Hello everyone, I'm back with a new story to entertain you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight at all; I just play puppet with the characters.
EPOV
"Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?"
"Too overused."
"That shirt is very becoming on you. Of course if I were on you, I'd be coming, too."
I scratched down some notes in the company's planner. "Too creepy."
"Your lips look lonely. Would they like to meet mine?"
I looked up and grimaced. "Really, Emmett? Too cheesy."
He threw his hands up in the air. "Well, sorry! But, you've rejected every line I send at you. You're so picky about these damn pick up lines," he accused.
Leaning back in my office chair, I said, "I'm 26, single, and a co-CEO of a successful company, does it look like I have time to think about pick up lines?"
Emmett slammed his fist down on my desk, shaking the picture frames of my family. "Exactly, my dear brother! You're 26 and still single. It's about time we change that."
"Is the part about being a CEO not important enough?" I asked, exasperated. He was always barging into my office and distracting me with his ideas, which seemed to get increasingly stupid. I was trying to remember if there was a family gathering today, but Emmett kept rambling on.
"If being with Rosalie has taught me anything, it's that women are very important. And never underestimate the food cravings of a pregnant woman." Rosalie was blonde, tall, and his wife of two years. She was almost nine months pregnant with their first child. The baby girl could be coming any day now.
Oh yeah, there is a gathering today.I remember her making sure I'd make it to this one since I missed the last one for a business trip.
Picking up the phone, I dialed my assistant. "Hello, Angela? Please cancel my 6:00 meeting tonight and move it to tomorrow."
"But Mr. Cullen, you have a meeting with the executive board before that and a project to work on right after. You'll be running all over the place."
I thought about it for a second. "It's fine, I'll manage."
"Got it."
After I hung up, Emmett looked at me, concerned. "Bro, you're straining yourself way too much. It's the goddamn weekend. Enjoy it!"
"Emmett, I'm not like you. I'm more responsible and can refrain from having sex."
"Dude, you don't understand! You have a bunch of paper work to keep your lonely self busy. But I've been cut off since we found out she's pregnant!"
Used to Emmett's jokes about my non-existent love life, I sighed and looked down at the planner, scanning the next day for any upcoming meetings. My father, Carlisle, retired and left Emmett and I in charge of the family company. Although Emmett was useful to have around with the construction projects, I couldn't handle all the work myself, so we asked a good friend of ours, Jasper Hale, to help out. He introduced us to his sister, Rosalie, and that's how Emmett and she got started. They've been attached ever since.
"Speaking of pregnancy, here's another one you can try! Do you know what I like in a person? My dick," he said proudly.
Just then Jasper walked into my office and said, "Emmett, should I be concerned since you are supposedly straight, married, and about to have a child?"
"Our boy, Edward, here lost a bet and in return, I came up with a wicked dare for him."
"What's the verdict?" Jasper asked.
"He needs to pick up a girl using a line of my choice!" I rolled my eyes as he said this. It was a typical Emmett dare; always trying to get me a girlfriend.
Jasper laughed. "Oh man. I don't know how you got my sister to marry you, but I know for damn straight that it wasn't because of pick up lines. Maybe you should let Edward come up with one and we can pick the girl he uses it on."
"Dude! That's even better!" Emmett gave him a high-five.
"And I thought you were gonna be on my side," I told Jasper and closed my eyes. The last few weeks have been crazy and stressful with incoming orders, new projects, and accounting errors, so I don't have time for some ridiculous dare.
"Sorry, but this is a perfect excuse to go to the art museum that opened a few days ago."
"Um, how?"
"First of all, we can appreciate the arts and get inspired for more construction designs-"
Emmett faked coughed. "Ahem-boring!"
Jasper shot him a glare that said not to interrupt again. "And second, girls love art and it's a high-class museum, so in your words, there's gonna be a bunch of rich hot girls."
"It's settled. We are going to the museum now," Emmett said as he pushed my paperwork to the side.
Annoyed, I straighten them back into place. "Why does it even matter if they're rich?" I asked, noting the expensively custom-made business suits we all were wearing. "We have plenty of money ourselves."
"It doesn't matter, but I really want to go the museum so stop complaining and get off your ass so we can go now!" Jasper demanded, impatient. He has always been into these classical and historical things, so I figured I might as well comply since he's done so much for the company.
"Fine, fine," I surrendered, "but we can't go now. It's not closing time yet."
Emmett whipped his phone out and typed quickly. "Already taken care of, Eddie. The secretaries got it covered."
