Quote; chapter 2

Chapter name: Open Book

Chapter song: Rush - Aly & A.J.

A/N: Enjoy =] I own nothing…nope, the Peninsula Hotel's not mine either…I've never been there so I definitely don't know if any of this is accurate…I did look at pics on the internet though! =]

Bella POV

'We're going to be best friends', were her first words to me, swiftly followed by, 'I just know it!'

How somebody I'd never met before 'just knew' we were going to be best friends was totally beyond me. The small girl had stood behind me in a shop line as I reluctantly purchased a dress. It had been the first one I'd seen, simply hanging off a rack near the door; a beautiful dark blue colour that I just couldn't resist. I'd rushed to find my size, then stalked up to the line at the front at the shop; not bothering to try it on. If it didn't fit, I'd alter it. No need to prolong this process after all. Unfortunately, the line was rather long, so it looked like I had at least ten minutes to waste before I could finally hand over the cash and make myself scarce.

I'd thought all the shopping, and the waiting was bad, but then that little pixie had started to talk. She'd tapped me on the shoulder so I'd turned to face her first of course.

'I saw you from across the shop, that shade of blue will look lovely with your complexion', she'd announced. I'd stuttered through a thank you; blushing a deep red.

'Do you go shopping often?' she'd continued.

'Not really', was my answer. The only reason I'd ventured out to the shops now was because my best friend was getting married. Granted it was not for another year, but apparently I had to have a dress for the engagement party the next day. I hated shopping. Well, maybe hate was too strong a word. I severely disliked it in any case. The hustle, the bustle, and the disappointment. I wasn't exactly fashion conscious either. The put-together-ness of the small woman's outfit told me that she, however, was.

'Why ever not?' she'd demanded.

'Um', I'd panicked, and accidentally told her half the truth; not the pretty half. 'I don't have any money?'

The truth was, I'd just been fired from my third witnessing job; carrying things, whilst walking, especially breakable things, whilst customers were around, was obviously not for me. For a long while I'd had a job at Newton's outfitters, but was eventually forced to quit because I could no longer stand the advances of Mr Newton's son, with whom I shared my job. Currently, I was just trying my best to support myself whilst I wrote my book. Having finally completed my masters, I no longer needed to spend money on college - regrettably, the consequence of this was that I was no longer supported by my dad, Charlie, who'd financed me through my long education.

'You're unemployed?' the woman guessed, forcing a sigh from me. Out of all the conclusions she could have reached, she would have to reach the right one; meaning that I couldn't tell her where to get off. Not that I would anyway.

'Yes', I'd told her, hoping she'd be satisfied.

'Why?' She wasn't.

'Because…' I hesitated, why was I even talking to her again? 'Apparently I'm too clumsy to be a waitress.' I waited for her reaction; she giggled at me, a lovely high soprano giggle that suited the small woman perfectly. Her head shook up and down as she laughed; small black locks rearranging themselves on her head as she moved.

Something about her laughter was contagious, and I soon joined in; eventually clutching my sides from laughing to hard. It was kind of funny after all.

'Thank you', I offered, 'I hadn't thought there was a funny side to my clumsiness. I'm Bella, by the way.'

'I'm Alice', she replied, still smiling, her pale cheeks flushed a little from laughter, 'You know, I know of a job going, if you'd like?'

I hesitated again, I'd only just met the woman, and she was offering me a job? There had to be something weird going on there, didn't there? I was just about to refuse when I caught sight of a blue poster behind her, a picture of Jim Carey stared back at me as I examined it, the words 'YES MAN' emblazoned across the top.

'Yes', I told her. Not realising the importance of such a word, such an agreement, such a meeting, or such a day.

Three days after that strange meeting, I sat in my apartment, which looked strangely empty, despite the fact that boxes littered the floor before me. The day after she'd offered me the job, she'd phoned to confirm it. I was to be her brother's assistant. He was a musician, she told me, about to go on tour with his band; his last assistant had been let go because she'd attempted to get into his pants one to many times, as she'd so eloquently put it.

I wondered how ugly the previous assistant had to have been for a man to have turned down an assistant with benefits.

I had no idea who her brother was, but she assured me that she'd be there for the first few weeks, as she and a friend had booked some time off so that they could be with their brothers. Though she didn't tell me who I was supposed to be an assistant to, she did tell me that she had a 'feeling' that it'd all be okay, and that everything would work out really well. When I'd questioned these feelings, she'd insisted that they were 'always right'. I sure hoped so.

I'd just securely closed my last box of stuff, and was ready for my friends to come and help me put it back into storage; or, more accurately, into the loft at Charlie's house. My dad, half excited, and half scared crapless about my new spontaneous streak, had offered to look after my stuff whilst I was away. I had been allowed, by Alice, to bring two suitcases full of clothes and personal effects. These sat next to my door, ready to leave with me tonight, bound for Chicago, where the band's tour was going to kick off with a 'secret' gig, meant for big shots with a lot of money only.

