A/N: don't worry, I don't know what's going on, either. Anyway, a few asked for a fly on the wall chapter with how Edward deals with Rosalie, and then it came to me.
Very strange to get inside this Edward's head, but... here's the man himself.
Hope you enjoy him.
Footprints in the Sand
Chapter 32
EDWARD
"Mr. Cullen," Valentina greets me the instant I pass through the lobby doors. "Today's schedule."
Taking the tablet from her, I glance down at it briefly before handing it back. "Cancel my one o'clock."
"I already rescheduled them for two," she says, hurrying ahead of me to press the button of the elevator.
The doors open and we ride to the twenty-fifth floor in silence. My thoughts should be focused on dealing with Rose, but I'm having a hard time pulling them from Bella.
Gorgeous Bella; her eyes, those lips, that body...
"Judge Uley wants to see you in his chambers at three to go over trial next Monday," Valentina continues the instant I step off the elevator. "At four, you have summer internship interviews."
I groan irritably. "Reschedule."
"Your five o'clock canceled—"
"Again?" I cut her off, pausing to glance down at her.
"His wife went into labor," she points out with an uneasy smile.
Huffing, I grab the handle of the entry doors to the firm, noticing the Hale written in the glass doors still notably present. "Didn't I ask you to take care of this?" I motion to it.
"The contractor will be here within the hour. Your father called thirty minutes ago. He wants to meet for coffee?"
"Another time." I wave my hand, and rounding the corner, I head straight for my office; nodding my head half-heartedly at the several greetings passed my way.
"Your case management conference has been rescheduled to 11:30 tomorrow morning. Your brother also called earlier. He wants to schedule—"
"No."
"...And... Miss Hale's waiting inside your office," she finishes, her voice dropping nervously.
Freezing mid-stride, I turn back to her. "Who let her in?"
"She used the emergency set of keys," she explains, her eyes fixing to the floor submissively.
"Make sure her office is cleared out by three. Not a second later." I'm done with this bitch.
"Understood. I'm leaving at four-thirty today, Mr. Cullen, I have my OBG—"
"I haven't forgotten."
"Would you like a coffee? Tea?"
"Coffee."
"Carrot cake?"
"Not today." Bella's rock-hard abs put me to shame, and I really don't want to get soft around the mid-section. "When's my next opening?"
"Just a moment." She quickly scans through my schedule. "Forty-five minutes tomorrow at ten."
"Racquetball—put it in."
"Yes, sir. Will that be all?"
"That'll be all," I answer, and taking a steeled breath, I pull back the door of my office and enter.
Rose is leaning against the end of my desk, her arms and legs crossed, giving away everything about her, as usual.
"Took the morning off, Edward? Not like you..." she notes smugly.
Ignoring her, I take my chair, pull out my checkbook from the top drawer and make one out to her in the amount of one-hundred-and-seventy-five thousand dollars. Tearing it from the pad, I hold it out to her. "Take it."
Tsking, she pulls herself to her feet, plucks it from me and glances casually down at it.
"Is this some kind of joke?" she asks, balling it up and tossing it toward the waste paper basket in the corner of the room.
"It's no joke." Without another word, I write a second, and unzipping my briefcase, I pull out the folder with the Concerns Notice of defamation, and my case against her for breach of contract, tuck the check in among the papers, and toss it to my desk toward her. "That's everything. Hand in your keys before you leave."
Snorting openly, she picks up the folder and thumbs through it with complete disregard.
"So, you really mean to go through with this?" she asks, throwing it back to me like she thinks I'm overreacting.
"I've sent you a copy of everything. You have an hour to vacate your office." Rising to my feet, I lean against the window sill and sink both hands into my pants pockets.
"I'll call the cops," she counters as I snort over how laughable it is.
"What do you expect them to do?" I challenge her.
"Oh, come on, Edward. This—"
"I should let you know, Bella's bringing a civil assault case against you. I'm representing—"
"Assault?" she echoes, her voice rising sharply in disbelief. "Good lord, I only slapped her. I—"
"And then told everyone I did it," I cut her off, my voice falling to practically a growl.
"I was drunk when I said that," she says dismissively.
"Which put you in breach of contract," I state. "You're out, Rose. I've already issued a termination of our partnership, and removed your access from the company system. I'm not playing with you."
"You really think you can get away with only giving me fifteen percent?" she questions me, rising an overconfident brow. "I'll drag this out until you lose everything."
"Do what you have to," I say, folding my arms across my chest, unmoved.
