'Miss Swan' said the doorman Cedric smiling 'a Mr. Cullen is here to pick you up.'
'Thank you Cedric, tell him I'll be down in a minute give or take' I replied and Alice sighed.
'You look fabulous' she said 'and I bet you wished you and Edward were sharing that single table.'
'No Alice I don't' I replied and she giggled. I looked in the mirror because had finished and smiled. I was wearing a gorgeous midnight blue cocktail dress that had one strap. The one strap ruffled. I had a chunky black chain necklace and tall black ankle boots. In all these years I had only just become accustom to ridiculous heels.
'Well you better go' said Alice smiling and I sighed.
'You know there's enough room in the limo for all six of us.'
'But we aren't allowed on the red carpet, only big top shots and celebrities like you guys.'
I huffed but smiled at Alice.
'This is exciting' I admitted and they laughed.
'Go get them tiger' said Rose pushing me out the door. I laughed and looked around for the limo.
'Over here' said Edward smiling as he waved from a car that certainly wasn't a limo, it was an Aston Martin Vanquish, complete with a driver.
'I liked the limo' I said as I ran across the street to the car, as I tripped over her caught me.
'Don't run across the road silly' he said looking at me and smiling his gorgeous crooked smile. I was so close, right there, to just wrapping my arms around his neck and kiss him. But I couldn't, I could not forgive him yet. And pulled back and let my emotions go.
'Let's get this baby on the road Cullen' I said running my finger across the side of the car.
'Sure thing Swan' he said as he winked. I let out a little giggle as I sat in the car. He slid in next to me and brushed his hand against mine.
'I'm so glad I could escort you' he said trying to catch my eye. He was trying to dazzle me, he knew it worked.
***
'I swear to god you're going to be death of me' said Edward as he pulled back for air.
'Don't be silly' I replied brushing my nose against his. He groaned and pulled back.
'Bella' he said raising an eyebrow at me.
'Come on Edward' I said throwing my hands in the air and standing up.
'I already told you my reasons so deal with it' he said.
'What if I don't want to deal with' I huffed crossing my arms across my chest, glaring at him.
'Bella' he said smiling, his breathtaking crooked smile.
'Come baby' he said placing his nose against mine, he breathed out right as I breathed in and suddenly my breathing hitched and I pulled back as I realized just how close he really was.
'Shit Bella' he said as I fell back.
'I believe you're going to be the death of me Edward Cullen' I replied 'with your stupid dazzling.
'Dazzling?' he asked with an amused smile, 'do I dazzle you.'
'Frequently' I admitted and he laughed.
'Oh Bella' he said pulling me into my chest. 'I love you.'
'Love you too' I replied.
***
We pulled up in front of the red carpet and I sighed.
'Bella' said Edward looking at me, our conversation had suddenly dropped. Yes I admit I was having a conversation, a good one with Edward Cullen. I was awkward and often was just talk of adolescence, but it was nice.
'Yeah?' I asked captured by his emerald eyes.
'I found this gorgeous little book store, would you care to accompany me there tomorrow evening for coffee?'
'Sure' I replied as the driver opened the door. Edward smiled and slid out and I heard the clicking of the camera. Edward held his hand out for me and I grabbed it as I stepped out of the car. My curly brown hair hiding my face.
'And here they are' said the presenter of the award, who just happened to be the mediator from our meeting. She was wearing a huge pink frock that made her look flushed out and terrible.
A red light turned on the camera and she smiled, 'Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the Business of the Year awards, I'm your host Marta Webber and with us today with have the owners of Americas of biggest shipping enemies and ex-lovers. Edward Anthony Cullen and Isabella Marie Swan.'
'Now tell me' she said holding the microphone out to us 'what's it like being enemies to someone you once loved?'
'I'm sorry but I hardly believe that questions is appropriate' said Edward and she frowned.
'Cullen stick to the questions' she said and laughed.
'What about you Isabella?'
'It's Bella' I said as Edward pulled me along.
'Smile' said a photographer to the side. We turned around and smiled before walking back.
'Could we please have a few minutes?' asked E!, Edward nodded and we both walked over there.
'Well first we want a picture of both of you together and then we would like to ask you some questions?'
'Why together?' I asked and she smiled.
'Oh don't worry this isn't about being ex-lovers'
'Oh alright' I replied timidly. Edward chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist so he could pull me closer for the photo. I smiled and the photo was taken and I noticed Edward still had his arm around my waist; I was fine with this, for now. Actually I was happy. He squeezed me lightly and I realized that the lady was asking me a question.
