I had to edit this to the best of my abilities. Some of the stuff in here didn't go with the rest of the story because this was originally the Prologue, but I decided to make it a chapter.

Enjoy! :)

-MW-

Chapter 12

"Apologize - Silverstein"

A FEW DAYS LATER.

Bella POV

"Okay. I'll see you in a few." I said into the phone then snapped it shut. I checked the time to see that it was almost noon.

I sighed and tried to wipe the frustration off of my face. I was sitting in my usual booth at the diner a few blocks away from the company, looking out the window. It was pouring outside and people were running in different directions holding up newspapers and umbrellas to protect their heads from the harsh rain.

I sighed in frustration again, rubbing my temples for the nth time, remembering the events from this morning. My meetings with the board never really took so much out of me but this one in particular, seemed to have completely drained me. I thought I had gotten used to all the business talk even as a child, when my father would take me along with him.

"Dad…" I said, remembering him. He always knew what to say and how to say it. I remembered how He'd always advise me on how to run the company since he retired. He told me that whenever I felt nervous, I should imagine everyone in their underwear. I laughed at his effort to ease my anxiety.

But now, I didn't know what I was going to do. The smart thing in this situation would be to get on a plane, face my new future and never look back. I'd be able to leave everything behind me… right? I felt lost, I thought, bringing my hands together. I needed my dad with me, now especially.

My thoughts were slightly interrupted by a brown cup being placed in front of me.

"Here's your coffee, Bella."

"Thanks, Ang." I said as I tried to give her a smile.

"No problem. Let me know if you need anything else." She smiled sympathetically as she left to continue her shift.

I've been working for my father since my junior year in college. But ever since his death two years ago, a few months after I graduated, his company's been passed down to me, the only living heir to Charles Swan's solid fortune. My father's death was all over the news, and because of that I found it difficult to escape from all the reporters that followed me everywhere.

I'll admit; I wouldn't have been able to run the company properly at that time if I didn't have some help. Okay, a lot of help. I was a mess back then. I had lost my way, which shouldn't have happened because the only thing that was left of my father was put in my hands, and I had so badly wanted to make him proud. I closed my eyes and shook my head, emptying my head of those thoughts.

The diner's door swung open and I heard the sound of heels briskly walking on the tiled surface. The sound echoed throughout the small establishment, probably from the lack of customers. Suddenly I felt the table shake, and I snapped out of my reverie turning my attention to the presence sitting across from me. It was none other than my best friend, Alice Cullen.

Ever since our fathers joined forces, the companies have been doing great business together. Alice wanted nothing to do with it. She explained that she wanted to build a life of her own without having to rely on her family's wealth and connections. She was always into anything fashion-related, so she went to Parson's to study Fashion Design and is now starting her own line.

Alice gave a small sigh, "You're leaving?" I bit my lower lip. It sounded more like a statement rather than a question. I was never as fortunate as Alice to be able to pursue my dreams. Don't get me wrong, I love my dad and I loved working for him as well, but I always did find myself wondering 'What if'.

"Yes." She closed her eyes and nodded her head once.

"When?"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, preparing myself for whatever extreme reaction she'd have for this, much like anything else, really.

"Three days." I whispered. After a few moments of silence from her, I finally opened my eyes to check if she was alright. Instead of bursting into tears or preparing herself to yell at me, her expression was… solemn. Finally, she broke into a smile.

"You do know what this means, right?" she asked, the smile never leaving her face.

I laughed relieved and pushed my bangs out of my face. "Yes, Alice," I rested my hands on my lap. I was really going to miss this bouncing ball of energy, with her spiky black hair and knowing smile.

"Which is why, I've cleared my schedule for the next two days for some bonding time with you, leaving one more day for me to pack." She laughed, and I already began to feel lighter. This was one of the things I loved about her, she never failed to understand. She offered once to come with me, but I immediately refused because I knew she couldn't stand to be away from her beau Jasper for two days, let alone two years.

Her laughter died down and her face changed into a more serious expression. I've seen that look before and I immediately knew what was coming next.

"Have you spoken to him?" I felt only one emotion when she mentioned him. And that very same emotion was what caused me pain in the first place.

