A/N: I do not own any Character names nor do I own Twilight or anything pertaining to it.
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"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Miss Bella Swan?"
"Uh…yeah. Who is this?"
"I have Mr. Edward Cullen on the line for you."
"Um, okay?"
"Please hold."
And then with a light click, I was sitting there on my bed listening to elevator music over my cell phone. What the fuck just happened? Had Edward seriously had his secretary call me…and then put me on hold?
No. All kinds of fucking no.
I pressed the end button on my phone and then tossed it down on my bed and went back to reading the assigned chapter from my economics text book. I had about six minutes of peace and quiet until my phone starting ringing again.
"Hello?"
"Isabella." He said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
I closed my textbook and rolled my eyes. Edward's smooth voice was pretty distinct, but that's not the only way I knew it was him. He was the only person who called me Isabella.
"Edward." I stated right back.
"Did you hang up on me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Well, actually…I hung up on your secretary. And I hung up on your secretary because, well…because it was your secretary. I'm not the one who apparently felt like you and I needed to have a conversation. So I felt no need to wait on hold to speak to you."
"I see."
"Do you? Because if you wanted to talk to me, you probably should have waited to call me when you actually had time to do just that…talk to me."
He chuckled softly on the other line and then let the laughter die off in a sigh.
"Well unfortunately for me, I don't have much time to talk to you now."
"Okay. So can I hang up then?"
He repeated that same chuckling thing.
"Settle down there, you little spitfire. You can hang up in just a minute."
"Okay. So what do you want?"
"What I want is to talk to you for more than a minute. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?"
I felt my face shift into a 'what the fuck' expression.
"I'm sorry, what? Are you asking me out on a date?"
"No. I told you last weekend that I don't date."
"Ah…I see." I said, nodding. "Is this one of those things you told me about where you take a girl out to dinner when you know that it's going to end in some 'bedroom company' then?" I asked, actually using air quotes even though he couldn't see me. "Because if so, I should warn you. I don't roll like that."
He laughed again but this time it wasn't that soft chuckle. It was a little louder and more genuine sounding.
"No, no, it's nothing like that. Don't worry."
"Well what is it then?"
"Well, I also told you last weekend that everything I do is in one way or another related to business. This is no different."
"Wait, what? I'm a broke college student with a borderline drinking problem. What business could you possibly have with me?"
"You and I can offer each other much more than you think, Isabella."
"Okay, can you stop with the 'more than you think' statements? They're creepy."
"That's the first time I've said that."
"Yeah, today. But you were all about it last weekend."
"Fair enough. So what do you say? Can I take you to dinner?"
"Uh, I guess so."
I didn't really have a good reason not to go to dinner with him. It was a free meal, I had nothing better to do, and I was really curious what the hell he thought I could offer him business wise.
"Excellent. Should I send a car for you?"
"Um, no. I'll meet you there."
"Alright. Do you like sushi?"
"Yeah, sushi is fine."
"Alright, then. Do you know where Kanpai Sushi House is?"
"Yeah, I know where it is."
"Can you meet me there at eight?"
"Sure"
"Okay, good. I'll see you at eight O'clock then."
"Okay. So can I hang up now?"
"Sure." He said, laughing.
I hung up my phone and tossed it down on the bed again, reopening my text book. I had no idea what business Edward Cullen thought that he had with me, but I was eager to find out.
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When I walked into Kanpai I started looking around for Edward but found him nowhere.
"May I help you?" The hostess asked me.
I stopped looking around and turned to her.
"Uh, yeah. I'm supposed to be meeting someone here but I don't know if he's here yet."
"Oh, well do you seem them anywhere?"
If I saw them somewhere I wouldn't be asking you.
"No."
"Well did you have a reservation?"
"I don't know. He might have made one for Edward Cullen."
"Oh, Mr. Cullen!" She said as if they were dear old friends. "Yes, he's already here. Let me show you to your table."
"Okay."
She led my through the restaurant to the back where Edward was seated at a relatively secluded table. My instincts told me that Mr. pretentious probably requested that table for privacy. Or maybe it was his own personal table. He could own it. You never know.
He had a drink in front of him that appeared to be whiskey on ice, probably Johnnie Walker. When he noticed the hostess leading me towards the table, he stood up from his side of the booth.
"Hello, Isabella." He said as I approached.
"Hi." I answered.
