Paths Cross

Hi I'm sooo happy you're enjoying the story! here's the continuation of their lunch date! enjoy! :D ;)

For entertainment only :P

Chapter 6 - An Unexpected Proposal

The butterflies and her increasing heart rate seemed to intensify as Betty had lunch with Daniel. Especially after releasing her hand from his after their 'deal' and got an electric shock from him.

It was crazy how much chemistry they had.

How was it that he could evoke such strong feelings from her even after a year of not seeing one another and just this simple lunch they were having together? After he ran in the park to stop her? And was so happy to see her that he had to ask if he was dreaming?

She couldn't believe this was all happening. She wasn't sure what to make of it. And she noticed that neither of them was really eating. For her, she just had way too many butterflies to eat that much.

She wondered what was going through his mind. It was amazing that they could both sit in silence without feeling like they had to fill it. She looked at him and the smile that he sent her filled her with such delight. She wanted to know more about him. He seemed so different, yet had some of the same qualities that made him charming when she first met him.

She picked up a French fry more so to play with as a distraction than to eat. "So Daniel how's MODE? Is Wilhelmina still trying to undermine you?"

"Well, sometimes, but she's gotten better. We can sort of work together sometimes. But I know she has some secret plan to take over MODE or something. She and Marc always seem to be fishing for something to mess me up or mess MODE up." Betty nodded in understanding. "My dad has trusted me more this past year. I've had to work really hard for him to even notice. But slowly he seems to think I'm doing a decent job. I've started reconnecting with my mom again a several months ago."

"That's great Daniel. I've seen some of your work at MODE. It's really good Daniel."

"Really? You read MODE?"

"My nephew is in love with MODE. He didn't talk to me for days when I quit." Daniel laughed. "I'm really happy for you Daniel."

"Really?"

"Yes, I know how hard it was for you when you started at MODE, but you've come a long way and have done some really good things."

"Thanks Betty. That means a lot to me. I honestly couldn't have done it without you."

"Me? What do you mean?" Betty looked at him in surprise.

"Betty, you changed my life."

"What?"

"I know this might sound crazy, but having you quit was the kick I needed to change my life around. I didn't want to be that mooching selfish playboy that everyone thought I was anymore. It got old fast. And you made me see that I could do something. You actually believed in me...even for the short two weeks that we worked together...and no one ever believed in me. I've never regretted something so much as trying to get you fired. But I made a promise to myself that I would repay you by getting my act together." Daniel said sincerely, stunning Betty with his words.

"Wow Daniel...Wow. Well, I'm kind of speechless. Thank you. That's amazing."

"Why are you thanking me Betty? I should be on my knees thanking you. Actually..." Daniel got on his knees taking her hand "Thank you Betty for coming into my life. I really owe you everything." Betty looked at him with wide eyes. She couldn't believe it. Daniel Meade on his knees apologizing and thanking her. Betty Suarez.

"I really hope no one ever hurts you. You are way too good for that." He said as he looked into her eyes wishing that he could take back all the mean things he did to hurt her when she was working for him.

Suddenly Betty and Daniel noticed that people were watching them and whispering smiling. Daniel could have sworn he heard a camera click.

"Umm...Daniel...they probably think you're trying to propose to me." Betty said giggling.

"Oh. Uh. Ya, sorry Betty." He gently let go of her hand, but then he got an idea. "So, do you say yes Betty?" he said taking her hand again looking at her eyes.

Betty laughed. "Sure." She shook her head holding back her giggles.

"Yes!" Daniel said jumping up. Suddenly there was applause, the people around them looking at them smiling and clapping.

Daniel was really surprised and rather amazed that Betty actually went along with this. He had no other word to describe that other than cool. He hadn't used that word since he was in college, but right now there was no other word that would fit better. Daniel leaned next to her "Can I hug you?" he whispered next to her.

Betty laughed and got up hugging him. The warmth and love he felt in her hug got his heart to start racing. He felt so lucky to be on the receiving end of this perfect hug from her, especially when she whispered "This is so fun" in his ear.

Daniel was truly in awe of this woman. How did he ever let her get away? He was really glad that they ran into each other. Well, he ran into her.

They sat back down Betty giggling and Daniel trying to hold back his laughs.

"Daniel. I cannot believe we just did that." She said laughing lightly.

"I can't believe you actually went along with it, Betty. You're so...cool" he really just had to say it. He really couldn't think of a better word to describe her.

"Why, thank you!" Betty said amused. Suddenly Betty touched his hand and leaned over. "Daniel, Gio is heading this way. Should we play along?" she said her face close enough to his that Daniel could see her eyes more closely. They were so beautiful.

"Are you serious?" he said leaning a little closer.

Betty smiled looking at him and biting her lip "Yes, let's do it." she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Betty leaned back removing her hand from his.

"Betty...did I hear this right? Did Daniel here just propose to you?" Gio said approaching their table. Shoot, Betty just realized that there was no ring. That's ok. They can definitely make up something. Betty was a writer. She could come up with a story.

