CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
"I have been thinking about this for a long time. I know that what I am about to propose may…worry you but please just hear me out. This is not about seeing how far I can push the envelope and contrary to what you may think this is soo not about me trying something with you, Scott."
Scott's eyebrow rose and I think that I definitely had all the guy's attention. I stood up from the couch and began to pace in front of the boys, wringing my hands together with nerves. Ever since it was announced that we had received the nomination, I had started to think about what I would want to do for this performance. When I was a young and watched the Academy Awards at my home; it was my favorite part of the show to watch the five nominated songs being performed. Sometimes the studio decided to go with simplicity and sometimes it was a full on big musical dance number with lavish sets and costumes.
"Since you are the lead singer, Scott; I want you to represent our hero. I want the sets to be different buildings in a metropolitan like atmosphere. Each one of you will be placed upon the roof of one said building with your instruments. The spot light will come up for your intro and we will find you crooning on top of the building. Each light on the rest of you will come up slowly. My shadow outline will be seen in the window of a building and as the song progresses I will come out onto the roof like the damsel watching the sky for my hero. Now here is when it can get a little…scary." I tried to break this to Scott as easy as I could. "You're not afraid of heights are you?"
"Uh…no…" Scott replied unsure.
"Great! So I want you to be hooked into wires and you will essentially fly on up to greet me on my rooftop. We will have a short personal moment of singing to one another before you pick me up by the waist and fly with me essentially over the city. Kind of like dancing on air…"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…uh back up. You want him to fly?" Mark asked.
"Well, yeah but there are wires for all that. They made Aladdin and Jasmine fly on a magic carpet back in the early ninety's at the Oscars. I'm sure we have come far since then with what they can do. All I want is for the pair of us to sing while essentially floating over the city and then when the electric guitar comes in for the frantic part of the music I just envision us both spinning about…"
"Spinning?" Scott interjected.
"It's symbolic of what love can feel like. Spinning out of control. I want this moment to be dramatic and then when the music is just at its hardest, we kiss. Oh my god with the proper lighting and everything coming together at once…it will be epic." I over dramatized.
"We kiss?" Scott pulled me back out of my vision.
I started shaking my head with a small smirk, "Geez, grow up. It's acting, I'm not going to try to slip you the tongue." I rolled my eyes.
"Okay so first you want me to fly then you want me to spin and then a kiss which lastly will result in your fiancé punching my lights out." Scott reevaluated everything.
"This is Edward we're talking about not the Incredible Hulk."
"Edward SMASH." Kyle interjected to which I couldn't help but slap my head with my hand. There's always one.
"Anyways…" I continued loudly to get us back on track. "Edward has to kiss random women all the time. So…he has no reason to be upset. We are two professionals who will be performing in a professional arena."
Okay Bella, who exactly are we trying to convince here; you or the boys. "Maybe we shouldn't tell him just yet." I added.
The guys started to laugh a little, "Scott's gonna get his face smashed in. Scott's gonna get his face smashed in." Matthew taunted.
"Okay, can we grow up here for a minute?" Scott tried to regain order. "I think your idea is good but I just don't know if the Academy is going to go along with it. It sounds very involved. Plus I don't have to wear like spandex and a cape do I?"
"Leave the Academy up to me to convince and as far as wardrobe I still see you in rocker jeans and cool button down shirt. A modernized take on your common superhero. I would never put you in spandex…I don't think you could pull it off." I remarked.
"Maybe we should try the spandex…I mean if we want to look professional in our professional arena…" Matt snickered.
Scott gave him a sharp look that promptly shut him up.
We didn't work on new music but at least we could all sit around and talk about this upcoming performance. The boys told me of going to the Academy Award Nominee luncheon which they could immediately see in my face of my jealousy so they tried to downplay it a tad. My father was in the hospital at the time the luncheon went off and I was sad to have missed it but somehow with my talented fiancé I was sure that we would be back there again sometime throughout his career.
I knew that I needed to get on this performance so I called up Seth and asked if he could arrange a meeting due to some things we needed to discuss. Seth sounded a tad surprised to be hearing from me but arranged a three pm meeting for Monday. I told Edward that Monday morning I would be returning to work.
