Valentine Masquerade

Chapter 5: Hasty Departure

Daniel sighed as he watched her leave. Somehow, it felt harder to have her leave him than Sofia, and they had been together three months and were engaged to marry.

How in the world could he be so afflicted by someone he barely knew?

He wanted so badly to go after her, but he felt frozen in his place. He kicked a rock that was near his foot, feeling more miserable than he was before.

What the hell was wrong with him?

It seemed that right when he was letting someone in his heart, they threw it back in his face like he was worthless. Now, he really wanted to be curled up in a ball somewhere.

Betty tried to stop the stupid tears streaming down her face. She felt so stupid.

How could she have feelings for him? For the same man who treated her unfairly just because she didn't look like a model? And what was worse was thinking he could ever really fall for her.

She wasn't Bella, as much as part of her wished she was.

She was Betty. The Betty Suarez he was so mean to just because she was the ugly girl, the one who made him look bad, the one his father hired so he wouldn't be tempted to be with.

And now because she looked better he was treating her nicely.

No matter how much better she looked now, she was still the same person.

She wished things could be different, but she would be fooling herself to think he would still want anything to do with her once he discovers who she really was.

She bit her lip as she wiped her face, finally making it back inside. She searched the hall, which had way less people scattered about, and located her sister hanging over by the DJ area.

"Hilda!" she practically ran over and dragged her out. "Betty- I mean, Bella, what's going on?" her sister asked seeing her glossy eyes and wet cheeks.

"I just need to get out of here!" Betty said, practically running with her sister out the mansion.

Once they made it into a waiting cab, more tears slid down her face and Hilda finally said "Betty, will you tell me what the hell is going on? Why are you crying? Did that jerk do something to you?! Oh, I will totally go back in there and kick some ass, no matter how hot and fancy he is!"

Betty shook her head "Hilda, he didn't do anything but be so nice to me! I had the best time of my life!"

Hilda looked at her with a funny, but confused look "Then why are you so upset?"

Betty placed her face in her hands "He was only nice to me because he had no idea who I was. I'm sure if he knew he'd still think I was that ugly girl his father hired just to keep him in check. Besides we are from completely different worlds. It'd never work out! He is Daniel Meade!"

"Betty, are you seriously believing that? You know what I think?" when Betty didn't respond, Hilda continued "I just think you felt something with him and are too chicken to let yourself believe you have a shot with him. I'm sure once he sees you are the same Betty he was such an ass to, he will realize what a big mistake he did all that time ago and think you are so amazing!"

Betty's eyes continued to fill with tears, hearing her sister tell her the truth. She hated how well she knew her sometimes.

Hilda smirked "I can tell he must have really messed with you to have you freak out."

Betty bit her lip, then said "He...he gave me this rose and took his mask off so I would know who he was."

Hilda grinned "What? That's great! Did you take your mask off too?"

Betty shook her head, and sobbed "No!"

Hilda looked at her sister with a sad smile "Betty, what are you afraid of?"

Betty shrugged "I just don't want to get my heart broken. I'm better off without him affecting me again! How can I trust that he isn't treating me nice just because I look better? I felt so terrible that day I quit. I never wanna feel that way again."

Hilda smiled "Betty, what if he is the man of your dreams, but you're not giving him a chance. People make mistakes. He might actually be happy once he discovers that you are the same Betty." Hilda laughed softly.

Betty shook her head "Can we not talk about him anymore, please? I just want to go back to my normal life"

"And what life is that? All you do is work. Newsflash, that's not a fulfilling life, Betty."

Betty sighed, but remained quiet. The remainder of their ride home, they were silent as the city passed them by. Betty wanted to just forget this night, no matter how amazing and magical it was.

Daniel sat at the gazebo for nearly half an hour, before he decided to sneak out to his car and text his mom

I'm going home now!

He got a text shortly after.

Daniel!

I thought you left hours ago!

Where on earth have you been?

He sighed as he responded grumpily

Opening my heart…

He got her response and shook his head.

?

Please don't tell me you've been drinking!

He rolled his eyes, but responded

I can honestly say I haven't.

I just want this stupid night to be over!

She text him as he got in his car.

Daniel, dear, please get some rest.

I'll speak to you when you're not so upset!

Daniel sighed, and agreed he was not in a good place to talk rationally at the moment. He felt so bummed and confused and just utterly emotionally worn out.

Ok. Love you.

Good night mom.

He got her response as he started his car.

Good night my darling son.

I promise you will find someone special.

For now, just know I love you.

Daniel sighed and felt the stinging in his eyes.

Hell, he actually did find someone special tonight, but she didn't want anything to do with him!

He frowned, put his car into drive and sped off, wanting to rid himself from this numb and indifferent jumble of emotions.