Episode One-Hundred-thirteen: Shock

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Episode One-hundred-thirteen: Shock

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In my bank account, there was just over two hundred thousand dollars. I knew when I gave my information to Edward, it was around fifty. There was no possible way that could be right. I knew that I couldn’t have made enough from my pictures and videos. When I looked at the breakdown, it was just credit after credit from the production company that he published his work under. When I counted back to what I made from just my pictures, it was around fifteen thousand.

A dozen weird emotions swirled in me at once. Anger, frustration, and confusion being the main ones. Edward had access to my accounts for just under two months, and he had already funneled in a stupid amount, and I wasn’t sure how. 

I wanted to scream at it for some reason. Instantly, I knew that was childish, and he was doing it because he loved me. I gave him the open access, as well, and I knew what kind of man he was. I shouldn’t have been surprised. At least he wasn’t stealing from me. But I didn’t deserve it, so it felt like I was just taking it from him. I was the thief. 

After staring at the screen for a long time, I finally decided to put it on the back burner. One, I wasn’t going to in any way spoil Jasper’s arrival for either one of them. Also, I didn’t know enough. I needed more information. I needed a better breakdown of where the money from the production company came from. 

Edward had programmed the accountant’s information into my phone for me if I ever needed it. I decided to call it quickly before I chickened out. 

“Hello, Maria Lopez, CPA, speaking.”

“Hi, Mrs. Lopez. This is Isabella Swan.”

“Ah, yes! Ms. Swan. Hello. How can I help you today?” She asked right away. I bit my lip and thought about how I wanted to phrase it.

“Um, I was wondering if maybe you could help me with something. I was hoping to get a more comprehensive breakdown of where I’m getting my money from. From the production company.”

“Yes, ma’am. I can do that for you. Would you like it broke it down by video like Mr. Cullen?”
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“Yes! Yes, that would be perfect. I just want to see exactly where I’m getting the cash from. It just says ‘production company,’ but if you could do it by video, that would be great.”

“I can break it down in whatever way that you need,” she assured me quickly. “I’ll have that put together and emailed to you as soon as possible. Would you like me to call you when it’s ready?”

“How long will it take?”

“Just a day. I should have it to you by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh, no. I’ll just keep an eye on my email, and I’ll call you if there are any problems.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied briskly. “Is there anything else that I can do for you today?”

I shook my head automatically. “Um, no. Thank you.”

Just as I was ending the call, Edward came into the trailer without his jacket or shirt on. He peeked his head around the corner of the entryway at me playfully. I quickly exited the bank app and picked up my tablet. 

“Hey there, pretty girl. It’s lunchtime. Did you find what you needed?” He cheerfully asked. 

I stood and walked to my bag, promptly shoving the electronic device into it. “Yeah.”

“Are you okay?” He questioned right away. 

Not looking behind me, I started to rearrange my purse. “Yeah. Why?” 

He took a step towards me. “Why are you mad right now?”

I was terrible at hiding my emotions. I decided that I needed to lie by omission and give a good excuse. Luckily, I had one. “Oh. Jasper’s boss is just the worst. He makes me want to punch someone in the fucking face.”

Edward worriedly sighed, taking a step towards me to rub my shoulders gently from behind. “What did he do?”

“He’s a pervert.”

“So I’ve heard,” he muttered, putting his hand on my stomach as he rested his chin on my shoulder. “What did he do?”

“He grabbed one of Jasper’s female coworkers, and it made her quit.” 

Clicking his tongue, he shook his head a little. “I’m not surprised at all. You know, all the ladies at the station love Jasper, and he adores them. They all fawn all over him whenever they hang out after work at a pub or whatever,” he smirked. He then took out his phone and quickly typed to Jasper so that I could see. “I’m sorry that Jones is such a fucking bastard and sorry about your coworker. Text on your lunch break, and I’ll call if I can.” 

Jasper instantly replied. “Okay, darling. I will. I’ll be alright soon, no worries.”

