All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.
This plot bunny came to mind due to CCQ having an idea about a Maidella and CEOward and before she could send over her thoughts this was already going through my head. I loved many of her ideas and tried to incorporate some of them in my rendition. I hope she likes it!
WARNING! Lemons ahead. Under 18? Look away.
Thanks to my pre-reading crew, reyes139, Midnight Cougar, and Franca! You ladies have been a great help and great support! Love you!
Chapter 3 May
Another Thursday night. A night just like any work night before, except for the past month and a half there was something, or rather someone that made it different.
"Front desk," I answered cheerily enough into the phone. The caller ID gave him away, and Maria slinked back, not wanting to hear his voice.
"I need to see you," he spoke. I could feel the shiver run down my body, pooling between my thighs at the urgency in his voice.
"The maid didn't leave you any fresh towels? Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Cullen. I'll bring some up right away," I lied into the phone.
I grabbed the standard set of towels and let Maria, the other clerk, know I would be back. I could hear her mumbling something after I left. I laughed internally when I realized she was praying for my safe return and possibly a prayer he would be swallowed up by the pits of hell.
It had been four days since I had seen or heard from Edward. Our only interaction was a few short texts. Finals had swallowed me up. In fact, I hadn't even worked the last four days. I was locked in my apartment with a constantly running coffee pot, Chinese takeout boxes, and a few pizzas.
For three days I studied and prepared, took an exam or presented a project, and repeated. I went over and over the information to make sure I had it all memorized. I really wasn't all that worried; I had kept up with my studies all semester, so the tests weren't bad. The final projects were what killed me.
I missed him so much in those four days I physically ached for him.
The elevator pinged on the fourteenth floor and I could already feel my panties getting wet in anticipation of what was to come. I walked down the hall, took a deep breath before freeing one of my hands from the stack of towels, reaching out to knock on the door.
The door flew open a short moment later; he stood before me with wet hair and nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
I stepped through the door and as soon as I was inside he turned my body, pushing my chest into the wall. The stack of towels fell to the floor while his hands pushed the hem of my skirt up to my waist. His fingers dug into my hips, pulling my ass back to him before he yanked my panties down to my knees.
In one smooth motion he thrust his cock all the way inside.
I cried out as he began a relentless pace. It was delicious and torturous at the same time. The force of his thrusts pushing me into the wall.
It was obvious he had a bad day at work or maybe he felt the same as me and had actually missed me as much as I missed him.
"Baby, oh, fuck, baby," he grunted.
My legs were trembling, my insides tensing, as he drove me to the edge.
Pound. Pound. Pound.
My body was on fire and it wasn't long before my body tensed around his. "Edward!"
"That's it, baby. Shit!" he cried out, his fingers digging into my hips.
I almost came again from his grunts and groans; the sound of him coming turned me on.
He paused for a minute, calming down, before he pulled out.
"Damn, baby, I'm sorry," he apologized. Dipping down he picked me up by my thighs and walked us over to the couch. He sat down and my legs straddled his hips. "I hate not seeing you for so long."
We sat there for a moment, soaking each other in.
His phone buzzed and right away his gaze hardened, his jaw clenched. He leaned forward and picked his phone up from the coffee table, looking at the screen before throwing it back down. He was growling about 'fucking incompetent idiots'; it was the first time I knew it wasn't about the hotel staff.
"Bad day?" I questioned, my fingers running through his hair. I found it was soothing to him and could calm him down quicker.
"Shittastic," he growled. "One of those that make me question my decisions. Especially the agreement to take over Hale and the one to leave Chicago."
My heart fell at his words, and I tried not to let my disappointment show. His fingers traced my cheek before moving under my chin, raising my eyes to meet his.
"But, then I remember, if I hadn't made those life-altering decisions then I wouldn't have you, so all the shit I have to put up with is totally worth it."
"There are lots of women out there vying for your attention."
"That may be true, but none of them are you."
