She stood overlooking the room from the balcony above, statuesque, contemplating the commotion happening below her. Her eyes glazed over the crowd, watching even the smallest interaction, monitoring the moves of all her industry peers and colleagues, like a master puppeteer overlooking the show from above. She was the queen bee of Mode and with her title as Co-Editor and Chief, her power was cemented…or so she once thought.

Power was a funny thing. Those who understood its realms of possibilities also knew how to automatically take advantage of its offerings and those who thought they knew found the game to be deceptively impossible. It eventually sucks you in. It can consume you and eventually can become a high that the weak of heart easily succumb to under its weight. Her power came from her confidence as an executive, as an expert in her field, and as a strong willed woman. She was a fighter, not a dreamer, and enough of a realist to know when the world was beginning to veer its ugly talons again. No one could do what she did. It was the one aspect of her life where she could confidently say she was a sure fire success. Time and time again she rose like a phoenix from the ashes, no matter what obstacle was put in her road either deliberately or by fate.

But her resolve as of late was crumbling beneath her. Cold reality had sent a mass quake shaking the bedrock foundation of everything she accomplished, everything she built, and everything she knew. For the first time in decades, Wilhelmina Slater felt like she was falling apart, with no glue strong enough to hold the faltering pieces together. She knew it was just a matter of time before it all came undone.

It was the night of the black and white ball and the party was in full swing. All editors and executives were invited to the ball from Mode, among the publishing world's other heavy hitters, including representatives from brands, advertising agencies, and even New Yorks Society, hoping to rub elbows with the Fashion industry. Wilhelmina stood overlooking the party at the grand staircase. She held her nose in the air, and subconsciously clenched her jaw tight, mirroring her grip on the wrought iron railing of the grand staircase. Her body language translated to a woman in control and in a dominating position of power. In her moment of loneness, she reflected on the past few weeks and her resolve began its imminent crumble. Reality had hit her like a speeding train going a hundred miles a minute. That train was on schedule and eventually she knew deep down, it would catch up with her as she tried for years to outsmart and outrun it. Every scheme, every plan sped that train momentum closer in her direction.

In a few short weeks, she had lost her daughter, betrayed in the coldest way she could have ever imagined. Wilhelmina was beat at her own game by her own blood. Consequently because of her daughter, she had resigned her position, taking a leap of faith that her lover would rescue her (and her little girl) in their hour of need. For the first time in her life she threw caution to the wind and put her faith in the fairytale that the knight really would sweep her off her feet and save her. She scoffed out loud at her own stupidity. These things don't happen for women like her, she was the evil queen not the damsel in distress. The bad guy never gets the fairytale ending. The villain is forgotten and in the end, remembered for what they did, not who they were. And then the cruelest rip to her heart came with the loss of her lover, her equal, and the man she finally found her match in, Conner. It was just a few weeks ago that she learned Conner was dead. She mourned him in her private thoughts, in the moments she could close off from the world. Her anger, frustration, sadness, loneliness had all come to a head, and she had no one to turn to but herself. Sure she had Marc who idolized her but she could never show him her true human spirit and her moments of weakness. She had to set an example for Marc. Wilhelmina had began molding him, like Faye once did for her, to build his thick skin from a young age, and therefore there was room for only what she deemed necessary. There was no room for weakness or emotion. For these reasons, she held her head high. No matter what turmoil she was battling internally, she always had her shell of an exterior she could rely on. She just keep fighting and setting the example of the woman with the iron fist. The most dangerous aspect of her fight was the internal fight. If she could at least defeat her own self-doubt, she knew she could continue to face the cold ugly world.

She stood dressed in a one of a kind white creation, complete with deep plunging neckline, figure-hugging contours, with a slit to the thigh. The minimalist creation was a custom design by Tom Ford himself for the fiercest woman in fashion. All the other Editors of the leading publications were somewhat conservative, ironic considering the industry, but Wilhelmina's reputation preceded her as the boldest Editor in the game. It was no wonder why all the designers actually clawed at the helm to dress her. Her hair was pinned in a low chignon, and her face framed by gold and emerald statement earrings.

Wilhelmina felt a cool hand press against her back, startling her from her thoughts, as the warm breath brushed her ear. She knew it was the touch of a man, and the low baritone of the voice vibrated through her senses as it mixed with the percussions of the band playing in the background. "Penny for your thoughts Wilhelmina?" She instantly knew who it was and retorted smugly, "Try a Harry Winston wreath necklace and you have yourself a deal."

"It will be on your desk on Monday….Are you alright? What are you doing hiding up here by yourself?" Daniel had stepped away so he could look at her, but her stare remained on the commotion below her. Dryly she replied, "I don't hide."

Daniel didn't know why he was about to admit his next thought to her of all people but it was good to talk to someone who never babied him. It felt almost liberating to be straight up, and admitted, "Well I am. I can't take any more questions about Molly and those bullshit looks of sympathy. Mind if I crash your private VIP party and hang out up here with you?"

"Ugh" she grunted with her signature eye roll. She just wanted to be alone.

