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Chapter Three

Are You Kidding Me

"WHAT???!!!" Bella's panic stricken face was almost enough to frighten Mr. Newton. She cast horrified glances back and fourth between the two men. "You can't be serious!" Bella was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. This must be a bad dream. She began pinching herself on the arm over and over. Edward reached out and touched her hand. "We are quite serious Bella, I never joke when it comes to business." Edward stated this so smoothly she almost didn't realize he had spoken. "Stop pinching your self Bells" this comment made Bella's head snap up. "Don't call me Bells! And DO NOT tell me what to do!" The fury in Bella was indescribable. Who the hell did this man think he was and who the hell did Mr. Newton think he was for that matter? Bella started shaking lightly.

"Yes indeed Bella" Mr. Newton began smiling again. "I was so surprised when Mr. Cullen approached me this morning with an offer I don't think either of us can refuse. Besides knowing that you are old friends made the decision a no brainier for me. Really Bella you should be so very excited!" Mr. Newton's pleasure was making Bella sick to her stomach.

"We were more like… acquaintances Mr. Newton." Bella ignored Edwards raised eyebrows and continued. "Besides that was a long time ago. I know you have given me touring assignments before Mr. Newton but let's talk about this one…" Bella began to formulate her plea on the spot. Mr. Newton would have none of that. "Of course Bella there will be a lot to discuss concerning this assignment. We can do that in a more private setting. I naturally have already assured Mr. Cullen that we would take care of everything for him regarding making this a seamless transition for his business, I also assured him that you would be available and can easily provide whatever service he might require." Now it was Bella's turn to raise her eyebrows. Mr. Newton continued. "I also assured him that he could not have chosen a better person for the job… Isn't that right Bella?" Mr. Newton awaited her response. Bella chanced a glance over at Edward. He was looking a little stressed and as Bella watched he shoved a hand through his unruly bronze hair. She couldn't help but notice that time had been very good to him. He was just a handsome as ever. "Ugh!" Bella was angry at herself for even having looked at the jerk. Mr. Newton was still looking at Bella like he had just handed her a check for a million dollars. "Why me?" Bella knew her voice was pleading and maybe on the verge of whiney. "I mean why not Jessica or even Lauren" Bella was frantically searching his face for any sign he was wavering. "They've both been with the station just as long as I have." During Bella's plea she watched Mr. Newton begin to frown.

Before Mr. Newton could begin to respond Edward drug his hands through his hair and spoke up. "Because Bella, you're the one I want" Bella swung around quickly and stammered "Wh..What?! Why me?" Edward was toying with his smile knowing if he gave her his signature smile she very well might just bite off her own tongue. Edward decided to continue instead of risk injury to Bella's pretty mouth. He knew this wasn't going to be easy but he couldn't deny that her rash reaction was a little insulting. "Well, after you snuck out yesterday…" he gave her a pointed glance and finished "Mr. Newton was singing your praises. I believe his words were along the lines of you being the best PR person he had ever had in all of his 25 years in this industry. Being the successful man that he is I couldn't take that statement lightly. I figure if I have to settle on a replacement for Rose I might as well have the best." Now he felt ok to cast Bella his famous smile. "So that's why I won't settle for anyone less than you." Edward followed it up with a wink and waited. Bella felt her face turning colors she had never imagined possible. "Plus, this will give us the opportunity to catch up on old times Bella." Edward continued and Bella's vision went totally red. "Not if I have anything to say about it!" Bella's response was meant to be in her head and it took her a moment to realize she had said it out loud.

Bella quickly did damage control. "Mr. Newton I can't possible go on tour." She sent him a pleading look. "What? Of course you can, in fact the timing couldn't be better. You have the station lined up with guests for the next two months. We are hotter on the airwaves than we have ever been and Jessica and Lauren can handle your accounts while you are out." Bella could tell her boss was becoming weary with her arguments. She was not prepared to give up. "Mr. Newton I really don't have the contacts available that a tour of this magnitude is going to require." Edward interrupted this time. "That's fine Bella as I mentioned Rosalie was very efficient and has provided you with great details and contact books. It will really be a matter of just following her business plan" There was that smile again. Bella ground her teeth "Well then it sounds to me like any member of your entourage can handle the job so my services will not be required." At this point Bella cast a sarcastic smile at Edward daring him to return it. "ENOUGH!" Bella's head snapped up as her boss had finally reached his breaking point. "Bella, what on earth is the matter with you! If you are not careful you will make Mr. Cullen think we don't want this assignment, clearly that is not the case here Bella." He turned to Edward with an apologetic smile. "I can assure you Mr. Cullen that is not the case. Bella will be thrilled to join you on tour for the next few months."