I'd bid goodbye to Charlie the day before, and was leaving as soon as Jacob arrived. He'd volunteered himself and his friends to move my stuff whilst I caught my plane. It was ten to six now, they were due to arrive any time now. My plane out of Seattle left at ten thirty.

My friends arrived a few minutes after six, Jacob, Quill and Embry; who dutifully got to work. My goodbyes were quick, Jake carried my suitcases down to the taxi I'd booked, and took my keys; the flat keys to return to the landlord, any the keys to my beloved red, rusty Chevy, which I'd have to leave behind for the time being.

"You'll be back in time for the wedding?" he asked me.

"Of course, you brute, I'll only be gone for eight months, you're wedding isn't for another year!" I'd replied, punching him lightly on the arm.

"Okay Bells", he replied, using my childhood nickname, "I'll see you when you get back! Call me okay!" He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tightly, before he let me get into the back of the Taxi.

"Seattle Airport", I told the driver, suddenly nervous as we pulled away. I grinned out of the window, waving at Jacob, Quill and Embry, who'd come out to join him; holding a box each. I watched until they faded away, wondering when I'd next see them again. Eight months at the least, I knew. Eight long months. I hoped they'd be enjoyable.

The taxi ride cost a bomb, but Alice had assured me that I'd be reimbursed when I reached Chicago. The trip wasn't long. Two hours to Seattle, and Four hours or so on the plane, which I mostly slept through. I spent almost three hours at the airport waiting, however, letting me relax with pride and prejudice, losing myself in thoughts of Darcy - every woman's dream, before I boarded. My thoughts were soon followed into the clouds by my body.

I arrived in Chicago at about two thirty, and was greeted with a large white sign reading 'Bella Swan'. I pulled my cart, loaded with my two suitcases and hand luggage along to the man who held it; then I followed him to the car, and to the start of my new life.

The Peninsula Chicago appeared before me as we drew to a halt, and my breath caught in my throat. I wasn't well travelled, and I knew next to nothing about accommodations; but even with my limited experience I knew that this hotel was amazing. A five star place. I placed my hand on my stomach, which was starting to feel a little weak, whilst I watched my driver step out of the car, and walk to open my door.

'Thank you', I murmured softly, looking up at the building before me, stunned. Whose assistant, exactly, was I?

I watched, open mouthed, as two bell boys walked down to take my things from the driver; though I had enough sense to insist upon taking at least my travel bag.

I started to follow them towards the hotel, and up the steps. Trying to take everything in, I lost my footing and fell forwards onto the steps. Suddenly thanking God that it was pitch dark.

"Miss!" A panicked voice questioned, "Miss are you alright?!" A hand appeared in front of me; I took it, and felt myself being pulled up.

"Yes", I muttered sheepishly, "Happens all the time". I looked up to see the younger bell boy, a boy of about eighteen, smile at me with pearly white teeth.

"This way please Miss", he insisted.

"Bella", I told him quickly, "my name is Bella". By now I was bright red, I was sure.

Walking inside behind the bell boys, I found myself stunned once again. Everything was so clean, tidy, and…most of all, shiny. I couldn't get over the modern décor, or the way everything just seemed to sparkle. An attractive woman wearing a uniform smiled charmingly at me from behind a long, granite desk, a beautiful red pot plant to her side. I smiled hesitantly back; the heat rushing to my face once more.

I was lead to the most beautiful elevator I'd ever seen, and taken up several floors, and then lead along another sparkling corridor; right to the end, where the first, older bell boy stopped, produced a key, and let me in, giving me the key as I passed him.

"You'll be given a wake up call at one 'o' clock tomorrow, as requested." The elder bell boy told me, as he and the other placed my things by the door. "Sleep well."

I received another charming grin from the younger man, before they both backed out of the room, pulling the door closed behind them.

I turned around three times, slowly, before pinching myself, making sure I wasn't dreaming.

The room was amazing, it was laid out the same way as any other hotel; but it was done with one hundred times the style, one hundred times the class, and I was guessing it was one hundred times the expense. The television was a massive flat screen built into the wall, the bed was almost as high as I was, and covered in the comfiest bedding I'd ever laid eyes on, and the décor was beautiful; demur, but beautiful. The lighting was soft, and the curtains pulled closed for the night. There was even a desk, and several plants. A phone sat beneath the television, and there were lovely paintings decorating the walls. I didn't think there was anything the room didn't had. Opening the mini bar, I saw more food than I'd ever seen in my fridge at home.

I walked over to the door I could see at the edge of the room, and stepped into the already lit room. It was a bathroom; marble décor, with a shower stall, a bath, and a toilet with a sink. More flowers littered the place, a television and a radio sat there innocently; as did a phone, and a hairdryer. Finally, hanging up were towels, a bathrobe, and slippers.

I backed out of the bathroom, before starting to get ready for bed. I settled down under the covers in my pyjamas and wondered what the best rooms were like, if this was one of the more 'normal' ones, which I assumed it was; they wouldn't pay much for the accommodation of an assistant. Would they?

The comfortable bed sent me to sleep quicker than I'd ever been before. I'd think about it all in the morning.

A/N: Hope it's okay O_o And that you enjoyed it =]