Bella's party dress (although hers is dark plum)
I don't own Twilight - but I'm grateful to Stephenie Meyer for her dream! Please don't steal my original work.
EPOV
Friday before the party was a long day at the office. I'd been attempting to keep my office door open, trying to find out the office gossip about Isabella. Before you ask, I don't normally keep tabs on office gossip – I could care less. I wasn't trying to be a stalker or anything, but I wanted to know who she was bringing as her "plus one." I could've come right out and asked Shelly but that would've been too obvious. If she was bringing a boyfriend, I would've stopped this incessant behavior immediately and gone back to my previous lonely life. I think this was worse – not knowing for sure.
One of my younger brothers, Emmett, strolled into my office. He must've seen my open door. Great – he wanted something. I could tell just by the way he was prowling around.
I drug my hand through my hair in frustration and asked, "What can I do for you today, Emmett, since you've graced us with your presence at work?"
He grinned at me and asked, "Are you bringing anyone to the party tomorrow?"
"No," I answered. "I haven't really had a chance to get close to anyone, like you seem to on a weekly basis."
Emmett responded, "Who are you to lecture me about closeness? Your idea of a long-term relationship is giving your date a chance to order dessert."
I gave him a hard look and said, "I don't have time for dessert. I'm too busy with this company. And don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of my office."
As my youngest brother left my office, I thought what a jerk he was. He could be in a different "relationship" every week and not bat an eye. Were women just playthings to him? Just because I didn't want to date someone different every night of the week, I didn't feel there was anything wrong with that. I had a reputation to uphold – I had the reputation of this company to think about – and I couldn't live with myself if I whored myself out the way Emmett did.
BPOV
As soon as I told Alice about our invitation to the Cullen party, she pulled in a favor from one of her clients – a hip hair designer, Enrique.
That's where we found ourselves on the Saturday morning of the party – both being subjected to the whims of the salon. Both Alice and Enrique scared me – even more than just Alice alone. I had no idea what they were plotting.
Alice, thankfully, knows me well. She brought my IPod and the novel I was currently reading. She knew the combination would send me to my happy place and I wouldn't be forced to stare into the mirror and grit my teeth at every movement of Enrique or one of his staff.
I couldn't say I wasn't a bit envious of my best friend's short 'do as I turned more pages of my book. Why did I insist on keeping this long hair? Sometimes it could be such a pain.
Alice finally unceremoniously ripped one of the ear buds out of my ear and said, "It's time, Bella! It's gorgeous – have a look!" I looked at her warily, but took out the remaining ear bud from my other ear and marked the current page in my book. Then I hesitantly looked up at my reflection in the mirror.
Holy crap – I'd been turned into Belle from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." And I don't mean that in a bad way – my hair looked amazing! Enrique was holding up a mirror to the back so I could see the cascade of Shirley Temple-style ringlets flowing down my back. My hair was pinned up gently on the sides to add more to the curls in the back. Any shorter curls framing my face were gently curled. I hoped Alice had a dress that would make this hairstyle worth it – it was stunning!
Alice clapped her hands together and declared it perfect! I finally pulled my gaze away from the mirror and looked fully in her direction. She had her entire head covered in soft, gentle waves. She looked gorgeous as well! I was now hoping this would be an epic night for both of us.
One of Enrique's assistants went to the bistro next door and came back with Caesar salads for both of us, which we munched on while getting manicures and pedicures. When Alice determines you're going to look girly, you're going all the way!
Alice instructed my manicurist paint my nails a deep plum color. I still hadn't seen my dress for the evening – my roommate was keeping it squirreled away in her closet until the last possible moment – until there was no way I could back out from wearing the darn thing. I was just praying it wasn't covered in layers of ruffles. There would be a murder in New York City then – or else I would just refuse to attend the party.
One of the "perks" of attending this party was the Cullen family was sending one of their drivers for the members of the management team. That way if anyone overindulged or if they didn't own a car – and some New Yorkers don't – Alice and I fit into that category, they would still arrive home safely.
Alice finally did reveal my dress and I was pleasantly surprised. It was an elegant and sophisticated one shoulder long dress by La Femme in a shimmery dark plum shade. It featured two pleated straps over one shoulder that separated in the back. The A-line skirt was pleated and flowed beautifully.
My gorgeous roommate was dressed in a red strapless long dress. She was a knockout. I was planning to introduce her to Jasper Cullen tonight – she just didn't know it and I wasn't planning on telling her in advance. She would start freaking out and be all over me with questions. I figured I'd let Jasper answer his own questions – make it easy on myself.
