Will was speaking in a condescending tone and Shane felt annoyance.

“Will, I know I’m not a businessman like you. I don’t judge success by how well my records sell. I don’t know…you’ve changed. Now all you talk about are album sales, and things like that. I don’t even know you anymore,” Shane lowered her head and shifted her weight on her feet. She couldn’t help the feeling of helplessness in her voice. Will had been with her for four long years. He was her one of her first fans, her trusty comrade, the source of encouragement when everything seemed to be going against her and now, he was deviating further and further away from his original self while Shane could only look on.

“Shane, people do change and you will find that record sales are eventually what that matters,” His voice trailed off and both of them looked at each other, neither of them willing to budge in their conviction.

“Let’s go in,” Will said in a firm voice.

“Will, I may be a jerk, I may be an isolent ass….but I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not going to sit there and pretend I enjoy the company of those people. And Will….I wouldn’t have hired you if I wanted a business-savvy manager. I hired you because back then you were a friend,” Shane shut her eyes for a moment and when she opened her eyes, there was regret and disappointment in them.

“I used to think fame wouldn’t change either of us, but it looks like I’m wrong on both counts….in fact I seem to be wrong about a lot of things,” She turned and walked soundlessly away from Will along the dimly-lit pathway.

Will looked at Shane’s lonely figure. He knew he had changed. Over the years, he had behaved like a somewhat indulgent father figure to Shane and allowed Shane to do whatever she wanted. It was because there was nowhere else Shane could go. At the end of the day, she would return, hollow-eyed and a pale shadow of herself and that meant Shane was not likely to go anywhere. Cherie Jaffee had not been a threat at all. She was unattainable and foreign to Shane, a passing novelty perhaps, an infatuation and nothing more. The real threat was Carmen, with the sincere eyes and amiable personality with the spark of obstinacy. And he told himself it was time he did something about it.