Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO INFINITELY SORRY this chapter took so long. My week(s) have been consumed with projects and papers and senior project, I haven't had time to breathe, nevermind write. And I'm not sure this is my best work, either, so bear with me here. The reviews, however, have been fabulous. I love you people!
Don't own.
Ch.19: Beautiful Disaster
After Clemons' article, the rest of the office jumped on the defend-Edward-and-Bella-bandwagon, in one way or another.
I still regarded Clemons' article as the shining star. I hadn't gotten work like that from him, ever.
Moreover, he refused to acknowledge that it was a fantastic article. He was being modest, and shrugged when I told him how good it was, or how much it meant to us.
He showed me, in the article, that he was more than just a pathetic, wormy little man, and was actually a person, who was a borderline hopeless romantic.
It was cute.
And his article…
I hadn't heard of our newspaper selling out in years. There were always papers left in the kiosks and stands, the next printing day.
With this story, that wasn't the case at all. The public was eager to hear more about this alleged scandal, and I'd gotten a message before we left for the meeting that the news was sold out.
We'd never printed a second edition in the middle of the day, but we had to. Robb was receiving call after call about how this person or that person wanted a newspaper.
We received, over the next few days, more letters to the editor than I'd ever recorded, and I spent the entirety of Wednesday going through mail while Edward took over my editing job.
"Bella, look at these." Edward said Wednesday afternoon, about an hour before we closed. He lightly tossed a stack of articles in front of me.
Swan to leave East Side Herald
Cullen, Swan sue attorney Jacob Black for sexual harassment
Union law: how much power is too much?
The life and times of Isabella Swan: how not to manage your debt
I laughed out loud at the last headline, and saw that it was written for the financial section as a legitimate piece. Nearly every single article was about Edward, me, or the situation at hand.
"What was it I was looking for?" I said, rather amused.
"They're all about us."
"I told you, my writers are loyal to me. And now they're loyal to you." I smiled, as he was still processing this.
I don't think he thought they'd ever like him, because he was so hard on everybody. But this…
This was completely different, something he wasn't used to. They had obeyed him out of fear, but now they were respecting him, each article portraying him as my knight in shining armor.
"The public is really eating this up." I said, handing him the stack of articles back. "I don't know how many letters I've received about Clemons' article. The East Side loves us."
"You did say the city was looking for a new scandal." He said, shaking his head. "Well, they've certainly found one."
"It's not that bad, when you think about it. It's skyrocketing our sales, and they believe what we print above the tabloids. We're getting the truth out there, and they're actually accepting it. The only thing we really have to worry about is avoiding the paparazzi." I said, fishing through my letters until I found the one I wanted. "Listen to this: 'True love knows no boundaries. I'm really happy for you two, and glad you found eachother. It gives us single, working women hope for the future, that we might find our own Edward Cullen, some day.'"
Edward sighed, seeing my point. He was still getting used to my job change, and didn't really have the mental capacity to deal with adoring fans.
"After Smith's article about you leaving, there will be more." He said, glancing at the article on top of his stack. "They're making a martyr out of you."
"Is there a problem with that?" I asked, confused at his tone. He didn't sound remotely happy, more forlorn. "I mean…it counters all the bad stuff the tabloids have been saying. We're inspiring people, Edward. With this 'Cinderella story'."
"It's better than the tabloids, but I hope this frenzy is over soon." He said with a sigh.
I'd never seen him so…dejected. What was going on? Where did my Edward go?
"Edward? What's wrong." I asked, standing and going to him. He looked down at me with sadness in his green eyes, an immense sorrow that I'd never seen before. What on earth could be bothering him that much?
"Nothing. This just reminds me of some unsavory events." He said, holding my hand to his cheek. "The press can ruin people. I don't want that to happen to you."
I remained silent for a few moments, just staring up at his beautifully sad eyes. There was something more to it, but I had a feeling he wasn't going to tell me.
"It'll all be over soon." I reassured him after a long pause. "And I'll be fine."
I stood on my tip-toes to plant a light kiss on his lips.
"What are your plans for tonight?" he asked, a small smile evident on his features.
"Nothing that I know of?" I replied, wondering why he would be formally asking me out. Usually we'd grab dinner on the way home from work.
