HOW I GOT HERE

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.

Unbeknownst to Edward Kathrine had observed the exchange that had occurred at the door as Edward had arrived and was intrigued as she had seen the look on his face as he had encountered the girl. So, not just Edward, but, Kathrine as well was going to make every effort to find out who the girl was and decided whether she would be competition for Edward's attention or not.

CHAPTER 3: NEEDS SOME THOUGHT

It didn't seem to matter to Kathrine that Edward couldn't stand her and was barely able to tolerate the fact that they would be making another movie together. He had sworn that no amount of money would ever put him in the same room, let alone in another film, with that bitch. And he was giving a second and third thought about signing the contract that, once it was signed, would put them together once more.

If it wasn't for the fact that he really wanted to do this role so badly, he would be walking out and refusing to even consider being near the harpy from hell once more. But, he felt that this lead, this one role, this character was calling to him, that he was the only one that could really do it justice; that no one else could understand or identify with what the character was wanting to say or convey.

Noticing that Edward was lost in his thoughts and not signing the contracts after everyone had agreed to what had been discussed before this meeting. The question was asked, "Edward, what seems to be the problem? You seem like you're having second thoughts about doing the project. What is causing you possible concerns or hesitation?"

Edward's mind was snapped back to the present and he looked around to see that everyone in the room was waiting to hear his answer. He considered giving an honest answer as to why he was rethinking signing, but, stayed silent. Instead he reached out once more for the pen and put his signature to the contract that was committing him to work with that unsatisfied whorish harpy once more.

Mentally he knew that he was going to have to take the time to prepare himself for being around her and to learn to exercise greater control of what he says around her or anyone else concerning her and her behavior. It wasn't something that he was very happy about, but, it was what would have to be done to be able to do this project; this project that he felt he had to do for some unexplainable reason. He knew from past experience that it wouldn't be easy because Kathrine was nothing more than a self-indulgent, spoilt, selfish bitch that was always demanding all of the attention and blaming others around her if she makes a mistake or doesn't get what she wants when she wants it.

Edward had gone through one relationship with a woman that was exactly like Kathrine Denali, but, in spite, of what everyone in his family was saying or advising, and because of their condemnation of her he made a big error in judgement. At first she was all sweetness and shy around him, so, he chose not to believe what he was being told. He took what he considered to be the necessary steps to try and prove them wrong by trying to force her on everyone when he took her to Vegas and they had gotten married. But, it didn't take long after that for the blindfold to fall from his eyes and for them to be opened as to what his family had been trying to tell him all along; she was demanding and only thought of herself. She made life miserable until she received the attention or object she had wanted. Within less than six months the marriage was over and Edward chalked that up to a lesson learnt the hard way as he divorced her.

Ever since that experience Edward has, more or less, played the field, but, never committing to any one woman. He never made a promise to any of his companions and was very open with them by telling them to not expect any more than what they were sharing at the moment.

That's why he was hesitant about doing this film with Kathrine and was having second thoughts about signing as he knew from past experience of working with her of what would be coming for everyone. But, as he finally reasoned, the only way he could do this film was to sign the contract and do everything in his power to avoid the bitch.

Oh, sure he could demand that the studio find another leading lady, but, then that would require for him to go into detail as to why he didn't want to work with Kathrine. That bit of information wasn't anyone's business, but, his. Of course his family was very much aware of all of the delicious details and knew that that event, plus, the ones where girls in his youth and women since then, both before he became a successful actor and especially, since then, have all led to the way of him being the playboy type of love 'em and leave 'em without a backward glance or concern, that he is now.

Steven had been watching his client, who he knew extremely well since he had represented Edward from the very beginning and had gotten him his first role in a movie. He had seen, although, very well hidden from others, the emotions that had played over Edward's features as he hesitated signing the contract. And, he thought he had a very good idea of what was bothering him, but, he decided it would be best to wait until they were alone before bringing the subject up. Because if it was what he thought was the problem he definitely didn't want to chance a scene in front of the studio heads.

After the contract had been signed Edward and Steven were on their way out to the parking lot, walking down a short hallway from the studio offices when Edward happened to catch sight of a young woman rushing into an office just ahead of them; it happened to be the very one that he wanted to get more information about. She intrigued him, but, he really couldn't say why. Just the fact remained that she did from the very first moment of their first look and then touch; the spark that had shot between the two of them was nothing that had ever happened to him before. And that was enough, if nothing else was, to cause him to seek answers; answers that could only be had from getting to know her better.

