ALL THAT GLITTERS

DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS IT ALL

Chapter 14

BELLA

I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. I was dressed in a glittery skimpy silver dress that looked odd on me. A dress came flying from across the open roof and landed on top of my head. Before I could open my mouth to say something, another dress landed on me. After the fourth dress, I just sat on the floor and let the pile take me. When the attack stopped, there was a knock on the door of the dressing room.

"Bella? I think these will look great on you. Try them on and show me. Don't make any decision by yourself," Alice warned from the other side.

"Do you have some more?" I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

"We'll shop before leaving for Rio in December. This is just for the bachelorette parties! And we need to get you a cute dress for my Halloween party. Just dinner, drinks, and games. You'll meet all of our close friends. There are two handsome, eligible men coming to the dinner. I think you should dress in something chic."

"Maybe we can talk about this when we're face-to-face," I groaned in frustration, staring at the clothes. "Alice! I have to be somewhere at seven. It's six already!"

"Where are you going?"

I blushed. "I'm meeting Jake and Leah."

I'm staying at your brother's place for the weekend, Alice.

"This won't take long if you don't whine about it. Chop chop!"

Alice rang her approval on three dresses and two skirts before we went to the billing counter. There was a separate sales assistant who was juggling Alice's items in his hands. Once we paid our separate bills, Alice dragged me for a cup of coffee at the nearest cafe.

"Why are you so impatient?" Alice asked, noticing my jittery behavior.

I sighed. "I'm running late, Alice. I have to get dressed too."

She rolled her eyes. "Won't take long. Anyway, can you please tell me when and where is the first party?"

I shook my head. "Nope."

"You do know that I have to clear my schedule for those dates, right?"

"We already spoke to Esme about it, don't worry." I patted her head.

"I love giving surprises, Bella. I hate being on the receiving end." She pouted adorably.

"Nope, deal with it."

When Alice realized that I wouldn't be disclosing any information, she suddenly had a lot of work to do. I drove to my home and went straight to take a shower. I blasted Kelly Clarkson on my phone while I got ready. I dressed in a black silk camisole and paired it with a deep yellow asymmetrical wrap mini skirt with an adjustable tie at the side.

At seven on the dot, my phone rang on the bed. I saw Edward's name flashing on the screen. I sighed as I answered it.

"Edward, how will I reach your place without the address?" I asked.

My lips curled into a smile hearing his musical chuckle. "Well, good evening to you too, Miss. Swan. Are you ready?"

"Um, I haven't packed yet. It won't take me more than fifteen minutes."

"Oh love, don't worry about that. I've made arrangements for everything. Sam is waiting for you outside. He'll bring you to me."

I rolled my eyes. "Edward, I'm perfectly capable of driving on my own."

"I know but my house can be a bit difficult to locate. Just come with Sam this one time."

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit."

"I can't wait, Bella. Come soon."

I put my phone and wallet in my black handbag and strapped a pair of black heels. I applied my usual perfume before donning a short black jacket. I turned down the lights along the way as I left the apartment. I locked my place and found Sam, Edward's driver waiting for me next to a sleek, black car.

"Good evening, Miss. Swan."

I offered him a smile. "Good evening, Sam. Please call me Bella."

He held the rear passenger door open for me and I blush as I settled inside. I watched the route with rapt attention so I could memorize it. I noticed people staring at the car as it stopped at traffic signals. The city lights slowly faded as we reached the outskirts of town. We were away from the city yet I could see the breathtaking view of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington. I realized Edward lived quite far from my place.

Fifteen minutes later, Sam took a sharp right and stopped in front of large metal gates. He drove inside when the gates opened. My eyes widened as I stared at the large rectangular driveway with a large fountain in the center. His estate was huge. It was as ostentatious as the houses of the rest of his family members although it had an old-fashioned charm to it. It looked strong, brooding but open, just like its owner.

I stopped leering at the house when Sam held the door open for me. My face turned red as I gingerly stepped out. I let out a deep sigh, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"This way, Miss. Swan." He held the main door open for me to step inside.

I was not prepared for this.

Featuring solid oak paneling and ornate ceilings, I was met with a sweeping two-story stair hall with soaring ceilings. The architecture was so intricate and beautiful. I felt like I had stepped inside a European estate from the 80s.

"Your jacket, ma'am?"

I awkwardly shrugged out of my jacket before passing it to him. I watched Sam carry it inside the coat closet. He then led me through the large hallway towards the baronial living room and oval sunroom which was decorated with marble fireplaces. The place was beyond beautiful. Each room had a sliding glass wall that offered majestic views of the lake and the city.

"Where's Edward?" I squeaked out, feeling overwhelmed with the enormity of his home.

"He's in the Great Room."

Sam paused at one of the doorways and motioned me to step inside the Great Room. I was speechless as my eyes gazed at the view in front of me. The room also featured a sliding glass wall similar to the other room and offered a panoramic view of the mountains and lake. The cozy interior was enhanced by the giant piano that overlooked the view. Beyond the wall was an adjoining balcony, as big as the Great Room. The house looked like a scenic phone wallpaper.

Two figures suddenly emerged onto the balcony, a tall redhead who was dressed in a sharp gray suit and Edward. He flashed his eyes towards the Great Room before doing a double-take in my direction. His lips curled into a sexy smile that made my heart skip a beat. He excused himself to come over to me. He nodded towards the doorway and I heard Sam leave.

"Wow, you look so fucking sexy" He breathed out as he swooped me in his arms, making me squeal. I knotted my hands in his hair as he connected our lips for an urgent kiss. I eagerly kissed him back, pouring all my love for him into our kiss. I laughed against his lips when I heard a familiar bark, followed by a clicking sound. "Uh-oh, incoming."

Edward set me on my feet just as little Skylar came barrelling towards us. She yelped and wagged her tail as she looked at me. She tried to hop in my direction. I bent to her height which helped her jump into my arms. I smiled as I ran my hands through her soft red fur. I stroked her head and giggled when she tried to lick my hand. Her big brown eyes looked eager to see me.

"I know, I missed you too, Skylar," I kissed the top of her head. She craned her neck to show me her new collar. I laughed. "Oh baby, that is so pretty," I realized the clicking sound was coming from the metal tag on the collar that had her name inscribed on it. "Look, it has your name."

When I first saw Skylar on the phone, I fell in love with her instantly. She was so adorable and had the most beautiful eyes. She was smart, a quick learner, and independent in a lot of ways. Just like Edward. I was so happy when she took a liking to me. I wouldn't want her to dislike me since I would be hopefully spending a lot of time with her and Edward.

