* ALL CHARACTERS AND ALL THINGS TWILIGHT BELONG TO STEPHANIE MEYER*
** PLEASE REVIEW! LET ME KNOW HOW I'M DOING!**
***I did a revamp of the Chapters, again, this use to be chapter 2!****
Chapter 1:
I arrived at the 3D Media office at 11:50, ten minutes before my interview was scheduled. I started to feel the familiar tingle of butterflies in the pit of my stomach and I took several deep breaths in an effort to calm my nerves as I put on the black pumps from my bag. I really needed this job. I made okay money as a bartender but it was just only enough to pay the rent and some utilities. I was living off apples from the Union Square farmers market and I lost twenty pounds since I moved to New York, which I was actually really happy about.
So in an effort to get my resume out there, I put it online, little did I know the next day I got a call from a girl named Shelby at 3D Media asking if I would be interested in coming to their offices to interview for a entry level marketing position. I was so excited I scheduled the interview for the next day and since I already had another interview that day, I figured I'd kill two interviews with one outfit. I mentally high fived myself, who said I wasn't resourceful.
After I hung up with Shelby, I did what any prospective employee would do, Googled the company. I found it a little strange that I couldn't find anything about 3D Media online, besides the address listed in Chelsea. Angela, my BFF and roommate, said it was sketchy and the company was probably a cover for an escort service. Hell, I was so desperate for a job maybe I would resort to hooking. They had to make good money...
I chalked it up to it being a new company, which I'm pretty sure Shelby mentioned. Or maybe she didn't, I didn't really hear much besides "we would like you to come in for an interview" I was just so shocked that someone was actually calling me for an interview. It really flipped the script on me, I'm usually an obsessive stalker hounding different HR departments until someone agrees to see me.
I pulled a compact from my purse and checked myself out quickly in the mirror, just to make sure the walk over here didn't mess up my hair or makeup. My long chestnut hair was still neatly tied up in a high ponytail and loose waves hung past my shoulders. My makeup looked good and my false lashes managed to stay on in this freezing weather. I shut the mirror and hastily ripped off my earmuffs, so I didn't walk into the office wearing them. It was the middle of January and it was so cold out that I would rather suffer the embarressiment of being seen in earmuffs than lose my ears to frost bite.
I took a deep breath and walked in. It didn't look like I had to resort to prostitution, the office was very chic and I was greeted by a pretty blonde, Shelby, who asked for my resume and wanted me to fill out the 'get to know you' questions. Typical stuff, name, phone number, social media pages, ect. The social media stuff always bugged me, I didn't want them to see my Facebook page in fear of losing a potential job due to my questionable pictures and drunken status updates. I use to try to untag myself from all the pictures that were taken during a night out but my Facebook started to look like it belonged to Mother Teresa, so I just decided to forgo the whole thing. I kind of enjoy seeing everything I was up to when my memory was a little hazy. So, I just chose to omit the social network question.
After mindlessly flipping through a tabloid, a very pretty man appeared from behind a closed door; "Isabella?" Mr. Pretty Face said, walking towards me. Seriously, he had such feminine features I was suspecting his voice to be more of a falsetto. I must have had a weird look on my face because he knitted his eyebrows together and looked confused but he stretched his hand out to shake mine anyway. "Hi I'm Eric head of Human Resources, are you Isabella?" Snapping back to reality, I plastered a smile on my face and a stifled a slight giggle, I rose to shake his hand "Sorry, yes, please call me Bella." A little too forced. Damn, get it together Swan.
He ushered me into a small room and motioned his for me to sit. He took his place behind a shabby desk that looked like it was taken off the street. Maybe this was an escort service? I was starting to get anxious and I was rubbing my Italian horn necklace between my fingers like it was a magic lamp, hoping a genie would pop out and give me three wishes. This was not good. Then, all of a sudden I was speaking "So.. uh… you're very pretty, what do you do to your skin? It's flawless? Do you do peels or something? Facials?"
Crap, did I just say that? He looked at me like I was mental.
"Um, well, uh, thank you." He totally ignored my question, how rude. I silently wondered he did get his skin like that, he didn't even look like he had pores... hmm...