"Esme invited you to dinner at Carlisle's. And they'll really be there, this time." He said with a smile. "Would you like to accompany me?" He kissed my hand.
I nodded, smiling. I loved when he kissed my hand. And I loved when he smiled at me like that.
But…what was wrong, earlier? There was something else to it.
I'd find out sooner or later. No use worrying about it, if he wasn't.
"Be ready for seven. Casual." He said, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek before leaving. I smiled, sighed, and sat back down at my computer to finish the article I'd been toying with for a while now. It wasn't anything major, just a little human interest piece.
I finished, and dropped it off in the printing room before I left, noting that it was already six thirty.
Crap.
Edward had already left, and I noticed that I was the only one left in the office. How had it gotten so late?
It didn't matter. After Friday, I'd be starting over in a new office…
I sighed, as I got into a taxi and started going to my mother's house. I didn't really want the job with the Downtown Daily, but I didn't have much of a choice.
It wouldn't be that bad, I mean I was a good enough writer that I'd be able to survive. And Mr. Mackenzie had shown a lot of interest in my work, even if it was as Edward thought, that he was a scumbag that wanted eye candy.
Okay, it wasn't just Edward who thought that, I thought so too, but it was work. And Edward could keep the paper. Strange, that he'd gone to Yale for medicine, and chose to keep working at a newspaper instead. Maybe he minored in communications…
Meh. It didn't really matter. What mattered was that he knew my workers well enough now that he wouldn't fire them, and they were starting to respect him. To be honest, I wasn't really needed at the Herald anymore.
Surprisingly, there wasn't a lot of traffic, but still enough to keep me tied up until 6:55. Great. Edward would be here any minute…
Sure enough, I walked in and there he was, standing in my kitchen talking to my mother.
"Bella, what took you so long?" my mother asked, as I rushed upstairs.
"No time—have to change…" I murmured as she trailed me, no doubt to make sure I wore something presentable. It was annoying, but I suppose I should be grateful, because I didn't really care what I wore, ever, and would have no problem going out dressed like a scrub.
I left my hair down as my mother tossed a sweater and nice jeans in my face. I threw them on and stepped into flats on my way down the stairs.
"Hey." I said, breathless, as I reached Edward, who greeted me with a kiss. I flushed, knowing my mother was right behind me and had seen.
"That was quick." He said, and kissed me again, only on the cheek. I went to get my coat, which I'd discarded on my way up the stairs, but he stopped me.
"What?"
"How about this one?" he said, and produced a new coat, the one he'd had made especially for me, in the same style as my old one. "I picked it up this afternoon."
"That's why you left early." I murmured, accepting it from him. He merely grinned, and I took his offered arm as we left.
I have to say, that's another thing I really love. How we always walk arm in arm, how he offers his arm to me like a gentleman. It's so…classy. It made me feel like a million dollars.
I couldn't help but stare as we pulled up to a large, luxurious penthouse. I mean, I knew they were rich and should have expected as much, but holy crap. Talk about extravagance…
"Bella?" his amused voice drew me out of my trance.
I just looked at him, once more with the ever-so-fashionable deer in the headlights look. I was nervous. I'd met the Cullens a few times before, but staring up at their wealth and prestige was quite daunting.
But…I knew it would be okay, because he was smiling at me like that. It was the smile that I loved, that lit up his whole face.
"Relax. They already love you." He said, kissing my cheek and taking my hand, leading me out of the cab and into the building.
I didn't say anything, I was still nervous. After this whole ordeal, what would they think of me? I was the cause of all of these problems, everything with the press…
Alice told me earlier that Carlisle and the rest of the family had been harassed by the press, begging for statements on the scandal.
How could they deal with me? I was upsetting their life.
"Edward! Bella! Please, come in." Esme said as we entered, taking both of our coats. "Now we're just waiting for Jasper and Alice."
We were led to the living room, where Carlisle, Rosalie, and Emmett were waiting, sitting around a fine glass coffee table and sipping some expensive wine.
But it wasn't an awkward moment, when we entered. I had expected all talk to stop, I had expected them to have been talking about the situation, but they weren't. Emmett's booming laugh echoed throughout the place as Edward and I took our seats on the sofa opposite Emmett and Rosalie, while Esme sat in the arm chair next to Carlisle's.
