Miss Betty Suarez, Nanny
AN: This is a new story. AU, with some major elements from the show. Hope you enjoy! For entertainment only! Please let me know what you think!
Chapter 1
Daniel Meade sighed as he watched the nanny practically run out of his house covered in some green slime that his son orchestrated to fall from a bucket as she opened the bathroom door. That was the third nanny that his son scared off in the last month.
He was beginning to lose hope of finding someone to help with looking after him. He loved his son to death and wouldn't change anything in the world if he wasn't in his life, but he was having a rough time dealing with him and his antics.
He truly wished that his life wasn't so insane so he could devote more time to him, but
his life was complete madness right now.
His father passed away from a heart-attack simply a few months ago leaving him to deal with his mom being locked up in prison for supposedly having his father's mistress, Fey Sommers former editor in chief of Mode Magazine killed in a car crash, and his brother, Alex, running off to Paris to get a surgery to become a woman, then discovering he had some long lost brother, Tyler, from South Dakota that his mom hid from everyone.
He was also suddenly put in charge of running his father's publishing company all by himself, while dealing with the Wicked Witch of Mode Magazine, Wilhelmina Slater, who was up his ass with demands for not only becoming appointed as the new editor in chief of Mode, but also increasing the budget, and also having the task of approving a new magazine that was to be run by some 'best-selling author' that he had to meet with.
Not to mention dealing with his very mischievous 11-year old son.
He was drowning and desperate to find help.
"DJ!" he called. Shortly after, his son comes into the room, a slight smirk on his face "Yes, papa" he responds politely, feigning being innocent.
"Oh don't papa me! Look what you did to that poor woman!" he did his best to scold, but wasn't much for yelling like his own father was.
DJ sighed "Sorry papa, I was just playing"
Daniel rolled his eyes "Yeah right! DJ, I need you to not scare off every person I get here to look after you. I'm so busy, and you know things are crazy for me. I'm running out of people to find for you."
"But dad! I'm big enough to take care of myself! I don't need some stupid nanny!"
"DJ, look, I really need you to understand. I'm going crazy dealing with everything at work and your grandma, and things are so hectic for me."
DJ frowned. Daniel pulled him in for a playful hug "Hey, how about we order some pizza and play guitar hero, huh?"
DJ looked to his father with a grin "Yes! I will call for the pizza!" he said as he ran to the kitchen and picked up the phone to order the pizza. Daniel chuckled seeing him get so excited. He loved seeing his son happy.
He sighed, he really wanted to spend more time with DJ. He missed him. He'd been so upset the past few months working all hours of the day and night, missing some of his school events, and hardly seeing him.
He needed to find someone soon. Hopefully someone his son would like.
Betty Suarez sat at the kitchen table with her laptop and a notepad, eagerly trying to prepare for her interview at Meade Publications tomorrow.
She had worked so hard this past year by starting her blog and taking her writing more seriously, and finally found an opening at Meade.
She was so nervous and excited about this hopeful opportunity to work at one of the leading publishing companies on the east coast. She'd loved magazines ever since she was little and wanted to publish her own magazine someday.
Right now she had to focus on preparing for her interview.
"Betty, mija, will you eat something?! You've been working all day on your resume!" her father stated, snapping her out of her task, as he placed down a plate of food in front of her.
"Papi, I have to make sure everything is perfect! This could be my big break! I really need this interview to go well!" she stated pushing the plate aside and resuming her task on her laptop.
Her sister, Hilda, shut her laptop and said "I'm sure your resume is already perfect, Betty. What you really need to focus on now is your outfit for tomorrow!" she said with a flirty smirk.
Betty made a face "My outfit? That's not important! I think I'm going to wear my guadalajara poncho. I heard ponchos are in!"
Her nephew, all but died and said "Oh M G, Betty are you nuts?! You can't wear that! That is not the right fashion statement, trust me. "
Her nephew was a little fashion elf always commenting on her clothing, and according to said nephew her style had vastly improved in the last year, but he still said things like "You should listen to mom! You don't want to look like you came off a donkey!"
