Until The Last Of Days
Chapter Three
Written by: xlovestory
Chapter published: 31/1/10
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I try my hardest to concentrate, and that had been something I was always good at. If something was bothering me, but I had a task to do, I was usually able to push it from my mind to get on to the task at hand. But not today. Today I was more of a mess than usual. It was Monday, and that was the day that I found it hardest to place myself back into a routine. I'd had the entire weekend to ponder everything that went wrong; to lock myself away and mourn what I lost. That made Monday the hardest. To put away all the thoughts. To focus.
The manuscript in my hand was the final draft. It was ready to be published: sent out into the world for harsh judgements, and claps on the back – you could never truly be sure what the reaction would be. This felt like a good story. I'd read it many times before and could almost recite the first chapter. Maybe that was why my enthusiasm was lost. I'd read this a million times. But, I remind myself, this is the last time I'll have to read this thing, so I suck it up and proof read again. Or, at least, try.
"Edward!" I almost jump out my seat at the sudden intrusion of noise. My back snaps up from where I was slouching and I suppress a groan at the ache that forms. When my eyes follow the sound I can feel my shoulders slump.
Tanya Denali.
She was round for her weekly call. She came in every Monday, flying in from LA to see her father - the other manager, apart from Carlisle Cullen. She could spot her coming a mile away. She was pretty, as I'd thought the first time I'd officially met her, which wasn't under the best of circumstances. Blonde hair. Fake body parts. Long, supermodel legs.
Thinks being clumsy is a way of flirting.
I paste on that automatic smile and watch her eyes widen and sparkle with a new enthusiasm for setting me in her trap. Still, I continue to be polite, even though I'd rather hide under my desk until she walked away. She knew I wasn't in the mood to talk, and hadn't been for the last four months. Keeping her happy equalled me staying in a job. "What can I do for you, Tanya?"
She steps further into the office, closing the glass door behind her with one of the heels on her feet. She sighs, looking up at me under her eyelashes, which were coated to the brim with mascara. She giggles, and my insides quiver, disturbed. "Oh, Edward. I wish you'd do lots of things." I visibly rolled my eyes at her, and she, thankfully takes the hint. "But I know that won't happen - at least not yet, anyway." She adds with a smile. "I just came to bring you coffee."
She comes to stand in front of my desk and I inch backwards in my chair. I cough. "Uh, thanks. Put it just there, and try not to spill it this time." Tanya had been the one that had ruined my shirt that morning, and I'd never trusted her with a cup ever since. It was a stupid thought, but I wouldn't put it past her to put some sort of love potion in it. That's why, after she left, this cup would go down the sink.
She reaches over a shoves my shoulder flirtatiously. "That was one time, Edward." She sits down at the chair in front of my desk before I can give her an excuse to leave. "So anyway. I have something to ask you." I mentally freeze. Please don't be a marriage proposal. "I've got this state fair to go to this Saturday, and I need a date. I immediately thought of you because, well, you are always free on Saturdays - I presume. And you'll look hottest beside me for the pictures." Yet another reason why I could never be with a girl like Tanya. She pushed, pushed, pushed. "So, will you go?"
I look down, biding my time to let her down. Different excuses flow into my brain and I try to find one that's plausible. I return back to her awaiting, hopeful face. "I'm sorry, I actually do have plans this weekend. I'm going to dinner with Jasper and Alice."
She pouts, her brain ticking away to form another plan that involves me and her. Together. "Oh. Well, maybe I could join you. I won't be any trouble."
I shake my head. "Tanya, I… don't think so."
She huffs, her arms crossed like an unsatisfied toddler. "Come on Edward! How many times do I have to ask you out before you agree? Can't you see that I'm trying here?!"
Yes, I can definitely see that Tanya. I can see you trying too, damn, hard. Get it through your small head that I don't want you. I don't want anyone, except the one I lost. "Look, I'm sorry. I just… don't want to date… anyone at the moment."
She glares at me with angry eyes, reminding me of the time I walked away without a word the first time I met her. She bites the inside of her cheek, sizing me up to see if she could make me change my mind. She knows I won't budge. With a growl-like sound she gets up from the chair, pushing it back roughly before walking to the door. She turns before it slams. "When you get over that girl, call me. She wasn't good enough for you anyway."
Once she is out of sight I let my head fall into my hands. Tanya had it completely wrong.
I hadn't been good enough for her.
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I watch as the black liquid leaves the rim of the cup, jumping overboard into the large white sink, ending its life by swirling down the drain. It stains slightly, so I flick the water from the tap onto the residue, watching it wash itself away. Water - so therapeutic. It calms me, sooths me. It is something to think about that doesn't really lead me back to her.
A soft knock on the door sounds, and I turn, knowing that at least this time it won't be Tanya back with another plan to seduce me. I am met with the friendly face of Emmett, smiling at me, complete with dimples. I wave him in, set the cup on the small counter, and sit down at my desk again.
"I see you managed to push the wrong buttons of Barbie earlier." He remarks, settling down in the chair that 'Barbie' had occupied hours before. The smirk in his voice is evident.
I shake my head, pointing at him. "Don't laugh. You never know who the next victim will be…" I drag off, hoping that he is squirming in the chair.