So, he moved towards the office doorway that he had witnessed her disappearing through, but, was met with a surprise that he hadn't taken into consideration: the office was larger than expected and held approximately twenty other people. Looking around, trying to locate the individual he sought and very quickly noticed that she wasn't within sight. He puzzled as to what could have happened to her as he didn't see any other exits from the office area.

It was at that moment that the typist seated nearest to the door looked up and saw the two men standing there as if they might be lost. She inquired as to how she might be of help and it was then that Edward asked about the only name he had been told that was connected to the young lady, "Is Isabella available by any chance?"

"Isabella?" the typist questioned with a slight, but, thoughtful frown upon her face. Then suddenly her face cleared and she answered, "Oh, you must mean Bella." She looked at Edward and Steven and it then that recognition dawn upon her that she was talking to Edward Cullen: THE EDWARD CULLEN.

"You have the wrong office; she doesn't work here, but, has her own office in the script and screen writers' location." The typist told them with a bit of a stutter due to her excitement of talking with her favorite male actor.

However, Edward wasn't quite ready to give it up just yet as he was sure that he had seen the woman he wanted enter this office, but, he couldn't see her or see another way out of the office area without having to pass him first. So, he persisted as he told the typist, "But, I just saw her come in here."

"That might be possible, Mr. Cullen, but, we don't pay too much attention to the comings and goings of anyone as most of the time our heads and thoughts are involved with what our fingers are flying to produce as we're all on a deadline pretty much of the time. We can't afford to keep up on who enters or leaves.

"However, it's possible she did come in here only to head towards one of the back offices to hand over more revisions to a show or two that will need to be done almost immediately. And, if that's the case then she quite probably left out of their door heading back to her own office."

Edward stood looking at the woman as if she had lost her mind by saying there was another exit out of the room, but, he had no basis to correct her since he wasn't familiar with the layout of the place. He was taking the time to think through all that the woman had told him, but, he wanted to ask her one last question, "If, as you say, she left from another office then why would she come through this doorway to get to an office in the back instead of just going straight to that office to begin with?"

It hadn't registered with the typist or Edward that as he and the woman were busy conversing the sound of the typing was slowly ceasing to exist as others were becoming more aware of his presence in their work space. Everyone there knew who he was and they were curious as to why he was there talking with one of their own. So, as the typing was slowly coming to a stop and a quiet was starting to rein in the room they were able to hear more of the conversation.

And with that being the case, the male typist that was seated behind the woman that Edward had been talking to answered before she was able, "That's easy to explain, since this is used as a shortcut all the time. It's easier to come through here than going the long way around, but, our exit door is hidden just around the corner beside the water cooler."

Looking at the man that had supplied the missing information Edward nodded and then thanked him for clearing up the mystery of the vanishing woman. It was noticed by the woman that Edward had first spoke to that Edward had made a move to turn and leave that she quickly spoke up and offered the information of where Bella's office was located if he needed to speak with her. And, then as Edward thanked her for the information she shyly asked if she might get his autograph.

Once that was done and Edward had nodded reaching for the paper and pen she offered and then the whole typing pool was anxious to acquire his signature. Edward took the time to talk briefly with each person while signing the offered paper before Steven called a halt and the two men were able to make their way out of the office.

"Okay, I'm not quite sure what all of this was about, but, can we get the hell out of here now?"

"Yeah, man, but, I want to stop by a florist on the way back home."

"What are you up to, Edward?"

"None of your damn business. But, I do need for you to discover everything you can about the person that wrote the script we're doing. Also, include Kathrine Denali into that research, but, only going back for the last three or four years." And with that nothing else was said.

They did stop by the florist and Edward ordered three large bouquets to be delivered to the person he named on the card. Each arrangement consisted of different flowers since he didn't know as yet which were her favor flower, but, he would learn in due time.

So, with that done Edward had Steven drop him off at his home while his agent went back to his office to begin gathering what information he could in order to fulfill his client's request.

A/N: Edward thought he had Bella cornered, but, he received surprise instead. But, what is Kathrine Denali up to and what has she done to Edward in the past that has him so dead set against her that would cause him to rethink doing the movie project?

All thoughts and reviews are always welcome. Thanks for reading.