CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
After grandfather's passing, I'm not sure how it was even possible, but I felt even more alone than before. Before Edward Cullen and his newspaper article. Before Horizons and the people I had met there. It never occurred to me just how alone I was until I lost the one person in my life that had faith in me. I think back to the way I was months before, and I see the old Isabella Swan, and I feel sorry for her. But all that has changed is that I now have the perspective that my grandfather yearned for me to have and I am left here, alone.
I didn't return to my old house, partly because I wasn't sure if my father…er…Charles would be there with the cops kicking me out officially. As far as I was concerned, he could have it and everything inside it. So with no home to go to and unaware if my bank cards had indeed been cancelled, I had nowhere else to go except the one place I could.
"Can I crash here…for a couple of days?" I stood at the door to my brother's fine estate in Pasadena hoping he would take me in.
He nodded and opened the door wider. "You know, father couldn't kick you out of the house now even if he wanted to. Technically that property is part of his…uh…Swan Enterprises."
"I don't care…I don't really want to go back there. It was never a home to me and I think I would like to start over and choose something…smaller."
I didn't need a huge mansion to help me feel even more alone then I already was.
"So…have you decided what you are going to do with Grandfather's company?" Michael asked, walking toward his kitchen.
I shrugged, "Do you want it?"
I don't even know where that came from. I was so cavalier, throwing around a costly company like it was a bag of chips.
Michael furrowed his brow and looked at me in disbelief.
"If grandfather wanted me to have the company, he would have given it to me. I think you need to think wisely about this…opportunity and not be so careless with it."
He opened his fridge and pulled out a fruit and cheese arrangement from inside, setting it down on the counter before me. I hadn't had much to eat the past few days so I tried to not dig in like it was a trough.
"I'm not being careless…I just don't know what to do. Grandfather told me that he wouldn't care if I sold his company…he just wants me to go and…find myself or something. Aren't you upset at all? You've worked practically your whole life under dad and this company. I mean this involves you too, Michael."
"I never wanted to take over the company. I don't think that dad was even grooming me to take over his company. I honestly believe that he was dead set on never dying so he wouldn't have to give up control. I have no idea what he's going to do now…assuming you let him go."
"Did you know?" I asked softly.
He sighed, "No…not really. I knew there was something…big because I heard him say things over the years to grandfather, but I didn't know Bella and I'm…not sure I would have told you even if I did know. It's not really something you should have to hear from your brother."
"Half-brother apparently."
"Bella, it's just a name for it. That's what grandfather was trying to say, even if Charles wasn't your real father. he could have been. He could have been real to you. If he had been the dad we...I mean you…wanted then grandfather giving you the company wouldn't have been so scandalous. I don't know what you're going to do with Swan Enterprises or…your life, but it doesn't matter that we only share one parent biologically; you're still my little sister."
I sat back in my chair with a piece of strawberry in my fingers, surprised by Michael's approval of the situation.
"And you really don't care what…happens to you if I sell my shares of the company. You do realize that if I sell, you may be out of a job depending on the new owner." I clarified.
I don't know why I was pushing Michael so much on taking an active role in deciding the future of Swan Enterprises. I guess because I didn't want to be alone in one the biggest decisions I ever had to make.
"Bell…I love my job…even with dad always yelling at me and the staff. I thoroughly enjoy what I do but…I don't want to be dad. I don't want to be alone and unhappy and have kids who can't even think of me as no more than a sperm donor…me not you, obviously."
I smirked at his attempt of humor.
"I've been seeing someone and it's pretty serious. I want to get married and sure I want to have a nice house and send my future kids to good schools but I've learned from my father's mistakes and, if you sell the company, I'm sure I'll be able to find another company to work for. I'm smart and I'm damn good at what I do. I will be fine in the long run so you should do whatever it is you want to do and not worry about the rest of us."
I sighed, not really liking his whole "hands off" approach.
"Would…it make me an even bigger bitch if I "laid off" my own father?" I cringed.
Michael smiled and shook his head, "Uh…I think you would…be my hero."
I laughed. For the first time in days, I actually laughed. I had a feeling that, from the look on Michael's face, he was picturing that moment when Charles Swan would be no longer an official employee of Swan Enterprises; security carting him out while he put up a fuss, I couldn't help but picture it either.
I sat there for a long moment, thinking over my options and knowing I should, at the very least, draw up some sort of pro and con chart to help. This wasn't something that I should decide on a whim.
"I…think I want to sell it." I thought briefly of my grandfather and all the sacrifice he put into that company and continued, "But…I don't want to lose it either. I want to see the Swan name carry on…even if I'm not a real Swan…I would want to honor grandfather."