"JUSTIN! I can't believe you said that!"
Hilda laughed "Betty, he's right! I know what I'm talking about. Sure, it's great to be all smart, but you still want to look just as awesome!" Hilda commented.
"Oo, AB, please let me help pick your outfit! Please!" Justin exclaimed in excitement.
Betty sighed "Justin, Hilda, please, I really need to just work on my notes and resume" she said as she started to open her laptop again, but this time they both placed their hands on it to shut it.
She sighed again in frustration, but saw the determined looks on their faces. She looked to her father who gave her a slight smirk and then chuckled. She rolled her eyes "Fine, but nothing crazy! Or too revealing!"
Hilda rolled her eyes "Fine!"
"I mean it!" Betty stated, knowing how her sister tended to be more into showing off her assets than covering them.
"Alright Betty!" Hilda said in annoyance. "EEK! I'm so excited, come on!" Justin grabbed her hand and pulled her up from the table and led her upstairs. She giggled at his excitement.
She watched as her nephew and sister went through outfit after outfit, making faces and comments about all of her clothing. Finally after much back and forth they had an outfit picked out that was pretty, professional and still her style, although her nephew berated that it was still too colorful.
The next morning she woke up feeling anxious, but took a shower to calm her nerves and got dressed in the maroon top, a pretty knee-length floral skirt that was white and had maroon and pink flowers, and a matching white blazer. She slid her red-framed glasses on and then clipped her B necklace her mother gave her and looked in the mirror.
She took a breath and smiled "I can do this"
When she finished getting dressed she went downstairs, and as soon as her sister saw her she said "Oh gosh, Betty, please let me do your hair?" she said as she pulled at her hair that was slightly frizzy.
Betty sighed as her sister shoved her in a chair to start straightening her hair.
"Where's Justin?"
"He already left for school" Hilda responded. After a few minutes, she finished brushing her hair and said "there, you hair looks so much prettier. One last thing!" she got a pretty clip and styled her bangs to one side.
She looked at her in the mirror and asked "Can I please put a little makeup?"
"Only a little bit!"
Hilda nodded with a smile "Ok. Besides, Betty, when are you getting contacts, mami?! Your eyes are so pretty."
"Thanks Hilda, but I get freaked out at the thought of putting things in my eyes."
"Well, thank God you at least you finally got rid of those braces!" Hilda said.
Betty nodded in agreement "I know! People always thought I was much younger than I was and didn't take me seriously." she smiled bright, showcasing her unencumbered teeth as she looked in the mirror. She loved how much brighter her smile was without her braces.
Her sister laughed "there's that smile." She spun her in the chair and took her glasses off and started to put a little make-up, keeping it soft and simple. When she was done she stood her up and in front of their father. "What do you think, Papi? How does Betty look."
Her father looked at her with a smile "You look very pretty mija!" he placed a kiss to her cheek.
"Thank papi. And thanks Hilda"
She nodded with a smirk "There, see, you look great, Betty! Knock em dead!" her sister smacked her butt playfully as she left. "Ow, Hilda!"
Hilda laughed, and her father chuckled. "Good luck today. You are going to be great, Betty."
"Thanks Papi" She hugged him. When he left into the living room, she looked into the mirror again and smiled seeing that she really did look much prettier and more put together.
"I'm a beautiful, confident business woman and I'm going to get this job!" she chanted to herself.
Daniel walked into his son's bedroom, seeing him still asleep under the covers. He was going to be so late to school. "DJ! Wake up, bud! You're gonna be late! Your teacher has already called me four times in the last two weeks."
"I don't wanna go to school" he mumbled under the sheets. Daniel pulled the cover off him and he groaned "Dad!"
"DJ! I'm not messing around today! I have a meeting that I'll be late for too! Please get up! Now!" he pulled him up and shoved a shirt and some jeans in his son's hands.
DJ sighed in annoyance "ok!" he pushed his father out of the room and shut the door. Daniel stood at the door "Are you actually getting dressed?"
"Yes!"
Daniel chuckled.
