*sings* Tra la la la laaa.
This IS just a story and although he's still an ass, all isn't as it seems. Like most situations, people (including Bella) are always quick to judge. Try not to.
This chapter was very long, so I've split it into 2. So the other half will be up quickly.
I haven't forgotten or given up on my other stories, they will be updated when I can. Life is so busy and getting to even sit down for a moment is rare right now, let alone writing. This story is already written so updating is a lot easier.
Twilight still isn't mine.
Bella's eyes flutter open to the strange clunking sound that wakes her and she sits up sleepily, rubbing her tired eyes. She knows exactly who has woken her and she does a quick sweep with her eyes until she finds him. Riley is sat on the floor by her window, she watches quietly as his face screws up in concentration and his chubby little hands clumsily attempt to connect two pieces of Lego together. His curly blonde hair is sticking up everywhere from sleep and his sparkling blue eyes are narrowed, in determination.
"Doctor Riley? Is that you?" Bella places the back of her hand against her forehead and pretends to swoon, dramatically onto her pillow.
She hears a squeak as he drops the blocks and his little feet as they thunder across the floor towards her bed. It still never fails to amaze her, just how noisy such a small person can be. Her bed bounces like she's laying on jello, as he jumps up and down. She can't help the happy laughter that shakes her body. She realises that her ruse is up when he prods his fingers into her eyes and tries to prise her eyelids open.
"Bewwa!"
She opens her eyes and quickly snatches out her hands to grab him around his torso as he squeals happily. Riley always insists on waking her, it's usually before the birds get up but today it's not too bad. She awkwardly reaches around to turn off the alarm that starts to blare out and gives Riley a quick squeeze. He's not so keen on hugs at the moment and true to form, he starts to wiggle out of her hold. She lets him go reluctantly and watches as he jumps off the bed.
"Come on Bewwa. It's pancake time. Mommy said."
Riley turns back to face Bella with narrowed eyes and puts his hands on his hips. She can't help the laugh that splutters out of her mouth, Riley looks so much like Rose in that moment. He frowns at her, probably wondering what's so funny. She manages to recover quickly and nods as she swings her body out from under the warmth of her blankets, Rose's pancakes are always worth getting out of bed for.
Bella's work day begins as soon as she walks into the building, with messages being handed to her left, right and centre as she makes her way to her desk. People she's never spoken to before seem to now know her as they ask her to pass on information to the boss. It takes her twice as long to get to her desk. She considers wearing a hat and sunglasses, incognito is definitely her future plan.
She promptly takes Edward his morning coffee, his messages, and a newspaper with the business section fully intact. She checked three times. She hovers for a moment in case he needs anything but he doesn't even acknowledge her. She sighs quietly and walks out. She didn't really expect a thank you for the work she's done, or the coffee, or anything actually.
Although she finished all the work yesterday, there are still a few loose ends that need tidying up so she gets on task and finishes quickly. She briefly considers playing a game of solitaire but decides against it. She's pretty sure that she wouldn't get away with such indiscretions, like she does with Emmett.
She also considers calling his line and asking for more work but she's too nervous, she's well aware that any interaction with him will result in heartburn and loss of appetite. She couldn't risk that with her, already, non existent lunch breaks.
The huge stack of pancakes and syrup that Rose made for her this morning were so good and she'd moaned inappropriately, whilst inhaling them. Rose had cast a questioning look in her direction but it really wasn't something she'd feel comfortable talking about in front of Riley. The subject of Edward Cullen will have to wait.
She glances at his schedule and notes that he has a meeting at ten, which is half an hour away. She fidgets with her pen and turns it upside down, she watches as the fireman's clothes fall away and his naked body is slowly revealed. It slides slowly down his muscular stomach.
Both of the doors suddenly crash open, loudly. Bella's backside actually leaves her seat as she jumps in shock at the noise, her pen is thrown into the air and she hears it skitter across the floor somewhere, but she's far too busy staring at Edward who emerges dramatically from his office, to take note of where.
