A/N
Disclaimer - Twilight belongs to the fantastic Stephenie Meyer, I just own this Britishward. Or I wish I did.
Thank you so much for the fantastic response to the last chapter, and I'm so excited to have so many new readers thanks, in no small part, to The Lemonade Stand and Fictionators.
Thank you to the awesome FatesLoveQueen for the beautiful banner she has made for The Search - you can see it on my FB or Twitter page and for more of her brilliant artwork check out fateslovequeen . blogspot . com
Finally, HUGE thanks again to my lovely beta, Trip, for all her hard work on this chapter.
Even though this is BPOV, when I was writing it my mind was completely consumed with Eddie - and I'm slightly embarassed to admit I was listening to Can't Fight This Feeling on repeat! Although Ed is way too cool to love a song that was covered by the cast of Glee (although he does like chick flicks so...) check out the lyrics to see where I figure he is at about now. Anyway, I'm outta here, Bella wants to talk...
BPOV
"Don't be nervous, Bella." Angela says, taking a bite out of her sandwich. "It's just another boring corporate networking event."
I groan a little and poke the pasta around in my Tupperware box. Angela, Jessica and I are taking a late lunch in the small canteen above the office.
"A boring corporate networking event, to celebrate Volturi's 30th Anniversary, that I'm responsible for not messing up."
"But, guys," Jessica chirps in, "It's not a "networking event" remember? It's just a "party"!"
We all dissolve into giggles. Aro has been touting this as a "party" for several weeks and we've been told we should definitely "relax, have fun and enjoy ourselves." However, 300 of our closest clients and candidates have been invited, so there is no way we'll be getting drunk and dancing on the tables like your average staff-only gathering. To make the situation more laughable and despite his insistence that it's a "party", just this morning Aro sent an email around to the company with a link to Top Ten Networking Tips. The old guy is clearly insane.
"Anyway," Jess continues. "Whatever this thing is, I thought you'd organised this sort of stuff before?"
"I have but I never had to actually attend one before. I think that's the thing - knowing that if something goes wrong they'll be looking at me to fix it and I'll actually be right there, that's scary."
Jess snorts. "Well they won't really. They'll be looking to Ed. It's his ultimate responsibility."
I shrug, looking down.
Jess can sniff out emotions like a hog sniffs out truffles. "Ah ha, I see. That's what this is really all about. You're terrified of disappointing him." Her face is smug and grinning.
"Well of course." I reply, fighting down my blush. "He's my new boss and this is the first big PR thing he's asked me to help with."
"Yeah okay, that's what I meant." Jess rolls her eyes sarcastically.
Angela eyes me carefully. "So...do you like working for Eddie then?"
I feel like she is asking a different question to the one she is actually asking.
"Yeah, he's great." I say as noncommittal as possible.
Do I like working for Edward Cullen? That is a question I can barely answer in my own mind let alone to my co-workers. I like that he is a good boss. I like that he is fair and bright and says easily how he wants something to be done. I like that he has become my friend and has made this country seem so much less lonely.
I don't like that every moment we are together I can't stop watching him, that I have to constantly fight the urge to loosen his tie or push his incredible hair back from his face. I don't like that when his body is within a metre of mine, my heart beats so loudly I'm convinced he can hear it. I don't like that, even though it was weeks ago, I still think about his soft lips on my throat when I'm lying in bed at night. I don't like that I fell asleep with my head practically in his lap and I enjoyed it.
And I really don't like that this morning he came in wearing the same shirt as he wore yesterday.
I zone back into Jessica and Angela's conversation, desperately trying to unclench my tight fists.
"So do you have your dress yet, Bella?" Angela asks.
I consider the one cocktail dress I brought with me from Seattle and how when I tried it on last night, it was a little tight and didn't look right at all. I have obviously regained the weight I lost after I left Jacob and when Charlie died, I look a little closer to my old self. Good news for my psyche, bad news for my party dress.
"No," I reply. "I need to sort something out."