"God, how many times do I have to tell you to not call me that?!"
"Plenty enough. You've been overworking, so it's time to relieve some of that tension."
After an hour of discussing how to incorporate the museum's impressive art into future construction designs, Emmett said, "Okay, it's time to do what we came here for. Jasper, spot any good chicks?"
"None really stands out to me. They're all dressed the same too."
He was right. Visiting a museum like this was only leisure for the higher class. Most of the women were wandering about in jewelry, gowns, and gloves.
Although we didn't look out of place, I felt uncomfortable here. I don't usually attend events like unless it was for business matters. Despite the profits and recognition we get from the business, the three of us acted more like your dorky average guys.
Emmett peeked around the corner, then made some awful dying bird noise that was probably his signal. "Guys, over here! I found the perfect one."
Jasper and I peeked behind him to see a girl observing a marble sculpture of two people intertwined in a kiss.
"She certainly has good taste in art. That sculpture is called "The Kiss" by French artist, Auguste Rodin. It's a classic," Jasper approved.
Hmmm...her appearance did not struck me as the romantic type.
Her long brown hair was in a high ponytail and her back was facing us. She was wearing a black hoodie that said "Bella" and the number "5" below it. She must be an athlete and as I peered closer, I saw that she was wearing some faded jeans and worn out sneakers. In fact, everything she had on seemed worn out.
This girl-Bella-was the complete opposite of the other women here.
"I wonder what she's doing in a place like this..." I thought aloud.
"It's doesn't matter why she's here, but we choose her!" Emmett proclaimed.
"I have a feeling something interesting will come out of this," Jasper agreed.
I ran my hand through my disarrayed hair. "Alright, so I just come up with a random pick up line?"
"Not random. But something that'll actually get her to go out with you," Jasper answered.
"Put those pretty boy looks and Cullen charm to good use! Go get her, tiger!" Emmett added and pushed me in her direction.
I chuckled and loosened my tie as I approach her. Though Emmett was an idiot sometimes, he definitely made life more exciting.
Bella still had her back to me and I wondered what she looked like. To be honest, I was more than confident that I could get her to go out with me. Although I didn't consider myself narcissistic, I knew that I wasn't ugly. In fact, I thought myself to be more attractive than the average guy. The only reason I was sure of this was because women threw themselves at me all the time. Whether it be for my looks or wealth or both.
Okay, let's get this over with.
"Hello, excuse me, miss?"
She jumped slightly before turning around, confusion etched across her face.
My breathing hitched for a second. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I was completely taken back by her.
Oh fuck.
She was unbelievably beautiful.
Even with old casual clothes on in this museum full of expensively dressed girls, Bella was by far the most astounding. There was something about her petite figure, huge brown eyes, long dark lashes, and pink plump lips that rendered me speechless. She looked like the epitome of innocence.
We stared at each other for a moment before she cocked her head and said, "Can I help you?"
I whacked my brain for something clever to say. Looking at the museum sign behind her, inspiration struck.
"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen and I would shake your hand but that sign over there says not to touch the masterpieces."
I tried to say it as smooth as I could, but after seeing how beautiful she looked, my confidence went down a few notches.
Bella's eyes widened and her mouth dropped. But then she saw something behind me and said, "Crap."
Her gorgeous face twisted into a grimace and that was definitely not the reaction I was expecting. Or hoping for.
Before I could ask her what's wrong, Bella grabbed the lapels of my jacket, pulled me down to her, and kissed me the life of out me. Wait, what?! I looked at her in bewilderment, thinking this had to be my imagination or some prank, but her eyes were closed and she didn't stop. For some reason, I didn't want her to stop, so I snapped out of my shock and kissed her back.
She pressed me back against the wall and continued to move her mouth quickly against mine. She rested her hands on my shoulders and I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist, bringing her closer. Her soft lips faintly tasted like chocolate.
I heard Emmett hissed loudly, "What the flipping fuck?"
Jasper responded, "See, I told you something interesting will come from this."
They didn't stop us and I knew I had to but it surprisingly felt so damn good. The girls I've been with before never made me feel as alive as I did now with this stranger.
Shit, that's right. She was a complete stranger. I knew nothing about her except for her first name. And we were making out in a museum.
Right when I thought this, she pulled back to catch her breath and she looked as alarmed as I felt.
Bella looked around and slowly backed away. "I..um..I'm sorry, I have to go!"
Before I could stop her, she ran off and almost tripped as she turned a corner.
"Wait!" I called after her, hating myself for not grabbing her earlier. She quickly disappeared into the crowd of people, frowning at her with disapproval.
