Chapter 4

EPOV

What the hell just happened? I couldn't believe the story Tanya told but when we walked in and I saw the state Bella was in I knew Tanya probably toned down her story for my family's sake. I had no idea just how bad this night could get. I could already hear the whispers of how I didn't want Bella near my family and that is why Tanya had her thrown out. This was not good at all. My parents were looking at me as if they would gladly skin me alive and stake me to the ground to die a slow very painful death. I was almost ashamed to admit to myself that I was a 40 year old man that was scared to death of what his mommy was going to do him when she got him home.

Then the lights came up and Bella stepped to the podium. When she first started talking I was relieved, it appeared as if I was not the only one who didn't know who she was and that made me feel better. I stole a glance at Tanya and she was shocked that Bella had the backbone to address the audience in her disheveled state. Bella mentioning Esme and Mrs. Weber fondly is what drew my attention back to her and I felt the tension starting to leave my body. Nothing would happen tonight and we could talk to her tomorrow and straighten everything out. I could still make this right.

I was turning to say something to Carlisle when she spoke my name and I snapped my head to look at her. Then she called me out on all my shit. With each thing she rightfully pointed out about how I had treated her I noticed more and more heads turning my direction. I couldn't bring myself to look around the room I forced myself to watch Bella. I became confused at the part about Tanya warning her off and didn't know what to think when she said Tanya and I deserved each other. I did not deserve a bitch like Tanya but as I thought about how Bella perceived me I had to concede Tanya was probably just the kind of life sucking leech I did deserve.

Then she said the thing that could end my short tenure as CEO, Sinclair would not be coming to Seattle. I knew there were other reasons but I was also sure my treatment of her was a primary reason. As I felt every eye in the room shift to me I knew it would not just be my company I would be explaining to. Sinclair Industries and The Foundation were highly regarded companies that went above and beyond for the communities they located in. It was the reason the competition was fierce between each city they visited to get their business, they wielded an enormous amount of clout in the business world. Fuck - how do I explain the level of fuckery I had made of this? I didn't think I could - to my family yes I could but to the other businesses and probably at least one City Councilman that would want answers - no I couldn't without looking like an even bigger douche.

Then came the part about public humiliation and private apologies, I understood why she said that. I had personally humiliated her twice in public and Tanya used my name for the third while I would give a private explanation and apology it would not be anywhere close to enough to repair the damage I had done. As she walked through the crowd she held her head high, she had done nothing wrong and she knew it. She had only tried to help the community we lived in and look at how she was treated, look at how I treated her.

As I turned to move towards her thinking I don't know what, my father stopped me, which is when I noticed the Hotel Manager Bruce Smyth was walking her through the crowd so no one bothered her. "Leave her alone Edward," my father whispered "we will try to talk to her later."

My mother is the one who spoke up, "I need to speak to her now Carlisle." As she moved to the lobby to try to catch Bella the entire family followed. We arrived outside just in time to see her car pulling away. She must have had it waiting for her. For the first time tonight I noticed camera flashes, how did I not notice them earlier. This was a big event of course there would be press - greeaattt. The fun just keeps on coming.

"Nothing can be done tonight so we just need to endure this." Carlisle said. "We ignore the gossip until we can return home and then we will discuss everything. I do not want Edward left alone at any point tonight. It would be best if one of the ladies are with him at all times, they can help him escape to the dance floor if need be. We close ranks and just get through this."

That is what we did, as the gossip circled all night I just endured the whispers, stares and angry faces of everyone in the room. I was never left alone and have never danced more in my life but Carlisle was right it was an easy way to avoid questions. In the meantime I observed him, Jasper and Emmett being cornered time and time again. They could honestly say they didn't know what was happening but would find out. Thank God tomorrow was Sunday and we could form a strategy hopefully one that did not require me to step down as CEO.

As the night wore on it seemed as if more and more of the blame was shifted onto me. I realize I was a large part of it but I was not the only reason Sinclair decided Seattle wasn't viable. I would shoulder my part in this but not someone else's. It also became clear as the night progressed that I was expected to fix this problem. Could it be fixed? Was I really the one to do it? At this very moment I didn't feel like I should be within a 100 miles of Bella Sinclair and I damn sure didn't expect her to want to see me again - ever! After a few very uncomfortable hours Carlisle signaled it was time to leave, the family made their rounds making sure to say good-bye to everyone necessary. Tanya attempted to corner me to talk to her on the sidewalk. "Tanya after everything that has happened tonight we need to distance ourselves from each other. I am sure you understand. Goodnight." With that I climbed into the limo and endured the silent but tension filled ride to my parents' house.

