Monday, 8:15 am
He... Him... Edward Cullen.
Sex on long, designer-clad legs.
The object of my every desire, and the bane of my existence.
I have never found myself at odds with someone the way I am with him. I want to fire him, and then I want to throw him down on the floor and have my way with him. He's an arrogant, self-righteous prick most of the time, but never have I been as attracted to someone as I am to him.
The man has me in knots.
They are knots of the best and of the worst kind. He makes me feel alive, but he frustrates the hell out of me. He doesn't even seem to know I exist. Of course he knows who I am, I'm his boss for God's sake, yet he rarely spares me more than an obligatory greeting or his required attention during work-related discussions. We certainly don't share the positive rapport I'm fortunate enough to have with the rest of my team, or even the one I have with the majority of people who work in the building—Carlisle included. I've always got on well with people, even as a kid. I'm the gregarious guy, with the easy smile; people love me.
But not him.
And not Carlisle's wife, Esme, either.
Edward has worked for Carlisle and Esme since he finished school. It's an unusual arrangement and the fodder for plenty of office gossip, because both are Edward's cousin, but from different sides of his family. Edward and Esme are very close. Their mothers are sisters and they grew up together as kids. Yes, he is also Carlisle's cousin—hence the same last name. Carlisle and Edward's fathers, the eldest and youngest siblings of their family, had fallen out many years earlier. The boys hadn't formed much of a relationship as children, and had only begun to connect again when Edward introduced the slightly older Carlisle to his future wife at a family gathering, so the rumors say. It's certainly an interesting office dynamic.
I've never been able to pinpoint exactly why Esme doesn't like me; I suppose some people just don't like others. I've always tried to be pleasant to her, but it's never made a difference. If I believed that Edward even gave me a second thought when he isn't in my presence, I could kid myself that maybe they've discussed me—I doubt it. She's the co-owner of the company and my superior, and I can't fault her professionalism toward me, but I can just tell… You can always 'just' tell.
Then there's Edward. If truth be known, he seems to hate me; there is definitely no love lost between us, but that doesn't stop me craving him every day. I'm not sure if he's gay, although I certainly suspect he might be—I've usually been pretty spot-on with my gaydar over the years—and Alice and I have had many discussions about the possibility. I've never seen him with a woman and I've never heard any office gossip to make me believe he's married or even has a girlfriend, but that doesn't mean anything. I have the distinct impression he's as private about his personal life as I am; maybe because of his relationship with Carlisle and Esme, or maybe even despite it.
Considering how long he's worked for the company it is strange that people know so little about him. I've been here for just over nine months, and even though I haven't made a point of advertising that I'm gay, I'm sure most people must realize it. Bumping into Tyler while I was on a date one night a few months after I started here, leaves no doubt in my mind how people know. Rumors are made very quickly in places like this. But apart from the occasional naïve remark from the likes of Mike, I've never had a problem because of it. Actually no one really seems to care less, which only seems to add to the intrigue of Edward Cullen. What is his story?
I remember back to last year's Christmas party. I'd only worked here for about six weeks when it was held in mid-December. A showy affair put on by Carlisle and Esme to thank everyone for their contributions to the company that year. I was impressed; it was hard not to be. An enormous Christmas tree had adorned the space, creating a magical atmosphere worthy of a celebration. I'd gone alone, not knowing anyone to take along with me anyway, and I'd used it as an opportunity to get to know my colleagues.
It was also the night a very tipsy Alice took me under her wing, declaring that I was her man and if anyone were going to corrupt me it would be her. I'd quietly explained that as flattered as I was, that wasn't going to happen. Her melodic giggle had surprised me. "No silly, I didn't mean like that." And with a pat on the shoulder she'd continued, whispering into my ear, "I know you like boys. Whaaaat I meeean..." She'd held up her tiny finger, pointing it directly at me. I'd never forget her drunken tsking. "You and I are going to be the best of friends." I'd never doubted her for a minute. "The bestest of friends, Jazzy." I'd also fallen just a little bit in love.
My new 'love' proceeded to introduce me to people outside our department; ones I hadn't had an opportunity to meet yet. Great people, some of whom I knew I'd one day call friends. It was two of these people, Emmett and Rosalie, who first brought him to my attention.
"Eddie!" Emmett yelled over my shoulder. "Come and meet the new guy."
I turned to look. Jesus! How could I have missed him?
"Hello," he abruptly stated, then turned to Emmett, questioning him about Carlisle's whereabouts.
What a rude asshole.
Carlisle transferred him to my team the following Monday morning.
Wow! What an awesome response to the story. Thank you all so very much.
