Chapter two –

'I still can't believe it Bells. My sister, working for the Edward Cullen. It's fantastic.' Emmett boomed, bringing a bottle of bud to his lips and taking a huge swig.

'I wouldn't say it's fantastic until you've met him.' I chuckled, snatching his bottle from him and taking a sip myself.

Emmet by bear of a big brother was the first person I had called to tell him about my news. He had always supported me in my career choice, knowing that it was without a doubt the only thing I was determined to do with my life. Marriage and babies could wait; I wanted to be a journalist more than anything. When I told my parents that I was planning on going into journalism, neither of them were happy, mainly because they knew I wouldn't be content to just stay in forks and work there, they knew I had big aspirations. Although I loved them, they were selfish enough to try and hold me back, just so they wouldn't be alone.

'Why say that? He's a legend. Do you have any idea how much the guy is worth?' I shook my head. To be honest Edward Cullen could be worth billions and I still wouldn't care. No amount of worth would change the fact the he was a class A jackass with too much self-importance. 'Fifty million!' Emmett boomed excitedly, slamming his fists down on my fragile kitchen table. If he did that again, I had a horrible feeling that the legs would give out. I would say that he was stronger than he looked, but with his size, both height and mass, that just wasn't the case. 'Cullen is worth fifty million and he isn't even twenty six. The guy is insane.'

I chuckled and shook my head. It was animated watching Emmett get so excited about the prospect of me working with an actor. Although the thought didn't impress me or faze me one little bit, with Em he was completely in awe. I chuckled. 'Emmett, if I ever let you meet him, you better be over your little guy crush, because to be honest your attitude towards him is slightly embarrassing. If I didn't know you were engaged to a woman, I would seriously question your sexuality.' Well, okay, that was a lie. There was no way anyone could question Emmett's sexuality. With his tangled mass of matted, curly black hair and square stubble covered jaw, he screamed heterosexual. 'Anyway, before I told you about the job, you didn't give a shit about Edward Cullen, so how the fuck do you know how much he is worth?'

Emmett shifted his gaze to the floor and mumbled quietly in his deep voice. 'I googled him.'

My eyes widened with amusement, the though of my brother on a computer, alone, was enough to shock me, but the fact that he had looked someone up, ignoring his distaste for the internet and computer technology, was even funnier. 'You didn't!' I giggled, laughing harder when I saw his begrudged expression. 'Why on earth would you Google him?'

Emmett scowled at me and removed himself from the table so he could help himself to another one of my beers. 'Because I wanted to know a bit about the guy my baby sister is going to be spending most of her time with. If you're hanging around with him, I want to know that you're safe.' Ah, enter overprotective big brother mode. Throughout my last two years in high school Emmett managed to drive me insane, scaring away any guy who showed even the tiniest interest in me and don't even get me started on what he was like when I was in college.

'Em, seriously, there is no hanging around with him. There is nothing friendly about this arrangement. The only time I will be spending with him is when I need info for the book, so you can relax.'

He smirked at me, pushing his hip into one of the counter tops. 'So you don't even like him a little bit?' His attempt at a goading tone made me want to laugh, but although he was making light of his question, I knew there was complete seriousness behind it.

I removed myself from my chair and wondered over to him, placing my hand on his forearm in reassurance. 'Put it this way, if I had to choose between Cullen, and having a giant IV in my arm for the next six months, I'd go with the IV.'

My comparison between what I would hate more seemed to reassure him slightly. He was blatantly aware of my distaste for needles and knew that I would avoid them at all costs, so me saying I would rather have one stuck in my arm, seemed to ease his worry. And he knew I wasn't lying because I can never now, or even back when we were younger, lie to my brother. He can see right through me and tell immediately if I am not being truthful.

A small smile commandeered his lips as an idea entered his mind. 'You do know Rose is gonna freak.'

