I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT

Enjoy y'all! Thanks so much for reading and those who commented :) Sorry 'bout the chapter title. Can't think of anything new.

Will post the twist next! VERY SOON!

P.S.

Posted some pics on my profile. Will update that also

Chapter 13: Something New

BPOV

The meeting with Jacob went great. We managed to talk about some random stuff in between work talks. It was so easy being with him. I can't help not to smile whenever I'm near him. His…goofy grin just gets to you. I love his positive and laid back vibe.

I always left smiling when I'm with him.

I could put down my freaking book. I was lying in bed all weekend, sighing and then looking at the book, then reading it, the sighing again. I still can't get over the fact that Edward – I mean AB – did that for me.

It's just soooo unlikely of him. REALLY unlikely. He's obnoxious – or worse, then he turns into some…I don't know…what can I call it? Whatever. He just turned into…something or someone else less evil.

HOWEVER, he's still a bastard. He's now back being the Handsome Bastard.

As usual, I went to work and did my thing. So far, no one has screwed up so my blood isn't boiling.

It's more than a week since I last saw AB – I mean HB. Sometimes I'd remember him when catch a glimpse the book he gave me. Somewhere in between those thoughts, my dad rang.

"Hey dad! What's up?" I said, smiling to myself.

"Nothing much kid. How about you?"

"Work, work and more work," I chuckled. "You're so busy with work that's why you forget to call your old man?"

"No, of course…not. Wait, didn't I just call you?"

"Yeah, two weeks ago! I'm hurt Bells," my father joked. My father and I didn't really say much to each other – I mean we don't get too mushy and stuff. He can't handle that kind of thing.

"Sorry, dad. Really, I didn't notice. I promise, I'll call you every week." That's the least I could do. I miss Charlie. I miss home.

"Alright kid. Gotta go. Just needed to remind you still have a father," he chuckled. "I'll be at the station if you need anything. Take care, Bells! Love you!"

"Whatever Charlie!" I giggled. "You take care, too. Love you dad!"

"Oh! Wait, when will I see your face again?"

Well that made me pause for a few seconds, raking my brain for available days. "Uhm…I don't know yet dad. But…I'll see if I can this summer after the wedding. Promise. I miss you dad! Talk to you soon. Love you!"

"Be sure kid! Love you too!" And he hung up. I sighed and thought about when I could go home.

Jacob called a few times too, just wanting to know what's going on. I'm surprised at how fast our friendship is progressing. I don't even mind that he calls me 'Bells'. I've even given him my private number.

"Bella, meeting will be starting in a few minutes," Angela said as she entered my room. "Alright. Will you please get the other folios I gave you. Thanks," I said.

"No problem," she smiled and left.

It's a Monday today so weekly reports are to be discussed. I hate really hate these things. I went to the conference room, busy fiddling with my planner, scanning for schedules I have for this day. I sat down on my chair, not bothering to look up as I waited for my staff to settle down.

I shut my planner loudly, "Good morning," I looked at them as they greeted me with different mumbles of 'good morning' then took my seat. While waiting for them to settle down, I saw the seat on my right side with a glass, a bottle of water and a folder prepped. Usually, this seat wasn't occupied. "Angela, are we having someone over?"

Before she could answer, I saw someone sit on my right. I stared in complete…shock…and confusion, maybe? Yeah.

AB was in his goddamn perfection. Clean shaven face, he cropped his hair, still looking unkempt but sexy, and in his crisp gray Armani suite. He's wearing his Davidoff Cool Water for Men perfume today.

"Good morning, Bella," he smiled. "What are you doing here?" I said robotically. Isn't he supposed to be in New York? And Angela, why didn't she tell me he was going to be here? Carlisle didn't call or whatever.

"I'm here for awhile. I…Carlisle said I need to put more attention on businesses outside New York. So…" he shrugged.

Oh God. "Am I fired?" I had to ask. This business is doing well! There are like, 10 more branches in and out of the country. Why did he choose Chicago? I mean, it's no Paris or London – no offense.

He looked bemused at my question. "What? No…did you get fired?"

"No…I just…Are you taking over my job?" Please, NOT AGAIN!

"No, I'm here as your boss and that's a totally different job." He said and turned to look at in front of him. 'Yeah right' was in my mind; I followed his gaze, trying to absorb all of this and saw everyone's attention on us.

