Hello again!
Yes, it's been a while. I just got back home on the 18th...so I hope I'm forgiven for the longer than usual delay. Hope you all had a fantastic summer. Thank you so much for all the support, it totally made my days (does that make any sense?) Thank you to my wonderful betas, Nijiska and OTD673, for their help.
On to the next. It is longer than the rest to make up for the delay.
Chapter 12 – Surrender to Destiny
The world ceased to exist while we both stared at each other. Edward's eyes got impossibly stronger with determination as my thoughts scattered all over the place. Edward's gaze didn't cower as he gave me time to process those five words that had my heart going for a sprint.
I tried to say something, but my throat was dry, my voice unable to allow itself to be heard. Edward decided to solve the problem for me.
"I know it's hard to take in. I've thought a lot about this, and I've come to the conclusion that this way works best if we want to stop the media from digging out the truth," he stated as though he was discussing a business deal. Extricating his hands from my shoulders, he moved to stand by the window, green gazing into the endless blue of the sky.
It was shocking how impassive he was. So cool, so unaffected. His calmness about the ordeal set off my anger.
"Do you even know what you're talking about?" I questioned angrily.
"I do. However, I can understand why you're so shaken," he said, his eyes still fixated on the outside world. This wasn't a surprise to him but it sure as hell was to me.
"Marrying you is going to do nothing to stop the media!" I exclaimed. "The rumors aren't going to stop, they'll just get worse, Edward."
"That's what you think, Bella," he said, finally moving his gaze to meet my exasperated one. Moving to my desk, he pulled out the two chairs, maneuvering them so that they were facing each other.
Looking at me, he gestured to one of the chairs, "Have a seat."
Well, thank you very much, but this is my office!
Glancing at the door, he asked, "Is the door locked?"
"Yes!" I almost screamed at him. I couldn't believe we were actually discussing this. Taking a deep breath to rein in my temper, I moved to take the chair, eyeing Edward warily as he stood behind my chair, hands behind his back.
Once he had made sure I was comfortable, he took the other seat. Opening his silver briefcase, he took a brown Manila folder out, holding it out to me.
Grasping the folder and trying to ignore the accidental brush of our fingers, I asked shakily, "What is this?"
"See for yourself," Edward answered, sitting up straighter to watch me unfold the mystery envelope.
The envelope had a single photograph. The one photograph that had tied our fates together.
"How did you get this?" I murmured as my eyes scanned the photograph, my insides squeezing as raw wounds threatened to ache again.
"That's not important. Now, tell me, what do you see when you look at this picture?" Edward asked. Puzzled by his tone, I looked up at him.
"We both know what I see… I'm unconscious, you're carrying me. There is nothing more to the picture," I claimed, frowning as I tried to understand where he was going with this. Edward stared at me expectantly, and I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion.
"Wait… is there?" I asked, trying to decipher the meaning behind his cryptic words.
Taking the picture from my hands, Edward leaned back on the chair, staring intently at the photo. "I'll tell you what I see. I see a man shocked at encountering a surprise photographer. I see the man's fiancée hiding her face in his neck, eyes closed in bliss as she tries to conceal her smile and happiness at being proposed. I see them both in each other's arms, celebrating their engagement. Until someone clicks a picture and the man detects that, but the women is too lost in their embrace to notice."
My eyes widened as my mouth fell open in shock, "That can't work…can it?" I asked, rendered speechless.
Edward turned his attention to me, smiling wryly before saying, "I'm not done yet, Bella. There is more to the story…"
He handed me the picture back, and sure enough, it was impossible to tell. Edward had arranged me in such a way that my face was buried in his neck. My arms were wrapped around his neck, a fact that confused me. Had I regained consciousness somewhere in the middle?
Apart from that, Edward's arms were tightly wrapped around me, holding me close to his chest. We looked like a perfectly happy couple in love.
He was a genius…no one could tell. The picture could easily be interpreted in several ways. The media were fed a story. There was no other way they could have known the sparse bits of truth they did know.
Turning back to the photo in my hands, he continued, "The man quits a prospective deal because the future looks unsteady for the pending negotiation. The bargainer loses his cool and decides to target the man, but is unable to find any lose threads to use against him. The bargainer's wife finds what they both are looking for and together they try to form a story that puts the engaged couple in trouble.