Carlisle POV

I had no idea how to fix the cluster fuck Edward had cultivated. A public apology and statement would have to be issued but by who and what to say exactly. After some of the conversations I had tonight I wasn't even sure if I could keep Edward as CEO. The most startling thing I noticed tonight was I don't think Edward even knew why he reacted to Bella the way he did. He had been in these types of situations before and had always remained calm and respectful if forceful. Why was this situation so different?

I had personally been cornered by the Mayor, 2 City Councilman, the Head of Seattle's Social Services Department, and the President's of several companies that would benefit from Sinclair choosing Seattle. People knew that if the Sinclair Foundation was located in Seattle then Sinclair Industries would give us a serious look the next time they needed a property. I was honest I didn't have any clue has to what had happened but I would find out and attempt to fix the problem. I watched as Jasper and Emmett were approached by different leaders in our business community and though many tried to get to Edward none did and that was they only good thing to happen tonight.

The ride home was quiet. Everyone was trying to process the events of the evening. I was having a very hard time moving passed the shock of Edward behaving this way. As we pulled into the driveway I still hadn't come up with a way to handle the situation, if I was honest I felt like I was missing a large piece of the puzzle. As everyone settled into the living room I looked at Edward, he looked as if he was facing a firing squad and in a way he was but I needed 100% percent honesty to get us through this.

"Edward, did you tell us everything that happened both times you saw Mrs. Sinclair. Something is missing Edward and until I know what that is I can't effectively help you. What are you leaving out?"

"I didn't leave anything out, I told you before I was angry, rude and short with her. I did not understand the part about when Tanya 'warned her off', I have no idea what that is about. I understand I am a part of why she made this decision but even she said others treated them with hostility and I have never meet with anyone else from Sinclair. This can not all be placed at my feet."

"It is being placed on you because you were the only one called out by name, you know this Edward. Stop your pity party and help us resolve this issue. What aren't you telling us? We have to know everything."

I watched as Edward stood and paced in front of the glass doors leading to the beach. Finally he turned his back to us and stared out towards the water. "The only thing I have left out is the way I felt with each of those encounters. When I first saw her at Hope House I was instantly attracted to her and noticed her beauty. When she threw her head back in laughter it felt as if my body warmed and I wanted to keep that feeling. Kate told me about her questioning Esme and implied she was a resident of the house. I was instantly furious, all I could think in my mind was how dare she and I had to keep her away from mother and me. I dreamed of her that night, well I dreamed of a dark haired beauty. I didn't see her face but we were just at home in front of the fireplace being normal for lack of a better word. I have had that dream many times but the woman is always fuzzy and when I woke up I just knew it was her and that pissed me off because she would be completely unacceptable."

"Before my meeting with her I had heard about the young woman who was taking the meetings and that she was intelligent and business savvy as well as beautiful. I was confused going into the meeting as why Sinclair had demanded the meeting be with me rather than Emmett. When I saw her at the table I was once again immediately drawn to her and then I just saw red, I don't think I have ever been that angry. The big difference between this meeting and the first was this one was much more public and I determined she would get the message to back off me and my family. It wasn't until I was done ranting about her being a gold digger and a social climber that needed to stay away from my family that I realized the audience I had attracted. I also may have questioned her intelligence by telling her to get someone who knew what they were doing to look over the contracts and that I didn't take meetings at her level and she would need to deal with someone else if anyone at all. Even as it was happening I couldn't stop myself, it was as if my brain checked out and I was running on pure emotions."

"OMG you like her," Alice squealed "I mean you really like her, as in she could be the one for you."

"Alice, I don't know her," Edward said. "How do you get I like her out of the way I treated her anyway?"

"Because emotions were involved Edward, very strong emotions. If this was just business you would have handled this calmly and coldly. If you thought she was just another gold digger you would have been firm but civil, lord knows you have had enough experience with that. But something in you recognized that she was a threat to all the walls that you have built up and you came out fighting. Purely a defense mechanism, you stupid, stupid boy."