His arms fall back to his sides with his fists curled tightly, as he stalks towards her. He looks more annoyed and angry than usual, and it's all aimed at her. She's not even sure where to put her eyes, but they keep darting back to him. His whole body moves lithely with confidence, his presence is very powerful and intimidating.
The nerves build inside Bella as he strides over to her desk. She starts to sweat again, this time in places she didn't even realise were capable of sweating. He looks tense and ready to pounce. A tiny squeak of fear escapes her mouth as her lips part in shock and maybe a small amount of awe. His handsome leonine features are defined by the annoyance that radiates from him.
She mentally checks off the list of jobs set for the morning, she's certain that she's done everything. She knows that she should've called Angela because he looks pretty irate about something and she has a sinking feeling that it's her fault.
"Reschedule the lunch with Mr Banner for Thursday. He's playing hard ball." She looks at his mouth as he speaks, the constant sneer of disapproval is ever present on his lips.
She also notices his straight nose, which has a little bump on it and his blue eyes that are surrounded by long eyelashes. His hair is in the usual styled disarray, but it looks softer this close. She's not sure how old he is, but she'd venture a guess that he's in his late twenties.
She nods her head, mutely. She can't help but feel sorry for Mr Banner, he probably just doesn't want to watch the company he's had in his family for generations, be ripped apart by Edward Cullen.
He leans over and grabs something, her eyes are still fixed on his face as he bumps a big, thick glass bowl onto her desk, a smattering of lollipops and candy in the bottom.
Realisation dawns on Bella and her face pales as she realises that this must be the legendary candy supply. She'd seen the bowl when she arrived this morning and had wondered what it was and why it was on her desk. She completely forgot to ask Angela and get the low down on the lollipop situation. She tilts her head back and stares at him with wide eyes.
"Please don't fire me sir." Her voice is quiet and soft, and there's a pleading tone to it.
It was supposed to be an internal thought but it's too late. One of his brows raises slowly like a lazy, hairy catapiller. His well defined and chiseled jaw tenses and his eyes spark, furiously.
"I don't tolerate incompetence, Miss Swan." His deep voice cuts through the air, towards her.
Heavy foot falls approach them but she can't tear her attention away from Edward's blazing blue eyes as he snarls at her. He's very clearly, very passionate about his candy supply. She feels her own annoyance as it begins to bubble up to the surface.
"Is there a problem Edward?" Emmett's voice calms her immediately.
"I thought you were going to send me your best worker Emmett?" His blazing glare slides reluctantly over to his brother. As soon as his eyes leave Bella's, she rolls them at his words.
"I did, she proved that by shifting the mountain of work that was left behind by all those incompetent bimbos you hired after Angela left. In one day."
Edward's glare makes Bella feel slightly scared for Emmett's safety. Her eyes flick between them. She leans back in her chair and considers sliding off it and running out of there with her arms flailing.
"Have you read Bella's file? She's my employee and she's amazing at what she does, you can't fire her, I'll just hire her straight back. Plus, you know that Carlisle will visit."
"I can do as I damn well please. How about you try and act in a more professional manner whilst on my side of the company? Miss Swan, pack your things and go." Edward doesn't look at her as he waves his hand, dismissively, in her direction.
Bella immediately stands to do as he asks, intense relief washes over her.
Emmett places his large hand onto her shoulder, there would've been a time and place when she would've enjoyed the contact, but not today. She almost wishes that Emmett would save her and not make her stay with his crazy, angry brother. Images of him throwing her over his shoulder and galloping out with her, her legs swinging with the motion, enter her mind.
"Just wait a minute, you're lucky I let you have her, she goes no where."
"Really?" Bella's answer is ignored and the two brothers inch closer to each other.
It's like a battle of wills going on between them. Emmett has a finger pointed at Edward's chest and he growls as he swats it away in irritation. Bella sits back down to watch. She half hopes that it'll come to blows. Watching these two big men wrestle around on the floor together would be very entertaining, not to mention, very hot.
