Chapter 7,
Welcome back, guys! Here is another chapter for you! I'm so sorry I couldn't post a longer one, don't worry, I'm not abandoning this story. It's just that my life is a mess right now. Leave me some love to let me know you enjoyed it!
I woke up not to the butterfly kisses of Edward that you see in the movies. In fact, I woke up to the sound of a loud crash.
"Fuck, what the hell is your problem, Irina?" That sounded fairly like Edward's voice. Who the fuck is Irina? Why the fuck is he talking to her next to my bed? And why the hell was I expecting Edward's fucking kisses?!
Last night's memories came flooding back to me in a dizzying and painful rush. The dinner, the tree, the fireworks. Then Edward was carefully sliding into my bed in a way so that his erection wouldn't touch me. Most importantly, yesterday's make outs in the car and on the bar hit me like a brick.
Oh no, oh no. I fucking kissed Edward Cullen. But the huge shock was that, I didn't care. I tried to build anger and resent up in me, but could only find contentment and more fucking happiness.
Carefully, I brought my sheets around me even though I wasn't naked, and looked around. Edward had his naked back to me as he sat on the foot of the bed and was cursing loudly into his phone.
"I can't do it right fucking here. She's asleep and I'd be damned if your whining doesn't wake her up."
Can't do what? Cheat on me? Tell me last night was a façade? That he only wanted to steal my company?
Tears began to well up in my eyes and I forced them back. I nearly sighed in relief when I heard his next words.
"No, Irina. I told you, I can't tell her. The news would crush her. She's...I don't know but I can't do it. Tell that to dad, I don't fucking care. I'll see you at the office."
"What news?"
He whirled around, his eyes wide and careful. Like he needed to be careful in delivering me the talk. Did he sack my company in a night? No, that couldn't be. Oh god, please don't let that be the case.
"Bella, I didn't realize you were awake." He reached for me but I swatted his arm away and stood up, dropping the sheets around me to reveal I had been only wearing a tank top and boy shorts.
"I said what news, asshole?"
"Asshole? Why are you calling me that?" Hurt flashed across his face, quickly followed by confusion and anger. Anger, my butt. He dared to be angry and confused at me right now? He doesn't know I'm planning to use my ninja classes on him right now.
"Would you rather I call you honey? Darling? Tell me what the news is."
"Bella, sit down, have some breakfast. I'll tell you all about it if you just sit—
"Tell me about it now! You bastard, you took me to those places last night to romanticize me and earn my trust only to shove it back in my face the next morning!"
"It's not like that, Bella! Will you just listen to me? That way, you can get all the fucking answers you want!"
"Oh, now you have the nerve to yell at me?! Might I remind you, you were the one who was talking about some heart-shattering news! And who was Irina, your skank? Back-up in case I lacked good lay? You know what? I don't even care! Just tell me the god-damn news!"
In a flash, Edward was in front of me and before I could scream or possibly knee him in the balls, he maneuvered my arms behind me and scooped me up in his arms and threw me to the bed. I shot upright and he set his hands firmly on my shoulders, preventing me from moving. He looked into my eyes and with that firm, cold voice used in the office that I knew so well, spoke.
"You are going to listen to what I say. I'm going to tell you everything but first, I expect you to stay silent until I've finished telling you everything. Is that clear, Isabella?"
I was beyond terrified and no matter how much powerful I was, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. I nodded with wide eyes, unsure what he could possibly say that would break me more than I had already been broken in the past.
"Good. You are going to dress yourself first, then you'll come to the dining room and then we'll talk while you get real food in your mouth. Might I remind you, you're hung-over?"
Of course, the 3 champagne bottles I wiped last night. Because of the anger and the sudden emotion of betrayal and anticipation at what horror the news could entail, I had completely forgotten about the painful headache. I massaged my temples, closing my eyes and wishing so desperately for a glass of water. Most of all, I just wanted to crawl back into bed.