After the boys left I felt exhausted. My body was still not used to the energy I was putting out. Amazing how just one week in a bed could deteriorate one so quickly. But Edward seemed positive and less stressed as we lay in our bed and talked with one another. He held me close to his chest dragging his fingertips gently through my hair down my neck and back again.
"Edward, thank you. I know it's not much but it's all I can say. If it wasn't for you I honestly don't know how I would've been able to survive the past couple of weeks." I said quietly, honestly.
"You're welcome but there's nothing to thank me for. You mean everything to me and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."
"I don't want to talk about my dad for a while, I am still trying to work through this and I hope with time I can someday talk to you more but for right now would it be okay if I didn't?" I asked.
"I'm here whenever you need me." He replied.
Even though I had been practically in and out of consciousness the past few days it did leave me with a lot of time to reflect. Think about how I would change things if given the chance to go back and do so.
"I have been thinking with my dad's passing I need to start focusing on the important things. I have been so focused on my career that I have started to put the people who really matter to me second and I don't want to do that anymore. After the Academy Awards I want to take time off and focus on family, focus on you and get my priorities straightened."
"Bella, there's nothing wrong with working but it's all about balance. People do it every day; they have careers, families, friends and fun. You just have to find a happy medium. I don't want you giving up your career dreams I just want you to be able to find some balance."
His voice was like velvet. He should do voice over work but then again there really isn't anything that Edward wouldn't be good at.
"I want to take a vacation. One with anyone and everyone. I want to show the girls something outside of this state. I want to go back to Italy. I want to go back to the place you fell in love with me and I fell in love with you."
"We'll we can go back to Italy but that's not where I fell in love with you. I think I fell in love with you at that bus stop when you were so determined to piss me off." He laughed softly and I couldn't help the smile spread over my face at the memory.
"Determined to piss you off? Did it work?" I smiled up at him.
"Oh yes I was thoroughly pissed but I also knew that night why I was so mad at you; it was because I knew I finally found my love and she at the moment seemed determined to hate my guts. Don't think I didn't notice the look of disdain you gave me in that meeting earlier that day."
"I can't believe you remember that" I replied open-mouthed. "And it wasn't a look of disdain it was a look of rebuke. I was confused and irritated by your arrogance. You were this big time producer and you seemed to be so apathetic to the project."
"It wasn't the project. I was surprised to see you at that meeting after I was already having trouble keeping a clear mind around you. After the basketball court incident I didn't want to be around you because I thought it was inappropriate the pull I felt toward you. You were so young and naïve; I felt like I could ruin you."
"You did ruin me. I have had a crush in you since I was a young teen. I was fine not having you around the first couple months I was an intern because I was worried of making an ass of myself in front of you which I did and I still thank you for calling me out on my embarrassing introduction." I replied sarcastically. "I tried to not think of you. I tried to tell myself a million times that I accepted your job offer because of the opportunity and not because of you but I knew that I was only lying to myself. That my feelings were just some school girl crush and I refused to validate them until the morning I woke up and saw that you stayed with me all night even after I threw up on you."
"That was something that I hope we never have to relive." Edward laughed.
"Me too!" I completely agreed.
We stayed quiet for a little bit.
"You and I have come so far. I think back to all these different moments and I'm so happy that you were the one I shared them with." Edward said softly.
"I love you Edward." I replied sincerely.
"And I love you, always."
Monday.
One of those kind of days that you hope doesn't end as poorly as it started off.
And no I didn't have a case of the Monday's.
Jacob seemed a tad bit worried of my mental health still and found that it was his job to follow me around like the pestering mutt he was. I'm being harsh I know but when I still think back to that day it makes my blood boil.
The morning started off fine as usual. Emma seemed pleased to have me back seeing how she had fielded my calls and emails since my…hiatus. In the office it seemed just like any other day. Maybe a couple more head turns and stares but nothing that I hadn't already become accustomed too. I was a tad surprised when Jacob decided to tag along. I think he knew that Edward would have a hard time making sure I was mentally capable and felt that he could help.
"I'm bored." Jacob plopped down in my cubicle. Yes I still had a cubicle.
"Well, you didn't need to come today. I'm sure there are many more interesting things you could think of to fill your day." I replied never taking my eyes off the email I was responding to. I knew that I needed to get the right set constructors so I had started to reach out to my contacts.
