Chapter four –
I had spent the whole day looking through Edwards's belongings – with his permission of course – trying to decipher what sort of a person he is. I needed to get inside his head because if I wanted to make the book believable, that it was written by him – even though my name was going to mentioned as the ghost writer – I needed to know him in and out.
Once I had told Edward what I wanted him to do towards the book, make a list of all the things he wanted to include, write down some trivial stuff that would be entertaining, photos he wants to add etcetera, etcetera, Edward left me to my own accord, letting me do pretty much what I wanted in the way of snooping. To be honest, I didn't find anything too exciting. There were no dead bodies in the closet or secret stash of porn hidden under the bed, really Edward was a lot more ordinary than I had anticipated.
The day passed quickly and uneventfully in all and before I knew it, I was sat in Edward's silver Volvo, parked outside my apartment block.
'Well, thanks for not being a complete jerk today.' I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.
'Right back at ya.' He smirked.
I nodded to him and climbed out the car. Today hadn't been the train wreck I had been expecting. But it was still nice to come home and forget all about him. To put it bluntly, I did not like Edward Cullen. He was an ass on so many levels and nothing was going to change that. But I did have a respect for him. I respected that he went after what he wanted with such a dedicated ferocity that he let nothing stand in his way.
I heard a door click open behind me as I got onto the sidewalk and turned to see Edward's door open, with him standing up, elbows balancing on the roof of the car. 'So what? Do you get writing now?' He asked, excitement making his sparkling eyes even more vibrant.
I laughed softly and shook my head. 'Nope. I need way more info on you before I can do that.' Aw bless his ignorance. He really did think that I could click my fingers and produce a best selling book in seconds.
'Seriously?'
I nodded. 'Seriously.'
He clucked his tongue on the roof of his mouth for a second, thinking hard, before finally speaking. 'Okay, how about we meet up sometime next week?'
Did he seriously think I could complete a book about him in six months if I had only one day a week with him to do my research? Oh he really was deluded. I wish I was as naive as him when it came to writing and the constant juggle of things you had to do before you could write a single word.
I shook my head at him and leant against the passenger side of the car. 'Edward, we are on a tight deadline. We have to see each other more than once a week.'
A smirk tilted his perfect lips into a smug smile. I could feel the air around us cloud with arrogance and I realised rather quickly that the arrogance was emanating from him. 'Bella, is this your subtle way asking me out on a date?'
My mouth dropped, practically hitting the litter soaked sidewalk. Why did he think every straight, red blooded female wanted him? Alright he was gorgeous, but not every woman wanted to wine and dine with him then bed him afterwards. It made me wonder who had boosted his ego so much that he thought every single person had an ulterior motive to spending some time with him. 'How the hell did you get that idea from what I've just said?'
He shrugged. 'Don't worry Bella, I don't blame you for wanting me, I'm a great catch.' A great catch? More like a great pain in my ass. The ego on this guy was astronomical, how he managed to fit his head through the front door every morning bewildered me.
I clenched my hands into fists and shoved them under my arms. 'You know what? I take back that thank you from earlier, because you are definitely being an arrogant jerk now. Just pick me up tomorrow morning.' I ordered, turning on my heel and heading for my apartment building.
'No can do.' He called after me, his voice echoing in the empty street. 'I have work.'
I didn't bother turning around, I didn't want to see anymore Edward Cullen today. I had had my daily dose and now it was time to recharge my patience ready for tomorrow. 'Excellent.' I replied, calling over my shoulder. 'I'll shadow you, get a feel of the real you.'
'Is that some sort of sexual comment?'
'Goodbye Edward!' I yelled, before disappearing into the safety of my home. Finally feeling my sanity secure with his presence gone.
I now knew why he didn't have a girlfriend. Surely he would drive any normal woman mad within the first half hour of her being with him. If I had to put up with him, I am sure I would throttle him within an hour. I think I'd rather spend life in jail, than spend life with him.
I unlocked the front door to my place and sighed in contentment at being in the sanctity of my own home. Like Edward had said when he arrived this morning, I did live in a rough area, but my apartment was nice enough, and as long as I locked my door when I was asleep and out, I never had a problem.
Throwing my bag down behind the doors and kicking my heels off to join it, I wondered into the kitchen, craving a much needed glass of wine. It had been a long day, and I deserved nothing more than to kick back, relax and have an ice cold alcoholic beverage.
