A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your patience and I hope you enjoy this. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART for the completely overwhelming response that I am receiving for this story.

The songs for this chapter are :

"Talk Show Host" by Radio Head
"Pardon Me" by Incubus
"Sabotage" by Beastie Boys

All of which are available on my blog at http: / / www (dot) jenn1987sspot (dot) blogspot (dot) com

Chapter 21
Snakes, Snobs and Liars.

Before I knew it, I was seated next to Alice on the plane to Baltimore. It was late and, as I stared out the tiny window at the bundle of clouds below, Edward's smile flashed through my mind and a warm feeling reminiscent of being in love flooded my very soul. Landing in Baltimore and calling him from my hotel room gave me something to look forward to, even if it was just phone sex - and that in turn sent butterflies sky rocketing through my abdomen. Still my forbidden fruit, I knew I wasn't allowed to touch him, and for the remainder of the conventions that had to remain the case. He'd continue to be my dirty little secret, and that was the way it needed to be. I knew he was mine, I knew no one else would touch him, and that would make our reunion in New York that much sweeter.

Day one down, nine more to go.

It seemed like such a long time from now, a thought that severely twisted my insides. I wasn't entirely sure I could wait that long.

"What's eating you over there?" Alice whispered, breaking me from my train of thoughts.

I sighed and rocked back in my seat, turning my head towards her. "Edward and I agreed not to see each other until the conventions were over," I quietly explained.

"Well good for you," Alice chirped, shooting me a wink before adjusting her laptop so I could see it. "Here, look. I received an email from Jenks," she started. She must not have heard me right or perhaps she was just starting conversation so that she could ultimately get to her point. Whatever the case, she wrinkled her nose and pointed to her screen. "He wants us to meet him at this restaurant called "The Rusty Scupper" tomorrow at one for lunch. He says that either Aro or Jessica can handle the luncheon this round."

"Wonderful," I sighed. "And will his snotty grandson be joining us?"

"Oh you can count on that," Alice noted. "Little Scotty pants follows grandpappy everywhere."

I rolled my eyes and nodded in agreement.

"So, the convention booth by eight," she continued. "Press conference by ten, Rusty Scupper by one, then I suppose you could go sight seeing if you want until we have to get ready for the banquet. I have to meet Jasper at the airport at three. He's taken two weeks off to help me during the conventions." Alice tapped on her keyboard a few more times before shutting the screen and letting out a big yawn. "Have you given any more thought to your presentation? Perhaps you should rewrite it, try to make it wittier than Cullen's, ya know?"

"I'm open to suggestions," I quipped, retrieving the the flash-drive from my purse and placing it on top of her closed laptop.

"I'll see what I can do." She laughed and scratched her head, shooting an incredulous look my way. "Wait, wait. Press rewind. Did I hear you right? You broke things off with Cullen?"

And there it was, that dawning of recognition I had been waiting for. I smiled and gave her a curt nod. "For the time being. It's too stressful to worry about keeping things a secret."

"Wow, how are you handling that?"

I shrugged and looked out the window again, unsure of how I was really feeling. He wasn't at the conventions this morning so I didn't have to stare at the object of my affection with that momentous sense of longing, yet know I could no longer touch him. Finally seeing him again would either make or break me. "Ask me tomorrow," I suggested. "He told me he loved me, ya know? And then I told him we had to stop."

Alice's jaw dropped. "Holy shit, Bella! What'd you tell him? Do you love him, too?"

I nodded and averted my gaze to the back of the chair in front of me. "I think so."

She was speechless, absolutely shocked and silent for one of the first times in what seemed like ages.

"Let's just keep that between me and you, understand?" I chided. "The last thing I need is Rosalie strangling me to death, shouting to the heavens and cursing the hormones in my brain."

Alice laughed and shook her head, hesitating a few seconds like she was gauging how upset I really was about this whole mess. "I'm happy for you, Bella."

My eyes immediately narrowed on her. I almofst couldn't believe was I was hearing. "What? Just yesterday, you were kicking him out of my room like you suddenly had some kind of parental rights to me."

"Well, I mean, you could have had anyone, and you certainly picked an interesting one to boot, don't get me wrong. But Bella, you're in love. That's great - no wait, that's amazing! I was beginning to think it would never happen," Alice teased. "I don't know whether I should laugh or cry."

"Gee, thanks!"

"No seriously, Bella! Remember the last guy you tried to date?"

"Umm - no," I lied, thoroughly remembering every single detail.

"Well I do, and honey, you left halfway through dinner. Remember? He got up to use the bathroom and you just fled! Called me once you were in the taxi."

"Yeah, well, he was picking his teeth at the table. Whatever happened to manners?"

