AN: Hello, guys!
I haven't updated yesterday because I had this huge idea about a one shot and I've been writing like crazy! I hope to post it really soon! :)
Thank you all for your lovely words and opinions! Your feedback really means a lot to me!
Yes, it's going to be a fic where Tanya doesn't exactly have a nice role. I know it's a common theme but I wanted to keep it as close to cannon as possible. I know, cannon would mean much more than just Tanya wanting Edward but you get the idea ;) As for Jane... I wanted her to have a bigger part in this story. Believe it or not, I like her character.
Anyway, here's chapter 29!
Hope you'll like it!
"I'm like a fish in a pool, turning quickly to avoid what challenges it. My only decision is whether to go right or left to sidestep confrontation."
― Doug Cooper
BPOV
Attention from the opposite sex has never really been on my list. I had always thought I was too plain and waaaay too boring to be around and I stuck to that belief all through high school and college. To be honest, I had no interest in boys because that would have meant I had another thing that demanded my attention on my already long list: a relationship. I already had too much on my place with the impossible course load that I was joggling and anything else would have been impossible to add.
Granted, I could have gotten myself a fuck buddy since most of the guys in high school and college dream about that, too scared to be in a relationship because that would mean the end of their high prized freedom. It would have been so easy to find someone who just needed to relieve the stress… but there was something that always held me back when my mind began entertaining various fantasies about guys I knew. The thing that held me back was my parents' relationship.
My parents cared deeply for each other and sometimes it made me sick to be in the same room with them while they were busy eye-fucking each other. In a way, I was jealous that they seemed to find their better half and reach this level of trust and commitment. It took a sturdy foundation to build such a relationship and that meant time, attention and emotions. I didn't have any of that. I wasn't even looking for it. I was young. I needed to go out, see the world and make a name for myself before even thinking about starting something with someone. However, I couldn't deny that when the time was going to be right, I would have had the best example right in front of me.
Their relationship was exactly the kind of relationship I wanted to have with someone, some day. I didn't want to have one night stands and wake up in a foreign bed as the guy throws me my clothes and points to the door to let myself out as soon as I get dressed. That was not me. I had seen my fair share of walks of shame since me and Alice lived in a co-ed dorm in my first year and I had had all of the examples of how not to end up.
So imagine my surprise when every single male in the firm started eyeing me and smiling at me as the elevator rushed us to the 5th floor.
At first, I brushed it off. I was a new face and they probably wanted to get on my good side since I was going to be the only paralegal in the firm. But those thoughts soon went down the drain as they started giving me their cards with their personal phone numbers so I could contact them anytime. Of course, I took each card and smiled awkwardly. There were a few cute guys that could have made it on a list but as soon as we stepped out of the elevator and I saw Tanya walking out of another elevator, I thought about their own lists. Was Tanya on them? Probably yes, my mind replied, her tone showing her disgust. Okaaayy...
I tossed their cards in the nearest trashcan the first chance I got. It was just my luck that it happened to be Kate's.
"Seriously?" She said with a raised eyebrow and an eye fixed on the trashcan.
"What?" I replied, a little curious to what she had to say.
"That was David from Accounting. Every woman on a ten feet radius is panting each time he graces us with his presence on this floor." She said as she pointed at the back of the handsome 30 something man who looked more like a runway model than an accountant.
"I know." I replied with a sigh. He was handsome. He is also on Tanya's list. The thought sobered me up instantly.
"Then… I'm sorry but I fail to see the problem." Kate insisted as she kept eyeing the guy.
"He's probably on Tanya's list."
"Tanya's list of what?" Kate replied, obviously not getting my more than subtle hint.
I raised an eyebrow at her frowning face.
"Do I really need to explain what list?"
Two seconds of silence settled between us. I counted.
"Oh." She replied as it dawned on her.
"Yep." I replied and waved at her as I made my way down the hall to my office to leave my bag and then make my way to Felix's office.
Just thinking about all the things I needed to stuff into my head made it hurt. Just what I needed: the beginning of a migraine. Then again, I would have taken anything that would keep my occupied and my thoughts away from what was going on outside of the firm. People were actually out to get me. As in… they wanted me dead or at least very close to dying since they still needed whatever my dad had left me. I sighed. Would I ever have a normal life? Probably not. Then again, I wasn't really aiming for a normal life when I my goal in life was to be an attorney, a prosecutor or even a judge.
"Isabella, hi!" Mike said as soon as I was in his line of vision. He got up from his cubicle and walked alongside me as I walked towards my office.
