CHAPTER TWO
It had been three weeks since my run-in with Mr. Cullen. I was afraid the whole weekend after the "incident" I was going to receive a call stating my services were no longer needed. But nothing happened. Mr. Cullen started coming into the office and we both had taken to just plain ignoring each other. Of course, Emmett and Angel picked up on it and kept trying to badger the story out of me, but I remained silent completely embarrassed by my actions.
My college roommate and I met our freshman year at the University when we were assigned to the same dorm room; Angela was one tough chick and me being the sensitive marshmallow I am, we kind of got off to a rocky start. However, I credit her for helping me become the person I am today.
When I was younger I was teased and bullied a lot. I was overweight my whole life and most kids latch on to the weight thing pretty young. It wasn't until Angela who was my complete opposite came around and taught me to be stronger mentally and physically. She would make me go running with her and her overly healthy lifestyle really helped me change. Her parents were wealthy enough to pay for her apartment off campus and even though I objected she made me move in with her our senior year. Of course, I still paid her rent, it was only fair. Angela loved hearing all my nightmare tales of Hollywood, we would sit around with a bottle of wine and she always managed to make me feel better.
It was Saturday morning and I was lying around in my pajamas watching cartoons with Angela when the phone rang. It was my mom. Crap. It's not that I didn't like talking with my mom but she had become a little overbearing since I moved out, but it wasn't her fault. You can't blame a parent for any of their actions after they suffer the death of a child. My sister. But I'll go into that later.
"Hi mom, how are you?" She began to prattle on about my dad trying to fix the washer. My dad was Sherriff, my mom a kindergarten teacher mostly we were the typical American family. I heard someone beeping through on my other line so I quickly ended the call with my mom and switched over.
"Hi, is Bella there?"
"This is Bella" I still had no idea who it was.
"Hey Bella its Angel, I'm really sorry to do this to you but I have been throwing up all day, I feel like shit. I was supposed to go in the office today and sit in on the budget meeting and take notes, is there any way you could go? It's really important…wait a second."
I heard her tossing her cookies, I started to cringe and said, "Well how can I say no to that"
"Very funny Swan! Just you wait till you are in my position" I could tell she was getting irritated so I quickly agreed to the meeting trying to figure out how I was going to make it there on time. After many thanks from Angel, I quickly got dressed asking Angela if she could give me a ride.
My internship for the past four months had mainly consisted of filing and fetching. So I was a tad bit nervous to be sitting in on my first real "Hollywood" meeting. I arrived just in time to walk with Emmett into the board room; we all took our seats flipping through the packet that had the final budget for the movie Emmett was going to be filming starting in September.
The movie, Italian Revenge was going to be filmed on location in Italy. I had always wanted to go to Europe; I was envious, to say the least. The movie was an action/drama and Edward was starring in it. Jasper Whitlock and Lauren Mallory had already signed on. Jasper Whitlock had been named People's Sexiest Man Alive in the past. The Hollywood community had always favored him; everyone knew that he was an all-around good guy. Scratch that an all-around sexy good guy. As for Lauren Mallory, stories spread of the difficulties she caused wherever she went. She was married to another actor Tyler Crowley who seemed like a pretty respected guy. Most people never understood what he saw in her; she was fake, rude and just downright mean. Allegedly.
The meeting was well underway when Edward Cullen came sauntering in. I don't know why but it started to bug me that he seemed so apathetic the work the company he started was undertaking. I mean he was the "E" in E=MC2, you think he would care just a little. He would receive billing for not only acting but producing on Italian Revenge, I knew there were many producers out there that just showed up gave some money then paraded around town acting like their job was so taxing, I just never figured he would be one of those people.
He sat down, his eyes shot to mine and it almost felt like he could read my thoughts by the chastising look he gave. I quickly refocused on my notes and didn't dare look at him again. After food and Starbucks run the meeting finally wrapped up around six, I said my farewells and went to leave.
Emmett and Mr. Cullen had agreed to go to dinner at this restaurant across the way from the studio, they were following me past the security gate; Emmett talking loudly about the Lakers. I arrived at the bus stop and pulled out my book and fare. Mr. Cullen stopped walking immediately causing Emmett to stumble.
"What are you doing?" he asked sternly.
I looked up at him, confused "I'm performing Shakespeare in the park, what does it look like I'm doing?"
Normally I am very respectful to my superiors but something about this man-made me lose all control of my emotions. However, I immediately apologized, "I'm sorry. I'm waiting for my bus."
"At this time of night, don't you know how dangerous that is? Emmett, go ahead and get a table for three Miss Swan is going to be joining us."
"Um, no Miss Swan is not. Miss Swan is going home." I really needed to stop talking about myself in the third person I don't think it helps my case.
Emmett smirked trying to contain whatever laughter he had to himself but he turned toward the restaurant and walked on. It wasn't that I didn't want to go out and schmooze with bosses over a cocktail, but I knew the restaurant they were going to and there was no way I was going to be able to even afford the complimentary breadsticks.
