Edward's POV:
Slow, deep, steady breath. Slow exhale.
I kept my eyes glued to the back wall of the gym.
Just a few more miles. I could do this despite the pain in my calves and knees.
Keeping my head clear of every mundane, and menial thought from my head and I would make it.
I was almost done. I could do it. All I had to do was keep myself focused.
My focus, however, is shattered when my watch begins blaring loudly as my phone does too.
I sighed, as I stopped the treadmill, climbing off as I reached over to grab my white towel off the wrack and head to snatch the phone off the workout bench.
One flick of my eyes to the screen and I feel my eyes roll hard as annoyance flares in my chest.
"What is it now, Emmett?" I asked, exasperatedly.
This was the fifth call in less than an hour.
"You're late for the Anderson meeting." He told me.
"No, I am not. I have an hour to get there. I'll be there." I told him, calmly.
"He's already here." He informed me.
I frowned and looked down at the watch on my wrist. "He's early." I sighed.
"I know. Do you need me to handle this?" He asked me.
I looked down at my watch and sighed as I made my way out of the home gym.
"No, tell him I'll be there in twenty minutes," I told him.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, Emmett. Now, I have to go." I replied before hanging up.
I quickly rushed to my room and in the direction of the ensuite bathroom, getting into the glass stall and quickly showering before getting ready.
Once I was ready, I headed out of my house and to my car before driving to Cullen Create Interior Designs Co.
I parked out front and handed Samuel, the head of the security team, my car keys before heading inside.
I barely managed to arrive on time to fix the error my team made, saving the account and cutting my losses as I did.
As Mr. Anderson made his way out of the meeting room and towards the elevator, I turned to Emmett and gave him an exasperated look.
"What?" He asked as he gathered the binders and handed them to Jessica.
"I thought I told you to fucking wait for me to get here?" I asked.
He shrugged, "We had the PowerPoint ready." He told me with a shrug.
I gave him a hard look before getting up and heading out of the meeting room ignoring the looks I received from the team as I made my way out of the room and towards my office.
"Jessica, my office now," I told her.
"Mr. Cullen?" Jessica questioned as she silently followed me into my office.
"Schedule, please," I told her as I pushed the door and walked into my office.
"Yes. You have to give that speech at the University today at noon. Then you have a meeting with Mr. Coleman about the project in the field and hotels by the bay in Port Angeles." She told me.
I nodded and looked down at my watch. Nine o'clock.
"Oh, and this arrived for you just before you did." She told me, as she jutted her chin in the direction of a white, pink, and red bag.
I frowned, "I see. Alright. I'd like to be left alone now." I told her, as I slipped off my coat and hung it on the back of my chair.
She nodded before scurrying away, slamming the door behind herself as she closed it.
A moment later, Emmett entered the office and let out a low whistle as he stared at the bag.
"She's going through with it," I told him, shaking my head.
"You two broke up long ago, man. Let her be happy." He told me.
I scoffed and shook my head at him, "She's doing this to spite me. I don't believe that she actually likes Garrett. I mean, he is friends with James, why the fuck would she marry him?" I asked, incredulously. "Of all people to fall in love with it had to be him," I add, in disgust.
"She moved on, it's time you do too." He told me.
I scoffed, "We both know this isn't about me caring whether or not she goes through with this marriage, what matters is Garrett coming into the company. We all know this is going to cause problems for us." I informed him.
Emmett sighed, "I don't have a doubt in my mind, but that isn't something we're going to be able to prevent man. He makes her happy." He replied as threw the stress ball in between his hands.
I sighed as I looked down at the bag, and pulled out the invitation to Tanya's engagement party. Along with a set of handcuffs.
He held back his laughter as I dropped the damn things like they burned me, back into the back and grumbled as I turned to look out the window.
"Relax, brother, it's probably a gag gift." I heard Emmett say as I scoffed.
I didn't say anything, instead opting to look down at my watch. It was getting to the time that I needed to start heading to the University.
"Right, well, I need to head out, I'll see you later." I told him before snatching my coat, slipping it on before snatching the bag, and heading out.
As I drove to the university, my annoyance grew.
Time was tight, I only had time for my speech and to answer some questions, before having to go meet Mr. Coleman at the Needle for a business lunch to finalize the last details and sign the final contract for the demolition of his old hotels and building the new ones.
Everything was going great, I got the speech done, and informed the group of students studying architecture about the scholarships our company offers when I heard an annoyed scoff come from somewhere in the group.
"Excuse me? Do you have something to say?" I asked, amused.
The response was another scoff.
I frowned, trying to see past the stage lights, "If you have anything to say, please do so." I finally said.
Words I would come to regret as soon as I came face to face with a pair of hazel eyes, and chocolate brown locks. All accompanied in the form of a thin, shapely, yet short woman.
Eyes full of blatant anger, yet mesmerizing despite the fact that they belonged to such a beautiful woman.
