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Betty's hopes were quickly dashed. After their night in the furnace room, things between her and Scott didn't improve. In fact, Scott seemed even more distant. Betty clung to the memory of the look in Scott's eyes and the tender feel of his arms that night to help her stay optimistic. "He has to still care about me a little. I just have to keep reminding him." All Betty knew for sure was that she was not about to give up.
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The next two weeks flew by because they were so busy. The Veronica Rivers visit increased business two-fold and everyone was scurrying around trying to take care of all the new sponsors. Betty hardly had time to worry about her own problems.
Betty arrived at work one Friday morning. "Good morning, Gertie." Gertie looked at her with excitement in her eyes. She whispered, "Betty, Mr. Thaddeus Taylor is waiting for you in your office." When Betty didn't respond appropriately, Gertie grabbed her by the arms and whispered, "Betty, it's THE Thaddeus Taylor. He owns the biggest steel mill in Pittsburgh. He's a millionaire many times over. I think he wants to advertise with us."
Betty hurried down the hall thinking what a great opportunity this was. She wondered what brought him to WENN. She walked in the door, flashed her biggest smile and extended her hand. "Good morning Mr. Taylor. Welcome to WENN. It's a pleasure to meet you." Out of the corner of her eye, Betty noticed Scott sitting on the couch. Both men stood up.
Thaddeus Taylor was a large man with a laugh as big as his frame and eyes that twinkled. She guessed him to be in his late 60's. Betty looked at him and immediately thought of Santa Claus.
Mr. Taylor grabbed her delicate hand in his big paw and shook it with a laugh. "Miss Roberts, Scott has been trying to convince me I should advertise with your station." He settled back comfortably in his chair. "Can you give me 5 reasons why I should?" Betty realized that beneath the happy exterior was a very serious businessman who would expect a serious answer from her.
For the next hour, the three of them discussed numbers and possible shows he could sponsor. Betty and Scott gave him a tour of the station and allowed him into the studio to watch a live broadcast. 'Bedside Manor' was just ending. Betty hoped that Jeff and Hilary would behave themselves. Scott leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Thank goodness Hilary appears to be in a good mood today." She smiled up at him and he smiled back. Her heart did a flip.
Back in Betty's office, Mr. Taylor grabbed his coat and started pulling it on. "Well, I've got to run, but I've enjoyed myself very much with both of you, Betty and Scott. You're a very effective and persuasive team. I'll think about everything we've discussed and get back to you." He got half way out the door and paused. He turned around with a huge grin. "I just had a splendid idea. I'd love to have my wife meet you." He winked at Betty. "She is a very astute judge of character. She's always telling me I'm too trusting. Anyway, she and I are going to the Pittsburgh Symphony fundraiser tonight at the Starlight Room and we'd love to have the both of you as our guests."
Betty and Scott both realized that meeting his wife could make or break the deal, so they readily agreed to a night on the town with Mr. & Mrs. Thaddeus Taylor. "Splendid! We'll pick you both up tonight around 7:00. I'll have my secretary call with the details." With that, Mr. Taylor blew out the door and down the hall. "Goodbye, Gertie girl!"
Gertie laughed. "Oh, Mr. Taylor."
Betty and Scott both felt spent - like a hurricane had just blown through. Betty thought about tonight and pictured her closet. She began to panic. "Oh, my goodness. I don't have anything fancy enough to wear to the Starlight Room."
"Betty, you'll look beautiful no matter what you wear." Betty was so distracted that the compliment didn't even register.
Maple walked by the open door. "Maple!"
Maple stopped and came in. "Yeah, Betty?"
Betty grabbed her arm and led her running down the hall. "Maple, you've got to help me. We're going shopping right now. You'll never guess where I'm going tonight."
After the excited voices and squeals died down in the hall, Scott wondered to himself how he was ever going to get through this night without giving away his feelings for Betty. It was getting harder and harder to be around her.
It wasn't until later at the Boutique that Betty remembered the compliment Scott had paid her. She was heartsick at the thought of missing such a nice moment with him but vowed with determination, "I'll make it up to him tonight."
She looked at herself in the mirror. The gown she and Maple chose was very sophisticated and too expensive. It fit her like a glove and made her feel beautiful. "Scott Sherwood, you're not going to know what hit you."
Betty's Journey of Discovery Series
Go to Betty's Journey of Discovery#14 - Starlight Memories!
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