Hello again. This was all one big one shot but I decided to break it up into three parts. Here is part two of this silly story.
Thank you again to Megschemegg for this plot bunny and for binding me into a weird contract. Also big thanks to Vicanlp for editing the 15612325 grammar errors.
Hope you enjoy it. I don't own the characters, Stephanie Meyer does.
Monday morning came too soon. I had spent a great relaxing weekend, mostly due to Edward. I knew the moment I saw him on that shelf, he looked like an Edward: powerful, nice, and regal.
But now I was back in my little cubical, reading all of my emails and cursing myself for giving up coffee.
"Tea is better. Tea is better," I quietly chanted.
"Swan! Team meeting at 11:30 a.m. in conference room B. Don't be late," screamed Chad Norman, my idiot of a boss.
When he walked away, I bowed my head.
"Jesus, grant my patience and strength to not hit this assbag today. Amen."
For the rest of the morning I kept responding to emails and making sure the campaign we pitched on Friday was ready to be implemented next week.
At 11:27 a.m. I walked into the conference room along with the other members of my team. Angela, Colin, Ben, Eric, and I all worked under Chad, but everyone knew we did everything ourselves with no input from the idiot.
Chad, other supervisors, and a handsome guy I had never seen before walked into the office at 11:34. So much for punctuality.
"We're behind schedule so let's get to it. I will be working on a big campaign with a team in our London branch. This account is bringing in millions of dollars to the company, so they chose the best and brightest to work on it." Chad looked so smug.
I turned my head to the side and rolled my eyes. I hoped he'd work his ass off, and become as stressed and overwhelmed as I felt every time we worked on an account. I hoped he fell flat on his ass. You could tell I was just a bit bitter.
He continued to speak.
"Consequently, I will be out of the office for at least four months. Since you five are entry-level account specialist, you will need someone to supervise your work and progress, because let's be hones t, sometimes you need it."
I looked across the table to Angela. She pretended to gag, because could this guy be any more pompous?
"The directors and I concluded that my replacement should come from within the company. That's why when we received Masen's transfer request from our Chicago office, we were thrilled. So, Masen stand up and introduce yourselves to your workers."
I wasn't anyone's worker. Maybe all Chad needed was a swift punch in the face from me so he could get some sense. The new guy stood up from his chair and faced us.
"Hi guys, I'm Masen Cullen. I was an account executive in Chicago. I graduated from Northwestern Medill School of Journalism. I've worked in P.A. Barley Integrated Marketing for nine years. I worked as a journalist and graphic designer for a few years and then made the switch to integrated marketing where I fell in love with public relations. I am really excited to work with you guys, I've seen some of the work you five have produced and I am impressed."
He made an emphasis on 'with.' I just met the dude and he already had my upmost respect. Kudos, bro.
There was an awkward silence when he finished until Angela spoke. Bless her.
"Welcome Mr. Cullen. My name is Angela Weber, I graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations. I've been working at P.A. Barley for two years. I am also excited to work with you."
Angela looked at me trying to communicate with her eyes that I should introduce myself.
"Hi, I'm Bella Swan, I have worked at P.A. Barley for four years. I have a degree in Public Relations with a concentration in public interest communications. I love my dog, Bobby, long walks on the beach, and sleep," I said with some enthusiasm.
Ben, Colin, and Eric also introduced themselves, and by the end of introductions, Mr. Cullen had a smile on his face.
"Well, I guess that's all. I will no longer be responding your questions about the new Pantene campaign; any concerns take them up with Masen. Get to work and I'll see y'all in four months."
Goodbye. Hasta la vista. Don't let the door hit ya, where the lord split ya. I won't miss you, Chad.
-oh-
It was 7 p.m. when I was finally able to pack up my purse and shut down my computer. Almost everyone had left the building. I had volunteered to stay late and organize all the research we would need for tomorrow's brainstorming session.
