Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyers has that right.

Thanks to my Beta's NeeNee246 and toocute24. They are awesome ;)

Chapter 20

Curiosity will always get the better of you.

I knew I shouldn't try to delve into Edward's past, but I couldn't get the facts I knew out of my head. Edward would tell me when the time came, but in the end, curiosity got the better of me.

"Bella?" Edward asked standing in front of my desk. "Earth to, Bella."

"Sorry," I shook my head. "I was miles away then."

"Is it still your concussion? You can go home if you want. I can finish the paperwork."

"Edward, I'm fine. Stop worrying about me." It had been over a week since my attack but he was still walking on egg shells with me. He didn't realise I was stronger than I looked.

"You still look a little pale," he commented as he stroked my cheek. "Maybe you should go home and rest."

"I'd rather stay here with you."

"I'm in meetings all afternoon."

"Edward, please. I'm not this fragile creature you seem to think I am. I'm fine!" I snapped.

"I didn't say you were," Edward frowned. "I'm only looking out for you."

"I know you are, but really, I'm fine."

"Okay." Edward held his hands up in defeat. "I'm going to the meeting with Billy Clifton in half an hour. Are the reports ready?"

"I left them on your desk in the blue file," I grinned.

Edward smirked, leaning down to peck my lips. "Thank you."

"Did you need me to work on the Daniels' file while you're in your meetings?" I tried to keep my tone indifferent, but anything that had to do with that fake blond Sonia still made my skin boil.

"No, I need to chase up some contacts in LA first; I need to advise Sonia's father on a few matters." I couldn't help but notice him flinch as he mentioned LA. Or was I becoming paranoid?

"I'll chase up the revenue reports then." I smiled as Edward kissed my forehead.

"I'm taking you out for dinner tonight. Make sure you are ready by eight," Edward called just before he left.

"You spoil me too much." I beamed, twisting my siren necklace around my fingers.

"You're worth it."

I began work on the revenue reports once I was alone, but my computer was calling for me to hit the Google button. It wasn't as if I was going to get all the answers on the internet, but I was curious if there was a nightclub called 'Ice' in LA.

I typed in the word mindlessly and waited for the results. I sighed at all the results. I guess Ice was a popular name for a nightclub in LA. I spent an hour typing in several different words, but when you have no idea what you're looking for, it's practically impossible. Why was I doing this again?

Finally, joking around I typed in 'Edward Masen LA', knowing I wouldn't get anything from it but my eyes widened at the top result.

'LA MASEN MASSACRE OF 1997'

The tragic event of the Masen Estate house fire is now being treated as a murder investigation. Seventeen people lost their lives in the tragic fire, including Sir Edward Masen, his wife Elizabeth and their two Children Anthony and Mary Masen. The investigation is still on going.

Was it just a coincidence, or could this be part of Edward's family? Maybe he was some lost, distant relative. If this family had been murdered, it would explain why Edward was running, though. I was really clutching at straws, thinking I could find all the answers on the internet. This probably had nothing to do with Edward or his situation. I mean, the Edward Masen in this article would have to be over forty by now if he had survived. Stupid Google.

"Bella," Angela wandered into the office and I quickly deleted my search history. "Are you coming for lunch? I have so much to tell you about Jacob."

"Sure," I smiled, grabbing my bag. I needed a break; my mind was on overdrive as I tried to work out details about Edward's past.

Jacob had finally asked Angela out on date at the weekend. To say she was excited was an understatement. We talked for half an hour just about what she was going to wear.

"Anyway, enough about me, I'm starting to sound like Tanya. How are you?" Angela chimed, sipping her Starbucks.

"I'm much better."

"No light headedness? Jacob asked me to make sure you aren't being over worked."

"You two are as bad as Edward."

"Edward is so smitten with you, Bella. You should've seen him in the nightclub when he couldn't find you." I knew I was blushing. "And Jacob said he went insane on those three guys. I never knew he had it in him."

