Jasper had driven Bella to work early that morning since she had several boxes of books as well as files and other things that she wanted to take into the office. Though her office was small, she was trying to make it a livable space. She'd put her books up on the shelf, organized her files, and had even brought a few items to make the space more homey.
She had set the digital picture frame on her desk, pictures of her with her friends and family through the years flashing continually on the small screen. There were even a few pictures of her and the Senator with his family.
She was new to the world of politics, and while she had spent most of the last year in California working on Senator Cullen's campaign she had learned to love it, well, at least the part that she had been exposed to. She liked the strategizing sessions, the fast pace of things, and she felt that it was truly a test of her intellect, something she honestly hadn't felt in a long time. She also loved the fact that she was working for a politician that she whole-heartedly believed in. He held the same political viewpoints that she did and after getting to know him, she found that he was a politician who was in office because he genuinely wanted to help people. He was a good man with a good family.
Truth of the matter was that she really did love the Cullens. Since she'd first met them she'd fit right in and they seem to have taken her under their wing. She got on well with Carlisle and Esme, both of them treating her like a member of the family and Alice was like the sister that she never had.
Bella couldn't help but smile as a picture of her and Alice flashed across the screen of her digital picture frame.
Turning her attention back to the computer she pulled up one of the press releases that the Senator had asked her to develop for his approval before it was sent out to media outlets. Her mind got caught up in the wording about the upcoming bill that he was sponsoring so she didn't notice the voices approaching her office till she heard a knock on the door. Barely glancing up from her computer screen she called out, "Come in!"
She glanced up again to see Alice standing there, looking aghast. "Bella, my closet is bigger than this!"
Bella's mind was still more involved with the press release so her answer was a cursory, "Huh? Yeah. It's small."
Alice wrinkled her nose. "There has to be something better than this. I'll talk to daddy…"
Alice's words finally penetrated Bella's thought and she looked up from her computer screen. "Oh, no you don't, Alice Cullen. Senator Cullen has much bigger fish to fry than worrying about where I'm going to be working."
"But, Bella…!" Alice responded.
"Alice, you'd have me set up in the Oval Office if you could," Bella laughed. "I'm fine. I'm just a speech writer and…"
Alice interrupted her, "You are not just a speech writer! You are Director of Communications for Senator Carlisle Cullen of California and who knows, we may very well be working out of the Oval Office someday." She chuckled.
Bella just smiled. "What are you doing here anyway? Don't tell me you came here straight from the airport."
Alice shrugged and plopped into the chair across the desk from Bella, carelessly throwing her Kate Spade bag on the floor next to her as she did.
"I wanted to come here first and see Jasper, but he's in a meeting so I thought I'd come by and see how you're settling in."
Bella shrugged. "I'm doing all right. Haven't really done much of anything yet. I'm sure something will happen to throw us all for a loop soon, though."
"Nothing interesting happened at that staffers' function last night? Jasper told me you two were going to be going."
Bella's thoughts drifted to the mysterious man that had walked her home, but she simply said, "No, nothing interesting happened. The function was quite boring actually."
Alice eyed her a moment. "All right, Bella. Spill."
Bella blinked. "What?"
"There's something you're not saying," said Alice. When Bella blushed, this actually confirmed Alice's suspicions. "There is something you're holding back! What is it? Did you meet someone? Please don't tell me it's just that you overheard some political gossip and that what has you like this. Please, please tell me it's something interesting."
Bella sighed. "It wasn't anything all that big that happened, Alice. I just…there was this guy that walked me home."
Alice's eyes widened and she grinned. "Really now? Who was he?"
"I don't know," replied Bella honestly.
Alice tilted her head and frowned. "What do you mean you don't know?"
Bella proceeded to tell her about her encounter with the mystery man the previous evening, Alice listening with rapt attention. She didn't tell Alice everything thought. She didn't tell her about the butterflies in her stomach or how her heart felt like it skipped a beat when he had brushed a lock of hair from her face.
