Lydia saw her went in a different outfit than when she left with John for lunch, but this was no longer new to her. So she shrugged it off.

"How's your lunch date?" Lydia smiled, full of expectation.

Diane retreated to her chair without explaining and with a sullen face.

Lydia went to her side, held her shoulders, and shook her body. "Hey! Diane? What happened? Where have you been anyway?"

Diane pulled down Lydia's hands from her. "A lot of things happened. But we'll talk about that later." Her face became crimson when she thought of that kiss and the two dinner dates. She shook her head vigorously. 'Don't think, erase, delete.'

Lydia saw the blush and smiled. "Something good happened? Tell this friend of yours."

Diane grinned foolishly at her friend. "Yeah, I already got what I need for my headline this time."

This wasn't right, Lydia thought. "Don't tell me, Doc John didn't treat you for lunch or you ditched him midway?"

"We did eat lunch," said Diane, smiling.

Lydia waved her hand up and down and gave Diane a once-over. "Then how come you're in this outfit and got what you wanted?"

"Jovan called me while we were eating. So," she opened a notepad in her pocket, "tada! I copied the exact address on where the hidden prost.i.tution den is located."

Lydia's eyes widened. "For real?"

Diane nodded. "Uhum, for real."

"So what are you going to do next?"

"Find that place and report it to the police and get my story out," Diane said it briskly.

Lydia crossed her arms on her middle. "I think that would be risky, Diane. Being a freelance journalist is good but sneaking here and there to get what you need is totally dangerous. I suggest you stop this now."

Diane pointed a finger at Lydia. "That, my fine a.s.sistant, is a matter of opinion. As long as I'm vigilant, I'll be safe." Then her eyes squinted and her voice became sharp. "What do you want me to do? Become a gossip writer in the entertainment column? No way, I want the headlines."

Lydia laid her palms on the table. "But it's too risky."

Diane looked down and checked the files on her table. "I know. By the way, change topic. John caught me sneaking."

Lydia, wide-eyed, sat on the chair in front of her friend. "What? Oh my, what happened then? Did you tell him your other job?"

Diane laid her head on the table. "Ah, I didn't but I'm going out for a dinner date tonight because of that." She hated to mention this but she needed help.

Lydia's eyes grew big and threw her head up as she laughed. "Hhha. Splendid. Wonderful. That's the best news I've ever heard today. Let's close the shop early and prepare you for it." She clapped and put up the 'close' sign again.

"I hated this but I need to compromise." Diane hit his forehead three times on the table before her.

"Good." Lydia smiled.

Diane looked up at Lydia. "What so good about that?"

"You need this. There's a saying, new love is a medicine for a broken heart."

"Really? I'm not quite sure if that saying even existed."

Lydia placed her hands on her hips. "It does, Diane. And since you love taking risks then take this risk of dating that eligible doctor or lose your chance. Don't you agree?"

"I'm afraid." Diane's face became glum.

"Afraid to fall in love again? Give it a try. You might regret it if you won't."