CHAPTER THREE

Feeling Good

'It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me'

The next day is Friday, so I have a spring in my step and I choose my favourite dress, a plum bodycon fit dress with a boat neckline and half length sleeves that comes down past my knees and has a thin snake skin belt around the waist. I'm humming along to the radio on the way to work, glad it's almost the weekend. As much as I enjoy my job, I love the feeling of the atmosphere in an office where everyone is gearing up for their weekend.

I push open the doors and head to my office and feel my assistant, Alice follow me in. I look over at her and smile indulgently at Alice's outfit; every day she manages to find something crazy that always captures my interest and makes me laugh in disbelief. Today she's wearing a simple black A-line shift dress and a black cardigan which looks very chic on her tiny five foot frame; her short jet black hair is sleekly brushed poker straight to sit in a bob and her grey eyes are lined in black liner. My eyes travel to find the quirk, and I find it quickly because she's wearing some glaringly obvious multi coloured tights. I quietly chuckle and let her see my eyes fall to acknowledge her rainbow tights, and she winks and gestures for us to sit down at my desk.

"So?" She squeals. "How was the interview yesterday? Tell me all the details and I'll forgive you for not calling me immediately afterwards"

"Alice, if you weren't so intense I would have called you, but I felt like relaxing afterwards not getting worked up again" I joke, sticking my tongue out at her.

She ignores what I've said and quirks her eyebrow. "Now please Bella."

"I don't know Ali! I thought it went well but you know what I'm like. I kept over thinking the not so great parts and couldn't sleep all night. I've convinced myself there are people better for the job" I ramble, telling her as much as possible. She's my only friend here as everyone else appears to think I'm unapproachable and not friend material since I became their boss. Ironic that my assistant is the only one that sees past that.

She looks at me with friendly grey eyes, waiting for me to finish my rant. I huff, indicating that I'm finished, and she smiles widely showing off her perfect white teeth.

"Bella, I have no doubt in my mind that you smashed this interview. They'll offer you the job, I just know it." She breathes, tapping the side of her head.

"Oh okay, thanks so much my all knowing pixie" I say, laughing at her little joke. She often mentions to me that she was a fortune teller in a previous life and she's carried over the ability to see the future.

We run through the schedule for my day and then get to work. By the time lunch rolls around, I'm starving. I forgot to eat yesterday with all my over thinking, so I could really do with a proper meal today.

"Aliiii" I call out of my office door, knowing she's just outside.

"Lunch?" She says as she appears in the doorway.

"How did you know?" I reply rhetorically and she smirks, tapping her head.

"Oh come on Alice, I'm all for supporting your talent but it's not hard to guess that I'm starving, my stomach's been rumbling throughout our meetings this morning" I nudge her hip with mine.

"Fine." She huffs, giving in. "I heard that new Italian place 'Bella Italia' is meant to be really good. Awful name choice but do you fancy giving it a go?" She jokes. I stick my tongue out at her for the second time today.

"Sure, where is it?"

"I actually think it's close to the Denali Design building" Alice replies. I nod, hoping just close proximity won't increase my anticipation even more.

We arrive at Bella Italia in no time, which makes sense as my current workplace isn't far from DD. When I walk in I'm impressed so far, it looks like casual dining but I'm assuming it's a little expensive as there are a lot of people in suits and office clothes dining here, presumably on their lunch break as well.

We both order a pizza, deciding to go for it as it's Friday and it's delicious. I'm very impressed with Alice's recommendation and tell her I want to come back a lot regardless of where I end up. She just grins in response and loops her arm through mine to head out the door.

I grin back at her, enjoying having such a close friend in the city. I didn't have anyone I was close to in my hometown, so it means a lot to me. I'm about to get soppy with her when I slam right into a hard chest that's trying to come inside.

"Fuck!" I say, shocked at how hard this body is. The owner of said body is so tall that my head only reaches his (I assume it's a man) chest, so I step back to look at him and apologise.

