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    Chapter 5

    Story written on October 18, 2022 by Largo.
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    12 votes, average: 4.67 out of 512 votes, average: 4.67 out of 512 votes, average: 4.67 out of 512 votes, average: 4.67 out of 512 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5 (12 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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    Number of Comments: 18
    Words: 3603
    Story Shortlink: https://lesfan.com/?p=113789
    Author Notes:

    ‘It’ll be a lot of travel,’ Tina said. ‘I’d be away for weeks at a time.’ Their gazes travelled over each other’s face, then held, then wavered and looked away. A long moment passed. Bette stared at her hands in her lap. ‘Have you said yes?’ Tina asked. Bette looked up. Frowned. ‘Of course I

    ‘It’ll be a lot of travel,’ Tina said.

    ‘I’d be away for weeks at a time.’

    Their gazes travelled over each other’s face, then held, then wavered and looked away. A long moment passed. Bette stared at her hands in her lap.

    ‘Have you said yes?’ Tina asked.

    Bette looked up. Frowned. ‘Of course I haven’t.’ A beat. ‘Why do you think I wanted to see you?’ Another beat, and a spear of anger shot through her. ‘Jesus Christ, Tina, you think I would say yes to something that would take me away from you and Angie – I mean, from Angie – like this without even discussing it?’

    Tina put her head on one side. ‘Bette . . .’

    ‘What?’

    ‘It wouldn’t be the first time.’

    Bette gave a short, sharp exhale. ‘Unbelievable!’

    ‘No, no,’ Tina shook her index finger, ‘not unbelievable, and you’re not getting to do this, you’re not getting to martyr yourself. You know I asked that question because you have made decisions without me before, and I have five more minutes to spend on this so quit sulking and tell me anything else I need to know. It’s a lot of travel, what else?’

    A dark mood had descended on Bette, but she sucked it up and said tersely, ‘Money.’

    ‘How much?’

    The baldness of the question was actually a relief, so Bette just rattled it off.

    ‘Fifty per cent on my salary, increased commission, a big bonus per new gallery, royalties on merchandise and my name above the door. It will become Zakarian-Porter. And it’s transferable.’

    Tina drew in a breath.

    ‘Yeah,’ Bette confirmed. ‘Angie will inherit all my residuals and be able to transfer them to any kids of her own.’

    There was a long, tense silence.

    ‘Fuck,’ Tina finally said. Which made Bette burst into nervous laughter. Tina laughed too, rubbing her forehead, then went on, ‘How much are we talking about?’

    ‘It’s art, so it’s unpredictable, but a million a year passive income would be a reasonable baseline once it’s all set up.’

    Tina reached for her glass of water and took a sip. Then she checked her phone.

    ‘I have to go,’ she said.

    ‘Sure.’

    ‘Look, I’m sorry about . . .’ Bette knew what Tina meant, and let her expression convey as much. ‘You were right to get me to come down and talk about it.’

    Bette gave a weak smile then, once again, looked down at her hands in her lap – and then suddenly it wasn’t just her hands.

    ‘If you want to do this,’ Tina said, as her warm hand caressed Bette’s, ‘I’ll help you.’

    Bette was immobile. There was no way she could have looked up at Tina at that moment. The softness, the kindness in her voice was too much. It was too much. And the truth was, Bette didn’t want to do it. She didn’t want to spend endless hours in business class, hurtling through empty skies, sleeping alone in hollow luxury. But what she did want was something she couldn’t ask for, something that she had the power only to accept if it was offered, because then she could trust that it was real.

    ‘. . . work it out, and then she’ll be on the east coast anyway . . .’

    Tina was talking. Oh Christ, what have I missed?

    Bette pulled herself together and finally lifted her gaze.

    ‘Y’okay?’ Tina said, squeezing her ex’s hand.

    ‘I . . . I’m sorry, I didn’t get a lot of that. I—’

    ‘I know you didn’t.’ Tina picked up her jacket and slung her bag on her shoulder. ‘When does he want an answer by?’

    ‘Yesterday.’

    ‘I know, but for real?’

