Chapter 2 – The First Meeting
Bella's POV
"Holy hell" I gasped in shock. On the threshold stood the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Gorgeous dark blond coppery hair formed a halo around the most strikingly handsome face. Full pink lips and a chiselled chin with a straight nose completed the absolute perfection. Piercing emerald green eyes fringed with long dark lashes stared at me in disbelief. This must be someone else not Cullen. But a surreptitious glance at his hands dashed all my hopes. They were the ones that I dreamed of every night.
"My thoughts exactly, so you're Isabella Swan. I thought you were in your forties at least, considering the way you play." I would recognise that self-assured arrogant voice anywhere…
Who the hell was he to doubt my identity?
"From the way you played, I assumed you had years of practise under your belt. Mr. Banner said you had a business degree and were working, only taking art classes as a hobby." Oh! He had done some digging. I cursed myself for not doing that internet research.
"All that is true and I am Isabella Swan. And I thought you were in your fifties!" I snapped back at him.
"A matter of mistaken assumptions; oh well, let's see if you play as good as you look. Come into the music room." He turned his back and walked away. I shrugged out of my coat which he had not even offered to take and hung it up on the rack near the door and followed him. It was only on the way that I realised that he had paid me a back-handed compliment. So he thought I looked good? I felt a thrill of pleasure run down my body. It's not every day that a man who resembled a Greek God would say I looked good. And, the best part, I was going to see him naked. He was standing next to the piano going through some notes. From the way his shirt sleeves hugged him his body looked well toned. He was also lean and tall. Wow! I'd hit the jackpot. I couldn't wait to see all of him. I was sure he looked even better without his clothes. My drawing was going to be that much more perfect.
"Cat got your tongue Miss Swan? I don't tolerate gawking adolescents. Now play. I'm seriously considering withdrawing my offer." It was then that I realised that I was staring at him from the open doorway of the music room. Shit. I hastily opened my violin case and stood in the middle of the room. I started playing one of his own tunes which I had picked up. He played known pieces and originals. Even though I had not heard some of the pieces he played before I had assumed that I was ignorant, now I realised that they were his own compositions. Every night he would first play the piece for me and then I would accompany him when he repeated it. I had a photographic memory so it was very easy for me to remember the notes.
I raised my eyes to his only when I played the last strands. He stood there gazing at me, his eyes now a darker shade of Jade. I stared back hypnotised by his intense look. It felt like he was invading the deep depths of my soul. However, a sound from the foyer broke the spell.
"Ahh, Jasper good morning. Bring me the contract." I quickly looked away and tried to gather my nerves. What happened just now? Does that mean he liked my playing? I wasn't going to ask. He was rude to me so I decided to remain silent.
"Miss Swan if you would follow me." He walked away towards another room. I followed after placing my violin back in its case. It looked more like a library, but there was a large desk in the middle.
"Take a seat." I was surprised that he finally remembered to be courteous.
"Here's the contract Edward. Are sure about this?" This time a blond god walked into the room. What was this a Greek model house? Why hadn't I seen either of these men before? Ice blue eyes acknowledged my presence.
"Yes. This is Jasper, my manager."
"How do you do Miss Swan?" I shook the offered hand. At least he had enough manners to offer me a small smile and greet me properly, unlike his boss. Jasper handed one copy to me and Cullen took the other.
"So, let me get this clear, you will accompany me to Europe on my tour, perform with me in exchange for me posing as your model?" I nodded my head.
"I would appreciate a verbal yes or no Miss Swan, I hate dealing with mutes." Oh! He was so insulting!
"Yes. You will pose nude for me as my model for my artwork to be displayed at an art exhibition." Jasper gasped.
"Edward, I must advise you..." He barely got the words out before Cullen cut him off.
"Alter the contract to say I will model nude for Miss Swan. And also include that I will be paying all the expenses she might incur on this tour, including everything necessary for concerts, interviews and after parties." He demanded.
"But think of the…"
"Enough. She plays well and I don't want to suffer with another incompetent fool. Trying to train someone this late in the day is next to impossible."
