Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
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~~Bella~~
I woke the next day feeling down and unmotivated. I hadn't slept very well; thoughts of contracts and lawyers and paperwork. Business. That boring and bland word again. I knew Edward wanted to get it all out of the way. My apprehension at rushing the process was justified. I mean really, once I signed on the dotted line, Edward didn't need to see me. Everything would be handled by the legal people. I wanted to get to know him, I wanted to have a real friendship with him. God, why would he want to hang out with me in the bar if he didn't have to?
I ordered some breakfast from room service and opened my laptop. Jessica had sent me an email.
From: Stanley, Jessica
To: Bella Swan
Subject: Jake
Hey Bella,
OK, so like after the other night, there is no way I'm leaving the balcony doors open ever again. How did you stand it? He meows like he's feral to get out there, and then he just jumps up on the balcony ledge and leans over, like he's looking for something, and it freaks me out. I know he's a cat and he has good balance and all that, but if he fell, or tried to catch a bird that flew by or something, well, I'm having nightmares about him jumping off!
Work is giving me the shits. I really need a holiday. But I'm saving up to take three weeks off over Christmas, because there's no way I'm working the whole of Summer again this year. Like, you should see me. My tan has gone. I look like a ghost, and there is no way I'm going to Jane's salon anymore; she's put all her prices up!
How's Vancouver? How's your story coming along? I was expecting you to have sent me a postcard by now, like a really cheesy one that looks completely photo-shopped, the exact opposite of what it really looks like OK (like that really, really bad one I sent you from Noosa). Do you still have that?
I ran into your mum and Phil at Darling Harbour last weekend. They had been to the International boat show. Phil was rambling on about buying a cruiser and traveling to the Whitsundays? Renee sounded a bit pissed off that you hadn't really contacted her, so you probably should email her or call her or something.
So, you know how I had that date? Well, we're going out on our third date this Friday night. He's taking me to a restaurant at King Street Wharf and then he said we could go to a club or something, dancing. I really, really, really like him.
I don't want you to freak out or anything OK, but you know him. It's Austin Marks from school. He's moved up from Canberra and is working at some big ass Chartered Accountants firm on George Street. He's still friends with fuckwit, but I told him that I wanted nothing to do with that prick and when he asked why, well I sort of told him the whole story. I told Austin not to let on he knew though. It was the first he'd heard of it, so fuckwit hadn't told anyone about you Bella. He can fucking rot in hell, bastard.
Anyway, Austin said fuckwit asked about you. I told Austin to tell him that you won the Commonwealth Writer's prize and you're like the Writer in Residence at a five star luxury hotel in Vancouver, and that when you get back you'll be top of the Dymocks fiction bestsellers list. Fuckwit will have to see your name every time he walks into a bookstore and know that he broke your heart. I told Austin to tell him you're happy, living it up and have the world at your feet. I mean, success is the best revenge right? Austin told me fuckwit broke up with Victoria three weeks ago just after her dad died! What a fucking douche. You are so better off without him.
Sorry, I didn't want to tell you about Austin on the phone. I didn't want you to even start thinking about fuckwit, there are so many more fish in the sea, right?
So, have you met any cute Canadian guys, or have you been cooped up enjoying the five star luxury? Speaking of cute guys, I was watching Entertainment Tonight the other day, (yes, I took a sickie because I was starting to get a cough and you know if I don't look after myself it always turns into bronchitis), and Edward Cullen is filming his new movie in Vancouver! He's staying in the same hotel as Rosalie Hale and it's so obvious that they are actually like, you know, fucking each others brains out off-screen! He's not in the same hotel as you, is he? If you see them filming, can you take a picture of him, or try and get me an autograph? He is so fucking hot! I wish I was Rosalie Hale! Apparently they'll be in LA next week for some like fan event DVD release for their second movie or something. Of course I checked online and we won't get the DVD in Australia until next month! I'd be better off just ordering it on Amazon.
OK, well I better go; my boss has eyes in the back of his head and if he sees I'm sending a personal email, he'll freak out.
Miss you Bella, Jakey misses you too!
Luv Jess xx
P.S. I had to call the Strata Manager to send someone to fix the intercom, it broke again…
I took a deep breath in, and re-read her email.
Riley split up with Victoria? Her father died? My mind was reeling. Why did they split up? Riley worked for Victoria's father; does that mean he no longer has a job?