I set Skylar on her floor before rising to my feet. Edward had a gentle smile on his face as he gazed at me. He tilted his head towards the open terrace. "Come on, we're being rude. Let me introduce you to someone."

Edward interlaced our hands before leading me towards the redhead who was staring at something on her phone. She looked up and offered a polite smile. She looked a few years older than me, with short hair and dark eyes. I noticed there was a noticeable scar on her jaw. She stared at me with a calculating gaze as Edward made introductions.

"Heidi, this is my Bella. Bella, this is Agent Jones. She works with the FBI."

Wow. FBI Agent. That was a kickass job.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Agent Jones," I gave her a firm handshake.

"Likewise, Bella," She said in a clipped, formal tone. Did she not like me? That made me a little disheartened. Why not?

When Edward leaned over to kiss my hair, I watched her eyes tighten. Oh. OH. She liked him. She really liked him. I could tell. I felt bad for her. It could be painful to like someone who doesn't like you back. I shifted my focus to Skylar who was trying to eat my heels. I stifled a laugh. Silly girl.

"I should get going," Heidi announced as she made a move to leave. Skylar let out a tiny bark as she stared at Agent Jones.

"Let me walk you out," Edward volunteered before smiling at me. "Two minutes." He pecked my lips and left the room with her.

I sat on the step between the Great Room and Open Terrace with a sigh. I bit my bottom lip as I stared at their retreating figures. I knew Edward was desired by many women. I heard countless stories from women around the office, especially Bree. She could get very explicit sometimes. His life was so overwhelming. The house, the company, his lifestyle, the women who liked him…

I snapped out of my musings when Skylar put her front paws on my lap, looking for attention. I stroked her back with a small smile on my face. "What do you think, Skylar? Will I get used to this? How did you do it so quickly?" I whispered and she yelped in response. "I know. I love him too."

"Sky!" Edward called out from the doorway and then whistled. She whipped her head towards him. "Come on. It's naptime. Then we'll play after you wake," He said but she didn't move. He sighed before looking at me. "Bella, let's go. It's naptime."

I stood up and Skylar followed me towards Edward. He smiled and gave me a gentle kiss. "She'll be asleep in five minutes, tops."

"Okay." I chuckled as I looked at Skylar who was staring at us.

Edward led me towards the main hallway which had doors in every direction. I followed him to the Family Room which had a gorgeous wooden dog house perched around a fence. The house was made from rosewood plywood with a comfortable brown pillow inside. There were a couple of stuffed toys lying inside the dog house.

"Funnily enough, it's her first night in this house. She has spent the night in a different house for the last four days." He murmured with a hint of trepidation in his voice.

My eyes softened when he gave me a sad smile. I kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, sweetheart. It's going to be okay. She already knows this is her home," I said and found Skylar slowly making her way towards her tiny house. "Look at that," I whispered as she curled on the pillow under the blanket. "She loves blankets." I mused which made him chuckle.

"I've noticed that too."

We waited until she fell asleep under the covers. I watched Edward open an application on his phone. I saw Skylar's name flashing on the top. "What is this, Edward?"

"It's a tracking app connected to her collar. It monitors her movement and location."

I nodded. "Oh."

Edward smiled as he interlaced our hands. He took me back to the Great Room where I left my phone and purse. I sighed as I stared at the view. "You have a beautiful home, Edward."

"Thank you, love," He kissed my shoulder. "Let's get cleaned up first. We might have to get our hands dirty later tonight."

I flushed. "What are you talking about?"

"You'll see."

Edward led me to the common bathroom which was as perfect as everything else in his home. I cleaned my hands with soap and he did the same. I let out a deep sigh as I gathered my hair in my hands. My hair tie was in the purse.

"I think I need a haircut," I announced as I stared at my hair in the mirror.

I let my hair drape over my shoulders when Edward hugged me from behind. He stared at our reflection in the mirror with a smile. "I'm sure you'll look beautiful with shorter hair as well."

He pushed my hair to the side when his lips came in contact with the side of my neck. I moaned when he sucked against my skin. I tilted my head to the side to give him better access. I felt his hand touching the side of my skirt, tracing along with the adjustable tie. He tugged on it causing the skirt to pool at my feet. He groaned and his teeth gently nipped on my skin.

"Holy shit, baby. You are so fucking sexy," He murmured as he traced along the sides of my skimpy thong. I was breathless as I felt his erection pressing against my back. I leaned back into him as he traced my soaking wet thong. He used his other hand to lift the camisole over my head. I helped him take it off. He expertly took off my strapless bra before dropping it to the floor. He teased my nipples as his fingers slowly entered me.

"Edward," I gasped when he added a third finger inside me.

"You look so hot right now, Bella. Look at yourself, baby." He kissed my cheek.

It felt oddly erotic to look at my almost-naked reflection in the mirror and watch Edward pleasuring me. I locked eyes with him, staring at his handsome face. I gripped the marble countertop as he increased the intensity, making me wild. My legs quivered as I came against his fingers. I was heaving as I stared at him through the mirror. I turned around and gripped the hem of his sweater. I pulled it over his head before I unbuckled his trousers. He sighed shakily as I stroked his length. He touched my flushed cheek and connected our lips for an urgent kiss.

Edward pulled back with a sigh. He spun me back towards the mirror before brushing his length against me. I moaned when he pulled the string to the side and entered with a swift motion. I felt his hand press my stomach on the cold marble as we rocked against each other. My rear stuck higher in the air as he ploughed in and out of me. A sense of pleasure rolled through me as the sounds of our bodies slapping reverberated in the room.

I felt one of his hands reach the nape of my neck before grabbing a fist full of my hair. I moaned his name when he tugged on it. That felt so good. I stared at him through the mirror, watching his breathless face as he increased the intensity of his thrusts. I felt my insides tighten.

"Edward, don't stop," I sighed heavily as he tugged on my nipples.

"Fuck! Are you close, Bella?"

I could barely get a word out of my mouth as I was lost in the sensations my body was experiencing. I felt his erection stiffen inside me as he increased the intensity. His strong thrust sent a ripple of warmth through my body and I cried out his name as I orgasmed. Another thrust later, he exhaled sharply as he emptied inside me.

My legs were shaking as he pulled out of me. I hunched over the sink, trying to gather my wits. My heart was running my chest and my body still felt like it was on fire. Edward kissed my back, grazing his teeth against the back of my neck. A shiver ran through me. I was sticky, I needed a shower.

