Right Through Me
Chapter 5: First Day
Bella was able to have almost everything settled a couple of weeks before her set first day at MCB.
Angela had helped her out in fixing up the new protocols as she shifted to a more remote CEO position. She'd promoted Angela, along with a handful of other promising employees, to handle and oversee the different departments. She'd decided that she would be back to check on the office at least once a week.
She had hesitated in sending the new protocols to the board of directors. To her father. But in the end, she did, and she considered his typical silence on the matter to be assent.
Now, all that was left was the housing logistics. Obviously, she wasn't keen on the idea of driving three hours back and forth everyday just to come to the MCB headquarters, neither did she think staying in at Pattersons every week was practical. No, she had to invest in a house.
And she knew just the one.
Bella found herself unsure as she held her phone to her ear, hearing a few rings before the receiver finally picked up.
"Bella?" Jacob sounded unsure himself, too.
"Hey, Jake. I'm…sorry for suddenly disappearing on you."
He cleared his throat. "Yeah, please don't worry about that. I––I heard something from my aunt, too. About Jessica."
Bella buried her face in her free hand, and leaned back on her desk. She'd almost forgotten that Jacob was the snake's fucking cousin. "Right. So you know what happened."
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I had no idea, of course. Anyway, because of that, I already accepted I'd never hear from you again. Which is why this is a surprise."
"Yeah, I needed to ask about a few things," she began. "I'm moving to Forks."
Silence. "What?"
"You heard me," she continued. "And I'll need a house. Do you remember the one––"
"The craftsman house," he said, sounding incredulous. "Really? You're really serious about going back here? Permanently?"
"Semi-permanently," she clarified. "I––I'll be honest, Jacob, I don't really want to delve in too deep about it. I just really want that house."
"Oh, of course. I understand." He hummed, as if deep in thought. "Well, I can connect you to the realtor in charge of it. You can probably get it for pretty cheap, since it's a bit of a fixer-upper. I can also connect you to the best construction we have in town for it, who makes a pretty good deal. All the paperwork––I can have someone handle it for you."
Bella sighed in relief. "Jacob, you're an absolute angel. When can we meet?"
"As soon as you want, of course."
"Alright. Can I ask for one more thing?"
He waited patiently.
"Can we…keep everything about this between us?" she began, her fingers twirling the tips of her hair as she spoke. "I don't really want certain people know about my plans. If you know what I mean."
"Consider it done, Bella," he assured her. "It's the least I can do. On behalf of the family."
The craftsman house was definitely a fixer-upper, just like Jacob had said.
It had taken her several days to settle everything with the contractor, fix the paperwork, and finally move in some of her items into the house. She'd kept most of the things in their boxes, lined up around the house, to make it easier for the construction workers––who will be around for the next several weeks––to work around the house.
She'd explored her new home while they worked, and found it just as perfect inside as she'd imagined it to be. It originally had four bedrooms, but she'd told construction to break down the wall between the master's bedroom and the one adjacent to it, to merge the rooms. She'd asked them to cut down a lot of walls, actually, especially in the first floor, wanting to maximize the view from the several large windows for a very open and inviting space.
It was seven in the evening on the third day of construction, and the workers had all left for the night. Bella sat outside on one of the wooden benches at the front yard, on her laptop as she sipped from her glass of cheap wine. She was deeply distracted as she went through some of the new marketing proposals over at SM, that she almost didn't notice a familiar car pull in to the side road.
She looked up when the headlights hit her eyes, and raised a hand to block the harsh light. She squinted for a moment, then immediately widened her eyes––despite the dark sky, the lanterns lit the front road sufficiently for her to be able to recognize the sleek Z4 Roadster pull in to her driveway.
Impossible. It can't be, right?
But as she had dreaded, a familiar golden head stepped out of the vehicle, and Bella silently swore to herself for choosing to wear the ragged, basically indecent nightdress under her wool jacket. Even though she was technically just at home.
Carlisle looked as gorgeous as ever, of course, and was dressed in a formal suit. His hair was smoothly slicked back, the topmost buttons of his shirt was undone, and his tie loosened casually. He smiled as he approached her on the bench, though she noticed his eyes continuously dart up and down the house with a strange expression on his face.
"This is a nice surprise," he said softly, his eyes fixed on the door of her home.
Bella stood up then, putting down her laptop on the bench. Carlisle momentarily looked her over, and suddenly she felt herself too exposed with the low neckline of the nightdress, and instinctively tightened the wool jacket around her.
