AN Thanks to everyone still reading and putting up with my erratic uploading schedule :)

Here's the next chapter! We left off with Bella having a nice dinner with Edward's family, without Edward.

Enjoy!

Chapter 24

BPOV

Come Monday I was ready to murder people.

The press was relentless. Saturday evening they hounded me as I pulled into the garage, firing questions about where I'd been this late and if I had a secret lover that was helping me through everything. I had come very close to siccing Jake on them. But the doormen had quickly interceded and herded me back inside. Of course the tabloids ran with the new photos and printed made up speculation about late nights rendevous. I tried to ignore it.

I kept to myself on Sunday, staying mostly indoors and only going out to walk Jake quickly around the block. But even that was a chore to achieve. The doormen helped smuggle me out through back exits while distracting the press out front. But they managed to find me a few times. It was annoying to say the least. Downright infuriating was more adequate. It helped that Jake scared them into keeping their distance.

Kate called again to check on me and make sure I was still handling everything okay. So also gave me grief for going out and creating another round of gossip, which she'd explicitedly told me not to do. I couldn't blame her for that.

But I was getting more and more fed up with everything. This was one of the reasons why Arizona had held a draw for me. It was calmer there. No one really gave too many shits about me. Sure I was still Charlie's heir in Arizona, but Charlie wasn't really that involved in business in Arizona, so that made me just a rich girl. Nothing special. Not like here.

I sighed and gripped the steering wheel as I drove downtown, heading to the PR firm I'd contacted for help. I hoped they would be willing to take me on and start immediately. Perhaps they could warn the press away from me, though even in my head that seemed unlikely.

I arrived at their office and headed into the parking garage. Thankfully I wasn't being tailed today and the parking garage was empty when I stepped out. I headed to the entrance and as soon as I walked inside I was greeted by an overly enthusiastic receptionist.

'Oh my gosh, Ms Swan!' she gushed. 'I saw your name in the visitor book but I wasn't sure it was actually you! I can't believe this.'

'Right… yeah. It's me.' I said awkwardly. God even this firm wasn't safe. 'I have an appointment.' I said when the girl didn't make a move to call someone down or do anything other than gape at me.

'Right. yeah! Of course. Can I just say that I love the Chicago cubs and your players are amazing. And not too bad on the eyes either. God, those pants really do them justice don't they-'

'Ms Camden.' A firm voice rang out followed by the sound of heels clicking on the tile. I turned to see a sharply dressed woman with a sharp bob and a stern face coming towards us.

Ms Camden seemed to pale at her arrival and shrank back into the desk. 'ah… uh… Ms Swan is here.' She offered lamely.

The woman raised an eyebrow at her, then she sighed and turned to me, her face softening. She stretched out her hand. 'Ms Swan. My name is Leah. We spoke on the phone last week.'
I shook her hand. 'Thank you for agreeing to meet me on such short notice.'

'Not a problem. I do apologize for our receptionist. She is still in training and her trainer seems to have taken a break.'

I smiled and nodded. I wasn't going to say it was okay, because it really wasn't.

'Ms Camden.' Leah addressed the girl. 'Remember your NDA, if I see so much as a tweet about this it will not go well for you.' She warned in a severe tone. I hid my grin. Leah was a hardass it seemed. And I had a feeling she was just the PR woman I needed.

Without waiting for a response from the girl, who had paled significantly, Leah gestured for me to follow her down a hallway. We stopped at an office at the far end. She held the door open for me.

'Would you like something to drink?'

'Ah, no thank you.'

'Please, have a seat.' She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk as she circled around and sat down behind it. 'Ms Swan' she started.

'please, call me Bella.' I quickly said.

she smiled and nodded. 'Bella then, we already spoke briefly on the phone when you called and asked if we would be available to take you on as a client. I've since done some research and kept an eye on the press and let me just say I am sorry for what you're going through.'

'thank you.'

'it's been especially vile this past weekend.' She said shaking her head.

I nodded in agreement. 'yes, my lawyer suggested I hire a PR spokesperson to manage the press for me, hoping that will assuage the rumors and also be preemtipve in some instances.'

'I would say in your circumstance that is indeed the best move.' She clasped her hands and looked at me for a moment, appraising me. 'I am known for being a hard ass. A woman in a man's job. I know something of what you're going through. I believe I can spin this and help you manage and navigate the press. But… my involvement may also leave you open to more gossip.'

I frowned at that. 'why?'

'I am like you, Bella. I've fought to get where I am. People have questioned whether I was good enough or smart enough or if I deserved this position. I became partner here when I was 25. Hiring me, might mean a new spin for the press.'

'Is that something you are not comfortable with?'