"Enjoy your meal." The hostess said with a polite smile before turning and walking away.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean why are you standing up?"
"Oh. Because it's proper etiquette." He said as if it were common sense. "It's a gentlemanly formality to stand when a woman comes to join you at the table."
"Oh. Right. Well, we're not at a formal ball or wherever you go that people do that, so why don't you just sit back down."
He laughed his soft chuckle and gestured to the seat across from him.
"After you"
I gave him a pointed look and then slid into my side of the booth.
"Proceed." I said in the best formal voice I could as I gestured to his seat like he had to mine.
He sat down and took a sip of his drink.
"You look very nice this evening."
"Thanks."
"I like your jacket."
I smiled and leaned in towards him, dropping my voice to a whisper.
"It's pleather. Nice, huh?" I said with a dramatic wink.
"It's what?"
"Pleather. You know, like a shitty knock off of leather? It's like a blend of plastic and leather."
"Oh. Okay." He said, looking almost disgusted.
I guess he really is related to Alice.
"So, you have a business proposition for me?" I asked, using my formal voice again as I folded my hands in front of me.
Wow, way to sound like a hooker.
"You don't waste any time with small talk, do you?" He asked with an amused smile.
I opened my mouth to answer him with something witty, but was interrupted when our waiter came over to us.
"Can I get you something to drink, miss?" He asked me.
"Uh, yeah, can I get a Cape Cod please?"
"Certainly. And another glass of Johnnie Walker for you, sir? He asked Edward.
Hah. I was right. I really do know my alcohol.
"Yes, please." Edward answered. "With a little less ice this time"
"Certainly" The waiter said and then nodded and turned to walk off towards the bar.
"So, Isabella. Have you had luck staying healthy this week?"
"Excuse me?"
"Your insurance. You said that you were no longer insured because you had to drop some of your classes."
"Oh, yeah I did."
"So how is that working out for you?"
"Well it's only been a week so no, I haven't been plagued by disease yet. Famine, maybe. But not disease."
"Well let's hope that luck continues for you then, shall we?" He said and then paused to take a sip of whiskey. "However, I guess it's only a matter of time before a visit to the doctor will be in order."
"Is that why you asked me to dinner? To point out all the reasons my life sucks?"
He laughed softly and traced the rim of his glass with his finger.
"Well when you put it that way, in a way…yes. I did ask you here to point out all of the reasons your life isn't exactly thriving at its full potential. But not because I want to upset you or make you feel bad."
"You want to talk about why my life is shitty, but not make me feel bad?"
"Precisely. I want to talk about why your life is shitty, and then I want to help you make it better."
"I told you before that I'm not a charity case, Edward. I don't need your help."
He nodded as if he were expecting me to say that and then took another sip.
"Perhaps I started this conversation off with the wrong approach. Let's talk about me, shall we?"
"What about you? You're pretentious and a little fucking weird for my liking. I'm still trying to figure out what your underlying business motive is. Because I know you didn't invite me here to eat sushi and chat about Aunt Ethel."
"No, I did not invite you here to eat sushi and chat about Aunt Ethel." He said, looking amused.
I was starting to get fed him with him beating around the bush, but before I could say anything else the waiter returned with our drinks. He sat the glass of whiskey down in front of Edward and my Cape Cod in front of me. Edward drained the last of what was in his first glass and then handed it to the waiter.
"Are you two ready to order?" The waiter asked.
"Are you ready, Isabella?" Edward asked me.
"Uh, yeah." I said, looking up at the waiter. "Can I please get a California roll with a side of steamed rice?"
"Okay, certainly." He said, writing down my order. "And for you, sir?" He asked, turning to Edward.
"I'll have a tempura roll, also with a side of steamed rice."
"Okay, great." The waiter said, writing down his order. "I'll have that right out." He added with a smile and then turned and left.
"So, as I was saying…let's talk about me." Edward said with a faint hint of a smirk.
"Go ahead. Talk about yourself all you want." I said, taking a sip of my drink.
"Why don't we point out all the reasons that my life is not as satisfying as it could be?"
"Yeah, okay." I said, rolling my eyes. "So your mother wants you to settle down and you wish you had some complacent, stuck up bimbo to drag around to your business parties. So what, Edward? You have a twisted outlook on your life. Your only reason to complain is because you don't want a woman, but you want to want a woman. Some of us actually have real problems to deal with."
