“ Hello darling. You look as beautiful as always. “ Peggy hugged Helena, giving her a quick peck on her cheek.

“ Hi mummy, you look wonderful too. “ Helena smiled, kissing her mother back on her cheek.

Pulling away from their hug, Peggy continued, “ I hope that you don’t mind me inviting Bette. I was showing her some of the paintings I bought earlier on. “

“ No, not at all. “

“ It’s nice to see you. Bette. “ Helena greeted, leaning in to give Bette a friendly hug.

“ It’s great to see you too. “ Bette responded, hugging Helena, breathing in that familiar scent.

After exchanging greetings, the three of them settled down for lunch.

Conversations flowed easy as they talked about paintings and artists while lunch was served.

Instead of engaging in the conversation, expressing her opinions on certain artists and paintings, Bette was distracted with watching Helena, debating whether she should tell Helena about her feelings.

“ Bette, what do you think? “ Peggy asked, disrupting her thoughts.

“ Huh. I mean… I’m sorry, what was your question again? “

“ Hans Hofmann, what do you think of him? “ She repeated her question.

“ I think that he’s an amazing abstract expressionist painter. His use of colors, looks marvelously vivid. “ Bette responded as she pictured his works in her head.

“ And that suggests a youthfulness in his character. “ Helena added, smiling and finally making eye contact with Bette.

“ Yes, I agree. “ Bette smiled, looking back into Helena’s eyes.

Bette loved how Helena and her shared a similar opinion on certain painters. She loved how they used to go on forever, talking about a certain painting.

“ Well, it seems to me that the both of you have a lot in common.“ Peggy commented.

Helena fidgeted uncomfortably at her mother’s comment while Bette smiled.

“ So Helena, my grandchildren told me about… What’s her name again? “

“ Ashlee. “

“ Yes, now I remember. They seem to like Ashlee a lot. “

This time, it was Bette’s turn to fidget uncomfortably while Helena smiled. Bette was, again, feeling slightly jealous.

“ Yeah. Ashlee got along with them really well. “

“ Oh really? I would love to meet her then. Maybe we could get together for dinner tomorrow night? “

“ Yes, mummy. That would be lovely. “

As lunch came to an end, Peggy excused herself to return back to her suite, “ Thank you both for having lunch with me. “

“ Thank you for lunch, Peggy. “

“ Thank you for lunch, mummy. “

They both responded, almost simultaneously.

Peggy laughed, “ Alright then, I’ll get my driver to send you two back to work. Great to see you again, Bette. Helena, darling, I’ll see you again for dinner tomorrow. “ With that said, they exchanged hugs and kiss before Peggy left the restaurant leaving Bette and Helena alone.

Helena felt slightly uncomfortable being left alone with Bette. Looking at her watch, Helena said awkwardly, “ Hey Bette. Are you ready to leave? “

“ Yes Helena, we should get going. The driver’s probably waiting. “ Bette responded, getting up from her seat.

They made their way out of the lobby and into the car. They sat next to each other, in an awkward silence as Bette debated to herself whether she should tell Helena about her feelings.

Plucking up her courage, Bette called out softly, “ Helena. “