Impressions-twilight fanfic chapter 9

[tinaababy]

Title: Impressions
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
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.

Think of Edward like this: between a rock and a hard place. Bella=rock Tanya=hard place. Yea sucks for him, huh?

I hope you all had a great Chrstmas holiday season. And happy New Year to everyone!!

Ok onto the chapter 9. Happy reading!


Chapter 9

Edward's POV.

I had to see her again. But I needed a valid reason to see her. I couldn't just call and say "hey, I wanna see you; let's go to lunch." Yea. Not gonna work, Edward. I leaned back in my chair and ran my hand through my already messy hair.

Ugh. Why is it so difficult to come up with a lie? Actually it wasn't difficult. I put too much thought into this and came up with a lie. The only thing that was stopping me from going through with it was Bella. Even though she was the reason for me doing this I knew I shouldn't put her through it.

I already knew this was wrong and that I shouldn't be doing what I was about to do. But damn me to hell, I was gonna do it anyway.

I buzzed Jessica and told her to put in the call. Now all I had to do was wait.

***

Bella's POV.

I can't believe I just did that. It was so out of the ordinary and I thought I got everything I needed but apparently I was wrong. So I agreed to go meet with them.

What the hell did I get myself into?

"Rose!" I screamed through the house. "Rose!"

Rose came dashing out of her room. "Bella! Where's the fire?" she cried.

I met her in the living room. "There is no fire." I told her.

She looked at me quizzically. "Then what's all the fuss about?" she huffed.

"Edward's secretary just called me. She told me that Edward and Tanya want to meet with me again."

Rosalie sat down on the couch. "So?" she spat.

"So...." I sat down next to her. "I don't want to but I agreed."

"Huh?"

"I thought I got everything taken care of. I've meet with both of them already and I thought I was done. They're just so persistent." I explained.

"Maybe they want to tell you something that they forgot to tell you?"

"Then why the hell couldn't they have done that in our previous meetings?" I cried.

Rose rolled her eyes. "I don't know. But I can't believe your stressed out by this. It's just one more meeting."

"Rose, I need to tell you something."

And then I told her everything. I told her that I had first met Edward at Starbucks and how I yelled at him. I told her about seeing him again at the party. And then I told her what happened our meeting at the park and how Edward acted. I also told her that he came over at our apartment and apologized for his behavior and my meeting with him at lunch and finally my dinner with Tanya. The only thing I left out was my own assumptions on Edward and Tanya's relationship.

Rosalie just stared at me. "Wow. Bella that's... wow."

"Yea." I said lamely.

"How do you feel about this?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well Edward sounds like a total psycho but a hot one at that. And your working with them both, so I don't know; how are you still sane from all of this?" she mused.

"I'm not sane." I replied. "I can't tell you how many times I've been so confused by Edward and he's not a psycho. Ok, maybe a small one." I lightly teased.

She laughed without humor. "Bella, Edward is acting pretty strange; I think you should be careful."

"Rose, he's not a threat. I highly doubt he's dangerous; weird a little, but harmless." I assured her.

She shrugged her shoulders. "If you say so, Bells. Just be careful, please?"

"Of course."

"So you agreed to meet them again." she stated.

I sighed. "Yea."

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

***

Edward's POV.

My phone rang, indicating that Jessica was calling.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Cullen, she agreed."

"Thank you Jessica."

And with that I hung up. I leaned back in my plush leather chair and smiled. Everything was set.

***

Bella's POV.

I woke up feeling nervous. No, not nervous. My emotions were shot and I was having a small panic attack. Today I would be meeting Tanya and Edward for a third time. We would be meeting at the park again.

Why oh why did I agree to see them again?

I agreed to meet up with them because let's face it I'm a pushover. I feel the need to please and I can't say no. Damn it.

The night before I already packed my recorder and now all I had to do was shower and get dressed. Tanya and Edward wanted to meet at the ungodly hour of nine o'clock in the morning. Geez what is with these people?

I went to the bathroom and adjusted the water the way I like it and peeled off my pajama's. I stepped in the shower hoping the hot water would wake me. When I stepped out of the shower there was a fine sheen of fog in the bathroom. I took out my fressia lotion and lathered it on my body. I walked over to my closet and picked out a black cashmere sweater that Rose gave me and pulled on a nicer pair of jeans. I completed my look with a pair of black Coach Boots. I'm not normally into labels but being Rosalie's friends does have some benefits. She scores free designer crap and passes it along to me.

I did debate that I should've picked out a more professional outfit but I've already meet Tanya and Edward and this meeting wasn't as important as the first meeting. Dressing for comfort was a good choice, I thought. I was already nervous enough as it is so I allowed myself this one indulgence.

I grabbed a scarf and tied it securely around my neck. I grabbed my purse and made my way to the living room. I was looking for my keys when I hear Roses' bedroom door open and close. I looked up to see her in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt her face free from makeup. Even without makeup Rosalie was beautiful.

"Hey." she greeted me.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

I crawled on the floor. "Looking for my keys."

She laughed. "Here." she said tossing me my keys.

"Where'd you find them?"

"Coffee table." she replied.

"Thanks." I said.

"You off to the park meeting?" she asked.

"Yup." I said. "Where are you going?"

"Photo shoot." she replied. "I'll bring pizza for dinner?"

"Thanks Rose."

"Don't mention it." she came over to me and gave me hug. "Bye Bells."

"See you Rose."

