A/N Welcome again!

First: I would really like to thank all of your for your kind words via pm, reviews, Alerts and all the love you showed for Chapter 1 of REC. I really hope you like this Chapter, too!

Second: Thanks to all of you who offered to be my beta. I'm a very lucky author I got two beta's now!

Thank you Wicked Winter for helping out when I desperately needed a beta you worked over the Chapter in less than a day although your PC is troubling you!

mylittlebakersdozen you ROCK in so many ways I don't know how to name all of them without sounding like I'm brown-nosing you! You taught me a great deal about grammar and worked on my story when you clearly should have been working on yours!

ikss thank you for your very kind words regarding my story! I'm honored!

I have some good rec's for you so meet you at the bottom!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT OR IT'S CHARACTERS; STEPHENIE MEYER DOES! I DO HOWEVER OWN THIS PLOT SO PLEASE DO NOT COPY PASTE!

REC Chapter 2

I didn't let myself be distracted by this jerk. I tried to calm myself down as I walked to my destination. Interviews relied heavily on first appearances, and if I wanted to succeed, I would need to project professionalism instead of pent-up hostility.

A young woman, perhaps in her early twenties like me, sat behind the front desk. She welcomed me and asked for my name. Once she found my name on the list she nodded and invited me to sit down for a few minutes. I took off my coat, strode to a comfy looking chair in the hall opposite the front desk, and worked on composing myself. This guy really made me angry.

How can a man so good looking be such a smartass? On the other hand, it was a known fact that good looking people reserved the right to be jerks. It's a law of nature or some other bullshit.

Banning him from my thoughts, I started to look around me and take in the office. It was fancy - marble floor, shiny black furniture and a breathtaking view. I didn't know much about Cullen's Inc. until a day ago, but they seemed to be running a very profitable company.

After making the appointment, I started to google some facts about the firm. I hated to go unprepared to an interview. I found out the firm was owned by Carlisle Cullen, a successful man since he was in his twenties. He started his telecommunication company with his wife and managed to achieve what it was today - a renowned firm employing about ten thousand people around the world. His eldest son Emmett worked with him. He also had another son Edward and a daughter Alice.

Ah...Edward. I wish I didn't remember this name just now. I really don't need a reminder of this guy. I hope he's not there when I go for lunch. I don't want to be forced to change my favorite spot. If someone has to go it will be him...

"Miss Swan."

A deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I peeked up at a very handsome middle-aged man. He appeared friendly and calm. He smiled at me and gestured for me to enter his office. I walked in what I hoped was a graceful manner through the door. The only difference to the employee's office outside was the huge desk, which was not black like the others, but mahogany. The walls were decorated with landscape pictures. I took a seat and waited for the good-looking man to take his. I was a little confused, because I had no idea what his name was. I assumed he was from Human Resources, but I didn't get a name yesterday when I called.

"Miss Swan, I am Carlisle Cullen. I take it you are applying for the post as my assistant?"

Uhm, what? He's Carlisle Cullen? I imagined him much older. Did he just say I would work as his assistant? I thought they needed an assistant for one of the less important positions.

How would I get a job as an assistant to the CEO when I didn't even know a thing about telecommunications? I wondered if that was the reason why he was taking the interview himself, to make sure he would get the best candidate possible for this position. I didn't think I had any chances here.

"Well, sir, I didn't know you are the one who's looking for an assistant. I called yesterday and they only told me to come, give my name at the front desk, and that there might be an open position as an assistant. I didn't get anymore details." I tried to explain.

"Please call me Carlisle. We are on a first name basis here at Cullen's," he corrected me absentmindedly and I could see him frowning a little. "Who did you talk to?"

Uh- oh, I hope I am not getting anyone in trouble.

"It was a woman named Tanya something...I am sorry I didn't note down her name." I hoped they had more than one Tanya here.

"I see," he nodded. "That explains a lot. I am surprised she actually gave you an appointment. Tanya was my assistant till yesterday. How did you know we might have a vacancy here?"

