AN: Yaaay, anotha one.
To clear some doubts, Bella noticed Edward more 'muscular' because it has been 4 years since she last saw him and her own hallucinations don't do justice, also the whiskey had kicked in (;
And Bella didn't exactly break her hand, she would be in excruciating pain if she did. It's only a small injury that's going to make a bad bruise.
Do read and review!
I'm going to shut up now, Stephanie Meyer owns the lot.
The night ended with me being close to passing out. Once Edward had left Taylor ordered shots and I drank my thoughts away into the darkness of the night. Taylor and I did a bit of karaoke and it was a lovely time to say the least. He even got me a little cake since I warned him about gifts. I remember him dropping me home but telling him I was capable to open the door and head to bed.
I did open the door, but instead of the bed I landed on my couch. I woke up at around 8 am with a painful headache. The one I suppressed last night was coming to bite me in the ass now. I groaned and opened my eyes. I was still wearing the same outfit from last night, but instead there was a blanket over me. I don't remember getting one from the room nor do I remember Taylor in the apartment. Must have grabbed it unknowingly I thought.
I rolled off the couch landing on the carpet below. I groaned. I picked myself up and headed to the bathroom. I looked at my reflection, I was a mess, the minimal makeup was completely off now and my hair was the closest representation to a lion's man. I stripped the clothes off me and left them on the bathroom floor. I took a shower, washing my hair thoroughly.
Once I got out, I brushed my teeth twice to get rid of the horrible after taste of alcohol. I got ready for work wearing some casuals today. Black jeans and a blue long sleeves shirt. I blow dried my hair to tame it a little. I headed to the kitchen and drank two bottles of water, I was way too dehydrated. I grabbed some quick toast and ate it while I packed the rest of my things.
I got done and headed out towards the office. This morning was a light headed one, I still felt the uneasiness at the pit of my stomach but I tried to keep it at bay. I reached the office 10 minutes past nine but I hoped it wouldn't be a problem. I took the elevator and got out on the 19th floor. I noticed It was quite empty. Not everyone was here yet and I was glad they weren't. I went to my desk and noticed a cuppa coffee waiting there for me. There was a note next to it;
For the hangover,
You're welcome.
I smiled and placed my things at my desk. Edward's small gestures were always nice, oh my god, Edward. That's when I remembered last night. What he had said to me, it was like he could read my mind. But that was impossible. He can't I'm the only one who's mind he can't read,right?. I decided to head to his office thank him for the coffee and last night. I knocked on his door, no answer. Hmm weird. I tried the handle and it was open, I walked inside. I went by his desk just looking around at his things. Everything was neatly organised and well arranged. Edward was always this clean.
I moved around his desk and noticed a few papers beside his printer. I happen to pick one up and read it: Cullen Enterprises debt rest of the words were in a different language. I didn't recognise it and I kept the paper back. Cullen Enterprises?. Did Carlisle have a company that has some debt?. It didn't make sense. I was lost in thought when the door opened and I lightly jumped back and walked away from the desk.
Edward was walking in with another lady by his side. She was short with glasses on and she had her hair in a bun. I saw the way she was looking at Edward and I don't blame her, he is worth ogling at. But I found it hilarious because at one point I probably looked exactly like the way she was looking at him.
I smiled when Edward looked at me. And the lady next to him suddenly frowned when she noticed me there.
"Bella, everything okay?" He asked walking towards his desk.
"Yeah I uhm, just wanted to thankyou for the coffee" I said facing him. The other lady came to stand a little closer to Edward and tried her best to keep her conversation going with him. And for some reason she knew I noticed her.
Edward was looking through some papers responding to her. When I had thanked him for the coffee he offered me a small smile then went back to the papers.
So being a little feisty I added "And thanks for last night" I winked when Edward and the other lady looked at me and literally strutted out of his office. I knew she was throwing death glares at my back, but I didn't have anything to lose.
Once I got back to my desk I found a few more new manuscripts for books. I had to start some work, Edward probably wanted them by the end of the day. I drank my coffee relishing in some energy boost. I took out my phone and found a text from Taylor
It's lonely down here, how are you this morning?
-T
Horrible, never doing shots with you ever again -_-
-B
Oh come on, you were having the time of your life (;
-T
Yeah the fact that I don't remember half of the night proves it
-B
You don't remember?...Anything?
-T
What? Did something insane happen that I missed out on?
-B
Uh we kissed.