My lips were tight. No, I didn't know what to make of his statement, but I wasn't going to look too far into it. That was a sure way for me to really be hurt when he was done with me. I knew that actions spoke louder than words, but I needed the words to make sure I was interpreting his actions properly.
"Stay with me tonight," he pleaded.
"You know I can't. Why don't you come over to my place?"
He grimaced and pouted.
"Edward," I huffed.
"I have to get up very early."
"And? How is that different than any other day?"
"Your crone of a neighbor downstairs yells at me for making a 'ruckus'. It's like she sleeps by the door, ready to strike."
I let out a laugh. "I think the 'ruckus' is the bed slamming against the wall. You know, when you're fucking me so hard I can hardly walk the next day."
He smirked up at me. "Those are my favorite nights."
"How's the apartment hunting going?' I asked, my hands absently running across his chest and arms. He grimaced. "That good, huh?"
All of his movements stopped and I was about to ask if he was ok when he spoke, "Do you work this Saturday?"
"In the evening."
"Will you come with me?" he asked, his head tilting up so his gaze met mine.
How could I say 'no'? It was time with him outside the hotel, outside of my apartment.
I quickly straightened out my skirt, smoothed out my blouse, and fixed my hair before I headed back to my post, excited for our upcoming outing.
Maria's eyes were wide, expectant to hear the tales of my trial. I shook my head, rolled my eyes, and attempted a seething look on my face as I approached.
"He is such a demanding ass!" I hissed in a low tone when I got to the counter.
"It sucks that he's always picking on you," Maria commented with a shake of her head.
"Unfortunately, there seems to be something about me. Is there a sign on my forehead that says 'yell at me, I can make it all better'?"
"I gotta say, he must be one hell of a lover to some unlucky bitch, otherwise there is absolutely nothing redeeming about that bastard."
I could feel my face heat at the remembrance of how good of a lover he was. If only Maria knew it was one of his many redeeming qualities. Then again, Edward didn't open up to a lot of people. I was one of the lucky few who knew just what an extraordinary man he was underneath his gruff exterior.
Saturday came and we started out early in the morning, spending all day looking at apartments. All of them were lavish and ostentatious, something I would never be able to afford, let alone ever have a reason to enter if it wasn't for him. He was constantly asking for my opinion, which was mostly 'wow'. On occasion I would point out things I didn't think he would want, or something I loved and would have if I could. He only took mental notes; his memory was exceptional.
He held my hand as we moved from place to place; I was so happy. We were acting like any other loving couple.
Unfortunately, reality had to crash down eventually. It was in the form of Jessica's boyfriend, Mike. He worked as a concierge at our last stop. I prayed he didn't recognize me, but I didn't have such good fortune.
"Hi, Isabella! What are you doing here?"
"Hi, Mike. Just helping out a friend look for an apartment."
Apparently, Edward was appalled at my use of the word 'friend'.
"Oh, Hi," Mike said, his hand sticking out for Edward to shake.
Edward merely glared at the outstretched hand momentarily before ignoring Mike altogether.
"Baby, what time was the realtor meeting us?" he asked, his hand moving to my lower back as he guided me away from the desk.
"What the fuck was that, Bella?" he questioned, glaring at me. Shit, he was angry.
"His girlfriend is Jessica, the maid that kept screwing up your room in the beginning," I explained.
"So?"
"So? He'll tell her he saw me! I need my job, Edward."
His jaw tightened and he mumbled something under his breath I couldn't understand.
"And besides, I don't even really know what we are."
His head snapped to me and I could see hurt in his eyes as well as anger.
"Don't look at me like that," I whispered.
"What do you need me to say? Are my actions not enough?" he questioned.
"I need something, Edward. Because most days I just feel like your girl on the side," I admitted, tears stinging my eyes, threatening to fall. I didn't want to be that to him, I wanted to be so much more.
"Oh, I am getting rid of that ridiculous notion right this moment," he growled before taking a deep breath. "I'm falling in love with you, Isabella. You're my girlfriend and I want you to move in with me when we finally decide on a place."