Edward tugged on the thong before sliding it to my feet. I felt his hands unstrapping my heels. I stepped away from the clothes and shoes.

I turned around, still trying to catch my breath. I smiled when I gazed at Edward's flushed face. I kissed him until we were more out of breath. After a quick shower, I wrapped myself in the softest cotton robe. Edward left the bathroom half-dressed and returned with a fresh set of clothes for me.

I dressed in a pair of panties, a gray ribbed cardigan, and matching shorts. I touched the texture of the cardigan with a sigh. It felt expensive. I cleaned up the bathroom before I returned to the Great Room. Edward emerged into my view dressed in his loungewear. He gathered me in his arms with a smile.

He nuzzled against my hair. "Hmm, I love smelling your wet hair. It reminds me of a cold summer breeze." He chuckled. I smiled as I stroked his hair.

When Edward released me, he grabbed hold of the remote lying on the nightstand. He clicked a few buttons and suddenly, the lights dimmed around us, and the electric fireplace was turned on. I smiled, impressed. He pecked my lips.

"So romantic, Mr. Cullen," I murmured against his lips.

He grinned at me. "It's the first time I've used it."

I frowned curiously. "Are you telling me that you never had a girl over at your place?"

"I bought this house a year ago. It reminds me of my grandparent's place in Italy. It's important to me. I moved in here because I figured this would keep me sane from my conflicting thoughts about moving back to New York. Something that reminds me of home," His lips curled into a shy smile. "I couldn't have just any woman come over. It had to be someone special."

"Like me?" I asked with a giggle.

"Exactly like you, Miss. Swan." He kissed the top of my head.

I smiled as my eyes fell on the piano. "Is this a rich people thing? I think I have seen a similar piano in Alice's condo as well."

"She bought it because she liked mine. My piano was a gift from Nonna and Grandpa Victor for my 21st birthday."

"It's beautiful, sweetheart. Do you play?"

"Since I was three."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? You never told me. I only knew about the violin. Play something for me, please."

"If you insist." He led me towards the sleek, black piano. Once we settled on the bench, I watched him play a few warm-up compositions. He took a deep breath before gazing at me. "I composed something for my mother a few years ago on her birthday."

"That is so sweet."

Edward closed his eyes as he started playing the composition. It was complex and strong. There was a bit of melancholy to the music at certain points which I presumed explained his sorrow and guilt for leaving Seattle and moving to Chicago. It was mysterious and magnificent. I could listen to it on loop for hours. It tugged on my heart for some reason.

After the composition came to a gradual end, Edward tipped my chin in his direction. His eyes studied my face for a long second and he stroked my cheek. I noticed a smile inching its way across his face.

I broke the silence. "Esme must love it. It's beautiful."

"She does," He sighed gently. "I made a new composition recently."

"Really? Can you play that too?"

Edward nodded. "You inspired this one."

My heart skipped a beat at his words and then he started playing an unbearably sweet composition. It was slow and building. It was heartwarming. And so romantic. I could feel tears building in my eyes at the overwhelming surge of emotions bubbling inside me. How did I inspire him to write something so pure and soulful? It was hard to believe.

Once the melody came to an end, I wiped away the tears that gathered around my eyes. I chuckled, embarrassed, and found him staring at me with a soft expression on his face.

"That was beautiful, Edward. So beautiful. Nobody has ever done something so special for me. Thank you." I murmured. He gently pulled me astride his lap to close the distance between us. I hid my face against his neck.

"I'm so happy you liked it," He said and nuzzled my hair. I snuggled closer to him, growing more comfortable in his embrace. "How about dinner? Are you hungry?"

Now that he reminded me, I was starving. I nodded my head. "What are we having?"

"Well, I had plans to make a three-course meal but I thought of something better."

I pulled back to give him a curious smile. "What do you have in mind, Mr. Cullen?"

"I have a wood-fired pizza oven on the kitchen terrace. How about we make pizzas?" He asked as he brushed my wet hair away from my face.

My stomach filled with butterflies. Homemade wood-fired pizza sounded perfect! "Yes! That sounds amazing. I have never made a pizza before. This will be so much fun."

"I'm glad you're so excited," He kissed my cheek. "The kitchen is through the door on the left. I made the dough two hours ago. I told Emily to put it in the refrigerator. Can you get it out? I'll go check on Skylar."

"Sure." I gave him a quick kiss before I made my way towards the kitchen. As expected, his kitchen was a chef's dream. Sleek appliances, wooden furniture, and invisible kitchen cabinets. I opened the mega-giant refrigerator which was heavily stocked with everything. I found a glass bowl covered with a tea towel and a sticky note taped on it. I gingerly put the bowl on the kitchen island and read the note.

Yes, the tea towel was damp. I made chocolate mousse for you and your date, it's in the fridge. You still haven't told me her name, Edward! Anyway, have fun! x E

I smiled as I read the note. I hadn't met Emily yet but I liked her already. I opened the back door to step onto the terrace. My eyes widened as I stared at the view in front of me. The backyard went on for miles. I noticed a pool and pool house at a far distance. Something peculiar caught my eye but I got distracted by the large wood-fired pizza oven on the deck. I noticed the pizza station was ready with all the ingredients.

The door opened and Edward poked his head outside. "Wine or beer?"

I smiled. "Wine."

He arrived with two glasses of white wine and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I stepped aside while I watched Edward examine the dough in the bowl.

"I wonder if the towel was damp," He muttered, which made me laugh. He shot me a curious look. "Something funny?"

"The towel was damp. Emily left that message in a note. It's in the kitchen."

He chuckled. "Alright. I'll get my pizza sauce."

"You already made that? I wanted to see how you make it." I sighed. "Maybe next time."

"Next time, I promise."

I drank my wine as Edward checked the ingredients that were set on the table. He floured the wooden pizza paddle before glancing at me. "Come on, I'll teach you."

I gulped the remainder of my wine before I sauntered in his direction. Edward stood behind me with his hands on mine. I blushed as he slowly demonstrated how to make the pizza base.

"Why aren't we using a rolling pin?" I asked as we stretched the pizza dough.

"Well, sometimes it works well but the dough might tear. Plus, the dough keeps shrinking back so it's better to use your hands." He explained. "You're doing so well, my love."

I blushed. "Thanks but it's not a perfect circle."

