Since I got more reviews this go round, I decided to post the next chapter today. Pat yourselves on the back.
I don't own diddly squat, Rated M...
Edward shared my bed again and again clung to me like a scared infant all night. He woke me when he was leaving, dressed in a suit and tie, hair still askew, but stubble gone.
He kept apologizing for waking me, but said he couldn't bear not to talk to me before he left.
"What time do you get off of work?" he asked as I rubbed my eyes.
"Well tonight's different, but I usually get off around twelve or one if I work the night shift."
"And how do you get home?" he asked.
"I usually get a ride."
"Oh? Who from?"
"From Jessica or Laurent, Sometimes Angela."
"But if they aren't available?"
"Um. I walk."
"What?! You walk late at night by yourself." He said this more of a statement than a question."Could you request to work during the day please?" he said quickly. I could tell he was getting wound up about it
I looked at him and frowned.
"Just while I'm here,"he recovered," I want to spend my nights with you and our schedules are currently opposite."
"I'll talk to Laurent and some of the others to see what I can work out, but I can't really promise anything."
"Fine. I have to work until about nine, but I'll call you," he said and kissed me sweetly on the mouth. He pulled at my bracelet and I pulled his sleeve up to see if he was wearing his. He was.
"Bye, lover," he said and walked out the door.
My loft was eerily silent after he closed the door behind him. I shot up out of the bed right away and sat at my small desk in the corner of the room. I turned my laptop on and bounced in my chair until the thing started up.
My curiosity was getting the better of me and I had to know. I quickly typed Edward Cullen Hawaii into the Google search bar. Over 2,000,000 results. I clicked the first link.
Millionaire and real estate heir, Edward Cullen, and family were spotted in Hawaii this past week. Cullen, 28, was spotted getting very cozy with a mystery brunette while on his stay. It was said that she was friendly with the rest of the family as well. New girlfriend, or just a "friend"? His people had no comment when asked about the situation.
No pictures as Edward promised. I clicked the second link.
Looks like New York real-estate heir and "former" lothario, Edward Cullen, is up to his old ways again. Rumor has it that he was seen with a beautiful brunette while vacationing in Hawaii. Sources say she wants him to commit, but he hasn't wanted anything serious since he was left at the altar by head Manhattan socialite Tanya Denali. The brunette's identity remains a secret, but sources reveal she is possibly a print model and New York native. Who is this mystery girl? What are your thoughts? Comment below.
A print model and New York native? They just made that entire blurb up. I couldn't read anymore about myself, a.k.a, the mystery brunette.
Despite myself, I clicked on images and searched Edward Cullen. The first few were of him looking beautiful as ever, at an opening of some kind with Carlisle and Emmett.
The ones that followed were less beautiful candids. Edward with a girl coming out of a bar in New York. Edward with a different girl, his arm wrapped around her, looking drunk as hell stumbling to a cab.
The next picture was most interesting. I clicked on it and it took me to a link. He was dressed in a suit and tie, of course. Walking hand in hand, crossing the street with a very classy looking tall blonde woman. She was smiling and wearing large sunglasses and a scarf.
February archives:
Real estate heir Edward Cullen, 27, and New York socialite Tanya Denali, 25, were spotted out and about in Manhattan on Tuesday. Cullen and Denali are to be wed sometime next month.
I added Tanya Denali to the image search. I had to do it.
Front row at the Carolina Herrera show during fashion week.
With fiancée, real estate heir, Edward Cullen.
With longtime boyfriend Edward Cullen at a charity function in New York.
Tanya was really…expensive looking. From what I saw, she was my polar opposite. Strawberry blonde hair. Blue eyes. Six feet tall. Socialite. Rich. I was none of these things. How the hell would I ever fit?
With sisters Kate and Irina.
Shares a laugh with Alice Cullen and Rosalie Hale-Cullen.
The last one I could stomach was the one that upset me most. It was from this month.
August sightings : Tanya Denali and mystery man canoodling in St. Barths.
How could she? How could she do that to him. I felt sick. And yet, I had to admit she was exactly the kind of person who he was supposed to be with. Not someone like me, Bella Swan, bartender, a la Forks, Washington.
I closed the laptop. I had no idea the scope of his popularity with the press until I did the search. I now understood completely why our so-called relationship had to be kept under wraps.
Hours later I met Jessica in the employee area near the kitchen.
"Hey, Bella, You ready for tonight?" she asked and smiled.
"I guess. I've never worked a function before."
"It's just the same except there's food and stuff. We'll be behind the bar there. Oh, wait our uniforms have an addition." She handed me a black tie. "And we have to pin our hair up in an "elegant chignon" as Eric put it. Blech."
Eric Yorkie was the new restaurant manager. By the looks of it he was beginning to get involved in an inter-office relationship with Laurent, which was just as forbidden as the staff getting it on with the guests. But my lips were sealed.
