A/N – No, I don't own Twilight or any of the Characters, but I would like to. Wouldn't everyone?
"Alice, is Mr. Cullen is in his office?!" I shouted at my secretary through the phone. I really shouldn't take this out on Alice, I mean she has been the best secretary and friend I've made here. Cullen Industries is not exactly known for making long, meaningful friendships.
"He's stepped out for a meeting in the boardroom," she replied softly, obviously nervous about my mood swings lately. "He's expected back in about twenty minutes."
Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes to prepare myself. I really need to toughen up and try to keep the flush out of my cheeks. My eyes have the tendency to tear up with any sort of strong emotion, anger included. It was a curse I've had to live with my entire life. I'd be damned if I would cry during my tyrant.
What really shocked me was I've spoken with Edward about the promotion, and he seemed genuinely sincere when he said that I was a strong candidate. What happened? I knew I was more than qualified to handle the larger accounts, and I have tripled our personal parties in the last nine months. I was determined to find out why he chose to give the opportunity to Victoria, bitch on wheels.
The pit in my stomach tried to tell me what my mind was trying to push away. Victoria was well, Victoria. Tall, body to die for, long red hair and a shameless flirt. Especially with Edward. I tried to rationalize with myself that Edward wouldn't just choose Victoria based on that, after all he was a successful business man. He built this entire company on his own, he wouldn't just be promoting someone based on his personal needs. Although now, Victoria will be working side by side with Edward on a daily basis.
I wasn't jealous of that fact, of course not. I was hurt because I was the most qualified and deserved this opportunity! And Edward would damn well know that! If he thought I was content handling the bookings for the personal parties, he was sadly mistaken! I was Isabella Swan and I deserved to be treated with some fucking respect!
Now that I got myself all pumped up, I stomped out of my office, past a bewildered Alice, and swung the doors open to Edward's office. It was still empty. Of course, he's still in the meeting. I glanced at the clock to the right of desk and noted I had about 10 minutes before he was due back. I would wait. I sat down in the plush black leather chair opposite his chair across the desk. He still had his coffee sitting by his laptop. I decided to take a quick look at what he was currently working on. I swung his laptop towards myself and stopped. Victoria Westin was written across the top of the screen, along with a list of her new duties as operations manager. Personal assistant stuck out in my mind. Personal Assistant? So what, she's picking up his dry cleaning? I started to scroll down the screen when someone behind me cleared their throat.
Startled, I jumped and spun the laptop back to its original position, feeling the flush burning in my cheeks. Shit! I quickly stood up ready to explain myself when I found myself standing in front of Victoria herself.
"Hello Isabella," Victoria purred, very amused.
"Good morning Victoria," I stammered. "I was just waiting to speak with Edward."
"Yes, well we just finished in the board room," Victoria replied casually, "and Edward and I have to go over a few things before our lunch date. I highly doubt he'll have time today. Sorry." Bitch didn't look sorry, but I could change that.
"Ms. Swan," Edward greeted as he walked into his office, "for what do I owe the pleasure?" He walked around his desk and took a seat in his executive chair stretching his muscular arms behind his tousled bronze hair. As if he didn't know why I was here.
"I'd like to talk to you," I replied as coolly as I could muster, "alone."
"Um, Victoria, would you mind waiting a few minutes in your office?" Edward asked with a wink. A wink? A fucking wink? Maybe I gave Edward too much credit before.
"Not a problem, Eddie." Victoria breathed as she glided out of his office.
"What can I do for you Isabella?" Edward said nonchalantly as he started shuffling through papers on his desk.
"I'm sure you have an idea." I replied, feeling my face starting to flush again. God, why do I always get like this in front of him. I'm a fucking coward.
"Ah, yes. The announcement this morning about Victoria," he said as he looked at me with his piercing green eyes, "I meant to talk to you about that before they sent the memo out. Sorry about that." He sounded sincere. No Bella, don't fall for his velvet voice and unbelievable face. You came here to raise some hell.
I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the consequences of what I was about to say "Sorry doesn't cut it Mr. Cullen! You know damn well that I deserved this! I was born to run the large accounts! You said so yourself! If you think that I'm going to stand around here for the next ten years of my life, wasting away my talents, then you are sadly mistaken! To think you only promoted Victoria because of your male urges and sexual frustration! I had a lot more respect for you! Until today! I can't work for a company that…."
"Isabella! Stop!" Edward yelled over me, cutting me off mid-sentence. "You think I only promoted Victoria for what? My male urges? Are you being serious?" He chuckled softly to himself with a small smile on his beautiful face, getting back to his paper shuffling. "I'm going to forget about this whole conversation. Go back to your office and when you're ready to talk rationally, have Alice contact me to set up an appointment."
I could feel my cheeks burning and then the water works were threatening. Edward just dismissed me! Don't cry in front of him, I begged myself. He was so frustrating! Here I am trying to stand up for myself and be assertive and he's laughing. I feel like crawling under my chair. So much for my pep talk beforehand.
I looked up to the ceiling, to avoid the spillage of tears now fully formed in my eyes. I took a deep breath and stared at Edward square in the eyes. "I will not be treated like this Edward Cullen. I deserve better and you know it! You can take this job and shove it! I'm out!" Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said 'I'm out', mental note to cut back on the American Idol. Oh well, at least now Edward knows he can't push me around.
I spun to stomp out of the room, but tripped over my own feet. Classic Bella. I very nearly stumbled face first into the dark beige carpet below, but I caught myself last minute. I struggled to straighten myself out while smoothing my dark grey skirt with my palms. Breathe. Deep Breath. You can still walk out of here with some dignity. I'm sure he hardly noticed. I started to walk forward again, stepping with over precision.
"Bella, don't go. Please." Edward said quietly. Bella, he hasn't called me that since that night. I forced my mind to push that memory away, I would not be able to hold it together for long if I relived the images and feeling of Edwards miracle hands all over my body. The heat of the fireplace, the soft music, the moans, the pleasure…enough Bella!
I stopped at the door unsure what I should do or wanted to do.
Walk away from here? From him?