Valentine Masquerade

For entertainment only!

Chapter 2: Valentine Masquerade

Daniel watched as people started to filter in his parent's house. He wanted to be anywhere but here right now, and felt it pertinent to have his mom know just how much he hated this "Mom, do I have to wear this damn thing! This is so stupid!"

Claire sighed "Daniel, darling, please go along with it for one night. Think of it this way, you don't have to be Daniel Meade tonight. You don't have to be the Daniel Meade, the former womanizer, the bachelor of the city, the one who got dumped on tv, or the Daniel Meade the publishing prince! You can be whoever you want to be!"

Daniel glared as he heard her titles for him, but then sighed and said "Fine! I guess, you're right. That's better. I definitely don't want anyone recognizing me!" he reluctantly put on the white mask she got him. Claire smiled "You look very handsome! I'm sure you'll attract all the ladies this evening!" she said with a playful smirk.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I just want this night to be over!"

"Hilda, aren't we late?" Betty asked as she realized the time and remembered the time on the invitation. "We're over an hour late!"

"That's because the best always show up late. My friend told me we should be 'fashionably late'"

"I hate being late" Betty stated nervously. "Don't worry, this is a party! No body cares if you're late. Come on, Betty, loosen up!"

Betty sighed and nodded "You're right! I need to have fun!"

Hilda grinned "hell yeah, and don't forget to find yourself a hottie tonight"

Betty bit her lip, feeling anxious about that part, but decided to just try to have some fun.

Once they reached the mansion, their eyes grew wide at how amazing and beautiful it was. There were lights strung along the trees leading down the brick walkway all the way to the house. "This is amazing!"

Hilda looked at her sister with an equally surprised look "I never would have imagined being in a place like this. Lucky us!"

Betty giggled as they walked up the walkway to the front courtyard of the house. It was all so beautiful. It looked like the house was inside some magical garden, especially with there being this fountain in the middle of the courtyard leading up the stunning house.

"Wow, this is so amazing"

"Admit it, you're glad I dragged you along"

Betty rolled her eyes "Fine, I'm...excited. This is so gorgeous! I can't imagine the inside."

As they walked up to the front door, someone greeted them and took their invitations.

Then once they were inside another young guy took their coats.

When they walked in they both gasped in awe, then looked to each other with beaming smiles.

"Please follow me" they were led through the mansion, trying to hold back their gasps and excitement over the house, and finally to this grand hall that had everyone inside dancing and celebrating. They were more amazed by how elaborate it was decorated with the most breathtaking red and pink flowers and roses, and romantic lights, and could see everyone dressed up.

Claire walked over to her son who was simply standing against a column watching people enjoy themselves while he seemed to be sulking about. "Daniel"

He kept his gaze ahead, but said "Mom"

Claire rolled her eyes "See anyone you might want to talk to?" she urged hoping he'd at least try to enjoy himself.

Daniel had watched people come in and out and dance and talk and drink, but he wasn't in the mood to party. He had noticed two girls come rather late to the party. They were both beautiful, one sporting a red dress and mask, her dark hair loose around her and the other in this pretty pink dress with this stunning butterfly mask, her dark curls held up by this pink flower clip, but what drew his attention to her was her pretty smile.

"Daniel?" Claire asked again.

Daniel sighed "I just really don't want to be here right now" he said and walked away leaving Claire to watch after him in disappointment. She hoped he would try to forget about that sleazy Reyes woman!

She was not worth any of this drama, that was her unbiased opinion.

Hilda and Betty met up with Hilda's makeup friend. They mingled for some time, Hilda getting to know some models and other stylists, while Betty was trying to let loose, but felt totally out of her element. She decided to see if she could get a drink.

Betty went over to the bar and got excited when she could order a mango margarita. The bartender put in a pink heart straw and she smiled as she took a sip. "MM.. yum, thank you!"

The bartender laughed and gave her a nod as she started to walk away, but she accidently bumped into someone "Oh, I'm so sorry!" luckily she didn't spill her drink

"That's quite alright, dear. Forgive me, I'm a bit distracted this evening. Being around so much booze is really testing my resolve."

