Chapter One:
Summary:
Edward Masen's entire facade was far off the realm of indecisive. He couldn't decide which persona he wanted to be, the overly anal retentive asshole or, an actual human being with feelings and a regard for Bella's own sanity.
Bella's POV:
The amount of mental anguish, Mr. Masen, had elicited on my already less than sane state would certainly reach damning heights by nightfall. Six solid hours, I had spent pouring over the latest case, he had agreed to take on two weeks ago. None of it made any damn sense. The client was guilty, and behind closed doors, Edward, I mean, Mr. Masen would rightfully make that known, well to me and any of the four walls that would listen. In the three month span, I had worked closely beside him, not once had he ever lost a case, and, as it stood right now this would be the first unless he was into some sort of voodoo magic, that could cause blatant evidence to disappear like it never happened. That sourly wouldn't be the ending, yet, here I sat mulling over every detail with a fine toothed comb so to speak, hoping /something/ would surface giving the slightest hope this man was innocent. It was your classic "Wife of a wealthy, and well established politician murdered in their own home." The defendant in this case was supposedly out of town, and a moron could easily depict exactly what took place. Sure, he didn't actually put the knife to her throat, but, he assured his deceased wife's fate and hired an unknown party. The kicker? All for money. He was balls deep in debt, and, the easy solution was in the form of his late wife's insurance policy. Slumping back against the plush leather of my armchair, and pinching the bridge of my nose between two delicate fingers; emitting a low groan of exhaustion, mixed with irritation of the day. The all too familiar clearing of a male throat, alerting me of his presence. I could pick him out of a crowd at this point. I lowered my hand, and slid the file across the oak surface of my desk in, Edward's, direction. He remained in his straight and solid position; It was as if he were gauging my reactions, attempting to piece them apart. I slid open two heavy lids, to finally make eye contact as the first words of thought finally fell from my lips. "You do realize he's guilty as sin, right? I honestly don't know why, you took on this case. Isn't it a point to win?" He cut me off, with a sharp tongue that could make a dog crawl into a corner, and piddle at it's own feet. "Miss Swan, did I ask you for your opinion on whether or not, I should have taken this case? No. I could go back to my original plan of having you merely around to bring me coffee, and, stuff blank paper into the copy machine. However, I did see some intelligence in you. I'd suggest you cough up the information I need, and, quit while you're ahead." I lifted my brows, chocolate hues almost burning into his skull. I was far too easy for him to provoke, and, more often than not I was beginning to think he enjoyed it.
Awestruck wasn't the word to describe the less than awkward silence as, I carefully calculated my response. My boss knew, I had a habit of opening my mouth and allowing it to get the better of me. How I was still gainfully employed as his legal assistant was beyond me. My jaw was clenched behind pale features, my expression void of any and all emotion, as I barked out my response. "The information you want, is fucking impossible, Edward. It's as fictional as a unicorn with a rainbow flying out of it's ass! There is not one detail in this file that holds any shred of hope for innocence on his part. His alibi is solid as a rock but, the district attorney already has the man who killed his wife in custody. I really dislike when you insult my intelligence, considering, this is the fourth time in a span of thirty six hours you've asked me to read through this goddamn file! Would you like to prove me wrong, or are you going to remain on schedule and work this case?" I tilted my head as my lips pursed together, his response predictable, always far too predictable when I had single handedly managed to strike a nerve. I examined his features, as his entire body stiffened right before my sight line. Edward's hands instantly slamming to the oak surface of my desk, in a full on toddler like tantrum. His words seething, as they fell from his lips hiding his tightly clenched jaw. "Isabella, I let you get away with murder around here. I put up with your need to verbally berate me whenever you get the chance. When I ask for a simple task to be completed, I expect you to jump without so much as a peep, understood? Now. I have a meeting to prepare for, and, you have a conference room to set for morning. Now, get out of my face, and get the job done." I may have tipped, Edward, over the edge more than I meant to, as a soft smirk jutted at the very crease of my lips; words eloquently falling from my mouth in the most sincere sounding rebuttal to his demands. "Miss Swan. Also, Mr. Masen, you're in my office. I believe this is where you need to exit."
Edward's POV:
Nimble digits scratching at the stubble along my jaw as, I focused on her ass, as she sauntered towards the elevator with a hand full of stacked papers tucked into the bend of her arm. The very sight of, Isabella, often infuriated me to no end; If Satan had a long lost female twin, she would be it. Miss Swan, was possibly, no, no. Isabella Swan, was the absolute best legal assistant I had ever took on, in the seven years I had built this firm from the ground up. Any task I threw her way, she had always been on point, completing it with ease and efficiency. She wasn't afraid to open her mouth, oh how I enjoyed her antics, even if they sent me into a fit of rage, wanting to reach out and plummet my fist into an adjacent wall. I knew deep down, I shouldn't allow an employee to get away with these behaviors but, Isabella, was different. I made it a rule, to never fraternize with colleagues outside of the office, unless it was for business purposes yet, on numerous occasions, I found myself sitting across from her in the coffee shop, three blocks down from my office building, indulging in a side of her, I knew I shouldn't. Hell, I was almost nine years older than, Isabella, but there was nothing of this right? I could condone a friendship with a much younger woman, a completely, and utterly breathtakingly beautiful woman who just so happened to drive me fucking mad. I shook my head to bring myself back to reality. No. She was completely off limits, single yes, but completely off limits, and, let's not even mention the fact of my past. I was good at hiding indiscretions, demons of my past that continue to eat away at my soul each day. I knew everything about her life, yet, she only knew a mere snippet of my own. It wasn't that I didn't trust her, for fucks sake, I trusted this woman with my business, the good and bad but as far as my personal life? My past, was something I wasn't so easy on divulging and she knew it. I could see it in her eyes, each time she met me in off hours yet, not once had she asked nor hinted about prying into my life. She was entirely too genuine for that, not to mention, it would solidify the fact I would hand over control, and that was something I sure as hell wouldn't do, not for anyone, not even for the one woman who was constantly on my mind. "For fucks sake, Masen, get a hold of yourself!"
