Chapter 2: Dinner with Jasper

Bella was about to prepare dinner when her phone rang. By the ringtone "I Gotta Feeling" she was able to tell that it was Jasper Whitlock, a dear childhood friend, calling and she hurried to pick it up.

"It has been way too long Mister! You should come have dinner with me"

Jasper chucked, "Hello to you too, Bella. I'm doing fine thanks for asking."

"Come on, we've known each other for way too long. We're 20 years past pleasantries. So how about it? Dinner? I'm making some chicken alfredooo" Bella said in a singsong voice.

She could hear Jasper's intake of breath and could almost see him narrowing his eyes. It was his favorite. She knew he wouldn't resist, and it was a good thing because she was getting tired of having dinner by herself. Any type of company was more than welcomed at this point, and who better than Jasper.

"No fair Bella, you know that's my favorite and that no one cooks like you. Let me call Alice and I'll be there in about 20 minutes. I have something important to tell you anyway"

"Something important to tell me huh…that sound ominous…but okay! I'll see you in a bit!"

After hanging up with Jasper Bella busied herself with dinner, happy to have the company. It was the first time in weeks she had anyone for dinner. She was mixing all the ingredients in the skillet for the sauce when she heard Jasper sit on the island of the kitchen.

"Sometimes I regret giving you a key. Way too silent. You always sneak up. How are you my dear?"

Jasper sighed, "Alice is mad at me cause I came here instead of going to her place like every other night."

"That woman hates me Jazz"

Jasper let out a laugh, "She doesn't even know you Bella, how can she hate you?"

"Exactly. She knows that her boyfriend blows plans with her to meet with another woman, in her house. But she's being difficult. She should just agree to meet me. It would solve everything. She would know who you're meeting and where you're going and hopefully she would like me, and then we could all have dinner."

"You make it sound so easy."

Bella turned around after she covered the skillet, and leaned on the counter opposite to him.

"It is that easy. We both know she's being unreasonable. I blame the picture. I don't know why you keep that terrible picture of us in your apartment. She probably thinks I'm a crazy feminist that hates fashion. No wonder she doesn't want to meet me."

Jasper raised an eyebrow, "Feminist? Hates fashion? Please. You have a closet that rivals Mariah Carey's."

"Mine's actually bigger"

At the look in his face, she laughed. "Come on Jasper, Dad's company distributes the best fashion brands in the world. I get new items everyday. I don't even have to go shopping anymore. It's like Christmas, but better."

Jasper laughed. "How's your Dad doing these days anyway?"

"He's great. Making deals, kicking butts. Being Charlie Swan. I think he's a bit lonely though. Oh, look the sauce is ready. Let me just toss this together. You want some wine with this?"

Jasper was used to Bella's habit of changing subjects and busied himself with opening a bottle of wine. After he poured two glasses, he brought them to the island of the kitchen where Bella had placed the plates. It didn't just look good and smell amazing. It tasted heavenly. Bella laughed at the look on his face. The reverent look never got old.

"Woman, I don't understand why you don't become a chef. You'd be great at it. Jesus, this is fantastic"

"I don't know…I get pleasure out of making great meals for friends and family…not strangers. Besides, I already own a restaurant. I want something else…."

Jasper studied her as he chewed. And tilted his head. "I have a proposition for you"

Bella looked at him over the rim of her wine glass. "I was wondering when you would get to the point. Is it so bad you had to make small talk?"

Jasper laughed and shook his head. "I have a job opportunity. It has decent pay, not that you need it, and a bit of a challenge."

Bella narrowed her eyes and took another sip of the wine. Jasper smiled at her and continued, "This year alone, the VP of Cullen Enterprises has had over 20 secretaries. They last 1 maybe 2 weeks, max. They usually start out okay, maybe a bit intimidated and soon enough they start getting comfortable and doing a good job. And then the demon girlfriend stops by and they all run away. No two weeks notice, no goodbye. They just run away"

Bella put her glass down and leaned her elbows on the countertop. "Is this VP of Cullen Enterprises good looking?"

"Devilishly handsome, or so they say. Secretaries tend to fall for him."

Bella laughed and started clearing the plates. "Tell me something, does he need help? Or is it going to be just the thrill of making it past the demon girlfriend?"

Jasper laughed, and poured some more wine on both the glasses. "He's a mess. The place doesn't even look like an office anymore. Emmett is great at what he does, but he needs someone there to keep things in order. Hell, keep him in order. I'm surprised he gets anything done. You'll enjoy it. Besides, we'll be working in the same place. So how about it?"

Bella looked at him and pursed her lips. She walked back to the counter and picked her glass, tapping it against his. "Here's to taking down the demon girlfriend"