The weather somehow matched my emotions as I sat there staring out the massive window of my office two days later.
Jason had urged me to move, two days, so I followed his advice. With his help, of course.
I found a house that met my new safety requirements. It had a gate around the premises, along with enough room that I wouldn't need to worry about being found.
It was great.
While moving to a new residence to make it more difficult to find me; it would also make it more difficult to commute, so I took Jason's advice, and hired a driver of my own.
I made sure that the deal on the house was done on the down low, so nobody caught wind of it.
It could take up to two weeks for the deal to get through, so I was going to continue staying at Jason's condo while that happened.
In the meanwhile, I turned my focus to my work.
I had managed to get in contact with each one of my writers, and had done a FaceTime with each one, apologizing profusely for what had happened before explaining about the current situation.
I almost sighed in relief when they all agreed to continue with the company.
There were different situations present at the company, which I knew I had to handle promptly.
First, fixing the rest of the mess that Jen left in her wake. Second, Callum's business deal, which I was now handling without Rose. Since I was still peeved at her. And third, dealing with Charles Swan.
I knew that pouting around the apartment was not going to do anything, so I decided to get back to work.
Bree knew something was wrong the moment I stepped out of the elevator.
"Hey, how was- oh." She trailed off.
"Hold all calls, except business calls." I told her as I passed her and went to my office.
She nodded as she stood behind her desk, leather binder in hand.
"Call Seth, tell him to hold all coffee orders until I come back. Come to my office in twenty minutes. Then call Jenks, Marcus, Sasha and Tanya and tell them I need to speak to them today, at noon if possible." I told her.
"Yes, ma'am." She says as I make my way into my office and close the door.
As soon as I was safely locked away in my office, I slid off my coat, hanging it on the coat rack by the door, before making my way to my desk.
Paying close attention to detail, so I don't allow my mind to wander, I start with resorting my filing cabinet, which proves to be a task within itself, before moving on to answer my emails, and rearrange my desk.
Luckily, many emails are basic questions which can be answered in one paragraph, while others looked more like an essay.
My head was beginning to hurt, and it wasn't even lunch time.
It was just after one when I decided that I should probably go eat something, but I wasn't in the mood to leave the safety or comfort of my office.
As I was debating whether or not to order something, a knock resounded from the door.
Tanya walked in a moment later, along with Sasha, Jason, Marcus and Bree.
"You wished to speak to us?" Tanya asked as she lowered herself into the chair across from me.
I nodded, "I need to go to New York for a few days. I have a meeting with Sebastian Callum, and I need to stay away for a few days." I inform them.
Tanya looks over at Marcus and Jason before she sighs, "Don't worry about it. We're handling the situation on this end. Take all the time you need. The Lord knows how much you need some time to yourself." She speaks.
I nod, "True. Fortunately for me, I have amazing, capable people who I can trust to handle everything while I deal with Callum." I replied.
Sasha nods, "Madison and Tanya have decided to join forces to handle the situation, they'll be releasing a statement on your behalf sometime tomorrow." She informs me.
I blink, and look towards Tanya, who nods, "Madison had some great insight and ideas, so, I figured this was better than to wait a week longer." She says with a shrug.
I sigh, "Right, well, let me know if I need to do anything, before I leave." I tell her as I spin the ring on my index finger.
She nods, "I will."
We exchange a few other things before everyone leaves.
Tanya, hesitating, "Take Bree, Sasha, and Kate with you." She tells me.
I blink, "I thought Kate was busy doing work for a different agency?" I questioned.
She shakes her head, "That is Irina, and she's taken a liking to one of the guys working there so we won't be seeing her for a while." She replies flatly.
I snort, "Let her enjoy her freedom while she has it." I reply amused.
She rolls her eyes as she brings her hand up to rub her head, a flash momentarily blinding me for a second before I hone in on the massive rock on her left hand.
"Where did you get that?" I asked, amused.
She blinks, and looks down at her hand, "Oh, this? I bought a cheap ring online to keep the fucking pigs away." She sighs.
I hummed, "That is- genius actually. I might need to do the same. Especially after the Cromwell incident the other night." I sighed.
She frowns, "Right, Rose told me about that shit. My dad also got a call this morning from Edwin Cullen." She informs me.
I tilt my head, blinking as I take in what she said, before swallowing, and snatching a paper weight from the top of my desk. "Wah- Why?" I asked, quietly.
