Chapter 5: Betty's decision

Two week after Hilda's wedding, Daniel still had no idea how to proceed in regards to his love for Betty. He felt he could not stay on this uncertainty for too long. He will have to tell her one day and that thought frightened because he had no idea how Betty would react.

He called her to ask her if she wanted to work on something for the hundred anniversary issue. She accepted and half an hour later she arrived with the town car he had sent for her. He was once again charmed. She was wearing a most becoming black dress with a butterfly brooch. They ordered sushi and started work. They had a lighthearted argument about which photo of him should go in the issue. He loved these peaceful nights with her. When he asked her to write his profile, she was very moved and accepted. She was the best to present him as this new man since she was the one who installed this change in him. It seemed she wanted to say something to him but finally decided against it. He knew she was lying when she said she forgot but was sure that she will tell him when she will be ready.

But when he got Mark's e-mail the next day, he was furious. WHAT? It is not true! Not my Betty! It's not possible! He resolved to act like he had not received the e-mail. But when Betty entered his office slamming his computer closed, he realized it was the truth. She was really leaving to London! She even started a prepared speech to let him know how she appreciated these four years with him. He cut her off trying to feign nonchalance and indifference all the while repeating to himself. "She is just an employee. She is just an employee."

She wondered at his calm manner and passed him a form he needed to sign to release her from her contract. He had to restrain himself not to tear apart this offending paper in front of her and once again affected a cool manner. He knew that Betty was not fooled because she glanced at him again before leaving.

For once, he was grateful he had a business lunch so he could skip lunch with Betty. He was prepared to see her knowing she wanted to leave. He began to pace in his office trying to find a way to make her stay at Mode… and with him.

The rest of the day, he avoided Betty. He was distracted and in a bad mood but he could not find anything. And the message Betty left on his phone to remind him to sign the paper before tomorrow finished to anger him. Why did she want so much to put an ocean between them? Has she found out his true feelings and because she did not return them used the first opportunity to put distance between them? No, he knew and hoped it wasn't the last case.

The day after, when she was walking towards his office, he burnt down the form. He knew it was childish but he could not bear to let her go. She was looking at him with alarm and seeing he hurt himself, entered his office and tended to him. While putting bandages on his injured hand, she asked the reason of his behavior. He replied he needed to think about it but she once again stressed she needed the form soon so she could have the job.

Since he was unwilling to discuss it further, she left both hurt and angry. Please stay with me! Please don't go so far away!

A while later, his mother came into his office worried about him. She already knew about Betty wanting to leave Mode. He explained he didn't want to let her go taking the pretext of her writing his bio. But his mother was not fooled and told him that he had feelings for Betty. He protested though he knew in his heart it was the truth but he was not ready to admit it to his mom. She advised him to give her a reason to stay.

When he saw her again, he could not help blurting out that he could not live without her. He offered a promotion and a bigger salary. She only said she needed to think about it and she will see him tomorrow.

All day, he could not concentrate wondering if Betty was going to accept his offer. He had his answer the next day. She entered his office and sat on the sofa next to him. He lifted his eyes to her and her expression told him everything. She was leaving. She wanted to pursue her dream in another country. He had to let her go.

His heart was breaking, he could not breath. It was as if his throat was closed. Grief was washing over him with each "wave" more painful and absolute than the previous one. He signed resignedly the form and handed it back to her. Then as she tried to speak, he made an excuse and ran off. He went to see his mother and told her he was taking the day off. Claire immediately understood what happened by the expression on her son's face.

Daniel came back to his apartment and began to drink, hoping the alcohol will soothe for a while the pain he felt in every part of him. But as he sank into a drunken sleep, the pain made her reappearance the morning after combined with the hangover.

He dragged himself to work and during the whole week completely avoided Betty during the whole week but when he heard her message, he wanted to come one last time. But when he arrived it was to see her dancing happily with Marc and Amanda. He then knew he had lost her.

He was so absorbed by his contemplation of the woman he loved and was losing that night that he did not notice his mother until she has put her hand on his shoulder. She asked him if he was going to talk to Betty. But he couldn't. The pain was too raw. He went away not wanting anyone to witness his grief and the tears beginning to pool in his eyes.

The two weeks after Betty's departure were weeks of nothingness for him. He went to work then home to eat and sleep. It was heartache not to expect Betty coming into his office to chat with him. He went through the Book and reread the bio that Betty has written for him before her leaving. She described as a good man, generous, giving, and affectionate. She wrote he had always encouraged her to follow her dreams. This sentence stroke Daniel. He had let her pursue her career and her dreams; he should do the same for himself. He deserved to pursue his interests by himself.

He has made his decision. Now all was left was to announce it.

"Mum." He called when he entered her office. She was chatting with Tyler and looked up.

"Yes?"

"I have made a decision."

"What decision?"

"I decided I want to resign from Mode and hand it over to Wilhemina. I want to pursue something else. Something I need to try by myself not by being handed over to me. I need a change."

Claire smiled widely: "Of course, you are."

"You're ok with this?"

"Yes."

"All right then. I will go to announce it to Wilhemina. And can we schedule a press conference for tomorrow? Then I will leave for London."

Claire smiled even more and said: "At last. I was wondering when you were going to make this decision to follow her."

"I did not fool you once, didn't I?"

"A mother knows. She is a great girl, Daniel."

"I like her too." Intervened Tyler. Daniel glared at his half brother. "Eh! No need to get jealous! I am not after your girl!"

Daniel announced the news to Wilhemina who was very much surprised, then he came back to his office. His mother called him an hour later saying she has arranged a press conference for the next day at ten a.m. He arranged for the Meade jet to get him to London and a hotel in the centre of London to leave three hours after that last conference. Then he spent the free hours he had during the afternoon writing his last letter from the editor. Remembering Betty's advice to "write from the heart", that's exactly what he did. In this last letter, Betty was never named but everyone who knew them could guess she was the friend he was referring to. In this letter, he proclaimed for all the world to read his love for her. Then he went back to his apartment to pack.

The next day, when he announced his decision at the press conference, it caused much uproar. Why would a Meade abandon his family's crown jewel magazine to start over? He voluntarily stayed vague giving reasons of a lack a passion and drive (more precisely since Betty left). He knew that everyone will understand his reasons as soon as the issue will hit the stands. But it was not his concern anymore.

The seven hours flight was boring. Daniel tried to sleep but was too nervous. He took a cab to his hotel then went to sleep. He needed to have a clear head. He had found out where Betty worked and she had to pass through Trafalgar Square. He will wait for her here.