AN We lef toff with Tyler and Laurent being jerks and being sent to Bella's office.

Who's ready for bad ass boss Bella? :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 36

BPOV

It wasn't great to have to go to the club after everything that had gone on. I'd been home yesterday, on Leah's orders, while she did damage control. I was glad to see it had already worked some. This morning there was a retraction story about Carlisle and Esme, so that was something.

The dating rumors of course were only fueled by the statement that there was nothing romantic going on between me and Edward.

I quickly closed the papers and headed out with Jake to head to the club. I was pleased to note that the drive went without incident. Though I was still a bit jumpy when someone made a sudden move, I kept my composure and made it to the park without incident.

It was almost noon when I arrived, I'd decided to sleep in this morning, but Harry was waiting for me in the office regardless.

He filled me in on what I'd missed the previous day and had some documents for me to sign. He also assured me that the security issue had been dealt with and that no press should be allowed in anymore, unless specifically invited, and then only in the media room. So that was at least one good thing.

Before diving into my paperwork, I decided to head down to the team, they were just about to start training and I wanted to speak to Emmett and see if there were any problems from the story for Edward. I should be able to catch him finishing up in the locker room.

I told Jake to stay for a moment and behave as I closed my office door and locked it. Although security was tightened I wasn't taking any chances anymore. then I headed down to the lockerroom.

I opened the door to the locker room, figuring they were already outside, but was met with Tyler Crowley's obnoxious voice very insistently demanding that he was to know about my personal dating life.

My blood boiled. Everyone seemed to think they were entitield to knowing personal things about me. the press, the fans, and now even my own players. Was there no right to privacy anymore?

I was angry. Angrier than I'd been in a long time, and I couldn't stop the biting tone as my voice whipped out through the room, 'and what makes you think that you deserve to know that?'

A shocked hush fell over the room, and Emmett spun around in shock as well.

Tyler didn't respond, his cheeks were red and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet at having been caught.

'Well?' I snapped.

'Ms Swan asked you a question, Tyler.' Emmett added.

Tyler swallowed. 'I just… I think we should know if there's any unfair advantage going on.'

'Unfair advantage?' I asked incredulously. 'and what would that be? A prime center field position? A multi million dollar contract? The exact same things as everything else in this room?'

Tyler didn't respond, as expected. He was a little slimy weasel. All talk but when it came down to it, he was just a scared little mouse.

'I will not dignify rumors with answers.' I said giving him a measured look. 'Mr Cullen and Dr Cullen were hired by my father when I was still in Arizona. I trust that will put this all to rest. Now, there has been a breach of security here, the photo's that were leaked were taken inside the club. I've addressed the issue with Harry, but if any of you see any press where they shouldn't please report it to Emmett or Harry. That was all.'

Emmett barked for everyone to leave the room and head to the field and everyone started filing out. I turned to him. 'Have they been harassing Edward?'

His mouth turned down as he nodded. 'Some suggested he slept his way onto the team.'

I sighed, and rubbed my temple. 'Aright. Let me know if it gets worse okay?'

He nodded and I quickly lef the room again, as I noticed it was becoming more empty, and I didn't want to be caught in the room with just Edward again. That would only add fuel to the fire.

I headed back to my office and set to work catching up on paperwork.

At three there was a knock at the door.

'Come in?' I called.

Jane poked her head in. 'Hi Bella. Mr McCarthy wondered if he could have a moment of your time?'

'Yes, of course. Oh and Jane. Could you check these over?' I held out a set of forms to her.

She nodded and took them from me, then she signalled for Emmett to come inside.

'Hi Emmett.' I greeted him, closing my laptop. I frowned when I saw him enter. He was livid. 'what's wrong?'

'Hi Bella. I'm sorry I'm here as the coach right now.'

I nodded for him to continue.

'Tyler and Laurent performed abysmally today.' he started pacing the room. 'I'm not sure what to do with those two anymore. They seem to want the fame and money more than they want to play. Tyler has been rude to you multiple times now and also slacking off during training. Laurent had been doing fine up until now, but I just can't believe they would both find it more important to gossip than to train.'

'They were gossiping?' I asked incredulously.

He nodded. 'It's ridiculous. I layed into them, but all I got back was the standard sorry coach. They don't care. So, I told them they had to report to you today.'

