Love/Hate/Relate Please Review
Disclaimer: This characters belong to Stephanie Meyers.
Edward Pov
Today is all about making sure all if my kitchen staff has all the knowledge there is, so that my restaurants can be ran at their fullest potential.
I am not doing the training, but I am overseeing it; well I'm supposed to be. Really, I'm just staring at Bella's angelic face light up with excitement every so often. I smile when she bites the side of her lip in concentration, wondering what she's struggling with.
I was just about to walk over when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn my head in the direction of the tap. "Yeah", I say quickly. I see Rose standing there.
"Um, Edward, is there a reason that Club 913 is not apart of this training", She asked. I turn my head back to look in the direction Bella was in, but she's gone. I huff, and turn all of my attention to Rose. "It's not really a restaurant Rose", I snap.
She stood waiting for more of any explanation. "These are the employees that Bella will actually oversee. Club 913 is strictly for you to manage, just like Cafe Signo is strictly hers to manage.", She shrugs. "Soon, I want to be back to the kitchen here and I'm going to fire Netwon."
"What about when I leave for my honeymoon in two weeks?", She says. "She won't have enough time to get familiar-", I cut her off with the wave of my hand.
"Has Garrett been late since Thursday night?", she shakes her head no. "Great, it's settled. He will be your shadow until you leave for your honeymoon.", I clap my hands together once.
"You sure about her overseeing three restaurants all at once so soon? That's kind of throwing her to the wolves, don't you think", I smile.
"My Bella can handle it. Plus she has a team dedicated to great customer service, and she has you and I as well.", She rolls her eyes.
"She has to learn rules, guidelines, menus, office work, table numbers, how to order the drinks for delivery, how to work our computer systems, how to stock the liquor room, how to do the schedules, how to-", Rose seemed to be having a panic attack.
"Don't all employees have to learn that?", I question raising an eyebrow.
"Some, not all, depending on their position.", She breathed out, rubbing her forehead. "Edward, I'm just being realistic here. I should be training her, not Jessica.
"So, why aren't you training Bella", I asked teasing.
"Well, I guess I'll just go tell Jessica to go in the office and file as much paperwork as her heart desires", She starts walking off.
"Have her call someone about setting all of the new tv's up", I turn around slightly, but stop short when I see Bella, and Angela.
Angela goes to introduce us, but I wave her off. "I know Isabella", I say to Angela while staring at Bella. Bella nods.
"You're adding more tv's to the restaurant?", She asks still staring into my eyes. I nod. "Not a good idea.", I scrunch my eyebrows together in confusion. "This isn't a bar Edward. I think Cafe Signo has enough entertainment.", I smirk. She's going to tell me how to run my restaurant already. Please Bella, enlighten me, oh wise restaurant owner. "If you're looking for entertainment that's not going to make this place look anymore bar like, think about advertising an amateur night", She states.
"Karaoke? In my restaurant", I snort. No way.
She rolls her eyes. "No. Amateur night is different.", she shrugs. "Or, if you're going for a more family friendly environment, try a game room near the back for kids",Her ideas were making more and more sense as I let it play in my mind. "Don't turn this place into a bar.", She says before walking away.
"Wow, I actually hired someone that knows more about this than I do", Angela says stunned.
"How did you come across her resume?", I asked curiously.
"Rose gave me her resume, and said to call her for a phone interview, and afterwards to call and let her know what I think of Bella for a manager position", I huff. My meddling family. Not that I minded Bella working here, honestly, I made this place for her. It was her dream, and I've always been about making Bella's dreams comes true. She deserves everything that she wants. Even now, while I'm upset with her, I still want her to have everything her heart desires.
Bella Pov
What is wrong with me? Just because Edward and I used to be close does not mean that I had a right to speak out as I did. He is still my boss. Although I do know that he'd never fire me, still it's not right. I have to keep my wits about myself when I'm around him. I just saw him, and instantly became angry, remembering how he kissed Tanya outside on Thursday night. Why does it even bother me so much? He can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants to do it with.
I close my eyes tightly. It's just like highschool all over again. I am so past all of this shit. I'm chalking my feelings towards their kiss up to the fact that it was with Tanya and I hate her.
Yeah, thats why I'm upset. I open my eyes and force myself to smile. I allow myself to believe that if he was with anybody else, I would be okay with it.
But the thing is, I don't think that I would, and I have no idea why. I shake my head, and walk into Angela's office and take a seat.
