Falling for a Dark Soul Update

FFADS Chapter 5 on FFn

FFADS Chapter 5 on AO3

FFADS Chapter 5 on Stars

FFADS Chapter 5 on Wattpad

“Thank you for seeing us,” I said, holding my sick sister in my lap. It had been a long weekend and she was no closer to being better. “I got your name from …”

“Edward told me to expect your call,” Dr. Marcus Volturi said. “He told me that your sister was not feeling very well and when she was at your office, Edward said that she’d had a very deep cough.”

“I, um, wow …” I spluttered. “I never expected that he would call you …”

“I’ve known Edward for some time, Miss Swan,” Dr. Volturi replied kindly. “And let’s just say, I was just as surprised to hear from him, but if he’d called, it must have really worried him.”

“Bella,” Katie rasped. “My throat hurts.”

“I know, Kit Kat,” I frowned.

“That’s why you’re here,” Dr. Volturi smiled. “I want to take some x-rays of her lungs. When I listened to her lungs, I heard some rattling. I also want to run a rapid strep test. Her throat may be sore from her coughing. I just want to rule everything out.” He looked at my sister. “Do you want to see your bones, Katie?”

“You can do that?” Katie asked, eyeing him curiously.

“With a special camera,” Dr. Volturi said, holding out his hand. Katie took it and hopped off my lap. “We’ll be right back, Miss Swan.” They left the examination room. I sat back, looking at the décor. It was reminiscent of Finding Nemo. I took out my cell phone, checking my email for work. I had to take another day off because of Katie’s illness, but Alice and Edward were understanding.

Speaking of Edward … I pulled up his contact information. He’d given me his cell phone number. He’d also contacted Dr. Volturi, concerned about Katie. I bit my lip, opening up a new text message.

Edward, this is Bella Swan. I wanted to thank you for Dr. Volturi’s number. We’re at the appointment now. Hopefully, he’ll help alleviate some of my sister’s discomfort. ~ Bella

On the screen, the three dots began dancing. Edward was responding.

I’m glad that Dr. Volturi can help you out. He’s an amazing physician. He works with my father. Let me know how Katie is? ~ Edward

I will. Thank you. ~ Bella

You stay healthy, too, Bella. Call me when you get a chance? ~ Edward

I blinked at that. My mouth opened and closed like a cod fish. I held my breath, responding to his text. Probably tonight. After Katie is in bed. ~ Bella

Does Katie, and well, you, like soup? ~ Edward

We’ve been living off soup all weekend. Kit Kat wanted me to make my mother’s famous potato soup. Sadly, I’m coming up short. ~ Bella

It’s a good thing that I can. My mom has a delicious recipe that tastes like baked potatoes. May I make soup for you and Katie? ~ Edward

Did I want my boss over at my house? Food was growing pretty scarce because I hadn’t gone to the grocery store. Katie was so sick that I still didn’t want her to stay with a sitter and she was too miserable to go out. Hell, trying to get her to the doctor was hellacious. There had been a lot of crying and throwing of stuffed animals. I had to resort to bribery. Once we got home, Katie would get to have ice cream for lunch and an hour of screen time.

I sucked as a parent.

Katie and I would like that. The pantry is a little barren … Here’s my address … I tapped out my address, along with a few options for parking. Usually, there were very few spots on the street.

I’ll be over around six, Bella. Call me if anything changes. ~ Edward

Information Regarding the Fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams

I've volunteered my time to help out one of our own. On August 22nd at 3pm (Central Time), I will be participating in a Zoom call. I'd love to meet you all ... virtually ... Please read below on how you can participate in the Zoom fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams. Thank you to Clo Rodeffer for creating the preview video.

In order to participate in a zoom call a donation of $5 or more will have to be made to:

Go Fund Me for Carey Anne Williams

*Once the donation is made a receipt or a screenshot needs to be mailed to:

Authors4carey@gmail.com

*Receipts must be sent by 8pm central time the day BEFORE the zoom meeting takes place. NO EXCEPTIONS.

*Each Zoom call requires a donation regardless of amount.

*Authors will be announced ahead of time. If you think you'd want to participate in their call, please submit your donation and question as soon as you can.

*A donation does not guarantee that your question will be answered but of course we will try our best to have everyone's questions answered, time permitting.

**We reserve the right to remove anyone who is disruptive, rude, or acts in any way that is not conducive to a positive experience for everyone from the call.

Falling for a Dark Soul Teaser

“Thank you for seeing us,” I said, holding my sick sister in my lap. It had been a long weekend and she was no closer to being better. “I got your name from …”

“Edward told me to expect your call,” Dr. Marcus Volturi said. “He told me that your sister was not feeling very well and when she was at your office, Edward said that she’d had a very deep cough.”