When our driver came to pick us up, I noticed it was Sam Uley. Sam was Edward Cullen's private driver. I was a bit surprised at that. I figured they probably had several of their staff pinch-hitting tonight as drivers and probably even hired a few more from private companies.
As we arrived at the Cullen's beautiful mansion on Long Island, Sam escorted us right to the entrance of the garden that was set up for the party. There was barely time to take everything in as we were ushered inside and greeted by Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Even though I'd worked for the company for quite a while now, I'd never met them personally. Esme greeted me with a hug – totally unexpected! Edward, dressed in a very dapper black tuxedo, was standing next to them. I didn't know if he was part of the welcoming committee – he still seemed too intimidating to me. When I chanced a glance in his direction as I introduced Alice as my roommate to the group, he seemed to relax a little. I found that weird but continued with my introductions to Jasper who just showed up as well.
A reporter and photographer from one of the newspapers decided this would be a picture-worthy opportunity of the Cullen social event of the season. A flashbulb popped as I was introducing Jasper and Alice to each other, with Edward and his parents looking on. I'm sure I was blushing as red as a radish.
I turned around to walk out into the garden. It was decorated with small tables covered with white tablecloths throughout. Each table had a hurricane candle on it with a riot of multi-colored blooms encircling the base. Every table had four chairs around it for cozy conversations. Hors d'oeuvres stations were set up and manned. There were also a couple of large dessert islands. Drinks were also plentiful – I saw at least three bars set up around the garden. Small fairy lights were in every tree, giving the entire garden a magical look.
From one of the bars is where I heard my name – or should I say, a variation of my name – being drunkenly called. "Bellie-boo!" Can you please fuck my life right this moment? There was only one person who called me that, and I wasn't happy he called me that when he was sober. Now that it was obvious he was drunk, it was a whole different story.
But I had just arrived and I did not want to make a scene. My roommate had been introduced to (hopefully) the man of her dreams and they were talking – somewhere. So I turned around, plastered a smile on my face and looked at my boss in a black tuxedo weaving toward me. "Emmett," I said, "how are you this evening?"
He came closer and tipped his champagne glass up to his mouth, emptying it and setting it on the nearest table. "I'm good, Bellie-boo," he said, still a bit too loud for the general hum of the party. "Did you just get here?"
"I did," I replied simply.
He grabbed my wrist and demanded, "Let's dance," as he pulled me toward the dance floor. It wasn't that I didn't know how to dance – I just wasn't in the mood to dance with Emmett, drunk as he was. But still in the spirit of not wanting to make a scene, I let him lead me to the dance floor.
I didn't know whether to be horrified or grateful it was a slow song the band began next. Emmett pulled me close to him and held on tightly. After we took a couple of turns on the floor, he slurred in my ear, "It feels so good to hold you. Do you know how beautiful you are?"
"No," I replied.
He pulled back a bit and looked into my eyes. He said earnestly, "You're dazzling."
I looked away immediately and said quietly, "Emmett, I think maybe we should take a break."
"You're right," he whispered in my ear. "Do you know where the solarium is?" When I shook my head that I didn't, he briefly explained where it was, then continued, "Meet me there."
I left him on the dance floor as I made my way to the solarium. I needed to get Emmett away from the crowd so he could sober up a bit. On my way, I picked up a couple of bottles of water from one of the bartenders.
EPOV
I had dressed with care for this party. No matter who Isabella showed up with, I would look like the CEO of a successful corporation – even if my heart was breaking. When Isabella introduced Alice Brandon, her roommate, to my parents and brother, I felt like making a very unprofessional fist pump in the air, but instead I exhaled and felt as though some of the weight of the world had dropped off my shoulders.
Jasper seemed to hit it off right away with Alice and they went to one of the bars immediately to get a drink and continue talking. I cursed internally that I had the gift of gab when it came to talking to colleagues, but when it came to the object of my desire – it seemed I clammed up around her, said something totally inappropriate, or became a total nerd.
One of my business associates was bending my ear, talking about the stock market and I really was attempting to pay attention. The stock market is always near and dear to my heart. My eyes, however, were roving the crowd for Isabella. Where was she?
My heart picked up again – there she was. Her beautiful mahogany hair was pinned into all those wonderful curls that seemed to bounce with every step she took. My body never knew what to do when in close proximity to her – run my fingers through whatever hairstyle she was wearing that day or kiss her soundly – or both.
And what was this fresh hell? She was dancing…with Emmett? Oh hell to the no! Jealously walloped me in the gut and nearly knocked the breath out of me. I excused myself from the conversation with my colleague to make my way to the dance floor. My hands had clenched into fists the more I watched.