I watched with a smile as Carlisle immediately took Esme's hand in his and kissed it, like Edward did to mine. He had this unfathomable expression in his eyes, a sparkle present only when he was looking at her.
I turned my gaze across the table to Emmett and Rosalie. Their hands were entwined, and his giant arm was across her shoulder. She was smiling a slightly smug, but mostly genuine smile as he whispered something in her ear.
Everyone here was in love.
I snapped out of it as Edward's lips brushed my temple. I didn't even have to look to know that his beautiful green eyes held the same sparkle of love as everyone else's.
But I loved his eyes, and looked anyway.
And I was nearly blown away. I'd seen the expression before, but it seemed to be magnified now. He looked at me like I was the best thing that had ever happened to him. I knew he thought I was, but it was incredible seeing it, seeing his thoughts in his eyes.
"It's nice to have you join us, Bella." Carlisle said, breaking up the staring match Edward and I were having, with a sort of knowing, sinister smile. "And might I say, you get more and more beautiful every time I see you?"
"Oh, Carlisle…stop embarrassing the poor girl." Esme said with a laugh and a playful shove. She flashed me an apologetic, yet also knowing smile.
How was it that they all still seemed to know something I didn't? This could potentially be really annoying.
I shyly said hello to everyone, and was saved by the entrance of Jasper and Alice. I was grateful for the timing…I didn't really want conversation to be on me.
"Fashionably late, as usual." Rosalie said with a smile, as Alice greeted Esme and the rest of us, she and Jasper taking a seat next to Edward and I on the sofa.
"Well somebody has to, or it wouldn't be a party." She said in response, as Esme went to go check on dinner.
"So, Bella…we hear you're going to work for the Downtown Daily?" Rosalie said, her smile not so cheerful. "Didn't want Edward to sic his lawyers on the union?"
"More or less." I said, inwardly grimacing. Edward didn't like the situation as it was now, and we certainly didn't need to dwell on it… "I'd…rather not talk about the whole situation."
"Oh, why not? It's all the gossip around town. And I must say, Edward, some of my coworkers are disappointed." Rosalie said mockingly. "They believe that someone such as you shouldn't meddle with the help—"
"Rosalie!" Carlisle's stern voice interrupted her, as I tried to shrink, disappear in the couch.
I knew something like this would happen. They didn't like me…at least, Rosalie didn't, and she would make my life a living hell…
"I think we should stay away from such conversation, if that's perfectly alright with you, Rose." Edward said stiffly, no doubt seeing my embarrassment, as his grasp on my good hand tightened. His voice was low and dangerous, and if I had the guts to look at his eyes, I was certain they'd be glaring daggers.
Ugh. The situation was so ugly, I didn't want to associate with it. We had done nothing wrong, but the whole city thought we had…and all this trouble, and…I just didn't know why Edward still put up with me. I'd caused so much trouble…
Luckily, dinner was ready, and we all stood to eat in the dining room. Edward held me back, putting his hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eye.
"Bella? I know what you're thinking. Don't." he said quietly, before taking me into his warm embrace. "Don't worry about it. Rose will warm up sometime."
"Why does she hate me so much?" I asked softly, sighing into his chest. "I haven't done anything to her…"
"She doesn't even like me very much. She doesn't like those who are from a lower class…it's a long story." He said, starting to walk me to the dining room. "But really, don't worry about it."
Dinner ran smoothly, Esme keeping the conversation pleasant and mainly on the lives of everyone else a the table, excluding myself and Edward. I was grateful. Esme was my lifesaver…
That is, until she sent Edward, Jasper, and Emmett to move the piano into the room, so Edward could play for all of us. And left Carlisle to deal with clearing the table, and took Alice with her to look at some wedding thing she had in another room.
Esme was a great conniver, I decided, in leaving Rosalie and I alone in the living room to wait for everyone else.
We sat in silence for a few moments, and I stood to look at photographs on the mantle. I immediately zeroed in on one of Edward as a child, with a woman behind him, her arms lovingly hugging him to her. She had the same green eyes, and the same bronze-brown hair. Except she was much paler, and extremely weary looking. She was smiling, but you could see the strain. Her eyes had lost the sparkle Edward's held, her eyes were lifeless.
Edward was right, about what overworking oneself did. She looked just like I had, only about a month ago. I'd been steadily getting healthier, and looked normal now, but I knew that there had been a point where I looked as worn down as her.