The newly engaged couple wasn't ready to break the news to the world yet, but now, when all sides begin threatening their defenses, what will they do?"
"Admit their relationship, state that they're being targeted," I breathed, now realizing.
"That's right," Edward replied. "And in the end, the Mallorys are exposed for who they are. So that people can see their real faces, the malice and lies behind the glamour."
My eyes watched his face as he accurately stated my thoughts. In my mind, my respect for him greatly increased as I took note of the synchrony in the way we thought. No matter how different we were at all levels…at least we met somewhere in the middle.
"But what about the hospital staff? Can't they just say the truth?" I wondered aloud.
"The law gives victims privacy, even when they report an attack. So your information will remain confidential unless you want to break it to the world. If you're worried about them accessing public records, don't worry about that. You're information isn't going to leak, I used some contacts to ensure it was left intact," he said, looking at me pointedly.
I looked down as I noted with gratitude how much he had done for me already. And he was here again today for me. Edward continued before I had a chance to ponder further on the thought.
"However, sometimes hackers illegally access the files which are bound by security. I doubt any news channel or tabloid will do that…theft is suicide for them if they get caught, and the police often do lay charges on the organizations involved for breaching privacy. And that effectively destroys the organization's reputation. So for now, we need to deflect the matter in our favor, before someone spreads the true incident on the internet."
Another thought nudged my mind, and I decided to share it.
"Why do we need to have an actual marriage? Can't we just have something like breaking the engagement off? Or something like…I had agreed to be your...um…girlfriend?" I stammered.
"That paints us in bad light; it makes us the liars. We can't do that. We need to go with the marriage in the next two weeks. As for the girlfriend plan…that can't work. That's a very obviously manufactured story and that comes out in the open as soon as I leave for New York. We need something more lasting…more believable. Besides, if I left you here by yourself, the media will sabotage you to an end. It's hard working around them…I'm sure you understand that better than me," Edward mentioned the last part quietly.
"And the police aren't going to come after you…they'll let you go too. So you won't have to keep returning," I uttered, as I began to process the advantages behind his plan.
"What makes you think they stop me from staying in New York?" He asked, seeking my eyes as sadness became apparent in his voice.
At the change in the tenor of the conversation, I swallowed nervously as another line from the letter hit me.
"I have been stalling for a while now, moving back and forth between New York and Seattle, but this has gone too long and it must end today."
Edward decided to switch from awkwardness to a more formal tone, "Don't worry about me, Bella. I know how to protect myself. This is about you."
"I can protect myself, too. I don't need saving," I responded indignantly, although my voice lacked conviction. Because in truth, I did need saving. I needed a certain someone who knew exactly what to do…unlike me. Edward seemed just right.
"That's your choice, I don't want to impose this on you. I just had to let you know that you have other options if you aren't ready to face the press," Edward said hesitantly, trying and failing to appear unfazed by my outburst.
"If I say 'yes,'" I swallowed, "will we say all this in a press conference?"
"Not exactly. My brother works for New York Times. He can help us. We just claim we're engaged. That's it. The media itself will spread the news that we're being targeted. If the Mallorys know how to spread a rumor, we have to know how to make a thing or two public, should the need arises. The fact that New York is much larger than Seattle works to our advantage. We will get the chance for more reporters to spread our story."
"So how long would we have to go with the pretense?" I asked tentatively.
"Two years." Edward stated firmly. My body jerked forward with surprise, and I gaped at him. What?
"Two years?" I repeated, dumbfounded. Had he seriously lost his mind?
Edward regarded me coolly before continuing.
"Yes, we need people to believe our version. Otherwise, the Mallorys will gain sympathy by claiming that I broke the deal because you urged me to. That you didn't want me to go with it, and sadly they got trapped in the mix. You and I will become the evil masterminds behind a plan we never made. At the end of the day, they'll be rich due to all the publicity they started by selling the photograph, and they will make up for the money they lost in the deal. Well played," Edward said angrily.
After calming down slightly, he continued, "Basically, we are beating around the bush. We'll divert the media without ever letting them know what actually happened. Now everything is up to you," he finished, holding me with his intense eyes.
The more I thought about it, the more a key question fluttered around in my psyche.
How could he marry someone if he already has a girlfriend?
"What about Rosalie?" I questioned.
"What about her?" Edward asked, his forehead creasing in confusion.