Michael took a swig from his water and set the glass down on the counter gently, "I think you have a lot of thinking to do before the press conference then."
"Press conference?" I asked anxiously.
"Well…yeah, now that grandfather has passed, it's just a matter of time before the press inquiries about his shares and the official word of the future of the company and, since you are the future of the company, you will have to give official word of what your intentions are."
I think my fruit and cheese took a turn for the worse. I slowly sat the Camembert back down on the plate, with no intention of ever eating again.
"I hate public speaking." I replied unsteadily.
"Ah come on….I'm sure the kids you puked on that one time in high school deserved it."
I scowled as Michael mocked a story that actually did happen to me.
I remember doing everything I could to get out of the required class. I told that damn administration that no good could come from me speaking in front of a large crowd and that I promised I would make it my life's work to ensure it never happened but alas, I was forced and, like Sea World states, the first ten rows may get wet.
The next few days passed and Michael arranged for professional movers to go and pack up my old house. Even after the many times I told him I didn't want anything, he reminded me that even though I may feel that way now, I won't always feel that way.
I was content on never stepping foot in that house again. I remained in denial of what my grandfather's parting advice was and tried to ignore any thoughts of the Cullen subject.
Michael even took me to the official will reading at my grandfather's attorney's office. I didn't want to go but he told me that I should go and listen, because there could be important stipulations attached and I needed to be aware of them. I had hoped that the stipulations would help make my mind up for me but alas, there were no stipulations. Just an official document handed over to me, stating that I was the new official controlling owner of Swan Enterprises.
Which brings me to my…Charles Swan.
All week long movers were bringing over boxes of clothes and personal items to Michael's house. The furniture was going to a storage unit until I could determine what to do with it. I should probably be looking for a new place to live but, with so much uncertainty in my life, I didn't want to just pick any place.
The doorbell rang once more to alert me of more boxes. I looked around the guest bedroom, at the boxes, I already had and cringed knowing that Michael's attitude about his little sister staying with him might change sooner rather than later.
I left the room, hoping that it would make me feel better, and made my way over to the door. I practically swallowed my tongue when I saw that it wasn't the movers at my door. I felt my skin prickle up, my nerves were on end, and suddenly I wished Michael was home.
"Michael…isn't here right now."
"I wanted to see you, Isabella." My…one time father figure stated.
"Me?" I looked around, knowing that I probably should have expected this. "Really? Whatever can I do for you dear fath… Charles?"
Brazen.
He sighed, "May I come in?"
I stiffened but opened the door, giving him a strong stare.
He walked into the room, the same as ever. Completely gruff and unwavering, like he knew he was the most powerful person in the room and everyone else should yield to him.
"So…" I questioned pointedly
"So." He countered.
I stood a smidge taller, trying to relay to him that I wasn't scared of him but, to be completely honest, I was terrified.
"You're an intelligent girl. You were given the opportunity to go to the best schools and to have a privileged life."
There were so many things wrong with that opening statement. Where to begin? First, I noted that he called me an intelligent girl. Girl, not woman, a way to keep me inferior. Second, he reminded me of my fortunate upbringing which, of course, he claims responsibility for.
"I know you will do the right thing, Bella. Your grandfather didn't give you the company because he believed you could take Swan Enterprises and be successful on your own. You don't know anything about investments or the world of business. He gave you this company to give me a wakeup call….to make me realize that I haven't been the best…father to you when I should have been. I…see that now." He paused stiffly, "It's my job to take care of you…to always ensure that you have everything you need. This company should stay in the family…I know that is what my father would truly want, even if he told you otherwise. So what I propose is…that I remain doing what I do best and I will give you whatever money you need to do whatever it is that you wish to do. No more restrictions. You can go and shop till your heart is content. Go around the world without having a budget. Be whatever it is you want to be."
I could do a study on Charles Swan, I swear I could. He was a precarious creature and I'm sure he wouldn't even feel it if some scientist cracked opened his head to examine his brain. He noted my lack of business knowledge and used his next statement to try and bully me into giving him what he wanted. Then, he moved eagerly on to attempt to show me that he had learned the error of his ways and assure me that everything could go back to normal with his plan.
"I want to go to school." I stated with determination. "You once told me that I wasn't Yale material and, at the time, I…mindlessly believed you, but I know now that I am Yale material. I am Oxford material; I am…any college or university I want to go to material."
"If that's what you want to do with your time." He replied, with a minor hesitation.
"I want to…help poor people. I want to see Swan Enterprises give a good portion of profits to help the less fortunate."
"We already have some programs in place for charitable contributions." He waved off.
"Then I want to make sure that they are worthy of my money." I snapped.
"Your money?" he noted but I continued on.