I was happy that Jessica was with Austin. I knew she'd always liked him, but how was that going to work if she got serious with him? I'd run into Riley when I got back to Sydney. I don't think I could hang out much with Jessica if I knew there was a chance Riley would turn up.
No! I will not start my day thinking about him.
And, God, trust Jessica 'Miss celebrity-gossip queen' to find out that Edward was here in Vancouver. This information would have been so much more valuable to me had I found out two weeks ago. Maybe if I knew he was here, I would have recognized the back of his head straight away. I probably wouldn't have written the lyrics. I wouldn't have approached him or ever gone back to the Purple bar.
But then the thought of not knowing Edward made me feel physically sick.
Rosalie Hale. I had never seen him in the hotel with her. He had told me he didn't have relationships with people he works with and I wanted to believe him. Angela said he'd never want her. He spent almost every night in the bar with me. We're friends; if he was with her, surely he wouldn't lie about it? Surely it was just a media beat-up? Or maybe he's keeping it a secret because he's waiting until filming ends to be with her? God, no, I can't think about that.
How am I going to tell Jessica that Edward Cullen is in my hotel and I've been meeting him almost nightly in the Hotel VIP bar and the song he'd written would soon be copyrighted with my lyrics, and possibly featured on his movie soundtrack? She is going to lose her shit!
I forced myself not to dwell; instead I sent a very quick email to Irina.
To: Stannis, Irina
Subject: Help!
Hi Irina!
I hope you have been well? How are all the girls? Do you miss me?
I need your advice and some help with something. I wrote some lyrics to accompany a song that my friend wrote. He wants to have all the copyright paperwork drawn up. I have no idea what this involves and how to do it. I assume the paperwork will be filed in the U.S. as that is where my friend is from, not Canada. I assume copyright law varies from Country to Country?
Would you be able to help me with it, or recommend someone that can?
I'd really appreciate it Irina. Say 'Hi' to everyone from me!
Bella xx
I hit send just as I heard the knock on the door. Breakfast.
I couldn't respond to Jessica's email straight away. I needed time to get my head around all the information. One thing I will need to do is call Renee.
~~Edward~~
I had to see Bella today. I couldn't wait to get to the bar, but every scene was dragging on. Mistake after mistake. Rosalie kept messing up her lines and taking breaks to have her make-up fixed.
I was pacing. Usually I'd be smoking a cigarette, but that was before I met Bella.
I wonder what she is doing?
I made some excuse about needing the bathroom and hurried back to my trailer. I'll just send her a text.
Hey! See you in the bar tonight, so we can talk about the song? - E
It had only been one day since I've seen her, but I was anxious. I wanted to give her my agent's details and get the paperwork for the copyright out of the way. I didn't want her to think that I was just befriending her because of the song. I wanted to get to know her. I wanted her to know me. Alice's dream was always lurking in the back of my mind, but I couldn't let that guide me. Then my phone rang. It was my manager.
"Hi John, what's up?"
"Edward. Glad I caught you. It's about next week. The schedule has been locked in. You'll fly to LA on Friday. Your full media schedule is with Heidi and she'll brief you on it when you get here. I've got you a meeting with Liam Berty about his new film project. The first draft of the script is in Google docs, and for fuck's sake, if you print it, can you destroy it afterward, or at least have it locked in the hotel safe? Jenks is on the warpath since the last script was leaked and ended up all over the fucking internet in ten minutes flat."
John Dowling was my manger. He worked closely with my agent Carmen Sarran, and their 'teams' of people. It was fucking ridiculous how many people actually worked behind the scenes to make Edward Cullen a household name.
I had muddled along the first year, stumbling into auditions, reading Variety, hearing about casting requirements on the grapevine. It wasn't until I had signed with Carmen that I was actually red carpeted through the Hollywood bullshit maze to the front of the line.
I tried to retain some control, especially when it came to the way I was perceived. But I soon found out that once you sign to an agent, well, you fucking may as well give your soul to the devil. They own you and they decide what, when and how the media is hand-fed stories to keep you on the front page, on the radar and therefore more likely to be put forward for the movies that have the widest blockbuster appeal. They also had their own circle of influential 'friends' at the studios. The boys club, the 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' mentality. I figured I could just go with the flow until I had proven what I could do, and then, maybe, I could get back some control.