"I am just as smitten about him," I confessed.

"Are you in love with him?"

"Yes," I whimpered.

"Jacob was right. You are the one who can make Edward stay." I didn't answer. "Bella, it's clear to see Edward loves you. I have no doubt he will extend his contract."

"I'm just enjoying each week at a time, Angela." I sighed. Did we really only have five weeks left? Where was the time going? "We can't all have a fairytale like you."

"Stop it," Angela giggled. "It's only a date."

"How long have you liked Jacob?"

"From the moment I met him," Angela sighed.

"Just be yourself on your date. You'll have Jacob eating out of the palm of your hands." Angela giggled as we got up, making our way back to the office.

"Bella," Mike called as soon as the elevator doors opened. "Sonia Daniels is in your office waiting for you. Sorry, I tried to get rid of her."

I tried to hold back my moan. How was I going to stop myself from slapping her? Especially now that I knew she had tried to hit on my man. I was becoming just as protective of Edward as he was of me. But hell, I didn't care.

"No worries, Mike. I can handle Sonia Daniels," I replied, holding my head up high as I strutted down to my office. Sonia might have the money, but I had something better – Edward.

Sonia was sitting at Edward's desk looking over his files.

"I don't think you should be doing that Sonia. Those files on Mr. Cullen's desk do not relate to your company. I could have you thrown out for that!"

"Finally, Beth! I have been waiting for ages. Do you usually have an hour for lunch? Does Edward know you keep his clients waiting?"

"My name is Bella. If you had arranged a meeting with me, I would have come back earlier. I don't have a crystal ball, Miss Daniels."

"I need you to do some research for my father and me." Sonia shook off my comment, throwing her fake blond hair over her shoulders. Rose came into my mind as I watched her, although I wasn't really sure why. Rose was a natural blond beauty. Sonia would never compare to her. I still missed them all terribly. I hoped all of Edward's family were happy and safe wherever they were. "Did you hear me Beth?"

"It's Bella," I glared.

"Why does Edward keep you around? Your attitude is appalling." The answer was on the tip of my tongue.

"Perhaps if you stopped getting my name wrong it would improve," I snarled, sitting down at my desk. "Is it a company you want me to research? Mr. Cullen told me about the few mergers you've been looking into."

"My father and I want to make our company as big as Cetra Black. Jacob's father is quite the business man you know." Of course I know you stupid bitch, I work for him. How was this woman able to run a multimillion dollar company?

"I am aware of that."

"The company is called Volturi Enterprises." I wrote the details down as Sonia gave them to me. "They are extremely keen on buying part of our business, and I'd like to know how long the paperwork will take to be drawn up."

"Aren't you going to talk to Mr. Cullen about the merger first? He may have a few concerns."

"Mr. Cullen is only our accountant. He will do as he is told. I want the details first thing tomorrow." Sonia glared, storming out of the office.

"What a bitch," I muttered under my breath as Jacob walked in.

"Who's a bitch?" Jacob teased, knowing exactly who I was talking about.

"Hey," I beamed. "I thought you were in meetings with Edward all day?"

"I had to come back to the office to pick up Edward's files. He seems a little distracted today. Is everything okay with him?" Jacob asked, sorting through the files on Edward's desk.

"Which file are you looking for?"

"Volturi Enterprises." I was stunned. I wasn't even aware Edward was already looking into that company. "Bella, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Edward didn't tell me about that file, that's all," I replied shocked. "Which means the file could be anywhere."

"No, it's here," Jacob grinned, finding it.

"Sonia was talking about Volturi Enterprise just now. It seems they are merging," I added, watching Jacob carefully. "She wants me to do a background check on them for her."

"She does? I thought Edward had already done that."

"I have no idea. Edward has never spoken to me about it." The fact that he hadn't was very strange to me.

"Let me go and get Edward, I'm not sure why he has kept you in the dark. We've been discussing Volturi Enterprises for months now." Jacob frowned, exiting quickly.