My jaw went slack as I stared up at him, speechless. His hand moved up to my face, the back of his fingers glided down my cheek. His eyes bored into mine, and I knew the truth of his words.
"But we've never even had a real date," I argued.
He quirked his eyebrow and smirked. "Well, I guess I'll have to rectify that, won't I?" I continued to stare up at him. "Isabella?"
My arms flew up around his neck and pulled him down. My lips crashed into his. I could feel his surprise, but it quickly faded. His hands wrapped around my body drawing me closer, kissing deeper.
"But, what's so great about me?" I asked, still shocked that he really wanted me.
He shook his head. "You is what's so great about you. I wouldn't have you any other way, Isabella."
We finished up the day, Edward not settling on any of them. He said he needed to think about it, so I knew he was going over each one in his head, making a list of pros and cons.
It would be nearly two weeks before he would decide on the one with the beautiful view of the Sound and gourmet kitchen. My mind couldn't help but dream about the place that would be our home. Waking up and looking out at the water, cooking dinner for us while I waited for him to come home from work.
Suddenly, an image popped in my head of cooking dinner, but instead of being by myself, there was a little girl on the floor banging on pots and pans. Edward would come in and scoop the little girl up before kissing me. It was a beautiful dream I hoped one day would become our wonderful reality.
He was an asshole, a jerk, and was nasty to everyone; including me. That was, until we were together and I saw the "real" man.
Every day, more and more of the regular guy came forth, the business man pushed to the background. He tripped, slammed his fingers, cursed, laughed, was self conscious though confident, and he was even pouty sometimes. Yes, he pouted, just like a little boy. He was not quite what his outside appearance let on, though he did like to use that presence to his advantage.
Edward was clumsy, more so than I knew after the first time I saw him. He said he worked out on an elliptical instead of running because he fought a treadmill once and the treadmill won. He had the belt burn scars to prove it. After tripping four times on a treadmill he called it quits on trying to run.
He was very ordinary under his snobbish asshole exterior. Well, he did have a brilliant mind. That was probably where all of his confidence came from. Making up for his lack in coordination.
"So, what were you like as a kid? Were you always an ass, or is that a recent personality trait?"
He laughed at my question before glaring slightly. "I… " he began before letting out a sigh and eyeing me. "I was a book nerd that was picked on by all the jocks." He stopped to gauge my reaction before continuing. "A gangly, clumsy teen who was in all the advanced placement classes who had no friends."
"I'll tell you a secret… I really like the clumsy book nerd," I admitted with a wink.
"And why is that?" he questioned nervously.
"Because, he is sweet and cute and makes my heart leap," I revealed. His brow scrunched as if he didn't like what I said. "What's wrong?"
"No one… sees me like that. Only my parents."
"I like it and I hope you will continue to show me."
"It makes me nervous for you to bring those feelings out in me, but I can't deny you anything that you want," he said with a sigh before continuing on with his story. "It wasn't until I got to college that my body filled out and I wasn't so skinny. It was there that I started to grow into my current personality. I'd be in classes with assholes and jocks who I'd be paired with on a project and they assumed I'd do the work for them. Instead I would do my part of it and then write who was supposed to do the next section; hoping they turned it in."
"I can just imagine the beating you got for that."
That made Edward laugh. "Yeah, the high school me, maybe. But by then I was tired of being picked on, tired of being used for my intellect. I'd had enough and I wasn't taking their shit any longer. Anyway, the guy in my project group approached me with three of his friends. I may have ended up with a broken hand, cuts and bruises, and bleeding everywhere, but I left with self confidence and four jocks crying on the ground."
I stared at him in shock.
"What?"
"Umm, wow."
"Well, what about you, Isabella?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Not much to tell. Small town girl trying to get out. Pretty much kept to myself and a small group of friends. I like to read, so I spent a lot of time reading. Worked my way through college and grad school, as you know. Uneventful. Plain. Just like me."
"You are anything but plain, Isabella. You… are the bright spot in my day."
"See, there's the sweet guy I like."