She lets out an amused laugh, "Apparently Cromwell put out a statement that he saw you and Edwin's son very cozy in one of the back rooms… he's the one the got the pictures and everything… so Edwin is paying my dad to discredit every single thing that Cromwell has ever said. But that's just in public, from what I know apparently Edwin was a major shareholder in Cromwell's business and company, that money is also gone now. Cromwell has essentially been left in ruins because he couldn't hold his tongue." She tells me.
"Why did Edwin do this?" I asked, confused.
The smile on her face turns cold as she looks at me, "Didn't you know? Edwin Cullen is known to be very protective of his family, if you mess with any of them… he's not gonna hesitate to take what you value most." She tells me.
I frown at the paper weight, spinning it in my hands before looking up at her, " Interesting." I breath.
She hums in response as she stands, "It is. So is you not eating. Come on, Rose told me about everything that happened the last few days, and the episode you had. We're going to go eat some good food and you are going to let me help you relax until you need to come back." She says.
I sigh, hesitating for a moment before I get up, snatching my purse from the shelf behind me, before moving to get my coat, and following her out the door.
I lock my office, and slip my coat on as she patiently waits for me.
"Good choice." She says before leading me to the elevator.
Lunch turned to be a few hours long.
Tanya took me to a restaurant downtown, following with a mini spa day, which she promised would be the last thing before she allowed me to go back to the office.
By the time I made it back to the office, Derek was waiting for me with Bree.
"Ms. Swan?" He asked as Tanya, and I walked in.
I nod, "You must be Derek. Nice to meet you. I am sorry to keep you waiting. I got busy. Did Jason speak to you?" I asked.
He nodded, "Yes, I passed the drug test, and background check. He told me to wait here for you." He said.
I nod, before realizing that Tanya was still standing there with me.
"Oh, uh, Derek, this is Tanya Volturi. She is a part of my public relations team. Tanya, this is Derek Biers, he's going to be my head security." I introduced them.
Tanya and Derek stare at each other for a long time before Tanya snaps out of whatever trance she's in, and smiles, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Biers." She says before turning to look at me. "Uh, Bee, I've got to head back, I'll call you when I know something." She says before she rushes to catch the elevator, and disappears faster than I could utter a response.
I sigh, knowing what just happened before turning to look at Derek, "Mr. Biers, follow me to my office, and I will explain everything to you." I say.
Derek has a calculating look by the time I finish explaining to him everything.
"Ms. Swan, I think it best if you allow me to call a few buddies of mine. This situation seems very fishy to me, and I would like to make sure that I can do everything humanly possible to keep you safe. Also, since I am head of the security team of your personal team, I want to make sure that you have the best of the best. Do I have your permission?" He asks.
I hesitate before nodding, "Do whatever you need to do. I will gladly pay. Just make sure you run it by Jason first, he handles the security cameras." I informed him.
He nods, "That will be my job along with Tyler's from I.T." He responds.
I nod, "Get it done. I am currently living in a condo, temporarily. In a week or so, I will be moving to my new home. The house is big, I am sure there's enough space for you and the team to work something out. Are you okay with that?" I ask.
He nods, "I've lived in worse conditions ma'am. This won't be bad." He tells me.
I give him a small smile, "I want you to feel comfortable here. So, let me know if you need anything. Tyler has your company phone, and lanyard. Let me know if you need anything." I tell him.
He nods as he gets up and makes his way out the door.
Once he leaves, I get back to work, trying to do as much as I can before I have to leave.
As I am working my way through some manuscripts, the intercom buzzes to life, "Yes?" I answer.
"Ms. Swan, there's someone here to see you. Uh, he says that it is important." Bree says.
"I wasn't expecting anyone, who is it, Bree?" I asked.
"Someone by the name of Edwin Cullen?" She says, questioningly.
I sigh, "Let him through." I say.
I slide the manuscripts into my desk drawn, and clear the top of the desk, as I hear a knock on the door, "Come in." I call.
The door opens, and he sighs as I lean back, I looked up from the computer of my office to find Edwin standing in the doorway.
"Ms. Swan, I'd like a word with you." He said, as Bree stood there wide eyed.
I gave him a blank stare, before looking at Bree with a reassuring smile. "It's alright, Bree. Mr. Cullen is here on business." I told her.
She hesitates in the doorway before nodding and closing the doors behind herself.
Edwin gives her an all too familiar smirk as he watches her leave before turning to look at me.
I remain seated as he makes his way across the room and folds himself into one of the chairs.
A few moments pass between us, wordlessly staring at one another before he sighs in defeat.
"You are one tough nut to crack, Ms. Swan." He finally says.
I raise a brow, as I lean back, interlacing my fingers together in front of me, staring at him expressionlessly. "How so?" I ask.
