A/N: the story goes on... Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to SM.


Edward's POV

As soon as I got home I sent Leah out to get Bella from Rosalie's house. I was in a foul mood. Pictures of me and Bella kept cropping up on the internet and Jake kept trying to spin her as a one night stand, a groupie. The meetings dragged on and on and on. When Anne died my career had taken a deep sea dive, now suddenly I was a hot commodity once again. And all I could think of was getting away to be with Bella. And Jake hated me for it. Even worse I was convinced he hated Bella and kept insisting I should send her packing to Seattle. He'd gone so far as to arrange a fake date with Jane Volturi, a b-list actress. I'd had fought him on the issue but Jane was the niece of Aro Volturi, a major honcho in my label, so now I had a date set for tomorrow.

I was musing on how to get out of the date when Leah came back with no Bella.

"I'm sorry Edward but Rosalie and Bella are dining out." Leah looked at the floor. "Rosalie said you were welcome to join them later for drinks at The Rooftop."

"Thank you, Leah. I think I'll take a nap first."

"Would you like me to fix you up something to eat?" She offered even though that wasn't in her job description.

"No, thanks! I'll just get a burger on my way to the bar." I went upstairs and immersed myself in the bath. Something was definitely wrong. I closed my eyes. All I could think of was Bella, her brown eyes pleading me to kiss her, to touch her. I opened my eyes, realising what was wrong. Her toilet bag was not on the counter. I got up and grabbing a towel, went into the closet. Her bags were nowhere to be seen. All her clothes were gone. I felt anger rising in the back of my neck. I dialed Rosalie's number. No answer. I dialed again. No answer. I dialed Seth.

"What the hell is going on?" I burst when he picked up.

"Excuse me?"

"Where's Bella's stuff?"

"Miss Swan is staying at The Standard tonight, Edward. I thought you knew. Rosalie..."

"Fuck Rose! I'll be ready in ten." I got dressed in black jeans and a tight dark blue shirt, an outfit I knew always made the ladies swoon. I turned on the gps app on my iphone that let me know where Rose was and headed for the garage, Seth was already there, we got on my SUV and drove away. I was too angry to talk and he knew it. He opened his mouth once or twice but didn't dare say anything. Finally when we got out the car at the restaurant he grabbed my wrist.

"Edward! You need to calm down!" he said sternly. I just turned to see him frown at me. "You are moving too fast and Bella is not just some girl you can throw away when you're done fucking her. She's too nice, too emotional, and you're just gonna break her heart." Startled I just stared at him.

"What did you say?"

"Edward, I spent the whole day with Bella and Rosalie, she's a nice girl." There was true concern for her well being. I already knew Bella was special, from the little glimpses she'd shown me, but the fact that someone who worked for me was jeopardizing his job to defend her spoke volumes to me. Jake was wrong, she was no groupie. I smiled at Seth.

"I know she's a nice girl."

"And Rosalie wants to be her friend, don't take that away from your sister." Seth finally released my hand. "I know you care for her... but please don't break her heart. I don't think she can take it."

I took a moment to look at him, really look. He was about my age. Buffed up from the gym. More experienced because of his two tours in the middle east. His family had worked for mine for as long as I could remember so I'd obviously hired him as a bodyguard. Growing up we had attended the same schools, had been best friends until Junior High and then I got more interested in music, he in sports, and we'd grown apart. But I recognized his tone. He was speaking to me as that boy who had been my friend, not my employee who I kept at bay. He was nervous, fearing the loss of his job, that much I could tell, but he was truly concerned, for Bella?

I shook my head. Smiled at him, clasped his shoulder. "Don't worry, Seth, I'm fine. Thank you for being Bella's friend." and I meant it, and he knew. He took a step back and resumed his stern bodyguard façade.

Ignoring the hostess, I strode to the private room where I knew Rose was having dinner. She always booked my table. I just slid the door open.

"For fuck's sake, Edward! You gave me a heart attack!" Rosalie yelled at me from her tatami. I looked around the room, Jake was sitting opposite Rose with an annoyed expression on his face. Bella was nowhere to be seen.

"Find her!" I whispered to Seth and he stalked out.

"So what have you been up to, girls?" I sat down next to rose on the only available spot. I frowned at Jake as I said girls. "Where's Bella?"

"Bella had to go to the girls room." Rosalie hissed, her eyes narrowed at Jake. "Jake just got here and enlightened us about your date tomorrow." She turned to face me, she was disappointed. "I bet he's just here on the kindness of his black heart!" she spat. Rosalie's temper was a legend. "What the hell happened?"

"What are you doing here Jake?" I asked him calmly.

"I only came to make sure Miss Swan doesn't get the wrong idea." He gave me a cool smile. Just then Bella entered the room escorted by Seth who gave Jake and me a murderous look. He was angry with me. I'd just promised not to hurt Bella and couldn't keep my promise. Bella had been crying, her face was red and she was still sobbing when she came in. She was still beautiful, her brown hair fell in loose locks around her face and she was wearing the sleek asymmetric dress we'd bought together. I needed to touch her. I smiled at her but she didn't look up from the floor.

"I told you specifically that I'd tell Bella." I felt my anger rise again.

"I just think it more appropriate if she knew sooner rather than later, don't you agree?" Jake said nonchalantly.

"There at least we agree!" Rosalie yelled. She held out her hand to Bella. "We're going to The Rooftop. I suggest you deal with this, little brother!" I sent a text to Leah to let her know she should meet the girls at the bar and then motioned for Seth to sit down. The hostess came in looking flustered.

"I 'll have some strawberry maki and your strongest sake." I cocked and eyebrow at Seth and he nodded. "Make that two!"

"Yes, Mr. Cullen." she sighed in relief and exited the room. By now Jake was shifting his weight from side to side. Uncomfortable, bozo?

"So, from the top, Jake, remind me why I'm not firing you right now?"

And I was in hell again. He repeated every fucking argument he had made today: the record deal, Mr. Aro's niece, beautiful girl of my own rank, Anne's betrayal, Bella's own problems, in short, money. Jake was a Bozo but I was to blame, I had agreed to the stupid date. An hour later we walked out of the restaurant talking amiably, pretending to be friends. As soon as I got to my car in the darkened parking lot I turned on my heel and punched his face.

"Pull that shit again Jake, and I'll fucking kill you!" I didn't even wait for his response.