To answer a question which will be resolved soon enough - Bella is a senior in college… she's about 22. Edward is around 26. =)

Edward didn't pickpocket Bella; the wallet dropped out of her bag as she took off. Unfortunately for her. =p. 3500 for 25 days comes out to about 140 dollars. Which is nothing to him. And about the price of some cleaning services.

Again, I don't own Twilight or its characters. Enjoy!

xxx

morning coffee

"Bella."

God, no.

"Bella…"

Go away.

"Bella!"

"What?" I managed to mumble, turning over and blinking wearily into the face of my roommate. She stood there over me, eyes lined heavily and lips slicked with her usual peach lip gloss, a mug of hot coffee gripped between her manicured fingers. I glanced behind her and squinted to better view the clock resting on my shelf. "What the hell, Rose? It's seven thirty." I turned over, pulling the blanket over my head.

"I know, but –"

"Nothing," I snapped from under the blanket. "But nothing. It's Saturday. Let me sleep in peace, please."

Rosalie sighed and I heard her sip from her mug. "Someone is here."

I paused a moment, then peeked at her from under the blanket. "…What?"

"Yeah," She nodded, taking another delicate sip. "A guy, he's here to see you."

"What are you talking about?" I groaned softly. "It's seven fucking thirty."

"He's got your wallet or something," She shrugged. A slow smile grazed her lips, "And he's pretty hot."

"My wallet?" I repeated, pulling the blanket from over my head. "You said my wallet?'

"Mm," She nodded, turning to walk towards the door. "And he's sitting in the other room, he wants to talk to you."

"Wait.." I threw the blanket off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed quickly. "Wait a sec…"

She glanced at me over her shoulder, her blonde hair gleaming in the dim light that the sun cast through the blinds of my window. She scoffed and made a face, sipping from her mug slowly. "You might want to comb your hair or something," She suggested. "Like I said, the guy's gorgeous."

"I don't care," I snapped, standing up and stretching. I had no issue with my usual sleep attire – an old high school shirt that had faded lettering etched across it and a pair of baggy, shorts.

"You should…" She warned, opening the door with a soft creak. "Anyway, I'm going to go talk to him some more. Try to make yourself presentable, would you?"

I rolled my eyes as the door shut softly behind her. Rosalie was so different from me; I'd met her in a creative writing class my first semester of college. She was the typical "perfect" girl – always wore the nicest clothes that showed off her slim, tanned body and always had makeup defining her pretty features. She took pride in her appearance. I did, too. Sometimes.

I glanced at myself in the mirror and inwardly groaned. My eyes were slightly bloodshot – I'd forgotten to take my contacts out so they were dry, and makeup from the night before was smudged under the creases. My hair was a tangled, frizzy mess, and I reached up to run a hand roughly through the strands, wincing as my fingers caught in the snarls. Sighing, I let my hand drop. Whatever.

When I walked out into the living room, I could hear Rosalie's laughter bubbling through the air. Oh, yes, this one must have been attractive to her because I could hear her working her charm on this guy. I didn't care what he looked like, to be honest, because all I was concerned with was the fact that my wallet would be back in my possession – safe and sound. It had only been three days and I'd cancelled my credit card, but my wallet was given to me from my parents when they'd traveled to Italy. They'd picked it up in some vintage shop, and it was this extremely adorable thing with undeniable charm. Rosalie had called it ratty when I'd showed it to her, and I suppose it was a bit ratty when compared to her one hundred dollar Coach clutch.

"Oh, that's fantastic. I took a finance course once – but I was no good at it."

More bubbly laughter.

I rubbed at my eyes as I walked in, and saw Rosalie sitting in the armchair, her legs crossed daintily as she beamed at the figure sitting on the couch adjacent to her. She glanced up when she saw me walk in, her eyes scanning me up and down disapprovingly. After a moment, she spoke.

"Bella…" She trailed off, her eyes locking on mine, begging me to change. Not a chance. "This is… Edward."

I glanced to get a look at the guy. I wish I didn't. A dark gray fitted suit clung to his trim figure, sleek black leather dress shoes peeking out from the hem of his pant legs. A crimson silk tie was knotted tightly against his collar, and a massive silver watch was draped about his wrist. His hair was coppery and messy, his eyes venomous and a hazel color. Oh, yes. Mister jackass was sitting on my couch talking to my flirtatious roommate.

Oh, fuck me.

He looked up at me, a smirk tugging the corner of his full lips. I could practically read his thoughts. Caught you. His eyes locked on mine and I knew I was in deep shit. I swallowed hard and forced myself to remember to fucking breathe.

"Hi," He spoke up, his voice slow and calm and infuriatingly deliberate.

My throat was dry. "…H-hi."

His arm rose from its position in his lap, and in between his long fingers was my wallet. He waved it gently at me, almost mockingly. "I found this," He said. "In an alley. Strange place to leave a wallet, don't you think?"

"I…"

"An alley?" Rosalie frowned slightly, looking at the wallet and then at me. "Why were you in an alley?"