"And the one before that was years ago and was the son of your mother's friend. He had dreads."

"Not that there's anything wrong with that," I interjected.

"Of course not," Alice agreed with a wave of her hand.

"But there's just something about not washing your hair for five years that just irks me," I explained, chuckling a little.

Alice giggled and shook her head. "Well, it looks like I owe Jake twenty bucks," she whispered under her breath.

"What?"

"I had twenty on you bailing out before it got that far. I guess Picasso's really done a number on you, hasn't he?"

I ignored her comment, deciding that the bet was the more important topic to discuss. "And Jake bet that I'd fall in love with him?"

She nodded quickly, like this was only to be expected, and sighed. "Rose thought he'd end up leaving you by now."

"Really?"

"She's a heartless bitch, don't let it get to you."

"Well, damn. I don't know if I should be offended that my friends are betting about my love life or complimented that you care that much."

"It's out of love, baby. All out of love." Alice patted my shoulder and crossed her arms over her stomach. "You have wake up duty this round. Let me know when we're descending."

I smirked and nodded my head, shooting her a wink before she closed her eyes.

My iPod shuffled through the songs of my life for the duration of the ride, my thoughts instantly traveling to Edward and the day ahead. He would be there, sure enough, and merely inches from me in some cases. I was starting to wonder if he was really worth all the pressure I was about to face. Surely, I had no reason to worry about money, if indeed I did get fired or decided to quit. That wasn't my concern. The problem would come when I tried to find any other job in any other city and the person interviewing me would recognize my name - I'd be "Isabella Swan: that woman who fucked her competition and got caught." But, if I was with Edward, and he really meant what he said about loving me, would that really be a bad thing? We could move to the south of France and live on one of his boats - the artist and his muse. We could escape with each other, and surely that couldn't be all bad.

It wasn't long until the seat belt sign was turned on and the captain came over the loud speaker to announce our descent. I casually shook Alice to life and readied myself for the part that always scared the crap out of me - landing. Cursed with a completely over active imagination, I always pictured one of the wheels breaking off and shooting the plane into the side of the airport - killing hundreds, myself included. It would just be my luck to come so far only to die at the very end.

Once off the plane, we grabbed our luggage and made our way to the limo waiting outside. The driver tucked our bags into the truck and opened the door for us to climb in. I went first, scooting into the back seat and across the leather so that Alice could get in next to me. Suddenly, I looked up and shrieked! Someone was sitting in the seat opposite me.

Upon further inspection, I realized it was Jenks and his grandson, Scott. "Damn it, Jenks! You couldn't have told me you were meeting me in the limo?"

"Slight change of plans, Swan," he coolly added. "I apologize for scaring you."

Alice got situated and averted her gaze to the two men opposite us, greeting them with a big smile. "Hello, Mr. Jenks. Scotty."

"Hello, Alice," Jenks answered as the car started moving.

But Scott merely smiled. He was always such a smug little asshole, and he looked exactly how one would picture the spoiled child of rich parents who never worked for their money. Over excessive hair gel, perfectly tailored clothes, exquisite jewelery, and that damned walking cane decorated with over five hundred diamonds. Not that he needed it to help him walk, he carried it simply for the flash and the price tag. Together, his ensemble was well over half of my yearly salary - and rest assured, I'm substantially well off.

It was understandable why he hated me in return. I was nothing, I was poor, insignificant. My family wasn't well known, I was a woman, and yet, I'd somehow managed to usurp his dynasty from him. As long as I was in the picture, he didn't stand a chance at even tiptoeing around where I stood.

"I thought we were meeting tomorrow," I mused.

Jenks held up the latest edition of US Weekly and handed it to me. Suddenly, I knew the reason behind his impromptu visit. Plastered across the front page was a huge picture of William Dean and myself. Someone had seen us at the Boston convention and snapped a picture of us walking into the elevator together, seemingly alone. Though, in real life, we were surrounded by six other people, the majority of the Cullen executive board included.

Photoshop.

"I need to know if there's any truth to this," Jenks bellowed in a low, intimidating voice. He'd gotten this tone with me only once before, when I made a ballsy decision about pushing forward with 3D holographs - later to premiere on CNN's 2008 election coverage. It was huge hit, attracting investments from the likes of Disney and Warner Bros.

I heard this tone and my ears perked in contest. Rolling my eyes, I groaned, "Of course not, Jenks. Surely you know me better than that."

He stared at me for a minute, seeming to analyze my every move - looking, as I would look, for a twinge of the hands, a look away, a tightening of the fist, a nervous shake, a lick of the lips, anything that would give away the fact that I was lying.

I stared him dead in the eye and whispered, "I'm not lying, I swear it."