"How can you propose something this when you're already in a relationship? Are you planning to ditch her and all the others?" I glared.
"I'm not in any relationship," Edward declared haughtily before continuing, "Contrary to what you think of me, I am not the sort of person who indulges in affairs with women in a situation like this." He glared right back.
"Oh." I mumbled.
But what about the redhead?
I decided to keep my mouth shut about that question.
"Rosalie is just a friend. We went on a few random dates on several occasions, thanks to Alice," he stated, his mouth turning up in a sardonic twist. He changed the topic on my lack of response.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked, peering at me with a genuinely curious expression.
Looking at him helplessly, I clasped my hands on my knees.
"This is absurd, Edward. This is real life we are talking about, not some twisted suspense movie."
"I am well aware of that, but at this point, this is all I can think of. We can confront the media about the picture if you want to. We can try, but similar cases have lost in court. If we do take this to court, the marriage won't remain an option. The truth about the night will be brought up. Do you want to take this to court?"
"No," I mumbled, "I can't do that. I'm not cut out for that."
"Then agree to this arrangement, Bella. You won't regret it. That much I can promise," he claimed, sincerity radiating from him.
I looked at him, still unsure, worried…lost. He looked down at his hands for a few silent moments while I stared at him and he, away from me. At my silence, Edward got up.
In a low voice he began, "I've got my answer. I won't take any more of your time. Goodbye, Bella."
With that, he started to move to the door. Unable to see him walk away from my life again, instinct took over, and I got up, gaining on him before he could reach the door. Lightly touching his arm, I looked up at him. Edward halted, still not facing me, ready to hear his predicament.
"You've lost you're mind," I said. Still Edward didn't turn around, but I could see the lift of his cheek in a sardonic smile.
"I'm often told so."
"Edward, you know this is madness," I pleaded
"Are you ready to be a part of it?" He challenged, turning around to reveal the power of his hypnotic eyes on me.
"I don't know… I don't know if I can do this," I stated apprehensively. "This could turn out bad," I added worriedly.
"No doubt," He commented, searching my eyes.
"Do you really think this will work?" I asked doubtfully.
"No plan is foolproof. It's what I do, it's called risk-taking," He responded, eyes full of promise.
"I can't risk my life, my respect, my dignity? Marrying for something like this…that's so wrong," I argued, my resolve crumbling as my voice began to tremble at the extent of danger in the plan.
"The choice is yours, the questions are too. Only you can find the answers," he paused.
"I won't do that for you, Bella." Determination hard and clear in his voice.
"I need time, Edward." I raised my eyes to him in askance.
Edward shook his head lightly, a morose expression on his face. "We don't have much of that. I need an answer fast. If we want the media to believe us, we can't take a lot of time. The later we decide, the more the public will think that we are formulating a story."
Edward quickly dug into his pocket, taking a card out and scribbling something on it.
"Here," he said, handing me the card. "This is my personal phone number, and at the back there is my hotel's number…I'll be in room 402. My flight leaves in two days."
I remained quiet, so he was going to go again. Paralyzed, I stood there as his hand reached out to me in a possible expression of solace. Hesitation slowed his movement, his hand stopping with my breathing. The lowering of my eyes did little to discourage him, and his hand finally reached my cheek.
Caressing it lightly, almost shyly, he moved his fingertips in soft strokes from below my left eye to my chin. "You need to know that there will be no going back, Bella. Once you set out to walk on this path, you don't look back. You won't be able to…that doesn't stay as an option. Make a sensible decision. This will change your life. You can fight this on your own, I know you can. I don't need to be a part of this, but I want to be able to help," he ended quietly, smoothing my hair from my forehead.
"You have your whole life ahead of you. You could find someone you love…don't force yourself to give up all that for this…arrangement. The decision was and always will be yours. I'll be there whenever you need my help."
That was his parting line, a line that did not need to be concluded with a goodbye.
Dragging his feet backwards, he backed away watching my face as I watched his parting shoes. A foreign emptiness exploding in my chest, forcing me grab Edward and pull him back to me, where he should have belonged.
But I wouldn't let him.
That didn't soothe the shattering … breaking beats of my heart. It pounded angrily, demanding me to make a move before it was too late.
"Wait."
I finally looked up at him, questions burning my mind.
"Why are you doing this for me? Why are you so compelled to help me…we don't even know each other…then why?"