"Doesn't matter. It looks good." He kissed my head. He made quick work of stretching, flipping, and pressing the dough until it was a perfectly stretched pizza. "I'll get the oven ready. Just put the base on the paddle, brush the edges with olive oil, and add a thin layer of sauce."

"Okay."

I carefully followed his instructions while I watched him light the wooden logs inside the clay oven. He pushed the logs towards the side of the oven before checking the temperature of the tiles.

"Bella love, add the toppings you want along with the mozzarella bites." He said without taking his eyes off the oven.

I stared at the assortments in front of me and added tiny mozzarella bites on every side of the pizza. I added sliced mushrooms, prosciutto pieces, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves.

"Top it with something." He added and I watched him grab a pizza peel from behind the oven. I added grated cheese and oregano to top off the pizza.

"I'm done!" I announced.

Edward offered me a bright grin. "Great. I'll put this in the oven and get the salad." His eyes widened a little as he stared at the pizza. "Bella, there's so much cheese in this." He looked horrified.

"You don't like cheese?"

"I do but in moderation. It's fine, I guess."

It took seven minutes for the pizza to get cooked in the wood-fired oven. It was the best homemade pizza I had ever had. We sat at the table arranged on the terrace and shared the wine, pizza, and salad. It felt amazing.

"It must take a lot of people to maintain this place but I don't see many people around?"

Edward smiled as he refilled our glasses with wine. "I told everyone to make themselves scarce during the weekend. Nobody in the house. Emily was a little grumpy that I haven't introduced you to her. I read the note," He laughed. "Her chocolate mousse is heavenly."

"What's there?" I pointed to the far end by the pool.

"That's a special spot," He said with a smile. "I was hiking along the Washington trails when I was in Seattle during a college break and stumbled upon a beautiful meadow. It was breathtaking. I couldn't forget about it. Ever since then, I had decided that if I ever got a large property, I would recreate that. I consulted a lot of horticulturalists and created a meadow. It's beautiful. I'll show you tomorrow morning."

"I can't wait."

Just as we finished our scrumptious dinner, Edward's phone buzzed, indicating Skylar was awake. "Someone's awake. She likes to play for some time before her big bedtime. I hope that's okay."

I rolled my eyes with a chuckle. "Of course, sweetheart."

Edward and I cleaned up before returning to the Great Room. We heard Skylar whimpering from the hallway. Edward whistled and she barked in response. I sat on the couch to check my phone while Edward went to the hallway to get her. I noticed there were two missed calls from James. Before I could unlock my phone, his name flashed on the screen again.

I stared at the doorway before answering the call. "Hello, James."

"Bella, I'm going to cut right to the point. When we purchased the house, I paid for 70% of the amount. I was trying to be supportive and let you have 50% from the sales but I will not let you take 65%."

"James, I could complicate things in the court by saying that you had an extra-marital affair but I'm not doing that. I could ask your parents to not give you the Colorado estate after our divorce and they wouldn't refuse. It wasn't your hard-earned money, was it? It was from the fund set aside by your parents. If we're comparing numbers, I was 100% involved in our marriage while you were two-timing me with your co-worker for 2 years."

"Why do you always bring that up?"

I groaned. "Isn't that why this is happening, James? Us getting divorced. You shouldn't have the audacity to demand more money from this. I made that home what it was. I'm going to let you think it over. You have until the last week of November. If you can't find a buyer, I'll do it myself."

"Do you have any idea what kind of—" He paused hearing the noise from my line.

Edward entered the room with Skylar hot on her heels. She yelped as she leaped in my direction. I momentarily forgot about the phone call as I stared at them with a smile. Edward crashed on the couch while Skylar wagged her tail in front of me.

"Love, I think we're ready to play." Edward chuckled, staring at Skylar.

"Bella, who is that?" James asked bitterly which made me frown.

"None of your business. Call me once you are ready to accept my terms." I snapped before hanging up. Skylar barked at me. I smiled as I lifted her in my arms. She licked my face, making me giggle. "Hi, honey. Did you have a good nap?" I cooed which earned me a yelp.

"Bella, who was that?" Edward asked with concern just as Skylar moved to his lap. He stroked her head as he gazed at me.

"James. It was about the house." I muttered with a shrug. "Doesn't matter," I offered him a smile. I was here. Spending time with him. "What does Skylar like to do?"

"She likes to do that," Edward said with a chuckle and I found her burying her face against the corner of the couch, trying to dig something. "She loves playing in the backyard. I'll get her harness and treats. Please ensure she doesn't dig a hole in the couch."

I laughed but nodded my head. "I will."

As Edward left, Skylar stared after his retreating figure. She barked towards him and stared at the floor. She seemed scared to jump off the couch. She returned to me so I could help her on the ground. She nuzzled my thigh and put her paw on my forearm. Her beautiful little face stared at me with hopeful eyes. She barked towards the doorway.

"What happened, sweetheart? Do you want to go after your daddy?" I cooed and she wagged her tail in response. I stood up with Skylar in my arms. She remained alert as I carried her towards the open terrace. I opened the glass partition from the side to descend the stairs. She yelped happily, staring at the large backyard lit with dim lights. She tried to jump out of my arms but I shook my head. "No, Skylar. Hold on."

I set the puppy on her feet when we were equidistant from the Great Room and the kitchen so Edward could easily reach us. I sat on the grass holding Skylar on my lap. She scratched her paws against the grass as she whined. She wanted to run around.

Edward arrived a few minutes later and settled beside me. He opened his arms and she jumped onto him. I laughed when she fussed against him as he put her in the harness.

"Oh, she hates it so much," He ducked away when she scratched against his t-shirt. "Skylar, calm down!" He attached the leash to the harness before setting her on the grass. She let out an irritated bark in his direction before running away from us. "Sassy, isn't she?" He chuckled as she walked away from us as fast as her little legs would allow.

"Shouldn't we go after her?"

He showed me the tiny object in his hands. "It's a Flexi-leash. It can go far but it has its limits," The object suddenly tightened in his hand. He looked over at Skylar who was trying to take a step further. "That's your limit, Sky."

Once she stopped trying to cross the limit, she chased the ball Edward and I threw in her direction. We rewarded her with a treat every time she brought the ball while Edward and I made plans to watch a movie after Skylar would go to bed. We argued about which one to watch.

"Bella, have you ever seen a French film? You wouldn't be talking like this if you had."

I rolled my eyes. "I want to watch Casablanca. Don't deflect the topic to something else."

"I have seen that movie so many times!"

