Thanks for the reviews last time, here's the fourth bit...
Husband for Hire
Chapter Four – A Classic
Edward lay awake in bed for a long time that night and, by the time the morning came around, he was sure that he had more or less memorised the pattern on his ceiling. The curtains over his window were never really good at blocking out any light, and the eerie glow from the moon crept through, casting a dim outline around him.
His mind didn't seem to want to rest, and he tossed and turned over many times. The springs creaked noisily underneath him, but not for the usual reasons.
He rubbed his eyes roughly and glanced over at the illuminated red digits coming from his clock on the bedside table; just as he did so, the time flickered from 2.59 am to 3.00 am. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he slumped back into the pillow and tried counting sheep.
He only reached twenty before his mind flickered back to Bella. It was wrong of him, and he knew it, but he just kept continuously imagining the look on her face as she left the lounge today to go to upstairs. Even though she didn't look particularly happy every time she talked to him, she usually had a twinkle in her chocolate brown eyes; deep down he thought that she enjoyed teasing him. But today she was completely different; she looked scared, as though she had been burdened with something terrible and had the world's problems on her shoulders.
He hated seeing it.
Despite winding her up a lot, Edward was grateful towards Bella; she had given him a place to live after all, even considering his less-than-perfect past.
He couldn't decide on something though; whether the cause of her suffering was because of him, or because of her parents. He had thought about it a lot; he liked to think that he wasn't being overly cruel. Sometimes he made her smile - he thought of their encounter earlier when she was leaving the bathroom. Her laughter had been wonderful to hear... And, on top of this, Bella had been living with him for a few years now and she'd never looked this troubled before, so it couldn't have been him...
It must be down to her parents. He considered this for a moment and realised that he must be right; Bella had been seriously hurt by them in her past and he could understand her reaction. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like being left alone at the age of eighteen. How could her mother have left Bella so easily?
When he thought about this, he felt as though he understood Bella a little better. A tiny bit.
Letting out one more heavy sigh, he closed his raw eyes once more and somehow managed to eventually drift off into a restless sleep.
***
Bella trudged away down the stairs, completely understanding where the idea of looking like a zombie came from. The thought of a day of work ahead of her nearly made her cry, but in the bathroom earlier she had given herself a brief pep talk.
"Come on, Bella," she breathed to herself. "You can't let this get to you… it's just Mom and Phil. It's only six months… just under two hundred days…"
She shuddered at this point and desperately splashed her face with some cold water.
Walking into the kitchen, she managed a smile towards her mother. "Hi Mom. Did you sleep alright?"
"Y'know," she started, turning away from the toaster to face her daughter, "it was the best feeling waking up here. I feel as though I finally belong somewhere... we're back home, Bella."
Renee beamed and Bella tried to reflect this, but she couldn't quite do it.
"Anyway, what are you doing today?"
"I'm going into work, like I do every day," Bella frowned. My own mother knows me really well... she thought to herself. Or maybe she's not expecting me to have a job... No. You're just being paranoid now...
"Oh, right," she replied quietly, bursting into Bella's thoughts. "Does Edward work?"
A snort almost escaped her but she just shook her head. "No, but he's looking for work, I'm sure."
"Phil's had that problem. The whole unemployment thing... it's dreadful."
"Yeah, well Phil is just lazy," Bella muttered, so quietly that her mother didn't notice. "What about you? Got much planned?"
"Well, we were thinking of getting to know Edward, actually."
Bella's eyes bulged. "Have fun." She glanced down at her watch. "Anyway, I'd better go now... I'm running a little late. See you later!"
***
"Afternoon," Renee muttered, a little sarcastically, a few hours later.
Edward grunted and glanced at the clock on the wall. "1pm... that's quite early for me to surface, really." He quickly swigged some orange juice from the carton and frowned towards his new parents in law, who were both sat at the kitchen table. "What are you two doing today, anyway?"
"Bella asked us that already," she replied and Edward didn't quite understand why this was important.
"And...?" he prompted.
"Well, it just shows Bella and yourself are alike... well suited. Similar interests and all."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Sure. What's your answer, anyway?"
Renee smiled widely. "Well, we'll be getting to know you."
He wanted to gulp, but just nodded eagerly. "Good. Good."
"So, sit down," she said, pulling out a chair. "Tell us a bit about yourself."
***
Bella was in fear of developing repetitive strain injury, but that didn't stop her glancing at the clock for the hundredth time in the space of a few short hours. She was feeling anxious, tired and bored out of her mind. She hadn't slept much last night; half because of her mind whirling around on overdrive and half because Edward wouldn't stop making noises from the room next to her. The walls were quite thin and all she could hear was his occasional grunting and the sound of his bed moving.
She didn't really need much logic to come to an answer.
Typing blindly on her keyboard, she groaned once more and prayed for her lunch hour to come around. She needed to talk to somebody sane and knew that her one option would be Rose... despite this, she'd have to tell her what was happening and that was almost guaranteed to be humiliating.
