A/N: Hi Again. I'm back with a silly little fic that popped into my brain while on yet another zoom call for work. Whoops!
As always, all known characters belong to S. Meyer. Plot is mine. No Copyright infringement intended. Not Beta'd. All mistakes are mine as well. xoxo
Will you be my Valentine? A One Shot story
"Good morning, everyone. I'm sorry to have to schedule this meeting at 9am on a Monday morning, but we've got a jam packed week coming up and lots to talk about," Eleazar spoke to the conference room full of staff. "Bella, Alice is out sick today. Could you take down the meeting minutes?"
"Sure, Eleazar." I opened up a blank word document on my laptop and proceeded to document the goings on of what was sure to be a long drawn out meeting. Nothing is worse than a Monday morning meeting. Couple that with the morning I was having, I was ready for this to be over. Actually, I was ready for this whole day to be over. On top of spilling my coffee down the front of my shirt and running late due to having to change, I walked into work today to see it had been transformed in a pink and red nightmare. It looked like cupid threw up on the receptionist's desk. Everywhere I looked there were pink and red hearts adorning doorways and cubicle walls. Geezus, is this an elementary school? Or an office? I had only been at work for 15 minutes when I hear Jessica squealing from 4 cubicles over. I stood up to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out Jessica had been delivered a large bouquet of pink and red roses. And so it begins.
It's not that I personally have anything against Valentine's Day. Actually, I find the whole day extremely romantic. Problem is, in my world, Valentine's Day just doesn't pan out. I'd been with Jake for a few years now. This will be our third Valentine's Day. And I hold out no hope that I'll be as lucky as Jessica. To receive flowers at work. To receive flowers, period. Jake doesn't see the point of this "forced holiday." He might tell me happy Valentin's Day over text or in person if I happen to see him on the day. But I've never been taken out to dinner to celebrate. Never been given flowers or chocolate. I try to tell myself it's okay. He shows he cares about me in other ways. But just once, it would be nice to be on the receiving end of the Valentine's Day hoopla. To not be the jealous one.
I feel like if I were single, I'd be far less annoyed by Jessica's squealing. The fact that I have a boyfriend and I have nothing to squeal about bugs me. Then again, I feel like everything about my relationship with Jake bugs me lately. Something has been off, off for a long time it seems.
So here am I sitting in this boring Monday morning meeting, thinking about Jessica's stupid bouquet of flowers. And clearly not paying attention, as I get a gentle elbow nudge to my arm. My eyes shoot up to see Edward looking at me with an inquisitive expression on his face. He mouths "You okay?" I nod minutely before returning my attention to Eleazar and my notetaking.
"Alright, folks." Eleazar claps his hands together once. "That'll do it. Have a great rest of your day." Everyone begins to pick up their things and make their way out of the large conference room and return to their various offices and cubicles. I'm walking out of the room directly behind Jessica and Lauren. Jessica is excitedly informing Lauren about how sweet her boyfriend Mike is, and the large bouquet of flowers he sent her this morning. "But Valentine's Day isn't until Sunday." I hear Lauren say. "True, but Mike always does something each day in the week leading up the big day. I'm sure tomorrow there will be something else arriving for me. It's just the way Mike is." Jessica sounds so excited and also a bit smug. As if she knows not everyone is as lucky as she is. And she's right. "Well," Lauren replies, "I hope one of your gifts is a big box of chocolates and that you are willing to share!" The two women giggle and continue on to their cubicles.
When I get to mine, I try to put Jessica and her roses out of my mind and focus on work. I do okay, until lunchtime. As I'm walking to the lunch room I pass several other employees who also have flowers on their desks. Apparently Jessica's boyfriend isn't the only one with that idea. Shaking my head, I make my way to the lunch room and sit down next to my friend Angela who is already there.
"Hey Ang."
"Hey Bella. How's your day so far?"
"Oh you know, fine I guess. Nothing all that exciting going on. Just trying to get through this week."
"Why? Got some big plans for this weekend that you are dying to get to? Is Jake taking you out for Valentine's day?"
Before I can respond, I hear the slight scraping of chair legs along the linoleum, and see that Edward is in the process of joining us for lunch.
"Hi. I hope you don't mind if I join you," He smiled as he spoke. This perfect crooked smile that almost always reaches his beautiful green eyes. The kind that makes you want to smile in return, whether you are in a good mood or not. Edward is a gorgeous man, and I've had a crush on him since I started working here a year ago. But I've always been with Jake, so a crush is all it will ever be. Then again, it isn't as if anything would happen even if I were single. Edward is way too good, too handsome, to be with someone like me.
"Not at all, Edward." Angela replies, "We were just talking about our days. And Bella was just about to tell me about her plans for Valentine's Day this weekend." She smiles and turns her focus back to me.
"Uh, well, actually, Ang. I don't have any plans." I say as I shrug my shoulders and turn my gaze down to the sandwich in front of me.
"Oh, is Jake planning to surprise you?" Angela is even more of a romantic than I am, and always finds the good in people. She can't fathom that someone with a boyfriend of several years wouldn't be celebrating Valentine's Day. "I know there was one year that I though Ben forgot. Turns out he was just waiting until that night to surprise me with dinner and the most beautiful roses I've ever see. You watch. I'm sure Jake has something planned for you."
I rolled my eyes, as discreetly as possible as not to offend Angela. But she was wrong. I know that Jake has absolutely nothing planned. "Sure, Ang." I said quietly. Looking across the table to see Edward looking at me, his lips in a tight line and a look in his eyes I can't quite pinpoint. It looks like anger, fury almost. But I have no idea why he would be so upset. Quickly, I duck my head and look back down at my lunch. Hoping that the topic of conversation will end quickly. But as luck would have it, at that moment Jessica and Lauren came into the lunch room. Jessica was still going on and on about her flower delivery. I just eat my lunch quietly while Angela and Edward discussed the newest project he's been assigned.
When I had finished eating, I threw away my trash and told Angela I'd talk to her later. I gave Edward a small smile before heading back to my cube. Thankfully the rest of the day went by quickly and before I knew it, it was time to head home. As I made my way to the main doors, I heard Edward say "Good night, Bella." He's smile was so bright and genuine and I found it made my slightly down day just a little bit better.
"Good night, Edward. See you tomorrow."
Tuesday. Tuesday progressed much in the same way as Monday. Around 8:15am, I heard Jessica squealing over today's delivery. It was the largest heart shaped box of chocolates I had ever seen. There was no way one person could eat all that chocolate.
"Hey Bella." I heard Jessica say to me as she popped her head into my cubicle. "Do you want some chocolate?"
"Uh, sure." She held out the box of chocolate to me and allowed me to take a piece.
"Oh, come on. Take more than one. I'll never be able to eat all of this." I grabbed another piece and thanked Jessica for sharing. She bounced away from my cubicle with a smile on her face, before offering a piece of candy to our other coworkers nearby. As much as I'm jealous of her Valentine's Day gifts, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that she had offered to share, and found I couldn't be mad at her. As I turned my focus back to my computer, I heard someone clear their throat behind me. Turning my head, I saw Edward standing next to my cubicle.
"Hey Edward. What's up?"
He had his hands shoved in his pockets and was shifting on his feet.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah, sorry. Spaced out. I uh, I just came to see if you were finished with the copy for the new project. Eleazar wants to review the draft rendering with the copy incorporated before we send the graphics off to have the mock-up produced. I've got the design completed. I just need the copy."
"Oh, yeah. Almost. I was just doing a final editing review. I'd hate to send copy over with a typo. I can email you the file in about 5 minutes, if that's okay?"
"Yeah, sure. That works." He turned around and headed back to his cubicle.
After sending Edward the file, I decided to run down to the coffee shop in our office building. I figured I'd take a short break, enjoy a cup of coffee and the chocolate that Jessica gave me. As I was sitting in the atrium of our building, enjoying my break, my cell phone rang. Pulling it out of my pocket, I see Jake's name across the screen.
"Hi sweetie," I answer. Even if Jake isn't into Valentine's Day doesn't mean that I care about him any less.
"Hi Bells, look I know we had plans to have dinner together tonight, but I… uh… I won't be able to come over. Not tonight. Do you think we could have dinner tomorrow instead? There is uh, something important I wanted to talk to you about."
"Yeah, sure. Tomorrow works. Is everything okay? I mean, is this a good important or bad important discussion we need to have."
I hear Jake breathe out heavily before saying, "It's just… important. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be by around 6."
"Okay, Jake. I was thinking I could cook…" and before I could even finish my sentence the line was dead.
"Oooookaaaay." Pocketing my cell phone, I picked up my coffee and headed back up to my cubicle to finish out the work day.
Wednesday, there was no squealing at 8:15 am from Jessica. She actually spent most of the morning pouting that Mike had forgotten about her today. She was grumpy and kind of a pain to be around. That was until lunchtime, when a delivery showed up with lunch for Jessica from her favorite restaurant. Mike even included a slice of cheesecake for her for dessert. Jessica's mood improved immensely after that.
Unfortunately, I found my mood taking a downward slide the closer I got to the end of the day. It was almost time to go home when Angela popped into my cube. Hopping up on my desk she turned me to look at her.
"Bells, what is up? You've been down all day it seems. What's wrong?"
"I just have this feeling, Ang. Jake said he has something important to talk to me about tonight."
"Could he be proposing?" Her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands together wildly.
"I hardly doubt that. I think he might be breaking up with me."
"What? No. No, way! Who dumps someone right before Valentine's Day?" She crossed her arms and glared at me as if to ask how silly could I be for imagining such a thing.
"Valentine's Day doesn't really matter to Jake. In fact, he's never done anything for me. This will be our third Valentine's Day, and I've never gotten as much as a card. He doesn't believe in 'forced romance.' Not that he's a very romantic guy as it is." I sighed, and slunk down in my chair. "No, I really think he is coming over tonight to break up with…"
"Oh, hi Edward." Angela cuts me off. I turn to see Edward standing next to my cube. His lips once again in a tight line and his eyes are swirling with an emotion I once again can't quite figure out. Before I can focus too much on Edward's expression, I begin to wonder just how long he's been standing there and just how much he overheard.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. Bella, Eleazar wanted you to pop into his office to meet with us for a moment about the mock-up. He has a question about the copy related to the graphics."
"Oh, sure. Of course." I pick up my project file and notepad. "Sorry, Ang. I'll catch up with you later?"
"No problem, Bella. And I'm sure everything will go fine tonight. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Angela leaves my cube, and I follow Edward back to Eleazar's office. It's after 5 when our meeting ends, and I'm concerned about getting home in time to start cooking dinner for Jake. But something in my gut tells me that eating dinner alone is a foregone conclusion. With a heavy sigh I pack up my stuff and head out to my car. Just as I'm about to get in, I hear Edward call my name.
"Bella, wait up." He says jogging over to me. "Look, I'm sorry that went so long. I was excited about the graphics and got on a roll. I didn't realize what time it was. "
"It's fine, Edward. It comes with the territory. But I am running late, so I do need to go." I open the back door and place my laptop bag on the seat.
"Dinner with the boyfriend?" He asks me, his lips tight in a line again.
"Yeah." I scoff. "Look, I'm sorry, but I've got to go."
"Okay, Bella. See you tomorrow." He turns around and jogs over to his car. I finish putting my stuff in the car and climb in, before heading home to my apartment to see Jake and find out just what exactly is this 'important' discussion we need to have.
Thursday, Mike sends Jessica a giant teddy bear that plays music when you press its paw. It was actually kind of cute. It made me want to tear its head off its body. I wanted to tear Jessica's head off.
But it's not her fault, not really. No, you can blame my foul mood on my shitty ex-boyfriend, Jake. I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building last night to find Jake standing next to his car waiting for me. I walked over to him, and before I could ever say hello he told me that this thing between us wasn't working out. He met a girl named Leah, and he didn't want to be a cheater. So he wanted to end things with us before he could move on with her. I couldn't even look at him as he spoke. Instead I found myself looking through the window of his car. There on the passenger seat I saw a heart shaped box of chocolates. A box that I am 100% sure was not intended for me. I was mad, but I had no words. I just looked at that stupid box of chocolates as my boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend told me he wishes only the best for me. He tried to kiss my cheek, but I had enough sense of self-preservation to step away from him as he did. He climbed into his car, and rolled down the window. The last thing he said to me before he drove away was "I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day, Bella."
Are. You. Kidding. Me?
Now, I'm at work, listening to Jessica's stupid teddy bear playing some hokey love song on repeat. When I joined Angela at lunch, she knew. I didn't even need to say it. My face clearly told her for me. Edward had joined us for lunch again, and asked me if I made it home on time for my dinner last night. Angela shot him a look and shook her head in warning. I was appreciative of her involvement. I didn't have it in me to tell Edward. Edward who has probably never been dumped in his life. Edward who probably has a gorgeous girlfriend that he's been spoiling all week, just like Mike has been spoiling Jessica. I didn't want the look of pity, not from him.
When lunch was over, I hid away in my cubicle from the rest of the day. Jessica had finally given the bear a rest, and I was able to wallow in my own self-pity without a love song soundtrack in the background. At five-o'clock I packed up my stuff and headed out to the car. Thankful that today I didn't run into Edward on my way out.
Friday morning, I woke up dreading work. I felt like I was back in high school. Knowing that all the popular girls would be receiving countless carnations from all their boyfriends, and all the boys who wishes they were. While girls like me sat back and watched.
As I made my way into work, I wonder just how many of my coworkers would be receiving flower deliveries. I wonder what Mike would do for Jessica today. It could be anything. For all I know she was going to get a puppy delivered to her at work.
Without fail at 8:15am, I heard the tell-tale squeal of Jessica. Mike had sent her another bouquet of flowers. This time, long-stemmed red roses with loads of baby's breath. As I sat in my cube, I found myself wishing I had found a guy like Mike. A guy who recognized the importance of things like Valentine's Day. I didn't need the daily deliveries of presents, but just someone who acknowledged the holiday and did something, anything to make you feel special.
I knew I just had to get through the rest of this day. Once I was at home this evening I could easily pretend that Valentine's Day wasn't happening and that I hadn't be unceremoniously dumped right before it. By Monday, it would all be behind me. I dove head first into my new copy assignment, and was so engrossed, I didn't even realize there was someone standing next to my cubicle.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Isabella Swan?"
"Yes?" I turned towards the person standing next to my cubicle to see the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I had ever seen. There were red roses, white lilies, white daisies, mini red carnations and sprigs of greenery. My eyes go wide as I take in the beauty of the flowers presented to me.
The delivery guy wishes me a happy Valentine's Day as he leaves. Taking the flower arrangement I set them on my desk, and carefully pluck the small envelope contained inside. My heart is beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. I never expected to receive flowers and haven't a clue who would have sent them.
I pulled out the small card from the envelope.
Will you be my Valentine?
"That's it?" I squeaked. No name. No indication of who sent me the flowers. Seriously?! I looked at the name of the Florist on the envelope and pulled out my cell phone.
"Seattle Flower and Gifts, how can I help you?" the disembodied voice on the line asked.
"Um, yes, hi. My name is Isabella Swan. I just got a flower delivery, but it doesn't indicate who it was from. I was hoping you could tell me who the sender was."
"Just one moment please." I heard the clicking of the keyboard in the background. "I'm sorry. It would appear that this order was placed in person last night. Paid in cash. I have no sender information to share."
"Oh. Okay. We'll you wouldn't happen to know what the person looked like, do you?"
"No, I'm sorry I didn't take this order. My co-worker Jane did and she's not here today. Sorry I can't be of more help."
"Okay, well, thank you." No, not thank you. You were of no help. Ugh!
"Have a good day."
Hanging up the phone, I starred at the gorgeous flowers sitting on my desk.
Will you be my Valentine?
Well, I know it wasn't Jake. And it wasn't my mother if the order was placed in person. It would be just like her to pretend to be a secret admirer, but she's in Phoenix. It could be Angela wanting to cheer me up. But something tells me it wasn't her either.
"Wow! Those are gorgeous! Who are they from?" Angela's eyes bug out of her head as she takes in the arrangement. Okay, now I know it wasn't her. Angela can't act or lie to save her life!
"I don't know." I say as I pass over the card to her.
She reads the card before handing it back to me. "Wow. So you have no idea who sent this. Did you try to call the florist? Maybe they could tell you."
"Tried. They were purchased in person with cash. She didn't have a name."
"Well, regardless who sent them, they are very pretty. And it's nice someone was thinking about you."
"Yes, it is. I just wish I knew who so I could thank them."
"Well, let me know if you figure it out."
Angela left my cubicle, and I was alone to ponder who could possibly want me as their Valentine.
"Hey Bella, here is the notes on the new project rendering that we talked about with Eleazar." I heard Edward say as he walked towards my cubicle. "Wow! Nice flowers. Who are they from?"
"Hey Edward, thanks. I don't know. The sender didn't sign the card." I shrugged and took the file from his hands. "I've got a few ideas on the copy for this piece, but it will be good to see if it meshes with what you're thinking with the design layout. I'll take a look and get something back to you this afternoon."
"Sounds good, Bella. See you later."
I spent the rest of the morning working on the copy for our latest project before heading out to grab lunch around 1. When I got back to my desk, I found a heart shaped box of chocolates sitting next to my flowers. The box was small. It maybe only contained 4 or 5 pieces of chocolate. Nothing like the chocolate monstrosity that Jessica got a few days ago. On top of the box was another small envelope. Similar to the one in the flowers. Pulling out the card I read:
Will you be my Valentine?
Again, no name.
"Hey, Eric" I said to my coworker whose cubicle was next to mine. "Did you happen to see anybody drop something off at my desk in the last hour?"
"Uh, no. Sorry. I just got back from lunch myself. But maybe ask Lauren. She said something about working through her lunch today. Maybe she saw."
"Okay. Thanks, Eric."
Ugh, Lauren. I really didn't want to talk to Lauren. It's not that I hate her. It's just that we didn't get off to the best start when I got hired here. Actually, my first day here, I ran into her walking around the corner in the office and spilled my coffee all over her. It was entirely an accident, but we've kept our distance ever since. I really didn't want to ask her.
Instead, I just jumped back into work. Finishing up the draft of my copy. I sent the file by email to both Eleazar and Edward, before getting up to take the rendering back to Edward's desk. When I got to his cube, I found that he wasn't there, so I placed the rendering on his chair. I should have turned around and headed back to my cube, but I found myself looking at all the artwork pinned to his tack-boards. Edward was a brilliant graphic artist. He could take a silly little idea and create something amazing out of it. No two of his creations were alike, but it was very clear that the same artist did them all. I took one more glance at his work before heading back to my desk.
I hadn't been gone more than 10 minutes from my desk, but when I returned I found a large 8x10 envelope sitting on my chair. Assuming it was another rendering that needed appropriate copy, I pulled out the contents. On a piece of card stock were the words Will you be my Valentine? written in beautiful calligraphy in various shades of pink, red and black. Again there was no signature. Nothing to indicate the sender. How am I supposed to know if I'll be someone's Valentine if I don't know who that someone is? I glanced around the office space to see if there was anyone around who might have been the sender. I saw a few people working in their cubes and overheard Eleazar in a meeting with a few people in his office. Nothing that seemed any different from any other day.
I decided not to leave my desk for the rest of the day. Hoping that my mystery sender would swing by to drop something else off. I mean he must work here, right?! Yes, the flowers were delivered. The chocolates could have been too. But the card. That must be from someone here. I was hardly away from my desk, and I couldn't imagine someone paying a courier to deliver just an envelope. No, it must be someone here. But I didn't have the foggiest idea of who.
By the time five-o'clock rolls around, there have been no more deliveries and no clues to help me solve this puzzle. I packed up my stuff, shutting down my computer for the weekend, and carefully carried my flowers out to the car. I buckled the arrangement in on the passenger seat, not wanting to damage them on the drive home. As I was walking back around the car to get in to the driver's seat I heard his voice.
"So, not only has your boyfriend never done anything for you for Valentine's Day, but he chooses just that holiday to break up with you?" His green eyes are staring at me as he states his question.
"Yeah, Jake didn't believe in Valentine's Day. I should be upset. I mean, I am upset. But I sort of had an idea it was coming. Things had been off with us for a while now. Honestly, what bugs me most is that he bought his new girl a heart shaped box of chocolates." I shrugged my shoulders, dropping my gaze from his. The intensity of his eyes was just too much, and I was simply too embarrassed by what happened.
"Well, he's an idiot. Why wouldn't you want to show the person you care about just how much you do? I mean, yes, it is forced. It's an official holiday. But I'd take that opportunity to shout it out loud more so that day than any other, if it were me."
"Your girlfriend is one lucky girl, then." I glanced up to look at him, flashing him a quick but sincere smile.
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"Oh. Okay. Well, I should get going. Have a good weekend, Edward."
As I'm turning around to get into the car, I feel his hand on my arm, spinning me back around to him. "So did you ever figure out who sent the flowers?"
"Uh, no. I also got some chocolate and a pretty card, but no. No indication as to who. And maybe that's for the best. I mean, I just got dumped. Who'd really want me as their Valentine anyway?"
"I would."
My eyes shoot up to his, shock registering across my face. What? Did Edward just say he wanted me as his Valentine? "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"I said, I would want you as my Valentine. I know you just broke up with your boyfriend, but when I heard he never sent you flowers I just had to do something about it."
"It was you?"
"It was me."
"So you just sent me flowers to be nice?"
"Well, no. Not just to be nice. Although that is part of it. But the truth is… oh geez… I can't believe I'm about to say this…" He took a deep breath, closing his eyes before exhaling slowly. "Bella, I've had a crush on you since you started working here. You are so smart and kind, and funny. I love talking to you at lunch, and you always have such nice things to say about my art. And you are by far the prettiest girl I've ever met. I was so mad when I overheard you and Angela talking about how Jake never did anything for you. So when I heard you broke up, I decided to take a shot. I meant what I asked."
I'm so shocked by Edward's confession I'm not even sure I'm following what he is saying. "What did you ask?"
"Will you be my Valentine?"
Stepping away from the car and closer to Edward, I took his hand in my hand, squeezing it slightly before twinning my fingers with his. "Yes, Edward. Yes, I'll be your Valentine."
The End.