"You've never seen it with me," I pouted. "It's such a nice movie. I want to cuddle with you and watch it." I kissed his chest.

He sighed before kissing my hair. "Okay, baby. We'll watch whatever you want."

I heard a sudden beep and Edward groaned next to me. I squealed when a stream of ice-cold water came directly shooting on my body.

"I don't think the staff checked if we're out here. Sorry," Edward murmured as he helped me stand. I ran a hand through my wet hair before gazing at Skylar. We laughed watching her hop around the water, trying to bark at the sprinkler system. She drank the water before hopping around.

"She loves it." I giggled watching her jump around the water.

I could hear Edward talking to someone on the phone from the security but I focused my attention on the little puppy enjoying the water. Edward recorded a video of her playing until the sprinklers paused. She tapped on the machine with her paw and then let out a bark.

"I'll get her dried up until you get changed. Then we'll take a tour of this floor. You'll know where everything is." He kissed my wet forehead. "Sky, come on! We have to go back inside. It's late."

Edward had mentioned that his bedroom was upstairs; however, he had moved to the Master Bedroom on the main floor to be closer to Skylar since she couldn't climb the two-story staircase. It was a gorgeous room with glass walls and wood furniture. There were two walk-in closets in the room. He took me to the spare one where some of the shelves were stocked with clothes, shoes, and accessories. He even had the vanity drawer equipped with a couple of beauty products.

I changed into a camisole and a pair of cotton shorts. I freshened up in his bathroom before leaving the room. I found him blow-drying Skylar's fur in the cozy Family Room. I quickly grabbed my phone and took a few pictures. They looked so cute!

Edward and Skylar gave me a tour of the Main Floor. It had a Master Bedroom, three guest bedrooms, a family den, a wet bar, a screening room, a formal dining room, and even a traditional wine cellar next to the kitchen. Almost every room had direct access to the balcony and offered beautiful views of the city. When the tour ended, Skylar tugged on his trousers so he would take her outside.

"So respectful. You waited until we showed Bella every room," Edward laughed as he adjusted her Flexi-leash. "Bella, excuse us. Sky has urgent matters—" He paused when she barked at him. "She's very lady-like, doesn't like to talk about it. Give us fifteen minutes."

I chuckled as I watched them leave in a hurry. I wandered in the long hallway, staring at the paintings and decor. I gravitated towards the wall that was stacked with photographs. I didn't recognize most of the people in the frames, except for his parents, siblings, and Jasper. One of the photos caught my eye. Edward was laughing about something with Tanya while Jasper was standing next to them. There was a brown-haired man who had his arms locked around Jasper from behind as he kissed his cheek. Such an adorable picture with his best friends. I looked closely and gasped. That's Peter Nash. Peter Nash! This was his best friend Peter? Oh my god. I staggered a little. Holy shit. I skimmed through the other photographs and recognized him in many frames.

"Ugh, are you looking at the photos? Some are very embarrassing." Edward muttered and I found him standing next to me. Skylar walked around our feet before nuzzling my ankle. "What's wrong?"

"That's Peter Nash," I murmured as I pointed at the photo frame.

"Yeah, that's from Jasper's engagement party last year. He was goofing around, as usual. Wait a minute," He frowned at me. "How do you know Peter?"

I laughed incredulously. "How do I know Peter Nash? Edward, he's the lead in one of the biggest mystery thriller cop shows. I love that show. Do you know he got cast five weeks before the shooting started? They rejected his audition but the writers fought to get him on board."

"You have an awful lot of trivia about him and his show," Edward mused. "It's oddly disturbing. Are you one of those fangirls of his? Sometimes when we're out in New York, these lunatic women just show up out of nowhere to take pictures with him. Some get very hyper." He laughed to himself.

"I'm not a fangirl!" I rolled my eyes in exasperation. "I just like his show. I read his interview on a website a few months ago. Anyway, while we're on the subject of lunatic women, have you ever seen what people talk about you online?"

His eyes turned wary. "No, my marketing team handles my social media accounts. It's time-consuming. I don't care how people perceive me online."

I giggled. "Every time you are trending, there are always people thirsting after you."

"Thirsting?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'll show you someday." I laughed when I realized Skylar had tangled herself between our legs with the leash. "Skylar, what are you doing?" She whimpered in response. I bent to her height and untangled her tiny body from around our legs. "All done!" She looked into my eyes for a moment before bending her head. I gently stroked her head and she leaned onto me.

I sat on the floor before I unbuckled her leash. She wagged her tail as I took off the harness and passed it to Edward. She put her tiny head on my lap to nuzzle against me. I scratched behind her ear before stroking her small frame. Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep.

I gazed up and found Edward staring at us. I grinned curiously. "What?"

He opened his mouth to say something but shook his head with a smile. "Nothing, love. I'll put her to bed and take a quick shower. How about you go to the Screening Room?"

"Sure."

Once Edward left with her, I went to the closest bathroom to wash my hands with soap. I entered two different bedrooms before I found the screening room. There were comfortable recliner seats and a couch in front of a large screen. It was also equipped with an M&M candy machine and a popcorn machine as well. He mentioned that those were used only when Jack, Emmett, or Alice would come over.

I lied down on the comfortable couch with my head perched against the headrest. I replied to all the unanswered text messages I had received in the evening. Fifteen minutes later, Edward arrived with a smile on his face. He looked thoughtful and exhausted.

"Hey," I smiled when he was within reaching distance. He came straight to me and buried his face against my chest. I ran my hands through his damp hair, feeling his ragged breathing against my chest. His hand traveled inside my camisole and pressed against my back. "Should we go to bed instead? You look tired." I whispered.

He shook his head. "I'm always tired, but things have been trickier from the last couple of days."

"Hmm, you probably won't have to worry so much about Skylar after a few weeks. Pets take after their owners. You are strong and independent, Skylar will be the same. She also likes to cuddle me as you do," I said with a laugh.

"That's true. You're so soft and warm," I shivered a little when his hand drifted towards my chest. He caressed my left breast with his hand. He kissed the valley between my breasts. "She's wary of others when they want to pet her or hold her but she loves you."

I blushed. "Aw, that's sweet. I love her too."

Edward dragged his lips towards my neck while his hand tugged on my nipple. I let out a soft moan. I arched my back when he yanked the camisole below my breasts. I buried my hands in his hair as he showered my breasts with kisses. I gasped when he grazed his teeth against my sensitive skin. I brought his lips to mine and wrapped my legs around his waist. I gripped the edge of the couch as he dipped his head inside the camisole.

