She added. “That is unconditional love, Bette, and love is the only thing that we need.”

“I’m scared, Helena. I feel… like I don’t have control over all these things… What if they won’t let me adopt her?” Bette stammered, slightly embarrassed about showing so much emotion in such a short time.

“That’s why we’re going to try extra hard. I didn’t act like a saint around Winnie too, and you probably knew how spiteful I was.” Helena started sheepishly.

In an impassioned voice, she continued, “However, I loved Wilson and Jun Ying from the bottom of my heart, was willing to give up everything for them. I think that earned me extra brownie points with the jury.”

“Helena”, Bette said hoarsely. “Do you know how much you mean to me by being here with me right now?”

“Hush.” Helena said softly. She gently traced the outline of Bette’s lips, running her fingers across her cheeks, and gently across the curves of her forehead. Reaching up, Bette gently caressed Helena’s face as she watched her intently. This continued as both sides sat together silently, seeking comfort with each other.

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The sun dropped into the horizon. The darkness deepened, and came out from behind the trees and bushes. Shadows lengthened and joined together; like water, coming up through the ground, and rising slowly up like the sea. The heiress broke the silence. “You never told me about your mother, what is she like?”

“I never had the chance to know her very well. My mum left suddenly without a word one day, when I was only 8. Daddy always blamed himself for letting his marriage break down with his philandering. He couldn’t bear to come home after that, choosing only to visit me occasionally every year. I stayed with my grandparents until I was 18.” Her eyes teared up and when she leaned over closer to her friend for reassurance.

“Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to bring up your sad memories.” Helena apologized. She began to back away from Bette nervously, worried that she had hit a sensitive topic.

Bette felt her heart thumping faster and faster in her chest. Since when did Helena sound so sexy when she’s anxious? She thought, secretly delighted that at the amount of concern that Helena demonstrated. Bette’s arms involuntarily drew Helena’s body to hers, pulling her in close, replying with the first answer she could think of. “I’m okay; it’s such a long time ago!”

“Did you live with your paternal or maternal grandparents?” Helena inquired earnestly.

Bette remembered all the stories that her dear father told her. “I lived with my daddy’s parents, because mummy was disowned when she married daddy. It was more than 40 years ago, and during that time, inter-racial marriages were virtually unheard of.”

 “What was it like, being the only white looking kid in a black family?” Helena wanted to know.

Bette looked to her in apprehension, wondering whether or not she would tell the truth, since this was the first time she was asked this question. She spoke honestly. “I spent most of my childhood alone, not fitting in. The black kids thought that I was an outsider, and the white kids never accepted me as part of their own. This was something Tina never understood, being brought up in a suburban family as she was.”

Helena visibly relaxed, but at the second the troubled look returned to her face. “It must have been hard on you. How did you cope?"

"I fell in love with Art, and it helped me to create bridges between many people. Art brings out the most intense emotions. The amazing thing was that when 2 people talked about a masterpiece they liked, they could relate to each other on a deeper level beyond who they are, and where they come from.” She replied seriously, her brown eyes narrowing slightly. All of a sudden, Bette leaned in so close to Helena’s ear that she could feel her warm breath tingle.

"So, are you going to reverse the decision about not funding the Arts now?" she whispered seductively, then couldn’t help herself any longer and fell sideways, laughing mirthfully.

Helena threw a reproachful look at Bette who was still grinning naughtily as she protested. "Hey! You can’t do this! It’s emotional blackmail!"

“Emotional blackmail? Does it mean that you cannot resist me?” Bette drawled huskily, moving so near that she could feel every inch of Helena’s well-toned body pressed tightly against her.

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