"The Question Room"
Chapter One: "Do you believe in fate?"
There in a dark room she sat in a comfortable red velvet armchair anxiously waiting for the interviewer to speak. She fidgeted in the chair unable to make up her mind if she should cross her knees or lean on her elbows. This was not something she would normally agree to, but her best friend Alice had somehow talked her into doing this interview. She found it ridiculous.
Letting out a soft sigh she settled back against the chair with her knees crossed. She had felt so overwhelmed when she first arrived; one of the stylists grabbed her the moment she walked in and threw her into a swivel chair that was placed in front of a well lit mirror. Her hair was pulled and curled, her face plucked and buffed with powder. After an hour of what she considered to be pure torture they stood back to admire their handy work and released her with her own clothes still intact. They agreed that her style was cute and fashionable enough to be worn on camera, saving them at least another hour's worth of work.
The interviewer shuffled her papers for the twentieth time, before clearing her throat.
"Alright, Bella, I think we are about ready." The interviewer said with a warm smile on her face. This comforted Bella; the interviewer's warm brown eyes and soft auburn curls put her nerves at ease. Quietly everyone began to file out of the room leaving only one camera man, the interviewer, and Bella. Her eyes burrowed in confusion.
"Oh, we try to keep a low key set when we do interviews." She gave an encouraging smile, "Don't worry everyone is just outside the door if you need anything."
As she spoke the camera man turned on the three camera lights that surrounded her before turning off the main lights. As he took his place behind the camera Bella began to feel more and more relaxed upon the realization that there was only going to be the three of them in the room.
"Are you ready?" The interviewer asked, her voice soft and warm.
Bella gave a small smile and nodded. "Yes."
"Okay, so this will be easy. I ask you a question and you give me an honest answer." She instructed, "Easy, right?"
Bella gave another nod, "Sounds good."
The interviewer shifted in her chair reading the first line on the paper.
"Question number one, do you believe in fate?" She asked leaning forward on her knees.
Bella took a moment to think.
"I used to." She admitted to the interviewer.
The interviewer paused to take in her answer.
"Used to? What changed your mind? Did you have a bad experience?" She inquired.
"Well, experiences are more like it." Bella shifted again, sitting up straighter and switching legs.
"What was the final experience that changed your mind?" Her voice was soft as if knowing she was asking something personal.
Bella expected this, she understood it. Alice had told her this would be good, to let people know that they were not alone in losing hope.
She let out a sigh, preparing for what she was about to say.
"A couple years ago I would have told you that meeting this guy was fate, but now, I don't think that. Now, I see it as two strangers stranded in a Chicago airport trying to get home to Seattle for Christmas. Two strangers who met and enjoyed each other's company for eight hours and thirty two minutes then parted ways. Two people who never saw each other again." Bella whispered the last part.
Her eyes were cast to the floor as the interviewer shuffled her damn papers.
"Why did you not see each other again?" She questioned.
Bella met the eyes of the interviewer, "We were supposed to meet up for New Year's at a party my friend was throwing. He had no plans and his family lived in the area so he suggested we meet up then. I arrived, he never did."
Bella was silent for a moment before looking into the camera and saying what she felt, "People make their own decisions. Fate has nothing to do with it."
I watched from across the dance floor as the groom proudly walked over to his new bride, kissing her neck as he snaked his arms around her waist. He whispered something in her ear that made the bride blush, she kissed him on his cheek in return. In that moment they were in love, in that second nothing else mattered at all. I gazed at the happy couple, watching the world around them fall away as he gently took her hand and led her to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.
The dance floor was lit only by the hanging Chinese lanterns that surrounding the dance floor. Patterns of light danced across the room as the spotlights swayed to the first song in perfect harmony. Guest looked on as the Bride and Groom turned about the middle of the room, eating their filet mignon and drinking chardonnay. Crystal vases full of five foot tall floral arrangements hung about the white satin table clothes with matching crystal plates for each guest.
It was one of the top ten weddings I had done and everything was running like a well oiled machine. Food was perfect and simply divine, lighting was impressing even me, everyone looked elegant in their gowns and tuxes, and most importantly, the bride and groom felt as though nothing bad could ever happen to them. The night was still young, and a lot could go wrong, but I had a feeling that everything was going to be just fine.
I smiled and joined along with the guests as everyone applauded how well the groom dipped his bride, kissing her neck as she leaned back reveling in the moment. Those dance classes paid off.
This wedding would be number 384.
I couldn't believe that eight years had gone by since I began this company and I almost had 400 weddings that I had planned and coordinated under my belt.
Of course, I couldn't take all the credit.
My eyes caught someone coming towards me, and that someone was Alice.
"Hello, lovely." She chirped handing me 'Bob'.
'Bob' was the binder that every bride got upon hiring us as their wedding planners. It was the bridal-organizer-binder that contained every little detail of the bride-and-groom-to-be's wedding. From dress sizes to foods that could kill the groom's father; it included dates, names, vendors, types of chocolates, shoes, color swatches, pets, cars, times, locations… in a nut shell?