As I stepped onto the elevator, I decided I needed Edward tonight. Only he could make me feel better right now. I leaned my head back against the elevator walls and waited for the doors to close. But then the elevator jostled as another person entered. I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Mr. Cullen's green eyes.
"Oh hi, Mr. Cullen. I didn't know you were still working."
"Yeah, I have a lot of stuff to get caught up on if I want to stay sane," he chuckled. "Oh, and call me Masen, everyone does."
"Okay, Masen." I smiled. Masen was such a good name. I liked regal names like Edward, Harry, William, but Masen was old but very modern. Also it sounded like a hot dude's name, which Masen was.
"I was going to go to dinner across the street, at that Mexican place. I don't have any food or kitchen ware at home so I am surviving on take out till I get settled in. Would you like to join me?"
I considered saying yes and potentially having the cliché movie scene where I go to dinner and fall in love with him and let him know that even though he is my boss, I'd still bang him hard. But I decided I better not. Not only did I not want a relationship at the moment (too much work and plus I had Edward to satisfy my needs), Masen was my new supervisor who I knew nothing about. What if there were awkward pauses while I ate my chicken quesadilla, and I said my poop and fart jokes? This dude could be one of those uppity up ' I never poop or talk about my bowel movements' people and be offended. I could get fired. Yup, I wasn't going to risk it.
"No, I better not. I have to go feed Bobby anyway. My dog. Bobby, my dog who lives with me." Bella Swan, forever awkward.
I shouldn't have looked at his face while I said no. He looked rejected for a moment and then composed himself. I was now heartbreaker. I was the worst of the worst.
"Okay. No pressure. Maybe some other time? How about Friday, 6:30?"
"Ummm… I have plans Friday with my friends. Maybe some other time."
"Oh, okay."
Cue the awkward silence. Thankfully the doors opened at that second. I ran out. I looked back and said, "Have a nice weekend!" I wasn't a complete bitch.
That night Edward came in handy, literally.
-oh-
"So tell us about your date? I'm sorry I couldn't call you Saturday to get full report, but Emmett had me…umm…quite busy and then in-laws came. But come on spill."
"Yeah, Bella, I've been covered in puke for over five days. I need a pick me up. Also, when can we meet him?"
"Oh, I know, you should bring him on Tuesday for our 4th of July barbeque. It's a relaxed environment, just friends and family."
Shit. I couldn't say no to Rosalie but I couldn't bring Edward to a barbeque, because who would bring a dildo to a pool party? I needed to act quickly but cautiously.
"Um, actually guys, I think Edward is more like friend material. He was amazing but there was something missing." Like a body.
"Oh well that's perfect. Jason will be at the party, and if you're still scared of his crabs, I can make Emmett invite his other single coworker, Chuck."
Crabby Jason? Chucky? How about no. This wasn't working. I needed something to get Rose and Al off my back.
"No! You don't have to do that. I can bring someone. He's new at work and actually asked me out this week. He wanted to go out tonight but since I bailed early last week, I didn't want to cut our bitch fest early this week. Our first date can be your party, I guess."
"OMG, what's his name?"
"What does he do?"
"How does he look? Can we stalk him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn?"
"Slow your rolls, you creeps. One question at a time. First his name is Masen. He's the guy that's taking over Chad. He's really hot, green eyes, dark blonde hair. He was sweet to everyone in the team and is actually a hard worker. And no, you can't stalk him. We haven't even gone out yet."
"Yay. Bella-bee bouncing back into the dating game like Beyonce!"
"Alice, that doesn't even make sense."
"I was trying to alliterate, Bella!"
"Seriously Alice? But whatever, B, I am so happy. Maybe he'll be the one, or maybe he'll just be the one to give you the life-changing orgasms."
Edward had already given me life-changing orgasms. I managed to save this one. Now came the hard part: asking Masen to come with me to a party.
Yup. One more part to go. You can blame megschmegg and her crazy (genius) ideas. It should be up on Thursday.
Thank you again for reading.