'Oh sorry what was that?' I asked and she smiled.
'I was just asking what it was like at the age of twenty four to be the founder and own more than seventy five percent of shares on one of America's biggest shipping companies' she replied.
'It's definitely hard work, and it overwhelming. A lot of people look down at me because I'm so young, and a woman but you kind have to work around that.'
'And for both of you, do you think it was harder for you to become this big as you grew up in such a town like Forks, Washington?'
'I think it made us who we are' said Edward squeezing me and smiling, I smiled back. His emerald eyes reminding me of the green in forks.
'Like Bella used to have to this old red and rusty Chevy pickup truck from the sixties' he said with a chuckle. I smiled up at him.
'At least I let you drive my car' I replied and she raised an eyebrow.
'Not even his father, Carlisle, who bought him his Volvo, was allowed to drive it.'
'You did once' he interjected 'and crashed the poor thing.'
'It didn't help that you screaming at me the whole time' I said pulling back from him.
'No, you're just stubborn and everything has to go your way.'
'You didn't have to let me drive the damn car' I screamed as a tear slid down my face.
'You didn't have to have sex with me' he said harshly his eyes quickly going from my tummy back to my face.
'Well I guess I'm an idiot then' I said as Alice walked up.
'It's called keeping your fucking mouth shut Edward' she said before pulling me into her arms.
'Let's get you home sweetie' she said pulling me back to the car.
We sat in her living room. She was in one of Jasper's old football tops and I was in Emmett's. We had a tub of cookies and cream ice-cream and were watching the awards.
'Ladies and Gentlemen now it's time to announce business woman of the year' said the announcer, Alice grabbed my hand.
'This is you Bella' she said and I laughed.
'Probably not after, well you know' I trailed off but she shushed me so she could here. I watched intently as she opened up the envelope.
'And the winner is…' she said, 'Isabella Swan.' I was in a daze. I had won, I had fucking won.
'I won' I whispered looking over at Alice.
'I wonder who the first congrats, besides mine, will be from?' she said and I laughed.
'Congratulations' she screamed running over to me. We hugged for a bit and phone beeped.
Congratulations, you deserved it. Keep watching. Edward.
'Let's keep watching' she said smiling.
'…And here is a Mr. Edward Cullen to tell us about Isabella Swan.'
'Thank you' he said walking up and smiling.
'Isabella or Bella as some of us call her is a wonderful girl. And I have had the honor of becoming very close to her.
'She's always been a very passionate girl, getting what she wants and when she wants it. When we were younger she used to tell me how she was going to work in the highest office of her building and look over Central park. Well I guess she really did get there. Her unique and profound way of looking over things and always coming up with the perfect solution is incredible. Her knowledge and mind frame is something that should be taught to everyone, congratulations Isabella' he finished the speech off and there was a standing ovation. For me.
I grabbed my blackberry and called him.
'I liked your speech' I said timidly and he chuckled 'you made everyone in the room give a standing ovation.'
'Don't be silly, it was all you. How many times do I have to tell you that you are incredible, it's not fault that's your one flaw. Not seeing you very well.'
'Now your being silly' I murmured gaining another chuckle.
'I should go it's the, best business man award now.'
'Oh' I said disappointed.
'Can you still come tomorrow?'
'I'm not sure, send me the details.'
'Alright well bye.'
'Bye' I whispered as he hung up. Right as he had hung they announced he was the winner.
Congratulations I said in a message.
'Bella' Alice sitting next to me 'you're still in love with him aren't you?' she asked and I blushed.
'I think I might, but I'm no good for him.'
'Why would think that?' she asked grabbing my hand in a concerning gesture.
'Well it's not like I could ever provide him with children, and I'd be awfully busy with the company. I practically wind up in the hospital every other week.'
'Bella how long has it been since you last took a drug? She asked me.
'I was nervous' I said standing up 'I needed one before I left, I didn't feel right otherwise.'
'Oh Bella' she murmured.
'I'm so sorry' I said collapsing into her arms as sobs took over my body.
'It's okay; you just need a clean slate.'
'A clean slate' I whispered looking at her.
'Wait, no' she said again 'you need Edward.'
What do we think? Chapter three is almost ready. (:
Review if you feel up to it.
ashleigh.