"Right, Friday. I assume Rosalie has the same schedule?" It was like the old days, back when studio starlets were linked to the popular actors of the day - keep people thinking there was some chemistry off-screen - that translated into a guaranteed audience.
I'd played this game with Rose for the last twenty-four months. Of course, we had chemistry on-screen; we were actors for fuck's sake. But it was the PR people that fed the stories to the media to get them stalking us, trying to get a picture of us out of character, holding hands or kissing. The magazines ate up that shit, and big bucks would be paid to any paparazzo that managed to score that exclusive pic. Rose had invited me many times to go to her hotel room. I knew between her and her dominating manager, any after hours liaison would definitely be documented and used to boost her profile.
It's not like she was into me at all. Rose loved to play the game; she fucking loved the spotlight, loved the attention it garnered. She knew I fucking hated that shit though. I did my job, was seen with her at all the right social functions and studio directed premieres. But that's as far as my involvement went.
She knew I wouldn't play along. It hadn't stopped her from trying though. She was young, brainwashed by the Hollywood fuckery. Anytime I had the opportunity I would try and educate her on the ways of the business. I tried to get her to think objectively about why her manager would pimp her out to sell magazines and newspapers. The hoards of people that worked behind the scenes, they all needed a salary, and in this business, Hollywood, it was all about the fucking money. From which sponsorship deals to take, to what designer you wore, the watch on your wrist, even the make of fucking car you drove. It wasn't rocket science, but Rose was so caught up in the adoration and the bright lights, she was worshipped, she lapped it up. And people paid her big bucks to endorse products.
I could see that she was on the path to becoming another Tanya Denali.
Hell would freeze over before I had any hand in that metamorphosis.
"Yes, of course. Heidi has it all planned out, like clockwork. Four days Edward, so suck it up and play nice, okay?"
"Sure John, no problem." God help me, if Heidi has planned the entire PR campaign, I'm in for a hellish four days.
"Okay, you know how to reach me if you need to. Oh, and Edward. Berty's new film has just got the green light by the studio. They're going to back this one 100%, so read the fucking script before the meeting. I'll speak to you later." The phone disconnected and simultaneously there was a bashing on my trailer door.
"Edward, Rose is back on set, are you good to go?"
"Yes!" I hollered.
Four days. I took a deep breath in and tried to block it from my mind. Four days with Rosalie and Heidi. Fucking hell. Next week was going to be exhausting. But, I have this week, to spend with Bella in the bar. Yes!
~~Bella~~
I re-read Edward's text.
Hey! See you in the bar tonight, so we can talk about the song? - E
I got to the bar early. I knew Edward wouldn't get here until at least 10pm, so I opened my laptop and re-read my story. I scoured my notebook. I knew exactly what I was supposed to write, the plot to my novel was well thought out. I had detailed notes, character profiles, snippets of dialogue already written, but for the life of me, I couldn't type a single word.
All my thoughts were of Episode, Edward, Jessica's email, and Riley.
I ordered a bottle of Croser from James and took in the opulence of the bar. Jessica's words kept flying around in my head. Riley split up with Victoria. Edward and Rosalie, fucking each other's brains out off-screen. I could feel myself getting over-heated and panicky.
I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. What the fuck am I doing here? I'm supposed to be writing, concentrating on my novel, focusing on getting it written and published. This is all I've ever wanted to do, well since running from Riley. My writing was my refuge from the pain. It had given me comfort, a way to push my feelings for Riley, the loss of him, to the back of my mind. Why in the hell, now, am I getting damn writer's block?
My whole body was racked with anticipation of just sitting next to Edward, hearing his voice, feeling his radiating warmth. Enjoy it Bella, while it lasts. He could - he would - be gone in a couple of months. Why did I feel like the pain of not seeing Edward would be just as bad as the pain of losing Riley? He was an amazing person, but there would never be anything more than friendship between us.
I slowly massaged the rose-scented hand moisturizer between my fingers and into the backs of my hands, and walked back to the booth. James had poured me a glass of Croser. I took a long sip.
I need to focus. I need to just take each day, enjoy Edward's company, memorize every feeling and every experience with him, because it will all be gone soon. The thought was depressing me. I looked at my laptop. Maybe I should try and write an email reply to Jessica. Shit! I was supposed to call Renee! Fuck!
I could call her now, just a quick call telling her I'll email her. It was just after 2pm in Sydney. I fished my mobile out of my bag and dialed.