"But Tanya, she was good Edward. Why did you have to fire her just two days before the tour? You had to know the consequences. Aro won't be happy."
"Jasper! I don't give a damn about what Aro thinks. Am I not making myself clear? I am not particularly fond of seeing strip teases during practise sessions. She sat on the Steinway in the studio yesterday displaying her bare assets to me. That was the last straw after I had already warned her off several times. She may be a good musician, but I am not interested in being molested in the name of music."
"Of course. I'm sorry. I didn't know. Alice did mention about you warning her, but I didn't think she would take it that far."
"I didn't either. Now get the contract ready. We leave in two days and I believe Miss Swan will need to do a bit of shopping and prepare for the tour." Jasper left the room presumably to amend the contract.
"What shopping?" I inquired.
"I need you to dress appropriately for the performances. Alice my personal assistant will help you select suitable clothing."
"Wait a minute. I'm not going shopping."
"Yes. You are Miss Swan and I will pay for all the clothes as they will be for the tour."
"I'm busy today. I don't have time for shopping; some people have to work for a living." I don't know where the words were coming from, but I didn't like the way he was dictating to me.
"Well that's unfortunate. Then Alice will have to take your measurements and get everything ready for you." Before I could respond to that Jasper returned with the contract. I took my copy and read through it. It sounded genuine, but there were a lot of privacy clauses. I was surprised at how detailed it was. It was more like a non-disclosure agreement. I carefully read through everything and signed on the dotted line. Cullen handed over the copy he signed for me.
"Why do you have all these non-disclosure privacy clauses?" I had to ask.
"I value my privacy Miss Swan and I expect you to conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times." I nodded and then thought better and was about to give a verbal answer when there was a shrill call from the doorway causing me to cringe
"Edward darling, do you like my new dress? I got this especially for the opening night and I wanted to show you first. Daddy said it looked good." A stunning strawberry blond walked into the room in a red cocktail dress which draped across her perfect figure like a second skin. There was a slit on the side running right up to her hip. She sashayed in and walked right up to Cullen leaning down to kiss his cheek. Was this his wife? I was shocked to realise that I knew nothing about him. What if she didn't like the idea of her husband posing nude for someone else? Oh god!
"Tanya I told you, I am not going to take you on the tour."
"Oh don't be ridiculous Edward! You can't fire me with daddy and Uncle Marcus organising this tour. Besides you will never find a replacement on such short notice." She gave him a cat like grin and draped a red clawed hand over Edward's back which he promptly removed. I hated her on the spot. So this was Tanya. What a surprise, I had assumed that Mr. Arrogant would have liked to have a woman like this draped all over him.
"Tanya, please keep your hands to yourself. I'm in the middle of a meeting." She finally glanced up and seemed to notice me, but didn't even bother to acknowledge me.
"What meeting?"
"I've just signed up Miss Swan as your replacement for the tour."
"WHAT? You can't be serious Edward. This…" she moved her hand gesturing to me as if she was too disgusted to find words to describe me, "replacing me? Does she even know how to hold a violin?" She gave me a dismissive glance.
"Oh she knows alright, I have never seen anyone who has such natural talent like Isabella does. I'm sure she can play the whole concert on her own by now."
"You are crazy Edward. Daddy will not allow you to replace me with anyone! And how can you train someone in just one day. I'm calling Daddy."
"Yes, you do that. I would like to inform him of the change too." Tanya huffed and walked out of the room. It was just moments later that a streak of black hair moved past me straight into the arms of the man sitting at the desk.
"Alice!"
"What did that skunk do this time Edward? Are you okay? Jasper just told me." Cullen chuckled playfully ruffling the hair on top of the tiny girl sitting on his lap. I was amazed at the difference in his whole demeanour with her.
"Nothing I couldn't take care of Alice. Don't worry. Oh! And I have a shopping assignment for you."
"You do! Oh Edward I love you!" The enthusiasm shown by this girl was amazing as she wrapped her arms around Edward's neck and kissed him right on his lips! Who was this? Could this be his wife? His eyes were twinkling as he looked at her and for a moment I envied the pretty little girl.
