Chapter 2

Edward POV

"For fucks sake," I sigh and rub my forehead, my elbow resting on my thick wooden desk. "And I'm only being told this now because…?"

"I'm so sorry Mr Cullen," my assistant Bree says through the phone. "I just… I completely forgot. I don't know how I forgot. I'm so sorry."

Great. Dinner with the family tonight and my assistant completely forgets to tell me. It's half past fucking four in the afternoon and I had a night with Victoria scheduled, or was it Jane? Fuck I don't know but I was going to get laid. It's been a few days.

"It won't happen again, Mr Cullen." Bree continues talking through the phone. "I swear to it. If you want I could… I mean, I can call them and tell them something came up..." She stammers, clearly nervous.

"No Bree," I sigh. "It's fine. Thank you for telling me." I hang up the phone before another apology can come out of her mouth, and sigh again.

Fucking hell. I can only imagine how it would've gone down if I'd never been told. 'Edward you're being so selfish,' or 'Edward you've really let Mom down, again'. But that's me, Edward Cullen, disappointing my parents since the day I was born.

I stand up from my desk and stretch my back; lucky I had those plans with whoever it was. I could've intended to work all night, which would've been worse to reschedule. My grandfather already thinks I'm irresponsible when it comes to my social life, I don't want him thinking I am incompetent when it comes to my work and time management skills. He pulled me aside yesterday after a board meeting to tell me he is hoping to not see me in the papers with a random girl on my arm this weekend, as if to give me a warning that if I do, Monday morning we will be having another, more serious discussion. It was very awkward, and to be honest, pissed me off a little bit.

I pick up my phone again, and listen as it rings for a couple seconds.

"Oh hello little bro," my brother Emmett answers.

"You couldn't have given me a heads up?" I ask. "You know my assistant is fucking hopeless."

"You mean beautiful-big-boobed Bree?" He laughs. "You seemed to love her a couple weeks ago."

"Shut up, I don't love anyone. I just love tits." I sigh again. "I can't miss another family dinner, you know shit is tense right now." I'd called Emmett on my way home yesterday, ranting about how it is my life and I can live it how I want, and how awkward grandfather had been towards me.

"I know, I know," he agrees. "After dinner the team and I are hitting the town, maybe you should come. Having a drink and relaxing your tight ass could be good for you."

"I really don't think that'll help my case, Emmett." I roll my eyes, practically growling at him.

"Bring Jasper along," he says. "The whole family adores Jasper. Just don't drink much and you can show grandfather you're actually capable of going out and not ending up in the tabloids stumbling home with some girl on your arm."

"I'll think about it." I reply. "I've got to go. See you at Mom and Dads." I say hanging up the phone.

Jasper and I have been best friends since before I can remember; I think we were both in diapers. His mother was very good friends with mine, they were in a mothers group together after having us. Unfortunately Jaspers mother passed away when he was quite young, and although his father is still very involved in his life, my mother become a surrogate for him throughout the years. She really does adore Jasper, he's got everything figured out it seems. Steady long-term relationship, stable full time job, visits her in his spare time. Ironic really, that he's the golden child of the three of us yet isn't actually her child. But I understand where she's coming from. I often go to Jasper for advice, he's very level headed, and it helps that he also works for the hotel chain my grandfather owns. Having a best friend who also knows the ins and outs of your career can be very handy.

"I don't know what you had planned for tonight, but you're now going out with me and the team. Bring Alice if you want. Meet at my Mom and Dads around 9." I send the text to Jasper before grabbing my brief case and walking out of my office.

Bree looks at me slightly terrified as I enter the foyer. "I'm so so-"

"Forget it, Bree." I cut her off. "I told you it's fine. These things happen. I'll see you on Monday." I give her a tight-lipped smile before walking into the elevator and heading to the ground floor.

"Mr Cullen," Felix my driver and security escort addresses me as I exit the building on the ground level. "The car is parked around the corner." He says as he begins to lead the way.

"I've got to go home and change," I tell him. "Then head straight to my Mom and Dads."

"Got it, Sir." He replies.

Although it's early June, Seattle's summer often only reaches a high of 65, and the warmth of the car surrounds me as I take my seat in the back. I pull out my phone and sift through emails and text messages on the drive to my penthouse.

I only look up from the device in my hands when Felix opens my door, indicating we have arrived.

"Thank you Felix," I say as I grab the briefcase once more and head towards the large glass doors. "I won't be long." I call to him as I head inside.

"Mr Cullen," the doorman nods at me.

"George, hello." I reply.

I make my way toward the elevators, nodding to various people as the usual chorus of 'Hello Mr Cullen' greets my ears. Of course everyone knows who I am when my last name is plastered across the elegant building. I step inside the elevator, scanning my key card that allows me to press the button to the top floor.