After changing into some sweats and moving me and my glass of wine into the living room, where I set my laptop up so I could have a mooch on the internet, I finally began to feel myself unwind. I was in desperate need of some new speakers for my iPod and since I was getting such an increase in income from my new job, I thought now was as good a time as any to treat myself. I mean if I was going to have to put up with Edward Cullen, the least I could do is buy something nice with the money I was earning, in order to cheer myself up. So I went on my Amazon account and had a look through the long list of possible purchases. Once I had narrowed my options down to two, suddenly the phone started ringing insistently.
'Hello?' I answered, fixing the phone so it was balancing on my shoulder, my ear holding it in place.
'Hi... er... Bella Swan?' The vaguely familiar voice asked hesitantly, like he was nervous talking to me.
'Yes, this is she.' I replied, my eyes still fixed on my computer screen, still trying to determine which product to buy.
'Hiya, it's Mike.' There was a pause. I stopped fixating on my laptop and focussed on the person talking. Mike? I didn't know a Mike. Did I? The silence went on. 'Mike Newton?' He asked timidly.
Ah, yes, I remember you, I thought. He was Edwards's agent. 'Ah, yes Mr Newton. How nice to hear from you.' I said, although to be honest I wasn't really sure why he wanted me anyway.
'Please, call me Mike.' He said innocently. Why did professional people always drop their last names and ask to be referred to as their first. I thought it was so much more professional to have acquaintances refer to each other as Mr or Miss. Also it was rarer to find two last names the same than to find two first in the same place.
'Mike.' I nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the first name basis we had adopted over the phone.
There was another silence. Neither of us knowing how to fill it. I wanted to ask him if there as any particular reason as to why he had called me, but I felt rude in doing so. I would just let him get out whatever he wanted to say.
'I just wanted to... know how today went.' He stated falsely, his lack of preparation or awareness as to what he was to say giving him away as not ringing for the particular reason he claimed.
'It went efficiently.' I answered. Although at the beginning and end Edward became a bit of a dick, the middle bit was fine, and we did get through the beginning of the plan. That was a positive I could mention so that it didn't appear that I was being unsociable 'We made good starting progress on the planning?' It sounded more like a question, and to be honest it was. It was me searching for a response to tell me that I was filling him in on what he wanted to be filled in on.
'Oh... well that's good.' He said chirpily.
Then, yet again, there was another uncomfortable silence. It was bad enough when these happened in person, but on the phone, you expect the ringer to know exactly what they want to say, so that these silences don't occur.
'Yeah, so... is there anything else you wanted?' I asked politely.
'No' He replied disgruntled, 'No, there is nothing- no wait a second, yes there is.' I wanted to scream in frustration, but instead settled for banging my head on the corner of the couch. Having this unsure conversation was like a slow death, painful and unwanted. 'Edward said that you are coming to visit the set with him tomorrow?' He inquired. Ah, so he had spoken to my darling Eddie boy? I wondered what the little rascal had said to him. That was probably the reason why he was calling.
'Is that where he is working tomorrow?' I asked, wanting to make sure that I was in fact either going or not before answering. I didn't know where Edward was working tomorrow, all I had arranged to do, was to go with him.
'Yes.'
'Then yes, I will be there.' I informed unenthusiastically. I think I would rather get a root canal than spend the day with a bunch of up themselves, air head actors.
'Well great, as shall I.' He declared excitedly. Well isn't that just peachy?
'I guess I'll see you there then.' I was trying to give a subtle hint that I wanted to end this cringe worthy chat, but I don't think he was getting the idea. I was tempted to put the phone down, but I couldn't be that rude, even though this phone call was slightly annoying, I wasn't going to be a bitch to him.
'Yes, yes you will.' Mike agreed. My subtle hint not making itself known as I had hoped.
Looks like I was going to have to spell it out to him. 'Well, I'm going to go now, so I'll see you tomorrow I guess.' My finger hovered over the end call button. Ready to terminate our chat as soon as he said the word.
'Yes, it's a date...er no, I didn't mean an actual date, I meant it is scheduled... I mean-' He stuttered, getting completely tongue tied and overwhelmed by his un-thought-out words.
'I know what you mean Mike, don't worry.' I said, listening to him was painful enough, I couldn't imagine what it was like to not only sound like a complete moron, but to be one as well.
'Okay Bella.' He said.
Then there was another silence. This was getting ridiculous. I had had enough of being polite and patient. I needed to get rid of him.
'Bye Mike.' And I ended the call, thank god. I hoped beyond hope that that was the last phone call of the night that I would have the misfortune of receiving. Unfortunately I was wrong.
The next call I received was from the very person I wanted a night free of. I had just settled into bed after watching some Sex and the City reruns. It was only ten o'clock, and although usually I was more of a night person, for some reason I was exhausted. It was normal for me to stay up till all hours in the morning writing ferociously to try and get an article finished. Early on in my career, when Victoria had just hired me, I found I wrote better at night, because when writing that late, I got a second wind and the words just seemed to pour out of me.
