Note from the translator: all things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer and Collisions is a fan fiction that was first written in French by the very popular and talented Drinou.

Thanks for all your sweet reviews, and remember that if you love this story, most of the praise is for Drinou as I'm not the author and I'm just trying to make her known from the English readers as well. Good reading.

Chapter 3: Second chance

"Hello."

"Miss Swan?"

"Yes."

"Good evening. Mike Newton from N.Y.E. speaking. I have a proposition for you."

"New York Event's?" I wondered.

"Yes, absolutely. I'm calling you because we need your services."

"W-what?" I exclaimed. "My services?"

Mr. Newton sighed at the other end of the phone.

"Yes, that's right. We have a position for you."

"Okay..." I said, flabbergasted.

I was at a loss. The last time I saw this man, he'd just caught me totally naked in the men's restrooms of the hotel where I was supposed to work, under his command, moreover. He'd straightforwardly spat at my face all that my attitude had inspired him that night. I still remembered pretty well his contemptuous look when he fired me.

"You need to be at 1028 Water Street at eight o'clock on Monday morning. Good night, Miss-"

"Wait," I cut him off. "Thank you for this position, but I already have a job and I can't quit it just like that without knowing what you want to propose me in return."

I heard him sigh even louder.

Someone's looking for a good smack!

"We already have an employee in place. I'm going to contact her, she'll receive you tomorrow morning to present you the position you'll share with her."

Tomorrow morning, I was supposed to be in class, but I couldn't refuse such a second chance. Besides, I still couldn't believe it.

"Okay, I'll make arrangements. Whom do I ask?"

"Alice Brandon. Good night, Miss Swan."

"You too, Mr. Newton, and thanks for the position."

"Hmm... Try to stay clothed this time," he dropped before hanging up.

What an asshole!

I stood motionless for a while, the phone still glued to my ear before reacting. He had thrown me like a dirty tramp weeks ago and today he was calling me to offer me a new job.

Wow! What a turnaround!

I couldn't believe it yet. It was too good to be true. I'd had more than my fair share of bad luck in life; such a chance wasn't like me at all.

Surely I'd find out that something was wrong. Perhaps he just wanted to make a bad joke at my expense? In any case I certainly wasn't going to miss such an occasion. It was my dream to work for N.Y.E again, so I wasn't going to turn down such a proposal now that I had another chance.

This time I wouldn't jeopardize my future for a roll in the hay like I did last time. You could be certain about that.

ooo

I woke up at dawn the next morning, both excited and anxious about my coming appointment. What would I be asked to do? What kind of position was it? I knew that N.Y.E. offered various services, and given the time I was to start on Monday, it would certainly not be a waitress job like last time.

My thoughts were so engrossed on this job that for the first time in weeks I had absolutely no dreams of Edward Cullen.

It's about time!

The man who had haunted my thoughts and dreams these past weeks had just been dethroned. That was great news!

Since I didn't know exactly what kind of position I'd be offered, I decided to wear my one and only suit for the occasion. It was better to be over dressed than the opposite... Right? I quickly grabbed an apple for breakfast and I left.

Water Street wasn't very far from my current job so I took my usual subway ride with no particular anxiety. Nevertheless, I noticed that the more I approached the time of my appointment, the more nervous I became. I had a new chance and I didn't want to screw it up.

I had less than twenty minutes to get to my appointment, but it still should be more than enough to find the number 1028. I paced the neighborhood, repeatedly rolling my ankles.

Damn torture device! I swore against my pumps.

At last I neared the 1000's, not without mentally bitching once more against my aching feet, and I glanced around me. I was surrounded on all sides by large buildings proudly displaying the logo of their multinational. Then again, lost in the middle of the Financial District, close to Wall Street, I couldn't expect anything else.

I hadn't lived in New York long. Just over a year, to be exact. First I left Arizona where I grew up and returned to settle in my hometown, a place no larger than a village in the state of Washington. Then I started my undergraduate studies at Seattle University, but I quickly felt the need to get away and distance myself. In short I needed independence. So when I finally got a scholarship from the New York University, I jumped at the chance and packed my belongings to finish my studies in the Big Apple.

1022... 1024... 1026...

I looked up and admired the large glass skyscraper in front of me on the other side of the street. Only a few minutes and I'd know, at last, what job I was proposed. I crossed the street in haste and entered the lobby, eager to finally get to my appointment.

