Vampiregurl: Thank you for that compliment. There's certainly going to be more pranks and whatnot.

Isabela is Online: Bella WANTS to be the president of the company and that is the problem. It's her ambition and it's what she had wanted since she was a child so she has no choice but to marry Edward.

Makki: Edward wants to marry Bella for multiple reasons which he'll tell her soon enough and it's not only because he wants to apologize. After all, he could still ask for forgiveness without having to marry her, right?

Naz: I wasn't insulted, I was only asking if I really leave people wanting for more chapters since I haven't had anyone reading an incomplete story before (My friends always read a complete story so that's why I'm not sure if I had left them with a cliffhanger). And like I said before, I know about the frustration because I've been there.

Crazyhypervampiregurl: Yes, she could have told them but where would the fun be in all of that?

Temporaryinsanity91: Thanks.

MyBoyfriendEdwardSparkles: We'll see about Edward…

Lily-Ride-Cullen: Tanya will come with the baby later on. Actually, the baby isn't a baby anymore, it's a child since it's been years since they last saw each other and I'll keep the gender a secret for now…

TheFirstLostGirl: Edward does know about Tanya's baby and his parents don't know. Nobody actually knows about it except Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Bella and now, Alice.

Help-me-think-of-a-name: Wow, I'm shocked about your list and I don't think I could add any more to it… I think you've already written everything which could be done to him.

HellsAngelxoxo: Oooh, I like your idea. In fact, it's scheduled to be part of Bella's plan but her plan isn't deliberate because she doesn't know that she's making Edward jealous by hanging out with her friend but it's not going to happen until AFTER they're married. And… are you saying you put hot sauce on top of somebody's pizza? Wow, I wish I have the guts to do that. I'm not the prankster kind of person because people call me the goody-goody. And about the scale Bella would stop? I'm not sure myself. I mean, have you seen what she did to him in this chapter?

Iluvtwilight727: I will.

Sheyyane: I miss those days too but sadly, I've become too busy for my own good. And congratulations for being the 100th reviewer!

Flora73: I'm glad you did.

Music Loving Bookworm: She doesn't want too. She thinks she can manage it by herself AND it adds to the drama.

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"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

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A/N: It's been what- a week since I last updated? My schedule was busy enough to keep me from typing for a week but I fixed that today. I hope you all still read this story but I still repeat that I may not be able to update regularly. I'm busy but I'll try to fit it all in.

And I'm apologizing in advance if I somehow disappointed you in this chapter. My brain is completely grilled from everything!

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

Jumarxie

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Chapter 10

Reason 10: I'm not myself when I'm around him.

Edward exited the bathroom and grimaced at me, I gave him an angelic smile.

"Whatever you put in that meal you gave me… it's got to be poison. There's no other reason." He was sweating terribly as if he'd ran a mile and his face was drained of blood, "What did you put in that food you gave me?"

"Laxative." I answered sweetly.

"What?" He croaked, "You put laxatives in the chicken you gave to me?"

"It serves you right, Edward Cullen." I replied as I continued eating my own laxative-free chicken.

"I'm never going to leave my food in front of you again or trust you with my food. My stomach isn't done from doing cartwheels yet and I think I need to go back in there-" He finished his statement with a groan as he returned inside the bathroom where he had already took three trips there since he ate the chicken I cooked for him.

I gave a sigh of contentment and recalled the night's earlier events which had made Edward arrive at this state.

Edward wanted to eat indoors tonight and since he was only an amateur cook from what I remembered, I volunteered to do the cooking and he agreed on the condition that I don't cook anything which involves hot sauce.

We had dinner in my parent's house because his parents were entertaining some visitors. I made chicken and I didn't even have to add hot sauce. Instead, I opted for laxatives. And it worked. As soon as Edward had taken a few bites of the chicken, he immediately had to go to the bathroom.

And like he had just said, he won't be taking anymore food which had been left with me…

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"Bella, we need to talk." Edward had said after the sixth time he had visited the bathroom and he was a little bit sure that the laxative had done its worst.

"What do we need to talk about?" I asked dryly as I turned off the television.

"Where we need to go on Friday. I don't want to go to any restaurants or eat anymore of your cooking if that's how it's going to be." He walked in front of me with a deep frown.

"I thought you loved my cooking."

"I can't keep loving it if it's full of laxatives, isn't it?" He hissed.

"I wouldn't be doing this if you just tell our parents to cancel the engagement."

"I'm not giving you up, how many times do I have to say that before it finally crossed your mind?"

"No matter how many times you repeat it, it wouldn't change a thing."

"Where do you want to go this Friday?" He asked.

"I was planning Christmas shopping this Friday."