"Well let's go out tomorrow lunchtime then." Angela says brightly and I gratefully accept their invitation. Shopping is not my favourite pastime and hopefully some company will make it easier.
We throw our lunch trash away and go back downstairs to the office. When I arrive back at my desk Edward has left two audiotapes and one draft assignment brief, covered in his distinct red scrawl. The post-it on top reads I know you are swamped with all this, ahem, party stuff but if you could find the time to do the changes to this brief I will be forever in your debt. He has attempted to soften the blow further by adding a fairly detailed and strangely artistic smiley face. I can't help but smile back at it.
I also can't help sneaking a glance at him through the glass window to his office. He is leaning back on his chair, on the phone, deep in conversation. He has clearly switched shirts during the day but I can see the edge of the old one sticking out of his laptop bag.
Swan, let it go. So what if he didn't go home last night? You're not his mother. Or his wife. But I can't shake off my irrational irritation and, strangely, disappointment. I know all the rumours, I know he is "a bit of a slag" - Jess's words - but I just can't reconcile that person with the Edward I've come to know; sweet, understanding and caring. I guess I'm just disappointed to see that Jess and the others are probably right and I just don't know the real him. I want to know the real him though and I want that person to be the Edward I'm familiar with.
Of course, for all I know, if he did spend the night with a woman she might not be a one-night stand at all. She might be someone real, someone serious. And that makes me feel even worse.
I allow myself to sneak one last look at him before getting on with my work. I note that while he is talking, in his left hand he absentmindedly squeezes the stress ball that his last assistant, Kate, apparently gave him "as a joke". I've noted that he plays with it so often I'm not entirely sure she meant it as such. He suddenly catches me off guard and turns his head, locking his green eyes onto mine.
Busted! Shit.
But all he does is smile easily and give me a little wave. I tell my heart to slow the hell down.
Worried I'll forget about tomorrow I drop him an email.
Edward, I'm going to be taking the full hour for lunch tomorrow if that's okay? Going to Oxford St with the girls - dreaded "party" dress shopping! *rolls eyes*
I lose myself in my work for a while. I complete Edward's amends and then get back to final preparations for the anniversary party. It's less than a week away and time is ticking.
An hour later, Edward comes out of his office and greets me, standing over my desk. My heart does the usual flip and I briefly wonder if I should start getting regular ECGs. I hand him the completed brief.
"Thanks," he says, smiling. "Got your message about tomorrow, of course that's fine - I wish you would take the full hour more often. But listen, go straight to Selfridges. They have a good selection, so I'm told, and my sister is a buyer for their womenswear department. She will come down from the office and make sure you get the star treatment - personal shopper, access to all the newest stock etc."
"Oh no, Edward, please don't. I don't want you or your sister to go to any trouble for me."
He smiles and doesn't let my eyes leave his. He always seems intent on holding my gaze, no matter what the conversation, as if he is trying to look into my mind or my soul.
"Don't be silly, Bella. It's absolutely no trouble at all. Plus I already asked Alice and she text back what can only be described as a squeal - seriously I can show it to you if you like? She lives for this sort of thing. I think she would have stayed as a personal shopper forever if the pay rise they offered her hadn't been so tempting."
I smile gratefully. "Well if you're sure she doesn't mind, that would be great, thank you."
I already feel the nerves rushing around in my stomach at the thought of meeting Alice. Edward has mentioned his sister several times before and it's obvious they are close.
"You're totally welcome. Alice will love it, and she'll help you get something really lovely. And the others too of course." He adds hastily.
"Thanks. Jess and Angela will love that."
With a final easy grin Edward goes back to his desk and I'm left to ponder the idea of meeting Alice Cullen. What in God's name shall I wear?
When we reach the entrance to the department store the following day Angela and Jess are practically buzzing.
"This is such a wicked idea, Bella." Jess almost squeals. "Alice is AWESOME. And Ed said they have closed off a whole little section for us. How completely sweet is that?"