'Pardon?' I asked slightly taken aback.

'I would like for you to talk to them, lay the fear into them. They can be traded, or back benched.. they need to know that. And apparently it's not landing when I tell them.'

'So you want me to scare them?'

He nodded. 'you're the owner. They should respect you. if you threaten to trade them, I bet they'll get their asses in gear. Tyler's already been reprimanded. Laurent was lucky to even make it to the MLB, they're not in a great position for a trade.'

I sighed. 'alright. I'll talk to them. Sent them up after training. But Emmett let's not make this a habit alright?'

He grinned sheepishly and nodded. Then he left the office again and I set there for a moment thinking what I was going to say to these men. I tried to remember if Charlie had ever had any troubles like these, but nothing really came up.

I sighed and rubbed my temples against the headache that I could feel coming on.

Jane chose that moment to come in again. 'Are you getting a headache? Do you want some Tylenol?'

'Yeah, that would be great, thanks.' I told her.

She quickly went to get it for me and when she returned I quickly downed them.

'The forms were correct, Bella.' Jane said as she put the forms in my out box.

'Good.'

'Was there anything else you needed?'

'If you could swing by the hospital and drop this off at the Chief of medicine, that would be great.' I handed her an envelope.

She nodded. 'anything else?'

'No, that's all. When you've done that, you can just take the rest of the day for yourself.'

'Thank you, Bella.' She smiled and waved as she left the office. 'see you tomorrow.'

'See you tomorrow.'

I tried to focus back on the paperwork, but it was going slow. My stomach was churning at the thought of what I was about to do.

Finally at five there was a knock on the door.

'Come in.' I called.

Tyler and Laurent walked in. To their credit they looked appropriately bashful. They knew they had done wrong. That should make this slightly easier.

'Gentlemen.' I said and gestured for them to sit down in the chairs opposite my desk.

'Ms Swan.' They greeted back sullenly.

'Mr McCarthy has informed me that you both found it more important to gossip like little old ladies than to put effort into training, while we are just a few weeks away from the opening of the season.' I paused regarding both of them. They were looking anywhere but at me. 'was that correct?'

'Well…' Tyler started. 'I wouldn't call it gossip.'

'And how would you define it?'

'Just… talking…'

'About?'

'What?'

'What were you talking about that was more important than training?'

'Just… things.'

'Things?' I repeated. I glanced at Laurent, who was looking at his hands.

'Yeah…' Tyler said lamely.

I sighed. 'gentlemen. It seems both of you are in need of a reminder that you are in fact my employees. You both signed contracts that detail what is expected of you as members of the Cubs. Did you not?'

They both nodded.

'Is gossiping part of this contract?'

They shook their heads.

'Is slacking off during training while being just days away from the opening game, part of that contract?'

They shook their heads again.

'Is having your heads so far up your own asses, that you can't see the sunlight anymore, part of that contract?'

They both stared at me opentmouthed, before shaking their heads.

'Good. Now I suggest you read your contracts again, because if you'd done that you would know that I do in fact have the option of firing you both if you cannot adhere to the rules. Do I make myself clear?'

Both men seemed to pale at my words and quickly nodded.

'Very well. As punishment both of you will be benched for the first game of the season. I suggest you train extra hard these next few weeks to make sure it's only the first game you'll miss.'

Their mouths dropped open at that news. I regarded them cooly, waiting if they would accept their punishment, or make trouble for me.

'Very well.' Laurent said. 'It will not happen again.'

'Make sure that it doesn't.' I responded. 'you may go.'

They stood up and headed out of my office, like scolded little schoolboys. I sighed when the door closed behind them. Jake padded over and put his head in my lap. I pet him absentmindedly for a while, feeling myself calm down again. IT was ridiculous how entitled these guys were. Money and fame could bring out the worst in people and it seemed like this was defnintely one of those cases. I really hoped this would wake them up. That they would realize their cushy life was due to the Cubs and not something owed to them.

When I glanced at the clock I realized it was six already, so I gathered up my things and headed home with Jake in tow.

The following day went slightly better. I wasn't as tightly wound as the day before. The whole story was also blowing over slightly, which was nice. Not that there weren't more stories being printed, but the initial shock had worn off and there weren't any more pictures to be posted because I hadn't seen Edward since the weekend. Tonight though we would both be at dinner with Rose and Emmett.

