A Change in Direction: Chapter Thirteen

3/12/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Thirteen

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Chapter Thirteen

“Oh, my GOD! Edward Masen, as in your boss? As in my husband’s boss’s boss? Are you SERIOUS?” My best friend squealed, throwing her bag down. “Oh, my god. He’s HOT!”

“Alice, seriously. Don’t tell Jasper, please,” I pleaded. “I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.”

She frowned for a moment. “Isn’t there a policy at Eagle that says you can’t date co-workers?” She asked, looking out the window again even though he was long gone.

“I don’t work for them, though. I work for Edward. There’s a difference.”

“And from what I can tell, you were really working it, too,” she giggled, going over to the couch and sitting down with a plop. She took a drag from her coffee then smacked her lips loudly. “If that’s what you do for money, I wonder if he’ll hire me!”

“Alice!” I hissed.

“What?” She laughed, but then she took in my more serious expression. “That’s not how you’re making cash, is it?”

I quickly looked away, my cheeks heating. “Today’s my day off,” I dodged her question, but she wasn’t happy with the answer. That much was clear by her frown. “It’s not like that. I’m not his whore or something. I’m doing other things. Cooking. Grocery shopping. I’m not a whore,” I repeated.

She handed me my tea as I sat down beside her, unable to look her in the face. “Then, what are you?”

“I have no idea,” I told her truthfully. “But I know I won’t quit now. You know I’m not a gold digger, right?”

Alice pulled away in surprise at my words. “Of course! And Jasper knows that, too. Why can’t I tell him?” She asked, rubbing my back comfortingly. She didn’t enjoy keeping things from him.

“He has to work with Edward every single day. What if it’s weird?”

“It’s not like Mr. Masen hired you only for the sex,” Alice laughed. Then she threw her head back, cackling. “Oh, god! If he did, Jasper’s your pimp!”

Laughing too, I covered my face in horror. “Oh, don’t say that! I thought the same thing, but he didn’t hire me just for it. We’ve only kissed. He hasn’t even tried for second base yet. I think he’s a little shy, to be honest,” I admitted. “Alice, I’ll tell Jasper one day, but we can’t yet. You know how protective he can be. I don’t want him to ruin this for me. I’ll cook, take care of things for him in Edward’s personal life, and be his date to stuff. I know- I know this isn’t a normal thing to do, to ‘date’ your boss, but it couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. And I enjoy being around him so much.” It was the best I could come up with. I didn’t want my best friend to think less of me. And I wasn’t entirely sure I was lying.

“You like him, don’t you?” She knowingly smiled. I hated her sometimes when she was like that. “I mean, like him, like him.”

I rolled my eyes at her childishness. “Well, I’ve only known him a week.”

“Does that even matter?” Maybe Alice had a point.

“I guess not,” I paused. “I do like him a lot. He’s a nice guy, and he’s fun to be around. And I think we have a lot in common,” I rambled. “My life has changed so much in the past few days since meeting him. For the first time in a long time, though, I’m happy.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” She pouted for a moment. “Alright, I won’t tell Jasper... yet. But, at some point, you need to inform him you’re seeing Mr. Masen. I don’t want him to find you two making out, and then Jazz kicks his ass because he thinks his boss is forcing himself on you. That would be bad.”

My eyes grew at the thought. “That would be awful,” I agreed. We were quiet for a long minute, both of us taking a drink from our Starbucks cups. “What are you doing here, anyway? What happened to calling me?”

“I got bored.” Alice shrugged, her tiny shoulders bouncing slightly. “I’ve been in the house all day. It seemed like a good idea. I’m sorry I interrupted.”

Sighing, I shook my head. “It’s alright. It’s probably a good thing it happened,” I declared. Whether I believe that myself, I wasn’t sure. I wouldn’t hold on to the thought for too long, though. There was nothing I could do about it, anyway.

“That looked really hot,” Alice commented with a tiny smirk before she snickered. “You weren’t joking when you said he was eye candy.”

“You called him that,” I reminded her.

“Hm, and I wasn’t wrong,” she giggled again wickedly. “Jazz is hotter, but I’d hit that.”

“Then I’d hit you. With a stick,” I replied dryly, taking another swig of tea.

My best friend narrowed her eyes at me. “Oh, I think someone may be a wee bit possessive. Not that I blame you. Hot, rich...”

“Generous and kind,” I finished for her. “He’s got this shy heart. He seems so broken in ways, like an injured bird. I just want to fix him, nurse him back to health.”