He went down stairs already dreading the day. He had so much to do! He had a meeting with the Wicked Witch of Mode that he was absolutely not looking forward to, then he had a few other meetings with some of the Editor in Chiefs of several of the other Meade Magazines, and a meeting with his mother's lawyer, and he also had the daunting task of finding another nanny for his son.
Hell, he was losing his mind.
He poured himself a cup of coffee, taking a drink and let out a deep sigh of anxiety. This was all becoming too much for him. He wasn't cut out for this.
Alex was always the go-getter, the take-charge, 'golden child', but he went ahead and decided he wanted to go across the ocean and get a surgery to become a woman! What the hell?
And then there was Tyler, he wasn't terrible, but he hated that his mom hid such a big secret from him. They always told each other everything, even the bad things.
He sighed. And then there was the fact that his mother was locked up for committing a crime he would never think she would ever do.
He was sinking deeper and deeper and he wasn't sure there was anything left to keep him up.
He watched as his son walked into the kitchen looking grumpy. He smirked "Dude, you look terrible, I think we stayed up too late playing games. I'm sorry."
DJ made a face as he sat at the counter.
"Do you want me to make you something?" Daniel asked.
DJ shook his head "No"
"Here is some money for lunch. Sorry, there wasn't anything in the fridge to make you something. I have to go to the store and get food." he sighed, he didn't even have time to do that. He handed his son a twenty.
DJ sighed "it's ok" he took the money and put it in his pocket.
Daniel walked around the counter and said "Alright, let's get going, ok? We don't want to be late, trust me! Or your teacher is going to yell at us, both!"
After dropping his son off to school on the way, Daniel was in the elevator heading to the Mode floor.
Wilhelmina was a giant pain, constantly undermining him and treating him like he was incompetent.
Hell, he knew she was more than qualified to be appointed as Editor in Chief, but she was so damn annoying and conniving, it made him want to do anything but give her that satisfaction. He wanted to make her beg for it. He chuckled to himself thinking he'd really lost his mind.
He got off the elevator and onto the Mode floor, the tension he felt rising.
"Daniel!" Amanda, the receptionist at the circular desk called, with a flirty smile as he approached.
He smirked "Hey Amanda"
"Oo, don't you look yummy today" she flirted.
He smirked, "Uh...thanks, you look pretty hot too, but I told you, I think we're better off as friends."
He'd went on a couple of dates with her and had fun with her, but that was it.
There wasn't anything beyond that. He wanted something meaningful. He wanted to be in love.
"Besides, if I remember correctly, my new found brother Tyler seems to have a thing for you." He said noting that there seemed to be some unmistakable chemistry Tyler and Amanda had.
She smiled "He does?" she asked, a bright smile crossing her face. He chuckled "yah. Isn't he modeling for the fashion show coming up?" he asked.
Amanda nodded "Yes! And he is HOT!"
Daniel laughed.
Betty got out of the cab and stood in front of the Meade building, butterflies fluttering in her stomach in anxiousness. She really wanted the job. She took a breath and walked into the building, marveling at its grandness.
She went to the front desk "Hi, I'm here to interview for an opening at Meade. Betty Suarez"
The guy at the front desk nodded "yes, Mode Magazine, 33rd floor."
"Wait, Mode? that's a fashion magazine, though. I think there was a mistake."
The guy looked to his computer and shook his head "No, no mistake, there are only two opening positions, one at Mode and one at Player.
She sighed and figured at least it was something in publishing. "Ok. Thanks" she went to the elevators trying to stay calm and hopeful. Just because this was a fashion magazine didn't mean she couldn't still write about important things.
Daniel walked up to Wilhelmina's office, her little minion Marc was at the desk in front like her guard. "I'm sorry, do you have a meeting? Ms. Slater is busy" Marc looked at him with a sly smirk on his face.
Daniel rolled his eyes "Very funny, Marc. You know very well I have a meeting with her!" he said as he walked past and into her office.
"Daniel! It's great to see you" she said as she got up, a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Wilhelmina, look, I don't have time for games. I told you if you want me to appoint you as Editor in Chief I need a solid plan, and the so-called budget increase you are wanting. I need a proposal. I can't just do things on a whim for you!"
