“I know.  She’s bringing that girl tonight to be introduced to everyone.”

“The assistant?  What’s her name?”           

“Uh, I don’t remember really.”

She lied.  She knew the woman’s name well because her mother talked about her all day, every day.

This is what caused Helena Peabody to hate Bette Porter.

Bette Porter was the woman Helena would always have to measure up against.  Bette was the daughter that Helena was not.

“Well, let me know how it goes…and what she looks like.  Before I forget, my ex-girlfriend is coming into town and she’s meeting me for breakfast in the morning.  You are more than welcome to stop by the Planet to meet her.”

Helena told her she might show up, but didn’t ask too much about the ex.  She could tell though that Alice wasn’t exactly over her.

She hung up the phone, turning her attention to the window outside.  The beach was always lovely—another Cali favorite.  The sun was starting to set in Los Angeles.  She leaped off the counter.

“I guess I can’t put it off any longer.”

Helena waited in the same spot she was when she talked to Alice.  She waved at guests who were either surprised to see her in her mother’s presence or surprised that she was 22 years old.

“Helena, I’ve been looking all over for you.” She could hear her mother screech.

Just behind her, a tall, mocha skinned woman hovered over her mother.  She was slim in stature with the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen.

“This is my daughter Helena.  Helena, this is the incomparable, Bette Porter.  She’ll be doing her last year of interning with me before she graduates with her Ph. D.”

Bette just stood to the side, grinning in the most obnoxious way possible.

“I don’t know if I quite measure up to your admiration but thank you.  It’s very nice to finally meet you.”

Helena took her hand into her own, ignoring the tingles in her spine that this woman created with just a smile and a handshake.

“Charmed, I’m sure.”

Helena watched her all night.  She was gorgeous and that made it all the more difficult to like her.

All night, Bette charmed the guests in ways her mother had never and in ways that Helena couldn’t even dream to.

She watched as Bette retreated to the back yard, where scattered guests mingled and Helena sulked in the corner.

“What are you doing all alone?”

Helena would admit it, Bette was charming.  Her voice was like cashmere.

But charm wouldn’t be enough to win Helena—not with the way Bette weaseled her way into her mother’s heart and took the spot that Helena so desperately wanted for herself.

“Hiding from people like you.”  Helena stood up to walk away.

Bette grabbed her arm, only for Helena to jerk away.

“What the hell is your problem?”

“You!  You are the problem.  You’re the type of person that my mother has always warned me about.  You just want her money!  You’re a fucking leech!”

“You don’t know me.  Remember that.”  Bette let go of her, her skin leaving chill bumps that she wasn’t sure she could disregard any longer.

**

The next morning, Helena met Alice and Shane at The Planet.  She liked the Planet because it’s atmosphere and it’s food, but also because of Kit.  Kit was a sweet woman, who had the biggest heart.  She opened her arms to anybody, including Helena.

“So, when’s this ex-girlfriend of yours coming?” Helena asked.

“She should be here soon.”

“My baby sis will be here shortly, I’m sure.” Helena turned her attention to Kit.

“I didn’t know she was your sister.  Alice never told me that.”

“Yes, she is.  My one and only.” The sound of the door opening behind them was apparent, “Here she is now!”

Helena turned to see who this ex was, but wished that she had not.

‘Fucking Bette Porter.’

What did she want?  The attention of everyone who mattered?