The whole wedding.
"Hey, babe. How is everything?" I asked flipping open 'bob' to check out where we were.
"Smooth as a baby's bottom. Boss is happy, dad is good to go, and Sarah and Thomas are happy as clams." Alice informed me with her usual upbeat self. I swear she pops pills or something. The amount of energy she has all the time just amazes me. If I could bottle that shit up, I would be a very rich woman. Well, I would make a little more than I do now, but that is beside the point.
Alice is my second in command, my best friend, and my sister from another mother, my pillar, my rock, my kindred spirit and all that other sentimental shit. I literally think I would die if she was ever to leave the company, or go to prison at least; and I am not being melodramatic. The amount of times I wanted to slit a mother-of-the-bride's throat is impossible to count. The ideas I came up with on how to kill spawn of Satan Bridezilla with my mechanical pencil would impress even Jack the Ripper. Alice was the one who quickly took over in those heated moments as I sat silently at my desk gritting my teeth.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job and those moments were few and far between but Alice was still there to make sure I didn't pull my hair out. That is why I half everything down the middle with her. Hell, I even opted to change the name of the company but she insisted that it remain the same. Plus she threatened to kill me if I did because of all the marketing materials she would have to replace.
God bless her.
"How did Boss take the news about the ice sculptor?" I asked eyeing the mother-of-the-bride, aka Boss, who was currently telling a fabulous story to her guests in between swigs of champagne.
That's right, keep drinking. I like you better when you are drinking.
"Almost world war three but it was easily diverted when I told her John would be refunding her money." She said nonchalantly.
I stopped and slowly turned to look at Alice.
"Will he be refunding her money?" I asked.
She gave me a sheepish grin, "I could only get him to refund half because they actually agreed to keep the ice sculpture here."
I groaned loudly catching the attention of a couple nearby guests. I grabbed Alice's hand and dragged her to the kitchen before unleashing my wrath. Well, maybe not wrath, frustrations would be a better term to use here.
"How much?" I demanded as we moved out of a waiter's way, nearly making him spill the hors d'oeuvres. That would have been really bad.
"Okay, before you freak out let me explain. We have three possible clients that she knows and she is one of those 'Bosses' that shares her opinions with everyone. If I didn't do what I did then we could have been losing a lot of money Bella." She told me pointedly, "I am talking a million."
I knew she had me; I would have done the same if I knew it would get us in with three more brides. I tried not to show my excitement for these possible "clients" Alice was talking about but failed.
I sighed in defeat, "Just tell me anyways. Quick, like a band aid."
"$2,200." She said flatly.
My eyes almost bugged out of my head. Oh. My. God.
I began rubbing my temples; my head ache was just beginning. "Okay, okay. That is not bad. Not bad at all."
"It really isn't Bella, seriously," she reassured me. "Now, let's get back out there and make sure nothing goes wrong. It has been beautiful so far and let's make it memorable."
I nodded my head in agreement and silently began to pump myself up.
"Four more hours, I can do this," I chanted.
"You can do this." Alice chanted with me placing both hands on my shoulders and pushing me back out into the sea of wedding guests.
Four hours and thirty minutes later…
The moment I walked in my apartment building my body began to relax and fall into the familiar pattern I followed every night. I gave a soft hello and smile to Eric who sat happily behind the front desk of the lobby.
"Another long night?" He asked as I pressed the elevator button.
I turned lazily and leaned against the wall waiting for the elevator to arrive. "Yeah, guest didn't leave until 12 and clean up took us another hour and a half."
The elevator dinged to let me know it was here.
"Well, have a good night Miss Swan." Eric said turning back to his work.
"Good night." Stepping into the elevator I pressed number seven.
When I arrived at my apartment I quickly unlocked the door, stepped inside and bolted it shut behind me. I was so tired I didn't even bother to turn on the lights or to put things in their rightful place. My shoes were left at the front door, my purse and sweater tossed onto the kitchen counter as I made my way into the open living room. I placed 'bob' on my dresser as I stumbled into my room. Stripping clothes and leaving them in my zombie wake, I fell into bed not even bothering to slip between the sheets as I pulled the comforter around me.
Thank God tomorrow was Sunday… I thought before the sleep over took my body.
Ring.
…
Riiinnnggg.
…
Ring. Ring.
"What the." I jerked awake reaching blindly for the hellish object that was making that ungodly noise. After knocking my alarm clock to the ground and nearly taking out my lamp I realized my cell was in the kitchen in my purse.
"Damn it." I hissed, tumbling to the ground with the comforter tangled between my legs. Kicking free I began to crawl to the door searching for the frame to help me stand. Once in the upright position I quickly made my way to the kitchen snatching my purse up and dumping the contents on to the counter.
Beep.
The cell sounded to let me know I had a miss call. I pressed the menu button to see who had called.
3 missed calls. Rosalie. Rosalie. Alice.
Apparently I had slept through the first two without stirring. Pressing the dial key I held the cell to my ear.
It rang only once.