I make my way into my penthouse, dropping my briefcase and jacket by the side table in the entrance. I'm sure Leah, my housekeeper, will tidy it up before I arrive home later tonight.

Twenty minutes later I am redressed and making my way back downstairs. With my phone pressed up to my ear, and the angry tone people can detect in my voice, my usual chorus of goodbyes cannot be heard as I exit the hotel.

"We'll have to continue this conversation at a later date." I say into my phone. "Yes, exactly, good bye Jack." I slide my phone into my pocket, just as I reach Felix who is already opening the car door for me.

"Sir," he says with a nod.

"Thank you, Felix." I return the nod.

The trip to my parents is very much the same as any other. I pulled my phone back out and went over countless emails and messages regarding the company.

God I need a vacation. I'm only 27.

I snort, and Felix looks at me curiously through the rear-view mirror.

A vacation, yeah sure. That'll go down well with your grandfather, Edward.

I continue checking emails and making notes, and again I only notice our arrival as Felix opens my door. I nod in thanks.

"I'm going out with Emmett and Jasper this evening and I believe we will make our own way. Thank you Felix, enjoy your night."

"You too, Mr Cullen." He smiles at me before getting back in the car. I hear him reversing out of the driveway as I head up the few stairs that lead to the giant front door attached to the mansion of a house my parents live in.

I don't bother knocking. "Hello?" I call out after closing the heavy wooden door behind me.

"Oh Edward! Is that you?" I hear my mother speak. "We're in the sitting room, having a few drinks while we wait for your father to arrive." I follow her voice to the left of the entrance. In the sitting room I see Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie sitting on a sofa opposite my mother, Esme.

"Hey bro," Emmett smiles at me. "How are you?" He asks.

"Just fine," I reply, heading over to my mother to give her a kiss on the cheek before taking a seat. "How are you Mom?"

"I'm great sweetie," she smiles at me. "It's been a while." She states.

"I know Mom," I reply. "I'm sorry, I've just been so busy at work recently."

"It's okay," she says. "I know my two boys have their own lives to live."

"And how are you Rose?" I ask, turning my head towards the pair across from me.

"Great," she replies. "Coming up to summer break I've been getting really busy, everyone wants to book their cars in for their scheduled service while they're not working."

Rosalie, though you would never guess it from her appearance, is one of the best mechanics in all of Seattle. Do not be deceived by her gorgeous figure or her blonde hair, she's not afraid to get covered in grease or throw a punch for that matter. Emmett can attest to that. They met at college when they were both freshmen, Rosalie was studying engineering and Emmett was there to play football. They have been together for nearly six years now. Although the pair appear very different to one another, I can't imagine a better partner for my brother. She most definitely keeps his ego in check, but she takes really good care of him too.

"So where is Dad?" I ask, now looking at Mom.

"Oh he's just finishing up at the hospital." She smiles at me. "He's been a very busy man recently too. I keep telling him to do fewer hours, but you know your father. He basically lives at that place because he wants to help everyone."

"Sounds about right," I chuckle.

Dinner goes surprisingly smoothly. I may have been exaggerating earlier when I said I disappoint my parents. I know they both love me; they're the sweetest most generous people you could ever meet. They just want what's best for me, and when they see me in the papers with countless women, in hundreds of bars around the world, I know they just want more for me. I can just see in their faces I am letting them down. Mom has told me numerous times a girlfriend is what I need, but they don't understand. It's difficult meeting someone when your name is common knowledge. Not that I'm famous or anything, but I am well known. Lucky for Emmett he met Rosalie before he got signed to the Seahawks. If you look at the women that pine after him now, you can see how impossible it can be. They all just want you for the fame, for the money or because you're good looking. I never spend more than a couple nights with one person because I don't want them becoming attached and starting to expect things from me. I know none of them genuinely care for me. None of the women I sleep with ever come back to my penthouse, instead I book another room for a few nights. I don't want any of them seeing anything personal. Too many times women have gone to the press after spending time with me, hoping to sell some sort of story to get some extra cash.

I sigh. Sometimes I do think it would be nice to have my own Rosalie or Alice.

"Edward, son," my father pulls me aside once we have all eaten. "Come for a talk."

I spoke too soon.

I follow him out on to the patio, a scotch glass in hand. "What's up dad?" I ask, although I already know the answer.

Here we go. Time to discuss what I spoke to grandfather about. Time to get lectured.

"Your grandfather and I had a chat on the phone today," he starts.

Called it.

"Of course he wants you to continue working for the chain, but you need to stay out of the public eye for a while or settle down." He continues. "We don't want to force you in to anything, but you are starting to get a reputation which is not making him, or the company, look very good."

