The media had recently discovered Nadia's therapy visits, it was the one thing she didn't want people to find out about, but she knew it'd happen eventually. Very little was secret in her life these days, except that wasn't out of choice. The thing that worried her most wasn't how the general public would react to it, but more so how those close to her would. Nadia had a great relationship with her parents, and had a small circle of friends she could always rely on, yet she couldn't bring herself to speak openly to them. Talking to a stranger who wouldn't judge her felt like the easiest option. After a mental breakdown years ago, Nadia was always set on never going back down that road again, she had worked hard to build her public image back up and she wasn't going to risk losing it all again. She knew if people continued to read about her struggles in real life, everyone would start to think she wasn't coping and would lose faith in her as an artist. Nadia wasn't sure how long these therapy sessions could continue for, but she had strong doubts about following through with them if it meant harming how she was perceived.

Nadia made her way up to a door that was now slightly more familiar to her, she felt a lot less nervous compared to the first time she had approached it. In fact, she actually felt quite relaxed, almost relieved that she had a place where she could speak openly and get things off her chest. Nadia knocked at the door gently, hearing a voice call her from inside. She stepped in and smiled over to Dr. Hudson who was sat behind her desk, "What's up, doc?" Nadia grinned playfully, before taking a seat on the sofa by the desk. "Nice to see you're looking calm, Nadia. You were a bundle of nerves last time I saw you enter this room," Hudson smiled back, making Nadia giggle. Hudson grabbed a pen and notepad from her desk and walked over to a chair that was by Nadia, taking a seat. "I'm sure you'll have a lot you'll want to get off your chest today, huh?" Hudson questioned. Nadia nodded in response, "Ohhhh, yeah. You won't be able to shut me up today," she laughed, as she crossed her legs and got herself comfortable on the sofa.

Hudson poured the two of them a glass of water and handed it to Nadia, "Thank you," she said softly, clearing her throat and taking a sip. Hudson stood back up and went to gather the notes she had made on Nadia's previous session, before returning to her seat and looking through them briefly. "I understand last time you didn't want to trouble anyone with your own problems, have you spoken to anyone but me yet?" Nadia shook her head slowly at Hudson's question, "Umm... no. It's just, you know, it's been Christmas and it's not a good time. Maybe I'll talk to someone about it soon, I don't think I have much of a choice now that the media have found out about this." Hudson nodded, "I really think that'd benefit you. What's important, Nadia, is that when you step into this room, you leave behind what the outside world know about you, or think they know about you. You put yourself first and you focus on yourself." Nadia laughed at her comment, shrugging her shoulders, "Ha. Sometimes I think I put myself last, that'll take some getting used to."

"Does it bother you that people now likely know about these visits?" Hudson asked, a slightly concerned look on her face. She thought Nadia had potential to make real progress and it'd be a shame for her to drop out already because of what she thought others would say. "A little," she responded, "I don't want to be known as some sort of crazy hot mess who can't deal with life. I'd care a lot more if this was a few years back, I cared too much, that's what messed with my head. Sometimes I just don't think I'm made for this industry, but I go along with it anyway." Hudson made a note of it, "What makes you feel that way, Nadia?" She shrugged her shoulders again and sighed, "I love music and performing, but the extreme lack of privacy, the fact I feel so alienated at times from the average person. I feel like I couldn't date or even really get to know someone who isn't famous because I'd be too paranoid they're using me, I can barely trust a celebrity. Perhaps if I wasn't famous, I'd be settled down now with a husband and kids, you know? It makes you wonder if this career path was really the right choice for me, mentally. Sometimes all I want is a family of my own, I'm 29 and what have I got to show for it?"

Hudson smiled at Nadia to reassure her, "And you'll get that one day, Nadia. You don't have to be scared that you won't get the things you desire, because they'll all come to you in good time. You have a very successful career, that's what you should be proud of, that's what you can show for your age." Nadia's mouth shifted, things weren't always so black and white in her eyes, despite the hit singles, there was still a void in her life. "Maybe. My music isn't gonna cuddle me at night and tell me things are okay though, is it?" Nadia said, a small smile on her face, but it was still evident to Dr. Hudson that deep down, she was lonely, "I'm afraid not, Nadia. Does your music career not make you happy anymore?" She shook her head quickly, "No, it's not that. It's the only thing that does make me happy these days, actually. Although I'd be lying if I said I haven't had moments where I've just wanted to call it a day and retire, so I can focus on myself and my personal life. Now isn't that time though."

"You should do what makes you happy, Nadia. What happened to you and Mark? He was one thing in your life that seemed to make you happy when we last spoke," Hudson raised her eyebrows, almost sad at the situation. "I spoke too early, I always do," Nadia laughed. "I liked him, but now that I think about it, I don't think I liked him at all, at least not in that way, when I was telling myself that I did. I really don't think he understood me as a person, I just don't think we connected on that level, it was more like being with a friend than a lover, so I had to walk away from it." She paused for a moment and laughed at herself, "I say friend, but I think even that is being polite. I was just rushing into things when I really shouldn't have, I regret that... I honestly don't feel like I was ready for a new relationship so soon, I wasn't allowing myself time to heal." Hudson frowned, "I'm sorry to hear, Nadia. That's a shame, but if you think breaking up with him was for the best, then I'm sure you have no reason to feel upset over how things ended up." Nadia took a drink from her glass of water and placed it back onto the table in front of her, "You're right, I don't. I'm more relieved than anything."

Nadia received a sudden call on her phone from Thomas, her manager, and put it on silent. Her schedule was starting to get busier now that she had an album on the way, but these therapy sessions were important to her, she knew if she wanted them to work in any kind of way, she had to dedicate time to them. "Sorry about that," she apologised, as Hudson smiled to show it was fine, before she put her phone back away. "I understand last time we met you were thinking of coming off your bipolar medication, did you see your psychiatrist about that?" Nadia had been meaning to make an appointment, but at this time of the year where she had a lot going on, she knew now wasn't the time. "No, not yet. I'm far too busy right now, my manager talked me out of it, he said that I shouldn't risk it when I have an album and live shows on the way. Which is fair enough, I agree with him." Hudson gave her a smile, "I'm glad you were both able to agree on that, it's definitely something you need to think long and hard about before going to that level." Nadia figured maybe she'd never be able to come off her meds if her career was always going to be this busy, but they kept her from having severe mood swings and gave her life the stability that she needed.

Hudson made some final notes and looked up to Nadia with a smile, "Alright then, I think you can go answer that call now." Nadia rolled her eyes and laughed, "Men, eh? Thank you again, sweetie. I always feel a lot more peaceful after talking with you." Therapy was a scary thing to get into for Nadia, but it wasn't until after her first session when she realised how much more at ease it made her feel. She was determined to gain some sort of control back in her life and already felt a little more positive after this meeting. "That's what I'm here for, Nadia. I'm glad you feel like it's helping, you know you can call me whenever. I'm sure you won't be here for a while, what with your album and everything." Nadia's eyes widened slightly, "No! You won't get rid of me that easily, I'll definitely try and fit another meeting in soon enough, I want to make time for this." Hudson smiled at how eager Nadia was and nodded, "Okay then, perfect. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon then." Nadia made her way over to the door, "You sure will. Take care, sweetie," she smiled, as she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Nadia took a deep breath and walked over to the elevator, it felt like another successful therapy session, perhaps she was finally gaining the peace of mind she was after for such a long time.