Edward returned Mr. Newton's smile. "I'm glad to hear that but just to clarify for you both… I don't travel with an entourage. I like to keep my staff to a minimum. As a result, they all have too much to do and to ask them to take on what is a demanding full-time job in addition to their own duties would not be fair of me. Plus, none of them would be qualified." Mr. Newton was pleased Bella had not turned off his famous client. "Well, don't you worry about a thing Mr. Cullen. We are delighted to have this chance to work with you and I promise you Bella will do a fantastic job for you."

Edward stood and shook his hand. "Ok, it's settled then. It's been a pleasure Mr. Newton." As Edward was about to walk out the office door he stopped and turned to Bella. "You've only got a couple days' to get ready Bells I need to be in California by the end of the week. I will have Jazz pick you up at your place around noon on Thursday." Bella could feel the tears stinging her eyes. "But…" Bella began but Edward put a finger up. "No Worries Bells I know how to find you, Mr. Newton has already given me your address and cell number. I will see you on Thursday." With that he was out the door before Bella could utter another word. She started to follow with the full intention of stabbing him with the nearest sharp object she could find when she heard her boss behind her. "Bella, shut the door and have a seat we are about to have a come to Jesus meeting here."

"But…" Bella began. "NOW!" Bella huffed but dropped to her seat as she was told to do. She knew not to make a fuss when he used that tone. Mr. Newton had been good to Bella and her friends. He had known her almost as long as Edward had and it surprised her that he didn't know about there past already. "Bella, I don't know what the hell your problem is with Edward Cullen and frankly I could give two shits about your differences" Bella was more than a little surprised at his use of profane language. "The problem is this could be HUGE for our station. Connecting ourselves to a tour of this size would be massive. It could be just what we need to get a national show. Opportunities like this are one in a million for a station of our size and you will NOT do ANYTHING to jeopardize this for all of us. We are counting on you and I REFUSE to let you mess this up. I hope I have made myself clear." Bella lowered her head and looked at the floor. "Yes, sir" it's was crystal clear to Bella that this meant a lot to her boss, she felt a little ashamed in herself. "Good I'm glad we understand each other, now go get yourself ready and I hope you greet Jazz with a warmer welcome than you did Edward today. You got that?" Bella again felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Yes, sir."

"YOU DID WHAT???"

"I said, I hired Bella Swan to fill in for Rose while she's out with the baby." Emmett's jaw was on the floor. "I can't believe this; you went out and hired Bella after everything you guys have been through!" Emmett was shaking his head "Have you gone completely insane?" His head snapped up "You didn't even check with us first. What if Jazz, Alice, Rose and I don't agree to this? I can't believe you didn't talk to us first." Edward was annoyed with the reactions he was receiving today. "First of all I don't know what you mean buy the whole "what you've been through" comment and secondly I don't nor have I ever needed your permission to hire or fire staff."

It was Emmett's turn to get annoyed. "You know Edward if you were so anxious to get her back into your life you could have just said something. I hardly think it was necessary to put her on the damn payroll." It took Edward two steps to get across the room and into Emmett's face "Do not talk about Bella in that tone. You don't know what the hell you're talking about. If you ever insult her again you will be looking for a new band mate not to mention brother! You got me Emmett!" The fury in his eyes was something Emmett had only seen once before. "I was more talking about YOU little brother" Emmett spit back at him, "Get the hell outta my face NOW!" Emmett rose tall above his brother "Maybe it's time for me to give YOU a little warning Edward, if you so much as hurt a hair on Sweet Bella's head YOU will be dealing with ME. Edward I watched the two of you self destruct years ago and I will be damned if I watch it all go down again. I'm telling you now you had better get and keep your shit together or you won't be the one walking away." Edward started at his brother with wide eyes. He hadn't realized his brother had paid so much attention to what was going on back then. He knew they were all close but Emmett was always so into what was going on with Rose that he never seemed to know what was going on with Edward unless it pertained to there music. His knowledge of the past surprised Edward more than a little. He sucked in a shaky breath and when he spoke again it was in a clam voice. "Carlisle and Esme is expecting us for dinner. Can you round up the others. You know Esme doesn't like if we are late. She only see's us when we are in town which is only about twice a year. The least we can do is be on time for her." Emmett's eyes cooled and he nodded his head clearly relieved the argument was over.

Emmett loved his brother but was not going to let Bella get hurt again. He might love his brother but he had loved his friend Bella too. She had become a little sister to him all those years ago and when things had gone so badly so terribly wrong and he had lost his little sister it was almost like a death to him. As the thought crossed his mind he internally corrected himself, it was like a death to all of them. No one really knew exactly what had gone down but at the end of the day Bella had left and had never come back. Clearly whatever it was it had been terrible. Emmett had watched Edward spiral out of control and it had taken him nearly a year to get him back on track. Shortly after the band had hit the big time and the rest was history. Emmett watched his brother as he walked out of the room running his hands through that unruly mop of hair on his head. "I hope he knows what the hell he's doing" Emmett whispered under his breath. "At least we might have Bella back and this time I intend to make sure it's for good." Emmett made the promise to not just himself but to his entire family.