The second my head hit the pillow, the phone started to shrilly call to me. 'For god sake!' I snapped, throwing my covers off of me and making my way into the hallway where I had left my phone.
'Yep?' I sighed, not caring for the circumstance of the call, just wanting to climb back into my beckoning bed.
'Well hi to you too. Do you answer all phone calls like that?' A soft, but deep melodic voice asked, teasingly.
'What do you want Edward?' It just had to be him didn't it? It couldn't be Em or Rose or anyone. Nope, it had to be the one I really could do without talking to.
'I just wanted to hear that beautiful voice of yours.' He whispered huskily. Sarcasm colouring his tone almost unnoticeably.
'Bullshit.' I laughed humourlessly. 'What do you want Edward?' I repeated, putting more force into my words, wanting him to get the fact that I was in no mood to talk.
He sighed, and for some reason I got the image of him running his hand through his dishevelled hair as he did so. 'I cant pick you up tomorrow.' He paused, probably waiting to see if I would react before or after her finished, I was opting for after though. 'Mike says he doesn't want you there at the set, he thinks you'll be too distracting.' Edward said solemnly.
It was at that moment I realised he was one hell of an actor, because if I hadn't spoken to Mike beforehand, I would not have known he was being untruthful. 'Really?'
'Yeah, I'm afraid so. Sorry.'
'Hmm, that's funny.' I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at the fact that for once I was able to play him at his own games and for once, I had the upper hand well and truly. 'Because he was on the phone to me not so long ago, stuttering over his words and gushing over how good it will be to see me tomorrow.'
Edward ignored the fact that he had been caught out, his attention snagged by the comments I had made about Mike. 'Really? He was gushing?' He asked.
'Seriously.' I nodded even though he couldn't see me.
'Wow, way to play it cool Mike.' He joked, a deep rumbling chuckle making its way along the phone line to me.
'I know right?' I giggled.
It was at that moment the weirdest thing happened. We both erupted into laughter together. And for once we weren't laughing at each other, we were laughing at something entirely different... but together.
After we had both laughed Mike's unimpressive flirtatious skills out of our systems, we settled down into a comfortable silence. Why was it that when a silence lapsed between Edward and I, I felt nothing but at ease, but with Mike, I felt really awkward.
'So yeah...' Edward started, his voice edging slightly. 'I cant take you tomorrow.'
I was so tired, I couldn't even be asked to argue with him, I just went for the direct question, not bothering with bickering games. 'Please enlighten me Edward, why are you unable to drive me?' I asked formally. I don't know why I suddenly went formally spoken, but I was too exhausted to even bother figuring it out.
'I'm giving a friend a lift.' A friend eh? Something told me that Edward Cullen would no more give his friends lifts to work in the morning than fly. He was covering something and I knew it.
'And since when are there only two seats in your car?' I inquired. He was trying to beat around the truth and by doing so he was digging himself a bigger and bigger hole.
He sighed. 'Cant you just drive yourself in and meet me there?'
I scoffed, did he seriously just ask me that? Like for real? It was like he had a memory of a goldfish, or shorter come to think of it. 'I would usually drive myself, but somebody fucked my car over and I need to take it in for repairs.'
He had no apology for my car and instead went straight for his next question. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was desperate to make my appearance unknown for that particular car ride, but why, I was going to have to find out. 'Cant you take a taxi?' He asked.
I growled, I actually growled. What self respecting woman ever does that? It is the most unwomanly noise to make, but it actually tore from my chest, igniting from my annoyance at this pointless conversation. 'Why are you so against taking me?' Then suddenly something clicked. 'This friend of yours? The one your giving a lift to? Is she one of your special friends?' There was a deadly silence on the other end of the line. 'As in the type of friends you invite on up to your apartment?'
'Yes.' He muttered ungraciously, annoyed that he had been sussed out.
I chuckled, this game was getting fun, trying to figure out why he was so insistent on having some alone time with this woman of his. His latest prey should I say? 'Hmm, so, I'm guessing, you haven't sealed the deal with her yet, since your so reluctant to share any time you have with her, and you don't want to take me because she'll either get pissed off that she doesn't have her alone time with you, or she will get completely the wrong idea, either way, I will have screwed everything up.'
There was a slight hesitance from the other end before he finally spoke up. 'Well... yeah.'
