"And you?"

"Ah," Skyler chuckled nervously, "My case is different. After all, you are the precious daughter of the Anderson family, the corporation which will never go bankrupt even in the next ten generations."

"And your family is what?" Shikera asked.

"Just a lucky family that had the opportunity to reign amongst the average wealthy families in the society. The only good thing we were able to use the money for was my education. NewDun Elites High School always has an impact on employers when they see it in my CV now," Skyler smiled nostalgically. She took her seat on a chair close to her, and Shikera did the same.

"Is that why you are working like this now?"

"There’s no other reason why a proud girl like me will work here. But you, why is the Anderson’s princess—"

Shikera interrupted her, looking out of the transparent glass wall of the conference room to make sure no one was seeing them.

"This should be the last time you address me as the Anderson family princess within the walls of this station, Skyler. And also, no one knows my health is unstable here so..."

Skyler nodded vigorously, showing her agreement with Shikera.

"I will not let anyone know of your private matters, Shikera. The only thing I’ll ask of you is that you treat me well as an assistant," she stated pleadingly. Though she knew it was inevitable that she would still ask favors from Shikera on behalf of her parents, she wanted to be sure Shikera still saw her as a former classmate and not just a lower employee.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sky. Even real celebrities shouldn’t bully their assistants so why would I?" Shikera assured her. "Why don’t you let’s check out the studios and the other teams? We will get all busy because of the show starting next week so we won’t have time," she added.

"I will gladly lead you," Skyler beamed.

★★★

"I will just go to the kitchen then," Shikera informed Ruth, walking away under the watchful eyes of her husband’s assistant.

When she was done touring the building with Skyler, she had informed Ethan that she was leaving for home, as he had asked her to always do from the previous day on.

She had proceeded to the parking lot to take the car when she saw Ruth waiting to take her home. The unusually smiling Ruthlyn had informed her she would be her assistant for the next few days. Assistant for everything unofficial, or that didn’t have anything to do with her work.

Shikera had been astonished, but she had agreed immediately for she knew this was most probably done out of worry for her.

"You don’t have to tell me that," Ruthlyn called after her, chuckling in amusement at Shikera who was behaving like a little kid now. They were in the living room and she was going to the kitchen so why did she have to inform Ruth?

When Shikera came back from the kitchen holding two glasses of water, she handed one over to Ruthlyn and placed the other on the stool she had placed in front of herself.

"What are you working on now?" Ruthlyn asked. Though she was extremely happy that she didn’t have to work for that week, she was still uncomfortable staying idle.

"Uhm... nothing much. I was just thinking of which news to use as Elovien’s Spotlight first. I want something that can grab the attentions of both young and old and get them glued to their tv screens for that one hour I will be using on the television, but this ones I’m seeing here only attracts a particular audience," Shikera explained. She continued,"There’s one with this new actor whose nudes were leaked, but the elders would not pay attention to it. Plus I don’t want the show to be like that too...I want to use it as an avenue to shed spotlight on many hidden secrets in the society. Something like that..."

Ruthlyn nodded in understanding, furrowing her brows as she fell into deep thought.

"What other news would grab the attention of all ages in our country except one that involves any of the Mega families?" she asked.

"That’s true, but it is hard to get anything at all about them. Except I have to tell the public Liam Anderson is really out of the country, or tell them I have seen Ethan DeLoach’s face," Shikera laughed at her own words, knowing she would not be able to bring herself to do that, but Ruthlyn was still wearing a serious expression.

"What if you don’t have to get something new? Mignon’s news, do you not feel like it didn’t circulate properly? It was enough to create a sensation but not the kind expected from news that has to do with a Mega youngster, right?" she asked, to see Shikera nod thoughtfully. It seemed like she was beginning to understand what Ruthlyn was trying to say.

"You mean I should use MD’s story? It will attract youngsters attention as she was a star and it will grab the elders and middle aged citizens attention cause she is a member of the Mega family..." She listed out. Shikera had not explicitly mentioned that Mignon DeLoach was Ethan DeLoach’s sister in her article, so she felt like many of the country citizens still would not know.

"That’s true. I can be a guest on the show if you want," Ruthlyn offered.

"What?! If I want? I can have Ruthlyn Stone on the first airing of my programme and you think I will act picky?" Shikera asked a series of questions in disbelief.

"I will take that as an agreement from you then, Shikera."

"Absolutely!" Shikera hurriedly packed the files which were littered on the table, to one side. She looked around the room and the frowned, suddenly noticing something.

"I haven’t seen Hazel since yesterday. Is she unwell or what?"

Ruthlyn shook her head without a change in expression.

"I haven’t seen her too. And she has been behaving really suspicious like someone possessed by a ghost. I think it’s because you are alive and she is scared...I will go bring her here now?"

Ruthlyn rose from the sofa and went out of the villa, coming back a few minutes later with Hazel trailing after her. The latter seemed shocked when she saw Shikera sitting on the couch. Shock was even an understatement in describing how her expression looked like now.

"Yh Hazel, so we were at home too and didn’t want you to be cooped up in your room alone. That’s why I came to call you," Ruthlyn said, smiling wryly at Hazel as she went back to take her seat.

"I am sorry!" Hazel bowed suddenly.

Shikera looked up with an innocent expression, as if she had no idea what Hazel was talking about.

"I am sorry for leaving the house when you fell! It’s not my fault... really, because you looked like you were dead. If...if I knew you can still move around energetically after what happened yesterday, I would have waited! I really really thought you were dead..."

Shikera stayed silent, completely ridden of what to say. Should she say she forgave Hazel for not helping her after seeing she was at death’s door? Or should she scold her for abandoning her out of fear that she might be framed? Shikera didn’t know what to do so she simply kept quiet.

When Hazel saw this, she was scared that Shikera was actually thinking of a punishment for her. Probably something like a sack letter?! She couldn’t fathom how devastated she would feel if she got that so she just said the first thing that flew to her tongue.

"Miss Anderson, I saw your mother at the mall yesterday!"