How To Become A Girl

Chapter Eight

"Bella, I'd like you to meet my son. This is Edward. Edward, this is Bella." She motioned her hands between Edward and me.

You have got to be kidding me!

Okay. Okay. Okay. Take a deep breath. It's just Edward. No one else. Besides, you've shared a night together already. Okay. That wasn't so much of a help. If I responded normally, Esme would be curious and that's the last thing I need right now. For her to question us about how we met. Because it's not such a good story.

Pretend you don't know him. Pretend you don't know him.

I looked up to see him mirror my actions just seconds ago. Wide eyes and jaw on the floor. I laughed internally. I walked towards him and offered my hand for a handshake, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Edward."

I smiled as he took my hand. But as soon as the contact was made, some weird energy current passed between us and when he took his hand back, it was as if he burned my hand and the heat lingered on my skin.

"Well, Bella, I can say the same." He smiled the crooked grin that I thought I'd never see again after that night.

"Bella, Edward stays here in the afternoon until I go home. He's so sweet, he waits for his mother." Esme rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing, you'll have company. It's an assurance that you won't get bored. Edward here is quite a handful though. God! I feel like I'm fixing some play date. I was about to say you can do homework together if that's possible. I have to remember that you guys are grown-ups already and don't need so much taking care of." She shook her head and chuckled.

Oh Jesus! Seriously?! Everyday with Edward? Oh my god. I don't think I can last this. Thanks to you, frickin' asshole, I might just lose my job today! Shouldn't Alice have known about this? She is the one who referred me to this company. And if it's owned by the Cullens, I'm pretty sure that she would have known. Hell! Everybody would've known. Except for me, of course.

"Um. I guess that sounds alright." My hand tightened it's grip on my purse.

Heidi poked her head in, "Esme. There's a phone call for you in your office. It's Mrs. Jenkins."

"Thank you, Heidi. Tell her I'll be there in just a short moment." She smiled then her hand flew to her forehead. "I'm going to have to leave you two, alone. Bella, I'll let Heidi bring in the contract for you to sign." She smiled one last time before heading out the door.

I let out a breath of relief. Damn. Have I been holding my breath for that long? He let out a whistle and he ran his hand through his hair. Now, that's why Esme's hair color had been so familiar. I've been avoiding to look at his eyes but I had to check if it was the same green. Yep. Same awesome green...Bella? Bella?! Clearly, he's got a great pair for parents.

Heidi entered the room and placed the contract folder on the coffee table. I had to bend down to sign it and man, could this be anymore awkward and uncomfortable. It's like my ass is up in the air.

"Thank you, Isabella. I can't wait to have you here with us!" Heidi hugged me and then hurried out the door with the papers. I wasn't even able to tell her to call me Bella instead. I could see Edward smirk at the mention of my full name. I rolled my eyes at him.

And then it's just me and him. Can I go now? Where's Esme? I am not leaving without saying 'goodbye' personally to her. That's not the way to impress the boss on the meeting day. It's not yet even my first.

"Bella," he started, "can I talk to you about something?" He motioned for me to take a seat and I did.

"What do you want, Edward?" I said through my teeth.

"Can we not mention how we truly met to mother? I don't think she's going to like it that much." He looked at me almost pleading.

"Me too." I said icily.

"Good. And since we'll be spending our days together, maybe we can have some kind of truce or something. I don't want my mother getting curious about our behaviours towards each other." He looked at me again.

"A truce? Like it's that easy." I scoffed.

"We need it. Or else..." He trailed off.

I wanted to challenge him. "Or else, what, Edward?"

"Or else, you might lose your job." He answered back. Now that's one thing I can't challenge. Damn it, Edward! Damn you!

I wanted to stand up for myself there but I couldn't, not when my job's in danger.

"Fine! I'll try my best to act normally." I hissed.

He smirked. "Anyways. You never told me about the result of your tests."

"Why should you care so much?" I narrowed my eyes into slits.

"Because I might be the possible father." He pointed both his hands to himself, his voice in a low whisper.