I was way, way too tired for this crap and my patience was dwindling. I was going to have to say bye to him before I completely lost my temper. For a twenty five year old, his maturity and common sense was so low a three year old could give him a run for his money. 'Pick me up tomorrow morning Edward, or I swear to god you'll regret it.' And I slammed the phone down and headed back to my welcoming cocoon of a bed.
By the time the following morning arrived I was in no better of a mood that the night before, after speaking to Edward. I hadn't slept all that well, and then at six this morning, I had had a phone call from Victoria, telling me that she wanted Edward and I to come and speak to her after he had finished filming for the day. I had found out from her that he was making a one off appearance in one of the most popular sitcoms at the moment, Chancellor. I had never personally liked it, but it followed shows like friends and scrubs in inviting celebrities to join them for one off episodes.
Giving myself a once over in the mirror, I smiled with satisfaction. Seeing as we were going to a filming set, I thought I would stick out too obviously if I wore my usual working attire, so I opted for casual and comfortable. I had decided to go with some navy three quarter length jeans, a white cloth belt, looped through the belt hoops, a strappy, vibrant red top, low cut enough so that the tops of my breasts were showing, but not low enough to say that I was trying to get someone's attention – which I wasn't – and to complete my outfit I had on some strappy heeled red sandals, making my short legs look longer than they really were and more shapely.
Although I was still merely mortal compared to the looks of Rosalie and women Edward associated himself with, this outfit gave me some confidence and made me feel like I might at least blend in slightly better with the women I will be around today.
Hearing a knock at the front door, I quickly sprayed my hair with hair spray to keep its new loose curl look secure and then headed to answer my caller. I flung the door open to find a very pissed off Edward. I had expected him to go off on one at me, about making him come all the way over here to pick me up, when he had a possible lay in the car, but as soon as his eyes swept over me his glare softened into a look of pure admiration. His eyes zoned in on every square centimetre of my body, taking in everything about my appearance today and with each extra second his eyes were transfixed on me, the look of admiration faded and was replaced with pure worship. It was weird seeing him look at me like that. Sure, it was different seeing him lust after other women, but me? This was a strange, not to mention a slightly embarrassing situation, and I was more that a little ashamed to admit that his appreciative stare flattered me. After a short while, I felt the warm sensation of a creeping blush slowly spread to cover my cheeks.
Thankfully after what seemed like the longest few seconds of my life, Edward coughed roughly and shook his head, trying to snap himself out of his unexpected daze. 'Er... hi... you look um...' He stuttered. I had never heard him tongue tied, nor had I ever expected to, he was way to sure of himself to be tripped by simple words, but it seemed today was not one of those days where he could access his surety.
'Hot?' I volunteered. Feeling the burning blush that had hijacked my pale colouring minutes ago die down, I felt the confidence to fall back into that easy banter that passes between us on a daily basis.
'I was going to say different, but hot works too.' He admitted, holding the door open for me as I walked through. 'So, what brought on this change in style?'
I smirked at him and sauntered off down the hallway, my heals clicking on the slate tiles, leading the way outside. It only took him a few paces before he had managed to catch up with me, but for some reason, today I felt like I was the one in control and that he would be chasing me a lot. 'I haven't changed my style, it's just that you've only seen me in my work clothes before now.'
'Mores the pity.' He muttered before we walked in silence towards the car.
Once we got outside and the Volvo was in sight, I saw a medium height, slender woman leaning against the bonnet of the car. She had long shapely legs that seemed to go on forever, exposed by a purple mini dress that left little to the imagination. He hair was cropped short, almost in a boyish fashion, shining in the sunlight as a mousy brown colour. It was no wonder Edward was attracted to this woman, her whole appearance screamed 'easy' and her whole attire spelt out 'one night stand'.
'Wow, she's classy.' I whispered to him, causing a breath taking smile to break out on his face and a slow chuckle to fall from his lips.
As we got closer, I could see her features a lot more clearly. Every detail in her face was sharp and pointed, for some reason the idea of a funny cartoon sketch jumped to mind. However, when she leant forward to push herself away from the car, the reason Edward wanted to bed her so badly became painfully noticeable. The size of her breasts were shocking. Just looking at them gave me back ache so god knows what she felt having to lug them round all day. As soon as I set eyes on them I knew that they were surgically enhanced, they had the fake, balloon under the skin look that lots of celebs have when they have implants. I personally thought they looked vulgar, but I suppose it's whatever floats her boat right? And Edward obviously loved them, otherwise he wouldn't bother trying to make her his newest conquest.