"I've been trying to get a hold of you all day. I even called the reception, and they told me you were out for lunch. After that I decided to just drop by and see you personally." He informs.
I nod, and hum in response. "What can I help you with today? Why are you here, Mr. Cullen?" I asked, keeping my tone polite.
He gives me a surprised look, "We're back to formalities?" He asks, amused.
I stare back blankly, "I don't think formalities ever stopped, sir. My mother raised me to be polite, even with the rudest person." I snipped back.
He chuckles in response and nods. "An amazing job she did." He compliments.
I nod, appreciatively. "Thank you. Now, what can I do for you?" I asked.
He lets out a long breath, looking down at the floor, before he looks up at me. "Edward didn't want to keep anything from you. I was the one who insisted he do so. If you're gonna be angry... be angry at me." He finally says.
I raise a brow at him. "So, him saying he wasn't close to you... and practically estranged from your family is your lie?" I asked.
He blinks, "I'm afraid to tell you that was true... at first. See, what the Callaghans along with— well you already know— what they did to Edward made him question everything. He didn't trust us at all when we first found him." He explains.
I nod, as I wrap my head around what he told me. "That doesn't explain why he kept to himself about being the COO of your company, or why he asked for a loan from me when he clearly has money." I replied.
"That was actually very recently. See, I don't make a lot of things public. This got out because of the entire ordeal with Mateo Cromwell. It wasn't official until a few hours before he met up with you at the restaurant, and he was still debating whether or not to accept. He doesn't want anything to do with the company even though he is fucking amazing with numbers and at negotiations. It's not what he wants, and I respect that. He asked you for the loan because he doesn't want to feel like a burden. Again that is all on the Callaghans." He informed me.
I sighed, "Edward made it seem like he got along with the Callaghans…." I whispered.
"He feels embarrassed about a lot of things that happened to him. Don't judge him too harshly." He says.
I close my eyes and let out a slow breath. "I'm still angry at him, I don't know if I can trust him again, or even if I should, especially after all of this." I tell him flatly.
He nods, "I know. But you will. In time… People make mistakes when they fall in love." He tells me, with a small smile.
I let out a humorless laugh, "Love doesn't fit into this equation, Mr. Cullen. In fact, your son showed me quite the opposite by lying to me. What's more, I can't trust anyone but a small group of people anymore." I replied.
He gives me a sad smile before nodding, "It's understandable... but that's something for you to figure out, so, I won't disrupt your day any longer. It was good to see you, Ms. Swan, and I meant what I said to you the other day... Call me if you need anything. Here's my card." He says as he gets up and leaves without another word.
I stare at the spot he vacated, a knot forming in my throat as I do.
I left the office soon after that. Locking away everything before I did.
The phone in my pocket hadn't stopped ringing since Edwin left.
I had just about had it, as I exited the elevator and made my way to the large black SUV with tinted windows that was waiting for me.
Derek stood there, waiting to open the door for me as I slowly approached.
"Evening ma'am." He greets.
I smile and nod, as he opens the back door for me, helping me into the SUV before he gets into the passenger's side.
I sighed as I slipped my seatbelt on, and leaned back my head.
"Ms. Swan, this is Ethan Abernathy, he is a friend of mine who specializes in security." Derek informs me.
I hum, "What happened to Saul?" I asked.
Derek made a disapproving noise in the back of his throat, "Saul was let go. He has two arrest warrants pending. One for domestic battery, and the other for aggravated assault." He informs me.
I blink, "Jason checked his-" I trailed off.
Derek shook his head, "They're pending in Colorado. Not Washington. I called law enforcement and had them arrest him." He replies.
I nod approvingly as he continued, "Sam Uley, Eadon Richards, Mikhail Ivanov, and Jaime Reyes are the group I managed to get on such short notice. They'll arrive on Monday, and pending the drug test, and background check they'll be the ones who are in the security detail. Andre will be in charge of the gate while the rest of us will be security inside the building." He informs me.
I nod again, "There's only one hiccup in your plans, Derek." I tell him.
He turns to give me a confused look, "Ma'am?" He asked.
"How is that going to work with us leaving tomorrow morning for New York? We won't be back until next Monday." I informed him
He blinks before pulling out his phone. "Don't worry ma'am. I'll handle it. Everything will be alright by the time we get back." He says.
I nod, turning my head to the side to look out the window, watching the lights of the city pass us by as we headed to the condo.
As soon as I walked into the condo, I nearly jumped out of my skin as I saw Edward sitting on the lounge chair in the corner of the room.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, once I controlled my pulse.