“So, he’s got issues?”

“Doesn’t everyone?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. She nodded then shrugged, her head lulling to the side as she gazed at me. “Apparently, money isn’t a cure-all.”

“Nothing’s a cure-all.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” I commented, swirling around the tea in my cup before sighing heavily. Smiling over at my best friend, I bumped my shoulder against hers. “I’m glad I can talk to you about this without being worried about revealing too much.”

Though I would never tell her everything.

“Oh, Bella, you know you can trust me with anything. You can tell me all the dark, dirty secrets, and I will take them to the grave.” It was Alice’s turn to sigh. “Dirty, dark, nasty secrets.”

“I don’t think he’s got a dungeon or anything, Al. Sorry,” I remarked with a laugh. “I don’t think it’ll be that dirty or dark.”

“Shame,” she giggled before picking up her bag. “Right, we should probably move on before I get too hot and bothered. Ready to see the samples? I’ve started getting ready for the Maker’s Fair next month. Oh, would you still be able to come to help me?”

“Oh!” I mumbled, thinking to myself. “I don’t know. I’ll ask Edward if I can have the day off. No promises, but I’ll see.”

“You’re my favorite salesgirl, so try hard.”

“You just don’t want Jasper there with you all day, complaining about being bored.”

Alice laughed and smiled sinfully. “Exactly.”

I arrived at Edward’s home at about three-fifteen, thanks to Seth’s driving. It was the first time I had been in without him, and he still hadn’t given me the tour as he promised. I knew the rooms that counted, though. The kitchen. The game room. The bathroom.

I rang the doorbell, and the maid was quick to open the door. “Come in,” she announced as she opened it wide for me. “Mr. Masen left papers in the kitchen.”

“Oh, thank you,” I said to her back as she went off in the opposite direction. “Okay,” I drew out. I didn’t even know her name, and that wouldn’t do. When I got a chance, I would have to talk to her.

I headed into the kitchen and found a note with my name on it. I picked it up and sat on the stool, looking over the information on it.

Bella,

Just a few things I forgot to tell you. Please call Angela to get my personal schedule. There is some stuff on there that will affect you, I’m sure. Her line at work is already on your phone.

Also, if you need to go anywhere today and don’t feel like calling for a car, ask the groundskeeper for a set of keys. He’ll help you out. He should be on the property until six.

I have a meeting until five, but they usually run late. I should be home no later than seven, though. Please pick out something for us to do here tonight.

I can’t wait to see you again.

With all my affection,

E.A. Masen

His handwriting was so elegant, almost like he wrote it with a feather quill and a pot of ink. I smiled slightly at the words, then folded up the note before I put it in my pocket for later.

I would call Angela soon enough, but my first order of business was starting dinner. I was going to make soup, and they always tasted better after they simmered for a while. Also, I wanted to marinate my chicken for the following day.

I turned on the radio sitting on the kitchen counter. Edward’s iPod was plugged into it. Queen filled the air, and I grinned at the beat. I danced over to the fridge and pulled out the ground beef, along with the carrots and corn I needed. Twirling, I then retrieved the onions and garlic.

Getting out a large soup pot, I poured just a tablespoon of olive oil into the bottom to warm.

“I want to ride my bicycle...” I sang loudly along with the music as I chopped. I threw them into it to soften, dancing over to the pantry to pull out some seasonings and a can of tomato paste. “You say black, I say white...”

Next, I tossed in the meat with some spices. Once browned, I added the tomato and let it cook for a moment. The kitchen smelled amazing, and I wondered briefly when the last time I had savored an aroma like this. Once it was ready, I added the broth, with some sliced carrots, mushrooms, green beans, and a little something to thicken the whole pot. I hummed in pleasure, putting the lid on it.

It took me a few moments to find a bowl large enough to put my chicken in, and in the process, I realized Edward had no Tupperware. It wouldn’t be possible to save him leftovers without them. I would have to run to the store quickly after I got things going.

I arranged the meat in the dish before covering all of it with buttermilk. He wanted fried chicken the other day, and that’s exactly what I would give him, but it would be better than anything he ever bought at a KFC.

I was about to go find the groundskeeper when I remembered I needed to call Angela. That was probably more important. I grabbed my phone, along with my laptop, and sat back down at the island. I opened up the notes section, just in case I had to write something.

Scrolling through the numbers, it didn’t take long to get to the right one. She picked up on the second ring. “Eagle Gas Company. This is Edward Masen’s office. Angela speaking. How may I help you today?”