"I'm not pregnant, okay?" I told him in a whisper, too, and he seemed to relax. "Did you even know that was my first time? My first kiss? My first possible baby? And you walked away from it!" I could feel the tears collect. The pictures, the emotions, everything flashed like pictures in my head. And they were dull. That makes it more frustrating.

No, no, no. Don't you fucking dare betray me today.

Esme entered the room and her eyes flew to mine. "Oh, honey. What's wrong?" Her eyes went back and forth from me to Edward. "Did Edward make you cry?" Her hands went to my knees as she sat on the arm of my couch.

"No. I just...we accidentally brought up my mother. It's just hard thinking that I never had one. That sometimes I think to myself that it might be my fault why she's dead." My words rang with truth.

"Oh, Bella." She kissed my hair. "I thought I taught you better than to make ladies cry, Edward."

I really hate to burst your bubble, Esme, but Edward's been worse than you think. Oh, yeah. He slept with me and walked away. Gentlemen don't do that, agree? And now he's asking if we were having a baby! Unbelievable, I know.

I glared at Edward. He looked surprised. I couldn't tell if it was about my first time or about my mother or maybe it was both.

"I'm sorry, Esme." I sniffed. "I have to go. I think I need some fresh air."

Esme stood up and helped me on my feet. "Okay. I'll see you on Monday, Bella." She kissed my cheek and I gave her a quick hug. I gave Edward a quick glare before I headed out the door.

"Bye, Bella." Heidi waved.

I waved back and pushed the glass doors open. I called Alice as soon as the outside wind whipped my hair. She told me she'll be here in five.

An arm slipped around half of my waist. I turned to see Edward with a sad look on his face.

Oh, what now?!

I jerked away from his touch. It was electrifying.

"Bella. I'm sorry. I didn't know." He shook his head. "I didn't know it was your first time altogether and that your mother died. I'm really sorry. I'm sorry about yesterday, too, with Tanya. And whatever you did, I deserved it. I'm so sorry."

"Too late for that now, eh?" I crossed my arms across my chest.

Alice's yellow car stopped in front of me and I turned around to look at Edward. "I'll see you on Monday, Edward." I hopped in the car and Rosalie surprised me from the back. I laughed. Finally. I was out of Hell of Tension. I can finally breathe properly.

"So...are you going to tell us why you were with Edward just moments ago?" Alice peeked through the top of her shades at me.

"He's the owners son. Why the hell didn't you tell me? A warning could've have been appreciated." I told her.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry. I just asked my mom if she knew anything and she told me to try Structures and Designs. I kind of told her you were into interior designing." She shrugged and looked back on the road.

"Rose?" I turned around to look at her at the back.

"Sorry. I ain't got no clue." She shrugged, too.

I huffed and the car was silent until Alice asked me what went on.

"Well, I met Esme. We talked business. Thank god, she allowed me to wear whatever. I'll be there until 9 every weekday. $1000 a month. Then she starts mentioning she has a son. Little did I know it was Edward. Esme's beautiful, by the way. She said he was sweet and all that. And then Edward comes in and we pretend not to know each other until Esme went away and he asked me about my pregnancy results. And then--" I babbled on.

"Wait. Pregnancy results? How did he know about that?" Alice took her shades off and eyed me suspiciously.

Oops.

"I talked to him yesterday afternoon. Before I got to you." I murmured.

"Why didn't you tell us?" I couldn't tell if Alice was angry.

"I...I don't know. A lot was rushing through my head then." I looked down. "I'm sorry."

"Bella, you know we only care about you. Go on." She sighed.

And I went on. "I told him why he cares so much and then he argues that he's the possible father. I told him he was my first altogether and my tears started showing up. Esme comes in. Edward and I, by the way, made a truce. We didn't want Esme to get curious enough. Anyways, Esme comes back into the room and catches me almost in tears. I told her that we accidentally brought up my late mother. And then I told her, I had to go. Edward followed me outside, right after I called you, to say sorry and that's it." I dropped my head again.

I hope things don't get worse as they already are.

When we got back to the house, Jasper and Emmett were still in on the game. I wanted to join them. I wanted to let out all the locked in anger from this morning. I wanted to not think about this morning. I wanted to let go. I wanted scream. I wanted to shout.