The words die in my mouth as I realise it's the guy from Denali Design yesterday, Masen. He has a scowl on his face which pisses me off, it's not like I intentionally ran into him.

"Can you watch where you're going please?" He spits out, and I look up at him, narrowing my eyes.

"Are you joking? It takes two to tango buddy, or are you too important to watch where you're going? Just apologise and move on you asshole. That's what I was going to do" I say, my face morphing into an angelic smile. A part of me can't believe I'm talking to anyone like this, I mean I do have a bit of a bite and a bit of sass in my personality but I'd never usually react like this to someone, which is an unsettling thought.

"You wish, princess." He answers, storming off. I push the door forward and stomp out onto the sidewalk, walking round the corner to the car knowing Alice is following. We get into Alice's car and she sits and faces me in her seat rather than starting up.

"Are you going to go?" I say shortly.

Alice, for some insane reason, has a huge smile on her face. "Not until you tell me what that was."

"What what was?!" I say irritably.

"Who was that guy?" She asks in return.

"How should I know." I mumble, shrugging. Why am I acting like this?

"I don't know, it seemed too tense to be a first time meeting."

"Well okay." I start, and she smirks. "I don't really know him at all, never been introduced or anything. But I saw him at Denali Design yesterday, I was in the elevator with him at one point I think."

"You think?"

"Fine, I know. You can't forget a face like that can you. I don't know what his problem is though!" I say, exasperated.

"Who knows" Alice replies. "But you obviously made some kind of impression on him." she sniggers. I push her shoulder and tell her to drive, still somewhat seething over this Masen guy's over reaction. Why was he so angry? I'm the one that should be angry that he was fucking me with his eyes in the elevator yesterday when he was clearly with his girlfriend. Asshole.

As Alice and I get back to the office I make myself brush off my annoyance and allow myself to be caught up again in the Friday atmosphere. At around 2pm, I'm doing some design work on my computer when Alice forwards me a call.

"There's a Jacob Black calling for you Bella!" She squeals. I suck in a breath as I recall Mike telling me his assistant manager could be calling me with the results of the interview. Jacob must be the team's assistant manager. That doesn't surprise me at all, he certainly seems approachable. I almost pass out from nerves but shakily reply to Alice "Thanks Ali, put him through." I take another deep breath and wait for the voice on the other end of the line.

"Bella Swan?"

"Speaking" I reply brightly, trying to even out my voice.

"Hi Bella, I'm calling with good news. Following your interview, Michael Newton would like to offer you the job of assistant manager of the interior design team here at Denali Design" she says.

I'm in shock, I don't know whether I'll break into spontaneous dance or collapse. "Really?!" I answer.

"Really!" He replies and I can hear the smile in his voice. "Congratulations, I hope you can fill the last assistant managers shoes. I hear he was fantastic" he teases.

"Well I can only try" I sigh jokingly.

"Mike has indicated that you said you will need two week's notice at your job is that right?"

"Yes, is that alright?" I ask nervously.

"Of course Bella, can you start two Monday's from now at 8am sharp? Your work day will usually start at 9am but I will be showing you around and a few of the basics before your official hours begin" he says.

"That's fine, I'll be there!" I say excitedly.

"Congratulations Bella" he says again warmly and hangs up. I decide I'm together enough to not faint so I get up and dance around, shouting "Yes!"

Alice rushes in and looks at me expectantly.

"I got the job!" I shout.

"Congratulations B!" Alice yells back, pulling me into a hug and jumping around with me. "I'm so proud of you."

I pull back in her arms a little, calming down slightly. "Thanks Ali." I say. "But you know I'm really going to miss working with you."

"I know." She shrugs, smiling. "Me too, but this is unbelievable B. Your dream job. I could never feel bad about that. Besides, now that we found that great new lunch spot by your work we can meet there every day that we're available, okay?" She promises.

"Okay." I smile, hugging her again.

"We're going out tonight to celebrate!" She calls as she leaves my office.