Edward closed his eyes, shaking his head…yet again.
"Some things are best left unsaid. Take care of yourself."
With that, he turned back to the door, his hand pausing on the metal handle when my I spoke a last fact he deserved to know. The one thing I owed him for all his kindness.
"It was never your fault, Edward. I don't blame you…but if it makes things any better, I forgive you."
Edward took a shuddering breath, his body heaving with its after effects, and for a minute…I saw and felt that vulnerability that occasionally broke through. With a weak voice, he replied.
"Thank you. That means more to me than words could every say."
The door clicked closed. And just like before, he was gone.
~x~x~x~x~
The silence in my room was deafening. I just wanted to hear something, anything. Anything that would disturb this static moment. Fortunately, for me that disturbance came in the form of Jessica bursting into the room.
"Jesus! Woman, how did you get into the news? And was the guy that walked out a while ago, Edward Cullen?"
Jessica dragged me over to my window. And if things couldn't look any better, there was a whole crowd of cameramen and reporters on the street below. Even better, Mrs. Mallory dominating the centre of the crowd.
I stared on blankly as Jessica filled me in on what was happening.
"The reporters are asking Mallory about the picture. The deal, your involvement with Cullen and 'The Insider.' What's going on, Bella? This is serious! Mallory is on the verge of exploding. How serious are things between you and Cullen? And-"
"Excuse me!" I interrupted harshly. "What I do or don't do is none of your concern."
Looking at the hurt expression on her face, I quickly reshaped my words, my tone softer, "Please stay out of this, Jess."
"I was just trying to help," Jessica grumbled, her face turning sour with offense.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, though I didn't know for what. Not sure how much I could handle, I started advancing towards the adjoining washroom.
Alone in the washroom, I staggered back against the tiled wall. Slowly, I slid to the floor, my knees protectively tucking themselves into my chest. Tracing the delicates patterns on the floor with my fingertips, I distracted myself from the disaster awaiting me downstairs.
From somewhere far away, my mother's voice rang loudly in my ears.
"Sweetheart, always remember life never gives you more than you can handle."
I had been seven years old. Scoring the poorest in maths tests had become my description. My weakness in the subject made my class teacher, Miss Holmes, change my seating arrangement, such that I was seated next to the most maths proficient nerd in the class.
The other children had mocked me endlessly about it. Angry with tears, I ran back home, pounding on the door with my small fist. Renee had looked bewildered at my unruly appearance. Picking me up, she carried me to our cozy living room sofa, shushing me with reassuring pats.
I could remember the concern in her eyes, as she heard my story intently. Combing my hair, she had said this line as she promised that we would work harder until Miss Holmes could see what Bella Swan was made of.
She never lived to keep her end of the promise.
A phone beep brought me out of my childhood memories. It was Jazz's message.
How are you holding up? Call me when you can.
Dialing his number, I held the phone close to my ear.
"Bella?" Jazz said my name with surprise
"Jazz." I responded, unable to say more.
"Mallory was hard on you, wasn't she?" Jazz said knowingly. "What happened?"
"I'm famous," I announced.
"Pardon me?"
"The press is waiting for me to arrive downstairs."
"Shit!" He paused, taking a breath before continuing, "Whatever you do, don't step outside."
Surprisingly, his panicked tone made me laugh. However, my voice came out as a strange, discordant sound of a strangled cry.
"You worry too much, Jazz," I said nonchalantly, a haze beginning to crowd my vision.
"Bella, are you okay?"
Dizzy and spent, I didn't respond, holding a hand to my forehead as I began to see two sinks.
"Where are you?" Jazz demanded.
"Washroom," I managed.
"I'm coming to get you."
Click.
~x~x~x~x~
Life holds many surprises for us. Shocking events arrive at our doorstep when we least expect them to. Amongst those more frequent, pleasant surprises lie the rare, undesirable ones.
One of which stood in front of me in the form of Forks Chief of Police, Charles Swan.
My gaze moved from the respected chief to my friend, Jasper Hale, who had involved my father into this mess against my wishes.
"Let's go home, Bella." Jazz said, his eyes guilty.
"Come on, Princess." The brave chief said to me, his voice breaking on my nickname. I watched as my father held out his hand to me.
"Get up now, Bells," he said, taking my hand and pulling me to a standing position.