She noticed an amused smile break across his features.
"How the hell did you find me?" she asked, in an almost accusatory tone.
"I didn't," he said, chuckling. He pursed his lips and put his hands in his pockets. "This…is a nice house. You have good taste."
"Thanks, I guess," she mumbled.
"Have you set up security?" He pointed with his thumb towards the driveway. "I know Forks is a generally safe town, but it wouldn't hurt to put up a fence and some cameras." She felt his eyes rove over her body from head to toe again. "A lovely lady like you should be well protected."
He had to be trying to get under her skin on purpose, Bella thought. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. If you need any help, I know a guy who can set it up for you." Then, he reached out his hand towards her, a prominent smirk on his plump lips. "Welcome to the neighborhood."
Bella narrowed her eyes, still not understanding, but found her hand moving on its own volition to shake his. "What…"
He stretched his arms up wide and made to yawn, which was an absolute sight. "I'm utterly exhausted. I just came in from a flight this morning, you see, from an urgent meeting in Virginia. Uncomfortable seats. I think I'll turn in early for the night."
He did a small, adorable wave and swiftly got back in his car. Bella dumbly watched as the Roadster drove further down the road, and to her bewilderment, pull in to the driveway of the wood-and-glass monolith of a house yards away from her new home.
She saw his far-away figure wave widely before he headed inside the door.
For fuck's sake, Bella thought. Did she really have to be next-door neighbors with Carlisle fucking Cullen?
"You're right, Bella," Angela said as she sat next to her on the mat, sinking her bare feet in the sand. She took another swig of the beer Bella had offered her, her eyes fixed towards the ocean in front of them. "It's really quite peaceful out here."
"Told you," Bella replied, leaning back on her hands. "I call it my small, wet, paradise."
"Amen," Angela agreed, clinking their bottles as they drank together.
"I actually also asked you to come here so I can…finally come clean," Bella began, pursing her lips and turning to face her friend.
Angela narrowed her eyes and adjusted her windbreaker. "About what?"
"I mean, I know you never asked, but I also know you've been probably wondering what drove me out here, and what other things have been keeping me busy."
Angela shrugged. "Well, I just want you to be happy. And whatever it is you're doing, you seem to be getting there."
Bella smiled at her gratefully. "You're a literal fucking angel. I'm just so grateful I didn't lose you, despite...everything." She paused for a moment, hesitating to continue. "But I want to tell you, anyway. Because I've never really told anyone, and it's killing me inside."
Angela reached out to take her hand. "Of course you can, Bells. What is it?"
She sighed before admitting, "I moved out here to take a job I don't need."
Angela tilted her head, but said nothing.
"Remember the first time I went out here?" She bit her lip. "It was actually for a job interview. I was pissed drunk and applied to this brewery company that I saw on the paper. It was after Mike had told me how I didn't deserve to celebrate my successes in the company, that I didn't really deserve my job. I applied without any credentials from Swan Markets––which I'm sure you know isn't much––and even used my mother's surname, and…"
"You got the job," Angela finished for her.
Bella nodded. "Well, it took a bit of a long while. I was pretty sure I bombed that interview. The owners…They stay here, you know, even though most of their branches are all the way in the east coast. And they're strange."
"In a good way?"
"I suppose," she surmised. "They're different. I think they're the reason why Masen-Cullen Brewery Group is as successful as it is today."
Angela narrowed her eyes. "Did you say Masen…Cullen?"
"Yeah," Bella responded slowly. She picked up her bottle and showed her the label. "They make this beer."
Angela eyed her own bottle, a strange vague expression on her sharp features. "Right. Who did you say the owners are again?"
"I didn't. They're Edward Masen and Carlisle Cullen."
Angela pursed her lips, before taking another swig of the beer. "Cullen's a blond, no?"
It was Bella's turn to narrow her eyes. "Yes…How did you know?"
She shrugged. "I think I saw him on the paper once."
"Right," Bella nodded. "Yeah, I think I saw the article you're talking about. It's the one that drove me to send that stupid half-assed application."
"But you were accepted anyway," Angela said, her tone curious. "What position did they give you?"
"Junior Finance Consultant." Bella laughed once. "And you will not believe the pay and benefits they offered me. It makes me feel bad now for the employees back at Swan."
Angela chuckled. "And are you happy that they gave you the job?"