"So", he continued "I see you graduated in 2011, what have you been doing for the last 2 years?" his voice snapped me back to the present.
This is the question I was dreading, I guess I could tell them about the dark ages but I'd really rather not get into that right now. I was treading on thin ice already. "Well", my voice cracked, "ahem, I've been a Nanny for the past two years." I surprised myself, a nanny? God, I'm lying on an interview. No wonder I don't have a real job.
He knitted his eyebrows together. "Why didn't you list that on your resume?"
Busted."Um. I. ahh. Hmm. It's not on there?" I pointed to the paper. "Gosh I'm such an airhead. I must have printed out one of my old resumes instead of the updated one. Silly me. I can email you the most recent resume when I get home?" Well this is going horrible. I should have just told the truth. But I didn't really feel like bursting into tears in this stupid office. I smiled innocently at him, hoping it would get me off the hook.
He seemed pleased with my answer though, nodding and studying my resume. Thank God. He continued on with some spiel about the company, which I ignored, gesturing for me to look at this map of the United States with hundreds of push pins tacked over various states. The only reply I could come up with was "wow, Texas", nodding my head like an idiot. I'm not getting the job.
"I see you have a degree in Communications, the position we have available is for an entry level marketing" looking me dead in the eye "is marketing something…. something you would be…. willing to do?"
Weird, was it me or did he want that to have a double meaning? Oh shit, maybe this is an escort service. Just to be sure, I asked "yes, marketing was a major part of my curriculum but just out of curiosity, what would day to day tasks be?" Oh yeah, there's no way to escape that, he'd have to tell me if I was going to be sleeping with people for money. Come to think of it, that probably wouldn't be so bad... I could think of worse jobs to have.
"Well, you would be going to different locations and selling subscriptions for DirecTV."
Say what? He has to be kidding, "Ha-ha, no really? What would I be doing?" I asked a little shocked, I'd rather be a hooker.
He looked like he was losing his patience with me and he spoke very slowly, enunciating each word "You will be going to different retail stores, mainly Wal-Mart in a booth that will be provided for you, for you to sell subscriptions for the television provider, DirecTV."
Oh hell no. "Oh" I said, "I wasn't under the impression that this position was that kind of job." Since when does someone need a college degree to sit in Wal-Mart and sell stuff?
He looked like he had enough of me, his tone was clipped, "Well, what were you expecting?" He made me so uneasy.
"Um, I'm not really sure but I'm looking for more of an office position.. I guess" I was getting pissed that this guy was getting mad at me. Is he serious?
He looked like he was over the interview, almost annoyed by me and made no mention to speak. He just stared at me. I had to get out of there, fast; this was just the weirdest experience of my life. "Um, yeah, I guess this really.. isn't.. for me.. I guess… Thank you for your time."
He didn't even get up to see me out. What a jerk. Did I really waste my time on an interview for Wal-Mart? I was furious! Why didn't Shelby tell me this on the phone! I graduated from Rutgers University summa cum laude! I'm an educated woman and this man wanted me to sit in a booth in Wal-Mart and sell TV subscriptions! Please!
I stopped to put on my black wool trench coat and Shelby looked at me quizzically. I gave her a small wave and practically ran out of the office.. Well as fast as I could run in 4 inch heels. I reached the street and screamed as loud as I could. "AAAHHHHHH!" I quickly shut up because I realized I was screaming directly in some unsuspecting person's face. I was stunned. Holy shit. It was Edward Cullen. I just screamed in the face of the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my life. It was my favorite actor, Edward Cullen. I just screamed in the face of People's Sexiest Man Alive, Oscar winning actor, desire of women everywhere. Could this day get any worse? At first he looked bewildered and then his face turned to one of fear. Oh god, he thinks I'm crazy, like I just escaped from the insane asylum.
I muttered "sorry" accidently dropping my stupid earmuffs but I had too much pride to pick them up. Oh my god, this is humiliating! I quickly turned on my heel and hurriedly walked away. Power walked was more like it. Great, now on top of all this shit, my ears are going to freeze off but I was too embarrassed to pick them up and face him for a second longer.
