E POV

"Jane, tell the next candidate to come in," I said to the phone. We reduced the list of candidates for Kate's job to three possibilities, so Carmen and I were conducting the interviews before presenting them to the board. I found that while I respect Carmen's opinion in a vast amount of matters, choosing personnel wasn't one of them. So we agreed that after lunch, they candidates will go first with her, then with me. I chose it that way so Rose and Jane gave me their opinion too.

The first to come in was a woman in her early thirties, about Bella's height with jet black hair. She seems pretty nervous and from the door, Jane and Rose wrinkled their noses and pointed to the woman's blouse. Apparently Jane didn't approve her attire of white blouse with a black bra. Ok, I think I got her point but I rather form my opinion on the way she answers my questions. I even had a list of desired qualities, written by yours truly and Rose. I don't want to forget anything and I want to be fair.

The woman answered right and fast to my questions and overall made proficient decisions so I thought she was a good candidate; if only she needed a bit more confidence or the people in her charge will eat her alive. Let's see how the next one fares.

"I'm sure you'll hear from us for the next interview with the board. My assistant will arrange the possible dates with you."

I walked this woman out of the office, and Rose was giving me that look again. The one that screamed 'Imbecile!' though I still hadn't figured out why. First I thought it was something I did to Bella, but Bella told me she was extremely happy because she passed her courses and she was ready to welcome our daughter. Then I asked Bella if I did something to Rose, but Bella also told me Rose was happy. Apparently my bringing her to my office to teach her the ropes of the company and listening to her opinion, made me the best brother ever. My last possibility was if Rose was having her period but because I'm a wise man I avoided the subject with Bella... and Rose.

The second candidate was a man extremely well dressed. He made me feel sloppily dressed. He also was overconfident and the way he answered my questions, as he was going to run the company, turned on red flags everywhere. I crossed him from my internal list.

I asked Rose to call the third one and she was shocked by something but she guided her in. This one seemed too shy and serious.

The interview went by, and while she answered correctly there was something in the way she looked me in the eye that made me nervous. Her face was expressionless, her eyes were blank.

I mentioned the interview with the board and guided the woman outside. This one freaked me out.

When she left, Carmen walked inside without giving me the chance to discuss with the girls what they thought about the candidates.

"I liked the last one. I dare any employee to try to trick her, she will put them in their place before they can blink." She said smiling. I think people will be scared she will come at night to steal their souls, but I would never mention it to Carmen. I don't want to give her ideas.

"I liked the first one better, she just need to work in her confidence otherwise they're gonna eat her alive. So you agree the guy has zero chance, right?"

Carmen scoffed. "Please! He was about to remodel my office as if he was going to rule the company, this one is worst than Kate and Stefan together!" She cackled at the end, clearly amused.

"So, can we get rid of Stefan?"

"Let him work with James in inventory. They're watching each other and it takes Tanya off my back."

"Yeah, well then tell him I'm not supposed to be observed."

Carmen was shocked. "Is he still watching over you?" she shook her head. "All I told him was to look how you manage the company as an example of the way I expected him to behave. Clearly he misunderstood."

Sure, and if my grandmother had wheels she would be a bicycle. Carmen must think I'm really dense.

"Anyway, I'm leaving. Tomorrow is the Christmas party and I have to choose a dress, and check if Tanya dressesaccordingly to her new engaged status."

"Are they engaged? When did this happen?"

"Ah, so now you care! I knew you..."

"Stop it. I'm as gossipy as anyone in this company. I'm really glad she finally found someone who loves her."

"Sure, keep telling you that."

Carmen's cackle resounded across the hallway in her way out. That woman always finds a way to annoy me!

Outside, Rose and Jane were laughing at something I didn't get.

"So, what do you think of the candidates?"

"That man is a big no," Rose said.

"He flirted with Rose and told her he would keep her out of working, like she needs someone to support her. So, she's angry. I'm not sure what to think. How come Miss Boobs McGee got to be the best?"

