*Disclaimer - Sadly, I own nothing of Twilight with the exception of merchandise, bought and paid for. I do, however, own my love for borrowing the characters and playing with them however I choose to. I thank Stephenie Meyer for creating the TwiWorld and for allowing us to have our fun with it. She owns Twilight, the insanity it created in my mind is my own.
A/N ~Thanks to Shug for beta reading. *mwah* And thanks to all, both return readers and new ones, who alerted and/or reviewed the first chapter - so awesome! Love it! I hope you like this one too. ;)
Whatever Works
Who Are These People?
My ringing cell phone woke me Sunday morning. It had been silent since Angela's call mid-week. Leaving my meeting with Esme, I had felt certain the job was mine. Then, I heard nothing. I had planned to return to the agency Monday to arrange for them to send me on more interviews, but my phone was ringing. Why would they call me for a job on Sunday? But who else would be calling?
Frantically, I reached for my phone before it stopped ringing. The now familiar voice of Angela put a smile on my face so wide I could advertise dental hygiene. I had what she promised to be my final meeting at noon. Not 'interview' – meeting. Same arrangements, the car would pick me up at 11:15. Sounded to me like I was going back to Esme's! I did a happy dance through my barren apartment and got down to business. I was ready and waiting at 11:10.
I was correct in my assumption, but when I was granted entry, I was ushered to a different section of the house. It wasn't the grandeur of the front hall, but it wasn't as warm and inviting as Esme's quarters either. I was instructed to wait in a sitting room outside another closed room. 'Someone' would be with me shortly.
Where was Angela? If I wasn't meeting with Esme, I could really use her friendly face. I tried not to fidget. Sound carried in this room, as I had discovered when I cracked my knuckles. I chewed on the inside of my lip instead. There were muffled voices coming from the room adjoined to the one I waited in. My ears strained to listen in. One voice rang out loudly.
"Well, ultimately, it's not up to me, is it? This was not my choice! This is about what she wants!"
There was a gush of muted sounds; muffled voices that I was certain were placating the angry son. My heart pounded. The son thought I was the wrong person for the job! Esme wanted me, just as I'd thought after our meeting. This guy had a problem with me for some unknown reason. Just when I had my hopes up… would he blow it for me?
The door opened suddenly, making me jump in my chair. I stood instantly and greeted Mr Varner. Great. Of all the people I could be meeting with. Behind him was Mike, the smiling guy from the staunch interview. He came around and shook my hand.
"Good to see you again! Come on in! Sorry for dragging you in on a Sunday; it's the only day we had. And so early! Have you had your coffee? I'll get you one. How do you take it?"
I shook my head, unable to take it all in so quickly. The sudden switch from feeling unwanted to being welcomed so heartily threw me. "I'm fine…"
"Yeah? Good, good. Have a seat. We'll get started as soon as Edward gets back. He just had to take a call."
Edward. The other guy with no purpose named at that interview. God… he must be the son! The son who doesn't want me here. Is that why he looked so constipated the other day? And the reason for his intense stare? He didn't think I was capable.
My thoughts were cut off as he strode back in and sat himself down in the nearest chair. He didn't even glance up. The muscles in his jaw tensed as he spoke in hushed tones to Mike, bent over him. Mike nodded and slapped him on the back before looking up at me with his goofy smile.
"Sooo…" He rubbed his hands together briskly. "Looks like you're in our inner circle!"
Inner circle? I wanted a job. Period. This job. If I got in Esme's inner circle, great. These idiots – Mr Sullen and Slap Happy could go fuck themselves. That may actually make Mr Sullen cheer up just a tad. I bit back the grin that threatened to emerge. Mr Varner laid out a new set of forms and beckoned me to sign away… what this time? My first born child? My rights to an exclusive thought?
Apparently, it wasn't a few rights I was relinquishing this time; it was my express agreement to live where I was told, go where I was told – with whomever I was told to go with – follow Dr Banner's instructions, without fail and never, under any circumstance, was I to take Mrs Cullen anywhere without their knowledge and consent. In other words, 'We own you, bitch. Now shut up and do your job – as we tell you to.'
"You will be given room and board, of course. You will have your own room near Mrs Cullen so you can see to her needs as she requires. You are aware this is a round the clock position?"
I nodded. That's exactly what I wanted. "Certainly."
"You will have access to Mrs Cullen's section of the house, as well as the grounds, the kitchen, and the main entrance, of course. This section is off-limits as are the rooms upstairs. Now, meals are prepared specifically for Mrs Cullen, and they will be offered to you as well. If there is something you'd like to request, speak with the cook. We are flexible." He offered what I assumed was meant to be a smile. It came off more sinister than friendly; all-out zany. He instantly made me think of Gene Wilder in 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. I wondered if a Golden Ticket would be hidden in one of Esme's many cushions.
"That's very kind, thank you."
"You will be paid weekly. And any request for time off must be given, in writing, with a minimum two weeks' notice – barring emergency, of course. The gates are to be locked at all times, no exceptions. No unauthorized visitors for any reason. It's for your own safety as well as the security of Mrs Cullen. Nothing to worry about; it's all precautionary." And that zany Wonka grin crept up… 'Little surprises around every corner, but nothing dangerous…'
"Of course, I understand." I didn't, of course. I had no clue why this tiny, sweet woman with mangled legs would need round the clock protection as well as home-care. I really wished Angela was here.
