Disclaimer: I wish I owned Twilight but I don't, Stephenie Meyer does :)
Chapter 5 - Determined
I hope she doesn't think I'm too clingy, Edward thought as he walked towards Stanley & Co. for the third time this week.
As soon as Edward stepped out of the elevator on the eighth floor, he heard a squeal.
Jessica ran from behind Bella's desk, towards Edward and wrapped her arms around him. Edward awkwardly patted her back a couple of times, his eyes focused on Bella.
Bella didn't look at him, she kept her eyes downcast - just as Edward had expected.
"Did you bring my presents?" Jessica asked excitedly. "Izzy says they were expensive."
"No, but they should be delivered later this afternoon."
Jessica squealed again. Edward winced at the noise.
"Jess?" Bella yelled from behind her desk. "Your mom is on line one."
Jessica groaned. "This might take a while. If you need anything just ask Izzy."
Edward made sure Jessica had gone into her office before approaching Bella.
"Bella?"
Bella kept her head down. She was typing furiously on her blackberry.
"Can we please talk about last night?"
Still no answer.
Edward got out his phone and began texting.
Bella was on her phone, messaging her friend Leah – who also worked at the strip club – when her phone vibrated, signaling that she had an incoming message.
Bella sent her text to Leah and went to open the message that had just come.
It was from Edward Cullen.
How did he get my number? How did I get his?
Bella then remembered that Edward had taken her phone away from her at Victoria Secrets yesterday.
Bella suppressed an eye roll and went to read the message.
Bella please stop ignoring me.
Bella pressed reply.
Make me
Edward chuckled lightly. "Bella, stop being childish."
Bella didn't respond. She simply put her phone down and turned to the computer.
"Bella, it really hurt when you said you were sorry for kissing me. What we have is real. I know you know it."
Bella took a deep breath, grabbed the files on her table and walked over to the filing cabinet.
As a child, Bella had been extremely clumsy.
Luckily for Bella, her clumsy tendencies had slowly disappeared once she became a mother.
Maybe it was the fact that she was agitated, or that fact that she was in the presence of Edward but her clumsy tendencies came back and she ended up tripping over nothing. Her files ended up falling everywhere.
"Bella, are you okay?"
Bella got up and turned to glare at Edward. Edward's eyes widened and he put his hands up in surrender, slowly backing away.
Edward stood from a distance, watching as Bella bent down to pick up the files. He had a clear view of her ass.
After putting the files away, Bella went back to her desk and saw that she had two new messages. One from Leah and one from Edward.
Ok baby see you soon – Leah
Is your ass from McDonalds because I'm lovin' it
Edward swore he heard Bella laugh quietly under her breath. At least he was getting some sort of response from her.
Bella didn't look up at Edward though; she just went back to her computer like she did every other time Edward wanted her attention. Edward swore he'd have to smash that computer one day.
"How long are you going to ignore me for? This may be the last time you see me, you know."
Bella stopped typing. This would be the last time she saw him.
All the more reason to stay away.
Bella didn't want to have any sort of attachment towards Edward, though she was sure she always had.
Jessica came out, groaning. "Can we get out of here, Edward?"
Edward hesitated, looking between Bella and Jessica before nodding reluctantly.
As soon as Edward left with Jessica, Bella let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.
She started thinking about last night and how it had been so bittersweet. Edward was so close, she could feel him, see him, touch him, smell him, but that didn't mean that he was hers.
In an attempt to distract herself, Bella went back to organizing Jessica's schedule.
Bella was supposed to meet Leah at one o'clock but it was already twelve fifty five and Jessica and Edward were yet to return. Bella couldn't help but wonder what they were up to.
Probably sexing it up in the storage room.
At one fifteen, Leah had called Bella twice, and messaged her five times. She was an impatient individual.
I'm sure they'll be back soon, Bella thought as she got her handbag and left to meet up with Leah at the local coffee shop.
"Bella!" Leah squealed as soon as Bella walked through the door.
Bella walked towards her eagerly. Leah stood up to embrace her. "Hey Good looking, how you been?"
Bella plopped down on the chair across from Leah. She placed her handbag on the table and sighed. "I have so much to tell you."
Leah beamed. "Do tell."
"Edward is in New York."
Leah's eyes widened. "Edward? As in your first love, Edward? The I fucked another girl when you were under the same roof but we were together, Edward?"