"What do you think of the last one? She creeped me out but Carmen found her lovely."

Jane laughed. "You would never believe it. When Boobs McGee stood up to ask for a pen, she put her hand inside boob's bag and took out a lipstick. As a matter of fact, check if she didn't steal something from your desk."

I walked back to my office because I believed that last girl was capable of stealing something. I was counting the trinkets on my desk when I heard Jane chastising Rose.

"You have to tell him, he can't read your mind."

"But then he will screw it up. He's worst than Bella keeping secrets. He almost blew it with Carmen yesterday. I can't tell him about James."

James? What the hell is my sister doing talking to that scumbag?

"So what are you going to do?"

"Firstly, I'm going to ask Edward to let me work with Carmen a few weeks more. I need to find out what she's really plotting, then I need your help with Vicky's sister."

"Are you sure she's her sister? Maybe she's a sister-in-law. James mentioned she looked a lot like Carmen."

"I know! That's why Bella will be in charge of our third investigation front. Right now she's getting closer to Charlotte and asking about her distant relatives, like Eleazar cousins and Carmen sisters..."

"Rose, you're brilliant. But still, you need to tell something to Edward, he doesn't know why you're angry with him."

"I'm not angry, it just bothers me that in a few weeks I got more information than he. He's the one experienced!"

"And he's also overwhelmed with your father's demands, the company needs and now the baby is coming. You have to give him some leeway."

Add that someone was following my pregnant wife, Jesus, Rose doesn't know the half of it. Then of course we have that my uncles are trying to get my trust back but like she said, she's figuring out many things by herself really quickly, when Aro and Eleazar had the means to fix this mess since the beginning. There's something fishy going on with them, maybe they have a mole.

My phone beeped reminding me of another date I had pending. I wanted Rose to come with me, but I was unsure given her latest attitude. So I decided to give her the chance to come, whether she accepts or not, I had to see this guy.

"Girls, I have a date with a potential business partner. Do you want to come?"

Jane understood what I was trying, so quickly mentioned someone needed to stay to watch the fort and kicked Rose's shin to make her agree

xxx

The car ride to the coffee shop went in silence, with Rose lost in her thoughts and looking through the window.

"We are meeting this guy who cancelled all his appointments with Victoria, the weird one."

"Oh. But you mentioned he isn't welcoming to women, why are you taking me?"

"He's picky about the women he lets to work with him. You're nothing like Victoria and I want you to meet him. I'm really taking a week after the baby is born."

"Oh."

And we're back to monosyllables. I hope she changes her attitude with this guy.

Soon we arrived and I guided her to our table. Pete, my guy, got to us two minutes later.

"Edward! My man. I'm so glad to see you." Peter shook my hand and gave Rose a questioning look.

"Pete, this is my sister Rose. She just started to work in our company and she will help me and cover for me when needed. Her first firt time will be when my daughter comes home."

Pete smiled, which was good. He wasn't rejecting Rose.

"Well, I have to tell you, that woman your father sent, Victoria, was awful! Pardon my candor Miss Cullen but that woman tried to impose her opinion by rubbing her assets on me. I want us to run a company not a strip club! Then she had the galls to discredit of my new idea, claiming it was boring and impossible to create. When I threatened to go to another company, she told me I would be back on my knees. Please tell me you'll be more professional in our dealings."

Rose smiled, finally!, and told him to relax because she wasn't like Victoria at all.

"Peter, she stole from us. It was our luck she was dumb enough to take something worthless and try to sell it as the new wonder."

"Hmm, I may have a lead on her. She's been harassing one of my boys, a young impressionable college kid. She has only the shell of a program and wants him to make it work. She doesn't even know what she wants the program to do!"

Rose's eyes got as plates.

"Do you think we could get in contact with your kid? We had to stop her."

xxx

BPOV

"Perfect!"

