Thank you black wolfgirl2722 for making this story more smooth and easier to read ;-) You are the best :-)

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THE STOLEN WORDS

by AliciousMind

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE - The Right Direction

BPOV

After our happy reunion that morning we decided to just snuggle and talk, content with our closeness and intimacy. I was glad that Rosalie gave me those few days off. I could care less about my work right then.

I couldn't believe how my all priorities had changed during the last couple of weeks. Work was no longer number one in my life. It was important and still was giving me a lot of satisfaction, but there was something more important, more needed and satisfying. It was my relationship with Edward.

He was the one I knew I could trust, the one I belonged with and wanted to spend time with. Well, to be honest I was sure that one lifetime was not enough for us to be together, but it was too early to talk about it. After those horrible long days of our separation I was sure that neither of us wanted to be apart anytime soon – that made me feel anxious. He lived in New York. He loved his music and performing, his life was not in one place and certainly not here, in Seattle. I knew he loved me, there was no doubt in me, but somehow the feeling of unavoidable dread about our future made my nervous. Was I enough?

I loved him too much to let him give up his career for me.

I looked at the perfect man beside me and snuggled closer and then my stomach growled with hunger.

"Are you hungry or do you just keep your wild pet under the bed?" he tried to be serious, his twitching mouth made it hard, though. He sat up and looked at me with his sparkling green eyes.

"Come on, let's feed the beast," he winked and started to collect his clothes from the floor. I blushed remembering the previous night. It was a huge load of emotions and passion, completely indescribable.

"Do you want to take the shower first? I could make us breakfast?" I didn't want to assume that he would stay with me all day, but I really wanted him to do just that. I looked at his figure, putting his pants on and looking for his discarded pair of socks.

"I have to go back to my parents for a while, but I'd like to take you out for dinner. Is that okay?" he said it like there was any doubt for me to join him for dinner. There was no choice for me.

"Yes, sure, that sounds great. Just call to let me know what time I should be ready."

He seemed to relax. He put his shirt on and started to button it up. What a shame. I must have zone out for a while, because when he answered he was fully dressed.

"Okay. Now, hop into the shower and let me get our breakfast." He embraced me and gently kissed my lips.

"Mmmm," I murmured, "he cooks." I kissed him back, this time trying to prolong our connection.

Suddenly he slapped my bottom softly. "Go now, or we never leave this bedroom, you temptress," he accused me with mock displeasure.

I yelped surprised and he laughed, kissing my bare shoulder and leaving. I smiled and rubbed the slightly stinking place where his hand had connected a moment before. He was going to pay for that later.

oOo

He left after our breakfast. It was good seeing him just as much reluctant to leave as I was.

I decided to do some laundry and my house chores. I was just about to vacuum my living-room when my phone rang. The caller ID indicated Rosalie Hale.

"Hi Rose, what's up," I answered cheerfully.

"Wow, someone is in a great mood today. Is it your day off or maybe something else?" she asked already suspecting the source of my happy attitude.

Not being able to hide my good spirits I just smiled to myself and admitted, "Edward came back yesterday. He surprised me by dropping by. We spend some time together," I blushed, because THAT was the biggest understatement ever.

"Do I hear a blush somewhere in there?" she asked, already amused.

Damn. Even by the phone I had to be that obvious.

"How can you tell?" I asked genuinely curious.

"Don't mind me. I am just quite observant and know human nature. If it was me missing Emmett so much, I would jump him the minute he entered my house," she laughed loudly. "Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're happy again. I really don't like to see you so miserable again."

"Oh, Rose, thank you. I am sorry for being so pathetic. I can imagine how awful it was to be in my company. I apologize for that, but I can't help it. I can't imagine our next separation and I know for sure, that being with Edward will force us to separate more often. I am terrified of that, but what I can do other than accept it?" I sighed feeling those traitorous tears gathering in my eyes. Only thinking about being far from him for longer than few days made my heart clench. It was ridiculous and mysterious all together. How can two people be so completely and unconditionally connected?

"Don't be ridiculous. It was perfectly normal and not so bad," she keelhauled me shortly. "I truly understand how you feel and perhaps I may have a solution to your torments."

"Oh?" That spiked my interest. "What are you saying?" I had no idea how she could make Edward stay.

"Can you come by to my office in, let's say, an hour? I know that's your day off, but it is quite urgent and I really need to talk to you."

She sounded serious. I hoped nothing bad had happened and that she was not going to fire me.

"Okay, Rose. I'll be there. See you later, then."