"You're really going to do this to Emmett—to your parents?" her voice slightly quivers, giving me a glimpse of the anxiety she's struggling to contain.
I smirk, not bothering to conceal it from her. "I'm not the one who involved them."
Her composure momentarily crumbles before she hastily reins it back. "I'm not walking away with fifteen percent."
"You knew what was at stake before you signed."
"I didn't think you'd be an impotent little prick who'd turn to complete piss because I dared to lay a fingernail on you—or that your backwater little girlfriend would clutch her pearls over something so insignificant," she practically spits at me, but she's on the ropes and she knows it.
"I'm not here to argue with you. Do I need to call security?"
"Try it!"
Taking a deliberate breath, I meticulously press the button of my office intercom, signaling my assistant. "Valentina—"
Rose cuts the line instantly, practically throwing herself over my desk to do so. "What do you want!?" she demands, thrusting her face an inch from mine.
"For you to leave," I state, matching her hard tenor.
"After everything I built here? Not a chance. I want to renegotiate—"
"Out of the question."
"You take me down, and I'll take her down," she warns me, her expression twisting with so much contempt, it's becoming clear she's completely lost her mind.
I scoff and come close to laughter. "You need help, but this conversation is now over. You have three seconds to leave before I call security."
"Don't be—"
"One!" My voice rises.
"I wouldn't d—"
"Two!" Pulling my cell phone from my pocket, I hold it out to her in emphasis.
"I'll kill—"
"Three—Valentina? Security, my office—now."
Charging toward me, she raises her hand to slap me, but immediately intercepting her, I grab her forearm and yank her roughly to me. "You're making a fool of yourself."
"This isn't over. I will fucking end you!" she rages, throwing me the same crazed look my wife did when she realized I'd outed her to the world.
I shove her from me in disgust just as my door bursts open and two security guards enter, pulling up short as they stare from me to Rose, unsure how to respond.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Cullen?" One of them asks nervously.
"See to it that she leaves the building." I point to the unhinged blonde attempting to pull herself together.
"Miss Hale? Please," he holds a hand out to her.
"Touch me and I'll take you to the cleaners," she threatens him, and smoothing down her skirt, she straightens herself up and walks toward the door.
"This is far from over, Edward," she warns me over her shoulder.
"You lost this one, Rose," I say flatly.
"The hell I did," she seethes before she's escorted out.
I follow a few moments later, dumping the folder to the reception desk. "Have this sent to Rose's home address."
"Right away. Your mail just arrived." Valentina hands me a stack of envelopes that I quickly file through. "Mr. Cullen?" she speaks up cautiously when I turn to leave.
"What is it?"
"Miss Bradford?" She lowers the tone of her voice, referencing Rose's now unemployed assistant.
"Give her a position with one of my paralegals. Have you ordered the new letterhead?"
"I have."
"Good. Where's my coffee?"
"I didn't want to disturb your meeting with Miss Hale. I'll make it now."
"And Call a locksmith. I want everything changed by five."
"I'll arrange that now. Will that be all?"
"For now."
I'm at my desk for no longer than thirty seconds when Valentina calls me.
"What is it?"
"Your brother's on hold."
"I'm not available."
"This is the third time he's called."
"Do I have to repeat myself?" I snap, disconnecting the line.
I go through my emails. I've let them pile up over the weekend with this bullshit with Rose. Two insurance companies are still stalling on checks, which I'll have to follow up on. One of them is the same company that not long ago wrote the wrong client's name on their check, and I'm really not in the fucking mood to deal with them again today.
"Fuck it," I mutter, running my hands back through my hair. Pulling myself to my feet, I make my way to the leather couch on the other side of the room, and drop into it.
I barely got a wink of sleep last night, and I've got a spare five minutes.
"Bella, what are you doing to me?" I mumble to myself, draping a forearm over my eyes.
Never has a woman owned my heart the way she does, and from practically the first moment I met her. I knew it was too late for me the first time I sat down and drank coffee with her. I swore to myself I'd never give over reason for another woman again, and here I am, ready to give up everything for her. Everything. But Bella's different. She's the most grounded person I've ever met, and insanely beautiful but barely realizes it. She doesn't expect anything from me; she's not controlling. She doesn't lose her mind when other women size me up; she laughs and tells me I'm stupidly handsome. She gives herself over to me with a smile on her face while she loves my daughter as much as she loves me. I suspect she loves Addie more, and it's more than okay with me, because that woman has my back.
The way she rounded on my mother in defense of me...
Jesus.
I can't let her go. I won't let her go.
Her beautiful face is the last thing that passes through my mind.
