Impressions-Twilight Fanfic Chapter 6
Title: Impressions
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Bella is a single, shy, and timid writer. Edward is an engaged, charming, and handsome businessman. What do you get when Bella has to cover "Seattle's New Couple?"
Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer I own nothing.
Comments: AU, AH. I couldn't get this plot bunny out of my head. It demanded to be written.
Bella's POV.
I sped through the streets of Seattle, not really caring if I was breaking every traffic law to get home. My meeting with Tanya and Edward had been surprising to say the least. It started out ok. Tanya was eager to talk but Edward was quiet? Shy? No he was none of those.
After Tanya left to attend to business matters Edward and I had stayed at the park for about ten minutes tops. She encouraged both of us to keep talking. It was evident that she wanted me to write something amazing about her and Edward. But I'd instantly felt awkward sitting next to Edward all alone without Tanya.
It didn't help that Edward had been beyond weird. After Tanya left we were quiet for a little then we just started some mindless small talk. He told me in confidence that he hated the whole idea of me writing about them. But it's not like I wanted to write about him or her. This was just a job and I was just filling in for a co-worker. I thought our conversation was good so far. But then all of a sudden he does a one-eighty on me and blurts out that he liked my dress and complimented me that I looked beautiful. Hah. Who is he kidding? Has even seen me?
I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts of my strange conversation with Edward. I was almost at my apartment now. I really needed to just get home and take a rest.
Hmm. What is up with Edward? He's such a strange person. I remember my first encounter with him. That oh so dreadful day at the Starbucks. I was not in my best mood and it showed. Edward was... charming. Dazzling and brilliant. I chalked it up as a nice one of those "once in a lifetime" encounters. I mean, how many times would one person see a stranger as beautiful and tantalizing as Edward?
Wait. Tantalizing? Umm Bella, stop that kind of talk now. He is not tantalizing. Oh screw it. He is tantalizing and I think he knows it.
But then when I saw him at his dinner party thing he was different. Still handsome as ever but it was like he was hiding the fact that we'd already knew each other. OK, so we didn't really know each other but we'd meet. That's got to count for something right? And then I caught him looking at me. That was strange too. I still don't know why he kept looking. Ugh Edward and his erratic behavior were so infuriating.
By now I had made it up my walk and I was now taking out my keys. I unlocked my door and stepped into my hall. I closed my door and raced to my bedroom.
I was anxious to change into something more comfortable. I stripped out of my "work clothes" and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. Finally something normal and comfy. I had thrown my purse on my bed and my recorder was inside.
Eh. I really wasn't in the mood to d some work. And I didn't want to think about Edward. Although I knew I would have to call Tanya soon and re-schedule a time for all of us to talk. Hmm. That could wait.
I walked out of my room to my yet again lonely and empty apartment. Even though I had Rosalie as my roommate she was so busy. Her modeling kept her away most of the time. In the summer she'd be somewhere in Europe modeling winter apparel. And in the winter she'd be somewhere in the Caribbean modeling swimsuits or shooting Sports Illustrated spreads.
I was in the kitchen now. Whenever I'm confused or upset I always make comfort food. I didn't only do this for myself. I did this for Rose too. Every time she didn't get a modeling gig or if she had a bad day I'd end up in the kitchen either cooking or baking something for comfort.
Right now it was after lunch time. It was a little unconventional but I really wanted mashed potatoes. To me mashed potatoes is the ultimate comfort food. It's so light and yummy. And it just gives off a "homey" feel. Obviously I needed to something more substantial than mashed potatoes so I decided I'd make some vegetable soup.
As I rummaged in my fridge my thoughts drifted back to Edward. There was something about him that made me self-conscious but not in a bad way. It was more of a self awareness than a humiliating feeling.
He really was an enigma. His behavior was so erratic and confusing. Yet he still managed to remain calm and collective. It was like he was decidedly confused. Whereas I'm plain confused by him. He, on the other hand, seemed to switch moods by choice. It was so frustrating for some reason.
I now was in the middle of chopping some celery and still contemplating Edward and his mysterious manner.
Ok. I really needed to steer my thoughts in a more professional way. It wasn't healthy for me to over think Edward. I had a task at hand and it needed my undivided attention.
I pushed aside the celery and started on the onions. So back to this thing. Edward. Tanya. Well, they make a lovely couple on film. And I'm sure they'll make a great couple on paper. After I write about them that is.
It's evident that Tanya is quite proud to have caught the sights of someone like Edward. And I could hardly blame her. He is quite a catch. Wealthy, comes from a good family, handsome, gives back to the community, charming, but all these things seem so superficial. It's not that Edward is a bad person but all those attributes are pretty well known by now. I had to really dig deep and see what makes Edward and Tanya perfect for each other.