"C'mon I'm not that bad" He tested her again and she made a second attempt to resist his company. "Daniel, why aren't you hanging out with Betty if you want a little friend to boost your ego." This woman was impossible to please. Daniel felt his frustration mount and tried to put her in her place by retorting "Jesus Wilhelmina, what's with you?"

"I have a lot on my mind, and as you can see I'm really not interested in being bothered, especially by you!" Her coldness was at frigid levels and Daniel ironically felt a surge of heat rise in his ears. He was irate at her rudeness and snapped, "No clearly, standing up here, stirring in your own venom, like a lonely girl is a much better idea than trying to have some fun. Even I know you deserve it after everything you've been through as of late." Upon hearing his last statement she thought 'you have no idea what I'm really dealing with buddy'. Letting the thought sink in she finally turned her head and looked at him, acknowledging his presence. Her stare softened. "Thank you. That is kind of you to say after your experience with Molly." He turned his back and leaned against the railing and looked down at the marble floor in front of him. "Yeah well, you know, one day at a time. I guess you and I again somehow find ourselves on the same page." Daniel looked at her and she nodded at him with a meek smile. Her lips wound in a tight line almost protesting her face from betraying her and breaking down into tears. "Wanna to grab a drink?" Daniel inquired. With her signature raised eyebrow fully cocked and loaded and hand on her hip she turned to face him and shot back "I don't grab anything…I am served and catered to. You would think after four years…"

Daniel playfully raised a his hands in protest and bowed mockingly at Wilhelmina and dramatically protested "Excuse me your highness! What would you like to drink?"

"Vodka rocks" She couldn't help the small smirk that threatened her face by his animated response. He raised an eyebrow and dared to ask her "No Champagne…? I'm oddly shocked by your choice"

"Well, tonight I need something a little stronger"

"Ladies choice. I will be right back, stay put!"

"Excuse me!" There was that look again but Daniel knew he was safe for the time being because he was bringing liquor. He laughed at her and continued, "You heard me! That's an order Ms. Slater and as your employer for one more week, give or take, you have a moral obligation…"

"Go get my drink you fool!"

"Ok, Ok. I'll be right back" Daniel retreated hands in the air, defeated by her tone. She couldn't help but smile. She knew what he was doing, trying to change her mood by playfully annoying her. Even after everything he had been through in the past few months, losing his wife, almost losing his company, losing control of Meade to Hartley, he still was clowning around with her, trying to make the effort for no reason other than the fact that he was just a compassionate person. Now closer to the end of her journey at Mode, somewhere in the chaos and dramatics, she realized that she could count on Daniel to some degree. They were more similar than different and somehow they managed to make a great team through all the challenges. When the chips were down, they leveraged each other for the best possible outcome. They were colleagues, they were respectful adversaries, and they were a team like it or not. She looked back over her shoulder at him at the bar, catching his baby blues, nodding in his direction with a faint smile.

His eyes blazed across the room, even still paralyzing blue from a distance. He returned her gaze with a coolness, and easiness. She couldn't help but think how handsome he looked in his tux. Wilhelmina was thankful at that moment he came over to her and broke her from her heavy thoughts. If her evening continued in his company, she figured it might be for the best, but only for the night.

As the bartender prepared Daniel's dirty martini, he took the opportunity explore the view in front of him. Daniel traced the curves of her body in her revealing gown. Wilhelmina's choice that evening was definitely not demure and was definitely not for the faint of heart. Every woman clenched her date's arm a little tighter that evening when passing her direction, intimidated by the dress and by the woman herself. He often looked at Wilhelmina as the enemy and never let her beauty be a factor in their business relationship. He knew she would leverage it to her advantage and he had to be one step ahead of her. He saw her as a dangerous adversary and not as a woman. But tonight, he slipped up and his visceral instincts took over. Almost instinctively she turned, feeling his stare on her back. Their eyes caught once more across the room but this time an unspoken conversation occurred, something that never occurred before between the two of them, a moment of intimacy.

"Sir, do you want to start a tab?" the bartender broke the spell, and Daniel looked in his direction, leaving Wilhelmina confused by what just transpired. She figured he was checking her out, but that wasn't the reason she felt uncomfortable or confused. She was used to a man's looks of desire. Was it because it was Daniel? She was shaken out of her thoughts by Daniel's presence "Vodka rocks for the lady".

As she took the drink out of his hand, Wilhelmina suggestively swirled the liquid in the glass and slowly lifted her gaze to Daniel. The short silence was heavy between them until she lowered her voice and dryly tested him. "You like what you see Daniel?"

"Don't do this Wilhelmina." Daniel shook his head as he stared into his drink uncomfortably and wondered what her motive was. Albeit, he was a little intrigued where this conversation was headed. Daniel knew he had to keep his control because with Wilhelmina, anything was possible.

"Why, does it make you uncomfortable?"

"No, it just makes me wonder what's cooking in that head of yours."

"No game, I just saw you staring at me, and I was curious"

"Ya ok…You are the queen of games. Using sex as a tactic with me is not going to work. I see right through you. It's a chink in your armor"

"My sex is the coldest weapon of all Daniel."