“I, um, wow …” I spluttered. “I never expected that he would call you …”

“I’ve known Edward for some time, Miss Swan,” Dr. Volturi replied kindly. “And let’s just say, I was just as surprised to hear from him, but if he’d called, it must have really worried him.”

“Bella,” Katie rasped. “My throat hurts.”

“I know, Kit Kat,” I frowned.

“That’s why you’re here,” Dr. Volturi smiled. “I want to take some x-rays of her lungs. When I listened to her lungs, I heard some rattling. I also want to run a rapid strep test. Her throat may be sore from her coughing. I just want to rule everything out.” He looked at my sister. “Do you want to see your bones, Katie?”

“You can do that?” Katie asked, eyeing him curiously.

“With a special camera,” Dr. Volturi said, holding out his hand. Katie took it and hopped off my lap. “We’ll be right back, Miss Swan.” They left the examination room. I sat back, looking at the décor. It was reminiscent of Finding Nemo. I took out my cell phone, checking my email for work. I had to take another day off because of Katie’s illness, but Alice and Edward were understanding.

Speaking of Edward … I pulled up his contact information. He’d given me his cell phone number. He’d also contacted Dr. Volturi, concerned about Katie. I bit my lip, opening up a new text message.

Edward, this is Bella Swan. I wanted to thank you for Dr. Volturi’s number. We’re at the appointment now. Hopefully, he’ll help alleviate some of my sister’s discomfort. ~ Bella

On the screen, the three dots began dancing. Edward was responding.

I’m glad that Dr. Volturi can help you out. He’s an amazing physician. He works with my father. Let me know how Katie is? ~ Edward

I will. Thank you. ~ Bella

You stay healthy, too, Bella. Call me when you get a chance? ~ Edward

I blinked at that. My mouth opened and closed like a cod fish. I held my breath, responding to his text. Probably tonight. After Katie is in bed. ~ Bella

Does Katie, and well, you, like soup? ~ Edward

We’ve been living off soup all weekend. Kit Kat wanted me to make my mother’s famous potato soup. Sadly, I’m coming up short. ~ Bella

It’s a good thing that I can. My mom has a delicious recipe that tastes like baked potatoes. May I make soup for you and Katie? ~ Edward

Did I want my boss over at my house? Food was growing pretty scarce because I hadn’t gone to the grocery store. Katie was so sick that I still didn’t want her to stay with a sitter and she was too miserable to go out. Hell, trying to get her to the doctor was hellacious. There had been a lot of crying and throwing of stuffed animals. I had to resort to bribery. Once we got home, Katie would get to have ice cream for lunch and an hour of screen time.

I sucked as a parent.

Katie and I would like that. The pantry is a little barren … Here’s my address … I tapped out my address, along with a few options for parking. Usually, there were very few spots on the street.

I’ll be over around six, Bella. Call me if anything changes. ~ Edward

Information Regarding the Fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams

I've volunteered my time to help out one of our own. On August 22nd at 3pm (Central Time), I will be participating in a Zoom call. I'd love to meet you all ... virtually ... Please read below on how you can participate in the Zoom fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams. Thank you to Clo Rodeffer for creating the preview video.

In order to participate in a zoom call a donation of $5 or more will have to be made to:

Go Fund Me for Carey Anne Williams

*Once the donation is made a receipt or a screenshot needs to be mailed to:

Authors4carey@gmail.com

*Receipts must be sent by 8pm central time the day BEFORE the zoom meeting takes place. NO EXCEPTIONS.

*Each Zoom call requires a donation regardless of amount.

*Authors will be announced ahead of time. If you think you'd want to participate in their call, please submit your donation and question as soon as you can.

*A donation does not guarantee that your question will be answered but of course we will try our best to have everyone's questions answered, time permitting.

**We reserve the right to remove anyone who is disruptive, rude, or acts in any way that is not conducive to a positive experience for everyone from the call.

Falling for a Dark Soul Update

FFADS Chapter 4 on FFn

FFADS Chapter 4 on AO3

FFADS Chapter 4 on Stars

FFADS Chapter 4 on Wattpad

Despite our heated interaction in the ladies room, Isabella nailed the presentation for New Moon Cosmetics. She was well-spoken and focused, laying out the promotional plan for their launch. Victoria and Laurent hung on every word, loving every idea that the team had created. Alice was the team leader, but it was clear that Bella carried this presentation.

Her ideas were fresh.

Her plan was multi-faceted, using traditional advertising mediums and venturing out with social media.

Her excitement was apparent as she shared the projected profits the company would receive, using our company.

Her professionalism was on point, pushing aside my behavior and giving the clients what they wanted.

