Chapter 4

Tina was sulking when Shane passed by her station.

Tina: Why does she always tease me?! It so frustrating sometimes, I have been nothing but nice and sweet to her. I have been sweet for pete’s sake! And yet, when I do that she teases me back! I wonder how she’ll be like if I’m mean and cold.

Shane: Hey TK! Oh. What’s with the sulking?

Tina: Shut up, Shane.

Shane: Hey, I didn’t mean to annoy you. Are you OK?

Tina: I will be. I’ll be fine.

Shane: I’ll take that. How’s Bette?

Tina: She’s being a smart-ass.

Shane: Trouble in paradise?

Tina: What? What did you say?

Shane: Nothing. I said nothing of sorts, TK.

Tina: You said something, Shane. Spill it.

Shane smiles sheepishly and took a seat beside Tina.

Shane: Tina, do you have a thing for the boss?

Tina: What?! Where the hell did that come from?!

Shane: Nowhere. I just… You know… I just see things.

Tina: Well, that may just be it, Shane. You might be seeing things.

Shane: Maybe. So what have you gotten all riled up?

Tina: It’s your boss. She can be a smart-ass sometimes.

Shane: My boss who is your boss whose name is Bette, Bette Porter to be exact. The same Bette who makes tons of straight and gay people weak on the knees just by her smile? That boss? That Bette?

Tina had to laugh at Shane’s lengthy speech and introduction of their boss. But she can’t say that Bette didn’t deserve that introduction as most people are aware of the power that is Bette’s smile. She can picture it right now and she starts to feel like she’s not mad at her anymore. Stop it, Kennard! Tina reprimanded herself.

Tina: You forgot to add: The same Bette who I think has a Multiple Personality Disorder.

Shane: Whoa! The Bette I know only has one personality.

Tina: Good for you.

Shane: Yes, I guess. But you know what Tina, many considers you as lucky. I mean, Bette is nice and all. As her subordinate you know that she’s there for you but she never lets herself get too personal. She always has this barrier between personal and professional relationships. Few were able to break that barrier and it seems that you just walked right through it. Many would kill for that chance. She has a throng of admirers of that I am sure but she just doesn’t seem to be interested. We get to hang out with her from time to time. I guess you can say that me, Dane and Al are her friends here in the office but that would be it. Then you came along. She met another person that she feels like she can trust. It’s a trust thing for her, you know? She wouldn’t let herself get too close unless she trusts you. She values her job so much and she wouldn’t do anything to risk it. She is well aware of the policies and she just tries to protect herself also.