I DREAM OF RAINBOWS
Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.
Edward is standing close to the door with his back turned towards its while talking with the others that are in the room with him. As he hears the door open knowing that it must be the missing author, he turns while he is snarkly commenting, "It's about time you decide to grace us with your presence." And, once again without hesitation, Bella slaps the hell out of his face again.
CHAPTER 13: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
As the sound fades, Edward's shocked face, Bella's fury and contempt showing on her face and the silence of the rest of the occupants of the office is interrupted by the opening of the office door to admit the largest man that Bella had ever seen. He reminded her of the Hulk, the green giant that won the hearts of millions as he faced his enemies in the movies. She took a step back and bent her neck to look up at him in awe that was tinged with a bit of fear until he flashed a brilliant smile with dimples showing which gave him a teddy bear appearance and then he swiped her up into a bear hug.
This sudden interruption released the paused action of all of the others gathered which led to everyone, but, three to burst out laughing so hard they were trying to decide whether to hold their sides or their jaws due to the pain they were feeling from laughing so hard. Edward was furious because the creature that was still dangling in his brother's arms had dared to lay hands on him, not once, but, twice, for no reason that he could understand. Mark wasn't sure how he should be reacting due to all that he had witnessed and not being aware of the interaction that had taken place between Edward and Bella before she entered the office, but, then none of the others had had time to have that awareness as well. All that any of them knew is that Bella Swan had reacted to Edward's rudeness with a firm hand.
Bella was trying to relax in the arms of the hulking teddy bear that was squeezing her so tightly that she was starting to have a hard time trying to catch her breath. "Pl- ple—you—nee—" Bella was trying desperately to tell the 'hulk' to let her go so she could breathe again. However, the message wasn't being understood until Jasper had gained control enough of himself to tell his big brother to put her down. "Damn, Emmett, can't you see that she can't breathe."
Quickly releasing Bella, Emmett immediately introduced himself, not giving anyone else a chance to do so. "You're Isabella Swan, author of GOING FOR THE RAINBOWS, right? I'm so glad you're here and going to sign the contract. Now, I can really get started on getting my project off the ground.
"I've been holding auditions for the characters and I'm happy with the ones I've chosen so far. But, with this mess being settled things can begin to move…"
Emmett was brought up short by Bella raising her hand and then asking, "Do you realize that you might be getting a head of yourself? I do have the right to approve which actors will be portraying the main characters. So, until I sign the contract and then see who you've chosen your 'project' isn't going anywhere."
"I don't have a problem with that, little lady." Was Emmett's simple response.
"Well, I still have a problem with letting a nobody demand what will and will not be included in a contract that we might be doing. I mean, after all, she should be happy that we're even considering turning her book into a movie, that may or may not make us money." Edward grouched to everyone present in the office.
"Edward Anthony Cullen, I raised you better than that." Esme quickly remarked as she walked over to her son and reached up grabbing him by his ear, giving it a slight twist as she began walking out of the office door. Edward gave a small squawk, but, had no choice, but, to walk along with her. Where they were going, no one knew, but, once more all present were surprised at such an action being taken by Esme Cullen and watching Carlisle Cullen follow behind both his wife and son.
The silence was broken by Emmett commenting, "He should have known better than to act like that with Mom around. She doesn't tolerate such behavior and Dad doesn't either. I sure wouldn't want to be in his shoes at the moment."
"You can say that again. He had been told after his return from Seattle that he needed to get his attitude straight. We all thought that he had done so, but, even if he hadn't, he's never acted like this with the parents around to hear or see." Jasper remarked. Then Jasper looked over at Bella, cocking his head a little to one side for a moment before asking Bella, "I have a feeling that something more, than what we all witnessed, was going on in here. Would you care to share?"
"No, I don't care to share since it's nothing I can't handle and isn't really anyone's business, but, mine. Thanks for asking, but, it really is best left unsaid and remaining between Mr. Cullen and myself."
So, with that said it seemed that the subject was closed, at least, for now. However, Bella knew in her heart of hearts, that Edward Cullen was going to be a big problem in more ways than one. She wasn't immune to his good looks and when he had caught her as she had bumped into him outside of the restroom, she had felt an electric charge shooting through her entire system. It was like nothing she had ever felt before and wasn't sure what it meant, even now, but, she was wise enough to realize that big trouble was right around the corner trying to reach out and grab her. But, she did recognize the danger signals that was flashing when she was close to, or, even thought about him and what his touch did to her.
"Mark, why don't we leave and when Mr. Edward Cullen can make the time to sign the contract then Jasper can bring it to us and I'll sign it then once I'm sure no changes have been made to what I've agreed to sign."
"But,-" Emmett and Jasper both began at the same time and stopped at the same time to wait for the other brother to say what he had tried to say.
"I agree with Bella. This has been a waste of everyone's time all because of one individual. You can catch up with us once your CEO decides to behave like a CEO." Mark offered his own opinion which was in agreement with Bella.
