Machine: One new message. Time of call 0600 hours.

-beep-

Mel: Hey babe, I guess youre still asleep. I just got here and I have a meeting in three hours or so. So Ill call you later ok? Say hi to the girls Miss you

Machine: End of message.

I shut my cell. Urgh what time is it? I looked at my digital clock next to my bed, it read 08:00.

I sat up and put on my robe. I wonder if the girls are up.

I opened the door and found Dana, Kit and Shane drinking coffee in the living area.

Shane: Morning Bette.

Kit: Hey baby girl, you want something to drink?

Bette: Erm… hey guys. Yeah Ill have coffee. (Kit stood up and got me a mug and filled it with coffee) Thanks Kit. Wheres Alice?

Dana: Ah shes still asleep.

Bette: Really?

I held the mug with both hands to keep me warm. It was so nice just to have everyone here.

Shane: So Bette, any plans for today?

Plans Hmm

Bette: Oh Melanie called she said hi. (Everyone nodded) We can go out for lunch later. Other than that its your call, whatever you guys want to do.

Kit: Thats cool.

The door to the guestroom stood open and Alice walked out.

Alice: Do you guys have to talk so loud?!?!

Bette: Morning Al.

Alice: God my head.

The girls and I exchanged looks. Then all of us burst out laughing. It was just that last night when we got home, Alice somehow drank a bit too much. She got drunk and said the most outrageous things and did a few crazy dance moves. But she passed out just after Theresa, Emma and Stephanie left. She even tried to kiss Theresa. She looked at us rubbing her eyes.

Alice: Hey whats so funny?

Shane: (catching her breaths) Umm Bette was just saying we should have lunch later. BUT (clears her throat) what about this morning Bette? You got plans?

Morning hmm

Bette: Well, usually Id be at the gallery doing some

Alice: Oh come on Porter, even Mother Theresa takes time off!

Bette: Well I just remembered that I have to go to work today, just in the morning. I have a meeting.

Dana: A REAL meeting? Or a BREAKFAST thing?

Bette: A meeting. Well Im going to be late if I dont get ready.

I showered, got dressed and headed out to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. I left after telling everyone to get ready for lunch later.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was 9a.m. when I got to the gallery. It was quiet; no one was there apart from me and the security guard, Alex.

Bette: Alex, the gallery is closed for today but I have a meeting sometime this morning so if theres a Miss Peabody will you please let her in?

Alex: No problem Miss Porter.

Bette: Thanks

When I walked in, I could still smell the fresh success of last nights opening; how most of the pieces have been booked. The artists would be ecstatic to know this. I wrote a note in my PDA to inform them of the achievement. I looked around the gallery entrance reading the cards accompanying the bouquets received. Most of these are from my contacts and other galleries. This time last year I never wouldve thought Id be here, reading all this congratulation cards. I knew I would be doing something I love but never imagined it turn out like this!!!

I went into my office and sat behind my desk. I turned on my computer and checked my email. And again I received quite a lot of emails wishing congratulations. I smile as one of them was from Melanie. I clicked open the email.

Lizzie,
Congratulations on last nights show baby. Im very very proud of you. I wish I could stay there and celebrate. Sorry I had to leave like that last night, I miss you already but it was a last minute thing and I have to attend a meeting here. Im going into the meeting room soon so Ill call you later ok?

From Me.

P/S: Did I tell you I miss you?

I smiled. Mel sure knows how to make me smile. I remember when we started going out and just realised our feelings with one another. Things were awkward in the beginning since were both friends at first. But as time goes by, we felt more comfortable in each others presence. Mel was my first girlfriend. Dont get me wrong, Ive been out with other girls before her but they were just one night stands, just ***** with no emotional entanglements as Shane puts it.