I internally cringed at the thought of his fiancé finding out. I knew she would go completely overboard with the whole thing. Especially since I knew for a fact that she was one of Edward's many fans. 'Yeah, I know.' The thought of telling her that I was going to be working with her celebrity crush was very appealing however, just to see how jealous she would be. For once the roles would be reversed. It was usually I, who was in envy of Rosalie. Don't get me wrong, I loved her, she was my best friend and obviously soon to be sister. But for as long as we have been friends, I have always been in her shadow. She has the beauty, the brains and the confidence, and to be honest I only hold one of those qualities, and it isn't the confidence and beauty as those are usually a package deal.

As if Rosalie knew we were talking about her, I heard the front door slam and the quick tap of footsteps as her shoes collided with the linoleum. She flung the kitchen door open and stood there staring at me with an extremely excited expression on her face. 'Oh my god Bella, I can't believe you are working for Edward Cullen, this is huge!' She screeched, throwing her bags on the floor and coming over to me to envelop me in a vice tight hug.

I glared at Emmett over her shoulder, who was now looking sheepish and not meeting my eyes. 'Rosalie how did you-' I was cut off abruptly by her fast paced words, as she gabbled on.

'I had to reread the text Emmett send me, like a million times before I was convinced my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.'

'It's not as-' I started, but again, I was cut off before I could even finish my sentence.

'Oh my god, we're gonna have to get you a new wardrobe for your new job, oh and we'll have to get something sophisticate done with your hair, make you look like the proper career woman. Now that you work for a multimillionaire actor, you need to look presentable. I mean imagine if the paps got a picture of you with him and you were dressed in one of those drab pant suits you wear to the magazine' She shuddered at her idea of a 'hideous' thought.

I took a deep breath as it seemed she might have finished her overexcited rant. 'Rose, I think-' and yet again, she cut me off. Seriously, am I allowed to get a single word in?

'How did you get the job anyway? Did you apply, because if you did, then you should have told us about it, I mean ohmigod! Edward effing Cullen!'

I don't know why I bothered, but I tried to speak again. 'He's not as-'

She released me from her grasp, only to snatch my hand, squeezing it tightly in hers. 'You have to let me meet him.' She begged, her crystal blue eyes shimmering with longing. 'No one at work is going to believe this, I always have to listen to Carmen bragging about how her gay brother is the PA to some hotshot designer in New York. But this.' She gestured to me. 'This is even better.' She took a deep breath and sighed. 'Don't just sit there Bella, say something. I need details. And don't even think about cutting it short-' this time it was her turn to be cut off.

'Jesus Rose, let the poor woman speak. You haven't shut up once since you came through the room.' Emmett laughed, placing his huge hands on his fiancé's shoulders and bringing her back up to standing level, so he could sit her on a chair.

She shut her perfectly sculpted lips. 'Sorry, I'll shut up now.' She pretended to zip them closed.

I nodded and smiled. 'Okay then...'

I told them both absolutely everything. Starting with when he rammed into my car, to after he had stormed out the room in a huff, just before I told Mr Newton that I would accept the job offer. Again, I may have over exaggerated when it came to telling them about his arrogant attitude and speeding, but at the end of the day, it was bad, so I wasn't lying, I was just overstating the truth slightly.

'So he really is an asshole.' Emmett said.

'That's what I've been trying to tell you.' I sighed. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother with all my heart, but he really can be slow sometimes, especially when you don't spell out what you are trying to get through to him. Normally that would drive most women insane, but luckily Rosalie was a kindergarten teacher, so she was used to less academic conversations.

'Yeah, yeah, he has a bad attitude, so what? He could of been having an off day. But if not, who cares? His hotness makes up for that. What I don't get is how you didn't recognize him immediately once he got out of the car.' She frowned, as if that part of the story was the most preposterous part. Rosalie was my best friend, and she meant a lot to me, but sometime I did think she was a bit fickle and vain.