Taking me by the arm, he led me out of the washroom and the office to the front reception where we found a fuming Mallory, her pointed shoes tapping the floor impatiently.
"Mrs. Mallory, we will be leaving now. Thank you for your cooperation," Charlie said gruffly.
"Of course, officer." Mallory replied politely, her hawk-like eyes unwavering from me.
Together, the three of us left Paxiou in silence, unexpected considering the swarm I had seen previously. The area was now wiped clear of any sign of media, it didn't take a genius to know that the police had clearly played a role.
The ride to my apartment was quiet. However, the silence failed to mask the emotions that settled in the car. Jazz's desperation was clear in the anxious bouncing motion of his knee, in his imperceptible rocking and the number of times he nudged my hand in an attempt to get a response from me.
I didn't give him any sign that I was okay with what he had done because very simply, I wasn't. My mind had recovered from its temporary blur and the clearer my thoughts became, the more horrifying were the possibilities of what Charlie now knew. I didn't enjoy deluding myself into believing he was completely unaware of the mess I was in. What I hoped was that Jazz had made up some false story and fed that to the Charlie, but even I knew better. The chief was not one to be fooled easily.
His faint pallor told me the same. The rear view mirror had revealed a prominent redness along the rims of his lids. The sadness in his matching brown eyes gave me an answer that I wished was incorrect.
Charlie had been crying.
But Charlie never cried. Some had said the man had not shed a single tear on his wife's funeral.
Jazz had given away more than he should have. Just how much was the question right now.
After parking the car, we headed towards the building. In the tightly enclosed space of the lift, I had a greater opportunity to observe Charlie's physical appearance. His poor drinking habit revealed itself frequently in the form of unkempt hair and a shabby dressing style, but there were accessories the man never forgot. Things that were missing today; like his brown leather Roots watch, the cream oval cuff links, and his signature police chief cap.
I suspected that Jazz had talked to Charlie after our conversation earlier this morning. Whatever was said definitely came as a shock to Charlie and was very likely the reason for Charlie's appearance.
Entering our apartment, I quickly advanced toward my room, but I was cut short by Charlie's demanding voice.
"Just a minute, young lady."
As if sensing my deer-in-headlights response, he softened his tone, "Why don't you come and sit with me for a while?"
Like an obedient daughter, I took my place on the sofa next to his, sending an angry glare in Jazz's direction. Jazz looked away, walking out of the room a moment later to give us privacy.
You're ashamed now, where was your conscience when you chose to involve my father!
"Why didn't you tell me, Bella?" Charlie's voice began softly.
What was one supposed to say that? Left mute, I looked down, crossing my hands in my lap.
"I could have helped, you know." He said quietly, placing hand on top of time to put an end to my fidgeting.
"I didn't want you to be a part of it," I replied tensely.
"I'm your father, it's my right." He spoke like it was most the obvious thing on Earth.
Well, it wasn't to me. And the thought fueled my anger. He was never there.
Not on those early Christmas morning where everyone received calls from their loved ones, not on my graduation where parents lovingly embraced my peers on their achievement, not even on my birthday when I received many messages, but my father failed to send me the simple greeting I yearned for all day long.
"No it's not," I responded indignantly. "Jazz shouldn't have even told you about this, just forget it Charlie. I'm okay."
"I can't just forget this, Bella. I am a part of your life. Look, I know I'm not the best father and there have been times where I haven't done what I should have. And I'm sorry about that, Bella. But just don't block me out, okay? If Jazz wouldn't have told me about...about...that...night-" Charlie looked away, saying his next words with great difficulty.
"The night that you were raped."
A slicing pain ripped through my chest when he said the last word. And I realized how much I hated hearing it. Closing my eyes in indescribable agony, I pressed my lips together in a feeble attempt to control the sob that bubbled its way up my throat. And I knew that I had to get out of here at once or endure the torture that walked me through the worst night of my life.
Standing up, I grabbed my handbag quickly, making a mad dash for the apartment door.
"Bella! Listen to me-"
"Just let me be, Charlie. Just please, for God's sake," I practically begged, slamming the door shut, running down the hall to the lift.
Letting myself into the safe cavern, I took a deep breath after pressing the stop button. I pressed my hands to my heart as I heard it beating twice as fast. And surprisingly in this not so quiet moment, I felt myself grasping onto an epiphany.