    Bette shrugged. ‘End of the week?’

    ‘Okay. We’ll have a family dinner, the three of us, and we’ll sort it out.’

    ‘Thank you.’

    Tina got to her feet. Bette knew she should do the same, but felt too drained. And then Tina suddenly bent down a little, put her hand on Bette’s hair, stroked it back gently from her temple and held her in the crook of her neck.

    ‘He wants you to do this because you’re the best,’ she said, her eyes gazing deep into Bette’s, her voice quietly urging her to understand, to have the strength of her convictions. Bette’s heart ached. Tina’s eyes sparkled with tears. ‘The best,’ she smiled.

    And then she stroked Bette’s cheek with her thumb, straightened up, turned and walked away.

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    Comments

    2. Okay, it means lots of money to accept this offer…. but will it make Bette happy? I think not. Professionally maybe so but personally, she is going to be miserable … traveling, working 60 to 80 hours per week and being on the other side of the world from Tina. Time for Bette to decide what in her life is the most important – her professional life or her relationships….. Time to put her efforts into winning Tina back and getting on that road to true happiness.

      Thanks for the chapter…

      • Hi MickiMacki! *waves* I love your name, haha
        thanks very much for reading and commenting on this story. I’m so pleased you like it and hope you stick with it. It’s going to get worse before it gets better but I’m a Tibetter so don’t worry ;-)
        L

      • Hi Finn422! *waves* Great to see you here and reading my story. :-) I’m so pleased you’re enjoying it. The next little bit is a bit of a rough ride but don’t worry – just enjoy it and all will be well….
        thanks again
        L

    5. I love this no-nonsense Tina and won’t take Bette’s crap anymore! Yet, she’s super tender and always there to support Bette.

      And Bette needs to get off the sidelines, tell Pippa it’s over and done and get out of that nowhere, extended sleepover! Pick a lane Porter, the only one you really want- the road back to Tina!

      PPS – loving this story!

      • Hi Kira! How are you? Great to see you here :-) Thank you so much for reading this story and for commenting.
        I love ‘pick a lane, Porter’ – that’s a lot of her problem in GQ, isn’t it? Here, she’s just really really scared. She knows she wants Tina but she just…. can’t….. get there
        I love writing Tina in this tender way. She’s so lovely.
        Anyway, hope you enjoy the rest of the ride! Thanks again for reading my writing
        L

    6. Hi my Scottish friend,

      What, what will Bette do??? She’s making progress though with asking to talk to Tina & then actually doing it & on top of that agreeing to the dinner to discuss with Angie!!

      And Tina not allowing Bette to hide behind her moods or fears & avoid telling the whole truth.

      And I agree with Martha that Bette will be miserable if she accepts the offer – she won’t like being away from Tina or Angie. Quite the dilemma.

      And I certainly agree with Kira that Bette needs to get herself out of the ineffective situation with P. Get her gone & sooner than later – like the next chapter!!! And no, they don’t need to be friends – work colleagues if you insist!!

      Great chapter, lots of feelings, what ifs & an uncertain future.

      Thanks for the gift of your talent!!!

      • Hello my Texas buddy!
        Thank you so much for keeping up with my story. I really appreciate it. :-)
        Your deep, devoted antipathy towards Carrie and Pippa makes me laugh. I promise they are exiting the stage as of now (well, there might be the odd namecheck – sorry!)
        This tale is going to get worse before it gets better, I’m afraid, but I hope you will stick around for it.
        Hope you’re well!
        L

    7. Am loving this, especially the comical bits! You really do have a way with words.
      I’m wondering now if after the meal together and with Angie, she won’t do it, especially if Tina spills her feelings….
      Don’t keep us waiting to long …..

      • Hi Janice! *waves* Great to see you here. Thank you so much for reading my story and for taking the time to comment. It is so much appreciated. :-)
        I’m so pleased you get a laugh out of the jokes too. I love the humour in some of the great writers on this site. There really are some very very talented people here.
        Thanks again for your time. Next chapter is a bit rough but rest assured they’re headed somewhere gooooooood….
        take care!
        L

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