Valentine Masquerade
Chapter 12: Masquerade Prince
Once they were outside of the library, Daniel smiled "So, where exactly are you taking me, Betty? Should I be worried? Is this a...kidnapping? Oh, or better yet, are we running away together?"
She giggled "No, silly! I just figured we'd go somewhere more private."
He grinned "oh yeah? Sounds interesting! I'm all for going someplace more private with you!"
She looked to him with a smirk but said "Daniel! I just mean some place we can be louder."
He grinned wider, his eyebrow raised in flirtation "Well, in that case! That sounds VERY fun! I've always liked a vocal woman!" he teased. She blushed "Oh gosh, I didn't mean it like that!"
He chuckled "You are so damn adorable, Betty! I love seeing you get all blushy and flustered!"
She bit her lip, but pulled him along until they finally made it to a park within walking distance. "Here, we can TALK as loud as we want here" she said, but he was still grinning "Oh, I think it'd be way more fun doing less talking, and more kissing! Way, way more kissing!" he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
She laughed and shook her head "Daniel! You are the biggest flirt ever!"
"Yah, it's definitely one of my greatest assets, among other things" he says shooting her a suggestive wink. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she said "what do you mean-oh! Oh! Daniel!" her eyes widened as he gestured with his eyes playfully toward the rest of his body.
He laughed at her embarrassment. "You are really cute when you're mortified, you know that?"
She blushed, but gave his shoulder a playful shove "And you are shameless!" she teased.
He grinned "Yah, that's one of my downfalls, I suppose. It's definitely gotten me into some crazy situations in the past."
She rolled her eyes "Why am I not surprised? You had me play flight control for your sex dates that night you had me work late, remember?" she stated.
Although there was no bitterness in her voice, he frowned "Betty, please let me just say I am so sorry for anything I did to hurt you when you worked for me. I regret all of that! It was that night I realized I was making a big mistake in how I was treating you and then at the Fabia shoot. It pained me to see that look on your face. I'm really sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I will do anything to make it up to you"
She smiled as she listened to his heartfelt apology, but decided to tease him a little "You'll do anything?" she asked with a playful smirk
A slow smirk crossed his face "Uh...yah, anything! If you want to torture me go right ahead. I deserve it! You can make me strain cole slaw and have me walk a hundred dogs for a mile, or dress me up in tight leather pants! Whatever you want me to do, I'll do gladly."
She stared at him in surprise, but said "You'd really do that for me?"
He smiled "I would do anything for you"
"Why?" she asked in wonder. He picked up her hand and said "because you are the kindest, sweetest, most forgiving person I've ever met, and every moment I've spent with you has been the highlight of...well, of my life, to be honest."
"Really?" she asked in surprise. He nodded with a smile "yep, and I'd do anything to keep you in my life. Even if you decide that I'm not good enough to be your guy, I'd still love to be your friend"
She stared at him in awe at what he was saying, and was so speechless she couldn't think of anything but throwing her arms around him and pulling him to her for a big hug. He was shocked by the force of her hug, but quickly wrapped his arms around her, a smile crossing his face at how amazing it felt to hold her. She was so beautiful and made him feel happy.
"So, what will it be?" he asked as he moved back to see her face.
She bit her lip in thought, while he watched her with a curious smile. She looked at his eyes with a playful shine in hers and a smile to sweep across her face. "Hmm… first of all, you know I forgave you already. The past is the past, we can't change that, all we can do is live in the present, and right now all I really want is for you to kiss me" she said with a smile.
He grinned "Oh yeah, is that all? Because that I will do gladly, as much as you want for as long as you want, whenever you want, wherever you want!" he said wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
She laughed, but said "less talking, more kissing, please!"
He didn't need to be told again, he took her face in his hands and claimed her lips in a deep and consuming kiss! The world seemed to vanish, as fireworks exploded around them.
Daniel threaded his hands in her hair pulling her closer, feeling a bit flustered at how right it felt to be with her. He couldn't believe the woman of his dreams was Betty.