"I called yesterday by chance to ask." I had learned fast that waiting till the companies actually advertised their vacancies was a dead end, because by then someone usually had hired a friend's friend or niece or whoever. So now I called the companies I was interested in working for and asked if they were looking for employees. Yesterday's cold call had been successful.

Carlisle raised an eyebrow at me when I finished explaining to him my method, and I was immediately reminded of that jerk Edward from the park. He appeared to be amused by my story but I didn't understand what was so funny about it.

"You are one smart young woman, I have to admit. I wish...," he trailed off and his expression wasn't as light as before. "Did you work as an assistant before, Isabella?"

"Bella, please. Actually I have my CV with me if you would like to take a look." I offered.

"I prefer to hear it from you. CVs are boring and so formal." His kind eyes were dancing with ill-concealed amusement. "You can't get to know a person through a sheet of paper, can you?"

"No."

I thought I might fall in love with this guy. He was the type of man I wanted as a boss. He remembered that we were actually humans, not working machines.

"So where did you work last?" he asked.

"Actually, Carlisle, I just finished college six months ago and have been looking for a job ever since. I graduated in English literature and wanted to work as an editor in a publishing house, but most companies don't employ inexperienced people in such positions. I decided that there are a lot of people who don't necessarily work in their field of expertise, and started looking for all kinds of jobs. Every company needs at least one English Major, right?" I smirked at him. Honesty was always the best way to a good work relationship and lying just wasn't one of my talents.

"So you are still green?" he chuckled.

"Green?" I asked not understanding what he meant.

"Green is just another way to say inexperienced. It just sounds less frightening," he explained, still smiling.

"More or less sir," I replied, smiling back at him.

"I told you to call me Carlisle, please, or do you want me to start calling you Isabella?" He raised his eyebrow at me. I shook my head and blushed.

Thankfully, Carlisle thought I was embarrassed because I forgot to call him by his name. He had no idea that every time he raised his eyebrow, my thoughts wandered off to a very irritating person.

"Well, I admire your willingness to start small and grow into the position you desire. Sometimes – like you pointed out - people find themselves happier in a field they didn't graduate in. You will understand later what I mean, once you've been working with us for a while," he declared ominously and picked the phone up before he turned to search for something in the piles of paper on the desk.

"I also don't agree with most companies' strategies; it's not a disadvantage to be green, Bella. In my line of work I came to realize that freshmen can be better molded to fit the job requirements." He finally found what he was looking for, pressed a few numbers, and after a few seconds he spoke again, this time to someone on the phone.

"Can you come down for a minute please, Rose?"

Not two minutes later, a hell of a woman walked in. I looked at her intently, trying to figure out if she was a known model or actress but she wasn't; at least she was no one I knew of.

"Rose, this is Bella. She's applying for the job as my assistant. Bella, this is Rose, Emmett's assistant, and the best one to show you how things work around here. Her job is similar to what you would be doing."

Rose appraised me before she shook my hand. A smile crept on her face and I had a feeling I had just earned her approval.

"Does this mean I got the job?" I asked disbelievingly.

"Bella, you are a very bright young woman, and although you graduated in English I'm sure you will pick up soon on how things work around here. Most of your work will be about organizing meetings and handling the correspondence. I'm sure you can master that." He looked askance at Rose and they both nodded in unison.

"You were also very honest, and that's something I appreciate in a person I will be working closely with. I liked that you make circumstances work in your favor and took initiative in finding a job. And as I've already told you, I don't shy away from working with freshmen," he winked at me.

"Thank you. I promise I will do my best." I was over-the-top happy with how this interview went. I could not believe I would be working as an assistant for the CEO of a major telecommunications company. I remember when it took Jasper a whole week to teach me how to use my blackberry when I first got it.

"We will start with a trial period though. Two months and then we will reevaluate, agreed?"

