AN: don't own anything Twilight-y.
Chapter 7 Slipping
Angela and Bella worked flat out to prepare the reports for the board meeting the next day. Bella thanked her lucky stars that Angela was so organised; most of the reports were already in advanced stages of completion. Even so, it was close on midnight before the operational report was finished. All that was left was updating the mid and long term strategic planning documents, which Bella would have to finish on her own.
"Ang, you can pack up now. You've done all you can, so there's no need for you to stay. Thank you so much for your help and dedication. I know it's a small thing, but to say thank you, you and Ben can go to any restaurant in London, on me."
"Bells, it's really not necessary, " said Angela with a smile. "It's part of my job, just as it's part of yours."
Bella scowled at her.
"Okay, okay, we'll take you up on your offer. How much longer do you think you'll be busy here?"
"Another hour or so should see me finished. I think I'll finish up in my room."
"What? You're voluntarily going to spend more time in the Sweat Box than is actually necessary?"
Bella blushed. "Yeah, well, um, change of scenery and all."
"Okay, if you think it'll help." Angela looked at her, about to comment, but decided against it. "I'll see you tomorrow, nice and early, to do a final run through." She walked out, pausing at the door. "Bella, it will be okay. You've done nothing wrong and the reports speak for themselves. You'll be fine."
"Thanks Ang." Bella's heart jumped into her throat. That wasn't strictly true, as Bella was painfully aware. Sleeping with a guest definitely fell into the 'Something wrong' category. She and Edward had been reasonably discrete – okay, perhaps not the last word in discretion, but it shouldn't have been obvious to the casual observer. Her nerves were fraying as she packed up and made her way to the Penthouse.
Edward once again opened the door for her, pulling her inside. "You're late this evening, sweetheart. I hope your hard work doesn't go unnoticed by the hotel bosses." He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
Not even the feel of Edward's arms around her could still the anxiety churning in her stomach. "Edward? Do you think it's possible that someone in the hotel has proof on you and I?"
"That's a difficult one to answer." Edward frowned. "If this was an interface between, for instance, myself and the public, I wouldn't hesitate to say no. Your hotel's discretion is superb. But internally? I don't know. I guess Tyler would be the greatest threat to exposure, but he seems to be very fond of you and extremely good at his job. Where's this coming from?"
"The Board has moved the meeting to tomorrow morning, and I get the distinct impression that I'm going to be hauled over the coals. I'm positive it's not an operational issue, and I can't think of anything business related that they could have a problem with."
"This isn't how I planned to tell you, but I need to fly back to LA tomorrow, so perhaps the entire issue of me will become moot?"
"Do you have any idea when you'll be back in London?" Bella's heart sank.
"Not at this point. Alice knows that I want to come back to see you as soon as is humanly possible, but screening for the new movie begins next week. Let's discuss it with her, and see what she comes up with. Bella?" His hands cupped her face tenderly. "Do you have any leave due? Maybe you could come out to LA to see me?"
"Yeah, I do. I'm just not sure if it's a good idea. Edward, I've enjoyed our time together, more than I can express, but what you're asking takes us to a different place. Are you sure this is what you want? I mean, the sex has been phenomenal and I love spending time with you, but, well, this would sort of make us a couple." Bella was beyond embarrassed, trying to look everywhere but at the man in front of her.
"Bella, please look at me." Bella reluctantly made eye contact. "I have never been more sure of anything in my life: I want to spend more time with you. If it makes you feel any better, drop the title of 'sort of couple'. We can stick with 'best friends with benefits' if it's easier for you. As long as it doesn't do anything to your libido, I'm a happy camper!"
"Okay, I can live with that." She grinned at his neat symantics. I'll let you know about the leave story. What time do you have to go tomorrow?"
"I'll need to leave here by 6:30." Edward looked as dejected as she felt.
Bella mock-stamped her feet. "Shit, fuck, bugger! I still have to finish my Strat plans and am going to be a while. Looks like I'm not going to get my hit of you before you go. I've become addicted to Edward... injections..." They both burst out laughing. "Okay, Mr Eider. Go get a good night's sleep and I'll join you as soon as I'm done." She stretched up to kiss him.
