and forth outside the hospital room, her eyes fixed on the door. Director Gu and Vanessa stood beside her, their faces etched with worry and concern.

"What's taking so long?" Meesha asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.

Director Gu put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "The doctors are doing everything they can," he said.

Just then, the doctor emerged from the hospital room, his face somber.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news," he said, his voice gentle. "Sarah had already passed away long ago."

Meesha felt like she had been punched in the gut. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Although it was so obvious that Sarah was dead, she still couldn't take in the fact.

Director Gu's face fell. "What happened? What caused her sudden death?" he asked, his voice shaking.

The doctor hesitated before speaking. "We performed an autopsy, and it appears that Sarah died from an adverse reaction to a medication."

Meesha's heart sank. Medication? What medication?

The doctor looked at them expectantly. "Did any of you know if Sarah consumed any medication before she died?"

Meesha's eyes widened as she remembered the pills she had given Sarah. "I gave her some relief pills," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She said she had a fever."

The doctor's expression turned grave. "That was the cause of her death," he said. "Those pills triggered a severe reaction in her body."

Meesha felt like she was going to collapse. She had given Sarah those pills, not knowing that they would harm her.

"But I've taken those pills before," Meesha said, her voice shaking. "Nothing happened to me."

The doctor's expression was sympathetic. "Sarah was diabetic," he explained. "The medication had a different effect on her body because of her condition."