My voice took on a slight tone of annoyance. 'Well to be honest Rosalie, I was a little preoccupied by the fact that his dumbass driving could have killed me.' Don't worry about the little matter of me being nearly killed Rose, as long as we are nice to Edward Cullen, it doesn't matter.

She sighed. 'Bella, give him a break, nobodies perfect.' Her tone was so dismissive that I actually wanted to scream at her, she hadn't even met Edward, so how could she be so far up his ass already? Taking his side over her supposed best friends?

'Rose you know he cant hear you right? You don't need to be such a kiss ass.' I snapped. Was it too much to ask to have my own best friend on my side?

'She's right babe,' Emmett agreed, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. 'You are being a bit of a kiss ass.'

'No, I'm not.' Rosalie defended calmly. She looked me steadily in the eyes. 'I am just looking at it from both sides.'

'From both sides? I assume you mean him and his enormous ego.' I said, smiling at my little witty comment. 'Because that is the only way you can come to the conclusion you have come to.'

Rose scowled at me, knocking Emmett's arms off of her and getting up from her chair so she could look down at me. Making me feel inferior to her on more than the normal levels now. Rose was singlehandedly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. With her long, shapely legs, wavy waist length platinum blonde hair and curvy shape, she could easily pass for a model. So whenever in her presence, even though I know it sounded petty, I couldn't help but feel jealous and insignificant. 'You've only just met him Bella, so why are you being such a bitch about him? Judge people much?' She shot at me.

'Okay, okay, okay.' Emmett called, standing in between the two of us, being the gigantic peace maker as always. 'Let's change the subject shall we? Now, my little sister has just landed herself a great, well paid project and I for one think that calls for a celebration, meaning it's time for the three of us to go out for drinks, my treat.'

I smiled at Emmett, he always knew how to defuse a situation, and today had been no exception. 'Sounds good.' I admitted as Rose nodded her head in agreement.

'Good. Now Rose and I will go home and change, then we'll swing by and pick you up in an hour.' Emmett told me, placing a brotherly kiss on my forehead and wondering out of my apartment.

Rose lingered back for a second and smiled at me gingerly. She knew all was forgiven. It always was with the two of us. The strange thing with me and Rose being friends was that we were complete opposites. We had nothing in common, and we never ever saw eye to eye. But there was always a mutual understanding between the two of us that if anyone messed with us, they would die, and if we needed each other, we were there. And to be honest it worked. I knew I could trust Rosalie with my worries, even if I couldn't trust her to side with me, when I needed someone on my side.

'Quits?' She asked.

'Quits.' I confirmed giving her a quick hug. 'Now get your ass out of my apartment and hurry up and get ready.'

Once Emmett and Rosalie had left, I went into my office and fetched my laptop out of the top draw on my desk. Before I started getting ready I thought I may as well see what was going on in the world of FaceBook. Not many people were online, most people were having dinner, or settling in for a night in front of the TV. I stared at the empty box at the top of the page. What's on your mind? Ghosting my fingers across the keyboard before I typed, I thought of what I wanted to say. So much had happened to me today, how could I sum it up in one sentence? Smiling to myself, I realised what I wanted to write. 'Bella Swan thinks she has finally reached a turning point.' I typed swiftly, then clicked send.

Just as I was about to log off and shut down my computer, the number one appeared above my friend icon, signalling that I had a new friend request. It was probably going to be someone I didn't know, that was usually the case, turns out when you're a reporter loads of people want to add you as a friend hoping you will publish their 'interesting' story.

Once I clicked on the icon though, I was shocked to see that it was in fact Edward Cullen who had sent me the request. Well, I wonder why he wanted me as friend? It hadn't even crossed my mind to add him. Although I wouldn't class him as a friend, I accepted his request and then moved my mouse over to log off. Just as I was about to log off, instant messenger kicked in, a box appearing with 'Edward Cullen' flashing in white and blue. Ha, this was bound to be good.

