Monday morning came too fast. I woke up with thoughts of my mother and the breakfast that we're supposed to have in a few hours; I really wasn't looking forward to it. I haven't heard anything from my father yet, but yesterday I got calls from my siblings, which I successfully ignored.

I was beginning to regret leaving New Orleans more and more. London was peaceful and it gave me time to think about everything, but I couldn't stand being away from my businesses any longer, especially SwanBee industries. It's not that I didn't care much about my other companies, but I knew they were in good hands. Swan, however brought in millions every week and I couldn't chance it being in the wrong hands. That thought made me decide that I wasn't going to be spending another day longer in England, I was going to book a flight home as soon as possible. Now however I had a breakfast with my mother to deal with.

I looked down at my phone that was laying on the nights.0tand and saw it was nearly eight. I never slept so late, but the past few days I've just been tired all the time, I blamed it on the London heat.

My mother had called me last night to tell me we should meet at ten at a small dinner called Archilles, her tone of voice told me that she was very excited.

I went to the bathroom to do my business and when I was finished, an hour later, I was dressed in a grey dress that ended just below my knees. It was tight fitting, but loose on top. I wore it with a pair of black Christian Louboutin pumps.

When I was done with my hair and make-up I called my driver, he was at the entrance of the hotel in less than fifteen minutes and I vaguely wondered where exactly he lived. When we arrived at the diner there were fifteen minutes to spare. I immediately spotted my mother's blood red hair in a corner; she had on a pair of oversized glasses that probably cost a fortune, and her hair was made up in a messy bun.

Her whole face lit up when she saw me approaching. I may not like her very much, but I loved her unconditionally, that thought alone brought a small smile to my face. I told myself to try and show a little interest even if it's just for now, it wouldn't kill me and I didn't know how long it's going to be until I saw her again.

"You look great Bella" well that's a good start I thought to myself "the dress is a little mature for your age, but it still looks amazing. I would have loved it in red" she finished and signaled for a waiter.

"Thanks mother" I said uncertainly.

I saw her eyeing my bag suspiciously when I placed it on the table "What?" I asked her.

She moved in closer to me and whispered "please tell me you still don't walk around with a gun every time?"

I was about to reply, but thankfully our waitress interrupted us "can I get you anything?" she asked without pleasantries, I liked that.

I ordered my normal breakfast, which was toast with bacon and eggs, Renee had the same. When the waitress left she looked at me which told me I had to continue. "Yes I do, but only because it's necessary. You know how it gets."

"I just hope you're careful" she said and I found myself wanting erase all of the bad scenarios I was sure that she created in her mind.

"I am careful" I always were, there were too many incidents in the past when my life could have been taken away. Our family had enemies all around the world and all of them wanted the Swans dead.

We talked for another half hour about random stuff, well she talked mostly I just listened. She told me about all the places she visited the last few months. Before she came to England she spent a few weeks in Madrid with her mother, Marie. As I listened to my mother talk about my grandmother I found myself really missing her. It's been nearly a year since I saw her and I wanted to change that. I made a mental note to call her as soon as I got back in America. My abuela was completely different from my mother, while I couldn't actually relate to Renee I found it easy to talk to my grandmother. She had this grace about her that only she could bring forth. Just like Jasper, she had the talent to make anyone feel at ease when talking to her. That didn't work with my paternal grandmother though, the two of them hated each other and no one actually knew why.

They always fought about who the better grandparent was and they always asked my siblings and me to be the judge of that.

"Bella are you even listening to me?" I heard my mother ask. I was completely lost in thought to have paid much attention to her.

"Sorry I kind of zoned out thinking about abuela"

She smiled at that "well you don't have to worry she's completely fine she just misses you guys. But as I was saying then I met this guy his name is Phil…"

I choked on the soda that I was drinking "You what!" I asked a little too loud.

"I met a guy Bella and he's really handsome" I swear I saw stars in her eyes it made me nauseous.

"But you're … you're" I struggled to find the word I was looking for "you're old mother."

She looked really offended, but it was true "I am not old. I'm not even forty."

"Mother you're 46, accept it"

"No, but you're going to have to accept Phil" I didn't even want to know the details of their short relationship, but I was glad that she was happy.

