Chapter 10

The tree fell and the girl's body was completely blending with the trunk. Horribly, she was cut by the detective with the hatchet. I had to be careful but no one would expect this.

Even the detective opened his mouth and frowned, seeing the unusual sight. He couldn't believe it was an actual body inside the tree. Alexandre on the other hand smiled with satisfaction; it was as if he expected it.

"You did a great job, Anais. I knew I could rely on you. You have so much talent that you mustn't stay hidden, but knowing your circumstances, it's already enough that you reached this position. I will be counting for more," Alexandre examined the file the detective brought to him the morning.

"Can I keep my name out of this? I don't want the Police on my back."

"It's understandable! Even I am curious about how you knew of it. Don't you find it suspicious?"

"Of course. My mind stopped working yesterday," my finger pointed at my head mockingly. "I want to know how the body blended with that tree; it seems almost supernatural," I leaned closer to him.

"To be perfectly honest, I saw like a ghost running towards it; It was just a glimpse of a second but I thought maybe it was a signal like the dead wants the truth out. So I gave it a shot."

"It seems unbelievable but I will take your word on it. Anyway, before you go further into this, keep in mind that many will be attracted to the one who found the body. Since you don't want to be in the spotlight, the detective will be happy to take your credit. Leave the rest to me. Focus only on this case. I feel like you might conduct me to something really worth writing about."

"Will I have to write an article about all this? I mean it isn't good to mention that the corpse was found in a tree. It takes a whole ten years for a tree to grow and engulf a corpse and the corpse didn't even rot properly. It is still recent."

"Every murder needs a victim and you are right, you need to write an article for that but Don't mention it. I know I can rely on you; you are already a successful woman. I trust your judgement."

"First, we will have to wait for the analysis and the Police investigations; when they will reach another dead-end, we can pull another card for them. But we have to write our articles and make money; if we don't have something to bargain about, we can't have the upper hand."

"I can't investigate, Mister Flambert. The Police already closed the area. I am afraid I will have to wait… Or maybe sneak at night like we did yesterday… On the other hand, I feel like there are people who might put obstacles and try to close the case. I am not a detective or part of the Police so I can't say for sure…"

"Another reason to stay vigilant, Anais. I don't think obstacles will stop you. If so, you will never reach what you reached today. I truly admire you, Anais. You are a woman to write about and take as a role model. This might be a little personal but I feel like you are distancing yourself from me. We used to be so close even when we were so far and now I don't even get to talk to you. It's hard to get rid of a habit in a short time."

"I am sorry. I can't promise you anything but… Can you wait? I don't know how much but patience is the only thing that I can ask of you. I don't want to lie to you; you seem like a good guy and the problem is with me. Wait until I get back to the usual me; the me that you used to speak to in the past."

"Why? Aren't you the Anais that I know? It's awkward to ask that. However, I won't ask more of you. Let's keep it that way until you fix whatever mission you put in your head to do. At least, you won't be stiff around me anymore. Relax; we are old buddies."

His lips twisted into the most charming smile I ever saw and I looked away hiding my blush. I am already confused and there is a war in my head. I can't even breathe properly because of Andre's threat.

"I will do so," I nodded. "I think Julie is calling for me. I need to ask her about how to write that article. I might be a prodigy but I still lack experience."

"I am glad to see you both doing well. Julie isn't a bad person… Consider it she is like you; misunderstood by everyone around because of her attitude but she got to keep it up because someone needs to be harsh in this company."

He surely knows a lot about Anais. I didn't get to read all their conversations since I skimmed through it only stopping at the most important details, however, she told him everything about herself. I wonder how many years they spoke with each other. I don't want to read something Anais has as privacy. I don't want others to do that either.

"By the way, did you visit your sister? How is she?"

I stopped one step outside his office and the other one inside, my head looked back confused. What should I answer? I never saw that sister Anais had in a coma. I didn't have enough time for that and it isn't my business. It wasn't like someone in a coma could listen to the outside world.

"I didn't have enough time lately but I planned to visit her once I get free. Thank you for asking! As I thought, you know me the best."

What the hell? This scared me. I thought my heart would stop for a moment. I don't know many things about Anais and it seemed like a drag to search for more.

To put it simply, Alexandre put me under a normal job; Julie didn't know what I truly worked. I was an assistant to someone I didn't meet yet. I turned a corner ready to reach out for the office of the one I was the assistant of when I was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Anais! How good to see you! I was happy when the director assigned an assistant for me. I mean there is a lot of work to do and I don't have enough time but I am happy to see you."

"You are the one who got the job! I am happy for you. I think I am the assistant you are speaking about. The director found kindness in his heart to let me work for half a salary until I was enough to get a good position. I was going to your office to meet you but since fate made us cross roads earlier, let's start our work."

"Ah! There is an article we must supervise and also an upcoming interview; it seems the big star Andre Rousseau finally accepted to make an interview."

Huh? Will he come here today? I need to be careful, so careful because he is dangerous. I don't know what to do. For now, keep calm and talk.

"Must we be both present in the interview?"

"In fact, I want you to do me a favor, since we are friends now. There are that bunch of articles that need editing and I don't think there is anyone I can rely on besides you."