”Must be hard to survive without higher education” He pressed on.

Bette was looking straight in the man’s hawkish eyes, taking all that remained of her endurance to replace her anger with harmless self-confidence.

”I manage, Mr. Kennard” She said in unperturbed way, stressing her statement with a slight nod of her head and a lopsided smile.

Tina quickly looked at her mother to seek help, but Amy seemed to be as interested in her husband’s and Bette’s dialog as others at the table. They seemed to be totally oblivious of the growing tension.

”You manage? This is very commendable, Ms. Porter. Tell us how you manage, if it’s not a secret of course. What is it you do for life?” Albert asked, leaning forward and crossing his hands on the table.

Bette’s seething mind raced, her piercing look remained stoic. Suddenly, Shane’s suggestions about a confidential agency sounded like a complete nonsense.

Bette found herself feeling cornered. She needed to get out of here.

Turning her head to look at Tina’s sorry sad eyes, the brunette flashed her most winning smile and winked at the blonde. Tina was so so beautiful… The most beautiful woman on the whole planet, the picture of perfection, Bette thought. Those golden locks, luscious lips, those hazel eyes…oh such eyes, such a lovely pairs of sight were Tina’s eyes, Bette could just stare for eternity.

”Ms. Porter?” Albert called out, bristling at the disregard Bette was displaying.

But Bette was in the self-preservation-mesmerized-by-Tina mode, closing her attention solely on her adorable girlfriend in order to just not blow up in front of Tina’s whole family. She turned her head, meeting Albert’s penetrating look.

”Oh, right..” With toothy smile still playing on her mouth, she dared to say as if just remembering about the question, getting a rise out of Albert even more. ”Well, most of my time I help my friend to run her recreational facility, a nightclub if being more precise. It’s kind of entertaining actually, most of people underestimate this business. But, of course, I’m fully aware that it’s just a temporary occupation and I will find my line of business eventually” Bette finished her point, wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin and standing up. ”Excuse me, where is the bathroom here?” She asked everyone just as Tina rose from her seat responsively.