Bella's POV:
When I was a little girl, my mother used to tell me that life has a way of surprising you, but that wasn't particularly a bad thing. See, there is always going to be a good side just like there is a bad side. But everything always has a good side, no matter what. So, to look at the beautiful, bright, and good side in every situation.
I never quite understood what she meant by this. Until I was done with my studies. As a landscaping architect.
When I found out that my scholarship had been pulled, and I could no longer graduate on time.
But there was an easy fix to that. Hold off on my studies and help my aunt, Nat with her restaurant and the flower shop my mother used to own. Wait until there is more money and finish a year later.
Yes, that's exactly what I would do.
Unfortunately for me, plans don't always go the way you want them to.
And the past was still reemerging in my nightmares every night.
See, my parents died in a freak accident when I was a little girl, and the only person I had left in this world was my aunt Nat, my mother's younger sister.
"Ella! Ella! Sweetheart, wake up! You'll be late!!"
I frowned as I sat up, and looked around, inhaling deeply as I sat up.
I looked around the room to make sure I was where I thought I was and not that awful place before taking a few deep calming breaths and climbing off my bed, and rushing to the shower.
Once I was out I slid on my favorite white tank top, and blue and white flowered mini skirt. I slipped on my fluffy slippers before heading down the stairs.
As I made my way, I looked at the pictures placed on the walls. Some of me, some of my friends, some of the first few years of my life and my parents, and others of my aunt and me after their death.
I kissed my fingertips and pressed my finger to the picture of my parents on their wedding day. "Wish me luck, Mom and Dad." I whispered as I passed them by.
"What are we going to do, Nat? I mean, it's been a few weeks. We have to go to that mini-conference that Edward is giving the speech at, but Ella refuses to hear anything that has to do with him." Alice complained.
"Sweetheart, she has a reason to be angry. But it'll all work out, you'll see." My aunt told her.
"I just don't understand how she--" Angela began to input before my aunt cut her off.
I sighed as I made my way into the kitchen, pasting a smile on my face.
"Good morning, dear!"My aunt said cutting her off.
"Ella, hey!" Kate said. "How are you feeling this morning?" She asked me as she leaned onto the counter of the kitchen.
"I'm fine. I swear, I am fine." I told them as we made our way towards the breakfast table.
"Really? So, you're not still angry at Paul for going to Italy, and leaving you behind?" Alice asked.
I frowned, "I wasn't angry, because he keeps texting and telling me how wonderful it is over there, and how he misses me, while I am stuck over here for another year." I told them, annoyed.
"He's an ass, and doesn't deserve you." Alice stated, shaking her head at the table as Aunt Nat served us breakfast.
I nodded as I heard my phone beep, and lifted it before rolling my eyes, and shaking my head as I set it back down on the table, face down.
"Who is that?" Angela asked.
I scoffed and shook my head at her as I held back a glare.
"How about we change the subject? What are your plans for today, sweetheart?" My aunt asked, smiling tightly at all of us.
I sighed and shrugged, "I was going to head to the restaurant later to help Benjamin. Then head to the flower shop to help you." I replied, as I stared down at the plate of food feeling the loss of appetite immediately.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'm sure that this situation will get fixed soon. We have to be positive." She told me, as she reached over and squeezed my hand.
I didn't have the heart to tell her that I knew for a fact that the situation wasn't not only not going to get fixed, but I was also losing a year of classes, meaning it was less likely that I would get to go to Italy too.
"Oh, Ella, it'll be okay. We'll all figure out a way to get you to Italy." Alice said.
I sighed, and turned away to look out the window, before turning back to them, "I know." I whispered.
"I could always ask my dad for a favor. I'm sure he'd be willing to lend you the money to go to Italy." Kate told me.
I immediately shook my head at her and rubbed my temple with the tips of my fingers, ever since the scholarship from Cullen Create Interior Designs Co. fell through, everyone has been treating me like a ticking time bomb. I was getting sick of it. I wasn't going to keep crying over this.
"I am not borrowing money from your father. The entire point of me getting that scholarship was for me to make it out of debt once I graduated. How am I going to do that if I borrow money from your family and have no chance of paying you back, Kat?" I asked.
She smiled, "It would technically not be a loan, but more of an investment. Think about it. Laker Witman are all about this. We help the needy. You need help. Let me help you." She practically begged.
I sighed, and shook my head as I stared at her determined expression."You're not going to let this go are you?" I asked.
She shook her head as she raised her coffee mug to her lips and smiled, "Mm." She hummed.
I sighed, and dropped my head, "I'll think about it." I finally said before getting up and heading to the kitchen to cool down.
I could still hear them talking as I made my way over to the sink, and grabbed onto the edges as I stared out the window. Blinking hard.
"What are we going to do? It's almost time to go, and she's already mad enough." Alice whispered.
"You went at the subject too hard, Kate. You already know how she is. Not all of us grew up in luxury, we aren't used to having that type of dough at our fingertips at a moment's notice. You need to understand that." Angela told her.