I yelped when my hand touched a button somewhere on the couch. Edward took his head out of my camisole to check on me. He frowned but then rolled his eyes.

"It's the leg rest, baby."

I breathlessly gazed at the automated leg rest before looking at the big screen in front of us. Movie. Casablanca. Edward. He was trying to distract me from watching the movie. I sent him an evil look as he reached for me. He connected our lips for an urgent kiss and I put my arms around his neck. I tugged hard on his bottom lip.

"You're clever, aren't you? Trying to distract me with sex. I'm not that seducible." I said, panting for breath. "We're watching that movie."

"Fine!" He pulled away from me before switching on the screen. I adjusted my camisole and grabbed a blanket from one of the recliner chairs.

I snuggled against Edward when the movie started. Ten minutes into the movie, he put his head on my lap and played with my hair. It was incredibly distracting. I gently stroked his hair while keeping my attention on the screen. He kissed my free hand, planting gentle kisses on my fingers and palm. He groaned when his phone buzzed in his trousers. He checked the screen and rolled his eyes.

"What do you want, Alice?" He demanded on the phone. He listened to her for a few seconds. "What are you talking about—Oh yeah, we did that… Sure, whatever. I don't care. Choose any… I think I told Gianna to do that… Please don't… What are you talking about? We did that already… I'm not free on Sunday," He pressed his lips against my hand. "I have to take Sky to the vet, it might take all day… I'll talk to Tia, she'll figure something out. Bye."

I chuckled, staring at his annoyed expression. "What happened, sweetheart?"

He let out a deep sigh. "Emmett, Alice, and I did a photoshoot for a business magazine a month ago. It's a December Special Issue. We didn't want to do it but Grandpa Anthony forced us. The release of the issue is coinciding with the annual audit and Alice's wedding. It's for publicity. We did the shoot, not the post-shoot interview bullshit. We had to leave for London that day, the first Board Member of the London office passed away. He was Grandpa Anthony's friend. Anyway, I haven't been free since then but I must have told Tia to schedule it on a random Sunday. Doesn't matter, we'll do it on Monday."

"Do you have the photos?" I asked curiously.

"That's why she called. She wants me to see them but I don't care. I can show you," He opened one of his many unread emails. He scrolled through the photos before passing me his phone. "The media company sent the rough draft."

I smiled as I stared at the cover draft for Forbes. It was the Cullen siblings looking like runway models on the cover. Emmett and Alice were seated on different chairs while Edward stood behind them looking handsome in a sharp suit. They looked intimidating and powerful. The title read: The Revolution Of The Cullen Dynasty. I had goosebumps as I swiped through the other images. Edward looked so sexy.

"The cover shoot was dark and intimidating so they wanted to do a 360 spin for the interview. Alice wants to shoot it in my meadow." He added before hiding his face against me.

"Edward, you look so desirable and powerful in this." I breathed out as I passed him the phone.

He peeked in my direction to offer a smirk. "Do I, Miss. Swan? I'm flattered."

I leaned down to kiss his forehead. "You can do it on Sunday, sweetheart. I'll leave before everyone arrives."

"No," He frowned at me. "No way. I'm not letting you go until Monday morning. You are all mine for the weekend. I've cleared almost all of my schedule and I don't want to spend my free time with anybody else."

My eyes softened. "Okay, Edward. Whatever you want. Two days to ourselves," I chuckled when his phone buzzed again. "If your phone stops ringing."

"Let me just check." His shoulders stiffened when he saw the name on the screen. "I have to take this, sorry."

"Sure," I muttered under my breath.

Edward took a deep, lungful of breath before answering the call. "Hi, Pops. How are you?" He asked in a somber tone. He sounded tense talking to his Grandfather. I stroked his hair in a soothing gesture. "I did… Yes, it was his family home in California… For sure. Alice refused to leave without getting his RSVP for the wedding… I heard… That's good news." He paused and made idle patterns on my hand. He looked a little scared but angry. "Pops, I have to go. I have some work to do. I'll see you next month."

Edward put his phone on silent mode before tossing it on the other end of the couch. He turned his face on my lap to stare at the screen. I sighed to myself. It was the first time Edward had mentioned his grandfather around me. I had heard great things about Anthony Cullen around the office. He was authoritative and powerful. It had always piqued my interest as to why would he choose Edward to be the successor and not Emmett or someone else?

Bree had shared the office rumors that Emmett and Anthony Cullen didn't get along. She had also mentioned that Edward had a playboy lifestyle in New York and his grandfather gave him an ultimatum to move here or else he would sell the company.

"Edward?"

"Yes, baby?"

"You never told me why you moved from New York to Seattle."

Edward turned to look at me, his green eyes tightened a little. He had promised last week that we would discuss his past when I would visit his place. "What have you heard, Bella?"

I shrugged. "Does it matter?"

He kissed my hand. "To me, yes."

"Fine," I sighed. I detailed to him everything I had heard from Bree about his grandfather and the Cullen family. His mouth twisted into a grimace when I mentioned the playboy lifestyle. He had an amused grin playing on his lips as he stared at me.

"Well, Grandpa Anthony likes me more than Emmett, that's true," Edward remarked with a nod. "But he loves Alice the most. I think I have already told you that Emmett and Grandpa Anthony don't get along."

"And the rest? Is that true?" I asked urgently. Playboy? Supermodels?

"No!" He rolled his eyes. "Along with missing my parents, siblings, and Jack, I had two big reasons why I moved here. I'll tell you one tonight and the other one tomorrow."

"Why don't you tell me everything tonight?"

"Because I'll need a lot of alcohol in my system to tell the other reason." He said honestly and kissed the back of my hand. "Alright, let's begin the story of the revolution of the Cullen Dynasty."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, please."

"I'm going to fit over twenty therapy sessions into this one monologue. You've been warned," Edward whispered before shutting his eyes. "Before we talk about why I moved from New York to Seattle, I'll tell you why I moved from Seattle to Chicago."

Oh, wow he was going to tell me everything.

"When I was three years old, I asked my parents for a little sister," His lips turned up a little. "Mom and Dad said that I should wait until next Christmas. Two months later, they came home with a beautiful two-year-old blue-eyed girl named Alice. Her mother had died from an overdose and nobody from the state had claimed her, so my parents adopted her. Everyone fell in love with Alice instantly. You know that it's hard not to fall in love with her. My parents loved her more, they still do. Emmett was that popular kid in school that everybody loved. He had a lot of friends. Between my brother having way too many friends and my parents offering extra attention to Alice, I felt a little lost here. I felt alone and neglected. Middle child, right?" He chuckled without humor.