It appeared they were stopping. Isabella was making her way off the dance floor now and going toward one of the bars. She retrieved two bottles of water from the bartender and made her way to – the solarium? Oh, fuck no! Emmett had asked her to the solarium? Over my pile of ashes! I knew exactly what he did with women in there and that was so not going to happen with her. I had a key to the solarium or I would break the door down with my bare hands – whichever would be the most dramatic would work for me. No fucking way!
I found my weasel of a brother easy enough. He was at a different bar – picking up two champagne flutes and a just-uncorked bottle of champagne. Wasn't he the big romantic? Augh! I took a circuitous route around the dance floor so it wouldn't be obvious that I was following him. I wanted to arrive at the solarium in time to defend Isabella's honor, but not before he had revealed himself to her as a jerk.
I waited about ten minutes before going to the solarium door and attempting the lock. Emmett hadn't even locked the door – classy. Anyone could've walked in on them! I was grateful for our staff who kept things in meticulous shape as the hinges didn't even squeak as I opened the door and shut it again soundlessly.
"Bellie-boo," I heard Emmett over by the chaise lounge with the red flower-print cushions, "have a drink with me." Bellie-boo? What in the hell kind of nickname is that? This is a woman who should be treasured and valued, not called some meaningless nickname like that. I hid behind a large group of potted ferns so I was unseen by the other occupants of the solarium.
"Emmett," Isabella said, "I think you may have had enough already. I don't need a drink."
"Aww…c'mon," he slurred. It sounded as though he slurped some champagne out of one of the flutes.
Isabella said, "Emmett, why don't you drink some of this water instead?" I could hear the crack of the seal from the water being opened.
"Water's no fun, Bellie-boo. Let's make out instead," he replied.
Blood was thundering in my ears now. I believe there was the sound of some sort of scuffle. It was difficult to hear over the blood pounding through my veins.
Isabella said loudly, "Emmett, no!" Then there was a resounding slap.
I peeked through the ferns to make sure Isabella was the one doing the slapping, not Emmett. Our father had raised us never to strike a woman and it damn well better not start now.
Emmett sat on the chaise lounge, holding his cheek that now bore Isabella's handprint. "Geez, Bellie-boo, you didn't have to hit me!"
"You weren't taking the hint, Emmett. No means 'no'! And please stop calling me that stupid nickname – call me Bella or Isabella. I hope this won't affect our working relationship because, if so, I'll ask for a transfer."
Oh no, no, no – she couldn't leave me – not now! I made a show of opening and closing the solarium door with a slam.
"Isabella?" I called as I came around the ferns blocking the doorway from view.
"Yes, Edward?" she responded.
I smiled gently in her direction, "I thought I saw you come this way. I'd like to introduce you to some people. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"No," she looked up at me, "we're good here." She looked back at Emmett and said to him quietly, "Sober up. I'll see you on Monday." I have to admit, watching her walk toward me in that silky dress was a lesson in self-control for me. She truly didn't know how irresistible she was. Then, before I knew it, she met me at the door.
I placed my hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the solarium. Once we were a few hundred yards away, her bravado seemed to fade. "Are you ok?" I asked, concern etched in my face.
"Yes, I will be. I guess I didn't realize what a tool your brother could be," she replied with a little laugh. She shook her head a bit to clear her thoughts. "Now, who is it you'd like to introduce me to?"
"I confess," I said, "I really have no one to introduce you to. I just wanted to get you out of that uncomfortable situation."
"You were there…listening?" she looked up at my face in confusion.
I tried to play it off nonchalantly and looked off into the distance. "Well, yes. I wanted to be there to protect your honor."
"Wow – I wouldn't have expected that from you, Edward Cullen. But, just so you know, I'm the daughter of a police chief. I do know how to protect myself."
I said, "Good to know. I'll try to remember that in the future."
"But," she continued, "since you're being honest, you were trying to protect my honor, and everyone made it out unscathed – except for Emmett, of course – how about we have one dance to celebrate? You still intimidate me, Edward, but I think I can manage one dance with you."
I swallowed the lump that had now permanently lodged itself in my throat and nodded at Isabella. Holy hell – this would be like "Beauty and the Beast" – Belle was always afraid of the Beast until she found the chink in his "armor." How long would it be before Bella found mine?
She felt wonderful in my arms as I expertly guided her around the dance floor. I wanted to crush her to me and never let her go, but I was respectful and kept my distance.
Changes were going to be made at the office that was going to affect the entire management team – for better or for worse.
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