Jade sat at her desk. Folders were everywhere. Magic Moon Cosmetics was written on one of them. Vianna Keane and Diana Keane on another. Jade kept flipping through them each. She always wanted to know about what or who she was getting herself into. A few hours go by like this. Jade reading up on the company, the family and all other aspects of the company.

All too soon, there was a lovely lady sitting on the loveseat in the lobby of Jade’s work. Jade knew that it was Vianna, or Vi, Jade remembered. The picture that came with her folder did not do the girl justice. Jade watched as Vi took deep breathes. Jade did the same. You never knew how a person would react. Jade kept thinking about one of the worst interviews the company faced.   Suddenly, Jade was up and walking towards where Vi gracefully sat. Her heels became louder with each passing step.

The girls made pleasant introductions, shaking hands. Names being announced.   Jade smiled, taking out her hand and welcoming Vi through the office. "Oh, you're a young, pretty thing," she said, her smile bright and precise.   "Thank you," Vi returned the compliment. "You're a sight yourself." They both laughed as they settled into the room where the interview would be held.   "Thanks again for coming and wanting to be a part of our publication. I'm excited to hear everything - but first, please, have some scones and coffee. Be as comfortable as you can be before we get started."   Kipp made sure that the ladies would have fresh food and coffee, or tea when the interview would take place. He quickly existed the office. He didn't need to be around. He had his own work to do today.

Vi helped herself to some coffee and a cookie. Jade did the same but went with the tea. Finally the interview was held. Jade switched on a recorder and repositioned herself in the chair. She was ready to dive in. Jade however didn't know what to start off with. She'd have to wing it like all the other countless times. Jade knew that Diana Keane's company wasn’t doing too well, she figured she'd start there.

“It’s been a bumpy ride at your mom’s cosmetics company,” Jade started, her legs twisted with a notebook on her lap, her hands were neatly folded on top of it. “Especially lately with all the buzz going around town and back.”   “Look, I know there’s been some rumors poppin’ up from every other direction and I’m here as a representative of Magic Moon, and not to deny or confirm what’s been said and done by others. I just wanna come clean and say this ain’t about none of that. I ain’t tryna hype nothing, I’m just here to promote our brand in a positive way,” Vi proclaimed.

Jade could tell this was a touchy subject. Jade also knew how the truth needed to be out there. How if she didn't get the story right, someone else would.

“Fair enough,” Jade said with a smile. “Let’s talk about your brand for a moment. I did my research when you reached out to me, and you, your aunt, and your mom have definitely come a long way from your aunt’s kitchen in a quaint little town. Did you ever expect the brand to be as popular as it is today?”   Vi looked relieved at that question.

Vi's voice filled the room “Not in a million years. If anyone had told me at age fifteen that I would be signing off my own checks and using only what I’ve earned to buy my first apartment at age twenty-four, I’d call bullshīt so quick. This company means everything to me and to my family. You best believe we’d do anything to keep its values clear and true.”   Jade smiled, hearing an opportunity shine. “And that is why it was an important and necessary decision to fire Olivia Lewos, because of her drug abuse and how that image ruins the company, correct?”

Honestly, Jade hated to ask that question. Katie, her boss, always told her to 'stab them where it hurts the most'. Jade never liked doing that. But she also knew there was no easy way to sugar coat what was one of the main reasons why Magic Moon was going down. Jade wished that this Olivia girl would get the help she desperately needed and possibly continue working and bettering herself. It just wasn't the case at hand.

  Vi tensed slightly, but answered with “MMC’s intention with Olivia’s contract ending was not because of what the tabloids have made it out to be. Olivia has been an invaluable asset to our company. The company and her practically raised each other—she was our first fresh face when our brand was finally getting some skin in the game. No amount of celebrity gossip gonna interfere with a bond like that.” in a composed manner. Jade liked Vi instantly for that. It was always hard hearing shit you don't want to hear about a friend, a loved one.  

“So what you’re saying is it wasn’t her behavior that led your company to terminate her contract?” Jade asked, prying deeper into the story. Jade still hadn't wrote anything down.

  “Absolutely not. To this day, the company continues to give support to Olivia.”  

“That seems a little off to me,” Jade admitted, leaning in a bit closer in her one-seat sofa. “How can you say the timing isn’t absolutely perfect? Olivia’s making headlines about her addictions and misbehavior, and suddenly her ongoing—and what seemed to be her only—contract and employment at the time cuts her off.”

  Vi interjected immediately. “Olivia started the brand, but she is not the brand. I want y’all to note that separation of entities, because what’s coming up the pike is our new program.” Vi steered clear of Olivia and headed right into the brand’s upcoming projects. “With having only one champion model for the last eight years to represent the brand, we felt that with everything always changing and in motion, that we would go back to our roots and give opportunities to young and fresh talent where there may not have been before.” It came off sounding rehearsed to Jade’s ears.

  Jade’s eyebrows lifted in interest betraying nothing of the rehearsed nature, “Oh? You mean your New Face promotions?

  “Yes,” Vi confirmed. “Every year, we will be giving new models a chance to be MMC’s ambassadors. This way, doors can open up for these people where they were only ajar. There’s so many ways to give back to the community, and as a brand that started out with almost literally nothing but a big dream and a bold idea, there could only be good things ahead for everyone.”

  “And how would you say this benefits Olivia?” Jade’s gut clenched just asking it.  

Vi’s back straightened at the comment. Jade could feel the tension. Both of them knew that Vi walked into that line of questioning.

“This is actually a great opportunity for Olivia to focus on other projects. We didn’t want her to become a one-hit-wonder with our brand, so in a sense, this frees up her time to explore and understand whatever she needs to, and MMC will always have her back. And I will permit this one comment: she may not be at her best right now, but y’know what? Life’s tough, shit’s real out here, and no one’s perfect. No one expects a saint.”   Jade sat back, lax in her chair again. “To that, I can agree.”  

After thirty more minutes of the interview, Vi left the property. Jade knew she was being tough on her, and on Olivia. Jade quickly rubbed her head and let out a small sigh. Her fingers hit the dial button on her office phone. She was calling Olivia. Jade wanted to hear her side of the story - it was only fear. The dial tone kept ringing but nobody picked up.

Jade listened to the recorder and started writing, finally.