End Of The Road

Betty was getting ready in her apartment. She was standing in front of the mirror, admiring the end result. Checking herself out, she told herself that she had done an excellent job without the help of Hilda or Justin, definitely a first for Betty. Surprising herself, she actually enjoyed dolling herself up.

Tonight was a romantic evening that Henry had planned for the two of them - dinner followed with a stroll through the park. They hadn't been on a date in a very long time. Rarely did they leave either apartment or meet up outside of the office.

Sitting down on the sofa, Betty pulled out her phone and stared at it. Nothing. No missed calls and no messages. This was crazy. It was ten minutes before Henry was supposed to be knocking on her door and it wasn't like him to be late – ever. He always made sure he was early and on time. Betty had a disturbing feeling about tonight. Trying to push the negative thoughts away and pass the time quickly, she decided to make herself a cup of calming tea.

Reaching the breakfast bar, she turned the kettle on and picked up the stereo remote. Pushing the play button, she filled her apartment with the harmonious tones of Boyz II Men.

Singing along, Betty made her drink once the water boiled. The CD kept playing and there was still no sign of Henry. I'll make love to you, like you want me to, and I'll hold you tight, baby all through the night, I'll make love to you, when you want me to, and I will not let go till you tell me to...Closing her eyes and swaying from side to side, Betty started dancing around the living room whilst cupping her mug with both hands while the music continued to flow throughout the apartment.

Betty found herself being seduced by the relaxing sensation of the camomile tea she was inhaling deeply; until she was interrupted by her phone alerting her to a message. Putting her mug down on the coffee table, she walked to the couch and picked up her cell. The message read;

Hi Betty! Im so soz bout 2nite. I no we had a d8, but I've bin thinkn bout us a lot l8ly & jus can't compete wif ur work lyf & Gio. I hope u u/stand. Will luv u always. I guess we were jus neva ment 2 b. Henry

Scowling from the message, Betty threw the phone onto the couch. Mumbling to herself, 'stupid math nerd used exactly 160 characters to dump me. How pathetic.' Realisation had started to set in. 'I've been wanting this relationship to work, because I didn't want to lose Henry to his baby mama. Betty snap out of it! There are more deserving guys out there.' She picked up her mug and walked back to the kitchen. Having been distracted by the break up message, Betty didn't hear the current track playing...although we've come to the end of the road...

'It sure is the end of the road Betty Suarez. No more romantic entanglements' Betty said to herself before grabbing the stereo remote and changing the tracks. Whilst waiting for the stacker to load the next CD, Betty changed into her pyjamas, seized the nearest tissue box, sat down on the couch and pulled her knees into her chest. All by myself, don't wanna be; all by myself, anymore...started playing in the background.

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The doorbell rang the next morning jolting Betty from her slumber on the couch. "COMING!" She yelled toward the front door. Gaining her balance, she walked to the door but stopped in front of the mirror to check her reflection. Murmuring to herself, 'Oh dear! Betty all this over a stupid guy who couldn't commit in the first place?' shaking her head in disbelief at her stupidity, she fixed her hair and wiped her glasses, making herself a bit more presentable for 10 o'clock in the morning.

"Who is it?" Betty asked as she opened the door before hearing the answer. Yawning and stretching in the doorway, she didn't notice that it was Gio. When she realised, a shocked look came across her face and she slammed the door shut. 'Why was Gio smirking and have that look on his face?' She questioned herself.

"Bettttty, open up please?! I'm making you breakfast!"
"Gio, what do you want? Why are you here?"
"B, I live across the hall from you. I heard you crying last night and ... and that song. You had it on constant replay...Open up Betty, please? It'll make you feel better, I promise!"

Finally opening the door, Betty allowed Gio to enter her apartment. Looking around, he noticed an empty tissue box with used tissues strewn around the coffee table in the lounge area. 'Oh B, I would never hurt you like this. Just give me the chance.' Gio thought to himself. Hearing her last night ripped his heart out. All he wanted to do was console her and make everything better.

"Thanks Gio, but you really don't have to do any of this. I'm a big girl now." Betty said as he was unpacking groceries onto the breakfast bar.
"I know B, but you're my friend and I don't like seeing anyone go through what you did; especially you. You deserve so much more. You're a special girl B."

Looking at Betty, he noticed tears starting to well up in her eyes again. He quickly put down the food items that were in his hands and pulled her into his arms.

"Come here B. Shhhh. It's going to be alright. Its Henry's loss. He couldn't see he had something so precious." Rubbing her arms up and down, Gio planted a kiss on her forehead and pulled her into a deeper embrace, which she mirrored by pulling into him also. Squeezing each other, they felt something wonderful start to develop between them. Realising everything she ever wanted and needed was in her arms at that moment, caused more tears to stain her face and now dampen Gio's shirt.

Pulling away from her, Gio tilted Betty's face and wiped her tears away with his thumbs.
"It's alright Suarez. I'm going to make the best pancakes you've ever tasted! They will take your cares away – even if it is for only fifteen minutes!"

Laughing and sniffling, Betty wiped the rest of her tears with a tissue she hid in her sleeve. Gazing into Gio's eyes, she saw how much he cared for her, which gave her the reassurance of her feelings, but was it too soon? 'I don't want him to be a rebound guy, he deserves a lot more than that...he is a lot more than that, and I just never wanted to admit it. I guess it'll be down to me to just be...'

Taking one more sniffle, Betty breathed deeply and kissed Gio softly on the cheek.
"Thanks for everything Gio. You really are a great guy. I don't ever want to lose you."
"And I never want to lose you Suarez! Alright, these pancakes aren't going to make themselves, I better get cooking!" Gio said as he pulled out of one last cuddle with Betty.

Sitting herself at the breakfast bar, Betty watched Gio masterfully take over her kitchen and prepare a breakfast fit for a queen. Mesmerized by his movements, she couldn't help but let her mind wander...Gio's the perfect guy. He is the guy so maybe, just maybe one last entanglement...

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Boyz II Men : "I'll Make Love To You", "End of the Road"

Celine Dion (et al) : "All By Myself"

Ugly Betty – characters : ABC Studios

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