*edited as of 9/2017
Author's Note:
A little confusion last chapter from a few of you, the Jessica Bella met last chapter is not the same one who cheated with her ex-boyfriend.
Jessica Stanley= home wrecker/ ex best friend who slept with Eric Yorkie
Jessica Cullen= Edward's sister, engaged to Michelle "Mike" Newton.
Chapter 7
The art of love is largely the art of persistence.
-Albert Ellis
Edward's POV
"Fuck!" I scream into the hallway as Bella's door slams against my door. The pain radiates down my face nearly making me nearly kneel over but luckily when I pull my hand away there's no blood. I pace for a moment and hold my face.
Maybe I should have planned this better. I knew she wasn't going to react too well to me spontaneously showing up on her doorstep like this but I didn't expect this kind of reaction.
Hearing some utterances of arguing erupt from the other side of the door and not expecting a nice hello anytime soon, I slide down the wall by her doorstep wondering how in the hell had it got to this point.
…. 2 months earlier…
"Are you even listening to me Edward?" Jane asks waving something sparkly in my face. I shake my head blindly and look up to see that my mother, Jane, Jessica, Angela along with a few other female friends and family members were all giving me strange looks.
"I'm sorry what were you saying?" I question. I vaguely remember their voices coming in and out in my mind but currently it was nothing but static. To be honest, me being here and listening to the four of them gush over wedding stuff was the last thing on my mind.
When I had planned to make a quick trip over to my mother's to pickup some leftovers she had for me, it was supposed to be exactly that….SHORT. Barely five steps into the house and I'm bombarded by four women who threaten me within in an inch of my life to help with wedding stuff since I just so "conveniently" happened to "stop" by.
Ugh! If they spent more time deciding on stuff than scheming trying to get me over, we wouldn't be in this mess… and I sure as hell wouldn't still be sitting here three hours later contemplating enduring the wrath of my mother to escape.
I loved them but damn there was only so much a man could take!
"I said, I was thinking about going commando for the wedding… you know just in case Marcus decides to cop a feel at the reception." Jane deadpans.
"What the hell sis?" I wince as my mother swats at me with the end of a dishrag.
"That's what you get for not paying attention to us when we're talking to you. I mean its not like were planning just for any old celebration. This is like the biggest day of my life!" Jess growls.
"We were asking your opinion on place settings." Angela adds gesturing to the random pieces of fabric across the table.
"They all look the same to me." I reply.
"No they're not! Look, this is beige and that one other there is a vanilla color and ooh this is oatmeal." Jessica smiles suddenly looking at the swatches even closer. She then proceeds to ask me various questions about suit colors and gets visibly agitated when I tell her she should let Mike decide on the matter.
"She gave me free reign. You know Mike doesn't care about all the frilly stuff. She'll happily let me pick whatever I want." Jess giggles joyfully thinking of Mike. Michelle "Mike" Newton was the brother I'd always wanted (when Benji wasn't being a doofus)…just in the body of a female.
Short with cropped blonde hair, big blue eyes and a preppy demeanor, she and Jess were perfect for each other. They had met in grad school school and although separated from one another for nearly a decade had somehow reconciled and had fell for each other very quickly.
Seeing the pattern here?
Somehow the conversation shifts back towards place settings and its less than five minutes later that I lose my shit when she shows me another set of color swatches that look exactly the SAME as the previous.
"Jess, you do realize that those are all the same color right?" She glares at me and looks towards mom for assistance. She just rolls her eyes and sips her wine as Jess and I banter. Mom learned a long time ago to not interfere when Jess and I butted heads. It could get nasty real quick and she hated picking sides although it was no secret that I was her baby; her favorite much to Jessica's annoyance.
"No they aren't, you don't know anything!"
"If I don't know anything then why am I here?" I ask standing up absolutely heated. They were monopolizing my time and she had the nerve to be mad at me.
"Mike and the guys were busy and your father refuses to participate; stating that all the man's job is to just show up." My mother blanches as she pulls several more wedding books from the floor.
On that note I think it's my cue to leave.
"I don't think so. Besides, we may need your opinion on something later and I need someone to keep an eye on the twins." Jane pleads.
"But..." Jane sees the hesitance in my eyes and begins blinking her big blue eyes at me quickly. I immediately begin to feel my resolve weaken. There was just something about Jane's gaze that made you fall to her will. Clear and bright, my big sis knew all she had to do was blink those big baby blues at me with and I'd do whatever she want me to.
"Please baby bro. Chels and Ren miss their Uncle." Jane continues.
"Why? Benji is here all the time." I retort and dodge by inches another swat from my mother and her dishrag.
I mean have you ever been hit with a wet towel? Those things could do some serious damage.
"Fine!" I raise my hands in surrender. I loved my nieces Chelsea and Renata, I truly did, but they could be little imps and often left a room in shambles when left alone.