"Yeah, I know the feeling. Here, take this." He pressed some Advil and a glass of water and I quickly swallowed it before washing it down with water. I felt marginally better.
"Now, you're going to freshen up and come down to the dining room where I'll tell you everything and you'll listen to it peacefully and like a civilized person. Do you understand?"
I wasn't so sure about the civilized and peaceful part but I figured I could easily dodge that as long as I could just hear this 'crushing' news.
"Okay. But promise me Edward, that you are going to tell me everything."
"I promise, Bella, even if the truth will break you."
"Enough of that. I have been broken enough in the past and have endured more than you."
"Why? Did something bad—
"I'll meet you in the dining room." I strode toward the bathroom and slammed it shut behind, hoping that it conveyed the message loud and clear. He wasn't wanted in my bedroom anymore.
After having a relaxing bath and dressing in a smooth white blouse and a dark maroon velvet skirt, I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked tired but firm. I needed to look strong. Today was the day, we would land in Venice. I paired my outfit with a pair of black heels and put on red lipstick. I would be visiting the offices today and the day after tomorrow, we would successfully hold the merger, followed by a party in honor of the both offices. I had to look regal and strong and made of stone. Cold and unwilling. The sweet and joyful Bella Edward saw yesterday had to be removed. She had no place in this cut-throat world.
Not after what Edward did. Not after Sheena, Marina, Serena, whatever her name was.
I made my way down the corridor, nodding at the attendants and the other office people, flying with us but resting on the other side of the plane. As I made my way towards the dining room reserved only for the V.I.P, I saw Edward already seated at the table in the farthest corner. I made my way towards him, all the while chanting a dozen prayers in my head and putting a newly constricted firewall around my heart.
So easy.
Edward stood up and got around to the seat across from him, pulling it out for me, reminding me of the last time he'd done that. This time I didn't smile.
"Hey, you look better."
"I am. Why don't we just get to the point? No need to beat around the bush."
Edward smiled. "I think we agreed on breakfast?"
Caught. Bastard. Pain in the ass.
"Fine, whatever." I said, through clenched teeth.
"Now now, we have to be civilized. You promised me, Bella." The jerk was smirking. To be honest, I'd take his cockiness and bratty self any time with my own, but today, I just wasn't into it. I mean, for all I know, after 10 minutes, I would be hearing company-stealing news, right?
I sighed. "I'm not up for your arrogance, Edward." I waved to one of the flight waitresses and she came over.
"Good morning, Ms. Swan. What would you have today?"
"Kelly, I think I told you, it's Bella. And I'll have one mushroom and cheese omelet, one Mocha Latte and a chocolate doughnut, if that's all right?"
"Coming right up, Bella. What will you have, Mr. Cullen?"
"I'll have the same, Kelly." She blushed and smiled at him, while he just smirked and winked at her.
Jerk.
Edward turned towards me and clasped his hands in front of him, looking at me directly. I stared back, wondering if he was going to tell me the news right now.
I shouldn't have had expectations from the asshole.
"Now, how about we discuss our plans for the day?" He checked his watch and grinned at me.
I thought about breaking his teeth. White, and all shiny when they should be black for the devil.
"We're about to land in 2 hours. How about we explore Venice, get something to eat, go shopping, whatever you want. Then, of course, at 8:00, we have to go to the club. How does that sound?"
"Utterly and terribly ridiculous. How could you think after all that happened in the morning, I'll still go out with you? Forget it, asshole. You had your chance, you lost it."
"Bella, nothing happened this morning. Irina's my secretary. She was telling me some decisions my father made yesterday and wished for you to know. I think they're too hard for you but if you want to know, I'll gladly tell you. But know this, we are not planning to steal your company, neither is I two-timing you, so you'd better get all those nasty thoughts from your head."