. . .
My phone's ringing...
Barely awake, I clumsily pull it from my pocket and bring it to my ear. "Yes."
"Edward?" It's Marcus, my paralegal. "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine."
"I haven't heard back from you. I emailed you early this morning. One with the security footage from the reception room at Kelley Farm, and the other for the deposition Wednesday."
"Good. I saw your emails. I've just been busy. The reception released the footage that easily?"
"They wouldn't release it without permission from the bride and groom. The bride got back to me immediately—on her honeymoon. That's a first."
Scoffing to myself, I break into a grin, and pull myself upright, running a palm down my face. "I know the bride. It doesn't surprise me."
"You sound like you need a stiff drink, man. Sure, you're okay?"
"My partnership with Rose dissolved today. I was up all-night mapping it out. She'll no doubt fight me on it."
"Ah. I heard the rumors. Can't say I'm surprised. Anyway, if you can check everything's there in proper order, I'd appreciate it."
"Will do."
A mug of coffee is sitting on the table before me. I pick it up; it's cold. Pulling back my sleeve, I check my watch. It's just after two.
I have a client—now.
Right on cue, the intercom phone rings, and making my way sluggishly to my desk, I pick it up.
"Mr. Cullen, your two o'clock just arrived."
"Send him in."
Car crash; broken back. I read through the notes Friday. With a bit of luck, I can wrap this one up in mediation.
. . .
The judge cancels; which doesn't surprise me. The old bastard is known for it, but with an hour to spare, I head out for a late lunch instead of eating in.
"Valentina?" I call through to reception.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen?"
"I'll be out of the office until four."
"Very well. Your brother call—"
"Not available."
"I thought you should know," her voice softens to an obvious whisper, "Miss Hale is in her office."
I automatically stiffen. I should have known she wouldn't go quietly. "How long has she been in there?"
"Fifteen minutes."
Looks like I'm going nowhere. "She has forty-five minutes. If she's not gone by then, call security."
"Yes, sir."
"And order lunch."
"Your usual?"
"Salad—Cajun."
"Right away."
Scoffing out my frustration, I pull myself to my feet and lock my door, then returning to my desk, I open Marcus' emails.
Three security cameras are positioned in the reception hall; the second perfectly captures people entering and exiting the restrooms and kitchen. I fast-forward through five hours of it, noting Rose visit several times over the course of the night. 11:12pm is the one I'm looking for. She stumbles inside clearly drunk. Bella follows at 11:15pm her head high, and at 11:18pm, Jessica and Angela. A minute later Jessica, Angela and Bella leave. Angela and Jessica have their arms around her, and while Bella's head is down, she's clearly covering her left eye. Rose exits two minutes later at 11:21pm carrying a glass of whatever the hell she was drinking. No one else entered or exited within the same timeframe.
"Game over, Rose," I murmur to myself.
Bella's face suddenly lights up on the screen of my iPhone moments before it rings.
"Hey, sweetheart. I was just about to call you," I answer, leaning back in my chair, my grin broad.
"It's me, Daddy," Addie's high-pitched voice blasts through the receiver.
"Hey, tiger. You been good?"
"Uh-huh."
"Not talking Bella's ear off?"
"Daddy..." she chides me. "Bella said your ears only fall off when you have leprovy, and no one's had that since King Richard the...the...the lionhead."
In the background I can hear Bella laughing. I quickly join her. I never wanted kids—at all—but damn, I love this one.
"What have you been up to?" I ask when my laughter dies down.
"Bella and me—"
"Bella and I," I correct her.
She huffs. "Daddy, you're driving me nuts."
"What were you and Bella doing?" I prompt her to continue before she starts lecturing me.
"We watched Moana, and then Bella showed me pictures of her daddy. Guess what?" Her voice rapidly rises.
"What?"
"Bella's daddy had a... a... What's it called again, Bella?"
"A moustache," Bella replies.
"He had a moustache," Addie echoes.
"He did, did he?"
"Uh-huh, and guess what else, Daddy?"
"What else?"
"Bella doesn't have a mommy—exactly like me."
"Is that right?" Thank your lucky stars, kid.
"Uh-huh and guess what else, Daddy?"
"What else?"
"Bella took me running."
"She—what?" Did I hear that correctly?
"And I kept up with her and we ran for a long time. And Bella said I'm gonna be an olly—what's that word, Bella?"
"Olympian."
"Bella said I'm gonna be an Olympian."
"That's great, tiger. Can you put Bella on the phone?"
"Okay—Bella!" she calls out to her.
