When Dawn Breaks Chapter 15

"Bella do you have an agent?" Emmett asked later that day during lunch as he slid a tray full of cookies towards Bella.

"Kind of." Bella told him. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I figure if you plan on doing more of these talks you are going to need someone to negotiate the compensation and perks for you." Emmett said.

Rosalie rolled her eyes.”Let me guess,you are more than perfect for the job."

"Yes I am."Emmett agreed.”I would make sure Bella got exactly what she deserved in return for her precious time."

"Wait. Why does Emmett get to be Bella's agent?"Alice asked.”I would be perfect for the job. I have much better people skills, and I am more mature."

"No way."Emmett disagreed.”I am much more mature than you are and I can intimidate people into giving me what I want."

"Bella already has an agent, she doesn't need either of you setting things up for her." Rosalie said cutting off the argument. "She has a new personal assistant named Tala who will be handling all of Bella's personal appearances from now on."

"How do you know you can really trust this person, Bella?”Emmett asked.

Bella finished chewing her bite of chicken parmesan before replying."She is the executor of my estate, Gene's grand daughter. She has worked with him since she has been out of college, so she is familiar with my family's private business."

"She is completely trust worthy, Emmett I promise." Rosalie told him. She knew Emmett was a jokester and extremely immature but when he loved someone he was all in. Rosalie knew that Emmett was genuinely concerned that Bella could be taken advantage of and would do anything he could to prevent that from happening.

Before Emmett could reply a disheveled looking Mr. Regen approached their table."Ms. Shurlong, I was wondering if you could come and check out how we have the stage set up for you and to make sure the seating is comfortable."

Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Maybe you could let her finish her lunch first."

"Oh, yes of course." The man stuttered out.

As he continued to stand there just staring at Bella, Rosalie sighed. "How about we meet you in the gym when we are done?"

"That would be great." He pointed over his shoulder. "I'll just be waiting in the gym while you finish."

Emmett laughed as they watched the man leave. "I mean I know it's cool watching you eat in your tiger form but I don't understand why it's so interesting watching you eat food as a human."

"It's not." Rosalie said as she wiped cookie crumbs off of Bella's shirt. "The man is just excited about tonight."

"I'm sure he is hoping to bring a lot of notoriety to the school. He's probably gunning for a super intendant job." Jasper said. "This would definitely help him win favor amongst the school board."

"Are you going to give him an endorsement?" Alice asked Bella.

Bella shook her head. "I don't know the man. There is no way I would put my name anywhere near him to further his career without knowing him."

"Besides agreeing to do this talk." Rosalie reminded her. "Which the mayor is officially hosting.Who knows what kind of favor he will ask you for."

Bella stood pulling Rosalie to her side. "It's a good thing I will have you there with me to keep me from agreeing to everything."

"It's my job to protect you."Rosalie said.”Even if it's from yourself."

Bella kissed Rosalie's cheek.”We will see you guys later."

"Alice can you take Bella's lunch cooler with you."Rosalie asked.”I have a feeling if I keep it with me, it won't last this meeting fully intact."

Bella laughed as they made their way to the gym. Upon seeing the principle outside the double doors pacing she whispered to Rosalie. "You were right he is pacing."

"Oh, great you're here."Mr. Regen said opening the doors and ushering the two girls inside. The gym floor was full of folding chairs, the bleachers were pulled out and had lines of rope with different numbers on them lining each row. On the stage were two leather arm chairs and a small coffee table inbetween. Mr. Regan waved is hand around the room. "We have everything set up so people can find their seat easily. A few students have volunteered to act as ushers to keep everyone where they are supposed to be. Numerous members of the press are going to be attending so I hope you won't mind answering a few of their questions?"

"The press will be coming?" Rosalie asked. "You never mentioned you invited the press."

Mr. Regen pulled on his shirt collar. "Well it will be a couple news outlets. No more than half a dozen."

"And you promised them Bella was willing to answer their questions?" Rosalie pressed. Seeing the man nod she took a breath to control her temper. "Bella agreed to do this as a way to raise money for the school district. She never agreed to do a press conference. Bella sweetheart, would you feel comfortable with that?"

Bella reached for Rosalie's hand and gave it a squeeze of thanks. "No, I wouldn't be comfortable with that at all."

"Oh well, I guess I can tell them you changed your mind." Mr. Regan said.

Rosalie took a step towards him making the man gulp audibly. "You will tell them that you are the reason that Bella is not doing it or Bella will not be coming at all."

"Yes of course Ms. Hale." He nodded his head so fast he looked like a bobble head doll.

Rosalie gave him an overly sweet smile, that came off as more threatening than sincere. "I want you to remember one thing Mr, Regen. You do not speak for Bella, so any promises or deals you made for people to have exclusive rights to her time are to be canceled or you won't like the fallout."

Sweat poured from the wide eyed man's hair line. "I…I….I, I mean there are no deals or promises."

"Sure there aren't." Rosalie said with a scoff. "If we're are done here we have class to get to."

Bella followed as Rosalie took her hand and led her out of the gym. Pulling her to a stop she put her arms around Rosalie's neck. "How I ever told you how hot you are when you are being all protective?"

"Bella I'm so sorry." Rosalie apologized. "I don't know what come over me. I just got worried you would agree to anything the man said like you usually do when people ask you to do things. I shouldn't have over stepped."

Bella kissed Rosalie's forehead. "No, you were in the right. I really need to learn how to set boundaries. I probably would have just went ahead with all his plans if you didn't step in."

"You aren't mad?" Rosalie asked.

Bella pulled her into a hug. "Why would I be mad that you are taking care of me?You should be mad that I don't let you do it more often."

"I try not to because I know you are still figuring out how to be your own person, but it's hard to stand back and watch people walk all over you." Rosalie told her.

Bella tightened her hold on Rosalie. "Well from now on I want you to step in when you think I need it, be it with pushy principles or Emmett and Alice. I keep promising you we are a partnership but I'm not really acting like it. I'm sorry I've been letting you down."

Rosalie leaned back to look at Bella's face. "You haven't let me down. You have frustrated me a lot but you could never let me down."

Bella sighed. "From now on I will try harder because even though I haven't been acting like it we are in this together.

"Together?" Rosalie asked with a smile.

"Together." Bella promised with a kiss, before they pulled apart and went their separate ways to class.