I sat behind the vast mahogany desk before me, soaking in every syllable of this goddamn case file before me. Isabella, I mean, Miss Swan was right. This man was guilty as hell, yet, here I was still trying to fight for his innocence. Had I lost my touch? Or would I blatantly put myself through hell, dragging out this man's ultimate fate for months or even years on end, and then only to fight for his appeals once he was indeed sentenced for his crimes. For once, I couldn't think logically, and she was the cause. Drumming the tips of my fingers over the surface of my desk, and in one instant, I found myself thumbing out a simple text to, Isabella, yes in this moment I could justify a first name basis. She had left hours ago, and I was sure she was possibly already in bed, like any other normal person at such a late hour. "Isabella? I apologize if I've disturbed your sleep but, care to meet me for a drink?" Without hesitation the message was well on it's way. I stared at the glass screen for longer than, I, ever thought possible, before the bubble popped up, containing her reply. I could easily tell, I indeed had awoken my assistant from her hopefully peaceful slumber. "You woke me up for this?" was her first reply, immediately followed by her confirmation, and answer. "Actually, I've had a few glasses of wine, and I'm pretty sure I'm still on my sofa. It's really all your fault so, if you want me to come out, you need to come pick me up." I couldn't help the smirk of amusement that instantaneously tugged at the corner of my mouth, as I tapped out my final reply before, snatching up my keys to make my exit from my own office. "I'll be there in twenty, Isabella. Thanks for this by the way."
Bella's POV:
I wasn't currently stumbling in my own inebriated state, though, for most perched over the leather wrapped bar stool tucked in the back corner of a desolate pub. In this moment, he was, Edward. Not my boss but, my friend? Friend. At least that's what I would label this current relationship, even if by morning, he'd turn right back into a overly anal retentive asshole on a power trip. His emerald hues blazing under the dim light that was fixated over this small round table, as he sat within close proximity, enough where one could assume this was more than a meaning of friendship. Opening up to, Edward, was easy in this situation, it was as if we were two totally different people outside of the office than in. He kept silent for the most part, as he listened to the endless rambling of syllables pass my lips. The majority of my past was spent striving to make my own Father proud. Every accomplishment, I ever made would never be good enough in his eyes. Parents will always push their children to reach for their dreams, and, aspirations, as well as support them along the way. Not, Charlie. I couldn't even remember the last time I called him "Dad" it was a term that slipped my mind over a decade ago. My Mother was nurturing, loving, every positive influential word was in her genetic makeup. Yet, she kept quiet. I couldn't remember the last time, she defended me against him, if she ever had to begin with. I exhaled a soft sigh, unaware of the hand that was gently caressing my spine, the gesture so innocent, yet defining all the same on his part. There was a side to, Edward, no one knew about and I found myself relishing in every drop of it. His voice almost melodic as he whispered against the shell of my ear. "You know none of this isn't your fault, right? Don't let him continue to define your own self worth. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Isabella. I know, I can be a complete asshole most of the time but, I'll be here for you." Those words alone instantly pulling me from the depths of my own inner battle, as, I offered a genuine smile once I tilted my head in his direction. I couldn't help but stare intently into his eyes, as if, I was making an attempt to peek into his soul. There was so much, I had yet to tell, Edward about my life. The wounds of my past far too fresh to speak of, yet, I knew in time I could trust him to listen, when I was ready. In a moment's time, before I even had a chance to process what was happening, Edward's, lips molded ever so softly against mine. This had to be the alcohol, I was hallucinating, that's the only palpable excuse for just how truly incredible this felt. I inhaled deeply, as the scent of his cologne engulfed my senses. The tip of his tongue gracefully teasing mine, with such care, and I would be lying if I said, I wasn't enjoying it. I leaned into the gentle touch of his palm, as it cradled my cheek, the other fixated at the crook of my neck in the gentlest of holds. Every nerve ending within my entire being on fire, as our lips lazily moved in a deep, yet sensual lip lock. For the first time in the better part of a month, my mind had cleared, no part of my internal struggle mattered. His breath ragged, as he reluctantly pulled back from my mouth; his forehead gently pressing to mine as he whispered huskily. "I'm sorry, Isabella, I don't know what came over me. I can drive you home now, you're probably exhausted and I've kept you too..." Without the slightest hesitation, I silenced his words with the seal of my lips, encompassing his mouth. Fuck, what the hell was I doing? He was my boss, this went with every cliche about a man and his assistant and for once, I didn't give a shit. It was so wrong, morally wrong but, it felt so right all the same.