"Alice, you know what would happen if—"

"Yes, yes, I know. But, Bella, I've never seen him like this before. The man hasn't stopped working. It's like he's not living anymore, he's just… doing! I don't see any emotion in his eyes and he's been living in that boring office since -- !"

"I know since when!" I raised my voice. I didn't mean to yell but this was still a touchy subject for me. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Bella."

I sighed in frustration. "Al, I really don't know if I'll be able to forgive him for what he did to me..." I sighed and looked at her thoughtfully.

"I fell in love with him."

Her eyes went soft. I knew she already knew this but it was different telling her out loud. "And he fell in love with you."

"Then why did he do what he did?" I whispered. This time, she was the one to sigh in frustration.

"You know, you're a lot like him in the sense that you're both extremely stubborn. Bella, please, he's really sorry."

"I think this will be good for the both of us, Al. This will be."

"The worst mistake ever, if you ask me." I laughed a little. It was silent for a moment after that. I looked out the window again, the rain was beginning die down a little. Suddenly my phone vibrated on the table, I looked at the message.

"I'm sorry, Ali, I have to go." I said getting up.

She sighed and rose as well. "Bella, I will tell you right now that I think this is a big mistake. No, I know it. You two belong together…" She trailed off after seeing the look on my face. I walked out of the diner opening my umbrella and was soon joined by Alice beside me opening her umbrella as well.

"Oh, alright! But we are so hanging out tomorrow. I cannot believe we only have three days until you have to move to Italy!"

"It's only two years. I'll be back before you know it!" I promised, checking my phone for the time again.

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Right, easy for you to say. I'll be here in boring old New York, while you'll be in Italy." She said with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Italy, Bella! Think of the gorgeous guys! The sights! The fashion! The fashion, Bella!" she cried.

"I will make sure to send you something every month, Ali." I said kissing her cheek.

"I'll hold you to that. I'm going left. See you, Bella! Tell Rose I said hi!"

"Will do!" I said turning the other way.

I was on my way back to the company to tie up some loose ends before I finalized my trip to Italy in three days. The walk back wasn't too far, and it gave me enough time alone for my thoughts. I stopped at a newsstand, looking for a Reader's Digest when a headline caught my eye.

SWAN CORP.'S NEW HEAD

"During the Annual Charity Ball hosted by Swan Corp. Rosalie Hale, adopted daughter of CEO Charles Swan, was officially named Swan Corp.'s new head to take charge of the New York branch before Isabella Swan, daughter of former CEO Charles Swan, announced her plans for departure to the Italy branch of the company in such a short time. It was a shock to us all…"

I smiled. Rose was going to do a great job here. I knew I could trust her.

"Nothing new here, Joe?" I asked. Joe was the owner of the newsstand. He was a little round and small man. He had a wife beater under a leather jacket on and was smoking on a cigar. He always knew what I was looking for and always kept one for me in case he ran out of stock.

"Nah. Just some stuff that was released last week. Those suppliers sure make it hard to run a business." He said in his deep voice, letting the smoke out from when he inhaled his cigar.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust, "You know you're sucking on a cancer stick, right?" I've been trying to convince him to quit smoking for two years now. But he always replied with the same thing,

"I'm old, doll, I've lived my life. You, on the other hand, are too young to be running a multi-million dollar company all by yourself." I stuck my tongue out at him in a childish manner, not having a comeback for that. Joe just laughed it off.

Just as I was about to leave, I saw another headline that should have given me more reason to leave in three days. But I wasn't sure what to think. Actually, I wasn't sure if I was thinking at all.

CULLEN HEIR NAMED

Edward Cullen: after all this time, he finally got what he wanted.

"Carlisle Cullen, CEO of Cullen Corp., formally announced his retirement at the Annual Charity Ball, but at the same time gave the position to his son, Edward. His involvement in the company will immediately begin…"

It took me a moment to realize that I was staring at his picture. I couldn't tell you what I was feeling at that very moment or what time of day it was. All I remembered was that night, at the charity…

-FLASHBACK-

We were in the middle of the dance floor, swaying to the music being played. He held my right hand to where his heart was and looked intently into my eyes.