Jasper and Emmett came up to me, looking at the direction she ran off.
"That must've been one hell of a pick up line, Edward," Emmett praised me. "But, I might have to go pluck my eyes out now because I did not want to see my brother making out."
"Well now you know how I feel about you and Rosalie! But no, she saw something or someone behind me that made her do that..." I trailed off, still in a daze from her lips.
"We need to find her then," Jasper said, determined. "I'm kind of curious."
"Then, it's settled!" Emmett confirmed. "Operation 'Find Edward's Hot Kiss' is now underway. Team, split up!"
He made a fake gun with his hand and scoped out the area like a spy before rolling behind another display.
Jasper looked at me and shrugged. "Might as well play along," he said.
Half an hour later, I met Emmett back at the sculpture where I had encountered Bella.
"I can't find her anywhere, man."
"No luck here either."
"How hard is it to lose track of someone like that in a place like this?" He wondered.
I wasn't so sure myself, but I know that I won't forget her face. She looked better than all the girls here with their designer clothes. Actually no, she looked better than any girl I have ever met. I couldn't imagine how she would look if she actually dressed to impress.
I rubbed my neck, frustrated. I had to see her again. I needed to figure out what was going on. And maybe ask her for another kiss my less noble side added.
Suddenly, Emmett grabbed my arm. "No fucking way. It looks like Jasper's got a chick too. On your left."
Sure enough, there was Jasper talking to a girl, leading her our way. She was wearing Bella's hoodie, but she definitely was not Bella. She was abnormally shorter in stature and had short spiky black hair. With her poofy sparkly skirt and sparkly jewelry, she almost resembled a fairy.
Jasper waved at us. "Guys, I found someone who can help us find Bella. This is Alice."
She let out a low whistle while scrutinizing us. "Wow, Bella just attracts all types of guys, doesn't she? Maybe I should stop forcing her to dress better."
"I saw Alice wearing a hoodie from afar and she was walking away so I had to sprint across the room and nearly tackled her," Jasper said sheepishly. "Again, sorry about that."
She smiled up at him. "It's no big deal. I'm use to spontaneous things, but it's a good thing I wasn't Bella. She would've given you a few good punches in the face."
"Really?" The three of us asked in unison.
"Yup. She use to take boxing lessons."
"Do you know where I can find her?" I asked, grateful for some background information, but still wanted to find her first.
"She's in the Starbucks across the street." Alice stared suspiciously at me. "As a matter of fact, she was in a frenzied hurry. What did you do to her?"
I raised my hands up in defense. "Nothing! Honestly, I just need to sort some things out."
"Alright then. Follow me!" Alice announced, her skirt twirling around in an elegant manner.
"So, I guess we won't be touring the rest of the exhibit?" Jasper asked, a little dejected.
"No worries! Once we find her, I'd be more than happy to check it out with you," Alice assured him.
"I'd really love that, miss," he said, his rare Southern hospitality coming out.
While they were walking in front of us, Emmett whispered to me, "There has to be some lovey dovey gas in this museum air."
"It was just a random kiss, Emmett. It probably doesn't mean anything."
But a part of me didn't want to believe that.
Once we were in the shop, I spotted Bella immediately, hidden away in the corner and skimming some popular book about vampires.
Strands of hair were covering her face and she looked up when she heard us approach. Her face flushed when her brown eyes met my green ones, so she looked quickly back down again.
"Hey Bella," Alice said as she grabbed the drink on the table. "What did you do to make these hot guys search for you?"
She avoided my gaze and didn't answer, so I bluntly said, "She kissed me."
Alice sprayed her drink all over Emmett. "You did what?!" She yelled, looking between Bella and I.
Jasper and I tried to contain our laughs as Emmett looked at his ruined suit. "Excuse me, pixie stick, you just spat all over me!"
"Sorry! I'll make you a new suit." She turned back to Bella. "When exactly did you plan on telling me that you were hooking up with someone behind my back?"
"Ugh, okay Alice, it's not like that. I saw Mike with that snotty rich girl and I couldn't let him see me alone in my ratty clothes." Bella clenched her fists tightly as she said this. Her innocent and shy demeanor had vanished.
At the mention the guy's name, Alice let out a scoff. "That douche isn't worth your anger, Bella."
"Um, who's Mike?" I asked, not quite sure I wanted to know the answer.
"My ex-boyfriend."
Reviews are always welcomed and treasured. c:
Also, check out my other E/B stories if you're interested.
-Alexis