"Ooh take Joham with you too." Angela grins handing over the little chubby baby who immediately latches onto my tie with his sticky hands. I fight a curse and kiss his forehead.
"No wonder you want me around I'm here to play babysitter."
"Sorry brother you're free labor, now shoo; we have some planning to do." Jess adds with a dismissive wave. I head cuddle Joham to my chest and head upstairs into the playroom where I could hear the twins hollering at one another.
Sure enough once I open the door, the room is revealed to be nothing more than a complete mess. Toys were strewn everywhere and clothes littered the furniture. The two little suspects in question were standing on two chairs facing one another; their faces bright red as they argued over who was going to be the princess in whatever game they had decided to play.
From the way their little fists were balled at their sides, I knew this wasn't going to be pretty. It was better that I tried to resolve whatever spat they were having before someone ended up with a pulled pigtail or something worse.
Settling Joham on the floor against a baby pillow and making sure he was in no danger of toppling over onto his face, I turn back to my nieces who still hadn't realized that I was in the room. I clear my throat loudly.
"Girls what's the problem?" They both turn to me with big wet eyes.
Both girls were identical in every sense of the word. Jet-black hair inherited from their father and Jane's eyes, they were even similar right down to the one lone missing tooth in the front of their mouths.
"Uncle Edward, Ren won't let me be princess!" Chelsea hollers despite the fact I was less than a foot away from her.
"No Uncle Edward, I'm wearing the princess dress so I should be the princess duh." Renata defends.
Oh the problems of eight year olds these days.
"Why can't you both be princesses? " They both seem to ponder it for a moment. Ren speaks up first.
"I guess we can both be princesses." They look at each other with wide smiles.
Thank god, crisis resolved.
"But you have to be the prince Uncle Edward." They scream running up to me nearly knocking me over.
"Oh no I don't think so." I began backing up. They continue to hold onto me, each grabbing a leg. I know my attempts of leaving are now completely futile as the twins and began blinking those damn bright blue eyes up at me.
Jane's eyes.
I'm screwed.
"Fine, but I draw the line at makeup. I'm already pretty enough." I half joke.
The two of them kept me running around the room for at least an hour. My partner in crime had fallen asleep on me thirty minutes ago and I wanted nothing more than to do the same and zonk out as well beside him.
After another fifteen minutes of playing, I topple to the floor in exhaustion.
"Okay okay, Uncle Edward is tired." I moan. My body ached in the most unimaginable places; as if I had just finished a strenuous workout. I was in shape but man….eight year olds were tough.
"Awwwww." The both of them whine before throwing themselves on each side of me. I wrap my arms around the both of them as they rest their heads on my shoulder.
"Uncle Edward," Renata sighs against my chest.
"Yeah Ren?"
"Why aren't you married?" I look over at her with a surprised expression that quickly morphs into one of suspicion. I figured Jane had put the twins up to this but when I looked into both of their eyes, I saw nothing but pure curiosity. I stared up at the ceiling.
To explain this to a pair of eight year olds….was going to be very interesting.
"Um, I guess I just haven't met the right woman yet."
Or maybe I had…
"Well what kind of girl are you looking for?" Chelsea chirps in excitedly. Now I was for sure Jane had filled their heads up with nonsense.
"What are you two up to? What's with all of these questions?" The twins look at each other in silent conversation before both looking back at me.
"Well we might have heard Mama talking to Grammy Liz in the kitchen last night." Renata answers sheepishly.
"You do realize that you shouldn't eavesdrop right?"
"Yes Uncle Edward we know." The reply simultaneously.
"So what were they talking about?" I ask… I mean might as well find out anyways.
"But you just said that it's wrong to eavesdrop." Their brows furrow in confusion.
"Well I say a lot of things, but bear with me just this once." I gesture for one of them to continue.
"Well Mama was telling Grammy Liz about daddy sometimes being a one pump chump, whatever that means and shopping for…" I stop Renata right there, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration; a habit I picked up from my father. I did not need to know about my sister's sex life.
That shit was just gross.
"About me. What did she say about me?" I emphasize.
"Oh yeah, Mama was telling Grammy Liz that Aunty Jess thought she had found a new lady friend for you." I hold back a groan.
My mom and sisters were back to their old tricks.
"Grammy said that she didn't know about setting you up, but that if she gets a grandbaby than that makes it okay." Chelsea adds.
"Do you want a grandbaby Uncle Edward? Is that why Mama wants to find you a lady friend? I though the stork brought grandbabies…." Ren asks confusedly.
Oh bless their pure little minds…
"Uh no I don't and I think that's enough questions for right now don't you think? No more talking about my love life or lack thereof. Now let's gets up and get this room clean before Grammy Liz gets us with her dishrag." I wince getting up, my bones aching in protest as I moved.
