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A Second Chance
7
"Ah, are you sure, Bella?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Pick the place and send me the location. Can you give me thirty minutes to get ready?" He asked her.
"Yeah, sure,"
"See you later then, goodbye."
Bella ended the call and took a deep breath. She felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She had done it. Now she had to decide where to meet. She chose a coffee shop downtown, the place where they order pastries for the company.
The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes as she waited. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of rain from outside. The chatter of other patrons and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine created a comforting backdrop to her tumultuous thoughts.
As Edward pushed through the door, Bella felt her heart flutter as the anxiety for the meeting spread to her body. His eyes searched the room, and when they found her, a warm smile spread across his face.
They ordered their usual drinks – a latte for her and a black coffee for him. The barista nodded in recognition as they had been regular customers before. With drinks in hand, they found a cozy corner booth.
As they settled in, Edward took a sip of his coffee, eyeing Bella over the rim of his cup. "So, what's on your mind?" he asked gently, setting the mug down.
Bella played with the cardboard sleeve on her latte, avoiding eye contact.
"I need to talk to you about something important," she began, her voice quieter than the rain outside.
Edward leaned in, his eyes searching hers for a hint of what was to come. "Okay," he said, his tone measured.
"It's about that night," Bella started, her cheeks flushing at the memory of their kiss. The night had been a blur of emotions – shock, confusion, and a spark of something she hadn't felt in a long time. She took a sip of her latte, the warmth doing little to soothe her nerves.
Edward nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "I've thought about it too," he admitted, his voice low.
"Were you really working or avoiding me?" Bella asked suddenly leaving him perplexed. Why would she think such a thing?
"I've been working Bella, I don't have a reason to avoid you. Yes, I know I overstepped, but I didn't want to push you when you needed space."
Her eyes searched his, looking for the truth. "It's not that," she said. "I just need to understand what it meant."
Edward took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. "Bella, that kiss was... unexpected. For me too," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But it was real. It's been a long time since I felt that way." He repeated.
Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign of doubt or regret, but found none. "And what does it mean for us?" she whispered.
Edward sighed, his hand reaching for hers across the table. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I know I can't ignore it either."
"But what will happen to me...my job if I decide not to pursue anything with you?"
Edward's hand tightened around hers reassuringly. "Bella, nothing changes between us at work. I care about you, but I also respect you. Your job is secure."
"So you will just endure it? My presence I mean." Edward looked at her surprised at her words.
"What do you mean, Bella?"
Bella's eyes met Edward's, and she saw the confusion in his gaze. She took a deep breath and spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "The kiss, Edward... It changed everything."
He nodded slowly, still holding her hand. "I know it did," he said, his voice low. "But I don't want to lose you. Not as a friend, not as a colleague."
"I guess it will take some time, but I'm sure I will eventually get over you." Edward said resigned, the words felt bitter as he said them.
"How can you say that when you said you've had feelings for me for a year? Then what you feel isn't true."
"Bella," Edward began, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "What I feel for you is true. The kiss...it was real. But I know you're going through a difficult time, and I don't want to make it harder."
"We are going in circles here," Edward pointed out.
"I know," Bella nodded. "But we can't just ignore what happened."
Edward leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "I'm not saying we should ignore it," he clarified. "But we also can't let it consume us. We need to find a way to move forward."
Bella took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay," she said, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "So, what do we do now?"
"You know how I feel and you also know your job is secure regardless of what happened. The ball is in your court, Bella."
Bella took a moment to process his words. It was a heavy burden to carry, knowing that she could potentially ruin everything. She looked up at him with a determination she didn't know she had. "I know," she said finally.
"What is it you are asking?" Could her mother be right? Could Edward be her second chance?
"I'm asking for a chance," Edward said, his eyes earnest. "One date. Just to show you what it could be like between us, outside of work, without any pressure."
Bella's eyes widened, and she felt a flutter in her stomach. She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward...Although he always says what he thinks. She took a sip of her latte, considering his proposal.
"What if it doesn't work out?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Then we'll know we gave it a shot," Edward said, his expression earnest. "But I believe in us, Bella. I think we could be great together."
Bella studied him, his confidence in their potential future making her heart race. She had felt the same spark, the same connection, but fear held her back. What if it didn't work out? What if it ruined everything they had? But as she sat there, looking into his sincere eyes, she realized that not taking a chance scared her even more. She didn't want her future marred by a 'what if'.