"Daniel, Daniel, Daniel, you know more than anyone that I am more than capable of running Mode. I've been that silly Fey's right hand longer than you've been running around pretending to be in charge of Meade. There's no one better than me to run Mode."
"Maybe. Maybe not, but I still need a solid proposal from you. I need it by the end of the day, or else I'm looking for someone else!" he threatened.
Wilhelmina glared at him "What would your dear father say about all the decisions you're making? You're not as good at taking charge like your brother Alex. I'm sure your father would be disappointed at how you've been running things"
"Don't you talk about my dad! Or my brother! Look, they're not here, I am, so the decision is mine."
"Don't you forget Danny, Mode is mine and only mine! Now get out of my office!"
Daniel left, feeling annoyed. Why was she so difficult?! She really got on his nerves!
He knew he needed to cool down, before he did something stupid.
Betty walked onto the Mode floor marveling at the interesting look. It definitely looked stylish and edgy, much like she expected a fashion magazine to look. She knew her nephew would die to see this place.
As she walked down the hallway, it led to a center where a big orange reception desk sat.
There was a young blond woman sitting at the center desk answering a phone call. When she ended the call, she looked to her, her eyebrow raised in curiosity "Mode Magazine, I'm Amanda, what brings you here?" she had a slight seductiveness about her as she spoke.
Betty felt nervous but smiled and said "Hi! I'm Betty Suarez, I'm here for the junior editor interview"
Her eyes grew wide "You? Are you sure you're not here for accounting?" she stated, giving her a once over suggesting she looked nerdy, although she wasn't sure why since she thought she was dressed much more fashionable.
Betty glanced at herself "what? No, look, I don't want to be late, where should I go?"
Amanda smirked "Wilhelmina Slater's office down the hall, it's the one on the left. Good luck" she said with a teasing tone.
"Thanks Amanda!" she said as she walked away. As Betty walked away, Amanda picked up the phone and quickly called Marc to notify him of her approaching.
As Betty walked up to Wilhelmina Slater's office, there was someone sitting in front, his eyebrow rose in curiosity much like Amanda's as she approached.
"Hi, I'm Betty, I'm here for the interview."
"Ah yes, I'm Marc St. James, Wilhelmina's amazing assistant and soon to be Creative Director."
Betty smiled at him "That's great."
Marc looked her up and down warily, but said "go ahead, she's waiting!"
Betty nodded and walked into this Wilhelmina's office feeling intimidated, as she sat there. She looked very stylish and was in this gorgeous white and beige outfit, a stern unamused look on her face.
"Who are you? And why are you disturbing me?!"
Betty bit her lip, but tried to remain composed as she approached the desk. "I'm Betty Suarez. I'm here to interview for the junior editor opening"
The woman smirked, her eyebrow rose , with that same scrutinizing look. "You?"
Betty nodded "Yes, I love magazines! I've been writing since I was little. I have some of my work in here" she held out her folder with some of her writing and her resume, but the woman simply stared at her. Betty placed the file on top of her desk. "Um...I think I could really make a difference here"
Wilhelmina laughed "a difference? Betsy-"
"It's Betty, actually. Um…" Betty corrected, but the look on the woman's face was very unforgiving. She bit her lip.
"As I was saying, Betty, this is not a public service. This is a fashion magazine! What do you know about fashion? You clearly don't if you went out of the house looking like that!"
Betty looked at herself and wondered what could be wrong with her outfit. She thought it was stylish and professional.
"Florals are completely last season. If you want to work here, you have to look the part! I can't have you trapezing about looking like you came out of last seasons spread! You're much too colorful for my liking."
Betty knew fashion wasn't her thing, but she was determined to get this editor position. "Ms. Slater if you just look at some of my writing maybe that will change your mind"
Wilhelmina looked at her with a forbidding look, her eyes were fierce. Betty took a breath of air, trying to stay focused and not let this woman get to her.