I walked some ice into the banquet hall that had floor to ceiling windows, looking out onto the water. It was gorgeous. There were crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, and the tables were set with centerpieces made of hydrangeas and peonies. The wait staff was setting up the chafing dishes, and Jessica and I made sure the small bar was all set up.
"Ladies, are we ready for tonight?" Eric asked as he walked up to us.
"Yep. How long does something like this go on for?" I asked.
"A few hours. You'll both be free to go when the bar is broken down. I trust you will both be on your best behavior this evening," he said walked away to yell at a member of the wait staff who dropped a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
At around sunset, when the candles were lit, bar set up, and wait staff poised with their trays, people started pouring into the room. A few older men and younger ladies walked over to us and ordered drinks. Of course they wanted the most expensive, most complicated things, and didn't tip.
"Shit, I forgot this," Jessica said and pulled out what looked to be an oversized snifter, and set it on the edge of the bar. Ah. Tip jar. I took a couple of ones out of my pocket and placed them in the cup just so everyone knew.
"Is this an open bar?" I asked Jessica.
"Yeah, I thought you knew that."
"Well how the hell are we going to make any money?"
"We're getting paid two hundred bucks plus tips. I didn't tell you? They usually only let me and Lauren work these things since we've been here the longest, but I guess it pays to be pretty, Bella."
"Shut up," I said and nudged her, "and who's Lauren? I haven't worked with her yet."
"She's day bar, usually."
"About that. How hard do you think it would be to get some day shifts?"
"What? Why? Night time is the right time. Plus day shift is longer hours."
"Well, just for a bit."
"Um, you could ask her if she'd switch with you, but I'm not sure you're her fave person right now."
"What?"
"I know it's not your fault that you got hired. But the only reason we needed someone is because she was put on probation. She was caught fraternizing with guests if you know what I mean. I don't even know if she's allowed to work nights. But maybe Eric will let her since he wasn't here at the time."
"Hopefully."
"Why the sudden change in schedule?"
I thought about this for a second. "I have family coming into town. A…cousin."
"I'm sure Eric will give you time off on the weekend. Oh, and you could always wait tables during the day."
"Well, maybe I'll do that. I'll talk to Eric after our shift."
"Hi there," I heard a familiar voice say as I wiped the granite bar.
I looked up to see James propped up on his elbows, with a smile on his face.
"Hey. What are you doing here?"
"Just some schmoozing...So, what did you do this weekend?"
I stayed in bed with Edward Cullen and let him do naughty things to me.
"I didn't do a thing. You?"
"I worked. Nothing exciting." Uh huh. Looks like we both have something to hide. "I'm glad you're here, though. And you're in such a good mood I'm guessing you haven't seen the bane of your existence yet," he said and winked.
"What do you mean? Who would be the bane of my existence?" I asked and smiled. I poured James his usual and placed it on a napkin and slid it to him.
"Why Mr. Dickward Cullen, of course. Remember? The guy you insulted from here to China? He finally turned up today."
Fuck. Of all the hotels in Seattle. Of course. Of course this would happen to me. That's just how my luck is.
The smile abruptly fell from my face and I could feel the heat creep up to my cheeks.
"Geez, Bella, you don't have to look so disappointed."
"Oh I'm not. It doesn't matter," I said dismissively.
I was trying to train my eyes to stay on the little specks on the bar, because if I looked around the room, I would see him. If he was here, that meant Carlisle was here and maybe other members of the family. I tried not to panic.
"So, what's this function for anyway?" I asked wanting to press James for information. And he was always so giving…
"Oh they're just having a get together for all the new contractors, architects and designers in the area that they've hired on for their new project. They're restoring some old high rise and turning it into office and condo space."
"How'd you get invited?" I asked and poured a glass of wine for an older lady who was now standing next to James.
"Oh, uh...I'm kind of crashing. Vicky's still in town and she asked me to come…"
"Oh."
"Yeah, but it's not like that.." he said quickly. Like I care, Riley.
I heard a giggle beside me and a familiar roar of laughter. I looked over and saw Jessica talking to a very large Emmett Cullen who was drinking a beer. Shit. Are they all here? My question was answered instantaneously when Rosalie walked up behind him and smacked him in the back of the head. She still looked beautiful and mean as ever. I may as well get this over with.
"Miss, excuse me, can I get you a drink?" I asked and smiled. James looked over at her and back at me, "That's Rosalie Hale-Cullen," he said quickly.
Emmett looked at me and his eyes widened.
Rosalie looked at me and abruptly stopped yelling at Emmett. I thought her jaw was going to drop but she composed herself quickly.
"Um, yes…please. I'll have a lemon drop martini with Grey Goose. Uh, please."
"Absolutely. Just a moment," I said and made her drink. When no one was looking, I grabbed a pen and scrawled ' FYI, I know everything' quickly on the beverage napkin and wrapped it around the drink.
I slid it to her and smiled, "There you are. Have a lovely evening," I said and widened my eyes and looked over at James who was talking to a young woman in a suit.
