*Yawn* Here I am again, updating in the middle of the night again...
I just got back in town because my family went on vacation. The time change was a bit disorienting and I couldn't sleep so I decided to finish up this chapter and post it. Keep all the reviews and support coming. Thanks everyone!
-- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -
"You want Bella to do what?" Les asked skeptically, his voice hard and doubtful. I sat silent and stock still, avoiding his questioning stare. Edward had his back turn toward us, gazing out his over-sized window at the panoramic view. His stance was confident and firm. I could only imagine the smirk playing on his lips at the moment.
"May I remind you it was her idea? I merely have no objections," Edward replied in a cool, smooth voice. I could feel Les return his probing eyes on to me, but I kept my head bowed.
"Okay, so you're suggesting that she head the Masen Project?" Les, again, sounded unconvinced. I repressed an annoyed groan.
"Is there something wrong with that? She has every right to," Edward challenged, turning to face us.
Les seemed to be having an internal battle. Having been "the man" for so many years, it must've been surreal being trumped, especially by a younger man —might I add a tremendously attractive and charming younger man. Les blinked a few times and rubbed his shiny bald spot. I never realized how much he had aged since I started working at Onyx. I guess I always saw him as my boss, old cranky Les.
"Well, nothing. Nothing, I suppose. It's just that Eric is quite familiar with the project and has done extensive research for it," Les motioned to Eric Yorkie, who sat quiet and smiling next to him.
I grimaced at the reminder of Eric. His dark greasy hair framed his thin face. Eric was always a bit squirrely, but extremely smart. He was always sweet to me, sometimes too sweet. He had even asked me out a few times, but I had kindly turned him down due to my then boyfriend—stupid Jacob… I could remember Eric chattering excitedly about being appointed to the new project. And here I was, snatching away all of his glory.
Edward quirked an eyebrow and crossed his arms. His toned muscles were visibly rippling underneath the thin material of his shirt. A dreamy vision of a wet, shirtless Edward popped into my mind. I quickly deflated it and returned my gaze back to the floor.
"Do you still want to head the project, Eric?" Edward asked in a low musical voice.
"Yes, sir," Eric replied eagerly.
"Alright then, you both are aware of the Morningstar deal I assume?" Eric and I nodded in response. "Have you both made drafts of the contract for the meeting later this week? We are planning on finalizing the deal in the immediate future."
"Of course," Eric smiled proudly, "I've been working on it all last week."
"Good. And you, Ms. Swan?" Edward turned to gaze at me dubiously, raising an eyebrow. I was a little miffed he doubted me.
"Yes," I replied sternly, "I did my research on the project over the weekend and added the final pieces to my draft this morning."
"Perfect. Then I shall have a look at both of your drafts. Whoever has the better one, will head the project with me," Edward smiled politely at Eric and gave me a look that said "you better not disappoint Ms. Swan". Les, seeing this was all out of his hands, sunk back in his chair and absentmindedly shook his head slowly from side to side. Eric pulled out his draft and handed it to Edward.
"Mine is already on your desk, sir," I motioned across the room. Edward made his way behind his desk and began to compare the contracts.
"Wait, you're going to do it now?" I spoke much more forcefully than I intended to. Les gave me a wary glance.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Edward eyed me.
"Well, no, but I'd feel much more comfortable if I weren't in the same room as you while you reviewed them," I lowered my voice sheepishly.
"No, you can stay right there. It shouldn't be long." He lowered his head again.
"But, sir,"
"Do you lack confidence in your draft, Ms. Swan?" He gave me a stern look.
"No, but—"
"Then humor me," Edward's smooth voice rang with finality.
I tried hard to calm my nerves, but I could only seem to concentrate on Edward's stern, pinched eyebrows and hard pressed lips which only made me more edgy. I watched as his face remained unchanging while the dim sunlight from the window casted dancing shadows across his smooth perfect features. Eric seemed perfectly at ease and Les was still silently shaking his head. Maybe fifteen minutes had passed, maybe three days, before Edward finally closed both of the black folders and pushed them away. Both of his hands were folded underneath his chin as he gazed at the edge of his desk thoughtfully.
He finally looked up after another fourteen hours as a crooked grin began to sweep his face. He turned to look straight at me and gave me a subtle wink.
-- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -
I laughed without a care, twirling around once as Edward and I walked towards the company car waiting on the curb. The Seattle sun was unusually bright, matching my lighthearted mood, and gleamed off the white pavement. We had just left the Morningstar meeting and I was extremely proud of my handiwork. A surge of overconfidence pumped through my veins and it took all of my self-restraint to not skip down the sidewalk. For one thing, I would surely earn some stares, and for another, I could hardly walk straight in these heels and would probably embarrass myself.
"Think it went well?" Edward chuckled sarcastically beside me.
"Well? It couldn't have gone any better! My first deal and it went perfectly," I smiled proudly, stretching out my arms to let the warm rays kiss my skin.
