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.

And, as she commented about that to Alice and was about to slip the card back into the envelope Rosalie noticed the name at the bottom of the card; it was from Edward Cullen.

CHAPTER 15: IS IT KARMA?

While Bella and Mark were having a quiet dinner to discuss all that has been happening concerning the purposed contract and its signing, Edward was patiently thinking about his plan to get the 'thorn in his side', as he phrased it, alone and away from others so he could speak with her. He wanted her to bow to his terms of the contract and then, perhaps, to his own more personal desires. The poor man was still having a hard time getting her out of his head. It seemed that for some unexplainable reason she had taken up residence in his thought and refused to vacate them no matter how hard he tried to shake her hold.

Edward was getting so caught up in the pictures that were mentally flashing across his mind of all that he would like to do, or see Ms. Swan do, that he was nearing the breaking point of having a complete mess in due to all of his excitement. And, it was that realization that brought him back to the present before a change of clothing became a demanding necessity. That would have been an absolute embarrassment considering he was still at the office and his assistant hadn't left for the day yet.

It was then that he vowed that Ms. Swan had a lot of making up to do to him before he would be through with her. She needed to learn what a woman's true functions were and to stop putting herself above her superiors.

So, he moved to set his plans in place. Without having his PA handle the matter, Edward called the florist he kept on speed dial and ordered roses be sent to Ms. Swan, but, before he could complete the order he realized that he had no idea where she was staying. It was with that realization that he knew he would have to call Jasper and ask if he knew. It was a safe bet that Jasper would be able to give him all of the necessary information, but, he also knew that his brother was going to question him as to why Edward would need such information.

Edward also knew that by taking his current planned action that it would lull his family into believing that he had backed off and was accepting the contract as it stood. It was especially beneficial to his health that his brother, Emmett, believed that he was getting his way in this matter; that Edward had decided to back down and do what was necessary for Emmett to be able to make the desired film.

It was rare to see Emmett take such a demandingly strong stand about something since he was such an easy-going person, but, he wasn't backing down about turning this damn book into a movie. There was something in the writing that had taken a hold and was pushing Emmett to put the story into action and to display across the big screen for everyone to see. But, the way Emmett was standing his ground made him a man not to mess with any sort of interference.

Both Edward and Jasper had learnt that lesson the hard way on two different occasions. Emmett had made known his stance on both of those past experiences when the two brothers had gone against Emmett's desires which led to some painful lessons. It's about those past moments that Jasper had reminded Edward earlier after Emmett had used a certain tone of voice. Nope, Edward was definitely not going to risk a repeat of past lessons; but, there was nothing against him trying in a more delicate way of trying to get Ms. Swan to change her mind and to see things more his way.

So, picking up his phone and dialing Jasper's number, Edward waited for his brother to answer the call. It seemed to take forever, but, finally, Jasper did answer, and Edward made his request. Before Jasper was willing to give that information to Edward and let him anywhere near Bella again, he demanded to know why Edward wanted to know. Once it was explained that Edward was wanting to send some roses as a way of apologizing, but, couldn't because he had no idea where to have them delivered, Jasper paused as if weighing what his brother had told him as if trying to fault what Edward had said, but, not able to find anything wrong, he then told Edward where to send the flowers.

After getting the information, he needed Edward decided that instead of calling the florist back to give them the address that he would go by the shop and finish handling the matter in person. He had given it some thought when he got off the phone with Jasper and felt that it would have more of an impact if he signed the card personally instead of letting the shop attendant do it. The objective was to get Ms. Swan to drop her guard low enough for him to be able to get her alone and then to begin his onslaught in winning her over to his way of thinking.

Once the order had been finalized and he knew that the roses were on their way to being delivered, Edward headed home with a lighter step and a feeling that things were finally about to turn around to go the way he wanted. He had plans for tonight that he hoped would help to ease the ache he has been experiencing ever since his first sighting of the lovely Ms. Swan.

XXXXXX

"Do you mind telling me what the hell was going on between you and Edward Cullen today? What in the devil did he do that caused you to react the way you did in his office? What could he have done that deserved such a violent reaction from you? I don't understand you, Bella, that isn't the way I've ever seen you behave regardless of the circumstances before this." Mark was busy questioning his client after the waitress had taken their order and brought their drinks leaving them with some privacy.

"I realize that my actions are a bit surprising, but, there was more going on than what you or the others were aware. It was because of that and the fact that I had already been forewarned about Mr. Edward Cullen's playboy attitude that was the culprit that caused me to behave as I did."

"Okay. Would you mind filling me in on whatever it is that you know, and I don't about Mr. Edward Cullen?"