"Incredibly sweet." I swallow nervously. It's only your boss's sister. Your friend's sister. Plus a few dozen designer dresses. While to most women this would be considered fun, to me this could qualify as Purgatory. Firstly, undressing in front of other women (or indeed anyone) isn't my favourite thing. Secondly, the overwhelming choice of dresses and accessories and knowing how to match one to the other is mildly bewildering to me. Lastly, there is the scrutiny, both by myself and by the others.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't also a little nervous about meeting Alice. She sounds intimidating as hell.
We head up to the customer service desk on the top floor, as per Edward's instruction, and before we've even reached it this tiny energy ball of a woman is hurtling towards us.
"Alright, lovelies?" She greets, throwing her arms around Angela and Jess. "So fantastic to see you again."
Her accent is exactly the same as Edward's and yet she makes no attempt to hide it. I get the instant impression that nothing from this girl's mouth could ever be false.
She is beautiful, and you can certainly see the resemblance to her brother. Brown/bronze hair just a couple of shades darker but looking just as thick and lush, Alice wears hers in an impossibly cool pixie style that somehow appears effortless. Fantastic bone structure must be a family trait and her full lips are clearly the female version of his. However, although very similar in shape to Edward's startling emerald eyes, hers are a clear and sparkling blue. These two seriously lucked out on the gene pool and I wonder if their parents are retired supermodels.
I realise she has climbed off the others and has turned her attention to me.
"And you must be Bella" she says, a little more subdued now but eyes still sparkling. "I'm so happy to meet you."
She holds out her hand and the gesture seems strangely at odds with her personality, she is clearly a hugger.
I shake her tiny outstretched palm and murmur "Hi. You too."
She is smiling warmly but eyeing me with an odd intensity that I find very disconcerting. I try to hold her gaze and smile back but I can feel the crippling shyness creeping over me.
Finally she squeezes my hand and murmurs, quite cryptically "Yeah..."
Yeah what, beautiful pixie?
But there is little time to ponder as she is soon shepherding us to the designer womenswesar section and settling us into a dressing room.
"Champagne?" Alice asks. This is decidedly surreal. I usually buy my clothes in sale, on a quiet Sunday at Forever 21.
A sales assistant comes in with a rack of dresses and I instantly wonder how Alice can possibly know my size. Did she email Jess or Angela and ask them for a rough idea? Jesus, did Edward guess it?
The other two begin feverishly pawing through the rail of beautiful gowns but I hang back a little, uncertain what I'm really looking for. Alice appears at my side and slips a friendly arm around me.
"Don't fret, babe" she says. "I already know exactly which one will suit you."
She hops over to the rail and quickly plucks out a dress, holding it up for my opinion.
It is a simple, one shoulder dark blue satin, knee length dress with beautiful detailing in the fabric at the shoulder and the opposite hip. It is a lot younger and cooler than anything I would usually pick out but it is beautiful.
"Don't look daunted, Bella. It's a modern twist on a classic. You have such a tiny waist you should show it off a little and this colour will contrast beautifully with your skin tone." Alice says.
"Um, ok. I'll try it on then?"
"Good girl." Alice grins and shows me to a dressing room.
I quickly slip into the gown and do up the zip as high as I can. Alice stands on tiptoes to finish pulling it up for me. I think she may be the tiniest woman I have ever met.
She appraises me and her ever-present smile broadens. "Just as I thought, absolutely bloody perfect."
She gently grabs my wrist and tugs me around to face the mirror and I'm pleasantly stunned by the sight before me. The dress is perfect; it pulls in beautifully around my waist before flaring the tiniest bit at my hips giving me the appearance of a very slight hourglass figure. The one shoulder adds a modern twist and Alice is right, the colour seems to really suit me.
Alice laughs. "I would ask you what you think but your face says it all. Perfect right?"
"Yes." I reply, a little awed. This girl has a real skill. "I love it. Thank you, Alice." I turn to smile at her.
She shrugs. "Anytime. Eddie said you deserved a treat."
"He did?" I can't help but ask.
"Yep. He is so grateful for all the work you've been putting in since you joined."