"How was it?" Jasper paused the game.

"You don't look so good, Isobello." Emmett looked at me with a worried expression.

"It went well. Until Edward comes in and it turns out he's the owner's son." I took off my shoes and sat between Em and Jazz on the couch.

Jasper let out a whistle and Emmett mocked punch his side of the sofa.

"Come on. Let's just play. What are you guys up to?" I asked them.

"We're playing House of The Dead: Overkill. Cool stuff, man." Emmett handed me his gun.

Jasper started the game and then I started shooting frantically. I looked to my side to see Al and Rose stare at me with disbelief. I cocked an eyebrow at them. Jasper's phone rang and he passed his gun to Emmett. I asked the girls if the wanted to join. They only shook their heads and continued to watch me with Emmett. Jasper went into his room to take the phone call. I lost myself in the game. I was having so much fun. Slowly, I stripped myself of accessories. I tossed the headband on the couch then I untucked my blouse. All this while shooting. Okay. Overkill makes me hyper. I laughed when Emmett missed a shot. I shot the zombie for him anyway.

And so we played. Until Jasper ran down the stairs to say the not-so-good news.

"I got a phone call from my parents." Jasper's head dropped.

What did they need? Another party for Jasper to throw? If that was it, I might just dislike them. I'm sorry. Parties just make me crazy now.

"It's their wedding anniversary tomorrow. And as much as I hate this. We're invited to attend their party. And It's their anniversary, I can't say no to that." He shrugged.

So...their party? Is quiet, right? And not much craziness? And full of old people? And more reserved, I guess? I don't see anything wrong with that.

"I think your parents are invited, Alice. You know their circle of friends before. And my mother specifically told me to bring you guys along. She said, she likes you. All of you." He smiled but then it turned into a frown.

Why was he feeling so bad about it? Knowing Jasper, he'll go to it for his parents.

"But...Bella?" He asked me.

"I think I'm cool with it." I shrugged.

"Edward will be there. She told me to bring him, too. And his parents are invited. So...there will be a 99.9% chance that he'll be there." He walked towards me and hugged me. "I'm sorry, buddy. You don't have to go, if you want to. We'll fake sick."

Oh bullocks! That's why he had that face on. Damn Cullens! I was really hoping I could have an Edward-free day tomorrow. I mean he keeps appearing where I am, recently. But, hey, wouldn't it be almost the same, given that Edward will be there with a whole lot of people, he doesn't have anytime to annoy or pay attention to me. Besides, if all sorts of people will be there and they're elite, I'll look pale next to them. He would certainly not notice me. What? Why the hell am I even worrying about that? This party is about Jasper's parents and they want me there. So there, I will be.

"I don't mind. I'll be there for your parents." I shrugged again, finally getting this all sorted out.

They all sighed with relief. "Thank you, Bella. But you don't really have to go." Jasper hugged me again.

"I want to. For your parents." I smiled.

"Okay. So. Alice? Theme will be silver and blue. It's their 25th tomorrow." He winked and swiped the gun from Em.

Alice squealed. "Come on, Bella! We have to figure out what we're wearing tomorrow!" She pulled me and I threw the gun to Emmett.

"What? I'll wear my jeans and grey top. Blue and silver...well, gray. But that's close to silver." I gave her two thumbs up.

She laughed. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. Straight damn serious about it. Why? What else do we have to wear?" I asked her, a little nervous.

"It's a Whitlock party, Bella. A real Whitlock party. Which means dresses and ties are more appropriate." She shook her head while she gave Jasper a glare.

"Oh no. I..." Think. Think. Think. Damn it! I'm not suffering that again. I coughed. "My throat hurts." I rubbed my neck.

"Ha ha. Come on, Bella." She pulled me up and told me to change into something more comfortable. She called someone on the phone while I replaced the skirt and blouse with a pair of loose jeans and a shirt. God! I missed these. And then we headed out to her boutique.

I just hope she won't go over it.

1st chapter for today! Two more to go! :D Enjoy reading and then tell me how it went for you. Thank you!