Then there was a ding on my phone. I reached back into my purse to get it. It was from Jasper. “All done quitting. Loudly. Going home to pack. I got your email already, and it looks all right. Call when you can.”

I smiled to myself. “And what did he send you?” Edward asked with a chuckle. 

“Oh, I’m just bugging him about coming. I think that I might be finally getting to him,” I answered. “Isn’t Sarah coming with us?” I asked to distract him, turning to get my purse and type my message to Jasper. “Only pack clothes and special stuff. We’ll get everything else when you get here.” I swiftly put my phone in my pocket and took his hand. 

Just then there was a knock at the door. She popped in. “All ready.”

“I’m starving,” Edward complained, putting his hand on the small of my back. 

“Me too,” she agreed with him. When I came down the steps, she pulled me away from Edward so that we could walk arm in arm to the park with food trucks. “What are you going to get?”

“I’m not really hungry,” I admitted. 

“You okay?” She pouted. 

I quickly nodded and gave her a reassuring smile. “Yeah, just not in the mood for anything. Maybe I’ll get one of those smoothies,” I mused. 

Later in the day, when we got back to set, Sarah had a few minutes of downtime. We found our spot again. The set they were working on was far enough away that we could have talked normally, but she still whispered to me. 

“Did you and Eddie get in a fight?”

“Oh no,” I replied instantly. 

“Why were you upset earlier? You were obviously miffed at him.”

I bit my lip, looking towards the set. “I gave him free rein with my bank account, and he’s stuffed it with cash. And I don’t know how to feel about it because he does it because he loves me but still, I don’t want it. And I knew that he was going to do it and it makes me mad at myself for being surprised by it. I’m not sure how pissed I am yet, though. I am getting more details first. Honestly, I’m not that mad, really. Just…” I groaned. “Pushy fucking man.”

She giggled. “Aw, yeah. Well, there are worse problems to have when it comes to money.”

“Right! I know! I even thought that, but it’s an argument we’ve had, and he knows my concerns. But he’s also not connected to reality anymore when it comes to cash. I’m not totally sure if he’s doing it on purpose.”

“So, not relationship ending. You just want to make him sleep on the couch for a day?”

“No. I want to sleep on his couch. It’s amazing,” I laughed, leaning back against the wall as I looked at her. “No,” I repeated. “I won’t take it out on him like that. We’re adults. We’ll talk about it when we have time, and I know what to fuss at him about exactly.” 

Sarah smirked at me a little. “He knows that he’s in trouble, but he doesn’t know why, and it’s interesting to see him squirm.” 

“He won’t see the problem when I bring it up,” I replied honestly then shrugged. “But you said,” I faked his accent, making her giggle. “I don’t totally understand myself because I just gave our friend some money without batting an eyelash. So, obviously, I’d do the same for him, but maybe not to this degree.”

“He’s an enthusiastic boy.” I nodded in agreement and rolled my eyes. Someone called ‘Ms. Jones!’ loudly. “Ugh, I guess they mean me. I smack Archie in the next scene. Want me to get him good for you?”

“Yeah, but just once,” I teased. 

I walked up to watch this scene a little closer since I knew what was coming. I was standing not far from the director, Rob. He leaned over to Sarah and whispered, “he’s a big guy, he can handle it. Just surprise him a little.”

Edward was about to get slugged by our new friend, and it was going to be hilarious. 

Just as they started, I felt a buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a picture of Jasper sipping free champagne in the first-class area. “About to take off. See you soon, my dove. I told Tony that I was sick and just going to bed, FYI.” 

“Perfect. Have a safe flight!”

When I looked up, it was just in time to see Sarah give it to him good, and poor Edward had to be totally unmoved. I saw the utter shock in his eyes as she probably surprised the hell out of him. 

“Excuse me! Was that necessary?!” He shouted at her, staying in character. I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. 

“Obviously, I thought so at the time!” She snapped back as she held her hand to her chest, pretending to be in serious pain. It was supposed to feel like she hit a brick wall. 

“And cut!” Rob yelled. 

Sarah instantly grabbed Edward’s face. “Oh, my god! I am so sorry! That was way harder than I meant.” She rubbed his cheek and kissed at his face like a worried Nana.

