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Chapter 5 -- Let's Get it Started

Previously:

"Please have HR send up a 'New Contractor' packet. Tell IT I'm going to need a laptop and Blackberry as well."

"Certainly, what name should I give them?"

"Isabella Swan."

Yes, I was jumping the gun, but you didn't get to my position in life at my age unless you knew how to read people and didn't take no for an answer.

I disconnected our call and went back to our table. Bella was staring out the large window that fronted the restaurant. She broke from her reverie as I leaned over the table.

"Ready?"

"Oh, yes," she answered, standing quickly. She preceded me out the door and onto the sidewalk. A quick step and I was at her side. She still seemed preoccupied, mulling my offer, I was sure. When we reached the corner where she stumbled earlier she stopped.

"I need to know more about the um, business side of your offer, Edward."

I smiled. "You mean you want to know how much it pays?"

She blushed as she looked down. We had reached my car. I opened her door and held it as she got in. "Well, yes."

"Don't be embarrassed, it's a legitimate question." For some reason I felt a bit lighthearted and decided to tease her. "While I doubt Cullen Enterprises can compete with the lucrative world of office cleaning we compensate our contractors rather generously. Of course, you'll rarely need to put in more than 20 hours a week so I feel compelled to offer you half our current rate."

She ducked her head again and nodded.

"$53,000 a year, paid twice a month."

Her head shot up and her eyes went wide. I'd love to face her over a negotiation table! Obviously I was offering her significantly more than her prior employer. If her reaction was indicative I probably could have offered her half of that and she would have been satisfied. However, I wasn't interested in obtaining her services for rock bottom prices; I just wanted her to accept.

"That's very generous of you," she replied.

The ride back seemed to take less time than the trip to the restaurant. I nodded to the attendant as I parked my car. Again, Bella hopped out before I could assist her. I'd have to remember to talk to her about that. We stepped on the elevator and I sent it to the 40th floor.

"Bella, I don't usually press for an acceptance quickly, but I don't have the luxury of unlimited time in this case. Can you tell me if you're interested now?"

She remained silent, obviously not sure about the details. She needn't have worried, I had no intention of taking advantage of her; however, I appreciated her caution. Caution was sound business.

She sighed and pressed her fingertips to her temples. Looking me in the eye she said, "Yes, Edward, I accept the position."

"Excellent," I replied firmly.

The elevator doors opened and we stepped into the reception area. Ms. Weber was already on her feet. Her usual smile seemed a bit forced and when she realized it was me she shot a glance at Mrs. Cope.

"Mr. Cullen," Mrs. Cope started, "The items you asked for are on their way up."

"Thank you --" I began, however she cut me off as if I hadn't spoken.

"Ms. Denali is waiting for you in your office."

I hesitated before turning to Bella.

"Bella, would you mind waiting here? Mrs. Cope will call up someone from HR to get you started on the necessary paperwork." I turned to Ms. Weber.

"Ms. Weber, when the items I ordered from IT arrive would you hold on to them?"

"Certainly, Mr. Cullen." Ms. Weber sat back down.

"Mrs. Cope, please hold my calls. Should Ms. Brandon arrive early let me know, otherwise I'm not to be disturbed."

"Yes, sir." I walked away from the three women in reception and opened my office door. This promised to be unpleasant.

BPOV

This couldn't be happening! Edward Cullen was offering me a job at more than twice my previous salary. A job where my duties would consist of attending parties, business dinners, receptions and openings? I wanted to pinch myself but was afraid I really was dreaming. The money he was offering me was substantial. I could move into a decent apartment and maybe even take a class or two.

I watched him as he walked into his office. As the door closed I realized that both of his assistants were looking at me. Angela's face had a gentle smile on it. Mrs. Cope seemed to be scrutinizing me.

At that moment the elevator door sounded and a geeky looking guy walked out holding two boxes. One obviously held a laptop computer the other, I guessed, was the Blackberry.

"Hey Angela," he said looking over at her as he approached Mrs. Cope's desk. "Mrs. Cope, you asked for a laptop and Blackberry assigned to an Isabella Swan?"

"Yes, Mr. Cheney, thank you. Please leave them with Ms. Weber," she replied efficiently.