It could all be so easy. All I had to do was say "yes." A single magical word that would get me out of this media trouble, the single word that would silence anyone who questioned me because for once I would have someone to answer the questions for me.
I pictured his eyes as he silently kneeled by my side. The side of my head hit the wall of the lift as I defiantly shook it no, trying to convince myself.
Why is this happening to me? I thought pathetically.
"Sweetheart, always remember life never gives you more than you can handle."
Perhaps Renee's words would hold some wisdom.
~x~x~x~x~
The next day found me in Mrs. Mallory's office early in the day. Last night, when I had returned to my apartment, the door had opened to a visibly upset Charlie. I had walked past him wordlessly, my shoulder brushing his as my silent steps walked me into my room. Today was very much like yesterday so far. The same silent, yet disparaging looks. The same questions in everyone's eyes; the blaming looks were persistent as though I was responsible for the deal break.
Maybe that's why I found myself standing in Lauren's office, in front of the delicate glass doors. Taking lesson from last time, I didn't find a place to sit.
"Hello Miss Swan," Lauren started, her appearance frustrated, tired.
"You called for me?" I asked.
"Yes, I have to talk to you about something crucial." She said, her eyes cool and gray.
She stared at me for a long while before speaking, "Have a seat," she stated, almost absently.
And it was strange because she wasn't being as degrading as she always was.
"Yes?" I questioned, now worried about the silence in her mood.
She handed me a letter with Paxiou symbol stretched artistically at the front of the envelope. Three pillars with intricate swirls painted on them standing in a row, fashion, health and beauty. The three parts that completed a woman.
I took the letter from her, confused and worried, is this another letter from Edward?
Removing the letter from the envelope, I asked Mrs. Mallory, "What is this?"
"Your letter of termination."
My eyes flashed to Mrs. Mallory's as I blurted, "What?"
She eyed me coolly, sitting back on her chair. At her silence, I quickly scanned the contents of the letter. She was firing me for my lack of interest?
"You can't do that," I said bitingly, "My work is good, Mrs. Mallory. I know it!"
"I never said that."
"Lack of interest? On what grounds do you say that, Mrs. Mallory? I adore my job, and I put every ounce of hard work into it."
"Miss Swan, control yourself," Mallory commanded. Sitting up, she continued.
"Based on my observations, you have not been as hard working as you claim to be. Even since you've come back, you seem lost in our meetings, you're living in another world. Your work has lagged back during your sick leave. In case you have forgotten, Paxiou is a new magazine. I need an extraordinarily efficient staff to make this magazine the success it will become. And you do not meet my expectations, do you understand that?"
"No," I almost cried out.
This is unfair.
"The sooner you come to terms with it the better it will be for you."
"I went through a hard phase, try and understand. I won't give you room for complaints." I could hear the faint beginnings of pleading in my voice.
"Accept it, Isabella." She stretched my name out scornfully.
"I've been given raises during the time I've worked here. Please, Mrs. Mallory."
She didn't give me anything but a pitiful gaze. I tried again.
"I didn't have anything to do with the deal, you've got to believe me."
"I don't entertain lies." Something was perturbed, and I could see a low flame rekindling in her eyes.
"I'm innocent, how can I be involved when I don't even know Edward Cullen. What possible benefit could that hold for me? I am a part of Paxiou, why would I want bad for a place I work in!"
"Oh please," Mrs. Mallory said exasperatedly. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"But-"
"That's enough!" she bellowed, standing up, her looming frame glaring down at me. Walking to the wall-wide window she stared outside.
"I've spent my entire life working to get this magazine started. I've made sacrifices, done things I would have never. And today," she turned to glare at me. "I won't let you and your petty games get in my way."
"So it's true," I murmured, horror evident in my voice. "You did turn the picture in."
She laughed loudly. "Not that it's any of your business, but yes!" She confessed, another loud laugh ringing in the room. And I was shocked silent. I couldn't believe it.
"I thought we would have succeeded with the money we would make from the picture...but things have turned back on us and now Paxiou is being bad-mouthed; you are poisoning my magazine. The only way to worm our way out of this is to fire you. You need to leave, if Paxiou is to survive."
"Wish I had never listened…" Her voice continued on, but my ears blocked her out.
"Why are you doing this to me? If Paxiou is threatened like you say; it is a result of your actions. Why force them on me?" I lamented.
