Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. Any other characters, settings etc. are property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 10:

Wednesday at noon found me in my office diligently working on manuscripts and reports that needed to be ready by the end of the week.

Alice was not in the office and Angela had informed me that she would be having lunch with her boyfriend, so with my lunch partners missing I decided to skip the meal. I didn't want to have any encounters with James while I was out having lunch by myself.

I was so submerged in my work, that the knock on my door startled me. "Come in," I said.

James stepped into my office, flashing a friendly smile. "What, no lunch today?" he asked as he sat on the armchair in front of my desk.

"I postponed lunch because I need to finish this by Friday," I said while pointing at my computer's screen.

James smiled proudly at my dedication. "I have an invitation for you," he announced.

I looked at him suspiciously and he smiled. "There's an art exhibition on Greek Mythology at the Museum of Art. It's incredibly well done, and I'd like to take you with me."

I bit my lower lip thinking of what to say —or how to decline his invitation. I couldn't say I wasn't interested; Greek Mythology was something that had always fascinated me, but I wasn't looking forward to learning more about it with James. Just then the word challenge came to mind.

I started thinking…

I could accept this one invitation, we could chit-chat, James would realize that the words challenge and Bella were opposite to one another, and desist on this supposed quest.

Yes, it just might work. I'd have to make sure that no meal was involved, since that would give a sense of intimacy, and just spend a couple of hours with him, looking at Greek art. James would get his hope for a challenge squashed, and I would be let alone.

"Would you go with me?" James asked again, bringing me out of my reverie. But before I could respond he added. "I know you are a little apprehensive about my intentions, but I'm not going to sit here and deny that I'm interested in you."

Oh God I did not want a declaration. "James…"

"Don't say anything until you hear me first," James pleaded. "I could see you're worried that a closeness between us might affect our work environment, but I assure you, that would not happen; we both are mature and professional." He leaned closer to my desk. " And I'm not asking you for a romantic relationship —yet. All I want is your friendship. I want you to know me as a friend first and then Fate will decide."

"I don't know, I…"

"Why not? Why can't we be friends?"

"We are friends!"

"No we are not. If you can't even go see an art exhibition with me, I don't think we are." He looked intently into my eyes. "Tell me something, Bella. Would you think twice before deciding on going to this event with Angela or Alice?"

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Well, for starters, you are my boss," I said.

"That fact didn't stop you when you went to the opera or camping with your former boss, Laurent," he argued.

I was surprised James knew about something that happened over a year ago. "Laurent and I are good friends, remember?" he added answering my thoughts.

"Then, you must know that on both occasions, Laurent's fiancé, Irina went with us, as well as a group of people from work." I narrowed my eyes accusingly. "You made it sound like I dated Laurent."

James smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, that was not my intention. I was just trying to make a point that it is possible to develop a close friendship with your boss, which is exactly what I'm asking for."

I shook my head slowly. "You're good with arguments. I think you misplaced your calling; you should've been a lawyer."

James grinned at me smelling a victory. I wasn't that sure. I suspected he was infatuated with me, but confirming it only complicated my plan of 'disappointing him on his challenge and get it over with'. It was not that easy anymore.

"So, would you go with me?" he asked again.

I truthfully didn't know what to answer, however, I didn't have to, since a knock on the opened door diverted me from it.

I looked toward the door to see Edward standing at the doorway, tall and intimidating, with an air of self-possession that made his presence more imposing. "Edward!" I said brightly as I rose and walked to greet him. James stood up as well and turned to face him.

"Hello, Bella," Edward said politely but his tone was stiff. He looked at James and darted a dagger-like glance at him.

"What a surprise to see you here," I said.

Edward looked at me and forced a smile. "I brought you something," he said while handing me a paper bag.

I took it and opened it; mustard and pepper flavored the air, blending with the scent of fresh baked bread. "A sandwich!"

"Pastrami," Edward said. "The best pastrami you can find in L.A. I thought you might want to try it. Have you had lunch yet?"

"No, I haven't. You couldn't have come at a better time," I told him and he smiled satisfied.

I turned around and walked toward my desk, emptying the contents of the bag onto it; two fat sandwiches wrapped in yellow paper along with some napkins and small condiment packs. The aroma coming from the still warm pastrami was mouthwatering. I looked up at James, and he was standing rigidly, his arms crossed around his chest. "Would you like some of my pastrami?" I offered James.

"No, thank you," he answered and then looked at Edward. "I've suddenly lost my appetite." James then looked at me. "I'll talk to you later."

He turned around and forcefully strode away, walking in a way that made people draw aside, but finding an unmoving Edward on his way out the door. James briefly stopped in front of Edward, and after a silent exchange, Edward stepped aside, letting James leave my office.