Betty looked at the woman, holding back a funny smile, hearing her admit all that to her. The woman was older, but she looked so gorgeous; she had on this black half mask, her short blond hair framed her face and she was in this elegant black dress with a small pink stoned butterfly brooch pinned in the center of the sweetheart neckline of her dress.

"I love your pin! I love butterflies" Betty said with a bright smile. The woman smiled and said "I see that. You look lovely"

Betty bit her lip, looking down shyly. "Thanks"

The woman smiled "Here, why don't you have it" she took the pin off her dress and Betty looked at her in surprise "Oh no! Please, I couldn't take that from you!"

"I want to give it to you, especially since you love butterflies. It will go so well with your dress"

Betty smiled as the woman held out the pin to her. "Thank you so much Ms-?"

The woman smiled kindly "Claire"

Betty smiled "Claire, it's so nice to meet you! My name is Betty. Thank you so much! I love it!" Betty said, then blushed when Claire pinned the brooch to the center of the deep V neckline of her dress, drawing a bit more attention to that area of the dress than she truly felt comfortable with, but still gave the woman a smile "Thanks"

Claire smirked "You're welcome, dear. Now, forgive me, but I need to get away from here before I'm tempted to drink myself into oblivion."

Betty laughed "Bye. Thanks again"

The woman smiled before she walked away. Betty bit her lip as she glanced down to see the pin; it was really pretty. She couldn't believe that woman was so nice to give it to her simply because she liked it. She smiled and was on her way to rejoin her sister, when someone familiar caught her eye. Her eyes grew when she noticed Mr. Meade walk over to the bar, the man who'd hired her to work for her son over a year ago.

Shit!

"Daniel…" Mr. Meade said as he walked over and Betty's heart skipped a beat when she saw Daniel leaning over the bar, just feet from her, looking rather upset.

"Shit!" She said aloud, feeling butterflies at how gosh darn handsome he was and seeing him after so long. He was in this sleek, fitted silver suit and this gorgeous white mask lifted up from his face held up on his hair. She felt butterflies at hearing his voice. "Dad...look, I already told mom I'd stay"

Mr. Meade placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder and said "son, I know you're hurting but will you try and enjoy yourself, for your mother's sake" he said, and Daniel sighed "Fine, dad, I'll try" he placed the mask back on and downed his scotch before he walked away.

Betty felt so flustered at seeing them. Shoot, was it their party? She rushed off to find her sister.

"Hilda!" Betty whispered loudly. Hilda looked to where the sound was coming from and gave her sister a funny look, since she seemed to be trying to hide behind a column "Betty? Why are you whispering?"

"Hilda! I just saw Daniel Meade!" Betty stated, her heart racing anxiously.

"Huuh?"

"You remember! He was my boss at Mode! The one who was such a jerk to me!"

Hilda looked around "What? Are you sure? "

"Yes, I'm definitely sure! I saw his dad and panicked and then freaked out even more when I saw him talking to Daniel before he put on his mask when I saw him."

"Wow! Where is he?"

Betty looked around trying to find where he went to, her eyes growing again "He's over there by the piano in the silver suit and white mask"

Hilda's eyes grew bright "Woah mama, he's hot! He was your boss?!"

"Hilda!" Betty rolled her eyes. Hilda grinned "What? Come on, he is! You have to admit he is"

Betty sighed "Well, yeah, of course he is, but he was such a meanie!" she felt saddened just thinking of all the things he did to her and how horribly he treated her.

Hilda smirked "Maybe you should go over there and show him how hot and amazing you are now and make him regret ever treating you so bad"

Betty shook her head "No way! I don't want to talk to him! Look, forget I pointed him out. Let's just have some fun"

Hilda took Betty's drink and took a sip "Mm...yummy"

"Hey, that's my drink."

Hilda laughed and handed her drink back and said "come on Betty, wanna dance?"

Betty shrugged "Sure, I guess"

Hilda hooked her arm with hers and looked at her with a grin "Let's show these skinny bitches how we really dance!" she said causing Betty to laugh as her sister pulled her to the center where a few girls and guys were dancing to some latin music.

AN: Hope you enjoy!