AN: For everyone who needs to escape for the reality of the world right now.
This one is for you. Stay safe.
Stephanie Meyer owns the lot.
Bella POV
It's been three days since the fashion show at the museum. I open my eyes in bed dreading another day of doing nothing. But to my surprise there was an email response blinking on my phone when my alarm blared eight minutes after I had already woken up.
I rolled over to the bedside table and snatched my phone unlocking it with a click.
Good day Miss Isabella,
I am pleased to inform you that your portfolio proved outstanding and we would like to move you to round two of our applications for junior editor/content writer. An interview with Miss Alice Marie Cullen, Founder of the fashion forward column and editor in chief will be scheduled at 2pm today.
Do confirm your attendance to this interview by 10 am,
Dress well, impress and be yourself.
Kind Regards,
Michelle Haier
Human Resources Director
Cullen Couture
I re-read the email over five times, I shot up sitting against the headboard. I looked at the time, it was 9:30 am. I quickly typed a reply and sent it confirming my attendance for the interview.
My heart was beating frantically. It was a sign, a second chance at this and there was no way in hell I was going to mess this up. I rose out of bed, took a shower, made myself some breakfast and reviewed my portfolio.
Once it was close to 1pm I changed into a black skirt, simple buttoned up white shirt with flats and a thin black blazer. I remembered how stunning Alice Cullen looked that day, but I didn't want to make any fashion mistakes, so I went with the safest options of black and white. Minimalistic if you may.
I took a cab today, costed me a lot but I couldn't be bothered to ride the subway.
I made it by 1:45 pm and walked into the familiar building. I laughed to myself, when will be the last time I walk in again?.
I walked up to Angela at the reception and smiled at her, maybe today she'll be polite like the first time.
"Isabella?" she remembered my name
"Hi, good morning Angela, how are you?" I asked opening my phone up to show her the email for the interview.
"Good, I thought you got the job and then you didn't come in" She asked looking at my phone when I showed her the email.
"I didn't. But I'm actually here for an interview with Alice today" I say and she smiles.
"Oh Alice, she's amazing" Angela says and takes her phone to call someone.
I stand by watching people enter the elevators, everyone so well dressed, it's like the girls get blow dry's and the guys get fresh cuts everyday.
"Yes Michelle, Isabella scheduled for a 2pm interview? Yes, yes okay, and? Yes, alright thankyou Michelle I'll send her right up" Angela hangs up the phone and turns to me.
"Okay so the same thing, elevator up to the 38th floor and someone will be there to help you out. Good luck!" Angela said handing my phone back to me. I smile and say thank you then head to the elevators.
Back in the same elevator, I watch as the doors shut and I rode the elevator alone up to the 38th floor. An odd sense of dejavu hit and I felt a bit apprehensive again. But I convinced myself that I wasn't being interviewed by Edward. Hell, I doubt that would ever happen again. Even if he was a gentleman the other day at the museum, I was sure enough to keep my distance because I had already embarrassed myself enough and even if he didn't hate me, I'd hate me.
I sighed, a flash of his lips and warm breath on my knuckles for a brief second popped into my mind. I shook off the thought as the elevator dinged at the 38th level.
I walked out, it had a similar layout to the 40th floor. Except this floor was much too vibrant. There was color everywhere, racks of clothes with different textures on them , the sofa's were an emerald green with gold framing, marble coffee tables with magazines sprawled on them. There were a lot of people moving about on this floor. I saw the reception desk straight ahead and walked towards it.
There were two girls to my right sitting on the emerald sofas discussing some illustrations and materials. There was a girl sitting at the reception desk, she was so young, probably eighteen by the looks of it. But she was beautiful, she had long blond hair that was perfectly straight, pale skin, rosy cheeks and blue eyes. I gawked at her and she held a sweet smile.
"Hiya there" she said in a melodious voice.
"Hello" I said offering her a small smile. I took a peek at my outfit really quick and even adjusted my hair. For some reason I didn't feel very confident at all like I had this morning.
"I'm Irina, you must be Isabella! Follow me, Miss Alice should be with you shortly" she said and I noticed a slight southern accent.
Irina rose from her desk and my god, was she tall. She was almost an entire head taller than me, I reached her shoulders and she wasn't even in heels. I walked behind her as she led me to a conference room down one of the hallways. She opened the door and requested me to be seated till Alice arrived. I took a seat on one of the leather chairs and looked at my phone. I had received a missed call from Natalie and Raphael both, I texted them saying I'll return the call as soon as I can.
I waited looking around the conference room. The long white table was marble with gold legs in the centre, there were about 18 people who could sit at this table. At the far end there was a large screen and a white board with a marker next to it. There was a phone on the table as well. I was staring at it when I heard the door click open.
My head snapped to look at who entered.
With little gold highlights in her pixie cut hair, she wore a beautiful short metallic gold dress that didn't shimmer in your face, she had black stockings on and gold heels with a large long A-line coat draped over her shoulders. She held a book and a portfolio (presumably mine) in her hand with a pen that had those feathers on the end of it, and her phone in the other hand. As she entered she caught my glance and smiled.
"Bella!" She chimed and I was a little shocked if she remembered me.
"Hi.." I cleared my throat " I mean good morning Miss Alice" I said standing up and extending my hand out towards her. She shook it professionally and gestured for my to sit down.
Alice proceeded to take the seat opposite me and opened up her little notebook. I placed my hands in my lap and intertwined my fingers waiting for her to say something.
After what felt like two minutes of silence she finally looked at me.