Fuck I was getting old.
"But Uncle Edward..."
"No buts girls…we need to clean. Anyway, it looks like little J woke up and I don't think Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Ang would appreciate him chewing on Barbie parts." I quickly hurry over and remove the offending Barbie leg from his hand to which he shows his displeasure by wailing loudly.
"Clean this mess up and I'll see if I can sway your mom into letting me take you girls out for ice cream." The girls giggle and begin throwing their toys in the toy chest in the corner of the room. It wasn't neat but at least the floor was clean.
I head downstairs with Joham on my hip and towards the kitchen where I could still overhear them talking about my love life. Jess was currently giggling about my latest conquest aka Mystery girl and how she found me half naked. The way she talked about MG as if she were some common whore infuriated me and I could barely mask the fury on my face as I entered.
Sure enough as I came into the kitchen, I could see that all the wedding books had been pushed aside and they were now sipping on glasses of red wine sans Jane and Angela. I quickly return my nephew over to his mother and direct my attention to the source of my problems or in this case the leader of the mess. . They give each other calculating looks before the expression shifts to that of a kid who had gotten their hand caught in the cookie jar.
"Edward we..." I cut Jess off as my anger abruptly. I knew I was being an asshole and my dad would have my ass for talking to mom and the girls that way but enough is enough.
"Here we go again. You guys just won't learn will you? Can't you guys leave my personal life alone? Do you know the girls heard you two gossiping? Talking about "I have a new lady friend for him" or "Grammy Liz wants a grandbaby."" I mock in a girly childlike voice.
"Edward we are just trying to help." My mother sniffles.
Fuck here come the tears.
I don't do tears.
"Shit mom, why can't you understand that I don't want your help nor do I want any of yours." I gesture to Jane and Jess. " Haven't you realized that this is why I don't come around as much anymore? You all are driving me up the wall and don't know when to butt the fuck out. Tell the twins I'm sorry; I'll take them out another day." I grab my keys off the counter without another word fuming the entire way.
When was I going to get a break?
-WLTYAS-
"Have you been paying attention to anything I've been saying?" My business partner and longtime friend Zafrina growls at me. I watch as she fights a smirk when I visibly startle. It was a rarity and she capitalized upon whenever she got the chance. I
I admit Zafrina was very easy on the eyes. Tall and curvy with skin the color of cocoa and reddish-brown eyes that commanded a room, I admit there might have been something there, if it weren't for the fact that she nearly banged my head against the wall when we were five for pulling on her ponytail. Not to mention she was married to another one of our friends and firm partners Kachiri who wouldn't hesitate to kick my ass if I ever tried something on his wife.
Hell he wasn't even needed as Zafrina herself could kick my ass if she wanted to and not break a nail. She didn't take my shit or coddle me when I was prone to tantrums. That was probably why we're still friends to this day. She stares at me for a moment and grabs my hand.
"Edward you need to focus. There's money on the table that we can't not afford to lose to another firm. Snap. Out. Of. It. I also need you to run a few errands for me, before you meet you're your client at three." She orders looking down at her blackberry.
"Since when am I an errand boy? I thought that's what we hired people for." I snark, wincing as Zafrina grabs my ear with her sharp nails earning a nice "fuck" to fall from my lips.
"Okay, okay you win." I moan rubbing my ear as she lets it go with a triumph.
I swear the women I associate myself with are psychos.
"Nice for you to agree. If you had let me finish without bitching and moaning, you would know that these errands are actual mini meet and greets with potential clients of ours Mr. CEO. That is your job remember?" I nod my head in agitation.
"Here's your itinerary that I had the assistant make up and I expect you back here at three sharp for the meeting." Zafrina continues.
"Fine." I shrug. I wait for her to leave but feel her hand on my shoulder.
"Hey Edward are you okay?" she inquires.
"Yeah…I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"You've been a little more distracted than normal. I mean I've been hearing it a little around the office but I thought it was just usual office gossip. Edward I've known you since we were five. I can tell when you're out of it and you are just not here today." Zafrina wonders.
"Zaf… I got this. I am okay." I assure with a lie. She eyes me wearily for a moment, uttering something under her breath that I don't catch before leaving. I knew she could tell I was lying but luckily for me she had her own crap to deal with and couldn't question me about it any further.
I was not fine.
For the past two weeks, I've been feeling like absolute shit and from some fickle illness or malady.
Life was just going shit.
I currently wasn't on speaking terms with my family due to the blow up we had the previous weeks before, I was leading three big deals that could make or break the firm and I also couldn't get the woman with the beautiful brown eyes out of my head.
She was everywhere. When I woke, when I ate, when I worked, showered, slept…she was just there…haunting me to the brink of madness. It was slowly transitioning from simple things at home that somehow reminded me of her body…her lips and slowly into the world I tried my hardest not to let arbitrate with emotions.
