Thanks to everyone who is following this little story.
Will Edward listen to the warning that his best friend gave him? Hmmm.
Again, this chapter is technically not beta'd but Michelle has cast her lovely eyes over it for me. Cheers schlub.
I hate having to come to terms with the fact that no, I do not own Twilight or any of the characters in it.
I spend most of Sunday doing some more research on Masen's and organising my folder ready for the interview. I also choose what I'm going to wear, I settle on black pants and a pretty, light blue blouse.
When I feel as organised as I can be, I bake some blueberry muffins for Alice and Rose. They just love my muffins.
I spend a lot of time and effort trying not to think back to last night but Edward seems to be lingering behind every thought.
Alice and Rose have been out all day with Emmett and Jasper. They were so excited and loud before they went, I was actually glad when they finally left. Emmett had put his hand on my arm and smiled at me before they all disappeared out of the door, he didn't say anything but I think he was checking that I was okay.
Rose had informed me in a very blunt way during breakfast that she'd witnessed me drooling over Edward. I decide not to tell them about what happened later in the evening. Emmett obviously hadn't said anything.
I was glad for a good excuse to stay behind and they hadn't returned by the time I went to bed.
I'm up earlier than the birds to get ready. I pop my head tentatively into their rooms and I see them both fast asleep, minus the guys thankfully. An eye full of naked Emmett or Jasper butt wouldn't have made the best start to my day.
I get a cab to Masen's, it's a bit too far to walk in the time I have to get there and I don't want to show up all sweaty and late. The cab drops me off right in front of the building and I crane my neck to look at it in all of its splendour. The impressive tall, cream building of Masen's Advertising seems to stand out in downtown Seattle.
I feel the nerves and excitement flutter around my stomach. I've been dreaming about this moment for the last three years, ever since we were bought here on a field trip. The trip was supposed to expand our career choices, it narrowed mine and advertising became my dream.
I walk into the large marble foyer and approach the spotless, curved steel reception desk. The girl behind it seems to be fumbling around, unsure what to do. She must be new; she's very apologetic as she taps away on the computer in front of her.
A lady with dark rimmed glasses and brown hair, which is tied up neatly, walks over to the new girl and tries to help her. Once the correct keys have been pressed she walks back round the desk.
"Miss Swan, I'm Angela, Mr. Masen's PA. Please follow me." We shake hands.
She shows me to the elevator and presses the button for the sixty-fifth floor.
It's a bit of a ride to the top and I fidget with my folder as we climb, running through my little speech in my head. She smiles kindly, adjusting her glasses as we leave the elevator and takes me through a set of double doors.
As we stand outside of the second set of doors she wishes me luck as she knocks and announces me into the large room beyond.
I walk in all knobbly knees and awkward. Mr. Masen is attractive for an older guy. Edward has his hair but that's about it. His face is set into an annoyed and impatient expression.
The room is covered in dark panelling, it even has heavy drapes at the windows. It's almost as though I've magically walked into a separate building, in a completely different era. He's sitting behind a huge mahogany desk, which is centred in front of the huge windows behind him.
He's very serious as he asks me to sit. Once I'm settled in the leather chair, he barks out for me to tell him all about me and why he should hire me.
I launch into my well prepared speech. I'm pleased to notice a flicker of surprise in his eyes a few times, he almost looks impressed.
The next half an hour has him describing my duties and telling me for the third time that he doesn't usually interview interns but because he knows my father, he wanted to meet me.
He finally cracks a smile after the formalities. He almost looks like a different man.
"How is Charlie?"
"He's well, thank you Mr. Masen. He's busy with work."
"I must invite you over for dinner sometime. You should meet my son."
"Edward?" I ask.
"Yes, you know him already?" He looks surprised and pleased.
"My friends are dating his friends so I have met him once."
He smiles at me wistfully. "He's a good boy, a little misled but his heart is in the right place. I'm glad to hear that he keeps such good company. I've certainly heard some stories about the boy."
