Previously in Chapter 2

One fine morning, Bette decides to tell Tina the depth of her feelings. She drafts an email, Tina, I know its crazy, but I think Im in love with you. After reading it over, Bette thinks it is silly and childish. She hesitates to send it and after reading back the words repeatedly, she feels she needs to tell Tina this. With one mouse click, the email is sent.

That night, Bette can hardly sleep, thinking of the response Tina might give. Her friendship with Tina is now hanging in the balance.

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The day after her brazen email to Tina, revealing the true nature of her feelings for her, Bette is nervous as *****. She arrives early in her office at 7 am and logs on her computer as quickly as possible to see if that wonderful message “You Have Email” will light up her computer screen.

Sure enough, there it is. Bettes heart skips a beat! But instead of a detailed response, Tina has simply replied “Lets meet in the same Chinese restaurant at 7 pm tonight”.

What will she say to me tonight? Bette cannot stop thinking. She is excited and at the same time worried. Is tonight the route to a new love or a jeopardize friendship?

Later that day.

Tina looks at her watch and sees that it is already 6.15 pm. She quickly packs her desk and just as she is about to leave, Eric enters her office.

Eric: Hi darling. You are early today.
Tina: Eric! What, are you doing here?
Eric: We have not seen for days and I miss you. Ive come to fetch you for dinner.
Tina: You shouldve called. Ive already got a dinner appointment.
Eric: Dinner appointment? Oh no, whos the lucky one other than me?
Tina hesitates a while.
Tina: Its Bette Porter. I need my company is buying some of her gallery works.
Eric: Bette? Great! Ive not seen her for a while. Lets have dinner together.
Tina: But .
Eric: Come on darling, Ill drive.
Before Tina can say another, Eric leads Tina out to his car.

Bette arrives early at the Chinese restaurant. She sees the time and it is 6.35 pm.
25 more minutes. Bette smiles to herself.
She has purposely chooses the same table they had sat the other day.

At 6.55 pm, Tina enters the restaurant. Bette has been watching the door entrance and sees her almost immediately. She stands up and waves her over.

Bette: (smile) Hi.
Tina: Bette, I need to tell you .
Eric walks from behind and joins them.
Eric: Hi, Bette!
Bette is shocked to see Eric. She smiles awkwardly.
So this is what she wants to tell me Bette thinks. She can feel a hundred arrows shooting right through her heart.
Bette: Hi Eric.
Eric: I hope Im not interrupting you ladies.
Tina and Bettes eyes caught each other. Bette gives a weak smile and looks away.
Eric: Its my lucky day to have dinner with 2 beautiful ladies. Lets sit.
Eric pulls out a chair for Tina.
Bette: I need to go to the ladies. Please excuse me.
Bette takes her handbag and heads towards the washroom.
Tina: I need to use the washroom too.
Tina leaves the table and catches up with Bette.

Inside the washroom

Tina: Im sorry, Bette. I just want to tell you
Bette: (cuts in) I know actually I wanted to tell you I cant have dinner. John is waiting me at home and I need to go.
Bette does not know why she has mentioned John. She just wants to find any excuse to get out of this awkward situation.
Tina: At home?
Tina sounds disappointed.
Bette: Ya, at home.
Tina: I see. So does that mean you are leaving now?
Bette: I guess so. I see you again. Please tell Eric Im sorry.
Bette walks towards the door.
Tina: Bette?
Bette stops and turns around.
Tina: Lets not let it mess everything up.
Bette: It wont, I promise.
Tina: Can we meet again tomorrow?
Bette: I dont know, Tina. bye.
Bette heads towards the door. Tina watches her back as she walks out of the washroom.

Tina returns to her table.
Eric: Darling, what would you like to have?
Tina stares through the glass panel of the restaurant and sees Bette driving off.
Eric: Tina?
Tina turns her head to look at Eric. Tears roll down her cheeks.
Eric: What happen, darling? Why are you crying?
Eric tries to wipe away her tears but she quickly turns her head away.
Eric: What is happening, Tina?
Tina shakes her head as she sweeps away the tears with her palms.
Eric: Now, whats wrong darling? There must be something, tell me please.
Tina is getting frustrated.
Eric: Wheres Bette? Is there something to do with her?
Tina: Can you stop bothering me! Please!
Eric is shocked by Tinas remark. He has never seen Tina behaving like this before.
Tina: Im sorry. I.
Eric: Its okay. Lets go, Ill send you back.

Bette arrives at Johns doorstep. She hesitates for quite sometimes before she decides to go in. Bette enters the house and sees John sitting at the couch. He is engrossed in watching a baseball match on TV and did not notice her.

Bette walks to the couch and sits beside him.
John: Beauty? What a surprise?
Bette looks at John and without saying a word, she presses her lips onto Johns.
Bette: Make love to me.
John is surprised and at the same time overwhelmed at Bettes request. He looks at Bette tenderly and wraps his arms around from behind her to hold her close.

That night, Bette makes love to John almost forcefully. It did not occur to her to ask herself why, or what she is trying to prove.
I love you beauty John whispers at the end of their love-making session.

Bette did not reply. She turns her back towards her as tears stream down her cheeks.

TBC