Mr. Cullen reached out and took my bag, "Isabella, stop being so stubborn, we are going for a quick meal after which I will personally escort you to your place of residence."
He turned to walk toward the restaurant; I quickly caught up to him pulling my purse from his arms. "Excuse me, just because you're my boss, Mr. Cullen does not mean you get to tell me what to do. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking the bus, people do it all the time, I do it all the time." I saw my bus approaching; "Now if you will excuse me I have a bus to catch."
"Isabella" He was mad.
"It's Bella!" I was madder.
"I'm warning you, don't get on that bus!" He seethed.
"Oh Sir I would love to bend over backward for you, unfortunately, gymnastics has never been in my repertoire." I huffed flipping around entering the bus.
I sat down and watched as the doors closed. I have to admit part of me was worried that any minute he'd charge the bus and pull me off it like I was misbehaving toddler.
When I arrived at work Monday morning, I was nervous; I knew there was only so much crap Mr. Cullen would take before I was fired. Could a person be fired from a non-paying job? I had a feeling I was about to find out. When I walked to my cube I could see Angel sitting in a chair inside Mr. Cullen's office, they looked to be a serious conversation.
I started up my computer, pulled the files out that needed to be dealt with that day and made my way over to the kitchen to start the coffee. Angel walked in behind me all cheery, "Good morning Bella, how was your weekend."
I didn't know what Mr. Cullen had told her about me so I stuck to one-word answers. "Good."
"Well, Edward wants to see you in his office ASAP." She kindly smiled at me. I instantly became nauseous, my hands became clammy. This was it. I only lasted four months and my dreams were about to be flushed down the toilet because I couldn't play well with others.
I walked slowly toward his office staring down at the green carpet reminding me of The Green Mile movie with Tom Hanks, all I needed was someone behind me taunting, "dead girl walking."
Mr. Cullen was on his cell when I approached the door. He waved me in with his finger and mouthed for me to shut the door. "Alright sounds good, I have to go. I have a meeting. See you later." He hung up and sat down in his comfy executive chair.
"Mr. Cullen, I just wanted to take this moment to apologize for my actions Saturday night, I know I was being stubborn, and I promise I will never disrespect you again. If you could just give me a second chance I'm sure that you will be satisfied with my work in the future"
He interrupted my little rant. "Bella, do you think you're in trouble?"
"Um..." I know there was a thought forming what it was, wasn't forming fast enough.
"Bella I called you in here, to offer you a job."
World stopped spinning, heart stopped pumping.
"Angel my personal assistant as you know was supposed to go with me to Italy for the movie shoot. However, she came in this morning and unfortunately she will be unable to make it. She and her husband are expecting a baby."
ANGEL'S PREGNANT!
"I know that you are inexperienced but Angel recommended you for the position and has assured me that she can train you before we leave. We would leave on August 20th and return in January. I have a house in Italy so we would be staying there for the duration of filming, as well as Jasper and his wife Alice and of course Emmett. All your transportation and living costs will be paid; I have a plane so we will be using that. Starting salary is a thousand week. I know that this is a good opportunity and you are an intelligent woman, I'm sure we would work well together."
Staring. Mouth open. Feeling faint.
Brain finally catching up to my mouth, "Let me get this straight, you want to pay me a grand a week to fly all the way over to Italy in your plane" I started making hand gestures, this couldn't be good, "stay in your house for five months to be your beckon call girl?"
"My personal assistant," he stated.
I sat there confused for a time just staring at him, Mr. Cullen slowly started waving a hand in front of my face. It was enough to bring me back to reality.
"Are you shittin me? Is this some kind of joke, because it really isn't funny, I know that sometimes you have your moments when you like to prank people. I heard all about it on Access Hollywood, of course, you really can't trust their repor..." He cut in sensing a filibuster quickly approaching.
"Bella, calm down. I am not "shittin" you as you so eloquently put it. This isn't a joke; I swear my intentions are honest."
"Could you excuse me for a minute?" I asked.
He gestured to the door; I quickly got up went around the corner to his office and started jumping up and down like a maniac. It was in the middle of my happy dance when I noticed Emmett staring at me from his office. He started roaring with laughter; I scowled at him, collected myself and walked back into Mr. Cullen's office with my head held high. I sat down crossed my legs and looked at him with all the confidence I could muster.
"I think I will be able to accommodate your request."
"Excellent Miss Swan, we are so pleased you will be able to help us out."
I nodded getting up to leave; I was just out the door when Mr. Cullen called after me.
"Oh and by the way, I very much enjoyed your little dance."
I went pale. "How did…"
"You forgot about the mirrors on the opposite wall. Good day, Bella."
I gave him my best "Bella is pissed" face and he started laughing. The next couple of months were going to very interesting, indeed.
AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.
DISCLAIMER: STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.