A/N: Okay so I must warn you that this is probably the shortest chapter I've typed yet. Not really sure why but it just came out that way. Still I hope you really enjoy because we get to see into Edwards mind once again. Now we know what's really going on!
Chapter Sixteen
Edward was out of the office for the remainder of the week and it was Tuesday before I saw him again. I knocked on his door two hours before lunch.
"Come in," I heard before I pushed open the door.
"Yes," He asked as I presented myself.
"I have the Wisner Report here."
I placed the brown folder on his desk. He nodded and returned to his work. I tried to not let his distant attitude phase me but it was hard, so unlike him. I turned to leave. He'd been this way since he'd return this morning, he came in this morning his cell phone glued to his ear, he barely acknowledged me when I greeted him. He was still in deep conversation when I placed his coffee on his desk this time turning his back to me. I couldn't lie that his cold shoulder wasn't a little hurtful mainly because I didn't know what I had done to cause it. And quite frankly it was a little irritating because wasn't it him who first called me a friend.
Was this anyway to treat friend, I thought leaving silently.
I was half way to the door when I heard Edward sigh and place his pen down.
"Bella," I stopped and took a moment to brace myself before I turned. I didn't even try to fake a smile. I didn't have it in me.
He was rubbing the bridge of his nose, before he pushed out of his chair and rounded his desk toward me. I braced myself because even though I wasn't smiling I couldn't stop my heart from beating when I looked at him. That I could not stop.
"Bella," he stated again.
I straightened myself.
"Yes Sir,"
He opened his mouth to speak but sighed instead.
"Friday, the meeting with Wisner Enterprises, I want you come with me." I didn't know what I was hoping to hear but that was not it. I felt my heart drop deeper in my chest.
"Of course sir." I turned away disappointed. There was nothing to say except it felt like our short friendship was coming to an end. I should have felt relieved that I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore, the agony and all but relief was that last thing I felt right now.
Edwards POV
Shit, I thought as I fell back in my chair. I had hurt her. It was obvious even though she tried so hard to hide it. It made my stomach turn. I didn't like hurting her but I just couldn't say anything else. I wasn't ready to admit that I was being an ass just yet. Not with so much on the line.
Everyone knew that falling for some one that didn't return your feelings was setting yourself up for pain. And I would not do that to myself.
I rubbed my forehead because I was beginning to feel the consequences of my little drink last night. I had only intended to have only one, but I couldn't get Bella's words out of me head so I had another, and another just to help me sleep. The next thing I knew I was waking up on my couch with a throbbing head and the need to quench my thirst. I picked up a bottle of Gatorade on the way to work this morning.
I knew I was in a bad mood, because the sound of my phone ringing at six in the morning usually didn't bother me especially if it was from my family and Rosalie, my bother's fiancé was family. She was calling to let me know that she would be stopping by the office sometime this week. I should probably have let Bella know, but I didn't really want to speak to her. It would only make matters worst.
I had entered the office and immediately I could smell her clean crispy scent and it sent my thoughts in a spin. But I wasn't having a good week and I didn't have the time this morning to speak. Or so I said.
I said nothing to her as I crossed the room to my office. It was surprisingly hard to not glance over in her direction but I knew if I had seen those big brown eyes I would be undone.
I knew why I was in this mood, or rather why I was still in this mood. Because my feelings and pride had been hurt. I had heard her words the other day as the elevator doors open but it wasn't that I took notice too.
It was Mike. And how close they were standing. And the fact that she'd had lunch with him. I had never really given the guy much thought but at that moment I disliked him greatly. And then her words struck me and I couldn't bring myself to speak. There was nothing really to say.
Okay so her words were true but that didn't mean I had to like them. There was nothing going on between us and that was the fact that I had been coming up to address. I'd heard the mild rumor and immediately thought of Bella. I wanted to make sure she was okay but there was no need when the only person she needed to convince was him.
I left the office early that day unable to think though the irratating nagging of her words in the back of my mind. And after realizing that the feeling was still there the next day I decided to take some time off. I stayed inside for the rest of the week and the entire weekend trying in vein to block Bella from my thoughts.
I hated that. How I always thought of her. Like my brain couldn't get enough of her. She was drowning me. I tried whatever I could to chase her from my thoughts. Music, Televison, even playing a few video games.
Nothing worked.
I could not get her out of my head. I began to think about how foolish I was. I couldn't be friends with this women. Not when I was so attracted to her. Not when she was starting to keep me up at night. Not when just hearing her voice brightened my day. And that was when I figured it out. I was seated on the couch, the tv on but I wasn't watching it when the thought came out of no where.
I likeg Bella.
I tried to deny it but everything fit. It was the reason I had gotten so upset that day. I had been jealous because for a brief moment I let my self believe unconsciously that she was mine. My friend, my assistant, my Bella. But in truth she was just Bella. Belonging to no one, well atleast not me.
Even now, seated at my desk I was having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that I liked her. Not that Bella wasn't worth it because she was, it's just that I hadn't seen it coming. I was usually so aware of myself, I could almost always control myself but with Bella it was different from first day she'd walked into my office. I sighed again because instead of doing what I should have done which to was pull myself away from her, I only setted myself up for further agony.
