''Which is why I don't want you two to miss out on such a good project. Here is the script. You both will audition for the roles of Inayah and her best friend, Bertha and Mimi is set to take on the role of Samantha, Inayah's ex-best friend''

''Yes, sister Lylia. Who is the main male lead casts?'' Zeya asked curiously.

''Well, that isn't decided yet but I heard she is planning on getting Lucas Biden and Reynolds Samuels and Sabastian Bassey on board''

''Whoa, that is going to be one star studded cast'' Alice marvelled.

''That was my reaction''

Zeya's hand quivered as she asked, ''sister Lylia. What role is Lucas Biden going to play?'' her voice seemed hesitant.

''Perhaps the male lead role because Reynolds is playing the role of Nick and Sebastian is playing the role of Gideon''

''Can I audition for the role of Bertha instead of Inayah?'' Zeya asked. Alice looked at her suspiciously.

''Why? Do you think you can't act alongside Lucas Biden because of your past?''

''It's not that… I just''

''Sister Lylia, I will take the role of Inayah. Sister Zeya must be confident about playing Bertha. Actually, Bertha's character is quite unique, I think that sister Zeya will be able to play it better than I would''

''But​, there are a lot of skinship between Inayah and Jasper. Are you sure JSC will be okay with having you do that?''

''He will. this is my job. It's just acting''

''Alright, I will inform the Writer and give you two a call. I have a meeting in an hour, you two can leave now''

''Thank you sister Lylia'' Zeya stood up and picked her bag and left first. Alice followed.

Alice walked into the washroom and saw Zeya in front of one of the sinks. Zeya looked to Alice and said to her.

''Don't think that I will be grateful just because you helped me out. I hate owing people, so I will definitely pay you back''

''Instead of paying me back, why don't you use that to squash whatever beef you have with me. I still don't understand why you hate me so much?'' Alice turned to face her.

''I didn't just decide to hate you. You looked down on me first. You always acted as if you didn't need anyone because you had Thomas Sun as your backer''

''What? when did I ever act as if I didn't need anyone?'' Alice realised there must have been a misunderstanding between them.

''During our first audition. I wanted to talk to you but you snubbed me and walked away. You totally embarrassed me back then''

''I didn't snub you. Sister Zeya, do you have any idea what happened to me that day?''

''You left halfway through the audition and then your place was given to me. It was like you pitied me''

''I didn't leave because of you. My sister was kidnapped that day. Did you start to hate me because of this? So, all the bullying that I received from you was because of that time?''

''You didn't ignore me on purpose?''

''No, I did not. Why would I do that?''

''Well, if you say so'' Zeya glared at her and turned to go. she suddenly heard Alice laughing and turned back. ''Why are you laughing?''

''Sister Zeya, you are quite cute. To think that I received so much hatred from you because of a misunderstanding?''

''Look, this doesn't mean that we are friends. I just don't like you'' Zeya said and walked out of the place.

''Why is she so cute?'' Alice muttered.

….

Mikael's private Villa.

Natalie looked up and saw Mikael looking at her. She furrowed her brows and placed the spoon down and asked.

''Why are you looking at me like that?''

''You are beautiful, that's why''

''I know I am beautiful, but you should eat. We need to get back and I need to go to the company tomorrow. I already called to give them an excuse today. I don't want to miss work tomorrow''

''But, I want to spend time alone with you here'' Mikael held her hand and kissed it.

''Hey, Mister. You came here alone. I was the one who brought myself. You are so insincere''

''I apologise. It won't happen again''

''That's more like it. I want to submit my first draft design to a local designer to see if he can make something out of it''

''Your jewellery design? What did you design?''

''Couple rings. Now that I've told everyone about our marriage, I want to make a couple rings for us. What do you think?''

''I think it is a good idea. Natie, at the launching night. I saw that you went to have a chat with your mother. Didn't you notice anything unusual about her?''

''Something unusual? I did… my mother, that woman has always been weird but yesterday she was even weirder. She apologised to me for the Eunice incident and told me to prove to her that I can protect myself. But, why are you asking me?''

''Nothing, I was just curious''

''Is she sick? You know, there is a saying that people only change when they are about to die. She has never apologised to me before for anything. Her behaviour that night was something I wasn't used to''

''Then, what if everything you thought you knew wasn't the truth. Would you forgive her?''

''You know… even you are acting strange''

''Eat'' Mikael and smiled. His phone buzzed and a message popped up. Natalie turned to look at it and Mikael took the phone fast. It was a message from Thomas, his brother.

Mikael acted nonchalantly as he continued to eat and typed a reply before putting the phone down, this time at his left side, away from Natalie's sight.

''Who is that?'' Natalie asked.

''My assistant. I am going to change. Let me know when you are ready. I will drop you off at the house and go for a meeting''

Natalie nodded her head but her gaze went back to the phone, but she didn't say anything again.

...

Xia yawned as she walked out of her apartment. She stopped walking when she saw Connor at a distance by his car.

''Xia'' Conner smiled when he saw her.

''What are you doing here?''

''Karl wanted me to give this to you. You wouldn't answer my text or calls so I thought I might bring it to you'' Conner said as he removed a small box from the front of his car. he told me that while you were bathing him, you told him you liked to eat dry persimmons so he asked me to bring them to you as soon as our gardener brought them from the farm''

Xia snatched the box and looked at the clumsy writing on the box and smiled, ''he is so cute. I just said that out of whip and he remembered''

''Are you going somewhere?'' Conner asked.

''I am going to take some photos of how people are preparing for Christmas. I am going to write it on my personal blog''

''You have a personal blog? What's the name?'' Conner asked excitedly.

''I can't tell you'' Xia said and blushed.

''Oh, I see. Are you going to walk?''

''No, I am taking a taxi. My car broke down''

''Let me give you a ride. Actually, I don't have anything doing today, you could use me if you want'' Conner suggested as he met her gaze. ''You can just take me as a friend. I won't ask for more''

Xia looked at him and said as she walked away, ''the things I need are at my office. We will have to pass there for them''

''You mean…''

''Hurry, it's the rush out. If I get stuck in traffic, it is your fault'' Xia said as she got into the front seat.

''Yes, ma'am'' Conner excitedly got into the driver's seat. He looked genuinely happy as he started the car. It was like they were back to the old days all over again. He would drive her anywhere she wanted to go and take photos.

Xia smiled and looked outside the window as she mumbled to herself, ''what is wrong with me? Am I doing the right thing? I don't know what to do anymore''

...

Mikael pulled over in front of the villa and Natalie got down. She smiled and waved at him as he drove out again. a while later, Natalie hurried and got into a taxi and followed him as he drove away.

''What are you keeping from me, Mikael?'' Natalie muttered and she indulged the driver to go faster, ''driver make sure you don't lose that blue car''

''Yes, ma'am'' the driver said and drove faster.

A few minutes later, Mikael's car went into their family home and Natalie frowned. She got down from the car and muttered, ''if he was coming here, why did he act as if he was hiding something major from me? I even thought he knew something about my mother that I didn't. Well, since I am here. I might as well go in and say hi to aunt''

Natalie walked into the family villa and stopped in her strides when she heard two familiar voices.

''Elder brother''

''Mikael, you are here. How is Natalie? I was worried about her'' Thomas said as he met Mikael outside the house.