He rolls his eyes playfully at my words. His hand makes a sweeping motion. "Nah, she won't go for a muscled man like me. You're her type. Plus, I'm attached, and the vibe I get from her isn't of one that steals men from other woman."
My eyes widen at his conclusion. I close down the document I was looking at, while I reply, "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Emmett."
He waves my comment away again. Then he moves closer, leaning on the desk. "You, on the other hand, are completely available, no matter how reluctant you are. So, there you have it; you're a prime target. A single man, who's making her work."
I shrug. "She'll be working for a long time yet, then, if that's what she thinks this game is. I'd rather she just leave me alone. I don't want to start a relationship right now."
He is quiet for a second, analysing me. It makes me feel slightly uncomfortable. His hands meld into one of his lap, and his eyes turn soft, knowing. "No… you're just mourning for a relationship that's already ended."
I stare up at him, amazed that he'd only known me for a few days and already had me figured out. He laughs lightly at my expression, and then gestures to his head. "I ain't just a pretty face, you know."
I smile slightly - his easy going attitude is hard to ignore. It's the first almost-proper smile I've given anyone in a while. "Clearly." I reply. I lean back in my chair, ready for a change of topic. "So, anyway. How are your clients so far? Do they mind being transferred?"
He shrugs. "Some of them are alright with it, others aren't. Most actually live closer to New York than LA, so it's better for us both. Others are less than pleased. And then there are people who realise that this is possibly the only shot they'll get at being published, and they're moving here. It's a mixed bag."
I nod. "Sounds like it. Are there any gems that I should be worried about? You know… cause I am hoping to be promoted, and if you've got the next best seller…"
He laughs that contagious laugh, and grins back at me. "You'll just have to wait and see, Edward.' I sigh loudly. He chuckles, 'There is this one woman who submitted her first novel to me three months ago. It needed a bit of work, as most first novels do, but the backbones for this one where amazing. She just had… such a vision. Such a clear view of where she wanted the novel to go, and she wasn't just taking any suggestions that we gave her; it was her ideas combined. Her name's Isabella…
"Her name's Isabella, but she prefers Bella for short, and she is so talented, Edward, seriously. And when you meet her you will be blown away by her. She's just so sweet and outgoing, but shy at the same time. Her fashion sense needs a little work, but after that she'll be a star, Edward, a star. I really think we're going to be best friend, Bella and I. I can just feel it."
I rolled my eyes at my over-excited friend. When she started talking, she simply never stopped. I felt like I'd been standing in this same spot, listening to Alice talk my ear off for days. She was almost bouncing with excitement. I began to wonder where Jasper had escaped to. I smiled at her, wondering where she gets this energy from. "That's great Alice. I'm sure you'll be great friends. And it's great that you're actually connected work-wise to someone you like this time."
She giggled. "I know, right? I still, to this day, don't understand why I ever agreed to work with Victoria. She was awful. But Bella, she is the complete opposite. Wait until you meet her; she'll blow you away. She is that good." She repeated.
I nodded, trying my hardest not to laugh at her enthusiasm. If I was this Bella, I'd be running away as soon as I'd met Alice. I still don't know how Jasper manages to live with her. She'd be a constant headache, no matter how lovely she was when you really get to know her.
A few minutes later, once Jasper had returned with another bottle of wine for the dinner party we were having, Alice began clapping her hands. She almost squealed. I looked at her as if she had two heads. She turned to us both, smiling greatly. "She's here."
Alice pointed in her direction before taking off to greet her. Automatically, almost magnetically, my head was following the direction of Alice's finger, and headed straight, smack bang, into her.
Glossy brown hair.
Gorgeous body.
Beautiful… Bella.
I was just as enraptured as I had been three weeks ago, bumping into her at Starbucks, leaving my boss' daughter hanging (oops?). And now she was here again, and it was as if fate was telling me to introduce myself, this time properly.
So that's what I did. I left Jasper standing there and headed towards Alice and her new friend. She eyes met mine as I reached them both, recognition lighting up in those glistening brown orbs. She smiled, slightly shy, blushing. I outstretched my hand. "Edward," I announced, giving her my best smile.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly before she replied, her voice making me melt like it had the first time. "Bella." She replied, and I hoped she too felt the tingle of her hand touching mine. She giggled. 'It's nice to meet you… without coffee down your shirt, this time…
"…go very far. I believe she has so much potential." I faintly heard him pause. "Edward?"
I blink rapidly and gulp down the ache in my heart , restrain the tears in my eyes. I shake her image out of my head. "Sorry. I blanked out."
He eyes me, then shakes his head slightly. "She must have been some girl." He whispers.
She was.
She is.
This chapter would've been up earlier if it hadn't been for the fact that the FF uploader was doing weird things and wouldn't accept my document. But, it's finally working now so I won't complain. School is being horrible and I'm having to work harder than I ever have before to stay on top of everything. With that said, I'll be a little slower with the updates. This story should be ten chapters long, and I've written seven out of ten, so I'm just going to find the time to finish it. (:
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far. I love knowing what you all think. Can I have some more? :D
-xlovestory