Chapter Seven
I remembered as soon as I stepped outside into the rainfall that a) I'd left my coat and phone inside b) Jacob was going to pick me up from the studio and c) I'd probably just lost my job so I couldn't really go back in.
How dare he! Accuse me of sleeping around to get modelling jobs! Especially modelling jobs that I didn't really want in the first place! I shoved my hands in my pockets and stormed off down the street, too angry to care about the rain hitting me in water sheets at every burst of wind. I had a key, I'd go back to get my coat and stuff later.
My hand felt hot in my pocket where I'd hit Edward. And his comment echoed in my head, making it throb with the desire to slap him again. I shouldn't have slapped him… it seemed too petty. I should have kneed his crotch or punched his face… see how Tanya would like that…
My face flamed up with the shame he had made me feel for something I hadn't done. What does he know about me? Nothing, if he thought I was the type to sleep with someone just to get jobs I wanted.
A car shot past, careering through a puddle and soaking my feet with muddy water. My hair had stuck to my face, I was drenched. But I couldn't just go back. I was too angry. I wished I could break something… but the street only offered a metal bin screwed into the pavement.
I started shivering. What made him think I'd already slept with James anyway? Did he think that was all James was after? Had I been acting as if I had?
What had I done to him anyway? I'd set him up with the gorgeous Tanya, I'd done more than what was required for my assistant job, I didn't try to complicate things at the party by dancing with him a few weeks back… keeping a professional relationship, we'd had fun dancing in the kitchen… What was his problem? Was I so disposable that he could still be as rude as he liked to me?
Well, I had another job to go to now. I could actually start modelling.
I laughed involuntarily. I hadn't even considered it seriously before- I'd of course thought I would carry on working for Edward, that he'd want me full time. But obviously he still didn't want me around at all. Did he have no respect for me, is that why he would say something so degrading?
But seeing as I'd lost my job, I could sign onto the agency and actually become a model.
But that was Rose's dream… not mine. And she didn't even have an agent. I wanted to be a photographer. Modelling would bring in some money, but not get me any closer to my dream at all.
I shivered again, and heard thunder growling some distance off. Why did I storm off without my phone? I really hadn't been thinking. I spun around, and wrapped my arms around myself, seriously shivering now. My face was dripping, I could feel droplets on my nose. Where was I?
My anger was being pushed back as the cold started biting into my skin. I was only wearing a long-sleeved blouse and trousers… not the warmest outfit. At least I hadn't succumbed to Alice's suggestion of a skirt in the morning.
I started walking back, trying to be slower but the shivering was driving me on. I checked my watch. Almost five. He should be gone by now. I didn't want to go in without being sure… It would just be too awkward and I would be so embarrassed, even as angry as I was.
Left here? Think so. Yes, that's the road. It was ten past five, and I was about to die of cold. I'd probably leave great lakes of puddles on his wooden floor. Well, he could just deal with it. I wouldn't be there in the morning to clear it up.
He could do the dirty work for a change.
I opened the door.
"Bella!" Edward came rushing over with a cry of relief, and hugged me. I pushed him away, glaring at him angrily. I grabbed my coat and phone, leaving the door open,
"Bella, I was so worried, I'm so sorry, I didn't think- didn't mean it at all, I don't know why I said it, I really don't know what made me say it, I really don't-" I turned around in the midst of his babbling, shocked (hadn't I lost my job when I slapped him?). He looked really desperate, his hair messed up as if he had been continuously running his hands through it and his eyes wild.
"Don't, Cullen." I snapped. "Where's my letter?" I said, pulling some of my stuff out of one of the drawers I'd claimed.
"What? You're not leaving? Bella, I told you, I didn't mean it-" My back to him, I raised my eyebrows in incredulity at this burbling man who certainly wasn't the boss I knew and hated.
"Yeah? Well, it crossed the line." It sounded silly even to my ears, but it stopped the babbling. Then I heard a chair scrape back and he grabbed my arm and swung me to face him.
"You are not leaving me." His voice had dropped, low and threatening, and he had both my arms in a painful grip. His eyes were furious. Part of my mind muttered 'Yep, he's back.'
"Yes, I am, Cullen. I have no fucking idea what made you think you had the right to be rude to me like that!" My voice was breaking into a yell.
"I have no idea either, and I'm sorry about that- but you can't leave me just for that!"
"I'm not leaving you, I'm quitting this job- and its not just for this, you know its not!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you've been trying to fire me from the moment I walked in! I have no idea what I did to offend you, but everyday you threaten me with losing my job- and maybe I've just had enough! And you claim I have no right into your personal life- but you insist on butting your nose into mine! What business is it of yours to tell me who I can and can't date? And to insinuate that I sleep with people just to get jobs! I can tell you that I haven't slept with James, despite what you might think. What gives you the right to have any place in my personal life? You're just my boss, you're not my mother and you are certainly not my friend! I've never been rude to you before, in fact I was the one who set you up with your pretty girlfriend! And as you've reminded me so frequently before, I'm obviously so disposable you can replace me in a heartbeat- and I cannot put up with your treatment of me anymore!"
The fire in his eyes hadn't gone at all, but he seemed lost for words.
"Let go of my arm." I spat. When he didn't I twisted it as I jerked my knee up, causing him to groan loudly in pain and double over. I grabbed the bag with my stuff and left him.
I saw Jacob standing in the open doorway, with his mouth slightly agar. Great. I gave him a sarcastic smile and swung the door shut behind me. He followed me down the stairs in silence, both of us pretending not to hear Edward call my name after me as the door slammed shut.