"It's yours, if you want it."I blushed and my heartbeat picked up after hearing those words, and I swore that he could hear it because his mouth broke into that crooked grin I loved so much.

-END FLASHBACK-

I shook my head, clearing it of those memories. I missed him. I miss him. I won't deny that there wasn't anything there because there was. I fell in love, and according to Alice, he loves me too. I laughed at that and thought. Alice really wants me to stay, doesn't she?

I turned to his headshot in the paper one more time, my own way of saying goodbye to him – the messy bronze hair he could never tame, the mouth with those lips that weren't curved up at the ends that should have formed a smile, or a smirk at the very least. I saved his eyes for last knowing that I wouldn't be able to resist once I looked into them, even if it was just a picture. They had the same effect on me, but incomparable to the strength the real ones had. I remember the first time I looked him in the eyes.

-FLASHBACK-

"What do you mean the Seattle branch has no money?!" I yelled into the earpiece. Today was the most important day of the month because today, I had a very important meeting with the CEO of Cullen Corp. Just like my dad had started. Yet here I am, in my father's old office, pacing in front of his desk, trying not to pull my hair out. I bet it looked like a bird's nest right about now.

"No! You better find out what happened over there! Or so help me God I will--!!!" The person on the other end was trying to explain. I really disliked dealing with incompetent people. I thought I'd heard a knock on the door, but maybe that was just my head throbbing from all this stress, so I ignored it.

"Fine! Then get HIM on the phone!" I waited. "NOW!!!" I slammed the earpiece on the wooden desk. I pressed a button on the telephone near the edge of the desk. "Jessica! Tell Seattle to call me when they get everything straightened out!"

"Yes, Ms. Swan!"

"Thank you." I sighed. Today was not my day. I made my way across the room towards the door. I reached for the handle when someone on the other side beat me to it. Now, I don't know about you, but after this incident, I'd personally prefer it if most doors opened outwards instead.

The door swung inwards with such force that it slammed into my forehead and knocked me back. I fell and landed on one side of the couch near it, holding on to the arm to keep myself up.

"Ow!"

"I am so sorry!" a velvety voice said. Holding my forehead, I looked up into the most hypnotizing green eyes I have ever seen. I could not stop staring into those eyes. It's like they held in them all the secrets of the world, and I was just dying to find out. Then I noticed the hair, the cheekbones, the shape of his eyebrows that were bent down with worry – everything about this man was beautiful, even when he was showing negative emotion on his face.

He was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

-END FLASHBACK-

"You finally got it. Congratulations." I said to his picture.

It took a lot, but I finally tore my eyes away, shielding my vision of his perfect face. Then I finally made my way to Swan Corp.

As I was walking towards my destination, I looked at my surroundings. I'd miss this place, mainly for the familiarity. But all the same, I will always hold a special place in my heart for New York. I stopped right outside the entrance, taking everything in one last time. I took a deep breath and made my way up to my office.

I looked around the room, trying to memorize every inch and reminding myself to have my office in Italy look just like this one. Everything in here held a special memory for me: the couch that could never have enough space for Emmett, the massive bookshelf filled with my favorite books and pictures of my friends and family, the few plants that Alice brought in here to lighten up the place, and the door that Edward walked through the first time I saw him –

*Knock knock knock*

My head shot up at once. This cannot be happening.

"Bella?" I tensed, then relaxed as soon as I saw that it was just Rosalie.

"Yeah?"

"It's time." She smiled. I knew how excited she was for this, and I couldn't have picked anyone better to handle this place while I was gone.

I smiled back at her. "Are you ready?" she asked me.

The multiple meanings that that question held for me started swimming around in my head. Was I ready to officially hand Swan Corp., New York over to Rosalie? Was I ready to leave? Was I ready to move on? Was I ready to leave Edward behind? All of these questions, and no answers yet. I wouldn't know when I'd be really sure if I was ready. And then…

"Yeah, I am."

I can do this.

I will do this.

No turning back now.

R&R, please! :)

-MW-