Chapter 10

To say that she hadn't slept well the past two nights was an understatement. Isabella rolled out of bed in a rush, running behind for work. She supposed it wouldn't matter bearing in mind she was the boss, still, she was known for her punctuation and expected the same from her employees. She made an effort to be an example to them, and in return they would demonstrate the same behavior. Isabella hurriedly got dressed and applied her make-up, grabbing some organic fruit on her way out the door. It was half an hour after seven, and she wondered if Edward was at the office anticipating her arrival. Or if he was coming at all. After the other night's disastrous exchange, it would not surprise her if he decided this life was not the one for him. He already seemed on edge, looking for a way out.

I will make him stay, she thought ruthlessly. She couldn't lose the profit he was bringing in, or…him. Whatever it took, whatever the costs, Edward Cyllen would not be quitting Twilight.

Not if she had anything to say about it.

Which she did.

Close to eight after a stop to Starbucks, Isabella took the elevator up to her business floor, making small talk with the other patrons in the compact area. She was not naïve to the way the stockbrokers of the building gawked at her openly. Giving a diminutive smirk, she stepped onto her floor as the doors pinged open.

The agency was already buzzing with the sounds of the employees chattering and moaning on the telephones. She bid good morning to Rosalie as she rounded the corner.

"Good morning, Miss Isabella. Running late, are we?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. When Isabella didn't answer, she continued. "Edward Cyllen is waiting for you in the lounge. You also received a phone call from a Mr. Swan, and I left his number for you on your door. In addition, Jasper told me to give this to you."

She handed over a manila folder and Isabella tucked it under her arm, and made her way to her office, unlocking the door and grabbing the post-it note that was attached.

"Thank you Rosalie. Can you call Edward in here now?"

"Of course. Right away ma'am," she answered and hurried away.

Isabella put her belongings on her desk and turned her computer. Taking a sip of coffee, she quickly checked her appearance in her compact mirror, hoping she didn't appear as tired as she felt.

Within seconds, Edward knocked on the open door to alert her of his presence. Dressed in slacks and a lilac purple shirt and a royal shade tie, she noted that they matched. Isabella's own purple bandage dress highlighted her gold jewelry her father had bought her. It did not escape her attention of the darkened bags that laid beneath his eyes.

He must have not slept well either, she contemplated. That makes two of us.

"Good morning, Miss Isabella," he greeted hoarsely.

"To you also, Edward. Come in, please," she said, gesturing to the set of chairs in front of her desk. Edward dutifully closed the door behind her, a somber expression burrowed on his face and took a seat.

"Would you like something to drink?" she offered, ready to grab bottled water from her mini fridge.

"No thanks."

Isabella frowned and decided small talk was not in order for that morning. "Have you decided upon your further employment here?"

Edward repeatedly fumbled his hands together and glanced everywhere but at his superior's face. "I guess I don't have a choice."

Confused at his answer, Isabella misinterpreted his response. "Everyone has a choice Edward. You are not forced to work. I thought I made that clear when I hired you. If at any time you wish to terminate your services, just say the word. I thought I had given you enough perks so that you would be happy…."

She trailed off as she discovered what the real issue was: money. It was always about money. That's why he asked for more work. She wasn't certain which vehicle he was interested in, but it surely had to be expensive if he hadn't saved up the means to buy one yet.

Isabella opened the drawer and pulled out her checkbook. Writing a large sum on the black line, she shoved the check across the desk before Edward had a chance to argue.

Edward glanced at the number with wide eyes and shook his head. "What? No!"

Misconstruing his stutters, Isabella sighed and quickly jotted out another check. "Is this enough?"

Edward's eyes skimmed at the six digit figure in disgust. "Miss Isabella! I don't want your money!"

She calculated the words that spewed from his mouth. They didn't make sense. They didn't add up. It was an expression she had never heard before. It was if he were speaking a foreign language that originated from a country she had yet to visit.

Isabella was not one to give up. Surely, there had to be some amount that would keep Edward there. She needed him. He was a hot commodity, and her profits had swelled in just the short time he had been hired.

Picking up her pen again, she started to write the seven figure number on the check, when Edward reached his hands across the desk to stop her. The ink drew a straight line, ruining the payment she was ready to offer.

"Miss Isabella, stop! I. Do. Not. Want. Your. Money," he spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he were speaking to a child. He removed the pen from her hand and closed her leather adorned checkbook, holding his hands on top of hers to keep them in position.

Isabella snatched her hands away, unsure of the next proposal to present. The mere idea of him leaving unsettled her, and she was ready to negotiate whatever he recommended.

"I appreciate the, er, raise, I suppose, but I am not one to take funds without working for them. That's why I asked for more appointments. I do not wish to quit, if that's what you are worried about. I'm sorry for the confusion of the other night, I sincerely thought you wanted to fire me. I shouldn't have lost my temper and for that, I apologize."

Isabella's expression altered from confusion to defensive to regret. He was correct in his assessment. The dinner had gone horribly awry and all she had done was make things worse. It wasn't like her to lose her cool or to be so flustered by the man across from her. Or any man for that matter.

She had yet to figure out what made him so unique.

"I, uh, apologize as well. I understand how you could come to that conclusion; I am not usually one to hold a meeting at my place of dwelling. I just figured…" she trailed off again, not knowing what she was thinking.

Well, that's not true. Isabella did in fact have a motive. After he had departed, she had spent an entire hour pleasuring herself.

She was not successful considering she had had the opportunity to relish the real deal.

Isabella cleared her throat and started again. "Let's let bygones be bygones, shall we? I still regret to inform you that I cannot book you any additional appointments, however, if there is anything else that you need, please let me know."

Edward nodded in agreement. "I understand. So…what was so important that you had to hold a meeting at night?"

Isabella started to open her mouth, and then closed it shut. She wanted to discuss Alice Brandon, but an inkling in the back of her mind decided it ought to be best to leave it for now.

Quickly thinking, Isabella shuffled through her desk and found a BMW's pamphlet from when she had ordered her third vehicle just a year earlier. "I'm not quite sure which type of vehicle you were looking at, but the car dealership out on near the freeway is the one I use. Just ask for Cedric Diggs. He will help you look for anything you desire."

Edward stared at her in amazement. "This is what you called me over for? To show me cars? Even before I mentioned anything?"

"Well…uh yes. That's usually the first purchase my employees make when their income starts flowing in. I figured you would as well. Just go there and take a look."

"Um, okay," Edward answered in a dazed voice. It was quite incredible how she thought he would be shopping for a car, and even though he wasn't, he wouldn't refuse her generosity. BMW's were way out of his price range, but he figured he better stop by for a visit. Surely she would check up with this Cedric character. "Thanks, by the way."

"No problem. Have a good day, Mr. Cyllen," Isabella responded curtly, cutting their so called meeting short.

"Oh, yes. Of course. You too."

Edward scrambled to his feet, grabbing the pamphlet she was holding out. He reached the doorway, and before he could stop himself, the words poured out much more huskily than he would ever intend.

"You look beautiful today, Miss Isabella."

Not waiting for the opportunity to be embarrassed, he rushed out the door.

What he didn't notice was the small smile Isabella had formed across her mouth.

She reached for her phone, dialed the contact rapidly and spoke as soon as her friend's introduction was concluded.

"Cedric, this is Isabella. I need you to do me a favor."