Betty shook her head smiling and then looked at Daniel. He smiled back shooting her a wink.

"Didn't you just say you were catching up?" Gio asked confused.

"We were. I guess we just really clicked so Daniel here proposed to me, so I said yes." She said smiling brightly. Daniel looked at her. He could see that she was having fun with this.

Gio looked at her and then to Daniel with this piercing look. "Well, umm...I guess I should congratulate you two."

"Thanks Gio" Betty said happily.

"I hope you are always happy Betty." Gio felt like this was all a joke, but went along.

"So Daniel? Do you always propose spontaneously?" Gio asked trying to play along.

"Actually, I've only felt this way about Betty. I just saw her and knew she meant everything to me." Daniel said playing along. He had a feeling that Gio figured it out.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She's great." Daniel said smiling at her really meaning what he was saying. "I've never met someone like her."

Betty looked at him attentively. She felt butterflies in her stomach at his words.

"I should have never let her get away the first time. I can honestly say that she changed my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I am truly honored to be her friend" He said looking at her now not even paying attention to Gio.

Betty was looking at his eyes sincerely touched by what he was saying. She knew he meant it. She placed her hand on his "Thank you, Daniel." Daniel smiled and placed his hand on hers.

Gio was actually stunned. It really looked like they were in love. "Alright you two. Be happy. I'm happy for you, Betty. And you too." Gio said slapping Daniel's back lightly.

Betty and Daniel looked to Gio. Betty didn't even really know how to tell Gio that they were lying. Betty was surprised at how real it felt all the sudden. Daniel looked at Betty and then Gio just as he was about to head back. "Gio" Daniel started to say

"yo?" he stopped and looked back.

"We were actually kidding."

Betty released her hand from Daniel's and sat back.

"I actually knew you were at first, but then you two looked like you were actually in love, so I kind of bought it." Gio said surprised that they were lying.

"I was actually just thanking Betty and I guess it looked like I was proposing to her so we just played along. Sorry man." Daniel said trying to not get Gio on his bad side. He really thought he was a decent guy. He remembered seeing his little sister in here a couple of times.

"It's ok. You should be an actor." Gio said looking at Daniel and then Betty. Gio smiled at Betty, who smiled back half-heartedly.

"You really should." Betty said looking at Daniel. Daniel had a feeling this was not good.

"Alright guys enjoy the rest of your lunch and I'll see you later" Gio said walking off noticing that Betty was not really enjoying their little charade anymore.

Daniel smiled at Gio and then looked to Betty. "Betty? Are you mad at me?" Daniel asked worried. He really didn't want to hurt Betty.

Betty looked at his eyes. She suddenly felt bad that she got upset. How did he even know? She was surprised that he could tell. "I'm fine Daniel. I just felt bad for doing that." Betty said looking at him not wanting to tell him why she really felt bad.

"Ok. I'm sorry, Betty. I really don't want you to be mad at me. Are you sure you're not?" Daniel asked still concerned, especially because of her comment. "Betty, I just want you to know, I wasn't necessarily 'acting'. I really did mean all that I said about you." Daniel said sincerely hoping she knew that.

"I know we kind of just became friends, but I really do value your friendship. I don't ever want to hurt you. I hope you know that." Daniel said looking at her nervously.

Betty smiled "Thank you Daniel. I do believe you."

"Good." He smiled in relief. "Now, tell me the real reason?" Daniel asked knowing that there was something else.

"What?" Betty asked surprised.

"I know there is something else."

"How do you know? Can you read my mind?" Betty asked wondering how Daniel knew what she was thinking and a few times at that.

Daniel laughed. "No, I wish. That would be entertaining. I'm just really attentive."

"I'll say." She looked at him and his patient eyes. Why were his eyes so...amazing?

"Well, it's just it started to feel real and I don't know..."

"Betty, listen, I would love to marry you..." Betty's eyes got so huge they looked like they were turning into stars. "...but don't you think we should get to know each other first before I propose to you?" Daniel said amused by how big her eyes got. Betty just nodded unable to speak.

After a minute Betty looked at her watch. "Oh my God. I am so late. Crap!" She got up and got her things. "I'm so sorry Daniel. I have to go." She said frantically trying to get money out of her bag.

"Betty, do you want me to drop you off? Maybe, you would get there faster if we go in a cab?" he asked placing money on the table and walking out with her.

"Um...ok. I guess." She said. They both got in a cab that was right outside and sped off. "I'm sorry you're so late, Betty. I wasn't even paying attention to the time."

"It's not your fault Daniel. I should have been paying attention, too." She sighed. "God, I hope I don't get fired."

"If they try to fire you, just let me know and I can call and tell them you had a meeting at MODE."

"Daniel, it's fine." 6 minutes later, they made it to Betty's building.

Daniel and Betty got out "I'm so sorry that I had to leave like this Daniel. Maybe I'll see you soon. Um...sorry, but I have to go" She said and quickly hugged him, then ran off.

Daniel smiled and headed to Meade. He knew he was going to get it when he got back.