"Sure thing."

He stepped over to Angela's desk. "Here ya' go, Angela."

"Thanks, Ben." She didn't look up when he deposited the items on her desk. He hesitated and she glanced up, offering him a shy smile. He grinned back at her.

"Anytime." He took two backward steps towards the elevator, his eyes locked on hers. He chuckled quietly and shook his head before turning around and getting back on the elevator. His eyes found Angela's again before the doors closed. Angela watched the elevator long after it left. I watched Angela until Mrs. Cope quietly cleared her throat bringing everyone back to earth. I glanced at Mrs. Cope, but she was looking at Angela with obvious affection and understanding in her gaze. Angela had returned her eyes to the work on her desk.

Mrs. Cope's eyes moved to me and we shared a flash of understanding before she was all business again.

"So, Ms. Swan, Mr. Cullen asked me to have a new contractor packet sent up. Would you be more comfortable filling it out here or in HR?"

"Oh, here is…" I was about to tell her that here was fine when the sound of crystal shattering sounded from Edward's office. All three of us spun to look at the large mahogany doors. I could hear Edward's muffled voice, but I couldn't make out what he was saying.

"On second thought, I think that I should go down to HR in case I have questions."

Mrs. Cope pursed her lips and nodded. "Yes, that would probably be best." She handed a manila folder to me with several sheets of paper inside.

Angela was still staring at Edward's door.

"Do you remember how to use the elevator to get back up here?"

"Yes."

"HR is on 22. I'll call down and tell them to expect you. Ms. Brandon should be here at four so plan on being back here before then."

I nodded and retreated to the elevator. I stepped in when it arrived and pressed the button for 22. The door slid shut and I let out a huge breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I glanced through the papers in the folder. Everything seemed to be pretty straightforward. I closed the folder and considered what had just happened for a minute. A laptop and phone had already been ordered in my name. The new contractor packet was waiting for me when I arrived. When had Edward told Mrs. Cope I'd accepted the job? I had only agreed when we pulled up to the office. Had he been that sure I'd accept when he made the offer?

The elevator stopped. When the doors slid open on 22 a young blond man about my age met me.

"Isabella Swan?" he inquired.

"Yes, that's me." I smiled.

"Hi there, I'm Mike Newton. Mrs. Cope on 40 asked me to meet you and answer any questions you might have about the new contractor packet." He seemed eager to show off his knowledge as he led me to a conference table to the left of the door.

"Thank you, Mr. Newton, I'll be sure to ask if I have any questions."

"Call me Mike."

"Mike," I responded. "I'm Bella."

"It's nice to meet you, Bella." Sincerely rang in his every word. He pulled out a chair and I sat down. Offering me a pen he stepped back.

"I'm in the first cubicle over there," he pointed, "let me know if you have questions or when you're finished."

With that he smiled and walked away. He reminded me a little of a golden retriever.

I sat turned to the table and opened the packet. I starting filling out the information required and soon got lost in reading fine print and finding all the little sticky tabs that indicated where I needed to sign. I'd never been self employed before so I hoped that my social security number was sufficient for the paperwork. I was signing the last form when Mike came back over.

"Bella? Are you almost done? Mrs. Cope called and wanted me to remind you that it's almost four o'clock. I guess you're needed upstairs?"

"I think I'm done with everything. Can you let me know if there's anything missing?"

"Sure."

"Thanks, Mike." I handed him the packet and walked back to the elevators and headed up to Edward's office.

The atmosphere was much different when I arrived. One of the doors to Edward's office was open and Angela smiled at me as I stepped off the elevator.

"Mr. Cullen said you should go right in, Ms. Swan."

"Thanks, Angela."

Taking a deep breath I walked into his office. The first thing I noticed was that we weren't alone. A tiny woman sat on one of the couches. She had a can of Coke in her hand and was sipping it through a straw. She looked over at me and I smiled.

"Hello…" I started.

She didn't answer me. Instead she spun around to face Edward.

"OhMrCullenshe'sjustperfectLookatherImeanshemustbeaperfectsizesixAreyouasizesix?"