He laughed an annoyingly condescending laugh and then took a sip of whiskey.
"As petty as you may think my discontentedness is, Isabella, and as much as I wish I could, I cannot change my outlook on things."
"Fine. So your life sucks because you're all alone and you're all alone because you don't let anyone get close to you. Glad we have that established. Now, why are we talking about it?"
"Patience is not a virtue of yours, is it?" He asked.
"No, it's not. And I don't know if you're just masochistic or what, but didn't we talk about our problems last week? Why are we doing it again? I'd rather be home doing something productive than sitting here wallowing in my own misery. Yeah, I have problems. Yeah, they suck ass. But I don't have the means to change them right now, so why does it matter?"
He took a long gulp of whiskey and then set his glass down, folded his hands in front of him, and leaned forward just slightly. Then he looked me dead on with calculating eyes, his voice getting low and serious.
"It matter because I'm a problem solver, Isabella. I may come from money, but I'm also a self-made man. And I don't let anything stand in my way. Not even life."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked, although my voice was a little less confident than before.
His demeanor and voice had shifted. He was speaking more like a business man now than my best friend's asshole brother.
"It means that I want something you've got."
"What in the world do I have that you could possibly want? Is it my overdue car payment or my cockroach infested apartment?"
"You" He stated simply.
"Excuse me?" I asked, twirling my straw around in my drink.
I was pretty fucking certain that Edward hadn't asked me to dinner that night as part of a come on, so I was having a hard time catching the drift of what he was getting at. I heard him when he said this was about business, but I had nothing to offer him. Did he not realize that?
"I want you Isabella, you are my perfect match."
Okay, maybe this is a come on.
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous." I said, grabbing my purse and moving to get up out of the booth. "I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, Edward. But you are clearly mistaken." I said as I stood up and then turned back to look at him. "I have nothing to offer you, business wise or romantically or whatever the hell it is your thinking."
He reached out and grabbed my wrist, although not in a forceful way. It seemed more to get my attention.
"Are you sure you want to leave, Isabella? Because if you do, then you can go back to your cockroach infested apartment in that run down, crime scene you call an apartment complex and I won't try to stop you. But all I'm asking is that you enjoy some sushi with me and listen to what I have to say. If at the end of our conversation you decide that this dinner was a waste of your time, then we'll go our separate ways and pretend this conversation never happened. But I'm merely asking for your time. I'm not trying to make a pass at you, but you and I could have something great together."
I opened my mouth to answer just as the waiter approached, holding our sushi.
"Is everything alright here?" He asked, glancing down at Edward's hand around my wrist.
I pulled my hand away and then glared at Edward for just a split second before tossing my purse down on the booth seat again and then sitting back down.
"Everything is fine." I answered.
"Alright, well, here's the California roll for you." He said, setting my food down in front of me. "And the tempura roll for you." He said, putting Edward's food down in front of him. "Is there anything else I can get for you two?"
"No, we're fine." I replied.
"Very well, then. Enjoy your meal." He answered and then nodded and left.
"Alright, I'll listen to you. But if I finish my sushi and you're still talking in circles, I'm out of here." I said sternly to Edward.
"Fair enough" He replied, taking a sip of whiskey. "Shall I begin my explanation then?"
"Yeah, sure, go for it." I answered, opening my chopsticks.
He sighed and then opened his own chopsticks.
"How long is it going to take you to finish school, Isabella? With you having to cut back your classes to work."
"Forever" I answered quickly.
It sure felt like forever. School took twice as long when you could only go part time.
"Do you agree that not having to work would be significantly helpful in quickening the time it will take you to complete your education?" He asked before popping a piece of sushi into his mouth and chewing.
"Uh, yeah, isn't that obvious?" I answered.
"I would assume, yes."
"But I don't see your point. Me not working is out of the question."
"Exactly. It would be impossible to pay for your tuition and textbooks. Not to mention your rent, food, clothing, and vehicle expenses."
"Once again, Edward, I do not feel like sitting here and pointing out all of the reasons Bella's life sucks."
"Well, unfortunately, it's necessary for me to do in order to adequately present my proposition to you."
"Speaking of that proposition, can we please get to it?" I asked before taking a bite of sushi.
"We're getting there, we're getting there. Patience, Isabella."
"Have you seriously not ever noticed that I go by Bella?"
"Of course I have. I'm not an unobservant fool."