Rosalie nodded. They knew the drill. We didn't know each other. She reached into Emmett's coat pocket and took out his wallet. She dropped a twenty in the big snifter.
"Emmett, honey, why don't we go talk to Alice for a moment?"
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea," he said and pulled her by the arm. As they were walking away, Rosalie looked over her shoulder and shot me a big smile and a small wave. Alice was here. I didn't know whether to be excited or pissed.
"Whoa, she's in a great mood. I've never heard that woman say please," James said and shook the ice around in his empty glass, the signal for more liquor.
I looked at Jessica who was putting lemon twists in two drinks...for a really large man that I recognized from the club. He looked over a saw me, gave me polite smile and took the drinks away. I allowed my eyes to follow where he went. He brought the drinks to Carlisle and Esme Cullen who looked as impeccable as I remembered. He did some sort of strange little bow and scooted off to the side. Shit, I hope he doesn't know who I am.
I glanced around the room some more, but saw no sign of Edward. I spied Rosalie and Emmett at a round table talking with Alice and Jasper. Alice was clutching her hand to her chest and was speaking with Rose closely.
The bar was getting very busy at this point and I had to snap out of it to do my job. A line had formed and people were starting to crowd around the bar. James finally moved off to the side and got on his phone. After pouring three glasses of wine, to my surprise, a familiar woman with short, black spiky hair stepped up to the bar.
"Hello," I said and smiled.
"Oh. Hello. I love your hair," she said and giggled. "Could you do me a favor and hold onto this for me?" she asked and held out a piece of folded paper. I nodded.
"What can I get for you tonight?"
"I'll have a shot of tequila."
"Are you sure?" I chuckled.
"Only if you'll do one with me."
"Al- I mean…I'm not supposed to."
"Come on. Have a little fun," she said and leaned in closer.
"Um, maybe later. Would you still like tequila?"
"I don't do shots alone. I may get crazy and dance on the bar. So I'll have a Cosmo. Thanks."
I smiled and made her drink quickly and set it down in front of her.
"Here you go."
"Thanks, Be-…um, anyway, I'll be back again soon," she said and winked. I put the piece of paper under the bar and served the remaining customers who were left in the line. Still no Edward. Relief washed over me for just a moment. When everyone started to take their seats for dinner, I pulled out the piece of paper.
Hey. I wish it didn't have to be like this! This totally sucks. We have to get together so we can talk. I still have your number, I'll call you when I'm finished up here.
A
I folded the paper again and threw it in the trash. I looked around the room. Everyone was in business attire, some women in cocktail dresses and expensive jewelry. Everyone was in groups, talking and laughing with each other. I looked again over to where Carlisle and Esme were standing, and I swore Esme looked right at me over the top of her drink and then back to the person who was speaking with her. This was a recipe for disaster. This pure coincidence could be misconstrued.
"Edward! Hello," James called out. Oh no! I wanted to crawl inside a hole and die. I thought about just hopping over the bar and running screaming into the night. But alas, I just stood there, looking at the back of my beautiful bronze haired boy's head.
"James! It seems every time I see you you're standing at a bar," he said. I snorted.
"You as well!" James said a bit sarcastically.
"What would you like to drink?" Edward asked someone I couldn't see that were standing behind James. He shook his head and turned all the way back around so he came face to face with me.
"Um, can we get-"
Our eyes locked and he abruptly stopped talking. He looked into my eyes for a bit too long like a deer in headlights, and I raised my eyebrows and waited for him to compose himself. He wasn't doing a very good job.
"Hello Mr. Cullen, good to see you again." I said and smiled.
"Uh, you as well, Bella."
He shook his head back and forth, trying to shake away the distraction. "Uh…sorry…what did you say you say the two of you wanted again?" he asked and turned to a large man behind him.
"I'll order. She's complicated."
I recognized the voice instantly. He came up to the bar and pulled his guest along side him who giggled. He was looking down at her and smiling. He looked up at me and we both froze as our eyes met.
"Bella?"
"Bella? What the hell, what do you mean-?"
"Oh, shit," she whispered as her gaze met mine.
"Jake, Leah. What a pleasure," I said sarcastically. My eyes narrowed at her.
Her eyes grew wide at first, then she excused herself. Jake cleared his throat and looked into my eyes and back down again. Edward looked back and forth from him to me, and took James's drink and slammed it.
James looked at him in surprise.
"Sorry, James, I just really needed a drink. You don't mind, right?" he said and patted James playfully on the back.
"Oh, uh, no."
"James, why don't you go to the table. Victoria told me to come fetch you," he said.
James looked at me, then looked at Edward and Jake quizzically, "Alright…"
"…Bella can you fill me up before I go?" I didn't say anything and took the bottle of Crown Royal and filled his glass up. He walked away and kept stealing glances over his shoulder at us. You could feel the tension in the air, and I'm sure James just felt it. I absentmindedly tapped my fingers on the bar and looked from Edward to Jake.
My past and my present.
Next chap up soon...I'm about half way done. You guys know what to do. Review!