Happy Sunday all!
I hope you've all had a fabulous weekend just a quick note to say I won't be updating next Sunday it'll be late Monday night or Tuesday as I'm attending the Reading Music Festival Over the bank holiday.
I hope you all like it :) let me know what you think.
Kirsty xoxoxo
Bella's Point Of View
The last three days have flown by. I've explored the local area and taken the bus to the local mall. After meeting with Angela again in the local park whilst she was walking with her dog Marley we met for coffee yesterday morning and gossiped like old women for a good few hours. Wisteria Lane has nothing on this place let me tell you. There's been love triangles, family feuds and high profile gangsters, all in this amazing building on the River Thames. It looks so idyllic but behind the closed doors there's a whole other world lurking. That being said I've never felt safer than I do now. I'm still extremely safety conscious but I know I'm away from all the threats of my past and they're what scare me the most.
Emmett called me during my coffee morning with Angela letting me know everything was set up and that he, along with Billy, would be picking me up and taking me to the office so we could talk to Rosalie King as she's a pretty tough nut to crack. Emmett knows very little about what I've been through but he knows enough to want to look out for me. He, like Garrett, has taken on a big brother rôle and since I've got here has been checking in every now and then to make sure I'm okay.
And that's what's brought me here now. I'm stood outside my building with three cups of coffee waiting for Emmett and Billy to pick me up. He's ten minutes late already but he's allowed to be because he's the boss. It doesn't stop me hating tardiness, though, but I'll forgive it as he's been so great since I got the job. I'm kidding, like I have any room to moan after all he's done for me. I don't even know what car he'll be in as he has so many. Working for a prestigious law firm and being at the top of your game has its perks.
A white Audi pulled up in front of me and the back window rolled down revealing Billy. What's he doing in the back seat, he's the driver.
"Hey, Belly Button, jump in; let big brother Emmett give you the ride of your life." So much innuendo so little time. The front door swung open and after passing the coffees through to Billy I got in and buckled up. I have a feeling I'm going to need to be strapped in with Emmett in control.
"Ooo, coffee, you are good to me. I think I'll keep you." Billy passed our cups back through to us and before I could blink we pulled out into the traffic.
"Jesus, Emmett, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I'm so glad I wasn't drinking because it would have gone everywhere and that would have been a waste of coffee.
"Aww, Belly Button, don't be mad. Peace and love and all that." He's such a boy and Belly Button...? He's going to need to break that habit, it's the worst nickname ever.
"Bella, Mr Emmett likes to be in the driving seat and whilst he's not as good as me, I can assure you he's perfectly safe."
"Do you like riding in the back?" Emmett snickered at my words but didn't say anything. What's with the double meanings this morning? They're coming one after the other. Oh god I'm glad I didn't say that out loud.
"It's nice to feel like a man of leisure for a change. I never say no when Mr Emmett wants to drive me around." I couldn't help but giggle. These two have the craziest relationship but it's kind of awesome at the same time.
"Huh, I guess that is kind of awesome especially when you're used to driving all the time."
"He loves it, Bella. It makes him feel like the big dogs Sugar, Cullen and Branson."
"Should I know who they all are?"
"They're the richest men in Britain, Belly Button. If any of them ask you on a date you do not say no ya here me?"
"Loud and clear Emmett." I'm agreeing because it's the easiest thing to do; he doesn't have to know I'll probably never be in love again after what James did to me.
"Good girl. Now, moving on, Rosalie King's maiden name is Rosalie Cullen."
"Wait, didn't you just mention a Cullen in your top three richest speech." I'm sure it was Sugar, Branson and Cullen. Maybe I heard wrong.
"I did. It's good to know you're listening, Belly Button." Again with the nickname what's that, a million times in the last five minutes? "He's her brother but he's a nice guy, she's the biggest bitch ever. She's sacked three law firms already. That being said we need to win this case and I thought you'd be perfect for the job."
"Oh great she sounds like a lot of fun. Are you sure you don't want to do this one?" We stopped at a red light giving me a break from the constant noise of the London traffic. I'm so glad I don't have to drive here.
"Nope, definitely not. She's a man hater by all accounts so she'll probably like you better than me."
"Well, that's a given because we all know I'm better than you anyway." I winked at him and he mock glared back.
"Ouch! I'm wounded, I thought you were my friend." He started to fake cry as he dodged in and out of more traffic. A horn blaring behind us had Emmett moving again at vampire speed.
"You know I'm only joking so you can stop with the fake tears." He did, almost instantly, and grinned.
"You're going to fit in perfectly here, Belly Button, you have the cheek to keep us all on our toes."
"So she's a real piece of work, huh?" This is going to be tougher than I thought. If she doesn't like me I'm screwed.
"I think she's just looking for perfection. We just need to be exactly what she's looking for. And when I say we, I mean you."
"I'll do my best, I promise." Hopefully I can connect with her the way the others haven't. There has to be away to break down her walls.
"That's all I ask. You can only work with what she gives you so if you fail, which I doubt you will, no one, and I mean no one, will give you a hard time over it." Sure they won't they'll just whisper behind my back that the new girl can't cut the mustard. I will not let that happen, Rosalie will not know what hit her.
"I just hope she listens to what I have to say before she flies off the handle. Will she have someone with her today?" Maybe I can appeal to their better nature.
"No, she likes to do these things alone for some reason. I think it's because she can really let her inner bitch out when the rest of her really nice family isn't around." Well that's that plan out the window. Shame, I'll have to find a different angle.
"Okay, that sucks but if that's how she likes it that's how we have to play it."
"Yep, the customer is always right even if she's a bitch."
