A/N: Heyy guys...so this chapter was a little harder for me to write. But i really want to make a shameless plug for the movie. if you haven't seen it yet GO NOW!! it's fantastic! i think Rob Pattinson did a terrific job. The reviews that are in the papers don't do it justice. I loved it! My favorite part was when Edward took Bella to his house for the first time. i laughed soooo hard! Really it's great. go and see it.

Hangovers and Hormones

Edward's POV:

I woke up to that stupid clock radio I kept meaning to replace. Listening to people talk about how their lives sucked every morning on the talk shows really drives me nuts. Bad things happen to everyone not just the people on the radio.

Monday mornings suck in general, but my hangover was not helping one bit. The room was far too bright for five in the morning and my head was pounding. I barely got myself out of bed. I stumbled into the kitchen, put the water in the coffee machine and took an aspirin from the cabinet. Coffee and aspirin, my two secrets to success. I stood there battling my pounding headache and once the coffee was finally ready, I poured it straight into my mug. No time to beat around the bush with cream and sugar, I needed it fast. I drank most of it on my way to the shower, burning off the majority of my taste buds in the process.

I walked in the bathroom and turned on the water. I waited half asleep for the water to get warm and then I took my boxers off and hopped in. The shower was a nice change to help soothe my aching body. I let the warm water run over my tense back and shoulders until it ran cold. God! It felt so good to ease the tension.

I reluctantly got out, grabbed a towel and went to the kitchen again to refill my empty coffee cup. This time, it was just the right temperature so my mouth was safe. I glanced up at the clock and saw that I had ten minutes until I had to leave. I walked hastily, as not to spill my sacred drink, to my room to throw on some clothes. I put on the typical tie, shirt, and dress pants combo and ran out the door. I didn't touch my hair because all the women say that it looks the best when it's messy. The call it something along the lines of 'sex hair' I think.

The minute I stepped out the door I regretted not grabbing something to eat. My hangover headache was gone for the most part, but now my stomach was begging for something other than coffee. Luckily, there's a Starbucks right near the subway station so I would have to make a quick stop there. I ran into the coffee shop and ordered a Grande hazelnut Caramel Macchiato and a gourmet chocolate chip muffin. This was no time to eat healthy. Hangovers and granola should never be mixed in my opinion.

The blonde, sexy girl behind the counter kept giving me a weird look as she took my order. Why are there so many good looking women when I'm running late? She was giving me this perplexed look. I couldn't tell if she recognized me or if she just smelt something funny. Her face looked vaguely like a smile, so I kind of smiled back. Her eyes lit up after I did that and I regretted acknowledging her. She clearly knew how I was. I didn't really have the time to talk to her. For one, I had no idea who she was, and two, I was running way late at this point. I'd never been late to work before and this was not going to be my first time. But talking with a hot blonde suddenly seemed like a good reason to be late...

She came out from behind the counter and personally delivered my coffee and muffin. She looked me in the eyes and gave me a smile that was clearly flirtatious. Shit. This is not good. How am I supposed to blow her off and get to work when she corners me like that? "Here's your muffin and coffee, Edward." Shit. She knows my name and I have no clue who the hell she is. Not only am I cornered, but now I have to actually talk to her.

I smiled my infamous Edward Cullen smile that gets me out of anything when it comes to women. Worked like a charm. "Um, thank you…."

"Clare. You don't remember me do you?" No shit Sherlock! But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. A lot of the women in the city know who I am, and that's the way I like it. But rule number one when dealing with women is to pretend like you know them all. Nothing is worse than saying you don't have the slightest idea. That just makes them all pissed off. I hate dealing with women when they get all annoyed.

"Hello Clare. But you're wrong I do remember you. We met a while ago right?" What a classic line. I use it all the time. Pretend like you know exactly who they are and then let them tell you the rest. Always end with a question. It sparks a conversation and turns the control to them. (Which is the way that all women like it.)