I look down at my phone to see a text from Jake.
Hey Bells, today is another day. J
I smile from ear to ear. He's ridiculous.
I guess it is Jake. B
His reply is instantaneous. So, how about you bring your pretty little ass over to Charlie's when you're off of work. J
I roll my eyes. How about I take my SEXY little ass home after work. B
I giggle to myself, and I see Rosalie walk in on my left. "Hey, Bella. How do you like it here so far", She asks.
My phone buzzes. "It's great, everyone here is like a family. I love it.", She smiles.
"Great, well, I'm not sure if Angela told you yet, but I'll be training you on our systems, and have you ready to manage the restaurants", I nodded. Wait what?
"Restaurants?", She nods. "As in more than one?", She nods again. "Wow, okay", I panic a little.
"It's okay, Bella. I know it's a huge responsibility, but I promise you'll be ready by the time I leave for my honeymoon", My head snaps up to her.
"I have to be ready to manage all of Edwards restaurants in 2 weeks", My eyes widen when she nods. "Wow, I'm ecstatic, just a little overwhelmed.", I look down.
I feel her hand on my shoulder. "You're great Bella. Trust me, Edward would not put you in charge if he thought that you would run this place into the ground", My head snaps back up.
"Why would he do this? I didn't even finish college, and he thinks that I can run his restaurants? He's insane",Why would he do anything for me after the way that I've ignored him. God, I'm such a bitch. I rub my forehead. "It sucks to think that you got a job based purely off of how qualified you are for it, only to find that you're actually not qualified enough to get it on your own. I got this job because the owner is my used to be best friend. It just sucks" I treat him like shit for eight years, and he repays me with the job of my dreams.
Even when I'd come to town, it's like I had a ritual. Someone always helped he find a way to avoid running into Edward. The only people that I'd see when I came to town was Charlie, Billy, Jake, and Alice. I never tried to see Edward. I already knew what would happen if I did. I didn't have the strength to keep leaving him.
"He didn't even know you were hired, to be honest. Angela does all of the hiring. So really, he did nothing.", She shrugged. Somehow that didn't make me feel better, it actually made me feel worse. He would've put anyone Angela hired as a manager into this predicament.
I almost let myself feel special for a minute there. My phone buzzes again but I ignore it.
"Seriously, Bella, you've got this. You don't have to worry about Club913, Garrett has that under control until I come back. Most of the time Jessica manages Swan Lights.", She lists off. "Bree has Bellavue, our most upscale restaurant, but the least busiest, and Cafe Signo is Edwards baby, his first restaurant.", She says.
"So what are Bree and Jessica going to do when I become manager?", I didn't want to take anyones job.
"Bella, you're not alone in this. You're the Head manager, you oversee them. Cafe Signo is the only one that you will really work at", I nod in understanding.
"What about Edward?", I don't know why I care, but I do. "What's he going to do?"
"He wants to do what he did before he opened restaurants", I wait. "He wants to go back to being a Chef. He loves the kitchen more than actually managing, and it shows, so I understand.", Of course he does. I was supposed to run the restaurant, and he was to be my faithful Chef.
We are living our childhood dreams together, just, not together lije it was supposed to be. I let out a heavy sigh. I feel my phone buzz again. Damn it Jake. Will he ever just chill out.
"Okay, well, when do I officially jump into the action", I ask, rubbing my hands together.
She laughs. "Tonight, if you're up for it. If not, you can't slum it back here with Angela, and Jessica, and file paperwork for the next six hours", I look at the filing cabinets and shake my head no. She smiles. "Okay, great. You can follow me, for today, front of house introduction, and tomorrow night follow Jessica. That way you get a complete feel for your responsibilities from more than just my prospective. I'm a slacker", She winks and I laugh knowing it's just a joke. "Come, on, I can show you a few things before we re-open for dinner", I stand up and follow her out, taking a look at Jake's texts.
Sexy doesn't begin to describe you or your ass. J
I'm sorry Bella. I know we have the friends rule. J
I miss you, Bells. Please, don't you shut me out. If you do, I will be forced to tickle you until you cry. J
I roll my eyes. I'll talk to you later Jake. B
I follow Rose into the front area. She stops in front of the podium. "I'll introduce you to the hostesses when they get here.", She presses something on the computer. "You'll barely use this, unless a host is late, or calls out sick", she shrugs. "It's always good to know how to do everyone's job, just to be safe", I nod. "It'll be easier once you learn table numbers. Come on.", She motions for me to follow. She stops at a big round booth near the front of the restaurant and starts counting. Thank god that I have a great memory. There's 65 tables to remember. She quizzes me on some of the numbers when we are done, and I get them correct. I cheer on the inside, as she reaches up to high five me.