"That's a rather naïve way to think," Mrs. Mallory commented. "It's obvious you and Mr. Cullen have been plotting together for long, I could see it in your eyes before the party. His response to you and both of your disappearances untangled the riddle for me. Paxiou will rise, and you and Cullen can do nothing to stop it. I will get rid of moles like you, Miss Swan!"
"You're sadly mistaken," I murmured, as my vision blurred anew with unshed tears.
"You may leave now. You are officially dismissed." Mrs. Mallory ended with finality.
And it's like she has stamped her seal on my career. I can't come to terms with the fact that she has fired me. For something that isn't even my fault. Her actions are so cruel and selfish; using others to twist the events in her favor.
"I can take you to court." I threatened.
"Take me to court for what?" She laughed on her words. "Have you forgotten that Paxiou is a private enterprise, I am my own boss. And I choose people I like. You. Are. Not. One. Of. Them. Anymore."
And this was it. I had reached the end of my journey at Paxiou. It was time to say goodbye to my chair.
"Karma will get back at you," I whispered. Saving the last few shreds of dignity, I walked out of the room. My stride was a strong one, one that crumbled as I took my last step out of Paxiou. I broke out into a run as my face caught the first cool winds that blew in wet August.
And I began to run faster than I ever had. It was like those sports days we had in school. The feeling of floating in air…the feeling of freedom. But the euphoria was short-lived. Fleeting faces revealed looks of disgrace. I wanted to scream at all of them that I was innocent, that I have nothing to do with this.
But I couldn't. There were too many of them.
And I still kept running. However, it was now fear of the crowd that powered my foot falls. Rain fell in synchrony with my feet. It was a loud sting to my ears along with the booming thunder that echoed in my chest. I had lost direction…I didn't know where I was going anymore. How this would end or if I would ever be able to end it.
Suddenly, the world seemed too large and I felt too insignificant and weak in it. I was alone. Powerless, left to its vices. Renee's words sounded baseless, they didn't make sense anymore. I had far more than I could handle. I couldn't take it anymore. My resolve has surrendered.
My leg hurt with the strain I was putting on it, but I couldn't stop; I didn't want to. I ran faster still, the faces blurring with the rain that fell. Before I knew, my feet had stopped and I found myself in front of a building. A hotel.
I cocked my head to the side, wondering what had propelled me to the location. My clothes were wet and dripping. Walking forward in the rainy puddles, I saw a soft light flow out of the closed sliding glass doors. Closer inspection revealed a man seated by the lamp on a coffee brown sofa.
My steps were faster now, stopping right in front of the sliding doors. And that is when my heart stopped too.
The man was Edward.
He was looking at me with a shocked expression, his eyes bewildered as they roamed over me. He stood up instantly, as recognition dawned on his face.
The short distance between us didn't mask the monumental difference between our worlds. His world, a flurry of glamour and candle lights and my world, dark, somber and drenching in rain. Fates separated by a single glass pane.
Until the glass suddenly wasn't there anymore; the doors had slid open. And I knew I wouldn't get the chance to grasp this opportunity again. I had to utilize it now.
My feet were set into motion, and I was vaguely aware that Edward had begun walking towards me. My whole body flashed with energy, my heart beat so strongly that I could feel the thumping in my fingertips. My wet hair flared in the wind as I headed towards him swiftly.
Edward seemed worried, his pace quickening towards me.
Faster than I could understand, I ran to the only person capable of solving my problem. And before I knew, I had collided with him, my impact so strong that his body staggered with mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, reveling in the human touch I had denied myself for so long. I inhaled his warm scent, enjoying the return of the liberating feeling. My embrace was healing, comforting, and I felt protected. It was safe. It was far from the watchful eyes of the world.
Between my choking gasps, I breathed, "Yes." Closing my eyes, I felt the material of his coat bunch under my fingers as I held him to me, my last words having the potential to change our destiny.
"Yes…" I took a deep breath, my eyes still closed. "I'll marry you."
A/N: Hmmm…finally. What will be Edward's reaction to Bella's termination? And how are they going to break it to the media that they are getting married?
I know Bella seems weak right now, she just needs time to grow stronger. We've had quite a bit of angst. From now on, things will really start looking up.
Thoughts, comments? Please review to let me know your thoughts.
The teasers will be posted on the thread as soon as I'm done the next chapter.
Till then, take care.