I took my phone from my pocket to check the time, I was having a horrible day, and it was only 12:30. Great, I still had an hour and a half until my next interview. Maybe I could call them and see if they could move my interview up? My nerves were already shot and I couldn't bear having to deal with the butterflies in my stomach for much longer, so I looked up the number and hit send.
"Hello, Roxie Entertainment Group, this is Alicia speaking how may I direct your call?"
"Hi Alicia, This is Isabella Swan, I have an interview scheduled for 2:00 with.. erm"… fumbling through my purse for the interviewers name I scribbled on a sheet of paper last week "Laurent Jackson.. and something has come up and I was wondering if he would be able to see me earlier, if at all possible, if not it's no big deal, I can keep the original time." After that rant, I let out an audible sigh.
Alicia, oblivious to my horrible mood, spoke to me like I was winning the lottery "Oh Isabella! Today must be you're lucky day" HA. That was the understatement of the century. "He had a one-fifteen meeting that was canceled, if that time works for you I would be happy to inform Mr. Jackson that your appointment has been rescheduled?"
Lucky day my ass. "Oh great! Thank you so much Alicia! One one-fifteen sounds perfect! See you soon!" Hanging up my phone, I headed for Rockefeller Center.
I should have put my flats back on because the thirty minute walk to the Roxie offices caused me my feet to feel as if I was walking on glass. Like my spirit, I think my feet were broken. And my ears felt like ice cubes. My poor earmuffs. They were probably on the side of the street, sitting in a dirty puddle.
As I was sitting in the waiting room at Roxie, I was mentally exhausted. Physically too, I was just happy to be sitting down. My feet still throbbed. And after my disastrous interview at 3D Media, screaming in the face of the most beautiful man I've ever seen and freezing my ass off during an excruciating walk, I was wiped out. Done. I really shouldn't be at this interview. I could already tell it was going to be horrible just from my frame of mind.
But I couldn't walk out and blow it off. My cousin, Rosalie, set up this interview. She would never speak to me again. Then again, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Rosalie is six years older than me; our mothers are sisters and are inseparable, so myself, Rosalie and her older brother Jasper were constantly together growing up. Even though I'm an only child I think of her and Jazz as more of my siblings than my cousins. When I was younger I wanted to be just like Rosalie because she was everything I wanted to be. Rosalie looks like she just stepped off the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She's blonde, tall and one of those skinny people that can eat anything they want without gaining a pound, but if she does, it goes straight to her boobs. If that's not enough to hate her, she's absolutely stunning. Like old Hollywood beautiful. She always has been. She never even went through one of those awkward stages as a teenager and I didn't grow out of my awkward stage until I graduated high school.
I use to copy everything she did when we were growing up. Her mannerisms, clothes, hair, you name it I tried to copy it and I think somewhere along the line she started to resent me for it. After my mother gave me the talk about being my own person, I stopped trying to be Rose 2.0 and started to come into my own. But she never fails to remind me about that phase of my life and if she's not, she's making other snide remarks about me and putting me down. Saying I'm "too Jersey". Please, like that's suppose to insult me? What does that even mean? The worst part about it is when I confront her about it she claims that I need to lighten up and take a joke. She has some sense of humor... Not.
Even though she's beautiful, Rose is a major bitch, the queen of all bitches if you will. She's calculating and manipulative but she somehow masks all that and comes off as incredibly charming and captivating to everyone around her. Unless you're her target, then you feel her wrath. She's the Regina George of Manhattan. Though, despite knowing her evil ways, I still can't help but love her. And so does everyone else.
After she graduated from college, she immediately got a job at Victoria's Secret corporate office. She worked her way up the company ladder and now she is the Senior Director of their Online Catalogue. Apparently she knows Laurent though various work engagements and "went out on a limb," her words not mine, to set this interview up. I literally had to beg her. Beg. Her. Ugh. So I really couldn't mess this up.
She would be calling me later, I'm sure, to get every detail about how the interview went. And I couldn't afford to have this interview go sour, I just couldn't deal with her talking down to me, telling me how I embarrassed her. Once again. I really could not screw this up.
God, I shouldn't have thought about Rose because I'm even more anxious and self conscious than I was before. I didn't think it was even possible.