Edward's lips turned into a crooked grin. "Only for you."
His hand reached out to touch my face. He loved to caress my cheek, another one of those sweet gestures he did. His hand stopped momentarily before he spoke, "I have a charity auction to go to, will you accompany me? It's themed, I'm going as Zeus. You could be my Juno."
I quirked my eyebrow at him. "Zeus cheated on Juno. A lot."
A small smile graced his lips. "True."
"We'd be better as Hades and Persephone."
"I'm the devil now?" he asked indignantly.
I nodded. "More believable than the leader of the Gods. Just ask the people I work with."
"But I am a leader, and I feel like God quite often. Besides, Persephone wasn't exactly happy with Hades. I think you're Aphrodite."
"Aphrodite? Me? Does that make you Ares or Hephaestus? If Hephaestus, she cheated on him and mostly with Ares. Though you do share similarities with the God of War," I smirked up at him.
"That I do. What about Athena? She was very wise, just like you."
"And a virgin. I think you know by now that I am no virgin."
"No, I have made certain no virgin holes are left on you," he replied with a smirk. "Hmm, this is getting more and more complicated. I didn't realize you were so well versed in Greek and Roman mythology."
I pointed to myself. "Slightly more intelligent than the average hotel clerk."
He pursed his lips, not happy with my comment.
A week passed and we were just days from the charity event Edward was taking me to. Edward had called when he pulled up to my apartment complex. He had finally purchased a car, no longer using the rental; a shiny silver BMW series 6 coupe.
I waited for him to pull in and walked over as he climbed out of the car.
"Hi, baby," he greeted, leaning down to kiss me.
"So, what's this all about?" I questioned, wondering why he had called me down.
He leaned into the car and pulled a large box from the back seat of his car and handed it to me.
"What's this?"
"You're costume, Aphrodite," he explained, a smirk forming on his face.
I rolled my eyes at him. "This looks a little too fancy of a box for costume wrappings."
We walked inside my apartment and I set the box down on the table. Lifting the lid, I gasped at what lay inside.
What Edward had purchased could by no means ever be associated with the costume image I had in mind; cheap flimsy material.
No, this was rich fabrics and stunning glass crystals that formed the bodice. It was one shouldered, the fabric intertwining with the crystals.
"Edward…" I trailed off, staring at the dress in awe.
He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Do you like it?"
"I love it," I replied. "But, this is way too much."
"No, it isn't."
"Edward, yes it is," I argued.
"Nothing is too much for my goddess," he stated, his eyes locked on mine.
I turned in his arms and wrapped my arms around his waist. "You shouldn't spoil me so; I'm not used to it. I've worked very hard to get what I need and what I want, I don't need it handed to me.
He leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose. "Oh, I know how self reliant you are, Isabella," he said with a chuckle. "However, I like to spoil you. I want to spoil you because you deserve the world at your feet."
"And what did I do to deserve that?" I questioned.
His hand moved to caress my cheek, his gaze soft and loving, making my chest ache. "You opened my heart and that was no easy feat."
I ran my hands up his chest and into his hair. His eyes fluttered closed and a moan escaped his lips, his arms pulled me closer.
His words gave me hope that he felt for me the way I felt for him. I loved him, I did, and I hoped soon I would be able to tell him.
Two days later my stomach was in nervous knots. Along with the dress, Edward had purchased undergarments, shoes, and a long blond wig. I had the dress on and was working on bunching my hair so that it would fit under the wig, which was also expensive and very fine quality.
I stared in the bathroom mirror of the hotel room, shaking my head as I pinned the wig on. Yes, Edward had rented a room at the hotel where the event was being held. To me it was incredibly ridiculous to have two hotel rooms when he wasn't even staying in one of them. I had tried to talk him into moving in with me since he spent half of the nights with me, but, direct as he could be, said my place was just too small for the both of us.
Not that I could really argue with that statement, the bed alone barely held the two of us.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw him walk up to my side. I turned to look at him and nearly died on the spot from internal combustion.
Edward. In a toga.
