Previously…

Bette: Life is too short
and too precious to waste. I have made that mistake all too often. I’ve
realized that as the world changes, we all must adapt – including us stubborn
and selfish people. Because of new endeavors in my life, I realized that my
priorities must shift as well. That is why I have decided to exercise a
loophole in my contract with The CAC.

Franklin: What does that
mean, Bette?

Tina knew exactly what
Bette was getting at. She walked around the table to close the distance between
she and Bette. Tina wrapped her arms around Bette’s waist.

Tina: It means SHE QUITS.

Tina leaned in and caught
Bette’s lips with her own. Bette let her hands migrate up to Tina’s cheeks as
she deepened the kiss. Some of the board members gasped at the display while
others were moved by the interaction between the two. James and Kit just smiled
at each other. Kit rose from the chair, walked up next to Franklin and wrapped
her arm around his shoulders to which Franklin pulled back slightly. He had a
dumbfounded look on his face and Kit opted to capitalize on her newfound lot in
life – philanthropist.

Kit:
Well Frankie – It seems that I’m the CAC’s new best friend.

**Knock**

Tina: Yes – Come in.

Co-worker #1: Tina, you
need to see this.

Tina had a distant look in
her eyes. She felt as if her world was spinning out of control. Her eyes darted
back and forth as she continued to process everything. Her co-worker was
beginning to get concerned when Tina didn’t acknowledge her presence or
request.

Co-worker #1: Tina – Earth
to Tina – You okay?

Tina’s gaze met that of
her co-worker’s – though still distant. Tina blinked repeatedly as if to shake
away the haze that had settled upon her thoughts. Finally she realized that she
was being questioned. She furrowed her brow that gave the impression that she
was concentrating on some serious issue.

Tina: Uh – Yeah, I’m okay.
What did you say?

Co-worker #1: I was saying
that you need to come see this.

Tina’s expression softened
a bit but, in the back of her mind, she was still thinking about Bette and her
gesture. Tina followed her co-worker out into the main office area where a few
members of the office staff had gathered around a computer station. They had
looks of awe, shock, and happiness about them and there was a positive energy
hanging about. Tina walked up to the computer to see what everyone else was
clamoring to see.