I was looking forward to it.

These dinners were one of the few things that still gave me a sense of normalcy in my life. Alice and Jasper were coming tonight as well. It was promising to be a good night.

At six I closed my laptop and grabbed my things to head back home to change before going to Rose's. Jane had already left for the day so I shut the door and locked it behind me. Although security had been updated, I was still a bit paranoid. I headed home quickly letting jake do his business before heading inside and changing into some jeans and a sweatshirt to be comfortable.

I also kind of wanted to see how far I could push Alice. She always lamented when I showed up in something that didn't scream designer. It was a fun thing to do. I actually giggled to myself as I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and grabbed a Cubs hat to put over it. Alice was going to have a heartattack.

I grabbed Jake's stuff and headed out. I took my other car this time, Jake barely fit in it, but it was a car that the paps didn't know was mine yet. And I was hoping to keep it that way. That was another reason for the cap and the baggy clothes; anything to hide the fact that I was me.

Of course I couldn't really hide Jake. But I wasn't about to leave him home.

I made it to their apartment block in good time and quickly made my way inside without anyone spotting me, or even glancing my way. I headed into he elevator and knocked on their door.

Mike gave a sharp bark as I did so from behind the door and I smiled to myself. Edward must already be here.

Jake's tail was already wagging and when the door opened he was inside before it had fully opened, nearly knocking Emmett over in the proces, and that was a feat in and of itself.

'Careful, Jake!' I called after him.

Emmett just laughed and gestured for me to come inside. I hung up my stuff and Jake's leash and walked into the living room where everyone was already gathered. I guess I was the last to arrive.

I greeted everyone and when Alice turned to look at me, her face actually blanched as she let out a gasp. 'Bella!' she exclaimed. 'what are you wearing?'

I glanced down at myself. 'Clothes?' I said with a cocked eyebrow. Rose snickered and I threw her a quick wink.

Alice gaped at me. 'No. no. this can't even be classified as clothes.' She insisted.

'Alice, leave her alone, she's only just gotten here.' Edward admonished her, rolling his eyes.

'But… but… it's so baggy… and look at those jeans! I mean… '

I finally cracked a smile to let her see I was only messing with her. 'I know Alice. It's just an xl sweatshirt I took from the club. Don't worry, I don't normally wear it.'

She heaved a sigh of relief. 'Thank god. I was just about to suggest overhauling your closet, and throwing that out.'

I laughed. 'no need for drastic measures.' I assured her as I took off the cap and let my hair down. 'I just wanted to make sure no one would recognize me.'

Alice nodded, and as I sat down next to her threw her arms around me in a quick hug.

'So…' she started and I quirked a brow at her. that was never the start of anything good when it came from Alice. Especially in that tone. 'I was just saying before you were here that there is this new club opening and it's supposed to be amazing and – '

'no.' I cut her off.

'What?' she asked.

'No, I'm not going to a club.' I said.

'But it could be so much fun.' Alice said with a pout.

'She said no, alice.' Edward said firmly. Alice stuck out her tongue in response.

Before it could escalate into a real sibling fight, Rose called us to the dining room. Edward and I headed to the kitchen to feed the dogs and then we joined the rest in the dining room, sitting down to a nice dinner of steaks.

'So did you rip Laurent and Tyler a new one?' Jasper asked as soon as I sat down.

Rose and Alice looked at me curiously. 'Alright what did we miss?' Rose asked.

I smiled and told them both the story with help from the guys. by the end everyone was laughing.

It was a good dinner and we all had a nice time just talking and laughing together. It wasn't until dinner was over and we were sat on the couch again that Alice brought up the club again.

'It's called Eclipse, and it's downtown. It's supposed ot be the hottest place. It even has private VIP spaces. They're really catering to the high society there.' Alice was trying her best to convince me.

'Alice, stop.' Edward snapped. 'She already said no.'

'It's alright, Edward.' I said. 'Alice, I don't think I can go to a club and leave unscathed. I've tried before. It ended with stupid photos of me on the front page of every tabloid, with made up stories about my alcohol problems.'