"Yes, my money, because, like it or not, even though grandfather may have given me the company out of…stupidity or senility or as some great big gesture to wake your ass up, it is still in my name and I want to decide where the money goes."
He sighed and played with his fingers before responding.
"I could always…you could…be the…chief executive in charge of our charitable contributions. You would be given full reign and a staff that would help assist you in your position."
"And what would your position be in my company?"
"Well…I…I would remain in my position, keeping the company prosperous so that we could still give our share to…your charitable contributions. We could work together and build this company the right way…a Swan Enterprise, comprised of…Swans."
He was losing patience for my petulance, turning his hands into fists, while he waited for me to accept his offer. Just to recap, Charles would remain in his position, allowing me to head up some division out of the kindness of his heart.
"But, I'm not a Swan. You made that very clear to me…Charles."
And that was enough for him to lose any patience he arrived here with.
"Of course you're not, but you always do the right thing, and you know the right thing is to leave this company in the hands of the Swan family!" He barked, "Selling it would only demean my father's memory, and I know how much you respected the man, so are you honestly going to tell me that you plan on throwing all of his hard work down the drain just to get back at me? You won't do that Bella, so why don't you take me up on my offer and go do what you've always been so good at; spending money. Go buy yourself a new car or a new wardrobe and leave the business where it belongs."
I could feel my face warm with the blood rushing to it. Like so many times in my past, when my father would speak to me in this manner, I felt like a naughty child who had her hand slapped. I could feel my eyes begin to brim, and I saw the air of triumph come over Charles's entire body. I was stupid. I thought that I was strong and brave. I thought that I could actually take on Charles Swan and hold my own, but I was wrong. I could feel myself turning into a small little ball, wanting to back into a corner…until a memory filled my head.
"…if you're unhappy, then only you can change that. Your father may be an asshole but he's not responsible for your happiness. Search down inside and find what it is that you think will make you happy and then go after it."
The past couple of days, I did everything I could to stop Edward Cullen from popping into my head, but I had failed each and every day. But, today, I needed him.
"You're absolutely right, father." I breathed in and straightened my posture. "I am going to do the right thing. This company should remain in the hands of the Swan family. A great and powerful Swan who knows how to keep this company prosperous for years to come. It must never leave this family and I would only want to honor grandfather's memory by keeping it that way. Tomorrow, at the press conference, I will tell everyone of my decision and I hope you will be there to stand behind in support of it."
He breathed a sigh of relief, probably proud of himself, that he didn't need to say anything further. He came, he spoke, and he conquered.
"It's the right thing." He assured.
He made toward the front door, and Michael entered just as he went to leave.
"Michael." Charles acknowledged briefly.
Michael looked concerned, but nodded to him as his father left.
"What was he doing here? He didn't threaten you, did he?" Michael started immediately.
"He did…but it doesn't matter. He will get exactly what he deserves." I promised.
"If you…feel uneasy, I could hire security."
"Don't bother. After tomorrow's press conference, Charles Swan will never be able to hurt me ever again."
I walked toward the kitchen, needing a glass of water. Well, I needed something stronger than that, but a glass of water would due for the time being.
"Not that I'm not happy to have you here…but I went ahead and called a realtor and she sent over some listings, if you were still thinking of moving." Michael set a manila envelope down on the table.
"Thank you…I'm not offended. I have a lot of baggage and I really should begin the next phase of my life…I think I'm ready for it."
He nodded slowly with a smile, "I know you'll do great things with it."
The whole night I tossed and turned, trying to get to sleep, but there was still so much to think about. It had been the same for the past few weeks, in those first few hours, I would think about what I want and what my future could be. Then, it would turn into my past and how many mistakes I made and inevitably I would finally find myself thinking of Edward right before I fell asleep.
I hated that it would always end with Edward, but I couldn't help it. He was someone I had begun to turn to since I had met him. I would try to imagine what he would say of my current predicaments. I missed his council and perspective but, most of all, I missed him. Then it would always come back to the fact that the Edward I knew wasn't real. The homeless man I met, Edward Masen, was what was real for me. Edward Cullen, was just a man who wrote a newspaper article on me.
I awoke the next morning and spent extra time on my makeup, covering up the dark circles under my eyes. It was a good thing that Michael had sent for my things, otherwise I wouldn't have a thing to wear or any jewelry or toiletries. However, every box was filled with miscellaneous items, so for me to go through them was a pain.
I pulled open box after box to find the right bra to go with my top and faltered when I opened the next box. On top was the Oxford Dictionary that Edward had given me.
Come on, Bella…don't go all girl. It's just a dictionary. Close the box and remember to throw it out later.
My fingers slide across the cover, and I felt my breath catch as I went to open the book.