"I was surprised at first, of course," she replied, looking down at the sand. "I thought I wouldn't get it. Edward was the one who interviewed me, and he was a right asshole. Questioned why I even bothered applying with such inexperience. I deserved that, of course, but…In the end, he listened to me." She turned to look at her straight in the eye. "Both of them did. I pitched an idea I pulled out from my ass and they actually considered it. I haven't felt that self-satisfied about work in so long, to be honest."
Angela hummed. "Perhaps you've been underestimating yourself for the longest time, Bella."
"Hmm?"
"They were probably hard on you because they knew you can handle it," she continued. "I've seen it a few times, in other companies. They're always the hardest on those with the most potential. And you, Bella Swan, have more than potential, and I'm sure they saw that, too."
Bella smiled gratefully at her. "You've always been nice."
"I'm just telling the truth," she insisted. "But just be careful, Bella."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever considered the possibility that they'll find out who you really are? Or worse, that they already do?"
Bella fell silent. For some reason, she hadn't really thought deeply about that. But that would mean…
"Yeah," Angela continued, noticing the somber expression on her face. "Would it change the way you view this work, then? If you think they hired you because you're connected to Swan?"
"I––Then they would've asked about it, right? For possible conflict of interest?"
She shrugged. "You said they were strange, remember? Maybe they wanted to give you what you want––which is to get in my your own merit––to make you join them. And stay." After a beat, she asked again, "Would you still take the job then?"
Bella decided to think about it. Silence fell upon the two for the next few minutes, and Bella stared at the calm ocean as she thought about it. Was it possible that Masen and Cullen actually thought of her as something that important? An asset that they had to court? Was it possible they played the whole charade to humor her?
Did they actually hire her for her potential, then? Or was it just to have a connection so Swan Markets?
Bella then remembered the video Carlisle had sent. They were experimenting and perfecting their spirits, just as she'd suggested. Was that part of the charade, too, or did they actually listen to her because it was a genuinely good idea?
Eventually, she made her decision.
"I will," she said firmly. "This isn't about proving a point anymore, Angela."
"What is it about, then?"
Bella turned to her and smiled. "It's about doing a job I know I can do well. And if…playing this is what it takes to do it, then so be it."
It was the morning of her first day.
Bella tiptoed around the plastic coverings in the still-being-renovated living room until she reached the full-sized mirror at the end of the hall. She fixed the brown office vest that fit well around her hips, and adjusted the waist of the culottes she'd chosen to pair with her top. She thought about putting her hair up in a bun, but decided against it; she always liked playing with her hair as she worked, anyway.
After she put on a bit of makeup, she noticed a familiar car pull up outside and park directly in front of her house.
Why. Why. Why.
The insufferable man in the Roadster honked, and Bella scoffed before opening the curtain and narrowing her eyes at the driver. Carlisle, looking fresh out of the shower, rolled down his window and waved, and gestured for her to get in the car.
She considered just leaving him there. When five minutes passed and his car was still in the driveway––and conveniently blocking the path to the road if she was to use her own car––she sighed and gave in, grabbing her purse and trudging to the passenger's seat of the Z4.
"I'm quite capable of driving on my own," she said in a monotone, opening the door but not stepping inside yet.
She tried to ignore the fact that he was dressed impeccably again, in a royal blue button down with his sleeves rolled up. He had a wide smile that showed off his radiant, white teeth. "Just humor me this time, will you? I haven't had an actual neighbor since I arrived here."
Rolling her eyes, she stepped into the vehicle and purposely slammed the door closed harshly. "What, Alice and Masen left you to fend for yourself out here?"
He shrugged as he pulled the car into the main road. "They stay in the main town. They thought living out here would be…inconvenient."
"Well, what do you think?"
"I think it's charming," he said, shooting her an amused smirk. "Don't you think so?"
Bella shook her head and chuckled incredulously. "You're a really strange man, aren't you, Mr. Cullen?"
"Why is it Mr. Cullen to me, and Masen to Edward?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You're my boss, aren't you?"
"Well, so is Edward."
"Okay, then it's Mr. Masen."
Carlisle sighed. "I meant––We don't do that at MCB. We all use first names here." He glanced at her quickly, his beautiful cerulean eyes twinkling with genuine amusement.
"Whatever you say, Carlisle," she said, purposely drawling his name exaggeratedly in a half-whisper.
