*Characters Belong to Stephanie Myers. Plot Line is mine*
"Tell me again why I have to come to this thing?" I questioned Jasper zipping up the skin tight black dress. I didn't understand why Jasper was dragging me to one of his stupid business dinners. I was going to be confused through the entire thing, I had to wear a stupid dress, and put on heels I wouldn't be able to walk in. Something about the night just didn't appeal to me. Call me crazy.
"I asked nicely. Besides you owe me," he said coming into the room wearing a suite. Once upon a time I wouldn't have been able to imagine Jasper in a suite. Now it was just part of his normal attire, I guess that's all part of working in the real business world. I rolled my eyes slightly putting the finishing touches on my make up.
"So if you do well at the business meeting, you get promoted?" I questioned knowing a lot was riding on this meeting. Jasper only shook his head making my eyes go wide. "And you picked me as your date why?" I questioned. I honestly didn't know why he would want the klutz as a date on something like this.
"Trust me, Bella. You're really good eye candy for everyone there," he said simply shaking his head. "I would take Maria, but we broke up. This is what best friends do," he said slinging his arm around my shoulder. "Mr. Masen thinks your my sister though," he said shrugging his shoulder. "Date just sounded to... weird," he explained with a slight smirk.
"Oh shut up," I laughed hitting him in the shoulder. I looked at myself in the mirror one last time, knowing the car was going to arrive to pick us up at any moment.
My waist length brown hair fell into perfect waves, making my face look slimmer than it actually was. The black eyeliner that surrounded my eyes for once, made them look somewhat pretty. Normally they were a shit colored brown, still are, but the make up hides it a little. The red lipstick brought out my cheek bones, and somehow made my lips look plump, even though they weren't. The black dress made me look like I had some sort of figure, even though I was basically a pole, and the black high heels made my legs look long. For once I looked... somewhat pretty.
"Mr. Masen is here," Jasper announced linking his arm through mine. "Please try not to trip tonight," Jasper asked as I grabbed my purse, along with my I.D. walking to the car.
"I thought you said a car was picking us up," I hissed looking at the limo, that was stretched.
"So he rides in style," he said shrugging his shoulders. A guy much bigger than Jasper, or any guy I'd ever seen, walked from the drivers side of the car, to the backseat just to open the door. It was an unnecessary task if you asked me.
"Good evening, Mr. and Miss Whitlock," he said sounding stiff, and slightly uncomfortable. Jasper gave a slight nod sliding into the limo.
"Bella," I corrected him licking my lips. "Miss, makes me feel old," I explained before getting into the limo. Not once had I rode in a limo. I didn't ride in one for prom, or graduation. For prom I got a ride in a beat up old pick up truck, and for graduation I my dad drove me.
"Mr. Masen will be meeting everyone at the restaurant," the driver explained. The ride to the restaurant was filled with complete silence. For once, I was experiencing New York City in a different way. I was looking out the window in a tinted limo, the windows were so dark, people were craning their necks just to get a glimpse inside. There was a mini fridge next to my legs, filled with alcohol and water, and then there was three ashtrays, one in each armrest.
I was uncomfortable to say in the least.
"How much is this coasting you?" I questioned making Jasper raise an eyebrow.
"Mr. Masen pays," he said shrugging his shoulder. "So I've got no clue. It's probably more than I make in a year," he admitted when the limo finally stopped. I tried opening the door, soon figuring out there was a child safety lock on, so only the driver could open the door.
"Have a good evening," he said formally making sure not to use last names, or first names.
"Twilight?" I questioned shaking my head. "This is one of the most expensive restaurants in New York," I hissed slightly shifting my weight from one foot to the other.
"Mr. Masen is filthy rich," Jasper said walking up to the hostess. "We're part of Edward Masen's business meeting," he explained motioning to me.
"Of course," the waitress said with a smile. "Follow me, sir," she said as she walked. Jasper must have been use to this kind of treatment. He's been working for Mr. Masen, for over a year. I, on the other hand, had never once met the man, or been on any outings. According to every single person that knew him, he was a complete and utter dick.
The hostess opened a door that read private seating reserved pushing the door open revealing a set of stairs. I shot a glance to Jasper who only gave a slight snicker. He thought my clumsiness was something to be laughed at, in all cases. I took the steps carefully before finally reaching the top.
"The last of our party has finally arrived," the man at the head of the table announced sounding more than a little annoyed. "Was there a problem?" He questioned as soon as Jasper and I sat down.
"Actually," I said calling attention to myself. "It was completely my fault. You know what they say about waiting on a woman," I lied with a smile. I knew a lot was riding on this, and it was better to blame someone who didn't work for him, than to blame the limo driver. Mr. Masen lifted his gaze for the first time, his emerald eyes landing on mine.
"What took you so long?" He questioned folding his arms on the table.
