Chapter 2: Discussions with Betty and dreams
Betty already knew the situation about his mother and Tyler and during this lunch tried to make him see Claire Meade's side. As usual Betty's words allowed him to see besides his own perspective and understand better.
He thanked her, hugged her and immediately said he will call his mother to arrange to meet her and Tyler at a restaurant for dinner when he will come back to his office. He saw her wide smile of approval. This smile made him feel like he was on top of the world and once again his heartbeat sped up.
She said she had not much to do this afternoon and he proposed that they worked together in his office. They each will have their own things to do but it will be great to do it together. Betty smiled widely and said she has missed this and that she will be very happy to do it.
Daniel was delighted. They spent the most pleasant hours although they were both absorbed by their work. But it felt natural and easy. But when Betty left to go home after hugging him one last time, he felt empty.
At the restaurant, he apologized to his mother and Tyler. His mother who was clearly fond of Betty, and was smiling when he praised her intelligence, goodness and prettiness, once again implied that he had feelings for her which he protested. He knew that Betty meant a lot to him but to what extent, he was not sure.
The night that followed, he had another dream. This time it was of him and Betty working in his office but this time, she was seated on his knees while they were both working. It didn't feel bizarre. It felt natural like she was meant to be there. Nor did he feel disturbed by the remembrance of it when he woke up.
After that, each day Betty and him worked together, he dreamed of them in the same context but with more intimacy. One time in his dream, she has rested her head on his shoulder while he had his arm around her waist while they were both reading something. Another time, he caressed her long hair while she was fixing his tie. And after each dream, he woke up with a smile on his face but missing this tender intimacy during the day.