"God damn it Bella, why the hell do you have a cell phone if you are never going to answer it," she cursed into the phone. "I mean what if I really needed your help? What if it was an emergency?"
I sighed loudly to let her know I was still listening.
"Don't you sigh at me Isabella Marie Swan. I called to tell you something very important but if you don't really care about me and our friendship then I ca-"
"Don't be so dramatic Rose. We just had a late wedding last night and I am exhausted," I explained, "I am listening, I promise."
She was silent for a moment. I checked to make sure she hadn't hung up then hopped up on the counter rubbing my eyes waiting for her to continue.
"Alright, all is forgiven." She said happily.
She was in an extremely good mood.
"Tell me, are you dressed?" She asked. I realized then that I was just in my boy shorts and silk camisole.
"Uh, not fully, why?" I asked.
Three loud knocks sounded from the apartment door.
"Rosalie Hale!" I squealed happily hopping off the counter heading for the door, "Why didn't you just tell me you were here!?"
"Well I am not by myself," She told me but I was already swinging open the door to greet her.
And Emmett.
"Well, well, well. Good to see you Bella," Emmett grinned deviously at my ensemble, while Rosalie covered her mouth with her hand trying to hide her snickers.
"Son of a bitch!" I yelled slamming the door in their faces, laughter erupted from the other side as Emmett's booming voice shook the walls. Taking off towards my room I grabbed sweats from the dresser quickly returning to let them in.
"I have to say Bella, I have never seen that side of you before." He chuckled stepping through the entrance.
I rolled my eyes and reached for Rosalie to give her a hug. "Thanks for the warning," I whispered.
"I did warn you but you didn't hear me," she giggled.
"Well come on in, sorry about the mess but you literally woke me from a dead sleep." I explained picking up the items I discarded last night as I showed them the living room.
"Wow, I love what you did with the place Bells." Rose told me approvingly as she took a seat on the couch. Emmett snuggled up next to her while I took the armchair across from them.
"So what brings you to Seattle?" I asked, "Doesn't preseason start soon?"
"Well, that is just some of the big news we have for you," He grinned kissing Rosalie on the cheek. "We're moving to Seattle!"
My jaw dropped, "Seriously? Oh my god!"
"Yeah, Emmett got traded back in May to the Seahawks and has been training here since then." Rosalie was very much involved in Emmett's football career. She may have been drop dead gorgeous but she loved football about as much as Emmett. "He got moved up to first string left tackle!" She practically squealed with pride.
"Wow!" I said loudly. I may not watch every NFL game but I learned enough from my dad and I knew that was a big deal.
Plus, I had seen The Blind Side. I knew that was a very important position; next to the quarterback.
"It worked out perfectly too. Rose is finally coming home to run the chain of boutiques here in Seattle. Now that she has a solid management system in New York and Chicago we can settle down here and see each other more often," He told me.
"Oh, my God Rose! That is fantastic!" I squealed jumping up to give her another hug. It had been her dream ever since high school to create a chain of fashion boutiques focusing on high style lingerie. After she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York she went immediately to the bank to apply for a loan. Four months later she cut the ribbon at the grand opening of her first boutique "Red". A couple years went by and she was able to open two more stores in the big city. That was when she met Emmett; rising star of the New York Jets.
Classic story of big bad football player thinking he could get any piece of tail he wanted; that was until he met Rose. She refused him for a solid year before finally allowing him to take her out on a date. He was a persistent son of a bitch; I remember Rosalie telling us all the flowers he would send. The coffee he would bring to the boutique. It was actually Alice and I who finally convinced her to say yes to a date. Even when she did finally agree he didn't get any until three months later. Rosalie was no angel, but she knew how to handle a man and make him treat her with the respect a man should give a woman.
Now here she was, queen of boudoir lingerie for women and her chain was blooming in five major cities across the U.S.
"I am so proud of you Rose. You really worked hard and you deserve to have a chance to settle down," I told with all sincerity.
"Well, that is not all the news," she told me with a playful grin.
I looked at her in confusion.
"There is more? Holy crap Rose I don't think I can take much more!" I laughed.
Emmett sat up and scooted closer to Rose who in return took his hand in hers.
That was when I saw it.
My eyes almost popped out of my head and my jaw hit the floor. I looked from her left hand to her face and back again. "No," I said in almost disbelief.
"WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!" Rosalie screamed unable to contain her excitement.
I was up again squealing and jumping up and down as Rosalie hopped up to join me. I grabbed her ring finger eyeing the beautiful rock.
"Oh, my god! Oh, my god!" I screamed with laughter watching Emmett cover his ears.
Happiness filled me as I hugged them both; I didn't think my smile could get any bigger.
"I know! He finally proposed!" Rosalie shouted in victory.
I doubled over with laughter.
"There is just one other thing," Rose told me attempting to calm herself.
I straightened up trying to contain my excitement. "Okay, hit me."
"Emmett and I want you to plan our wedding," She said hesitantly.
A/N:
This is my first E/B story. Please go easy and always Review. I love to hear your thoughts and opinions. I will be updating soon!