AB cleared his throat. "Let's proceed. Shall we?" He asked and looked at me as well. I blinked a few times and opened my folder. My brain automatically switched to work mode. "I want to hear from the advertising people first."

"Very well, please start," HB added.

The meeting ate half of our day, HB and I barely talked except when making comments or asking a few questions. There wasn't too much tension in the room since we're kind of…I don't think we're friends – yet – but, we weren't fighting either, so… Whatever, you name it!

I'm still so confused as to why he decided to come back. And okay, even if he did the whole sorry thing I still found myself uncomfortable around him. As much as possible, I tried to clear my head around him or I might blurt out something stupid.

Almost two weeks passed and I'm surprised to say that AB and I actually get along – well not that much. I mean, not that we're close or anything but sometimes we'd agree on something and eventually, have a good conversation. My idea of small talks with him – strictly small talks only, not allowing myself to go any further - was sort of a bust. I wasn't that willing to talk to him when he came but I don't know. Some miracle happened in Masen Communications Chicago Branch that we actually began talking a little often.

"How's the soon-to-be bride acting?" HB asked one day in the office.

"Huh? Oh! Well, she's doing good. She hasn't snapped or anything," I said, still a bit surprised about the whole talking shit.

"Yet," he laughed. "Yet," I repeated. God this still feels…weird!

"Are you doing anything this weekend?"

Okay, that seriously halted what I was doing. Was he trying to ask me out? "Uh…yeah! Rosalie wants me to shop with her…so," I said with a shrug. "Why?" I can't help but to ask again.

"Nothing. I'm leaving." He said while he scratched his back. "See you," I nodded as he left.

I'm delirious.

Another weird conversation crap with Handsome Bastard. You know, sometimes our conversations will end something like this. Wherein you're okay at first then you feel awkward in the end.

The next day – thank God it's Friday, by the way – we have a meeting with Jacob and co.. This meeting will take all day; we're getting to the crucial part of the deal which is compromising their wants and needs with what we could offer.

Angela, Eric – HB's assistant, HB and I went to The Blaque Corporation together. As usual, we waited in their conference room. Jacob was the first one to enter and greeted me immediately with his warm smile. "Hi Bella," he kissed my cheek and hugged me.

AB cleared his throat and spoke before I could say 'hi' back to Jacob. "Good morning Jacob," he nodded. Well this annoyed me. "Morning Edward," Jacob smiled. I threw him a glare and looked back to Jacob. "Hi Jacob," I smiled and all of us exchanged greetings with everyone in the room.

The meeting went through and I can't help but notice Edward's face since this morning. He was impatient and seemed a bit cold toward Jacob. He wasn't even flirting back with Jessica – who, by the way, will have her head detached from her body if she doesn't stop waving her head here and there. He's worse than any other day and boy was he in a bad mood today. I was a bit pissed with how he was acting. This is no help at all whatsoever.

"Whatever it is, just keep it to yourself and do your job! We can't afford to act like this in front of our clients. Get your poker face on," I whispered. He stared at me for a moment then rolled his eyes and shook his head.

What the…? Okay, he's back to being AB now.

I was glaring at him, annoyance growing in me.

"Is…there a problem?" James asked breaking my glare. "Nothing! Sorry, don't mind us," I smiled and looked at AB. "Indeed. please, carry on," he smiled fakely.

Okay, so this isn't the first time's he's been like this. Sometime last week and the last two weeks when we were here, he was like this. What is it that every time we go here he acts like this? Didn't he push this deal?

Thankfully, the session ended and we will be meeting again soon to wrap this baby up.

"Hey Bella, are you heading home?" Jacob asked as I was fixing my things. "Yeah, why?"

"Nothing. I'll call you later, ayt?" He smiled sheepishly. "I'll wait for it," I winked and he laughed.

"I'll go ahead. I have a few phone calls to make."

"Be sure you call back all your girlfriends, okay?" I teased. "FYI, I don't have any. Girls only wish they were with me," he wiggled his brows making me laugh. "Whatever! Get out of here!" I said.

"Alright. Catch you later," he kissed my cheek and hugged me once again. He said goodbye to everyone else and left.