Is he asking if it's ok for me to start working right now even though I had a trial period? Hell yeah!

I tried to rein my excitement in and stood to shake his hand.

"That's more than fair. Thank you again, sir."

"You are welcome, Isabella."

"I mean, thank you Carlisle," I corrected with a grin.

"Worked like a charm," he said smugly. "Today is Friday and we are usually closed on Saturdays. Sometimes I have to come in, though - in emergency situations - but I don't think anything crucial is going to happen tomorrow. Rose?"

"No, Carlisle, no catastrophes on the horizon so far," she answered with a dazzling smile.

"Okay then. See you on Monday at nine, Bella." He finally stood up. I shook his hand, and like the gentleman he appeared to be, he led Rose and me to the door, opened it for us, and closed it after exchanging some last pleasantries.

Rose took me on a tour around the building. Naturally, my office was right outside Carlisle's office. Visitors had to go past me before they could enter his office which was on the second floor. Rose didn't tell me whose office it was or why Carlisle took the interview in another office than his own and I didn't inquire about it. Emmet's office was also on the second floor, and even Alice, Carlisle's daughter, had an office up there. Emmett was the Finance Manager of the house whereas Alice was Public Relations Manager. I wondered about Edward, Carlisle's second son, because my mind was still filled with guitar-guy's image, but Rose never mentioned him.

Maybe he's not in the family business like Alice and Emmett.

I shook some people's hands on our tour, although I could not memorize any names. They all seemed genuinely friendly, and I recognized that I would come to like it there.

"I know you won't be able to absorb all of what I'm showing you so fast, but don't worry, you can always come to me if you need anything. I would have liked to introduce you to Emmett and Alice, but they both went home earlier today. It's their mom's birthday," Rosalie stated. "I bet Carlisle's happy he found you and can go home early now too. Otherwise, he would have had to stay late tonight to schedule interviews for tomorrow. It's amazing Tanya managed to do something good before she left."

I was curious about this Tanya. She was mentioned once already in a negative way to me today, but I didn't think that asking nosy questions like a gossip girl would make a good impression.

"I'm glad I could be of service, and thank you again for the tour."

"Oh ,we are not done yet. I have to show you our basement, and then the tour is over," she went on.

Basement? Why would I need to go to the basement? I've seen the stock room on the ground floor.

I followed silently, though I was wondering what could be down there of any importance. We turned to the right behind the front reception, and went down a set of stairs. I could hear some chattering noise at the end of the stairs. Rose pushed a heavy door open and revealed a break room. Only this wasn't the normal kind of break room -it looked more like a club to me. There were many small tables scattered around the room, with first class linens, no less and a bar with a bartender standing behind it handing out non-Alcoholic drinks and snacks. There was even a freaking stage in this room.

"We call it the party cellar. Whenever there is any occasion, it's held down here, but on a daily basis we use it as our break room," Rose enlightened me. "It's a cool place to work. Your job duties are not as complicated as you might think, Bella. I assure you, you will love it here, and Carlisle is really easy to work with."

I had a grape soda with Rose, who went on telling me about the basic rules of the firm, before she escorted me back to the main entrance of the building. She was really nice, and by the time I left, I thought I had made a new friend.

I waved goodbye to Rose, and retrieved my cell phone to call Jasper and give him the good news. After two rings, he picked up.

"Hey Sunshine, what's up?"

"I got the job, Jazz!" I squealed.

"Wohoooooooo!" his voice sounded on the other end. "Congrats, Bella. I'm really proud of you, gal."

"You are in for a treat, Jazzy. How about I invite you to drinks at 'Touch' near Central Park tonight?"

"Wow, that's generous, Sunshine. Shouldn't you wait till you get your first paycheck before you start throwing your money out of the window?" he teased.

"I can afford it, jackass. Meet you there after work." I ordered him and hung up before he could argue with me any further. I turned on my heels to walk in the direction of the metro when I collided with someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry I..." I was about to apologize when I noticed who was standing in front of me. "You? Are you following me?"