It was a battle that I was slowly beginning to lose.
So no, I definitely wasn't fine. But I couldn't let Zafrina or anyone else know that.
I was Edward Cullen after all and I had a reputation to uphold.
After coming myself down for a few moments, I walk through the large floor of the office, ignoring the curious stares of my employees as I head towards the elevator. I glance around the room as usual, my glance shifting from face to face until it lingers a little longer than usual on the new receptionist we'd hired.
She was typing away on the computer, probably surfing away on FB instead of doing something productive. I could tell she wasn't doing anything by the way she was globing away on some gum as her smacks echoed throughout the room. She was tanned but not overly so, her face heavily caked with makeup. Her hair fell over her shoulders in a blunt cut and it looked over processed but was an alluring shade of brown stood out against her skin.
It was nothing like Mystery Girl's whose long locks were like a silk curtain of mahogany that curled and twisted around my fingers as we fucked.
"Can I help you Mr. Cullen?" the receptionist asked in a high-pitched voice, that I knew wasn't her normal speaking voice.
"Uh no, Sasha is it?" I ask. She doesn't respond but lets out a small cackle.
Yes cackle.
I wasn't aware that I had said anything funny but to her I guess I did. The cackle turned into a laugh that echoed causing everyone to look around for the source of torture to their ears.
Her laugh seemed to be a mix between Fran Dresher and Mrs. Doubtfire that wasn't attractive in the slightest.
MG's laugh…boy that was a laugh that could make you laugh and not even realize the point of why you were laughing. Hers was soft yet husky…a sound that I could listen to for the rest of my days if I had to…
Damn it I was doing it again.
"Okay Mr. Cullen, let me know if you need something." I hadn't asked her a question or even an order. I respond my nodding my head with a blank expression . Sasha continues to cackle, twirling a strand of her dark hair around a long red fingernail that looks like a claw on her hand.
I wondered if she knew she had lipstick on her teeth as well, but I digress. She gives me sticky wink from overly mascaraed eyes and I nearly run in my haste to get away..
….
The first meeting wasn't so bad nor was the second. I had just finished meeting with Sam and Emily Young, a lovely couple in their sixties who were looking to advertise their expanding bakery to other parts of the city and several others in Washington.
They didn't ask for much, just a simple and productive way of getting their bakery out there. Mr. Young was an easygoing man, which was hard to say for Mrs. Young who kept looking at me through a pair of huge coke bottle glasses that made her eyes look twice the size.
Since her glasses magnified the appearance of her eyes, I could see that they were a dark brown color. They weren't as vibrant as and they were milky, but dark enough to make you wonder where her pupils were. She asked many questions and was very straight to the point about her expectations. I could easily tell she was going to be a tough client but I loved a challenge. She was stubborn and mischievous and it sort of reminded me of a…
"Mr. Cullen I think I would like to set another meeting up with you so we can make some arrangements." Mr. Cope grins at me, flashing a nice set of pearly white teeth that may or may not have been dentures.
Shit, had I zoned out again?
Fuck this wasn't good. I'd probably just missed out on some very important details. I just smile back in response and pray to whoever was up there for not letting me royally screw this shit up.
What was wrong with me? I needed to focus. I didn't get to where I am by not paying attention and lately I seemed not to be doing much of that.
After saying our goodbyes, I realize that I had just about an hour before I had to meet with my last potential client and thought I'd treat myself to some "BCD" aka "big caffeinated drink".
Fortunately Starbucks was just down the block as they were found on nearly every corner. I quickly head inside to get away from the chill in the air and was surprised to see that it was fairly empty considering it was reaching lunchtime on a usually busy Monday afternoon.
I ordered what I always got, a double tall nonfat sugar free 180 vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso to keep me going with some nonfat whip cream.
Yeah I knew I was a bit of a diva when it came to my drink, but when I wanted something; I wanted it done the right way.
After getting my drink, which I sent back twice after not being done properly, I settle myself down at a table and begin playing on my phone. I'd killed 45 minutes alone playing temple run and after been killed for the fifth time in a row, I was just about to give up when I spotted a petite brunette waiting in line.
The usual mid afternoon rush had finally come in and it was no surprise to see an assortment of office workers, nannies, etc. eagerly trying to get in some caffeine. I eye the brunette again. I figured she had just come from the gym across the street considering she was dressed in workout attire and slightly sweaty. She had one earphone in and was slightly bouncing from foot to foot as she waited.
I immediately recognize that the woman is not MG as she was shorter and larger up top but it definitely didn't stop my perusal of her body.
It was somewhat strange actually. Sans Angela and MG, I rarely went after brunettes. I usually went for blondes and redheads, as they were a little easier (no offense) to get into my bed.
