Power Card

April waited for Camille the whole afternoon. She spent her time browsing through the catalogs of Camille's company. She was impressed by the achievements of her best friend. She was also extremely proud of those achievements because she recalled how much Camille really wanted this kind of career.

There was only one photoshoot happening today but Camille needed to oversee the session until it was finished before she could go anywhere else with April. 

Luckily, April didn't have to wait too long. It turned out, that the photoshoot packed up sharply by three in the afternoon. Finally, both ladies could leave.

"Nerissa, can you close the studio on your own today? I have a date with my best friend."

Camille told her assistant, as soon as the photoshoot crew and models had left the studio. She gave April an excited smile.

"Sure thing Miss Camille. I can handle that perfectly well. I will give you a call before I close the studio later, in case you have other instructions for me before leaving."

Nerissa replied, feeling proud that her boss trusted her with closing up. Besides, she had been with Camille in this company since it started. Therefore, she had a clear idea of what to do, the way her boss Camille expected her to do so.

"Alright then, thanks, Nerissa. I will wait for your call later. By the way, if anyone calls after I leave, just send me a message, okay?"

Camille added as she grabbed her coat from the back of her chair.

"Sure thing, Miss Camille."

Nerissa confirmed, then turned and smiled at April.

"It was nice meeting you, Miss April."

She waved goodbye politely.

"It was nice meeting you too. I am so glad that my friend has a very hardworking assistant."

April replied back cheerfully.

Camille took April's hand in hers, then dragged her out of the studio.

"Come on, April. I have a great idea of what we can do now."

Camille said as she led April towards a red Sedan parked at the side lot of the studio.

"Is this yours?"

April asked, admiring the car. 

"Well, yes. I bought it when I earned enough money from my modeling stint a few years back. I am pretty proud of this baby, my hard-earned money."

Camille answered proudly, giving the hood of her Sedan a gentle tap. Afterward, she unlocked the sedan with remote control and went to the driver's side.

April took the passenger seat. She was smiling a bit. Her best friend had really been living her dream. She had achieved a lot in their separation.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Camille was staring at her intently. So, she turned her head towards Camille's side and stared back at her friend. Her smile was still on her face.

"What?"

April asked, intrigued by Camille's stare.

"Well, I feel really guilty that all these years, I never tried looking for you to keep in touch. You see, if I had known what happened to you, I would definitely kill that Vincent with my own hands. Instead, I was even so nice to him and accepted every opportunity he offered!"

Camille started to rant once more. Now that they're in a safe place, inside her car, Camille felt much more at ease to vent her anger about what happened to her friend. Of course, she could not speak ill of Vincent openly. He owned most of the businesses here, even hers. It would be difficult to go against him openly.

"Oh Camille, you don't have to be like that. You have no fault. In fact, I am glad you're doing well for yourself."

April told her best friend in all honesty.

"Oh April, you're such a brave one."

Camille exclaimed, about to tear up again. So, April hugged her tightly to calm her down.

"I have an idea. Since you've mentioned that you want to find out Vincent's secrets, why don't you apply as his secretary? By doing this, he has no reason to suspect anything. Surely, he is obliged to share details of his business, you being his personal secretary and all."

Camille explained with a mischievous grin on her face.

"I am not sure that's a good idea. I don't intend to stay that close to him. Imagine, I am required to see him on a daily basis."

April countered, doubtful if she could pull it off.

"Oh come on April, you can do it. I am here for you, okay?"

Camille was very much convinced of this plan.

"But, you have to apply directly to him. You have to convince him that you are capable of the job. To do that, you have to dress the part well."

Camille pointed out, now frowning at her friend. She was scrutinizing if April would pass as a corporate secretary. Slowly, she shook her head in disapproval.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, this won't do."

Camille exclaimed, with feigned horror in her tone, complete with hand gestures to emphasize her disappointment in April's attire.

"In order to pass the interview with your CEO, we have to do a make-over on you."

Camille explained, in a business-like tone.

"What? Do I really dress up so horribly?"

April asked, pretending to be shocked by her friend's comment on her looks.

"Well, for a corporate secretary, that won't pass."

Camille answered bluntly.

"That's why our first stop, for now, is the mall."

Camille announced as she turned on the ignition of her Sedan.

This time, April didn't argue anymore. She was just happy about her best friend's enthusiastic support. So, she just allowed Camille to drive wherever she wanted to go.

Finally, after a short drive, April and Camille arrived at the mall, with the goal of buying clothes that April could were. For a job as the personal secretary of the most powerful CEO billionaire in Atlantic City, both ladies knew that April had to dress elegantly. Therefore, they entered a chic clothes store.

However, as soon as they stepped inside the clothes store, the manager looked suspiciously at them immediately.

In the manager's eyes, both Camille and April didn't look rich nor classy enough for her shop.

"Excuse me, ladies, are you lost?"

The manager asked in a polite tone, but the expression on her face spoke volumes about how she belittled the two ladies.

"Oh, we're not lost. We intend to purchase clothes here. Is anything wrong?"

It was Camille who replied with a little air of disapproval towards the manager. Obviously, this woman looked down upon them like scums. 

"Oh, it's just that, I was just wondering if you have the means to pay for them?"

The manager now openly expressed her arrogance towards them.

April glared at the manager, then grabbed Camille's arm. Her friend looked as if she would assault the manager already for insulting them that way.

"Camille wait! I think this woman was talking about this."

April took out the card that Vincent gave the other day, outside the Media House.

She was rummaging in her bag for it, as soon as they went in here. She had the feeling this might happen. Therefore, she knew that this would be the answer to the manager's doubts.

"Oh, so sorry Miss. I didn't know you have such a card."

The manager immediately changed her tone. Abruptly, she snapped her finger, then two salesladies approached them quickly.

"These are Irene and Rina. They will assist you with your needs. I apologize for my earlier demeanor."

The manager said, complete with a slight bow towards April and Camille.

April stared at the card Vincent gave. It looked like an ordinary credit card but had a logo, which was inconspicuously printed on the top right part.

April guessed that it was what frightened the manager. She smiled to herself, as she returned the card to her bag.

Soon, Irene and Rina were like bees following each and every request for clothes of both ladies.

"What kind of card did you show that arrogant manager? It looked like she will have a heart attack after she saw it."

Camille asked April curiously, while they were alone in the dressing room, trying out clothes.

"Oh, I think it's a power card."

April answered with an amused tone.

Camille just smiled at April, not totally sure what her friend meant.

Soon, April bought a lot of clothes already. Even Camille picked a few items.