Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight…but I'd like to take Edward?

PS. Yes the club and the paper are made up and completely fictional…

Chapter 2: A Hard Day's Work

Soundtrack : Pull Shapes by the Pipettes

"BELLA! I need your story NOW!" My boss disappeared from its position above my computer to go complain to someone else. This was the busiest time of the day, everyone running around trying to complete everything before the paper went to print. I'd been working at the New York Journal as a journalist for the past six months.

It was a great job though I was still stuck in wedding announcements. I was hoping for a promotion pretty soon. Regardless of how they were at this hour, my workmates, including my boss were all really nice and we got on quite well. We were all good friends and would hang out occasionally after work.

I knew I was really lucky to have good friends at work as Rose's first job in New York was a shocker when her boss tried to make a move on her. She quickly transferred to a garage on the other side of town where she quickly set all the men straight that she would never be interested. At first they were disappointed but seeing her skill in mechanics and fixing up a car, they knew they could never lose her and they grew to respect her.

Alice however could wind up with people with the worst intentions and be wary of her erratic and crazy ways. But she was good at her job and was overly nice to them all and so she was great friends with all her co-workers. Suddenly an excited Tanya came bounding towards my desk. She could hardly keep still as she spoke.

"Ohmigosh, Bella! I have the most exciting news!! Like I really didn't expect it but AH! I'm so happy!" She jumped up and down, clapping her hands together. I liked Tanya, she was a sweet girl though slightly too immature and girly for my liking.
"Spit it out, Tanya," I said as enthusiastically as I could muster as I continued to finish my article.'
"I just got promoted! Yeh! I mean, I'm doing features now! Some fluffy ones but this is so much better then my old job! I mean, I totally, like thought you'd get this job! But I guess Billy just saw, like potential or something! Anyways, he told me he needs your story in ten! I'm off now! I get the rest of the day off! Must celebrate!! See you later chicka!" And she bounded towards the elevator.

My fingers clenched above the keyboard as I gritted my teeth. That was the promotion I wanted to get. Obviously Tanya got it, or more like made Billy give it to her. The whole office knew they'd been sleeping together but it hadn't changed anything at work as far as we were concerned so no one decided to mention it. But this crossed the line. I quickly finished my article, sending it off to 'dear Billy' before turning off my computer, gathering my things and storming out of the place. I stood in the elevator, concentrating on breathing deep breaths. I took out my phone and sent a quick text message to Alice and Rose, who had already finished at this late hour, to meet me at The Meadow. Hurriedly, I walked out of the elevator and called a cab to take me straight to the club. I didn't care I still had my briefcase and work clothes on. I needed a drink, quite a few of them. And I needed them now.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I seated myself on a barstool. I noticed a figure standing before me at the bar and gave out my order with my hands covering my eyes, trying to get myself calm. With one last deep breath, I looked down to pick up the straight vodka I'd ordered and lifted it to my lips.

Taking a sip, I finally looked up to see the bartender who was serving me. And, of course, it was none other than Edward Cullen. I nearly spat the vodka I'd sipped right back out back instead uncomfortably gulped it down, causing a burning sensation down my throat. I pulled a face as the alcohol made it's way down and Edward chuckled.
"Sorry!" I said, my cheeks flushing a bright red in embarrassment. He didn't say anything, just laughed and my brows furrowed in frustration.
"You might want to slow down on the vodka there. You'll have a killer headache tomorrow if you drink that too quick," he said expertly.

I smiled timidly and took a cautious sip of my drink, my eyes glued on his. Finally, I tore away from his stare to look around the club. It was still quite early so there weren't so many people yet. I was actually quite relieved, meaning that Edward didn't have a million customers demanding his attention and I could talk to him until Rose and Alice arrived. In my mind, I laughed at how ridiculous that was. The vodka was probably getting to me already, I thought yet I still took another sip. I decided to try and play it cool but with those gorgeous, green eyes staring into mine, I didn't know how I could make a coherent sentence.

"You're Edward right? My friend, Lauren, told me all about um.. you," I said, glancing away at the last bit. Yes, my mouth certainly was having a mind of it's own. He chuckled again under his breath.
"Yes, I am Edward," he said, extending his hand. "And you are?"

"Bella. Swan." I said, taking his hand and shaking it.
"Bella," he smiled as he said it. "Bella. Ah, you're the girl who tripped over the other night. Quite a memorable almost-fall" I flushed red and looked down…to our hands still held in their shaking position. I could feel this electric sensation going through my body from his very touch and I suddenly had this impulse to reach out and touch his face, run my fingers through his bronze, tousled hair and touch those lips, those luscious lips that looked so soft and inviting. How good it'd be to kiss those lips!

"Bella!" A frantic Alice came running into the club, closely followed by Rose. I suddenly snapped out of my trance glad that they had rescued me from completely humiliating myself in front of this gorgeous stranger. I abruptly took my hand away, slightly embarrassed as he chuckled again. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm glad I amuse you," I said, pursing my lips, trying to show some diva-ish attitude.
That wicked lopsided grin appeared. "Oh, Bella. You have no idea." And he walked away towards some waiting customers. I couldn't help but stare at his butt as he walked by. Those jeans really showed off his assets and I could see a hint of some pale blue boxers above. I heard Alice sitting down on the stool next to me and I turned around but she and Rose were obviously distracted by Edward, their heads tilted in speculation.