"Hello?"
"Mum, it's me."
"Bella! You're calling from Vancouver? Isn't it late there? Shouldn't you be in bed?" she chastised.
"It's only ten, mum. I'm...writing. I'll be going to bed soon, promise." I hated lying to her, but it's not as if I'd tell her I was sitting in a bar waiting for a drop-dead gorgeous Hollywood actor!
"This phone call is probably costing you a fortune Bella."
"Mum, I just wanted to hear your voice. I'm going to email you. I just wanted to see if you and Phil are okay?"
"Yes, well, funny you should ask that Bella. We're thinking of buying a boat and going for a little adventure up to Queensland over the Christmas holidays, or maybe we can wait until January when you are back and you can come with us?" She sounded excited, I couldn't help but smile, but the thought of being trapped on a boat with Renee and Phil for any length of time was excruciating! They would drive me insane.
I thought of being back in Sydney.
I thought of how depressed I'd feel not being able to see Edward.
The pain hit me like a pounding wave in Bondi surf in summer. I felt winded, all the air whooshed out of my lungs. The hollow ache left in my chest was infinite.
"Umm, that's okay mum, you two will have much more fun as a couple. You should go over Christmas. I'll probably stay with dad in Forks until after New Year." I tried to stay calm, but silent tears flowed and I held my hand over the receiver as I sucked in a huge breath.
"Okay honey, we can talk about it later. We haven't even decided on a boat yet..." my eyes closed and white lights flashed behind my eyelids. I need to eat something, the champagne was making me feel giddy and my emotions had been frayed all day.
Snap the fuck out of this Bella!
"...so make sure you say hi to Charlie from us and send me that email, and I'll let you go, because this call will be so expensive Bella. Phil set us up on that Skype thing, so maybe we can talk that way next time?"
"Okay mum, yes, send me your user name and I'll Skype you." I could hear the emotion in my voice, and I was loathe to try and conceal it.
"Are you feeling okay Bella? You sound a little weird. PMT honey?"
"Urgh," I groaned. I mentally calculated dates in my head. "Um, yeah, I think so." Great! No wonder I've felt depressed all day! How in the hell could Renee work that out by listening to my voice!
"Bella, go to bed honey, get some rest, you can continue on your story tomorrow, or have a doona day, stay in bed with a hot water bottle and watch daytime TV, that always makes you feel better!"
I couldn't think of anything worse.
"Okay, I will, bye mum."
"Bye honey, I love you baby girl."
"I love you too."
I placed my phone on the table, just as James came up to me. "Excuse me, Miss Swan, can I get you anything? You look a little pale."
Oh James, you always anticipate my needs...
"Yes, I think I need to eat something."
"I know just the thing that will make you feel better, I'll order something for you and bring you some water." He smiled at me and strode away.
~~Edward~~
I walked into the bar and saw Bella had her laptop out and her papers strewn across the table. She's drinking champagne tonight. A writing breakthrough, maybe? She gave me a half smile when I sat down, but her eyes quickly reverted to her laptop screen.
"Hey, champagne? Are we celebrating?" I questioned, nodding towards her Mac.
"What, oh, um, no, not really. I mean I haven't progressed, I've just been going over my notes and re-working some things." She was blushing, and I couldn't decipher why. She didn't seem very comfortable.
James approached the table. "Would you like a glass Mr Paul, or a Heineken this evening?"
"A glass, please."
Bella kept her eyes down. Something was off. She wasn't her usually happy self; she was making me feel anxious.
"So, can I give you my agent's and manager's details for the copyright contract?" I asked her. She looked at her glass with the same half-smile.
"Sure," she put down her glass and ripped a piece of paper out of the back of her notebook to hand it to me along with her pen.
"Did you speak to your legal representative?" I asked as I wrote.
"I've sent her an email. I'm sure I'll get a response soon, unless she's on holidays. I'm sure it will be okay." She lifted the champagne flute to her lips, just as James returned with a chilled glass on a tray and proceeded to pour some for me.
"Cheers, Bella," I tapped my glass lightly to hers. "Here's to our names being permanently tied together as copyright holders to Episode." The strangest look took over her features as she sighed and took a tentative sip of her champagne.
"Permanently? Well, only until we die and then doesn't copyright only last fifty years, after our deaths?" she said. Her face was forlorn.
