Gotta love the NY subway, always lets me catch up.
Daniel ended up bringing his lunch back to his office. He wanted to be there when Betty came back from her date. He was a little annoyed she wasn't back yet, she never took her full hour. Usually she was back fifteen minutes early, there were ten minutes left before her break ended. He didn't need this right now, he couldn't afford any distractions. What the hell did she see in that dweeb? How could she even consider him, when he's been flirting with her. Could she prefer Henry over him? Daniel laughed at himself, he was being ridiculous; there was no way anyone would prefer the dweeb over him. He was Daniel Meade, he was rich, famous, good looking, and the heir to Meade. What more could a woman want? Betty must not realize he's been flirting, she probably thought he'd never look at her twice. That must be it, Betty thinks she's not worthy of his attention. Well tonight that was gonna change, he was gonna up the ante. Tonight he'll keep her working late and bring down her defenses. Who knows maybe he'll enjoy himself, anything is possible. What was it Becks said... novelty... maybe she was good in bed, maybe Becks was right, ugly girls had to work harder.
"Oh my God! Stop smiling! I'm not wearing my sunglasses and you're blinding me." Amanda said from behind the reception desk, holding her hands over her eyes. Marc walked up to the desk just as Amanda finished her sentence.
"Good one Mandy, why are you so happy today umpa lumpa?" Marc asked
Betty rolled her eyes at them, "none of your business." She spit out trying to ignore them and walk to her desk. Marc and Amanda were soon on her trail, arms joined.
"I know why she's happy. Betty had lunch with the nerd in accounting, I think she wants to wet his sick." Amanda and Marc laughed together.
"You guys are disgusting, Henry and I are friends, that's it." Betty sat down at her desk and pretended to look for a file in her cabinet. She was hoping they would get the message and leave, of course it didn't work.
Marc leaned against her desk, "you know, if you pluck your brows and waxed the mustache, it would help your cause." Amanda sat on the other side of Betty's desk, "you know, I offered my help. I told her I would give her a make over, but she hasn't agreed yet." Amanda and Marc looked at each other, Betty knew they were conspiring.
"Mandy, if we could make this," he said waving his hand in a circular motion in Betty's face. "Look even half way decent, we'd both get promotions."
"Maybe they'll open up a makeover department for us," she said excited.
"Excuse me, I'm still here you know," Betty said annoyed.
"That's not relevant, Mandy and I are talking about your life. Your input is not necessary or wanted." He said ignoring her protest.
"OK, you both need to go, I have work to do." Betty told them trying to sound firm.
"Should we go, Marc? I mean we could be here all day."
"If you agree to the makeover, we'll let you work. If not... well lets just say, we'll always be around." He told her.
"Fine, one day that's it. After that you never mention it again." Betty conceded.
Marc and Amanda stood up, "we will discuss when and where, later." He said walking away with Amanda on his arm. Betty sighed, why was everyone so interested in her suddenly.
Daniel watched her through his window. She was smiling when she was walking to her desk, something Marc and Amanda said must have bothered her. She didn't look happy anymore, she looked frustrated, confused, vulnerable. Now was the time to strike, get them when they're down. This was the perfect time to get under her skin, her defenses were down, that much he could tell. No better time than the present, "Betty, I need to see you in my office." He said and hung up the phone. He made sure to watch her reaction, she was startled at first, now she looked worried. Betty came into his office, her movements were hesitant. "What can I do for you Daniel?" She asked standing in the center of his office.
"Close the door and sit down please," he told her. She did as he asked, she fidgeted in her chair, she was obviously nervous.
"Is something wrong, Daniel?" She asked, dreading his answer.
"Yes there is," he said giving her a pointed look, "you're not smiling. Why?"
"What?" Betty asked, obviously surprised by his question.
"You were smiling all day, but you're not now. Whats wrong?" he asked, giving her a charming smile.
"You called me in here cause I'm not smiling?" she asked, still not believing his reasoning.
"Yes I did, something must have happened. Whats wrong, didn't you have a good time with... with... the accounting guy?" he asked sheepishly.
"Henry. Yes, I had a good time with him."