"Then why do you call me Isabella?"
"Has it not ever occurred to you that I like the name Isabella?"
"No."
"Well that's why I call you that."
"Fine, whatever" I mumbled, taking a sip of my drink. "Just get on with what you were saying."
"Where were we? Oh, right. No we're about to get to the good part."
"Joy." I said sarcastically.
"So you agree that not working would make your life a lot easier. Do you also agree that having the type of financial stability that I do would allow you to support yourself without having a job?"
"Obviously, Edward. What's your point? Do you just like pointing out that you have money and I don't?"
"No, but like I said…it pertains to my proposition."
"Fine, proceed." I said, throwing my hands up.
"So think about it. What if you had access to all of my resources? What would life be like if you had access to all of my properties, all of my investments, all of my vehicles, all of my liquid assets…everything?"
"Yeah, that would be great. It would save me a lot of anxiety attacks. What's your point? You want to give me your money?"
He ignored me. He took a bite of sushi and a sip of whiskey before speaking again.
"Well now that we're on the same page on that subject, let's go back to me and my situation. Do you not see what you could offer me?"
On the same page? Yeah right. I have no idea what you're talking about.
"No, I don't. Like I said, I have nothing to offer you. And I'm serious."
"You're wrong, Isabella. Like I said, I want you. You can offer me you."
"I thought you said you weren't trying to hit on me."
"I'm not. I don't mean romantically."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Think about it. Your problem is finances. My money would solve your problems. You know what my problems are. Do you not see how you could help me with those problems?"
"Your problem is that you don't have a woman in your life. I'm a woman, but you said you're not interesting in dating or hitting on me…so how can my gender be of help to you?"
"Having a woman in my life doesn't mean that I have to be romantic with her, does it?"
"So…" I started slowly, trying to piece together what he was trying to say. "You want me to go to events with you? And in exchange you want to help me with my problems. So what does that mean? You want to pay me to go to events with you?"
"In a way, yes." He answered with a satisfied smile.
I nodded thoughtfully, glad that I was starting to catch on, and took a sip of my drink. To be honest, I wasn't entirely opposed to pimping out my company to Edward for events and shit in exchange for money. I mean that sounds like the easiest job ever, right? How awesome would it be to get paid to just dress up and go to cocktail parties and listen to people use big words? I could do that.
"So that's your business proposition?" I asked, actually feeling a little optimistic now.
Maybe Edward was right. If he was willing to pay me to play dress up, then we could have a good thing between us.
He hesitated a brief moment and then took a small sip of whiskey before answering.
"In a very basic way, yes. That is the idea behind my business proposition."
"So how would this work?" I asked, leaning forward a little with interest. "I just have to go to events and stuff with you and then you pay me? Would you pay on a per event basis or what?"
He laughed softly and took a bite of rice.
"That's not exactly what I had in mind, Isabella. There's more to it."
"Oh, okay…go on then." I said, willing to listen now that I was catching on to what he was getting offering.
"Well, in order for me to reap all of the benefits I'm seeking in this arrangement…I would need the people in my life to believe that we're in a relationship."
"So you want me to pretend to date you?" I asked, picking up my drink for another sip.
"No, Isabella. I want you to marry me."
I choked on my drink and pulled my glass away from my lips. I wiped my mouth with my napkin and looked at him, thinking surely he was joking or being sarcastic. But when I looked at him, all I saw was a serious and waiting face.
"You're serious, aren't you?" I asked, taken aback.
"I'm very serious."
"Hmm. Matrimony…sounds great. I just have one question."
"Go ahead. Ask me anything."
"Are you fucking insane?" I asked in a hush voice, not wanting to draw attention to our table.
"No, I am not insane. I'm a business man. And I'm offering you a deal that in my opinion would be very unwise for you to refuse."
"What's wrong with just paying me to pretend to date you? Why would you even come up with the ridiculous idea of us getting fucking married?"
"Is it really so ridiculous? For one, you would have access to my insurance coverage. You wouldn't be able to get that otherwise. And trust me…I have the best kind of coverage you can imagine in every type of insurance."
"I can live without the insurance. I could make do on paychecks from you."
"You would be able to share my lavish home with me, which I would only do with my wife. And you would have access to every single one of my assets. Wouldn't you rather have that than a paycheck? That doesn't even compare."
