Disclaimer: UB is not mine
A/N: I only posted this chapter to test the water, if nobody's interested, I won't continue. So reviews are must appreciated.
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When the elevator opened, Daniel hesitated a few seconds before moving forward. It has been six months he last comes here. Turning the corner toward the tube, he could not help but have a feeling of belonging and happiness; after all, he has considered this place home during the last four years. He would lie if he said that he has not miss MODE every single day while he was away.
While walking, he noticed that almost nothing have changed the decoration, the smell and the atmosphere. He even came across some familiar faces who stared at him with surprise and some strangers who seemed indifferent by his presence. When he stopped, he was surprised to see that his feet have unconsciously brought him in front of his ex-arch enemy office's door.
He has planned to visit his mother first as she has not been informed of his come back, but since he would certainly cross path with the Editor-in-chief sooner or later, why not let get it over with?
He knocked on the door and entered. He saw her standing at her desk, arms crossed, eyes fixed on what appears to be photo shoots on her desk.
"I'm busy now. Can I ignore you some other time?" She said, thinking that it was Mark as he was the only one who dares enter in her sanctuary without permission.
"Still as welcoming as before." He said with amusement. On hearing his voice, Wilhelmina raised her head and stared at him with surprise, curiosity and...Happiness? But it happened so fast that Daniel concluded that he must have imagined it.
"Well, well, well." She said in a low cold voice. "Isn't this the prodigal son?"
"Hi wicked witch of the east, how are you?" Daniel walked further inside and sat on a chair in front of her.
"I've not given you the permission to sit."
"Willie why so must hostility? I'm not here as an enemy I thought we were past that."
"First, don't call me Willie and secondly, what are you doing here? I thought you were exploring the third world with Dora."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "I was in the UK not the third world."
"That doesn't tell me what you're doing here?"
"Don't pretend to be unhappy, I'm sure you've missed me."
"Yes as much as I missed hepatitis C."
"Wilhelmina ..."
"When will you go back?"
Daniel sighed. "I'm here to stay."
"Really?" Daniel only shrugged as answer, Wilhelmina wanted to know more but eventually shut up, because she did not want him to think she was interested in his pathetic life.
Daniel stood up. "Well, it's time to see my mother."
"Why you came to me first, I feel so special."
"I'm glad to see you again Wilhelmina, I would even say that I missed you." He said sincerely.
Wilhelmina raised an eyebrow at him. "I could say the same thing but I don't want to lie."
Daniel chuckled at her response, "See you later." Daniel said before leaving.
A few seconds after Daniel's departure, Mark rushed into Wilhelmina's office.
"Willie you won't believe what I'm hearing around, rumor has it that..."
"The rumors are true." Wilhelmina cut off.
Mark slide into a chair and grabbed his chest dramatically. "The pasty is back."
"Looks like it."
"Why?"
"You really think I would stud so long and ask him about his life?"
"Do you thing that Betty is back too?"
"I don't know Mark!" Wilhelmina shouted. "Just leave me alone, I've to work."
"But..."
"Mark..." Wilhelmina warned.
"Okay, I'm going." Mark said before storming away.
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"Mom, stop holding me so tightly I need to breathe."
Claire dropped her arms and took a step back. "Let me look at you." Claire said. "You haven't changed; you're still as handsome as always."
"You're beautiful too, you really missed me."
"I miss you too. Why don't you inform me you were coming to New York, we spoke on the phone yesterday."
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Well you succeeded, is Betty here too?" She asked.
Daniel sighed. "No."
"It's a shame, I would have been so happy to see her."
"Mom, Betty and I have broken up"
Claire stared at him with disbelief. "What? But why ? You were such a cute couple."
"We tried for a few months and everything was perfect, too perfect for my taste."
"How can a relationship be too perfect?"
"We never argued and always agreed on everything, as time past it became monotonous and the spark disappeared. At the end even our conversation became more and more shorter. So we broke up and decided that we were better as friends.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I love Betty, but more like a best friend than anything else."
"If you're happy then I have nothing to say...but Betty is such a nice girl and..."
"Mom, I can't stay with her because she's nice, it takes more than that for a relationship to work."
"You're right, are you going back to the UK?"
"No, Betty was the only reason for my departure from New-York, so I've no really reason to go back there."
"So you're..."
"I don't know what I want to do; I'll take a few days to think on my future."
"Take your time, and you know whatever you decide, MODE's doors will always be opened for you."
"Thanks Mom."
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In the evening, Wilhelmina was waiting in front of the elevator after a successful day. When the doors opened, she gets in and pressed the appropriate button, but a voice was heard when the doors were about to close.
"Hold the door!"
As Wilhelmina was not in the mood to be nice, she did nothing. Fortunately for the person he made it in time to block the door with his hand, before they closed completely. Upon entering the elevator Daniel found himself face to face with Wilhelmina.
"Thank you for holding the door." He said with sarcasm.
"I don't receive orders from anyone and what are you still doing here?"
Daniel sighed. "Why must you be so aggressive? As I've said I'm not your enemy!"
"Your presence always brought out the worst in me."
"Really? I've not noticed." Daniel said. They stood next to each other before Daniel broke up the silence after a few seconds. "Betty and I broke up."
Wilhelmina tried her best ot hide her surprise. "Why are you telling me this? You're aware that your boring and non-existent life doesn't interest me."
"I'm sure everyone will be known by tomorrow, so it's better that you hear it from me than Mark. I'm sure that you were dying to know my return's reasons but you're too arrogant to ask me."
"So you're coming back to MODE."
"I've never really left; you know that I am still co-editor in chief."
"Except that I've done the last five issues alone while you were having fun in lover-land, should I add that I did a very good work"
"I know, I saw the reports, very impressive but I'm sure we can do better together."
"You and I? I don't think so. "
"Come on, you know we used to make a good team when you weren't busy planning my destruction in order to have power over everything ..."
"And you weren't busy with your disastrous love life. You're right." The elevator's doors opened and they found themselves into the lobby, they stepped out and headed towards the exit.
"I know I'm right, furthermore, I know that you missed my charisma, my charm, my good look, I was the one who inspired you." He said with arrogance.
"Do you pretend to be stupid or it comes naturally?"
"Say what you want but I know the truth." Daniel smiled. "How are you going home?"
"A town car is waiting for me."
"In that case, I'm leaving you. See you tomorrow, Willie."
"It's Wilhelmina! Stupid git!" She called after him.