"Then whats wrong?"
"I really don't know, just a bit confused lately. I promise it won't last long, it never does and it won't affect my work." she promised.
"I don't care about work, I'm just worried about you. I just want to be sure you're happy. Last thing I want is to lose you to someone else," he said confusing her more.
"Well no need to worry, I'm happy at Mode. I'm not going anywhere." she told him.
"Good. I've become attached to you, Betty." Betty looked shocked, that was the last thing she ever thought he'd say to her.
"Well... I better get back to work. When did you want to go over your editor's letter?"
"We can do it tonight, we're gonna have to work late again. I'm sorry, I know it's the last thing you want to do."
"It's OK, I don't mind, let me know if you need anything." She said, trying to hide her smile.
"Same to you," he said smiling. He watched as she left his office. He had her right where he wanted her. He decided to update Becks, on his progress.
"Tonight, is the night, I'm getting my kiss... maybe more. Defenses are down, and I'm walking right in." He text, Becks. A few minutes passed before his phone beeped.
"Go Danny! What's the time frame you're working with?" He text back
"What do you mean?" Daniel asked
"How long till she quits? I got a hot girl looking for a job, she'd be the perfect assistant. Hot and easy!" Becks explained.
"Eh, two weeks tops. We'll be having sex before the weekend comes." Daniel felt guilty sending that text, but he did.
"Can't wait to see how it plays out. Let me know how it is, maybe I'll give her some of my lovin after."
Daniel ignored his last text, Betty didn't deserve that. He'd be sure to find her a new job at Meade, at a magazine that was better fitted for her. He wouldn't let Becks near her either, all Becks would do is hurt her, then make fun of her. Was he doing the same thing? No, what he's doing is different. Sure she'll be hurt for a while, when she realizes she can't have him. But she'll have a new job, with better pay and she would have been a Daniel Meade girl. For a girl like Betty, what more could she want.
Becks sat on his couch, waiting for Daniel's response. After about twenty minutes he gave up, he knew Daniel enough to know, he was feeling guilty. He'd get over it, image was important in this business, that's all you have. Daniel's image would be hurt if too many people saw his assistant, and if Daniel's image gets fucked up, so does his. He enjoyed the perks of Danny's job too much, to let them go. He wondered what Betty would look like with a bit of makeup. He hoped she would rock Daniel's world, nothing would humor him more. He could see it now, Danny shaken cause the ugly girl gave the best sex.
"Read it now," Betty said handing Daniel the editor's letter. Daniel read it, smiling. They had been at this for over an hour now. They had both taken off their shoes, and were sitting on the floor at his coffee table.
"You're a great writer, Betty. You were able to polish my ramblings, you're a pro."
"Thanks, but I barely did anything. The letter was good, Daniel."
"Well thank you, for your continued faith in me," he said winking at her.
"So... are we done for the night?" Betty asked, nervous all of the sudden.
"Uh... no, we're not. There is something I've been wanting to talk to you about." He said looking down at his hands.
"Whats wrong," she asked worriedly.
"Its just... I've been thinking about you, a lot. At first I thought it was cause you're always there for me, even when I'm an ass. But it's more than that, I've come to care about you. I've never really cared about a woman before, ever. You're just so different, you're so great. Like I said today, your smile is infectious, but so are you." he said, finally looking at her to gauge her reaction. Betty was in utter and complete shock, she must be dreaming. There was no way Daniel was saying these thing to her.
"Betty, please say something or I'll feel like a total ass." he said, reaching over and placing his hand over hers.
"Daniel, are you teases me? I mean it's not April fools, right."
"I would never joke about this, Betty."
"I don't know what to say," she said.
"Don't say anything then," he said getting close to her, so close she could feel his breath on her face. "Just relax and go with the flow," he said, before he leaned in and kissing her. Betty was shocked she didn't know what to do, did she pull away, did she kiss him back. Would things be weird tomorrow, will he regret it. She couldn't stop thinking, she was too nervous. "Relax," Daniel whispered against her lips. Finally she decided to do just that, she had plenty of time to think later. She would just enjoy right now.