Edward PoV

I stared at myself in the mirror examining how my newly tailored suit looked on me. It fit like a dream and I looked professional in it, but still, I was looking for the minuscule details that my father would notice and point out. I couldn't have anything out of line.

On my fourteenth birthday I wore a tie with a loose string and my father reprimanded me the whole hour long meal.

I refused to have anything out of place.

I wore a solid red colored silk tie and my white gold with red diamond cufflinks to match. Mother got me the cufflinks from a collector's auction in China 4 months ago. She was the top reporter for foreign news in the New York Times since she spoke over 12 languages fluently and, of course, being married to my father didn't hurt.

I fixed my tie for the ninth time and took a deep breath checking the time on my platinum Patek Philippe tourbillon watch.

2 minutes 'till 3.

Quickly, I checked to make sure I left my phone on the desk and that there was nothing in my pockets except my American Express Black Card.

On my twelfth birthday, my phone rang and my father left me to finish my meal alone.

I cleared my throat and ran my fingers through my hair. It was a mess, as though I hadn't comb it since last week…which, in actuality, was true. My hair was the one thing I never kept tamed…I didn't understand it, but it felt wrong to slick my hair back like father.

My hands dropped to my side and with a final glance at my reflection I opened the door of the average room in the Marriott Hotel. I didn't bother taking the suite or a penthouse, I only needed a place to spend the night and I didn't care for the glamor. I walked towards the elevator and it immediately opened with a father and his 7 year old son inside.

"That was so yummy!" The boy shouted as he jumped out of the elevator.

The father laughed as he pet his son and ruffled his hair. He smiled at me apologetically as he pulled his soon back inside. "Wrong floor ace." The father said and the child clung to the father's leg as I stepped inside.

I pressed the fifth floor and the doors dinged close. Floor 5 was where the hotel's restaurant was located and where the reservation for two was made. I would be on time; father would be 10 minutes late. That was the plan.

"Dad it's almost 3! The new Power Ranger's ish gonna be ons!" The child slurred as he jumped up and down like a maniac.

"We'll make it." The father replied smiling down at his son. I noticed the father's gentle hazel eyes and warm smile and it made me flinch. His blonde hair was spiked up just like his son's.

I looked away.

I stared at the numbers on the elevator while the kid talked about something called the Red Ranger.

11

10

9

8

Suddenly I felt a tug at my pants and I looked down at the boy. "Hey mister, what's your favorite ranger?" The boy asked with honest curiosity shinning in his innocent eyes.

I stared at him dumbfounded.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

"I'm sorry about that, sir." The father said and I looked up at him as he pulled his son closer to him - protecting the boy from me.

The man looked nothing like my father but for some reason I kept making that connection and for some reason his existence aggravated me.

Before I could even think of a response the elevator dinged open.

5

I stepped out and fixed the crease the child created by tugging my pants.

I didn't pay attention to the restaurant's façade or decorations. It didn't matter because I wasn't there to admire the scenery, I was there to meet with my father and that gave me a stomach twisting feeling that everyone gets when they're nervous. I always got it when I would see father. It only happened once a year but it was still wretched.

I walk through the doors and headed towards the hostess, who happened to be an overly bubbly blonde girl who was probably just making minimum wage and working there for the summer.

"Hi! How can –"

"Cullen." I cut her off as I checked the time. 3:00 P.M on the dot.

"Oh. Ummm, right this way." She said with a faltered smile as she grabbed some leather bound menus from behind her.

She led me to the back of the restaurant, far from contact of any of the other customers who were enjoying their meals.

"Your waiter will be right with you." She said placing two menus on the table.

I nodded at her and took my seat. I didn't need to look at the menu since I already knew what I would order. It was the same meal I ordered for the past 12 years since my father started doing these summer meetings. I couldn't remember what happened on my 5th and younger birthdays – I wasn't even sure anything happened.

It agitated me that I couldn't remember but before I could concentrate too hard to recollect the long lost memories, my waiter arrived. His name tag read, "Bob" and he looked just like a Bob. Dull faced, thin lips, hallow cheeks, short black hair, and lanky body.

"Hello Mr. Cullen. Thank you for joining us today. May I start you off with a beverage?"

"My father will be here shortly. Please bring 2 glasses of water and 2 glasses of your most expensive wine."

"Yes sir." He said bowing his head down slightly before leaving.

My family name was like royalty.