After she getting her drink, I watch as she heads over to the counter where various creams and sugars were set out. Before she could even pick up the pitcher of cream to add to her drink, I found myself beside her.
"Hello." She startles for a moment and looks up at with wide blue eyes.
Definitely not brown.
"Hi." She smiles back.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." I give her my signature EC smirk to which her eyes slightly glaze over.
Game on.
I hold out my hand for her to shake.
"Masen and you are..." I never used my real name with the woman I slept with. It made things easier that way although I don't know why I was so close to giving MG mine. She puts her hand in mine. "Maggie." She replies.
"We'll Maggie, I do believe it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." I smirk as she takes the bait hook, line, and sinker.
"No I think the pleasure is all mine." Maggie flirts and I notice her adjust her tank top to make her cleavage appear more pronounced.
"Excuse me Maggie, I don't usually do this but you are a very pretty woman and I just had to come over." I lay it on pretty thick as she giggles at me.
"Do you think I could possibly take you out for a drink sometime? A real drink and none of this caffeinated stuff." Maggie still doesn't say anything but continues nodding her head; I take that as a good sign.
"Could I have your number?" I ask which is what I should have done long ago in the first place with another certain brunette. I had my blackberry on me but only reserved that for clients so the old school way it was. I hand her a pen from my jacket pocket, and watch as she scribbles her number sloppily on the side of my cup. Maggie looks as if she wants to say more but my phone's warning alarm rings, signaling that I had about ten minutes to make it down the block to meet my last client of the day.
"I have to go. Until again, pretty Maggie." I wink at her and leave, using my peripheral vision to see that she was still standing in the same place, a stupid smile on her face.
Bingo.
I return to the office with a swagger in my walk at the thoughts of getting MG out of my head. At least if I couldn't get her out my head the old fashion way, I was going to find someone who could.
-WLTYAS-
"How about we head someplace else?" I whisper in her ear.
Just after we met about a week and a half ago, I'd called Maggie out for a drink. Drinks turning into dancing and dancing turned into groping and that into well…you know.
Maggie was a means to an end, just fucking.
I knew that as much as she did.
I needed a release and I was going to get it by any means necessary.
Dragging Maggie through the night to one of my "sleepover" spots, I press her against the door where she begins unbuckling my pants. Within moments, clothes were thrown everywhere and Maggie was underneath me. There was never any foreplay.
I knew Maggie was becoming attached to me, and I was trying to avoid it as much as possible. Our little arrangement had been effective for the past month. I called her when I needed to get rid of my frustrations to which she would deliver although not always to my satisfaction although I would never tell her that.
Maggie begins scratching and mewling at me, searching for some type of friction. She tries to kiss my lips but I turn my head, letting her lips assault my neck. I notice that I hadn't entered her yet but I couldn't bring myself to move.
I was afraid to admit it, but I felt disgusted with myself every time I slept with her.
I was there physically but never mentally.
It wasn't Maggie's fault. She was beautiful albeit a little air brained. My disgust was derived more from the fact that no matter what I did, MG would linger in the recesses of my mind.
I was a monster.
Here I was with a beautiful women, writhing and moaning underneath me and here I was making comparison to a woman I hadn't seen in over a month.
Maggie smelled of sugar and pineapples; something sickly sweet that messed with my concentration. Her breasts were overly large and not the perky handful that my hands ached to wrap themselves around. Her belly button was pierced and the skin a soft tan and not a luminous porcelain.
But sex was sex right?
Ignoring my traitorous thoughts, I aligned myself between Maggie's thighs and for the tenth time this month felt myself get lost.
…
Driving back to my apartment, I feel different. As per my usual routine, I left a small but brief thanks on a piece of paper that I would call her and snuck off into the night . It was late, almost reaching three and I knew I was going to suffer in the morning when I had to be at work for eight o clock sharp or Zafrina would kick my ass for sure.
Fifteen minutes later, I stumble into my apartment. I plan on making a beeline for my bedroom but nearly have a heart attack at the sight my brother on the couch who looks at me through sleepy eyes.
"You're lucky I'm tired, because I was going to kick your ass." Benjamin yawns getting up.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. You know where the guest room is." I sigh and head towards my own bedroom. Suddenly feeling like my eyelids weighed a ton of bricks, I collapse on top of the covers not even bothering to change out of my clothes where I fall asleep in minutes.
"Rise and shine motherfucker." Benjamin laughs in my ear. I groan and roll over onto my stomach as I try to get away from my annoying brother's voice.
"Go away Benj," I peek through hooded eyes to look at my alarm clock and see that it was HOLY SHIT ten after twelve. I was late!
Shooting out of bed, I somehow manage to get my legs tangled in my sheets and plummet towards the floor. A sharp pain radiates up my shin and it takes me a moment to gather myself.
I don't move but it doesn't take a genius to know my brother is laughing his ass off at me from the doorway.