"Hurry up and be done, then, woman!", said Edward, his expression mournful.
She opened her laptop and got to work. An hour later, beyond exhausted, she fell into bed. Edward's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. She was asleep within 0.2 seconds, surrounded by the almost edible smell of Edward.
Bella's alarm went off at 6 am as usual. Groaning, she turned over to an empty bed. Edward was sitting on the end of the bed, watching her. "Is it time for you to go, already?"
Edward nodded. "I didn't think it would be so difficult to leave. Please, please try to get some leave and come to LA?"
A lump formed in her throat, so she just nodded. She climbed out of bed, walking around to stand between his legs. Placing a gentle kiss on his lips, she tried to think of something to say that wasn't sappy or banal. Edward seemed to be struggling with something similar, because he stood, wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair before walking towards the door. He stopped at the door, looking back at her. "I love you, my Bella," and left the suite.
Bella went rigid with shock. Love? Is he completely mad? He's got to be kidding me! But, twisting it any way she could, she couldn't doubt his sincerity, or the message she'd seen in his eyes. Nor could she doubt the leap in her heart at his words, or the heartache at his absence. She emptied the closet, gathered up her belongings and made her way to her office. I'll think about him later. I can't deal with this now. I have a board meeting to prepare for.
It took a long time to prepare the board packs, even with Angela helping. Laden with documents, she made her way to the boardroom, arriving early to make sure that it was pristine. Housekeeping and Catering had already been through the room, so Bella poured herself a cup of coffee and set up her laptop for the presentation. The boardroom was impressive. A dark solid wood oval table was surrounded with black leather armchairs. The room itself was somewhat sombre, the deep red curtains and flash of colour of pictures on the wall giving the only relief. Personally, she hated the decor and looked forward to renovating it.
By 09:30, the entire Board was seated. Since she was to present the figures, she was surprised to note that she didn't have their attention. Instead, all eyes were on Caius Volturi. Trying to recapture the initiative, she thanked the Board for attending. Their eyes refused to make contact, sliding back to Caius. Her stomach tied in knots at the atmosphere, sensing a drama about to unfold. Struggling to maintain her demeanour, she sat down. "It would appear that the Board is here to discuss something other than the hotel's performance. Please, Caius, be so kind as to continue. It would appear that you are the spokesman here."
Caius smiled at her. It didn't reach his eyes. He looked up at a knock on the door, clearly expecting it. A woman with short blond hair entered, carrying an envelope. Bella's heart stuttered when she recognised the woman as Jane Arnold, late of Edward's employ. What the hell was she doing here?
Caius looked down the table at Bella. "Ms Swan, please meet my new assistant, although, from what I hear, you've already met her? This is Jane Arnold. Jane, meet Isabella Swan, although, as mentioned, I think you know her."
The venom in Jane's voice was unmistakeable. "Ms Swan. Isn't it interesting how things come full circle? Caius, here are the documents you requested." She shot Bella a vituperative glare before leaving the room.
"Ms Swan, the Board has been made aware of some... distressing allegations regarding your conduct. Specifically, that you have been fraternising with guests. Or let me rather say, guest. We have it from an unimpeachable source that you have in fact been involved in an intimate relationship with one of our VIP guests, to whit, Mr Edward Cullen."
What a pompous git, she thought. "May I ask, Caius, what relevance this has to my ability to run this hotel? How does this affect the fact that this hotel is in doing extremely well? To put it bluntly, please explain how my personal life has in any way affected your bottom line?"
"The Board recognises that under your leadership, the hotel has done quite well." Bella snorted internally: Quite well? How about bloody brilliantly?
"However, the company policies are there for a reason. It is the opinion of the Board that you must step down as General Manager, with immediate effect."
Bella gaped. This could not be happening. Pulling together the remnants of her concentration, she smiled at Caius.
Surprised, Caius smiled back at her with relief, clearly glad that she was not going to put up a fight. Not bloody likely, you blood sucking bottom feeder. Oh no, fuck wit. I don't walk away so easily. She looked around the table, trying to read the faces of the rest of the Board. Their expressions ranged from embarrassment to annoyance. She found no allies around the table.