Bella suddenly felt somebody tap her shoulder and gasped, seeing one of her employees, Alice Brandon hovering by her shoulder.
She sighed very heavily, not liking the person in her company at all. She used to enjoy her work before Alice joined the team - she was an annoying, shallow type, constantly whispering and pointing at Bella, and hanging around their boss Jasper Hale like a leech. Bella hated her and the very sight of her spiky dark hair made her want to shudder.
"Guess what, Swan?"
Bella rolled her eyes; Alice always insisted on calling her by her surname. It was incredibly irritating and reminded her of being at school - Alice was the bully.
She tried not to let it get to her. "Is it important, Alice?"
"Well," she said, twirling some hair between her fingers, "I've been promoted."
Bella's mouth instinctively dropped open and Alice grinned smugly.
"No more working in this grotty little floor anymore," she smirked, kicking a box on the floor. Bella noted that it was full of her belongings; she was leaving today, then.
"Oh, Alice, that's wonderful... I won't have to see you everyday, now!"
She laughed bitterly. "Oh but, Swan, I'll be with Mr Hale all the time now. I'm practically his, like, what's it called...? Yeah! His PA, now."
"Poor guy."
"Anyway, just thought I'd inform you," she sneered. "See ya."
And then she was gone, strutting out of the room. Bella heard a groan to her left and saw Emmett, her friend, with his head in his hands.
"That girl is unbelievable."
"I know," she groaned. "At least she won't be here anymore."
He turned to face her, his big frame twisting in the seat. "God knows why Hale would want her as his personal assistant. She's probably gonna drive him insane."
"And then she'll hopefully get the sack," Bella grinned mischievously.
Emmett grinned. "Fingers crossed! Anywho, it's lunch time now and I'm starving... are you coming to the canteen?"
Bella shook her head, standing up. "No, I need to make a phonecall."
"Oh. Is that to your friend, Rose?"
"Yup." Bella eyed him carefully. "You interested or something?"
He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Just curious. I'll see you later, anyway."
She waved and waited until she was alone, before whipping out her mobile and dialling a number. After a few rings, a voice filled into her ear. "Hello?"
"Hi Rose, it's Bella."
"Oh, hey," she replied cheerfully. "We haven't talked in a while! How are you?"
Bella paused. "I've been better."
She heard Rose sigh. "What's wrong now, then?"
"Sorry to put this all on you, but I really am having a crisis and need somebody to talk to..."
"It's fine, Bells. That's what I'm here for. Go on, spit it all out."
Bella exhaled, knowing Rose's reaction would unbearable. "Well... it's Edward."
She heard a snort from the end of the line. "Surprising. Shock of the century, that."
"Well... argh, I don't know how to say this..." She paused. "Well, my Mom and Phil have decided to suddenly appear back home after their tour of the world..." She said that a little bitterly, but that was nothing new. "And... well, ages ago I told Renee a tiny little lie."
"Right," Rose said slowly. "And that lie is...?"
"That I had married somebody and settled down."
"Of course that's a tiny little lie, Bella," Rose scoffed. "But what's this got to do with Edward?" She spoke slowly towards the end and Bella knew she'd figured it out. She took a calming breath and waited for the enslaught.
"Bella," she spluttered, "please don't tell me that you've pretended to be Edward's wife?!"
Her reply was a whisper. "I have."
The laughter flowing into Bella's ear was actually painful and she winced for a moment, pulling the phone away until Rose had finished. She waited a moment. "Done now?"
"No," she breathed, bursting into another fit. Bella rolled her eyes in despair and waited. "I know it's bad, but I panicked!"
"Bella, this is hilarious!"
Bella's face turned to stone. "No it bloody well isn't! I wouldn't marry Edward if he was the last man on this planet!"
This made her laugh even more. "Well, Bella, this is definitely a classic."
"Thanks. That makes me feel much better."
"How long are they staying for?" Rose managed. "Your parents, I mean."
"Six months."
"What? You've got to be Edward's wife for six months?"
Bella confirmed this quietly.
"Well, Bella, you're well and truly stuffed. There's nothing I can do for you."
"Thank you for your brilliant advice, Rose. I'm going now."
She hung up and gently placed her head on the cold desk.
***
A few hours later, Edward, Renee and Phil were still in the same place. Renee was talking along happily, while Phil had lost interest and zoned out, currently thinking about a particularly entertaining baseball match that he'd watched last night. Edward was feeling a little infuriated; how could somebody think of so many questions to ask about him?! It was absolutely ridiculous.
He frowned to himself. Bella was right - that was fastly becoming his favourite word.
"So what did you do in University?" Renee persisted.
"I studied Physics," he answered. "I used to be quite a geek, really."
"And did you have a job?"
He swallowed; he'd never really talked about anything that had happened to him before. He'd have to edit out some details...