When I turned to look at AB, his face was painted with disgust and a hint of annoyance. Still in a bad mood. I walked out of the room, talking to Angela about Alice's wedding. She's going to be a bridesmaid since they're pretty close too.

When we separated AB's face didn't change at all. He still has a scowl on it.

What's his problem anyway?

That Sunday, Rose and I were in a mall, shopping for whatever we felt like buying. I enjoy shopping days like this with Rose because we get to talk about really random stuff like we used to. And it's not like we're in a rush or under pressure – that's how I feel like when shopping with Alice.

I narrated to Rose how AB and I were doing in the office and the observation I made when we had meetings at Blaque Corporation.

"At first it's awkward and then it gets okay, sometimes it gets to good enough and then somehow, it always ends in awkwardness. I mean, what is that? We can't afford to end a conversation without it. It's…" I trailed off, thinking of a better word to describe how I feel.

"AND! He's totally weird! I swear! I don't know what it is with Jacob's office that he turns to a bitch. I don't get that! He wanted the deal, so why is he acting like that?" I said, looking at shoes.

"Whatever. He's still sexy and I'll take him."

"Ugh. Whatever!" I rolled my eyes. "When will I meet this Jacob? Alice sais you were together once. Is he a future fuck buddy?" Rose asked.

"What? No! He's just a…friend. You know," I shrugged. "I like him. I mean, not like him like him…yet…"

Rose faced me with a raised eyebrow. "Yet?"

I gave her a shrug, "Who knows?"

She smirked and went back to looking at shoes. "I'll wait for that. Please, DO update me!"

"Hey, did you find anything for the other lovebird's honeymoon?" Trying to change the subject.

"I haven't! Nothing screams perfect yet. Don't you have any clients or something that owns hotels or whatever?" She asked while trying on a pair of stilettos.

Wait, speaking of…Jacob owns several hotels and resorts! "You're brilliant Rose! Why didn't I think of that?" Yeah, why didn't I?

"Clearly, I am the smartest. And the most beautiful!" She laughed. "I can't argue about the fact that your fucking gorgeous! But I AM the smartest. Don't flatter yourself, Rosie," I smirked.

"Whatever bitch! At least I'm not turning into an old hag for not getting laid in months!" She retorted.

"You fucking whore! I don't want to a skank like you," I laughed.

"Oh honey, I'm not. I just love having sex!" She corrected. "Yeah, whatever. No one's stopping you anyway."

We continued our banter as we were walking in the mall. We were still thinking of alternatives for Alice and Japer's honeymoon surprise. We commissioned Rose's parents to say that they were the ones who'll take care of it. Lucky enough, Alice didn't argue.

Rose and I were in a boutique and tried on dresses. When we were at the cashier I realized I forgot my necklace in the dressing room.

"Shit! I'm going back, I left my locket." I said to Rose and to the girl behind the register.

I was so scared of losing it. Charlie gave it to me the day I graduated. It is made of gold and has a round locket with vine-looking cravings on the outer part of the locket. In it was our picture and the phrase 'Plus que ma propre vie' (AN: I don't know if this is accurate, sorry) is engraved on the left side.

"Damn it! I hope no one got it!" I reached the stalls and saw that someone's in it. Damn! I was about to knock when the door opened.

The occupant is a woman, looks like she's in her mid-40s with a bob, a bit stout and has a sweet charm; Reminds me of Mrs. Teapots. "Oh. Hi! Uh…I forgot something in there, do you mind?" She vacated the room and I thanked her. Alas! I saw my locket still hanging on the hook.

I sighed in relief and wore it around my neck, "Thank God I found you!"

I went back to Rose and handed my card to the cashier and we're off to go. After that Rose and I were in a jewelry store, looking for something for the wedding. I was looking at earrings and bent down to get a closer view.

"Excuse me," someone said and I turned to look at her. She's beautiful. She's tall, has strawberry blond hair, her eyes are blue…like blue blue. Wow. She is breathtaking. She can be Rosalie's twin.

"Yes?" I said, trying to absorb her beauty.

"Can I look at your locket?" She asked. I pursed my lips. My locket? "It's alright if – "

"Oh! No, it's okay," I smiled as she took the pendant in her fingers and bent down to observe it, careful not to strangle me or anything. She opened it and smiled. "Do you know what plus que ma propre vie means?" She asked with perfect French and a small smile on her face, eyes still on the locket.