But, of course Alice was very perceptive and her smile only grew bigger as Bella spoke.
"How utterly romantic," Alice sighed.
Bella blushed and tried to hide how uncomfortable she was by rolling her eyes.
"Oh, don't roll your eyes at me, Bella Marie. Sounds like you really liked this guy…whoever he is."
Bella frowned. "I barely know the guy, Alice. No, scratch that. I don't know this guy. I don't even know his name."
Alice chuckled. "Bella, D.C. is really a small place. It's the same people over and over again. I'm sure that we'll run into this man again."
Bella worried her lower lip a bit before asking. "You really think so? I mean, he did look a bit familiar so perhaps I've seen him before."
Alice giggled. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find out who he is." She glanced at her watch. "Though I really should let you get back to work. Hopefully Jasper will be done with his meeting and actually has a chance to grab a bit to eat in his office before I head back to our place." She picked up her bag from the floor and set it on her lap. "Speaking of which, what time will you be home? We need to discuss furniture placement and unpack common areas like the kitchen."
Bella chuckled. "Put everything wherever you want it, Alice. You know I don't really care."
"I'm just trying to be a good roommate," Alice said with a smile. "This is the first time I've lived away from my parents." She sighed happily as she stood up. "God, I'm looking forward to the freedom."
Bella laughed. "You're looking forward to not having to spend time with Jasper."
"That too," Alice said pertly.
Bella laughed again. "Go on, Alice. I need to finish this press release."
Alice smiled and turned to go. "I'll see you later!"
Bella said goodbye and tried to turn her attention back to the words on the screen, but the conversation with Alice brought thoughts of her mystery gentleman to mind again. It had been so easy to talk to him and she had enjoyed his company, however short their time together had been.
Despite the fact that he hadn't wanted to exchange names she had been sorely tempted not to turn around and walk right back outside and insist on getting his name and number. Unfortunately, she wasn't that forward. And, besides that, when she had finally gathered the courage to peek outside, he was gone.
She had had a bit of trouble falling asleep last night, thinking of his green eyes and coppery hair. She had wondered at why he had looked so familiar, but had quickly put it off as coincidence. She had really enjoyed his company and had felt drawn to him, though she really couldn't explain why. She knew absolutely nothing about him, just that he was a gentleman, that he tried to put her at ease in his company, that he made her smile and laugh, and that he made her weak in the knees.
She couldn't remember any man having that effect on her.
Sighing she came out of her thoughts and started to work on the press release again. It wasn't long before she was done and she forwarded it to Jasper and the Senator. Looking at the clock she couldn't believe how much time had passed by while he was working and she locked down her computer, figuring she should find something to eat for lunch.
Usually she was the type to bring a sack lunch to the office, being a workaholic, but she hadn't had time to go grocery shopping since she's arrived in D.C. She had no doubt that Alice or Esme will have already filled the fridge by the time she got home. She was just hoping that they brought ordinary stuff like turkey breast and cheese for sandwiches.
She stood up, slipping her coat, gloves, scarf, and hat on before she made her way out, looking at her watch as she went. She turned the corner down the hall and missed Jasper coming up with a group of people from the other end of the hall.
"Working across party lines to sponsor a bill such as the one you described is definitely a possibility. Of course we'll have to meet with the senators to iron out the details and see what Republican members of the Senate we can approach. You'll have to send us some more ideas on paper of course before we can approach Senator Cullen with it though," Jasper was saying as he walked towards Bella's office with none other than Edward Masen.
Stopping outside Bella's office he said, "Here we are." He knocked on the door and when he didn't get any answer her called out, "Bella, it's Jasper. I wanted to introduce you to someone." He knocked again and when he didn't get an answer he peeked in her office. "Huh, she's not here. Sorry Masen, guess you'll have to meet her another time."
"I'm sure that there'll be plenty of time to meet the rest of your staff, Whitlock," Edward said with a smile. "I'll get back to you with the details on that bill."