I sighed, somewhat relaxing with James' departure. Edward looked at me, eyebrows furrowed in troubled concentration, as he searched to read my face. "I'm not intruding. Am I?" he asked slowly.

"Of course not," I told him. "You're always welcome around me."

Edward smiled relieved?

I walked toward the small refrigerator and grabbed two sodas, handing Edward one. He opened the can and drank half of it in one gulp, as if trying to quench a fire deep within him. I grabbed the sandwiches, sat on the small leather couch and patted the spot next to me. Edward grabbed some napkins from the desk and sat beside me.

I began eating. The pastrami sandwich was delicious; I ate it in eight bites. "Thank you so much Edward. This was by far the best pastrami sandwich I've ever tasted."

Edward smiled and nodded, silent. I noticed that he'd hardly touched his. I guessed James wasn't the only one who had lost his appetite. I reached and touched his arm. "Are you all right?"

Edward glanced at the door, then back at me and shook his head, still smiling faintly. "I have to confess that I regrettably listened to your conversation with James," he said.

"Ah," I said, surprised that Edward had eavesdropped. It was so not like him.

"You didn't believe him," he said, his eyes fixed on mine. "His intentions, that is."

"His intentions?" I asked. "To me, they're pretty clear. He wants to be my friend."

Edward grunted in response. "Friend! The dirt bag only wants to get close to you so he could manipulate your emotions," he said with a noticeable edge in his voice. "James is a conniving weasel."

It was my turn to grunt at that. "And I'm so stupid, that I would let James play me like a marionette." I replied dryly.

"No! Of course not." Edward took my hand and held it between his. "You are trusting, innocent and pure. It is hard for you to perceive malice when there is none in your heart."

I snorted at his far-fetched description of my persona. Edward smiled and nodded his head. "Very true," he said quietly.

We scuffed silently for a moment, each in our own thoughts. At last I sighed deeply. "Well, it doesn't matter what James' feelings or intentions are." I looked intently into his eyes. "What matter is what I feel, and what I want. And I assure you, James is not it." You are

Edward opened his mouth to say something but seemed to think better of it, and closed it without a sound. His face had paled perceptibly, but a hint of relief flashed across it. He released my hand and reached my face, caressing my cheek with the tip of his fingers. I closed my eyes and leaned on the gesture.

He cleared his throat. "Very well," he said. "I won't be taking anymore of your time."

Just like that, the conversation was over. Edward was so frustrating!

Edward stood up and walked toward the door. He stopped at the doorway and turned to face me. "Bella, I…" He looked at me with tormented eyes, so clearly you could see the turmoil in the green pools. He sighed profoundly. "Please be careful." Was all he said, and left, leaving me as confused as ever.

I stood in my office, trying to understand our situation. What's bothering him? Why couldn't he trust me? What's holding him back? If he was interested in me, my sane part added.

There were two options left for me: I could patiently wait for Edward to resolve his issues and finally let me know if he wanted me, or I could take matters into my hands and do something about our situation. Surprisingly I was leaning toward the latter.

One positive thing about Edward's visit was that it resolved one of my dilemmas. I knew for sure that I didn't want to prove to James how challenge-unworthy I was. The working-relationship we had was more than enough for me, and it would have to be sufficient for him. It didn't matter how infatuated he might be; it wasn't my problem.

James would have to look for a challenge somewhere else.

With that settled, I went back to my laptop, and continued my interrupted work.

I worked so feverishly that didn't notice how late it was. I turned everything off and went up to James' office. I was glad that he was still in. After knocking on his door, I went in and stood in front of his desk. "I appreciate your invitation but I'm afraid I'd have to decline."

"May I know why?" James asked.

"I feel very comfortable working along with you. I admire your professionalism. And I'm learning so much from you." Every word was true. "I don't want to change that."

"It doesn't have to change. Friendship would only solidify it."

"But friendship is not what you're seeking."

"True," he consented. "But, if friendship is all you could offer, then that's all I'd take."

"At this point in my life, I don't think I could offer you more than what we now have."

Anger flashed through his eyes, but he quickly regained composure. "Can I ask you something?"

I nodded.

"If Edward were not in your life, would you have given us a chance?"

I thought about it for a moment. James was nice and charming. And every time he was around, I always had a pleasant time. But there was no attraction whatsoever, and I thought that he was referring to that type of chance, not his so called 'friendship'. "I don't think so," I told him sincerely. "Sorry."

James smiled. But it wasn't a friendly smile; it was the kind that told you 'you're wrong and I'm going to prove it to you'. Challenge came to my mind again.

