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Cue the meet cute in 3, 2, 1..
Twilight is not mine, not at all.
Bella knocks on the open door, a little more timidly than she would've originally liked and walks tentatively towards his desk, which is also a colossal size. Bella briefly considers the thought that perhaps he's over compensating for something.
He now has his head lowered, reading some papers and doesn't glance up. All she can see is the perfectly styled, messy dark bronze hair on the top of his head. His voice comes out as a deep growl, which seems to emanate from somewhere deep inside of his chest.
"What do you want?"
Bella entwines her fingers together infront of herself and twists them nervously, feeling unsure by the hostility and anger that radiates from him and hangs, heavily in the air between them. After a short pause she realises that she needs to answer him, her brain seems to be on hiatus as she rummages around for the correct words.
"It's um, Isabella Swan. Emmett sent me, sir." She adds the 'sir' as an afterthought, hoping that if she strokes his ego, he won't kill her and bury her body parts in his potted plants. She can feel her heartbeat quicken as it thuds against her ribs. He definitely has an air of a potential serial killer. Her eyes flit nervously around his office, looking for sharp implements and sheets of plastic, they snap back to him as she hears a movement.
He shifts in his seat and tilts his head to the side before taking a long, leisurely drag on his cigarette and she watches in fascination as his lips wrap around it. There's no denying the fact that Edward Cullen is incredibly good-looking, even if he does act like an ass.
He still doesn't even grace Bella with a look in her direction as she anxiously shuffles from foot to foot. The tip of the cigarette lights up as he takes another long pull and Bella feels her mouth go dry as she waits for a response.
"Your desk is out there." He flicks his hand dismissively in the general direction of behind her. "I want all the paperwork out there sorted before you leave today. If you think it will take longer than your working hours then I suggest you don't bother with lunch. There's also a list of other jobs out there that I want done. I want coffee on my desk in precisely three minutes, no more. I also want you to make me a reservation at Skyline for one o'clock tomorrow."
Bella considers asking him to say the magic word, but quickly dispels that errant thought before it makes her laugh. She realises that now really isn't a good time, she's sure that the 'laugh' is probably just a mythical creature to Edward Cullen. It's doubtful that many jolly chuckles have broken the stifling silence of his office. He flips through the papers on his immaculate and overly, organised desk. She wonders if he's forgotten that she's there or if that was a dismissal.
"Why are you still here?" His voice snaps loudly with impatience.
It makes Bella wince and turn immediately back to the door, almost tripping over her feet as she quickly scarpers out of the room.
Unbeknownst to Bella, Edward finally lifts his eyes to watch the little brunette stumble from his office with very little interest. He leans back in his comfortable chair and stubs out his cigarette in the crystal ashtray.
Truthfully, he's still reeling from her calling him 'sir'. Thankfully she seems completely oblivious to how it has effected his groin, he shifts in his seat again to try and get comfortable. He flinches as the girl closes his doors a little too roughly and the loud bang resonates around the spacious office.
The temptation to go and reprimand her for her carelessness is almost overwhelming but his sudden and strange arousal stops him. He snarls in annoyance as he plucks a cherry sucker out of the dwindling supply in his bowl and unwraps it. His long, dexterous fingers roll the wrapper up into a ball and he successfully flicks it into the trash basket.
Two minutes and forty-eight seconds later, Bella knocks at his door again with a coffee in her hand and a newspaper tucked under the same arm. Bella's watch tells her that she has seconds before her three minutes is officially up. She did have to ring Edward's old personal assistant, Angela, to find out how he takes his coffee. She told Bella that apparently he'd fired the girl before her because she didn't automatically take him the business section of the paper. Apparently he assumes that everyone is a mind reader.
He takes his coffee black with ¾ of a spoon of sugar. Bella laughed about the ridiculousness of it all, especially as there is an actual spoon with a line on it, to help you measure his sugar intake.
She walks in, with more grace than she could've hoped for and plops his coffee onto the desk, a little less gracefully and her heart stops as she watches it splash round the edges of the mug and onto the varnished surface. She feels like cursing at her clumsiness but he hasn't noticed so she quickly places the paper down too. She swiftly walks back out, not bothering to try and strike up conversation or wipe up the mess that she made.
