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Chapter 2 – New Beginnings

BPOV

Three hours later and Papa Cullen left my office, but not before making me promise to come to dinner tomorrow evening. I didn't even have to pretend that I wanted to go, Sheila and I would both walk across hot coals to taste Esme's cooking. She was definitely a domestic goddess.

Luckily Carlisle saved me the agony of explaining to James by speaking with him before he left. I had finished my contract but there was the compulsory week to be spent at the company to tie up loose ends. This was all very well for most other project managers, who left a mess of their team and paperwork at the end of any project. Not me though. Since the TRAP had already been carried out, and because of my somewhat special requirements at CGB, I had requested to make Friday my last day, and leave a week early.

It wasn't that I was worn down, but before I officially started at CGB, I needed to make sure that all my equipment was installed. I needed an angel from the IT support office, rarer than REAL angels, to come and update the computer I would have in my office, remove any strobe lights, and install air fresheners in Edward's office, my own and the conference room.

Not only that but I needed to sort out a chauffeur. Since I definitely couldn't drive and Sheila hated public transport, at JIG I had a driver on my expense account. I really hated using that thing but sometimes, for me, it was just essential. I couldn't face making Sheila unhappy and even offered to foot the bill most of the time.

As I made my way down to the lift to go home I smelt the familiar but ever unwelcome dose of powerful cologne and a tug at my elbow. Sheila swung around and let out a small growl. The good thing was that it didn't sound particularly threatening, but coming from an oversized German shepherd, people were guaranteed to take a step back when she did that.

"Bella, can we talk for a moment?" Here we go, one for the road, I was just hoping this would be the last offer for lunch.

"Yeah sure James, anything you need?"

"I was just thinking that because you're leaving us early, and we had originally thought about taking you out for drinks, to, y'know, celebrate the success of your time here, that we could have lunch tomorrow."

Sigh. No James, you wanted to take me out to get me drunk at an expensive bar to celebrate the success I brought to your company and let everyone see how you conquered Bella Swan. Selfish, self adoring bastard.

Of course, I couldn't actually say that. Maybe if I went to lunch with him once, he'd realise that I'm not a closet slut like he's hoping, and leave me alone. One can dream.

"Lunch sounds fine, leave a memo with Renee tomorrow morning." I know I sometimes came across as cold and unfeeling, but until someone earns my respect enough for me to treat them otherwise, that's the way it's going to be.

"Okay Bella, do you want me to take you home?" Give up already please James, before I let Sheila loose on you.

"No thank you Adam is meeting me at the door." I was going to miss my driver; he barely spoke at all, was in his late fifties and in a way, reminded me of my father. Shit, Charlie. I had to visit him soon, this weekend, or next week.

"Alright then, I guess, tomorrow, man, we sure are gonna miss you here." I took this semi sounding closing statement as my chance for escape. Creep away slowly Bella and he won't notice.

Fat chance.

"Likewise, I'm sure. Bye James." I was already walking towards the lift again and praying that no-one else would be stupid enough to try and talk to me. I could tell Sheila shared my sentiments as I felt her big bushy tail banging happily against my legs. Oh to be a dog.

The lift door was closing and I heard a faint, "bye Bella", calling to me from behind the closing doors. I raised my free hand in a wave and didn't really care whether James saw or not.

The lift arrived on the ground floor with a ping and we stepped out into the cool air conditioned atmosphere of the marble covered foyer. I counted the usual fifty eight steps to the door and smiled when I felt Adam's hand on my arm.

"I got a call from Mr Jameson's PA just now telling me that a Miss Swan will no longer be requiring my services? Bella, is there someone else?" I laughed along with Adam as he gave me a one armed hug while taking Sheila's lead to put her in the backseat and leading me round to the car.

"Of course not, but I did get a new job. It's at CGB, so it's not too far away and maybe, you never know, we can stay in touch."

"I was only joking, and besides, you know that you're gonna be all too busy to come see me. I'll be alone."

"Yep, all lone driving rich corporate bastards around and getting tips all day long. It's a hard life Adam."

"I know, I know, it's a good job. I'm happy for you, CGB is a good company and the people there were always nice."

"It's a shame I couldn't take you with me. I'll miss you."

"You and me both Bella, but, never mind eh. Same time tomorrow morning?"

While chatting we had made our way into the car and began the journey home. I all of a sudden felt tired and couldn't wait to get home. It would be my earliest night to bed in a while, I decided to get Adam's address and send him a gift for Christmas. Someone who drives you to work at 5am and brings you steaming hot coffee, and who's always in a good mood, well, in my book, they make the cut.

I felt myself dozing off already and I reached my hand around to the backseat to stroke Sheila's head, she was one hell of a dog but she had always felt so soft.

I felt the car pull to a stop and within a minute, Adam was round by my door and helping me out of the car, passing me my dog as we made our way to the front door of my building.