"Now to the fun stuff", she says. We walk back to the computer, which is a miniature diagram of the seating arrangement in the restaurant. She removes number display and has me count off the table numbers by memory, which is much easier on the screen then in person.
When I was finished a very tan-considering the weather- short girl with raven hair much like Alice's, walks in and smiles at Rose. "Bella, this is one of our hostesses, Misty. Misty, this Bella, your new manager", Misty smiles at me.
"Nice to meet you. I'm just going to go clock in really quickly. Edward is a stickler for being on time", She huffs and rolls her eyes before running towards the door that leads to the kitchen.
"Hows it going, Rose, Bella?", I turn and I am met with Edwards fierce green eyes.
"Great. Bella already knows more than most of the half-wits Angela has hired over the years.", She scrunches her face together. "Remember Jenna?", She asks Edward. "Fucking idiot. I wanted to kill her.",
Edward laughs. "I will not gossip with you about my employees, rather they are still employed here or not.", Rose folds her arms across her chest and raises an eyebrow. "Okay, yea, she was a fucking idiot, you happy",He asks still laughing.
"Can't be any worse than Jessica. You two do realize that you were going to have me training with her", I look at them both. Edward stares at me like he forgot that I was standing there, and Rose is full on laughing.
"Told you Edward. She would've made poor Bella look bad", Rose exclaims.
Edward still staring at me, his lip twitches into a half, barely there smile. "Nothing can make Bella look bad", I looked down but could feel his eyes on my face.
Fuck, I swear to God, if I blush I am going to die.
"Aww, Edward, you made Bella blush", Rose observes. I mentally slap her for acknowledging my blush.
"Wouldn't be the first time", Edward says and I look up as he runs a hand through his hair. "She blushes all the time", says the guy that hasn't seen me in eight years. "Uncomfortable trait, huh Bella", He pinches his nose and looks down.
"Like you rubbing your hair?", His head snaps up. "Or pinching your nose", I point out my observations. "Nervous trait, and an uncomfortable trait huh Edward", He doesn't say anything but looks down and pats his left pants pocket. "That's obviously a new one", His head snaps up again, and Rose giggles at his bewildered facial expression. "Cigarettes? Really Edward?", I tilt my head to the side.
"That's not a nervous trait it's a habit, Bella. One that I am trying to kick.", He says through tight lips. "There's no cigarettes in my pocket"
"So why did you pat your pocket. I know what that is, Edward. Phil smokes", I say turning fully to face him. I think Rose walked away but I don't really care enough to check. What I do care about is Edward? "Those things are cancer sticks. You're going to kill yourself."
"What do you care? God damn it, Bella, you just got back, and you're already on my case about everything. You still think that you know better than I do about everything"
"And you're still a stubborn asshole, who wont listen to anyone", I take a step forward.
"I wasn't going to smoke a damn cigarette", He whisper shouts, turning his head away from me.
"Doesn't matter. You and I were so anti drugs, anti smoking, anti everything when I was here and-"
"And then you left", He exclaims loudly, cutting me off turning back to look at me staring me right in my teary eyes. I feel one fall. I'm a big bag of water now-a-days. I don't bother wiping it away. I look around to see not only Rose with a shocked expression on her face, but a few other employees looking on, some with amusement, some with shock, some confusion. Then I look again and I see Alice. She's the only one that completely knows whats going on.
I turn my head back to Edward. "You're right.", I said as I turned completely around, and walked to the bathroom. I walk to the mirror and stare at myself. Then I hear the door open and I instantly know that it's my amazingly dressed friend, Alice.
"Sooo", she starts. She walks over and nudges me. "How's the first day going", I snap my head around and give her the 'what do you think' look.
I sigh. "I have to quit Alice", I say. "I can't work for him It's going to be like this everyday. He's just going to throw it in my face every time that he sees me. How can I stay professional around him. He hates me", Alice quietly listens to my rant.
"You two are like little kids, I swear. Have a grown up conversation, and what happened today will never happen again.", She says it like it's that simple, when I know the truth. No matter how many conversations we have, it still remains that I hurt him, and he will never forgive me.