That last bit seemed to be aimed at me. Instead of trying to decipher all of what she'd said, I just nodded with my mouth hanging open. I thought I heard a laugh from the reception area. I glanced over at Edward but he was just looking at this ball of energy with a tolerant expression on his face.

The petite woman literally popped up from the couch and reached out a hand to me. Instead of shaking my hand however, she put her arm around my waist and hugged me. Stepping back she said, "I'm Mary Alice Brandon, Mr. Cullen's stylist. He said that you'd need some clothes for upcoming events. I'm here to fit you and talk about what you'd like to wear."

"Oh," was all I got out before she was dragging me off towards what I knew to be Edward's dressing room. Closing the door behind us she cocked her head and looked at me speculatively. I stared back at her.

"You're pretty," she said. I goggled a bit at her non sequitur.

"Um, thanks?" It came out as a question.

She just grinned widely at me.

"Strip!" she ordered.

My jaw fell open again. "Excuse me?"

"Strip. Get undressed. Down to your undies please and up on the step. I need to measure you to be sure of your size since I won't have any time to do alterations before Thursday."

"Wait, what?" was my brilliant comeback. She sighed and stepped back from me.

"I see I need to explain," she started. "I'm Mr. Cullen's personal stylist. Everything he wears out and most of what he wears in is chosen and fitted by me. I dabble in design, too, but men's clothes aren't my forte. Everything you see here, she waved her arm around the room, was picked by me. Now he's asked me to dress you, as well. I understand you have a cocktail party this Thursday and a gala next Saturday. It's not much time, but I have plenty of cocktail dresses available. Luckily, since you're a size six it will be fairly easy to find something off the rack," she paused and shuddered, "for you for next Saturday. After I measure you I'll be able to keep an eye out for pieces I think will work for your body and the various events you'll attend."

"I see…" I said hesitantly. I didn't, really. I wasn't even aware that Edward would be requiring my services so soon. A small swell of panic rose in my chest.

"Good!" she said brightly as if we were now on the same page. "So, strip."

Sighing, I decided that it would be better to do as she said than to continue stalling. Quickly undressing I stepped up in front of the three way mirror before the stylist spoke again.

"So what kind of dresses do you usually wear to these types of events? What colors do you prefer? Any particular styles appeal to you?" As she spoke she flitted around me with a measuring tape and a pad and pencil.

I didn't think that I could pull off any type of subterfuge so I decided I would answer honestly and count on Ms. Brandon's discretion.

"I've never attended a cocktail party before, Ms. Brandon, so I have nothing particular in mind."

She looked at me quizzically. I could tell she wanted more information. However, I didn't answer the questions I saw in her eyes.

"Call me Alice," she finally said. Again I was a bit taken aback by her train of thought.

"Alice, I'm Bella."

"Mr. Cullen won't like it if he hears me call you that, so it will be our little secret, won't it?" she said with a wink.

"Edward won't like it if you call me by my first name? I'm standing in front of you in my underwear; I think we're past the formal stage already."

Alice let out a surprising snort before giggling a bit.

"I've seen Mr. Cullen in his underwear more often than I care to remember -- fabulous, by the way -- and he's still Mr. Cullen to me.

"Perhaps Mr. Cullen needs to loosen up a bit?" I ventured, purposely gliding over Alice's editorializing.

"You know, I think you're right," she answered. "I like you, Bella," she continued staring up at me.

I looked down at her. She was only about a half foot shorter than me, but since I was standing on the step I towered over her.

"I like you, too, Alice." A wide grin was spreading across my face.

"Okay," Alice said, "come on down from there and put your clothes back on. I want to show you pictures of some of the pieces I have in my studio that I think would be appropriate for this Thursday night."

I hopped off the step carefully and got dressed. Alice had spread open a portfolio on the table in the middle of the room and was sitting in one of the upholstered chairs that surrounded it. I noticed that the large picture of that woman, Tanya, was missing from the center.

"Here we go," Alice started. "This dress is a Badgley Mischka. It's a lovely piece, but I'm a little concerned. Your bust is slightly larger that I think this dress will allow. Most ladies wouldn't worry about it too much, but I don't get the impression that you want to be spilling out of the top of your dress all evening."