A strange expression flashed across his face that she didn't quite catch, but he immediately settled back to an easygoing smile. "It's going to be a pleasure working with you, Bella Dwyer."
After hearing her mother's maiden name, she momentarily remembered the possibility that he was playing this charade with her. She narrowed her eyes and searched his face for any sign of it, but came up empty. Eventually, she settled with responding, "I'm looking forward to it."
No one even batted an eye when they arrived at the office together.
Carlisle led her to the second floor and into one of the conference rooms, opening the door in the gentlemanly fashion he always did. Inside, she found Alice standing at the front of the room, Edward sitting bored on her side, and three other strangers sitting along one half of the long table.
The first was a tall, blond woman who seemed to have the measurements of a Vogue model. Her hair was tied up in a bun, with some soft yellow curls falling around the sides of her face. Next to her was a man, who seemed to somehow look exactly like she did. His hair was the same shade, and his curls reached up to the bottom of his high cheekbones. Bella knew they had to be related, somehow.
The last stranger looked more normal and less intimidating, at least. Unlike the blondes, he was dressed casually, in a dark hoodie and plain blue jeans. His dark hair was cut military-style, and although his features were angular, she guessed he had to be the youngest one in the room.
Alice waved at her excitedly from the front of the room. "Bella!"
Edward's eyes darted up to her, and to Carlisle at her side. His expression remained stoic and uninterested.
Carlisle gestured for her to sit next to the man in the hoodie.
"Am I late?" she asked.
"Definitely not," Alice assured her. "But now, we can begin the orientation early."
Bella soon learned that the three strangers in the room were her new co-workers, who had also gotten accepted to the company in the same batch as she did. Blonde Vogue model was Rosalie Hale, and just as she'd guessed, next to her was Jasper Hale, her twin brother. The woman had gotten the purchasing department manager role, while her brother was assigned the production consultant role. The man in the hoodie next to her was Jared Cameron, who was a fresh graduate, but was already granted a high position in the research and development department.
As Alice introduced the company and gave her orientation on their expected tasks and responsibilities, Bella noticed Edward stand up at one point and approach Carlisle at his side of the table. He leaned down and whispered something quickly in his ear. Much to her chagrin, she caught Carlisle's amused, blue eyes dart towards her, before quickly looking away, and a smirk across his lips as he responded to Edward in a whisper.
It was like high school all over again.
"All right, now that we have briefed you with your roles, I'm sure you'd like to know who you're answerable to," Alice began, her wide eyes brightening. "As I've been emphasizing again and again, MCB's organizational structure is pretty unconventional, as our roles––that includes yours––become more and more fluid as time passes, depending on the needs of the company. Now, we'll be assigning you to your mentors––managers, as other companies would call it––to properly guide you into your role. And the mentors who will be handling you are the others in this room today, and that would be me, and our very own MCB founders with us."
"Seriously?" Jared immediately blurted out, his expression pure surprise.
Edward tilted his head and feigned confusion. "I beg your pardon, Cameron? Do you have a problem with that?"
His face immediately turned bright pink. "No, sir."
"We don't do that here," he chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Please, call me Edward."
Bella had to purse her lips to hide her amusement.
"Yes," Alice continued, flashing a wide, knowing smile. "As you may have noticed, we have a very tight-knit and hands-on administration. It's what worked best for us for several years. Now, for your assignments."
Alice cleared her throat, as if to prolong the suspense.
"Jasper and Jared, you will both report directly to me," she began.
Bella caught Jasper's lip twitch upwards at the words, but he kept his eyes on his hands laid on the table.
"Rosalie, you will be handled by Carlisle, and of course, my dear Bella, you'll be under Edward."
Immediately, Bella looked up and faced the infuriating man in question, who was already watching her with his lips in a permanent, cocky smirk. Carlisle's eyes were also on her, his expression a strange mix of thoughtful and entertained.
She was successfully able to manage a polite smile, nodding slowly in Edward's direction. At this, Carlisle's grin widened.
"Are we all settled, then? Any more questions?" When there was silence, Alice continued, "Wonderful. Now, your mentors will take over from here and lead you to your respective office spaces. Come on, boys, let me show you all our toys."
Alice sauntered out of the room with her quick pace, forcing the two men to practically run out of the room after her. Rosalie stood up gracefully and walked to the other side of the table where Carlisle sat, and reached out a slender hand to him.
