I OWN NOTHING, SM OWNS IT ALL.
XXXXXXXX
A/N. It's been a while since I updated, real life gets in the way. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks to those who reviewed and who took the time to drop me a note - muchly appreciated.
The Colleague.
XXXXXXXX
Chapter ten.
Monday morning and yes I felt like shit - serves me right. God knows how much I had drank yesterday, all I knew is now my head hurt and my body felt lethargic. Suppose I'd better get my act together, shower and that because it was work soon. Emmett was worried about me, my new found confidence as he put it. I could be honest with myself, I didn't feel confident just at this moment. The thought of seeing Bella, never mind working with her filled me with dread. Yes gone was the man from yesterday with his no more bullshit rule I was crapping myself today - I think.
It was half eight, I was changed into my work clothes and had a couple of granola bars for breakfast, so now it was time to leave. Fuck! How come time went so fast when you didn't want it too.
My nerves were heightened to gigantic proportions. Shit, right pull your self together man. You're a Cullen - Emmett's favourite saying. Bella was already in the office typing away at her laptop - well here goes.
"Good moring Bella." She looked up and smiled beautifully.
"Morning Edward." Well that wasn't so hard but I was again...This dick of mine - I could never trust it, it just popped up whenever it wanted. Down boy. I'm glad no one but myself could hear my inner dialogue. I took a seat at my desk directly opposite to Bella. She didn't give me a second glance and continued to type.
"So Edward I emailed you some ideas I thought would be interesting to pursue for the cereal campaign, if you'd like to take a look when you've got time." Miss Efficient!
"Sure, I'll take a look then we can discuss it."
"That would be great." Did it really happen this weekend, our fallout? Both of us were acting like it didn't or maybe she just wasn't bothered. Fine with me I guess - I told myself. Oh no, Rosalie was making her way towards us, please, please don't say anything inappropriate.
"Bella, Edward goodmorning." We both returned with the generic reply - "Morning."
"Right I'll get straight to the point, after hearing what happened with you both this weekend, I don't want it to affect your working relationship. Move on the both of you, you're both talented and it seems a shame to waste it on any hostilty." Fuck, Rose her mouth was just too big. I glanced at Bella surreptitiously, she was looking at Rose with a timid wait timid expression?
"Bella Swan cut the crap, don't be looking at me that way because we both know acting all mousy and innocent doesn't suit you one bit." Bella burst into laughter, Rose whose face got slightly redder just huffed at her. They're back into the swing of things at least. So much for hostility because Rose was causing it now, Bella a close second.
"Who me Rosalie? I don't know what you mean. So did Emmett enjoy the club the other night? Where were you exactly?" Rose's eyes narrowed to a point where she could I bet hardly see out of them. I pretended to be interested in my notepad.
"Yes as a matter of fact he did. He missed me though; it was Edward here who dragged him out. He didn't want to go actually. And I was with Emmett's and Edward's sister Alice, I don't believe you've had the pleasure to meet her yet. We're very close, shame you won't get the chance now." Rose smiled sickly sweet. Bella wasn't fazed though.
"No I haven't, Edward you and Emmett should of brought her down to O'Malley's yesterday; I'd of liked to have met her." Rose looked at me in horror, she didn't know Em went down there to hold my hand so to speak. Fuck...
"No need to explain Edward, Emmett's his own person." Yeah who was she kidding, he was pussy whipped and she knew it. He'd probaly get it in the neck later. Poor Emmett, he loved her though. Rose's face suddenly changed into a devious smile. Oh no what's she planning now. She stepped towards my desk looked back at Bella and winked at me.
"So Edward since you're not going to mope over Tanya any more I see no reason not to give you this. I've had it a while now, it's Bree's telephone number, remember I told you she is very interested and always asking about you." Rose sneaked a look back at Bella. I caught a glimpse but as far as I could see she looked the same. Rose however was smugly grinning, did she know something I didn't?
"Err... Thank you Rosalie." I tucked the slip of paper into my jacket pocket.
"No problem, she's honest, bright and beautiful don't you think?" She was winking at me furiously.
"I guess, Rose is there something wrong with your eye?" Rose rolled her eyes then, oh I get it now.
"Remember you two, keep it clean. I've got to go, we have a new man starting today and I'm to show him around. So see you guys later and remember what I said."
She left no doubt feeling better with herself.
"Do you want some coffee Edward, I'm going to get myself a cup." She got up from her desk, Bella looked gorgeous with a tight fitting dark brown shortish wrap dress hugging her curves but flaring at her hips. High heeled brown leather boots completed her outfit. Shit I was ogling. Look at her face Edward, you're a pervy bastard. She caught me I'm positive but her face remained composed as ever.
"Hmm sure, that would be great Bella and um I'm glad we can put what happened behind us when work is concerned." No change, she was one cool woman or maybe I've overestimated myself.
