"By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased."

"Hmm... I never thought of myself as one like Darcy, but I guess I would have to give the man some credit," Edward murmured to my ears.

My mouth gaped open by surprise as I turned to look at his face directly beside mine. I immediately recovered and released a soft giggle. I was loudly reading a line by Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and I was so engrossed in my reading that I didn't recognize that Edward had already entered my room. His movements were always quiet and graceful despite his height and build. I sighed. But what less could you expect from a vampire with heightened senses and even glorified looks?

"You shouldn't do that," I whispered to his ear. His right cheek was caressing mine gently as he quickly pored over the page I was at. We were sitting on the center of the bed and I could feel his torso right behind my back but instead of coldness from his body, it only felt warm and right.

"Did I scare you?" He said in his low, throaty voice and gave me a feathery kiss on the cheek.

My words got stuck in my throat and I chose to just let out an awkward, "Uh huh."

"You humbled me in so many ways, love," he said in between kisses. "And you're certainly a woman worthy of being pleased." He planted a light kiss right below my chin.

"Being adored."

On my throat.

"Being loved."

On my sternum.

I wanted to return his kisses with a longer one on his lips but he moved his face away an inch.

"Do you believe me, Bella?" He asked with a pleading look in his eyes.

"Just always be right by my side, Edward," I told him sincerely. "If you really love me."

His golden orbs suddenly turned ominously black. I braced for his reply.

"As long as it's necessary, Bella," came his reply in one quick breath.

"Forever?" I persistently asked.

"For as long as what's good for you." His eyes squinted. "Do you know what's good for you, Bella?"

He didn't wait for my reply.

He shook his head slowly. "No, you don't have any idea. No sense of self-preservation, that's what I told you when you wouldn't stay away from me even after I've warned you. And see what you've gotten into! A good number of murder attempts in less than a year." He hissed and closed his eyes as if to remove the image from his thoughts.

"Dont go." I cursed my croaky voice. Like my mouth had been dry for too long. I needed to shout it to him so he would hear. I needed to stop him from leaving me. I tried to reach out for him before he extricated himself away from me and my bed but my arms were too heavy, I couldn't move them.

"Don't..." I only managed to release one word as I felt my energy suddenly abandoning me in one swoosh. I felt my body falling gradually to my bed as its weight became too much to support. It was as if an invisible hand was making me lie down on my bed and I couldn't resist.

"You'll forget, Bella. You'll forget soon." He uttered with one final look at me and he left through the window in one quick flash.

"N-..." I wanted to choke out never. But the voice never came. I was too drained to speak and this time, my eyes were also drooping close however I fought against it.

And finally, peace came over me.

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My eyes flicked wide open and adjusted to the dull brightness that dreary Forks could possibly afford in a morning.

Oh. I thought with a much hint of disappointment. I'm still here.

I was never the suicidal type. I had contemplated dying young due to some natural occurrences or a fatal accident, but I had never thought of actually taking my life away. I'd rather let destiny take its course and do me away. It wouldn't be a sin that way and Renee and Charlie would never blame themselves for having a troubled child because of their hasty decision to get married young.

My body still felt weak, probably from skipping dinner. But the intensity of the familiar pain of my left chest was imminent and once again, I welcomed it, knowing that he had been a part of my dream again.

It was Saturday. I didn't know if Charlie postponed our Port Angeles trip to today but I hoped he had totally forgotten about it already.

My arms supported me as I struggled to rise from the bed. I went down to the kitchen and warmed a piece of French bread in the oven. This would be a good enough lunch for me.

While waiting, I checked out the fridge door for any note from Charlie. Yes, there it was.

It read, Bella, don't leave the house without company. Just stay indoors. It's dangerous. I'm at the station if you need me. See you tonight.

Ting! My bread was ready. I finished it with a glass of orange juice and trudged back upstairs to my room.

What did Charlie mean by dangerous? Is it having a vampire for a boyfriend? A best friend? A best friend's boyfriend? No danger could be at par with that. If only Charlie knew. I smirked at the thought.

My head shot a glance at the computer on my table and I saw almost a dozen pieces of paper strewn across it and on the floor. I forgot to sort and staple the History homework that I printed out last night. I might have fallen asleep due to the long waiting time of printing a single page.

Macto. I thought as I collected and filed the papers. My mind started to wander as to the identity of the name. I didn't care as to the originality of the paper. I decided it was better to submit something no matter how it was produced as long as my homework was done and over with.

But who could it be? Who could be helping me? Somebody who pitied me this much?