"I'm looking forward to learn from you, Carlisle," she said, her voice silky and melodic. For some reason, her stupid, seductive, perfect voice infuriated her.
Carlisle stared at her hand for a few moments, before standing up slowly to shake it. His eyes grazed over her two times before he responded, "Follow me."
The man had the nerve to wink in Bella's direction as he walked out of the room, guiding the annoyingly beautiful woman out of the room by the small of her back.
Now, she was left with Edward fucking Masen, who had remained seated on his end of the table, his head resting on his folded hands behind him. His eyes were still on her, and he just sat there. Waiting for her to be the one to approach her.
Putting back the polite smile on her face, Bella stood up and walked slowly in his direction, and put her hands behind her back when she stopped directly in front of him. Edward pursed his lips as he tilted his head, still saying nothing.
"Hello, Edward," she finally greeted.
"Bella, Bella, Bella," he murmured, shaking his head as he finally pulled himself to his feet. "What in the world am I going to do with you?"
"Show me to my office space, perhaps."
He chuckled then. "Of course. Right this way, ma'am."
As they walked side by side––she felt Edward's hand hover on her shoulder blades as he led her––he commented, "You know, I was expecting a more violent reaction back there with the assignments. I'd even made a bet on it with Carlisle. You just cost me two bucks."
"What kind of reaction were you hoping for?"
"At the very least, a scowl," he admitted. "Best case scenario, you throwing down your fists at the table again."
He mocked the gesture as he said it, and Bella grimaced. "And Carlisle?"
"Anything but."
She shook her head. "You just set yourself up to lose, then."
"Hmm. Yes, I've misread you this time." He stopped walking and gestured towards a door. "After you, love."
She rolled her eyes at the endearment and opened the door, but immediately felt her breath hitch at the sight of the room inside. It wasn't as large as the one she had in Swan Markets, yes, but it was close. And more beautifully decorated. It had the same grey, industrial aesthetic as the rest of the building, but they'd added a splash of color with a minimalist painting behind the desk. One whole wall was lined with bookshelves, which was mostly empty. But what really caught her eye was the shiny mini-fridge on the floor next to the desk.
When Bella opened it, it was completely filled with MCB beer. Naturally.
She looked up and saw Edward leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, smirking as he usually did.
"All this for someone you'd called, what was it, highly inexperienced, self-righteous, and spoiled?" she asked innocently, leaning her ass against the desk.
"Maybe I changed my mind."
"Hmm." She walked slowly towards him, crossing her arms as well. "What's your play, Edward?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you hire me? I'm sure my resume was not on the same level as the rest of your competitive pool of applicants. So what is it?"
Edward's smile disappeared, and he suddenly turned cold. "Not a lot of people can get into my head like that, Dwyer. Don't underestimate yourself. It's unbecoming." He walked past her and sat on her new desk, booting up the computer. "This morning, I want you to sift through these budget proposals. Have your insights ready by one. You think you can do that?"
Bella nodded. "I'll be ready by then."
"Good." Before he was completely out the door, he hung back and said, "To clarify, I'll be hearing your insights over lunch at the cafeteria. With some members of the local board and a couple of reps from the town council. You'll practically be presenting it to them, too, albeit casually."
She widened her eyes. "What?"
He finally smiled again, showing off a set of perfect teeth. "Prove to me you deserve this swanky office, Dwyer. Or better yet, prove it to yourself."
And he left without another word.
The meeting was casual, as Edward had promised. He and Edward were present––and she sat between them––while the other side of the table had their visitors.
Edward, through no fault of his own, had failed to tell her that one of them was the woman Carlisle had pressed up against the wall. Irina Winters, she remembered Edward introduce her, a representative of the public works department of the council. By the way she had widened her eyes, Bella was sure she recognized her, but both had politely shaken each other's hands anyway.
Carlisle didn't seem to be bothered by the situation. He ate his plateful of sea bass casually, chiming in the conversation naturally when needed. However, she noticed he avoided making any form of eye contact at the blond woman directly across from him.
She was able to present her insights when Edward had called on her to speak, but to be honest, she was mildly distracted by Irina's presence.
After the lunch was over and the guests had left, Carlisle turned to her, a strange apologetic expression on his face. However, before he could open his mouth to speak, Edward cleared his throat.
"Debriefing time, Carlisle," he said. "Off you go."
Carlisle sighed. He smiled meaningfully at Bella before he stood up and left the cafeteria.
