A/N: First things first, thanks so much for the reviews, I really do appreciate your feedbacks. I also welcome suggestions from everyone. Thanks, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I don't own the characters used in this story.

~ Chapter Two ~

The First Step

"What do you think gave you the right just to come in here and invade my privacy Daniel Meade?"

Daniel stood shocked. She took the picture from his hands roughly. Daniel watched her as she put it back where it might have come from, the drawer. He couldn't stand the silence any longer, not only that, there was also this burning question in his head, 'Who's the kid?'. She wouldn't answer for no favors, but he knew what would get her to answer.

"So, who's the boy with you?"

"That's none of your business.. Now be a dear and tell me what you're doing here." by the tone she had used, she sounded deadly serious. He gulped

"I came to talk about the vacation you wanted." he said. Wilhelmina looked at him frustrated.

"Why can't you just let me? You know I rarely take offs Daniel. And I'm only asking for two weeks maximum." she said. Daniel didn't know what changed her certain attitude, this Wilhelmina was a lot nicer and calmed. Usually when she caught people invading her privacy, she would make their lives as miserable as her life was.

"I will need reasons." he crossed his legs. She frowned then nodded.

"I know what this is about. You can't handle without me."

"Oh come on Wilhelmina..."

"Reasons?" she asked.

"Yeah, for me to decide whether to let you go or not."

"Well, first of all, I am in need of a vacation right now, since I haven't taken any for the past ten months. I wanna get away from work and relax. Is that enough for you?" she asked annoyed. "Like you give me appropriate reasons when you go off yourself." she said mainly to herself. Daniel stood up and came closer to her desk. "Back to you please Wilhelmina."

"So?"

"No." he smirked.

She looked at him with one of her evil stares. "If I were you, I'd just let myself go."

"One condition, who's the boy with you in the picture?"

"What boy?" she said pretending she didn't know what he was talking about.

"Don't fool with me, I am not as stupid as you think I am Willie, dear." he said with sarcasm.

She lifted a brow, then shrugged.

"That boy is one of my friend's son." Wrong answer, he wouldn't believe she has friends.

"Oh please Wilhelmina, you couldn't have fooled me.."

"Shut up."

"Tell me, then I'd let you. No more questions. Pinky promise?" he offered his finger. She looked at it, confused.

"I won't dare touch you Daniel." she thought for a second. Should she tell him? What if he goes off to tell everyone, and there, her ten year secret not so much a secret anymore.

"He's my son Daniel. Now go." she admitted. Daniel's mouth fell to the floor. He wanted to know more, but he knew she wouldn't tell him.

"With who? Or is he adopted?" But being nosey as he was, he still tried asking.

Wilhelmina unlocked the door and left it opened for Daniel.

"No more questions Meade. Get out. I'm off in two days."

--

Wilhelmina called Marc in, but before coming he did the sign of the cross and whispered some prayers; for him to go to heaven and avoid hell, an impossible prayer but still worth a try.

She didn't look at him when he went in. Marc looked at her, she had zero emotion on her face, which didn't really shock him much. For the past years that he had been working for her, he should have been used to her, but everyday she's different, everyday there's a new her. Much evil, much cleverer, more wittier, and of course much prettier.

"Willie, I'm sorry, I really am. He just pushed me, I think I've gotten a bruise from that..." he noticed that she still wasn't looking. He knew those lame excuse won't work for her, but this time, he was unsure.

"I don't care Marc." she said, which definitely got Marc's attention. He wasn't expecting such a calm reaction from her.

"What did Daniel do to you?" he asked, Wilhelmina just shrugged and shook her head.

"I couldn't care less anymore. I'm gonna see my boy." she smiled, well that's a first. Marc smiled too, happy to see her getting what she wanted. Marc knew how much her son meant to her, which meant doing anything for the kid, probably even quitting her career for him, and that scared him the most; not only he'd lose his job, he and the whole nation would lose their 'numero uno' Style Icon.

"I'm glad Willie."

"By the way, I'm leaving in two days, and your job here while I'm gone is to watch over Daniel." she walked to Marc and he looked confused.

Wilhelmina lifted a brow, "What? I can't have him finding more about my son."

"He knows?!" he asked rhetorically.

"Yes, I had to tell him. I had no choice Marc." she went and sat back on her chair.

"So you want me to spy on him, am I correct?"

"Yes, don't let him do anything that concerns me. If he does, call me immediately."

"Will do, Wilhelmeister." he nodded like a dog. She sighed and looked at him when he changed his reaction, he looked more serious and kind of concern.

"What Marc?"

"I just thought.. How did you and Daniel ended up like.. this? It's unreal to know that you and him were together before and obviously now has a son, which he doesn't know of.. It's weird Willie."

"Well, all I can say is that I've never thought of us much more than we were before anyway. It was just a normal relationship that didn't work out. And we're over it. Good news for everyone."

Marc knew her too well. He knew she was lying and he knew she still has feelings for Daniel, it might not be a lot, but it was still there. Seeing her son just makes her think more of Daniel.

"Alright Willie." he vowed his head and then went out of her office.

--

Betty was outside.

"Marc." Marc walked passed her so she followed him while he went to Amanda.

"Oh Mandy!" he called for her. Amanda appeared under her table, messy haired and her blouse opened. Betty looked at her disgusted and Marc shrugged.

"Marc, Betty. What do you want?"

"I want to talk to you." Marc said as he buttoned her blouse.

"Ooh.. Now? What about? More about Wilhelmina's MOST darkest secrets?" she said with so much exaggeration.

"Mandy, sshh, she might hear you."

"Who Betty? She right there Marc." she seriously said.

Marc looked from Amanda to Betty, shook his head, then turned to Amanda again.

"Wilhelmina! Not this thing." Betty pushed him playfully.

"So what is it?" Amanda asked, looking more interested.

"Love dungeon. Now!" he said, and they both ran to the closet, leaving Betty alone.

--

Next time: Wilhelmina leaves for her trip to Paris. :)