Tina paled. «Paris ?», she managed to say.

Her boss noticed her reaction. «Something wrong ?»

«Can’t you send someone else?». Paris held too many memories of her and Bette and she didn’t know if she would be able to go back without breaking down. She had tried to call Bette to set up a date for lunch, but she hadn’t been able to reach her. James had told her that she had had problems with the new exhibit and that she would call her very soon. Tina didn’t know if that was the truth or if Bette was giving her the brush-off. Tina didn’t know what to do anymore about their situation.

«When I ask you to do something, it’s not up for discussion Tina», her boss replied. Her old boss had retired two months earlier and Tina didn’t like Murray Thompson at all. He was arrogant and he thought he knew it all about everything. Tina sighed. «When am I leaving?»

«Tomorrow night… Your flight is at nine. Here are your tickets», he said handing them to her. «And here are all the information you need to know about Mrs Collins», he added, giving her a thick file. Tina finished her article and went home to get ready for her trip. She did some shopping and read the file her boss had given her. She wondered if she should call Bette and let her know she would be out of town, but decided not to… After all, Bette wasn’t making any effort to see her, so why would she bother warning her about her whereabouts…

She thought about going to Paris and her mind wandered back to the first time she and Bette hade gone there to meet an artist who had turned out to be a fraud. The trip had been so romantic and unforgettable. Six years later, Tina still looked back on these days with tears in her eyes.

She sighed heavily and closed the file she was reading. She put it on the floor, besides her bed and turn off the light. She slid under the cover and like she had done so often in the past three months, she cried herself to sleep…

It was raining when Tina arrived in Paris… Paris in the rain, another reminder of her and Bette. She took a cab to her hotel and started to unpack. She had plenty of time before the opening this evening so she decided to just relax and go for a walk. She strolled the streets, looking at the people passing by. She felt so utterly alone and wondered what Bette was doing at this very moment.

She then noticed a sign in front of her. It read: Jardin du Luxembourg. A wave of sadness washed over her when she realised this had been the very first place she had seen with Bette… She was tempted to turn around, but she finally decided to go ahead and visit the garden anyway.

Despite the weather, there were a lot of people wandering around. Tourists were taking pictures and couples snuggled under their umbrellas, laughing and kissing. After all, Paris was the city of love…

«Coming here wasn’t such a great idea», Tina thought to herself. She was about to turn around when she noticed a lone figure standing in front of a fountain. She couldn’t see the person’s face, but there was something familiar she recognized… Could it be ? Her heart began racing and she felt weak in the knees. Only one person in this whole wide world could make Tina feel this way…

She shook her head… You’re imagining things, she told herself, walking away. But she stopped and turned around again, just to make sure. Then, the person made a sudden move and Tina was able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful face that was forever engraved in her heart and soul…