Mr Varner packed up his papers, and I stood to leave, or rather, be shown the door. "She's all yours," he stated and left me with the two whispering men in the corner.
Both sets of eyes shot up. Edward stared at me curiously before the edge of his lips moved ever so slightly towards a grin. "So… welcome."
"Yeah! Congrats! You have no idea how many applicants we've been through! I, for one, am really glad this is over." Mike couldn't contain his smile while Edward strained not to crack one. Odd pair. "Come on! I'll show you around!"
He held his arm out for me, and when I approached, he held onto my waist. Not cool pal! I managed to shake his hand off my body as I turned sideways to edge past Edward through the door he had opened for us. Mike conducted the tour; Edward followed along with his hands in his pockets, clearly disinterested. I tried not to gawk at the extravagance of the core of the mansion. It didn't match either side; Esme's quarters, nor the rooms I had just been in which Mike informed me was their office. I couldn't seem to get a word in around his chatter, but I had so many questions! Did he work for Edward? Who did this house belong to? Esme? Mike? Edward? All of them? How many people, including staff, lived here? Who the hell decorated this mausoleum, and what were they thinking?
I steadied a vase that swayed on a marble table as my elbow knocked it. It was hideous, but was probably worth a year's salary. Water had spilled and I used the sleeve of my sweater to mop it up. When I pulled away, a thorn snagged it and before I knew it, I was doing an impromptu flower arrangement. Oh jeez! Mike had continued on down the right of the staircase so he didn't catch sight of my clumsiness. Whew! My cheeks flushed when I turned around and found Edward leaning against the railing looking slightly amused as he watched my one-woman show. His eyes flicked away when I looked at him.
"Come on. Mike's headed for the kitchen." His voice was low and soft. It worked well with the acoustics of the high ceilings. Mike's voice had rung out all around us, but Edward seemed to have mastered having a quiet conversation – if those few words could be considered conversation. "He'll be chatting up Emily by now," he muttered as we walked in. "Ah. What did I tell you… Is he bothering you Emily? I could sic your brother and Sam on him."
The beautiful young woman laughed as she rinsed off her hands. "Won't have to if Mom catches him sniffing around."
Mike held up his hands in submission. "You speak the truth! I'm more afraid of Sue than those guys anyway. Emily, this is Esme's new assistant, Ms Swan."
"Bella!" I insisted as I rushed forward to shake Emily's hand. "Please, call me Bella."
Instead of offering her hand, Emily embraced me. "So nice to meet you. Esme's been talking about you for days. Welcome."
"Emily and her mother, Sue, run this house. Don't let this guy tell you otherwise." Mike slapped Edward on the shoulder as he leaned against the counter.
"I wouldn't dare," he grinned affectionately at the pretty girl beside me. So he was capable of a smile.
"You'll meet Sue tomorrow. Oh! Right! We've got to arrange your move. Sam will drive you back home to gather what you need for now, and we'll arrange movers to collect anything else. I'm assuming you'll give up your apartment?" Mike drew us back to business.
I nodded, a little disturbed by the fact that he knew I rented an apartment until I realized I had confessed to being alone during the interview. And they had my address, after all. "I don't have much that I'd bring here, but there are some things I'd like to hang on to. My father's…"
"We'll arrange for a storage space," Mike offered.
"No need. There's plenty of space here. Bring whatever you'd like, and we'll store it for you here." All eyes moved to Edward as he spoke. "What? There are rooms that aren't even used. The back room by the pantry could be cleared out and Bella could store her belongings there." He sought my eyes directly. "The room locks. You'd hold the only key. It would be secure."
I was stunned by his offer and even more by his voice. This was the most I'd heard him speak, and there was something mesmerizing about his voice. "Thank you. That's very generous of you," I managed to squeak out a few words. The gentle smile he'd worn evaporated, and his eyes moved away from mine as he nodded curtly. Mike escorted me to the room Edward referred to for my approval before we moved on. Emily and Edward were chatting when we returned.
"Well, if you won't be here for dinner, I'll leave you a plate for a late night snack," Emily was saying to him. He kissed her cheek with a blush to his own before leading us out of the kitchen. I waved to her and followed along.
He strode past the staircase towards Esme's quarters. I understood that I wouldn't even get to see the prohibited rooms upstairs by his actions. We were now in my territory, and I was anxious to see Esme. Edward walked silently to Esme's room and peeked in. "She's napping. Mike can show you the grounds."
There was a whole other section out there that I hadn't seen on my previous visit. Obviously, the garden was Esme's doing – or at least for her benefit. Beyond that was an expansive patio surrounding a pool. "This is free to use whenever you'd like. Edward rarely uses it himself, though sometimes the guys hang out. If they're ever too raucous at all, just let me know and I'll have them tone it down."
"The guys…?" That one, I had to ask.