"Adam."

"Yes, Miss Swan?"

"Oh Miss Swan now is it? Funny guy. Can you do me a favour and put your address and number into the blackberry, just in case, y'know, I forget tomorrow morning?"

I passed him the bulky object attached to my hip and heard him tapping away. Sheila was practically jumping at my side and I knew she hadn't eaten yet this evening. I instantly felt bad. It was eight o'clock and although she'd eaten this morning, she hadn't had her dinner yet, and I knew that if I was hungry, she must be starving.

I said my goodbyes to dam and we made our way to the door. The doorman voiced a greeting to me, to which I replied and Sheila led me to the lift. I felt my way around for the door and sighed when I found the button for my floor, right at the top. As the doors there was an added weight to my feet and I knew my little girl was lying down.

She was so excited to get home, probably to eat, that she pulled me out the lift and we jogged along the corridor together. I fumbled around fir my key card and shoved it almost too roughly into the door waiting for my greeting from Renee, who was always waiting for me.

"Welcome home Bella. Time check is 8.04pm. Do you require food?"

"Thank you Renee, activate phone control speed dial 3." I could hear the phone calling my favourite take away ad I waited patiently for it to connect. I heard the click of the receiver over the speakers in my apartment, "Wagamama's take away how can I help?"

"Hi, can I get a Thai chicken, single portion for home delivery, it's Bella Swan."

"Yes Miss Swan, someone should be over in 10-15 minutes. Thank you, enjoy your evening"

"Thanks, bye."

"End call, system standby."

My stomach growled at the anticipation of food and I couldn't help but smile, I walked into the kitchen feeling the rough short thread of the carpet in the hallway change to the smooth cool tiles of my spacious kitchen. That's how I knew my way around. Other than having lived here for three years since the Cullen's bought the place for me, I had different materials all over the floors of the house so I knew at least where I was.

"Let's see about getting you some dinner, eh, girl." I felt round the counters for the corner which housed the dog food and took out one of the ready made packets, finding her bowl and emptied the dried biscuits into it. Placing it on the floor at my feet I walked over into the lounge and laughed when I heard her lunge at the poor bowl and attack her dinner. My poor dog.

I had no intention of listening to music tonight, I really was tired, and so I put down my bag, walked round the leather sofa into my bedroom and started undressing. I had a maid that came every morning to do my washing and occasionally have a clean around so I threw my work clothes into the bin just inside my room and fell haphazardly on my bed.

Hearing the buzzed I grabbed the nightgown on the back of my door, not really wanting to give the poor delivery boy a show of me in lingerie and willed my feet towards the door. I asked him to put it on my tab that I paid monthly and he seemed to be ok so I grabbed my food, handed him a tip and began to rip open my bag of treasure. I didn't even bother with a plate, not finding the energy so I began popping the semi-spicy chicken pieces into my mouth. One by one.

I should have really got some rice or noodles but at that moment, feeling my mouth come alive I didn't really care. Going back to my room, I slipped off my robe and threw the empty packet of food into the bin. For the first time in a while I dreaded the alarm that would go off at 4.30am and wanted to sleep for the whole day. Well, maybe not the whole day, because I couldn't wait to talk to Carlisle and especially Esme, I felt myself drift off to sleep as I began to look forward to lunch the next day.

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

"Good morning Bella, time check is 4.30am, shower setting is warm."

I woke up to three things this morning.

My alarm.

Renee's greeting.

And Sheila lying sprawled across my legs rendering them useless. Then, my huge dog decided to jump up, off my bed, seeming energized, come round to my side and lick my face. Sometimes this could be seen as endearing, almost cute, but not this morning. I had tossed and turned all night, worrying about work.

Well, not work exactly, but my new job at CGB. I had no idea why really, all I had to do was whip Baby Cullen, proverbially, into shape and lead an acquisition takeover of a small independent bank.

Maybe it was just because I was worried about letting Carlisle down and not doing a good enough job. To be honest, I'd never had this feeling before, and, professionally, I didn't really know what to do with it.

Stumbling out of bed I practically crawled to my bathroom where I could hear the rainfall sound of my shower beckoning me in preparation for my day.

Having showered and half dried my hair I decided it was time for Alice.

"Renee can I have a time check and activate Kaleidoscope please."

"Time check is 4.42am, Kaleidoscope activated."

"Thank you Renee, system standby."

And now to get dressed…

"Morning Alice."

I readied myself for the high pitched squeal that I knew was coming, but always surprised me this early in the morning.

"Hi Bella, it's Friday morning. Please select clothes option."

"White shirt and underwear, black trousers, black jacket and tights please."

"I'm sorry, clothes option: tights, is not available, alternative clothes option: socks or hold ups."