“Ow!” He began to laugh hysterically. His eyes were watering, bright red, and glossy. Leaning his forehead against her shoulder, he totally dissolved into giggles. “I knew that it was coming, and it’s still making me cry.”

She hugged his entire head. “I am so sorry!” She laughed as well. 

“It was perfect! Don’t worry! We don’t have to do it again,” the director assured him. 

“Good!” Edward snorted, finally straightening up. “Um, can I have a break? My ears are ringing.” 

Rob laughed. “Yeah. Go ahead. I’ll text you when I need you.”

“Thanks,” he kind of whimpered. Sarah hugged him again, muttering in his chest how sorry she was. “It’s okay. It was a good scene! You’re surprisingly strong, and I’ve just realized that I’ve not gotten a proper smack in a while.”

I held my arms out to him. Sarah was smirking behind his back. I had to try not to let my amusement show too much on my face, but I failed. There was a big red handprint on his cheek. “Oh, my poor baby,” I simpered, rubbing it with my palm as I kissed the other side.

“I think that I need a lie-down,” he said in a thick accent that he obviously couldn’t control. 

“Yeah. Come on,” I snickered as I pulled him along. 

“You seem to be in a better mood. Did you enjoy my pain that much?”

I pursed my lips, smirking a little. “She didn’t have to go that hard. I’m sorry that she hurt you.” I giggled at his expression. “I’m sorry,” I repeated. “You’re just so funny together, and I knew that it was coming too, and it still surprised me as well. I heard the director tell her to, but I don’t think she meant to rattle your brains like that.”

“Oh goddammit,” he laughed. “I told him that I could handle whatever she threw at me. Bastard.” 

I giggled again as he plopped down heavily at the table and laid his head against it. I sat across from him and stroked his hair. After a few minutes, he brought his phone out of his pocket. He pouted when he read the message from Jasper. 

“What’s the matter?” I asked as I played with the curls at the back of his neck. 

“He’s gone home early because he’s sick. I hope that he’s not worked himself up into a fit.”

I leaned down to kiss his temple. “He’s probably just getting a cold or something. He’ll be fine in a day or two. You know how stress can affect your health,” I offered. 

Edward crossed his arms under his head and swallowed heavily. “I feel so guilty that I can’t be there to comfort him. And if he’s really getting sick, I want to be able to-” he stopped and sniffed deeply, shaking his head. “Jeez, why am I getting so emotional all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. Why do you think you are?” I questioned gently. 

“Because I miss him so much,” he sniffled again, and a tear rolled down his cheek. “If I were in Sydney today, I would have gone up to the station and punched that man for making my boyfriend feel like shit for years and then carried Jasper out over my shoulder like a caveman if I had to. But I can’t because I’m here. And he’s alone, and sick and depressed. I’m a bad friend and a worse boyfriend.”

“No!” I rushed to say. “You’re a wonderful boyfriend. You wouldn’t be so upset if you weren’t.” I leaned down to kiss the tears away. “Oh, no. Don’t do that. He doesn’t think that you’re either of those things, and neither do I. We both love you and think you’re amazing.”

He closed his eyes tightly. “I’m sorry. This is kind of out of nowhere. I’ve just been missing him all day, and now my head hurts.” I laughed just a little because I couldn’t help it. Smoothing my thumb over his cheek, I tried to calm him. “And you were mad at me, and I don’t know why.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Liar,” he whispered. 

“I’m just annoyed about something, but it’s not worth starting a fight over, especially right now. I was just cranky earlier. And obviously watching Sarah give it to you for me really helped.” He snorted, smiling a bit. I leaned down and kissed his sore cheek. “I love you, my sweet man.”

“I love you, too,” he promised, pouting some, but there was a smile underneath it. “She really did hit me for you, didn’t she? Jesus.”

“Ahuh,” I laughed, kissing his cheek again. “That little girl cleaned your clock good. Do you need some aspirin?” Edward just nodded his head, pouting a bit more.  

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