Bella laughed once. "Yeah, that would be him."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Nope, I'm not." Bella said before retelling the whole story from Monday afternoon.
"Fuck!" Leah exclaimed when Bella finished. Everyone in the coffee shop had turned to look at them.
"What the fuck are you all looking at?" Leah said, glaring.
Everyone went back to their own thing and Bella started feeling slightly awkward.
"So did you fuck him last night at the club?"
"No! Never again will he and I sleep together." Bella vowed.
"Is he still as hot as you remember?"
"Hotter."
"Then you should totally fuck him. Let him see what he's missing out on."
Bella shook her head. "No. I'm pretty sure that would have the opposite effect."
Leah sighed. "I know! We could totally have a threesome."
Bella laughed even though she knew Leah was being serious. "I'm going to get something to eat, you want anything?"
Leah shook her head. "No way. Some of us don't have a fast metabolism like you do. I swear Sue will fire me if I gained another pound."
Bella rolled her eyes. Leah was a very attractive woman. She had big, beautiful eyes, long dark hair, a flat stomach, she had a nice tan and her breasts were tremendously large.
Just as Bella paid for her ham and cheese sandwich, her phone began ringing.
Jessica.
"Hello?"
"Izzy! Where the hell are you?"
"On my lunch break…?"
"I can't believe you left without telling me. What if someone called?"
"Nobody calls besides your parents, Jess." Stop acting as if your job is important because its not.
"I want you back in the office now!" Jessica was so loud that Bella had to move the phone away from her ears.
"Fine." Bella said, before hanging up and saying goodbye to Leah.
Leah cursed Jessica out before giving Bella a kiss on the cheek. "Are you working tonight?"
Bella nodded.
"Alright, I'll see you later then." Leah said stroking Bella's cheek with her thumb a couple of times.
When Bella got back to the office, Edward was sitting behind her desk.
Edward grinned as soon as he saw Bella. "Good afternoon, how may I help you?"
"Get out of my chair."
Edward didn't stand. "Where'd you go? McDonalds?" His eyes moved down to look as her ass.
"No! Stop it." Bella replied moving back.
"I'm still lovin' it." Edward said, winking.
"My ass isn't from McDonalds, it's from KFC."
Edward chuckled. "Is it finger licking good?"
"God you're immature!"
Before Edward could respond, Jessica emerged from her office.
"Izzy, I'm so fucking pissed right now."
Like I care.
"Sorry Jess, I didn't think you'd mind…"
"Well I do! Don't let it happen again." Jessica said before going back into her office and slamming the door shut.
"What's with her?" Edward asked.
"I don't know. What happened when you guys were out?" Bella tried to sound nonchalant but she was sure Edward could tell the curiosity was burning inside of her.
"Nothing." He lied.
In actual fact, it wasn't nothing. Jessica had tried to kiss Edward while they were at the park getting some 'fresh air'. When Edward pushed her away, Jessica threw a tantrum and demanded that they became official. Of course, Edward refused.
God, Bella's boss is a psycho.
Edward then thought back to the conversation he had with Jessica on Thursday.
"Fine. But if I find out something is going on between you and Izzy, you're not welcome here anymore. And neither is she."
"What? You're going to fire her if something happens between us?"
"I saw you first. You're mine."
Edward now understood why Jessica was letting all her anger out on Bella. She was such an unreasonable person.
Edward stood up from Bella's chair and walked into Jessica's office without knocking.
"Jessica?"
Jessica was sitting on her couch, with her head down and a tissue in her hand.
"Jessica? Are you mad at me?"
"Fuck you, Tony." Jessica sobbed.
"Look Jessica, I think you're really cool, but we just met five days ago. I just want to get to know you better before you know…"
Jessica looked up at Edward.
"R-really?"
Edward nodded.
"You're coming back?" Jessica sounded hopeful.
"Definitely. The love of my life is here in New York, why wouldn't I come back?"
"Love of your life?"
"Well…I mean…soon to be love of my life? I don't know. Just don't cry. Please."
Jessica wiped her eyes and stood, giving Edward a hug.
"Don't be angry okay? I have to go meet up with my publisher. I'll see you soon alright?"
"Can we meet up for dinner?"
"Sorry I have plans. But take care." Edward said as he rushed out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
Bella looked up at Edward when she heard the door shut. Her eyes were sad.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked walking towards her.
"Uh yeah. Its just the time of month." Bella explained. She knew Edward wouldn't ask any questions after that.
