Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

Chapter 1

Song: Family of Me by Ben Folds

Edward Cullen was used to being alone. He spent his dinners alone, free time alone, and rarely made any real effort at trying to make friends outside of his work place. He didn't think it was necessary in his life. He had his family, and that was it. Though he never spoke to them much, he had the knowledge that they were just a phone call away if he ever needed to talk to them.

Edward was a solitary creature and prided himself in being purely independent. He didn't like asking for help or looking weak because if you looked weak in someone else's eyes, you were vulnerable. And being vulnerable was not always such a good thing in an unfair world.

He had his own set of rules he abided by. It was all kept in that amazing head of his, under his messy, but famous hair. He graduated high school at the age of sixteen and went on to earn his college degrees. When his grandfather died the year he was to graduate, the multi-million dollar family company was to be handled by the next Cullen.

Edward's father, Carlisle, was already a brilliant surgeon and about to retire so he refused to take over the business, stating that he was never interested in business. Edward, being the loyal and responsible grandson he was, reassured his dying grandfather that the company would be in good hands. Grandfather Cullen decided that Edward would be a great choice for the company and had his team of dedicated lawyers draw up papers immediately. The Board of Directors were a little bit unsure about allowing Edward to be in charge of the company, but he assured them he would work very hard to keep the company in good shape.

And so the documents were signed and Edward Anthony Cullen was to be the next CEO and chairman of Cullen Corporations. The Board of Directors ultimately decided to keep a close watch on Edward during his first year.

He proved to exceed their expectations.

Grandfather Cullen died peacefully, knowing the business would be kept in good hands. The entire family gathered around his bed as he took his final breaths and looked at the faces of his children and grandchildren for the last time. That was the only time in his adult life Edward allowed anyone to see the tears on his face as his beloved grandfather closed his eyes.

At the age of 30, Edward Cullen was known for his fierce attitude at meetings. He was very private and people knew very little about his personal life. He was rarely seen at any social events except some mandatory company parties. Edward preferred to stay out of the spotlight so people wouldn't be able to analyze him like a specimen under a microscope.

His assistant Jane once told him that he was a little boring. Edward frowned at this statement. He thought he was a pretty cool boss.

Edward didn't want to admit it, but he was lonely, terribly lonely. He wanted the comfort and love couples shared like he saw in those diamond store TV commercials.

"Mr. Cullen, you have a meeting in ten minutes," Jane said through the phone.

Edward rubbed his eyes and yawned, nodding as if Jane could see him through the phone.

"Alright," he responded, pressing the button on the phone. He stood up and stretched. It was nine o'clock and he desperately wanted to crawl back into bed. He was up until 1 A.M. working. He hadn't bothered to check the time.

His eyes had dark circles under them when he first woke up. They cleared up just a little bit after he got himself cleaned up and dressed. They were still visible and Edward wondered if there was some sort of quick solution to stop looking like a panda.

He called Jane in to help. She sighed and dug something out of her purple purse. She held up a brush and a container of tan looking powder. She quickly dipped the brush into the jar and lifted it to his face. He closed his eyes and she dragged the brush in fast motions under his eyes.

When he opened them again, she held up a compact mirror and he examined himself. The circles were hidden this time and he wasn't able to see them. He thanked her and walked to the meeting room, folders tucked under his arm.

He sat down at the front of the table and took his things out. He prepared himself for a long and boring talk with negotiations and proposals.

"Have a good evening, Mr. Cullen," Jane said as Edward closed his office door for the day.

"Thanks, you too," he replied, walking past her.

He stood in the elevator alone and thought to himself. Jane was right, in a sense. He needed to activate his social life again. It had been on a very long hiatus. His little sister Alice would be proud to hear he was finally allowing himself to have some fun. He wondered what he was doing right now. He hadn't seen her in a year, not since last Christmas.

Edward's limo waited outside the building and he climbed inside quickly. It was starting to drizzle lightly and he didn't want to get soaked. His expensive suit deserved the best treatment. He wasn't going to damage it in any way. Besides, Alice would kill him. She picked it out for him last year.

The limo drove slowly and he took the time to think of all the ways he could bring some fun into his social life again. He wanted to meet some new people because he was always alone.

There, he confessed to wanting to meet new people. That was the first step, right?

The rain started getting heavier and the raindrops could be heard from the roof of the limo.

When the limo pulled up to his apartment building, Edward thanked his driver and bid him goodnight. Edward's doorman rushed to his rescue with an umbrella as soon as he stepped out of the limo.

As they walked to the entrance, an old man staggered toward Edward with his hands outstretched.

"Please... help me," the man croaked, shivering from the cold rain.

The doorman looked uncomfortable and shifted under the umbrella.

Edward ignored the man and went straight to the door, leaving the man behind in the rain. He wasn't offering any assistance of any kind. He was tired enough from work and wanted a quiet and relaxing evening.

He pressed the button for the elevator. Edward shook his hair and the remaining rain drops fell onto his face and suit. His head turned left and he caught sight of the old man staring intently at him from behind the glass door of the apartment building entrance. Edward shuddered and was relieved when the elevator doors opened.

"Edward darling, it's your mother. Come home this weekend. We're hosting a birthday party and want you to make it home. We hope you can come because everyone misses you. Lots of love from the family and mom and dad." The answering machine beeped, signaling the end of the message.

Edward sighed as he looked at the calendar. The message was from two weeks ago. His mother always left him a random message once in a while to check up on him, or plead for him to visit them in Chicago. He never left New York City since he started working at Cullen Corp. It was his life, and all he knew to do.

He made a mental note to call his mother the next day to apologize for the late message. Perhaps he could make it up by taking a week off to go home to see his family.

He went into his stainless steel refrigerator and grabbed a plate of dinner made by his housekeeper and cook, Anita. He placed the plate in the microwave and leaned against the counter while it warmed.

Once it was done, he took it out and grabbed a fork from the wooden drawer. He sat down at the island and started eating.

When he was done, he put the plate in the sink and went to shower. After showering, Edward Cullen slipped into bed, seemingly satisfied. In his heart, he longed for something more than this boring old routine day after day.

He wasn't going to admit it, but he wanted love.