I gawked at the outfit Alice was showing me. It was a strapless gold dress with a diagonal ruffle falling from the waist over a pencil skirt. The model was wearing heels that had to be at least four inches high accentuating her legs and causing the already short skirt to ride a bit higher over her knee.

Alice watched my reaction to the dress.

"Hm," she mused, "Too much?"

"Um, too little," I answered.

"Alright," she continued, "How about something like this?" she asked.

The next dress was more modest in style. It was sleeveless but had a beaded choker neckline and a keyhole opening in the back. However it was an intense green color and had a bold black print.

"It's quite striking," I commented.

"Yes, it is. It is certainly the kind of dress that will get a girl noticed." Alice looked at me with a bright smile.

"Alice, I'm not sure I want to be noticed, really. I'm nervous about attending this cocktail party and would really prefer to blend in. I like the dress, but I'm not sure about the color."

"Oh!" Alice exclaimed, "I think I have the perfect compromise." She flipped a couple of pages through her portfolio and stopped at another stunning dress.

The dress in the picture was perfect. It was a sleeveless, subtle, silver metallic dress with a wide band of black lace at the hem of the skirt which fell right above the knee. The same lace covered the décolletage and ran up to the boat neck opening.

"We'll add a simple black wrap and you can wear either black or silver heels. What do you think?" she asked.

"It's lovely," I breathed.

"Perfect! So, I'll have the dress here tomorrow afternoon. How's two o'clock work for you?"

"That's fine."

"I want to make sure you're gorgeous from the time you leave the office until you leave the party so do me a favor. Bring the underwear that you'll use Thursday night. I want you to bring the coat you'll wear too, as well as any accessories. A chunky silver bangle and diamond stud earrings would be perfect with this. I know it's only October, but I guarantee you'll be cold in this dress without a coat for outside – black would be best. I have the wrap. Would you prefer black heels or silver?"

I froze. Alice was being so nice but I was still embarrassed by my poor existence.

"Alice," I began softly, ducking my head. "I don't have anything appropriate to wear under that dress. The only coat I have is a down parka that I use when the weather gets really cold. Otherwise I just wear lots of layers, sweatshirts, hoodies and so on. The only jewelry I own I'm wearing right now…" I was trying hard not to show it, but my admissions were making me miserable.

"Oh," was all she said.

Suddenly she was all business again.

"Don't worry about it, Bella, just be here tomorrow at two." With that Alice swept up her belongings and quickly exited the room.

I took a few minutes to compose myself before following her. As I stepped into Edward's office I heard the door to reception close. Edward looked up at me as I came from his dressing room.

"So," he started, "what do you think of Ms. Brandon?"

I forced a smile. "She's quite a whirling dervish, isn't she?" I responded.

"That's a good description," he laughed. "She's got a lot of energy, but is very talented. She told me that she's meeting you here tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes," I replied, "two o'clock."

"Great. If you'll come in at eight there will be plenty of time for Ms. Weber to train you on the scheduling software. I have an early lunch meeting but should have time to meet with you before Ms. Brandon arrives."

I nodded.

"Here," he held out a plastic card similar to the one I'd been using all day to access the elevator. This one hung on a lanyard printed with "Cullen Enterprises." "Security made you a permanent key to use the elevator so you can get up here without having to bother the receptionist in the lobby each time."

"Thank you." I walked to his desk and took the proffered card.

He nodded. "Leave the laptop and Blackberry here for tonight since you'll be back first thing in the morning."

"Okay."

"I think that's it for today. Thank you for coming in, Bella. It was nice meeting you. I look forward to working with you."

"Thank you, Edward. I have to admit, today wasn't what I expected."

He smiled at that. "Well, goodnight then."

"Goodnight." I exited his office. Mrs. Cope and Angela were gone. I walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the button to descend to the lobby. As the carriage descended, I couldn't help the smile that crept over my face. Today had been a very good day.

Sorry for the delay! There was some beta confusion. Next chapter has already been sent to the betas, though. I'm begging for a little bit of feedback here. I admit, I'm not above begging. I'm happy for just a smiley or a frown. Whatever! Let me know what you think! Links for dresses are in my profile.