Kindness; a quality or state of being kind.

i stare at the computer screen until the words blur together my head pounding mercilessly. Drinking to take away the pain was good in hindsight but never ended well, i open the drawer at my desk taking out a bottle of excedrin and popping two. it should hold me until the afternoon meeting i needed to be up for and extremely focused.

This would be a good opportunity for the company to expand especially over seas, so much was riding on this meeting and failure was not an option. i turned my attention back to the computer staring at the blinking email icon, it was taunting me making my fingers itch to click it but my heart and mind are not ready. i already know the name of the sender and my anger and stubbornness is keeping me in check.

i swivel in my chair looking around my office space checking out the souvenirs from my many trips around the world. Its not empty but its not filled and thats just the way i like it, the quiet of the office unnerves me so i power on the radio and turn the volume on full nodding my head to the beat.

i double check the itinerary for the week and approve the design for a new logo before deciding a short nap is in order before the meeting. i move from my chair and over to the leather couch to lay down but not before buzzing my assitant to let her know not to bother me.

"Lauren hold off everything until 1:00" i buzz on the intercom.

" your noon appointment will be here shortly, should i hold that too?" She buzzes back.

"I Did say hold everything" i reply irritated.

"Just one more thing sir" she replies.

i grimace a small pounding in my head warning me to keep it cool but my headache is coming back in force and i'm tired and pissed off to no avail.

"This better be important" i snap back.

" you do remember you have two more fill ins coming in today"

and" i say losing patience.

she sighs " it coincides with your meeting sir" she says slowly.

Normally i would care but today is not boding my well and my headache is making it worse, i expect no less from my employees and i'm usually fair to them when my temper is low but not today and not now.

"Then reschedule the fucking appointment and don't bother me unless i page you are we clear?" i hiss back.

"Yes" she whispers.

i click off the intercom and lie down hoping for a dreamless sleep.

The flames spread quickly and the heat burns him as he moves away against the wall, his breathing fast and panicking as the flames get hotter and smoke fills the space. He hears screaming on the other side and he scrambles in the direction of the voice. as he moves he hears the house fall aparts and the pieces fall in front of him, he ducks and crawls feeling the flames reach him. they touch his skin and the pain is unbearable, he screams and screams not remembering what to do in his panic and the other voice screams back.

"Edward!" a deeper voice calls this time.

He tried to speak but the smoke invaded his mouth and senses.

"Where are you baby!?" a softer voice calls.

This voice he would do anything for so he crawls to the direction her voice is coming from and hes almost there. he can see her red dress blending in with the flames and the legs of his father. he crawls over and clings to her crying from pain and relief, she stares at him in horror and immediately grabs a sheet and puts the fire out.

Mother, Father , and Son Huddle in the corner trying to keep the flames at bay, the heat is unbearable now and the father wishes he had time to get the sprinklers fixed. the mother looks at her husband cradling her son's head and they communicate wordlessly.

Just as they stand the fire roars and leaps up higher and higher, they stare in horror before moving back but they have no where to go and the flames lick at their skin and clothes. the smoke blurs their vision and chokes them. just when they think they are doomed they hear the sound of help, the fire alarm and the mother cries tears of relief.

They break through the house turning on the hose and dousing the house with water, they can see the roof about to cave in and move quickly. they see the red dress and call out to them to hold on. they are badly hurt and the mother and father know they won't make it, they look at their son and the path the help cleared and makes a decision.

The roof cracks and time is running out, they put their son down and push him towards the path as the help hold out their arms. he won't budge clinging to his mother and crying loudly.

"Its okay baby go!" the mother calls and gives him one last push.

The fire-fighter catches him and looks back to the parents as the roof finally falls and swallows them whole. the fire is fiercer now grabbing the boy and the firemen as they move quickly through the house. there is no where to go but the window, they sit the boy down as they break the window and jump through.