"Okay. But those are all reasons for me to want to take it a step further into marriage. Why would you not be content with just wanting to pretend to date?"
"Simple. For legalities…I would want you tied to me contractually."
"Wait, back up here a minute. Why are you asking me to do this? If you want to make this deal with somebody, why would you pick your sister's best friend? And somebody who is close to the rest of your family? Wouldn't you rather bring in a stranger? Wouldn't that be easier?"
"Why did I pick you? There are many reasons. The list goes on and on, really."
"Okay, then start listing."
"Alright" He said with an amused smirk. "One, I trust you. Why would I want to bring a stranger into my home, much less marry them? You've known my family for years. And although we've never particularly bonded with each other, I trust you because my family trusts you."
"Okay, I guess that kind of makes sense." I said with a shrug. "Go on." I said, taking a bite of my food.
"Two, my mother adores you. She wants me to get married and settle down so badly. If I'm going to do it, I might as well pick someone I know she'll be happy to see me with."
"That's not a good reason to marry someone." I said with an eye roll.
"But it wouldn't be a real marriage. It would merely be a contractual agreement."
"Fine" I conceded. "Go on. Reason three?"
"You need me just as much as I need you…if not more. You need money, and you need it badly."
"So? I'm sure you could easily find another financially challenged person."
"Once again, I don't want to marry a stranger."
"Then befriend them first."
"Why would I do that when I have you right in front of me?"
"Reason four?"
"Reason four is probably the most crucial reason of all. You don't like me."
"Exactly! Why would you want to marry someone who doesn't even like you?"
"Because I am only interested in a business agreement. I truly have no intention of anything else. It may be called a marriage, but to me it would be nothing other than a simple contract. I have no interest in creating an actual legitimate marriage in the conventional sense, and I don't think you would either. It would be difficult for me to trust the intentions of anyone else. But I sincerely believe that you do not and will not ever have a true romantic interest in me."
"There are plenty of gold diggers out there."
"Yes, but I would hate to get myself into a situation where I hastily marry someone for a business agreement and then have them try to start up an actual relationship with me later on or expect one. I don't worry about that happening with you."
"Wow. So you think it will be difficult to find someone who doesn't want to be romantic with you? That doesn't sound conceited at all…" I said sarcastically.
He flashed me a cocky smirk.
"Women as a general population tend to find me very attractive, thank you very much."
"Yeah and then they get to know you, right?"
"Ouch." He said, still smirking.
"I'm sure you can find someone who doesn't care about your strapping food looks. People marry for money all the time."
"Yes, but would they truly be content with that type of relationship? That's reason five. What originally planted the seed of the idea for this arrangement was when we both agreed that we are genuinely content being on our own. And I believe that you really are that way, as am I. We're both emotionally independent people. I don't need you emotionally and you don't need me. Without bringing emotions into it, we could have the perfect marriage. Well, the perfect marriage for us anyway. And the key element that would make this work…neither of us cares about giving up the possibility of a real relationship. Neither of us wants that."
"Reason six?" I asked, having absolutely no rebuttal for reason five.
"You're hot." He said with a playful smirk.
"You're out of reasons, aren't you?" I asked, amused.
"For now" He answered.
I stared at him blankly for a moment, trying to absorb everything he had just said. I quickly found that it was impossible to absorb. I was like Teflon to this insanity.
"I'm sorry, but I still think this is crazy. I mean we're talking about getting married, Edward. This sounds more like a really bad idea than a suave business deal."
"I know it sounds crazy. At first I thought that I was crazy for even thinking of it. But the more I considered it, the more I realized that it makes perfect sense. It may be unconventional, but it fits both of our needs perfectly. We're the perfect match."
"You've let all those business deals you work get to your head. This is insane."
"Think about it, Isabella. The best insurance coverage you can get, the finest luxury vehicles money can buy, multiple homes, lavish vacations, fancy parties, expensive champagne, a paid for education, shopping sprees, expensive restaurants…you could have it all. To be honest, you would probably be gaining more out of this arrangement than I would. I'm willing to give you all of that and all I ask in return is your company and agreeing to play into my public facade."
"You're seriously willing to give me access to all of your money just to be your trophy wife?"
"Well we would have a prenuptial agreement of course so that you couldn't marry me just to divorce me and take half of everything. But yes, I'm willing to give you all of that as long as we're married."