"Yes. I worked in an office for a while. But... I had a bad time and I had to stop working. Then I met Bella and... well, my life changed."
That wasn't strictly a lie... he had had a bad time, but that was with the police and he wasn't going to tell them that. Also, he had met Bella and his life certainly had changed... he had somewhere to live.
But he had never worked in an office. He shuddered at the thought.
Renee seemed to accept his answer. "Interesting. Well, I do feel like I know you better now!"
He smiled with gritted teeth, looking at the clock again. "Good... because it has been about four hours!" He paused. "Actually, I'd better be going out now. I've... I've got a job interview."
He cringed after he'd said that but headed quickly towards the door.
"What's it for, Edward?" Renee inquired.
"Nothing special, just another office job," he lied. "I won't be long. See you later!"
He hurried upstairs, quickly brushing his hair and making himself look half respectable. He then headed out, in the direction towards his favourite bar. It was late in the afternoon but that didn't matter to him... he'd just have to wait until some people turned up.
***
Stress Diary
20th September, 5pm
How could things get so much worse over the space of just over 24 hours?!
I still just can't even begin to comprehend this mess I've got myself into. I've been such an idiot and to think it could so easily be resolved... well, not exactly easily. But I could have just told the truth for once in my life.
Rose thinks this is all a laugh. Phoning her earlier was certainly an experience...
I seriously believe that if I don't get help soon, I'll end up having a breakdown.
And Alice bloody Brandon is getting on my nerves. She managed to probably raise my blood pressure in the space of a minute earlier today. Still, on the bright side, I won't have to see her anymore.
Another cheerful entry...
Bella closed her book that she'd been filling in by leaning on her lap and started up her truck's engine. She didn't exactly want to go home and she didn't want to stay at work either...
How wonderful my life has become, she thought bitterly to herself, before driving off into the distance.
***
Edward slumped into the stool at the bar and leant over onto the glass counter, quietly asking the bartender for a drink. He ran his hands through his hair again, feeling very exhausted after another long day. It was extremely difficult keeping track of the lies Bella and himself had told to her parents, and it took a lot of work to get the continuity right.
"Thanks," he muttered when his drink was placed in front of him. He handed some money over without looking up. "Keep the change."
When he'd taken a sip of the beverage and felt it warming his throat, he began to relax a little. His shoulders drooped a little and he let out a long breath.
At that moment, he decided to take a look around. The club was quite busy and loud and thumping music was throbbing from the speakers. A DJ was in the corner spinning some records and he grimaced at him, disliking his obnoxious taste in music.
There were flashing purple lights that illuminated his face every now and then, and the club was packed with people. There were groups huddled together on the dancefloor and he was just beginning to consider leaving, when he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Whipping around, he was met by a short haired brunette whom, he noted, was extremely thin and tall. Her face was plastered with a little too much make up and she was a bit too close to him at the moment.
Despite this, he grinned at her, putting the thoughts of Bella and her parents somewhere in the back of his busy mind. It was something he automatically did around women and he quickly used his charm.
"Hello there," he said slowly. "What's somebody like you doing in a place like this?"
She grinned. "Quoting Timbaland now, are you?"
He frowned, having no idea what she was on about. He'd never liked the kind of mainstream popular music and was a little baffled. Despite this, he quickly laughed. "Yup. You got me there. Can I get you a drink?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Sure."
***
Bella arrived home a little while later and walked into the lounge.
"Hi Mom, Phil," she said tiredly. "Where's Edward?"
"Didn't he tell you?" Renee frowned. "He's at a job interview."
Bella wanted to widen her eyes but she just nodded slowly. "Oh... yeah, of course. I must have forgotten." She headed out towards the kitchen. "I'll make us some food. Does lasagne sound good to you?"
"Fantastic."
When she reached the kitchen, Bella shook her head to herself. She knew Edward was probably out with some woman, and just wished he'd be back in time, before the parents became suspicious...
***
Jasmine, the woman in Edward's company, laughed loudly and nudged him gently on the chest.
"You're so funny!" she exclaimed.
He smiled, sipping on his fifth drink. He was pleased with himself; his thoughts were quite blurry at the moment and he couldn't really remember that much clearly, apart from the fact that he was in the company of a fairly attractive woman. She was distracting him, which was what he wanted.
"Hey, do you want to get out of here?" he asked. "This music is starting to make my brain melt."
She snickered. "Sure... it is a little hot in here."
He raised an eyebrow.
"So," she said slowly while Edward put on his coat, "your place or mine?"
For some reason that he couldn't quite remember, he knew that he couldn't go back to his place, so he suggested hers, somewhat cheekily. She grinned, despite this, and reached for his hand, pulling him out of the nightclub.
Somewhere in his subconscious, Edward knew what he was doing was wrong, but he decided to ignore this and climbed on into the taxi.
Thank you for reading the update - I hope you enjoyed it! There will be more with Alice Brandon in the future - it wasn't a random little thing, I promise!