"Hey it's just one of those things Edward, I'm over it already." It sure seemed like it - which pissed me off if I was honest. Off she went without a care in the world. I sulked and decided to be productive so I went over the files Bella sent via email. Very interesting, she knew her stuff, smart as hell - she gave me a run for my money.
"Rosalie's on her way here showing the new guy around, I only saw the back of him, here's your coffee."
"Thank you Bella." She placed the cup on my desk and went back to her own. And here was Icy, I mean Rose looking very pleased with herself...
"Hey Edward, Bella; this is James he's starting here today, doing the same as you two but with established clients." He was tall at least six foot three, with blond longish hair and blue eyes. I'd say he was just a bit smaller than Emmett in the build department but bigger than me. No I didn't like the look of him at all, sort of a sneaky arrogance air about him and it had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact his eyes hadn't left Bella. Rose looked disgusted too. He nodded in my direction...Then totally disregarded me.
"Bella Swan, it's been a long time, how the hell are you girl." What the fuck! These two knew each other? This wasn't good - I had a bad feeling.
"James McCarty you son of a bitch." They both were grinning at each other and then he gestured with his arms out and she fucking ran into them. Hugging tightly, Rose and I were flabbergasted. Me because er well you know and Rose was probaly jealous. I was fucking jealous too - who was I kidding.
"So you two know each other well?" I'm glad Rosalie asked this because I was dying too.
"Sure do, Bella and I used to be quite friendly once upon a time." Bella actually blushed when he winked at her.
"Oh I see, well anyway we must get on and introduce you to the rest of the department." Rose was mad as hell - I knew her moods well.
"Okay, well Bella would you like to join me for lunch and a catch up?" Say no Bella. No!
"That would be wonderful James. Come get me at noon." I felt depressed all of a sudden and it's my own fucking fault. Rose and James left the office thank god.
"Right so Edward did you look over those emails I sent you?" Really? Is that all she had to say.
"Err.. Yes of course there's some smart ideas Bella. We should talk it through, the presentation is two weeks away." And we did just that for the next few hours until the new guy came to get Bella, all smarmy smiles. What was with her? Did she like pricks? Fortunately Rose came to the rescue with some story of her meeting Em for lunch and she'd like my company. I was gratified. We went to a little Italian bistro just a few blocks away. Wonder where slimeball took Bella?
"Yo bro, over here." Must he be so loud? Rose and I made our way over to a corner table and sat. When the waitress took our order Em got straight down to business.
"So Ed was it bad working with Bella today?"
"It was like nothing happened, she was very civil towards me and we worked well together." I wasn't lying, it was all very professional.
"So why the fuck are you looking so miserable?" - "Emmett, can we just not talk about it, me personally well I've had enough of Bella Swan today, oh and cheers for letting me know about your little outing to the pub yesterday. Hearing it from the lady herself was not good Emmett."
"Sorry Rose, I knew Edward was there so I went down to meet him. Riley told me he owned the pub with his brothers and I knew he'd be there with Bella, I just didn't want it to be awkward for Edward."
"Argh you're forgiven baby, you're so sweet." Give me a bucket and I'll spew. Love, lust and fuck knows what else was beaming from the both of them. The waitress brought our food, I had seafood penne, spaghetti and meatballs for Em and Rose had a chicken salad with no dressing - just what was the point!
"Lets eat I'm famished." It was good wholesome food here and we all had clean plates. Rose excused herself to got to the restroom to powder her nose.
"You're not saying much Edward, something on your mind? Wouldn't be a certain brown haired lady with killer legs and ass would it?"
"Emmett I've fucked up big style, seeing her today again, well what can I say I'm a fucking idiot for sending her packing the other night." There I'd finally admitted it to myself and my brother and it didn't make me feel any better. What a fucking jerk I'd been.
"Hey it's not to late to salvage this Ed. Trust me. Listen we'll talk later, Rose is on her way back." Huh really, when slimey fuck was now wining and dining her as we speak. I wish I could turn back the clock and rewind time till I got to Saturday night again, I'd do it all differently. Rose and I walked back to work, she was going on about James's good points apparently he'd won this award and that award, who the fuck cares - made me sick.
In the office Bella wasn't back yet, it was past half one and she was late although we didn't have a set routine regarding lunch. I was becoming agitated because she was with him. I know I shouldn't be like this but I couldn't help myself since she came into my life my whole world had turned upside down. I didn't know whether I was coming or going. But I did know I had treated her appallingly. And I hadn't even apologized. Bet she wouldn't even accept it now if I did. Why does my life suck so much? She had come round to our apartment explaining and I couldn't see anything except my own hurt. I was a dick plain and simple. Well I would try one more time, at least she had given me the confidence to do so. Bella had changed me for the better, made me see that moping around because of Tanya was a no go. For that I was grateful.
XXXXXXXX
Please review if you like or don't.
Cheers for reading.
Bluebuttercup.