"That was taken a month before she died, at his birthday party here." Rosalie said, standing next to me.
"She was beautiful." I said softly, studying the mother and son. Though she was exhausted in the picture, you could see the love she had for her son.
"I don't hate you." Rosalie said abruptly, sounding as if the words were difficult to spit out.
"You don't have to try to like me." I said, looking at another picture. "In essence you're right, I don't belong here."
"I don't like people of other classes." She said tonelessly, gesturing for me to join her on the sofa.
I obliged, warily. Was she going to insult me some more?
"I was once in a relationship with a man who only loved my money. He borrowed money from someone to propose, and foolishly I accepted, and wouldn't listen to my parents or Emmett when they told me he was after my inheritance. He changed, once we were engaged. He was always drunk, and always angry. He hit me, and his friends…they all assaulted me one night, the day after I asked for a pre-nuptial agreement. I was afraid of them, after what they'd done. Eventually I broke it off, sued him, and now his sorry ass is rotting in jail. I'm happier than ever now, with Emmett, but…" she sighed, pausing. "I know it's petty, but I haven't been able to trust those below me since. I even gave Alice a hard time, at first."
I remained silent, at a loss for words. I thought she was just a bitch…
"I was harsh to you because I didn't want you to hurt him, didn't want you to use him. Edward is like a brother to me, I've known the Cullens since childhood." She paused, staring into the fireplace. "I thought you were just like all the other girls who fawn all over him, just another girl trying to get ahead in the world by sleeping with the boss."
"Rosalie, Edward and I—"
"I know, I know." She said with a sort of chuckle, then she sighed. "But you must know how it looks. Here you come, out of nowhere, a pretty employee of his who he can't seem to ignore. He pulls strings, pays off your debt…"
"You know I didn't ask him to do that—" I started, but she held up her hand.
"I know. And I was wrong about you." She said, and sighed. "No hard feelings, okay? I just…I worry for him. He's had it rough. And you, you remind him so much of his mother, I just assumed you were using his obvious interest in you to your advantage."
"No hard feelings." I said, forcing a smile. I wasn't sure if I'd ever like her, but it took balls to admit what she just had.
"And I admire your choice to give up your job to protect him. I'm glad he has you in his life."
I flushed, and remained red for probably a full minute as the boys came in the room through the larger door, carrying a smaller piano forte between the three of them, followed by Alice and Esme with a folder and a few magazines. Apparently they'd be doing some wedding planning.
"I'll get the bench." Emmett said, leaving Edward to approach me while Jasper joined Alice and Esme on the other sofa, looking over her shoulder.
Edward leaned in to kiss me and pulled me up in one fluid motion, positioning one hand cradling my neck and the other at the small of my back.
I blushed again, knowing that at least one person in the room was watching…
My notion was confirmed by Emmett walking in the room with the bench in hand, and whistling upon seeing the two of us kissing.
Edward chuckled at the shade of my face, and kissed my cheek, leading me over to sit with him as he played for everyone.
"You know you're adorable when you're embarrassed." He whispered in my ear as we took our seats. I mock glared at him, and he smiled, beginning to play.
Unfortunately, my night with the Cullens didn't last for the rest of my life. By the end of the night I felt more comfortable with them, and began to feel like I belonged. It's always a nice feeling, knowing you're wanted and you belong…
For the rest of the week, I did last-minute editing at work, and came in on Saturday and Sunday as well. I owed the paper at least that…
Then Monday came.
Monday, when I was to start at the Downtown Daily.
It was like the first day of school, at a new school. I didn't know anybody, and knew I probably wouldn't get along with many people. I couldn't be late, it would make a bad impression, I had to look nice…
I showed up fifteen minutes early, and was greeted by a grumpy looking receptionist walking into the office with a coffee and a bagel bag in hand.
"Hi, I'm Isabella Swan, I'm starting today…" I said, as she sat down at the front desk, yawning. She had longish, curly brown hair and dull, tired eyes. She could be pretty, if she would tame those curls of hers.
"Well congratulations, good for you, do you want a prize or something?" she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me as she spread cream cheese on her bagel. She sighed, rubbing her eyes, as I was rendered speechless by her rudeness. "Look, honey, I see a new girl with a tight little ass walk in here almost every day. They're all innocent and perky, just like you. So forgive me if I don't recognize your obvious greatness right off the bat."
