Chapter 9 Piece Of Her Mind

Edward's pov

Why was she crying? What's so painful about being a nanny? Nonsense.

She will be there tomorrow. She will do as I say and won't dare to do anything stupid. I bet she is already plotting something. She is smart. People like her always have a plan.

I took my phone and sent a message to her, "Don't try to act smart. I WILL ALWAYS FIND YOU!" Just to make sure she won't leave.

It didn't take long to reach Crystal's. It was just twenty minutes from her house.

"Morning, Sir Wilson." Bryan's voice reached my ears the moment I opened my office's door.

"Tell me good news." I went to my desk and threw my suit on the armchair.

He didn't say a word. His silence was enough to tell that there was no such thing as good news. "Tell me the bad ones, then."

"The last designers came today for the interview," He paused, "they were not good." As I thought.

"We are already two weeks late for this project." He said, "If we don't do something now, we will lose the deal."

"Don't you think I know that?" I leaned against a wall and closed my eyes. What should I do? It's a lot of money involved. I can't lose another deal. I can't let things get out of control.

"What about Bella?" He reminded me, "She couldn't make it to the interview. I believe she is the only one qualified."

"Bella..." I opened my eyes. How on earth am I gonna get her designs?!

*****

My alarm finally went off after a long sleepless night. I got up and sat on the bed. It was five in the morning. The time I always wake up for work.

It's today. She is coming.

Just the thought already makes me restless.

Why? She is no one that important... Just the only one capable of making me a great design. The only one who is good enough.

I need her. She is everything I got. Or else... I'm going to lose everything.

I almost lost this company once. I can't let that happen again.

After an eternity I went for a bath and got ready to work. And as always, after a two hour ride I reached Crystal's.

Work.

Work.

Work...

Time passed by with me between papers, resumes, summaries, emails...

It's been five years, but we still haven't overcome the loss. Five years since there was a traitor among us. Five years since all our data from years of study disappeared along with three billion dollars... and Christine-my wife. She did this. She did this... to me! How could she?

If I can't trust my own wife, who is it to trust? No one. You only get betrayed by the ones you trust the most. I won't commit the same mistake twice.

There was a knock on the door. I raised my eyes and there was Bryan on the other side of the glass wall. Beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. His hair was all messed up as if he har run a marathon. "Come in." I ordered, already alert.

This is no sign of good news.

"Sir," he took a deep breath, "we only have a week."

"A week!" What? "The hell you're saying?!"

He composed himself, " That's our deadline. A week to finish the project, or..." He paused.

"Don't you dare. Speak up, Bryan." He averted his eyes from mine, "...We will have to declare bankruptcy."

"Wha..." I couldn't even finish. A week and I'll lose everything I built. This can't be happening. Not after so much sacrifice. Everything I gave. Everything I lost.

I got up, "Finish this for me."

"But, Sir..." he couldn't finish. I left without saying a word. I don't have time for this.

Actions. That is what I need.

I went to the parking lot and got into my car.

"Bella. Get ready." I started the engine. You're my only hope.

During the ride I anticipated every single line I'd say to her:

'My brother told me that you're a designer... can you...'

No! She will deny it. I can't ask her.

'You are a designer. I want you to make me a design...

A condo facing the sea, natural colours palette, simple yet eccentric. Small yet spacious. Weird yet beautiful.'

Perfect. No space to argue. I'll pay her, she will do it and everything will be solved.

My plans were totally detailed the moment I opened the main door.

Flour everywhere as if it had snowed.

"Sarah... what did I tell you?" Bella asked. Her beige oversized hoodie was almost white. I bet she can't see a thing through her eyeglasses.

"I'm sorry." Sarah said in a low voice.

"It's okay sweetie. Every time there is flour around, be sure that what you baked will make you proud." What is that supposed to mean?

She took a piece of cloth out of her pocket and put it on the island along with her glasses. She turned to the sink to clean her hands.

Sarah smiled at her words. Like I've never seen before, displaying dimples I didn't know she had. She is so beautiful. So cute. When did she grow up this much?

She took Bella's glasses, the cloth, and started to clean them for Bella. She just met her. What does she do to make everyone love her?

After cleaning her glasses she placed them on the island. That's the moment she raised her face and our eyes met. And as always she turned immediately and ran climbing the stairs towards her room.

"Sarah..." Bella called her, but Sarah didn't stop. She patted all over the place to find her glasses but they weren't there. Sarah left them on the other corner of the island before she left.

"Sarah, I can't see without my glasses." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her eyes were already watering. She was shivering, terrified. Just like on the interview day.

I took the glasses and went near her. She opened her eyes and with confusion on her face she asked if it was me. What?

Who else could it be?

I slipped the glasses on her face again and once her vision adjusted, she was surprised to see me, but not in a good way.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was Mr Wilson." Jared...

She asked where Sarah was. She had no idea about why Sarah would leave. But she was convinced that she had nothing to do with it.

She averted her eyes from me and continued cleaning as if there wasn't a big deal. I can't get her.

What about Sarah?

"Aren't you going after her?" I asked. She raised her face, surprised I was still there.

She said something about understanding that I didn't really get at all. What is she trying to say?

I don't understand people? Just like anyone? Judge? Understand... what?

I didn't say a word. Everything I would say after that would make me sound dumb.

I sat myself at the kitchen island and ignored her.

She just continued with her stuff. Ignoring my existence in a way I've never seen before.

The hell is wrong with her?

After something about backup I wasn't processing anymore. She excused herself and I was fast alone.

Me and the cupcake she left for me. Fluffy and soft, smooth chocolate flavour melting in my mouth. Strawberry filling. Sarah's favourite. Why? Why is she being so... sweet?

I went to my office after that. To work... maybe.

I tried, but it was impossible. There was a lot in my mind, and I didn't even know why.

'Bella' My mind answered me.

Why is she messing so much with me?

What am I missing?

I passed all around the office trying to find answers, but my brain already gave up on me.

That's when realization hit me hard. I forgot about the project. "Damn." I forgot to ask her.

I went to the window to get some peace of mind. The view of my garden is something I'm really proud of. I designed it myself.

The sight surprised me.

Bella was there painting a picture. It wasn't the garden itself. It was a bit messy.

Her back was turned to me, so she couldn't see me. And that gave me a perfect view of her painting.

Her emotions in every trace. Rage. Frustration. Pain?

That painting... is what she is feeling. A mess?

She didn't show that before. What was deep in her heart.

That painting is a piece of her mind...