"Somehow I don't believe you."

"Ohhh bold Daniel. Challenging me to an explanation"

"No, I just never would have thought that sex with Wilhelmina Slater could be described as 'cold', as you so plainly put it"

"Touche Mr. Meade"

"So what's with you? You're not yourself tonight. You look the part but somehow your mind isn't here. Normally you'd be circulating the room like a bee pollinating every flower in the room."

"We're all allowed a bad day. The important thing is that I am here representing Mode probably officially for the last time."

"I'm not going to lie to you, its going to be strange not having you around the office instilling fear from just a few clicks of your Manolos."

"Ha! No one will miss me, even I know that. Don't screw up Mode Daniel. I worked too hard for years to find its voice and vision."

"Well, I can promise you this… when in doubt I will think 'what would Wilhelmina do?'"

"Oh I see we are a comedian tonight! Do you have a gig lined up after the ball? Is this your warm up material? Don't quit your day job Danny"

"Well if I quit, who would run Mode?"

"Perish the thought!"

"I guess it's a good thing that I'm not that funny! So I never really asked you why you decided to quit. It never quite made sense to me why you did it so publically? Why didn't you come to me?"

"It's complicated"

"It always is with you."

"Look, I thought that I would stir up some opportunities being so bold and I think I have something lined up, but its not set in stone."

"Well I hope it all works out for you."

"Thank you"

"Aren't you going to miss me?"

"Daniel…don't be such a woman. Don't cry on me"

"I would do it just to make you uncomfortable"

"Of course you would you man child"

"Man child? You won't be calling me a man child when you see me in my swimsuit next week in the Bahamas"

"Good Lord"

"Oh, finally Wilhelmina Slater…speechless! This is the part where you say 'well done Daniel'"

"This is the part where I feel the urge to step on your toe with my stiletto and really make you cry like a girl!"

"You wouldn't!"

"Wouldn't I?" Wilhelmina shifted her weight and threatened her verbal challenge with her weapon of choice, her shoe. By drawing her weapon, she unintentionally flashed her leg from under her dress.

"Ok, Ok, I believe you" Daniel protested. He couldn't help but notice the dangerous part of the dress revealing her long caramel leg peeking through the slit of her dress. His eyes travelled up her leg and subconsciously Daniel licked his lips. This was the first time after Molly died that he was truly turned on. He broke the moment and asked her coolly, "Who made your dress?"

"Tom Ford. Why?"

"Just curious…custom?"

"Ya, why?"

"No reason."

Daniel brought his liquid courage to his lips as the silence between them began to mount. He bravely stated "Conner was a idiot choosing greed over a beautiful woman like you."

Wilhelmina was taken aback by his comment. It was the first time Daniel truly left her speechless. She wasn't sure if it was the copious amounts of alcohol she consumed over the evening but Daniel's confidence and braveness that evening led her to look at him in a different light. She stood for a moment staring at him with her mouth slightly agape trying to form something to say.

"Don't look at me like that, I can pay you a compliment like that now because in a week, you won't be able to use against me."

"One week is still a long time Meade."

"Touche, Ms. Slater. So are you ready for the Bahamas shoot?"

"For the most part. Just finalizing the last minute details like the team I want to take with me. I want this shoot to leave my legacy cemented."

"You will always be a apart of Mode Wilhelmina."

"Thank you. I think I am going to head out, it's getting late." She couldn't understand why he was gushy, its like he knew she needed to hear these things. It figured it might be better to take off now before she would have a moment of weakness in front of him.

"Ok, let me escort you out."

"Now there's a job you'd be perfect at…" She shot with sass even stifling a laugh at her own joke, joining Daniel's chuckle. As they ascended the grand staircase and made their way through the crowd to the main doors, Daniel kept a gentlemanly hand on her lower back, guiding her to the doors. Wilhelmina picked up her fur overcoat from the coat check and began for the final assent to the main doors to the valet. Daniel asked her "Do you have a car here?"

"Yes, should be in the queue outside." As she began to fuss with her coat, Daniel spoke "Let me help you with that." This polite banter was different for them, but they both found comfort in each other's presence that evening. "Thank you, I didn't know you were such a gentleman." He playfully opened the grand door in front of them and retorted "My mama raised me right…well more or less." Wilhelmina chuckled under her breath at the reference of Claire, her nemesis.

As they reached the car queued for Wilhelmina, Daniel reached out for the door again and stood behind it as he smiled at her and wiggled his eyebrows at her. Wilhelmina shot dryly as she stood on the other side of the car door, "I'm not tipping you." He giggled and they looked into each other's eyes. Daniel's voice deepened with his next statement, slowly and seriously he said, "I had a wonderful time with you tonight." Wilhelmina truthfully didn't want the evening to end with Daniel, but wasn't confident how to approach it. Her boldness got the better of her and retorted "Daniel, would you like to join me for a nightcap…at my place?" her eyelashes now blinked a mile a minute subconsciously, out of her nerves.

"Ugh yeah…sure"

"Ok then"

He hopped in after her.