Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All recognizable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The original content including, but not limited to, the ideas, plot line, characterization and intellectual property of this story are owned by OliviaRising. June 2010.
A/N: There are a few sentences in this chapter that mention the word 'God' or 'gods', but they are used as expressions and not for any religious reason. Please do not take offense.
A Beautiful Melody
Chapter Two
I wake up to the noisy traffic of New York City before my alarm even goes off. 6:43... way too early. I try to fall back asleep but the bright sunlight shining through the window hinders me from drifting off. Why didn't I remember to close the curtains before I fell asleep?
With more sleep clearly out of the question, I stumble out of my bed and begin my morning grooming routine. Alice, of course, is already out and about when I enter the kitchen and, God bless her, has a steaming pot of coffee brewing.
"Morning, sunshine!"
I don't even attempt to smile; she is way too chirper for 7:30 in the morning.
My head is still a little fuzzy from last night's wine fest and I practically inhale my coffee in hopes of feeling the energizing effects of the caffeine immediately.
"Why are you up so early?" I ask grouchily. I am not a morning person.
"Early? I've already gone to my morning yoga class, organized my planner for this week, and picked out our outfits for the charity gala. It's practically mid-day for me."
I'm not in the least bit surprised- if anyone can wake up at the crack of dawn with more energy than the entire content of a Red Bull factory, it would be Alice.
"Is that what you're wearing?" She asks as she scrutinizes my work attire.
"Yes...?"
"Isabella Marie Swan! Have you already forgotten our conversation from last night?"
"What are you talking about?" I shift uncomfortably.
"Bella, you are trying to impress your future husband. You can't go to work like that!"
I scoff at her label... Husband... hah! I haven't even been in a long-term relationship before; marriage is no where on the horizon. Besides, I don't think I look too bad. Sure I'm more tired that I usually am when I get dressed, but I am wearing my usual work closes and Alice has never made a comment before.
"What's wrong with the way I look? This is a new skirt," I say defensively.
"Bella, you look fine. But that's just it, you need to look more than fine. You need to look hot... breathtaking... gorgeous!" She exclaims.
"Alice, I'm only going to work, not a red carpet event!"
She ignores me, already pacing in circles around me, assessing me.
"Thank all the deities that you woke up early! It's like the gods knew that I would need more time to work on you!"
I roll my eyes, only Alice could be this dramatic.
"Okay, Bella. We don't have much time, and God knows you need it... no offense."
None taken... jeez.
She drags me into my bedroom and makes a beeline for the closet.
"Where is it, where is it..." She mumbles loudly to herself. "Aha! Here it is, perfect!"
She holds up a black, asymmetrical, one shoulder dress that has a pencil skirt ending just above the knee. It is sophisticated, elegant, and conservative enough for work. (A/N: a link to picture is posted on my profile and I highly recommend you check it out because, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.) As beautiful as it is, the reason I have it stashed away at the back of my closet is because it's extremely curve-hugging and I tend to stay away from clothing that draws too much attention, especially at work.
"I don't know, Alice... I may not even see Edward today. I don't start working with him until Jacob leaves on Friday."
"I know, and that's why I chose this dress, and not one of the sexier ones you have so rudely hidden behind your winter coats."
Busted. It's not my fault... she's the one who forces me to buy them when we go shopping. I've told her countless times that I won't wear them but she insists.
Alice hands me the dress as she riffles through my underwear drawer. I already know that she is picking out overly-lacy or ruffly lingerie that no one will be seeing, but I don't mind. No matter how I look, whether I'm going to the grocery store or going out with friends, I always wear cute underwear. For some reason, lingerie makes me feel confident and beautiful, even if no one is seeing it. I don't feel like I'm on my 'A-game', so to speak, if I am not wearing power panties.
Alice finds what she is looking for and flings a lacy black thong and matching bra at me.
"Anything with more detail will show through the dress, so go and put these and the dress on while I look for shoes. Hurry!"
Sheesh! I quickly begin dressing, or undressing, while Alice practically crawls into my closet for shoes.
Once I manage to slip on the tight dress, I glance at the full length mirror. Whoa! Is that me? The dress fits seamlessly and shows off curves that I didn't even know I have... that I most definitely don't have...
I tear my eyes from the mirror when I hear a squeal behind me.
"It's perfect! You look amazing! I've done it again!" Alice is bouncing with excitement, holding a pair of nude-colored pumps.
I look back at the mirror and have to agree with her. I definitely do not look like plain-jane Bella Swan. The dress is conservative and appropriate, yet has sexy and daring undertones. I feel the power panties kicking in as I slide on the extremely beautiful and expensive pumps.