For a split second, I faltered in my resolve to remain sensible. I actually, for one moment, considered his proposal. Nobody would be able to not at least think about his offer. Who wouldn't be interested in the lavish lifestyle that a man like him could offer? But it was only a moment. My more rational side was screaming at me to remember that this was crazy.
"Okay look. I'm actually going to make an effort to not be a bitch when I say this. With all due respect, this is absurd. As much as I wish I was as financially stable as you, and as much as it would help with school, I can't marry you. There is just no way it would work out."
He nodded once and then took a sip of whiskey, looking disappointed.
"I'm sorry that you're not as enthusiastic about the possibilities of my proposition as I am, but I understand."
"Well, thanks for understanding." I said, feeling a little awkward.
It's not every day a girl turns down a marriage proposal, after all.
"Certainly" he answered.
"I mean, it's nothing against you personally…I just don't think it's a good idea."
"I don't need an explanation." He said. "I know it is a far-fetched idea."
"Okay, well, I think I should go." I reached over towards my purse and pulled out my wallet. "I can put down some cash for my half of dinner." I told him, opening it.
"No, no." He said, holding up his hand. "I told you I was taking you to dinner, and that didn't depend on your answer. It's my treat. I insist."
"Okay." I said, closing my wallet and putting it back in my purse. "Well, thanks for the food."
"You're welcome. And good luck with everything."
"Thanks. I guess I'll see you around."
"Sure. Have a good night."
"Thanks. And, um, good luck finding of the type of girl you're looking for."
He gave me a weak, polite smile.
"Thank you. But I don't think that's going to happen. You really are one of a kind, Isabella."
Not knowing what to say to that, I just tried to force a smile and then grabbed my purse and got up. I turned and walked away through the room of tables. When I got to the last place that I would be able to see Edward, I glanced back over my shoulder to give him one last look. I felt bad for the man sitting there completely alone, eating his sushi and drinking his whiskey. And I felt a bit of remorse for him at the thought that he probably would always remain that way...alone.
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Thanks to Edward, I had a hard time concentrating on all the homework I had to do the next day. Since our discussion at dinner was so absurd, I should have been able to just forget about it…but I couldn't. It was like this small but very obnoxious voice in the back of my mind kept repeating everything Edward and I had talked about. I mean, nobody could be offered all of the money and lavish things that he had and not dwell on it for a couple days. But even though having access to all of Edward's assets and money would be amazing, his idea was still ridiculous. A marriage and a business arrangement were two very different things and I didn't see how it was possible to effectively turn one into the other.
So how did I end up parked in front of Edward's gigantic house like a fucking stalker? Let me tell you.
I gave up on being able to concentrate on my homework and decided to go get some grocery shopping done. Not wanting a repeat of my experience with Alice, I went online to make sure that I had an adequate amount of money in my bank account. As a strolled the aisles, trying to mentally gage what I could afford and make sure to only pick up the cheap store brands, I was again reminded of Edward. I couldn't get him and his stupid proposition out of my mind. If I was married to Edward, I wouldn't have to budget my groceries and I wouldn't have to buy the shitty generic brands. And that went much further than grocery shopping. I could also go crazy shopping for clothes, shoes, and probably even fucking cars.
It didn't take long for me to get another reminder of Edward's deal. Some mom was walking down the same isle as me with her three obnoxious kids who were blocking my path and then, just my luck, I got stuck behind them in the checkout line. It reminded me of how much a hated going to the grocery store and then I thought to myself that I probably wouldn't have to do my own grocery shopping if I accepted Edward's proposal. He probably had people hired for that shit because I really couldn't picture Edward pushing a grocery cart.
Why the fuck can I not stop thinking about Edward's proposition? It was insane, remember Bella? Hence the reason we said no.
Yeah, my conscious likes to speak to me as if we're a team in this life. It's kind of sweet if you ask me.
So, Edward's ridiculously big house just happened to be on my way home from the grocery store and since I hadn't been able to get him and his money off my mind all day…I decided to stop by for some recreational stalking. I hadn't bought any perishables at the store, so I was good to go. I'm not sure why I decided to go there. Maybe because I had only seen it once and I wanted to get a better look at it. I had been once with Alice after he had first built it just to check it out, but I hadn't been back since. I guess with all the recent thought of his vast wealth, I wanted to see where the man lived. So, I parked in the street in front of his house and just sat there staring at it like a crazy person.
