Chapter 107: Chapter 107

Chapter 107 Unexpected Arrangements

"What's with that grim look on your face?"

From the moment Bella stepped into the house, she noticed that Edward was a little different from his usual self. As for what exactly was different, she couldn't tell. The only thing she noticed was that it wasn't a change in appearance, but rather, a different aura surrounding Edward. His shrugged eyebrows revealed a heavy heart, and his unusually low voice reinforced the idea that something bad had happened.

'Something must have happened to Edward throughout the day,' Bella thought. 'I wonder what it is though.'

She decided not to ask pry any further and pretended to act normal. But throughout the evening, although she talked about her day at work like she typically did, her mind never stopped thinking about whether she had overlooked something unusual that had happened to Edward in the past two days. She suspected that starting work again so soon might have been difficult for him because he was originally opposed to the idea. She intentionally inquired about his new job but it was clear that he wasn't interested in providing details other than replying with a simple 'Not bad' and 'Okay'.

Worried, Bella once again asked him with much concern, "Honey? Is everything okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine, just a little tired," he replied casually without even looking at her.

Edward's indifference made Bella feel a little awkward, as she had been talking to herself all evening and she felt like a complete fool. She thought Edward wasn't paying any attention to her. He didn't even bother inquiring about her day. She stopped talking, choosing not to ask him any more questions. Instead, she focused all of her energy on using her knife and fork to cut the lamb chops into small pieces and savoring them to ease the embarrassment of the two having nothing to say. The awkward silence bothered her.

Once dinner was over, Edward put down his cutlery and said to Bella, "Bella, I still have some work to take care of. So, I may have to stay in the study until late. Don't wait for me, okay? Just go to sleep or else you'll be waiting too much." After which, he got up, left the dining room and went to the study. Bella looked at his broad shoulders and distant back as he walked away and a sad feeling suddenly arose in her heart. To her, it was as if he was leaving forever.

"Edward!" she called out anxiously.

Edward came to a halt, whipped his head around and shouted, "Bella! What is it?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing," she said, squeezing out a reluctant smile. "Don't stay up too late. You should get some rest too, or else you're going to be tired tomorrow."

"Oh, Bella! Thank you for your concern. I love you," he gave Bella a warm smile and walked into the study without another glance at her.

Bella was crestfallen. She could detect that something was wrong but she could not quite put her finger on what it was. She sighed, wishing that she had the ability to read minds, so she could know what was preoccupying his thoughts and help him share the stress. Bella shrugged her shoulders and closed her eyes momentarily in an attempt to dissipate her anxiety. After cleaning up the dishes, she took a warm shower, went back to her room, and lay in her bed reading a book until she felt her eyelids heavy with sleep.

*****

The next morning at work, Bella was shocked by the assignment she received upon arriving at the office; the president had arranged for her to travel to a branch office in England to assist in some work and learn business management.

"Why?"

She looked up to find both the president's and Kelvin's amused expressions closely watching her. She realized that she was overreacting and her face reddened with embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I'm just... overwhelmed, I guess. I respect your decision, it's just that it's too sudden and took me completely by surprise."

"Don't apologize. It's perfectly understandable. Don't you want to go? It's a great opportunity to learn new things, and my assistant Jack will guide you. I assure you that you'll be in good hands, and you will learn a lot of useful things from him. If you have high ambitions and want to get better at your job, then this is a trip you just can't refuse," the president said seriously.

"I'm very grateful to you for providing me with this opportunity. I would like to know when the flight is and also, the duration of the trip. I need to arrange some personal things before then," Bella said with a smile, trying to keep a calm composure.

She was not going to tell the president that she wasn't too fond to go because she could not leave Edward, afraid that the president would think that she was not career-minded enough. Yes, she had to admit that this business trip was a one-of-a-lifetime opportunity that would improve her chances of promotion. She knew that her colleagues in the company would be salivating at such a great opportunity. If Edward knew about it, he would be sincerely happy for her too.

"The sooner the better, you have three days to leave. As for how long you'll be there, I can't guarantee it, maybe you'll be back soon, maybe it'll take a little longer, depending on your performance," the president replied curtly.

"Well..." Bella thought for a moment, "The day after tomorrow, then."

"Sounds good," the president nodded and turned his head to focus on the computer screen, no longer paying attention to her. Bella bowed slightly as a sign of respect and left the president's office. She hadn't made more than a few steps when the president called out to her, "Wait a minute."

"May I ask if there is anything else?" Bella asked respectfully.

"Yes, there is actually." He looked at her very seriously and said in an authoritative tone, "Stay away from men, especially those you don't know well. They're dangerous," he said coldly.

Bella froze for a second or two before responding, "Okay." She didn't understand at all what the president meant by the phrase 'stay away from men'. There was something inexplicably possessive in that statement as if he thought she belonged to him somehow, which was ridiculous! But that doesn't matter, she just needed to respond positively and not do what he wanted. Their relationship was strictly on a professional basis, superior and employee. Nothing more than that. He had no right to control her private life.

When she got home in the evening, Bella delivered the news to Edward. But to her surprise, he didn't look shocked at all. Which was not what she expected.

"It's an incredibly good opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and gain new skills. And remember to have a good time in Europe while you're at it, " he added with a smirk.

"I do know all of that, I can't help but feel a sort of emptiness inside. If only you could come with me," Bella said with much chagrin and pouted her heart-shaped lips.

"My dear wife, I would absolutely love to accompany you but unfortunately, it's a work trip, not a vacation. Don't you worry though, if you feel lonely over there, you can always visit my aunt in London. I'll give you her address and you can keep in touch with her or better yet, keep each other company."

Edward tore off a sticky note, jotted his aunt's address down and handed it to Bella. She took out her phone and searched the address in Google Maps. To her pleasant surprise and relief, the address was remarkably close to Skytel's branch.

"My, my, what a coincidence! So uncanny!" she muttered to herself.