Mike nodded and shrugged casually. "Emmett, Jake and Sam. Sam, you know – he's the one who's been driving you back and forth. Jake and Emmett you'll meet soon enough. They're always around. Anyway, there's also a basketball court down below if you ever feel the urge to shoot some hoops." He pointed down a set of stairs before leading me back towards Esme's garden. "Sorry about all the formality of this whole ordeal… really, this won't be so bad. Esme's a total sweetheart, and Edward's away a lot. Emily and Sue are great – really friendly – and the only other person here daily is the maid, but she's not around on the weekend so again, you'll meet her tomorrow."
"Mike, who exactly lives here?" Again, I couldn't hold back.
"Just Esme and Edward. And Emmett. And you, now." He smiled easily, not affronted by my open question, and I was relieved. "Sue and Emily actually live in the guest house which is down by the court. I should have shown you…"
"No! That's their home…"
"I'm sure you'll be taken there soon enough anyway. They have Esme down for tea most evenings. Personally, I think it's more than tea, but she's a grown woman and who are we to judge?" He threw me a wink. "Anyway, when you get settled, you'll see it's more like a family environment than it appears to be. We're all really casual. Just give Edward his space and respect his privacy and everything will be fine."
Mike's warning played through my mind the entire drive back to my apartment. Why would I be invading Edward's space and privacy? I was hired to be with Esme, not her son. That reminded me of his angry voice when I first got there. It seemed so out of character for what he demonstrated later on. Anger to indifference to soft, gentle smiles in the kitchen… Which aspect of his personality was dominant? I'd seen sullen and indifferent the most, admittedly, but was he like that at home regularly? Would he even be around me and Esme? Mike said he was away a lot. I hoped that was true. He made me uncomfortable.
~ 0 ~
I arrived at my new home/workplace late in the afternoon. Sam had been patient and courteous while I packed essentials – basically, I dumped the contents of my drawers into cardboard boxes and stashed my toiletries in Ziplock bags and I was done. He carried the bulk of it down to the Escalade, and I followed along with a few tote bags. He figured the remaining boxes would fit in one more trip, and I was leaving the furniture. I had no reason to return and felt nothing as I left my apartment for the last time. It had never been home anyway.
My new home carried a wonderful aroma to my senses when we neared Esme's quarters. It drifted from the kitchen and made me aware that I hadn't eaten anything all day. My stomach growled loud enough to make Sam look over with an impish grin. "Just wait 'til you taste it. Nobody cooks like those ladies."
"Bella!" Esme called out to me when we entered her sitting room. She and Edward were at a table by the windowed wall. "I'm so sorry I missed you earlier! But you're in time for Emily's dinner, so that's wonderful."
Edward stood abruptly and strode past me without a word. Sam brought in the last of my boxes and stopped by Esme to say hello.
"Make sure you get something to eat before you head out," she told him as she hugged his large frame. "And take care out there."
"Don't you worry. Nobody's getting near him." Sam kissed Esme's cheek, gave me a nod and excused himself.
"We'll eat once the boys head out. I thought we'd eat in the kitchen, since it's just us girls tonight. Edward said you met Emily?"
"I did, yes." I sat in the chair Edward had vacated. "She seems very nice."
"Sweet, sweet girl," Esme agreed. "Her mother and I are very good friends. We went to school together, way back when. Emily does the cooking on the weekends while Sue takes a rest from it. Truth be told, she's got herself a man… a bit younger… quite scandalous!" She chuckled amicably as she dished the gossip. I couldn't help but giggle along. Esme was giving me the details when Mike poked his head in the door.
"We're off momentarily. Need anything?"
"I'm fine, thank you, dear." Esme kept her warm gaze on me as she replied to Mike.
"You are more than fine, my lady. You are stunning. Bella? If you think of anything you need, just call me. My cell number is with your contract, and I'm available any time. Enjoy Emily's feast, and we'll see each other soon!"
"Goodnight, dear. Have fun." Esme waited until he was out of hearing range. "Are you too young to know of Eddie Haskell?"
'Leave It to Beaver' was a show Charlie used to make me watch with him to illustrate how kids used to behave. Mike was a modern day Eddie for sure. I saw that Esme was just as wise to a smartass as June was, and I giggle-snorted, causing her to erupt with laughter, as well. I was dabbing the laughter tears from my eyes when I noticed Edward at the door. I don't know how long he had been standing there watching, but he had a distant glaze in his eyes before he spotted me watching him.
Clearing his throat, he strode over and knelt beside his mother. "If you need anything…"
"I have Bella," she smiled as she gave his hand a squeeze. "You go do your thing and don't worry about us. We'll be just fine. Is that what you're wearing?"
Edward raised an amused eyebrow at her. His voice was playful, challenging. "You have issues with my attire mother?"
"I just thought it's a little more formal than… did you even change?" She took a closer look. "You didn't! You just threw a jacket on over top… oh, Edward!"
That was the first time I heard Edward's laugh. It rang out and made my heart stop briefly before beating wildly. I had a feeling it was rare, because Esme's eyes teared up as she gazed at him. He ran the back of his hand over her cheek gently and then kissed her forehead as he stood. He gave me a nod and hastily left the room in silence.
