Chapter two
"I don't love you and I never did." those words kept going round in his head. He couldn't believe how easily he had said them and how easily she had believed them. As soon as he got back to New York, he waited for her to call him, to follow him. To demand an explanation, but she never did. He hated himself but he knew he had no choice.
Daniel was sitting in his apartment, trying to shut out the world. Shut out everything. But he wasn't allowed to do that. It wasn't part of the deal. He had been on dates with the usual skinny, air headed bimbo's he use to once chase and made sure he was captured on camera.
He knew Betty's family would have seen the photos in the papers and on the tv. He was the media's favourite once again. He had expected Hilda to come round or Bobby to come and bash his brains in. The least he deserved but they never did. He knew it was Betty's doing. Even after breaking her heart, she was still a caring, sweet person. The woman he would love for the rest of his life.
Just then his phone went off.
" hello Daniel. I see things are going the way they should be. Loved the photo of you and the two blondes, very nice."
" what do you want." Daniel spat out.
" Just letting you know that Betty is on her way back home. Make sure you keep your distance now."
Daniel's heart leapt. Betty was coming home. There was no way she would ignore him. She would want to know why he left. She would yell, probably hit him and do some cursing but he would take it all gladly. He would grovel for rest of his life. After all, if she came to him he wasn't breaking the rules.
" Daniel did you hear me. You stay away or you know what I will do." Interrupting Daniel's thoughts.
Daniel snapped back to reality. "yes I understand I won't go near her." Daniel knew he had no choice. It was for the best anyway, he thought, lying to himself. How did he get into this mess, how can one stupid rich guy ruin his entire life.
" well ok. Gotta go her plane has arrived. Bye for now." Matt put his phone away and went to go greet Betty. He knew Daniel would do as he was told, he behaved so well when Matt first approached him. Doing everything Matt said. Of course, Daniel didn't really have a choice.
Matt had returned home from his work in Africa ready to make a fresh start with Betty. He found the work hard and had started having trouble remembering why he left the love of his life. He needed Betty back. He knew it may take time but they did love each other, she would take him back. However, after finding out Betty had moved to London as well as Daniel he began to worry. After arriving in London and finding them two together he wasn't going to let it go. He would have fought for Betty, asked her to choose him but deep down, he knew she would have chosen Daniel. So, he devised a plan, which he thought was masterful and well quite evil. Get rid of Daniel.
He knew Meade publications was an important part of his family's life. After all, Bradford had built it from scratch. Matt knew if he threatened the company it may work. He had means and had bought Wilemenia's half for a very good price. A lot more then it was worth. Once he had that he could easily take all their money, just like Connor did once. He knew Daniel would never allow that to happen to his dear family, but to be sure, Matt had arranged an encounter with a professional. This 'professional' managed to drug his drink when he was out with the lads from his workplace and got him into a compromising situation. Plus, it was on camera so he had the perfect blackmail planned. Matt didn't want Betty hurt but he knew even though this evidence was not entirely true, he knew Daniel had it in him to eventually do that to Betty. He thought he was being a good friend, making sure Betty would never get hurt like that.
"But me telling her I don't love her, that it was a mistake! That's not going to hurt Betty?" Daniel had screamed at Matt when he saw what Matt had done.
"It's for the best. A clean break. Daniel, you are bound to hurt her one day. Like you could be loyal to one person for the rest of your life. Betty is better off with me. I love her and I know she still loves me." Matt had replied. Daniel knew he had no choice. Either way Betty was going to get hurt. Either with this lie of Daniel being with someone else or him telling her its over. Plus, there was his family to consider; his mum, Claire, DJ, they all relied on the Meade Empire. He knew it was for the best, for Betty's sake.
"What do you want me to do?" Daniel had asked feeling defeated. Matt had told him to leave Betty right away, go back to New York and run Mode, plus to make sure Betty was aware he had moved on.
"You know, go out with people and make sure you're caught on camera. Trust me, Betty will be devastated for a while but she'll move on as I'll be there to comfort her." Matt had it all planned and was relieved Daniel didn't put too much of a fight.
"Hey beautiful. How was the flight? Is the baby ok?" Matt excitedly approached Betty and helped her with the bags. This was one thing Matt had never expected. When he had 'bumped' into Betty after Daniel did his farewell, she told him she was pregnant with Daniel's child. At first, Matt was not sure what he wanted but he loved Betty and this child was Betty's. He loved the thought of being a dad, seeing as they did come close to having their own not so long ago, he wanted to be in this child's life. He would be a good dad.
"Hey Matt. Where's Hilda and Bobby, I thought they were coming to get me?" Betty looked worn out, of course a long flight being 6 months pregnant was tough. She liked that she had Matt has a friend but knew he wanted more from her. He never pushed though.
"Oh, I said I'd come get you. Sorry I wasn't on the flight with you, I wanted to get here first to make sureā¦to make sure everything was ok." Matt said hesitantly looking for the right words.
Betty had clicked, he wanted to make sure she did not have to come into contact with Daniel, like that would have happened anyway Betty thought. He doesn't even know I'm back.
"Well it is great to be back, but I need a bed and some sleep." Betty said as she gave a hug to Matt and began walking towards the doors. She really liked that Matt was helping her through this and hoped one day she could have feelings for him again. But he was in no hurry, which Betty was thankful for.