Its just one fireman left and the boy, just as he bras the boy the fire catches up to them and hes jumping through the window. the fall is terrifying and the boy is screaming from terror and pain. just before they reach the ground darkness takes him.


i wake up shaking and sweating as knocking starts at the door, i calm down my breathing before sitting up just as the door bangs open. a tall lean woman in heels and a crisp suit walks in, she strides in on long legs exuding confidence.

"Edward" she calls concerned at his state.

He sits up " I'm fine vicky" he assures her.

Shes unconvinced but nods anyway before pulling the door wide open " you have a meeting and you'll be late in ten seconds" she says quickly.

I make it with two seconds to spare and rightfully so, it seems they would have started without me. i sit at the table next to michael and he passes me the folder with a small nod before turning to the front.

Benjamin smiles at me before clearing his throat signaling the start of the meeting.

" i would like to welcome you personally and say as senior partner who has been here for years i never thought we would get this far and it is my firm hope that we won't stop here" he finishes before sitting down.

The applause dies down when Tyler begins to speak, he's beginning to look more fragile and its my firm wish when he steps down that he will let me take over.

"Crowley and Company is relatively a small company and its a big risk to expand it so far but thanks to Edward i see the benefits" he says.

i nod and begin my long speech " i've put together a few key points for show and the expectations of this company" i say nodding to the folders in front of everyone.

"We can take this past physical representation and open a whole new venue, from image to actual places for example the law firm next door and i'm positive we can take the volturi company to a whole new level" i finish and sit calmly.

The volturi brothers aro and felix are discussing in small voices and their faces look so serious, there is a reason to be nervous but when i see tyler smile at me i know i had done well.

The minutes tick by slowly and everyone is on edge, if we get this deal we will be on our way to a bigger enterprise. the volturi brothers are a big european company and very famous, they handle big names in the industry and if we connect with them the possibilities are endless. i have other worries like find a new assistant and the CEO position, i know Michael wants it but only because he thinks he is entitled because hes the boss's nephew.

i worked hard to get where i am in this position, i'm right behind Ben and if we get this deal the CEO position is in the palm of my hand.

Finally the moment is here as the volturi brothers pull apart, aro slowly smiles and turns to Tyler.

"Where do we sign?" he asks in his thick accent.

The meeting is over and i can rest until tomorrow, i think about going out again but decide not to. when i land CEO then i'll celebrate until now i'm focusing on other issues. i pass Victoria on the way to my office chatting with lauren, she follows me and sits on my desk making herself comfortable.

"So i hear congratulations are in order" she sings with glee.

i smile " Not yet, we haven't made CEO yet"

She scoffs " Trust me that's a done deal"

"We'll see" i reply turning back to my computer.

She comes over and sits in my lap making me shift and groan, she wiggles a bit before settling down.

"What do you say we celebrate at my place tonight" she practically purrs tracing my lips with her finger.

i shiver feeling myself grow hard at the thought, it would take my mind off things but surprisingly i'm not feeling it tonight.

"Next time" i whisper in her ear.

she nods before grabbing my face roughly and kissing me, its aggressive and filled with need. she pulls my hair and bites my lips, her tongue begs for entrance but i kiss her once more before pulling away.

she stands up breathing heavily and straighten her clothes walking toward the door " Don't worry about finding a new assistant i have that covered" she says.

"Thanks vicky i appreciate it" i say sincerely.

i mean it shes been a good friend to me ever since i moved to the city and she would have loved to claim me if i wanted her to, we have a simple friendship( sexual of course) and it works for us. i would have never agreed to it if i didn't think i could handle it or she couldn't, this way neither of us gets hurt. shes not looking for commitment and i'm not looking for any of it, i'm better on my own not getting attached.

You get attached and you end up hurt, i only ever loved one woman before i lost her horribly and i won't go through that again.

"You can repay me tomorrow" she says winking before closing the door.

i arrive home at six in the evening with a lot on my mind, i finally opened one email from Rosalie and regretted it. it was pictures from the wedding with a note that said wish you were here. the happiness radiating from the pictures enrage me, they say time heals all wounds but for me it seemed useless.