"Do you see this?" I questioned with a light giggle running my fingers through my hair. "Most the time I throw it up in a bun, so I miscalculated on the time it would take to wave it," I explained shaking my head. I didn't fail to notice the other curious gazes that lingered on me.
"You two don't look alike. At all," Mr. Masen announced dropping the subject suddenly.
"Step siblings," Jasper spoke up shrugging his shoulders. "My mom married her dad when she was three," he said sounding like he rehearsed the story. Mr. Masen only shook his head as the waitress walked over.
"You're special," Mr. Masen said not allowing her to ask how our evening was going. "Two bottles of wine," he said closing his menu shoving it in her face. I rolled my eyes slightly as everyone else rattled off their order the, same as Mr. Masen, minus the two bottles of wine.
"And you?" She questioned still scribbling down the orders.
"I don't know," I said honestly tapping my fingers. "What's good here?" I questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Everything," she admitted with a smile. "But it's my job to say that," she whispered. "Personally I like the New York Flaming Yawn," she said licking her lips.
"I'll take whatever that is," I said with a giggle handing her the menu. "And surprise me with the sides, I'm not picky," I announced as she skittered off.
"Business talk after we get wine," Jasper whispered in my ear explaining the silence.
"The wine," the waitress announced pouring every single person a glass. "Do I know you from somewhere. You look familiar," she said suddenly talking to me. I looked up at her for the first time with a smile.
"You're in my English Class. Thursday's at Nine," I said offering up an explanation. "Jessica, right?" I questioned with a smile.
"Bella!" She basically yelled clapping her hands together. She looked from Mr. Masen to everyone else giving me a questioning glance, before giving a light smile. "Thanks for helping with the connection," she said walking off for the last time. With that the business talk I didn't understand started.
"You better be fucking kidding me!" Mr. Masen screamed causing me to flinch at the sudden incline in his voice. "If the design is not done by Friday I'll fire everyone in the fucking department!" He yelled even louder making me shrink back in my seat. There was no way I would be able to work for Mr. Masen, I start crying if someone yells at me. Childish, I know.
"I'll personally oversee that it gets done," Jasper offered up calmly taking a sip of his wine as the food finally arrived. The dinner seemed to take longer than it should have with everyone talking in between bites. The man across from me couldn't seem to chew with his mouth closed, and the one next to him seemed to make a lot of noise when eating on purpose.
"Jasper," I whispered when he wasn't talking. "Ladies room, where is it?" I questioned looking around seeing no restroom sign. Jasper only waved me off shrugging his shoulders. "Crap," I muttered under my breath looking behind me for the waitress, who was nowhere in sight.
"Is there a problem Isabella?" Mr Masen questioned slamming his fork to the table causing me to jump out of my seat. "You seem to be more annoying than I thought was possible," he hissed making me glare at him before giving a smile crossing my legs.
"No problem, sir," I said in the fakest sweet voice I could manage. In that moment Jasper knew my temper was getting the best of me.
"Good," he hissed looking back to Jasper continuing the conversation.
"How is everything for you tonight?" Jessica questioned with a smile. Mr. Masen ignored her completely pretending she didn't even exist.
"Could you point me to the restroom? Apparently asking him is to much of a hassle," I said sweetly making sure Mr. Masen was able to hear me. Jessica only gave a wide eyed expression, I'm sure he was shooting me an evil glare.
"That room," she said pointing to the door, I had assumed had been another set of stairs.
"Thank you," I said tossing my napkin in my food. "I'll be back in one moment. Don't miss me too much," I said walking away.
"We won't," he hissed making sure I heard. "If I had a nickel for every stuck up, childish, brunette haired women I knew, I'd be a nickle richer than I am," he hissed as soon as I got back to the table. I gave a sickly sweet smile grabbing my purse from around my chair getting to my feet.
"I'm going to get a cab," I said leaning over Mr. Masen, invading his personal space, I'm sure. "You can start your collection now, because I can only assume that snarky little comment was for me," I whispered in his ear dropping the nickel on his plate. "You know I would have thought someone as rich as you would know what manners are," I hissed watching Jasper sink back in his chair slightly.
"Where do you get off talking to me like that!" He yelled slamming his hands on the table.
"You know what," I announced calmly feeling the blood pressure rising. "You think you deserve to be held on some kind of pedestal because you're richer than everyone here?" I questioned tilting my head to the side. "They're being paid to deal with your bullshit, I'm not. I can speak at you however I want," I said folding my arms. "There ain't shit you can do about it," I said simply.
Mr. Masen settled for a glare grinding his teeth together.
"Thank you for the lovely evening. I had a wonderful time," I said as sarcastically as I could, before walking out of the restaurant.
A/N: Side project I'm working on for the moment. Let me know what you think!(: