AN: New chapterrr wooot woot!
Stephanie Meyer owns the lot.
Bella POV
It had been a week.
A whole week since my disastrous interview, my embarrassing moments and my lost opportunity to get into Cullen Couture. After last Thursday, the rest of the week had been okay.
Friday I sent out my portfolio to other companies along with an extended email to Alice Cullen's private email ID that I got off my contact.
Saturday I met Natalie and spent the night at hers. We had drinks and spoke about her sex life and how I was lacking some most of the time. I refused to bring up CC to her.
Sunday I recovered from the agonizing headache that vodka gives and spent the day at home, lazing on the couch. I had received emails and texts from Mike, none that had substance, just pleads and apologies which I wasn't in the mood to address just yet.
Monday morning I had an interview with a small and upcoming online magazine called 'Runway Report'. The interview went pretty well, they said I'll hear from them in a few days time.
Tuesday I invited three of my friends from uni, including Natalie for dinner. I cooked some tagliatelle pasta and poured them a glass of wine. We reminisced university days, both my friends, Sergei and Raphael were doing well for themselves. Sergei works an internship with harpers bazaar and Raphael got a job with GQ. I was super proud of the both of them, they were always hard working and talented.
Raphael even asked me if I wanted to get another interview with GQ. I told him I didn't make it past the first round, but he said he could try from his side to put in a word.
I thanked him, a little hope goes a long way. By Wednesday, today that is. Raphael told me there was a all exclusive fashion show by a local designer at the National Art Museum. Lots of journalists from various magazines were coming to cover it.
He asked me to be his date. I agreed.
I wore a burgundy dress that fit the little curves I had and nude heels. I did my hair into soft curls and wore a dark red lip. My nails were chipped with black nail polish and I couldn't be bothered to redo them.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Tonight was my chance, I was finally getting another opportunity, I made a silent prayer to not screw it up. I knew I had to prove myself, and I could do it.
I got ready quickly, it was five minutes to eight now and Raphael said he'd come pick me up by eight.
I heard my phone ring a few minutes after I switched off all the lights of the house and collected my keys.
"B, I'm downstairs" Raphael said. He used to call me B since university and now if he calls me Bella, I know somethings wrong.
"Coming" I say and hang up the phone. I head to the elevator and out the door.
Raphael is in a sleazy white Mercedes Benz. I look at his face shocked and he smirks.
I get into the passenger seat and buckle in.
"Fuck, what is this?" I say looking at the nice cream leather seats and dashboard of the fancy car.
"Oh just a sponsored car from the boss" he says as I hug him.
"You look gorgeous B" Raphael says after returning my hug and igniting the engine. I smile at the compliment and we're on our way to the museum.
We reached in half an hour, the traffic was kind, surprisingly.
After dropping off the car at the valet area, Raphael held my hand on his arm as we made our way through the side entrance.
The interiors were brightly lit, there were so many people around, white feathers hung from the ceiling, drapery on the walls, gold lining on the tiles below. We were being led in by a gentleman, he showed us the main seating area for the show and the bar to get a drink.
Waiters roamed about with trays of champagne, and everyone who was there looked elegant and elite.
I squeezed Raphael's arm, he turned to look at me and leaned close to my ear.
"You're okay B, just breathe" he said and I nodded taking a deep breath.
Raphael and I got around the little crowd, every few minutes greeting people with a pleasant smile. I got introduced to Raphael's boss and a few of his colleagues.
I stood next to his boss and made easy conversation. He was a nice man, he asked me of my interests and where I had graduated from. When he found out that Raphael and I were in the same class he questioned me further.
It felt like a mini interview, but I didn't push my luck.
A while later, we all were escorted to our seats. The runway was a golden platform, the seats were small white boxes lined on either side of the platform in rows of four.
Raphael and I got the middle seats in the second row. The seats were being filled in pretty fast. I looked around to see familiar faces. A few celebrities, some journalists I knew of, and recognizable designers.
The lights dimmed and the show began.
There was a short introductory video followed by the models walking out. The collection was exquisite to say the least. The theme was divinity, and each fabric draped the model's body in beauty. It was effortlessly designed and executed.
I was in awe.
"Wow" I whispered and Raphael smiled at me.
Once the show was over, we were asked to be seated, as there was another show next.
I turned to Raphael.
"Hey, I'm just going to the bathroom" I say getting up and Raphael nods.
"Be back soon"
I nod and make my way to the back of the room. I find two security guards and ask them where the bathroom is.
They point me in the direction of the bathroom and I make my way.
I pass by two gallery spaces with exhibits and paintings. The spaces are divided by tall partition walls, the lighting is a soft yellow. The area was empty, no one around the corridor or the gallery. I was so eager to see the exhibits, art had always enticed me.
Once I reached the bathroom, I go to pee and then freshened up my makeup. I apply some lip balm as the matte lipstick made my lips a bit crusty. I pat my fingers under my eyes and separate my eyelashes that were clumping.
I get done and then walk out the bathroom and back to the main show area.
Walking by the gallery, I notice movement from the corner of my eye. I turn my head and stand there looking at the entrance to that gallery space.
I should walk back to the show area. I should.
But I detour,
I walk into the gallery space. I don't notice the art exhibits as I make my way through slowly.
I walk past the third partition wall and I see a painting on the far wall of the room. But that's not what draws my attention.
There's someone standing in front of that painting.
I contemplate whether I should leave him be or go talk to him. But he makes that decision for me.
"You can come in, if you'd like"
I'm caught off guard, I make my way in slowly, my heels tapping the marble floor as I walk.
I reach him and stand a good distance away. I glance at him, he's wearing a well ironed peacock blue suit and white shirt underneath. His hair is gelled and tousled. He has different glasses on, darkest ones I've seen. He's got a Bluetooth hands free device hooked onto his left ear. Both hands in his pockets.
I look at the painting. It's an abstract painting with an overlap of vigorous brush strokes and dull colors. The sign next to the painting read 'The inside'
I stand quietly next to him.
He's looking ahead at the painting, and I'm wondering what he sees. How he feels, was there a way he knew what the painting looked like?
"What's your taste in art?" His voice startles me.
"Realism, contemporary, oil medium, fresco" I say and Mr. Cullen turns towards me.
"Da Vinci or Michelangelo?" He asks
"Dali" I say and he smirks. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones move in synchronization when he speaks.
"Good choice, Miss. Swan"
Another moment of silence passes by. Mr Cullen walks to the next exhibit, a sculpture of a bust.
I walk with him.
Mr Cullen is silent and I know I should address something that's been on the back of my mind.
"Mr Cullen"
"Yes, Miss Swan?" He turns towards me again.
"I would like to apologize" I start. The feeling of guilt and embarrassment fill me. I know what I said was wrong, I was out of line. I screwed up and I had to make it right while I had this chance.
Mr Cullen frowned.
"What for?"
"Uhm...the other day at the coffee shop" I struggle to get the sentences out of me without a little stutter.
Mr Cullen smiles kindly.
"It's okay Miss Swan, I've heard worse" he says and I feel even more guilty.
"I'm sorry" I add quietly.
He nods, he heard me.
"The next show is starting Miss Swan, I'm sure your best interests are there" Mr Cullen says walking further into the gallery. It seemed like he knew where he was going.
I followed behind him.
"Aren't you going?" I asked behind him and he turned to his side and tapped his ear on the hands free device.
"I'm receiving my intel" Mr Cullen says.
I stand there, not making a move away. Mr Cullen proceeds to walk away from me. I watch as his back tenses through his suit, he runs a hand at the nape of his neck and tugs his hair ends before turning back around to face me.
He closes the distance between us, and stops a few steps away from me.
"Would you join me, Miss Swan?" He asked offering his hand out to me.
I remember Mike had told me no handshakes with Mr Cullen. But what was I to do when he was the one who offered?
So I politely declined.
"Oh, that's very kind of you but I wouldn't want to be a bother" I say surprised with the formality laced in my voice.
Mr Cullen smiles, a beautiful brilliant smile. I couldn't help my own cheeks from stretching.
"If you were a bother, I wouldn't have asked" he said raising an eyebrow. I gave in.
I took a few steps forward and placed my hand in his. At first touch, I felt a tiny pinch of electricity run through my hand, but Mr Cullens hand was cold so I assumed it was that.
He placed my hand wrapped around his arm and held it there. I could feel the soft satin of his suit under my palm. I tried not to crinkle it. Mr Cullen had a tight arm, and by tight I mean muscular.
Who would've known? He did look lean on the outside. But I felt it, the tense muscle underneath the seams of his suit and shirt.
We walked together. Mr Cullen leading the way, and I keeping my eye out for obstacles in between.
Mr Cullen led me to another gallery connected to the first one. This one was a smaller gallery with red curtains on the walls draped around the oil paintings that were on the centre. The lighting was dim. In front of each painting was a small bench.
I look around the room, it's adorned with some of the most beautiful artworks I've ever seen.
Mr Cullen and I take the bench in front of one of the artworks.
I admire the paint, the brush strokes, the color shades, the play of light as Mr Cullen let's go of my hand to drop it by my side.
"I hear you went to Forks High?" I heard him ask and my attention diverted back to him.
"I did, and you?" I asked.
"Homeschooled" Mr Cullen answered
"In Forks" I added and he let out a small chuckle.
"You did some reading" He says tilting his head towards me.
"I might have" I say.
Mr Cullen nods.
"Can I ask you a question?" I say and Mr Cullen adjusts the cufflink on his wrist.
"You may ask, should I choose to answer.." he says and I take my shot.
"How do you know art, if you..."
"Can't seem them?" Mr Cullen finishes off my question for me.
"I'm sorry I'm being too forward, I shouldn't pry" I say trying to take back my question.
Mr Cullen points at the painting in front of us.
"Miss Swan? Tell me what you see?"
I'm confused but I look at the painting and capture the details in my eyes.
"I see a man, hunched over writing a letter with a feathered pen. The ink falling from his table, dried at the wood, moist on the floor. He's in a uniform, barely held on by the wounds he bears on his shoulder and chest. His hair wet with sweat and blood, his eyes weary, his skin scarred. The rug beneath his bare feet is tattered, there's mice in the corner nibbling on past letters. There's one name on all the letters, Maria. The window to his left shoulder shows a war, a barrel of bodies and blood, the dust from the ground in the air and the skies grey with tears. There's a flag in the distance, folded by the vicious wind and a man saluting next to it." I say and Mr Cullen smiles with a slight chuckle.
"What?" I ask when he turns his head to my side.
"I see art through others perspectives, Miss Swan" he leans closer and whispers "And yours, I must say, is one of the best I've heard"
I can't stop the smile that spreads on my face.
I glance at the time, it's been about forty minutes now. Time passed by so quickly I didn't even notice.
"Oh my god, it's pretty late, the show is probably over. I should go.." I say getting up worried Raphael would be looking for me.
Mr Cullen and I walk back through the galleries to the main show area. Everyone is scattered about, having conversations, drinking what little of the champagne is left.
"Miss Swan" Mr Cullen says as we reach the crowd of dispersing people.
"Yes?"
"May I offer to drop you home? My driver is just outside.." Mr Cullen asks.
"That's very kind of you but..I came-"
"BELLA! That's where you are I've been looking all over for you" I heard Raphael through the crowd as he made his way over to Mr Cullen and I.
"You came with a date, of course" Mr Cullen said with a curt nod.
Raphael reached me and then saw who I was standing with.
"Mr Cullen! It's an honor, my name is Raphael Constance." Raphael says extending his arm towards Mr Cullen.
I give Raphael a death glare and try to stop his hand from coming up.
But Mr Cullen meets his arm and they handshake to my surprise.
"Pleasure" Mr Cullen says.
Raphael exchanges a look from Mr Cullen to me and smiles.
"Bella, I'll get the car from valet, see you outside ?" He asks and I nod.
"Nice meeting you Mr Cullen" Raphael adds while Mr Cullen nods with a small smile on his face.
Once Raphael leaves us, I look at Mr Cullen.
"I had a lovely evening Mr Cullen, thank you" I say touching his arm lightly.
"Please Miss Swan" Mr Cullen takes my hand in his and drops a light kiss on my knuckles "Call me Edward, and it was an absolute pleasure"
The same touch of electricity runs through my fingers. But I don't pull away.
DUN DUN DUN
NEXT CHAPTER SOON!
Sorry TRYING TO GET GOOD INTERNET HERE IS A MISSION!