"No, no Alice you have this all wrong. I don't have feelings for her, she is so young. I'm sure she never wants to see me again anyway. You are way off base this time sister."

"I notice you didn't mention that you don't like her. Deny this all you want Edward but I am right. The sooner you really think about the situation and admit this to yourself the sooner your life gets easier."

I had been watching Edward throughout their exchange and he had gotten paler if that was possible. I think Alice is onto something and if that is the case things are even more delicate then before. We can't tell people he acted this way because he likes her, don't boys outgrow that behavior by age 10. Esme was sitting next to me wide eyed looking at Edward; she was starting to see Alice's point. Heaven help him now.

Esme POV

"Well, nothing is going to be decided tonight. I suggest we all sleep on it and come up with a strategy tomorrow, we won't be expected to respond to any of this until Monday. Everyone stay here tonight so we are together tomorrow."

"Edward you need to think about what Alice has said with an open mind. You need to be honest with yourself and with us. This is not something that needs to or would be shared outside the family but for us to get through this you need to understand and acknowledge what you are feeling and why."

I watched as my son went upstairs looking broken. It broke my own heart to see him like this. The more I thought about it the more what Alice said made sense. Edward had a terrible track record with relationships. He thought it was just about his money but it was also his looks and it used to have quite a bit to do with the way he would pamper the special someone in his life. I had watched over the years as he turned hard, bitter and cynical towards love and relationships. I think he had resigned himself to the fact that he will always be alone and that is why he reacted so strongly to Bella. Edward felt that his business reputation and life was all he had left, that is why he worked so hard to make it to the top and stay there. I don't know how he will take it if he has to step down as CEO. As I climbed into bed I decided to let Carlisle worry about the business end and I would worry about the personal side of my son's life.

I tossed and turned all night never sleeping for more than 45 minutes at a time. Finally when the sky was starting to lighten I decided to get up for good, I made some coffee and went out on the deck to watch the sunrise and think. Just as the sun was rising over the water I noticed a figure jogging on the beach. As the person ran closer I came to a decision, I needed to talk to Bella. It couldn't make things worse and if things went like I hoped it would make them a lot better. I walked down to the beach and the waited for Bella to reach me.

Bella POV

I have always enjoyed running especially near the water, it has a calming effect on me. This morning I ran because the demons of last night were chasing me and not for fun, the calm I kept waiting for never came over me. When Gabe called me last night to fill me in on what happened at the fundraiser after I left, he had me actually feeling sorry for Edward Cullen. The man is an arrogant asshole and not only did he deserve what I said but every single on of those traits I listed are true. But it had come off as if he was the sole reason I had pulled Seattle off the list and that wasn't true. It had as much if not more to do with Tanya and her bitch brigade than anything else. They were openly hostile to the wives and female executives and would be the same way with the kids. Of course some of the male executives at other companies weren't happy working with so many females but I had expected that.

When Gabe told me how the wives had been frozen out at the luncheon is what made me first think about pulling Seattle, it brought back painful memories. Edgar loved Seattle, several of his college buddies were from there, and he had visited several times and loved the area. He bought the house on Bainbridge Island after we were married; the original plan was for us to live in Seattle year round and visiting Chicago in the summer. But the disdain with which I was greeted into Seattle Society quickly changed that plan. I was willing to endure it until it passed but Edgar was so angry he closed the house and we didn't visit for 2 years. We lived in Chicago where we were both from and people had a better grasp of our history. Oh, it irritated the socialites in Chicago that at 36 he had married an 18 year old but our families had known each other for generations and I had known Edgar all my life. At least in Chicago we were given the benefit of the doubt. After 2 years I convinced him to visit Seattle again and that is how Sinclair House became our summer home. We had people over but rarely went to the society events, life was easier that way. The icing on the cake this time around was the stunt Tanya pulled at the Fairmont, now she was interfering with my business and that I wouldn't allow. I should have let myself calm down before addressing the crowd. I was pulled from my memories when I spotted another figure on the beach as I got closer I had no idea what to say to her, Esme Cullen.

"Bella dear my I please speak with you for a moment?"

I stopped in front of her, I really enjoy her company normally but right now it was just uncomfortable facing her. "Esme, I feel as if I should apologize for last night...."