His house was set back at the end of a long, winding driveway so I couldn't get a close look at it, but I could see that it was big and beautiful. It was in the middle of a neighborhood full of multiple million dollar homes, but each house was spaced pretty far apart so they had a good deal of privacy. Edward's was at the top of its own little hill and was surrounded by gorgeous, mature oak trees. I happened to be there right at the time that the sun was setting behind his house, making it look even more gorgeous than it would usually.
I shut my car off and gaped at the massive home, imagining what it would be like to live there. My parents had always provided for me growing up, but they both always lived in relatively small houses. I had never even had a taste of the lifestyle that Edward led, and I wondered what it would be like. What would it be like to go to fancy parties, drive fancy cars, and wear fancy clothes? With access to all of that, I could have a whole new life.
When I started to think about the possibilities of what Edward had offered me, I realized that he had been right about at least one thing. I would be gaining more than he would. He was willing to give me access to everything he had, and all he wanted in return was company. All he requested of me was to live in his big house and go fancy places with him while I could spoil myself with his money.
And why did I have a problem with it?
Because you're a stubborn pessimist, Bella.
Oh yeah, that's right.
The more I thought about the prospective situation with Edward, the more seriously I took it. Was it really so crazy? Maybe I was just stuck in the mindset of what was considered normalcy by society. I wasn't looking for a relationship whether I got involved with Edward or not. So if I was going to be alone regardless, what was so bad about being alone in a fake marriage that would benefit me in more ways than one? Was it really a wise move to let fear and uncertainty hold me back from something that had the potential to really better my life?
I decided that I need to go home, have a couple shots, and think things over a little more. I was starting to think that passing up this opportunity might not be such a good idea after all. I sighed and turned my key in the ignition to start the car, but all I got was sputtering. I tried it three more times and got the same result.
Just my fucking luck.
No, I was wrong. The part that was just my fucking luck was when I took my cell phone out to call someone for help and saw that battery was dead. That was just my fucking luck.
"Damn it!" I yelled, tossing my useless phone down on the floorboard of the passenger side.
I sat there for only about ten minutes debating what to do. I briefly considered walking home, but quickly decided that it was too far. Without being able to turn the air conditioning on, my car was rapidly getting way too hot to just sit there. So I had to come up with a plan fast. And the only option I really had was to walk up to Edward's house and hope that he was home. What else could I do?
Great. Once again…just my fucking luck.
Speaking of luck, I was getting pretty sick of my lack of it.
I grabbed my purse, got out of the car, locked it, and began my trek up the driveway. As I got closer to house, I noticed in more detail how nice it was. I didn't remember it being that nice the last time I saw it, but it was still partially under construction then. It was perfectly landscaped and the exterior was a mixture of cobblestone and brick with a huge wooden front door that looked like it belonged on a fucking castle. It had three single car garages in a row that were made out of the same gorgeous wood as the front door. In front of the garages the driveway winded into a circular drive that wrapped back around into itself. There were two cars parked in the circle, but that didn't necessarily mean that Edward was home. I was sure he had multiple vehicles.
As I walked up the steps to the front door, all I could think about was my disbelief that only one person lived in this humongous home. There was no way that Edward used the whole thing. God knows how many rooms there were. I rang the doorbell and rolled my eyes when I heard that it was one of those obnoxious chime doorbells that rich people always have.
I tapped my foot impatiently until, just as I was about to assume he wasn't home, the door opened. But it wasn't Edward that stood behind it. It was some frumpy woman dressed in jeans and an oversized Yankees T shirt. Her hair was in a bun and she was holding a bottle of Windex. I decided it was pretty safe to assume that she worked for Edward and wasn't one of his booty calls.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked, making me realize that I hadn't spoken yet.
"Oh, um, yes. Is Edward around? I'm a, uh, family friend."
"Oh, I see. Yes, yes, come in." She said with a smile, moving aside.
"Thanks."
I walked into the house and she closed the large front door behind me. The entry way looked the same way I remembered it the first time I saw the house, except for the furniture that was now in it. There was a large winding staircase to the left of where we stood which worked perfectly with the circular shape of the foyer. The tile on the floor was a sand type color with smaller granite tiles thrown into the mix.
"Mr. Cullen is in his office. I'll show you the way." The frumpy woman said with another smile.