So, Bella did as Mark had requested and told him what both Rosalie and Alice had told her about all three brothers. It then that she informed Mark about what had taken place in Pike's Place Market with the stalking and finished by sharing about the incident that had taken place in the hallway. "The comments he made as I had accidently run into him just before the both of us had returned to his office today. But, the attitude and accusation as I did enter his office was the straw that broke the camel's back. Enough was enough."

Poor Mark was at a loss as to what he could say after Bella got through with her explanation. Everything that Bella had told him seemed to be farfetched, but, he was aware, also, that she had no reason to be making up such nonsense. It just wasn't like her. Although, Mark, himself, had made some inquiries about the Cullen brothers and what he found out fell in line with what Bella had just said. And, it was then that he remembered how Edward had kept glancing over in Bella's direction at the time he had first met him at the restaurant in Seattle.

But, although, the man had an interest in Bella, would he really go as far as she had just told him? Surely, he would have enough sense to know not to mix business and pleasure together. That was a sure recipe for disaster, especially, with someone as strong willed as Isabella Swan.

"So, what did you think about Emmett Cullen and his strong desire to make my book in a movie?" Bella asked at the same moment as their waitress had returned to serve their dinner.

"He seemed to have great determination to have his way. But, I have to say that I've heard nothing, but, great things about him, his creativity and his work ethics. It is reported that he's dedicated to his work, but, treats his staff with the same respect that he expects to be returned. There is no confusion or favoritism shown by or to the people he works with on any of his projects. And, everyone feels he's a genius because whatever film he makes always wins awards as well as makes money for everyone." Mark told her.

"I have to agree with you. He seemed very passionate about his work and very determined to make my book into a movie. But, I do wonder if Edward Cullen calls the shots in that department the same as he seems to do in all of the other departments?" Bella commented and then tossed out her casual question.

"I really think that he would like to do that, however, the impression I got from all that I had heard or seen today, and, have discovered in my research is that he doesn't have final say in everything. His brothers run their own departments, but, he does have final say on anything that affects the financial outcome of the overall business."

"That figures! He's arrogant enough to demand to hold such sway over matters."

"Now, Bella, that's unfair. All successful businesses operate in that manner and you know it. But, I do have to agree that he does seem to have a self-inflated ego about his own self-worth."

And, with both, Mark and Bella, agreeing about the opinion they each hold concerning on Edward Cullen, their conversation passed on to other topics for the rest of their dinner. They spent a pleasant evening together, not as agent and client, but, as friends.

XXXXXX

As Edward was congratulating himself over his carefully connived plan to get to Isabella Swan and preparing to have what he thought would be a very entertaining and stress-free evening. He envisioned a very rewarding evening ending in some delightful benefits that involved the entire night until dawn.

And, Bella was having a very good carefree evening with Mark. After they had gotten through dinner, both had decided to go on to a very popular club for a few drinks and some dancing.

But, Alice had a few questions about why Edward Cullen would be sending roses to Bella with a card apologizing for his behavior from earlier in the day. She looked at Rosalie with a raised brow in question as to whether her cousin knew the answer to the unasked question.

Rosalie saw Alice's expression and started laughing which indicated to Alice that Rosalie did indeed know what was going on. "Okay, Rosie, you know what all of this is about, so, spill." She demanded.

Rosalie motioned for Alice to follow her to the living room and indicated that she should sit down the same as Rosalie was doing. The whole time Rosalie was still lightly laughing to the annoyance of Alice. But, as both were seated, Alice told her to stop with the private joke and to explain what is going on.

It didn't take long, and after Rosalie had told Alice all that had happened between their cousin and Edward Cullen, both women were nearly rolling into the floor from laughing so hard. "Only Bella could have such things happen to her." Alice said as she was trying to catch her breath.

"Do you really think that he's sorry for what happened or it's just a front?" Alice asked.

"It's a front." Rosalie remarked with no further explanation.

XXXXXX

Bella was starting to get concerned about Mark since he was consuming quite a few drinks. She didn't know what his tolerance level might be, but, felt that before the evening was over she would find out. However, she couldn't say much because she had put away a few herself.

Time passed, and the events of the day were starting to catch up with Bella and she insisted that she and Mark call it an evening. He agreed since he wasn't feeling any pain, so, they took a cab back to Mark's hotel since Bella wanted to make sure that he got to his room without incident.

With getting him safely installed and it was as she was leaving his room that several things happened all at the same time. She was backing out of Mark's room trying to close the door quietly since she could only get him as far as a couch as he passed out, that she didn't see the other person across the hall leaving the room on the opposite side, so, they backed into each other which the impact was such that it sent Bella flying forward into the wall hitting her head hard enough that she was knocked out.

The other person she had collided with turned to see who he had backed into and swore, "Oh, shit damn, no. It had to be her."

A/N: Any idea who Bella backed into? How will this mess be handled?

Your thoughts and comments as always are welcomed.