She rolls her eyes and lowers her voice. "Plus anyone who has risked his cooking is a brave and deserving girl indeed."
I don't miss the quick, sharp glances from both Angela and Jess where they are standing at the mirrors beside me.
"He told you about that?" I feel a little uncomfortable, as I'm not sure if Edward would want the whole office to know that we've been hanging out outside of work, even if we are just friends. But I'm also incredibly curious to know what he has told his sister about me.
"Yeah. He loves to regale me with his cooking dramas, rare though they are. Count yourself privileged, I suspect that may be the first time he has attempted a meal in that kitchen for months!"
The other two continue to stare open-mouthed and Alice seems to finally notice them.
"Er, anyway, where was I? Let's get a look at you two." She quickly turns the subject back around.
So Edward has spoken about me to his sister, and he went into enough detail that she knows about the ruined lasagne. Are they just talk-every-day close or dare I hope that has he been talking about me for another reason?
Hope, Swan? Get your shit together. You can't have him.
I shake my thoughts away and change back into my work clothes. Having selected their dresses, Angela and Jess do the same and Alice insists on using her very generous staff discount. We say farewell to Alice and this time she grips me in a surprisingly strong hug.
She speaks softly in my ear. "You'll look so gorgeous, Bella, everyone will have their eyes on you." When she pulls back she grins and winks at me.
I've barely made it out of the door before Jess and Angela are interrogating me.
"You've been to Eddie's HOUSE?" Jessica squeals.
"He's cooked for you?" Angela seems equally awed. Colour rises in my cheeks and I want the ground to open up.
"We just watched a movie. We live in the same neighbourhood. We're friends I guess." I turn to look at each of their faces. "Why is this such a big deal? Edward is friends with you."
Jess scoffs. "Leave it out, Bella! We're colleagues. We banter, we chat and we work together. But I'm not his friend and neither is Ange nor anyone else associated with the business as far as I can tell. Aside from Jasper Whitlock, Ed treats all colleagues and associates the same - he is charming, funny and smooth as cut glass but he doesn't let a single soul inside. I know how he handles a project and how he takes his tea but I couldn't tell you his favourite music -"
Classical piano and 90s indie.
"- or his favourite book -"
Flowers for Algernon.
"- or his guilty pleasures."
Richard Curtis romantic comedies.
She looks at me and slowly smiles. "But something tells me that you could. Right?"
Aversion tactic needed.
"What about my predecessor, Kate? She and Edward were close, weren't they?"
Angela looks at me gently. "Yes, they had an excellent working relationship and lots of banter. She is a great PA, but I'm still fairly certain he never had her round for tea."
Oh. This is strange then. Why would he be so insistent on us spending time together outside of work? Why would he actually ask to be friends? And why is it so hot in here?
"Is there something else going on, Bella?" Angela practically whispers.
"Yeah you can tell us!" Jess is almost jumping on the spot, gossip antennae flashing.
"No!" I quickly respond, pushing the moment outside my apartment to the back of my mind. Meeting their sceptical gaze I insist, "I swear! It's nothing like that."
Jessica shrugs, apparently temporarily satisfied. We're back at our desks now and Edward is almost within earshot. She leans in closer and whispers. "Well, don't worry if he does flirt like crazy. He's like that with everyone anyway."
Um, what now? One minute they are insinuating there is something going on between Edward and I and the next Jess is saying he tries it on with every woman on Volturi's payroll so it's no big deal? This place is giving me whiplash.
Suddenly, the man himself is in front of us. "Alright, ladies? Was it a successful shopping trip?"
"Absolutely." Jessica says, sly grin playing on her lips. "In fact, Bella got something especially beautiful."
"Good." he says, glancing at me.
But Jess isn't done. "Just you wait, Ed, she's gonna be a total knock-out." She is eyeing us both carefully and I desperately try to send Edward a telepathic message that this is a trap. I must fail miserably because when I look up his eyes quickly rake over me and he says softly "I've no doubt."
Quickly turning to Jess he says, "I'm sure your outfit is awesome too."
"Always." She grins.