"Need any help?" he asked.
I stood there, drooling at him. The cloth hung perfectly from his body and exposed part of his chest. "Yes, please. I need help out of this dress," I replied.
His brow scrunched; he opened his mouth to speak when my tongue came out to lick my lips and he stopped. His look of surprise morphed into a cocky smirk and he stepped toward me.
"Isabella, we need to leave, but I promise that I will rip you out of that fucking dress before the night is over."
He was standing in front of me, and my hands reached up to lay on his chest, my fingers flexed, one hand fisting the fabric that crossed his flesh. "Promise?"
He leaned forward and nuzzled my nose, all the while his eyes never left mine. "I will worship you like the goddess you are before I fuck you like the slut I know you can be."
My eyes widened and, in one sentence, my panties were soaked. His lips met mine and he pulled me tight to him. I felt my body morph and I was no longer a person, but a puddle of goo.
He stepped back after a few minutes of making out, his hands raking up and down my sides, and his lips against my neck and shoulders. I finished up getting ready as best I could in the state he had left me in.
We headed down to the event, my butterflies returned. This was my first time out with Edward, and I hoped I wouldn't do anything to embarrass him.
When we entered I'm certain I looked stupid with my mouth falling open as I looked around at the lavish decorations. This costume ball, I determined, was one that put all others to shame.
"What's on your mind?" Edward asked, noticing my change.
"Confused and in awe. All the money they spend on this event, why don't they just use it?" I questioned.
He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Because what they spend is a minute fraction of what they will gain before the night is over."
We located our table where another couple sat; they were dressed as Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.
Edward recognized them right away and introductions were made. We sat and chatted for awhile as the hall filled with people.
"Edward!" a man dressed as Henry the Eighth called out.
"Alexander!" Edward exclaimed, standing and smiling, holding his hand out.
The two men shook hands and talked a bit while the woman with him and I just watched.
"Oh, I'm being terribly rude. Who is your quest?"
Edward pulled me to his side and gave me a sheepish smile. "This is my girlfriend, Isabella. Isabella, this is Alexander Hale, CEO of Hale Corporation."
I froze momentarily before reaching out to shake his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hale."
"Ah, no Mr. Hale's here tonight. I am 'Henry' and this is my wife 'Jane'," he said, brining his wife forward.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both."
"You as well, Isabella. It's not often we see Edward in the company of a woman at one of these. He's usually just sulking in the corner," she said jokingly.
"Sarah," Edward groaned at Mr. Hale's wife.
We all laughed and moved to the table where our conversation resumed.
Dinner was served not long after, and I was amazed at the food. It wasn't your normal banquet spread. No money was skimped on the quality.
The announcer took over as we ate dessert, talking about the silent auctions, stating that the live auction would begin a little bit after dinner, and the dancing would begin momentarily.
At the mention of dancing I looked to Edward. He seemed to understand my unasked question and merely shook his head. As the music started, I let out a small sigh, just before Mr. Hale stood beside me and asked for a dance. Edward didn't look too pleased when I took his hand and moved to the dance floor with his boss.
"So, Isabella, what is it that you do?" he asked as we began moving.
"Well, I just finished up my MBA, so I am currently seeking gainful employment," I replied.
"MBA? Hmm…" he trailed off. "You are quite the dancer, I must say."
"I took ballroom dancing once upon a time," I informed him.
"Very nice. I must say, you seem to have my successor making faces I've never seen before," Mr. Hale said with a deep laugh as we swayed on the dance floor.
"Sir?" I questioned.
"Please, call me Alex, Isabella."
"Alex."
He grinned down at me. "That is sure to get his blood boiling."
"I'm afraid I'm a bit lost," I admitted.
"You, dear girl, have the next in line of my company completely smitten with you. I've never seen him act this way with a woman before. Just look at his face!" he exclaimed jovially.
I turned to find Edward glaring at us as we spun around the dance floor. He wasn't just glaring though, he was… sulking.
