Note from the translator: all things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer, and Collisions belongs to the lovely, very popular and talented French author Drinou. Thanks to my translation, you get to know her as well, my dear readers, and I'm glad to see that you love her story. I want to thank all of you who took the time to press the review button, and I hope you'll love this chapter. Good reading.
Chapter 4: Surviving the first day
"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!
Yes, that was right; I'd just landed in hell.
He disappeared from my sight and I sank into my seat. Barely ten minutes here and I was already regretting my decision. My resolve of holding my head high seemed foolish when even my body was betraying me, refusing all my commands.
Why did I lose all control as soon as this man was around?
And the worst in all this was that I couldn't deny he was still affecting me. A lot. It was obvious just by my body's reaction when I'd heard him utter 'Miss Swan' with his so sexy and authoritative voice.
You're nuts, poor girl, you really need a shrink!
But I was sure about one thing: there was no way I was going to make the same mistake twice. He may be the sexiest, cutest, hottest, most gorgeous man on the planet, or even the universe, but I wouldn't be fooled again. And besides, who could tell if he'd still want me? I was probably no more than a one-night stand, a passing girl for him.
Still lucky that he remembers me!
Pictures of that memorable night came back to my memory, probably for the thousandth time. The sound of his voice ordering me to touch him, making me tremble with desire, or asking me if I liked to have him inside me, making me moan with pleasure.
I shook my head to dispel those somewhat disreputable thoughts and got up to prepare the famous coffee before the five minutes elapsed. No blunder on my first day; that was my mission on this Monday morning. That would be useful if I wanted to reach my first goal: go through that ill-fated day without getting fired!
I tentatively entered the lounge and greeted all the unfamiliar faces staring at me, not without feeling my cheeks blush scarlet in the process. I grabbed one of the cups next to the large coffee maker and filled it with the hot, aromatic liquid, vowing to get one for myself as soon as I'd have faced my worst nightmare.
Or shouldn't you say best fantasy?
I mentally slapped myself for the first time of the day and headed to his office. Each of my steps bringing me closer to my destination increased the knot in my stomach. I stared at the glass partition closed with blinds in front of me, trying to imagine what lay on the other side.
Then my attention went to the huge dark wooden door on which his name was written in golden letters and I fretted even more. With a shaking hand and a clenched fist, I stopped a few inches away from the door and I froze, thinking about the last time I'd found myself alone with this man...
Hum hum...
Except the circumstances were completely different. He was my boss now. Well, not really, as I was employed by N.Y.E., but I was still under his orders. And most importantly, I knew from experience that he was quite a bastard.
He's a bastard, yes. But he's also handsome as a god!
In any case, I didn't have a choice. Well, I could run off and get into the elevator so as to exit the building and never come back, or I could muster all my courage and enter in this office with a cool head and come what may.
This seemed to be a wise decision, so I took a deep breath before I finally knocked at the door. I heard a muffled "Come in" on the other side and I turned the doorknob giving me access to the dreaded office.
All I saw first was the object of my fantasies nonchalantly settled into a recliner office armchair, displaying his everlasting crooked smile. It was a smile that made me both want to jump on him to abuse him and to punch him with a right hook so as to take away his smug expression.
After a second mental slap, I looked away and let my eyes wandering briefly around the room. I remained stunned by the view from the large window behind him.
Wow!
Unfortunately I didn't have time to enjoy it because a clearing of the throat pulled me from my contemplation. I walked the last feet closing the distance between us while trying not to stumble and spread out like a pancake in the middle of the room, or even worse, on him. It would be a shame to ruin another of his shirts! Although if it were to end up on the conference table, maybe I wouldn't say no...
Help, I need a cold shower and quickly!
I tilted my head slightly to hide the blushing on my cheeks with my hair.
"Your coffee," I solemnly said, putting down the cup on his desk, carefully avoiding his gaze.
If I wanted to keep control, I needed to stay away from his captivating eyes. So immediately after voicing my line and making sure the coffee arrived intact to its destination, I swiftly turned around and walked toward the door without one more word. I expected to hear his mocking laughter or one of his scathing tirades, but nothing of the sort happened.
Bizarre...
I laid my hand on the doorknob, ready to get out of the devil's den as quickly as possible.
"Um, Miss Swan..."
This is it. Brace yourself!
I froze and I clenched my fists as I turned in his direction again. I inwardly thanked my long hours of practice and showed my best commercial worthy smile.
"Yes?" I said with a surprisingly assertive voice.
His crooked smile stretched into a bright grin and I felt my will go up in smoke. Maybe I could jump on him and pretend I tripped, no?
Third mental slap in less than a quarter of an hour, well done, Bella!
He grabbed his coffee while staring at me intensely.
"Thanks."
Eh?
Okay, something was wrong here. Did he fall on his head on his way to his office or what?
I let out a much less confident "You're welcome" and walked passed the door in a state of total confusion.
"At least this time my shirt did survive," he laughed in my back.