"Hey, Daddy," Bella's seductive voice comes through the receiver a moment later.
"You really took her running?" I put to her dubiously.
"I really did."
"I'm beginning to think you're a masochist, woman," I tease her.
She laughs lightly. "You should have seen her. She kept up with me for half of it. She's going to sleep like the dead tonight."
"If she does, I'll marry you."
"You'd better pick out a tux then, counselor."
The exact opposite—she always says the exact opposite of what I expect. "Bella..."
"So, how'd everything go with... Cruella Deville?" She deliberately lowers the tone of her voice.
"Check mate, baby."
"I didn't have a single doubt."
"Is that right? How's that head of yours?"
"I'm not sure. She's not talking to me. You're a miracle worker, Daddy."
She's referring to her mind in the third person. Jesus, this woman's adorable.
"You keep calling me that and I'll sort you out the moment I walk through your door."
"You had better." She laughs again, and I along with her.
"Okay, sweetheart, I'd better let you go. I'm not sure when I'll be back tonight, but I'll call you before I leave."
"That's fine—don't say it!"
"Woman..."
"Sweetie, do you want to say goodbye to your daddy?"
"Bye, Daddy!" Addie bursts down the phone.
"See ya soon, tiger, and no giving Bella leprovy."
She giggles, and then hangs up on me.
. . .
Camera one from the reception directly faces the entrance, so it's easy enough to pinpoint the moment Bella and I walk back inside after what I'd just done to her in my car.
Jesus, we really were obvious, but it also highlights the mood between us. Just before Bella turns to make her way to the restroom, she hugs me and I kiss the top of her head. She looks back as she leaves, her hand slipping from mine, and even from the grainy image, it's more than obvious she has no injuries on her face.
It's timestamped a minute before she's filmed entering the restroom.
After trimming the footage from camera two, I combine it to the end of the cut entrance video and add it to the case file I compiled on Rose's breached contract. I then send it via a distribution email to her, my parents and my brother.
I know my mother doesn't really believe it was me who assaulted Bella, and it was just an impulse reaction held over from my damn wife, but I still need her to see it. Maybe for her sake as well as mine.
I'm still not happy with her, though, and it's going to take a while, this time.
A long while.
"What is it?" I ask when Valentina calls me from my office line.
"Mr. Cullen, your brother keeps calling. He's threatening to come up here if you refuse to talk to him."
I scoff, but don't address it further. You'd think after my pathetic life story, my brother would see the error in pursuing a similar kind of woman. "Is Rose still in her office?"
"Yes, sir."
I check my watch. She has ten minutes. "Keep an eye on her."
"Yes, Mr. Cullen. I'm leaving in forty minutes. Is there anything you need me to do before then?"
"Overnight a gift basket to Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock." I give her the address of the resort they're staying at.
"I'm on it now."
After disconnecting the line, I go over the evidence and my checklist for the deposition Wednesday, with half my attention on the time. The second the clock ticks over to four, I call through to reception.
"Is she still here?" I ask before Valentina can respond.
"She is, sir."
"Call security and have her removed, and anything left in her office along with her."
"Right away, Mr. Cullen."
Naturally, Rose doesn't leave without causing a commotion and embarrassing herself further. I get called dickless in front of the entire office as she's escorted out a second time—as if that's going to generate any sympathy for her on why I terminated our partnership.
Valentina glances over at me in open alarm. I'm guessing the fact I want to kill Rose is obvious. Instead, snorting bitterly to myself, I return to my office without another word.
"Would you like a coffee, Mr. Cullen?" she phones through a moment later.
"Thank you."
"I'm terribly sorry about what just happened."
"It isn't your fault. Finish up for the day. You can leave early."
"Mr. Cullen—"
"And... good luck with your appointment." Her and her husband are trying to get pregnant. It's not something I'd ever pay thousands of dollars on.
There's a pause. "Thank you, Mr. Cullen."
Five minutes later, she delivers my coffee. And my lunch.
"It takes forty minutes to deliver a salad?" I put to her less than impressed as she places it on my desk before me.
"Unfortunately."
"Who'd you go through?"
"Uber."
"Don't use them again."
"Understood. Your mother just called. She's on line two."
Sighing heavily, I momentarily bow my head to my hand.
"If that will be all, I'm leaving now, Mr. Cullen," Valentina adds, clearing her throat awkwardly.
"Get going." Picking up the handset, I connect the line to my mother. "I'm listening."
"Darling, I just saw your email. I'm so ashamed of myself," my mother's tearful voice echoes through the phone and immediately pulls on my conscience.
