I own nothing.

Crimes of the Passionate

Hours later, Betty's family had left after the particularly colorful conversation of the predicament I was now in.

Maybe predicament is an understatement, and a pretty big one at that. I was a fairly new eatery in the Big Apple, and slowly building my way up to a must-have status. A single review, let alone a bad one, from one the top food critics in New York would ruin everything.

Justin went home determined to put his brand-new laptop to good use and dig up past information regarding a certain Cal Hartley, while Ignacio brought homemade tortillas and churros, truly out of his element in dealing with the current crisis. Hilda had the most likable option, which involved putting on her big rings and throwing down the Hartleys in the alley behind the deli.

But everyone gave her a pointed gaze, giving her a subtle message to calm down. So I couldn't really show my enthusiasm for that.

And then there was Betty. Taking charge, assigning tasks to everyone, and throwing ideas out into the open that none of us would have even thought of to begin with.

I could see the magazine prowess in her, but not the fashion industry. This is what she wanted to be doing, sending people out and trying to resolve an issue she was passionate about.

Finally, when the churros and tortillas had disappeared, and Hilda's anger wore off, Betty's family promptly called a cab and went home. Betty stayed behind, and I was glad she did. I wanted to savor some more time, before everything would inevitably hit the fan.

One of the top food critics who is the father of my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, who was also her boss, was reviewing my sandwiches.

Sitting on my window seat overlooking the street below, I sighed again as I held my head in my hands. Sometimes, I honestly felt like I was living in a soap opera.

I felt a hand touch my arm, its warmth penetrating my frigid fears, its touch piercing my reverie. I looked up into the face I knew I'd see.

"Look, maybe it's not as bad as we think it's going to be. Maybe he'll actually give you an honest review." Betty said.

I gave her a pointed gaze, "Him being the same man who persuaded your ex-boyfriend to become your boss in the first place?"

Betty smiled guiltily, "We can beat this, you know. It's going to be difficult, but not impossible."

"Yeah, right." I scoffed.

She sighed, "Gio, you always said positivity is the key to success, right?"

"No."

She shook her head. "Well then I'm saying it is,"

I bit my lip, "Betty, look, I appreciate what you and your family are trying to do, but it's not going to work."

Betty just looked at me, forcing me to continue my line of reasoning.

"Look, when a guy wants to make something happen, he'll use any means necessary. And right now, he has some pretty dependable means."

"That's not necessarily true."

I laughed, "Betty, Matt was hurt by the breakup, so instead of disappearing, he used his means to get closer to you."

Betty stared at me in response, "What do you mean?"

I smiled in spite of myself, pulling her into my arms, and touching my forehead to hers.

"I would know better than anyone how hard it is to be away from you, Suarez. How difficult once they've met you, known you...loved you."

She smiled a small smile, then it vanished, "Matt doesn't love me, not anymore."

"I highly doubt that. You don't antagonize someone unless you hate them."

"Exactly, hate. Love is the complete opposite."

I shook my head slowly, "See, that's just it. It's not, indifference is the complete opposite. If he honestly didn't care for you, would he be going through all of this?"

"Not at all. He just wants to make my life miserable, and now, yours too."

I sighed, "Love and hate are the same thing, they're both passionate emotions. You're only passionate about someone you care about. Like it or not."

Betty leaned back, looking at me incredulously. "I had no idea you were so profound."

I laughed, kissing her forehead, "Psych major. Plus, I've had experience, which has made me a remarkably profound individual."

Betty cocked her head, "Hm, might I go as far as to say, passionate?"

"You might say that," I said slyly, dropping my mouth below her ear to rest on her neck.

"Gio," she said softly, as my lips continued to plant soft kisses on her caramel skin.

"Hm?" I mumbled, pretending not to notice.

"Gio," Betty laughed, playfully swatting my head, "stop!"

I cocked an eyebrow, "And if I don't?" I said into her neck.

Betty shook her head as my phone began to ring.

God, my phone. Perhaps the most grating piece of electronic communication ever in existence.

The ring was shrill, so shrill in fact that I'd gotten several complaints from neighbors when my sister and her idiotic friends would call in the middle of the night during one of her inane slumber parties.

Betty covered her ears in response as she squirmed out of grasp.

I stood up as well, running a hand through my hair in frustration as I picked up the receiver.

"Yeah?" I said.

"You and Betty might want to hightail it down here, as soon as possible."

Justin.

"Why? Did you find dirt that quickly?"

"Oh, it's way better than any old skeleton in a closet. Trust me."

I felt a tiny flicker of hope come to life, now that I had a prospect.

I looked at Betty, who was smiling, as if she already knew.

I smiled into the receiver, "We'll be there in five."

"Minutes or hours?" I heard Hilda say in the background.

I laughed, hanging up the receiver and grabbing my jacket.

"Are you read-"

Betty held up her hand, "I'm already way ahead of you, let's go." Turning, she flung open the door with zeal.

I grabbed her hand, and locked the door behind me, before heading down to the street below.

...

A/N: Hello readers! Well, I have a day off from school, and I just started watching Ugly Betty again, so I thought I'd update. It's going great in my opinion, I just hope you all don't forget about my little fanfic down here, haha. Anyway, I promise I'll get to the drama eventually, I just adore writing the cute parts, so it's hard to pry myself away, haha. Anyway, please review! :)