I do not own any of the TWD characters.
The Four Seasons
Part 2
The lights were dimmed and people started making their way to their assigned tables. Beth remembered from Kelly's notes that dimmed lights would be the signal for them to sit because the presentation would be beginning soon. Beth saw Maggie slip in the door at the very last minute. Figures thought Beth. She's so fucking inconsiderate.
Negan and Lucille were sitting at the head table along with some more upper level people and employees from the legal and accounting departments. Daryl made sure Beth was seated comfortably before he took his chair. Sitting at their table were Kelly and Ginger, Daryl's tag and his wife, Daryl's department head and his wife, and of course Daryl and Beth. Beth had not met the department head and his wife or the tag and his wife yet, so Daryl went around the table and introduced everyone. Beth was completely blown away by his professionalism and he seemed so at ease, so in his element. On the other hand, Beth couldn't help but notice that the tag's wife looked as if she were about to freak the fuck out for lack of a better term, and that was saying something because Beth thought that title should belong to her.
"So" she looked to the tag's wife "Marjorie, have you had a chance to see much of the city?"
"No" the lady answered. "We just arrived this afternoon – I'm hopeful our luggage was delivered to the hotel. We were running a bit late."
"Oh my" Beth said sympathetically. "I'll give you my contact information before we part ways tonight and if you need anything at all while you're in Chicago don't you hesitate to call me."
"Well bless your heart" and now Beth knew how Daryl got assigned to this tag. They were from the south. "That is just so sweet of you" Marjorie replied. "I've got my fingers crossed that everything will work out."
"Well, my offer still stands" Beth smiled that 1000 watt smile. "If you need to go shopping for things I can take you to some places, or if you need any sightseeing tips you just call me." Daryl looked proud as a peacock of his girl. He caught Kelly's eye who happened to be looking just as proud.
Everyone's attention suddenly turned to the front of the room where Negan had made an appearance. Good Lord Beth thought to herself. If he is not the most puffed up thing I've ever seen.
"Good evening everyone" Negan began. "Welcome to the Four Seasons. We hope you've enjoyed yourselves so far. There's still plenty of time left this evening for socializing and networking or whatever you young whippersnappers are calling it nowadays."
There was polite laughter in response.
"I know that some of you are visiting our fair city in hopes of finding THE architectural firm to handle your company's current and future needs. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that your search ends right here," Negan tapped the podium for emphasis. "right now."
Daryl looked at Beth. She squeezed his hand and gave him a little wink. He squeezed back.
"Don't take my word for it though. I have a guy here tonight by the name of Daryl Dixon – he's one of our premier up and coming project managers. This guy is one of our best and he's going to inform you just why your organization needs our organization." Daryl began making his way to the podium.
"Mr. Daryl Dixon" he announced and motioned to Daryl. The two men shook hands and Negan left Daryl up there to do his thing.
Beth couldn't have repeated one word Daryl said if you held a gun to her head. She was just captivated at how calm, cool, and collected he appeared to be. The slides that accompanied his oral presentation were spot on and each tag and spouse in the room had hard copies of the presentation in a folder at their table. There was polite applause and Beth tried her best to discretely blow Daryl a kiss.
"We're going to give everyone that wants to participate in the art tour a chance to go ahead and dismiss yourselves for that activity. I believe that there are pamphlets at the door so that you can read all about the pieces on display here at the hotel. When everything settles back down, I'll open the floor up for any questions you may have" Daryl announced from the front table. "If our art lovers would like to return here in an hour, we should be close to finishing with all the shop talk."
Beth took the opportunity to invite Marjorie and the spouse of Daryl's department head to go tour the art pieces on display in the hotel. She knew that Kelly and Ginger were required to stay for the shop talk per Kelly's notes.
"That just sounds lovely" Marjorie said gladly.
"I would love to" said the department head's spouse. Damn Beth thought. I forgot her name. I'm just going to have to ask her what it is. Beth was a little upset with herself because she'd let that ladies name slip her memory.
Beth and the two ladies she was responsible for walked to the front of the room. Beth handed each lady a pamphlet and she quickly looked it over. "Okay, I think we'll should start at the end of the tour because everyone else will start at the beginning. That way we won't get all bottlenecked" Beth told them in her perkiest voice.
Beth didn't realize that Negan and Lucille had joined their group. "I think that's brilliant" Negan said with a wolfish grin on his face. "Oh, is it okay if Lucille joins your group Beth?"
Beth thought she just might vomit, but instead she smiled and said, "Well, of course. I would love that." Lucille winked at Beth giving her a little eye roll as if to say he is such a tool. "We're going to start on the 15th floor, so let's make our way to the elevator."
