Chapter 9
I was still pissed at Edward when I got up the next morning. I hurried through my routine so I could get to work early in order to confront him. Unluckily for me, Ben was sitting on my porch when I went to leave my house.
"I'm pretty sure I told you not to come here anymore."
He grabbed my arm as I tried to brush past him, "Please, Bella. We need to finish our conversation."
"We don't need to do anything. You however, need to let go of my arm." I tried to pull away, but he held fast.
"Can't you give me five minutes?" He pleaded, but I wasn't in the mood.
"Now, Ben, or so help me, I will call the cops on your ass." He dropped my arm and moved back from me. "Leave my property and don't come back. If you want to talk to me, you have my number." I stormed to my car and locked myself in.
Once I was on the road, I used the 'hands free' to call Alice, loving every second of the new technology in my car.
"Morning, Sunshine," she sang over my speakers.
"You'll never guess what just happened?"
"Did you and Edward come to physical blows?"
"No, well, not yet anyway, I'm on the way there now. No, Ben was sitting on my porch!"
"What is wrong with him? I'm going to have Jasper double check things for you. I don't trust him."
"Thanks, Ali. "
"Not a problem, Bella. You know you're the older sister my parents never gave me. "
"I've gotta go, I'm parking at work."
"Good luck and don't take any shit. Worst case scenario? Call my mom to mediate."
"Really?"
"Yes, she's your secret weapon. Ta-ta."We hung up, and I looked to make sure his car was there. I got out of my car and headed for coffee. Priorities and all that. Mike was there, prepping some veggies but no one else was.
"Morning, Bella. Are you on shift today?"
"Yes, but only tonight. I have some things to take care of in my office." I filled a mug with coffee. "See you later."
I climbed the stairs, taking deep breaths. I needed to be ready for a fight. Edward's door was open, so I knocked on the doorjamb and waited for him to acknowledge me. When he looked up, his face changed to a scowl.
"What do you want?" He snarled.
"I want you to quit being a dick. Since that seems improbable, we need to clear the air enough to work together. May I come in?"
"Can I stop you?" He huffed. "Take a seat." He waved towards the couch.
"Want to tell me what your issue with me is?"
"Not really." He crossed his arms and glared.
"Okay, well, let me tell you how this works, then. Carlisle and Esme, your aunt and uncle, hired me to do a job. You won't get in my way, and I won't be a bitch about any requests you make."
"I know who they are, Bella. They're my family, after all."
"Funny thing, Edward. I kind of get the feeling they're more mine than yours. After all, it was made obvious to me years ago that you wanted nothing to do with them. Or I would have met you before now." I stood and headed out the door. "Let's agree to disagree, but truth of the matter is I hold all the money cards. Don't forget that."
Edward stood as well, and put his fists on the desk. "I don't know what you think you know about me or my family, but don't threaten me with money around here. Need I remind you whose last name is on the outside of the building? Get out!" He grabbed a remote and blared music.
I calmly went into my office. I wouldn't allow him to see how his words affected me. I picked up my phone and sent Alice a text.
Spoke, he's still a dick.
Her response was instantaneous
Want me to tell mom?
I thought about it, but I really wanted to try and work it out on my own.
Not yet. See you later.
I put my phone to the side and logged into my computer. Time to get knee deep in spread sheets. I didn't even notice when it got quiet next door, but I jumped when there was a knock on my door. I screamed and saw Jake standing there.
"Hi. Can we talk for a minute?"
I narrowed my eyes. "I'm not sure that's a great idea, Jake."
"Look, Bella…" He tried to shut the door behind him, but I blanched.
"Leave it open, Jake," I demanded.
"Sure, no problem. Can I sit?" He asked.
"Are you staying long enough to?" His face fell, so I gave him an inch. "Come on, sit."
He sat at the chair near my desk and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Look, I'm really sorry about the other night. But..."
"But what, Jake? Have I not made it crystal clear that I'm not interested in you?" I raised my voice. "I turn down your date requests each time you ask. And trust me, you ask a lot. I also gave you one dance, Jake, one. You thought that meant you could try to not only touch me, but kiss me?"
He put his hands up to stop me. "Look, I'm trying to apologize, alright. I had too much to drink, and you looked really good. I crossed a line and I'm sorry."
I was about to let loose, when there was another knock on my door. "Bella, do you have a minute?" Edward asked, eying Jake.
I rolled my eyes, "I guess so. Jake, we're done here." Jake shuffled past Edward but I didn't miss the exchange of glares they shared. "What do you want, Edward?"
"Oh, nothing. I heard raised voices, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay over here."
"Wow, thanks. " I was in shock. "Things are fine, just had to reiterate some things."
"I'll leave you to it." He left me sitting there, wondering what was going on.
Ten minutes later there was another knock on my door. "For the love of Zeus, what is it now?" I grumbled.
"Well, little Miss Sunshine was the correct nickname for you today," Jasper said.
"Sorry, it's been hectic today."
"I heard. That's why I'm here for your keys." He put his hand out and I tossed them at him.
"Alice has copies," I commented.
"Yes, but she left them at home, and I dropped her off. I'll see you later, and cheer up or you won't make any good tips later."
I laughed, logged off and headed downstairs to see Alice.
A/N: Thanks for reading + reviewing. I love reading what you think Edward's problem is!
Thanks to Twilightmomoftwo for taking on this beast and helping me with it's grammar + flow