Before I knew it, I was sitting in front of Laurent Jackson. You know when you picture someone in your mind and then you meet the person and they look completely different than you pictured them? Well, thats what happened with Laurent. I imagined him to look like Al Roker but in reality he looked more like Bob Marley. Dreadlocks and all. He greeted me with a warm smile and engaged me in some small talk.
He studied my resume, asking the obvious question "I see you do not have a job listed since you graduated in 2011? What have you been doing the past two years?"
Ugh, this question. I really didn't like discussing my personal life with anyone. I just couldn't deal with this question right now and before I realized it, the words were out of my mouth "Well I thought the world was going to end December 21st 2012, you know the whole Mayan thing? So I held off on getting a job, I just wanted to enjoy the rest of my time alive, ya know? But obviously the world didn't end because its 2013…so yeah… here I am!" Instinctively I started rubbing my Italian horn. I couldn't believe I said that. It was worse than the whole Nanny thing! What the hell was I thinking! I really need to get my act together! Rosalie is never going to speak to me again.
He looked at me stunned, and then let out a booming laugh that took me by surprise. I internally sighed with relief and plastered a smile across my face. Thank God. Crisis averted, he took it as a joke!
"Well, Miss Swan, you are a very funny girl... So tell me a little more about yourself? What are you looking for in your future?" The rest of the interview passed without a hitch.
As I walked out of the office I was happy with how the rest of the interview proceeded. It was only 1:35. I looked at the clock thinking the time was wrong, the interview couldn't have only lasted twenty minutes. That couldn't be good. I brushed it off and figured I'd stop into Starbucks and get something to warm me up before my walk back to SoHo. Plus, I had some time to kill before meeting up with Ang. As I was waiting in line, it always amazed me at how long the lines in these places are since there is one practically on every corner, my cell phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID and was not surprised, it was Rosalie.
"Hi!" She squeaked "I just wanted to wish you good luck on the interview! Don't mess it up! I'm putting my neck on the line for you!" Ugh thanks Rose, is that really her idea of a good pep talk? "Well thanks for the encouragement Rose, but I actually just left the interview."
Even though her voice was calm I knew she was pissed "What do you mean you just left the interview, Bella? What the hell did you do that they wouldn't even see you?" She really stressed the word left.
I sighed "Calm down Ro! I just left" copying her condescending tone "the interview because I called and had the interview moved up an hour" I lied because I couldn't deal with her scrutinizing me due to the fact the interview was so short. I had to be on guard when I talked to her. She seemed much happier with my answer and she seemed genuinely concerned with how it went "So, spill! How did it go?"
Hearing her lighter tone, the words left me in a rush "Oh Rose! It went really well! I was so happy considering the interview I had before this was HORRIBLE; really, they wanted me to sell TV subscriptions in Wal-Mart! Can you believe that! Do they even have a Wal-Mart in the city? Anyway that's not the point!" I took a deep breath and continued "Laurent was so nice! He even laughed at my joke about why I haven't worked since I graduated!" Shit. Oh shit. I shouldn't have said that but I was so excited I wasn't thinking. Shit.
And of course she honed in on that detail, "What joke?" Her voice was strained. Oh shit.
"Um… well. It was nothing really... It doesn't matter. The interview went great! I'm almost certain their going to hire me!"
She completely ignored all the positive things I said to her. "Bella, what did you say to him? Please tell me you didn't make a joke about your mom being sick?" She just had to bring that up, I was finally in a good mood today and I didn't need her bringing up that horrible time in my life.
I was pissed and all my reasoning went out the door. "No. I didn't tell him about mom being sick." There was an edge to my voice "I may have said something about the world ending in 2012 and I didn't want to spend my last days alive working!" I heard a chuckle escape from someone behind me in line. Seriously people were so rude. I was having a private conversation.
Rosalie's voice snapped me back to our conversation "BELLA" I could tell she was talking though clenched teeth "I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU WERE SO STUPID TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK HE'D GIVE YOU THE JOB AFTER YOU MADE SUCH AN IDIOTIC COMMENT! DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW YOU ACT HAS A DIRECT REFLECTION ON ME? I CAN'T BELIEVE I LET YOU TALK ME INTO SETTING UP THIS INTERVIEW. I KNEW YOU WOULD EMBARRESS ME!" ugh. I couldn't deal with her anymore.