"Oh. Okay, well I have to go meet up with my publicist."
"Bye then."
That's it? Edward felt his heart clenching.
"Don't I at least get a hug or something?"
"It was nice seeing you again, but you should go. Have a good life."
"Okay…bye…"
Edward left the building feeling extremely wounded.
xxxxxx
Not long after Edward had left, Jessica came out of her office looking rather ecstatic.
Bella's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Talk about bipolar.
"Oh my god, guess what Izzy." Jessica said as she sat herself down on Bella's desk.
"What?" It was obvious Bella wasn't very interested.
"Edward said I was the love of his life!"
Bella could have cried right then and there.
Get over it Bella, you haven't been together for almost five years. He doesn't want you and you don't even deserve him. She groaned internally. Why does it still hurt so much?
"Wow…that's great." Bella said softly. "But didn't you just meet?"
Jessica shrugged. "Yeah, he said something like that too but he's coming back for me. This won't be the last time we see him."
xxxxxx
It was almost eleven o'clock at night and Edward was desperate to see Bella.
It was a Friday night so chances are Bella would be working.
Obviously, Bella didn't want anything to do with Edward. He promised himself wouldn't bother her this time. He'd simply watch from afar and admire her beauty.
However, when Edward got into the club, Bella was nowhere to be seen.
Maybe she isn't here yet.
Edward decided to take a seat and wait for a while.
"Hey can I take your…"
Edward looked up to see Bella holding a pen and paper. She was wearing a white low cut shirt and the shortest shorts Edward had ever seen. Some may even consider it to be underwear.
"You're kidding me right?" Bella huffed.
"I'm sorry that this is the only strip club I know of in New York, Bella. I promise I'm not here to disturb you."
"Oh." She looked hurt.
"So uh…what time do you finish?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "Can I get you anything?"
"What drinks do you have?"
"Um…mostly alcohol…but you can also have tea or coffee or something…?" Bella said looking unsure.
Although Edward was still hurt from Bella's…lack of enthusiasm towards him at the office, his cockiness still wanted to come out to play.
"You know they call me Coffee coz I grind so fine." I said, winking.
"That's the worst pickup line I have ever heard."
"I've heard worse."
Bella sighed. "Well, if you want to get laid that badly then crawl up a chicken's butt and wait."
Edward chuckled. "I'm glad you still have a sense of humor, but the only thing I'm waiting for is you. What time do you finish?"
"There are so many other women here, why don't you go and use your pickup lines on them." She looked frustrated now.
"That wasn't a pickup line and besides, if you were a booger I'd pick you first."
Bella started laughing.
Success!
When Bella's laughing started to die down, Bella gave Edward a small smile. "Good thing I'm not a booger then."
"You can be whatever you want, Bella, but no matter what, you'll always be my number one." Edward said genuinely.
"Okay, stop with the lines. I need to work." Bella said, walking away.
Edward had disappeared during the night and Bella wasn't sure whether she was supposed to be grateful or disappointed.
She walked home alone at three in the morning. Thoughts of Edward kept popping up in her mind.
Why was he so flirty towards me? Jessica is the love of his life after all. Maybe that's just what good looking guys do, they flirt with everyone…
Bella found Edward was lying on her front porch when she arrived home.
"Edward?" Bella said, squatting down beside him.
Bella tried shaking him. "Edward!"
Should I try and carry him inside? Or put ice down his shirt? Maybe I should just leave him here.
Bella sighed and went inside to grab two blankets.
She put one over Edward. And wrapped herself in the other.
Bella sat with her back against the wall, watching Edward as he slept peacefully. So beautiful.
xxxxxx
The next morning, Edward woke up hot and uncomfortable. There was a blanket by his feet.
Bella must have given it to me. At least she still cares about me a little bit.
Suddenly, Edward heard some mumbling. "We can't…no…please just…no…"
Edward turned to see Bella wrapped tightly in a blanket, her back against the wall. She was asleep.
"Bella?"
Edward moved towards her. "Bella wake up. You're going to have a sore back." He said softly as he stroked her cheek. They were warm and pink.
Bella started stirring before her eyes slowly opened.
"Good morning, Bella."
Bella groaned. "Next time you want to stay the night, you're paying rent."
"That's not a problem." Edward said chuckling. "You didn't have to stay out here with me, you know."
Bella mumbled something Edward couldn't quite make out.