"He seems very nice." I reply as politely as I can.
I suddenly wonder why Edward doesn't speak to his father. Mr. Masen seems to be proud of him.
"Ah, I'm sure he is. It's a shame he refuses to get his life in check. Perhaps you'll be the one to help him." He winks in a good natured way.
I blush. "Oh, I'm not dating your son, Mr. Masen."
His eyebrows rise in surprise. "Not yet? Perhaps there is hope for him." He chuckles as he bids me a good day.
We shake hands and I thank him for his time.
Outside, I look up at the weak sun and decide to walk back to the apartment. I can do with the fresh air and time to think. I slip my ray bans on and set off.
About halfway there I start to wish I hadn't. It's been over a mile and I'm obviously not in as great shape as I thought.
A very nice car, a black Chevrolet Camaro and I only know that because I love the transformers movies, pulls up beside me and the horn beeps, making me jump.
I turn and see Edward smirking at me through the open window, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Want a ride? I'm now going to pick up the guys."
"I'm not supposed to accept lifts from strangers."
He pouts dramatically and widens his eyes.
I giggle at his expression and open the door to get in, settling myself into the passenger seat.
"Nice car." I complement.
"I know."
He grins back at me, as he waits for me to buckle up, before speeding off into the road.
"How did the interview go?"
"Yeah, it went well. I think. He knows my Father, which explains why he did the interview. He's very proud of you." I turn to watch his beautiful profile. His jaw looks tense, like he's grinding his teeth together.
I carry on after he doesn't respond.
"He invited me over for dinner some time." He turns his head in surprise.
"Really? Wow. He must've shown you his human side."
"He didn't seem too bad." I argue.
"Listen, Bella. It's far too complicated for me to even go there. But I'm glad it went well."
A thrill runs through me when he says my name. I look out of my window as we pull up at the apartment. I turn to unbuckle my belt and see him watching me, a careful look in his eyes.
"Were you going to kiss me on Saturday?" It just blurts out of my mouth before I can really consider it. He hesitates for a second.
"Nope." He pops the P.
"Oh." I look at my fingers in my lap and twist them together. "That's good."
He moves his head closer to mine, I can feel his breath fan across my face.
"I was actually planning on fucking you." He says it in such a matter of fact way that I look up in surprise and see his grin.
I laugh nervously, thinking that he must be joking.
I mentally remind myself that he is a pussy hound, there's a good chance that he isn't joking. No matter how ridiculous it seems to me, he probably doesn't have very high standards. I shake my head.
"I'm sorry but I just. Not with me." I stumble over my words, laughing nervously and peek over at him, embarrassed by my word vomit.
"Why?" He looks at me with interest.
"I'm not exactly, you know. Experianced in that kind of thing. Plus, I'm not exactly much to look at. Not like Rose, anyway." It suddenly gets incredibly warm inside the car and my flee reflex is screaming at me as my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I need to get a better filter between my brain and my mouth.
It's his turn to laugh, not a nervous one like me but straight from the belly, laughs. I can't help but watch in amazement.
"This has been the weirdest conversation I've ever had with a woman. Bella, you obviously don't look into a mirror very often because that isn't anywhere close to the truth. Not that it matters because like I said last night, you've been placed firmly into the out of bounds list by Emmett, as you witnessed." He pauses for a second, before continuing. " I'm not going to lie, that makes you even more tempting. Just don't walk around with those fucking amazing tits out again or I might not be able to control myself." He abruptly gets out of the car, leaving me sitting there with my mouth hanging open.
"Hey, wait up. I did not have my tits out!"
He turns, laughing at me as he walks up to the entrance door. I scramble after him but he's already upstairs in the apartment by the time I get there so I shoot him my best death glare and stalk into my room, ignoring everyone else. I do notice Emmett's look pointed at Edward. He shrugs his shoulders.
"I just gave her a lift." His lips twitch in amusement.
I sit in my room feeling a bit silly, the atmosphere in that confined area with him must've amplified everything because looking back on it now, I don't feel so annoyed.
