I'm standing by the coffee machine just staring into thin air while waiting for my cup to fill. Yesterday was very rough working-wise and being in the same room as Edward Cullen practically all day? It makes a girl exhausted. While we brainstormed all of us together, we found out a bit more about him. Things that made him altogether more fascinating. He told us he'd moved from California where he'd worked at a huge company and was their star- architect (not his own words, but very much understood) for years until he felt like moving closer to his family; hence New York and Stanley Projects who accepted Edward Cullen, a mighty fine promise, with open arms. I discovered that Edward Cullen is devastatingly charming. He smiled, laughed and shared amusing anecdotes relating to his experience in the world of architecture. It makes it harder to dislike him and I forgot all about why I had decided to dislike him in the first place. Also it seemed as though Edward had forgotten all about my eye-rolling on his first day. Perhaps he didn't recognize me after all?
I wake up from my recollection of yesterday and go back to my office only to discover I forgot my cup by the machine. I sigh and get up from my seat once more to get it. This is somewhat of a daily process.
When I stop by the machine once again I feel watched. I swiftly look ahead of me and notice none other than Edward Cullen's emerald green eyes very much focused this way. The exciting and sometimes inconvenient fact that Stanley Projects almost only have offices with see through glass walls certainly seems to be working for Edward right now, whatever he's doing. He's standing quite a bit away in some office (his office?) leaning over a desk but for some reason he's looking my way. Confused I look around me. A few meters to my left I notice Jessica. Oh. I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I go back to my office. Right, that's why I decided to dislike him. He's a womanizer and clearly doesn't have any morale judging by the look he was looking at Jessica. I'm about to head back to my office again when Edward leaves the room and walks up to her. Walking away I can hear her giggle and I hear Edward speaking in his smooth voice to her. I go back to my office again and sit down. I'm feeling a strong headache come on just thinking about starting on the Newman-project. It has become a bit less appealing considering we don't know if yet if the contract is ours or not. It was a long time ago I worked on maybe projects, but this time it's not my idea: it's Jessica's, my boss. It will be her poor decision if it fails. Let's pray to God she sees it that way and doesn't give us infinite crap if we fail. Our working method right now is that we've decided to split the parts of the enormous building and then come together regularly to show what we've managed to do with our areas. It's also to make sure we're not going in complete opposite directions because that can make a very schizofrenic building. Rose, Angela and I were paired up because we're similiar in style and also because we're considered Jessica's (not so secret) top three. As for Edward... Well let's just hope he's not into something horrible like lego-architecture which is lots of pieces soulessly put together. Or Dries Kreijkamp who's given futuristic a negative meaning. I shudder when I think about The Bolwoningen Houses and briefly entertain the idea of presenting something similiar to Jacob Black next week. "Basically Mr. Black, we've decided to turn your building into several balls..."
I've just eliminated a wall in my design when I hear a knock on the door. With a scowl, because I feel interrupted, I look up only to find him there. I do a thumbs up to let him know he can come in. When I do a thumbs up people know I'm in a bad mood, but Edward Cullen is new so he's got no clue. Poor thing, I think to myself and decide to go easy on him. He doesn't come in right away because a few girls from the economy department have stopped to have a chat. Through the glass walls I witness the same thing as with Jessica. The girls giggle and Edward smiles at them. I'm like a pathetic lonely old woman as I roll my eyes at the exchange and curse Edward Cullen inside my head. The girls have flushed crimson by the time Edward waves goodbye and I see he's opening the door. I immediately look down on my papers as I hear him walk in.
"You forgot your coffee" he says placing the cup on my desk.
Frowning I look at the cup put down in front of me and then everywhere else around me expecting to find the cup I'm still convinced I brought myself. When I focus back on Edward Cullen he has a peculiar look on his face I can't place. I sigh. He must think I'm a total schmuck and he probably noticed me forget my coffee twice in a row.
"Do you have some issue with me?" Edward asks casually.
I feel irritated but take a deep breath. I should have known he was perceptive. I have underestimated him.
"No, what makes you think that?" I ask and immediately regret that I didn't take the honest route.
He chuckles somewhat coldly.
"Generally I've never had a problem reading women. Eye-rolling is usually not good or at least that's what my experience tells me" he says having a seat opposite me.
I guess that means he hasn't forgotten about the eye-rolling after all. The fact that he just had a seat without even getting an invitation makes me feel annoyed again. He raises one eyebrow and looks at me intrigued.
"There you go again. You want to roll my eyes at me right now, don't you?" he asks amused.
We have some kind of staring compeition I know I can't win because I already feel irritated and Edward is looking provocatively relaxed as his green eyes bore into mine. I sigh and break our eye-contact.
"Fine" I finally say. "Maybe I have a bit of an issue with you" I confess looking him directly in the eyes although I feel like looking down on the floor. His eyes are just so intense. "It's the way you act. That indiscreet way you were looking at Jessica back there? The way you talked to those girls?" I ask and scoff. "This is an office, a working place. It's not some kind of conquering field."
He raises one eyebrow.