I made a quick decision and went downstairs to make a call. I lifted the handset but placed it back again. I forgot Jessica's number. I made a quick rundown of numbers that I could still recall and finally recollected hers. I punched the numbers in and waited for the ring.

Somebody picked up the phone after the first ring.

"Hello?" It was Jessica.

"Hi Jess," I greeted. "It's me."

"Oh," Jessica returned, sounding disappointed.

"Were you waiting for someone's call?" I asked politely. I should give her a break. I'd never once called her after my life got filled by pale, sleepless people.

"No!" She answered too soon. "I wasn't! I was just surprised you called. After all this time..."

"I know. I just called to ask you something." I wanted to go straight to the point.

"Yeah?"

"I just need to ask something from him." I hesitated. "Can I ask you Mike's number?"

Two heartbeats passed before she finally answered.

"You called me up to ask me something but asked for Mike's number because you wanted to ask him something?" She asked but her tone was a statement. "What? Are you gonna ask him Lauren's number next?"

I winced. "No... It's not that." Did Jessica think that I was interested in Mike after all?

"You know what? I don't remember because I don't call guys up. They call me. I'm not that desperate." She said and hung up the phone before I could reply.

I returned the phone to the receiver and sighed deeply. I knew it was best to continue the weekend in the comfort of my bed.

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I awoke at the sound of somebody's footsteps right outside my room. It was dark and maybe the wee hours of the morning even.

"Charlie?" I called.

No answer.

"Charlie?" I raised my voice this time.

The doorknob clicked and turned. The door opened and I held my breath.

It was Charlie.

"Sorry. Did I wake you?" He asked, still wearing his uniform.

"Ch..Dad. You scared me," I said. "Why are you home so late?"

"There's trouble around here," he said. I finally noticed how tired his features were when he switched on the lamp on my bedside table. "There's a serial killer in the area. Luckily, it's outside Forks. But still, we can't be too careful nowadays. Too many psychos, you just can't imagine the news reports we receive from Seattle."

I was coldly reminded of James. But he's dead now. I reminded myself.

"What happened?" I asked.

"We don't know his motives yet. He hasn't killed for more than a week now, thankfully. But we found four decaying bodies in different spots in the city." He furrowed his brows and unconsciously ran his fingers through his hair. "We shouldn't be talking about this. Get your sleep."

"Okay. Good night, Dad." I bade him.

"Good night, Bells. Stay at home and write to your mom tomorrow." And he left my room.

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I woke up again right before noon. I stretched my arms and legs and thought about what had happened the night before. I remembered Charlie's order to stay home.

No problem with that. I gleefully thought. But I frowned again when I realized I had to write to Renee. I wasn't really that creative to come up with more imaginary activities for her. She had already noticed that I wasn't with him anymore and didn't bring it up again after. But she would always ask if I was okay which made it even less appealing to write to her because that was one question I'd rather evade.

I switched on the computer and quickly went to task. I wrote her a longer letter – 9 sentences – and hit send. I was about to stand up when an IM window alerted me.

Macto: I've been waiting for you.

Bella_Swan: You shouldn't have.

Did you like the paper?

I'd rather you tell me who you are.

You know me. You just don't know it's me.

I wouldn't be asking you now, would I?

What are your plans for today?

Going to a party at a club.

I doubt that. I never knew you as a party animal.

I bit my lip. This person really knew me. I decided to use some reverse psychology on him.

You know what? I don't care. I won't force you to tell me who you are. You saved me from a boring paper. That's all I need to know.

It's okay, Bella.

What's okay?

You don't have to pretend. I know you're not okay. You don't normally sound that way.

How would you know that? Just tell me already!

Everybody knows, Bella.

I know. It's embarrassing. The fallen woman – that's what they're calling me now.

You're never the one to stress over what other people say.

Thanks.

Don't let yourself hurt too much. Things will get easier soon.

Yeah? When? Emotions can't be easily turned on and off you know.

Believe me. They can. *smiles

You intrigue me. I know we've already spoken but I just can't put a finger on it.

I'm a good friend.

That's what they all say. Promise you one thing and then looks the other way the next day.

Some people do things they don't want to do but they do it for the sake of being responsible.

Is that about me?

No. It's for me. I just realized that the decisions I've been making are not just for me but also for the people I love.

Then why are you saying it to me?

No reason. I would just like to share.

Sorry to cut this short. I just suddenly made myself a plan today.

I'll talk to you soon.

I signed off and took a quick bath. After many weeks of inactiveness, I decided to cook lunch for Charlie.