"More than my own life? Or something like that," I shrugged.

"That's right. May I ask where you got this?" She said looking up to me, smiling. She looks like a goddamn model. "I don't exactly know where, but I came from Forks so my dad probably bought it at an antique shop in Port Angeles," I babbled.

"Oh. Too bad. It's a beautiful antique, by the way. I hope I could find something like this for my boyfriend," she let go of my locket gently and smiled.

"Hey Bells!" Rose came up to my side but she stopped when she saw the girl in front of us. I know she's giving her the Manhattan onceover as she raised her brow.

"Hi there," she smiled to Rose. "Sorry to interrupt you two. Thank you," she smiled and nodded to me. "No problem," I smiled back and she left.

"She looks oddly familiar!" Rose said looking back at the girl. "I…think so. Whatever. She wanted to know where I got my locket. She wished she could find something like this for her boyfriend."

"He's one lucky asshole," Rose laughed.

"You could pass as sisters, you know?"

"Whatever Bells, I'm prettier. No, I'm beautiful and she's just pretty. Come on," Rose tugged my arm as I laughed. Oh Rosalie, we all know your goddamn perfect.

"I remember!" Rose exclaimed while we were in her car, going home. "What?"

"That girl! She's the Victoria's Secret Angel who took over Heide Klum's spot! And she's modeling for some fucking vintage designer I fucking forgot! Shit! She's the top model today! And she's all over the place! I knew I know her" She said.

Wow, model. Well, that suites her.

"Remember the ad in the magazine that I showed you? The Victoria's Secret ad?" Rose asked.

"Yeah. I do. Damn she looks good!"

During the ride home, we talked about her and her possible boyfriend.

The next day is work day again. We met at Jacob's office and the usual happened. AB scowled the entire time, smiling forcibly when he has to. Usually he's a smooth talker but it all becomes strained – and to be honest he looks like a joke when he tries to smile with a scowl on his face. Who does that? – there's something wrong with this guy, seriously.

Alas! The meeting is finally done as well as the contract signing. Working with Jacob was a piece of cake. The deal went by so fast, we didn't have to persuade much. 'My associates and I trust you', as he puts it.

I am so psyched that we bagged this easily and fast!

"Well, this calls for a celebration," Jacob said. The two of us were standing in the corner of the room. drinking a glass of champagne. "Absolutely!" I said with a grin.

"Where do you want to go tonight?"

"Uhm…Anywhere! Really, you choose." I insisted. "Alright. Do you know L2O?" Jacob looked at me.

"Yeah, I do."

"7 p.m.?" He asked. "Okay with me," I smiled. "Do you want me to pick you up?" He asked coyly.

"Oh. Uh...maybe some other night. I want to drive my new baby," I said - which is true...ish. Although I am comfortable with Jacob, I'm still kind of shy, considering it would be like a date. "If you say so," he smiled.

Just as Jacob opened his mouth again to say something, AB decided to join in. "Jacob, thank you for choosing our company," he offered is hand.

Jacob shook his. "No problem. Thank Bella, she quite a talker," he winked at me and I laughed. "We're celebrating tonight and it's only proper that you come with us."

It figures.

"Sure...err..." AB looked a bit hesitant. "Where at?"

"L2O, 7 p.m."

"I'll be there," AB said.

"Cool," Jacob said softly.

Well...this is...odd? Or...not?

EPOV

(After he dropped Bella at Jacob's office - chapter 12)

I. Hate. Jacob. Black.

One minute Bella and I were okay, and 'm so glad things were good now then he needs to kiss and hug her in front of me. Well, fuck it.

I was driving back to the hotel to get my suitcase; I gripped the steering wheel tighter, remembering the thought. It will break soon if I don't loosen my grip.

Damn it. Why do I feel this way? I wanted to push him away when he hugged Bella. I want to freaking rip his arms off just thinking of what he did!

I do not like how I feel just the thought of Bella with other men, what more if they hold her? Fuck. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but…with her, I can't help it.

As my mind drifted in deep though, I absentmindedly made a u-turn. I am going to see my parents because…

I am moving to Chicago.

A/N: So? What do you guys think?