I nodded and followed her down a hallway to our right. We made our way down the long hallway, passing two different doors, until we got to a set of two glass French doors. Behind them, I could see Edward sitting at a desk in a small room as he read over a sheet of paper. He was wearing a dress shirt and a tie, but the tie was pulled loose and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone. He was also wearing reading glasses, which I had to admit looked kind of sexy.
Did you just call Edward sexy, self?
What, bitch? I never denied that he's a good looking man.
He looked up when the frumpy woman opened the doors and then did a double take when he saw me.
"Isabella…" He said, sounding rightfully surprised to see me.
"Hey, uh…I just happened to be in the neighborhood. Thought I'd stop by and say hi."
He stared at me for a moment and then looked over at the other woman and gave her a weak smile.
"Thank you, Cecilia." He said to her.
Cecilia smiled back at Edward and then gave him a small nod and left the room. Edward stood up and walked over towards me. He closed the French doors behind me and then took off his glasses and gestured from me to the big leather chair with wheels behind his desk.
"Have a seat." He said to me.
I hesitated a moment and then went and sat down in the desk chair. He followed me and perched himself on the edge of the desk, right next to me.
"So, you just happened to be in the neighborhood?" He asked, raising his eyebrows as he smirked at me. "Who do you know that lives in the neighborhood?"
"What? Just because I'm not a millionaire doesn't mean I can't have rich friends." I said as I took in the view of his office.
His desk was made out of a beautiful mahogany wood and had an intricate braid carved into the wood along the perimeter of the top. He had a huge flat screen computer on the desk top as well as papers scattered all over it. To my left there was a large bookcase filled with what appeared to be legal reference books. To my right there was a fancy mini bar.
"Alright, fair enough" Edward said in response to my statement. "So what brought you specifically to my house, then?"
"Funny story, actually" I answered, my eyes still wandering around the room. "My car broke down right in front of your house."
"Your car just happened to break down right in front of my house?" He asked, sounding amused.
I sighed and turned my head back to look at Edward.
"Okay, fine. I may or not have been parked outside your house. And then when I went to start my car, it just sputtered."
"What were you doing parked outside my house?"
"I don't know." I mumbled with a shrug. "I just wanted to see where you live."
"I see." He said, nodding slowly.
"Yeah, so uh…can I just use your phone, please? My cell phone is dead."
"Sure."
He picked up the cordless phone from his desk and handed it to me. I got up and went to pace around the room absentmindedly as I dialed the number for information. Edward went and sat back down in his desk chair, picking up the piece of paper he had been reading when I walked in and putting his glasses back on. I looked at him for a moment before pressing the call button and something inside of me just snapped. This had to be a sign. My car broke down in front of Edward's house and my phone had died because fate wanted me there in Edward's office in that moment. This had to be my sign to let go and take a leap of faith.
I wanted a new life.
I wanted to know what it was like to have money.
I wanted to know what it was like to live in this fancy house.
I wanted to not have to ever worry about how I was going to pay my bills again.
I couldn't pass this up. I knew in that moment that if I let this opportunity go, I would regret it. Maybe in a week, maybe in a month, maybe in a year, maybe in a decade…but one day, I would definitely regret it.
"I'm in." I blurted out suddenly.
"Excuse me?" Edward asked, looking up at me.
"I'm in. I want to marry you."
He put his paper back down on the desk and then took his glasses back off and set them down next to it. Then he leaned back on his chair and studied my face carefully as if he were trying to read me.
"Is that why you came here this evening?" He asked.
"No. But it's what I want regardless. The only reason I said no to you was because of shock and uncertainty, but those aren't good reasons to pass up the opportunity you're offering me. You're giving me the chance to seriously better my life, and I have no legitimate reason to say no."
"Are you sure about this?"
"I'm as sure as I'll ever be." I said, walking over and putting the phone back down on his desk.
"Well if that's the case, then we have a whole lot more to discuss. Our conversation at dinner last night was just a preliminary one if anything. There's a lot to go over and hash out."
"Then let's discuss it now." I said with a confident nod.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at me doubtfully. "Because I'm a busy man, Isabella. I don't have time for another conversation about this that isn't going to go anywhere."
"I'm sure." I said securely. "I'm going all in on this."
"Do you have a couple hours to discuss this?"
"Sure do."
He flashed me a pleased smile and gestured to a single cushioned chair sitting in the corner of the room.
"Then pull up a seat and let's see if we can come up with an agreement."
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