"See you," and she hang up. My heart beat anxiously. What was going on? I had a strange feeling that in a few days my life is going to turn upside down.

oOo

An hour later I was standing in my best pencil skirt and a green silk button down shirt in front of Rosalie's office. My hands were sweaty and my knees were trembling slightly.

I knocked lightly not sure if my weak legs would stand another minute of keeping me in vertical position.

I heard my boss' "Come in", took a deep breath, opened the door and entered.

Seeing me she smiled widely and stood up to hug me.

"Bella, I'm glad you're here. I am really sorry to trouble you today, but this is very important and sudden. I hope you will not be disappointed either."

I smiled shyly not sure how to react. I had such mixed emotions that I was not able to speak. She indicated the vacant seat in front of her desk, which I gladly took, waiting for her further explanation.

She sat behind her desk and concentrated, eyebrows furrowed.

"You know I've been managing this firm for quite a long time now." I nodded not sure what to say. It was known that Rosalie was the person, who had developed the Voltouri Publishing, making it well known and respected among all the top companies in the United States. Her intuition, hard work and management capabilities extended the ability of getting the well-known clientele of international authors, writers and novelists, making it one of the most sought after in the market.

"A few days ago I received a call from Aro, our CEO, that with our fast development and increased flow of new orders and clients, they decided to extend our company by opening the new affiliate in New York."

My heart stopped for a second and my brain accelerated analyzing what that could mean, but Rosalie went on so I just listened becoming more and more excited, feeling that thrill course inside my body.

"Of course Aro wants me to choose the right person, who would be able to manage the company there, just like I do here, in Seattle. He trusts me and knows, that I recommend the best of the best." She stopped then, looking at me expectantly.

"Shall I help you choose? I can start searching right away. I know it is a big deal and that there is not much time. I assume that the location in New York is ready and prepared? Please, don't worry about my days off. I can take them any time later. It is huge and I am glad to help. Do you think I should search among the editors in New York or rather here, in Seattle?"

I was rambling, I knew that, but Rosalie apparently needed me right away. After all that what she had done to me I was glad she wanted me to help her. I could imagine how honorable that task was if Aro Voltouri himself was asking her to do it.

"Bella, stop," she laughed out loud. I looked at her not finished with all the planning strategies already in my head.

"What?" I asked started. "You said it was urgent, we have no time to waist."

She stood up and approached me, with amused expression. She knelt at my side, like a parent next to her child. Then she took my hands into hers and looked into my eyes seriously.

"I don't want you to help me with the search."

"Oh, okay," I dropped my gaze not understanding why she needed me then.

But she lifted my chin and made me look back at her blue eyes.

"I don't want you to help me searching for the right person, because I have already found the best one." She said that still looking at me expectantly. She must have seen my confused face, because then she stood up abruptly shooting her hands up with impatience.

"For the love of all that is saint, Bella, I swear for such an intelligent person sometimes you are just plain dumb." She exclaimed that irritated, but something in her tone told me, that underneath she was amused with our encounter.

Then she took my hand and pulled me up so I was standing in front of her. She put her hands on my shoulders and shook my body like she wanted to wake me up.

"It's you, Bella. I'm choosing you because you are the best. You are young, but I was younger when I got my promotion. I know you'll do your best to continue the development of our company and it gives you the opportunity to move to New York." She was smiling then, waiting for me to react.

She wanted me to be the head manager of one of the most wanted publishing companies in the States? And I should move to New York. Wait, New York, like New York, New York?

My eyes widened with shock and surprise when that information finally got to my brain. I gasped and looked at a very happy Rose.

"Well, I must admit it took you a while to comprehend all that, but I know I would need time as well if I were you. Do you think it is something you want? You know, the promotion, moving. Oh, I forgot to tell you about your raise, which will be spectacular considering your change of location and all those inconveniences."

She winked knowing that 'all those inconveniences' were truly the conveniences. I would be living in New York, just like Edward.

A huge smile appeared on my face, making her laugh even harder.

"Go home, Bella. Think it over, talk to Edward and let me know your answer tomorrow. If you agree you're going to move next month."

"Thank you, Rose." I hugged her tightly. "You will not regret that, I promise."

"I know I won't. I've been observing your work for quite some time, so was Aro. He agrees you are the best person for that position. Now go, and come back tomorrow."

She squeezed my shoulders reassuringly and went back to sit at her desk.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow then," I said and turned to leave her office.

"Have a nice day," she exclaimed just before I closed the door. I couldn't help smiling how my life, in just a matter of few minutes, changed and started to move in the right direction.

A/N: Here we go with the great change. What Bella doesn't know is that much bigger change is coming next chapter :-)

Are you ready for some drama? LOL

I know you all are waiting for the next chapter.

Let me know how much :-)

A.