I am baaaack….I hope chapter one met expectations? Here is Edward's side taking up from the hot coffee toss. Kisses and hugs a plenty to AllThatSparkles for doing her job damn skippy good.
I do not own Twilight, its characters or any of the fancy clothes they wear. I do own a raggedy pair of chucks though that I garden in.
Chapter 2
THERE WAS A BOY
As the coffee splashed all over his Gucci Suit and tie, Edward woke up from his daydream. What a rude awakening it was. "What the Fuck" he shouted at her. The she-devil went too far.
Bella stumbled back a bit, not expecting him to come out of the chair and meet her nose to chest. His chest, to her nose. He smelled of something other than hazelnut at the moment, and she couldn't place it. Her girly parts could though, and they were all for the manly smell Edward emitted. Craving it was a better estimation. She took a deeper whiff before she caught herself and straightened up a bit.
Edward looked down at her, angrier than a hornet. "Did you just sniff me"? he shouted. Bella had the good fortune of her long mahogany hair to cover her flaming cheeks.
"You smell like hazelnut", she haughtily replied.
"Well, color me fucking surprised dollface" ….."I wonder why that is". Edward backed up just a bit, because he smelled something delicious as well. He couldn't afford to lose this competition they had going. He was Man…ALL MAN, and he would get this position. Even if it was by sheer intimidation, he would succeed. The Board demanded it from him. In the last 2 years, he'd more than ruined Masen Enterprise's good name with his less than stellar reputation. He needed to change his image. This was the best option for that.
"All right asshole…first of all, I wouldn't have had to waste my coffee on you if you weren't such a son of a bitch, and second….second..." Bella's frustration was getting to her, she blew out a breath heavily. "Just get the hell out of my office!" Bella yelled back and pointed towards the door.
Oh….OH…this man…infuriating and arousing at the same time. What the Fuck indeed! just who does he think he is?, thought Bella as she turned to go behind the safety of her desk.
She handed him some Kleenex from the drawer as she sat down. While he wiped himself down a bit, he chanced a look in her direction. God she was beautiful. Stunning actually. Hair down to the middle of her back, all silky and shiny. A nice rack, most likely C's he mused. Slim but not stick skinny, this girl had curves right where God intended them. Legs that would make a man weep and a pouty set of lips that would feel so great nestled right….
"HEY…Arrogant Prick of an Asshole, you can leave anytime Mr. Cullen." Bella sneered.
Well shit Edward thought, he'd done it again. Gone there. He wasn't supposed to go there. He needed this position. He would have it before the day was through.
"Ok look" Edward responded. "I need this position, and you need my talents. It's obvious that you are attracted to me; I can see it in your eyes, your blush…which is beautiful by the way, and in the way you carry yourself." "Being the Greek God …your words not mine….that I am, I also am attracted to you." His cocky grin widened into an almost menacing smile.
"I have abilities and contacts that can make your organization go far, and you hold the keys to helping me put a new face on myself in the business world. I say we call a truce for the time being." Edward sat back in his chair just a bit and put his right leg over his left at the knee. He gathered his hands and balanced his arms on his leg with the tips of his fingers resting on his chin.
"Ok then Mr. 'I am all that' Bella replied. "Let's see what you got". This outta be good, Bella thought as she rolled her eyes and settled into her seat.
They spent the next hour going over the remaining contents of Edward's resume and portfolio, all the while Edward laying on the charm pretty thick. In the file was a duo of paperwork carefully crafted by one Esme Cullen. Edward hadn't even looked at it before hand. Bella, however, wasn't impressed by the file, or the charm.
Somewhat reluctantly, Bella told him the history of Shades of Light Foundation; how it started, what their main cause was, how they helped those in need, one at a time.
While Bella talked, Edward found himself surprisingly immersed in her story. She was so descriptive and passionate with her words, he could see it all happening as she revealed everything.
Her mother, Renee had died when she and Emmett were young, only 10. She needed a kidney transplant, and no match was to be found. They put her name on the national registry, but nothing came up. She simply ran out of time.
