Two

A Shattered First Impression

Alice leads me through the bustling crowd, away from the scene of my humiliation, and into a quieter hallway off the main event space. She's chatting easily, her voice warm and reassuring, but I can barely focus on her words. My mind is still stuck on the mess I've just made of my first impression with Edward Cullen—who, incidentally, is not just any guest, but Alice's brother and the architect behind tonight's event.

"Don't worry, we'll have you sorted out in no time," Alice says with a smile as she pushes open a door to a small lounge area. "It's nothing a little ingenuity and some fashion magic can't fix. We can't have my PR guru fretting over a bit of spilled champagne, can we?"

Her words snap me back to the present. Right—I'm not just any guest here; I'm representing Alice's brand on behalf of my agency. This event is crucial for both our reputations. I can't let one clumsy encounter derail everything, especially with Alice's new collection being showcased tonight.

"Of course not," I reply, forcing a smile. "I'm here to make sure everything goes smoothly for you tonight, especially with your launch."

Alice gestures for me to sit on the plush sofa, and I do so, still feeling the cold dampness of the champagne clinging to my skin. My mind is racing—how could I have been so careless? And why did it have to be Edward Cullen who I ran into, of all people?

Alice is already rifling through a nearby wardrobe, pulling out an array of high-end clothing. "You're about my size, right? I think we can find something here that will work for the rest of the night. No need to let a little champagne ruin your evening—or our PR strategy."

I nod, grateful for her kindness but still feeling utterly mortified. "Thank you, Alice. I really appreciate this. I just… I didn't mean to make a scene, especially tonight."

Alice waves off my thanks with a grin. "It's no problem at all. Besides, this gives me a chance to show off my new collection in an unexpected way. A lot of the women here are already wearing my designs, so why not add you to that list?"

She hands me a stunning dress from her latest line—a sleek black number, simple yet elegant, and definitely something I would never have been able to afford on my own. "Try this on. It should fit perfectly, and black is always a safe choice. Plus, it'll keep the focus on the event, where it belongs."

I take the dress and disappear into the adjoining bathroom, quickly slipping out of my ruined outfit. As I pull the new dress over my head, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My face is still flushed from the encounter, and my hair is slightly dishevelled, but the dress fits like a glove. It's a small comfort, knowing that I can at least look the part for the rest of the evening.

When I emerge, Alice claps her hands together in delight. "You look fantastic! See? Crisis averted, and now you're part of the collection launch."

"Thank you," I say again, feeling a bit more composed now that I'm no longer dripping in champagne. "I'm so embarrassed… I didn't mean to complicate things for you, especially tonight."

Alice shakes her head, her expression turning serious for a moment. "Don't be. Edward can be… intense, but he's not the type to hold a grudge over something like this. Besides, it's not every day you get to make such a memorable first impression."

I can't help but laugh a little at that, though it's still tinged with anxiety. "I suppose you're right. Memorable, at least. But I'm also here to make sure your collection launch goes off without a hitch."

"And you will," she reassures me, her smile returning. "Just remember, this is all part of the job. We adapt, we improvise, and we keep things moving forward. You're representing me, and I trust you to do that brilliantly—champagne incidents and all."

With Alice's encouragement, I start to feel a bit steadier. "You're right. Let's get back out there and make sure this event is everything you envisioned."

With Alice by my side, we head back into the event, and I can't help but notice the way she effortlessly commands attention as we move through the crowd. She introduces me to a few key people, making sure to highlight my role as her PR representative, which helps me regain my footing as the evening progresses. But every now and then, I catch Edward's gaze from across the room, his expression unreadable.

As the night wears on, I can't shake the feeling that our paths are going to cross again—and not just because of the champagne.

As the evening progresses, the chatter in the room begins to die down, signalling that something important is about to happen. I notice the subtle shift as the spotlight moves towards the small stage set up in the centre of the room. Alice, always effortlessly graceful, steps up to the microphone, her smile radiant as she looks out over the crowd.

"Good evening, everyone," she begins, her voice carrying across the room with ease. "I want to thank you all for being here tonight. This event is particularly special to me because it's not just a showcase of my latest collection—it's a celebration of the incredible people who make everything possible."

The crowd listens intently, and I find myself smiling at Alice's warmth and sincerity. She goes on to thank her team, her clients, and the many women in the room who are wearing her designs. It's clear that this night is a big deal for her, and I feel a swell of pride in knowing that I'm playing a part in it. I make sure to capture some footage of her speech for her to share on social media.

