THE OPPORTUNITY

"Hi I'm Isabella Swan, nice to meet you sir" Bella replied, as she got closer, extending her hand for a handshake.

Jasper ignored it; instead, he motioned her to sit across him on a chair in front of his desk.

Rude

"Based on your application you are applying for an apprenticeship position for the summer in one of our publications" Jasper said while reading through a paper in front of him.

"Yes sir" Bella answered as she discreetly studied the handsome man in front of her

He must be on his mid-twenties. His medium ash blonde hair that is darker on the roots seemed to be tousled purposely to achieve the look that it has. He looks dignified and imposing with his back held upright as if he is a man of service, yet his eyes were gracious and mesmerizing that it gives you a feeling of calmness and security. There is no arrogance in his demeanor yet you can feel his venerable presence even when he's sitting down

"It also tells me here that your first passion is really writing. Have you written anything worth publishing?"

"Well I did. I was the head Editor of my high school paper as well as the literary writer. I was lucky enough to have some of my early work published in our town paper as well and I was also one of the few who was able to join a student literary convention here in New York when I won a local literary writing contest that was conducted in different towns across Washington. I am also currently involved with the University paper"

"It also states here that you volunteered on the rehab department at the trauma center in your town of Forks"

" Yes sir. I know its not related to what I'm applying for but it says any volunteer work I've done…"

"No, it's perfect. It is actually the reason why you got my interest. Plus the picture of course" Jasper smiled as he faced Bella.

Bella flushed. That picture was one of the worst pictures taken of her. Her hair was all over the place, she was biting her lip and to make it worst, she was looking way up higher than she's supposed to. Photo booth picture sucks!

"I need a companion"

Bella's eyes widened.

"A caregiver" Jasper explained

"You have kids?" Bella asked before she could stop herself

"Sorry"

"It's okay but the answer is no. I need a caregiver for myself. Better yet, an assistant is more likely."

Now Bella is really confused.

Jasper slowly pushed his chair backwards and that's when Bella noticed that he was not sitting on a regular chair.

He was on a wheelchair.

"I had an accident about a year and a half ago and because of that I was paralyzed from waist down. Thanks to rehab, I only have weakness on my legs now. I can use the cane with assistance indoors but I cannot tolerate it for long periods of time, hence, I'm still pretty much wheelchair dependent. I'm looking for someone who can assist me on my day-to-day activities although I can basically do the personal hygiene part independently. Basically I need someone who I can trust and who I can talk to. Not some old companion who just keeps quiet and knits all day" Jasper explained scrunching his nose

Just like Alice.

"Why do you think I'll be qualified to do that?" Bella can't help but ask.

"Well, you write so I assume you read a lot as well. I'm a voracious reader myself so there's a lot of things we can talk about, plus you're young and interesting so I know you'll never make me bored, and ! need an intelligent girl who I can trust with work related things that needs to be done from time to time. You also have a background in rehab because you have volunteered before so I'm quiet sure that you can easily catch up if I need you to help me with some of my exercises."

"I don't want to be rude sir, but I don't think you're allowed to do some personal hiring while at work" Bella said.

Jasper laughed

"Believe me Miss Swan, I'm not doing any illegal thing here. I know that you came for a different interview but I am also personally interviewing for the position I am offering you right now. It just so happen that I saw your resume and I think you might be interested. But don't worry; if you're not, I can refer you next door to my sister.

"Your sister?"

"Yes. Rosalie Hale of Hale Publishing" Jasper explained.

"I know her. She's one of the youngest successful publishers in her trade. You are her brother?" Bella asked, again, too late to stop her mouth.

"Yes, Jasper Whitlock Hale"

"Oh Crap! You're Jackson W. H. Monroe, author of the Confederate Saga!"

Jasper smiled.

"Come on, is it really you? My friend Alice was really into it. She can't wait for the third installment." Bella excitedly explained.

Jasper smiled.

"I can tell you, but then you have to say yes to the employment first so that you can sign a non-disclosure agreement" Jasper explained with eyes full of mirth

Bella was taken aback.