"Oh, Bella, he's gorgeous. Did I just see you playing flirty with him?" Rose said taking my other side.
"No! We were just talking!" I said, quick to defend myself.
"What's this? Denial?! OH! The first signs of love!" Rose said, fainting against the bar table in a dramatic gesture. We laughed aloud as their drinks arrived.

"Actually, that's Edward. You know, the gorgeous bartender Lauren was talking about?" I subtly added for their benefit. Alice immediately slammed her drink down on the table.
"NO WAY! That's him?! Huh, Lauren was definitely right. That man is too hot!"
"Oh, hubba hubba," Rose agreed, licking her lips seductively. It must have been a sight, the three of us leaning over the table to try and get a better look at Edward, our mouths hanging open, drool almost dripping from them. He turned around, saw us looking and laughed at loud. We immediately returned to our seats and took a sip from our drinks, embarrassed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Edward making his way towards us but abruptly stopped to serve this blonde, very obviously interested girl trying to get his attention. I was rather confused but it was all explained when Eric suddenly stood before us, laying some drinks in front of us.
"Compliments of him." he said, pointing a finger to a guy down the bar before hurrying off, getting ready for the rush of people to come. The three of us peered down curiously only to see Mike leaning against the bar, waving towards us.

"MIKE!" we all screamed simultaneously running up to hug him.
"How are my favourite girlies?" he said when we finally let go of him.
"Oh you know, same old, same old. Ohmigosh that reminds me. Bella! Why'd you call us here?" With all the hustle with Edward and the girls, I'd completely forgotten of all my previous troubles.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'll tell you at home. But Mike, how's the wedding planning going?"

And Mike launched into this long-winded tale about how, with the wedding only a week away, Jessica had decided that the place cards just didn't match the centrepieces so immediately ordered a whole new set before realising that it meant it didn't match with the invitations. We laughed along as Mike unloaded all the outrageous things Jessica was doing amidst her stress of organising the wedding. But looking into his eyes, you could see that he was beyond excited about this union.

Mike was a childhood friend, and our families were really close. Through high school, he'd always been the friendliest guy and I loved having him around. When we left for college, we kind of lost touch. So you'd understand my surprise when bumping into him on a shopping trip with Jessica? After the initial shock of seeing each other again and all, Mike's attention was completely diverted to Jessica, and they barely noticed me for the rest of the day. They didn't even notice me ever so subtly leaving to give them a bit more privacy not to mention, I was getting thoroughly bored at being left out of their conversation.

Now, they were getting married and I couldn't be happier that two of my closest friends had found so much happiness and love in each other. Alice, Rose and I were set to be her bridesmaids with Angela her maid of honour. The stress that Mike was talking about had bypassed us though Jess did let loose a bit when we were trying on bridesmaid dresses.

We talked on for quite a while and the place was starting to get packed. The music was turning up so we had to shout to be heard. Finally we all decided to call it a night and we said our good nights – and good lucks – to Mike and Rose drove Alice and I home. We silently and tiredly trudged into our apartment and I flopped down on the couch, my heels killing me after a whole day wearing them. Rose and Alice fell either side of me with deep sighs and I leaned back, my head on Alice's shoulder as Rose rested her hand on my leg.

We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying that moment in the day when you just stop and smell the roses, feel the contrast between all the business of life and the peacefulness of an almost sleep. I was reluctant to break the silence.

"Oh yeh guys. I was going to tell you. I didn't get the promotion. Billy gave it to Tanya," I said lethargically. I felt Alice shift as she jumped up.
"WHAT?" I let my head fall back on the couch where Alice was sitting before as Rose rubbed my leg in consolation. We got comfortable on the couch, ready for one of Alice's famous spiels.

"That is unacceptable. He can't just give it to her because he's getting some! That is so wrong. Bella you HAVE to report this. There must be someone higher than him. Go right to the top. To the owner of this thing. This is so unfair. You work your butt of for that paper and you deserved that promotion. Just because Billy gets to actually see Tanya's butt. It's wrong for him to date an employee anyways. I know you never said anything before but now it's cutting into your work, affecting you and so you need to speak up. Who owns the paper? You need to talk to him, I swear. This is so wrong!"

"I think he died not long ago. May have heard Rob from obituaries talking about it. Oh, they might have made it a feature. Oh, I can't remember!" I said, positioning myself so I was lying right across the couch with my legs on Rose's lap.

"Well then who's in charge Bella?" Alice demanded. I sighed, standing up to face her. I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked her right in the eye.
'I will do something, I promise. But can we not talk about this now? I am so regrettably wasted, remind me not to drink so much vodka straight up. And I have to work tomorrow. So just let me sleep okay?" Alice looked hesitantly but finally agreed shifting me so my arm was draped around her shoulder. Rose took my other side and together they hauled me towards the bathroom so I could wash up and go to bed. I was the most lightweight between us three so this was quite a usual occurrence. Finally, showered and ready, Rose and Alice lay me in bed and I was knocked out as my head hit the pillow.