After the meeting, paperwork was signed with promises of further meetings to discuss photo shoots and putting the plan that Isabella had created into place. Victoria, Laurent and their company, New Moon, had committed to a two-year advertising contract with my advertising agency. It was a multi-million dollar contract.

I was so proud of the work of the team, but in awe of Isabella Swan.

I carried the contract and walked back to my office. I scanned a copy of it into my computer before putting the hard copy into my files. I also sent a digital copy to the team. Checking my computer, I had another couple of hours before I had to leave for the fundraiser. It was being held at the Lincoln Conservatory.

There was a quiet knock on my door. “It’s open,” I said.

Alice Brandon walked inside. “Do you have a moment?” she asked. Her voice was still a bit hard, pissed off at how I’d treated her obvious star team member.

“I do,” I replied, looking at her.

“I just wanted to talk to you about Bella,” she said, sitting down in front of my desk. Her hands were in her lap, in tight fists. “She did amazingly well, despite your behavior …”

“I apologized, Alice,” I said. “I was in the wrong.”

“She also told me about the changes in her contract,” Alice said. “Regardless, I would be remiss as a team leader if I didn’t bring the concerns of my team to you. You are a brilliant man. You’ve saved this advertising agency and made us a leader, industry standard among our competition. You strive for excellence, but the way you want us to achieve it is through fear. You are brilliant, but you don’t have our respect. You have our fear. I understand that you’ve been dealing with some difficult personal issues recently, but it’s not appropriate to treat your employees so poorly.”

I frowned, upset that I was feared. I did respect my employees and their hard work. I paid them handsomely, giving huge bonuses at the end of the year. “Alice, there is no excuse for my recent behavior. Regardless of what I was dealing with personally, I should have never treated any of you without the highest modicum of respect. I am sorry.”

Alice blinked at me.

Twice within one work day, I’d apologized.

Clearing my throat, I continued since Alice was stunned by my admission, “I don’t want people to be afraid of me.”

“It’s like walking on egg shells, sir,” she blurted. “We never know when you’re going to explode. What you did to Bella today? That’s bullshit.”

“It was bullshit,” I agreed. “Alice, I will endeavor to improve my relationship with the staff. I … I’m at a loss as how to do it.”

“Something as simple as ‘I’m sorry’ will do wonders,” Alice urged. “This isn’t my company. You hand-selected us because you thought we were the best. I’m proud of what I do and for the most part, we’d never had any issues. However, we need to grow as a team. The agency I’d worked at prior to this, it had a family atmosphere.”

I don’t know how to be a part of a family. I don’t know how to trust.

Information Regarding the Fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams

I've volunteered my time to help out one of our own. On August 22nd at 3pm (Central Time), I will be participating in a Zoom call. I'd love to meet you all ... virtually ... Please read below on how you can participate in the Zoom fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams. Thank you to Clo Rodeffer for creating the preview video.

In order to participate in a zoom call a donation of $5 or more will have to be made to:

Go Fund Me for Carey Anne Williams

*Once the donation is made a receipt or a screenshot needs to be mailed to:

Authors4carey@gmail.com

*Receipts must be sent by 8pm central time the day BEFORE the zoom meeting takes place. NO EXCEPTIONS.

*Each Zoom call requires a donation regardless of amount.

*Authors will be announced ahead of time. If you think you'd want to participate in their call, please submit your donation and question as soon as you can.

*A donation does not guarantee that your question will be answered but of course we will try our best to have everyone's questions answered, time permitting.

**We reserve the right to remove anyone who is disruptive, rude, or acts in any way that is not conducive to a positive experience for everyone from the call.

Fandom Fundraiser for One of Our Own

I've volunteered my time to help out one of our own. On August 22nd at 3pm (Central Time), I will be participating in a Zoom call. I'd love to meet you all ... virtually ... Please read below on how you can participate in the Zoom fundraiser for Carey Anne Williams. Thank you to Clo Rodeffer for creating the preview video.

In order to participate in a zoom call a donation of $5 or more will have to be made to:

Go Fund Me for Carey Anne Williams

*Once the donation is made a receipt or a screenshot needs to be mailed to:

Authors4carey@gmail.com

*Receipts must be sent by 8pm central time the day BEFORE the zoom meeting takes place. NO EXCEPTIONS.

*Each Zoom call requires a donation regardless of amount.

*Authors will be announced ahead of time. If you think you'd want to participate in their call, please submit your donation and question as soon as you can.

*A donation does not guarantee that your question will be answered but of course we will try our best to have everyone's questions answered, time permitting.

**We reserve the right to remove anyone who is disruptive, rude, or acts in any way that is not conducive to a positive experience for everyone from the call.