When I get hungry I sneak into the kitchen and make myself a salad, arranging it into a plate of edible art. I can hear the others planning some kind of trip. I finish eating and walk into the living area.
Rose is the first to ask how my interview went and I explain the whole experience, leaving out the parts about Edward but including my dinner invite. Alice and Rose dance around laughing. Alice claps her hands together.
"We have to go out and celebrate! Tonight!"
I have to remind her that I haven't actually been offered a place yet, before she calms down. The boys leave halfway through the celebration and they both congratulate me. I'm careful to avoid direct contact with Edward's eyes as I call out my goodbye.
I'm relieved that I get to catch up with the girls and fill them in on a few things that I'm certain they don't know about.
We end up on the floor eating Chinese takeout and drinking Prosecco, a house-warming gift from Esme. The girls have fun regaling stories about their time with Emmett and Jasper, they seem truly smitten.
Rose has agreed to get a small tattoo on her hip and is excited to have Emmett's hands on her. Alice tells us about Jasper's obsession with the Civil war and how they've spent their time in old museums.
"So," Rose turns to face me. "We've told you about our guys, it's your turn. What was with the cold shoulder to Edward?"
She's munching on rice as I answer.
"He said he was going to fuck me." I dead pan.
The rice goes everywhere as she spits it all out. She must've inhaled some because she starts choking, me and Alice end up whacking her on the back until it clears. This kind of proves me right about how ridiculous it sounds.
"Oh. My. God. Woman. You are trying to kill me!" She splutters, each word punctuated by a cough.
"Has Emmett or Jasper told you who Edward is?" I ask with interest.
"Yeah, of course he has, he's Edward Masen Seniors son." Alice chimes in.
They both turn to look at me, waiting.
"He's the pussy hound, as Emmett puts it, that we've been laughing about." They both look shocked.
"Wow, really? I wouldn't have guessed. He's hardly looked at me. In fact he spent most of his time staring at you." She stops. "You were joking about him wanting to fuck you. Right?"
"Emmett threw him across the apartment, just as he was about to, I don't know. Maybe kiss me? Apparently I'm out of bounds. No idea why everyone feels like they have to make my decisions for me." I cross my arms, feeling annoyed. I wouldn't have minded tasting Edward's lips.
"He's such a hero, my Em. I'll have to reward him when I next see him. Bella, seriously if he is the jerk we've all been talking about. He did the right thing. You're as clean and innocent as your bed sheets. He's incredibly hot and I can see that you like him, visually, but he is the big bad wolf that a Mom warns her daughter about."
Alice mumbles her agreement through noodles.
"I do like him. He's funny and as you've noticed, incredibly gorgeous. Plus, however inconceivable it is to even me, I think he might like me. I just think there's a lot more to him." I pout.
"I don't doubt that Bella, at all, you're absolutely gorgeous but he will chew you up and spit you out sweetie. Do you really want that to be your first experience of sex?"
I burn red, because she's right. I definitely haven't put my virginity on a pedestal. I do want to have sex and I'm not expecting fireworks and marriage, but I have a feeling that with Edward it would be the polar opposite.
"It's my decision though. Right? I'm not even saying that I want to. But maybe." I feel confused and disappointed. Alice pats my hand gently.
"There, there sweetie. We will find you a lovely man. Someone who will actually stay for cuddles, after robbing you of your v card."
"Yeah. Sure." I mumble my words, suddenly done with this conversation.
"Did we tell you that Emmett and Jasper are actually adopted brothers? I was shocked at that one. They were both adopted by a Doctor, when they were quite young. They are just so sweet." Alice coos.
I smile, nod and make the appropriate noises in the right places for the rest of the evening, until it's late enough for me to retire to bed without rousing suspicion.
I just can't shake Edward from my mind. The stupid thing is that I know Rose and Alice are right, Edward probably isn't the best or the easy choice.
I might just have to forget about him, or at least try to.