The sun was shining, birds were chirping outside and I'm sure the clouds had a smiley face. Why? Because everything was perfect.

The nursery finally was finished. The duckie/kitten theme went great, Edward assembled the cradle, Mom bought me a lovely rocking chair, Esme matched the changing table with the armoires. As I said, perfect.

Then I passed my courses, which had me worried for a minute, but I was on vacation until next August.

The baby was coming sooner so I was extremely pleased, my daughter seemed to be eager to come because she moved around all day, kicking my bladder and my ribs. But on the brighter side, she danced when I sang. My baby loved my voice.

Perfect.

And someone is knocking, I hope it's Leah with the bag of sun-dried chips she offered to bring. I have the munchies.

"Good morning Bella!"

And all went to the drain. The birds flew terrorized, the clouds wept and the sun hid. Carlisle was here.

Now that he was retired, he had ginormous amounts of time to waste, and because Esme was working and nobody was home, he felt lonely so he came to visit 'his granddaughter' daily.

"Hi Carlisle!" Please note my fake enthusiasm. "Why don't you come in?" It isn't like I can leave him hanging outside the house.

He got inside and made his way to the kitchen. Lately he's also been stealing my snacks because the doctor put him in a strict diet. He said that if the snacks were good for the baby, then he could eat them. And I threatened to let Esme know of his new diet habits if he overstep my boundaries.

"Hmm did you buy your dress for tomorrow?" He asked in between bites. The bastard took my last twinky!

"Yeah, I had it ready. Don't worry, I won't embarrass your son." I told him before he said the first stupidity of the day.

"I saw an old van leaving."

"Yes, my friend Leah was here. Well, more like Rose's friend; those two bonded through wi... through their mutual problems." I wasn't sure if Carlisle was aware of Rose imbibing in alcoholic drinks and then I don't want him to think Leah is a drunk.

Leah was really nice to come with a series of books I've died to read. After Charlie left that night, Jacob had a heart to heart with me and he won my forgiveness. He's also having trouble with getting Charlie's job. Jacob mentioned that while Forks is quiet and peaceful, so Charlie never really abandoned his post when he was following me, he was required at night because the rough trunk drivers can get rough and Charlie was good intimidating them.

"Hmm, you have a tray with carrot sticks and celery? Are you expecting visits?" Carlisle asked with his mouth full of cookies.

I slapped his hand before he took another one. "You took my last twinky and now are finishing my chocolate chips cookies. Bad boy! I'm so going to call Esme."

"Nop!"

"Then stop eating. I'm trying to be nice but I don't want the blame if you relapse. Now, to answer your question yes I'm expecting Lotty. Her first appointment with my gynecologist was today and I want to hear how it went." Maybe if I described our future conversation as one full of maternity horrors he would leave.

"Mmh, well, I can wait on the nursery, I heard it was ready." He took a bunch of carrot sticks and left. One day I'm going to kick his ass!

xxx

Lotty was a joy to be around, nothing like her sister, who escaped from the deepest bowels of hell.

"He also gave me a lollipop."

"I told you , sour grape ones are the best."

"You want to know something funny? His receptionist reminded me of one distant relative, Olivia Osorio. One of the long-lost third cousins from my mother side."

You know how when you have an epiphany everything around you gets blurred and a light descends to make your new-found idea brighter? Well, I lost the rest of Lotty's conversation because I finally found the last piece.

"Osorio?" It was all I could spat.

"My granny's maiden name, she only had my mother but her sisters had more family that is still alive. We're not close so when I found my 'cousin' in England I got really glad. It was the first personal friend we made."

She kept babbling while I texted Rosalie. This was urgent. Of course, the cow never answer my texts, probably was sucking face with Emmett.

So we're getting closer to catch the bad guy.

I don't have internet at home since yesterday (blame the weather) so I'm posting this at work. I'm behind answering your reviews but I promise as soon as I get back on line at home, I'll answer.

Stay tunned for the lasts chapters of this story :)