"Okay," she finally said, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension. "One weekend."
Edward's face lit up, his smile reaching his eyes. "Thank you for giving us this chance," he said, squeezing her hand gently.
"Wait, did you say weekend?" Edward asked.
"Yeah," Bella said with a nervous laugh, realizing she had just agreed to spend an entire weekend with him. "One weekend. To see if we can handle it."
"Bella," Edward said, his voice filled with hope. "Thank you for giving us a chance."
Her mother was in the kitchen when she got home, the sound of chopping vegetables a comforting background noise as Bella walked in. She took a deep breath and decided to spill the beans. "Mom," she began, her voice tentative. "I've got something to tell you."
Her mom looked up from the cutting board, her eyes curious. "What is it, sweetie?" she asked, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
Bella took a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm going to spend the weekend with Edward."
Her mother's chopping paused mid-air, the knife hovering over the half-sliced onion. She turned to face Bella, her eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Bella took a deep breath and recounted the conversation with Edward. "He asked me out for a date, just to see if there's something more between us. But I said a whole weekend."
Renee's eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face. "Oh, Bella," she said, setting the knife down. "That's wonderful! You deserve to be happy."
Bella felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Her mother's reaction was more positive than she had expected. "But what if it doesn't work out?" she asked, her voice still unsure.
Renee walked over to her, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Sweetie, you can't live your life in fear of what might happen," she said, placing a hand on Bella's shoulder. "You need to take chances, especially when it comes to matters of the heart."
With her mother's words echoing in her mind, Bella decided to pack for the weekend. She pulled out a small carry-on bag from her closet, the fabric smooth and familiar under her fingertips. She laid it open on her bed and began to consider what to bring. The scent of her favorite lavender detergent filled the room as she pulled out a selection of clothes – jeans, trousers, blouses, and a few dresses for good measure. The anticipation grew with each item she placed in the bag.
Carefully, she packed her toiletries into a clear, zipped pouch. She placed the pouch on top of her pajama and lounge sets. The click of the zipper felt like a seal on her decision. Her hand hovered over her makeup, choosing the most natural shades. She didn't want to pretend to be someone else for Edward; she wanted him to see her as she truly was. The rain outside had turned into a gentle patter, mirroring the rhythm of her thoughts as she debated whether to bring her favorite novel or leave it behind. She decided to bring it anyway as sometimes she had trouble sleeping.
They agreed to start their weekend on Thursday since once a month Edward gave all the employees the afternoon off. For their convenience, this Thursday was that day.
Bella arrived home with a mix of excitement and nerves. She walked through the quiet house, her footsteps echoing through the hallways. She hadn't been looking forward to a date this much since before James. As she climbed the stairs to her room, she thought back to all the times Edward had been there for her, his kindness and patience, and she knew she had to give this a chance.
With shaky hands, she pulled out her favorite dress from the closet – a simple black number that James had never appreciated. She had bought it on a whim, hoping he'd notice, but he never did. Edward, on the other hand, always noticed the little things. She slipped into it, the fabric whispering against her skin, and took a deep breath. Looking in the mirror, she felt beautiful, hopeful.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Edward. "I'll be there in ten minutes." She could feel the excitement building up in her chest, her heart racing like it was trying to escape her ribcage. She took one final look in the mirror, a smile playing on her lips.
As Edward pulled up in his sleek car, an Aston Martin he'd just gotten for his birthday in June, Bella felt a rush of butterflies. She had seen him drive it to work before, but this was the first time she was getting in it.
"Hello," Edward said as he handed her a bouquet of tulips.
"How did you know?" Bella asked, surprised.
"I'm very observant," he said. Bella's office was decorated with paintings of tulips, she even had a tulip pen on her desk.
She walked to the passenger side, Edward held the door open for her. The engine purred like a contented cat, and the leather seats felt warm and inviting as she slid into the passenger seat.
"It's lunch rush, where are we going?" Bella asked as they left the residential complex her parents lived in.
"I made reservations at the Blue Sushi Sake Grill," Edward said, his voice filled with excitement.
"Oh, I've heard good things about that place," Bella replied, trying to hide the sudden spike in her nerves.
Edward's eyes flickered to hers briefly before returning to the road. "I hope you enjoy it," he said, his tone hinting at his excitement.