Bastard.
"I do not see how my pain is funny. Not to mention I'm late for work." I moan trying to get up.
"Well you better be lucky I called Zafrina then or your ass would be grass right now." Benjamin adds walking over to me. He reaches out his hand to help me up.
"Damn Ginger you look like shit." I hit Benjamin in his side with my fist as he calls me my dreaded childhood nickname.
"I wish you wouldn't call me that and dumbass your hair is red too." I huff. I settle myself on the edge of the bed and rest my head in my hands.
"Touché. Now would you like to explain to me why instead of spending time with my beautiful wife and even more handsome son, I'm here with your stupid behind?" He exclaims, narrowing his blue eyes at me angrily.
"You tell me?" I retort.
"You're just lucky Dad didn't come and I did. Mom's been worried sick and so have the girls and let's just say that you are on the top of his shit list for making his girls sad. I kind of want to hit you one too for making mom cry but you already look bad." Ben adds flexing his fist at me in warning.
"Well that's just perfect." The anger dissolves from his face into one of sincerity.
"Seriously man, what's going on with you? I've never seen you like this before." Benjamin questions
"I'm fine."
"No you're not and don't feed me any bullshit excuses either. I want to know what's going on with you and I want answers now!" he demands. I flop backward onto the bed and cover my face with my arm. Benjamin was just as stubborn as I was and I knew there was no way he'd leave me alone until I gave him the answers he wanted.
Feeling that I had no other option, I told him everything that had occurred up to this point.
The restaurant, meeting and sleeping with MG, the crap at home and my arrangement with Maggie. Once I was finished telling Ben my story I was panting in enervation. Benjamin looks at me with wide blue eyes.
"Aren't you going to say something?" I demand. Ben continues to stare at me in silence before coming over to sit down beside me where he mimics my position.
"Whoa bro, you are in deep shit."
"Well thanks Benj you are being really helpful at the moment."
"So long story short, you're mad at the family because they keep meddling in your personal life which is completely understandable. You met a chick at a restaurant, had sex with her in which she must have rocked your world considering you can't get her out of your head. You don't know her name, don't have a number and you're currently sleeping with some chick named Maggie who reminds you of the said girl you slept with. Am I right?" I just shrug my shoulders.
"I think I need a beer." Benjamin gets up and heads to the kitchen; quickly returning with two bottles of beers. He hands one to me where I take a shaky sip.
"This just isn't me. I can't get this girl out of my head. I swear I can see her everywhere or smell her scent in the air. I can't seem to think straight without some memory of her popping up and it was just one night. One night! You know me Benj, I'm not the one to get all mushy over a girl and yet I am." I admit.
"Looks like to me you've finally met your match. Whoever this chick is, I give kudos to, because it seems like she has you by the balls. Now you're complaining because you're feeling all these emotions that are out of your control and Mr. CEO here doesn't like it." Ben states.
"I guess…but that doesn't solve the problem of getting her out of my head." I retort. Benjamin suddenly whacks me on the back of my head catching me off guard.
"What the hell man?"
"Do something about it!" he nearly screams at me.
'What do you mean?"
"Well obviously you can't get her out of your head, so why not try and go after the girl yourself. It's obvious it's the not knowing what could have been that's getting to you." He suggests.
"I can't do that?"
"Why not?"
"First off it's stalkerish, second how am I supposed to find her? Seattle isn't exactly that small."
"How you're the CEO of a multi- million cooperation baffles me… Edward use your brain. If you met her as a waitress at a restaurant, don't you think you should go back to the restaurant where you saw her?" Ben drawls.
Huh…he had a point. Why hadn't I thought of that before?
It did seem like a lot of work though….
"Benjamin, I don't know." I start and he shakes his head at me.
"I swear I was the one blessed with the brains." Benjamin groans.
"So are you suggesting that I got the beauty?" I smirk.
"Hell no! Look at this face, I'm gorgeous. I'm the original mix of genes and you came afterwards…but anyways-just go for it. Either it works or it doesn't. You never know until you try." Ben finishes and I ponder his words for a moment.
"You're right."
"Duh tell me something I don't know." Ben grins running his hands through his hair. We both finish our beers when he makes motion to leave.
"Well I got to go bro, and I hope this works out for you."
"Thanks Benj, do you mind not telling Angela anything about this, within reason?" I request.
"You know I can't keep things from my wife, but I'll give you some time… and do me a favor. Call Mom soon will you? She's running us all crazy claiming she lost her baby boy or whatever and she's driving us all up the wall. In fact do it today if not now. Dad just sent me a text saying if you don't hurry up and ease mom's worries, he's going to kick your ass and you know that man has some big feet." Benjamin grins wickedly.
"Benj you suck." I chuckle.
"No but Angela does." I cringe in response.
"I didn't have to know that."
