As Elle walked through the doors of Maranda's office, she saw the sullenness in her face. "You wanted to see me?" Elle asked, suddenly wishing that she had called in sick today.

"Yeah, please shut the door and take a seat," Maranda instructed.

"Oh God, oh God," Elle prayed silently.

"Elle, do you know about The Monthly Jive?" Maranda asked.

"Isn't it the magazine that Jive puts out every month about people that we represent?" Elle questioned.

"Well, it used to be about people we represent...until now."

"Why is that?" Elle asked.

"Because now, we want you to be on the cover," Maranda said excitedly. "We are going to do a story on YOU."

Elle coughed in disbelief. "Are you serious? Me. Why would you want to do a cover story on me?"

"Because, let's face it Elle. Your a fresh, new, and beautiful face and a wonderful edition to Jive Records. And your interview with the Backstreet Boys next month is going to basically sky rocket you to the top. Now, you have a meeting with Tom tomorrow about scheduling your photo shoot. I need the shoot done before November 24th so that we can send it to Wendy, our advertising agent. Then, by November 26th, you need to finish your interview, which will be conducted by Gary, and have it all on my desk by November 27th for a December 1st magazine launch. The final finishing touch to your debut: Your interview with the Backstreet Boys will be taped for MTV and aired the following day. Elle, you are going to be big."

Elle sat in the stunned silence for almost a minute before responding. "Wow. Are you serious. This isn't some kind of joke is it?"

"Nope," Maranda answered. "I'm dead serious."

"Thank you so much," Elle responded.

After walking out of Maranda's office, Elle quickly walked over to her own office and excitedly called her best friend, Nicole to tell her the good news. As usual, Nicole was overly happy for her and by the end of the phone conversation, Elle was pumped. She decided that she should get back to her work organizing and retyping the papers for the Backstreet Boys interview.

At 4:30 Elle waved good-bye to her secretary and headed for Eli's Market on 84th and Federal to pick up dinner. She decided on fresh swordfish with mango salsa. By 5:00, Elle was unlocking the door to her loft on 75th Street. She quickly prepared dinner and waited for Carrie to get home.

As usual, Carrie was 10 minutes late.

"Sorry Elle, but Robin's mom was stuck in traffic on the way here."

"It's okay," Elle responded. "Dinner's ready."

"What are we having?" Carrie asked. "It smells like fish."

"Bingo. Now wash your hands and get back here. I am hungry." Elle then realized that she had actually said the word "Bingo." "Hmm, I better edit that out of my vocabulary before the interview," Elle commented to herself.

When Elle told Carrie about the interview and magazine cover, Carrie was ecstatic. Elle had never seen Carrie so happy in the four months since their parents had died. "Maybe all our sorrow is finally beginning to let up." Little did Elle know that it was just about to begin all over again