Kiss Me Slowly/CH 7
"Hurry up, people! Willy's coming! Look busy!"
As the distinctive clacking of Wilhelmina Slater's stilettos echoed through the hallways of Mode, Amanda pretended to answer the phone at the 'donut' front desk, "Mode magazine. How may I direct your call?"
Wilhelmina raised an eyebrow at her former assistant, "MARC! Are you just standing there, pretending to do something like everyone else here or are you going to get my coffee? Oh, right...I forgot ...you
defected to the stupid side! Never mind!"
The diva turned on her heel to face Amanda, "YOU, the one pretending to answer the phone, go get my coffee and bring it into my office. NOW!" She rushed past Amanda and headed to her office.
"But I'm...answering...the…" she glanced towards her friend helplessly, pouting rather pitifully, "Daniel isn't even here yet! Why do I have to serve the evil one? Didn't she see I already HAVE a job?"
Marc pointed towards the phones that were still ringing, "Honey, you forgot to silence the ringtone again. People like Wilhelmina actually notice things like that. You can get away with only pretending to work while you file your nails all day with Daniel, but not with HER!
She likes her coffee french roast, black. Obviously, no bagels except every other Friday when the new issues come out IF they get good press! Go, Mandy, run! I'll cover the calls for you from Daniel's office. Don't worry; I'm sure Daniel and Willy will find another assistant for her now that she's back."
"You really are planning on staying with Daniel now that she's back?"
He motioned to his diva's office, "We'll talk about that later. Right now, she is waiting for her coffee. One thing Wilehlmina Slater does NOT do well and that is wait-for ANYTHING! Hurry!"
Amanda rushed to the elevators, running into Betty and Daniel as they stepped off together.
She looked up in shock, seeing the two, arm in arm, grinning like a couple of love-sick teenagers, and they had obviously been making out in the elevator before the doors opened.
Amanda's eyes widened and her mouth hung open in complete shock at both her frenemy's seriously improved appearance and the fact that she was now firmly in the arms of Daniel Meade.
"What the hell happened to you two? I knew you have been acting like you were lovahs as Marc calls you even more than" She clapped her hand over her mouth as her eyes widened in utter shock as she stared at the two, dumbfounded…
"OHMYGODYOUFINALLYDIDIT! What the...wait, Betty, what happened to YOU? You finally started listening to my advice and decided to dress like a real girl instead of an old fat woman I see! You got new glasses? I knew I was doing you a huge favor when I stepped on those ugly ones! You're welcome! Something else is different, though, right?"
"AMANDA! Why the hell aren't you getting my...Oh, I see you finally decided to grace us with your presence?" the diva glanced at her watch, raising an eyebrow.
Betty glanced at him and he smiled at her, leaning down for a quick kiss for 'luck', a move which caused Marc, who was just stepping back out of Daniel's office, holding his mail to drop it on the floor, his shock obvious, as well, "Chimichanga? OH! OH! OH...well, I'm coming into some money, at least!"
Betty glared at Marc, shaking her head, "Justin said you dropped out of your silly 'bet' two months ago! So, sorry, but he took the whole two hundred dollars! And it's BETTY!"
Wilhelmina appeared to be biding her tongue for the moment, perhaps slightly considering that she had, after all, agreed to "back" Daniel to get her job back and get rid of Cal. But losing Marc was a step too far. She sighed, rolling her eyes, "Yes, yes, we're all thrilled that Betty will no longer be inducing seizures in children now! You know I really need Marc to…"
Daniel didn't hesitate, "Done. Marc, is that okay with you? Do you miss Miss Slater? I'm not holding you captive, you know. You're free to go back to working for her again now that she's back at Mode. It's up to you."
Marc looked back and forth between Daniel and Wilhelmina, clearly trying to figure out what was going on between his two bosses, "Are you serious? It's hilarious that you're pretending my opinion really matters here!"
"I promise you, it does. I'm stepping down from Mode myself, though, so IF you want to keep working here, you'd be better off staying with her."
Marc, as well as everyone looked at Daniel in shock, as he asked what they were all thinking, "What are YOU gonna do? Work for her now? Let Betty be on top?" he made a gagging expression when he realized what he said, "That is NOT how I meant that!"
Daniel laughed, shaking his head and removing his hand from Betty's waist, but still holding onto her hand, and kissing it, "I'm going to take over the REST of Meade Publications. Like I should have years ago! But you're right about Betty being on top. I'm more than okay with that, actually. She's...well, go ahead, sweetie. Share your news. I don't want to talk for you."
"Sweetie, huh?" Amanda smiled, but then made a face, "Damn! I KNEW I should have gotten in on that bet, too! Your son made a killing!"
Betty rolled her eyes, "For the millionth time, Amanda, JUSTIN is NOT my son, he's my nephew! And yes, he did. ANYWAY, what Daniel is talking about is...I'm giving my notice. I'm going to be, well, as you said, Wilhelmina, 'exploring other options'!