She settles behind her new desk and there's so much work in front of her that she seriously doesn't think it's even possible to get it done in the next week, let alone in one working day. After sighing, loudly, she dials Rose's extension.
"Hello, Rose speaking."
"Rose it's me." She whispers, just in case Mr. I'm-a-complete-ass hears her, which is pretty unlikely with the thickness of those doors. She giggles at her new little nickname for him.
"How's it going working for him?" Rose whispers too, which makes her laugh even more.
"Well, he's nothing that I can't handle. I'm planning on keeping my head down and just surviving this, then I can watch him in my rear view as I speed back to our office."
Rose laughs and Bella smiles at the familiar sound.
"I may need your help later." Bella barely gets to finish before Rose cuts her off.
"Email me and I'll get it done."
"Thank you, there is so much work here." Bella rubs at her forehead as she starts to look over some of the papers infront of her.
"Don't mention it, but you know that I'm going to want details in exchange, right?"
"Okay, I promise."
Suddenly his extension starts ringing.
"Oh crap, I've got to go, I'll tell you later."
"I'll meet you for lunch sweetie, good luck."
She quickly hangs up and answers his call.
"What in the hell took you so long to answer the god damn phone?" He sounds really mad, his voice seems to jump down the phone and strangle her, she rubs at her neck.
"Sorry sir." Her voice comes out a little higher than usual, due to the strangling sensation.
"I want copies of all the new acquisitions that were made in the last six months. I need them asap."
She has to pull the phone away from her ear as he shouts down it. She feels like weeping because not only is that going to take ages, but it looks like she's definitely not having lunch and a five o'clock finish is looking highly unlikely too. She realises that she's going to need a lot of help.
Behind those thick doors, Edward is feeling very pleased with himself. When Emmett told him that he was sending one of his, in Edward's opinion, air headed workers to help him out, he'd been affronted. It wasn't until Carlisle had advised him to just accept the help, that he finally acquiesced.
He has a plan though, he'll make this girl quit within the first day, he's sure of it. He knows precisely how much work is sat on her desk and he has every intention of increasing it. He can then employ whoever he damn well pleases.
"Yes sir."
He lets that word travel down to his groin again and he enjoys it for a moment. He wonders why she keeps calling him that, perhaps she enjoys being dominated. He almost growls out loud in annoyance as his cock has now hardened to steel again and within the confines of his expensive suit pants, it's very uncomfortable. He really hasn't got a clue why that word is effecting him so much. He only had a release earlier, he doesn't generally require another so soon. He makes a mental note to set another meeting.
"If I see you making personal calls to other office members again, I will fire you."
He quickly ends the call before she can utter that word again. He's in a bad enough mood as it is. He steeples his fingers under his chin for a moment to realign his thoughts, then stands up and strides over to his private elevator.
Today will be a good day for Edward Cullen.
Bella gawks at the phone as the line ends, hot disbelief and annoyance runs through her veins. The threat is still scary, even though she's pretty sure that Carlisle would have something to say to his son, if he did fire her. Not many of the Cullen's would dare to mess with Edward's part of the company, but Carlisle would. He technically retired two years ago, it was a decision he made so his sons could take over due to his wife being ill, but he still visits often.
She can't shake the feeling that he's acting like this for a reason, he can't be like this all the time. After everything that Bella has heard about him, she knew this was going to be one of those times when she needs to just get on with it but he seems to be pulling on every one of her nerves. She stands with a quiet huff and hurries to the file room.
The clock tells Bella that it's eight already and she's finally finished. She had to message Rose to advise her that she couldn't make lunch, which had annoyed her. Bella had to order her not to come and 'kick his ass' as she so eloquently put it.
She had the acquisitions on Edward's desk well before lunch, as she found a lovely guy called Jake in the copy room who helped her, a lot. Mr. Grumpy wasn't in his office when she put them in there, and she completely didn't snoop around at his framed photos. She did notice that not one of them showed him smiling and they were all taken with powerful people, no family. She comes to the conclusion that perhaps he's simply incapable of smiling, and should probably see a therapist, if he isn't already.
