can you guys make it for bettes big exhibition tonight? Heres the address, well, I really hope you guys would be there, you know, so you can meet some lovely people, find someone special alice looked into empty space, dreamily thinking about some unattainable lover.

Shane smiled and shook her head, No Al, sorry, cant make it, Ive got to work late, and I dont think I could be there on time. Try my best?

Looking over at a rather subdued dana, alice said, what about you then, ms. Rich-and-famous? Up for some shoulder rubbing with the elitist of the art industry? what the heck, dana thought, and she shook her head in agreement.

great! So Ill pick you up at 6.45, then well head over to the gallery, sure you dont want a free ride shane? Ive been worried about you ever since you bought that dump you call a truck! Ok? I gotta run then, see you tonight dane!!

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Hello, bette porter speaking. Yes? Yes, yes, thank you, Ill see you tonight at 7? Im holding a late dinner party afterwards, would you like to join in? great. Bette put the phone back on the cradle. She wished against hope that tonight all would go smoothly. Initially there were some minor *****-ups, like misplacing some of the pieces, late shipment, and the caterers! Well, alice had helped her out with the caterers, and she owed her life to that woman! Looking around her gallery, bette felt her heart leap for joy. Finally, something to call her own, no team-ups this time round, just purely under her supervision.

With that, she locked up and went to get ready for the grand affair.

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Hurry darling or were gonna be late! You know how tempremental these artists are, and I do want to get a good bargain on some of the pieces, especially the sculptures! Come on! he was getting impatient, she could just tell by his tone of voice.

She felt mildly irritated. It was funny how the love of her life could also be the biggest pain in her life. He was always impatient, and only showered her with love and gifts when he had done something she wouldnt approve of, like purchasing a $2000+ art piece as a wedding gift for one of his ex-girlfriends. Terrible. Here she was, living the high-life, no doubt, but she was a thrifty person, her mother had taught her well. But eric, he was born wealthy, and he knew all these socialites, it intimidated her sometimes, as he introduced her to them, with her hanging on his arm like a trophy.

She knew he was planning on proposing to her soon, he had that mischievous glint in his eye for the past few days. Though she loved him dearly, she felt that there was something still missing in their relationship. Acknowledgement. he always had to be the one in control, he expected her to quit her job and become a housewife, not that she would need to do much cleaning, there would be maids for that. But she knew she couldnt stay at home and waste her time, she was an independent woman, feeling the need to keep her hands busy all the time. Now, where were her earrings? Damn, those were her favorite, given to her by her father before he passed away.

Dear? Have you seen those earrings of mine? The ones daddy gave me? The gold ones, remember?

gold ones? You have tons of gold ones, just pick any other! Come on were late. Are you ready? Tina??

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thanks for coming bette said this repeatedly, as distinguished guests and respectable artists walked through the front doors of the gallery. She was getting tired, but she had somehow managed to etch the smile into her face, though her eyes did nothing to hide her fatigue.

yoo-hoo! Youre one hot mama tonight bette! The razzle-dazzle life of the party! But god, you look pooped out! Come on, let me help you out, what can I do? alice, as usual, concerned for her welfare. Bette just shook her head and asked alice to show dana around. Giving alice a quick wink, bette told them to enjoy themselves. Alice glared at her, and pulled the bewildered dana away.

As the number of guests had reached a multitude, bette decided to mingle. Alice, had definitely done a good job at making everyone feel comfortable, for she could see alice enjoying herself with one of the artists.

As she joined in the conversation, someone called out to her. Oh, it was eric, one of her more important buyers. Now that was one man who had a passion and wallet for art. And who was that? She was the epitome of beauty. Bette felt a tingle go down her spine as she approached with caution, seemingly afraid of bette, she half-hid behind eric.

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damn Al, I cant make it tonight, Im really busy. Something cropped up last minute, yea, its important, you just enjoy yourself with dana, and erm tell bette Im sorry! Have fun you two!!! as she tossed her phone into a corner, shane went back to the hot Latina who was patting the sheets next to her, waiting for her to come back to bed.

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excellent bette, Katherines work is fabulous, put me down for those 2 pieces over there. Yes. Thank you. Eric smiled as bette took note of the pieces he wanted, at the same time noticing how he held tinas hand in his, as though marking her as his property.

hey eric, would you and tina want to stay on for dinner with some of the artists and myself later on? You know, for being such a wonderful client to me and all.. secretly, in the back of her mind, bette thought he was a pompous prig, who spent money on worthless items, though some of the art he picked out were pretty decent.

A look of surprise, and then elation filled his face, yes! Most definitely, I would be honoured to attend! And im sure tina wouldnt mind, would you darling? he cast a stern look at her, and all she could do was give a weak smile.

