CHAPTER SEVEN
BELLA
For three weeks I kept it short and sweet.
I kept my eyes downcast when I entered Edward's office. What happened in Florida was taboo. We didn't speak of it.
"Bella," Edward appears at my office door, coffee in hand, "can I have a moment?"
"Your agenda for the meeting with Miss Clara is on your desk," suddenly I'm super interested in the pen cup on my desk, "the call is all set. Just click it open."
He steps into my office huffing before placing the cup before me.
"Peace offering," he says, "I know things have been awkward since…"
"Let's just close the door on it," I interrupted.
"Pun intended?" He smirks.
Truth was I was terrified of him. Not as a person because he was far from scary. But I was terrified of how easy it could be. It took me a second to decide to kiss him. It would take less to decide to fall for him.
I'm smarter than that.
He's coming out of a difficult long term relationship, he is stressed about his company which needs focus and he is my boss. It would be unprofessional. I want my merit recognised.
"No but thanks for recognising it," I sigh.
"Forgive me?" He asks.
"There's nothing to forgive," I shake my head, "next time I won't get so drunk. It was just a silly thing. It meant nothing."
He runs a hand through his hair nodding.
"Sure," he says, "I just want us to go back to how we were."
"Then let's do it," I nod, "I'll have your lunch by the end of your meeting."
"Thank you," he backs out of the room.
By the time he is gone I notice the smiley face on the lid of the coffee.
My heart skips a beat.
Oh what am I going to do with him?
I step out of the elevator to find a blonde woman harassing Jessica.
Edward's lunch in my hand.
"Just get me Edward," she shouts.
"May I help?" I ask.
Jessica mouths 'ex' as the woman faces me. I recognise her from those google searches immediately.
"Where is my fiancé?" She snaps at me.
Ex
"Well I am his assistant. Mr Cullen is currently in a meeting," I say, "I will go see if he is able to chat. Take a seat."
"Beg your pardon?" She spits at me.
I look at her in disbelief.
"I will not let you gatekeep my fiancé. What did he tell you? Are you the newest thing he is fucking. You're not even hot," she snaps, "if he left me for the slut secretary then that's lower than I imagined he could go. I bet you can't even make him come. He probably pity fucks you. Does he fake moan?"
Even I admire my own restraint. Jessica watches Tanya disgusted too.
"Ma'am. I'm going to ask you once.. do not swear at me or call me names. My relationship with my boss is strictly professional," I stare her down, "he is in a meeting with a client. I just told you I would go check and see if he is finished."
I don't wait for her to speak again as I turn on my heel headed to my office. After dumping my purse down I duck my head into his office.
He looks up from his notepad and smiles at me kindly.
"Hey," he says, "Miss Clara was great. She's pitched this kid's book that I love the sound of."
"Oh great," I nod placing his lunch down before him, "so ummm. Listen."
He pauses mid opening of the cardboard box before him.
"Your fiancé is in the lobby screaming bloody murder to see you. She called me a slut," I flick my hair back jokingly, "I've never been called that before."
Colour fades from his face.
"I'm sorry," he sighs standing, "you're not a slut."
"Oh, don't take away the compliment," I smirk.
He chuckles and steps around his desk.
"I'll get rid of her," he sighs, "thanks Bella."
"No," I stop him, placing my hand on his chest before he can reach the door, "you eat your food. It'll go cold."
"You sure?" He covers my hand with his.
I try to ignore the tenderness in the gesture.
"Positive," I smile, "sit down and have your lunch."
"Remind me to give you a raise," he calls out to me as I click shut his door.
Tanya stands in the hall, arms crossed, furious. Edward's blinds are closed so she can't see into his office.
"Well?" She demands.
"He is still in his meeting," I shrug, "I'll have him call you?"
"No. You will drag him out here before I do," she growls, "the fucker had my car impounded after I managed to access our savings. OUR!"
"It's none of my business," I shrug.
"I know. It's just his dick in his pants that you care about," she growls turning to walk away, "I've seen the stories. Women fucking their bosses. You disgust me."
"You cheated on him?" I counter.
"Yeah. Won't be long till he tires of you and crawls back to what he knows. Women who don't look like they've never met a hair brush," she calls over her shoulder before she rounds the corner to the lift.
"What a bitch," I whisper to myself.
The lift of reasons for why not to go there with Edward just grew by one.
His ex was psychotic.
"What a bitch," Rosalie scoffs, "calling you a slut? Seriously? She's the one who couldn't keep her legs shut."
"Rose I think I need to quit," I groan watching her move around the kitchen, "I basically put my hand down his pants. I was inches from his dick."
"You didn't touch it," she shrugs, scooping another mouthful of ice cream into her mouth right from the tub, "you said he was hard too. He was enjoying it."
"I think that had little to do with me," I sigh, "he's just left a sexless engagement."
"Sexless," she repeats with a shudder, "I'm getting the best sex of my life. Last night Em handcuffed me to the bed and gave me three orgasms with his mouth."
I have my ears blocked for most of that. So she is muffled.
Rosalie was an open book. Often a curse.
"He's actually coming over tonight," she smiles, "early so he can meet you."
"Me?" I groan.
"He's so sweet and sexy. Those huge muscles around me," she giggles.
"I've had the worst day. Do I have to seriously pretend to be happy?" I sigh.
"For five minutes then I'm taking him to the shower," she winks at me.
"Please be quiet tonight," I plead, "Edward needs me at work early tomorrow for some board meeting."
The knock comes at the door after twenty minutes of her fussing over her hair and her cleavage in her singlet top.
The man is tall, muscular. With curly brown hair and a beaming smile that lights the room up immediately. He has a lively energy.
He balanced Rosalie's seriousness by simply standing beside her.
"Come in," she smiles, "Bella. This is Emmett."
He holds his hand out for me which I take with an easy shake.
"You look familiar," I say, "wait. Do you have a brother?"
"I do," he nods.
"I… I think he may be my boss. He has photos of you and Alice," I say.
"Wait. What?" Rosalie gasps.
"You know Edward?" Emmett smiles at me.
"I remember he was on the phone to you too. On my first day," I say.
"I remember too," Emmett nods.
"Alice is your sister?" Rosalie looks at him confused.
"Yeah," he shrugs, "we haven't really discussed families yet. Perhaps after the fucking tonight."
Oh god. He's just as open as her.
"You said a brother and sister but never gave me their names," Rosalie shrugs, "and Alice has only ever mentioned Edward to us."
"What a pixie bitch. Edward has always been her favourite," Emmett shakes his head.
"I think you just never came up," I defend Alice.
They're quick to disappear to Rosalie's room. Once I'm in bed myself I take out my phone and text Edward.
So… the mysterious man my roommate has been sleeping with is your brother. - B.
I regret it as soon as I hit send. It's late. And I've never sent him a personal text message before.
He might hate the intrusion.
No way! Ten times better too? He mentioned he was dating someone a few weeks back. Who knew the world could be so small! I'll see you at work tomorrow. Kiss Chloe goodnight for me. -E
I smile into my pillow, feeling giggly.
I'm skirting way too close to the territory I crossed during our trip. Territory I've been avoiding.
But dancing with the devil is irresistible and addictive.
She says 'buzz' -B
Lucky Chloe ;). -E
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