Edward's POV Ends
That night I dreamt of Edward but he was further away than he'd ever been. I woke in the middle of the night unable to go back to sleep. And after hours of staring at the ceiling by alarm finally rang. I sighed and got out of bed but instead of dressing for work I dressed in a jogging suit and headed to the park.
I ran alone with no music and I hardly even noticed the other people out at this ungodly hour. It was just me and my thoughts. And there was lots to think about, like how I couldn't even think about him without feeling a strain in my chest. If only I knew what I had done then maybe I could try to eradicate the situation. But I was at a lost. I couldn't even comprehend what it might be.
Or maybe it had nothing to do with me. Maybe he was having problems in his personal life. Maybe with his girlfriend or something. I tried to remember if Edward was single and I couldn't remember. But I didn't see why a man like Edward Cullen would be. Who wouldn't want that?
My heart sunk a little lower at the thought that Edward had someone he considered special. I lied and told myself that I didn't, no wouldn't care. In fact I should be happy. With Edward avoiding me like the plague, no more rumors could be fueled. So I should be happy.
Then why wasn't I?
Wednesday was no better even though Edward had spoken to me, briefly but at least he made eye contact. However instead if feeling sad that our quick growing friendship had come to a quick end, I drown myself in work. And I had plenty of it, getting prepared for tomorrows meeting. I still wasn't sure what interest Edward had with Wisner. They owned a global hotel chain and Edwards company mainly dealt with large business corporations. It was a little out of the box for him and I had to admit I was a little confused. But I did what I was instructed and drafted some work orders that might please Edward. It was what I was working on when I heard the elevator ding.
I didn't pay much attention to it, just glancing up to see who it was. I was half expecting it to be Angela or even Mike. It was neither. Instead it was a busty blonde, with legs that went on for days. She wore a light grey knit sweater dress, black leggings and a pair of Marc Jacob heels. I recongized them from the magazine Alice had been reading the other week.
"Hello," She waved her hand in front of me. I blinked and realized that she was as standing over me. She appeared slightly annoyed and worried. My face turned pink with shame. She'd caught me staring at her.
I cleared my throat and greeted her.
"I'm here to see Edward. He's expecting me." I nodded. Really, he hadn't said anything to me, I thought as I reaching for the phone to dial his extension.
But then again he wasn't saying much to me these days.
"Yeah," he stated.
"Um you have a guest." He was silent for a moment before he spoke.
"Okay, I'll be right there." Then he was gone. I found it odd that he would come personally to greet her. That meant that she wasn't business related. She had to be a friend. Or maybe a girl friend. She was pretty enough.
I smiled up at her.
"He'll be right out." She turned away just as her phone beeped. She turned her attention to it while my mind took off.
She had to be his girlfriend. She was exactly like I pictured someone he'd be interested in. She was as perfect as he was. They fit together. I turned back toward my work, just as the door opened. I watched him pass me to her without so much as a glance in my general direction.
"Rose," He smiled, a genuine smile. He was happy to see her. Adding evidence to my speculations.
"Edward," She hugged him and my heart felt like she'd took hold of it and squeezed really hard. I detoured my eyes just as he glanced over at me. I wouldn't show him my weakness. They disappeared into his office and it was hours before they emerged together.
Alice and I decided to grab a bite to eat after work since it had been, literally days since I had seen her. It wasn't the first time that she had disappeared in her studio for days at a time. It was just good to have her back just when I needed her. I hadn't told her much about what was going on but she immediately knew something was up when she saw me. It wasn't long before I spilt the beans. And for some reason she appeared more upset than I did. I told her it was okay. That it was better this way but she didn't feel like it was. I was done talking about it and changed the subject. Her phone rang half way through our conversation. She glanced at the screen and frowned before she clicked it to silence and placed it down.
"Aren't you going to answer it."I asked.
"No," she snarled.
I laughed. She was taking my problem way to seriously.
"Fine then I will." I reached for her phone but she grabbed it first.
"No," I chuckled at her exaggerated response.
"Then answer it."
She sighed and pressed the call button on the touch screen.
"Yes," I couldn't hear clearly was being said on the other line but the voice deep and masculine. It wasn't Jasper though. I'd heard Jaspers voice enough to know.
"I'm busy right now cleaning up your mess," Alice stated before she added. "Never mind. Don't worry about it. Tell Rosalie that I'll meet her later." And then she clicked it off.
"Who was that?" I asked. She eyed me for a minute before answering.
"My brother. My sister-in-law's in town and they want to meet up."
"You don't like her?" I asked placing the fork of green lettuce in my mouth.
"No I love her it's my brother that I'm not too happy with right now."
"Which brother is this again." I asked sipping on my drink.
"The one that lives here." she answered.
My lips formed a 'O'. I didn't waste my time trying to keep up with Alice's family. There were just too many of them to remember everyone's names. But it was hard, very hard to forget Emmett.
I felt a little better after hanging out with Alice and after talking to my mom before bed. I decided tomorrow was going to be a good day. I wouldn't let Edwards mood swing's affect me. I believed that if I could do that then I would be okay.
I corrected as much errors I could. I edited for three days but I'm sure there are still some in there. Soory. - hehehe I did that on purpose. Please read and review. It's means so much to me...Motivation!