Daniel looked around the confrence room at all the faces of the heads of the magazine departments. He tried to look calm, but really he was far from it. This was the first really major edition of Mode that Daniel had to put together since the arrest of his father and the reappearance of his brother, well his sister that is. Because of all the negative press there was alot of talk amoung the magazine's advertisers and share holders. Daniel certainly felt the pressure to succeed to show that Mode was still amoung the best.
Daniel took a deep breath and glanced at Betty who stood beside him, always rooting for him, no matter what. It was times like this that Daniel was thankful for Betty. Betty, sensing Daniel's discomfort, gave him one of her heart warming smiles, and Daniel allowed himself to return her smile slightly.
Whilhemina, sitting directly across from Daniel, smiled to herself. She knew about the pressure Daniel was under, and she decided that she would simply sit back and enjoy the show while Daniel cracked. She let her eyes wander over to Alexis. Whilhemina was still furious with her for deciding to keep Daniel as Editor and Chief. It was nothing more than another obstacle that Whilhemina had to step over, and she would. She just needed to find some way to come between Daniel and Alexis, and she thought she knew how.
"As you all know," Daniel began, "this upcoming issue is really important. Every year Mode does a special Spring edition focusing on fresh and new looks and faces. With all the stuff going on around here, its really important that we all work together to make this edition come out with a bang. We were able to recruit Georgio Marque to do the spread. He's going to pick one person in Manhattan and give them a makeover. As you all know, Georgio has done wonders with a variety of different celebrities. However this is the first time he will be picking a regular person and Mode will be covering it."
After the meeting Daniel walked quietly to his office and sat down. He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Betty poured Daniel a cup of coffee and went in to see him.
"The meeting went well," Betty said in her usual cheerful tone. Daniel took a sip of his coffee, glancing at her over the rim of the cup. He set it down, put his elbows on the desk.
"I don't know what I'm doing Betty," Daniel replied. He put his head in his hands. He let out a frustrated grunt and glanced up at Betty.
"This isn't the first major issue that you've put out Daniel. You're really good at what you do.
This issue will be terrific," Betty assured him.
Daniel rested his chin on his now laced fingers. "Its not just the magazine. My family is falling apart. My father is in prison for a murder that he didn't commit. My mother is back at the rehab clinic because she is drinking herself into a stuper over her guilt. Oh and lets not forget that after mourning the loss of my brother's death for years, I find out that he really didn't die, he just became my sister!"
Betty pushed her red glasses back up her nose. She pursed her lips together in her usual stubborn fashion. "You've already hired the best lawyer in Manhattan to get your father off. You're mother will be fine, and I thought you were getting along with Alexis."
"I am. Its just alot to adjust to. Who would think I'd be the stable one in my family?" Daniel exclaimed.
"Daniel, you're more stable than you give yourself credit for. You've grown alot in the short amount of time that I've known you." Betty assured.
A slight smile curved Daniel's lips. "Do you really think so?" he asked.
Betty smiled and replied, "Yes, now don't you need to get the photos prepared for this Georgio to make his selection?"
Daniel glanced at the stack of photos that had been sent in by people in Manhattan hoping to be picked for the make over. "Yes, I guess I should get started on them."
Betty nodded and turned around to leave.
"Oh, one more thing," Daniel said, causing Betty to stop and turn around, "thank you."
It was Betty's turn to simply smile and nod.