"Okay, okay! Enough staring! We still have to do your hair and make up."
I am once again dragged into the bathroom and pushed into a chair in front of the vanity. Alice begins with my hair first. She explains that while my mahogany hair looks great down in my natural, shoulder blade-length waves, the sexy secretary look is best completed with an up-do.
Sexy secretary? I am a personal assistant, thank you very much! She ignores my sour face and continues tugging my hair.
In less time than I expected, she finishes my hair. It is styled in a semi-messy chignon that complements yet juxtaposes my sleek dress perfectly.
My make up takes even less time because we both agree that less is more. She gives me soft, smokey eyes and swipes on some lightly tinted lip balm and I am finally ready to leave.
Alice is practically in tears as I leave for work. I vaguely hear her say "they grow up so fast," as I shut the door behind me.
On my way to work, I get a surprising call from the blonde model, Irina, informing me that I have a lunch appointment with Edward at one o'clock. She doesn't even ask me if can make it, she just tells me. I guess she must have called Jacob first and he, so generously, offered up my break without even consulting with me... typical.
As I reach my desk and start organizing Jacob's appointments, the enormity of the lunch sets in. I'm going to have lunch, one-on-one, with Edward Cullen! Will there be other people there? Why didn't I ask for more details? What is the meeting about? What do I need to bring? Oh, shit!
At twelve o'clock, Jacob strolls out of his office and literally does a double-take when he see me standing next to my desk. His eyes widen as they travel from my nude-colored pumps up to my blushing face and back down again in disbelief. My face turns bright red with embarrassment at his blatant assessment.
Jacob clears his throat noisily.
"Mrs. Swan, do you have those reports finished?"
Unfortunately, I have to bend down to retrieve the reports from my bag... directly in front of Jacob. As I slowly bend over, praying that my tight dress doesn't rip from the strain, I hear a sharp intake of breath behind me. I hastily grab the reports, stand back up straight, and turn to face Jacob. He shifts uncomfortably and doesn't make eye contact with me while I hand him the reports.
He clears his throat again.
"Thank you, Mrs. Swan," he mumbles as he quickly strides back into his office, his ears turning pink.
Awkward... I hope I get better, more physical reaction Edward.
I receive an e-mail from Irina stating that a car will be waiting outside of Black Corporations at 12:45 and not to be late. Jeez... it's all business with her. Again, she leaves absolutely no details. Where am I going?
Jacob has not been out of his office since the incident earlier and I suspect that he's avoiding me. He hasn't mentioned anything about my lunch appointment with Edward but surely he knows, right? I don't know if I should say something to him before I leave. It's not my fault he is being immature.
I decide to send Jacob a brief e-mail about my lunch appointment before I leave... it's the professional thing to do. I gather any and all reports that I think I may need and make my way down to the awaiting car. I check my appearance on the reflective, steel elevator doors and try to stifle the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. Will he be in the car waiting for me, or am I meeting him there? Where is there?
A black mercedes is waiting for me at the entrance of Black Corporations, and so is a chauffeur. He politely opens the backseat door for me and I hold my breath in anticipation of what is waiting inside. I sneak a peek before I even sit down and... nothing... nothing is inside except for black leather upholstery. Not a Greek god in sight.
I am ashamed of myself- getting so worked up over a man that barely spares a glance at me. What would Jane Austen say? What about feminine mystique?
Realizing my dignity is at stake, I silently vow to be sophisticated and aloof when it comes to Edward Cullen- let him come to me. No longer will I be the clumsy, stuttering girl from the board meeting. I will be a vixen and have him yearning for me. Okay, maybe I'm going a little overboard- I mean, I can't completely transform in a fifteen minute car ride. I will have to take things one step at a time. First step: do not let Edward Cullen intimidate or dazzle me. That's a good place to start.
The car pulls up to the valet of an upscale sushi restaurant, Raw. A little fancy for a lunch appointment. What do I order? I've never had uncooked fish before...
I shake off the worrying thoughts that belong to the old Bella Swan, and try to muster up all of the poise and elegance I have to create the new Bella Swan.
The chauffeur opens my door before I can reach for it.
"Mr. Cullen is waiting for you inside," he says kindly.
I thank him awkwardly, not used to having people wait on me, and then quickly chastise myself because the new Bella Swan is not awkward or unsure. She is confident and graceful and she will have Edward Cullen eating out of the palm of her hand once this lunch is over... hopefully.
Lots of Edward next chapter!
Read, REVIEW, repeat!
xXx Olivia