I was happy to be with Mel then, and Melvin was happy cos I was doing so well at college. But what he didnt want to acknowledge was my preference of lifestyle. He chose to ignore it the moment I introduced him to Mel. And when that relationship ended, he acted as if it was nothing, when I was devastated of losing Mel. But Mel and I stayed friends and I went back to my old ways coming home with different girl every night.

I shook my head. How ironic things are and how things just work out the way they should be. Im now going out with Mel again. Was this gods plan? Was I not meant to be with Tina? Im not saying Im not happy with Mel, I am. But I just feel like theres something more to it. Theres a reason for Mel to come back into my life again, at this point. But I just couldnt put my finger on it.

Where is Helena? Is she coming? The clock strikes ten. Right. I need to get a drink. I made myself a cup of coffee from the kitchen. Funny, I havent really gone to the kitchen in this gallery; it was always Rachel who does these things for me. I held the cup with both my hands while staring blankly out the window thinking what Helena could possibly want to talk to me about.

I walked through the dark corridor to my office. The gallery isnt that big but it is enough for everything. Sure it wasnt as big as the CAC but I like it here. Its more comfortable. And it reminded me of my old gallery, the one in West Hollywood; the one place where I met the girl of my dreams; the one who took my breath away and the one person who still has my heart. I sighed.

Why is it even after these three years I still have Tina on my mind EVERY single day? Ive tried so god damn hard not to think of her, I even put everything that reminded me of her away. No picture of Tina in sight, no communication even. Why cant I get over her and move on with my life? God knows how much I want to move on. It hurts to think about her, it hurts too god damn much.

I flipped through the magazines on the coffee table and sat myself on the sofa. I know I wasnt paying any attention on the pages I was flicking through. I just needed to get my mind off Tina. I looked at my clock on the wall. *****. Its already 11. Where the ***** is she? Ok Ive waited for two hours surely she remembers the meeting. I was packing my stuff to get ready for lunch with the girls when Alex knocked on my door.

Alex: Miss Porter, Miss Helena Peabody is waiting for you in the sitting area I thought Id let you know.

Bette: Thank you Alex.

Alex nodded and left. God, this woman!!! I came out of my office to see Helena in the waiting area playing with her Blackberry.

Bette: Helena.

Helena (in her snotty British accent): Oh hello Bette. I see youve got an admirer!

I was confused. I looked at her questioningly. Helena pointed at the basket of toiletries on the table. Hmm… That wasnt here this morning. I took the small card that came with it.

Helena: I thought youve read that. Im sorry I didnt mean to be nosy but the card was open and I kind of read it.

Why the ***** did I agree to meet her?!?! I placed the card in my pocket without even reading it. I was just so irritated by Helena that all I wanted was for this meeting to be over and done with.

Bette: Come to the meeting room and well discuss whatever it is you have in mind.

As we walked through the corridors I noticed how Helena still looked the way she was the day I met her here in New York. Stylish and beautiful as ever and add that to her British snotty accent, she could be the queen of posh!

Helena: This is nice Bette. I really like what youve done here. It is very much different from the CAC. I like it.

Bette: Thank you. (It was all I could muster at that time)

I opened the door to the meeting room and let Helena in.

Bette: Please, have a seat.

Helena: Thank you.

I sat opposite of her and opened my folder. I still dont know what this meeting is about. Helena placed her Vuitton briefcase on the round table and took out some papers.

Helena: Bette, I just want to thank you for agreeing to see me.

Would you take NO for an answer anyway?!?!

Helena: Also I know there was a rift between us and I just hope youve gone way past that as have I.

Who the ***** does she think she is to parade into MY gallery and telling me to go past all the things that she did that made my life a living *****???

Bette: I dont know where this is going Helena. I only agreed to see you to discuss things other than personal matters. Is there anymore to this? Because I dont have time to bring up the past.

Helena: Ok we wont touch on that then. Im here for business purposes. Im sure you still remember that my mother was a great art collector and how before I took the Peabody Foundation under my wing, the art sector has benefited immensely through her interest; and of course not forgetting the generous grant given to the CAC whilst under your care.