I was slowly beginning to research Volturi Enterprises when Edward came charging in.

"Bella, I do not want you to do any research on Volturi Enterprises." His voice was panicked.

"Why?"

"It doesn't matter. Please just do as I ask," Edward asked, taking my notes away.

"Edward," I complained. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Promise me you won't do any more research, Bella. Promise me!" He was scaring me a little.

"But Sonia needs the research first thing in the morning."

"I've already done it. I sent it to her via my black berry. It doesn't concern you."

"I'm your PA. All your clients concern me."

"Not this one," Edward glared. "That's an order, Bella." Now I was pissed. I picked the files up, throwing them on the floor.

"Fine," I yelled. "You don't trust me with your larger clients, I get it. I am clearly only good for fucking."

Edward grabbed my arm before I could storm off. "Bella, it's not that."

I pulled away from his hold. "Piss off, Edward. I am so angry right now. How dare you speak to me like I am your fucking dog you can order around," I snarled, going to the door. "And you can forget dinner tonight, unless you want to eat alone!" I yelled, slamming our office door. I knew he wouldn't follow me into the corridor, it was too public.

I stormed into the coffee room, slamming doors and cups as I made myself a drink.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Tanya asked.

"Fuck off, Tanya! I mean it," I snarled. For once she backed off, looking a little scared.

Once I got back to the office it was empty. I sat at my desk, noticing Edward had left me a note.

Bella,

Just trust me. Stay away from the Volturi file.

And, I don't care if you're mad at me. I'm still taking you out tonight. Be waiting at 8pm!

I love you,

Edward xxxxx

God, he was such an asshole at times. If he thought I was going to dinner with him, he was wrong.

I tried to find all my notes on the Volturi, but they were gone. He'd even gone as far as wiping my search history on my computer.

Crap! I suddenly wondered if he'd seen the rest of my search history. I was so dead if he had.

I knew I couldn't have gotten into any more trouble than I already was, so without even thinking, I pulled up the Volturi research again. It was a good thing I had a such good memory. Screw him. Edward was not my keeper.

Volturi Enterprises was only the beginning of this massive company. The company was owed by three brothers Aro, Marcus and Caius. As I scrolled through the details, I couldn't understand why Edward had freaked out so much. Yes, this company was majorly wealthy, but what was so wrong about that?

My mind was working on overdrive when I decided to type in Volturi Enterprises and nightclubs.

I froze staring at the screen at the top result.

'ICE'

Come and visit the hottest nightclub in LA. VIP passes only due to popular demand.

Shit! I knew I'd gone too far, but I couldn't stop; I needed to know. I typed the last name hoping there wouldn't be a connection. I whimpered, looking at the results on the screen.

Bree Volturi –Youngest daughter of Aro Volturi.

Status - Deceased

Cause of death – currently unknown

I was in so much trouble. I had all these answers but still no idea what any of it meant. I jumped as my phone rang.

"Hello Mr. Cullen's office," I answered, my voice still shaking as I looked at the name on the computer. What was Bree to Edward?

"Bells, is that you?"

"Dad?" Why did my dad always pick the worst moments to call me?

"At least you still know who I am."

"I'm so sorry. I know I was supposed to call."

"No, I understand. I'm just calling to check if you're still coming home this weekend. You know it's the anniversary of your mother passing." I was such a bad person. How could that have slipped my mind?

"Sure dad, of course I'll be there."

"I can't wait to see you Bells."

"Me either."

"Is work still going well?"

"The best."

"Let me know when you've landed. I'll pick you up."

"I can get a taxi, dad."

"I'm not going to make you take a taxi, Bella. Anyway, I'll leave you too it. See you Saturday."

"Bye dad." Great, there goes my weekend with Edward. The one time I needed to talk to him and something had to get in the way.

I guess I didn't have a choice; Edward had won. I'd have to go to dinner with him tonight if I wanted some answers.