Wilhelmina looked to the folder with her work, slowly spinning it around and opened it, barely making an effort to look, but something about the young woman reminded her of herself when she was her age.
There was this passion and fire in her.
So, she looked over the papers, quickly scanning them, and finally looked up at her. She had a slight smirk on her face, but said "Listen here, Betty, I think you have fire, but your writing is much too positive and happy."
Betty was floored. What did that mean? Was she saying she couldn't write about important things?
"Listen, I think you simply won't be a good fit! Perhaps you should try a different magazine. They might as well have sent that Amanda!"
Betty frowned. "Now, out of my office! Marc!" she called for her assistant out front. He walked in and as she was about to leave with him, she turned back around. She wasn't leaving without giving it her all.
"Ms. Slater, please, if you just give me a chance. I really think I can show you that you won't be making the wrong decision by hiring me! I'm good at research, I'm a really hard worker...as you can see I'm very persistent and determined when there is something I want. I know I'm not that fashionable, but I still think I could learn a lot working here." she stated and for a moment she thought she saw a glimpse of surprise and consent in the glamorous woman's eyes.
Betty bit her lip, anxiously waiting for her response. Wilhelmina got up, and she wasn't sure what to expect. "You have big balls Betty Suarez" she said.
Betty looked at her in confusion, unsure if that was meant as a compliment or insult. "but...I'm sorry, I think you'd be better suited somewhere else."
Betty sighed, "Thanks for listening" she left, seeing Marc's stunned face.
Betty walked to the elevator feeling upset and defeated.
She picked out her phone starting to call her sister, but was suddenly met with a body, and some hot coffee to spill on her white blazer, making her gasp as the hot liquid seeped through her clothing and touched her skin.
"Huh, oh no!" she gasped as she looked at herself, her blazer most definitely ruined, covered in coffee.
"Oh God! I'm so sorry! Shit!"
She looked up to see this handsome blue-eyed man frantically trying to apologize and help her with her jacket. "I'm really sorry miss! I will be more than happy to get you a new blazer or give you some money for it. Shit, are you alright?" he stated, trying to dab the coffee off her skin with his own jacket, which she was sure was more expensive than anything she owned.
She bit her lip, nodding, feeling dazed by the gorgeous, incredibly handsome man before her. "Mhm...it's fine." she started to take off her blazer as she stepped into the elevator.
He shook his head, following her "I'm really sorry. Uh…"
She smiled at him, and he smiled back and boy was his smile the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen. She felt like she was melting on the spot.
Daniel couldn't believe he was such an idiot, and messed up this poor girl's top, and also spilled hot coffee on her. He was such an ass! He wasn't paying attention as he neared the elevator, and completely ran into her.
Despite his stupidity and nearly scalding her with his coffee, she still managed to smile at him, and damn if her smile didn't lift his heart. He didn't think he'd ever seen a smile that bright before.
"Ehm…" he glanced at her, taking in her appearance. She had some loose strands of hair in her face, the dark maroon of her top really complimented her complexion, but was now sporting a rather large spot where the coffee seeped through to her shirt and now became a little sheer; her outfit was pretty and colorful. He looked to her ruined blazer and said, "uh...are you sure you're alright? I hope I didn't burn you. I'm so sorry about your clothes."
She looked to him "Mhm, I'm fine." she said as she placed her hand to her arm where some of the coffee spilled on her, and looked to the stain on her maroon top.
After a moment of silence on the elevator he looked to her and said "Uh...do you work at Mode? I don't think I've seen you around there."
She frowned "Uh...I just had an interview to be a junior editor and it was awful. That Wilhelmina is so intense and kind of mean. She told me I'd never be cut out to work there! And that my writing is too happy and positive for Mode. What does that even mean? She also said my outfit was last season, and that I'm too colorful."
Daniel shook his head "What the hell does she know?! You look perfectly beautiful!" he stated causing both her and himself to look in surprise "I mean pretty! I mean...nice, fine!"
She bit her lip as she watched him being all flustered at calling her beautiful. She laughed as he did "thanks" she felt her cheeks warm and she had butterflies. She couldn't believe this perfectly handsome guy told her she looked beautiful.
