“Alice, you don’t have to stay here looking after me.” Helena said softly. “I’m quite all right now.” She continued, stroking Alice’s back. The blonde lifted her head, peering at the other woman. Helena noticed her wet cheeks and instantly got a grave look on her face. “Alice, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” The blonde answered, looking down, avoiding those demanding eyes.

“You’re a terrible liar and you know it.” The British woman stated. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I I think um” Alice wanted to speak, but she just could not get the words out of her mouth.  “Maybe another time, okay?” She could not say what she wanted to say. It was not that she didn’t trust Helena. It was the shame, the same shame that prevented her from speaking to Dana about her fears. Jealousy was something ugly that should be hidden. Alice was more use to talking about other peoples feelings and problems, but she was unable to ventilate her own. Helena moved her hands to Alice’s face and held her head steady, one hand on each side, and wiped the tears away with her thumbs.

“You know you can come to me, Alice? Whenever you wish to. Anything.” She whispered, still with that concerned look on her face.

“I know, Helena. Thanks.” Alice was grateful the other woman did not push her. She also felt that this was growing into a real friendship and that made her smile a big, sincere smile. “Maybe we should go to bed. It’s late.”

Helena glanced out the window. The sky was not as dark now. “I think it’s almost morning. Look at the sky, it’s purple.” She said. Alice just nodded slightly. “Do you want hear something that always brightens me up?” She asked.

“Yeah, I would.” She said, feeling the weight on her heart loosen a little. “Is it another Green Day?” The blonde asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling teasingly.

“No, far from it.” Helena chuckled. “That was my brother’s record, all right? He used to love them. Maybe he still does, I can’t say I know anything about him anymore.” She said, loosing herself in her thoughts for just a minute. “Anyway, I’m not really a fan.” She said quickly, after snapping out of her mind. While speaking, they had moved into the living room. “Sit down.” She commanded and Alice instantly sat down in the corner of the large sofa. “This is Mozart.”

“Opera?” Alice asked.

“Yes.”

“I knew it!” Alice giggled. “I knew there were a really snobby side to your music taste as well.”

“This is not ‘snobby’. It’s one of the most beautifully written pieces of music in history. Le nozze de Figaro.”

“What did you say it was called? I knew it was something weird like that. I can’t even say that.” Alice teased.

“The Marriage of Figaro, all right? Now be quiet.” The heiress sat down on the other end of the sofa and pressed play. Two female voices entangled and filled the air.

“It’s beautiful.” Alice whispered after a while, astonished. “I didn’t think it would be.”

“Shh.” Was the only answer she got. And as the sun started to rise behind the mountains, the heiress and the journalist fell asleep in each corner of the large sofa, as if they had not slept in many good nights. And maybe that was just the case.