-T
I froze. I don't remember this. Why don't I remember this. Oh my god I put my phone away. I did not want to go through this. I kissed Taylor. Shit. I'm such an idiot. This was the number one rule I had kept up for so long and I can't believe a dumb tequila shot made me do it. I sighed, I really hoped Taylor wouldn't think in to it too much.
I heard my phone buzz again and I was worried.
I'm kidding, we didn't. You insisted on going home so quick because you were saying something about a stupid vampire in your life and I was laughing at your theories. Remember any of that?
-T
Oh great this was even worse. I hope I didn't spill everything about Edward's life to him.
No, what did I say exactly?
-B
Just how a vampire broke your heart and how you thought dracula would have made a better boyfriend hahaha
-T
I mentally slapped myself. Seriously drunk Bella is the worst.
ha ha funniest drunk talk I've done so far. Did I mention any names?
-B
No just Dracula. And would it be that bad if we did kiss?
-T
No of course not Taylor but I don't want to ruin our friendship. I'm just not...ready.
-B
Oh phew.
-T
I was about to reply again when I heard a throat clear near me. I turned to see Edward with his arms crossed.
"I wanted those manuscripts done by 5, but if texting is more important.." He said
"No no, sorry I was just trying to fill up some blanks" I said keeping the phone on silent and away.
"Blanks of last night?" He asked
I nodded and took the manuscripts in my hand and starting flipping through the pages.
I felt Edward come closer and hover. He was intently looking at me. I looked at him and frowned "Edward, you're kinda creepy." I said with a small mocking smile. He shrugged and walked back.
"Sorry I just was trying something" He said.
I looked at him "Last night..you. You knew what I was thinking" I said
"What? Bella are you okay?"
"You said so yourself. Golden when I thought of it. And then when you left you said my mind had told you not to stay" I questioned.
"Bella, I said eyes and you happen to think of golden. I said the color of my eyes and it was just coincidental. Also, it doesn't take a genius to figure out you don't want them there. So I left" He said feigning a small smile then biting his lower lip a little.
I remembered the 'stupid vampire' thing too but I knew Edward was covering up so I dropped it.
Edward then pointed to the manuscripts and smiled at me. Ugh I rolled my eyes and turned away from him.
"Wait." I said calling him back before he went to see if everyone else was working.
"Yes?" He asked
"Cullen Enterprises?" I whispered
I noticed Edward's immediate change of expression he went from curious to slightly annoyed. He came back closer to me.
"Where did you hear that?" He asked in a harsh tone
"I..I was in your office I saw a paper.." I started being a little afraid of the way his nostrils flared and his eyes getting darker.
"Bella, please. Don't ask me again and don't go through my things." He said clenching his jaw. I frowned and backed away a little.
Edward then relaxed his face and looked at me "You know I won't hurt you. Just please." He said looking a little pained. Then he was gone.
I tried to catch my breath, that was a little intense. What was so important that Edward would get that riled up about. I decided to research a bit once I got home. But for now these manuscripts await my jurisdiction.
I got done at half past 5 while everyone was already leaving. I broke for lunch in between grabbing a sandwich from the pantry and eating it at my desk. I didn't hear from Taylor all day so I assumed he was busy. I packed my things and headed with the new edited scripts to Edward's office. I knocked and waited till he answered. The door opened and Edward stood blocking my way from seeing inside. Weird.
"Here, you wanted them by 5 but one of them was way too long" I said handing the papers over to him.
He took them from my hand and before I left the papers I felt Edward's other hand grab my wrist. I looked at him. He noticed my hand bruise. It was a shade darker than purple and red. He frowned and slowly let his cool fingers skim the surface of the bruise. My heart was all over the place.
"Edward.." I said trying to slowly get my hand back.
"I'm sorry Bella." He said sincerely looking at me.
I gulped. "It's fine." I said pulling my hand back a little too rudely. Edward shrugged and dug his hand into his front pocket.
"I'll see you tomorrow then" He said then walked back into the office closing the door behind him.
"Yeah..see you." I replied then walked to the elevators.
I walked back home and changed into some comfy sweats. My stomach was still upset from last night so I decided to cook some soup for dinner tonight. I sat on my couch and turned on the tv. I grabbed my laptop and got settled in.
I tried to look up 'Cullen Enterprises' but nothing showed up. Half of the sites were dead ends or blocked. And there was no mention of any of the Cullen names. Odd. I heard my apartment phone ring and I reached to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Bells! How's NYC treating you?" I heard Charlie's voice on the other line.