The same Betty he pushed away. He was just so glad she found her way back to him and forgave him.
He left her lips and trailed kisses across her cheek, down her neck, inhaling her floral scent. He smiled against her skin. Everything about her seemed to make him happy. She was a positive force, almost like a ray of sunshine.
He was surprised when she grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him close so her lips were by his ear, as she whispered. 'I kind of want to see you in leather pants for our date…"
His breath hitched at how sexy that sounded from her, and when she placed a kiss to the spot below his ear and moved back to look in his eyes, his heart started pounding, and he felt a little flustered, but he smirked and said "is that what you want?"
She bit her lip and nodded.
He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Whatever turns you on, baby!"
She laughed but said "I think it's only fair!"
He chuckled "definitely fair enough!"
She laughed and he smiled as he saw this confidence in her that wasn't as prevalent before. It made him happy to see her this way. He placed his hand to her cheek, causing her to look at him in surprise.
"You know, for the record… I think you happened to look hot in that outfit. That was so bold of you to do that and I'm not going to lie to you when you started yelling at me in the middle of the street still wearing that outfit, well… it was kind of hot and sort of turned me on!"
She blushed "Daniel, are you serious? I can't believe you thought that. I felt so embarrassed! I couldn't wait to get out of that outfit."
He sighed as he tucked her hair behind her ear, " I know, sweetie. I'm such a jerk. I've done plenty of stupid shit in my life, but treating you the way I did is my biggest regret. I-"
Betty placed her fingers to his lips stopping him "Daniel, it's in the past. All we can do is move forward. I know it sucked at the time, but maybe we both needed to grow from that. Besides, I think you've more than made up for that. I've enjoyed getting to know you and seeing this different side to you very much."
He placed a kiss to her wrist and interlaced their fingers. "I'm so glad I am getting a second chance with you."
She smiled and he smiled looking into her eyes, and reached around her to pick up the rose sitting atop her notebook. "Will you accept this token of my affections...again?" he said with a charming smile. She placed her hand on top of his, their eyes met, the intensity between them seemed to heighten, as his smile became brighter as he looked at her.
She felt hypnotized by the magnetic look in his eyes, that he was actually looking at her like this. It was taking her breath away. He placed a kiss to her hand and took the rose, sliding it in her hair behind her ear. She felt her heart beat faster at his closeness and the intoxicating scent of his cologne overcoming her senses.
When he fixed it in her hair, he moved back and looked at her with a warm smile. "You are such a beautiful lady, my rose" he said in that charming, sexy voice that was giving her butterflies, as his gaze remained on her.
She bit her lip, her cheeks warming, still finding it so amazing that this man, Daniel Meade, seemed to really like her. She was so dazed by him, she didn't realize that he was speaking again. "So… are you going to share what you've been writing in this thing?' He reached around her picking up the notebook sitting on the bench behind her and started to open it, but she grabbed it "uh… I'm not sure. It's about…" she blushed.
He grinned brightly "is it about me?"
She bit her lip, then said "...maybe"
He chuckled. She blushed "I almost posted what I'd written to my blog, but I didn't want to hurt your feelings"
He smirked "ouch, bashing me in here."
"Well… not exactly…" she blushed and he grinned "can I read it?"
She handed him her notebook and he opened it "should I be worried?"
She shrugged nonchalantly.
He began. I can't believe I just had the most romantic, beautiful, wonderful and magical night of my life with a real masquerade prince who turned out to be my incredibly handsome, but mean ex-boss!
Of all the possible people in the world why on earth did my masquerade prince have to be him? And what's worse is by the end of our night together, I realized I was falling for him."
He glanced to her with a smirk, causing her to blush, but he continued on "The same man who made my life miserable working for him and treated me like dirt just because I didn't look so pretty at the time turned out to be my masquerade prince and I had the absolute best time in the world with him. He made me feel beautiful and special and I had the most magical night walking the gardens with him, talking and joking with him, having him push me on a swing...his touch so electrifying, letting me wear his jacket in the chilled night air, taking me to this breathtaking enchanting gazebo, catching me from tripping over the steps, and dancing with me.