I never really wanted to work here in the first place. I just sort of got stuck. I always knew fashion wasn't my path, but...at least it WAS a path, so I was scared to walk away, because Mode's been very good to me."
"Not really. Daniel has. Everybody knows you only stayed for him. We haven't been good to you at all. Well, I have...sometimes. Marc's been sort of mean. You're really leaving, though? Who will we make fun of now? Mode will be boring without you to mock, Betty! Although I guess, since you look so much better now, there's not anything to make fun of anyway." Amanda appeared genuinely sad at the thought of Betty leaving.
Wilhelmina seemed to be deep in thought. After a moment, Daniel cocked an eyebrow at her, "What schemes are you plotting, now, Willy? I assure you, I'm completely serious about this. No tricks. I'm leaving Mode in your capable hands. I got this job handed to me four years ago but you've earned it.
Not that I agree with your highly questionable methods for trying to gain control, but you certainly have my respect for your dedication. And you came through on getting my money back from Connor, so you also have your shares, of course.
I'm definitely NOT Cal, either! I trust your decisions. As long as you don't go completely insane with your budget, run Mode however you see fit. My offer still stands to you, Marc. It really is your choice. You're more than welcome to follow me 'upstairs', but I just assumed you prefer staying here in the fashion world."
He nodded, "Fashion has always been 'my life'. And it really has been good to me. I never thought about leaving. But...can I have twenty-four hours to consider your offer?"
Daniel smiled, clearly touched and surprised that Marc was even considering leaving Mode to stay working with him. He shook Marc's hand, "No problem! Let me know. You're a fantastic assistant, Marc! I'd hate to lose you. And you're a great editor, too, so don't think I'd keep you getting my coffee and bagel forever!"
Marc raised an eyebrow, as he gestured towards Betty, "By the way, you DO look much better without the beard, boss! I suppose SHE is the one who got you to shave? I don't even care. I'm just happy to see that thing gone!"
Daniel chuckled, "I'm glad you approve. So, let's all get back to work now! Betty, can I see you in my office before you submit your resignation letter, please?"
As the two walked towards Daniel's office, Amanda smirked, "I predict he's closing his drapes so he can take her in his office in three, two, one…" she smiled as they saw Daniel's drapes, indeed closing.
Once inside his office with the drapes closed, Daniel pulled Betty into his arms, "SO! That was fun, huh? Watching their faces as we told them all goodbye! I am going to miss this place a little, though. But mainly, I miss working with you, Miss Suarez! We still need to talk about that. About those 'other options' of yours!"
She smiled, as she pulled him down to her by his tie for a slow, sexy kiss, "Okay, MISTER Meade! You did LOCK your door, right? We're only doing this because...well, you look SO HOT right now!" She turned on the radio, then stood in front of his desk.
His grin spread across his face, as he brushed back her hair and raised his eyebrows, "Thank you, Betty. You're pretty damn hot yourself! May I?" he gestured towards his desk and lifted her up onto it, then took her face in his hands, kissing her sensually as he ran his hands over her body.
After several minutes, things started heating up between them. Betty pushed away and cleared her throat, smiling, and trying to straighten her hair and clothes, as she hopped down from his desk, "As much as I'd really like to...finish this little fantasy, Daniel, you know we can't do this right now!"
He sighed, nodding reluctantly, "Yeah. I know. Wait, why not?"
She shoved his shoulder playfully, rolling her eyes, "Um...because it's the middle of the day and I have to get to work! And so do you! I still have to give my two weeks' notice and I intend to do my job in the meantime. I can't sit here, making out with my boss during company time, even if I am living with him and do fully plan to sleep with him tonight!" Her blush belied her bold statement.
He grinned, pulling her back to him and wrapping his arms around her waist, "Oh you do, huh? Well, I'm a very lucky man, then, aren't I? Could I interest you in a little after work rendezvous here before we leave the office tonight, once everyone has gone home? If you notice I already took out the security camera in my office. But if we plan on having fun in the elevators, I'll need to bribe the security guy."
She hesitated for a moment, "I guess I did sort of promise you that we'd do that before I quit Mode, didn't I? I was thinking more about doing that just on my last day, though."
He pouted, "Your last day? Two weeks from now? But we have so many different places to explore! There isn't enough time to do them all only in one night, Betty! We really should spread it out."
Betty shook her head, "Stop with those puppy dog eyes! Okay, you've convinced me! You have to stop flashing those baby blues and looking at me like that, though. You're so hot! It's not fair! How am I supposed to resist you?"
He laughed, kissing her on the lips, then over her face, softly, "You're NOT supposed to resist me, silly woman! I know you're completely irresistible to me, and I sure as hell don't plan on trying!"
As she turned to leave, she smiled, then walked quickly back to him and gave him one of her patented bear hugs, and as he leaned down to kiss her, their kissing once again turned passionate and feverish.
