Chapter 23 Good bye, Mr. Cullen?

BPOV

My heart was pounding like a jack hammer as I waited for the elevator to reach Edward's floor. The thought of Edward and Tanya getting married occupied my mind. I know I should not jump into conclusions, but it felt like an inevitable conclusion to this whole ordeal. Tanya was beautiful, successful and smart. She is everything a perfect guy like Edward would want.

Ding!

I clumsily made my way out of the elevator and tried to maintain my composure. Ha! Like you have something like that, Swan! I forced a smile on my face and rang the doorbell.

"BRRRR!"

I was feeling both excitement and nervousness as I waited for the door to be opened.

"Oh… it's you. Bella right?" A smooth yet uptight voice awakened bewildered senses.

Tanya.

"Hello, Ms. Denali. Yes, it's Bella. It's nice to see you again." I managed to reply as she so blatantly looked at me from head to toe.

"Likewise, were you invited?"

Was I invited? I'm a freaking employee!

My silence must have awakened her from her bitchy state of mind.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Come on in. I'll introduce you to some of our associates."

Every employee was there, as well as the whole Board of Directors, and project managers from different branches. This announcement must really be big for Edward to invite all these people. I was trying to scan the whole area for Edward, when I felt a soft touch on my shoulder.

"Hello, dear. How have you been?"

"Mrs. Cullen!" My voice could not hide the excitement of seeing her again. Elizabeth Cullen has given me so much opportunity to grow in this company. She not only became my mentor, she was a dear friend.

"It's nice to finally see you again, Bella. Thank you for keeping up with my son's personality. I know he's not the easiest person to get along." She said with a smile.

You got that right!

"Mrs. Cullen, thank you for trusting me with the Masen deal."

"No, Bella. Thank you for accepting my little wish. I have watched you grow in this company, and I know that the Masen deal would not be successful it is not you." She softly pulled me into a motherly hug.

"Elizabeth! How are you?" Tanya decided to interrupt our conversation. Elizabeth?

'Tanya" Mrs. Cullen acknowledged her presence with annoyance written all over her face.

"So glad you made it! Well, I guess that is something that I shouldn't be too surprised about seeing that Edward would announce his big plan to the company."

"Big plan?" I unconsciously said out loud. Maybe they really are getting married.

"Yeah. He's leaving for London in two weeks time, Bella. He's just planning on finishing that Masen deal. Didn't he tell you? After all, you are his assistant right?" Tanya replied somewhat amused by my oblivion to the whole ordeal.

Edward. Leaving. London. Two weeks. My mind was trying to process everything that Tanya just said. I decided to excuse myself to the restroom.

I made a beeline and headed straight to the nearest restroom, locked the door, and splashed my face with water. I don't know why, but finding out that Edward is leaving made me feel empty.

"So that's it? He's leaving?" I whispered to myself as tears stared to fall. What did I expect? I mean this is all for the best right? It'll help me forget him easier. The distance would make me forget right?

I tried so hard to convince myself that this is all for the good. I grabbed a face towel from the rack and wiped my face. Smile, Bella. I was about to exit the restroom when I heard Edward's voice. He was talking to someone… Tanya.

EPOV

"Tanya, stop!"

"Edward, I have been working for this company for years and I've always been beside you! Please don't tell me that I don't deserve to go to London, but she does! Wake up, Edward! This is not like you!"

I was getting frustrated with Tanya.

"Tanya! I already told you. I'm taking her. I know and acknowledge all the hard work you've done for this company, but please don't use our friendship." I was trying hard to maintain calm, but Tanya was making it hard for me.

"What is Bella to you, Edward? Why does it have to be her? It'll all be just like what happened to you and Sarah, so stop!"

"Tanya, she is just an employee. So stop it!" I turned my back to her and made my way back into the living room.

"Edward, wait. I'm sorry. Can we talk in the balcony?" Tanya calmly said as she held onto my hand. I nodded in approval.

"Tanya, I'm sorry I can't take you, but this is just something I want to do on my own."

"I know. Edward. But that's not what I wanted to talk about." She paused and looked into my eyes.

"All these years I have loved you, and even though I know that you'll never be able to give me your heart, I was contented as long as I know that you'll never love someone again the way you loved Sarah. But… when you introduced me that day to Bella, no matter how much I tried to fight and deny it, I saw it in your eyes. You love her. You love her more than you have ever loved Sarah." Tanya has always been a strong and independent woman in my eyes, but the Tanya that was in front of me that moment was different.

"Tanya, I'm sorry. I…" She cut me off and smiled.

"No, Edward. Don't apologize. At least let me keep my pride." She laughed. "Oh and by the way, don't lose her, Edward. She's good for you." With those last words, Tanya went back inside.

"I won't lose her." I said to myself.