My heart broke as I imagined Edward as a young child feeling lonely in his big family home. He was sensitive, it must have affected him more than he would like to admit.

"Things felt better every time I was with my Nonna and Grandpa Victor in Chicago. They loved me so much. I was always interested in traveling with them, hearing their stories. I have never been the kind of person who likes to grow in someone's shadow. When I was ten years old, I spent my summer in Chicago with my grandparents. Nonna tells me that I told them how I didn't like staying in Seattle because I didn't have friends and Nonna was my best friend. She suggested to Mom and Dad that I should move to Chicago but they refused. When I told them, they didn't have a choice."

"I remember feeling a little sad that I was leaving. Alice was devastated. She was close to me. We were sad that we wouldn't get to play in our treehouse together after I moved. We used to have sleepovers there every weekend. My parents were—they didn't stop me," He swallowed hard. I watched a tear trickle down his cheek from the corner of his closed eyelids. I wiped it away.

"Things just changed when I moved to Chicago. Oh, Bella, I can't tell you how much I loved growing up there. Aunt Carmen and Uncle Eleazar have a beautiful home there, I'll take you soon. The home was so cozy and… it felt like home. My grandparents lived ten minutes away from there. I used to switch between their places. My life was a bleak shade of gray in Seattle and suddenly, there was so much color in my life. Aunt Carmen and Uncle Eleazar loved me so much."

"When I first moved there, I used to have a recurring nightmare about something I can't remember. They made a puppet show of that nightmare and gave it a happy ending, making me the hero of the story," He said with a chuckle, making me smile. "They were attentive to my feelings and emotions. Ness was only a year old when I moved there. I loved helping them take care of her. She was such a playful and fun baby. I made a few friends in school, including Jasper. It was amazing. The people in that city raised me. My Nonna taught me how to cook, she taught me how to face my fears. My Aunt and Uncle love me unconditionally. Aunt Carmen taught me to play the violin, she would watch me practice the piano. Uncle Eleazar used to volunteer at all my baseball games."

"It was too late when I realized what I had taken away from my parents and siblings. I just thought they didn't care about me," He whispered as he opened his eyes. They were glistening with tears. "There is always a hint of envy in Mom's eyes when she sees me with Aunt Carmen. She is my mother and I took that away from her. Alice doesn't show but she also gets disheartened seeing how close I am to Vanessa. I can never forgive myself for what I did to them. I took away every memory from them. Even after I moved to New York, I preferred going to Chicago rather than Seattle. The summer breaks and long weekends can never make up for the time they have lost. Those years are never coming back. They're gone."

Edward took a long pause and held my hand over his steadily beating heart. I bend my head to kiss his forehead. He carried a lot of pain inside him. His green eyes locked with mine.

I cleared my throat. "Edward, it wasn't your fault. How is it your fault that you found a place to be happy? You can't carry the guilt with you."

"I was happy, Bella but my parents were miserable here. They missed me. They begged me to come home. I didn't return for eighteen years. That's a long time. I feel so fucking guilty that I love Aunt Carmen and Uncle Eleazar more than I love my parents. I'm a horrible son. Nobody can change my mind about it." He said through his tears. "I'm making up for it, I am. Aunt Carmen always told me to put my parents first. I'm doing that. I'm trying."

"I know, Edward," I stroked his hair. "And you've grown into this beautiful human being who has a lot of love to give. How can your parents feel sad that your aunt and uncle raised you into a wonderful person? They are always so proud of you. Every time I see Esme, you can hear how happy she is to have you home. Parents love their children unconditionally. I did the same with my parents, sweetheart. I moved away after high school and never truly came back until this year. They accepted me the way I was. Esme and Carlisle are doing the same. They might always feel a little sad but it's not like you don't love them. You go above and beyond to protect your family."

Edward stroked my cheek with a sigh. "Why do things sound easier when you say them, Bella?"

"Because I know what you need to hear," I murmured and gave him a chaste kiss. "I am looking forward to meeting your Chicago family."

"They're so excited to see you."

I gaped at him. "Did you tell them about us?"

"Yes, I was very excited. I had to tell someone!" He defended himself. "It's not like you have kept it a secret. You told Angela."

"And you have told your aunt and uncle, Vanessa—"

He shook his head. "Not Ness. She will spill it to Alice and Rose. Just my aunt and uncle, and my grandparents. And my assistants. Emily knows a little."

"That's seven people. I've told one person."

"Well, we can tell everyone when you're ready, love. It's your choice."

I shook my head. "I want to share about my divorce first. I don't want to hide that anymore."

"Okay, whatever you want."

I took a deep breath. "I think I'm ready to hear about the second part now."

"New York to Seattle." He nodded at me. "As you know, my grandparents built two separate empires. Grandpa Anthony has this company and Grandpa Victor has Platt Industries. I had two choices. During high school, I announced at a family gathering that I wanted to join the family business," A nostalgic grin spread on his face. "I didn't mention which family business. Grandpa Victor always wanted me to work with Uncle Elezar at Platt Industries—it's primarily an oil refinery firm. He used to take me on frequent visits to the headquarters, I loved that place. Grandpa Anthony had assumed that I would join him since I was a Cullen," He rolled his eyes. "My grandparents bickered about it for a long time. I was so annoyed that I wanted to join medical school just to annoy them. But, I chose Cullen Holdings since my interests were in the creative field."

"I went to Massachusetts for college and started an internship at the Cullen Holdings New York branch. I worked as an intern during my freshman and sophomore years. I used to complete my tasks online during the week and travel to New York to work during the weekends. It was tough. Emmett was already told that he would be taking over as the COO of the Seattle office in a few years so he only trained in that department. I was everywhere. For those two years, I worked my ass off for whatever little I was getting paid. I would switch to different departments every six months."

"I had made my grandfather promise not to tell anyone that I was his grandson. He asked his assistant to make fake identification details for me. I wanted to show that I could earn it. Ugh, the weekend crew was the worst. During my third year of college, they offered me a permanent position. They let me choose the department. I chose the advertising field. I was the Junior Business Strategist. The workload increased but I'm not the kind of person who shied away from responsibility. I made it work. The year I graduated college, one of the Senior Brand Strategists quit so they promoted me. It was then everyone found out I was Edward Cullen."