"Hello, Mike." I said with an indulgent smile. All he needed was a tail so I would know just how happy he was to see me. "How are you? Working on any big cases?"
"I'm good. Working on a pro-bono. What about you? How is training so far?"
Mike seemed so happy to see and talk to me that it struck me just how isolated he was from everyone else. There were a few people who raised an eyebrow or even both as they saw us strolling by, no doubt thinking about his connection to Jane and mine with Esme, the mother of the man Jane cheated on with Mike. So much for trying to stay away from that triangle, Isabella. My mind said as I thought about Mike and how he ended up with Jane. He seemed nice, a little too eager to get people to like him but I guess that was to be expected when you're the one Jane cheated with on Edward, Seattle's most promising attorney. I got the feeling that people either disliked him for what he did to Edward – indirectly – or they envied him for being the man who Jane chose.
"Mentally exhausting but I'm loving every moment." I said, grinning. "There's something about actually applying all the knowledge I've gained during my undergrad. It gives me a sense of purpose." I said with a bright smile.
"Wow! You really like this!"
"I do! I wasn't so convinced at first but I think it will do me a lot of good working here and seeing for myself what being an attorney is really about and not just Law School myths."
"So… if you didn't set out to be a paralegal, what did you want to be?"
"I liked Criminal Law. I wanted to be a prosecutor." I replied as I thought back to my past dreams and aspirations with a longing that quickly settled in my bones. Thinking about the life I would never have tended to do that to me.
"Wanted as in… past tense. What made you change your mind?"
Mile was nice but his questions were a little on the inquisitive side and I wanted him to back off. But how do you tell that to an adorable puppy without hurting his feelings?
"I guess I just outgrew it." I replied and shrugged nonchalantly. "It's been nice talking to you, Mike. I have to go to Felix now and endure three hours of training." I said and touched his forearm gently to signal the end of our discussion. There was only so much I could talk about my past without going to a very dark place and right now was not the moment.
Mike smiled and nodded eagerly.
"Of course. We don't want the big boss to wait." He said with a departing wink and a big grin.
I laughed, throwing my head back as I clutched the pen and pad in my arms so I wouldn't drop them. Some people looked at me funny but I couldn't give a damn what they thought about my reaction. It felt good to laugh and leave all bad thoughts away, even for a few moments. Mike turned out to be a nice guy, which kind of surprised me, to be honest. From Edward's description, he didn't sound like someone who would have the ability to make me laugh and bring out the carefree side of me which rarely saw the light of day.
I made my way to Felix's office with a smile on my face, determined to set aside the fact that people wanted me dead or alive or the fact that I still haven't talked to Edward ever since yesterday noon. He had texted me last night and that was that. And I had decided to leave it at that. It wasn't my place to tell him what to do and how to react in certain situations but I wasn't going to start pretending that I agreed with his actions. Where does that leave you, Isabella? My mind asked and I mentally shrugged. I had no idea. Then again, I had no idea about many things I should have had an idea so it wasn't something new.
"Good morning, Maggie!" I greeted Felix's secretary with a cheery voice and attitude. "Is Mr. Evanson in his office?"
"Good morning, Isabella. Yes, he is. You are a little early, though…" she replied with a frown as she checked his calendar.
I was early… ten minutes early but Maggie seemed like the type of person that wanted you to be on the dot, not a second earlier or later. I suppressed an eye roll and continued to smile politely at her.
"I could return in ten minutes. It's really no bother." I offered but mentally crossed my fingers. I didn't want to go back to my empty office to kill five minutes. That place was depressing. I needed some flowers, some photographs… something to liven up the space! The only good thing about my office was the fact that I would have my space where I could work in peace. And the wall that's actually a window. Don't forget about that. My mind whispered, reminding me about the huge plus that the office seemed to have.
"I'm sure Mr. Evanson won't mind. Go ahead." She said with a wave of her hand as if it was killing her inside to break protocol. You would have thought I was seeing the damn King and not my direct superior. Oh well…
"Thank you, Maggie." I said with another smile and step inside Felix Evanson's office after a brief knock.
"Good morning, Mr. Evanson. Miss Isabella Swan, reporting for duty." I said with a mock salute.
Yesterday, I had found Felix Evanson to be very imposing and intimidating but as soon as we started to talk and I got to know him better, I discovered a funny side to the No. 2 in the firm. Felix was fond of jokes and assured me he was no stuffy attorney who expected everyone to bow down to him. The fact that they still did was a sign of their respect, nothing else. After that little speech, I added Felix Evanson to the list of people I liked in this firm.