Of course, he had no idea I was the same dorky clumsy girl who walked into the glass door of the conference room on my first day; though, I knocked into him tonight, much the same way, only to spill my mango margarita on him.
Betty watched him continue reading silently, glancing at her often with a smile or flirty look in his eyes. She felt so nervous.
How could I have possibly known by going to this valentine masquerade party my sister practically forced me to go to I would run into the man of my dreams...again...
He felt his face warm at reading that. He was the man of her dreams? It made his heart race as he glanced to her to see her watching him with an anxious look in her eyes. A small smile spread across his face at how freaking beautiful she was, and realizing truly what an idiot he was to not notice it back then.
He cleared his throat and continued reading. As he read Betty's story about them, he felt his heart race, reliving their whole evening together, reminded of the magic he felt with her that night. He was so glad he didn't imagine it! There was something special between them and he felt his heart skip as he read all about her evening from the start of her getting invited by her sister to first seeing him at the party.
And there he was literally feet from me looking more handsome than I ever remembered. My heart starting galloping in my chest, and I felt like the air in my lungs suddenly vanished. Daniel Meade was right there, looking every bit like a prince, in this dashing silver suit and this intricate and beautiful white mask lifted from his face sitting atop his head.
Despite everything he put me through he was definitely the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen, those blue eyes of his I could never forget, and yet, all I wanted to do was run away and hide and never see him again.
In fact, I very much did that. After he left, looking rather upset, I ran off in search of my sister, hid behind a column, and told her I saw him. She asked me where he was and I searched the room and even in a room full of people dressed up and in masks, dancing and having fun, my eyes were quickly drawn to him; my heart skipped just at the sight of him again, standing over by this grand white piano, really looking like some kind of prince.
Of course my sister has no filter, without stopping a beat, exclaiming how hot he was and surprised that he was my boss. Of course the man was hot! He was possibly the sexiest man I'd ever known, but he still hurt me and I didn't want to see him! I wouldn't know what to say!
Daniel looked to Betty with a smirk, his heart aflutter at reading her words and most personal thoughts. He felt like he was reliving their whole evening through her eyes and it made everything feel even more special.
He read as she enjoyed dancing with her sister, realizing he'd noticed her all along, and then when he got to reading about her seeing him outside again, his heart skipped a beat as he remembered just how freaking breathtaking she looked to him in that moment.
He hid a smirk as he read about her blurting her name was Bella.
I don't know what overcame me! One second he asked me my name and the next I blurted Bella! I think deep down part of me wanted to know what it was like to be someone else. Someone more confident and sure, but unfortunately, I was more unsure than I'd ever been. Because I realized that I really liked getting to see him in this new light. In this moment I was a different person. But so was he! And that is what made me keep from telling him that I was that same girl his father hired so he wouldn't be tempted by me nearly a year ago.
In this moment, none of that mattered, I was Bella and I was getting the chance to get to know Daniel Meade in a special way.
He looked to her with a smile, feeling like a balloon was lifting in his heart.
He read her entire story and when he got to the end he was so overwhelmed by the connection they seemed to develop in that short time and was so thankful she felt the same way as he did.
I cannot describe what I felt in that moment. Seeing him pick this beautiful red rose for me and walk over to me, and take off his mask to share with me who he was had to have been the sweetest most romantic and incredible thing to ever happen to me.
Daniel Meade, my handsome and stupid masquerade prince just shared his heart with me.
My heart was basically running a marathon as I took the rose from his hand, trying not to tremble from the mesmerizing look in those blue starry eyes.
I wish I wasn't so scared. All I could do to keep from getting my heart broken was to thank him with a kiss before I practically ran away, tears streaming down my face.
I realized right then and there that I would never forget him because I was pretty certain that he would end up being my prince charming, and I was going to wind up alone forever, constantly reliving this incredible magical night we shared.
Despite our rough past, this night made me see this different side to him, a part of him he didn't share with others. His heart.