As Alice continues her speech, I feel a presence beside me. Glancing to my left, I'm not entirely surprised to see Edward standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever. For a moment, we just stand in silence, watching Alice as she speaks. The tension from our earlier encounter still lingers, but there's something else now—an unspoken undercurrent that I can't quite put my finger on.

Alice finishes her speech with a final round of thanks and a toast to the future. She tells the crowd she can't wait to see them all at the official fashion show next weekend—another event I'm excited to work at. The room erupts in applause, and as she steps down from the stage, she's immediately surrounded by well-wishers and admirers. I can't help but feel a sense of relief that everything seems to be going according to plan.

"That was quite the speech," I say to Edward, attempting to break the silence between us.

He nods slightly, his eyes still focused on the stage. "Alice always knows how to work a crowd."

There's a pause, and then he turns to look at me, his gaze intense. "You seem to have recovered from our little… incident earlier."

I stiffen slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "Yes, thanks to Alice. She was kind enough to help me out."

He raises an eyebrow, his expression hardening. "Alice always has a way of making everything seem perfect, doesn't she?"

I'm not sure how to respond to that, so I simply nod, feeling the tension between us grow. There's something almost harsh in the way he speaks, as if there's a bitterness beneath the surface that he's barely holding back.

Edward continues, his voice lower now, almost a murmur. "Just remember, Miss Swan, appearances can be deceiving. Not everything—or everyone—is as flawless as they seem."

How did he learn my last name?

There's a sharpness to his words that takes me aback, and I feel my pulse quicken. "I… I'm aware of that."

He smirks, but there's no warmth in it. "Good. I'd hate for you to be caught off guard again."

With that, he turns and walks away, leaving me standing there with a mix of confusion and unease. The applause for Alice's speech is still ringing in my ears, but all I can focus on is the unsettling feeling that Edward Cullen is not someone to be underestimated.

The event is finally winding down. Guests are slowly trickling out, and the once-bustling room now feels quieter, almost serene. I take a moment to stand near the large windows that overlook the city, the lights twinkling below as if mirroring the glittering atmosphere inside.

My mind keeps replaying the events of the evening—the accidental champagne incident, Alice's graciousness, and, of course, Edward's sharp words. The more I think about it, the more unsettled I feel. There was something in his tone, something that hinted at more than just frustration over a spilled drink. It was as if he was warning me, though I can't quite figure out what for.

As I stare out at the city, I wonder how someone like Edward Cullen could carry so much intensity in such a polished exterior. And why did his words affect me so deeply? I'm supposed to be focused on my work, on making sure Alice's launch is a success, but all I can think about is that brief, unsettling conversation with her brother.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I jump slightly at the sound of Alice's voice. She's appeared beside me, a soft smile on her face as she looks out at the view.

"Oh, just… thinking about the night," I say, trying to keep my tone light.

"Good thoughts, I hope?" she asks, her gaze warm and encouraging.

I nod, forcing a smile. "Yes. Everything went perfectly, and your speech was wonderful."

Alice looks pleased, but there's a knowing glint in her eye. "I'm glad to hear that. But, if I may, it seems like something else is on your mind."

For a moment, I consider brushing it off, but something in Alice's kind expression makes me feel like I can be honest with her. "It's nothing, really. Just… your brother. He's a bit… intense, isn't he?"

Alice laughs softly. "That's one way to put it. Edward can be… complicated. But he means well, even if it doesn't always come across that way."

"Does he?" I ask, genuinely curious.

She nods, her expression softening with understanding. "Edward's had to carry a lot on his shoulders, especially after our parents passed. Sometimes that makes him seem harsh, but underneath it all, he's a good person. Just… guarded."

I hesitate for a moment before speaking. "I'm really sorry about your parents, Alice. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for both of you."

Alice's smile turns bittersweet, but she nods appreciatively. "Thank you, Bella. It was hard, and it still is sometimes. But Edward and I have always looked out for each other, and that's what gets us through."

Her words give me a new perspective on Edward, but they also raise more questions. Why is he so guarded? What exactly has he been through? And why does it feel like he was trying to warn me about something?

Alice squeezes my arm gently, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Don't let him get to you, Bella. You're doing a fantastic job, and I'm so glad to have you on my team."

"Thanks, Alice," I say, feeling a bit more reassured. "I'm really looking forward to the fashion show next weekend."

"Me too," she replies with a smile. "And don't worry, we'll make sure it's even better than tonight."

As Alice moves to say goodnight to a few remaining guests, I'm left alone with my thoughts once again. There's a lot to think about—about tonight, about Edward, and about the next steps in this unexpected journey.

But for now, I take a deep breath, letting the city lights calm my racing mind. There will be time to figure it all out later.

Thanks for reading! Please drop me a review if you're enjoying x