"Let's go eat. You don't have to be back until three. We could fill our time with a nice juicy steak." Jacob suggested.
I stopped typing and looked over to him slightly irritated.
"All right a nice juicy salad for you." He amended.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped. "Are you calling me fat?"
I couldn't resist.
"What? No. I would never." Jacob jumped up, straightening out his posture; tripping over his words.
"You're so easy, Jacob." I laughed and returned to my typing.
"Come on…I'm dying here." He whined. "My stomach's all growly."
"Fine. If it will shut you up. But I need to be back soon." I replied exasperated. "Sometimes I don't know who whines more; you or Gracie."
Edward said he had a late lunch to go to so he didn't want to come with. Jacob and I set off for Urth café, a trendy little spot on Melrose and I guess it was nice to get back out in the world as they say. Jacob made it a point to find a place that was somewhat isolated from the viewing public. Such a change from when I usually go out to eat with him, so I appreciated the gesture.
"So…uh…have you and Edward talked about a…" Jacob seemed at a loss for words.
"Just spit it out." I chided.
"Are you planning on rescheduling the wedding?" Jacob replied. He looked down and then looked up to see my reaction.
"Oh…uh…no we haven't really talked about it." I said quietly. Somehow I was kind of relieved that it was Jacob and I having this conversation and not Edward.
"Well, I'm sure Emily can get it all up and moving again." He prompted.
I sadly nodded my head and took a sip from my cappuccino.
"Bella, you do want to still get married, right?"
I sat there staring into my cup. "I don't know." I whispered.
"What? Why?" he was almost as shocked at my answer as I was.
"It's…silly really." I shook my head at my own moment of stupidity.
"I'm sure it's not. Come on Bella. I know how much you and Edward love each other. Whatever your reason is you can tell me. Maybe I can help." He offered.
I took a breath and thought for a moment. I knew what my reasons were but I didn't exactly want to hear Jacob laugh in my face at the moment.
"Bella." He prodded.
"I'm scared." I answered honest.
"Of what? Edward? He would never do anything…"
"No, of course not of Edward. Edward has done everything for me. I don't even understand why he's still with me. I'm scared…of being happy."
I brought myself a little closer to Jacob.
"Every time I manage to find happiness…something always screws it up. I was so happy just a couple of weeks ago. I felt happier then I had in my entire life. Then…" I trailed off and once again my vision was slightly obstructed.
"I can't. Who will be next?" I whispered.
"Oh Bella." Jacob looked at me with his sad eyes. "You dad didn't die because someone upstairs arbitrarily decided that you were too content in life. That's not how that works."
"You don't know that. I'm scared all the time. I'm afraid to laugh too much or …I just want to stay under the radar. Besides, I honestly don't know how I would ever make it down an aisle. If Edward and I were to have a wedding, it would kill me the whole time knowing that my dad was supposed to be on my arm. He was supposed to give me away. If I had to walk down that aisle all by myself; I'd probably collapse. I don't want to embarrass Edward on what's supposed to be the happiest day of our lives."
Jacob sat in thought for a couple of moments. "What if you were to let me take on the task of deciding who was going to walk you down the aisle? You don't have to walk by yourself and I know that whoever did walk you down the aisle it would have to be someone that you really loved and valued. Would you let me work on that?"
"I don't know." I said softly.
"Give me a chance and I will find someone worthy. No one could ever take your father's place but I think I can find you a good second best."
I sighed, "I guess but that still doesn't do anything for my other fears."
"Well, I think with time that maybe you can see the good things in life once again and hopefully you can get that silly notion out of your head. Believe it or not; no one is out to get you."
As much hell as I give Jacob; that lunch was really something that I needed. I didn't even realize how stressed I was and just taking the time to talk with him really helped me out. However my new found respect in Jacob ran short as we were leaving the café and ran into an old friend of mine…well…
"Well, well, well. Isn't this quite a coincidence." Cynthia Moore gave me a devilish little smile.
Now I don't know if you remember the last time I ran into Miss Moore but let me give you a slight recap. She was one of the hoes who dated my fiancé and decided to show up to Edward's Italian Villa back when Edward and I were first dating. That night ended with her upstairs in the bed naked and me just a tad bit drunk. Remember? Well go back to the first part of our story if you need more of a refresher.