You start tomorrow at nine. Got it? I could imagine him scowling at his computer as he said this, his perfectly smooth forehead creasing in annoyance at the prospect of having to put up with me for the next six months or so.

I smirked at my laptop screen. No sorry. I cant quite seem to crack your complex code. When do you want me to start. If he was going to treat me like a child, then I might as well take the opportunity to act like one. Anyway it was fun winding him up, he was so easily pissed off.

Don't get smart with me. I'm your boss now sweetheart.

That made me laugh. A boss was some organised in control person, who wasn't too stressed out by anything and had everything in hand, and Mr Edward Cullen held none of those redeeming qualities. And anyway, wasn't my boss supposedly the person who was paying me?

Are you the one signing my pay checks?

His response was automatic. No.

I shook my head. He wasn't the brightest spark. I could imagine actually having this debate with him in person, I think this guy just likes confrontation. Then you aren't my boss. You just have influence. I replied reasonably. It was true, Edward might have a big say in me writing this book, but he definitely was not my boss.

It took a while for him to reply, he was probably having a hard time thinking of a response to my truthful statement. Influence that could get you sacked.

It was that moment that I realised that whenever Edward and I got into an argument or disagreement, he was going to throw that 'I have influence' bullshit at me, claiming to get me sacked and that just wasn't the way I worked, if he was going to constantly throw threats at me, I was going to make life miserable for the both of us. The best thing I could do, without backing down, was try to be reasonable.

Let's cut the bullshit shall we? I don't like you and you don't like me, but this arrangement works, and you know as well as I do, working together we could make this book huge. This job has promise to boost my own career and you'll be basically guaranteed a bestseller. So I suggest we put the animosity aside, suck it up and like the grown ups we are, work together.

There it was, he either accepted or he didn't. But we needed to get things as cleared up as possible otherwise the next six months were going to be unbearable for both of us.

Fine. But I want you round mine for work by nine. Typical type of answer. I had called the shots with my peacemaking and his emasculated feelings were shining through his words. I was the one in control a second ago and that scared the shit out of him, so now by demanding me be round his at a certain time he was snatching the control back.

I don't know where you live. I replied honestly. For once this wasn't me being awkward, I genuinely didn't have a clue where he lived.

I'll come get you. Be ready by eight thirty.

And he knew how I lived how...? You don't know where I live.

It took a while for him to respond, I was guessing that he wasn't a typer, or a fast one anyway, eventually though the message came through.

Please Bella, when you're me you have contacts that sort that trivial shit out.

Then a second later it appeared Edward is offline.

Wow, he really was sociable. It was going to be great fun getting to know him, I though sarcastically. And with that, I managed to log off and shut down my computer without any more interruptions.

Getting ready to go out was easy. I already knew what I was going to wear, because knowing Emmett we were only going to the local club. He didn't really do fancy dinners or anything. But that was okay, the fact that he was making an effort to treat me to a night out was enough for me. I mean, considering Emmett wasn't exactly what you call wealthy, it was nice of him to offer to spend some of his hard earned cash on me.

Once I was finished getting ready, I sprayed myself with my favourite perfume, Jennifer Lopez's Live. I always thought a small amount of scent finished off an outfit, because it not only gave someone something to look at, but something to smell as well, letting their other senses join in. My outfit consisted of a short strappy black dress, clingy and figure hugging and black stilettos with a pink plastic square on the ankles. My outfit was simple, but flattering, I was all about simplicity. My hair had decided to be uncooperative today, so I straightened it till there was not a kink in sight and pinned back the front layers. Now I was ready, all I needed was to actually go out.

Sitting at a round table in the corner of Alexis, the newly opened night club style bar, Emmett raised his glass and toasted to me, encouraging the rest of the table to join in. 'I would just like to say, congratulations little sis! And good luck!' He cheered. The table chorused a repeat of his words and clanked glasses, as traditionally done when a toast is made.

'Thanks.' I chuckled, taking a sip of my vodka and coke. 'I think I'm going to need all the luck I can get.'