"After you," Edward smiled, gesturing towards the open car door. I ducked into the back, the cool leather seats contrasted starkly to the shining sunrays. It gave me goose bumps. Edward slid in smoothly next to me and instructed the driver to take us back to the office.
"I hate to be presumptuous, but did you see the look on their faces? Don't you think I did a great job? We might as well have sealed the deal today," I declared, a little smug.
Edward shrugged, "Don't assume anything until the contract's signed."
"Mood killer…" I muttered quietly, turning to gaze out my window. The sunlight didn't look so harsh through the heavily tinted glass. I sighed, wishing I could roll down the window and stick my head out. It was days like these I missed Arizona most. I missed the hot sun, the dry expansive deserts, and the smell of dusty and baked atmosphere.
"Let's go to Trophy," I exclaimed on a whim. I was hyped up and giddy like a little kid, why not fuel it with more sugar? Edward tore his gaze away from the Seattle Times to stare at me incredulously.
"Let's go where?" he asked cautiously.
"Trophy Cupcakes!" I sighed exasperatedly. "Please? It's not every day I pass through Wallingford. They're not even expecting us back at the office for another hour. Even you can't deny the meeting went well, so why not celebrate? Please?" I pouted.
Edward studied my face with a critical look, his dazzling green eyes flickering with amusement. "Fine, I suppose. You are such a child sometimes," he chuckled quietly, folding the crinkly newspaper.
I beamed victoriously up at him then tapped the driver's shoulder and instructed, "To Wallingford Center, please."
-- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -
"Ooh and I think I'll have another red velvet one, please," I smacked my lips excitedly.
Edward stood behind me, undoubtedly shaking his head or laughing at my childishness. The warm scent of coffee, fresh mouth-watering butter cream, and heavenly chocolates mingled in the air, surely teasing any passerby.
"Alright, anything else I can possibly get you?" the pretty blonde behind the counter batted her eyelashes. Though I was the one ordering, I knew for a fact she was directing her message to Edward. I discreetly rolled my eyes and responded with a polite "no thank you" as I stepped in front of him and reached inside my purse to grab my wallet. Edward stopped me, snatching my wrist, and stepped towards the counter.
"Please, Ms. Swan. It's my treat," he grinned at me, pulling out an intimidating black card.
"Oh, really?" I smiled mischievously. "I was going to order another dozen for the office! That's so thoughtful of you, Mr. Cullen," I patted him on the chest and directed the blonde which ones to package.
When we were finally safe in the car, I eagerly plucked a sweet looking red velvet cupcake from the white box in my lap that was just waiting to be opened. I swiped a finger in the perfectly shaped dollop of cream cheese frosting for a taste. An audible "mm" sound slipped through my lips. Edward sat on his side of the car, looking a bit defeated, with the box of dozen cupcakes sitting precariously on his lap.
"Hey, you should really hold on to the box. I put precious cargo in your care," I chastised him, waggling a frost layered finger at him.
A ghostly laugh fell from his lips as he made a show of placing his hands on either side of the box. "There, happy?"
"Mmhm," I nodded, getting the last bit of frosting off the top of the delicious brown morsel. "I've got my cupcake fix for the week. I think I'm good."
Edward studied me carefully, like I was a strange exhibit at the zoo. I ignored him and continued to gobble every single precious crumb of the red velvet cake. As I was licking the paper liner clean, Edward's musical laughter brought my attention back to reality.
"What's so funny?" I glared up at him between nibbles.
"You," Edward scoffed as if the answer was so obvious. "You ate that thing—no attacked it as if you were trapped on a deserted island for days without food and were just discovered days from death."
"These things are like drugs," I waved the empty liner at him. "Have you ever had a Trophy cupcake before?"
Edward sneered at my poor analogy and continued to gaze out his respective window. I waited for his answer, but he remained silent. I took that as a no. "Oh, you haven't!" I gasped.
Quickly, I removed a cupcake from my personal store (I'll regret it later) and all but shoved it in his face. "Humor me," I quoted him.
Edward snorted and waved it away coolly, not even slightly tempted, but I held it out persistently. "Please?" I implored. He gave me one look before rolling his eyes. He took the cupcake from me and stared at it for a second before peeling back the liner and hesitantly taking a bite. I waited for his reaction anxiously, studying the way the muscles on his faced moved while he chewed slowly. I watched as a lump slithered down his throat and he pursed his lips thoughtfully.
"Not bad," he admitted and took another bite.
"I told you so," I mocked in a sing-song voice.
"By the way," Edward said in between bites, "I didn't get to tell you how awed I was with you today. You really did do a great job. I won't lie, I doubted you at first, but you surprised me. As always..." his voice trailed away at the end.
I knew what that meant, Operation Impress the Boss: Success.
My first win in the war. I even got my favorite cupcakes as a side dish for my big fat plate of Victory. But I was too stunned to be thrilled at my accomplishment. I stared at him, eyes wide with shock. Edward Cullen just complimented me. Did the butter cream frosting have some sort of Make-Edward-Nice potion mixed in it? If so, I would gladly make the voyage across town to get him cupcakes every single day. He glanced at me and chortled silently. I whispered a "thanks," but I doubt he heard it.
