Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: Last time I checked, I am not Mormon, or married, which means I'm not Stephanie, which means I don't own. *sigh*
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone that reviewed! Ha, you all hate Hayden too! Seriously though, your reviews make me smile. I couldn't reply because my email provider majorly screwed up and deleted a whole bunch of stuff, including the links to reply. I didn't even know I had reviews until I checked the page, and my jaw just dropped. Also, I started a new story that I'm really proud of. I think it has a totally original plot. I don't know how I'll handle 2 stories at once but I'll try! It's called 'Without You', but I'm sure that's a fairly common title, so just get the link on my profile. And if there are mistakes in this, sorry, it's late, and I'm too busy singing to my iPod to check this over for typos. Read at your own risk!
Bella's Point of View:
Two days later…
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Ughhhhhh.
Crap. That's what I felt like. Ugh. Where was I?
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Turn it off!
I sat up and instantly regretted it.
"Ow."
My voice sounded like I had been gargling nails. Everything was fuzzy. My vision, my head…
My mouth tasted horrible. Like cotton.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"Okaaaay I'm coming." Anything to make this noise stop. It wasn't helping my head at all.
I got up, and of course, bumped into the coffee table. I was a klutz, yes, but not being in full control of my motor skills never helped.
An empty glass of wine wobbled and I quickly steadied it, knocking over my phone in the process.
Then the night came back to me.
"Oh."
"Bella, I swear, if you don't open the door right now,I'll have Emmett break it down!"
I padded over to the door and opened it a crack.
"Whaddayawant?"
"We wantto come in."
I could tell she wouldn't take no for an answer. She had her hands on her hips, a sure sign she meant business.
I opened the door and went back to the couch, and slumped down.
Ow. Okay, what was I laying on?
I shifted, and pulled a phone out from under me.
More of the night came back to me.
I had been in the middle of moping when Angela had called, saying I got the job. I started Monday.
Upon the realization that I would see Edward in two short days, and the fact that I had just seen my ex and his pregnant wife, I had drank myself into oblivion.
Which brought me back to the present.
I groaned, and fell back again with an audible 'plop'.
"Well?"
I turned and looked at Alice. If looks could kill! Her hands were still planted firmly on her petite frame, and she was tapping her foot impatiently. The scene was so comical, I burst out laughing.
"I don't see what's funny about this!" She was seething.
Emmett had caught sight of the wine bottle, and raised an eyebrow. It was well known that I had a low tolerance for alcohol and hardly ever drank.
"Bella? Did you drink all of this yourself?"
I blushed. "Uh, yeah."
"Well, that would explain why you look like crap right now."
The pixie looked like she was about to combust. "What happened!" she asked angrily. "No one could find you, no one know where you were! I tried calling you! You didn't answer! Why didn't you answer my calls! You just disappeared, Bella we were so worried!"
At this, she ran into me and clung to my wrinkled shirt, sobbing. I swear she's bipolar.
"Well, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine. It just got to be too much, I had to leave."
"Did that bastard hurt you again Bella? I promised mom I wouldn't kill him, but if he did anything, I swear to God I'll-"
"No, Emmett, it's fine. I actually just ran into Hayden, and I couldn't handle it, it's too soon."
I was proud – my voice only wavered once, and my eyes were dry.
Alice started crying again, and Emmett just looked sad. He sat next to me and wrapped me in a hug.
"Hey, Bells. It's okay."
I relaxed into Emmett's chest. 'Thanks Em. I needed that."
Alice had perked up, and started bouncing. Uh oh. Nothing good could come from her bouncing.
"Here, I know the perfect thing. We need some girl time for you to get your mojo back. Shopping! It's perfect to get your mind off of things. I'll pick you up tomorrow, 7 am sharp!"
"No Alice. No shopping. I'm busy tomorrow."
"Psht! Yeah right, all you ever do is work, cook and read! I know for a fact that you do not work Mondays, and even then not until after 6. I will not leave you alone to mope."
"Actually, as of yesterday, I do work tomorrow."
She looked confused for a moment, and then her eyes bugged out of her head. "AHHHHHHHHHH!" She squealed. "Why didn't you tell me right away?" She jumped out of her seat next to me and pounced on me.
Emmett chuckled. "We didn't exactly give her a chance, Alice."
"Alice, calm down. I have neighbors downstairs, and I don't think they appreciate you jumping on their heads."
"Bella! Come on, we need to find the perfect work outfit for you!" She looked at her watch and gasped. "Hurry! The malls close in 7 hours!"
The next day...
I walked down the hall cautiously, looking around anxiously for a head of bronze, while at the same time dreading seeing it's owner.
"I'm really excited you're working here."
I looked at my 'tour guide', a greasy guy named… Eric, I think?
"Yeah, well, me too." I really was excited, but, not for the reason Eric was. He was kinda creeping me out.
"Your cubicle is right next to mine. Pretty cool, huh?"
Uh huh. I'm ecstatic.
My cubicle was small and generic, but it had potential. I could put up a few photos, get some cool paperclips, highlighters…
"So, uh, if you'll follow me, I'll show you the rest…"
It was incredibly boring, but even so, my nerves were on edge. It was ridiculous how some guy I didn't know could have such an effect on me! Argh!
"So… that's it! You already went through orientation?" I nodded. "Super! You can go talk to Angela about getting a manuscript then, and can start right away. You're required to stop in for a few hours each day, but other than that you can work from home."
He smiled expectantly at me. I appreciated that he was trying to be helpful, but there was just something… off about him. He seemed like the nerdy type.
He was still standing there. What, did he want a tip or something? I think his tie is a little too tight.
"Yeah, well, thanks Eric."
"No problem Isabella!" He said, still looking bright-eyed.
"So… I'm going to go see Angela now." I said very slowly. He nodded, still grinning.
Can't he take a hint?
"Uhm, I think I can find my way back now."
"Okay!"
Apparently not.
"You can leave. Thanks for showing me around."
"Right!"
Was he retarded or something?
Awkward silence.
"Do you want to go out for lunch or something?"
Crap. Subtlety, Bella. This takes subtlety.
"I'd love to, but I'm actually not feeling too hungry today, I think I'm coming down with something. Sorry."
Great. Now he thinks you want to go out for lunch with him. Very nice, Bella.
He nodded, obviously uncomfortable now. "Okay, some other time then. Feel better soon. Uh. Bye."
Okay, that was weird. Whatever.
I decided not to think about it too much, and started in the direction of Angela's office.
Edward's Point of View:
I arrived ten minutes earlier than I usually did. Oh well. I tried to tell myself it was so I could leave ten minutes earlier, but I knew the real reason.
Who am I fooling; I still harbored hopes for seeing that woman. I didn't even know her name! Why did she keep haunting me?
I climbed the stairs and pushed all thoughts of the beautiful brunette out of my head. In all likelihood I'd never see her again, and I didn't need to dwell on it, or spend time fantasizing over a complete stranger.
I rushed past Jessica to my desk when I froze.
It was her! She was here!
I was elated, but once again, the logical side of me had to get his two cents in.
Edward, you don't even know her. She's just a pretty face, stop acting like a love-sick teenager!
As much as I tried to excuse my behavior, I couldn't. And I couldn't write her off as just another bimbo. Call me crazy, but I sensed that this woman deserved more.
In my mind, I had only one option.
I needed to get to know her.
A/N: Tada! Another chapter! Excuse me if the setting is totally screwed up, I've never been in an editorial firm, I have no idea what I'm talking, er, writing about. I'm just going to take a creative license with this okay? Okay! So, don't forget to REVIEW, and check out my other story. The plot is miles away from this one.
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