She can see the prominent differences in the two brothers as they stand there facing each other. Emmett is muscled and very broad, his curly, jet black hair and open face shines with a goodness. Edward on the other hand is taller and marginally slighter, although still clearly strong and muscled. His dark bronze hair is straight and sticking up and out everywhere and he has a darkness to him. The only similarity are their eyes, sapphire against sapphire.
They both continue to glare at each other, the testosterone flying around between them. Bella starts opening drawers in an attempt to find a spare stash of candy and finally comes across a huge bag of it in the bottom drawer. She calmly fills up his candy bowl as the two men continue staring, wordlessly.
"It's really okay. I want to go, I'm not so sure that I'm the right person to be doing this job anyway. It's just not a great, fit."
Bella wonders to herself whether there is such a person that would fit, apart from Angela who managed to survive eighteen months. She internally reminds herself to set that date for dinner with her, maybe even an X-ray to see if she's actually human. She smiles to herself as she brushes the hair away from her face and looks back up at the two men.
Both sets of eyes are trained on her, she blushes under Edward's scrutiny and Emmett's sweet, caring smile.
"Bella, he needs you. He just doesn't realise it yet." Emmett picks up the candy bowl and shoves it, hard, into Edward's chest. It doesn't even make him teeter, confirming her suspicion of him being made of stone.
"There you go dear, she's done it. Drama over."
Edward snarls at his brother as he clutches at the bowl, he turns and returns to his office without another word. Emmett returns his attention to Bella.
"It won't be for long, I'll find a replacement. Please, just bear with him. He's actually a great guy under all that."
She can't stop her eyebrows from disappearing into her hair. He laughs at her expression of disbelief, loudly.
"Give him hell Swan. Don't be scared of him, he can smell fear." He winks and grins at her.
Give him hell? Like she'd dare do that. She does not want to be plant food.
"Emmett, if you need me to stay here." She pauses, asking for anything, really isn't in her nature. "Could we discuss the possibility of a raise?" She lowers her eyes as she rambles on.
"It's just the hours that I'm working now are longer, plus the hours at the bar."
Emmett looks at Bella carefully, he must've forgotten to tell her. He sighs and strokes at the light stubble on his chin.
"Bella, I'm sorry. I should've told you that I've already given you a raise. For as long as you are here you will be getting a fifty percent raise. That includes extra hours worked. I know this is a lot to ask from you."
Bella feels her jaw slacken as it falls towards her desk. She's momentarily stumped for words as she stares at Emmett. He chuckles at her expression.
"Oh. Wow. Thank you Emmett, I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything, I know what he's like, he's going to make you work for it. He likes to be in control and you haven't been through his strict selection process, which is why he's so mad."
"I'll stay as long as I can, for you."
"I do appreciate it, there's a reason why I chose you Bella. Despite what you think, you are a perfect fit for this job, just give it time."
He pauses for a moment, he can see that Bella doesn't believe him.
"Bella, you and Rose are like family to my Father. I know we didn't know each other well before you started here, but you both mean a lot to me. Edward doesn't care, when he's here, it's all about the work. However, your job is safe. I don't want you worrying about that, you have enough on your plate." His eyes are kind as they rest on Bella's face.
Emmett knows what Bella has done for Rose, he also knows that she's never considered it as a favour or moaned about how it's effected her life. Rose is outwardly strong, yet Bella has a quiet strength and he admires her for it.
Bella nods and watches as he walks away. A small weight instantly lifts from her shoulders and she feels a tiny speck of the tension slip away. The money means that she can afford to, temporarily, drop some shifts at Tooties. She doesn't want to lose the work, but with the extra hours she'll be working for Mr. Cullen, it's nice to not feel guilty if she takes some time off.
Edward's appointment arrives five minutes early and Bella seats him in the little waiting area, by the window, takes his coat and fetches him a water. She picks up the phone and calls Edward's extension. His voice snaps out.
"What?"
She puts on the cheeriest voice she can muster.
"Your ten o'clock is here sir."
"Come in here, they can wait." As soon as he ends the call an impending sense of doom wells up inside of her as she stands up on shaky knees and wobbles towards his office. She feels like she's walking out to the firing line and she braces herself against his doors for a moment.