'But that's what I'm saying. The press isn't allowed. They vet everyone that enters. No press allowed, and if we call ahead I'm sure we can get you in through the back. No press anywhere.' She said excitedly bouncing on her seat.

For a moment I just stared at her, letting what she said sink in. no press? Was that even possible nowadays?

'But someone with a cellphone…' Edward said.

Alice shook her head. 'They're really careful about who gets in, and they make sure their VIPS are catered to. I mean I can't guarantee some idiot won't try… but I can guarantee that staff will immediately escort that person outside.'

I bit my lip. Could it really be possible? I glanced at the faces of the others, they were also hesitant, but also hopeful?

'I don't…' I hedged, I wanted to say yes. I desperately wanted to say yes. But I was scared. Scared that it would set off events again that would force me to face the reality again that I wasn't normal. I wasn't sure could handle that.

'You don't have to decide right now.' Alice quickly said. 'just think about it. It's next Friday, after the first game of the season. We're all already on the list.'

Edward cocked a brow at her. 'How did you manage that?'

'I am Alice Cullen you know.' She said with a wicked glint in her eye. 'dating one major league baseball player, related to another, best friends with the owner of the cubs. I'm connected brother dear. ' the sarcasm was heavy.

'Right, you're just hanging out with us for our fame.' Jasper joked.

'Well of course, how else will I ever launch a successful clothing line?' She smiled.

'A clothing line?' Rose asked with surprise. Just a few days ago she's said she wasn't sure what she was doing after graduation.

'yeah, I decided that's what I want. My own clothes and my own store.' She beamed at us. 'all right here in Chicago.'

'that's great!' I enthused.

Edward smiled and leaned over to ruffle her hair. 'Good to hear you're staying with us.'

Jasper had a pleased look on his face, something told me he was even more glad she was definitely staying. Though he didn't voice it out loud yet. I had a feeling something was coming from those two soon, though. They were very clearly in love, and Alice gushed about him pretty munch all the time. the talk continued to other things but I was distracted by the possibility of going to a party for the first time ever.

Edward must have noticed I was quiet as he nudged me softly with his knee. 'You okay?' he asked when I looked at him. I smiled at him and nodded. 'sorry about her, you don't have to worry. If you don't want to come Friday, I'll handle alice.'

'I'm not sure yet.' I told him honestly. 'on one hand I'd love to go, but on the other… I'm just scared.'

'Because of the press?'

I nodded. 'what if something like this weekend happens again?'

'Well.' he sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck. 'Let's see what happened really… a few pictures were published in some magazines. And some rumors were made up. You're still you, I'm still me. we're both still at the Cubs doing what we're supposed to do. I mean the violation of your privacy was definitely wrong and I'm not making light of that. But bottomline… if that's what you're scared of, perhaps it isn''t so scary?'

I just stared at him for a moment. Was that true? Was really what I was so scared of happening, perhaps not so scary at all? Yeah the paps were scary, my car ride had proven that. The invasion of privacy was scary. But really what had they done? Published a few photos and made up some stories. I'd been dealing with that all my life. was this really so much worse than what had happened before?

Edward and alice seemed to be doing fine, even though they appeared in the tabloids quiet often as well. even alongside me. but they didn't hold it against me or even blame me. they didn't relish in it, but they knew it was all bullshit. And the people that caerd about them knew it was bullshit too.

So what was really so scary? My reputation being lost? Would it really be lost if there was one picture of me in the club? I was twenty three for god's sake. I deserved to have some fun every now and again. I'd already proven I can run the Cubs, sure we hadn't won the world series yet. But that didn't mean we wouldn't. and if we won the first game of the season it would be a great way to celebrate.

Edward gave my knee a squeeze before standing up.

'Guys, I'm calling it a night. I have to get up early to train.' He said throwing a pointed look at Emmett.

'Hey, don't look at me, look at boss lady. She wants to win.'

'and you don't?' I retorted. He just grinned at me.

'Goodnight!' Edward called out, leaving the room with Mike in tow.

We stayed talking a bit longer before I too called it a night. Jasper and Alice also called it a night. we all headed down the elevator together and we were glad to find the parking lot still empty as we got into our cars.

Jake and I headed home while my thoughts continued going over what Edward had said and if it really would be possible to go to the club and be normal for a night.