Amanda went on with her normal routine, but that morning was slightly different. Amanda had just got back from her morning run, she was about going to change out of her sweaty clothes and take a cool shower when she heard a distracting news on her TV set.

“One Miss Sarah Bright was found dead in her apartment on Tuesday morning by one of her neighbor who said she came by to return the cooler she had borrowed from Sarah. The neighbor, Mrs. Gift Sylva, had told the reporters that she met the door open, and like she normally did, she walked in and found Sarah lying dead on living room floor. That was when she called the police. Today, the police says: the result came out negative; they still haven’t been able to find out the cause of Sarah's death." A newswoman reported.

“No way!” Amanda exclaimed. Shocked to hear that Sarah was dead just after she had an encounter with her. She wondered how Wright Junior would be fairing after hearing he sad news.

She quickly rushed her shower and make-up, rolled her hair up in a bun and dressed in the easiest office wear she could find n her closet. Amanda hurried back into the living room, grabbed  her phone, car key and left for work.

~~**~~**~~

“Ideas, I need ideas!” Wright junior yelled, snapping his fingers at the six employees in the conference room, who were part of his team working on Fredrick Walsh new Book and were seated.

“Sir, how about we get him to do Oprah?” Kendall the white, chubby, thick beard dude suggested. Looking at the others “I mean, we may love reading books and working on books but, there is a whole world out there that are career occupied, penniless and see reading as a complete waste of time. They need someone who they can trust to say, hey, stop watching those boring and unedifying network, read a book. Read a live changing, family enhancing book. And that person is OPRAH.” He said making a funny gesture with his hands which made the rest of the team laugh. Including the tensed editor in chief.

“Wow, Kendall I’m impressed. How did you come about this idea?” Wright Junior asked.

Amanda opened the door to see if there was anyone in the room and when she confirmed that the team were in, she walked in.

“You know, I’m pretty smart and I know you would have thought of a similar thing like that too.”  Kendall hyped himself, feeling really proud.

“Uh, uh.” Wright Junior replied shaking his head as he tried to control his laughter. The others also tried but couldn’t bear It any longer. They all slapped on each other’s back and laughed causing the previously proud Kendall to feel a little inadequate.

Wright Junior looked at the door and signaled Amanda to sit on the empty seat next to Chris, the good looking Artist, who s lost in what he was designing  on his laptop in front of him.

“Hey, what are you working on?” Amanda asked Chris after she had taken her sit.

“I'm trying to figure out a good cover design for Fredrick’s book.” Chris replied without lifting up his head.

“Wow, this one is awesome.” Amanda complimented, pointing at his laptop screen.

“Thanks. It’s still a work in progress though.” He told her and now meeting Amanda's beautiful face with a smile.

“Ok fine!” Kendall yelled “I got it from the movie THE PROPOSAL. I gave it my own twist so it's not exactly how Sandra Bullock said it in the movie.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you did” Tyler, the tall, dark skinned guy whispered to the guy seating close to him as they both laughed again.

Amanda smiled as she sat watching the guys laugh. She looked at Junior, surprised at his optimism, she wondered if he had heard the morning news.

“At least I came up with something. What do you have?” Kendall asked slightly pissed at their mockery.

“That’s enough!” Wright Junior ordered. “Kendall, you did a great Job.” He told him, raising his spirit. “Amanda, I want you to call Fredrick and persuade him in doing Oprah. Give him good reason and I’m sure he won’t refuse you.”

“Right away, sir.” She replied “Excuse me!” She gestured, got up and then left the room.

He turned his attention to his assistant, the lady beside him “Mrs. Walter.” He called “Has Fredrick’s P.A brought in the manuscript?” He asked.

“Yes, she did. In fact, I was able to glanced through it.” She slide the manuscript gently to his side of the table. “It’s gonna be a great book.” She assured him.

“Of course, it will be.” Mr. Wright Junior concurred then, he opened the manuscript.