I sigh. "I know, Dad."

"I don't know much about it, as I chose to never be apart of the company," he continues. "But I do know your grandfather is not far off retirement, and I believe he expects either you and your uncle Jack to run it eventually. And I would hate for juvenile things like sleeping around and partying all night to ruin your chances."

I look at him in surprise. I know uncle Jack and myself work together just below my grandfather, but I never considered he'd retire anytime soon. Nor did I consider who the company would be left to. "It's between me and uncle Jack?"

"Well like I said," he continues. "I don't know too much about it as I chose not to. But yes, it's reasonable to say it is between the two of you. And if I know my father, which I think I do, he would rather have his own blood running the company than your uncle Jack."

"Wow," I down the rest of my scotch. "I hadn't… I mean, I've thought about owning the company I guess, but I never… I never actually thought it would happen. At least not anytime soon."

"Well it might not son," he pats me on the back. "Especially with the way you are acting. If you were grandfather who do you think looks better suited for the job? A millionaire playboy in his early twenties, or a sensible family man in his fifties?"

I don't say anything, just stare at the ground, thinking.

I could give up sex for a while to own a multi-billion dollar company. Couldn't I? I need to talk to Jasper. Maybe he can give me pointers on how to look more deserving. He's sensible and boring.

"We love you son," my dad says. "We want this for you. We know you work very, very hard. We just want you to be careful, and settle down. This could be the start of a really good life for you." He pats my back once more before turning around and wandering back into the house.

"Well, you need a girlfriend, simple." Jasper says after I explain both the conversation I'd had with my grandfather yesterday and the conversation with my dad tonight.

"Simple?" I reply. "How is that 'simple'?"

"A serious relationship represents stability, Edward." He says. "I know you're not the one-woman type of man, but I think it's the best option."

I groan, and put my head in my hands, my elbows resting on the top of a very sticky table. Emmett had dragged us with the rest of the team to some bar in the city. Usually this would be my kind of scene, but after my conversation with both my grandfather and father, I decided to quietly tag along with Jasper, and leave the boys to get drunk alone this weekend.

"I'm not saying you need to get married and have kids," he continues. "Hell she doesn't even have to move in, but get yourself a girlfriend. A decent girlfriend."

"Jasper it's really not that simple." I look up at him. "Where am I meant to find a girl who doesn't just want to sleep with me and doesn't want to sell our 'love story' to the press? Never mind the fact it'll have to be someone sensible. I can't exactly have another bimbo on my arm for a couple weeks and expect grandfather to be happy."

"Maybe you can pay someone to do it," he laughs.

"My life is not about to become some Pretty Woman drama movie." I roll my eyes.

"You don't need to have sex with them, actually I say do quite the opposite." He replies. "That could make things far too complicated. I think you just need to find someone who will keep up appearances, sign and NDA, and look sensible."

"You're looking for a sugar baby?" Rosalie asks laughing as she joins us at the table, obviously having heard the last part of the conversation.

"Don't be stupid Rosalie," I reply.

"Just meet someone the old fashion way," She says. "Look, there's a bunch of girls over there that have been gawking at the group since they walked in."

"I don't want someone that stares at me like that," I sign. "That's exactly my point." I turn my head to the girls Rosalie gestured to, and notice one of them going over to the guys on the team holding her phone. It looks as if she asking for a photo.

"Well then, you're shit out of luck." Rosalie laughs again.

"Yeah thanks," I say sarcastically. "You're always such a great help Rose."

"I think I might get going," Jasper says, rising from the table opposite me. "You want to catch a cab?" He asks me.

"Sure." I stand and follow him out.

Not like I'm allowed to have any fun anymore anyway. I'll just end up losing everything I've worked for.

"You know," Jasper says as we wait for a free cab. "That sugar baby idea wasn't completely crazy."

"Are you serious?" I laugh.

"I'm just saying," he continues. "I knew a girl in college who did it. She wasn't a slut, just needed some extra money. A lot of them had her sign NDA's because they either had families or were very wealthy. It's not too bad of an idea."

"I don't know…"

"All I'm saying is go on your computer and have a look. It can't hurt."

"Aren't all the girls on those websites the type of girls I don't want to attract?"

"What, they can't say anything because of an NDA, they can't get attached because it's a business arrangement, they're technically your employee so you can ask them to dress and appear how you like, how is that not what you want?" He asks.

"Isn't it a bit pathetic?" I reply.

"Not really," he says. "You could actually make a good friend out of it. And you're helping someone out who clearly needs the money. Also I bet a lot of girls would kill to have a sugar daddy that isn't 100 years old."

"What would I tell people?"