Whoa there, Bella. Are you seriously thinking this hard about this piece? Well yes. Now that this piece has oh so unwillingly landed on my lap the least (or mast) I could do is take this thing seriously and do a good job. So with that in mind I would try to find a different angle to this usual spread in our magazine.
I would try to define what marriage is nowadays. how it differs from history, and how Tanya and Edward's relationship stacks up with either of the definitions. I would compare and contrast the differing views on love, marriage, commitment, everything.
My own views of marriage are pretty standard. Mixed with a healthy does of hopeless romantic.
To me marriage is sacred. If you're a religious person than your said religion has given you a general view on marriage. While I wasn't overly religious I did think of myself as faithful. I believed that marriage meant forever. I believed that there is that one special person out there for everyone. I believe that true love exists but that's it really hard to find.
While I have never been in love with any man including former boyfriends I believed there is such a thing as perfect love. What I mean is, we all have our own ideas and standards of the perfect mate. We have different taste but that when you find that one person it's pretty stellar and cosmic.
I didn't really believe in "love at first sight." I mean really can you love someone without actually having spoken to them or know them? I think now. While I believed in true love I was cynical about some other stuff. I am a hopeless romantic but I'm not stupid.
Marriage I thought is a gradual step of dating and finding the right person. Like I said, marriage meant forever. I believe after you your vows it seals the deal. To me I never thought "falling out of love" exists. And that marriage vows and promises were not to be taken lightly.
If you find that person I think you should know everything about them. You know their faults but all you see is the perfection. It isn't overlooking the faults but it's just, loving the person so much that their faults doesn’t matter as much as the feeling you have towards the other person.
I wondered if Tanya felt like this for Edward? I would have thought she did or does. But I remembered she said that Edward is the ideal man to marry. It's like he's a standard and a label. The way she sounded was puzzling. It was like she liked the idea of marrying Edward but not Edward.
That's not to say she doesn't love Edward but I was wondering, does she love Edward? OR is she in love with him? There's a difference if you ask me-of loving someone and being in love with someone. I can't distinguish between the two because I have never been in love. But hopefully when that day comes I'll know the difference.
As I pulled out of my thoughts I started the stove and added some oil to my pot. The stove was heating and I had gathered all my ingredients ready to put them in at a gradual pace.
This article was really looking up. Before I was so apprehensive about it but now I just wanted to throw myself wholeheartedly into this project. What else could I do?
I added the onions first. I grabbed a wooden spoon and began to stir. I should call Tanya now. No doubt Edward would have informed her that we didn't talk much.
Oh shit. Edward calling Tanya telling her we didn't talk that much. That thought scared the crap out of me because I had left Edward at the park. I was the one who was put off by his strange behavior. I was the one who abruptly ended our meeting. What did Edward tell her? Did he give her a play by play and tell her I ended it and I'd call later? Or did he make up some lame excuse? Gosh. In the midst of figuring Edward out I had forgotten who I looked.
At the park I was fine. But when Edward started throwing flattery at me I was all tense. He shouldn't throw flattery out to any woman but Tanya. And then I suddenly just left. Crap. What have I done?
I was pulled out of my reverie by a knock on my door. Shaking my head slightly I dropped the spoon on the counter and went to check the front door. When I opened it my surprise was unmasked. There in my apartment complex hallway, stood none other than the enigma himself, Edward Cullen.
What the hell is he doing here?
"Ms. Swan, I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted to apologize if I caused you any uneasiness today."
"Edward what are you doing here?"
He smiled at me then, "I normally don't do this, but I couldn't help but feel I had done something to make you leave so abruptly."
I was confused more than ever. His didn't seem sorry at all. What was going on? "Why don't you come in? It's better talking in here than out in the hallway."
I held the door open for him and he strode into my apartment. I then remembered my soup.
"Hold on."
I walked over to the stove and put the heat on low. I looked to Edward staring at me. I guess he's just as surprised to be here as I'm surprised to have him here.
"Edward, you didn't do anything to cause my uneasiness. I'm just naturally jittery." I told. I thought best to keep it simple but truthful.
"I'm glad to hear that. Not that your naturally jittery but that I didn't cause you discomfort. But I'd like to apologize none the less."
Him, not causing me discomfort. I inwardly snorted. That was so untrue.
"Accepted." I said.
"I can see your busy, so I'll go now." he said. I looked at him and he was already starting to head to the door.
I caught up with him and tugged on his arm, "How did you know where I live?" OK. Curiosity got the better of me. I had to ask him. It really unnerved me when he acted strange.
Edward looked down at me and looked slightly flushed. "I, uhh, had my secretary find out your contact info."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry for intruding." He apologized again. This time his apology seemed sincere.
"You couldn't have done this over the phone?" I asked. My tone came out harsher than I wanted it too.
We stood there by the door for about a minute. He kept looking at me. And his gaze was intense, like he was trying to stare me down. It was like he was searching for something. Then it turned into a soft stare. "No." he responded. And then he was out the door.