I exhaled and smiled back at her, "How do you do Miss Moore?" I returned her devilish smile with a sickening sweet smile of my own.
"So…you are looking mighty different since the last time I saw you. It's funny I didn't even recognize you the first time I saw you on Edward's arm at the SAG awards but then they said that you were his personal assistant and it all clicked. Can't say I blame you. If I was working under Edward…well I would be under Edward too." She laughed a little.
"Yes, well I think I remember the last time I saw you and it looks like not much has changed. Oh and clothes are a good look for you; good to see that you found some." And in this corner.
"Ladies." Jacob stepped in between us to stop whatever battle was in the making.
"Jacob. I have missed you." Cynthia replied longingly.
I furrowed my brow for a minute and looked over to Jacob.
"Well, I wish I could say that it was mutual." Jacob remarked.
"Missed him?" I asked.
"Oh, Jacob didn't tell you?" she acted surprised.
My eyes burned into Jacob as to what she was implying.
"We dated briefly." He admitted.
Oh my god!
"She was the girl you were dating since before Christmas?" I practically screeched.
"Well, I wouldn't say dating as much as fucking." Cynthia giggled.
Jacob rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortably. I couldn't help but smack him in the arm.
"What's the matter with you?" That was rhetorical.
"Now Isabella, no need to pick on poor Jakey here. Sometimes a man needs a certain level of class to fulfill his needs. I'm sure Edward could tell you all about my class." She replied suggestively.
"Class?" I laughed. "Now Cynthia, no need to go on making up stories and using words for too large for your everyday vocabulary. If you had as much class as you say you have then why again am I the one wearing this ring?" I held up the nice flashy rock on my hand to remind her of who she was dealing with. "Edward told me all about the desperation you went to, to try to land a rock like this. So…so…sad."
"Bella." Jacob scolded.
Okay that was a lie but bitch started it. Cynthia looked momentarily put off for a moment but recovered quickly.
"Well sweetie you may wear the rock but perhaps you're the one who needs some tips. Why else would Edward ask me to be his love interest in his next movie? Edward and I did have some mighty passionate times together. Care for some lessons?"
"Movie?" I asked.
"He didn't tell you?" she started to laugh. "Sounds familiar. I have a lunch meeting with him today to discuss the role. Have fun with your rock; I'll be sure to have fun with…something a little harder." She winked and turned around to walk back toward her car.
I stood there on the sidewalk seething watching her drive off. How could Edward have told me about this?
"Bella…"
"Not one word." I snapped at Jacob. I flipped around quickly to seek out my car. The sooner I could get back to Warner Bros. the sooner I would have words with my fiancé.
We climbed into the car and I couldn't help myself. "Really Jacob, what is it? Do you feel the need to stick your dick into every girl Edward has been in?"
"I don't know what I was thinking. We met at a party and she was funny and…I knew that Edward and her dated and when I asked Edward if it was okay he said he didn't mind. I just thought what the hell. But then I started to see that she wasn't a good person; she was kind of fake and arrogant…"
"No shit!" I spit.
"I ended it a couple of weeks ago. That's why I was all moody back in January."
"I don't understand how you could even begin to contemplate that disease factory." I huffed.
"Well…Edward technically was there first which means if she did have diseases…"
"Shut up. I can't think about it. I just want to go home and soak in a bath of lye." I shivered from the heebie jeebies of even thinking of Cynthia Moore and Edward together.
With my semi maniac driving I managed to get back to the studio in record time. I jumped out of the car and started to make my way to Edward's office.
"Bella, I'm sure that Edward has a perfectly good explanation. Just calm down." Jacob tried to keep up with me.
"What's going on?" Edward stood up from his desk probably hearing all the racquet from my stomping and Jacob's lame justifications. Jacob looked between us and decided that anywhere but here was a good life choice.
"You'll never believe who I just ran into, sweetheart." I was trying to rein in my anger but I think it read rather clear on my face.
"Uh…who?" Edward cringed not wanting to really know the answer.
"I'll give you one guess. You two have quite a history together and apparently that late lunch meeting you have today is not just with fellow producers."