He rose from his seat and walked around his desk to stand beside me, invading my personal space. And before I took a step back he reached for my hands and held them between his. "It's all right, Bella. I understand," he said although he didn't seem to be sincere. "And please, know that you have nothing to worry about." He pressed my hands softly. "We will continue our working-relationship as always."

James released my hands swiftly. I was relief. "Thank you," I said

He smiled. "Besides, like I already told you, we'll let fate decide."

If he wanted to think that, it was fine with me; I only cared that our working-relationship was going to continue the same. I forced a smile and walked toward the door.

"Good night, Bella," James said before I closed his door.

"Good night." I said and left. "That went well," I murmured to myself on the way to the elevator. I just wanted to go home.

When I got to my apartment I felt physically and emotionally drained. I didn't want to think about feelings, options, Edward, friendship, James, etc., etc., etc. I changed into my most comfortable sweats, and after brushing my hair and teeth, I lay in my bed; I think it was the first time I slept in it since Edward's melodies became part of my sleeping routine.

Surprisingly, I welcomed the now unfamiliar silence and more exhausted than I realized, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, after a dreamless night I woke up relaxed. The smell of coffee and fresh baked muffins flavored the air. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't had dinner the night before. I popped out of bed and hurried into the shower, knowing that Edward was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

I was out in no time, and walked toward the kitchen. Edward was setting the food on the kitchen counter. He looked at me and smiled. "Good morning," he greeted me.

"Good morning to you," I said, happy to see that his mood had changed —once again. He didn't seem troubled; on the contrary, he seemed happy… determined. "I can't think of a better way to wake up." I said gesturing at the food waiting for me.

"Oh, I could think of a few other ways to wake up, much better than this," he said. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes, and a devilish smile on his face.

My mouth fell open. He was talking about sex, wasn't he? Edward always-so-proper-Cullen using a double entendre. I'll be damned

Edward chuckled at the expression on my face. "Aren't you hungry?" he said and sat on the bar stool, giving the stool beside him a pat.

I blinked and clear my throat. "Yes. As a matter of fact, I'm starving," I said and claimed the seat next to him.

There was an entire meal in front of me: a big omelet, sausage, cottage cheese, freshly baked muffins, a small bowl of fruit and coffee. I knew he didn't cook. "How did you manage?" I asked as I started to gobble up the delicious feast.

"Oh, I made a few calls. Pulled a few strings," he answered.

I smiled at his cheerfulness. There were no signs of the tormented man from yesterday.

In only twenty minutes, I wolfed down everything in front of me. I leaned back on my stool, satiated. "Thank you so much. It was really, really good."

"You're welcome," he said, looking at me with a satisfied grin. "I thought you might be hungry, since you went to bed without dinner."

I looked at him curiously. "How do you know?"

"Last night I waited for you while I was working at my piano, but I never heard you arrive. At about ten I decided to go to your apartment and check on you. You weren't sleeping on your couch so I wandered to your bedroom and found you in your bed sound asleep." Edward had been in my room while a slept, and he talked as if it were the most common thing in the world. Unaware of my shock he continued. "I looked around the kitchen and everything was untouched, so I knew you hadn't eaten."

The fact that he'd been in my room was embarrassing, simply because I talk on my sleep; my mother and roommates have always teased me about it. I didn't think I wanted to know if Edward was now aware of that little fact. So I didn't make any fuss about him being in my room. But the thought still made me uneasy.

I looked down at my hands and bit my bottom lip. "Well, thank you for being so considerate. I really appreciate it,"

Edward didn't answer.

I looked up and his gaze was fastened on my mouth; it made me self-conscious. Was a crumb from breakfast hanging on the edge of my lips? I slipped my tongue out to wipe it away.

His eyes widened as he inhaled a short shaky breath.

"Edward?"

He blinked twice, and removed his gaze from my mouth. "Yes?"

"Thank you," I repeated.

"You're…you're welcome." He stood and carried our plates to the sink.

Edward had been definitely staring at my mouth. He even seemed to have leaned toward me as if to kiss me. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but hey, I had decided to change tactics —take matters into my hands. Why not to start now. Right there I decided to call the office and take the day off. Besides, the way I worked yesterday, I was actually ahead of schedule. I was not being irresponsible. "Do you have plans today?" I asked.

Edward turned to face me. "No, I don't."

"Well, in that case, I'm going to cook something extra special for you, as a token of appreciation for taking such a good care of me this morning."

"Taking care of you is nothing but a pleasure," he said, his voice was a husky whisper.

My body felt like it turned to mush; it was a good thing I was seated. My cheeks felt hot. "Then it's a date!" I blurted out.

He walked toward me, grabbed my hands and kissed my knuckles. "It's a date," he confirmed.

Oh Boy!

My plan to conquer had begun. I had a date with Edward Cullen.

A/N: Thanks to Marijee