After they ordered, Bella remained silent and looked pensive. Edward noticed this and asked her what she was thinking.
Bella sighed and explained that she was worried about what people would say. It wasn't that she was a person who cared what others said about her, but she didn't want gossip going on behind her back.
"Edward, I'm fifteen years younger than you," she confessed, her voice low.
He glanced at her, "Age is just a number, Bella."
Bella looked at him skeptically. "That's what everyone says," she murmured, playing with her chopsticks.
"But not everyone means it," Edward replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
Bella looked at him, trying to read the sincerity in his gaze. "What if it's not enough?" she whispered.
Edward took a deep breath before responding. "Then we'll deal with it," he said, his voice firm. "But let's not write ourselves off before we've even begun."
"I like you, period," Edward replied. Bella couldn't help but smile at his confidence.
"Have you found a place to live?" Edward asked changing the subject.
"I've been looking, but it's hard to find something affordable and decent," Bella replied. "I don't know how long I can stay with my parents. I have some listings I want to see,"
"Let me help you," Edward offered, placing his hand over hers on the table. "I know some people in real estate, I can ask them to keep an eye out for you."
Bella felt a warmth spread through her chest at his kindness. "Thank you," she said, smiling genuinely.
"When were you planning on seeing the listings?"
"On Wednesday since it's my day off," Bella replied.
"Great, I'll come with you," Edward said, his smile widening.
"Even if nothing comes out of this weekend?"
Edward's thumb stroked her hand. "Yes, even if."
The conversation flowed easily over sushi and sake, the tension from earlier dissipating. They talked about movies, books, and their shared love for the outdoors. It felt natural, like they had been doing this for years. It had been a long time since someone had been so interested in Bella and what she had to say. The warmth of his hand was a constant reminder of the connection between them.
"Bella there is something I want to ask you…I know you said we would take the weekend to get to know each other, but the reality is I have an event tomorrow in DC and I wanted to know if you wanted to accompany me? I have an extra ticket and nothing would make me happier than you being my plus one."
Bella looked at him perplexed since she didn't expect him to ask her that. "Edward, I don't know," she said in a low voice.
"Is it a business function?" She asked her, he nodded.
"I don't know if what I packed is appropriate for that type of party, Edward."
Eduard looked at her and realized that he hadn't thought this through. "There's no problem we can get something in DC."
"At what time does the flight leave? It's almost two." Edward licked his lips, "the flight leaves at five in the afternoon. We would get there around seven, we could have dinner and make some calls to see if we can find something for you to wear," he explained.
"Ah I don't know, Edward, this is a little fast. We don't have much time and I couldn't go to my storage unit to see if any of my other dresses would work. because I don't have anything approiate handy right now."
"My bad, excuse me really," he answered, a little embarrassed. "If you don't want to go we can continue this next weekend…"
"No! no! I'll go with you." She cut him off. "Besides you said it's for work." "Yes, it is a party but there will be many people from companies we have worked with, and other companies that want to affiliate to us, or receive advice from us. Since that is your department I thought it would be a good idea for you to socialize with them give them your card and they arrange to meet in the future." Edward explained.
"Okay, we are not going to waste this opportunity, the company is doing well." Bella stated as she placed a piece of Maki in her mouth. "Yes, and in part it is thanks to you, Bella. You have a great eye for business. You know how to deal with the staff and find solutions to problems. Many of the ideas that have occurred to you I would never have thought of, so please don't demean yourself," He pointed out.
Bella sighed, "Edward, you are very intelligent too, it is your company I am just a simple employee." Bella said blushing. Edward rolled his eyes. "Bella, don't see yourself that way, all the employees of the company make up an important part of it for it to work as well as it does. Please don't belittle yourself! Your work is very important and to me it is also worthy as the work of the secretaries, janitors, and the messengers. They're an essential piece."
"Thank you, Edward, you are a very good boss which is why I am afraid that if this fails our working relationship will be severed."
Edward sighed, "I am not a resentful man, Bella, and you don't have to be afraid. I know you had a hard time with your husband… I'm not a perfect man, but I wouldn't treat you like he did. If you give yourself the chance to be with me, I know I can make you happy."
She didn't know how to react to Edward's gaze. Her heart beat fast every time she saw him looking at her. She didn't know what would become of this weekend, but she was willing to give herself the opportunity to find out.