"So Bella, why did you apply for this position?" she asked, her voice was like wind chimes in cold winter air.
"I've always had a keen interest in content writing and took journalism and literature to help improve my skills in the field. When it comes to fashion, Cullen couture is a household name with impeccable records and many skilled individuals who have made their name through this. I applied for this because I wanted to work under a reputable name and learn and grow from this experience to take my career forward. And also help contribute my efforts in any way I can with the skills that I have acquired" I say and Alice nods with a small smile.
"You have a way with words" She says
"I'm a writer Miss Alice, I have to" I say and she smiles wider.
"Who inspires you to write?" She asks and I was confused she hadn't asked me any questions related to fashion.
"My mom, ever since I was little she read me my favourite fairytales and I always wanted to write my own ending to them. She was the one who ignited that passion in me" I say
Alice looks down at my portfolio "Well, that's sweet" she says going over each page of my work.
I gulp a little as I can't tell from her face whether she likes what she sees or not.
Alice sighs "Where do you see yourself in five years, Bella?"
I pause and think about my answer very carefully. Successful? Rich? Family of three kids? I ponder over all those meticulous thoughts and settle for the most truthful one.
Alice is expecting and I smile.
"Here." I say and she's a little surprised with my response.
"Good answer" she says writing something down in her notebook. Her phone suddenly rings and there's a knock on the door too.
"Sorry, give me a second?" She rises and opens the door whilst answering the phone at the same time.
"Edward, take over my interview for a minute will you? I have to take this call it's Jaz" she says and steps out without turning to me.
Every fibre in my body froze when she said Mr Cullens name.
No no no no no. This cannot be happening.
He walked in, his hair dishevelled as always. He wore a black blazer, white shirt and black pants. I couldn't help noticed how we oddly matched. His glasses were black aviators. He took the chair Alice was at earlier and turned to me casually. He looked so much at ease today, not rigid, he almost even slouched.
"What was the last thing Miss Alice asked you?" He asked a glint of amusement made his lips smirk in the corner. Did he know I was sitting across from him?
I held my breath before answering and did the dumbest thing I could. I changed my voice to a much deeper rougher tone hoping he wouldn't recognize me.
"Uh, where do I see myself in five years" I said surprised how different I could sound by just coaxing my throat to answer him.
"Ahhh, how boring right?" He asked holding up my portfolio and then sliding it across the table towards me.
"I'm sorry?" I ask still maintaining my voice modules.
Mr Cullen leaned back on the chair and turned to the side, he crossed one leg lazily over the other and intertwined his fingers together.
"These interview questions, why do you want this job, why should we hire you, what makes you special, where do you want to be in 10 years,…all boring, repetitive and doesn't really help determine the right candidate for the job" He says. At this point I think he's just talking to himself really.
"Mhmm" is all I can muster up to say.
"Oh don't worry, you'll get the job" Mr Cullen says his head turning towards me. My heart beats out of my chest.
Does he knows it's me? I'm going to have a panic attack anytime soon.
"Alice hires everyone, she's much too kind that way. She believes everyone has potential and she should give them a chance at it" He says almost in disagree.
"And what do you believe in?" I ask my voice still deep.
He adjusts his chair and leans forward, but just as he's about to say something the door opens. Mr Cullen sighs.
"Okay I'm done, Edward stop intimidating her" Alice walks up to Edward and squeezes his shoulder.
Mr Cullen chuckles "Oh I wasn't, just telling her how boring it is to be interviewed by you" he mocks and Alice whacks his arm. I'm shocked, I've never seen them interact before but they are brother and sister and it was kind of cute to see them out of their element like this. Especially Edward.
"We've got that meeting to go to now" Alice turns to me and I rise up as Mr Cullen does too.
"I'm so sorry Bella, but Irina will escort you back outside. Thankyou for taking your time to come in today and I'll be in touch with you shortly. Have a good day" Alice says and rushes out of the conference room telling Mr Cullen she needs to get something from her office real quick.
I stand there, my feet planted to the ground unable to move. Mr Cullen definitely knows it's me now and I can hear my heart thumping inside my chest.
His head turns to me and he smiles.
"I..I can explain" my voice returning to normal and Mr Cullen chuckles.
"You're full of surprises Miss Swan" he says placing his hand on the table and walking towards where I'm standing.
"I panicked when you came in" I said honestly, and Mr Cullen smiled softly.
"Honesty, I appreciate that" He says. I gather my things and start to walk past Mr Cullen.
"You asked what I believed in" he said before I got to the door to exit the conference room. I turned to look at Mr Cullen.
"I did…yes" I replied. Mr Cullen walked up to me, so close I could smell the musk scent on his suit.
"I believe in people proving themselves to me, I don't trust easy. I need them to show me that they are capable of doing things that they claim to do. Everyone is all talk and no actions these days" he says.
"That's why you're CEO" I say casually and Mr Cullen chuckles
"Not yet…but I do hope I make a good one someday" He says and I smile. Ofcourse he will, I mean just look at him.
"You will" I say reassuringly though he doesn't need my reassurance.
Mr Cullen smiles "Thankyou Miss Swan. Once Alice gives you the job, if you ever need any help, I'm just two floors up" he says and I feel a little tingle in my gut.
"How are you so sure she will give me the job?" I asked and Mr Cullen started to walk out the door.
"Because she's not an idiot like I am" he says leaving me alone in the conference room with my heart in my throat.
DUN DUN DUN
NEXT CHAPTER TOMORROW? MAYBE?
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