"So it's settled, I was also planning to do my Christmas shopping this Friday."

"Sure but don't bother me too much while we're shopping, Edward Cullen. I have too many people to give gifts to and I can't afford to lose time."

"I won't bother you if that's what you're so worried about. Anyway, where's your necklace?"

"What necklace?"

"The one I gave you for Christmas. Where is it?"

"Oh." I finally remembered what he was asking me. On our first monthsary, Edward gave me a silver necklace. It was in a shape of a heart and it was also encrusted with little rubies. He gave it to me with the advice that 'I should take care of his heart because he left it with me.' "It's gone."

"What do you mean it's gone?!"

"It's just what I've just said," I shrugged, "I've locked it away where I can't see it anymore because it only reminds me of my time with you."

"Bella, I'm-" His already pale face suddenly- if possible –went even paler and he ran towards the direction of the bathroom again.

I laughed and shook my head. Guess he won't be bothering me again tonight.

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"Miss Bella, Mister Edward Cullen has already arrived and is waiting for you downstairs. He said there's no need to rush on his expense." Vanessa said.

"Rush on his expense?" I gave a bitter laugh, "I'm not eager to meet him, Vanessa. He can wait downstairs for all I care."

"What should I tell him?"

"Tell him that I'll be down soon enough."

When Vanessa was gone, I turned back to the mirror and surveyed myself not wanting to look as if I'd spent the too much thought on my outfit because it would mean that Edward Cullen still means something to me. Which he's not.

I had worn a simple outfit: a blue sweater, black pants and a white coat with a scarf wrapped around mu neck (The news had said that it was going to be cold tonight so I wasn't taking any chances).

Taking care to remove the strangles of my hair, I ran my brush down my hair to stall for more time. I was not eager to meet Edward. In fact, I wasn't eager to meet anyone at all.

I don't want to go out with Edward. I don't even want to see his face again. Seeing him only reminds me of my past self: the innocent and easily gullible Bella. I've spent years trying to bury her and just when I thought she's finally gone she shows herself again. What was it with Edward Cullen which makes me feel like I'm fifteen again?

I usually have a tradition I haven't broken yet… until tonight, apparently, and that tradition has something to do with my preference in shopping for Christmas present ALONE. It helped me to think clearly in deciding for the best presents I could give.

"I'm sure your hair would have enough static by now," A velvety masculine voice interrupted my thoughts. "If that's what you're planning to do."

I looked up at the mirror to see who had spoken behind me.

"I thought you told me 'not to hurry at your expense'." I replied.

"I know what I said but as much as I'd like to watch you, I'm afraid we should hurry. The mall's closing in–" He checked his Cartier watch, "three hours."

"I'll only agree to go with you tonight if you promise me that you'll let me shop in peace because if you plan to bug me, then you can forget about us leaving for tonight."

"I won't bug you for tonight, I promise." He raised his right hand. "Scout's honor."

"You're bluffing." I commented flatly, "You weren't a scout."

"I still made my promise, didn't I?"

"Make sure you keep it."

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Under the huge white Christmas tree located just outside the mall, I looked down at the list of presents I'm planning to buy which was written on a piece of paper. Alice had once dubbed the list as "Santa's List" because it seems that I'm the only person she knows who writes a list with naughty or nice checkmarks beside the name. If they've been nice, they receive a fitting present but if they had been naughty, they received the opposite.

In fact, I've had some ideas to give to Edward and since we decided to shop separately, I had my chance to buy those things without arousing his suspicion.

I saw her after I finished buying the last gift.

She was looking at me with piercing blue eyes, her hair was blond and ringletted and she could pass for an overgrown walking doll. She wore a black beret and her clothes were hidden underneath a blue coat.

"Could I have some?" She asked me, pointing at the candy I had bought for myself to eat after shopping.

"Sure." I held the bag of jellybeans. The jellybeans were the same beans J.K. Rowling had mentioned in her Harry Potter books and it had been my favorite since I discovered it a year ago. "Where are your parents?" I curiously asked.

"Mom's doing her Christmas shopping and Dad's at work."

"Are you waiting for your Mom then?"

"She told me to wait for her in this spot for an hour."

"How old are you?" She looked much older than six and yet younger than nine.

"I'm seven years old."

"Aren't you a little young to be asked to wait for your Mom?"

"I'm used to it. All I ever do is to wait for my parents every day at home." She shrugged as though it was no big deal.

"And what are you going to do until your Mom arrives tonight?"

"Sit around and wait here probably," She shrugged, "I've got nothing else to do." She paused and bit her lower lip before looking up at me again. "Can I go with you?"

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked, taken aback.