Bette was just as excited. Maybe, just maybe she could get to know this tina a little more. Try to coax her to come out from under this guys shadow. She looked to be a strong woman, yet bette wondered how she could ever stoop to become a mere shadow of this man. Well, she wasnt a homewrecker, but she felt that she could provide some comfort to this gorgeous angel, maybe fill the void, release her of certain insecurities she seemed to be facing.

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alice had disappeared, and dana hadnt a clue where she was. Looking around, dana felt in awe of all the people that were present here tonight. They seemed so in control of themselves, at the same time adopt a laidback persona. Wow. And the homosexuals, well, she couldnt tell if some of the men and women there were ***** or *****, but she hoped that woman was! A blonde, who was surrounded by hunky men was had been smiling at her most of the night. Dana just wondered if the blonde was smiling at her, or at some painting behind her. Feeling she felt awkward enough tonight, she turned to pretend to admire a painting, that depicted a scene from adam & eve, at least she though it looked like adam. Waitboth of them had luscious *****, well, bette was an all out *****, so this must have been eve and eva.

hello *****.. as a pair of slender arms wrapped around her waist, dana gave a quick twirl around, to find the smiler staring at her.

Im not a lesbianermI dont know what I amat least for now

giving a short laugh, the blonde replied, its ok, by the way, Im Melanie. Are you new to art? Ive never seen you at previous openings.

Dana looked somewhat relieved that the topic was so general. She felt so geeky blurting out that she wasnt a *****. But she was desperate! At these kind of events, she never knew who might know her family.

Melanie? Hi, Im danaerm..Dana Fairbanks. Sorry about my sudden outburst just now. Im keeping it hush-hush. Are you? Are you aerrare you.. as dana tried to get the words out, Melanie just put a finger to danas lips took her hand, motioning for her to follow her lead.

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bette! Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen dana? yes? WHAT? Ok ok. Anyway, dinners about ready, most of the undesirable guests have left the building.. alice sniggered.

Bette gave her a grave look. It wasnt nice to label some of the more snobby people that way, but alice did have a knack of being honest. thanks alice, could you help me round them up, and show them to the dining area? Thanks so much. Giving alice a quick peck on the cheek, she made her way over to where tina was standing alone, in awe of an early 16th-century painting of a mother holding her child, as another woman caressed her *****.

do you like it?

jumping a little at the sound of a voice near her ear, tina was broken out of her spell. Looking around, she saw eric in a lively conversation with a couple of other men.

sorry I startled you. Oh, youve lost your earring bette carefully plucked the gold earring out of her hair, and put it gently in tinas palm. Upon doing so, they exchanged warm smiles.

A weird, vaguely familiar feeling came over tina. She couldnt quite put a finger to it, but it left her a feeling a little light-headed. Thanking bette for finding the earring, tina wen over to where eric was seated, and dinner commenced.

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relax dana, let me give you pleasure.slowlyyou have to go slowyesahhh.. Melanie moaned softly, as dana put her training to use. Slowly kneading her *****, lips brushing the lips of melanies, dana knew it was gonna be a good night.

I.have something..to..ahhmmmmconfess to you..AHHH.as Melanie couldnt keep her hands, and lips off dana.

holding her head back a little, Melanie perked up, what is it darl? Something you want to say?

dana began to feel a little embarrassed about what she was going to say next. erm, to tell you the truth, this is theermfirst time actually. Yes, the first time Ive ever had lesbianmake that, any ***** at all

Melanie gave a little smile. So, she was dealing with a virgin. But for a virgin, this babe knew her stuff, not too well, but she had the right foundations. its ok darl, theres plenty more you can learn.*kiss*and well, Ill be the one to show you

She leaned in closer, as her lips moved towards danas, her fingers moved down south, to break the ice after a long cold winter.

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baby, are you sure the earring wasnt in the car? Could you check again, please? I just cant lose it, it means so much to me. Tina was frantically tracing back the steps she had taken since leaving the gallery.

Eric looked at her, feeling rather annoyed at her insistence at finding such a cheap piece of metal. tina, Ive checked the car 3 times, and no, there isnt any sign of it anywhere. please, lets go to bed, now! Its just a piece of cheap gold, Ill get you all the diamonds you want, ok? In place of that missing earring. Just say it, and Ill buy it. Eric gestured for her to come to bed.

Tina gave him a long hard look, before finding her keys, headed for the door and slammed it shut. The nerve of that man! To think he could replace a gift with so much meaning to it, by splurging on meaningless diamonds. Men! They could be sosotactless! Tina got into her car and sped back to her apartment.

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