10.

The next time I woke up, I felt my bones shaking from my teeth chattering relentlessly. It was freezing in my bedroom. I pulled my covers up over my head and yawned deeply. I felt more tired than I had before falling asleep. I couldn't even remember what time I dozed off, but it had to be before ten.

My back had something poking into it, so I reached to find Edward's book. I got a quarter of the way through it, and suddenly remembered it. I loved the story. I fell asleep thinking about it. Then, that sour feeling in my stomach returned. I realized that his book had most likely caused my bad dream. The subject matter was darker than I anticipated. In a way, I expected to read a lengthy Law and Order Special Victims Unit episode.

I held the book against my chest. The main character, Jack had just moved to Seattle and met his new partner Cecelia Gibson. It had been my favorite part to read so far. Jack was stunned by her beauty, but Cecelia didn't give much away. I wanted to read more, but it would have to wait.

I yawned again and searched for my phone. The battery was almost dead, but I couldn't believe it was nine o'clock.

I had two text messages. One from Jane, who asked for me to call her, and the other from Tanya, asking to meet at eleven at the coffee shop. My heart sank. If only I didn't have to meet her. I text her back, and agreed, and dragged myself out of bed. I plugged my phone in by the bathroom sink and hurried into my hot shower.

It was time to decide what to do. My situation was only getting harder. I wanted to be around Edward as much as I could. I knew that for sure. When I spoke to Tanya, I didn't want to lie to her anymore, so I decided not to. At least, not completely.

I could tell her that I did as she asked. I followed him around everywhere, and he wasn't seeing, or speaking to anyone. Then, I could say that I ran into him by accident at the Lounge Palace, and decided it was then, or never, to present myself.

The only thing left for me to decide was, did he accept me? I knew Tanya would want as much detail as she could get. It made my stomach sour again. I had to dig myself out of this hole, or I would go crazy.

When I got out of the shower, I dressed warm and comfortable. I had toast and orange juice, which made me feel better, too. I grabbed my phone, and opened a text to Jane, promising to call after my meeting. Thinking of Edward again, I smiled and went back to his message. I stopped, frowned, and then my stomach fell to the floor.

On my message screen, there were two numbers that weren't saved in my phone, one on top of the other. I knew which was Edward's. I could clearly see my reply to him. Above it, was my nightmare, only it was true, but it was different. My hands started to shake. I opened the message and read it again.

Stop what you're doing

I didn't understand why my mind had generated such a different text last night. Although, reading it as someone coherent, it was much more frightening than running away from it in my dream. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know who it was, or how they got my cell phone number.

Then, I noticed the time, and I only had fifteen minutes to get down to the coffee house. I left my apartment, but carefully, and I kept a close eye on my surroundings. It was all I could do for now.

•/•

The Coffee House was busier than usual for a Monday morning. I bought a coffee and sat at a small table by the windows. I drank half the cup, begging the caffeine to take its effect. My hands were still shaky, but now I wasn't sure if it was from fear, or the caffeine intake.

I desperately tried to think about anyone I knew who would be doing this to me. Did someone have my number, and I just forgot to save theirs? Maybe it was a joke. Maybe it was meant for someone else, and they got the wrong number. I sighed and put my head down. No. That message was clearly for me. I mean, wasn't it? My insides twisted.

"Bella," Tanya said, causing me to whip my head up. My neck cracked in the process.

"Tanya, hi," I said slowly. She looked better than she did last time I saw her. The circles beneath her eyes were gone, and she was smiling a lot. "How are you?" I asked.

"Wonderful, thanks to you," she gushed, taking the seat across from me. She moved her luscious hair behind her shoulder and crossed her hands on the table. I noticed her wedding finger was naked now.

"Oh?" I squeaked, forcing my eyes back to her perfect face.

"I got home last night," she began. "And we got in a huge fight, only this time, it was different. He wasn't fighting me, he was fighting with me. It was great."

"Uh, huh," I replied, frowning. She could see the confusion on my face, so she giggled.

"He didn't fight me on the divorce! In fact, we fought about something stupid, I can't even remember, but when it escalated to divorce talk, he was different."

My heart started to do a little dance inside my chest. Was Edward thinking of me? Was I the one to change his mind?

"So does this mean..." I cut off, unsure.

"I left!" She said happily. "He said he wasn't being unfaithful, but realized while I was gone, that we were over."

"He wasn't being unfaithful," I said, repeating her. It wasn't a question, more like a statement that I supposed shouldn't surprise me. What man owns up to cheating anyway?

"Right, and you know," she said, tapping one of her long nails on the table. "I'm glad. I wanted us to end amicably. This way, we've just grown apart and don't want to be married anymore. Hopefully, after some times passes, we can remain friends."

Friends? My heart wasn't dancing anymore, it was palpitating. They couldn't be friends and me see Edward. She would find out, and then what? I wouldn't care, except that she didn't know what happened between me and him while she was gone, and now she would if she found out I was seeing him. Even if it was months down the line, she would know I lied to her.

"Bella?"

"Huh?" I asked, looking up from her tapping finger.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, sorry, of course." I shook my head and laughed nervously. "I'm sorry. I didn't sleep well last night." I cleared my throat. "I'm happy for you." Tanya frowned.

"Is there something I should know?" She asked carefully. "Did you see something while I was away?"

"No, no," I lied quickly. "Just, uh. Just the usual. He wrote a lot. Went to the park, you know," I said, waving my hand dismissively. Her smile returned.

"Oh, good. Okay. So...I guess we're done here."

"Right," I replied with a nod.

"Let me sign the check for you."

"Um, you know, you really don't have to pay me," I said. "I mean, I didn't do anything worth the money."

"You did. Somehow. I mean, I'm still getting what I wanted, and you put your time in, so please, let me."

My hand was unsteady as I reached in my little bag and took out her check. Tanya had a fancy pen ready in her hands. She scribbled her name and pushed the paper back to me. I didn't touch it. All my eyes could see were the numbers.

"Well, thanks so much," she said, standing. "Oh, and cute bag," she added with a wink. I glanced down at my teal, leather purse. "I wish you well."

"Yeah, you too," I managed.

Tanya smiled, and left. I watched her exit the Coffee House and get into the passenger seat of a dark Audi. The windows were tinted, but I could make out a silhouette besides Tanya's. They were kissing. The man driving ravaged her mouth, and then they were gone.

Who the hell was that? What just happened? My mind was spinning too fast for me to even try to keep up. My reward was still staring at me from the table, and I didn't like it, grabbing it hastily and shoving it back in my bag. I reached for my phone, and dialed Jane's number. She answered on the second ring.

"Hi!" Jane said perkily.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I'm headed back to my apartment to finish packing, why?"

"Can I come over?"

"Yeah, definitely," she replied. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

Tanya is a bit wacky, eh? Not everything is as it seems. There's a lot more to come, and I can't wait!

I've said it before, but I'll reassure some of you. THERE WILL BE A HEA. Promise. There's still a lot to uncover, guys! ;)

It's never easy with me. I try very hard to write as realistically as I can, and I know I have when you readers can't stand a character for whatever reason. People are dumb, sketchy, strange, and do insane things when they're in love.

See you Wednesday!

xox

Greye