"Caius. Do I need to remind you that I am a major shareholder? You simply do not get to fire me on a whim, and certainly not without some proof of these allegations."
"Ah, my dear. I was afraid that you would raise your shareholding issue. Let me be perfectly blunt. You are a major shareholder, but you are not the majority shareholder. With everyone around this table in agreement, we hold that privilege. I will not repeat myself. Your employment at this hotel is terminated. Should you refuse or create difficulties in any way, the ah... proof of your inappropriate behaviour will be leaked to the press, along with the information of your ah... addiction."
Bella's mind reeled. "Why would you threaten me with that? It could only damage the hotel, which would damage your bottom line. Is there something personal going on here? You seem to be hell bent on destroying my reputation, without considering the collateral damage that the hotel would sustain."
"Let us just say that we are taking evasive action. You may choose to resign or have your employment terminated. The choice – and it is the only choice you are being offered – is yours. As you are no longer employed by the hotel, please leave the room."
Bella tried to understand the words, her brain numb with shock. She stumbled as she stood, bumping the table, hard. On auto pilot, she began packing up her laptop.
Caius' voice filtered through the fog in her brain. "Ms Swan. The laptop is the property of the hotel. Please leave it."
She nodded and picked up her handbag instead, walking out the room. Sitting next to the door was Jane Arnold.
"Payback's a bitch, isn't it." She smiled maliciously. "Enjoy unemployment. Have a drink, I'm sure it'll help."
Bella tried to follow, but failed, not understanding the words or the expression on Jane's face. She simply looked at her before walking back to her office.
Angela looked up at Bella as she walked in. "That was quick! Did you forget someth... Bella? What's wrong?"
Bella just stared at her, unable to speak.
"Bells? What happened?"
Bella's body began to shake and Angela quickly led her to the couch. Angela tried again to get a response from her, but she just sat on the couch, staring at the wall.
"Bella, I'm going to call Alice." Angela sighed with relief when a flicker of recognition crossed Bella's face at hearing Alice's name. Other than that, Bella remained virtually catatonic.
"Hello, Alice Brandon speaking."
"Alice, it's Angela Johnson." Angela's voice was shaky.
"Oh, hey, Angela. I thought you might be in the boardroom with Bella. How are you?"
"Alice, I'm fine, but Bella isn't. Please come to the hotel."
"Angela, I'm in a meeting for the next half hour, but I'll be there as soon as possible." Alice suddenly realised that the shake in Angela's voice was panic. "Angela? Has something happened to Bella? Where is she now?"
"We're in her office, but... Alice, she's completely frozen. I can't even get her attention and she seems completely unable to talk." Angela began crying. "Please, Alice, please get here. I'm lost here – I don't know what to do."
"Just stay with her, Angela. Don't leave her side, do you hear me?" Alice's voice was stern, lending Angela a bit of calm. "I'll call Jasper immediately and we'll come get her. Just don't leave her alone!"
"Should I call the hotel doctor?" asked Angela
"That's a good idea. It'll take Jasper and I at least half an hour to get to her. I'll see you as soon as humanly possible. Just keep talking to her, try to get her talking." The line went dead.
"Bella? Bells? Please, please speak to me." Angela was sobbing, terrified for her boss and friend.
A light tap on the door made Angela's head shoot up, desperately hoping it was the doctor, Alice or Jasper. Instead, it was Tyler. Tyler's eyes zoomed straight to Bella. "Ms Johnson, are you okay? Is Ms Swan ill?"
"I don't know, Tyler," a sob tore through Angela. "Bella's unwell. I need to get the hotel doctor, but I can't leave her."
"Why don't I wait here with Ms Swan while you look for the doctor. It will be much quicker than waiting for him to answer his pager." Tyler suited actions with words and sat down next to Bella.
"Thank you, Tyler, thank you so much. Please, please don't leave her. I'll be back as soon as I can find him." Angela sucked in a breath, trying to get control. Without waiting for a response from Tyler, she dashed out the door.