"I know you must have seen his other side by now. He is very angry that another man is touching what is 'his', even though it's a sixty five year old man, but beneath that he's sad that it isn't him. He can't stand to be away from you, that much is obvious," he explained.
I looked back at Edward, his hand moved up to rub his face. He was clearly agitated and torn.
"Shall we really get him riled up? Enough so that he will come and take you away from me?" Alex questioned.
I laughed. "You're terrible! And yes."
We put operation 'make him take Isabella away' in play and were soon a bit closer then we had been. A tango came on over the speakers and we were off.
We moved gracefully around the floor as if we had done it before. Alex was a wonderful dancer, and the tango was such a sensual dance, I knew it would infuriate Edward to see us touching so intimately.
Unexpectedly, he turned me into a dip, his hand grasping under my knee and moved up my thigh.
"Forgive me for… copping a feel, Isabella. Just trying to give the best show for our audience," he said with a wink.
I couldn't help but laugh. Poor Edward. I was sure his head was close to exploding.
He righted me and we spun once more before I felt two large hands wrap around my waist and I was pulled back against what I knew was Edward's large chest.
"Mine," he growled in my ear. I felt a shiver run through my body and smiled up at Alex. Our operation was a success.
"If I could cut in, Alexander?" Edward asked, though his body had demanded.
Alex grinned at me. "Thank you for the wonderful dance, Isabella. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope to see you again soon."
He took my hand and placed a kiss on it, his gaze looking past me to Edward. I felt Edward's grip tighten on my waist and his chest rumbled.
Alex merely smirked and turned to leave.
"That wasn't very nice, Isabella," Edward said into my ear.
I turned in his arms and smiled sweetly up at him. "Shall we dance?"
Panic rose on his face, overpowering the anger that had been there moments before. My hands moved to cup his face, stroking the sides in a soothing motion.
"Don't worry, I won't let you fall."
He let out a small snort. "I'm afraid you are a bit late on that." His gaze softened, his hand reached up to move the hair from my wig behind my shoulder. "I've been falling for months and it's entirely your fault."
I stretched up and wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing his lips down to mine. "Ditto, Mr. Cullen."
He beamed down at me. "And you really are mine and mine alone," he stressed, pulling me tightly to him.
I didn't think about what he had said and how he had said it. All I heard was that I was his, and that was the truth. Edward Cullen owned me: mind, body, and soul.
I was more than falling. I was already there, in love with Edward, and every day I fell further and further in love with him.
I gave him one last kiss before assuming the position for the remainder of the tango. I was shocked and surprised when he expertly did the same.
"You can dance!" I exclaimed as we moved around the dance floor.
He smirked down at me. "I never said I couldn't, only that I didn't. Falling on my ass and embarrassing myself in front of employees and some of our business partners is something I avoid at all cost. Hence, no dancing at functions that involve work."
We finished up our dance without any stumbles from Edward and returned to the table where he let out a sigh. The auction took place raising lots of money for the local Children's Hospital. Edward had even bid on a week long vacation on Mr. Hale's personal yacht and promised to take me.
I was excited by the prospect of a week alone with Edward with no disturbances.
After everything was over we headed back up to our room. We were barely in the door when his arms wrapped around my waist, his lips kissing my neck and shoulder, a sigh of contentment escaping his lips. I had never felt so secure and as loved as I did in his arms. Did he have any idea? I wasn't sure, but I wanted him to know.
I spun in his arms, gazing up at his face and the serene expression it held.
"I love you, Edward," I said in a clear voice, my heart pouring out all of the emotion I felt for him.
His eyes widened and he stared down at me. There was silence and I suddenly felt very self conscious.
I could feel all of the blood rush to my face and I had to look away. "I… I'm sorry, I just… I..."
He silenced me by pushing me against the wall, his lips crashed to mine. I was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, my hands grabbing for him with the same hunger that his roamed my body.
He pulled back, his breathing hard. The look in his eyes set my being on fire. "I love you, Isabella."
I could feel my world explode when his lips met mine again. He loved me. Edward loved me.
