and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

“It is this voice that made me stay by Shane’s side for four years. This genuine voice that stands out in this industry of mass-produced music and the ability to touch people with her lyrics. Shane is not easy. Few talented people are, and I haven’t found anyone who has the ability to provoke much of an emotion in her. But you did, something about you irritates and unsettles her and I want you to be her assistant,”

Mr Jansen took out a piece of paper and he tapped his forefinger at the four digit number. “You will be duly paid for putting up with Shane, of course,” Carmen knew she was moved. Her brother had been undergoing rehabilitation for months ever since the accident at the construction site. Her mother had been so worried and her health had steadily declined. She needed money and she knew working in the record company wasn’t going to bring her anywhere. She read through the contract, noted the release clause at the bottom and raised her questioning eyes to Mr Jansen. “That is necessary, because my job is to protect Shane,” She thought of the song she heard, the poignancy of it and the person who had sung it in such a convincing manner. She decided to give herself a chance to know Shane McCutcheon again. In that instant, she made her decision.

Shane was roused from sleep by the insistent ringing of her handphone. “Shane, Carmen finally signed her name on the contract,” She grunted in pain as she bumped into a figure beside her on the bed and she flung the limb across her stomach aside.” Who the hell is Carmen?” “That girl who is now your assistant by the way,” “Oh… for someone who doesn’t like me….she sure isn’t that hard to convince…thanks Will,” She looked at the naked figure sprawled across the bed beside her and pulled open the drapes. The woman looked up, groggy and confused. “It’s morning already,” Shane wrapped her robe around her and opened the bedroom door. “Lock the door on your way out,” she said without a backward glance at the woman whose face she had already forgotten.