EPOV
No one said anything for a minute. Then Bella spoke, "Hello, Edward," she said with a small. Her voice sounded like an angel's.
I smiled back, "Good morning, Miss Swan," I said.
"This is your new bodyguard," Mark said, "Please don't make this one of those things that always happens."
She rolled her eyes, "Okay," she said as Mark. Then she looked at me, "I just need to grab my bag and then I'll be ready." I nodded.
Mark looked at me, "Good luck," he said before he turned and walked away.
Bella came out of her room a couple minutes later carrying her bag. "Ready?" I asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said. God, she'll adorable.
I helped her into the car and then we were off towards her school. I decided to try and make small talk. Since she seemed to hate her other bodyguards, I was determined to make sure she actually liked me. That and I was genially curious about this girl. "So, Miss Swan," I said, "What are you going to college for?" I asked.
She looked at me, "Can you call me Bella, please?" she asked sounding a little aggerated.
I laughed and smiled at her, "Sure," I said, "But not when Mark or your dad is around. I don't want to be fired."
She laughed too, "Okay," she said, "I'm going to college to be a journalist."
Not exactly what I thought she was going to say, "Interesting," I said.
She smiled, "Thanks," she said. We pulled in and I helped her out of the car. She walked to her classes and I just stood in the front of the room beside the door in each class.
Afterwards, we climbing into the car and I looked at Bella, "Where do you want to go?" I asked.
She looked at me, "You're really going to let me go somewhere?" she asked, "Most bodyguards just take me home."
I smirked at her. "Well that's no fun," I said.
She smiled, "Can we get get coffee or something?" she asked.
I'd do anything for you. "Sure," I said.
When we sat down for coffee I asked, "Why do you always go through so many bodyguards?"
She looked up at me, "Because, I don't like having bodyguards. No offence," she said.
I chuckled, "None taken," I said.
She fumbled with the end of her shirt, "I just don't like feeling so… fragile? Like someone needs to watch me," she said. "I just want to be normal: go to college, go to the parties, hang out with friends. Like a normal person."
I frowned. I felt genially bad for Bella. She deserved anything she wanted. She deserved a normal life. "How old are you, Bella?" I asked.
She gave me a confused look like she wasn't sure why I was asking a question I probably already know the answer to. But I don't want to just learn everything I need to know about Isabella Swan from a file, I want to learn it form her. "19," she said.
"And you've never been to a party?" I asked.
She blushed, "No," she said.
I smiled, "I'll talk to Mark," I said, "And tonight, I'm going to take you to a party."
Her eyes lit up, "Really?" she asked.
I laughed, "Yeah," I said, "It's not that big of a party though. It's my sister's birthday party; she's the same age as you. Today's her 20th birthday. You two would get along great. You can come along."
She gave me an unsure look. "I don't want to crash your sister's party," she said.
I shook my head. "You won't," I said, "She'll love it."
Her face lit up again. "Okay," she said. In that moment I made it my goal to always make Bella's face light up like that.
….
When we got home I went straight to Mark's office. "Edward!" he said, jumping up from his chair, "What did she do now?"
Steal my heart. Wait what? I just met the women! "Nothing," I said, "I just wanted to ask you something."
"Oh," he said, sitting back into his chair. "Okay."
I walked over and sat in the chair in front of him. "Well, after Miss Swan's class we went to get coffee," I said, he raised an eyebrow at that. "We were talking and she said that she's never been to a party. So, tonight I was wondering if I could take her to my sister's party."
"No," he said immediately.
"Why?" I asked, "She just wants to have fun and be 19. It's not fair to her that she can't go out."
He was quiet for a minute, "Let's ask President Swan," he said.
Oh, shit. "Okay," I said. I followed him down the hall to President Swan's office. Mark knocked on the door. "Come in," President Swan said.
We walked in, "Mark," he said, "Edward. What can I do for you?"
"Well, Sir," Mark said, walking toward his desk. "As you know Edward is Bella's bodyguard. I guess they were talking today and Bella said that she's never been to a party-"
"No." President Swan said.
"Mr. President," I said, stepping forward. "It's just my sister's party. I'll be there. Nothing will happen."
He was quiet for a minute, tapping his pen on the desk while he though. "Your sister's party?" he asked. I nodded, "Like her birthday party?"
"Yes," I said with another nod.
"How old is your sister?" he asked.
"She just turned 20, Sir" I said.
He nodded, "And who will be at this party?"
"Our family and closest friends."
"And you know all of them?"
"Yes, Sir."
He got up and walked over to me, standing in front of me. "Today is your first day, Edward," he said, "Why should I trust you with my daughter at your family home with no back up when I barely know you?"
Fair question. I took a deep breath, "Sir," I said, "Mark tell me that the reason you guys hired me was because I'm young and they hope that would help Bella get along with me better than she has with her other bodyguards. I hoped that maybe becoming friends with your daughter will help me, not only protect her better but earn her trust. Bella talked to me about herself a lot today, and says that she just wants a normal life, or as much of one as she possible can. She feels like it's unfair that she isn't allowed to do anything, and, with all due respect, Sir, I agree with her. She should be able to be the young adult that she is. I'm not saying she shouldn't have ANY protection at all, all I'm saying is that maybe she should be allowed a little bit more freedom, even if it's just with me at my sister's birthday party."
He raised an eyebrow at me. Shit, did I really just say all that to the president! Great. Now I'll be fired for sure.
He looked at Mark before looking back at me. "Edward, I'm trusting you with my daughter," he said, shaking my hand. "This is a chance to prove yourself. I like you. Anyone with the balls to speak their mind is okay in my book."
He turned to walk back to his desk and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I want her back by 11," he said has he sat back down at his desk.
"Thank you, Sir," I said with a nod.
He pointed at me, "I want you to leave that ear piece in though," he said.
I nodded, seems only fair. "Okay," I said.
I left and went to Bella's room. I knocked lightly, "Bella?" I said.
"Come in," she said.
I opened the door and poked my head inside. I don't think I'll ever get over how beautiful she is. She was lying on her bed on her stomach doing her homework. "So, I talked to Mark," I said, "And he made me go talk to your father."
Her eyes widened in shock, "Really?"
I chuckled at her reaction, "Yes," I said, leaning in the doorway of her room.
"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head.
I laughed, "He asked me a lot of a questions," I said, "But he finally agreed."
"Really!" she said jumping off the bed.
I laughed again, she's so cute. "Yeah," I said.
Then she gave me a hug, "Thank you!" she said. It was such a small gesture, but I felt a serge or electricity run through my body.
"Of course," I said. She said she was going to get ready so I left to get ready myself.
When I got in the hall I called my sister. "Edward!" she said.
I chuckled, "Hey, Ali," I said.
"You're still coming, right?" she asked, I could hear the worry in her voice.
"Of course," I said, "I just wanted to ask you something."
She was silent for a moment, "What?" she asked.
I smirked, "You'd be cool if I brought someone with me, right?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course!" she exclaimed, "Who you bringing?"
"Bella Swan," I said.
She squealed in my ear, "OH MY GOD!" she said, "Really?"
I laughed, "Yeah," I said, "I think you two will get along really well. Also, she's never been to a party before."
"Are you serious?" She asked, shocked.
"Yeah," I said.
"Okay, this is going to be the best party ever," she said. Then she was quiet for a minute, "You like her. Don't you?"
I didn't say anything at first but then replied. "Yeah," I said.
"I knew it!" she said.
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, Alice," I said, "I'll see you later."
"Bye," she said and then she hung up.
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