No sooner had I crossed the wide swing door that my heart and body froze in amazement.

Oh my God!

"Do you have a problem, Miss?"

That's when I noticed the guard behind his desk in front of me, watching me with a suspicious look.

"Uh... No. I must have the wrong address," I said hesitantly. "I'm looking for the 1028."

"You're at the right place. Do I need to inform the reception of your arrival, Miss...?"

No, no, no... It's just not possible!

"Uh, no. Never mind," I stammered while stepping backward to exit the building.

It's a nightmare! It's undoubtedly a nightmare. What else could it be?

I yanked my cell phone from my purse and dialed the number of my pseudo-employer.

"Miss Swan for Mr. Newton, please," I asked curtly to the poor telephone operator.

She quickly relayed my call to him without further ado, which was lucky because I really was in no mood for an argument.

Bye-bye joie de vivre and hello anxiety!

"Miss Swan, to what do I owe this honor at eight in the morning? Don't tell me that you're lost."

And one other good smack, one!

"No, just a problem finding the address, I think. I noted the number 1028 but this must be a mistake."

"And why do you think it's a mistake?"

"Well, these are the offices of the Cullen Corp, so I thought..."

"You thought that if you don't rush, you're going to be late, didn't you?" He sighed and went on. "Is it a problem for you? Because if so, I can remove you from our listings permanently."

A problem? Oh yes, it is a problem!

Where were the hidden cameras so I can show my best profile? Because yes, this had to be a bad joke put on video to make fun of me.

"Miss Swan?" he asked, impatient.

Shit!

What should I do? Enter in the devil's den and see for myself what was in store for me? Or turn around and go back to my lovely green apron from Starbucks Coffee, missing the opportunity of having a better job? The choice was quickly made.

"Uh, no... No problem at all," I sighed before hanging up.

Move your ass now!

I readjusted my suit as I watched the blood red logo in front of me. I took a deep breath before pushing the huge glass door open. I went back in the lobby of the tall building, which had become my new personal hell in just one second, and I expected to be devoured by some sort of hideous monster at any time.

Or would it rather be by Cullen?

I felt my cheeks blush instinctively at this prospect as I gave my name to the guard so he could announce me. I entered in one of the elevators and waited. The more floors it ascended, the more stressed I felt.

11th... 12th... 13th...

I could still turn around and never set foot here again.

26th... 27th... 28th...

Yes, but it's a great opportunity that I couldn't refuse.

39th... 40th... 50th...

And what if I come face to face with him when I get out of this elevator?

57th... 58th... 59th...

And could I really work in his enterprise after all that had happened? Knowing the despicable attitude he had toward me... probably seeing him on a daily basis... No! Of course not!

60th...

Too late!

The doors of the elevators opened and a small brown tornado greeted me, hopping around.

"Hi, you must be Isabella Swan? I'm Alice."

"Uh, just Bella," I said shyly in response to her liveliness.

"Oh, okay, then, Bella. Ready for a tour of the office?"

While speaking, she started to walk ahead and I tentatively followed her, looking with wondering eyes at the luxurious premises around me.

"I'm going to show and explain everything," she continued. "You'll see, you'll love it here. Besides, our position allows us to see and know everything. No gossip can resist me. It's G-R-E-A-T!" she said enthusiastically.

"Our position?" I asked.

"Uh huh," she nodded. "We'll share the same position. Sometimes together, sometimes in turn, as needed."

"And what is this position?" I finally ventured to ask.

She stopped waving in all directions and looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"What? They didn't tell you anything at N.Y.E?"

I shook my head.

"What a bunch of... Oh well, never mind. This is our station," she said, motioning to the large reception desk that I had discovered upon my arrival.

It was located right in front of the elevators, close to what appeared to be the meeting rooms and lounge judging by the laughter coming from it. In other words, it was a strategic center for gossip madness.

"The reception?"

"Yes! You'll be working both as the receptionist and switchboard operator, and sometimes as a secretary. In short we do a little bit of everything here, but the atmosphere is great and the work is very interesting. You'll see, you're going to like it here."