"What about you Bella? When are you going to find yourself a boyfriend?" I really didn't want to be having a conversation like this with my mother.

"When the time is right I can't focus on stuff like that now I have a lot on my plate" I told her honestly. Throughout high school I dated a couple of guys, but it was never anything serious. I had only slept with two of them, including a one night stand with Felix, but that was it I just didn't have time for relationships. I doubt I ever would and that didn't bother me at all. When it came to guys I was very picky. Of course a lot of guys, including some very famous good looking men wanted a shot at me, I was just never interested.

"Well you better make time for some romance coz time isn't standing still." I just shrugged and dropped the subject.

She continued talking about Phil telling me he was a baseball player and originally from Jacksonville. He also had three kids and all of them were younger than me. Whenever she talked about him she had this far away dreamy look in her eyes. She was in love with him, that I could clearly see, it was ridiculous they haven't even known each other for a full month.

I took note that my mother hasn't once mentioned how much my siblings and I disappointed her or how she had much more prestigious careers planned out for us. I concluded that this Phil guy had something to do with it; maybe he was making her a better, less obnoxious, person. One could only hope.

A strange feeling crept through me and I was immediately on alert. Years of being targeted taught me what it felt like when someone was watching me. I casually looked behind me making sure not to let my mother suspect anything. I didn't see anything out of place so I turned my attention to Renee again luckily she was busy with her phone and didn't notice my slight distress.

Something in my gut told me to look in the right direction and when I did I was surprised, but didn't show it. Mr. Cullen was looking at me intently, when he noticed I saw him staring he smiled and dipped his drink forward towards me. I smiled in return and looked away. He was sitting opposite a relatively good looking man. He was older and had blonde hair. I guess you could call him hot if you were into old men, which I actually am. Mr. Cullen really was handsome; I didn't even know how to describe him. There was just something about him that made him look extra hot.

"So are you coming Wednesday?" Renee asked me out of nowhere.

"To what?" I asked. I'm sure I blanked out again.

She sighed dramatically "my gala. You said you would come."

"Oh that. I'm actually planning on going back to the states tomorrow" I told her and saw her face fell.

"Bella can't you just stay for a few extra days. You know after this we won't see each other for a while again."

I knew that was true so I agreed to stay until Friday so I could go to her event.

We parted ways and I watched her as she got in her car and drove over to meet her manager. It actually felt good talking to her, which was a first. I couldn't even think of a previous time where we just talked about random stuff. I think being away from my family made my personality a little more bearable and not having to talk about "family business" actually brought out the positive in me.

I decided on catching up on some of the work at SwanBee on my computer and hopefully it would keep me busy for the remainder of the day. The day was a complete waste on a good outfit. Situations like that were the only times when I actually wished I wasn't as anti-social. Everyone needed friends, they're the people who can fill up your day and make it less boring. When I reached the hotel I got out of the Limo and walked straight to the lobby. I took in a sharp breath when I saw Mr. Cullen heading the same direction. He was busy on his phone, but when he saw me he tucked his phone in his pocket. For the first time now I noticed how tall he was. He was extremely tall and lean. He was at least a whole foot taller than me.

We both stepped into the elevator; I reached out and pressed number 10 because I knew I was getting off before him.

"I hope you're still enjoying your stay" he told me I could hear he was nervous, his fuckable accent did a great job in masking his nerves.

"I am" the elevator moved incredibly slow and the atmosphere quickly became awkward. We stood next to each other like armed soldiers I don't even think one of us was breathing.

"You look really beautiful today" he admitted, I turned to him slightly and saw him looking at the floor sheepishly. It was probably the cutest thing I saw anyone doing.

"Muchas gracias" I said quickly. I always spoke Spanish when I was nervous. I felt myself blushing and cringed. I never blushed and I never got nevous.

The elevator opened on the tenth floor and I scrambled out not wanting to stay in there for a second longer.

Mr. Cullen was making me feel strange things. I didn't like it. It didn't like it at all.

A/U Hope you enjoyed it and PLEASE leave a review that's my motivation to write further. Anyone up for being my beta? Message me if you want to.

I'm excited to hear all of your thoughts. was the chapter too short? What did you think of Mr. Cullen, wasn't he adorable? Gosh I looooooovvve him.

Stay safe.