Damn! I knew I should have ordered more tights at the beginning of the week; they must all either be in the bin, or in the wash. Not good.

"Ok fine, select clothes option: hold ups, thank you Alice."

"Excellent Bella, clothes will be ready momentarily."I could have sworn her voice picked up when I selected the hold ups, sometimes I wondered how real she actually was. Hmmm.

I waited for the items to appear in my wardrobe and I went to clean my teeth. A few minutes later I heard the distinct drop of the clothes onto the shelf ready for me. Alice was such a comfort to me.

Struggling to tame my messy long brown hair was a daily ritual. I forcibly persuaded it to reside in a bun for the duration of my work day; otherwise it would do nothing but bother me all day long.

I could feel the crisp morning air brushing past my cheeks as I stopped outside my building waiting for Adam. When I decided to not renew my contract with JIG, I thought about taking a year off. The idea of course, was completely dismissed. What would I do? Travelling sounded nice, but I'd probably get bored, I hated being idle and lying on a beach all day didn't exactly appeal to me. Sure, I liked the sun, but I hadn't left the south of England for the past nine years.

Where would I go?

I think what bothered me most was the fact that I'd be alone, if I did decide to travel. I had very few friends and no-one to speak of, romantically.

Feeling moisture pool in my eyes I pulled myself together. Must be that time of the fucking month. Get a grip Bella, Jesus.

"Morning Bella. Sorry I'm late, queue at Nero's was a mess."

"S'fine, no worries. Let's go." I didn't mean to be short with Adam but as of now, I was in no fucking good mood.

I heard Sheila jump in her customary seat in the back of the car, and in less than ten minutes, we were at JIG. I paused at the front desk I knew to be seven steps before the entrance to the lift and handed in my key card for the door and conference room.

"It's filed under Bella Swan, any problems, tell Mr Jameson."

"Very good Miss."

The good thing about most secretaries is that because, most of the time, they worked for the most hellish bastards on earth they knew when not to try and make conversation and keep it short.

The ping of floor number eighteen sounded and I was in heaven, basking in the silence filled top floor. Not many people were here this early and I had some calls to make before I left for lunch with James. Oh yay. Lunch with James. My subconscious had almost let me forget.

Almost.

I sipped the freshly brewed coffee in my left hand and came undone at the smell of my regular triple espresso. Neat, no sugar. Takes away the taste of the good stuff.

I spent the next three and a half hours sorting overdue emails, tying up my ends.

Focus Bella. You have people to call and more than likely people to shout at. I adjusted my position in my office chair and scrolled through the new contacts Carlisle had entered on my phone.

"Renee, list recently added phone numbers."

"Jacob Black - 07648673513; Rosalie Hale – 07597866745; Ben Cheney – 07349973411

Well, here goes nothing. I knew I'd have to make my arrangements sooner or later. 4 hours should be enough before I have to go to lunch.

"Thank you Renee, call Jacob Black."

"Calling Jacob Black, call initiated."

The click of the connecting phone sounded and I waited for Jacob Black to answer.

"Black chauffeur services, this is Jacob speaking."

Mmmm, gravelly rough voice. Almost husky. Jesus fucking Christ Bella! Sort out the hormones.

"Hi this is Bella Swan, Carlisle Cullen gave me your number."

"Oh, Miss Swan, hi, Mr Cullen mentioned that you'd be calling, you're the umm.."

"Blind girl, its ok, don't feel awkward about it."

"I didn't mean to say it like that I just well, y'know, cos you can't drive you'll be driven every day and need help with that kind of thing."

"No worries Mr Black, sure thing, so I'm gonna be a pretty big customer, you better be nice to me."

"It's Jacob, and I'm sure I can manage that."

"Excellent, listen, my contract with CGB should be sent over to you in the morning, I'm going to need you to pick me up at 5am every Monday-Friday at the Whittlefield apartment building and pick me up from the front doors of CGB at about 7 or 8 in the evening. Think you can handle that?"

"You get to work at five in the morning! Are out crazy?!"

"Well firstly, as of Monday, so do you Jacob, and no, not clinically crazy, just a perfectionist and very successful project manager."

"You know you're pretty intimidating over the phone."

"Wait till you meet me for real."

Pause…

"I was joking…you'll get used to that."

"Ok, ok, well, are there any other specifications?"

"Yeah, sure, sometimes I'll need someone to take me down to Holland Park, to walk my dog, and a couple of times a month I'll need to go to Maidstone in Kent to visit my Dad. Don't worry, I know this sounds a lot, but if you keep a tab of every journey just send me the bill each month and I'll send the money over."

"Sounds good, Monday morning then."

"Yeah, great. Oh Jacob! One more thing…"

"Yes…"

"If you show up at my door Monday morning with a triple espresso from Nero's round the corner from where I live, I won't be a grumpy bitch in the morning."