Two minutes after the waiter brought the beverages, I noticed my father walk towards me. He looked the same as he did last year. Nothing noteworthy had changed except maybe he gained some more crow's feet in the eyes and five or so pounds. His black hair was slicked back in the style I hated and he wore one of his H. Huntsman custom made suits in sleek black with a blood red silk tie that was at least five shades darker than mine. He was a big boned man who was 5 inches taller than me with a clean shaved bearded and an intimidating expression. He looked exactly how the stereotypical tycoon should look like.

I rose from my seat and greeted him with a handshake.

"Good Afternoon father." I said.

He nodded and took his seat. He didn't find anything disproving about my appearance.

I sat across from him.

There were no other pleasantries exchanged as he pretended to look over the menu. He ordered the same thing each time. He would order the goose salad and most expensive steak on the menu and I would order the French salad and the salmon. And then desert…wouldn't be thought of until later.

The waiter came and took our orders and nothing changed.

Then my father looked at me, with his hard cold coal like eyes.

He smirked.

"Senator Aro was arrested this morning."

That was a compliment. I made sure not to change my facial expression as I replied, "I haven't checked the news today."

"The trials are scheduled for next week."

"What are the charges?" I asked not in the least bit curious.

"Well, you should know. You did technically persecute him."

I nodded.

Silence.

The waiter came with our salads.

We ate in silence and he took out his blackberry numerous times to do whatever he does to it. I remained silent as I chewed on the crisp leaves drenched in vinegar.

"How is school?" Father asked putting down his blackberry after he finished his salad.

The waiter came to take away our dishes.

"Fine." I replied.

"When do you go back?" Father pressed.

"Friday."

"I see. How were your grades last semester?"

"Straight A's."

"Advanced Placement?"

"Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, and literature. I received 5's on all of them."

"Hmmm. Any extracurricular?"

"Editor in School Newspaper."

"Have you received any college acceptances or rejections?"

Rejections…that stung my ego. No college would reject me. No college was that stupid.

"Early decisions will be out in October for my acceptances." I hissed.

No one would reject me.

The waiter came with our main course, and once more we ate in silence although my father did not turn to his blackberry anymore. He seemed to watch me…contemplating something of importance as he stared at my face.

I showed no emotion.

Half way through my salmon my father broke the silence. "I put 3 million into your account."

Happy Birthday.

"Thank you." I replied courtly.

He cut a piece of steak and put it into his mouth. When he finished that piece he spoke again.

"Do you remember Sarah?"

"No." I lied.

"She's the daughter of Tom. Tom owns 30 percent shares in the company and is on the board of directors. Good man." Father said.

I hated Tom.

He picked up his glass and tipped it towards me as if making a toast. "His daughter is going to be in California this summer."

I waited for him to continue.

"I want you to take her out."

"Court her?"

"If you like. She's acceptable. You just need to have associations with her and a dinner is a good way to start."

"Very well." I agreed. She would be good person to have as a contact and I didn't loath her company, plus she was easy on the eyes.

We returned to our meal and he chewed with a wicked expression on his face.

I ignored it. After an immeasurable amount of time that spanned 3 more bites of fish for me, he spoke again.

"You know the Washington State Magazine?"

"Yes sir." I said wiping my lips with the napkin. I wasn't hungry anymore.

My father placed his utensils on his plate and sat back. Before he could continue, the waiter comes back and takes our plates from us and asks if we would like desert.

"Yes, two pieces of your best cake and two hot teas." My father requested and then turned to me once more as the waiter left.

"As I was saying, I am offering you the position of editor in chief, starting for the September Issue."

10 seconds passed before I spoke. "I accept."

"Very well. My secretary will be in touch with who to contact."

I nodded and we stared at each other like strangers or maybe like father and son. He didn't look at me like the elevator father looked at his ranger boy but at least he looked at me.

The waiter came back with 2 plates of rich chocolate cake and two cups of tea.

"Can I get you anything else?" The waiter asked.

"No." My father replied and the waiter went to the back of the room to stand guard just in case we might need something.

"I have a meeting in an hour." My father said bluntly. "Take care Edward."

We stood up and shook hands and I thanked him for seeing me.

I sat back down and motioned the waiter to me.

"Get me an Orange Blossom." I requested and the waiter nodded.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the two pieces of cake while I waited for my drink.

I would drink my drink, leave the cakes untouched, pay for the meal, and leave.

Just like last year.

And the year before that….

A/N: Btw, just came back from Costa Rica...awesomeness...okay yea! Interaction next! (I think)

Cheers and reviews...and thank you for reading!