"Yah that's right! I'm surprised. I didn't think you would remember me after our one night stand. You kicked me out the door so fast the next morning I got a head rush." Oh shit. Now I remember who she is. It must have been at least two months ago. I was getting completely wasted at my favorite bar when she bought me a beer (I'm not one to refuse) and then I got a whiff of her hair. It smelled amazing! Then she leaned over and I got a view of her ass. I was sold. Even starring at her right now I was getting horny. I pictured her seductive, lean body all over me; her long legs, slim and defined, wrapped around my hips, her fingers caressing my shoulders. Her nails digging into my back. I started to feel a bulge in my pants. Oh fuck! Not here. Not now. I had to get out before I completely jacked off in this coffee shop.

"Listen, Clare, I'm sorry I have to cut this short." I wasn't lying, I was quite enjoying the memory, but I had to leave. "I'm already running late. I hope we run into each other again." I gently pushed her aside and bolted threw the door.

I hopped on the subway and sat down next to this another attractive woman. Two in less than an hour...wow! What a morning. I glanced over at the same time she looked at me. She was hot. I couldn't help myself. I turned on my "Edward Cullen charm'. "Hello, I don't think we've met before, I'm Edward Cullen."

Her eyes widened when I said my name. She recognized it. I loved it when my reputation preceded me. "Oh, wow, hi…I'm Emily. Emily Clarke."

"Well Emily Clarke, it's very nice to meet you." I had to admit this wasn't a lie either. Her brown hair draping over her shoulder was hiding the strap to her top that barely covered her chest. She could have been one of those bikini models…she was so fuckin hot! I wanted her right now on this very train. I didn't care who was going to see. It would have been worth it. I started to feel that familiar bulge in my pants for the second time in one hour. Fuck. Not again. This was getting ridiculous. For Christ's sake I'm not a hormone driven 17 year old kid....I needed to get control of myself.

"Yah, it's nice to meet you too. Sorry, this is my stop. I hope we can see each other again sometime." God even her voice was sexy.

"That would be wonderful. I hope to see you soon then." And that was the end of that. The next stop was mine. I jumped off and hustled into the office.

For once, I was glad that I was going to work. At least it would get my mind off of this teenage frenzy. I walked in right on time, not late after all. Being the editor, I have a lot of responsibility. Usually, I hated it, but today I was looking forward to the work as a distraction. I got my desk in order and then I started to get ready for my staff meeting. God I hated those things! Such a waste of time, but it keeps the writers in check.

I piled up the articles that were from last week's paper. I went to file them when I noticed that I had unconsciously placed my favorite piece on top. It was an article about politicians and bribery by Bella Swan. She is such a remarkable writer. Her work had started out shaky, as an intern she really struggled, but with a little motivation she was getting quite good. Different writers need different motivation. Bella happened to thrive when I yelled at her. I hate screaming at her. Really, it is something that I feel terrible about, but if she turns out better work because I get on her case about the stupidest little things, then I guess it's worth it. It makes her a better person in the end. She must think I'm such a bastard. I would if I was her. I wish I could tell her how good she is, but that would ruin the whole motivation thing. Fuck. I hate being the bad guy.

My staff started to trickle in as I watched from my desk. I noticed the group of interns that walked by were all wearing tight, short, skirts. I'd already slept with most of them except for a select few that hadn't shown any interest yet. I think the one that I slept with on Friday night was Megan......the blonde wearing the tight blue shirt in the middle of the pack. She was probably telling them all how good the sex was. I thought it was mediocre, not the best but not that bad either. I would let her think it was the greatest pleasure I'd ever experienced. That way, I don't seem like a bastard and more of them want to sleep with me.

An hour passed while I was figuring out the format for the various advertisements for this week's paper. I hated doing it, but it had to be done. As I was packing up to head off to the staff meeting, Bella Swan ran by. It looked like she was having a tough morning. Her hair, which she usually wore down and curly, was thrown up into a bun of sorts on top of her head. She had on a pair of heels that made her legs look really good though. She wasn't too bad to look at. Actually, she was gorgeous. Why hadn't I noticed that before? I hadn't slept with her; that I was certain of. But why was she suddenly so striking? I made a mental note as I walked out the door to the dreaded staff meeting to add her to my list.