"Um, that's a cheery thought." I mused. "Actually, I believe it's seventy years, but I could be wrong. Why the talk of death and copyright? Is something wrong Bella?"
"Um, sorry, no, I don't know what's gotten into me. Just ignore me, really, just having one of those days." She started packing away her laptop. I dug a hand into my front jeans pocket to get my phone, opened my contacts list and proceeded to write my manager's, agent's and lawyer's emails and phone contact details on the paper. I handed it to her.
"Wow, so you have a manager and an agent and a lawyer?" she seemed incredulous.
"I know, overkill, right? They all charge me by the hour and all double up on everything. At least one of them will get the job done and I'll get three bills." I laughed half-heartily; she looked shocked.
"I just have Irina. Um, should she email all three people?" She was nervous. I could sense that she felt uncomfortable and it suddenly hit me. Did she not want to do this?
"Bella, you seem anxious. Have you changed your mind about letting me use your lyrics? Because if you have, that's really completely okay. I don't want to pressure you into anything." I tried to keep my voice calm, but inside I was panicking. I wanted to sing Bella's words. I wanted this.
"No, I haven't changed my mind Edward. I want you to have the lyrics. I'm just not comfortable with legal jargon and contracts and things. I feel a little overwhelmed, that's all. I'm sure Irina can take it all on. I can just sit back and let it happen. I've never had to do this before. I won my publishing deal and so I took it as it was, no negotiating or anything. It's all a little foreign to me." she smiled at me and for the first time this evening, she looked into my eyes. The relief I felt was immeasurable.
"I think it would be a good idea if Irina emails Carmen Sarran, my agent and copies John Dowling, my manager and Harold Greene my lawyer. Between the four of them they will work it all out. I think it's a standard document. The negotiations will come later when it's signed to the soundtrack, and once it's recorded, there will be the issues of royalty payments and all of those confusing things. Please don't worry about it now; it will take them months I'm sure, all the while they'll be sticking their fingers in the pie to draw their salaries."
"Months?" she questioned. She kind of looked hopeful.
"Well, yes, that's why we should get it all underway now, so they have it all worked out before...before I finish filming and have to leave Vancouver." I couldn't help but sound a little disappointed. She didn't seem to notice, as she sipped some more champagne and stared at her glass.
"When exactly do you finish filming?" she asked in a small voice, almost a whisper.
"If we're not running behind because of the rain it will be mid-late November." It was already early August. I haven't even known Bella a week! I had the next three months to spend getting to know her, spending a few short hours a night in the bar with her, and if I could, maybe spend some time with her on the weekends, inside the hotel. God, except my four days of hell with Rose and Heidi next week.
"I have to go on a four day publicity junket next week." I said casually.
"Oh, what's that for?" her interest spiked.
"The release of a DVD, no big deal, I'll have to do the talk show rounds in New York and LA, attend some ghastly fan events, that type of thing."
Bella seemed to have perked up considerably and was grinning at me.
"Oh, your fan events are ghastly, are they? I'm offended!" She flashed me her cheeky grin and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, present company excluded, of course, Bella."
"Of course, Edward."
~0~
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long for me to post. I was on 'vacation' in New York! I shopped. I did 'touristy' things. I even plonked my ass on the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park – the exact spot that Robert Pattinson's gorgeous butt sat in Remember Me (oh and I saw the movie again in a cinema in New York, which was pretty surreal)! I also met the fantabulous Twanza! Author of the Neverending Math Equation. If you haven't read it yet, what have you been waiting for? She won an Indie TwiFic Award for Best Love Triangle WIP. Go - http:/www fanfiction dot net/s/5387403/1/Neverending_Math_Equation I was so privileged she took me on a guided walking tour of fabulous Brooklyn! Words cannot describe how much I was internally fangirling! (Twanza, if you are reading this, I'm mortified)!
I also wrote a one-shot for the Public Lovin contest - Exchange (I know, I have this compulsion to write one word story titles that start with an 'E'! It is lemoney sweet. Go and read the entries at http:/www dot fanfiction dot net/u/2334596 and voting is now open until April 26 (U.S.)!
Thanks go to MizzezPattinson (are you sick of these shout outs yet?). Lady Zoe and CandyTwi, who are all fab authors, so go and check out their profile pages and read their stories at Fanfiction dot net!
And now this is the part where I ask you to click in that little box below and let me know what you did or didn't like in this Chapter…
Luv BBxx