"You good, Bella?" Edward asked, his expression stoic.
"Of course."
"You did well." A pause. "But I know you're capable of much better. You didn't even fight harder for the larger budget allocation for quality hops when the board questioned it."
"Why? Branson was right."
"No, Branson's an idiot," he said coolly. "And I'm sure you know it, even if you've just met him. I didn't see you as a pushover."
She fell silent, staring at the plate in front of her.
"Whatever's on your mind, Dwyer, I suggest you kill it," he continued, taking a swig of his beer. "Believe it or not, here at MCB, we love distractions, but only if it's kept outside work. Compartmentalize. Do you understand me?"
"Yes."
"Good girl." He raised his bottle, against which she reluctantly clinked her own glass.
It was already eight p.m., but Bella remained in her desk in deep concentration. She'd already finished her deliverables at MCB for the day, but was now on her own laptop and checking the work that had been done over at Swan.
She jumped at the loud knock on the door, and watched as Carlisle let himself in, leaving the door halfway open. He sat on the leather chair in front of her desk, sighing as he sunk in it.
"Ready to go home?"
Bella widened his eyes. Oh, fuck. She'd forgotten he'd driven her to work. "Oh, right, sure––"
"I can wait, you know," he murmured, leaning an elbow on the desk.
"I can continue this at home," she began, but Carlisle was already leaning over and pulling out a beer from the mini fridge. He shifted to cross his legs leisurely on the seat and pulled out his phone, and began to scroll through the news as he drank.
For some reason, this was comfortable. She continued reviewing SM paperwork and approving proposals while he sat patiently, humming a familiar tune.
After ten minutes, however, another knock came in the door.
"How was your first day, Bella?" Alice greeted enthusiastically, hopping to the front of her desk. "Edward says you were absolutely lovely."
Bella snorted. "Sure he did."
Carlisle chuckled softly.
"Say, I noticed your engagement ring's disappeared," Alice said, her eyes on Bella's hands on the keyboard.
Immediately, she stopped typing, and unconsciously halted her breath. Carlisle continued to scroll on his phone, but his brows had furrowed a bit at Alice's words.
"Oh, that ugly thing," Bella tried to laugh. "Yeah, we called it off."
Alice's eyebrows shot up immediately, and her small lips puckered to a frown. "I'm so sorry to hear that. What happened?" She settled on sitting on the edge of Bella's desk, leaning a hand on Carlisle's shoulder while she did.
"It's really pathetic," she admitted. "Apparently, he's been cheating on me with my best friend for almost a year."
Carlisle's hand stopped moving, his expression unreadable. Alice's face was frozen in surprise.
"Like I said, pathetic," Bella sighed, closing the windows on her laptop and setting the screen down.
"How are you feeling now? You know what, how about we go out for drinks tonight? My treat––"
"Alice," Carlisle suddenly said, his voice soft. He patted her hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps some other time, hmm?"
She eyed him strangely, before releasing a deep sigh. She turned to Bella then, saying, "Just know I'm here for you, Bella. Anything you need. It's my job to keep you happy, after all."
Bella smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you, Alice. I really appreciate that."
The woman waved at the two of them before walking briskly out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Bella began packing her things into her bag, and she caught Carlisle staring at her as she did. There was that sad, melancholy expression on his face again. He stood up as soon as she put the strap on her shoulder, and followed closely behind her as she left the room.
It was when they were going down the stairs that she finally turned to face him and said, "Stop it."
He looked genuinely surprised, leaning back against the banister. "What?"
"Stop looking at me like I'm some limping puppy or something," she said frustratedly, looking at him straight in the eye. "I'm okay. I don't need your pity."
Carlisle's eyes turned stormy. "I don't pity you."
"Okay. Good." Bella swiftly turned away and began walking again.
They didn't speak again until they were inside the car. Carlisle turned the engine and lights on, but made no move to drive. After a few seconds of deafening silence, he turned slightly in her direction, and said, "Open the bottom drawer."
Bella narrowed her eyes at him. When she didn't move, he released a sharp breath and leaned over––the back of his head was so close to her face that she got lost in the scent of his shampoo and expensive cologne––to open the drawer himself. He reached inside and pulled out a small box, and sat back up in his seat to plop the item on her lap.
"What––" She immediately froze at the feel of the familiar shape. Could it be?