“Hi, this is Ms. Swan.”

“Oh! Good afternoon. What can I do for you?”

“Edward- Mr. Masen, I mean, told me to call you. He said you had his schedule.”

“Oh, I sure do! Honestly, I’m uncertain what he’d do without me to remind him of all the things he has to do,” she laughed happily. “He’s so busy he just ignores the personal stuff most of the time. Why don’t you give me your email address and I’ll send it to you?”

“That would be great. It’s Bswan1984 at yahoo.”

“Got it. And sent,” she stated promptly. “Look it over real quick and let me know if you have any questions if you can. Are you near a computer?”

It was only a few seconds later when the email popped into my inbox. “Yeah, just give me a second.”

She had sent all the things he had planned for the rest of the year. The first that concerned me was marked ‘Ball’ just before Halloween. “What’s Ball?”

“Ball? Oh, Ball! Mr. Masen is going to a charity ball. It’s the March of Dimes Masquerade Ball, sponsored by the Mardi Gras krewe he’s a part of.”

“He’s part of a krewe?”

“Oh, yes. Mr. Masen likes to get involved with local charities and groups. It’s good for business. They’re also having a Christmas party in December. Both are Black-tie. I’m guessing he didn’t tell you, and you don’t have a dress yet?”

“No,” I frowned to myself. “And it’s only a week and a half away.”

“Well, if there is any way I can help you, let me know. Do you have anything else you wanted to ask about?”

I hastily looked over the email. “No. I think I got it.”

“Okay, just to let you know Mr. Masen hates doctor’s appointments, and he has one in two weeks. He’ll pretend he doesn’t or that he has a meeting. He doesn’t. I’ve cleared the whole day for it. You’ll have to make him go.”

I laughed. “Is it that bad?”

“You have no idea,” Angela sounded annoyed, and I could tell she had been dealing with it for a while.

“Hm,” I hummed to myself. “I wonder if it would be easier if I went to the doctor with him too. I needed to go anyway. Is it just a check-up?”

“Yeah, it is. And that’s a great idea. Would you like me to set that up for you?”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all, Ms. Swan.”

“Please, call me Bella,” I smiled. “Thanks, Angela. Mr. Masen should have any information you may need for that. Is there anything else I need to get from you?”

“Nope, I think we got it. I’ll send important things to your email if that’s alright?”

“That works for me. Thanks. Have a good afternoon.”

“You, too!” She said brightly before hanging up. I could see why Edward hired her. She was easy to work with and charming. She seemed like a lovely person.

I turned my soup down to low and gave it a quick stir before heading out to look for the groundskeeper. I was just going to jump over to the grocery store, and there was no reason to order a car, especially since there was one about ten minutes away.

First, I checked in the greenhouse before searching the massive garage. Inside were several cars in varying conditions. Some were brand-new and perfect, while others were being fixed up.

“Hello?” I called as I looked around. There was music playing quietly, but I couldn’t see anyone.

I was just about to give up and call Seth when I finally heard him. “Hi,” responded a very tall young man with long black hair braided down his back. He was olive-skinned, but not in the same way the maid was. It was slightly lighter, redder in his cheeks. He was handsome and took me aback for a moment. “Can I help you?”

“Oh! Um, yes. Are you the groundskeeper?”

“Yeah,” he answered as he wiped his hands on a grungy used-to-be white towel. “I’m Jake. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Bella,” I replied. “Mr. Masen said you had some keys for me if I needed to go somewhere?”

“Oh,” he drew out, looking me up and down. “So, you’re the Ms. Swan he was telling me about. He wasn’t joking when he called you beautiful.”

Flushing pink, I felt a little angry. Not because Edward had told a stranger this, but because he was flirting with me while we were both working. “Can I have those keys?”

“Down to business, I see.” He frowned, going over to a messy desk on the other side of the garage. He pulled them out. “Mr. Masen said you could take the Camaro,” he declared as he tossed me the keyring. I caught them, and the metal stung my palm.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, looking for it. I didn’t really talk ‘car,’ so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was searching for. Jake saw my effort and chuckled.

“It’s over here.” He pointed to the far left, beside the SUV. “We hid it.”

“Oh,” I muttered, my nose turning red as I rushed past him.

“It’s got a full tank. Enjoy the drive,” he called, sauntering back over to the desk. He pressed a button, so the garage door opened.

I hurriedly left, ready to be away from the awkwardness I felt around him. It wasn’t a feeling I enjoyed.

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Thanks to Gina for proofreading this chapter!

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