Rosalie shook her head at me. 'No, you'll be fine, just keep your head down and work your ass off, remind them why they hired you.' A new song started to play and Rosalie – completely aborting the conversation – grabbed Emmett's hand. 'Oh I love this song. Come on Emmett, dance with me.' And with that, my brother was dragged off to the dance floor by his soon to be wife, leaving me with Sam and Emily, Emmett's friend/work colleague and his girlfriend.

I didn't really know Sam and Emily very well. I knew that Sam had offered Emmett a share in the business at the garage and I also knew that Sam had taken a shine to Emmett, when he first moved from Forks to Seattle. As far as I could tell they were a nice enough couple. Just by looking at them, you could tell that they were madly in love. They were the sort of people you could see old and gray, sitting on a porch swing, grey haired, watching their grandchildren playing.

'So, have those two set a date yet? Emily asked, taking a sip of her white wine.

It was a shame with Emily. She was a very pretty woman. Her olive complexion and dainty features made heads turn when she walked by, but when she was younger, she was caught in a house fire and one half of her face is now permanently scarred, marred with angry red marks.

I shook my head and smiled at her. 'No. They plan on waiting a year before making the wedding arrangements; you know spend some time enjoying being engaged. But how long Rosalie will stick to that idea I don't know.' I chuckled.

Sam and Emily laughed too, knowing too well what Rosalie was like and how when she wanted something, she could get Emmett wrapped around her little finger.

'She is one of a kind, that girl.' Sam smirked.

'You can say that again Sam.' All three of us sat in silence for a second, thinking what to talk about next. That was the only thing with Sam and Emily. Whenever I was with them and a silence fell, I always felt the need to fill it. 'If you'll excuse me.' I said standing and smoothing the crinkles that had formed on the skirt of my dress. 'I'm just going to pop to the ladies.'

They waved me off and I pushed my way through the endless wall of human flesh, fighting my way to the ladies room. Just as I saw a break in the crowd, I darted forward, but it seems someone else had that idea and we both collided.

Strong arms snaked out and secured themselves on my shoulders, preventing me from hitting the floor. 'Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there.' A husky voice that sounded strangely familiar said, turning me around to face him.

'No, I'm sorry, that was completely-' I paused a second, the guy's voice running round my head. I knew that voice, I knew that voice well. I took a deep breath, willing the person not to be who I thought it was. 'Jake?' I asked hesitantly.

He started slightly at hearing me say his name, then his gaze zeroed in on my face and realisation flooded his features. 'Bella?' He sighed, kindness filling his gaze.

My heart immediately sank and all my old wounds reopened. Jake was basically the love of my life. Back until a few months ago, he had been the most important person in the world to me, the one person who I planned to spend the rest of my life with.

'Yeah, uh hiya.' I said, raising my hand and waving slightly. The stupidest thing I have ever done in his presence. I must have looked like a right idiot stood there waving at him when he was not even a foot away from me.

His stare shifted away from mine and his eyes awkwardly danced around, looking anywhere but directly at me. It was like I was the sun, ready to blind him if he made eye contact. 'Hey, I'm really sorry for bumping into you like that.'

I shook my head and chuckled. 'No, it was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going. You know what I'm like.' You know everything about me from what I like on my toast in the morning to how I have organized my underwear draw.

His soft laugh filled the gap between us, making me remember how I used to live to hear that quiet chuckle. 'Yes that I do.' There was a minute or so silence. Creating awkwardness on both sides. Jake shifted his weight between his feet. 'So you look good, are you good?'

I so badly wanted to say no, I wasn't good. I wouldn't be good until I had him back. But I couldn't bring myself to do that. After all, that would be selfish of me and I loved him too much to hold him back from what he wanted. At the end of the day, nothing had changed, I still didn't want to get married yet and have kids, and he did. He was at a place where I had yet to reach and it was cruel to make him wait just because I couldn't see my life happening without him. 'Um... yes, I'm good.' I lied, hoping my voice didn't sound too stiff and unrealistic. 'How about you?'

