Valentine Masquerade

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Chapter 10: Storybook Romance

Betty looked at Daniel in surprise "How did you find out it was me?"

She couldn't believe he was actually here to see her! Especially looking as charming and handsome as he was.

He smiled and helped her up from the floor, "I couldn't stop thinking about you and the amazing time I had with you. I really tried, because I figured you didn't want anything to do with me anyway, but the more I tried to get my mind off you the more everything reminded me of you. So I decided I wanted to find you and remembered the invitations from the party. My mom and I searched through all of those invitations without finding any Bella."

She bit her lip, blushing at the smirk that crossed his face.

"At first I thought maybe I went crazy and dreamed you up, but then I came across your invite with Betty Suarez written and I just knew it was you. My mom confirmed that was you she met. I just can't believe I didn't realize it sooner! Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in wonder.

She took a breath and said "At first I was nervous that I was seeing you after so long, and then, to be honest, I was having such a great time with you, I didn't want it to end. I thought once you found out it was me, you wouldn't want anything to do with me." she looked down.

He looked at her in surprise "How can you say that? I'm surprised you didn't kick my ass or slap me the second you saw me for what I did to you."

She laughed "I admit part of me wanted to tell you off, but...I don't know...I just didn't because I really enjoyed my time with you"

He smiled as he took her hand and said "Betty, please forgive me. I really wish I could take back what happened when we were at Mode. My biggest regret was hurting you and not giving you a fair chance."

His touch was giving her butterflies, but she tried to remain calm and said "I guess I can forgive you"

His smile brightened "Yah? That's great!"

"SHH!" a librarian who was walking by shushed him, and he whispered sorry; Betty bit her lip, trying to stop her laugh at him being shushed by the librarian, but was surprised when Daniel pulled her with him into a study alcove nearby, causing them to be much closer to each other since the space was smaller. She held her breath as he watched for the librarian to walk away, before he looked to her with the most charming and exhilarating look in those captivating eyes.

How could the man be so handsome?

When Daniel looked to Betty, his heart skipped a beat seeing this dazed look in her eyes, and how pretty she looked, especially so close to him. He had the strongest desire to pull her to him for a kiss, but took a breath and said "So, what do you say I take you out tonight?" he asked in a quiet tone, his heart racing nervously.

She slipped her hand away and said "Uh...Daniel, I don't know…"

He frowned, and she couldn't take the sad look in his eyes, so she said "How can I trust that you don't 'like me' or want to take me out because I look nicer now?"

He smiled and pulled her closer than they already were, causing her heart to start racing. "Because I liked you before I knew who you were. Whether you were Bella or Betty, it was still you that I had the best time with. It was still you who I walked through the gardens with and talked to and danced with. I had no idea who was wearing that mask, but I enjoyed every minute with you. You made me forget how terrible I felt before. I felt something with you. The fact that you are my Bella makes me like you so much more!"

Her eyes were glossy as she listened to him "Really? You...like me?"

He nodded with a laugh "I think I more than like you, but I really want to know if you felt what I felt that night. Please tell me it wasn't just me who felt this...magic between us" he said in a low voice, that voice of his giving her butterflies.

She bit her lip and nodded "Mhm… I felt that too" she said, her heart was racing more now, and she felt flutters in her stomach as he looked at her with the most charming smile.

Daniel felt so happy to be here with her. "Great! Because your nephew said that you be might falling for me" he wiggled his eyebrows playfully and she blushed "My nephew? He told you that?! That's so...embarrassing! Wait, when did you see my nephew?"

"I went to your house and he and your sister told me I could find you here."

She rolled her eyes "I should never tell them anything!"

He laughed. She looked at him curiously "How did you know where I lived?"

He ran his hand through his hair and said "uh...well, the day you quit, I came to your house to apologize and ask you to come back to work for me and give me a second chance, but… honestly by the time I got to the front door I realized you deserved so much better. I didn't want to mess up your life with my constant drama, so I left. I sort of remembered your address"

She looked at him in surprise that he was that thoughtful even back then. Part of her wondered what would have happened if he did come and apologize to her. She probably would have gone back to work for him.

He smiled "I'm just so glad I found you."

She was unable to hide her smile, and his smile grew "By the way, that smile of yours is breathtaking. When did you get your braces off?" he asked and she blushed at his compliment.

"Um...Just a few months ago."

He smiled as he seemed to be staring at her and she felt butterflies at the admiring look in those spellbinding eyes. "You have an amazing smile! I noticed you the second you walked into the ballroom the other night."

"Really?" she asked in surprise.

He nodded with a smile "Yah! Except at that time I was so depressed, then you run into me and spill your silly drink all over me and I see that unforgettable smile of yours! I should have known right then it was you!" he said with a playful grin.

She blushed, and he laughed and said "I remember when you walked smack into the glass door of the conference room on your first day!" he teased. She blushed "Daniel! You're so mean!" she pushed his shoulder and he laughed.

"I promise I'm not being mean. I think it's cute that you are so clumsy! It's how you met me and my mom!" he said with a teasing smirk. She blushed, but smiled as she said "Your mom was really nice"

He nodded "she seemed to really like you, and she told me she wanted to introduce us that night, but apparently we both disappeared and ended up finding each other anyway. I'm so glad you spilled your mango margarita on me"

She laughed, causing his smile to widen; she then stared at him, amazed that Daniel Meade was here with her right now, and telling her he liked her and all these sweet amazing things.

He smirked "So…"

"So?" she whispered, feeling suddenly breathless with his proximity and how magnetic it felt to be with him like this.

He grinned "Can I please take you out tonight, Betty?"

Betty bit her lip, hearing how hopeful he was and just how sweet he was being and how gosh darn handsome he was, and how nice it sounded to hear him say her name, she would be completely crazy not to go out with him.