"You almost ready?" Michael nearly made me jump out of my skin. I turned to see him put the finishing touches on his tie.
"Uh…yeah…sorry. I'm coming." I closed the box up and left the book forgotten.
I felt my palms sweat as I tried to rub them on my skirt while we drove toward the Swan Enterprise's building that resided in downtown Los Angeles. My grandfather's lawyer, who was now my lawyer, would meet us in the atrium of the building, where the press conference was to take place. Michael was in the car with me and I'm sure Charles was already there in his spot, smug as ever.
I couldn't believe the amount of reporters and photographers who had littered the sidewalks as we arrived. I had been practically under a rock since my grandfather's passing, so this was the first time I would be exposed to the press since the fallout from the article Edward had written about me. At first, I was amazed that so many people would actually be interested in learning the future of the company, but it became evident the moment I stepped out of the car that they were not here for their interest in the company at all.
"Miss Swan, are you as cold-hearted as Edward Cullen stated?"
"Do you hate poor people?"
"Were you the one to give Jacob Black the black eye?"
"Did you force your grandfather into giving you the company?"
The questions just kept coming and, from what I could make out, each one was worse than the last. Our driver and Michael managed to push us through the throngs of people until security was able to make a path.
I felt like the worlds most hated person, and I couldn't even imagine what people must truly think of me. I needed to stay strong, but the press was vicious.
When we finally made it to the stage, my lawyer was already present and waiting to do the introduction. Charles stood behind the podium and off to the side, but still prominent. Michael went to stand on the opposite side of the podium in equal distance.
I could feel my mouth dry up and my heart accelerating even faster as I stared out over the sea of reporters. The flashes of light kept going off and I felt that at any minute a repeat performance of my high school public speaking course would be on the horizon.
"Ladies and gentleman, if you please. Ladies and gentleman." My lawyer, Ben Cheney, tried to call them to attention. "Miss Swan has prepared a brief statement and then we will not be taking questions at this time so, if you have any further inquiries, you may submit them to my offices."
Prepared a statement.
I cringed. I'm sure that was something I should have written out to ensure I sounded competent and controlled, but I hadn't. I had ideas of what I wanted to do with this company but, I had spent so much time trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I hadn't exactly sat down and prepared a statement.
I don't believe walking up to the mic and starting off with a "what up," would do, and now all that rolled around in my head was to walk up to the mic and say, "what up?"
I could feel the room getting smaller and yet the amount of people growing. I felt like I was at Angel's stadium with the stands filled rather than the grand atrium at Swan Enterprises.
I took a breath and stepped up to the microphone, hoping for some miracle that would swoop in and save the day. An earthquake would be excellent timing or some miscreant child pulling a fire alarm would be a welcomed gesture.
"Hello…" I started unsteadily. Thank god, it wasn't a, "what up."
"Uh…I know that everyone here…probably hates me right now…or you think I am just some…Richie bitch…."
I have no idea where I was speaking from. I just started and, like an avalanche, the words began spewing from my mouth.
"You're not a Richie bitch, Bella. You never were."
The miracle that I had asked for had come, but it was not exactly in the form that I was hoping for. The room went silent as Edward stepped out of the sea of reporters and photographers, and it took exactly two seconds for people to recognize who he was and turn their cameras on to him.
My heart, if possible, began to speed up, practically one beat away from a heart attack. Unconsciously, I waved off Ben Cheney as I saw him approach to dismiss whatever Edward planned on saying next, but I wanted to hear it. I needed to hear it. All it would require was what little faith I had left that Edward Cullen wasn't going to say something that would make my life worse. An ounce of faith in a man who nearly ruined me in every way a person could ruin another.
I exhaled one final breath and looked straight into Edward Cullen's eyes while I saw him take a breath himself and begin.
AN: I know a few people have commented on how they can't imagine this story wrapping up so quickly but rest assured that I was just giving out a ball park answer when I said possibly one or two more chapters. I haven't even wrote the next chapter yet and even though I know how the story will end, I can't for sure say it will be in an "x" amount of chapters. I know a lot of stories always go through the whole circle of life on their characters. Most readers like to know that the main characters get married and have children and ride off into the sunset but I find that to be somewhat repetitious.
I have thought about a sequel. A story that I was thinking about for a different Edward and Bella however I feel that I can continue on with this E & B with that outline but I almost would hate to do that because I don't want these characters feeling played out or have the story feel like its lagging. I haven't decided what I want to do and I know I have to make up my mind soon but I would hate to move these characters on and then find a loss of inspiration and turn this story into some boring overworked piece.
Please let me know what you really think. I am open to comments.
Thank you again to my lovely beta, Robstenvampgirl.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have taken the time to read and comment. You are truly the best. You honor me with your words.