"Miss Swan. This seems to be a bit more serious than I thought. Firstly, I'm not aware of shooting Jessica any sort of glance. Secondly, are you implying that I won't do my job properly?" he asks.
I don't answer right away because frankly I'm unsure of what to say. My reactions and my feelings are irrational even to me but I can't very well admit that. I'm feeling way too stubborn.
"If we're going to work together we need to sort this out" Edward says encouragingly.
I sigh.
"I'm sure you'll do a perfect job" I say honestly. "Just know that your charm is not working on me. I'm not falling for it. That thing you do" I say gesticulating freely with my hands at a lack for a better explanation for it "I'm not falling for it. It's not getting to me one bit."
While I look him straight in the eyes I can still hear that unsure tone in my voice and I'm pretty sure Edward can too. Instead of looking offended, he smiles.
"That thing I do?" he repeats amused. "What exactly is that, miss Swan?" he asks.
"That, dazzling people. Make grown-up women giggle like they haven't giggled since High school. It's not working on me" I answer irritated.
He nods but there's still that amused gleam in his eyes.
"Okay" he says shrugging his shoulders.
"Okay?" I repeat unsure now as to what that means.
Okay what?
"Okay" he confirms and then he gets up from his seat and leaves my office.
What the hell just happened?!
In the afternoon when I leave for more coffee, I hear giggling coming from where the machine's at. What's going on? As I get closer I notice that practically all the women on our floor are there. I wonder what on earth they could be giggling at when I see what, or more precisely who it is. I resist the urge to roll my eyes when I notice that it's Edward serving the ladies coffee.
"Who wanted a Macchiato?" he asks smiling wickedly.
"Guilty!" June calls out giggling ridiculously.
Wait.... June? As in June Jessica's secretary who's always in a pissy mood? As in June who I guessed would be the first to turn Edward down? It really is June and she's shining like the sun. It makes me feel awful and I realize that I'm the June here. Everyone else is obviously loving Edward and not giving him a hard time at all.
Edward hands June a cup and everyone giggles again. Is he putting something in their coffee? I wonder briefly, but of course I know what's going on. He's working his magic on them perhaps to make some kind of point although I find that a bit too ambitious. Probably because he loves the ladies and the ladies love him. That's when I notice that he's taken off his jacket as well. I've never seen Edward without his jacket. His sleeves are slightly rolled up and without the jacket, I get a much clearer view of his body frame. I can see his muscles through the light-blue shirt. Dreamingly I wonder what Edward Cullen looks like when he's just at home taking it easy. Does he wear suits privately too? Or jeans? Does he ever wear hoodies? Tanktops? Hm?
Then I mentally bitchslap myself. Get a grip Swan! I out here to get coffee, but there's a coffee machine on every floor so I could take the elevator. I've just turned around when I hear a very distinct smooth voice call out my name.
"Miss Swan, there's enough coffee for everyone."
Edward's smiling at me and I'm about to fall for his charm and change my mind but when I hear the women around him giggle again I sigh and take the elevator instead.
It's half past seven when I finally pick up my things and take the elevator down. Again I have to resist the very strong urge to roll my eyes when I notice that Edward's still here and that it looks as though he's not heading for the garage, but for the subway as well. Oh God. How do I still do this? Should I pretend to have forgotten something? He hasn't noticed me so... No. Swan. Be a grown-up. I confidently steer my steps in the same direction he's heading.
"How nice of you to make all those women coffee" I say and it comes out a bit more sourly than I intended it to.
Edward merely laughs. He's even got a sexy laugh. Oh God.
"You didn't want my coffee though" he points out.
I don't know what to say to that. He looks at me then from the side.
"You really don't like me, do you?" he asks.
I groan inaudibly. I don't want him to think that. I'm starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, the problem lies within me but then again...
"Would I be terribly wrong if I assumed you are a womanizer?" I ask trying to sound casual.
We're leaving the building now and Edward, being the gentleman that he is, opens the door for me. He seems to find the question funny but why I don't know. Maybe because it's none of your business Swan! But I can't very well take back my words now. I'm thankful that we're outside now. Sounds from the city somehow makes talking to Edward easier. I notice it's raining lightly but all in all it's a beautiful evening in Manhattan.
"What do you mean by womanizer?" he asks curiously.
"Do you sleep around a lot?" I blurt out before I can think.
Edward looks kind of surprised but intrigued to say the least.
"That's kind of personal, don't you think?" he says warily.
I want to sink through the ground. What were you thinking Swan? You can't just ask people that. Besides what does it matter if he sleeps around or not: it shouldn't affect the way you view him or treat him at work.
"Not to mention inappropriate. Forget I asked. I'm sorry" I say trying my hardest to prevent the blush from coming.
We walk in silence for a moment.
"Maybe I'm a bit of a womanizer then, although I don't care for the word very much" he says out of the blue and I look surprised at him, not because of his answer but because he decided to answer it anyways. "Because it makes me sound like a douchebag and I'm not a douchebag. We're all grown-ups and mature enough to make our decisions. I see nothing wrong with that if two people or more agree to the same thing."
"Two people or more?" I can't help but to repeat.