Our kisses grew hotter, heavier. My legs wrapped around his waist and he groaned; his hard cock rocked against my wet center.
It was frantic, our need. Hands and lips roaming everywhere they could reach. I reached behind me and pulled at the zipper of my dress. Edward's hand clamped onto mine, stopping me.
"Remember what I told you earlier? That's my job, Isabella," he growled against my neck sending shivers straight through my entire body.
"Yes," I replied, panting.
I removed my hand from under his and he moved the zipper down before roughly pulling the garment over my head and throwing it onto the floor. He pushed me back up against the wall, his lips attacking my neck.
My legs returned to his waist and his hand moved between us, freeing himself from the toga.
Then we were one, his cock thrusting all of the way in.
A tear escaped; my heart unable to contain all that I was feeling. He leaned forward and kissed it away, whispering how much he loved me, all the while his body showing me how much he adored and needed me.
I cried out, my nails digging into his back, as I clenched around him, coming undone. Edward's thrusts became erratic and I knew he was close. He reached between us and pulled his cock out, pumped it in his hands before he came, spurting all over my stomach and his hand.
His forehead came to rest against mine, his breathing coming out in hard pants. "Mine."
"Always."
We fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. For the first time in my life I began to believe that fairy tales and Prince Charming's just might be real. Because I had found mine.
I knew when we had seen Mike that it would come back to haunt me. Just days after the charity event, I was walking down the hall to the break room and heard two voices talking. What I heard halted me in my tracks.
"Mike said Isabella was in his building with some rich guy checking out apartments. He said the guy was an ass and ignored him and was acting all possessive of her. What asshole do we all know that has her wrapped around his little finger?" Jessica asked.
"You know, she was acting strange when she came back from Mr. Cullen's room the other night. I said that an ass like him had better be a good lay because that was the only endearing quality he could have; then she got very quiet and her face got really red," Maria chimed in.
"And he's always asking for her, never anyone else."
"She doesn't get as pissed anymore either," Maria noted.
"The other maids have made sure that his room is perfect so that he has nothing to complain about, yet he always makes something up," Jessica fumed.
"I can't believe that bitch has been fucking him and no one has noticed!"
"Oh, they will. We'll find something on them or they'll get caught before they do."
I gasped, my hand moved to cover my mouth. Edward and I were on the verge of being found out, meaning I was on the verge of losing my job. My need to find a new job was now precipitated. I needed out of the hotel sooner rather than later. I needed to be free to be with Edward, without this cloud hanging over us.
Instead of going in I headed back out to the front desk and waited for them to come out before I went in to retrieve my purse. A few minutes later I was sitting in the Starbucks with my latte and phone surfing through job positions when one caught my eye. Treasury department, large company, MBA required. I was missing the experience, something I knew would make it difficult, but I had many of the skills and background they were looking for. My eyes scanned down the page and stopped when I read the company name; Hale Corporation.
I warred on applying. It was the company that was soon to be Edward's, so I knew if I told him I wanted it I would have it. But, that wasn't how I wanted to get my first job out of school. I wanted to do it on my own, without the help of his name.
Finally, I decided to apply and not tell Edward. I didn't know what the company's fraternization policy was, but being who Edward was, I didn't see it being a problem. I submitted my resume and began to think about what it would be like to work at Edward's company, in the same building as him every day.
Lost in my fantasies I was almost late back from my break. As I exited I saw Edward enter the hotel and walk to the elevators, his eyes scanned to the front desk and immediately away when he didn't find me. As if he knew I was watching him, he looked my way and we locked onto one another before looking away.
I looked back to the front desk and found Maria staring at me. I ignored her and went to put my bag back.
Yes, the sooner I was out of this hotel the better it would be for both of us. After all, Edward still wasn't in his new apartment so, it was the best option. Hopefully I could accomplish my goal before Maria and Jessica accomplished theirs.
I'm not sure of the update schedule at this time. I am going to shoot for every 2 weeks, but we will see!
Thanks for reading!