He smirked, but said "Trust me, you really don't want to work for Wilhelmina! She's a witch! She will probably corrupt you and turn you into some flying monkey like she does to Marc."
She laughed "I guess you're probably right. I'm just so bummed. I really wanted a writing job! It's my dream to write for magazines. I thought I was convincing when I told her to give me a chance. Fashion is not really my thing, but...it's something. When I was leaving she told me I had big balls. Is that a compliment, or was she saying something else that was mean?" she said feeling more and more bummed.
He shook his head "with her you never really know! She's always treating me like an idiot."
She looked to him, and back down, a saddened look on her face.
He looked to her, his eyes growing wide "So, wait a second, you still need a job, right?"
She nodded looking to him. He grinned brightly "That's great! Uh..." he took out a card and wrote on the back "here! meet me there at 6:30 today. I have a really important job I could use you for!"
She looked at him in surprise, a smile spreading "Really?"
He knew she probably thought it was an editing or writing job, and he didn't have the heart to tell her it was something else entirely.
He smiled at her, having a feeling that she would be perfect. She seemed sweet, and was obviously very passionate and creative, and determined. He had a good feeling about her.
"What's the job?" she asked curiously.
"Uh" he ran his hand nervously through his hair, but said "I can't really say right now. Please just meet me there. I promise the pay will be well worth it!"
She nodded with a smile "Ok...I'll see you at 6:30" said as the elevator dinged for the lobby floor. She was feeling hopeful again, wondering what the job could be. As they exited the elevator, she looked at him and held out her hand "I'm Betty...Suarez"
He grinned and shook her hand, When they let go of each other's hands, there was a shocking static spark as their fingers brushed "Ow!" the both exclaimed.
They looked at each other with small smiles before they laughed.
"Uh… Very nice to meet you Miss Suarez. I hope to see you later" he said finding her adorable and charming.
She blushed, and nodded with a bright smile "mhm. Great! thanks" Betty's heart was racing and she felt butterflies. How was this happening? She'd never felt this way about anyone before. Why was this man making her feel so different?
As she started to walk out of the building, Daniel wasn't sure why but he followed her out. There was something compelling about her, like her energy made him drawn to her. Not to mention the static he felt when their hands touched. What was that? He never felt that before.
She was something...special. He was sure she would be prefect!
Betty felt butterflies as this man who she realized didn't know his name yet was walking out with her. He was incredibly handsome and she felt completely charmed by him. She had to wonder if he felt something much like she did.
She glanced to him to see he was watching her. "so, I didn't catch your name" she asked as they were now standing outside.
He smiled "It's Daniel"
She nodded "nice to meet you, Daniel." She smiled at him, with this incredible and bright genuine smile and he smiled back.
He watched her as she walked away and across the street, nearly tripping, but still had that incredible bright smile on her face as she continued walking. He chuckled finding her adorable.
He grinned "Betty..." he said to himself.
Several hours later, Daniel breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it home. He was exhausted dealing with Meade!
He wasn't cut out for this!
He walked in to see DJ sitting on the couch playing on his DS. "Hey, I think I finally found someone perfect!" he said as he walked over.
DJ looked up and said "Dad! I told you, I don't need a stupid nanny! I'm big enough to take care of myself!" he stated in annoyance.
Daniel smirked "Trust me"
He looked to his watch and saw that it was 6:30. He walked over to the door and just as he was opening it on the other end stood Betty who had her hand up to knock on the door "Hi!" she said in surprise.
He grinned "Hey! I'm so glad you're here. Please come in!" he said, and could see she seemed uncertain, but she walked in.
As soon as she did her eyes grew bright in surprise "Wow! This place is stunning!"
He smiled as he watched her. "Hey DJ, get over here!"
Betty watched as a kid about Justin's age walked over looking annoyed. "Uh...Miss Suarez, this is my son DJ"
"Uh...DJ, I'd like you to meet your new nanny."
Her eyes grew wide in surprise "NANNY?"
:D