Leah sat back. 'I've heard it all before. Nothing will scare me off and I know I can spin anything a different way eventually. Trust me, by the time I'm done with them they'll be diligently put in their place and won't be forgetting it anytime soon.' She said with a small smile.

'Then I don't see any reason not to hire you.' I said smiling back at her.

she nodded. 'I was hoping you would say that.' She grabbed some papers form a drawer. 'I've already taken the liberty of drawing up some plans on how to spin the current situation, which I've detailed here. I would suggest releasing a statement to see if that will assuage the curiosity as well and I suggest a press tour with interviews of the players of the Cubs with how they're preparing for the world series and how your changes are helping them do that.'

'that sounds good.' I muttered, glancing at the detailed plan in front of me.

'I would also like an overview of your schedule and a list of people you regularly associate with, so I can head off any rumors they might be trying to concoct. Finally I would like a list of current press access to the cubs and any other ventures you are on the board of.'

I nodded and promised to get them to her as soon as possible. And I made a mental note to really kick up my searchfor a personal assistant.
we discussed the plan further and I was impressed by the amount of detail she already had put in. I had no doubt that Leah would be able to handle herself and help me with this madness.

'one final thing.' She said fainlly. 'are there any potential scandals I need to be aware of?'

I shook my head. 'no, I've kept my nose clean. No wild parties, no wild romances, no upset ex boyfriends, no family drama.'

'And what about current boyfriends?'

'I am not seeing anyone at the moment.' though my mind involuntarily flashed to Edward, I quickly quashed that down.

She nodded and jotted something down. 'Good. Please do let me know if and when you start dating again. I want to head off anything. And please, do me a favor… if you start dating one of the players let me know before you are photographed together.'

'right… I'll be sure to let you know. But I have no desire to start dating anytime soon.'

she nodded. 'Well then, bella. I look forward to working with you. I'll leave you with the plans and the paperwork, just have everything sent back to me filled in and I'll start working on a press release immediately.'

she stood and I did too. We shook hands and I thanked her for everything. She led me to the door and made sure that Ms Camden was not alone behind the desk before leaving again.

I validated my parking by a different receptionist, who was much more professional and headed back to my car where I noticed with relief there were still no paparazzi lurking about.

I dialled kate as soon as I was on the road. She answered on the second ring.

'Bella, how did it go?'

'Well, I think. Leah took the job. She's drafting a statement and will release it as soon as I sign all the paperwork. She was confident she can handle anything the press prints and spin it to my favour.'

Kate let out a breath. 'that's good.'

I agreed.

'are you in the office today?' she asked.

'I'm not sure, yet. I need to head back to Jake and then I have to figure out some of the paperwork of Charlie's other businesses and then I have to get going on hiring an assistant.'

'you should probably do that one first.' She remarked dryly.

'yeah. I know. The resumes are at the office though. So I'll probably swing by in the afternoon.'

'okay. I'll be there too, so I'll see you then.'

we hung up and I quickly headed home to walk Jake and catch up on the paperwork I had been neglecting. At three I had finally caught up on the most important things so I headed to the club with Jake in tow, not wanting to leave him alone again. Plus he liked going to the club and I figured he might function as a deterrent for James Hunter were he there again.

We drove down and I headed into the stadium through the employee entrance, heading directly to the elevators. Jake wagged his tail happily as we waited for the cart to arrive.

'Hey Bella!' I turned around to see Emmett smiling and waving at me. He was walking with Edward, who looked rather sweaty.

'Hi.' I smiled at them both. Jake ran to Edward excitedly, begging to be pet. Edward laughed and started rubbing him.

'So you've accepted me, huh?' he asked him as Jake's tongue lolled from his mouth.

I smiled at the scene.

'Are you working here today?' Edward asked as he looked up at me as I joined them.

I shook my head. 'no, I'm just picking up some resumes for a personal assistant. HR has them ready.'

He nodded. 'That's good.'

Emmett's head suddenly snapped around, at the same time as Edward swiftly stood up.

'Hey!' Emmett shouted, before taking off in a run towards the end of the hallway.

'What was that?' I asked, surprised by Emmett's behaviour.

'I'm not sure. I thought I saw…' he shook his head. 'wait here.'

I frowned at that, but before I could say anything else, he took off too.

Next thing I knew a few security guards were bustling down the same corridor. I sighed and crossed my arms. Well, this was just great.

After a few minutes Emmett and Edward came back, both of them looking chagrined.

'What was all that about?' I demanded the moment they stopped in front of me.

'I saw a camera, around the corner there. it seems someone was taking our pictures.'

I frowned. 'what?'

'yeah, I thought I saw it too.'

'who was it? did you catch them?'

Emmett shrugged. 'I set off after them, but whoever it was was already gone.'

'I called security. They're doing a sweep of the building.' Edward said, looking back at the hallway with a frown.