"Nothing," he says. "Just lie, make up a simple story about how you met, have the arrangement last a couple months, then break up and tell everyone she broke your heart that way it's not your fault."

We both get into a cab that pulls up in front of us. Jasper gives the driver the address. He lives in the same building as me, with Alice. Sure makes it easy when I need his advice, or when I want a buddy to work out with.

"Your penthouse is huge," he continues. "I'm sure she would be thrilled to stay in the spare room a couple nights a week, Alice and I can come over a fair bit and keep you both company so it's not as weird. Like I said, you could make a new friend."

God this is absolutely crazy. But the more he talks about it, the more perfect it actually sounds. A reliable girl with no strings attached, that's exactly what I need. I do crazier stuff than this when I'm drunk on a night out. Looking through profiles and sketching up an NDA can't hurt anybody.

"Could you write up an NDA for me?" I ask him. Jasper is my lawyer, or rather one of the many lawyers we have working for the company. You'd be surprised how many lawsuits hotel chains go through. His occupation is part of the reason why he always gives me such great advice. At least I can rely on him to not let me do anything too stupid, or illegal.

"Sure," he replies. "Why don't I head around to your place tomorrow? We could go to the gym together then sit down and write one out. Hell, I'll even help you look through the website at some potentials." He laughs. "I'm sure Alice would love to help too. A woman's perspective might be a good idea."

"As long as the pair of you can shut your mouths," I say. "I hate to say it but this actually could be the perfect solution. The only problem is it is dangerous. If anyone slips up and my grandfather finds out I can kiss the company goodbye. Never mind the complete embarrassment if it ever leaks to the press."

"I know," He agrees. "Don't worry, if only the three of us know, nothing can happen."

"There," Jasper says. "Finished. If anyone breaks this NDA after they've signed it they'll need to pay you out five million. I highly doubt any story, or any sugar baby has that amount of money. You're pretty safe."

"And it includes everything?" I ask.

"Well, everything about the payments and the agreement. The person who signs this is allowed to tell people she knows personally that she is dating you, and that's pretty much it. Nothing else about the relationship is to be mentioned, and nothing is to be mentioned to the press."

"Perfect." I smile at him and click print on my laptop.

"Can we get to the fun bit yet?" Alice moans from the living room sofa.

"Yes, yes," I laugh and stand from the kitchen counter my laptop in my hands, and head towards her. "Here, have a look through your potential new best friends." I laugh.

"Oh yay!" she squeals and rubs her hands together before opening up a sugar baby website and panning through profiles.

Jasper and I sit on the sofa watching a football game, pizza in hand. About an hour passes before anyone says anything. I look at the clock on the wall and notice it's nearly eight.

Wow, what an exciting Saturday night. My best friend's girlfriend is looking through websites to try and find me a girl I can pay to be my girlfriend, while I eat pizza and watch football. Jesus. Is this rock bottom?

"Oh my god," Alice groans. "They all look so stupid. I'm sure they're nice but nothing is jumping out at me!"

"How many websites have you tried?" Jasper asks.

"Four," Alice replies. "I'm just about to look through another. This one looks more promising."

"If you can't find anyone tonight, don't worry." I say to her. "I didn't expect anything straight away. It might take a while to find what I'm looking for."

"Oh!" She exclaims ten minutes later. "I might have found something. Come here."

Jasper wriggles closer to her to see the screen, while I get up and go to stand behind her.

"Oh she looks pretty," Jasper says. "Not slutty pretty either."

"Yeah, I like her." Alice smiles. "Look, 'Recent English literature graduate who need some extra cash to pay for rent. New to this, please message me if you're interested', I like the sound of that! She sounds smart."

"Yeah, a college graduate." Jasper says.

"What money bracket is she in?" I ask.

We had done some research before we got started on the NDA to understand the relationship and process a little better. We found that most websites allowed the girls to be characterised based on how much money they were looking for, as well as age and location. I figured the more expensive women would be more experienced, but we also agreed looking at the lower pay brackets may be beneficial as we could find someone who was also new to this. I think it would be easier to figure it out together than have someone who is more experienced and may try to pull one over on me.

"She's asking for…" Alice clicks a few buttons. "Two to three thousand a month."

"So around 700 a week," Jasper says to himself. "That's not too bad."

"I can easily afford it." I say.

"Can I message her?" Alice asks.

"Go for it," I reply before going to sit back down on my sofa. "Don't sound creepy. And don't give my name."

"I'll read it out before I click send." Alice replies, rolling her eyes.

Another fifteen minutes passes as Alice tries to perfect the first message. 'First impressions mean everything', she keeps saying. It's becoming increasingly difficult to focus on the game with the clicking of the keys; I notice my heart rate has also increased.

"Done." Alice states.

God I hope this isn't a completely crazy idea.