Immediately you could see it dawn on him who I was speaking of.
"Bella…I…" Edward placed his hands on his hips. Something he always did when he was about to start explaining something.
"No. You know what? Just forget about it. You didn't think it was important to tell me of lunches with your ex's so I guess you showed me where I place."
"Uh…Bella. You have a meeting." Emma uneasily interrupted us.
"Of course. Let's go." I turned from Edward's office.
"Wait would you talk to me about this for a minute?" Edward called after us.
"I have a meeting to get to and you have a lunch. Have a good meal." I sang.
Edward followed me out of the office and jumped into the golf cart with Emma and I.
"Please just let me explain." He huffed.
I started up the cart and pulled out of the space and started to zip my way over to the WMG building. "What's there to explain? I get it. She is a beautiful girl and your fiancé isn't capable of handing your needs at the moment so why not hire someone you had incredible chemistry with."
"Stop it." Edward reprimanded me. "That isn't it and you know it. I technically haven't hired her yet. We are just meeting with her today to see if she would be right for the role. Cynthia is a talented actress and I wasn't the one to bring up her name for casting. This is just a meeting, that's it. Nothing more."
"How are you so incredibly naïve, Edward? You wouldn't be sitting down and having a meal with her if you all weren't seriously thinking of casting her. How stupid do you think I am? And then on top of it all you never once told me that this was happening which makes me think you were purposely hiding it from me. How is that supposed to make me feel?"
"Bella, I didn't tell you because it all came up last week and I didn't think that given where you were mentally last week that you would want to hear of my luncheon plans." Edward replied.
We arrived at the building and I jumped out of the cart. Poor Emma looked rather uncomfortable.
"Well have a nice lunch. In fact Cynthia made it a point today to tell me all about her "class" so I'm sure you are in excellent hands." I focused on heading to the entrance but Edward still felt the need to continue this conversation.
"Honey, yes we dated for a while." Edward started as we entered the elevator.
"You don't have to tell me, I saw the E! True Hollywood story."
"Would you just give me a minute?" he snapped.
"Well, I say you have about twelve floors, if that works for you." I answered looking up at the elevator panel where it read the level.
"I am merely having a professional conversation regarding a professional opportunity."
And just like that it hit me. He was using the same words I used yesterday when I was talking to Scott about our kiss during our Oscar performance. I was sure that Edward didn't listen in on our conversation and it should have been a slap back to reality but I was too steamed to think on it.
"Well I will certainly remember that the next time a "professional" opportunity comes my way." I replied.
"Bella don't be childish."
The elevator chimed and the doors started to open. Emma practically ran out of the stuffy elevator compartment.
"Childish? Oh baby, you have seen nothing yet." I turned to him as I was leaving. "Have a nice lunch." I smiled and then ran my hand down all the elevator buttons assuring that he would have to stop on every floor all the back down to the lobby.
Okay, yes I will admit that was childish.
"Isabella Swan for Mr. Vladic and Mr. Clearwater." I give my name to the well dressed secretary behind the desk that sits out in front of Stefan Vladic's office. I have never been to Stefan's office since all of our meetings in the past took place in the conference room.
The secretary announces my arrival with the telephone and I take the opportunity to apologize to Emma for putting her in an uncomfortable situation earlier.
"I am sorry. I never want you or Ian to feel like you were put in the middle of one of Edward's and my…issues."
"It's no problem. I get it." She answers.
"It's not fair, I know. You and Ian I'm sure have issues of your own and yet you never bring that drama to work. It must be hard." I acknowledge.
"Sometimes, but we both know how lucky we are to have the jobs we have with the small amount of experience we have so whenever we worry about it spilling over into our work we make a deal to wait and handle it after we end our day with you and Edward."
"That's very…professional and mature of you. Something that I have let to learn, obviously."
"I don't think so. It must be really hard being in a situation where essentially Edward could work with an ex in a very intimate environment. I think if I had to deal with Ian in those circumstances it might cause me to be a little crazy too."
"Miss Swan; they're ready for you." The secretary announced.
Stefan's office was large and very modern. Sleek black sharp edges and mirrors everywhere. Made me think that Stefan must like looking at himself to be surrounded by that many mirrors. One wall had a case filled with trophy's and plaques from various musical awards.
