Chapter 5

I hung up and looked at the photo on my computer screen.

Nathan's hand rested on Jessica's shoulder in an intimate gesture.

Good news?

That evening when I got home and opened the door, I smelled the aroma of food.

Jessica was wearing an apron helping my mother in the kitchen. Nathan sat on the sofa watching TV.

"Madison, you're home!"

Jessica poked her head out of the kitchen, her smile sweet.

"Dinner's almost ready!"

My mother brought out the last dish, her face beaming with unconcealed joy. "Come, everyone sit down. We're celebrating today."

"Celebrating what?" I put down my bag.

Jessica untied her apron, her cheeks slightly flushed:

"Madison, I found a job."

My heart sank, but I smiled on the surface:

"Really? What job?"

"TV station, news department, journalist position."

She looked at me excitedly.

"Same department as you."

"Same department?"

I repeated it.

"Nathan helped recommend me."

My mother beamed and gave Nathan a piece of pork rib.

"Thanks to him, Jessica got such a great opportunity. Madison, you'll have to take good care of your sister at work from now on."

Nathan smiled modestly.

"Don't say that. It's mainly because Jessica is outstanding herself. She did well in the interview."

"But someone still needs to give her the opportunity."

Jessica looked at him with admiring eyes.

I picked up my cutlery and took some greens:

"When did this happen? How come I didn't hear the station was hiring?"

"It's a special recruitment." Nathan said.

"The station has been reforming recently and wants to bring in fresh blood. I mentioned Jessica to Director Hayes, and he thought it was a good idea, so he gave her a chance."

Director Hayes.

Head of the news department. An old classmate of Nathan's father.

"Jessica has no experience. Won't going straight into the news department be too much pressure?"

I slowly chewed the greens.

"Should she start as an intern first?"

Jessica's smile faded.

My mother immediately glared.

"With you guiding her, what pressure could there be? Didn't you also start at the TV station right after graduating from college?"

"Back then, I went through campus recruitment, passed five rounds of written tests and interviews."

"Jessica also interviewed."

Nathan started smoothing things over again.

"And with you as her sister, how could she not learn? Madison, don't be so strict."

I looked at the three of them.

My mother with her "don't be difficult" face.

Jessica looking aggrieved.

Nathan with his "I'm helping you" face.

"Fine."

I suddenly smiled.

"Then welcome aboard. I'll take you to process your onboarding tomorrow."

Jessica's eyes lit up again. "Thank you, Madison!"

"But," I added,

"The news department is highly competitive with many rules. Since you're coming in through special recruitment, many people will be watching you. Perform well. Don't embarrass your recommender."

I was saying this to Jessica, but also to Nathan.

His smile didn't change:

"Naturally."

On Jessica's first day, she brought gifts for everyone in the news department. Designer lipstick for the female colleagues, phones for the male colleagues.

An expensive watch for the director.

"Just a small token. I hope everyone will take care of me."

She smiled innocently.

The colleagues naturally all said nice things.

A few female colleagues who were already jealous of me pulled her aside asking questions, comparing us in their words.

"Jessica has a much better personality than Madison. Madison always has that cold face, like someone owes her money."

"Yeah, Madison is much more likable."

Jessica looked embarrassed.

"My sister is just professional. I still have a lot to learn from her."

I sat at my workstation organizing today's interview outline, pretending not to hear.

During lunch break, the director called me into his office.

"Madison, now that your sister is here, you as her older sister should help guide her more."

Director Hayes was a bit overweight and his eyes narrowed into slits when he smiled.

"She has no experience. Please look after her more."

"I will," I said.

"Also, about next month's exclusive interview, it was originally scheduled for you. But Nathan told me he wants to give Jessica a chance to practice. What do you think..."

"Then give it to her." I readily agreed.

Director Hayes was a bit surprised.

"You agree?"

"Newcomers need opportunities, don't they?"