"I'm bored and you seem nice enough for an adult." She replied in a matter-of-fact voice.

"All right, I'm going to the toy store anyway. Maybe you could see something you'd like and you could tell your Mom to buy it for you later on."

She became hesitant when she heard that I was going to the toy store, I could tell. I thought she was going to say no but she surprised me by nodding and saying, "Sure."

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I learned that her name was Selene later on and that she likes the jellybeans candy as much as I do. She also has a nice laugh and she likes teddy bears although… she didn't tell me that last one. I found out about it while we were at the toy store.

"What do you think would be a perfect gift for a child?" I asked for her an opinion.

"How about puzzles? It's educational."

"He won't get to use it. He's a baby."

"A stuffed toy then."

We went to the aisle where the stuffed toys are and while I was looking for the right stuffed toy to buy, I found her at the teddy bear section with a longing expression on her face.

"Do you think a teddy bear would be a perfect gift to give to someone?" I asked.

She was startled for a moment but she slowly nodded. "Teddy bears are soft and cuddly. It provides a comfort to children when they're lonely."

Is she speaking from what she'd seen from others or from personal experience?

"Do you have a teddy bear?" I inquired.

"I had one, once," was her answer. "It's gone now though." Her eyes looked pained and it got my curiosity as to what happened to the teddy bear.

"A teddy bear it is then."

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"Thank you for accompanying me, Selene." I said when we had gotten back underneath the Christmas tree.

"I enjoyed my time with you, Bella." She said and I could see that she meant it.

I knelt down and took one of the wrapped packages from my shopping bags. "Selene," I gave her the package, "Merry Christmas."

Her eyes widened. "Is this for me?"

"Yes." I said firmly.

"B-but how can you give me a gift? I thought this was for a baby? You've only met me tonight."

"It doesn't matter whether we've just met or not. You deserved it. Your parents are lucky to have you as their daughter and as for my present, I've got another teddy right here." I showed her the wrapped package.

"Can I open it now?" She asked hesitatingly.

"Sure." I agreed.

She opened the present with trembling hands.

She gave a huge gasp as she finally saw the teddy bear I bought for her. For the first time that night, she looked like her real age instead of the adult she was trying to be. "Why did you choose to give this to me?"

"Because you need it." I simply said, "You're a child and yet, you're lonely. Children shouldn't be lonely and alone. They should feel comforted… and loved."

"Oh Bella, thank you." She breathed as she finally saw the teddy bear I bought for her.

Then she did something which caught me off guard, she went over to me and hugged me. Another vivid image suddenly came into my mind about a little boy who was giving me a hug and calling me "Mom."

"Tell me. Are you a mom, Bella?" Selene whispered in my ear while she was still giving me a hug.

I found myself taken aback. "No, I'm not."

"It's a shame," She gravely said, "but I know you'll be a good mom."

"How can you say that?"

"Because you noticed I was lonely and comforted me," She said simply. "Not many adults notice that and when they do, they choose to ignore it. So thank you for your gift. Your future child would be lucky to have you as a mom."

I found myself smiling softly at her, forgetting the fact that I couldn't have a child anymore.

"Thank you."

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I left Selene and went to the place where Edward and I were supposed to meet; I didn't know what I was feeling. All I did know was that meeting Selene brought back memories of what could have happened if my baby had been alive.

"Are you done with your shopping?"

I glanced up and saw that Edward was walking towards me with a few shopping bags himself.

"Yes."

"Let's go then."

I nodded and stood up. I didn't notice that the ground had been slippery and my foot lost hold on a particular slippery patch of ice and I found myself slowly falling backwards.

"Bella!" Edward called out.

I braced myself for the impact but instead of falling alone; Edward ran and tried to grab hold of my hand but ended up slipping too.

"OW!" I exclaimed as I landed on my back with Edward on top of me. Falling flat on my back with Edward on top of me doubly hurt than if I was alone. A pair of startled green eyes was right above me and I could feel that his lips were inches from mine.

"What the hell, Edward? Get off me!!" I pushed him away from me. Edward stood up and brushed the snow off his pants. I stood up after him and took deep breaths trying to calm down my erratic heartbeat.

"What was that about?" I asked, trying to ignore the sudden, awkward silence.

Edward was breathing heavily, looking at me intently with an indescribable expression.

"It's about this." And he put one arm around my waist making me lose my balance for the second time that night but this time, he caught me. And before I knew it, Edward Cullen was kissing me. Really kissing me.

But that wasn't what had surprised me.

No, it wasn't that.

What surprised me was my reaction that somehow… I was kissing him back and liking the kiss.

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That's it for this chapter.

Please review before you leave.

Thanks.

jumarxie