"Where's Carlie?"
"At a friend's…I should go get her now."
"Can I come?"
"Am I allowed to say no?"
"No."
"Fine. Just let me get ready." Bella stood up, unlocking her front door.
Edward followed Bella inside. Her home was small, but cozy. And very nicely decorated.
"Do you want to take a shower or something?" Bella asked.
"Only if I can take one with you."
"Do you want to get out?"
Edward shook his head. There was a wide grin on his face.
Bella quickly showered and got ready as Edward sat by her dining table, waiting.
"Hey Edward, did you want to brush your teeth or something?"
"Does my breath stink?"
"Probably."
"Okay. Can I use your toothbrush?"
"No. I got a new one. Here." Bella said, passing him a blue toothbrush. It was still in its packet and everything.
After Edward finished brushing his teeth, he placed his toothbrush on the toothbrush stand along with a purple toothbrush and a smaller pink one.
"Bella, I put my toothbrush with yours." Edward said as he went to sit by Bella, who was on the loveseat in the living room.
"Oh you can take that home."
Edward shook his head. "No. Its for the next time I visit."
"Fine I'll throw it out."
"Isn't your daughter waiting?"
Bella nodded standing up. Edward followed.
xxxxxx
Edward and Bella were silent as they walked to Victoria's house.
Bella was so close. All Edward had to do was move his hand slightly and they would be holding hands. Though Edward was sure Bella wouldn't appreciate that.
They arrived at a large white house and Bella went to ring the doorbell.
The red haired woman who was with Carlie the previous night opened the door. "Hello Bella."
"Hey Victoria. Is my baby still asleep?"
Victoria nodded. "Yeah, she sure is. Oh hi Tony!"
"You two know each other?" Bella asked incredulously.
"Yeah. He ran into us two nights ago. Renes –"
"Um…can I use your bathroom, Vick?" Bella interrupted pushing past Victoria so she could get inside.
Victoria shrugged and moved aside so Edward could go inside.
"So are you and Bella an item?" Vicki asked.
"No. Just friends. If even that."
"Yeah…Bella isn't one to let people in."
"I can tell."
"I, on the other hand…" Victoria said running her hand down Edward's arm. "Am very…open."
Bella walked in on Edward and Victoria who were seemingly quite close.
"Uh…sorry." Bella said, walking towards the back of the house.
Edward followed her. "That's wasn't what it looked like, Bella."
Bella laughed once. "What you choose to do is none of my business. Its not like we'll ever be together again."
Edward's eyes widened in response.
Shit. That didn't come out right. It was the truth, though.
"Mommy?" Carlie was standing in the middle of the room with a toy rabbit in her hand. It was pink.
"Morning Sweetheart." Bella said, picking her up and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Are you hungry? We'll go get breakfast."
Carlie nodded and Bella turned to Edward.
"You can stay here if you want."
"Bella…" He sounded slightly agitated.
"Or you can join us." Bella quickly added.
Edward nodded once.
They ended up having breakfast at a small diner. Bella ordered pancakes for Carlie and pancakes and bacon and eggs for herself.
"Wow you eat a lot." Edward commented.
Bella shrugged. "And you're anorexic for not eating anything."
Edward chuckled before taking a sip of his coffee.
Carlie tugged at Edward's shirt. "Why aren't you eating?" She asked.
"I don't eat breakfast."
"If you want some of my breakfast you can have some." She offered.
"Aw…you're so sweet. But no thank you." Edward replied, patting her head.
Bella glared at Edward. "She's not a dog!"
"Yeah, but her mom is."
"I hate you."
"I'm kidding! Don't be so sensitive."
"Don't talk to me."
"That's really immature, Bella."
"Bite me."
"With pleasure."
When Bella didn't reply, Edward got up and left.
Bella sighed. Why must it always be like this for us?
Bella and Carlie had finished eating. Just as Bella got up to pay for the meals, Edward came up to her with a small smile and his hands behind his back.
Bella stood there motionlessly, unsure of what to do. She knew she looked like an idiot.
"I got you this." Edward said, bringing a cake out from behind him.
It was a chocolate cake, with strawberries on the outside and I'm sorry written in pink writing.
Bella was speechless. What was she supposed to say?
"I'm sorry for being an asshole. Shit like that just comes out. I think you're awesome and pretty and sexy and funny and not a dog. Never a dog, I swear."
