AN: A huge thank you to EdwardsFirstKiss for taking the time to beta this story, you truly help make this story great.

Disclaimer: These amazing characters aren't mine, I own nothing but the plot.

Controlled Substances

BPOV

"I just received your email about an emergency meeting with the Dunbar account," I say, peeking my head into Aro's doorway to alert him to the issue at large.

"Okay, glad to know you can read, get to the point, Miss. Swan." He shoots back sarcastically.

"Well, it's CCA's first day of the merger and Rosalie Hale will be here any moment," I explain.

"Okay if they sent their VP then we will send ours; get Jane." He requests.

"Jane is still in San Francisco Sir." I reply.

It's taking everything in me to keep the eye roll at bay.

"Caius?"

"Just left for Vegas Sir…" I remind him.

"My god is anyone working here!" he snaps.

"I can get a hold of the accounts manager Alistair if you'd like. But, that will push us back a few days because he doesn't have the accounts we are merging nor knows what direction we are taking them in. To brief him on all of that would take you at least four days and that's if you have nothing else conflicting in your schedule. Coming from someone that oversees your schedule…I say you do. But that could put us back an entire week and I'm sure if we give CCA that news, they will back out faster than you do from your parking space at lunch.

"Isabella, come sit." Aro motions me in.

For the first time ever, I'm nervous. I don't think he has ever used a calm and reasonable tone with me. Am I about to be fired? Is this the voice he must use to avoid a potential lawsuit? That can't be because he yelled 'your fired' at the top of his lungs to the social media director last month. Regardless of my reservations, I quietly slink into the office and sit across from Aro's desk.

"I have never told you this…I guess because thinking of Marcus always puts me in a somber mood, but...Marcus always favored you. He believed you were the heart of this company." Aro says wistfully.

"Really?" I ask surprised, it warms my heart to think of the kind words from my dear friend.

"He told me that once you graduated college, it was time he thrust more responsibility on you because he knew you could handle it. Now I wasn't so sure, I was convinced just because you were warming his bed that it had made him naive to the things you could accomplish."

"I was NEVER warming his bed! Are you insane?" I all but scream in shock and rage at his allegations.

"I know now I was wrong Isabella. You have taken everything…well, almost everything I've thrown at you." He winks.

"So now I agree that you need to take on more responsibility. So, here's my proposition, if you see this Cullen merger through then you and I will talk about making you the Director of Accounts. You know all the accounts and the way I like them handled. I know that in the merger emails you were asking if I would sign off on this or that as well as your ideas for the social media connection. I've read all the emails. I see you have been doing a few peoples' jobs around here for the longest time. It's time you focus on bettering your career, not others. You will meet with Ms. Hale today and the rest of the days she decides to come in. You will be running point on this, but you will also remain my assistant until the merger is complete. At that time, you will receive a salary bonus and can negotiate a contract for your new position. But if you fail, you will be training someone for your replacement. Do we have a deal Isabella?" He asks.

So many things were running through my mind at the same time. I'm insulted that he insinuated there was anything sexual going on between Marcus and me. Happy that he has finally realized I have more potential than just fetching his coffee. Annoyed that he had read my emails but also has known all along that I've been doing a million different peoples' jobs and never gave me credit for any of it. But lastly, I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful that this is a step in the right direction. If I pull this off, it will change everything; everything for me, my mom, everyone.

"Of course, I accept. I won't let you down Sir." I agree and extend my hand for a shake.

He grabs my hand for the first non-skeevie handshake we have ever had.

"So, I guess you had better hustle down to the conference room and meet Ms. Hale."

"Yes, I must as Marcus always said a second impression can be just as damning as the first." I smile at the memory.

I check my watch and see that I still had thirty minutes to prepare. I pick up my phone and dial CCA and Rosalie's extension.

"Rosalie Hale's office. Ms. Hale is currently out. May I take a message?" A cheerful southern accent greets me.

"No, actually I called for you. Who am I speaking with?" I inquire.

"No offense sweet pea, but tell my sister I said no. I told her on my birthday that I don't want to be set up with her coworkers. Not to mention you are the wrong gender. She is tryin' to drag me out of the closet kicking and screaming," the man on the other end replies in frustration.

"Well, you sound pretty out to me. What is she missing?" I laugh.

"I have no clue. I have brought "my friend Brian" to every cookout for the last three years. I don't know what she's waiting for, maybe an announcement in the New York Times? Anyway, sweetie thanks for the chat and tell my sister I said hello.

"Wait wait wait!" I stop him.

"Your name?" I asked

"I'm sure you have the right person, but it's Patrick."

"Okay, Patrick here's the thing. Your story was super sweet. Sorry I didn't stop you earlier, but this isn't a set up. I'm Bella, Aro Volturi's assistant and I called to get Ms. Hale's coffee order.

"Oh my Jesus! Now color me red, I am so embarrassed. I'm sorry honey. My family drives me crazy, but I love em. Anyway, she likes her coffee black with a double shot of espresso. It must be scorching hot and if you have a Jakey's scone she just might marry you, but she will take a Cinnabon as a close second."

"Thanks, Patrick."

"You're welcome, honey."

"And Patrick…"

"Yes?"

"Just tell your sister that you love Brian. She knows it, but she needs to hear it," I explain.

"Thanks, sweet pea."

I disconnect the call and scurry downstairs to grab the coffee and to see if Maria made any Cinnabon's. I have zero time for a Jakey's run.