"Oh no, you do not owe us an apology." She said cutting me off. "Edward is the one who should be apologizing for his actions and believe me he will. I was hoping to talk to you and maybe explain some things before you are confronted by the press for a statement."

"OK. I suppose the press will be wanting a statement, I hadn't really thought that far ahead to be honest with you."

Inviting me to sit on the sand with her she started, "Bella there is a lot that is just not my place to explain especially about Edward's past relationships but I do want you to know the way he was acting had nothing to do with you personally. Actually it had more to do with what you could represent to him."

I must have looked confused because she started explaining again.

"He had no idea who you were Bella and has been hurt in the past by women just after his money or the Cullen name. How he treated you was not right but Alice pointed something out last night and it actually makes sense. I think he saw in you someone who could fix things in him and for a man who has resigned himself to be alone in life those thoughts frightened and angered him. He lashed out and very publicly at you. I am not trying to excuse anything he did but after you left last night several approached Carlisle about forcing him to step down as CEO."

I gasped. I hadn't thought things would get that far this fast. "Esme, I was angry last night and while I did mean everything I said I could have made it more clear that Edward wasn't the sole reason for Seattle being pulled from the list."

"People only hear what they want to hear. I listened to you and understood that while Edward is part of the problem he is not all of it. I don' think your decision was even necessarily based on purely business but also the environment you would be moving your employees and their families into and that is very admirable. What I hope is that when you issue a statement that you reiterate that point. Before last night Edward felt like the only good thing in his life besides his family was his job and now that is being threatened. As unfair as it is of me to ask you, can give him peace of mind and make his job more secure by the statement you issue?"

"Esme, at this time I can not put Seattle back on the table, that would completely undermine me. I am sorry but I can't."

"Oh no, I understand that but I hope you could stress the other reasons for taking Seattle off and play down the part Edward had in the whole fiasco. Just think about it please Bella?"

"I will Esme and I hope in the long run we can still be friends."

"I would like that too and this doesn't change that friendship."

As I finished my run I thought over our conversation. I did not want Edward to be forced out as CEO. He had a great business mind and reputation; he had worked his way up the hard way being a Cullen did not automatically get him the title of CEO. I didn't want to be the one to take that from him. He may be a tool in his personal life but business wise he was a genius. I knew just how to handle this.

After I showered and called for the helicopter I called a friend from college that I kept in close touch with. I knew it was early but for this she would forgive me.

"Hey Jules its Bella. Sorry to get you up so early."

"No, that's fine. I wasn't expecting to hear from you today especially after last night."

"Really, did something exciting happen last night?"

"Come one Bella don't try that crap with me. I do this for a living."

"Ok Ok. Were you there last night? I mean did you witness it?"

"No and I didn't. Only so many passes were given to freelancers and I didn't get one. I did hear it was quite the party before and after your speech."

"That is why I am calling actually. I need to issue a statement and I want you to do it."

"You want me to write the statement for you?"

"No, I want you to do the interview of me and the Cullen's. Before you get to excited I want final say on what goes into the article. The Cullen's can look at it too but I have final say. Rumors are flying and things need to be explained. I trust you to do that and do it fairly. I can guarantee it being in the Seattle Times and you can sell it to other sources if you like. I need to go to San Diego in a couple of hours so come on over to the house and I will tell you what I want to get out then you can go the Cullen's. Are you up for it?"

"Are you kidding, this is the type of story journalist's kill for. I get it exclusively right?"

"I am not sure who the Cullen's will talk to but you are the only one I am willing to talk to."

"YES!!! I will be there in 20 minutes. You're the best Bella."

When Jules arrived she told me that the gates were crawling with press trying to get in. That was just one of the reasons Sinclair Industries owned several helicopters, when it came time to leave Michael would transport me to the airport where the Sinclair jet was waiting for me.

I spent the next 2 hours explaining to Jules the Edward Cullen tale. She laughed in some places was pissed in others but overall I knew she got the jest of the point I wanted to make by doing this interview. When we finished I asked her if she wanted a ride to the Cullen's then she could walk back on the beach to her car, she couldn't get outside fast enough.

The look on the Cullen's faces as the black helicopter, The Lady Swan, with its white swan landed on their front lawn was priceless. As Jules got out I told her ask for Esme and explain to her what we are doing. Do not give specifics of what I said unless they ask. Thanks for doing this, e-mail me the article for approval I am on my way to San Diego.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters

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