"What's your beef with her? I take it you've met her a few times?" A look of pain etched across Emmett's face and I instantly regretted asking the question.
We had an affair a few years back. She used me as bate to piss her husband off. It wasn't pretty."
"You fell in love with her?" Even though it was more of a statement than a question Emmett nodded in confirmation.
"I was stupid and shouldn't have gone anywhere near a married woman but the Rosie I knew, the one that spent time with me, isn't this bitch that's coming in today. She was a completely different person. It's like he sucked all the good out of her."
"Why didn't she leave sooner, why'd she stay if he was that awful?" Stupid question because I stayed way to long too but it'll be good to know for case purposes.
"She loved him Bella I think she fed off the rows they had and I have no idea why. Her mother, father and brother didn't see her or her children for a long time because of how fucked up their relationship was."
"Are they back in contact now?" He nodded in confirmation as he pulled into another underground parking lot.
"Yeah, they had a heart to heart when the slapping started and they got their Rosie back. Unfortunately I didn't." Poor Emmett he really loved her.
"She had no excuse for bringing you into her games I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I'm okay and I'm sorta seeing this girl at the moment so all is good." That makes me happy. Emmett needs a nice girl in his life.
"That's great news, I'm glad you've found some happiness again." I know better than anyone how hard it is for people to move on after heartbreak.
"Well, here we are. Are you ready to meet the queen bitch?" I hope I meet Rosie Cullen and not Rosalie King.
"I was born ready. Let's kick some ass." Walking into the building I let out a low whistle, this place is nice. Really nice. I mean I've seen pictures and all that but they do it no justice at all.
"Impressed, Swan?"
"It's a beautiful building Emmett." Canary Wharf; apparently there's an amazing view from the top floor. If I wasn't scared shitless of heights I might check it out. "Much nicer than the first offices Garrett told me about." Emmett's ancestors started out small and built this up from nothing.
"Yeah we started out ridiculously small above a chippy in Fulham when my grandad started the firm but look at us now the most sought after law firm in the US and the UK. It took years of hard work but my family wouldn't change a thing."
"It's great that your family all worked together to achieve this, most families would have pulled each other's hair out." Emmett gave me a sad smile as he called the elevator.
"Yeah, my family are good people and so are the Cullens. Don't judge them on Rosalie's behaviour, they're good friends of ours."
"I won't, I promise."
"Pinky swear Belly Button." He held out his littlest finger and I joined mine with his. "Now this promise cannot be broken."
After a short elevator ride we got to our floor. Emmett showed me to my office which I'm bound to get lost finding a few times. It's very clinical so a makeover is in order but it's great otherwise. A bit of artwork on the walls and a few pictures, it'll be perfect.
"Is this okay for you? Anything you need just let Alice know she'll sort it for you."
"When will I meet the famous Alice? I'd like to thank her for everything she did helping me settle into the apartment." I owe her massively for everything she's done for me and I haven't even met her yet.
"Any minute now. I'll send her in as soon as she gets here. I need to go and check my messages I'll leave you to settle in."
"Thanks, Emmett."
"Oh, before I go, your log ins are all the same as they were in Chicago and Alice will send Rosalie through as soon as she arrives."
"Okay, cool." This is going to go really well or really badly. I'm hoping for the latter.
Sitting myself down I switched the computer at my desk on and plugged in my iPad. I might as well have another look over the case notes whilst I'm waiting. I need to be on top of my game to win this woman over.
A light knock at the door around ten minutes later shook me out of my work zone. How long have I been looking over these notes? She can't be here already can she?
"Come in." A small girl with bright pink hair bounced in the door and practically skipped over to me before throwing her hands around my neck.
"Hi, Bella, it's so great to finally meet you. I'm Alice." Oh, okay so Rosalie isn't that easily won over, unfortunately. I thought she might be high for a second there.
"Alice, it's great to meet you. Thank you so much for shopping for me and making it so easy for me to settle into my new home." A smile lit up her face and she hugged me again, making it hard for me to breathe.
"You're so welcome I'm so glad you're finally here. I know we'll be great friends."
"I can almost guarantee that after all the nice things you've done."
"It was my pleasure. Are you ready to meet the she beast? Can I help you with any preparation?" The she beast? What has she done to Alice?
"I think I'm ready I'm just hoping she's not too hard to please. I know this is only the initial meeting and it's all about impressing her but I'm worried she'll wipe the floor with me."
"Bullshit, you're a strong woman who's amazing at her job. She will not wipe the floor with you, got that?" Raising her perfectly sculpted eye brow she dared me to argue.
"Okay, okay I got it." Holding my hands up I backed away a little and she smiled. We made small talk for a little longer until there was a knock at the door. Emmett's ashen face poked in and he mouthed 'she's here.' He was gone within seconds probably looking for some place to hide.
"Good luck, Bella, you won't need it but break a leg." Why is she whispering? God how bad is this woman. "I'll go bring her in."
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
Staring at the door way I waited for Alice to come back. I'm actually glad she left it open so I can see when they approach. This could make or break my stay here. I can't let her win.
"How far away is this office? Is Emmett taking the piss?"
"Mrs King I assure you my boss is in no way trying to cause you any inconvenience." Alice rolled her eyes as she came into view.
"Miss Swan, your 9 o'clock, Mrs King." Holly shit the woman is a beauty queen. From the long flowing blonde hair to the manicured finger nails nothing is out of place. She looks like she's been pressed and shimmered.
"Thank you, Alice."
"Mrs King, it's a pleasure to meet you." I held out my hand for her to shake and she ignored it choosing instead to sit in the chair opposite me.
"Cut the shit. We need to get down to business I don't have time for pleasantries."
What. A. Bitch.