Okay, that news comforted me so much. But all things aside, I can't trust him. I mean, sure, with the hazy mood of yesterday, all reckless and silly things I did were out of lust but I was sensible now. I couldn't trust Edward Cullen, of all people.
But there was also something else of Edward that was bothering me. Since this morning, I had never seen him so...miserable. He constantly kept rubbing his face, taking deep breaths, tugging at his hair and pinching the bridge of his nose. I assumed these were the things he did when he was tired or frustrated. Even now, there was something exhausting about the way his shoulders sagged.
Business could do that to you. Trust me, I know.
But still, Edward had said that the news would be tough on me, right? I could already see the toll it had taken on Edward. But I couldn't exactly afford to be vulnerable right now.
Edward must have seen the firm resolve on my face because his face fell and he averted his gaze. I was shocked and surprised to feel a painful stab in my chest.
Not good, man. Definitely not good.
Finally, he looked up at me with a sad smile and reached across the table to take both of my hands into his.
Dude, you have no idea how nervous I was for this stupid news. And how much drama was going on for it.
"Bella, you know that both of companies are basically founded because of the people, right?"
I nodded. "Of course, everything we do, all the decisions we make, are practically based on our people. So what?"
"Both of our companies have received 2% vote for the merger while the rest of the 98% are against the merger of our corporate. My father called your dad today and an urgent meeting has been scheduled today. It's possible that the merger won't be able to take place."
No way. This couldn't be happening. We had never, in our whole career, gotten so much disagreement from our people. But okay, considering all the circumstances to which this conversation could've turned out to be, this wasn't that bad.
After all, this was just a merger. We could fix this, mend this, I know we can.
Hopefully.
"Okay, this isn't that big of a problem. What else?"
This kind of stuff happened in businesses, Bella. This is just an obstacle, a very hard obstacle.
Like a hard-on.
What?! Where did that come from?
I think I'm officially crazy right now.
"I'm afraid it is, Bella. Due to this unexpected hate from our people, both of our companies have suffered from a blue code. Things are really bad in Venice, Bella."
I gasped. This couldn't be happening. This can't happen. My father and I have worked for almost 9 years on our corporate. All that blood, sweat and dirt can't be wasted, can it?
We had 3 codes. We had already suffered from a green code, which was the amount of resent we got from the people. Most green codes usually led to a...
No. Please, no.
"Edward, please don't say that—
"Yes Bella, 37.85% of our employees have resigned."
Oh my fucking god. This was a blue code, where our employees leave. At least a red code hasn't been received. I didn't know what I'd do then. A red code was caused by a blue code. It is when most of the board is conflicted and our company goes slack.
So basically, we were safe. For now.
But I still couldn't understand the sudden shock I had gotten. I mean, my life had been going pretty well, great even. Then all of a sudden, this? A green code and a blue code? All in one day?!
This was all too much. Too much for me to handle, too much for my dad—
Oh my god.
What about my dad? I had completely forgotten about him. My dad was a very sensitive person. How would he be handling this news? Most importantly, how is he now?
"Okay, Edward. Is there anything else?" I asked shakily.
Please don't let there be anything else.
Gosh, this had turned out to be the worst. Just yesterday, I was all smiles and giggles and look at me now. A perfect mess.
When I looked up at Edward, I saw that he had tears in his eyes. It was my turn to tightly hold his hands. "Edward, what's wrong?"
"Bella, y-your father, h-h-he's in the hospital. He has suffered from a panic attack."
I stood up, knocking over my whole cup of coffee. It should've burned but I didn't even feel it.
It was like my world had shut down, my body had shut down. My brain had given up. I just knew one thing, could register one thought:
I couldn't lose him. Not after how my mom died. I just can't bear the loss of him.
I faintly remember someone screaming. Was it me? I don't remember. Then several more gasps and a pair of strong arms wrapping around me and lifting me up. Edwards, maybe? I don't remember.
Then everything went black.
I'm sorry but this was an important turn in this story. Trust me.
Until next time!