Edward smiles suddenly.
"I admit I threw that in on purpose because I'm talking to miss Goody Two-Shoes, but I do try to keep an open mind" he says.
"Miss Goody Two-Shoes?" I echo.
Edward chuckles.
"So you won't admit you think you're above me?" he asks.
I snort.
"Why do you think that?" I ask him, although I know I act like that. "Forget it. And forget I asked about your personal life. That was inappropriate."
Edward smiles a bit and shakes his head.
"It was weird I'll admit, but it's alright" he says.
Well he did say he tried to keep an open mind I think.
"Why did you ask though?" he asks me.
We stop at a red light. Great this could take forever and suddenly I feel terrified at the prospect of making small-talk with Edward much longer.
"Before you got here there was a rumour" I begin. Why am I about to tell him this?
Edward looks wary.
"What kind of rumour?" he asks.
I look around me and wonder when the hell the red light is going to switch.
"That you and Jessica have slept together" I answer.
Edward doesn't say anything at once and I wonder if I've said too much.
"It's true" he says to my surprise.
I don't know what I was expecting but I feel oddly disappointed now that the rumour's confirmed. Does that mean that Edward prefers big breasts? And blondes? Everything I'm not? I look at him trying to decide if he has a type. Edward frowns.
"What are you thinking?" he asks frowning.
But I look away from him and out on the traffic instead.
"Nothing" I answer.
Oh no Swan. You did the nothing answer which always means the total opposite. All guys know that except for guys who has yet to discover how women work. It used to drive James crazy. Somehow I have a feeling Edward too knows exactly what it means, but I can't very well tell him what I'm thinking. I, who accused him of viewing the office as a conquering field when I seem to be no better myself.
"It was some time ago and I didn't know I was going to work on Stanley Projects then" he continues.
I don't know why he feels the need to explain to me, but he keeps going when he notices that I'm listening even though I'm not looking at him.
"We met at an architecture convention in Washington. I'm not proud of it but it was a drunken encounter and we didn't keep in touch. It was a one-time thing. Obviously things felt a bit awkward when I met her again to discuss this job, but it's done with."
I look at him wistfully.
"Not for Jessica" I say.
Edward frowns.
"I haven't noticed that" he says.
I snort.
"Right. You don't notice the way everyone's drooling at you? And you, you know exactly what you're doing" I say and can't keep away a smile.
Edward pretends to look completely oblivious to what I'm talking about.
"Oh come on, when you made coffee for everyone. The jacket off. The rolled up sleeves..." I laugh a bit. "You should've just taken off your shirt" I blurt.
What the hell am I saying? I really must be sexually frustrated or something. I don't remember the last time I talked this way to anyone. Edward looks intrigued. Finally the light changes and we cross the street. I swear to God that was the longest I've ever waited for a red-light to change.
"You were checking me out?" Edward asks smiling that wicked kind of smile.
I take a deep breath.
"It's called observation" I answer avoiding to answer his question, but realizing that in fact I did just answer his question. Edward chuckles as he shakes his head. I notice that the rain is starting to fall a bit heavier and we're nearing the subway. It's perfect timing as the rain breaks loose for real the second we hit the stairs leading down. We go on the same subway. It turns out Edward and I live close to each other. Not that it matters, I tell myself. He asks me if I can recommend a good restaurant and I can't help but to wonder if he has a date, but nevertheless I recommend my favorite: an Italian place. We make small-talk like that for the short ride. When our station is called out and the subway's slowing, we realize we're going in opposite directions. Naturally I figure now it's the time to say goodbye.
"I'll see you tomorrow" I say about to wave goodbye awkwardly when the subway comes to a sudden halt making me practically throw myself at Edward. His strong arms catch me at once. I quickly regain my balance but Edward doesn't let go of me immediately, probably wanting to make sure I'm steady on my feet.
"Are you alright?" he asks me looking quite amused.
"Yes" I answer lightly and very relieved to see the subway's doors open. I feel a blush coming on and I pray to God I manage to make it out before I'm all red.
Edward nods and I suddenly feel annoyed with him again. He's still looking amused! Probably noticing my blush. I can feel it consuming me. Why do I have to be so easily embarrassed? Somehow I have a feeling Edward's not going to forget about this.
"See you tomorrow" he says to me before we step out and head in opposite directions.
When I emerge from the subway I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. He's going to drive me crazy I conclude as I walk home.
Did anyone google the Bolwoningen Houses Bella was thinking of? I find them... interesting.
I have two confessions to make before we move on:
1.) That thing at the end has happened to me. I was on a first date and it was VERY awkward. The worst part about it was that I tried to make a joke about it like "I'm acting like a perverted guy on the subway, throwing myself all over you Hahahah!" Needless to say I ran off as fast as I could which only made me seem that much weirder. Ah life.
2.)Most things I know about New York and Manhattan is from Sex and the City. I imagine Bella and Edward living somewhere in Greenwich Village.
Also thank you for reading, reviewing and following. I love hearing from you, keep it coming :) Since the chapters are quite short I'm going to make an effort to not leave you hanging very long.