"Ok ROSALIE" I was seriously pissed, between her and the jerk behind me "sorry I embarrassed you, I'll never bother you again." And with that I hung up the phone and tossed it in my hot pink bag. Childish, I know but I was on the verge of tears and really didn't want to have a breakdown in line at Starbucks. I still had some dignity.
So instead of crying I tried to focus on my anger and unleashed my rage against the eavesdropper behind me. I turned around and without looking at who I was speaking to "Listen asshole, I'm sorry you're life is so boring and pathetic that you need to pry in other peoples conversations to feel like you have a nice life…." I stopped speaking when I looked into the face of none other than Edward Cullen. "Uhh..Um.. " I lost my train of thought.
He looked thoroughly amused. "No, don't stop, what about my boring life?" His voice made me weak in the knees.
I stuttered "Uh, sorry I'm just having a bad day" My cheeks felt like they were on fire. I could only imagine the shade of red my face was. It probably resembled a fire truck.
"Miss, what can I get you?" Thank the lord for the barista behind the counter. I quickly spun around. Trying to regain my composure, I stuttered "I'll have a Grande passion fruit tea with agave."
A sexy voice from behind said, "And to that order I'll have a Venti coffee, with soy milk and agave." I turned to look at Edward Cullen. He had a sexy smile plastered across his perfect face "Since I'm such a nosy bastard, at least let me buy you're drink, make it up to you." Well damn, I wish I ordered a muffin too. I must have been staring at him because he started speaking again "After interrupting your screaming fit this morning and your obvious relief the world is still spinning, the least I can do is get you a tea". Shit. He remembered me? He quickly handed the barista a credit card.
Well at least I wasn't the only person who seemed dazzled by the beautiful Mr. Cullen. She stammered and mumbled something inaudible. He gestured for us to walk over where we would pick up our drinks and I managed to form a complete sentence "Well thank you Mr. Cullen but you didn't have to buy my tea." Sighing. I gave him a tight smile. I couldn't wait to tell Angela that Edward Cullen bought me a drink at Starbucks, she would die!
He ran his hand through his auburn hair, it looked like he just had sex. He probably did with his reality star girlfriend. That's why he needed caffeine, he was so exhausted by the great sex he was having. Damn, he's so attractive. I was instantly wishing I read the article about them in the Us Weekly I was flipping through while I was waiting at 3D media. Shit! Why didn't I read the article? Did it say something about love on the rocks? Or were they getting engaged on rocks? Having sex on rocks? AH! Whatever, it wasn't important.
"Oh, by the way, I think these belong to you" he pulled my cheetah earmuffs from his jacket pocket. If my face looked like a fire truck before, I couldn't even imagine what color it was now. "Oh, um, thanks, my ears are freezing!" I snatched the earmuffs from his hand a little too hastily, accidently half grabbing his hand along with the earmuffs. He must think I'm such a freak. But he laughed at my fumble anyway. His laugh was like hearing angels sing. When did I get so cheesy? GET IT TOGETHER SWAN.
He spoke softly, "Yeah, I didn't know people still wore those things anymore" I must have looked as mortified as I felt, because he leaned into me and whispered in my ear "I have to admit, I may have worn them for a bit. And I think my ego may have to take a hit because I'm defiantly going to buy a pair, I don't know how I ever survived without them."
I couldn't move. I panicked, could someone become paralyzed without having a spinal injury? He was so close to me and he smelled so good. Oh God, did he smell good. A small moan may have escaped my mouth. I pray that it didn't. Thankfully at the same moment the barista called that our drinks were ready.
I quickly snatched my tea off the counter. Stuttering "U..uh.. thanks for the drink! And thanks for returning my earmuffs" God I don't think I could be any more embarrassed. I made my way over to a nearby table to switch back into my flats. If I didn't die of embarrassment first, I was going to die from the pain in my feet.
I noticed a body sliding into the chair across the table from me. "So, earmuff girl, do you have a name?" Earmuff girl! Really? Edward Cullen just called me earmuff girl. This was a new low. "Isabella.. um.. my name is Bella" God could I sound like anymore of a loser. GET IT TOGETHER SWAN! I needed to replace my morning manta with those four words; I was saying them so frequently.