"Now get up and act your role. You are supposed to be my personal assistant." More like personal assistant with extra benefits, I grumbled to myself. It was obvious that they shared a deeper relationship than that of an employer and an assistant. He planted another kiss this time on top of her nose and removed her from his lap.
"Alice, I would like you to meet Miss Isabella Swan who will be replacing Tanya on the tour." Alice's eyes grew huge.
"You finally fired her? Good for you Edward! How many times did I tell you that she was only interested in getting into your pants?"
"I know I should have listened to your instincts when Aro first proposed that she play with me."
"Well, I'm glad you got rid of her. I hope Aro doesn't try to create trouble for you. I know how much this tour means to you Edward." She leaned down putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I know." He sighed. Alice turned to me with a brilliant smile.
"I'm so glad he found you Isabella, can I call you Bella? Isabella sounds too long and I will never be able to talk fast enough." She was talking non-stop.
"Sure you can call me Bella, my friends and family call me that." I smiled at her. I liked this tiny girl. I felt a twinge of jealously for the obvious affection that Edward had for her, but if she will let her man pose nude for me then I would have no issues with her.
"Oh! Thank you Bella! I hope Edward will be able to train you enough so that you can play with him on the tour. Oh my god Edward! We are leaving day after tomorrow and the first performance is on Saturday! How are you ever going to be ready by then?" She looked horrified. Edward chuckled.
"Oh Isabella is already ready, she's very good actually. I would go so far as to say that she's even better than Tanya." The emerald eyes turned to me and I nearly fainted. He was smiling at me, a crooked panty dropping smile. Oh god! I could feel the steam rising from my heated body.
"Oh really! I was nearly toppled in my chair when the pixie hugged me. She was definitely very touchy feely.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you Bella for agreeing to go on this tour. I hope you are getting well compensated for your efforts." Alice turned to Edward.
"Believe me she is. She's going to get me naked in exchange for performing with me." I could see the mischievous boyish smile on Edward's face. For the first time I wondered how old he really was, less than thirty for sure.
Alice's mouth was hanging open and for the first time since she came in to the room she was speechless. The silence didn't last that long though.
"You're getting naked with her? Edward! Are you finally dating? Oh! I'm so happy for you!" She launched herself at him again.
"No, no, Alice you misunderstood." I had to correct her before she jumped to more conclusions. I could tell that Edward was not going to correct her. He still had that sly look on his face.
"Then what? Edward would never strip. The last time I saw him naked was when I hid his clothes when we went skinny dipping." Mr. Arrogant blushed a deep red much to my satisfaction.
"Alice! That was ages ago and a secret." He whispered the last part.
"He's been such a prude." Now I was confused. Obviously, Alice wasn't his wife since she hadn't seen him naked for a long time. I didn't like the fact that she had seen him naked in the first place. This was getting ridiculous who was I to get jealous over Edward? I barely knew the guy and here I was staking a claim on him. He hadn't even asked me to call him by his first name.
"Alice, enough of my sordid past, you have a job to do. You have to shop for a new wardrobe for Isabella for her concert tour. Here's my card. You have carte blanche get whatever she needs."
She grabbed the card out of his hand and turned to me and said, "Don't worry Bella once I have your measurements, I will take care of everything. You'll love it all. Oh! And, I've got to have you for at least half a day. We need to do your hair and stuff." I groaned. I was not going to get out of this. However, much to my amazement I was actually looking forward to getting pampered. I wanted to look my best. I didn't like the fact that Tanya dismissed me so easily. Alice's enthusiasm was rubbing on me. I genuinely liked her.
A/N: Thank you very much for reviewing I loved hearing from all of you. Please do let me know what you think of this chapter and how the story is progressing.
Thank you Dazzleglo for being my beta for this story! As always I owe you for the brilliant work you do. Please vote for dazzleglo's story Catastrophe that was nominated by someone for the Emerging Swan Awards. Go to: emergingswanawards blog spot dot com
I have also submitted a story for the 'Taste of the forbidden contest'. Please do visit the challenge site fan fiction net /u/4076435/Taste-of-the-Forbidden-Contest and check out all the amazing stories there.