What a... Aaaahhh!
My job. I had to focus on that and nothing else. With a clenched jaw, I left his damn office and closed the door behind me. I returned to the reception, holding back on my insults and my craving for murder. I quickly poured myself my dose of caffeine and resumed my position, still on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The morning had started badly and it continued to be a living hell. The damn telephone kept ringing non-stop, driving me crazy. Why were my "lovely" speakers all asking me questions I couldn't answer? I was just the poor receptionist on the 60th floor; how was I supposed to know when Mr. Scott, accountant on the 15th floor I'd never heard about yet, would end his communication?
What, Bella, you didn't take your crystal ball this morning?
Not to mention all those who thought enunciating clearly wasn't a viable option on a phone conversation.
Headphones on my ears, nose in my endless list of contacts on the lookout for the next unpronounceable name I'd be asked to join among the 1638 employees of the Cullen Corp. in the building, I answered yet another phone call.
"Cullen Corp. Hello, what can I do for you?" I repeated mechanically.
"Hey, hi Bella! It's Alice. Seems to me you're doing fine so far."
"Uh... I'm surviving until your arrival."
"Oh, don't be modest. I'm sure you're doing great. I'll be there in thirty minutes. See you then!"
"Okay. See you soon."
Only a half hour of suffering and the little overexcited pixie would be here to help me.
I continued to answer one phone call after the other, praying for time to speed up. Miraculously, a lull came in the middle of the steady flow of my switchboard ringtones, and I took the opportunity to go get myself another well-deserved dose of caffeine.
I walked decisively to the now empty lounge and helped myself to a new cup of coffee. My headphones started beeping and I grumbled.
No way to get five minutes of rest in this place?
"Hey, slow down, new girl!" raged a voice before me.
I looked up and stopped short in front of a tall blonde straight out of a fashion magazine.
"Watch where you're going instead of daydreaming," she spat, pushing me out of her way to enter the lounge.
It seems Barbie is in a bad mood!
I was about to retort when the little pixie I was waiting anxiously grabbed me by the arm and pulled me toward her.
"Hey!" I groaned.
"Avoid antagonizing her if you want to keep your job," she whispered hastily, bringing me back to the reception desk.
"Did you see how she talked to me?" I said, offended.
"Oh, that was her being polite," Alice laughed. "You'll have to get used to it; she's almost untouchable."
Well, that's promising!
"Untouchable?"
"Yes! She's the boss' assistant. You know, the frigid and icy bimbo I told you about. Well, that's her, Rosalie Hale."
This explains that...
One could almost believe that the word abject was written in bold characters on the job description. Anyhow, to be capable of working with a man like Edward Cullen, it was better to be a little like him, or else hello hell. But I had to admit he'd found the perfect assistant to match with him. She was making me shudder, literally. However, no matter how bitchy I wanted to be about her, there was something I couldn't take away from her: she was a bombshell. She looked like a top model. Endless legs, an hourglass figure, breasts that would make a lot of girls green with envy, long blond hair...
Jealous, me? Never!
The blond bimbo reappeared, holding a steaming cup. I just wanted to spill all its content on her beautiful tailored suit. She glanced haughtily at us. "Hey, Brandon, you've got a lot of training to do with this one!" she said disdainfully to Alice.
Anger took over me and I had to refrain myself to not scream. Who did she think she was to talk to us like that?
Zen... No scandal on your first day...
Alice smiled widely at her, meaning both "Leave me the fuck alone, you bitch," and "I got your message loud and clear," and Rosalie Bimbo Hale disappeared from our sight.
"Jeez, who does she think she is?" I fumed once we were alone.
It had to be said that between the stress of this first day of work, coming face to face with my worst nightmare, and now her, my nerves were about to collapse. I wanted to shout to all of them to go to hell and then go back where I came from.
"Breathe, Bella, you're as red as a lobster," Alice laughed. "Don't worry, you'll learn to ignore her."
"Maybe, but right now I just want to strangle her. I really need to invest in a punching bag!"
"Stop by the gym before leaving," Alice said while sorting the pile of mail in front of her.
Eh?
"What gym?" I asked, totally confused.
"The one located on the 8th floor."
Was she insinuating there was a gym at our disposal in the building?
"There's a gym here? In the building? And we can go whenever we want?"
Alice nodded, giggling.
"And why not a landing field for helicopters on the roof to top it off!" I exclaimed.
Alice raised a brow and giggled even more.
"Are you kidding?"
"Hey! Did you forget who you work for? It's Cullen corp. here Bella, the greatest promoter of all the East Coast, with branches throughout the country and abroad. So yes, there's a gym you can access anytime outside of your working hours, a private airstrip on the roof and plenty of other surprises you'll discover as you go."
I was blown away and Alice laughed at me. I'd worked before but never in a place of this size and I was just...
Wow!
... running out of words.
I noted in a corner of my head to provide a sports outfit to go let off steam. I was bound to need it with Edward Cullen in the vicinity.