"I'm just trying to help her out. Ella is my friend, you can't expect me to watch her suffer and not want to help, especially when I have the means to do so." She snapped.
I sighed and shook my head as I looked around the kitchen and turned to go back to the breakfast table."I can hear you from the other room. I'm fine. You ladies can go to the speech that Edward Cullen is giving. I don't care. I'll be fine." I reassured them.
"Well, it's getting late and I've got to go check on the restaurant and the flower shop. I'll see you ladies later. Have fun." Aunt Nat told us before standing up and rushing out.
I hummed in response before staring at the food and beginning to pick up the dishes.
Without a second thought, I made my way into the kitchen to begin cleaning it. I heard as Alice walked into the room and began helping me.
"Are you alright, El?" Alice asked as Angela and Kate walked in.
I nodded, "Of course. You ladies should go to the speech. Just because I won't go, doesn't mean you can't." I told them.
"What? Of course not. We are going to stay here with you, and support you." Alice told me, scandalized.
I scoffed, as I pulled out the bowl of dough I had prepared the prior night, along with the sugar and cinnamon, before placing the little balls of dough into the warming oil. Once the treats became golden brown, I pulled them out, before placing delicious treats on a plate and coating them with the mix I made along with the honey.
I only just finished them before I realized that the door opened and closed.
With a sigh, I turned off the stove, put everything back, and placed the Press n Seal over my desserts before heading to the front door.
I slipped my high tops on, before realizing with amusement that Alice had grabbed an unmatched pair of shoes in her haste to leave.
I picked up the other unmatched pair, grabbed my bag and phone, and headed out the door.
I made my way down the driveway to see Alice frantically looking at the pair of shoes that hung in her hand.
"Did Cinderella forget her other shoe?" I asked, teasingly, raising a brow at them, as they turned to look at me sheepishly.
"Ella, it's not what you think," Alice told me immediately.
Angela scoffed, and rolled her eyes at her before turning to me, "It totally is. We know you would refuse to come, which is why we planned to go without you. We didn't want you to stress or be angry with us so we hid it. Sorry, not sorry." She told me.
I smiled at her honesty, "Yeah, well, there is no reason as to why you had to hide this. We can all go. I'll be on my best behavior." I promised them as I hid my hand behind myself and crossed my fingers.
They eyed me in disbelief.
I gave them an angelic smile before gesturing for them to move and get into my car.
We rode in tense, uncomfortable silence in the direction of the University.
Just as we were about to arrive my car began to sputter, groan, and smoke.
Angela and I exchanged wide-eyed looks as the highway curved.
I took a deep breath before bracing myself to go down the small little hill that was coming up and sighed when Angela pulled the hand brake.
We immediately all let out a relieved sigh, as we kept moving to the University and entering the parking lot.
As I was going to park, a security guard stopped me and pointed in the direction of the lot in front of us.
"You ladies get out here, I'll go park the car." I sighed as I watched them all get out and disappear in the distance.
I luckily found a spot close to the auditorium where the speech was supposed to take place.
Once I was parked, I took two deep, cleansing breaths before turning the car off, getting out, and slowly making my way across the quad towards the auditorium.
As I passed a group of students who were getting ready to graduate, I felt my eyes grow misty, and my breath became stuttered.
I took a moment to gather myself as I thought of everything that I was missing out on because of one person. Edward Cullen. Sitting down on the concrete bench in front of Auditorium C, where the graduations were taking place.
Ms. Jones, one of my professors saw me, and immediately gave me a sad smile before approaching me. Slowly lowering herself into the empty spot next to me.
"Did you get a call back?" She asked me quietly.
I shook my head at her, as I looked away, and took a steadying breath. "No, I was told that since they hadn't recieved any type of answer that I would have to withhold from coming to class until next semester." I informed her.
She sighed, "I'm so sorry dear, I know how much you wanted to finish this year and head to Italy to continue studying landscaping architecture." She whispered.
"Don't be. You're not responsible for this. Edward Cullen is." I spat, glaring at the building in front of me.
She sighed, "I have to go, but if you need anything, you can email me, or call me." She promised before disappearing through the double doors.
I fucked up. I knew I had.
But I couldn't help myself. Once he started talking about how his company sponsors people, and gives fifty scholarships each year.
I yelled that he was a liar, and that he was deceiving everyone in that auditorium, and a few other things that I didn't remember saying in the heat of the moment.
Then he asked my name and I told him he didn't deserve to know my name before storming off.
I stomped out of there, grabbing my bag, and leaving my friends as I did, feeling angry beyond belief.
I had to take a long walk, choosing to go to the garden in the east quad before calming down enough to head to my car. I was making my way across the lot towards my car when I suddenly saw a black, sleek, shiny Audi R8 spyder sitting in front of me.
The license plate says, ECull3n.
It was then and there when I decided to do something that would change my life completely forever.