"Bye Ginger!" he screams while laughing, closing the door behind him.
I guess in a way Benjamin was right. The only way I was going to get MG out of my head was to do something about it. I hated dealing with the what ifs and concluded that I was not going to get any reprieve until I got my answers.
I Edward Cullen had to swallow my pride and admit that I was pining after a one-night stand.
I had to find my Mystery Girl and see if there was more to her. I mean there had to be a reason I was attracted to her sans sex right?
This was the biggest challenge I'd ever faced and I do like challenges but not of this variety. I was a man on a mission to get what I want and I always get what I want by any means necessary.
I immediately start coming up with a plan but first I needed to pacify another brunette in my life and her large footed red haired husband.
-WLTYAS—
….two weeks later..
"I can't believe you're dragging me here with you again." Jake whines.
"Dude as my best friend you're supposed to help me." I continue looking around the room.
"And I have but this is our fourth time this week we've been at this god forsaking restaurant I'm tired of ordering the same thing." Jacob continues complaining.
"Well don't order the same thing then." I counter.
"Kind of hard when everything else is made with stuff I don't eat." He pokes at his steak again. Looking around the restaurant that had become my safe place for the past two weeks, I suddenly realize that Jake just may be on to something.
After my talk with Benjamin, I began planning ways to find my MG. How I planned to accomplish that? For the past week I've been coming to Freddie's.
Every night.
And always with no luck.
She was never here.
I'd briefly wondered if she worked the day shift while I worked. Like the stalker I was, to ease my worry I'd send Jacob or sometimes Vanessa to be my eyes and ears but nothing. I admit I was beginning to lose hope.
All I needed was a name, a number; something. Anything I could use as a basis that would bring me closer to MG.
I had been coming here so long that I was beginning to remember the waitresses by name. Of course, I had to switch up sections as not to cause any suspicion but I had been through nearly half of the wait staff's sections but none were my MG.
It was by pure luck the next night that I ended up in the section with the dark, curly haired man I had spotted her with a month and a half ago. It wasn't much but it was something.
I knew I had to approach this carefully without raising any flags. I wasn't sure if he had noticed I was coming here all the time, but I had to watch my ass. I had no time for making any mistakes.
So the next night I dragged Jake and Vanessa out once again to help me act out my plan. I made sure to sit into his section and patiently waited until he came over to our table. Time to see if my plan would actually work and if I could get any information out of him.
"What would you like to order?" He greets. I quickly read his nametag. Diego. I give a quick glance over to Vanessa for help.
"Um yes, I think we will all like to start off with a round of Caesar salads." She states. Using her as a buffer, I hope I don't raise any suspicion.
"No problem." Diego responds, writing our order down on his notepad. I nod for her to continue.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" she asks sweetly. Diego nods his head.
"One of your fellow servers helped me at one of my parties I had catered here and I just wanted to thank her. I can't remember her name but if I gave you a description of her, do you think you could help me?" Vanessa continues sweetly.
"I guess...What does she look like."
"Brunette, brown eyes, petite, very pale…" He shakes his head.
"Well that could be many people here that fit that description." Diego admits.
Fuck! That was not what I wanted to hear right now.
"The only person I can even think of is my friend Isabella, and I know for sure she doesn't do the catering gigs. I can ask around if you want." Diego suggests. We all just nodded our heads as he left to put in our orders.
An Isabella eh? I made notice to save that name just in case for future reference but I still felt like I failed.
I just wasn't getting anywhere.
This just had to work out, I know it did.
"You look nice in a suit, baby bro." Jessica grins from behind me.
"I know this." I wince as the seamstress pokes me with a pin... in the ass. I think she did that on purpose.
"Serves you right." She smirks.
"Damn we look hot." Benjamin roars, bumping fists with Marcus and my Dad who was making faces at Joham who was in his on tiny suit on Jess's lap.
We were all getting our tuxedos fitted for the wedding that was quickly approaching and it was the first time in a while that I had been surrounded by family. I admit we still weren't on the best of terms, but it was better than usual and I didn't have my dad breathing down my neck to make things right.
I was still a little bummed about not finding my mystery girl yet and I'm sure it was evident all over my face.
I was tired both mentally and physically. Ben was the only one who knew of my predicament and I could see his concern for me written on his face although he knew it was wasn't the time nor the place to be discussing such an issue.
After being further poked and prodded by the seamstress, I was back in my regular clothes. I had barely sat down beside Jessica to take a breather, before she hands me Joham and was out the door yapping away on her phone to someone.
As per usual, he latches onto some part of my shirt and begins gnawing on it. When Benjamin is finished dressing, I hand him over and began dabbling at the large drool stain on the front of my dark grey shirt.
"Sorry man, I think he's hungry." Benjamin apologizes pulling out a bottle from a diaper bag and puts it into his son's mouth to which he begins sucking.