"I wasn't," I said quickly. "I…I mean…"

"It's fine," The smug one on the couch known as Edward spoke up. He shrugged, "Sometimes things happen for unknown reasons."

Rosalie frowned slightly and then glanced at him with a coy smile, "Why were you in the alley?"

"My car was parked back there," he replied, his eyes locking on mine. "It seems someone vandalized it while I was having dinner."

"Oh, you're kidding," she gasped. I felt like vomiting. Edward didn't break eye contact.

"Yes, it's a shame," He sighed. "People are so inconsiderate."

I stepped forward then. "Well…" I cleared my throat gently, uncomfortably. "Thanks for returning it."

He held it out for me and I took it, trying to avoid the burning sensation I felt in my chest as I knew his damn eyes were on me. I took it and retreated quickly, clutching the wallet so tightly that I knew my knuckles were turning white.

"Bella, Edward is a financial broker for Cullen Associates," Rosalie said suddenly, beaming at him. "Isn't that great?"

"Yeah, great," I mumbled, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes. I glanced at her."Rose, why don't you offer him something to drink?"

"What? Oh yes, I'm so rude," She huffed, standing up. "Are you thirsty? We have some coffee… or orange juice, if you prefer."

Edward smiled warmly at her. "Coffee would be great."

"Okay," She nodded with a smile. "Do you want milk in it? Sugar?"

He shook his head. "No, it's fine. I drink my coffee black." He cast me a long, scathing look. "I enjoy the bitterness."

"One black coffee coming up," She stood suddenly and winked at him before making her way to the kitchen, her hips deliberately swaying with each step. When she disappeared, I was left in uncomfortable silence with the man I'd run from nights ago. Fucking perfect.

"You're clever," I remarked dryly, crossing my arms loosely against my chest. "Acting like you don't know me. Coming to my apartment this early. Well played."

"Well of course," He drawled, his eyes flickering as they roamed my ratty t-shirt and frazzled hair. "I wanted to see what a beauty you were in the morning."

"Oh, fuck off," I snapped, scowling at him. He let out a short laugh at this.

"Look," he tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair. "This can go one of two ways – you can either be compliant to my request, or I can dial up the authorities as soon as I leave." He shrugged, smiling viciously at me. "The choice is yours."

"Call the authorities for what, exactly?"

"Your decision to vandalize my car and run."

I rolled my eyes, "You're dramatic. But whatever…" I sighed heavily and tentatively met his brown gaze. "What is it you want?'

"I don't think it's appropriate to talk about it here," He said. "So I want you to meet me at a café at six tonight."

"A café?" I laughed dryly, shaking my head. "You realize this is New York City, right? That there are hundreds of cafes?"

He sneered at me, "Yes, I realize that." He paused and pointed at my wallet. "I put the address in there, so unless you're directionally challenged, you shouldn't have any issue finding it."

"So I'm meeting you to… what? Talk?'

He smirked. "Negotiate."

"And if I don't come?"

"Are you that stupid? Haven't I told you what your options were?"

"Whatever," I huffed, remembering his threat of calling the police. I shifted from one foot to the other, feeling rage course through my veins. After a moment, I sighed and groaned under my breath. "Fine. Whatever."

At that moment, Rosalie came prancing in, her hips still swaying, with a mug of steaming hot coffee. She handed him the cup, making a face as he took a long drink from it. "I don't know how you drink the stuff black – it's so strong."

He licked his lips and sighed heavily after the mug left his lips. "Mm, I enjoy it strong." He winked at her, "But I think I've got to get going."

"Aw, so soon?" she frowned. "But you just got here."

"I apologize," He said, taking another long drink and setting the mug on the table. "I have a long day ahead of me." He said this as he looked at me and I felt more anger course through me.

"It's fine, at least let me walk you to the door," she smiled.

"Of course." He glanced at me and winked slyly before walking with Rosalie to the door. I collapsed into the armchair and glanced over my shoulder, seething at the sight of her pressing a piece of folded paper into his hand. Of course she'd give him her number. Of course she would. He took it and grinned at her before giving me one last long look and disappearing. Rosalie came gliding back into the room, a goofy smile plastered on her gorgeous little face. It was the most emotion I'd seen from her that wasn't contempt or annoyance in a long while.

"Oh, wow," She sighed, pressing a hand to her chest. "Oh, wow, he was gorgeous."

"I didn't think so," I said.

"You're joking," She laughed. "Did you see his face?"

"Did you see his hair?" I snapped.

"Oh, please," She waved a hand at me. "You're too picky. Anyway, I gave him my number. He said he'd call me, isn't that great?'

"Wonderful," I mumbled.

"Stop being so pessimistic all the time, Bella."

How could I not be? I was being forced against my will – basically, tonight, to meet this asshole at a café to discuss "negotiations" because I'm an apparent criminal for leaving a microscopic scratch on some rich broker's car.

Could my life get any worse at the moment?

I groaned and leaned my head back, rubbing my eyes gently.

God, help me.

xxx

Poor Bella. Haha. Leave some love if you're loving this ;)