Author's Note: My new story, Mistakes, is up now! I will post it today. Please read it and leave reviews on what you think about it. Of course, I'm warning you now, it might be boring in the beginning, like all my stories. But I promise that the main purpose of the story will be the climax. I think you'll all enjoy it! So if you're my fan, go check it out please! Thanks! ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.


Chapter 48

The telephone on my desk beeped and Joanne's voice sounded out.

"Edward," she said in a bored tone. I groaned. When she said my first name, I knew who was calling.

Then, I remembered Alice's advice.

Grinning, I said, "Transfer the call to my sister, Joanne."

"Huh?"

"Alice," I confirmed. "Tanya will stop calling then."

"Yippee," Joanne said dryly.

I laughed quietly. Was Tanya in for a big surprise.


Half an hour later, Joanne let me know that Alice was on the telephone.

"Line 2, Mr. Cullen."

"Thanks, Joanne." I pressed line 2.

"Hey, Alice," I greeted her. "How'd it go?"

"You wanna laugh?" Alice asked, snorting. "It was hilarious. Her voice was trembling in fear. She had no idea how it happened. She was stuttering about how she was calling your office and asked how I was the one answering. I taught her a lesson, so you should be good for a couple days at least. That won't stop her from stopping by to see you though."

"Well, that's better at least," I sighed. "Thanks, Alice."

She laughed suddenly. "I was having lunch with Emmett and Rose. Emmett threw in a couple cuss words and Rosalie started screaming at Tanya. HIGH-larious!"

I laughed too. "I wish I could have been there."

"So," she said. "When are you meeting with Bella? Didn't you say one-thirty?"

"I'm leaving now," I replied. "I'll call you later and tell you how it went."

"Don't bother," she said dismissively. "I'll stop by later."

"See you later then."

I left the office with Joanne, who had done some last minute changes on the proposal. We arrived at the same meeting place as last week about ten minutes before the arranged time.

Taking our time, we arrived at the room exactly at one-thirty. The room was quiet. It was empty except for Leah Clearwater who had greeted us nervously.

We had decided to meet privately. Those representatives were unnecessary. She was now pacing around the room, glancing at her watch while wearing a dark expression and muttering about how Bella was going to be in so much trouble.

Suddenly, she turned to me. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Cullen. She told me she was on her way, but…"

I smiled. "That's alright. I'm sure she was busy at the hospital."

She bit her lip, sighing impatiently. "You don't understand. She has the day off today. I wonder if…" she trailed off, thinking.

I raised my eyebrows. "She has the day off? I wonder where she could be."

"Oh, you don't know Bella," Leah said darkly, glancing at her watch again. She took out her tablet and pressed a number. She held it to her ear.

"Where the hell are you?" I heard her hissing three seconds later. Whatever Bella said made her roll her eyes. "Are you crazy? You're already ten minutes late! Do you even want to help Charlie with this partnership?"

I smiled amusedly.

"Oh, cut the crap, Isabella!" Leah hissed. "If you aren't here in five minutes-"

The door opened just then and Bella walked in with the phone to her ear.

"I'm here," she said casually, ending the call. Leah hurried up to her, handing her a copy of the proposal.

"You're late," she hissed. "Where have you been?"

Bella looked at her innocently. "Lunch?"

"You've gotta be joking."

Bella smiled mysteriously before turning to me.

"I'm so sorry, Edward," she apologized, smiling warmly at me. "I had something to do. I hope you'll forgive me."

"No problem," I said easily, smiling at her. "Did you have a nice lunch?"

She smiled amusedly. "No. But I had a nice shopping spree. Thank Alice for me."

"You were with Alice?"

"Did you think I'd eat lunch suddenly?" she asked.

Leah rolled her eyes.

"No," I replied. "I just talked to Alice though."

"I know," Bella answered, laughing. "I was there. Alice didn't tell you she was with me on purpose. I was really quite amused how the others dealt with Tanya for you. I can't believe she's still around."

I smiled humorlessly. "She's been around me for twelve years now."

"Oh, boy," Bella muttered under her breath as she sat down. Then, raising her voice, she said, "Why don't you begin?"

For the next hour, I explained all the conditions to her while she nodded and asked questions. Then, she explained what the SC wanted from us, and we both agreed to sign the contract.

Leah looked relieved as she exchanged looks with Joanne. She provided two of the same contracts, one for each of us. We each signed first on the contracts. The two secretaries exchanged the folder, and we signed again.

I spotted Bella's signature. It was hard to read, except the big B and S of her initials. I supposed that was the point. Still, it was neat in a way and very fancy for her style.

"Nice penmanship," I commented, grinning. Bella looked up, startled.

"Really?" she wondered. "What's so nice about it? It's messy and fancy."

"I was just thinking the same," I said. "Not really your style."

She smiled, embarrassed. "I didn't make it. Leah did. She thought it would be impossible to forge. Honestly, it took me a month to learn how to do it perfectly."

I laughed. "Handy secretary."

Leah grinned smugly.

"Yours is pretty," Bella said. "And simple. EC…just your initials."

I shrugged.

"Well, I'd better go," Bella said, sighing. I smiled and reached over, holding out my hand to shake hers. It was necessary after a contract.

She grasped my hand and shook it once before withdrawing away awkwardly.

"I look forward to working with you, Miss Swan," I said, smirking slightly.

"Same to you, Mr. Cullen," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I'll call you about the Japan matter then," I said. "I suppose I've got to assist you with the Matsuoka Corps."

Bella groaned and turned to Leah. "Don't tell me I have to-"

"Yes," Leah hissed. "Everything about the CC is your responsibility."

Bella gritted her teeth. "Fine. I'll see you later then. Bye, Edward."

"Bye, Bella."

She flounced out of the room, just to show her annoyance, leaving me to laugh loudly at her haughtiness.


AN: Remember, go check out Mistakes! I think you'll all enjoy it! Thanks!