I will always remember him as my very own masquerade prince. Daniel Meade.
When Daniel finished reading he stared at her in awe for several long seconds. Betty stared at him anxiously, when he blurted. "Wow!"
She looked at him worried "is it bad? Are you upset? Now, you're never going to want to go out with me! Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have let you read it!"
"Are you kidding? This is fantastic! You're an amazing writer. You should definitely publish this, Betty! And we are definitely going on a date! That is non-negotiable, especially now after I got done reading this!"
"Really?"
He nodded with a grin; she looked at him confusion "but I used your name. I don't want to make things bad for you, especially after..." she paused not wanting to bring up that stupid Sofia who hurt him just for her magazine.
"Are you kidding. You definitely have to use my name. If using my name could get your writing out there, then you have to do it! Besides, not all of it makes me look bad. If anything, you've really made me out to be that prince you've written! Honestly, I'm flattered! This is probably the best, most amazing thing anyone has ever said about me. You have to publish this!"
"Really?" She asked in surprise. "But I don't want to use you like Sofia Reyes did."
He placed his hand to her cheek, looking at her with a smile "Betty, you are nothing like her. You're sweet and genuine and beautiful and your writing is just as beautiful and charming as you are. Besides, you are just sharing your feelings, not intentionally manipulating or hurting me. I loved every word of this. You have to share it!"
"Are you sure?"
He nodded with a big smile "definitely! I'll even help you publish it, now! Come on, please?"
She looked at him with a curious smile. "Why do you want me to publish it so bad?"
He smiled "because you are an amazing writer and you should share that with the world and if I can do this for you I would be more than happy to help."
Her eyes shined as she stared at him in surprise and pulled him to her for a heartfelt hug. "Thank you. That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."
He hugged her back warmly, happy to help her. She took a breath and pulled away "ok. I'll do it! But I don't even know what to call it?"
He thought for a moment then his eyes grew "how about The Most Romantic Night of My Life with my Handsome Mean Ex Boss?"
She laughed "it's fun but maybe too long? It'll be good as a subtitle, maybe."
He nodded, and thought "Hmm… Oh, I got it! how about Valentine Masquerade?"
Her eyes lit up "Wow, that's not bad, Daniel"
He smiled brightly, but then she said said "Oo, or… what about My Masquerade Prince?"
He nodded with a smile "Hmm… they're both really good." His eyes grew bright "how about My Masquerade Prince: Daniel Meade. Having my name in your title will probably get you more readers, but whatever you like! Honestly, I just want you to publish this, Betty! This is the best thing I've ever read, of course I may be a little biased since it is about me, but still. You have this incredible gift. I felt like I was reliving our night together. It was just as special as our night was. I want to see your dreams come true. If your story and I can help you do that, then I can't think of anything better to do for you."
She smiled as she watched him and how excited he was for her; she couldn't stop herself from pulling him to her for a deep kiss. She slid her hands up his shoulders and grasped his face deepening their kiss for a second longer before she pulled away.
He stared at her for a second with a goofy grin "Wow, not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" he asked curiously, his eyes shining with flirtation. She blushed, as she chewed her lip, but then said "well...for being my prince charming."
He grinned and placed his hand to her face "Well, if I'm your prince, than you must be my beautiful princess! My Bella right?"
She nodded, blushing, but said "What about your rose?" she teased. He chuckled "Oh yah! Of course, that too!"
She stared at him in awe, getting completely lost in his beautiful blue eyes. He smiled as he stared back at her.
"Ok, let's do this!" she stated enthusiastically.
He grinned "yes! Luckily for you I have my laptop in my car. Why don't we go get it and go back to the library to work on this. We have a good hour or two to publish this, then I'll drop you home so you can get ready for our date."
She nodded and hugged him again. "Thank you so much! You're the best! I'm so happy!" she cheered excitedly. He chuckled at how high her voice got. "Wow, you really are happy, huh?"
She nodded as he stood up and picked up her books for her. She giggled and said "I feel like you're my boyfriend picking me up from the library holding my books for me."