Edward Cullen working out, shirtless and sweating.
These thoughts made my cheeks blush instantly and I smacked my forehead to rid my mind of the pictures accompanying them.
Wow, so hot!
Fourth mental slap of the morning... It was definitely not my day. And this ascertainment was confirmed when I looked up and found myself face to face with Miss Stuck-up handing me a stack of paper.
"Five copies, color, duplex, for yesterday," she said curtly.
My eyes went back and forth between her arrogant stare and her files and I wavered between the desire to smack her perfect little head or... No, actually that's all I wanted to do.
"Put it here, Rosalie, we'll deal with it right away," Alice replied casually.
The blonde put the file before me and went away without a word.
"And what about politeness? She forgot it on her way here?" I spat at my colleague.
"Relax, otherwise you won't last long here," Alice laughed. "I have to go drop a file on the 58th floor, I'll be right back. Hold the fort in the meantime."
She grabbed a huge folder and set off at a rapid pace toward the elevator without giving me time to answer. I was quietly continuing my work, gradually taking my bearings, when someone came to the desk.
It was yet another tall blond woman who was looking down on me impatiently.
Is this a bimbo club or what?
"Edward Cullen, please," she said.
"Uh... Do you have an appointment?" I asked hesitantly.
She sighed and raised her eyes to the heavens.
"Listen, I don't have any time to waste. Just tell him that Tanya Denali is waiting for him," she ordered.
Tell him? That meant pick up the phone and call him...
Uh huh... Bad idea. Very, very bad idea.
But at the same time, I was working for him so I would have to call him sooner or later. It was still better than going to see him in his office.
Although...
"I don't have the whole day," she went on, all worked up as she strummed her manicured nails on the counter.
I grabbed my phone and speed dialed his direct line. I instantly felt a knot in my stomach as I heard the first ring in the earpiece.
"Yes."
My heart started racing and my hands became all clammy. It should be banned all together to have such a sexy voice.
Breathe, Bella!
"Tanya Denali is waiting for you at the reception."
No stuttering. What a feat!
I waited for his response, hearing some noise in the background.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
He hung up before I could say anything. I informed the famous Tanya that he was on his way and grabbed the file that Rosalie had left us, preferring to get away from the object of my fantasies, which were a little too imaginative today.
I walked resolutely to the photocopier and prepared my file.
Shit!
When I was about to press the green button to start copying, a message on the screen indicated to validate the operation with my access card. Okay, but what access card? The only one that came to mind was my badge that allowed me to access the building, the elevators... the master key, of sorts. The problem was that I'd left it at the reception.
I took my file and returned to my post. I entered the lobby and I froze at the sight that was playing out before my eyes. Edward Cullen was holding Tanya in an embrace that was much more than affectionate and was kissing her on the cheek.
Hey, hands off!
If I'd wanted to murder someone this morning, it was nothing compared to what I wanted to do to the blonde doll who had her hands all over my boss, clearly taking advantage of the situation. Their bodies parted slightly after too long a hug for my taste and I realized that I stood immobile in the middle of the hall, watching them. Evidently, I had to move, and quickly, before they noticed me. It would be embarrassing to be caught staring at them like an idiot and I wanted to avoid this at any cost.
I had the choice to retreat and hope they didn't notice my presence or continue to move forward and act as if nothing happened.
I was about to move accordingly to the first option when they turned in my direction.
Shit!
I then changed my plans and walked up to my post. My eyes met Edward's stealthily and my body reacted immediately. My heart pounded faster and my footsteps became faltering.
Acting as if nothing happened, yeah, this is a good one!
Way more troubled than I should be for simply meeting his stare, I put one foot in front of me and almost hauled down on the carpet. Fortunately I caught myself on the corner of the desk, to the expense of the file I was holding, which scattered on the ground.
No, no, no!
Blushing scarlet, I crouched down to pick it up, hiding my face behind my hair. I was fully aware that they hadn't missed a bit of my misadventure, and the laughter that followed confirmed it.
"Who's that girl?" Tanya's disdainful voice asked.
"Her? She's just the new switchboard operator/hostess sent here by N.Y.E."
I heard their steps fading away as I repressed my tears of hate and shame. This guy was truly the king of bastards.
"I believe it was quite a feat for her this morning not to spill my coffee when she brought it to me," he chuckled while leaving the room.
Tanya's silly laugh intensified before it finally disappeared.
What a jerk!
And yet that word was not strong enough to describe what I thought of him at that very moment. I was hastily bringing order in Rosalie's papers when Alice came back.
"What's wrong, Bella? You seem upset."
Luckily for me, it was noon at last and I could leave this damn place.
"Is there a problem?" she worried.
"No. Everything's fine," I lied. "I just want to leave ASAP."
I grabbed my bag, and since the elevator door was opening, I rushed inside and left this hellhole.
As always, I want to thank my devoted beta gemryan for her precious help.
Until next time :0)
Milk