After a lot of time spent looking anywhere and everywhere but at me, Jake finally made eye contact. 'I'm great. Business is still thriving, but I'm sure Emmett fills you in on all that.' Jake worked with Emmett and Sam. Actually it was Emmett who introduced us, it was also Emmett who had to pick up the pieces of our shattered relationship, and from what Emmett said, he didn't just have to be there for me, Jake needed him there as well. 'How's work?'

Okay, this was starting to sound like twenty questions. Because we really didn't know what to say each other we had resorted to asking meaningless questions that neither of us really wanted to know the answer to, the only question either of us wanted answered was how the other one was coping without us, and if we were seeing someone else. 'Work is good.' Bella seriously, what is it with overusing the word good, do you have no other words in your vocabulary? 'Great actually. I've just been offered a new job. Yeah, I'm going to work with an actor and write him an autobiography.'

Jake's eyebrows rose and a smile spread across his beautiful face. I thought it was amazing how when he smiled his whole face lit up, his rustic skin glowing and his dark eyes shimmered. Seeing him happy really was one of my all time favourite things. 'Really, that is fantastic. Anyone I've heard of?'

'Uh... Edward Cullen?'

His mouth dropped and a look of disbelief clouded his expression. 'Wow, well that's... wow.'

I chuckled lightly; he wouldn't think it was so 'wow' if he had ever met the guy. 'Yeah, I know.'

'There you are, I wondered where you had gotten to.' A soft melodic voice said from behind Jake.

Jake stepped aside and looked at me sheepishly. As he moved I saw the woman who the voice belonged to. She was fairly tall, long thin legs and soft curves. Her skin was like porcelain, reminding me of my own. She had shoulder length bronze ringlets, falling at the side of her face and she had light muddy brown eyes. She was 'wow' as Jake would put it. The woman stood next to Jake would give even Rosalie a run for her money.

'Yeah.' Jake smiled uncomfortably. 'I'm here.' Jake turned to me and gestured with his left hand to the woman with him, while running a hand nervously over his dark hair. 'Bella, I'd like you to meet Nessie... my date.'

My breathing stopped and I felt the colour drain from my face. His date, he was seeing other people. It shouldn't come as a shock to me as we had been broken up for the last three months, but I suppose part of me thought that Jake and I would always end up back together. Well, I guess that dream is completely tarnished now.

'It's er... nice to meet you Nessie.' I said shaking her hand.

'Bella right?' She asked hesitantly.

I smiled brightly but falsely, not wanting to show how much I wanted to go home and cry. Getting over Jake was one of the hardest things I had ever had to do, and truth be told, I still wasn't completely over him, and seeing him with someone else was like pouring salt into my wounds. 'Yep, that's me.'

She wrapped an arm around Jake and squeezed. I immediately wanted to snap that arm off and shove it somewhere unpleasant. 'So how do you and my Jakey know each other?'

Her Jakey? Her Jakey? That used to be my Jakey. My wonderful, perfect, loving boyfriend. And I had willingly given him up in favour of my career. What was wrong with me?

Jake ran a hand through his hair and sighed. 'Bella and I-'

'Are just old friends.' I interrupted. There was no point making the situation even more uncomfortable by going into our old relationship and break up and shit. I think we had all taken as much uncomfortable happenings as we could for one night. 'Um look, I've gotta go, big day tomorrow and everything.' I took a step away from the couple. 'So yeah, I guess I'll see you around.'

Jake nodded, understanding why I was suddenly making my exit. 'It was nice seeing you Bella.'

I continued to walk backwards. 'Yeah er.. You too Jake. Nice meeting you Nessa.'

'It's Nessie.' She corrected, slight annoyance colouring her tone.

'Sorry. Nessie.'

And then I disappeared. I ran away from my past, wanting nothing more than to embrace my future.