Nothing could have prepared me for the rest of our tour.
As he showed me each area, he was careful to stress that the space was mine and could be changed or redecorated to fit my needs. The guest bathroom — my bathroom — was done almost entirely in gold. The shower had built in footholds for shaving, was huge, and looked as if the spray came from all over, not just from the head above. In addition to the huge vanity and storage, there was a gorgeous jacuzzi tub.
At this I'd been ready to do anything Edward wanted of me, but I wasn't prepared for what happened next or my reaction to it. He led me to a large, but empty walk in closet.
"We can go shopping and fill it with whatever you'd like, since it doesn't seem like you've brought much with you. Or maybe Rose and Alice will take you. I'm not sure what you need or if you'd even be interested in-"
"Gowns. I should probably get a dress of some kind right?"
My hand clamps over my mouth. I can feel my eyes go wide. He looks like he's holding his breath.
"Bella, why do you need a gown?"
"You mentioned that you wanted someone to go to events with you. I figured they'd require something a little more formal than skinny jeans and my boots."
He smiles then. It reaches his eyes and it's here that I decide it's my favorite smile.
"I said it before and I'll say it again. You staying here is a no strings attached arrangement. You don't have to attend events with me if you don't want to."
I blush then, not because I'm relieved, but because I want to. I, Bella Swan, genius virgin, would like nothing more than to be seen on the arm of the handsome man with the copper colored hair and the green eyes. Surely he knows he's attractive.
"I just can't help but think that maybe your proposition wasn't that silly at all? I'll be living here and cooking. Maybe this is a natural progression."
He's staring at me. I can't tell what he's thinking and I'm unnerved. I'm usually so good at reading people.
"We should finish the tour. You should sleep on it. There's been enough shock and change tonight."
"I'm not going to change my mind, Edward."
"This way. There's a bedroom and library. You have your own sitting room in case you don't want the other. We'll set you up with voice password protection for your wing. It's important you have your privacy."
With a quick flourish, he points out the remaining spaces and leads me back to the main sitting area. The smell of the mild sauce invades my senses.
"Isabella, how about we eat and turn in for the night, yes? Enough excitement for awhile."
I nod my head and take a seat next to him at the kitchen island. Before I know it, we're wiping our hands and mouths and saying good nights. I watch Edward's form retreat up the stairs to his wing and, grabbing as many of my things as I can carry, I trudge slowly to mine, slightly disappointed. While the bed looks inviting, I find myself heading toward the closet. I try to put my things away as neatly as possible, heading back to the bedroom to put away my books.
It's at this moment I realize that the entirety of my life at Renee's includes personal hygiene items, books and clothing. There are no photos or mementos aside from a faded photo of who I believe is Charlie that I keep in my empty wallet. I've always carried important paperwork on my person rather than leaving it laying around, so my birth certificate and social security card are tucked away in my wallet as well. I've never driven so I have no driver's license.
The day begins to hit me. I've moved in with a man I know nothing about. My mother has chosen a predator over me. Once I begin to wonder whether or not she ever loved me, I decide to have a shower. I head back to the walk in closet to search for towels. Of course I hadn't thought to pack any. It was such a Bella thing to do. Tired and emotionally drained, I think that if maybe I have a seat here, I'll eventually muster enough energy to head toward the bathroom and shower. The tears take it over, and before I know it I've succumbed to my emotions and exhaustion. I suppose the floor is as good of a place to lay as any.
*Engineering Love*
When I wake, I'm warm and bathed in light, which is confusing seeing as how the walk in closet has no windows. I stir slowly and attempt to sit up. That's when I realize that I'm in bed, the blankets tucked tightly around me. I sit up and try to gain my bearings. And that's when I see him. It looks like he never did change out of that suit. In the corner of the room, using one of the dressers as a desk, is Edward. There are papers scattered around him, almost as if he tried to finish some work without disturbing me. Lightly, gently I call his name. I can tell by the steady rising and falling of his back that he's sleeping. I'm briefly impressed that he doesn't snore.
I try to wake him again. I call his name a little louder, a little more forcefully but he doesn't stir. Light sleeper my ass. Renee would be passed out like this after a drinking binge. I shake away the thought and grab some items to attempt a shower, hoping that there are towels in the bathroom. Again, Edward doesn't disappoint, and I'm showered and dressed in my tank top and yoga pants in record time. I don't bother with my hair, opting for a high bun and hoping for the best. When I come back into the bedroom, Edward is still knocked out cold.