***

I drove to the park literally holding my breath. This project was so unwanted at first and then I decided to go for it and it was ok. Tanya was nice a little delusional on her world view but she was a nice girl. Edward however, complicated things. He's so gorgeous and successful no wonder Tanya got him but he's so different. He scares the crap out of me sometimes but not in a frightening way.

Walking through the park I could already see small children on the playground playing on the swings and sliding down the slide. I kept walking and I saw more children playing, with a ball or hopscotch. I finally plunkered down on the bench I was seated on the first time I saw Tanya and Edward.

I pulled my coat closer and started buttoning it up. I adjusted my scarf and fiddled my with my hands. I was anxious. Anxious to get this shit over with so I could go back to my computer and write this stuff up.

I really did have mixed emotions about today. I was nervous because I didn't want to be here yet I knew I had to. Damn that Mike Newton for giving me this piece. I was pulled out of my reverie by a melodic smooth voice.

Shit.

"Hello Bella."

I looked up from my hands. There standing before me in all his taken gorgeous glory was Edward Cullen.

"Where's Tanya?" I blurted out. I hoped she hadn't bailed. God knows what will happen if it's just me and Edward again.

He frowned. "She's not feeling very well so I'm here by myself."

"Oh should we re-schedule?" I asked anxiously. I had to get out of here. Edward just does things to me that I can't control and it scares the shit out of me.

"Why do you always say that?" he asked.

"Say what?"

"Why do you always ask to re-schedule when it's just you and me? Does my presence bother you?' he asked with humor.

Charming son-of-a-bitch.

"No." I replied lamely.

"Have you eaten?" he asked.

I shook my head.

He held out his hand to me, obviously wanting me to place my own in his. I stared at him.

"What?" I asked.

"Let's get you something to eat." he said.

I don't know why, but I put my hand in his outstretched hand and he lead me to the parking lot. He put his hand in the small of my back guiding me to a shiny silver Volvo. We would be taking his car.

I don't know what came over me but I just along with whatever the hell Edward was doing. I was apprehensive on the inside and scared shitless was written on my face yet I knew Edward wouldn't hurt me.

Edward and I drove in silence. I had no idea what to say and it seemed Edward was content with the silence. We pulled up to a local diner and Edward got out of the car and made his way over to my side. He opened the door and helped me out. I mumbled a polite "thank you." and he returned my sentiment with a smile.

We were seated in a booth and Edward only ordered coffee. Because I haven't eaten anything at all I ordered a big pancake breakfast. It dawned on me then that I was having breakfast with Edward Cullen. Oh crap.

"Why are we here?" I blurted out.

He gave me a smirk. "You need to eat don't you?"

"Yes but I thought we were meeting to talk about your article."

He frowned again. "I think we've discussed that already. In all honesty Tanya doesn't even know about this. This is my sort of thank you for doing a wonderful job for me and Tanya."

What the fuck? I thought.

"You couldn't have thanked me by sending flowers or something." I joked.

"Would you like flowers?" he asked smiling.

Oh shit no! Don't give him ideas, Bella!

"I was joking." I said.

"As was I." he replied.

My food came and I started eating trying to ignore Edward. He was just watching me eat a bemused smile on his face.

"What?" I snapped.

"Nothing."

I rolled me eyes and continued eating.

Finally I was done. Edward paid for my food and then when we stared at each other. Silence again.

The silence was annoying me. I got up then and grabbed my purse. "Thank you Mr. Cullen, but I should be going now."

He got up too and followed me to the door. Again he put his hand on the small of my back and guided me to his Volvo.

"I can walk back."

He looked at me like I was crazy. "Get in the car Bella."

So I did. And we drove in silence. We made it back to the park in less than fifteen minutes.

"Well this is me." I leaned to open the door.

"Wait! Bella. Would you take a walk with me?" Edward asked his eyes pleading.

"Edward I don't think it's a good idea. And to tell you the truth I don't think any of this is a good idea." I said shakily.

"Please." he said softly.

I'm so going to hell.

I nodded. "Ok."

We got out and started walking. We kept a slow pace and sometimes I would look up at Edward. He had this peaceful contemplative look on his face. After about three minutes I started shaking. The weather was quite cold and even though I was wearing the proper attire I was very sensitive to the cold. Edward noticed and he lead me across the street to a Starbucks no less.

I chuckled in spite of myself.

He looked at me and smiled.

We got in line and Edward pushed me forward a bit so I could voice out my order.

"Grande mocha chai latte please." I said.

"Make that two please." came Edwards’s voice.

I went to sit down at a little table and Edward went to wait for our drinks.

He came back and handed me my drink. I thanked him and sipped my latte.

Edward curiously took a sip of his.

"You like it?" I asked.

"I don't know what the hell this is but yes, I do like it." he replied.

"Edward?"

"Bella?"

"What are we doing?" I asked seriously.

He took a deep breath then let it out slowly.

"I know I owe you an explanation Bella. You deserve it. But you might not like what I have to say." he told me.

"Just say it. Please."

"Bella you captivated me. I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. I'd like us to be friends if you'll allow it."

I didn't know what to say. Edward Cullen wanted to be friends with me? That thought was laughable and unimaginable. It couldn't be. He's got to be shitting me.

I looked at him. He wasn't.

"Friends?" I asked for clarification.

"Yes, friends." he said.

"You know Edward I'm normally shy, but you manage to annoy me so much that I end up speaking my mind. Yes, I'll be friends with you."