I sighed. 'just great. I can't even be left alone in my own club.' I growled. 'that's it. I'm tearing security a new one. Where is Harry?'

Emmett's eyes were wide as he looked at me. Edward's too, but a small grin was on his face. 'I think he's on the managerial floor.'

'Good.' I snapped my fingers for Jake to follow me and we stepped into a waiting elevator. Whoever was doing all of this was going to regret it. I was tightening security and revoking press access to all floors unless explicitly invited. And I was changing the checking in system. I was tired of being on my guard everywhere I went.

I stepped out onto the floor where my and Harry's office were. I didn't hesitate but stepped right into his office without knocking. He looked surprised as I entered, but quickly smiled as he spotted me.

'Ah, Bella. I wasn't expecting you in today.'

'I was only picking something up. But I'm not happy Harry.' I said sternly as I took a seat across from him and folding my arms. He was immediately on his guard.

'What's wrong?' he asked his eyebrows drawn low.

'the press that's what. I've been stalked at my house, in the street, in the shops and now I'm being stalked in the fucking club! Emmett saw a camera while I was talking to him and Edward. They didn't catch the culprit. But it seems security has been getting too lax and I am done with it. I want better security, better logging of visitors and I want all press access revoked for all area's except the media room. Only on explicit invitiation by any of the managing staff will press be allowed in other areas. I want you to deal with this today.'

He sat back with surprise on his face. It was the first time I had ordered Harry to do something at the club. I mostly left the day to day managing to him, he was the general manager after all. However, I wasn't going to allow this to continue.

I waited as he regarded me. Now we would find out if he was honest about being sure I could lead this club.

He finally nodded once. 'you're right. I've been getting too lax. I will see to it immediately.'

I nodded. 'Good. I will be back here tomorrow and I expect to see it all done by then.'

He nodded. I stood up and headed back out again without any other pleasantries. It was time Harry took his position more seriously. He'd let me down on two counts already. And I was done being lenient with him for Charlie's sake.

I stepped into my own office and grabbed the resumes that had been put there by HR. Then I headed over to Kate's office. I knocked once and then stepped inside.

Kate looked up and smiled as she spotted me. 'Bella!' she greeted getting up and hugging me tightly. 'You look good.'

'Thank you.' I smiled at her as she released me.

'How have you been? I see you came thgough the weekend unschated.'

I nodded. 'yeah. And Leah will hopefully deal with everything else from now on. She's great.'

Kate nodded. 'That's great. Now that I have you here. I have a few things I need you to sign off on. there's the new contract for Carlisle's hospital, and then there's the new contract for Emmett to instate him as head coach. And there's a few things to do with the building.'

she explained what I was signing as she gave me each paper and I dutifully set my signature at the bottom. When that was taken care of she thanked me and invited me for dinner later this week.

'Yeah that sounds good.' I assured her. 'just text me when and where.'

she nodded and hugged me again. then I headed out again to head back home and peruse the resumes for a personal assistant.

I settled myself on the couch with a cup of tea as it was nearing seven o clock in the evening. Jake was on the couch next to me and I absentmindedly stroked his fur.

The resumes were on my lap. I wasn't even sure where to start. I decided to simply read through them at first, seeing what was on offer.

There were ten options to chose from, a few I discarded immediately, either because they lacked experience, or because they were only gushing about working for and with the Cubs. I wasn't looking for a fanboy to come along and drool over the players. I needed someone to support me, not just in the cubs dealings, but other businesses as well.

That left six resumes. I read through the carefully, focussing on their experience and genral tone. There were two that really stood out to me; a woman, twenty three years old, who had at least three years experience of being a personal assistant. And a man of twenty five who was currently a personal assistant to one of the CEO's of a fortune 500 company.

I quickly fired up my laptop and send a mail to HR asking them to invite both of them for an interview. I would decide who to hire after that.

When that was finally done I settled in for the first time since yesterday to really relax. I turned on the tv and let myself get swept up in some Netflix series as I cuddled with my dog. I let myself feel what I was feeling and tried to make sense of the feelings in my mind. I didn't tell myself I couldn't feel something, or that it was stupid of me to feel it. I just noticed the feeling and filed it away under the corresponding emotion. It was a trick my therapist had taught me. It helped create space for the emotions that would otherwise overwhelm me, while at the same time analyzing what I was actually feeling en getting a clearer picture of my emotions.

I was tired after today and the weekend I'd had and through it all I was still definitely grieving. But I was noticing a small improvement. I felt less sad overall. I liked having a purpose again. I liked that I was continuing Charlie's lecacy. It kept him close. And though I felt tears wet my cheeks, I was able to smile through them feeling like I was starting to do him proud. Slowly, I was beginning to feel like I was treading water instead of drowning in it.