Do you have to rub that in my face? What the ***** does she want? Who the ***** does she think she is?!?!

Helena: And in the past three years we have been concentrating on social justice program. We helped build schools, shelters and provide the necessities that these people could not afford to even imagine having. But this coming season, were thinking, well my mother thinks that it needs to change.

Change? Are they going to start to invest in arts now?!?!

Bette: Let me get this straight Helena. Are you saying that youre pulling out of the social justice program?

Helena: No no Bette. Thats not the case. I love helping people. That is what I do. I inject capital into projects and raise money to help maintain them. It was never my intention to stop giving grants to these kinds of schemes.

Bette: Then? What about these changes?

Helena: The change I was talking about is giving more to the community. If I remember correctly you viewed the world without art to cause civilisations to wither and die? The foundation feels that with your longstanding relationship with the Foundation and of course my mother, then it is your little gallery that it is willing to support.

Bette: Wait, wait. Excuse me? I didnt apply for a grant!

Helena: Rightly put Bette. If it wasnt for my mother, we wouldnt have this conversation.

Bette: What are you trying to say?

Helena: Here (Helena handed me documents on the collection that Peggy owns) Bette, my mother is unwell. These past three years I have turned the foundation away from its traditional grounds and invested much of our time and money to fund the social justice programs. It has helped the foundations reputation no doubt about that. But my mother is a very strong and influential woman Bette. During her time, she has put so much into preserving art and since my taking over her position at the Foundation I have invested very little into her interests. I know she was very fond of you Bette and still is if I may say so. Her art collection should be displayed at your gallery this season. Bette, my mother is in her death bed right now and that was her request not mine!

Bette: Im sorry to hear that. I heard that she was unwell and I visited her twice at her home here in New York. But she didnt say any of this to me. And I cant give you a decision right now. I have just kicked start Colours and with the planning and everything it would take months bef

Helena: I know Bette. But just so you know, all expenses would be paid for. And if you need anything you just let me know and I will send the best team to work with you. Anyone… you just name them and I will have them work for you

Bette: That wouldnt be necessary. I have the right people here already and

Helena: Bette please. If you came to me in New York a couple of years ago near begging, here I am desperately begging for you to do the show, in honor of my mother.

A Peabody begging?!?! I looked at my watch. *****. Its already noon.

Bette: Helena, Ill give it some thoughts. Im sorry I have to cut this meeting short. I have someplace I have to be.

Helena: Well, ok. I hope youre not going to make me wait too long for an answer. Think about it, it would do your little gallery a popularity boost.

Urgh just as I thought. She would never come here begging for anything if not to bring me down.

Bette: Well, Ill be sure to let you know as soon as I made my decision.

Helena packed her stuff and straightened her suit. I looked at her, taking everything in. This was the woman who took my Tina away from me, the woman who made all things possible for my Tee, those hands, those lips… had travelled up and down Tees body and how could I say yes to her request?

Helena: Well, thank you so much for your time Bette. I hope you will make good of your promise.

What the ***** does she mean by it? Does she ever ***** stop?!

Bette: Ill let you know. Thanks for coming by. Should I reach you here in New York or in LA?

Helena: Bette. I thought you knew by now I dont work in LA anymore. Ive moved back to New York since last year. I do fly there once in a while for meetings but dont stay there longer than two days. Theres nothing in LA anyway. I guess you and I both know that

Helena smiled, shook my hand and left.

Tina is in LA and Helena is here, she lives here So that means? Are they not together? My mind just went reeling at the thought. I shook my head and walked back to my office to get my things before I leave the gallery.

As I walked out, I reached for my car keys in my pocket and found the small card that came with the good basket. I climbed into the car and started the ignition.

The card was simple like the usual cards you get in bouquets. I opened it

Bette,
Just a little something to pamper yourself with after the long hard day at work.

As I read the words, my breath got caught in my throat.