"Belleview update telecon in 20 minutes, yeah?"
"You got it, boss." I wonder if that smug grin will crack her face in half by 5.30.
"And do you have five minutes now, Bella?"
"Um, sure." I stammer, following him into his office.
His sits behind his desk and I take my usual position in the chair opposite.
"I'm glad Alice was able to help," he says, rifling through some papers on his desk.
"Yes it was really great, thank you. And Alice was brilliant; she really has a good eye. Please thank her again for me."
Edward looks thoughtful. "Yeah my sister certainly sees things that's for sure. She wasn't too overbearing I hope?"
"No more than you." I smile and he returns it.
"Ah, here it is." He finally finds the piece of paper he is looking for. "So, final party plans. We all set?"
I fill him in on the details for a few minutes and then he asks. "Are you still dreading it then?"
"I'm not dreading it. I'm just a little anxious for everything to go well."
"It'll be perfect, you'll see" he replies. "However, there are much more pressing things to concern yourself with besides name badges and entertainment."
I'm curious. "Such as?"
"Well our pervy old clients for one thing." Edward explains. "Half of Voturi's regular clients are Aro's old Gentlemen's Club execs; rich old bastards with dirty deals and dirtier minds. It's one of the things I would love to try to change when I'm a department head but for now, keep your wits about you."
He is scowling and I wonder how he manages to make even that expression attractive. He continues. "They love the PAs at these things - mainly because you are predominantly young and female - and you will be especially popular."
"Why do you say that?" I ask.
Edward chuckles. "Because you're fucking gorgeous, aren't you?"
I try to remember to breathe as I blush a furious red.
"And try to control that adorable blush too." He says softly. "Unless you want to make it worse for yourself."
I'm not entirely sure how serious he is about what he is saying but the flirting is doing delicious things to me. Also, I can't help but notice the slight flush high on his cheekbones too.
Feeling my confidence boosted, I ask, "So what do you suggest? What's my tactic for ridding myself of these creepy advances?" I smile so he knows I'm only half serious.
"Keep your arse out of reach and stick to business small talk only. Oh and if anyone does get too friendly, you have my permission to knee him in the balls." Now I know he is kidding as his eyes are sparkling a little wickedly.
"Unless it's Michael Coleman of course." He grins widely. "He's given us enough business to warrant the opportunity to cop a feel."
"Edward!" I admonish, both of us laughing.
"Kidding of course." He says. "If Michael lays a hand on you I'll break his bloody arm. How 'bout that?"
"How valiant of you." I roll my eyes.
"Told you I was an English gentleman, didn't I?"
I laugh. "And where will you be, pray tell? Hanging by the bar, waiting to pinch some yummy client ass yourself?"
He is silent for a beat and his face grows a little more serious. He locks his gaze on mine, doing the soul searching, mind reading thing again.
"Nope. I'll be watching...and waiting."
"For what?" I ask softly.
"For you to complete the final party-related task I've set you."
My heart rate picks up as I watch his face.
"Which is?"
"Saving me a dance."
My breath catches and I have to look away. I'm hit with a barrage of distracting thoughts and confusing questions and my emotions are running wild. Alice's cryptic words and wink. Jess' warning. Edward's penetrating green stare. Fun or flirt? Friend or boss?
But I know one thing for certain. I've had enough of his uncomfortable teasing. It's time to fight fire with fire.
I swallow hard, look him straight in the eye and purr.
"I'll put it on my To Do list, Mr Cullen."
A/N
Oh I do so love it when our B forgets her shyness and gives Ed some sass! ;-) Also, you all simply MUST read Flowers for Algernon, one of the best books ever written IMO.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts so please hit the button and give it to me straight. I live for feedback. Teasers for reviewers as usual and feel free to follow me on Twitter or Facebook under Ambers Pen.
*Hint* - the next chap is The Big One (and I don't just mean because it is twice the word count!) and I am already incredibly nervous! It should be with you just after Christmas. Until then thanks again for your support and I wish a happy holiday season to you all!
Amber x