" Mmmm, I'm…..I'm not sure I'm qualified for the work." She said.

"Look Miss Swan, I'll be straightforward with you. I really want you to take the job I'm offering for I believe you are capable of doing what I would require for the job. If you want to go ahead with the appreticeship application, I will not stop you but I am telling you now that if you accept my offer, I will make sure that you will be given enough time for your writing and whatever the appreticeship program would offer to accepted applicants will be made available to you. I currently work at home but I plan to visit the office three times a week and on those days, if you want, you can work in the apprenticeships program in the office or I can arrange something different for you so that you can do it even outside the office, plus when the time comes you need your work to be published, with your consent of course, I'll make sure that Hale Publishing will look into your body of work for possible publication and distribution. After three months of employment, I will also release you with a referral letter both personally from myself and the publishing house and I will make sure to save you an apprenticeship position on the next summer program if you are still interested. If your work is satisfactory, I will not hesitate on hiring you the moment you finish university if you prefer to pursue an office work instead of that of an independent writer. And to make your summer worthwhile, I'm offering you this….." Jasper said as he scribbled something on a notepad and slides it towards Bella

Bella's eyes bulged out when she saw the figures. He was offering her more than five times than what she was actually earning in the coffee shop.

" That is net of course. You will be given a personal cash allowance every week, which you can spend however you want. You will also be given a credit card and separate petty cash that you are free to use in any work related expense. There are three permanent household staff and some part-time workers that would come two to three times a week or upon request. There will also be car at your disposal anytime. Work is live-in but you will be given a room complete with all the amenities including a small kitchen and a separate entrance for your complete privacy. I will require your service from Mondays to Fridays for eight to ten hours with offs on the weekends. Some weekend I might need you to work but of course, you will be paid double on those days. Basically, it's only food preparation that you'll be doing for the house but if you don't cook, you don't have to worry because I usually eat out or have a cook come in anyways, so mostly its just getting it into the table, if anything else. Plus Lucy, the housekeeper usually cooks as well, even if I tell her no."

" I cook" Bella murmured

"That's good then" Jasper smiled

"If you have all the help, then what do you need me for" Bella wondered.

"They are not my help, they are the estate's" Jasper smirked, "Plus, I need you to be my legs, my hands and my mouth." he further explained.

"Since the accident, I just get tired right away. I still do my rehab because I swore to God and myself that someday I'll get off of this chair and walk again. I do it three times a week and on those days especially, I usually cannot do anything much after it because of fatigue. But I don't want to hinder myself in doing things that I love because of such setback. Rosalie said I should take it slow, but I don't want to slacken for I will go crazy. Now I figure that if I can just find someone who have at least a similar brazen ambition and motivation that I have then maybe I can hire that person to do things on my behalf when my body won't allow me to. And I found that in you Isabella. Just looking at your resume and observing you outside for made me realized that you're the perfect person for the job"

Bella stayed quiet.

" Plus you get to go abroad as well" Jasper offered.

"Abroad?"

"Yes, the estate is in a town just outside London"

"But your accent…."

Jasper laughed.

"I grew up in Texas with my mom. I actually stayed there until I was twenty when she passed away. By then I went to London to finish school and to work for the publishing house which we inherited from our father at eighteen, when he decided to leave and enjoy in what have been the last two years of his life before sinking into a deadly intoxication. In a span of five years, the loyal people of Hale Publishing, especially Rosalie have put us back into the map as one of the most prestigious publishing house around the world. As a matter of fact we just opened our offices in Japan and Hong Kong this year!" Jasper boasted.