"Ladies, you all go ahead and get yourselves on up to the 15th floor" Negan told them. "I'll send your lovely tour guide up in just a second."
"John, don't do this" Lucille whispered to Negan. "Please don't. Daryl will be furious with you."
"She'll be right up" Negan smiled back at his wife and then to the other ladies standing there. "I'll bring her myself" he told his wife and placed a kiss on her cheek.
Beth watched helplessly as the three other women boarded the elevator without her. Then she looked at Negan and just wondered what the hell he was up to.
Negan waited for the elevator door to close completely before speaking. "You, my dear, seem to be making quite the impression" he began. "A very good impression."
Beth really didn't know how to respond to his statement so she just continued to look at him and wait for the other shoe to drop. "So, are you pretty serious about Daryl? Cause it looks like you could be."
"Pfffft" Beth blew off Negan's question. "Does that concern you? Or perhaps I should ask, are you concerned about my motives?"
"Aw, you are a smart girl – you really are" Negan grinned like a rabid hyena. Then switching gears, "Yeh, your motives concern me a bit. I know that Daryl has spent a hell of a lot of money on you since you've been in town. How long ya been in town Doll Face? Four nights?"
Beth was beyond offended and losing her cool was quickly around the bend. "Not that it's any of your business, but I've offered to pay for all of my expenses while here and Daryl wouldn't hear of it. I can assure you, although I'm not sure why I feel the need to do so, that my intentions are not based on anything besides my desire to spend time with someone that I think is pretty amazing."
"Amazing, huh?" Negan chuckled. "I bet. Ya know I taught that boy everything he knows."
"Ewwwww" Beth rolled her eyes to show her disgust.
Negan snorted and moved to block her passage to the elevator.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a group of ladies on the 15th floor and I do not want to be rude by making them wait any longer" Beth stated. She pushed past Negan, peeking in to the meeting room to see Daryl fielding questions.
"I'll escort you up there" Negan approached Beth from behind.
"No need" Beth told him curtly.
The elevator door opened and the two of them stepped in. Negan allowed the elevator to ascend two floors before pulling the alarm. The car jerked to a stop causing Beth to nearly tumble to the floor. She was already flustered by Negan's third degree and now he'd basically trapped them in this small enclosed cage.
"What the hell is your problem?" Beth asked him, the fury evident in her voice and eyes.
Negan backed her up into a corner of the elevator. Beth let out an astonished squeak at the physical contact. "You like a man who can take charge? Daryl boss you around quite a bit does he?" he asked her speaking really low into her ear. "You like that shit? You should take a tumble with me – Daryl Dixon ain't got nothing on John Negan" he grinned and nipped at her ear.
"I'm gonna give ya 'bout three seconds to back the fuck up off me" Beth warned. "I don't give a damn who ya are or what ya think you can do for me. I love Daryl and I would never betray the trust he has in me. So again, and this is the last time I will ask politely, back the fuck up."
Negan smiled broadly. He'd learned just exactly what he hoped to. This girl was the real deal. "Oh sweetheart" he began but Beth didn't give him a chance to finish. She kneed him so hard in the groin area that he collapsed to the floor. Beth punched the 15 and quickly tried to compose herself.
The door opened on the 15th floor and there was Beth's group waiting for her. Negan had gotten himself up to a semi standing position, but he was still trying to catch his breath. When he caught Lucille glaring at him he gave her that stupid ass grin he was so well known for. "It's all good" he managed to tell his wife while still holding his sensitive area.
Beth apologized to her group and was still trying to gather her thoughts. Lucille wrapped her arm around Beth and whispered in her ear "I am so sorry" she said. "He is such an ass."
"Yes Mam he is", Beth agreed.
"Oh wow, this piece is actually a photograph" Beth said stating the obvious. She couldn't really think clearly enough to offer any artistic critique at the moment. The ladies smiled and then they began conversation about the piece. It was pleasant and they all got along well together. Sue, that was the department head's wife's name, and Marjorie had kind of paired off and Lucille was sticking to Beth like glue, linking arms with her at one point. All four made the rounds using the pamphlet as a guide.
Lucille looked at her watch. "Ladies, I think we should make our way back" she stated. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'm a little hungry. Let's see if they have those heavy appetizers ready that we've been promised."
The ladies got a chuckle out of that. Beth confided to Lucille, "I'm not nearly as hungry as I am thirsty – if you know what I mean."
"I believe I do Darling" she agreed.
XOXOXOXO
While Negan was in the elevator by himself he was trying to get his junk back where it all belonged, it actually began to register with him that he'd probably overstepped with Beth a little bit. He and Daryl had this running gag of sorts that Negan would try and put the moves on any woman that Daryl brought around, not that it was that many. But the guys, being the jerks they were, used it as a screening device. So far, every one of the woman had taken Negan up on his offer. Beth had been the only one to call Negan out on his bullshit and actually bring bodily harm to him.