Amanda walked in again holding her phone in her hand “His in.” She announced and watched as everyone in the room crowed as if they just won a lottery. She had no idea working could be this fun.

“Who’s the smart one now.” Kendall bragged with both hands up, winning is pride back.

“Kendall!!” They all chorused.

“Alright.” Junior tries to calm them all down “Seven, get hold on PR and have him start drafting press release."

“Yes sir.” Seven replied.

“Amanda,” He called.

“Yes.”

“You, Mrs. Walter and I are going to preview Fredrick’s file and Manuscript tomorrow.” He told them.

“No probs” Amanda replied still wearing a large smile on her face.

“Ok, that’s it for today. Guys, I appreciate your work on this and I’ll need that same enthusiasm  last till the end of this project.”

“Thank you sir.” They said one after the other before leaving the conference room.

Amanda helped Wright Junior carry the file and the manuscript that was on the table after everyone had left, leaving just she and Junior.

“Did you watch the morning news?” She asked Junior in a very careful voice.

“No, what was it about.”

“Sarah, the reporter said that she was found dead by her neighbor on Tuesday morning.” She said but she couldn’t find any expression of disbelief on his face.

“You knew about this?” She asked, her wise eyes fixed on him.

“Yes. I did. The police invited me to give a statement since we were once together.”

“And you didn’t think I should have known about this?” Amanda had no reason to be upset but she couldn't understand why a part of her was.

“No, because the police are aware that you don’t know her and nothing ties you with her. All their eyes and attention are on me.” He pointed out.

“Bu—"

“Amanda! Please let it go. Do you think I’m not affected by the news? I bloody am but I can’t go around the office whining about the death of my ex.  If I do that, who is going motivate the people you saw here to work?” He asked furiously, startling Amanda.

She stood dumbfounded, feeling guilty for not understanding what he was going through. “I’m sorry.” She managed to say.

Her soft apology weakened him, he sighed slowly and said “No, I’m sorry. I should have spoken that way, at least, not to you.” His apology was genuine. He couldn't even believe his words after they came out.

“It’s ok. I’ll take this to the office.” Amanda said. She was about placing her hand on the doorknob when it swung open.

“Hey, Nelson.” Amanda's greetings fell on a very anxious Nelson whose eyes barely met hers

“Hi Amanda, is your boss here?” He asked urgently.

“Yes, he’s right there.” She told him, pointing at Wright Junior's direction “Hum, I’ll catch you later. I’ve got some work to finish.” She said raising the file up for him to see.

“Ok” he replied holding open the door for her to pass through.

Nelson walked across the room to where Junior was seated and said “Dude, we need to go on a drive.”

“Not now, I’m busy.” Junior ignored him right away

“Trust me, you won’t regret it.” Nelson persisted.

After a long thought, Junior finally agreed “Ok, fine.”

~~**~~**~~

Giving his evil side smile, Tony watched his laptop screen using his right hand to click on the mouse.

“Boss, you sent for me.” Dan announced his presence as he walked into the office.

“Yes, sit.” He pointed at the seat in front of him without taking his gaze off the laptop screen.

“Do you know why Joanna wasn’t a good distraction? It’s because, he had a better distraction.” Tony said, now fixing his attention on Dan “Did you do what I asked you to do?”

“Yes Boss. I copied it into this drive and deleted the security footage.” He said handing over the drive to Tony who inserted the drive to his laptop and click on a video.

It was a video of the feud that occurred on the company’s parking lot between Sarah, Amanda and Wright Junior.

“Watching this video over again just gave me a fresh motive.” Tony finally spoke “Who would have guessed you two were in a relationship? I’m sure Mr. Wright doesn’t know either.” He smiled then, ejected the drive from his laptop and gave it back to Dan. “Bring this with you tomorrow evening.” He instructed Dan.

“Yes Boss” He took the Drive and left Tony's office.

______________________________________

~~**~~**~~

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