"So, which one's your favorite?" Edward motioned to my small box full of an assortment of flavors.
With a smug smile, I replied, "I'm sorry Mr. Cullen, but good looks won't always buy you secrets."
-- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -
As time progressed, the flower deliveries died down—sort of. There wasn't a new arrangement waiting for me at the front desk every day, but they came at random. I wasn't as obvious about my growing anger and annoyance anymore, but it was slowly bubbling beneath the surface. I pitied the day I would erupt in front of poor, innocent Lance the delivery boy. It was Jake's fault.
He sure is a determined little fucker.
It was just another calm, slow Monday morning as I made my way to the office. Everyone trudged to work wearily for the start of the week.
With no sign of flowers on Jessica's desk, my mood lifted a bit (as much as it could for a Monday) and I slinked into my office. As I set my purse onto my desk, something fell off and landed with a soft thud on the carpet. Too lazy to pick it up, I figured it was just an insignificant piece of paper and resolved to get it later. Thinking I was in the clear for deliveries for the day, I sunk comfortably into my chair to relax for a minute before Edward or Les burst in to bark directions at me.
The door opened quietly—too quietly to be anyone I should worry about—and Alice strolled in lazily. Looking a bit hung over, she yawned delicately and slumped into a chair across from me.
"I hate work," She mumbled quietly.
"W-o-w," I marveled, stretching the word into three syllables. "Can someone please take a picture? Alice Brandon is actually tired. Folks, this is a once in a lifetime moment."
"Oh, hush Isabella," Alice groaned, crumpling a sticky note from my desk and throwing it at me. It hit me right in between the eyes.
I frowned and threw the offensive purple note towards the trash can across the room. I missed.
"Why didn't you get me one?" Alice whined suddenly.
"Get you one of what?" I grumbled as I made my way back into my chair from the trash can. Alice pointed accusingly at a white cardboard box sitting casually near the edge of my desk by my purse. There was a neat miniature chocolate brown ribbon bow atop it along with a familiar blue sticker.
"You went to Trophy and didn't get me anything," Alice jutted out her lower lip.
"No I didn't," I said slowly, picking up the box. I lifted the lid and found a single alluring treat waiting inside. It was a Chocolate Graham Cracker cupcake—my favorite.
"Did you put this here?" I gasped quietly.
"Hm?" Alice lifted her head up, seeming to have just woken up from a nap. She was definitely too tired. It couldn't have been her. But only one other person knew that this was my favorite. I gritted my teeth and closed the box, storming out of my office.
"Wait, at least save me a bite," Alice's shrill voice sang as she trailed behind me. On my way to the front desk (of course) I nearly ran straight into Edward. Normally I would've stopped to ogle at his perfection—he was wearing that shirt again, the one that hinted at his perfectly sculpted muscles, damn him!—before delivering a witty comeback. But I didn't care how immature or stupid my reaction to this small gift was. The box was burning my hand. I knew it was from Jake and I wanted it gone. Fast.
"Ms. Swan is turning down a Trophy Cupcake. Is this the Apocalypse?" Edward mused, eyeing the white box.
"Ha ha, laugh all you want, but I just want to get rid of it. Now if you'll excuse me…" I maneuvered myself around a grinning Edward and continued towards Jessica sitting behind the counter. Alice was still following me at a sluggish pace, letting another yawn stretch her perfect little face.
"Here you go, Jess," I breathed, nearly slamming the innocent cupcake on her desk.
Looking startled, Jessica glanced up from her desk and took in my hysteric state. "Thanks, I guess? What's this for?" she picked up the box to inspect it.
"Oh, just because," I laughed uneasily.
Alice came up beside me and leaned against the counter, seeming a bit preoccupied with her phone to really even care to pay attention. Jessica shrugged, deciding to accept my gift despite the suspicious circumstances. I gave myself a minute to catch my breath.
"Oh!" Alice perked up suddenly. "Bella, I forget to tell you! I set you up on a blind date for tonight." Her eyes were sparkling with excitement. Now there's the Alice I knew.
"You what?" I glared at her. I thanked my lucky stars Edward wasn't here to mock me.
"Oh, can't you just say thank you? Besides you're single. You're hot. You're on the market. Why not? Even if he isn't Mr. Right, it'll still be fun. Please say you'll do it," Alice pleaded with an animated smile.
"What about your ex?" Jessica interjected, already taking a bite from the cupcake. A frown flickered across my face. It looked delicious.
"What about him?" Alice scoffed. "Bella, you are so over Jacob. Aren't you?" She nudged my shoulder giggling. I knew what I should've done. I should've heartily agreed and said something mean and condescending about Jake. I should've had the urge to spit angrily at the sound of his name. But I didn't. Instead, I hesitated with my answer.
Was I over him?