Bella opened her mouth to speak when Carlie interrupted her.
"Cake! Cake! Cake! Can I have some?"
Edward smiled, setting the cake down on the table.
"Do you forgive me?"
"Damn you and your stupid charm."
Edward laughed and pulled out Bella's chair for her.
The cake was the best cake Bella had ever had. Probably because it was from Edward.
The sweetness took over her senses, as she slowly tasted every bite.
Amongst the three of them, Bella, Edward and Carlie had eaten three quarters of the cake.
"God Bella, I bet you could fit a whale in there." Edward said, rubbing Bella's stomach.
Bella slapped his hand away and turned to Carlie. "Sweetie, what do you want to do today?"
"Can we see the fishes?"
Bella groaned. "Again?"
Carlie nodded enthusiastically.
"The fishes?" Edward asked.
"She loves going to the New York Aquarium."
Edward smiled. "Let go then."
Bella was surprised that Edward was willing to tag along. "Um…okay."
xxxxxx
Edward paid for the tickets to the aquarium.
The lady by the counter smiled at Carlie, who was being carried by Edward. "You're just in time for the penguin feeding."
Carlie turned to Bella. "Did you hear that, Mommy?"
Bella stroked Carlie's cheek. "Yeah. Lets go."
Bella and Carlie were completely engrossed in watching the penguins being fed. However, little black and white creatures waddling around didn't quite appeal to Edward. He spent his time watching Bella and Carlie. He noticed how Bella would absentmindedly stroke Carlie's hair and how Carlie would turn constantly turn to Bella to tell her about the things she had noticed.
"Look Mommy! That ones not eating." She said, pointing to one of the penguins.
Bella laughed. "Maybe he doesn't eat breakfast."
"Like Eggward?" Carlie asked.
"Exactly."
After watching the penguins, they went to the touch pool. Carlie wasn't interested in feeling rocks or sea stars though. Instead, she ran towards the touch pool and started playing with the water.
Edward noticed Bella watching Carlie adoringly. Edward remembered when Bella would look at him like that. Not that he was jealous of Carlie.
Bella is going to look at me that way again. I know it.
If you were to ask Edward what they had seen during their trip to the aquarium, Edward wouldn't be sure of what to say. He remembered Carlie saying something about an octopus and shark but that was about it.
"Can we go now?" Carlie asked.
"Yeah let go!" Edward added.
"We've only been here for about an hour and you want to leave already?"
"Yes!" Edward and Carlie said at the same time.
Bella sighed. She wasn't one to waste money, but she also wasn't one to disappoint Carlie either.
They ended up at the park, which is how Bella and Carlie usually ended their evenings together.
Edward and Bella sat by the park bench watching Carlie and she tried to climb up the slide.
"So how are Esme and everyone?" Bella asked.
"Good. Esme really missed you when you left."
Bella stared at the ground, deep in thought. "Esme was like my second mom. She's probably forgotten about me now." She whispered.
"None of us could ever forget you, Bella. You were one of us."
'Were one of us'. I'm not anymore.
"You know you don't always have to do what Carlie wants. You're the mom remember? You're allowed to do what you want."
"She deserves the best life possible. I would never deny her anything."
"So you just spoil her. She might turn into a brat or something."
"I don't mind. As long as she's happy. I owe her that much."
Owe her? Edward thought. He didn't want to push her so he said nothing.
Edward walked Bella and Carlie home at around seven thirty before returning to his hotel.
He thought about his trip to New York. It definitely was not what he had expected. He thought about how he finally got to see Bella again, how he had uncovered so much about Bella during this trip and how he knew this trip had changed his life forever.
Edward went to bed early for he had another meet and greet tomorrow before heading to LA. Not that he could sleep. Bella was so close, yet so far. But Edward was determined that his Bella would soon be his again.
xxxxxx
Bella didn't leave the house at all on Sunday. Her mood was all over the place and she just couldn't be fucked.
On Monday morning when Bella was going to drop Carlie off at Day Care, she noticed a red box by the door.
She slowly lifted the lid, as if there was a bomb inside.
Inside were the shoes Edward had gotten Bella at Victoria secrets, the shirt he bought Carlie and a large jar with fold pieces of paper inside.
There was also a card.
Every time you're feeling down, take a piece of paper from the jar and read it. They're there to remind how you amazing you are.
I'm coming back for you, Bella. Please wait for me.
Edward