"Good morning, Isabella. You may sit." Felix replied with a chuckle.
I thanked him, took a seat at the huge mahogany desk, on his left, and arranged my pen and pad on the cool, shiny surface.
"Your demeanor and outfit make me believe that this is a very good day or you're compensating for something. Which one is it?" Felix asked as he looked me up and down.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that Felix knows about my dad and the Mob?
I blew out a breath and sank in my seat.
"I'm good." I said and left it at that.
"You don't seem too convinced about that." He pointed out.
"Oh, I'm as convinced as I'll ever be. I have a bodyguard who will watch my every move as soon as I step a foot out of the Cullen mansion so…" I trailed off and shrugged.
"That's good. But you still haven't answered my question. Are you as cheery and carefree as your outfit for the day or are you trying to be?"
"I'm trying and it's working for now." I replied and avoided eye contact.
The conversation was killing my good mood. I was in the firm to work and help people around, not talk about my dad's failure to keep me safe after he died. Then again, he left Edward in charge and it seemed to work… for the moment. But he had to know that Edward wouldn't be able to do much when the heavy players would come to collect. Was my dad that naïve to think Aro Volturi would have jumped at the opportunity to help me? Did he think I would have taken Aro Volturi's side? Everything was so confusing… it was making my head spin with all the possible scenarios and all the available outcomes.
Did I make the right choice?
That question kept going round and round in my head.
"Ah, yes... houses reflect the owner's personality and clothes reflect one's state of mind. Or they compensate. Or overcompensate, sometimes." Felix said, bringing my attention back in the room where it should have been. "But enough about that. Let's get down to business. We have a lot of procedures to cover in a very short period of time."
And that was exactly what we did non-stop for the next three hours. By the time I was excused to go and grab lunch, my head was pounding.
Lunch was uneventful. I ate alone, texting back and forth with Alice and Alec, both checking in with me to make sure that I was okay and nobody had approached me.
The rest of the day went by in a daze. I joggled two notebooks in my arms by the end of my second day at Evanson and Platt while also battling a huge migraine. Alec dropped me at the front door and waited until I got in the house before taking the car to the garage.
I was so out of it that I didn't see Emmett Cullen until I bumped into him. Literally. His hands snapped and caught me before I hit the floor and hit my head.
"Whoa! You okay?" Emmett asked as he looked me up and down.
"Yeah… Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." I murmured.
"I could see that." He replied with a chuckle. I ducked my head and hid my face from his scrutinizing gaze. "So, where's the Pixie?"
"At work. She has some crazy hours." I replied with an awkward smile.
"Huh… and here I was, thinking I could talk to her about Edward's birthday party." He said as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Okaaaayy…
I shrugged noncommittally. Edward was not someone who I wanted to talk about. Especially with his brother.
"Sooo… how's Rose?"
"She fine… a little exhausted since she's on call. I came here to spend some time with dad but apparently, he and mom have a date so that's out…"
"What about Jasper?"
"He's got some late classes with some students who are failing his class."
"I see…" I said and trailed off, not knowing what else I could say to him.
Emmett and I had only met with Rosalie as a buffer and I wasn't even close to Rosalie. Granted, she was nice and we spoke a little but other than that, I hadn't spent any time alone with her. She did seem like a nice person, driven by passion and with a lot of goals to fulfill and I could relate to that, once upon a time. The fact that she was Emmett's fiancé could only mean that they complemented each other perfectly.
It was nice to see other couples, especially since the only people I had admired had been my parents.
As I was thinking about Emmett and Rosalie, Carmen came into the living room as she was wiping her hands on her immaculate apron.
"Dinner will be served in 20 minutes since Miss Swan has just arrived."
I frowned.
"It's not necessary, Carmen. I can heat the food just fine."
"Don't be silly, Isabella. We'll wait for you. This way I can talk to you about something."
"What about?"
"We'll talk over dinner."
I nodded and made my way up to my room where I took a quick shower and threw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. I slipped into a pair of sneakers and released my hair from the braid, combing my fingers through the tresses.
"We shall eat in the back, by the pool. It's so pleasant outside that it would be a pity to stay inside." Carmen informed me as I took the bowl of salad.
"Okay. Lead the way." I replied with a smile.
The dinner was delicious and quiet but it was a good kind of quiet. It didn't feel like we had to talk to fill it.
However, as soon as I finished helping Carmen clear the table and returned to Emmett, he pounced.
"What's going on between you and Edward?"
AN: I couldn't resist a small cliffhanger. Forgive me?