"Wait! Before you leave explain one thing to me. Why did you make the comment about any possible changes?"
"Because from what I've observed I wouldn't put it past your brother to knowingly have the contract changed if I went ahead and signed it now before adding his signature. Then I would be locked into an agreement that wasn't what I had originally agreed to.
"That's why I made my statement. However, if he does sign it and one of you bring it over for my signature then I'd have a chance to make sure the originally agreed to contract is still intact before I sign it."
Neither of the two brothers knew what to say to her reasoning because they knew that with the way Edward was behaving at the moment that her fears were a very real possibility. Never had any of them encountered such a situation as what Edward was creating at the moment.
"Ms. Swan, I can tell you now that the conditions that you wanted in the contract will stay in the contract. I'll not let my brother ruin what could be one of the best movies that I've ever made.
"Your book carries such loving emotion and life lessons that could bring forth an Oscar on so many levels. So, no, I can promise you that my brother will not change anything in the contract cause I refuse to allow him to take this opportunity away from this company or me."
"I appreciate your sentiment and your confidence in my book, but, the fact remains that your brother has the final 'say so' concerning this deal. But, he had better remember that I also have a very strong say about things as well." And, with that said Bella looked to Mark and motioned that it was time for them to leave. She paused long enough at the door to have one last thing to say and that was, "Jasper, get in touch with Mark once things have finally been hashed out here. I won't wait forever and I won't continue to accept being jerked around by an asshat jackass either." Then she left, following behind Mark out.
XXXXXX
"You didn't!" Both Rosalie and Alice squealed together as they were trying to get some control of their laughter. They were completely captivated by Bella's description of the meeting that was supposed to have taken place earlier that day.
"He was really that much of an ass?" Rosalie asked.
"Yup." Was the only respond Bella gave them and then they all three cracked up again with laughter.
Once they were able to get better control of themselves the topics changed and the three cousins spent time talking about what had been happening in the fashion world where Alice was concerned and then about Rosalie's audition with the part that she was wanting to have.
But, before too many details from either one could be revealed Alice was quick to inform Rosalie, "You and I might be working together if everything works out as I hope."
"What in the hell are you talking about our hyper pixie?" Rosalie jokingly asked.
"I received a call from the designing department, shortly after we got back from Seattle. asking if I would be willing to submit a few samples along with a portfolio of past designs I'd done on prior films.
"It was explained that the director, your Emmett Cullen, was wanting to use nothing less than the best for an upcoming project. So, evidently, they consider me to be among the best, and, I honestly think that it might be the same one you were auditioning for a part."
"That would be absolutely great if we were connected to the same project. But, do you know which one? Three different ones have been floating around on the grapevine." Rosalie enquired.
"Not, sure. I was just told to submit generalized designs for a modern day story as well as some period pieces."
"That sounds like what happened with my audition. There were two different parts that I had to read for with one being modern day and the other being of an earlier time. But, the most disappointing part was that Emmett Cullen wasn't there; it was his casting chief.
"I've seen pictures of this man, but, have never been able to get close enough to him to touch or speak. It can be very frustrating. He's so damn yummy, if you know what I mean."
The three continued talking into the night as they were at Rosalie's and had no idea what the next day was going to bring forth to any of them.
XXXXXX
Esme and Carlisle had torn into Edward with no holds barred to let him know that they were disappointed in his behavior and rudeness. It was not acceptable and was very humiliating for everyone that had been witness to it. "You had better straighten yourself up, quick, or, I would make your life a living hell until you do. Am I understood, young man?" Esme told him without the slightest rise in her tone of voice.
Edward looked at his mother and gave her a quick nod of the head then he looked at his dad. Carlisle hadn't said one word, but, his facial features spoke volumes. He knew that he had screwed up and he really had no excuse that could be offered that would make things any better.
Somehow, this one woman, even before he had seen her, had gotten under his skin. He had no idea why or how to explain it, but, it just happened.
Everyone had returned to Edward's office and was very surprised to find that Bella and her agent had left. Jasper shared what Bella had said about the contract which caused all eyes to turn in Edward's direction. But, only one person had anything at that point to say and did say, "Edward, you will sign that contract as it is and stop all of the bull. I want this project and you will not stand in my way." Emmett told his brother in a tone that was very seldom heard from him.
Emmett was a very happy go lucky sort of person and saw the good in everyone, but, when he spoke in the manner that had just happened it was safest to listen and heed the warning. So, Edward was seen trying to be subtle in his reactions to what his brother was saying as he gave a quick, jerky type of nod.
A/N: Edward acted out one too many times and made the mistake of doing it in front of his parents. Which project do you think Alice and Rosalie are about to go to work on? Will Edward sign the contract so it can be delivered to Bella with no changes?
Your thoughts and comments as always are welcomed.