"No problems man, he's just lucky that he's cute, so it's all good." I look out the window where Jess is still yapping away to someone on her phone.
"She seems excited. I wonder who she's speaking to." I wonder aloud.
"Some chick she met at a coffee shop, a Bella something." Mike adds from her perch on the platform where her own pantsuit is being altered since she opted out of wearing a dress.
For some reason that name clicks in my head a bit. Didn't that Diego guy mention his friend's name was Isabella? Could that be the same person? A nickname perhaps?
Maybe it was a coincidence or maybe not but I sure as hell was going to find out. Three minutes later, Jess comes back in the room with a huge smile on her face.
"Ooh you guys are almost done thank god. Ooh, I need to make another appointment for the girls who couldn't make the first their fitting." Jess rambles throwing her heavy ass purse, phone, and keys into my lap. If I weren't covering my balls, I would be in incredible pain right now.
"Jess what the hell?"
"Oh suck it up." Jessica growls. She gives Mike a quick kiss before heading towards the back of the store.
It takes me a moment to register in my mind that Jess's phone in my lap and unlocked. I look down at the screen where the recent calls button taunts me. I didn't want to invade her privacy but this mysterious Bella person seemed a little too good to be true. Using her large purse as a blocker of sorts, I quickly glance at the number and memorize it just as Jess comes back.
We quickly say our goodbyes and I hurry home, earning a worried glance from my family at my sudden departure.
On my way home, I'm bombarded by numerous calls from my mother and sister asking meaningless questions about a wedding ate to which I quickly respond but by the end of it I am frustrated and have a raging headache. To make matters worse as a karma for invading my sister's privacy, I remember the number for this Bella woman….except the last two numbers.
I was screwed once again.
I was at a dead end….that's when it hit me. Maybe Benjamin was right… for a CEO I could really be dumb.
It wasn't as if I were living in the 18th century with no electricity or reliable form of correspondence. It was the digital age and with Internet maybe I could find something. I mean I already had a name and part of the numbers.
Quickly pulling up white pages, I manage to strike out random numbers until I find five residences in the Seattle all with the names Isabella.
Isabella Reed
Isabella Lee Wolf
Isabella Greene
Isabella Rathbone
Isabella Swan
If anyone had known what I was doing, I'm sure I'd be locked up somewhere. This was some level ten-stalker shit and I realized that I must have seriously lost it but I had to see her again.
If only people knew that one of Forbes most sought after bachelors and CEO of one of the most top advertising companies in the country was pining and stalking after a one-night stand, it would be the end of me.
But now I didn't care, I was too close to finding her and I had to finish. Printing out the addresses, I set it aside for another day in hopes I was getting closer to my mystery girl.
…1 week later...
"Please let this be her, please." I mutter under my breath. This was my last stop and the last Isabella on my list. After four miss tries with one being married, one dead, one no longer living in the state and one surprisingly a man, I was at my wits end.
A Ms. Isabella Swan was my last resort in hopes that she was the girl who had turned my world around that night. If this wasn't her, I didn't know what I was going to do with myself.
I was already crazy for even going through all of this, who knows what I would feel like after that.
Sighing, I knew I just had to get this over with. Ms. Swan lived in one of the apartment complexes that didn't have a doorman but required you to be buzzed up for entrance. Luckily for me, as passing redhead was entering the building and I quickly followed behind her. She eyed me wearily but when I stated that I was here to see Ms. Swan she left me alone for which I was glad. That would have just made my life harder than it already was.
Her apartment was on the twelfth floor and I take the elevator opposed to the stairs to calm myself down as I felt like I was on the verge of having a heart attack.
So many what ifs were going around in my head.
What if this wasn't her?
What if it was?
So many possibilities and only one way to find out. I finally make it up to her floor and head towards her door with a small plate reading her name on the side of the door. I could hear noise coming from the other side along with a few feminine giggles and I prayed that it was her on the other side.
I gently knock on her door and but don't get a response. I knock on the door harder. I hear a muffled response and was just about to knock on the door once more when it swings open.
I feel like all the wind had been knocked out of me.
It was her.
My brown eyed, sweet smelling, mystery girl. She was even more beautiful than I had remembered. I felt frozen. I couldn't move or speak and from the wide-eyed expression on her face neither could she.
Just as I had finally mustered up enough courage to mutter a response the door was slammed in my face.
This brings us to now.
Here I am, after weeks and weeks of searching. I had finally found my Mystery girl and I got a door slammed in my face, but realistically what did I expect?
I would have done the same thing if some stranger had appeared on my doorstep as well.
Lying against the wall I was resolved that this entire thing was a big mistake until the door beside me creaks open and I'm met with a pair of confused brown eyes.
Thoughts? Leave it in a Review!
xoxo Sylvia Cullen