After I prepare the conference room, I go down to the lobby to meet Rosalie. As I step off the elevator, I am graced by my enchantress in an all red power dress and she looks good enough to drink. My eyes feast on the sight of her, the modest dress mapped out each curve. The only skin exposed was her silky calves as the sinful material covered her from neck to knee leaving plenty to the imagination. Being a Domme gave me a great appreciation for the female form. In high school all the girls tortured me or on a generous day ignored me. I was disgusted by their fake extensions and fresh rhinoplasties; the sight of them was something close to a train wreck so I never considered myself gay or bisexual. I really tried hard at one point because my lack of attraction to men left me curious as to whether I was gay or not, but the lesbian section on Pornhub did nothing for me either. But once I learned about erogenous zones and what I liked, it was fun learning about other bodies and what they liked, both men and women; it didn't matter. I've practiced on a few women before, but it was always about them. I haven't pursued my own enjoyment with a woman. Consequently, I'm not sure if I could create a life with a woman, so I'd never thought about it again, until now.

"Bella! Good to see you." Rose races over as soon as she spots me.

"Rosalie good to see you again you're looking well." I try to say, but all that came out was a sultry rasp.

Her eyes darken from rain clouds to steel as she eyes my lips when her name falls off them. She takes a deep breath. I feel it on my neck as she pulls me in for a hug, one that in my mind lasts a little longer than is appropriate. Is this one of those things you see in sitcoms where one person is seeing an interaction one way and the other person sees it another way? Is it because of my strange attraction to this woman I've convinced myself it's reciprocated?

I lead her up to the conference room and we chat about Aro and the new responsibility he's thrust upon me. She looks delighted to know we will be working together and lets me know after the initial meeting, she had the utmost confidence in me. That is comforting to hear as most new companies would be angry they are giving the reigns over to a lowly assistant or a newbie.

We walk into the conference room and I show Rose to her seat. She opens her briefcase and produces files that look identical to mine.

"Your coffee is behind you on that desk and I snagged a Cinnabon with extra frosting if you're interested as well." I insist.

She grabs the coffee and bun and takes a sip and hums.

"How'd you know my coffee order and weakness for all things sugar coated? Are you a spy?" she smiles taking a bite of the bun.

"Only if this whole assistant thing doesn't pan out…" I tease.

"Cute…seriously how'd you know?" she quizzes.

"I had a lovely chat with Patrick this morning and he gave me the scoop." I smile.

"Yeah, Pat is great, a little eccentric but great." She smiles.

"Eccentric alright, this information didn't come easy. I had to endure the tales of his family drama." I quip.

"What? Did Martha try to set him up again? She is relentless. I told him he should just leak his gay sex tape on Facebook. That way, everyone will know but feel bad enough for it being leaked, they wouldn't ask any questions or judge him, He then releases a statement about his trust being broken and abused and issues a sorry to his family for seeing him in that light. He says he won't do it until granny is dead or it might kill her." Rose says.

I bust out laughing; this chick is crazy? Whose advises a person to leak their own sex tape to come out the closet.

"What?" she smiles.

"You're insane, that is the craziest idea I've ever heard for coming out the closet." I explain.

"Hey, it is fail proof," she argues.

"Having your naked ass on the internet is the real fail here." I admonish.

"Okay, Judge Judy what is a better plan, how did you do it?" She asks. I choke as the laughter dies in my throat.

"M-me… what makes you think…I never…I mean I'm not gay!" I spoke flustered.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry I just got a vibe… I mean it's okay if you are. I've been with a few women myself; it's nothing to be ashamed…

"For real you have?" I ask shocked.

"I mean it was college, you know how it is. Your boyfriend asks for a threesome, you try it a few times. It's okay because everyone's experimenting, so you do too. Why am I telling you this…" she ran her fingers through her golden tresses, and for once we get to see Rosalie might I say… a tinge embarrassed? Her vulnerability and honestly was bringing the Domme in me to the surface. I wanted to comfort and reassure her there's no reason to be shy with me.

"You're telling me this because you like me, and you trust me which I'm glad because I like and trust you to Rosalie. I'm not gay, I've haven't been with a woman sexually….yet." I spoke innuendo clear.

"Yet?" She squeaks.

"But, I have studied the female form and female pleasure. I've dabbled with girls a bit, but if I'm going to give myself to a woman, she has to be a hell of a woman and I hadn't found her yet. But who's to say? My luck seems to be changing lately." I say. The air is thick and nothing is said between us. But her eyes look like a storm; the only sound in the room is her deep breathing. I was sure without a shadow of a doubt that Rosalie Hale is sitting in our conference room turned on.

"I'm sorry Bella and Ms. Hale, but Aro just emailed me that with everything that's going on, he wants me to sit with you both to get up to speed. That way, I can act as a second if Bella can't be reached." Allister our account manager announced rushing into the room. And just like that the spell is broken. Rose walked to her side of the conference table and me to mine. There were a few lingering glances between us, but that was the extent of anything non-work related for the rest of the morning.

By lunch, Rose asked if I wanted to grab something before she headed back to CCA. I declined telling her I had to work through lunch to handle all my morning assistant duties. I saw the rejection in her eyes; it was brief before her mask came back up. My Enchantress is feeling a little rejected. But if she truly wants a piece of me, she must learn a lesson in patience; let's see if I picked a worthy student.