"And if I don't." The kid didn't seem to be taking this seriously, amateurs…

"Let's not play games now Jacob, don't joke about that kind of shit with me. I'll see you Monday."

"Till then Miss Swan."

"Renee, end call with Jacob Black."

"Call with Jacob Black ended."

Oh bless. Unless he grew some the poor kid wouldn't last very long. Never mind. He can't be all that bad; Carlisle wouldn't have fed a sardine, to me, the proverbial shark.

Next on the list, Rosalie Hale. That name seemed familiar but I couldn't remember where I knew it from. Hmmm, very strange…

"Renee, call Rosalie Hale."

"Calling Rosalie Hale, call initiated."

The phone picked up almost instantly and I began to wonder why Carlisle had given me her number.

"Rosalie Hale speaking."

"Hello Rosalie, my name is Bella Swan, Carlisle Cullen gave me your number."

"Oh yes, you're the new PM at CGB."

Well well well. Good news does travel fast.

"Yes that's right."

"You're calling for the upgrade on your Kaleidoscope, if we go through fittings and preferences I can have it completely updated by sometimes next week."

Holy shit! Was she… a personal shopper?! Papa Cullen's gonna get it.

"You want to…buy clothes for me?"

"No Bella sweetie, you pay, I just buy. I'm a model the rest of the time so I'll fit you out with some lovely goodies."

"I can't wait." I hoped my tone didn't sound too flat, never mind.

"Ok, so I already have your address, how does Saturday morning at ten sound for fittings."

"Great, I'll see you then."

"Fantastic, bye now."

"Renee, end call with Rosalie Hale."

"Call with Rosalie Hale ended."

I'm a model the rest of the time. Oh shit! Rosalie Hale was a model for Vogue. I'd heard someone mention her name in the office before. Something about an annual "Most Successful Women of the Year" feature. I knew it sounded familiar.

I finished tidying my desk and after tripping over Sheila half a dozen times, completely my fault, I decided to call Ben.

"Renee, time check and call Ben Cheney."

"Time is 12.26 and calling Ben Cheney."

Oh fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I have half an hour at most until my stupid lunch with James and I still had to call Ben and freshen up. I didn't have time.

"Renee, cancel call to Ben Cheney."

"Call to Ben Cheney cancelled."

After going into the bathroom adjoining my office I out some make up on, hoping I didn't look too haggard as I never used the damn stuff. If I did it now, then I wouldn't have to do it again before dinner with the Cullens. Excellent plan Bella.

"Call from Carlisle Cullen; accept or reject."

What the hell Papa Cullen! I'm busy. Grumble grumble.

"Better be good Papa Cullen, I've go lunch with JJ in half an hour and I'm already annoyed."

"Calm it BB, just calling to say that because Esme literally, can't wait, I'm sending a car to pick you up at 3. That ok?"

Early dinner with the Cullens?! Not even a crazy bitch like me says no to that.

"Papa C, I can't wait! Can you have me picked up from Locatelli's instead?"

"Sure thing little one, we all can't wait to see you."

"I know, I've missed you guys so much."

"Yep, it'll be you, me, Esme and Edward. Won't that be nice?"

What?

"But..umm..Carlisle, I'm not supposed to meet Edward till Monday."

"Yeah I know BB, never mind eh? Gotta go, see you around 5.30."

Bastard.

I sat there fuming for God knows how long when my blackberry, of all the fuckery, started humming.

"Appointment for Bella Swan with James Jameson in five minutes."

Erm…kill me now?

Lunch with James, was, well. I don't want to really go there again. Constantly touching my arm and nudging my foot under the table. If I didn't find him repulsive, no, actually, I probably still wouldn't have enjoyed that.

The food though, holy hell that shit was good.

Sitting in the car on the way to the Cullen's, my stomach was happy having been satisfied and I looked forward to sipping tea with Esme talking about our lives from the past year.

"Miss, we've arrived, Sheila's out of the car and Mr Cullen is here to meet you."

Papa Cullen was gonna get it good, and before we even got in the house.

"Carlisle you ass!" In what I believed was a very believable Washington accent as I thumped him in the chest playfully. Well, maybe not that playfully.

Wow, Carlisle had really been working out, there's not many en in their mid forties with that broad a chest.

"It's nice to meet you too Miss Swan. Excuse me, I would further our introductions, but I'm scared for my health."

Oh no, oh no, oh no. That would be Mr Edward Cullen.

I had just introduced myself to my boss, by thumping him.

"Umm, I – oh God. I'm really sorry, Mr Cullen."

"I'll see you Monday Miss Swan."

Shit!!!

I could hear Carlisle laughing like a hyena from the front steps and I tried to reign in my embarrassment.

So much for first impressions…

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Any questions / suggestions = always welcome.

Till next week!