She has managed to complete the huge pile of work, it made her sweat in places she'd rather not mention, but she's glad she managed to pull it off, with help from Rose, Angela and Jake. Bella arranges to meet with Angela for a meal soon, with every intention of prying information about her new boss from her. Angela was more than happy to comply and went on to tell Bella about her pregnancy, she was happy to listen to Angela as she worked, using her handsfree ear piece.
She doesn't see Edward again through out the day and for this she's eternally grateful. With a quick peek at his diary, she notes that he's out scouting for new business ventures.
She tidies up her desk and makes sure her pens are all lined up and neat. Her mood is elevated, even though she has to go straight to Tooties for her shift.
It will also mean that she won't get to have dinner. She ate the banana that she'd bought to work for a snack, and that was it. She makes a plan to drop by the store and get some food to tide her over. Her shift wont end until at least midnight.
She grabs her bag and hears the massive doors start to open as she waits for the elevator to arrive. She squeezes her eyes shut and hopes that he doesn't try to stop her. She seriously needs to eat. She hears his loud foot steps and can't help herself from turning to look. He's checking that all the work is done, poking around on her desk.
The elevator doors open with a loud ping, she steps inside quickly and taps on the button to shut the doors, she keeps pressing, hoping that they will close quicker. He turns just as the doors begin to shut and starts to say something but it's too late and she's on her way down. Bella starts to laugh loudly and dances around, just because she's so glad to be out of there.
Edward stands and stares in disbelief at the closed elevator doors, he watches as the numbers light up, confirming its steady descent. He can't believe that she didn't even acknowledge him, he also can't believe that she's managed to actually complete every job that was on her desk. He's almost impressed, not that he'd ever tell anyone that. He seethes and drags his fingers through his messy hair, before returning to his office and with growing indignation he slams the doors shut behind him.
Bella grabs a sandwich and a packet of Cheetos from a gas station on her way to Tooties. She eats whilst trying to drive her big truck, one handed. Which is no mean feat, due to its lack of power steering. Bella feels like it's a free workout to keep bingo wings in check, she's quite proud of her lovely toned upper arms.
Tooties is a bar that Bella works evenings and the occasional weekend at. The pay is terrible but the tips are good. The 'uniform' consists of bright pink frilly hot pants that are almost as indecent as wearing panties and an off the shoulder white top, which has 'Hoot my Tooties' emblazoned on the back in pink. Yes, it really is as good as it sounds, and she can't wait for the day that she can finally hang up her frilly panties for good.
Bella's ass has been grabbed sixteen times during her shift, which means it's been a slow night.
After putting her tray back, she slips into the staff area to stamp her time card. She asks Jessica, to cash in her tips for her, ready to go home. Jessica giggles as Bella stifles a yawn and then grins at her.
"Ready for bed there Bells?" The little ball at the end of Jessica's tongue bar clicks loudly over her teeth as she plays with it.
Bella rolls her eyes as she answers.
"You have no idea."
Jessica hands Bella her small wad of tips and leans in to give her a quick hug.
"You'd better get home then sweetie. You look like an extra for The Walking Dead."
"Thanks Jess." Bella rolls her eyes and laughs. "I'll see you tomorrow, I'm covering for Lauren."
Jess nods and waves Bella off.
Bella lifts her hand in reply as she walks across the almost empty bar.
She shouts out to everyone on her way out. Her boss, Jimmy, yells back for her to drive safely and she puts her thumb up to show him that she will. She leaves through the door and into the cold evening air.
She sneaks quietly through the apartment when she gets home. It's dark and silent, Rose and Riley are both fast asleep on top of his little bed. Rose is still fully dressed so Riley must've woken up at some point. She carefully tucks the dinosaur blanket up and over them both and turns off the little light.
She finally sinks, gratefully, into a hot bubble bath and stays there until she feels her eyes droop and her fingers start to wrinkle up. Reluctantly she gets out and wraps a big fluffy towel around herself.
As Bella shuffles around, dragging her sore and aching feet as she gets ready for bed, she wonders whether working for Edward Cullen is going to kill her. She decides that she needs to go and discuss a raise with Emmett tomorrow, maybe even increase her life insurance while she's at it.
Just in case.
