Alice and Shane were having their usual cup of coffee. Alice was playing with her muffin. She was poking it with her fork. Are you going to eat that or are you going to poke it till it turns to something else? asked Shane as she points at the muffin. Alice looked at Shane. She rolled her eyes. She puts down the fork and sighs. I still cant believe shes straight. Huh? Who? asked Shane. Alex! Alice replied. Shane sighs. She patted Alice on the head. There, there. I know all of us are disappointed but you got to accept that shes not *****. Yeah but Shane looked at Alice and shook her head. Alice sighs loudly. Just then, Dana walked into the coffee house. Morning guys! Morning Dane. Only Shane greeted her. Dana looked at Alice. Whats up with her? Dont ask, was all Shane could say. Dana shrugged. She grabbed a chair and sat next to Shane. So wheres your woman? asked Shane. Oh, she had to meet with some clients or something. I dont know. So she wont be joining us here. Thank god, Alice murmured. Dana obviously heard that and stared at Alice. Alice ignores her.

Alex walked around the house and takes a tour by herself. There were lots of art pieces around. She noticed there were pictures of Bette together with a beautiful blonde woman. She pick up a picture from the living room and showed it to Bette. Bette was sitting by the pool, with a bottle of beer in her hand. Alex sat next to her and showed her the picture. Whos the pretty blonde with you may I ask? Bette looked at the picture. Tears began to swell up her eyes. She took a huge gulp from the bottle and said softly, Thats my wife. Alex looked surprise. Youre married? Bette nodded. Alex looked worried. *****! Then Id better get out of here in case your wife gets back! Alex was about to stand up when Bette stopped her. Shes not coming back, said Bette, choking on her words. Alex looked at her in confusion. What do you mean shes not coming back? Bette starts to sob quietly. Alex realize she has made Bette upset. She stroked Bettes hair gently. You ok? We can stop talking about this. Bette shook her head. She wipes the tears form her cheeks. Both of them sat silently by the pool. Ive made the biggest, stupid, ***** mistake. Bette suddenly spoke. Alex looked at her attentively. What happened? she asked. Bette swallowed hard. I cheated on her! I cheated on the woman who had always loved me! Who had vowed to love me for the rest of her life! And what did I repay her for loving me?! I fucked another woman! screamed Bette. By now, she was crying uncontrollably. Alex took the bottle from her hand and hugged her. Shh its ok. Alex stroked her head gently. After a few minutes, Bette finally calmed down. She felt embarrassed. Im sorry. I couldnt control myself. No, its ok. Look if you dont want to talk about it, I understand but I think its best for you to let all your emotions out. Hey, Im no psychiatrist or whatever but I think it would help. Bette nodded. For the rest of the day, Bette told Alex everything that had happened. She told Alex how she misses Tina very much. How she missed waking up every morning to turn to a face that she loved very much. She misses the days when she and Tina would just stay at home in bed doing nothing. Alex listens attentively. She felt sad for Bette. She asked her why did Bette did it. Bette didnt know how to answer her. I dont know. I I it just happened. I dont what makes me do it. That woman she she had this thing in her that makes me so attracted to her but it was all about *****. It had always been about the *****. I I just felt so free as she didnt allow me to take control. Alex nodded, as if agreeing in what Bette had just said. But still, Tina totally doesnt deserve it. And she had just lost a baby Dont you think thatsharsh? questioned Alex. She knew what she had just said might upset Bette. But Bette agreed. I know, I know Im such a monster! Bette began to sob a little. Alex looked at her and said, Look, it was really terrible of you to cheat on Tina. She has the right to be mad at you. All the trust that youve made, its all gone. You know that I will be so ***** pissed if something like that happened to me! Bette kept quiet. Alex continued, You got to give her sometime to get over the pain but in the mean time, you should try to gain her trust back. I dont know how youre going to do it but you got to try if you love that woman very much. I do. I really do, said Bette. I cant really judge you as Ive only met you. I have totally no say in this but you got to stop feeling like this. Its kind of pathetic. Bette was surprised at Alexs words. Look Im sorry for saying this but you dont deserve to be like this even though you did something terrible. Your friends should understand that what you need right now is their support. Not only Tina is hurting. Youre hurting too. Bette nodded slightly.
You know, Ive only known you for like what, 24hrs? And Ive felt that youre the only one who truly cares? said Bette. Alex smiled. Im just trying to help. You know last night was crazy. I dont know what was I thinking. All I know that you were very ***** *****! They both laughed. See, its good to laugh. Bette grinned. But you have to understand that last night was just a one time only, explained Bette. Alex looked at her. I understand. The ***** was good but seriously honey, you are not my type! Bette chuckled. I really appreciate you for staying with me. Im glad I could talk to someone about it and not being judged. No problem. Alex smiled sweetly at her. Alex could see that Bette wasnt that strong despite what everyone had said about Bette Porter, the director of the CAC. The woman who had challenged Fae Buckley to a debate. The woman who had gone against all odds to promote Provocations and being slandered for it. Shes just as fragile as any woman can be.

TBC