I OWN NOTHING. SM OWNS IT ALL

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The Colleague. A/N Thanks for the reviews for the first chapter. You inspire me to carry on with this story, and I enjoy writing it.

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Chapter two.

There was something about Bella that I couldn't resist and that was odd for me. I keep most things inside, preferring to deal with them myself. But somehow Bella brought out a side of me that I wanted to share. Would she just laugh and tell me not to worry about it like everyone else did?

"Edward if you don't feel comfortable telling me I'm alright with that, afterall you hardly know me. And it's your business."

She seemed genuine enough but after what Rosalie had said... Well I'm going with my gut on this and that said trust her.

"Well to cut a long story short. Tanya was my girlfriend until six months ago, we had been together for around a year and a half. I thought that she was it for me. She started getting a bit distant looking back now. Then basically she dumped me stating that I was boring, useless and overbearing. Those were her exact words I believe."

"I see, so when that creep Mike said you were boring, how did that make you feel?"

Well she hadn't laughed or said the predictable yet.

"Yeah he's a creep, I don't know if he knows the details... I've never said. He speaks to Tanya though, so I guess he must. It makes me feel mad to be honest, I wanted to hit him because I'm angry that she left but more than that she hasn't said one word to me since she walked. It's like we never existed. She has someone else now. Go on Bella laugh, I know I'm a wimp."

"What makes you think I'm going to laugh? I'd never do that. And you're not a wimp for loving someone. But I will say this Edward you need to move on. By the sounds of it she has and I don't think she's coming back."

"Yeah I know you're right, but it's hard you know. Thanks Bella I haven't talked to anyone about this."

"Hey that's alright, I haven't done much really. So what's Tanya's surname maybe I know her?"

"Tanya Denali."

Bella's eyes went even darker, was she angry?

"You're kidding me right? Tanya with the long curly reddish hair?"

"That's the one, you know her?"

"Yes I know her, she's a bitch Edward."

Well that was bluntly put, but I guess the way she treated me at the time and since, Bella wasn't far off the mark. Oh and she hadn't finished yet...

"You're goodlooking, intelligent and have manners, what was that bitch thinking? All I can say Edward it's her fucking loss and my gain."

Err say what? Gain? She was staring at me with a sexy expression, I didn't know what to say. I was way out of my depth with this woman. She was more than I could handle. She carried on...

"Before you do Edward don't. I know you want to say thanks because that's all you can think of saying. Can I ask you something?" I just nodded.

"When was the last time you went out? Like for a drink or on a night out?"

Come on Edward find your voice man. There was no bullshitting with Bella she told it how it was I'm beginning to realise. I should do the same.

"I haven't been out since before we broke up but I bet you know that already."

She smiled sheepishly, yeah she had my number. I grinned back.

"Sure I knew it, I just wanted you to admit it out loud, and see how abnormal it sounds. So Edward, you and I have plans later ok. We're going for a drink to a bar I heard some of the staff talk about. We'll have some fun Edward."

"You mean Bar 28, most of the staff go there after work. I used to go too."

"That's the one! Look Edward I know we just met, but I can tell your confidence has took a severe knocking, and really there's no need for that. Trust me you'll thank me later, you need to get your life back. Yeah, so that's settles it."

Dare I say no? She meant well and strange for me I did trust her. Her eyes were challenging me to come up with an excuse. I couldn't think of one. No I'd go with this, it would do me good.

"We'd better get on with some work then Bella, and yes I'd love to go for a drink with you."

Show that Mike Newton if nothing else, couldn't wait to see his face. Maybe I should warn Bella about him, he is a bit of a manwhore and would without a doubt try it on with her.

"Bella before we start, Mike who you met before, well he can be a bit forward when it comes to the ladies. So I'd watch him if I were you. He was kinda derogatory towards you."

Bella laughed...What was so funny?

"Edward there is no need to be so polite, I know he's a sleazy bastard and I've met men like him before. I have the nose you know, I can smell them from miles away. So please don't worry I can handle the likes of him."

I didn't doubt it, not one bit. We pressed on then and outlined some ideas for the facial scrub, it needed a lot of work yet but I was pleased with what we had acheived so far. She was really smart and had a way to make me feel interested in my work again. I hadn't had that for months now, just trudging along and doing the necessary. Hearing the door open we both looked up.

"Hey you two, so how was your first day Bella?"

"Hi Rosalie, it's been good, me and Edward have got through a lot today."

"Really? Well I'm pleased to hear it. She been any trouble Edward?"

She said it jokingly, but I sensed she expected us to have had some sort of rift. It had been great as far as I was concerned.

"No like Bella said it's been good. Rosalie we're off for a drink now at Bar 28 you're welcome to join us, is Emmett meeting you?

Rosalie looked that stunned you could of knocked her over with a feather. She'd been asking me for weeks to go for a drink and I always declined, I felt a bit disloyal.

"Well it didn't take you long Bella did it! I should of guessed you'd have Edward here eating out of your hand. You haven't changed have you? Still the man magnet I see."

"I know Rosalie it's hard to be me. When you've got you've got it. Shall I tell you my secret?"

"Sure I'd love to know. Come on lets hear it."

"Well see, it's called a personality Rosalie, when you have thawed out your underwear you should try and find one. And you haven't changed either Icy."

Bella-1. Rosalie-0. Fuck my life, I just didn't know with these two. Was it sarcastic banter or did they really mean it? Rosalie had said earlier that they were rivals in college seemed like it was going to happen in work too.

"I know great right? I have a personality by the way, it's just the opposite to yours. Remember this Bella Swan, I'll be watching you."

Then Rose was smiling again and so was Bella. I'd never understand women, especially these two.

"So you're coming down to the bar Rosalie?"

"I am actually. Emmett's meeting me there. And you'd better keep your hands off him Bella or else, he's mine."

"Wouldn't dream of it, don't want your seconds Icy."

"Huh hasn't stopped you before."

"Right enough ladies lets go. I need a fucking drink before you two drive me insane. Are you always like this? Thank god Emmett's going to be there. I need male support."

Yes I could be vocal when the need arises. Bella smirked and Rose, well she just grunted.

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Bluebuttercup.