Bella listened impressed. She knew damn well about the history of Hale Publishing, especially the last five years. She knew for a fact that Hale Sr. originally started it in London, but got married to a New Yorker that prompted him to move the office to New York although the London house was kept opened. For years Hale Publishing was one of the most competitive publishing companies in both North America and Europe until Hale Sr. and his wife passed away and their only son Hale Jr., Jasper and Rosalie's father inherited the dynasty. With no aptitude for business, more so in books and publishing, Hale Publishing slowly went downhill until five years ago, a year after Hale Jr's death, when Rosalie Hale, at twenty-one, was named the youngest President of Hale Publishing. She was known as the bitchy witch who ran over all of her dad's old cronies and kicked them out of the office with a smirk on her face. She replaced them with younger enthusiastic workers who are willing to do everything for the company. Of course, she is not that brutal. She actually kept the old employees that her grandfather hired. For Rosalie, as long as you do your job great, she don't have any problems, but if you screw up, then you better pack your bags because she has no mercy.

Bella knew about all of these but she never really heard about Jasper Hale. She knew that there was a twin brother working in the background. At one point, there was even gossips going around the literary world (courtesy of her English teacher) that the twin was just like the father—an impulsive brat going nowhere but to self-destruction. Jasper seemed not to fit that description.

Still Bella was skeptic.

"Why not hire someone full-time then?"

"After the accident I flew back to Texas and made it my home but my sister is so persistent that I actually agreed to go to London with her for the summer. When you meet her, you'll figure out yourself why I cannot say no." Jasper smirked.

"Miss Swan, I know that this is short notice, but I really need your answer today for I will be leaving for London Wednesday" Jasper said

Thinking that there was really nothing going on for her this summer and it is an opportunity that surely won't come again easily. She would be crazy not to take it.

Besides, no one would even notice if I'm gone. They're all happy with their lives, why should I not make mine at least interesting.

What about Edward? Will you just leave everything as it is? Wouldn't it better if you at least talk to the guy first no matter how painful it would be?

"Stop it Bella!" she inwardly scolded her self

" Edward is over, its time for a new beginning"

"I'll take it." Bella decided, not listening to her inner voice berating her about Edward

"Great!" Jasper beamed looking very pleased.

" And please do call me Jasper, I'm not that old you know" he winked.

Bella blushed

" You can call me Bella" she replied

"Bella it is"

For half an hour more, Jasper and Bella discussed the itinerary of the trip as well as all the minute details concerning her employment. They were to leave Wednesday morning for London but before that, she has to come in to Hale Publishing office in New York to get acquainted with the "office" aspect of her work as his assistant. Jasper then took the phone and talked to someone. Five minutes later, the woman who brought her into the office came with another lady who was introduced to her as a paralegal. She was carrying documents, which was handed to Bella for her signature. She was then left to review it with the paralegal that Jasper summoned to help her in case she have questions regarding the legality of the documents. After signing, the paralegal and the lady congratulated her.

Jasper re-appeared the moment both ladies left the room.

" Congratulations Bella. I'm quite sure that this will be a very interesting and fruitful summer for both of us. And yes, I'm Jackson W.H. Monroe, author of the Confederate Saga!" He said with a mirthful smirk

Bella laughed as she shook his hand

Right then, a lady clad in bloody red fitted dress and pointed red stiletto heels came in without warning. She has the same blonde hair as Jaspers' although hers was a little bit more washed in color. It gracefully flows just under her armpits with tiny curls in the bottom as if she just stepped out of the salon. She was wearing the barest of make-up except for her lips that was painted with the same color as her dress. She has curves on all the right places and walked like she owned the room as she slowly swayed her way towards them. As Bella looked up when she stopped right in front of her, she was taken aback.

That is certainly not a friendly look

"So Jasper, I heard you hired your self a nanny", the lady said as she eyed Bella from head to toe with a scornful smirk on her face.

" Rosalie, meet my new personal assistant, Bella. Bella, this is my twin sister, Rosalie Hale"

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Thanks again to the new ones who added me on their story alert and favorites as well as those who left reviews. Just like you guys I'm excited to where the story will lead us! I'm just in a dilemma right now on the next chapter. It's not a writer's block, its actually the opposite but I'll tell you more about it when I post the next chapter because I don't want to give anything away as yet. But I promise I'll tell you what my dilemma is all about. Maybe you can help me. Again thank you!!!!