"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not polite to greet people this way?" Out of nowhere, Edward was standing there, smirking and teaching me about manners.

The nerve of this man, using my own words against me. I was giddy about seeing him again and fuming at the same time.

"Besides, you almost ran me over," he accused.

"I apologized for that!" I shot at him. Being the freak of nature I was, I couldn't help but defend myself, even though he didn't deserve it at all. He himself had refused to apologize to me in the park. "What are you doing here?" I spat at him with more venom now.

"Hey! Be nice, I'm only here because of you, you know?" If possible, his grin grew wider.

"What do you mean?" I couldn't help the way my voice sounded...almost hopeful. Traitor!

He produced my book Pride and Prejudice from behind his back and offered it to me. I didn't even notice I had lost it.

"What do you say now?" he provoked me.

"Thank you." I tried to snatch the book out of his hand but he stepped back.

"Come on, I know you can do better." He had the look of a reprimanding father on his face.

Why this guy was annoying me so much, I had no idea. It was a sweet gesture to come over and bring me my book, but I couldn't ignore the fact that he only knew where to find me because he had been eavesdropping on my phone call, and it was his fault I lost the book in the first place. Plus, he was chastising me for being rude when he hadn't been any better.

"Thank you, Edward, that was very nice of you to come all the way here to return my book," I spoke through clenched teeth.

"See, that's more like it." He handed me the book. "You are welcome."

I was seething. How dare he address me in such a condescending way? He was a street musician, with no manners at all, and acted like the prince of courtesy! Granted, he didn't look like a beggar, but his torn jeans and polo shirt beneath his very aged parka weren't up-to-date either. He looked like a typical street musician in his hippie-like clothes and the guitar on his back.

I decided the best course of action was to walk away without acknowledging him before I lost my temper again, but he blocked my way when I tried to step around him.

"Hey, what about my reward for returning the book? Aren't you gonna invite me to 'Touch' for drinks as well?" he cocked his head to the side, relaxed, while my head was about to explode.

"What the hell is your problem? You've been listening in again on my call?" I shrieked.

It seemed like this guy could only elicit two kinds of reactions from me. I was either speechless or screaming at him.

Poor Bella...someone needs a relaxing bath or a gun to shoot Edward! What do you root for?

Some facts: *I will reveal in later Chapters whose office it was Bella had her interview in and why Carlisle chose this office. I'm full aware of the confusion I created but don't you worry I know what I'm doing.

*I'm not from the USA so excuse the lack of details..I bet you guys know Central Park and the streets around it better than I ever will so let your imagination fill in the blanks for you or help me do it!

Stories you HAVE TO read:

*TropicalSorbet my co-writer in MOD is writing a fic of her own named 'Edroar the angry Lion'... if you think I'm funny wait till you read what she wrote!

Summary: Edroar the Angry Lion frightens all the girls and boys at Cullen Publishing with his loud roar. Will his new massage therapist Bella Swan run away like all the rest, or can she tame this savage beast? AH/AU OOC

*mylittlebakersdozen my wonderful beta is writing a story you must stop by and read. She really knows what she's doing!

'Model Student'

Summary: College student Bella decides to branch out and take an art class for fun. Edward is seeking inspiration for his BFA exhibit. Now that he has found his muse, can he convince the model student to become his student model? AH, canon pairings. Yum yum!

*I meantioned ikss before, I'm sure all of you know her but in case you don't you should go and check out her story 'The Cocky and The Cougar'

Summary: Credit and Sales - often at war in Corporate America. When Con-Vert's new, young Director of Sales Edward Masen met 38 year-old Director of Credit Bella Swan, it was almost inevitible that sparks would fly. AH...RATED MA - ADULTS ONLY, PLEASE

That's it for today! By the way, I already wrote 5 Chapters for REC so show me some love and I might update sooner than next week!