'Lauren, this is Bella.' Edward said as we came to a stop in front of the woman. At close inspection, I knew that I recognised her, she was a regular in Chancellor, no wonder Edward wanted her, because by the time he was finished filming he could go and never have to bother her again. It was something she wanted as well, to say that she had bedded one of the most wanted and hyped up actors of this decade. Edward gestured towards me with his hand while looking at his conquest. 'Bella this is-'
'She should know who I am already.' Lauren snapped, running her hands through her spiked up hair.
Edward looked at me apologetically. I don't know why he gave me that look, I mean a few days ago, he expected me to be grovelling on my knees because it was him who had smashed into my car, even though it was his fault. People like these two rely on their status' to get them out of things and with me that just doesn't wash.
'You're Lauren Mallory.' I stated boredom at dealing with her colouring my tone within seconds of talking to her.
A smug smile crept onto her botox inflamed mouth and she looked at me as if she thought she were a goddess. 'I take it you watch my show?' I noticed how she said 'my show' even though she wasn't really a main part, yes she was a regular, but she was pretty much the Gunther in friends. She was there to cause entertainment, but she only had a couple lines every few shows.
I smiled back at her, not being able to wait to see the look on her face as to why I really remembered her. 'No, I just remember you being the one on the news, who got placed under a restraining order by ... was it six different film actors?'
She glared at me and took a step forward, I think it was to try and intimidate me, but even though I had not reason to feel so, with Edward stood next to me, I felt safe, I knew he wouldn't let her touch me, even if it did mean him loosing his bit of no strings attached sex.
I heard him try and disguise his laugh with a cough, but he failed miserably, earning himself a death glare from the man-eater stood before us. 'Shall we go?' He asked politely, his voice teetering on the edge of a chuckle.
'Bella, you're in the back seat.' Lauren snapped, flinging her designer hand bag over her shoulder and walking round to the passenger side of the car.
'Don't worry Lauren; I've become quite accustomed to the back seat of this car.' I turned to look at Edward and winked. 'Haven't I Edward?' I asked in my most sexy voice.
That was when the unexpected happened. I had been more than prepared to get a glare or a snide comment from Edward for trying to jeopardize his chance with Lauren, because that is what he had been afraid of from the beginning but instead of him giving me any warning to back off, he smirked at me and winked back. What the hell was that? Was he playing along with my game because he thought I was jealous of some other girl having him, or was he playing along because he liked the thought of people thinking we had hooked up? The one thing I was certain of was that I wasn't trying to prevent him from getting laid, I didn't care about that. I just wanted to piss Lauren off because of her bitchy ways. I had taken an instant dislike to the woman, and I couldn't help but get under her skin and make her think that a nobody like me had already had a round of what she wanted.
I climbed into the back of the car and seat belted myself in, mentally preparing myself for the death ride I was about to take, because not only did I have a chance of dying because of Edward's driving, but I also had a chance of suffocating because of the stench of Laurens sickly sweet perfume that was assaulting my senses by being contained in the frame work of the car.
Just before Edward turned the key in the ignition, I leant forward and whispered in his ear. 'I can fell my brain cells dying from the toxic stench your lady friend over there seems to be sweating out. What does she do? Bathe in syrup?'
Edward laughed quietly and shook his head at my comment, before shooting off towards our destination. As we proceeded on our journey, the car was filled with a deep silence. I didn't know what to say because I didn't particularly want to talk to Lauren. Edward didn't say a word because I'm guessing he didn't have anything he wanted to voice and Lauren didn't say anything because she was too busy trying to cop a feel of Edward's prized possession.
Although usually I would have found this situation embarrassing, I couldn't help but be entertained by the show the two of them was putting on, especially on Lauren's part. Every few minutes, she'd place a hand on Edward's inner thigh and slowly trail her hand further and further up until she was nearing his crown jewels. And every time she'd get a little too close for comfort, Edward would rebuke her and move her hand back over to her own lap, earning him a grumble from an obviously sexually frustrated Lauren.
The strange thing was, as this continued attempt carried on, Edward kept steeling glances in the top mirror and making eye contact with me, probing me softly with his eyes, and asking me endless unanswered and unreadable questions. His stare was electrifying to me, and each time I felt his gaze warming my skin, I would feel the hairs on my arms stand up and I would look away coyly. What was going on between us today?
Finally, after realizing she wasn't going to be getting anywhere with Edward at that moment, Lauren huffed and crossed her arms, sending him a warning glance that they would finish what they started later and I had no doubt that she meant it, or that she was going to get her way.
One thing however was for sure, considering the lack of communication through verbal interaction, this car ride was the most eventful I had been in for a long time.
I just want to say a quick thanks to everyone who reads the story and has added me to their favourites or alerts list. So yeah, thanks.
So, here is chapter four, please review and let me know what you think x