He grinned and wrapped his free arm around her "Well, yah, I mean, I know we haven't gone on a date yet, but definitely I'm your boyfriend if you like!" he said with a charming smile and she couldn't help it, she pulled him close to kiss his cheek sweetly.
They walked back to his car and got his laptop, and worked for the next hour and a half refining her story, Daniel helping her by adding a few details here and there that added more flourish and charm to the story.
Betty was having so much fun with Daniel helping her. She never laughed so much in her life as they joked about their time together and sharing stories. Of course they were being too loud causing others to glance at them often, and the librarian to kick them out, so they found their bench at the park and continued there, laughing hysterically at being so noisy and getting kicked out again.
Daniel grinned "I love hanging out with you! I don't think I've ever had so much fun before." he said as he nudged her shoulder playfully. Betty nudged him as she finished typing. "Me too"
He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her. She glanced at him with a smile.
Once she was completely done and everything was finalized, Betty hovered over the publish button, her heart racing.
Daniel watched her "Come on, you can do it, Betty. Here, why don't we do it together?" he said as he placed his hand lightly on top of hers. She felt flutters in her stomach at his touch, and looked to him with a smile. He looked at her, and the sweet look in his eyes and that smile of his was making her feel so happy.
She took a breath and said "Ok!"
They pressed the publish button and it posted to her blog in a second. "EEK! Omigosh, I've never been so nervous to post anything!" she exclaimed, her heart racing.
He grinned "hell yeah, Betty, I'm so proud of you!" he held his hand up for her to high five. She laughed as she smacked his hand, and he laughed.
She looked at him dreamily as he took out his phone from his pocket and started to type quickly. She couldn't believe Daniel Meade just helped her publish this story. It was so wonderful.
After a few minutes, once he was done doing whatever on his phone, he looked to her with a bright grin and said "check out your first heart and comment on your post"
She looked at him curiously, before refreshing her blog to see a heart and comment on her story.
Daniel_Meade01: I had the best night of my life with you, my Bella! Thank you so much for giving me a second chance and letting me see how amazing and beautiful and special you are, and allowing me to share my heart with you.
I had the most perfect and magical time with you, too! Getting to share a romantic and special night with you is the highlight of my life! Thank you for bringing my heart back! I hope I can return the favor and keep you smiling, because you have the best most breathtaking smile!
I'm so proud of you for writing this and sharing your beautiful talent, with not only me, but the world. Everyone should see just how amazing your truly are. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to get the chance to know you and hopefully really be that Prince Charming of yours.
P.S. I can't wait for our date tonight, Betty! My Bella, my princess, my rose… YOU are BEAUTIFUL! You have easily become the woman of MY dreams!
Betty looked to him with glossy eyes, "You...I...that's...wow!"
He smirked "Is that a good wow, or… I mean, I know I'm not the best writer or anything. I just went with my heart , I hope I-" he was cut off by her claiming his lips in a passionate kiss, wrapping her arms around him, pulling him closer. Daniel quickly placed his hands to her waist pulling her even closer and returning her passion. He felt like his heart was soaring in the clouds right now. He couldn't believe his luck.
When she broke the kiss, she looked at him with a big smile, her eyes shining with tears and he smiled as he held her face wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
"Thank you, Daniel. That is seriously the sweetest thing anyone has ever said about me! I love -um… it! Thanks! Even if you're the only person to read it, it means so much to me to have you support me and help me like this. I can't wait for our date tonight!" she said with a smile.
He grinned "Yeah, that's great! Well, then, let me get you home so you can get ready and I can make plans, because I can't wait to go on this date with you!" he pulled her up and they walked back to his car. Once he parked out front of her house, he got out and opened the door for her. She smiled and placed a kiss to his cheek. "See you later"
He nodded "definitely! I'll be here at 7:30 sharp!"
She laughed as he placed a kiss to her hand. She couldn't believe she was going on a date with Daniel!
She was so excited, once he drove off, she practically ran into the house and up the stairs like a crazy person!