She beat me to the door of the meeting room and was talking with one of the other writers, Angela I think her name was. Bella's eyes flickered quickly to me and then back to Angela as I got closer. I hadn't noticed her eyes before either. They were amazingly beautiful. Honestly, what the hell was wrong with me? Why hadn't I see her like this before? I looked down at my pile of articles and I remembered how I had to give Bella a little motivation before she started writing her next piece.

"Good morning Angela, Bella."

"Good morning Edward." Angela answered. "Did you have a nice weekend?" I was surprised how nice Angela was to me. I know that I'm technically her boss so she should sound interested because I control her success, but she sounded really genuine about it. Why was I missing out on so many good women in this office? I thought I was catching them all while they were interns. Apparently, I had missed some good ones.

"My weekend was satisfactory. But I would really like to talk to Bella, Angela if you don't mind. We need to discuss her latest article."

"Um, yah sure, ok, I guess I'll just meet you inside then Bella. Nice talking with you Edward."

I felt terrible about what I was about to say to Bella. Not only because she was such a good writer, but I now felt like a beautiful woman like her didn't deserve this. I know it makes her work better, but how could I hurt her?

"How are you this morning Bella?" I tried to sound polite. I wanted her to feel like she was worth something to me. As much as I was going to hurt her, it was better in the end.

"I'm fine. How are you?" She sounded like she could have cared less. I got the feeling she knew what was coming. After all, this little scheme of mine had been going on for a while. She probably hated my guts. That fact stung more than usual. Previously I couldn't have cared less if she hated me or not because her articles were great. Now, I actually wanted her to like me. What the fuck is wrong with me?

I couldn't bring myself to attack her writing like I usually did. I tried desperately to find something trivial that I could reprimand her for. Something that was so stupid she would see right through me and maybe catch on. "Pretty good myself, listen I wanted to talk to you about how you arrived late this morning. I know that it's Monday, and your weekend was probably busy, but how am I supposed to run a paper if all of my writers don't show up?"

"I'm sorry, I set my alarm wrong and then I missed my train." Huh, not the answer I was expecting. That made me feel terrible. She was having an awful morning already and now I was making it worse for her.

What the fuck!?! This is so not me. I can't be having these thoughts about Bella Swan. She is just another writer at the paper. No girl ever makes me feel this way. I can't possibly be feeling sorry for her. I don't feel sorry for women. Not even the ones I've slept with and kicked out of my apartment. This is bull shit! Just because she's gorgeous and is full of talent doesn't mean I should be nice to her. I'm fucking Edward Cullen! I don't feel sympathy! Shit. I have to get a hold of myself.

"Bella, you can't give me these excuses. I need you to focus and be here on time. This is not acceptable."

"I know. I'm sorry it won't happen again."

"Bella, how can you promise me that? What would happen if I let my staff simply meander in whenever they felt like it? Do you really think that our paper would function the way it does now? Because I certainly don't." There, that's better. No sympathy!

"Yah, I know."

"And furthermore, honestly Bella, you haven't worked here for that long, but I would think that you would set the standard for the new employees. I never thought of you as the type of person who simply couldn't give a crap. You seem like you don't offer anything to this paper at all. When was the last time you actually tried to write a good article? I feel like you are continuously falling down hill with your writing. The least you could do is try to convince me that you care."

She changed her focus to the wall instead of looking at me. That made me feel like a monster. Maybe I was going a little overboard. The way she looked.......NO! I'm Edward Cullen! I don't feel sorry for people. Fuck! This Bella chick was getting to me….Hold it together Edward….get the job done.

"Bella are you even listening to me right now? My god! You are wasting my time! Why do I even try?"

"Yes I heard you. I'll be on time."

"Well, then I guess we're done here. Let's get this staff meeting over with then."

I walked into the staff meeting and took my usual seat. God! What the hell was wrong with me today?

A/N: ok so what did you all think? like i said before, i really had a hard time with this chapter.