"Can we finally put it to rest now?"
"Yes, we can. Edward—"
"No more apologies."
"I think it's required. I owe you more than apologies."
"I'd rather not hear it."
"Darling..." She pauses, doesn't elaborate and then changes the subject. "Has everything been resolved with Rose?"
"From my end."
"I'm worried about your brother."
"He's going to have to work this one out on his own."
"I know he is," she agrees, sounding suddenly distracted. "I spoke with Bella earlier today."
"What did you tell her?" I'm immediately tense.
"Nothing you haven't already—she confirmed that herself. She's such a dear girl."
"She's not exactly a girl," I say rolling my eyes. My mother takes the fact that Bella is several years younger than me as though she's a child.
She referred to me the same way when I was married.
"Well, you know what I mean. Have you spoken to your father?"
"Not yet."
"He wants us to get together and discuss how we're going to deal with Emmett."
"Emmett's a grown man."
"Yes, but as a family we need to be there for him."
"When he stops projecting his girlfriend's behavior onto me, I will."
"The truth isn't always easy to face," she says quietly.
"I know that better than anyone," I mutter. "Is that everything? I'm busy."
"Yes, that's all. Is Addie coming tomorrow?"
"She is."
"Okay, darling, see you then."
Hanging up, I rub my eyes with the heel of my palm from more than just sleep deprivation.
I don't know why family has to be so damn complicated. I don't want to be angry at my mother.
Or Emmett.
My brother's angry at me, however, and not three seconds later he bursts through my office doors.
"You piece of shit!" he growls, and then he lays me out flat.
I barely see it coming, let alone have time to react.
"Jesus fucking christ, Emmett!" I yell. He did a real number on me. I'm seeing stars, and dragging myself back into my chair, my palm instinctively rises to cover my right eye. I'm bleeding, and immediately fuming, I have to force myself not to retaliate.
We're not kids anymore, and he always kicked my ass anyway.
"You have her hauled out onto the street like garbage," he sneers, the anger in his voice making it tremble.
"Did you read the email I sent you?"
"Email." He snorts derisively. "What's the matter? Going to sue me, too?"
"Do you want me to?" It's not even remotely a threat, and pulling my phone from my pocket, I open the last recording I took through voice memos.
Placing it on the desk between us, I cut to the second minute.
"Since you're determined to make the same mistake I did..." Leaving it open-ended, I hit play.
That's everything. Hand in your keys before you leave.
My voice echoes through the receiver, quickly followed by Rose's.
As it recaps the conversation I had with her earlier, I gauge my brother's expression, watching closely as that moment of realization descends upon him.
If he didn't just knock me stupid, I'd feel sorry for him. I was once where he is right now.
"Okay!" he snaps, reefing a hand back through his hair. "I get the point!"
Putting the asshole out of his misery, I pause it. "I record every meeting I have. You should know that by now," I state without emotion.
"So, she lied..." He laughs without a shred of humor and pulls both hands back through his hair this time, beginning to sound irrational.
"Isn't that what I tried to tell you? Now get the fuck out of my office! I have a child, you imbecile! How am I supposed to explain this to her!?" I roar so loudly my throat turns hoarse, as I motion to the cut above my eye that's leaving a steady trail of blood down the side of my face.
"I'm so sorry, Bro. I..." With his shoulders slumped in defeat, and beginning to look numb, he turns and leaves my office without another word.
"Valentina!" I hit the intercom only to realize she's left. "Jesus!" Impatiently rummaging through my desk drawers, I find a packet of Tylenol, shove two tablets in my mouth and wash them down with a mouthful of coffee.
I'm forced to leave my office to clean myself up, and am met by every damn person in the firm as I make my way to the bathroom.
"Are you okay, Mr. Cullen?" Rosalie's assistant approaches me apprehensively.
"Bring me the first aid kit, and man Valentina's desk."
Nodding, she scurries off, as I shove through the door of the men's room and inspect my eye in the mirror. Not deep, thank god, or brother or not, I'd have the bastard arrested on the street.
It leaves me with a hell of a headache that I can't shake, and unable to concentrate, I throw in the towel early.
It's nearing seven when I leave, and as I pass through the entry doors on the way to the elevator, I glance up at the newly replaced header inscribed in the glass.
Edward Cullen and Associates P.L.L.C
A/N: Thanks for reading. There'll be no more chapters from Edward. It was very hard not to give anything away with him. Back to Bella shortly. Hopefully in 3 days again. I'm already 1k into ch 33.