When her small fingers managed to pry open the velvety box, she immediately gasped at the sight of the ring inside. It wasn't simple like the one Mike had given to her, but a beautiful silver band with a large oval, shimmering gem on top. Even in the dim light, it reflected back a few rays and prisms.
What in the world was an expensive engagement ring doing in Carlisle's car?
When she finally looked up at the man, she found him staring at the box in her hands with the same melancholy and sadness. He blinked slowly, then turned his electric cerulean orbs to hers in a piercing gaze. "I don't pity you," he said for the second time that night. "I was just reminded of something."
"Is this yours?"
He chuckled humorlessly. "Unfortunately, yes. I never got the chance to give it."
She released a slow, shaky breath. "Well––What happened?"
"We're in the same boat, sweetheart," Carlisle said simply, a small twisted smile on his lips. "Trust and hearts broken."
He began to drive, and for the first time, Bella was too distracted to notice his fast, possibly illegal, erratic driving. She spent most of the short trip looking back and forth between the box on her lap and the man with stormy blue eyes next to her.
Who could have possibly broken this man's heart? How was that even possible?
It had only taken ten minutes for them to reach Bella's driveway. He pulled to a stop slowly, and shifted the car in park. Most likely expecting questions.
"Why is it in your car?" Bella managed.
"I shoved it in there the day I found out," he said in a monotone, looking straight ahead.
She picked up the ring and began twirling it between her fingers. From the corner of her eye, Carlisle watched the gem glitter in her hands.
"How long ago?"
"Fourteen months."
Bella turned to face him. "And? How are you now?"
Carlisle's expression softened, and against the ambient light of the lanterns on the grass, he looked like a literal angel. "It gets better. Trust me."
"I know," she sighed, putting the ring back in its box, and returning the item into the drawer. "It just has to suck first, right?"
"Not necessarily," he disagreed. "Some people have the gift to bounce right back."
Bella chuckled. "If you've really moved on, then that thing shouldn't even be in your car."
"I didn't say I was one of those people."
She looked up at him then, and was suddenly conscious of how close his face was to hers. He'd leaned over his elbow on the leather between the two front seats. His eyes still pierced her own, but occasionally roamed her face, and she could've sworn they lingered on her lips a couple of times.
"Do you want to come in?" she heard herself whisper. "For a nightcap, maybe?"
And immediately, his expression darkened. There was a flash of something dangerous in his eyes, and she heard him release an uneven breath. He looked down at her lips shamelessly this time, but his gaze was nothing like she'd seen back at the bonfire with Irina fucking Winters; there was a strange mix of sadness, helplessness, and hesitation in them. His hand reached up to the side of her face, and then she felt it––two gentle fingers tracing the side of her face.
Suddenly, they froze as the reached the edge of her jaw, and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut. Sucking in a deep breath, he pulled away as quickly as he came onto her.
"I'll pick you up again in the morning," he said quietly, clenching his jaw and opening his eyes again.
Bella stared at him for a few more moments, then eventually nodded politely. She opened her door, and before leaving, she said, "Good night, Carlisle."
"See you tomorrow."
Carlisle stood on the balcony of his home, gazing at the void-like nothingness between the pine trees. He listened to the deafening crickets intently, as his hands toyed with the small velvety box that had once crushed his heart whenever he looked at it.
He took a drag from his cigarette as he flipped it over several times. Nothing. Not even a slight pang, or a minute tingle in his chest.
Instinctively, he looked up to his right when the bedroom lights over at the craftsman home switched off. He stared at the white house for a few seconds more before facing the void again.
Without another moment's thought, he hurled the little box as far as he could into the trees.
Bella lay awake in her bed, staring at the wooden ceiling.
Her first day was…good, to say the least. Fruitful. Eventful. It was just the end of the day that confused her, and was keeping her from falling asleep.
She lifted her hand to the side of her face, tracing what the two gentle, slender fingers had touched. Immediately, she shivered, and felt a familiar heat between her thighs. Closing her eyes, she used her free hand to wander under her nightdress.
For the first time in years, she dreamt of a man other than the ex-fiancé who had broken her heart. She dreamt of sad, cerulean eyes roving her body and gentle fingers roaming every inch of her skin. She dreamt of running her hands through smooth, silky golden hair with strawberry blond streaks. Finally, she dreamt of plump, pink lips, and what they must feel like against her own.
She screamed the man's name when she climaxed, and as soon as she came down for her high, she knew she was officially screwed.
A/N: Thank you for reading!