"It was also around the time my grandfather expected us to attend charity galas and events so that his grandchildren could get in the public eye. We hated it but nobody took a stand against him. Plus, I loved my work. I loved watching the commercials I wrote come on the television screen during the Super Bowl or seeing my ad campaigns being appreciated by people everywhere. I worked in that position for one year before he promoted me to Chief Creative Officer. There was a mixed response behind the decision but I wanted to prove myself."

He pressed my hand to his cheek. "When I became a Board Member, people everywhere questioned my credibility, they weren't wrong. I was in my mid-20s and already handling too much work. I didn't let that bother me. I knew I had a good eye for creativity and what the public wanted to see. I didn't let people take me for granted. Age is just a number. I ensured that everyone was treated equally and my decisions were respected. A little more than a year ago, I was on a holiday in Geneva with the boys. I woke up to the news headline that I was named the successor of Cullen Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. I went from being a Board Member to being the fucking CEO of the company. Without. My. Permission. I don't think that's even legal, but my grandfather is a powerful man. His words are always final."

His words hung in silence as I replayed them in my head. Why would his grandfather do that? I did not like him anymore.

Edward offered me an ironic smile. "So, whatever your colleagues told you that I was made the CEO so I would give up my lifestyle or some other bullshit is not true, love. I was unaware of the decision. And yes, I have been in the public eye because it was expected from me. I haven't dated anybody in the last four years. I have had casual one-night stands with women," He said cautiously as he tried to gauge my reaction. "And sometimes the women ended up being famous… but it never meant anything. It wasn't—It wasn't—," He struggled to find the right words. "Nobody has ever made me feel the way you do."

I chuckled nervously, feeling a little insecure. I tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear as I stared at my hand over his heart.

"What if you miss that lifestyle sooner or later?" I asked quietly. "You know what happened with James…" I trailed off when he instantly sat up. He turned to me and cradled my face in his hands. He made me look into his gorgeous green eyes.

"Right now, I'm looking at everything I'm ever going to need in my life. It's just you, Bella. I don't need anybody else. Just you. You make me forget about everything when I'm with you. You showed courage by starting your life over. You show kindness to the ones who deserve it. You are so beautiful," He stroked my cheek. "So beautiful, it hurts. Nothing about that lifestyle defined who I was. All I tried to do was drown the sorrow and pain," He sighed shakily and shook his head infinitesimally. "Right now, this is me. And I'm all yours."

I offered him a watery smile. "Thank you for giving yourself to me. You are possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me, Edward."

Edward held to his chest as he buried his nose against my hair. He took a lungful of breath as he muttered something under his breath. I frowned. "Did you say something?"

He laughed. "I said that I—" He paused for a moment before sighing. "That you can be absurd sometimes."

I pulled back to offer him a tiny glare. "In my defense, have you seen yourself?" He gave me a confused look and I smiled wistfully. "You are perfect, Edward. You have the most gorgeous eyes, I can just melt into them. And a charming smile," His lips curled into a shy smile and I pecked his lips. "So handsome. And you are smart and funny and utterly desirable. Should I go on?"

"Maybe." He smirked.

"No, I need to hear everything first," I mumbled when his lips pressed to mine.

Edward nodded and gathered me in his arms. I laid my head on his chest with a smile on my face. "Where was I? Ah, the part where my Grandpa Anthony threw me to the sharks," I giggled but nodded my head. "Emmett was happy for me when he heard the news, he's an amazing big brother. But I was fucking livid. Grandpa Anthony had turned my world upside down. I flew to Seattle to demand some answers."

"Riley was breathing down his neck about the properties and shares but Grandpa Anthony told him to fuck off. He told me that he had plans to train me for a few more years before letting me take over. But, then changed his mind. You should've seen the stock price fall. It plummeted so bad, the investors were calling to pull out from the company. I knew what I had to do. I set up an emergency press conference, got the Board Members within 24 hours, and telecast it on every fucking news channel. Well, I nailed the speech and the stock price steadied again. All it took was a rousing speech where I shared how the company had plans to revolutionize the Cullen Dynasty the nation loves."

I grinned at him. "That's why the magazine cover has that headline," I noted.

Edward chuckled. "Yes. While I held the company together, I wasn't going to let my grandfather off the hook so easily. He forced me into taking the position. He could've given it to anyone, there are many Board Members with decades of experience and even Emmett was a good candidate. I knew he was tired of everything. After Uncle William and Nana passed away, he was mentally and physically exhausted. He was never the same. I just wished I had a few more years to prepare."

"I know why he chose me," His eyes darkened a little. "I did not like his motive but I couldn't let the family business go to hell. I knew I could do it. Grandpa Anthony helped me get the hang of everything for seven months and then he took off. He disappeared. I knew I had to make aggressive decisions after I was put in power. We had everyone's eyes on us and that was an added pressure. I will always resent what he has done to me. He did it to shrug off his responsibilities about Riley. Did I mean nothing to him? The fear of being lonely and neglected at ten years of age returned with this position. I can't even afford to be tired."

I cleared my throat. "You should tell him how you feel, Edward. He deserves to know the predicament he put you in."

"Hmm, Victoria suggested the same. I also feel guilty since Emmett was the one who deserved it but Grandpa Anthony is stubborn."

"I love Emmett. He is an energy powerhouse and incredibly sweet but he isn't you. I think your grandfather knew that you were the only person who can handle this job. You've worked at every stage of the hierarchy, you know how every department works. You were the ideal candidate and someone from the family. And you're doing a great job. I'm proud of you, Edward."

"Bella, I love how you try to see the good in everything," He smiled. "But my grandfather is a selfish person. That's not why he chose me. Anyway, I decided to take over from the Seattle headquarters to stay close to my family again. Maybe spending the future years with them might take away the guilt inside me."

"I'm glad you moved back, otherwise we would've never met," I murmured and giggled when he unexpectedly pushed my back on the couch. He chuckled as he hovered over me. "Why did he choose you, Edward?"

"You'll know when you see him, Bella." He reassured me with a gentle kiss. "I'm sorry you missed your movie."

I wrapped my legs around his waist as I pulled the t-shirt over his head. "I don't think I'm thinking about the movie right now."

"I gave you a lot to think about, didn't I?" He admitted with an apologetic smile.

I offered him a coy smile as I knotted my hands in his hair. "But you are free to distract me." He laughed and his lips silenced mine.

I loved him so much.

Hi, thank you for reading this chapter! Review and let me know what you think!