"Hey dad, good so far. One month hasn't been that bad" I said
"Sorry Bells I was caught up at the station yesterday and couldn't call. But Belated Happy Birthday" He said
"Ugh don't remind me" I laughed
I heard Charlie laugh too. God, I missed him.
"When are you coming down to meet your old man?" He asked and I heard him choke a little sob.
"Soon Dad, I promise" I answered.
"Okay Bella take care" He said then cut the call. I hadn't seen Charlie in over 4 months. And when I was in Canada, I visited him hardly 3 times in a year, so it was hard. But going back to Forks was hard for me. Even though the entire reason I feared for going back was my boss now in NYC.
I kept my laptop away and headed to the kitchen to make some soup. I took out some garlic toast as well and reheated it. I had to go shopping soon, the house was getting empty and I wasn't interested in starving. The doorbell rang. I looked at the time, it read 6:30. Weird I wasn't expecting anyone. And very few people knew exactly where I lived. I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Nobody there. I opened the door looked around but still a no show. I walked back in and closed the door locking it.
"Bella I missed you!" I heard a high pitched voice from behind me.
I screamed and turned around to find a pixie troublemaker sitting on my couch.
I couldn't believe it so I pinched myself just to be sure my hangover was done with me.
I heard Alice laugh and it was the best sound in the world.
"It's me Bella!" She said jumping up and coming closer to me.
"Alice?..Oh my god Alice-" I said but stopped mid way from hugging her. I stepped back and tried my best to ignore her. I walked to the kitchen to check on my soup but she was faster.
I noticed her smile faltered when she said "On a scale of 1 to 10 how mad at me are you?"
"100" I replied. She pouted, ugh why was she such a weakness.
"But I know you're super happy to see me" she said confidently tapping into her psychic visions.
"The future is uncertain" I said giving her a coy smile and poured my soup into a bowl. I grabbed the garlic toast from the microwave and made my way back to my couch ignoring her again.
I heard her huff. She stomped her way in front of me making it obvious she wanted attention. She stood covering the tv from me. I looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want me leave?" She asked
I sighed. I kept the soup to the side table and patted the space next to me. "No.."
She skipped her way and landed gracefully on the couch.
"I just, why are you here?. Why is Edward here?" I asked.
"It's complicated to explain Bella. But don't worry, it's going to be okay" She said comforting me. I looked at her confused.
"What's going to be okay?" I asked
"You..and Edward"
I laughed "No, Alice. That's long gone. I've come to accept the fact I'm just human and completely not good enough for him. And I'm over it" I said grabbing my soup and taking a sip.
She was watching me. I looked at her and frowned.
"If that's so..why do your eyes tell me otherwise"
I smiled. "What's with you and Edward. You both are trying so hard to read me. I'm no more an open book Alice, so you and your brother can stop trying to read my mind and future, because I'm super indecisive" I said.
"Edward can read your mind?" She asked confused.
"Yeah..apparently. But I'm not sure how. He covered it when I asked him" I said biting into some garlic toast.
"Why didn't I see that then.."
"I don't know." I replied.
"Bella, I should go. I'll see you around soon okay?" She said giving me a hug. I hugged her back.
She got up to leave and I stopped her mid way. "Alice.."
She turned.
"Just let me know the next time you leave okay?, it did really hurt the first time. " I said biting my lip.
She came over and wrapped her tiny arms around me. I hugged her back. She kissed my cheek and said "never leaving" and then walked out my door.
I got done with dinner and soon headed to bed. I found a few messages from Taylor something about a board meeting but I was too tired to reply. So I called him instead and laid my head on the pillow with the phone against my ear.
"You're alive?" He asked when he picked up
"Sorta..What board meeting?" I asked
"I'm headed to Jersey tomorrow. Got a board meeting and the Boss is sending me" He said
"Oh so I don't see you tomorrow?" I asked
"Don't miss me too much" He added
"Goodnight Taylor" I sighed and cut the call.
I closed my eyes and let myself drift off.
...
Yayy
Tomorrow's chapter is going to reveal some Cullen Enterprises secrets so stay tuned. Also, Bella is going to finally loose her shit and get mad. Real mad. So read and review this chapter and I might post the next one sooner than you know!
Sneak Peak:
"You lied to me. " I said
"Bella I...had to" Edward said trying to reach for me.
"Was it worth it?" I asked pushing him a little from his chest.
"What was?" He questioned looking concerned
"Killing someone from the inside." I replied cold.