This time, Daniel was able to pull himself together, "Damn, girl! You're right; we're never going to get any work done this way! And I actually have a meeting with my mother about leaving Mode. You'd better leave so I can...deal with the problem you've created here!"
He glanced down, "Go! I need to think about Cal and my mom or something for a few minutes to get you off my mind and...the rest of my body here. Bye! See you later! SHIT!"
She tried not to laugh at his predicament, but as she started to leave, he yelled out, "WAIT!"
He came up behind her and put down her skirt that had gotten pulled up in the back, "Can't have you leaving like that, Miss Suarez! It would be very unprofessional!" he winked at her, groaning, "We have to deal with this for two whole weeks? Geez! Why don't you take two weeks' vacation so we can still fool around?"
She laughed, "Daniel! You're not going to have time for us to do that all day and you know it! You think trying to deal with Wilhelmina and Cal was hard? Sorry, I mean...difficult? Just wait until you're the only one making the decisions for your whole company! Trust me, it won't be easy!
Alexis may not always be our favorite person, but she was given a lot of grooming by your father on how to run this company and she did know what she was doing most of the time. But don't count yourself out, either, Daniel. Don't forget; you are Bradford Meade's son, too!
There's a lot you can do. Heck, you could just look at someone with those blue eyes and charm a snake! Your voice is so sexy, it makes chills run up and down women's spines. And you're just as charming with men as you are women, Daniel! So don't forget that!
That woman out there has made plenty of people, myself included, head for the hills! And you have stood toe to toe with her for the last four years! I also watched your mom push her into an open grave and knock over her ice sculpture. Not to mention, Claire told me she once punched Willy then took her drink out of her hand before she went on the run! You're her son, too, Daniel!
Your mom and dad were both incredibly strong and amazing people. And you are an unbelievably amazing man in so many ways. You inherited your strength, your intelligence, and charm from your parents. But you also have your own secret weapon yourself- your huge heart! You really can do this!" She smiled, and patted his butt as she left, winking.
"Why do I feel like I can do anything with you, cheering me on, Betty?"
She blew him a kiss from the door, "Because you can! I believe in you."
"Thank you for the pep talk, honey. I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye!"
The moment she left his office, he sat down, taking in a sharp breath. It shouldn't have surprised him this much to realize how crazy he was about Betty after all these years he supposed but it did. Apparently, Marc, Amanda, and Justin (oh and his mom!) had all seen how much in love he was with her years ago! Nothing new, really, he guessed. He always had been a little slow to recognize his own feelings.
He stood, running his hand through his hair, fixing it from sticking out after Betty had been playing with it earlier. He smiled, remembering those delicious lips of hers, then tried to stop thinking about her, once he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, seeing the goofy expression he had. WTF was that, anyway?
She was right; he was going to have his work cut out for him, taking over running the company, his company. He would still have to deal with bitchy editors, (like Wilhelmina) throughout the global empire his father had built, picky advertisers, and far more issues than he had been struggling with at Mode alone.
So why wasn't he totally scared out of his mind to face all that anymore like he had been his whole life? The thought of taking over for his intimidating father had always scared the shit out of him. Just dealing with Willy herself had been pretty damn intimidating these past few years! Let alone Cal Hartley (or Connor)!
But he had come to realize that, in spite of all he had been through in his drama-filled life that would make just about any man go running for the hills, he still had a few things in his corner that gave him the courage to keep standing up. He had noticed how much Betty seemed to gain from her family; her father, sister, and nephew. They really did love her and provide her with lots of strength.
He had his family, too; his mom, sister, and nephew. They cared about him and gave him the support he desperately needed. Of course, his biggest cheerleader and source of renewed strength was Betty herself. Hell, all he needed was one of her amazing hugs and he would go climb Mt. Everest if she told him he could!
Especially now that they both realized their friendship had turned to love. There wasn't anything he couldn't face with her by her side. There wasn't anything they couldn't do, together. They really did make a great team! He made the call, smiling.
"Hello, sir! How have you been? It's been some time since we've heard from you, Mr. Meade. Is there anything I can help you with today?"
"Hey, Nigel. I'm doing very well, actually. And as a matter of fact, I want to purchase an engagement ring for the love of my life. Betty is my soulmate. I've known her for close to four years.
We've been best friends that whole time and now I've discovered that I'm madly in love with her! And for some reason, she says she loves me, too. Can I come by this afternoon? I know myself and it's going to be all I can do to wait two weeks to drag her off to Vegas and marry this woman, let alone wait a second longer to propose to her! Can you do custom work that quickly?"
"Of course, sir. That won't be a problem. It will be my pleasure to help you find the perfect ring for your perfect lady! And may I just say, well done you, Mr. Meade? Congratulations on finding the right woman!"
His grin spread across his face again. He was finding himself smiling so much lately his face hurt! "You may indeed, Nigel. Thank you! You're right; I know I'm a very lucky man!"