‘You’re my dear friend, Bette. I accept you the way you are and I’ve ong ago learnt to stop caring about what other people think of me. When you come to think of it, the only opinion that matters is your own, especially if it concerns personal business. So don’t worry. There’s nothing for you to feel guilty about. It’s who you are and I like it.’

‘Wow.’ The other woman said, clearly surprised. ‘And here I thought you were one of the must judgemental people I’d ever met. You should be teaching Anthropology, what with all this acceptance thing.’ They grinned at that. ‘Why do you hide such a warm heart under a mask of coldness?’

‘Because I was brought up that way.’ The Italian answered simply as they heard the sound of feet frantically pounding downstairs.

Tina showed up, clad in a professional-looking white suit and pants, a black t-shirt underneath and sensible dark boots on her feet. Her blonde hair was loose, curled charmingly near her shoulders. Her green eyes glowed in antecipation.

‘Oh, my God, I’m so excited!’ Ms. Kennard announced as she towered around the table, grabbed some grapes, two loaves of bread, a slice of cheese, some butter and a brick-like piece of chocolate cake.

‘Seriously? I wouldn’t have noticed it if you hadn’t told me.’ Bette said, mocking her. ‘You’ve ever eaten that much at breakfast.’

‘What can I say? Being up until late yesterday made me famished today.’ She didn’t bother to take a seat and wolfed down the food while pacing in circles around the table. ‘I still can’t believe Oscar opened this huge door for me.’

‘Well, you sure as hell deserve it.’ Her girlfriend smirked kindly. ‘You usually work to the point of exhaustion without receiving one cent. I think it was time that your efforts were somehow recognized.’

‘I don’t do my job for money or recognition.’ Tina stared dreamily at the nothingness. ‘I do it because I love it.’

‘This is beautiful.’ Marina commented after a long, energizing gulp of coffee. ‘I wish more people would think like you and do the things they trully loved without their eyes set on fame or fortune. It’s sad that we live in such a competitive world where every second you’re pressured into being the number one, the best at something.’