Please don't take offense if she behaves rudely."

Helen smiled warmly. "Of course not. I haven't had the opportunity to meet her yet. Albert has kept her well-hidden.”

Melissa rapped lightly on the door. “Jessie, it's me."

After a moment's delay, Jessie cracked the door open.

She appeared disheveled, far from the beauty she exuded earlier. Her hair resembled a tangled bird's nest, and her makeup was smeared beyond recognition. Yet, despite her disarray, the remnants of her beauty were still evident in the contours of her face.