Daryl had already warned Negan not to pull that shit with Beth – Beth did not need to be screened. But Negan didn't listen and now he was going to have to deal with the fallout. Oh well, wouldn't be the first time he decided. He'd just have to make the best of it.
The question and answer session had gone extremely well and now each project manager was leading discussion at their own respective tables. That's where Negan found Daryl. He walked over to Daryl's table and gave him the thumbs up sign. "She passed" Negan ignorantly announced to Daryl.
The look on Daryl's face was a mixture of embarrassment, disappointment, but most of all – anger. He was embarrassed for Beth. He was disappointed in his mentor and father figure. He was .hell. Negan really began to feel like shit then. Oh God his inner monologue took over. Why didn't I listen to Lucille, just this once? I think the boy is going to kill me.
Daryl reached a stopping point. "I think the buffet is ready. Let's take a break, get us something to eat, and we can continue with any conversation you think is necessary later. How's that sound?" Daryl asked everyone at the table.
"Sounds like a solid plan to me" the tag goofily said. Everyone stood to make their way to the huge table of food at the left of the room.
Daryl's eyes snapped to Negan. "Can I talk to ya a minute? Outside?" Daryl jerked his chin towards the balcony.
"Sure" Negan answered. He really didn't want to go out there with Daryl. He knew that Daryl was mad enough to probably throw him off that balcony right now. Both men walked out to the balcony attached to the meeting room. Negan closed the door behind them. If everyone knew what was good for them, they wouldn't dare step foot out there.
"Look Daryl" Negan figured he'd go ahead and get this shit show started. "I know you're probably pissed right now, but let's look at the positives here. Your girl passed the test."
"What part of don't pull that shit on Beth did you not understand?" Daryl spat.
"Uh, well" Negan stuttered. "I didn't really think anything we discussed that day was set in stone."
"Are ya fuckin kiddin me right now?" Daryl asked his boss and mentor.
"Daryl, you're not enunciating your endings" Negan tried to lighten the mood by teasing Daryl, unsuccessfully.
"Negan, I am so fuckin mad at you right now" Daryl continued "I'm so fuckin mad right now, I should just God damn walk out of here. I am. I'm walkin outta here. Consider this my two weeks' notice." Daryl attempted to walk past Negan to go back into the room.
"Woah" Negan said putting both hands up. "Daryl, calm the fuck down man. I'm sorry – I knew I shouldn't have done it. I knew it as soon as she dropped my ass to the floor with a kick to the family jewels. For future reference, that young lady is not to be toyed with."
A small smirk crossed Daryl's lips.
"I believe she's the one Daryl" Negan elbowed him and laughed.
"I know that you dumbass" Daryl blew out in exasperation. "That's why I told you to leave her the hell alone. I fuckin love her man!"
"Ohhhhh, she said the same thing about you" Negan joked. "I feel like I'm back in middle school. Want me to pass her a note?"
"Get outta my way, ya damn moron" Daryl said and pushed passed Negan and made his way back into the meeting room.
"Come on man" Negan called out after him. "I'll let you have all my shrimp."
XOXOXOXO
Beth was at the table with everyone else. They'd filled their plates and the conversation was progressing at a nice pace. Beth was talking and laughing and smiling. God, she still looked radiant even after fighting off a handsy Negan. She eyed the two men returning from the balcony with suspicion. Negan nodded at Beth but continued the walk back to his wife. Daryl rubbed Beth's now bare shoulders and bent down to whisper in her ear.
"I love you Beth" he said. "I love everything about you and I'm so sorry for what happened to you tonight."
Beth turned her head to look back at Daryl with glistening eyes. "Oh Daryl" Beth gasped. "I love you too."
Daryl placed a sweet kiss to Beth's lips. "Honey, I am so, so sorry. And I'm sure, for whatever it's worth, that Negan is in so much fuckin trouble right now it's not even funny."
"I'm fine" she said. "I'm more than fine actually – I've had a good time. Lucille's great, God bless her."
"Yes, God bless Lucille" Daryl agreed. Daryl looked to his place to find that there was already a plate. "Did you fix me a plate?"
Beth smiled. "Yes I did sweetheart – and I got you lots of those beef medallion things."
"You didn't have to do that" Daryl told her "but I sure appreciate it because I am starving to death."
"Well, I don't mind to do things like that for you" Beth told him. "I think that's part of my job description."
"We need to iron out just what your job description is" Daryl teased Beth.
"Is this a job interview?" she asked with a devious smile.
"Naw, that's later" Daryl popped a bite of some kind of meat into his mouth. "When we get home."