3.

Prompt: Rain by Mrs. Lori Jacobs (God bless her for needling me into getting this back on track and updated.)

It was starting to make sense. The bottom floor of the building appeared to be suitable for a storefront. Mr. Cullen nodded his head as he watched me catch up. "And when I found that building, it had everything I was looking for. A storefront for selling pies, a space that could be converted to a kitchen and office space upstairs for me to…well, become a spy."

It was official, Edward Cullen was delusional, but I decided then it was in the most delicious way.

Xx

After I accepted the receptionist position—because let's face it, the offers for a skill-less woman weren't piling in—I spent some time talking with Edward. (Yes, that's right—I call him Edward, per his request). He said that every time I called him Mr. Cullen, I reminded him of his father. He told me about his family and growing up sheltered under his father's thumb. I actually felt sorry for the guy. He'd never been trusted to make his own decisions, right down to what he'd wear every day. His nanny picked out his clothes until the day he moved out of the family home five years ago. I had to take a few moments to let that all sink in… to have never been in charge of oneself… it was difficult to imagine, but also made a hell of a lot more sense that Edward thought he was some spy-pie whisperer.

The thing about all this is that I actually admire the hell out of the guy. I mean, he may be a bit on the strange side, but who the fuck cares, right? So he sells pies and has a poster of Sean Connery in his office. So what if he does that thing where he mock shoots you with his thumb and forefinger. And does it really matter that he came to work this morning wearing a trench coat and a fedora? Humphrey Bogart did it, and everyone thought he was the cat's meow. Truth is it was a Burberry Trench and a Borsalino hat. Edward may be a little unstable, but the man had taste. It was a dreary morning, and looked like it may rain, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt that his stereotypical "spy" wear was more about the weather and less about looking like Dick Tracy.

Xx

August 25, 2014 Day 1: Schedule—

1. Get Edward to change the name of business.

2. Ask Edward if there is a budget to redecorate the office.


Over the weekend, I'd gotten down to business on researching both "spying" and "pieing" (it's not a word, I'm aware). It seemed like Edward had a handle on the whole baking thing, so I was going to expend my energy on the spying part. After looking through several sites and collecting a ridiculous amount of information, that, let's be honest—was ambiguous at best—I gathered that Edward would have to settle for being a private investigator. Being a "Spy" (who prefer the politically correct term Espionage agents) is typically illegal and frowned upon. And since Edward had agreed to pay me a rather respectable wage, I really was looking forward to the success of the business. Of course, I shared all the intell I'd gathered with him, not wanting him to think I was already stealing his thunder. He was excited that I was eager and agreed I'd posed good questions. He'd said he was all about transparency with his employees and wanted to discuss our weekend communications on Monday. So, I had to laugh when my first official email popped up at 9:15 this morning. I'd assumed I was the only employee he held at the moment…


From: Cullen, Edward
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 09:15 AM
To: Isabella Swan
Cc:
Subject: Monday Morning Meeting

Bella—

Good morning and welcome. We are pleased to have you on board as we start this exciting new venture. We will convene in the conference room at 09:30 AM for our first official staff meeting.

Thanks, and make it a great day!

-Edward Cullen

Master Baker, Personal Spy service

Office: (555) 595-5329

Cell: (555)977-8745

Fax: (555) 595-5330


August 25, 2014 Day 1: Schedule (REVISED)—

1. Attend "Staff" meeting

2. Ask Edward who the other "staff" is.

3. Get Edward to change the name of business.

4. Have Edward change his email signature.

5. Ask Edward if there is a budget to redecorate the office.

Xx

Turns out, there is no other staff. Edward bought a new table over the weekend for the conference room and wanted to make sure I liked it. The meeting wasn't a total waste, though. After talking at length about Edward's business plan, we came to the conclusion that he needed two separate entities: one for the pies (Pies Among Us), and one for… the other business. We'd yet to agree on a new name or terminology for the non-baking related profession. So far, the nominees were Private Spies, The Covert Agency, and Cullen Intelligence and Securities (bet you'll never guess which suggestion was mine). While I admitted quickly to Edward that I knew I didn't have business savvy, I was also a consumer and knew what may or may not appeal to the masses. I may have mentioned that clients weren't likely to take us seriously if our name was similar to something that appeared in a Hardy Boys novel.

From: Cullen, Edward
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 12:15 PM
To: Isabella Swan
Cc:
Subject: Monday Lunch Meeting

Bella—

After having some time to reflect, I agree that Cullen Intelligence and Securities is the best option for the business name. Please ensure that all letterhead is updated to reflect this most recent change. I would also like to have a working lunch, so please confirm that you will accompany me today at 12:30 PM. There's a Greek Bistro three blocks up. I hope that meets with your approval. I'll buy.

Thanks, and make it a great day!

-Edward Cullen, CEO.

Pies Among Us &Cullen Intelligence and Securities

Office: (555) 595-5329

Cell: (555)977-8745

Fax: (555) 595-5330