"Isabella. What a surprise." Stephan greeted me with arms wide open bringing me in for a kiss on the cheek. "So great to see you back again."
"Yes, well…I have a show to put on so…" I dismissed.
"A show?" Seth questioned.
"I was nominated, well Liberty Project and I were nominated for an Oscar and in past years it has been customary for the nominated artists to put on a performance." I replied.
"We didn't think you would be up to it." Seth answered uneasily.
"Now Seth, if Isabella is ready to return…you can't believe how ecstatic we are with how well your albums have been selling. After the inauguration your sells went up but after the Grammy's well your sells went through the roof." Stefan replied elated. He practically had dollar signs shooting out of his glassy wide eyes.
"Good to know that my mental breakdown was able to generate adequate numbers for WMG." I quipped.
"More than adequate. You went to number one." Stefan smiled.
"Can we get back to the Academy performance?" I walked over to the couches that Stefan had set up in his office and waved for Emma to join me.
"Do you have more of an idea for this performance?" Seth asked.
"Seth, she's a genius. Never question a genius. When you finished that Grammy performance broken on the stage it was so haunting you were all anybody could talk about for days after." Stefan beamed.
"I have a good idea for what I want to do for the Academy Awards. I have already discussed this with the guys and they are placing trust in me. I will pay for all costs but I need you to get A.M.P.A.S. on board." I tried to get Stefan off his current topic and back to the matter at hand.
"What do you need?" Stefan asked.
"I based the performance off the movie so it will require a lot of wire work. If you could just get me access to a team of professionals in this area I am sure I could make a great performance that should make Warner Bros. and WMG proud." I explained.
"Well, I'm sure we could put you in contact with the right people but it could become pricey seeing how you have less than one week." Stefan replied while stroking his beard.
"I don't care. I will expunge all cost to Warner Bros. and take it upon myself after what I did at the Grammy's I want to get back in Hollywood's good graces." I declared.
"I don't believe you are in Hollywood's bad graces but I look forward to see what you have come up with. I will put you in contact with some brilliant wire workers and please let us know if we can do anything else to assist." Stefan responded.
"Excellent. Thank you." I replied sincerely. "I am meeting with some able set designers and construction teams today to start with set building."
"Please send over the schematics the moment you receive them as I'm sure the Academy will want to sign off on them." Seth added.
"No problem. Thank you. Both of you. I know that what I did at the Grammy's wasn't professional and I apologize for any negative press it brought to you."
"Not negative. Absolutely not but that does bring up something we need to have a serious discussion about. I know you currently don't have any representation. No agent or publicist but I want you to seriously consider acquiring a team. WMG has had to field all calls as I'm sure so has Edward's publicity team on your recent…success. It would be wise of you to obtain representation going forth in your career since it seems that you will be with us for quite some time. In fact next week I was hoping to bring you by to meet one of our newest acquisitions and be instrumental in helping further her career." Stefan informed.
"Who?" I asked. I was very curious.
"Nothing to think on now, Isabella." Stefan waved off. "We have been thinking a lot about the role you have played here at WMG and to say the least we are very happy with your work. You have managed to work with a wide range of artists and from what I hear at very little compensation for your services. We want to keep you happy, don't we Seth?" Stefan looked over to Seth and gave him the eye.
"Yes, of course. We are more than pleased with all the hard work you have put in; which is why I will work hard to ensure that you will have everything you need for Academy Sunday." Seth stepped up.
"Excellent again I thank you. Emma." I rose off the couch; readying us to leave. "Gentlemen. Good day."
"Good day, Bella." Seth replied.
"Look forward to seeing what you come up with." Stefan remarked while walking us out. "Please give us a ring once you have a design plan."
I nodded and smiled to them one last time.
Now it was on to deal with set designers and crew and after that round two of what I'm sure would be a rather epic conclusion to Edward's and my earlier discussion. Somehow I had a feeling that one of us would be kicked to the metaphoric couch for the night. Ohh and how right I was.
AN: Thank you as always for taking the time to read and review. After a lot of thought I have decided to just make Part Three really long and then Crossfade will pick off sometime after Working Title ends. Hope I manage to keep your interest.