She spent nearly an hour showing me every corner of the floor where we were, which was the highest. Unfortunately for me, it was also the floor where the boss had his office. In other words, not to meet Edward Cullen here seemed to be an impossible mission. In fact I instinctively froze every time a suit and tie appeared in my field of vision for fear it be him. Given the population of the place, I was almost permanently tensed.

Alice spent the next hour explaining to me in detail how to operate the switchboard, giving me all of her tips and tricks to manage the huge list of contacts. She introduced me to all the people passing before us and I had to admit that everyone looked alike to me. Too many names and faces to remember in one day.

After yet another hour on the different tools that I'd have to learn to use, my brain went into sleep mode, refusing any new piece of information. Alice had literally crammed me with diverse and various details and my head was about to explode.

One headache and a coffee later, I took advantage of the break granted by Alice to ask the question that burned my tongue since early morning.

"Tell me, is the big boss often to be seen?"

"Mr. Cullen? No, rarely, in fact. He arrives early and leaves the place very late. I cross him from time to time when he goes to meetings, but it's very rare."

Very good news!

"Why do you ask?'

Shit!

"Uh... no reason. I was just wondering..."

Oh, bravo! I should really learn to lie one day...

I blushed scarlet and tried to hide my face with my hair, praying to heaven that Miss Gossip wouldn't notice anything. I didn't need any malicious gossip circulating about me before I even start working here... Fortunately, Alice returned to the contemplation of the tabloids she was flicking during her break and said nothing about my cheeks turning red.

Thank God!

"Actually, it's his assistant we need to be wary of," she said all of a sudden.

"Excuse me?" I asked, surprised.

"The big boss. Be wary of his assistant. She is... evil. Well, I don't really know her, but I had to deal with her sometimes and I'd rather not elaborate on the subject. This chick is a real bimbo but she's frigid and cold."

Great, Edward Cullen has a female counterpart. Although he's everything but frigid!

When the morning came to an end I thanked Alice for her warm welcome and left the place, determined to come back on Monday morning. I wasn't going to let that bastard dictate my life and prevent me from having a nice job. I'd accept this position and go in with my head held high.

ooo

And then Monday morning rolled around.

My resolve had melted like snow in the sun as the days of the week had come and gone. My stomach was a ball of knots when I entered the lobby of the Cullen Corp. I shyly went to the guard and he handed me my access badge, which I put around my neck, then I got into the elevator and headed to the 60th floor.

I'd spent the previous night having nightmares about this day and praying for everything to go well and for not meeting him. Not him, not right away. I needed a minimum of respite in order to get my bearings.

The elevator bell rang. I took a deep breath, reciting in my head all the reasons why I took this job. I fought the urge to run away at full speed.

I took a step forward, then two, expecting to see whatever predator jumping out from behind a post, anxious as I was, but nothing happened. I surveyed my surroundings. People were having coffee in the lounge; others were already working. In short, nothing unusual. I relaxed slightly and settled behind the reception desk. Alice had left me a note, giving me some instructions so as to survive while waiting on her arrival in two hours.

I turned the answering machine off, put the headphones on my ears and searched my colleague's files, looking for the list of contacts she had told me about the previous week.

"Well, well," a voice I recognized right away said.

My body froze and I hardly dared to look up.

"He arrives early and leaves the place very late. I cross him from time to time when he goes to meetings, but it's very rare."

I sighed as I recalled Alice's words.

Very rare, my ass! I've been here less than five minutes and already I run into him.

I saw the shadow come closer and lean against the reception desk.

"Isabella Swan," he said.

I then remembered I had my access badge and my full name was on it. I timidly looked up, internally swearing against my already blushing cheeks and met his fucking gaze. And as usual, as soon as my eyes locked with his, I lost control over my body. Petrified in my chair, I swallowed painfully, waiting for the next of his scathing lines that I was sure was just around the corner.

"Hostess here, what a stroke of luck!" he laughed, displaying his crooked smile which drove me crazy.

I nodded to confirm the information, as if it was not obvious, and he laughed even more.

What a fool!

He leaned over the counter so his face was inches from mine and I held my breath, clenching my fingers on the wood of my desk.

"Well, Isabella, this might be... interesting."

Then he straightened up and walked away.

"Oh and, just so you don't get disoriented too quickly, Miss Swan, I want a black coffee in my office in five minutes."

Welcome to hell!

I want to thank my beta gemryan for her precious help.

See you all next time.

Milk.