"Um…I'd like to know where I'm supposed to go." I said, confused as to why she was so ornery. Well, it wasn't 7am yet, so I supposed she could be allowed a little bitchiness. It was a bit early.
"Mack should be here by now. Corner office, you can't miss it." She paused, leaning over the desk a little to get a look at me. "You look like a shy one. Knock once, then go right in."
I forced myself not to glare at that comment, and thanked her, before following her directions.
"—don't care what he says, get me the story!" Mr. Mackenzie's angry voice said, before hanging up the receiver. "Oh, Bella, baby! Welcome to the Downtown Daily!"
"Thanks." I said meekly, not liking his word choice. And I doubt Edward would have enjoyed it, either.
"Follow me, I'll show you your desk, and we'll talk about what your first assignment should be." He picked up a file and walked swiftly from the room.
I followed him, a little blown away by the pace of things already.
"I've been analyzing your writing, and I'm not sure heavy stories are for you. I liked that human interest piece you did last week, and I think I want to try you first in our Lifebeat section." He said, leading me to a small cubicle somewhere amidst the rows and rows of them. "It's all hit and miss, at first. From your resume, you haven't had the means to experiment with different genres. Maybe you are right for the breaking news jobs, working under pressure with limited time to crank out a story. I don't know, that's why we'll be experimenting for a little while."
I nodded, taking my jacket and draping it over the back of the chair.
"I'm glad you got rid of that old thing you were wearing before." He said, gesturing towards my jacket. "People don't take you seriously if you look like a pauper. Now, if you have any questions, the girl in the next cubicle is very friendly, and should help you. Here is your first assignment, I'm expecting it by Friday."
He handed me the file, and began to walk.
"Thanks…" I mumbled, then sighed. Wow. This would be way different than the Herald…
I opened the file, sat at my desk, and began to read. It was a profile of who, but Jacob Black.
Are you fucking kidding me? I could NOT write an article about that jackass.
"Excuse me, Mr. Mackenzie…" I said, standing and hoping my voice was loud enough for him to hear. He was at the end of the aisle, and turned slowly. I skipped upt o him with the file in my hand.
"Is there a problem, Miss Swan?"
"I can't write this article. Jacob Black—"
"I'm well aware of the current situation that you and your illustrious boyfriend are involved in with Mr. Black." He said, his dark eyes emotionless and piercing. "The fact of the matter is, I need to know that you can be unbiased. The fact of the matter is, Mr. Black's lawfirm has just endorsed a new charity event, that I've been told is under his direction. I want to know about that. I don't want to know about this alleged scandal, or your personal opinion. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." I sighed, deflating a little.
"Bella, you can do this." He said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I wouldn't have given you an assignment you couldn't complete. All my writers are capable of writing, it's whether or not their writing is up to par that defines them."
"Yes, sir."
"Go on now, run along." He said, then turned on his heel and left.
Run along?
What was I, an English schoolboy? Run along now, laddie, run along...
I sighed, and turned to go back to my cubicle, only to knock into a pretty, young woman coming out of the cubicle next to mine.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she said, picking up my papers and handing them to me. "Silly me, I never look where I'm going…Angela Weber, and you are?"
"Bella Swan." I said, shaking her hand with a smile. She certainly was cheerful, and her light brown eyes seemed to be accented by her kindness. She had light brown hair as well, and held a sort of beauty in her demeanor.
"Are you really? The girls and I, we've read all about you. It's a delightful story…" she smiled, knowingly. "And that Edward Cullen…he certainly is a catch, isn't he? Came in and swept you right off your feet."
"More or less." I said, unable to keep from smiling. And blushing. Yeah, I was pretty pink, by now.
"You'll have to tell me all about it sometime…I'm actually out on assignment, today."
"Yeah…great…" I said, a little skeptically. "And I'll be here, trying to stomach writing a story about that awful Jacob Black."
"He gave you that story?" she exclaimed, stopping. She followed me into my cubicle where I sat, sighing, and opened the file again. "Well…good luck. Nobody wanted that story, he's just as disliked around here as he is around your old office." She paused at the entrance to my cubicle. "Would you like to join me for lunch, later?"
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