He chuckled. God that smile. "So Bella, did you really tell an interviewer that you thought the world was going to end?" He leaned towards me, like he didn't want anyone to overhear our conversation.
And then I was laughing. Uncontrollably. All of the stress of today just came out. Tears were running down my face and I was gasping for air. I also may have snorted. God that felt good. Wiping my eyes, I regained my composure. "Yeah! He asked me why I didn't have a job listed on my resume for two years and I told him I didn't want a job because I thought the world was going to end and didn't want to spend my last days alive working!" The laughing fit started again. I couldn't stop.
I looked at Edward and he was laughing, such a genuine laugh, he was holding onto his stomach, I wonder what his stomach looked like. Did he have a six pack? Eight pack? I wanted to run my tongue all over them.
I don't know what kept me talking but I found myself saying "yeah but that's only the half of it. My first interview, I was under the impression I was going for 'entry level marketing job'" making quotation marks with my fingers "and apparently that situation entails sitting in a booth in Wal-Mart selling television subscriptions!" Giggling , I pretended like I was talking over a loudspeaker "Attention Wal-Mart shoppers! Were rolling back prices on DirecTV subscriptions! See Bella in the entertainment section!" We were both laughing so hard, most of the Starbucks patrons were staring at us and for some reason, I couldn't have cared less!
As our laughter subsided things were silent for a moment before he spoke again "So is that what caused you to scream in my face earlier… Or were you involved in some other absurd state of affairs today?" Telling Edward all this made me feel so much better about how the day turned out.
"Yeah that was it, it's been a hell of a day and it's only" checking my phone for the time "two thirty." Shit. If I was supposed to meet Ang at Clearwater's at 3:30, I should probably get going. But I didn't want to leave Edward. What was that about, I didn't even know the guy. "Ah.. I actually.. um.. have to go.. thanks for the drink… again" Geeze. I sounded like a broken record.
Edward looked confused "Damn, do you have another interview? You, miss, are on a very serious job hunt." I glared at him as I started walking towards the door, it was rude of me but I was happy to see he was following me. "No, I'm suppose to meet a friend, we both had interviews today too and well I guess I was planning on this day going a lot better and well, we were going to celebrate our new jobs." A frown tugged at the corner of my mouth. I couldn't believe I messed these interviews up, I was starting to panic wondering how I was going to pay my bills.
As we walked out of Starbucks and down the street I noticed he was keeping pace with me "Well, it's your lucky day because I'm in the market for a personal assistant."
I stopped dead in my tracks. Some Wall Street looking guy cursed at us for standing in the middle of the sidewalk but I didn't care. "OH MY GOD! Could I get an interview? Here hold my tea for a second" shoving my tea into his hands, I fumbled through my hot pink Birkin and grabbed one of my resumes "here, this is my resume." We switched items and he glanced over the sheet of paper.
Once again, the smile that crossed his beautiful face made me weak in the knees "Well you seem to waste no time, since you have somewhere to be now, how about if we set up an interview for tomorrow? I'll have to talk to my manager but I'll contact you later today to set up a time" he paused "is this your cell number?"
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! OMG EDWARD CULLEN WAS GOING TO CALL ME! Grated, it was strictly on a professional level but he was going to call me none the less! I was thankful he couldn't read my mind in that moment. I tried to act as composed as possible and in my most professional voice I said "Yeah. That sounds perfect! I look forward to hearing from you, Mr. Cullen."
I walked away feeling better than I had in years. I, Bella Swan, was going to work for Edward Cullen. Granted, I didn't get the job yet but I was going to do everything in my power to get this job. No more messing around. I wanted this more than anything I've ever wanted in my life. Well, besides my pink Birkin that I bought off a Chinaman for fifty dollars, I still feel slightly guilty thinking about the woman the bag was obviously stolen from but I try not to dwell on that minor detail.
Who cares! I was going to work for the Edward Cullen. I was going to work for an Oscar winning actor! I was going to work for the one of the hottest men on the planet! AHHHHHHHHHH! I couldn't help but be pleased with myself.
I did an internal hair flip. Take that, Rosalie!