The day after Renee's funeral, Charlie, her dad had chanced a go at the state lottery. He never played. Thought it was a waste of money. But this sunny Saturday, he decided to. He'd used all their birthdates and months. The last number played was the year he and Renee were married.
The following Tuesday, he found himself a millionaire. An 84 million-millionaire to be exact. When all was said and done, he had a tidy sum of 42 million dollars to his name. He knew he'd never be able to use all that, and in his line of work he saw despair everyday. Being the county sheriff was not an easy task.
So he asked Bella and Emmett for good ideas. They were only 10, and you can guess what Emmett's were. Disney….Go to Disney. Or buy the Seahawks…or um…OH..Be Forest Gump..YA….
Bella thought for a bit and said she would like to help others that didn't get help when they needed it. You know….those that fell between the cracks of the system.
Charlie knew Bella was a smart kid, but this idea of hers, well now, this idea just may work. He talked with accountants and lawyers to see if it was feasible. And then, he waited. He put both kids through school, and that 42 million kept growing. Fourteen years later, when Bella and Emmett were through with college, (both with Masters) Emmett in Computer Technology and Bella in Business Administration, he handed over 60 million dollars to begin a foundation that would rock not only Forks off its axis, but the nation as well.
Shades of Light Foundation had helped people across the globe. One crisis at a time. The mother that could either afford groceries or the Dr. for her children. The small family strapped by the economy's hard times and needed braces for their daughter and didn't have insurance. The elderly couple that couldn't afford all their monthly medicines. Single mothers that couldn't buy Christmas. Shades of Light hit all these and more.
As Bella finished her story, she looked into his eyes…and then it hit her. "Oh MY GOD", she shouted, startled at her tone. "You are THE Edward Cullen…..of Masen Enterprises". She sat back and stared at him, eyes wide, and mouth hanging open. He not only was a prick that splashed unsuspecting walkers, he was a rich prick who splashed unsuspecting walkers. Why hadn't she recognized him earlier?
Edward had a twinge of guilt. She was too pretty and good to use this way. He needed to dump some of his money. He needed a tax break…a HUGE one, he needed to fix his reputation and he was pushed on this organization by his board of directors.
Doesn't matter he thought to himself. I gotta do what I gotta do and this is as good a place as any I suppose. He shook his head to clear the attack of conscience he had going on and sat up straighter.
"Nice to know the history Bella…I am sure that we will work well together". "I have contacts globally that will put your organization at higher levels, and you can help me put a new face on Masen Enterprises". "We need each other".
"I don't think I need you" Bella stated rather bluntly. "But I can see the advantages of a partnership so to speak". "Why did you come in here though, looking as if you needed a job?" She was a bit miffed to find out he owned one of the largest airplane manufacturers in the world.
"I didn't think you would recognize me, and quite frankly with your attitude this morning, telling you who I was wouldn't have helped". Edward once again sat back with a satisfying smirk on his face. He had her there.
"Ok then Mr. Cullen" Bella stated, "why don't you enlighten me as to how you can help my company"….
"Well, Ms. Swan", Edward used the same surly tone she just did, "why don't we go for lunch, and I will enlighten you from your head to your toes". "My treat", he laughed to himself a bit. She would never bite. He knew it.
"Your treat? Ok then, let's go". Bella knew just how to break this egomaniac and it was going to happen today. She would have him running for the hills. She didn't need him, nor did she want his prickly self in her life, and her organization. His reputation far exceeded him.
Outside the office door, Emmett sat with his phone, shot glass safely back in the secret drawer. Call or text he thought…Um…..text…it's quieter. He sent one text. The eagle is ready to attack. The flounder may have minor damage by 2pm today. Operation SAVE THE FLOUNDER ready to commence.
An incoming text had his attention as the door swung open to Bella's office. As he watched Bella and Edward head toward the elevator, he looked down at his phone.
10-4 Good Buddy. Operation SAVE THE FLOUNDER is a go. They won't know what hit 'em.
Nope, they have no idea, thought Emmett. Bella needed the Flounder in her life, as much as the Flounder needed saving.
Emmett closed his phone and sat back for a moment, reveling in the closet genius he was.
.