Not wanting to disturb him, I head to the kitchen. His coffee maker is on and whirring, no doubt working on brewing the perfect cup. I'll have to get used to haw fancy everything is here. I find a mug in one of the many cabinets and pour him a cup. I remember the triple espresso he ordered from the Coffee Cup. I decide then that he probably likes his coffee strong and black. I set the mug in the microwave and set about making breakfast.
After making bacon and toast, Edward still hasn't appeared, and I decide to try and wake him one last time before his breakfast has gone cold. It's only 7:00am, but I don't want to be the reason he falls behind. I muster up some courage and head to the bedroom. Gently, I put my hand on his shoulder.
"Edward, it's 7:00am. I made breakfast. I think it's time to get up."
I feel him stir and back away. The last thing anyone here wants is to have me as the first thing they see when they open their eyes.
"There's bacon. And toast. And eggs. I don't know much about what you like, but I figured that was safe. And coffee. There's coffee too."
"What time is it?"
"7:00am. I hope I didn't wake you too late..."
He nods then and pulls a blackberry from his pocket.
"Tanya, cancel my day. No. I'm not sick. I'm sorry. Who works for who here? I said cancel it, not push it out a few hours. In fact, cancel the week. Tanya it's two days. I haven't taken time since I started the company so I'm taking two fucking days. I'm on vacation. Jasper can handle the day to day. Tell him to call only if it's an emergency. Do I sound unsure to you? If you value your job, you'll do what I've asked. Get it done."
His ears redden then.
"Sorry. I want to make sure we've gotten you adjusted and to make sure you have everything you need."
I nod.
"Breakfast will get cold."
With that I'm headed back to the kitchen. I hear his footsteps behind me. They sound slightly unsure.
The two of us arrive in the kitchen.
"I didn't know how you liked your eggs..."
"Oh I'll eat almost anything. Any way you make them is fine."
"Edward, how would you like your eggs."
He studies me then. A look crosses his features, something between resignation and amusement.
"It sounds ridiculous, but as a child, my mother always made them sunny side up."
"Sunny side up it is then. I shouldn't eavesdrop, but there's no need to change your schedule for me. I don't want to interrupt anything."
"Nonsense. Gives us time to get the shopping out of the way and to make sure you have what you need."
"I remember falling asleep in the closet last night. I don't know how I got to the bed."
"I came looking for you. I realized I never showed you where the towels were or how to work the the tub or shower. You looked tired and cold so I moved you to the bed. I didn't want to leave in case you had questions so I brought some work with me, and I guess I just fell asleep. I'm sorry. I should have gone back to my own quarters, but I didn't want to leave you alone in an unfamiliar place."
I turn off the pan I'm using to cook his eggs and turn and grab his coffee from the microwave.
"I figured black coffee would be ok."
"It looks great Bella, thank you. It's more than you should have done for me. I usually don't have time to sit and eat like this. It's a rare treat."
"I'll make you breakfast sandwiches then. Something you can take on the go. No big deal."
I watch him eat with gusto, like he didn't practically swallow twelve chicken wings at 2:00am. The man seems to be a bottomless pit.
"Speaking of deals, I slept on it, like you asked, and I want to take it. Unless you're no longer offering it. Because I can grab my stuff and go. I know that emergency services weren't necessarily part of your initial offer."
Toast poised midair for eating, Edward is staring at me. I know he'll kick me out. I'd kick me out.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"Ok. We'll hammer out the details. And if the arrangement get's to be too much for either of us, we walk away. No strings attached."
I nod then. The man is mesmerizing. Words aren't something I'm good at when I'm with him.
"I think the first thing on the agenda are new boots and a coat."
I blush scarlet then. He's got a point. I can't really go anywhere without winter clothing.
"Breakfast was amazing. Thank you for cooking. I'll shower and change and we'll head down to Water Tower Place. I'm sure we can get everything you need from there. It looks like I'll need to skip the gym today."
With that, he's gone and I can't choose which thought I'd like to spend more time on, him in the shower, water cascading down what are sure to be washboard abs, or him in the gym, sweat on his brows and exertion on his face. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts. Today would be a long day.