Jenks nodded and turned to Scott. "Didn't I tell you?"

"She's lying, Pap. Look at her," Scott retorted. "She's tense. She's anxious."

"I'm tense because you scared the crap out of me. The fact that you would think me such a person to associate privately with the likes of William Dean is what makes me the most anxious."

"She's not lying," Alice chimed in. "I'd be willing to testify to that. There's nothing between her and Dean."

Jenks again nodded his head in what seemed to be the stamp of finality. "I figured as much," he warmly said, and there was an immediate lift in atmosphere. The imaginary Dean subject was now an afterthought. "That being said, welcome to Charm City. I trust your flight was satisfactory?"

"It was, thank you," I answered.

"How did things go in Boston?" he continued.

"Rather profitable. We've already received several offers. Aro's sales team will sift through them."

"And Mr. Dean's banquet?" Scott spoke up.

"We're already experiencing the positive results from that. We made over ten million in one night."

"That's why we're still number one, Scotty," Jenks teased. "Isabella's our best representative. She just charms the money out of any man's pants."

"I'll just bet she does," Scott retorted acidly, with obvious undertone suggested.

I simply glared at him, not really feeling that comment justified a response.

Then, all was silent. Jenks was pleased with my progress and with where the company was heading, so he had nothing more to say. Scotty, I'm sure, was contemplating a hundred different ways to destroy me. Alice was probably over there thinking about Jasper and the long day ahead of us tomorrow, and I had nothing more to say to anyone, so I thought about my future phone conversation with Edward.

How had his day gone?
Why was he not at the conferences this morning?
Had he left earlier?
How easily had he snuck back into his suite last night?

As we drove closer to the hotel, the sight outside the entrance made the pit of my stomach drop out from under me. The Hilton was swarming with paparazzi. They looked like mice descending on the biggest piece of cheese they'd seen to date.

Apparently, the US Weekly article had sparked a frenzy, and everyone - EVERYONE - was vying for that next, new picture of Mr. Dean and myself. Though I denied the allegations repeatedly, the media assumed we were handling our affair the way rich people normally did - with secrecy at first, the thrill still too new to share with the world, and then with glamor, the overwhelming pressure of prying eyes becoming too much to keep it a secret any longer. The press was jumping at the chance to be that first publication to break the news.

fIt was a shame they'd never find anything to break.

They had the wrong guy.

Jenks, Scotty, Alice and I pushed our way through the crowd as the photographers spat absurd questions at me, shouting at the top of their lungs to be heard.

"Where's William tonight?"
"Will you be seeing him later?"
"How long have you two been seeing each other?"
"When's the wedding?"
"Will the two companies merge?"

All of which I shrugged off. I'd answer no questions whatsoever.

FLASH!
FLASH!
FLASH!

Each blinding surge of light pointed right at me made it incredibly difficult to walk, and even harder to concentrate. Who was asking what? Who do I answer? It all seemed to blend together. That was until I heard a deep grumble emanate from the back of the crowd.

"We've got the wrong guy, don't we, Ms. Swan? Her sights are a little further from home," the voice said.

I almost stopped dead in my tracks, and would have had Alice not grabbed on to the back of my arm and pushed me ahead with her. I wasn't entirely sure if she heard it as well, but it didn't seem to matter. No one in the crowd cared, or at least, no one was willing to continue questioning his change in direction. Once inside the security of the Hilton, I was able to make out the face way at the back, the one that most likely knew my secret.

And I immediately recognized him.

Eleazar Michael - the most notable paparazzi in the game these days. He goes where the story goes. He follows his prey, stalks it until he gets that one shaming shot.

Britney Spears' crotch? That was Eleazar.

Paris Hilton's sex tape? That was Eleazar.

And he was good at what he did because he was relentless. He'd stake out anywhere to get that hot story, and once he'd dragged his victim's name through the mud a dozen times over, he'd do the 'Redemptive Interview" just to spite them. Everyone's seen this interview. It's the one where the out of control subject apologizes to the country for the way they've acted and blames it all on a past trauma or drug addiction. He seemingly props them up only to cut the knees out from under them the minute they step out of line, which they ultimately do - again and again.

It seemed I was to be his next target and he already knew what he was going to use against me, he just couldn't prove it yet.

This thought made me gasp and reach for my neck like I was about be strangled.

"Hey, are you alright?" Alice asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

"Do you know who that is?"

Alice sighed and pulled me away from the window. "Yes," she groaned. "Yes, I do."

I pushed Eleazar far from my mind, making my plan of staying away from Edward more concrete and absolute. I couldn't afford to fuck around anymore. By the time I'd checked into the hotel and stepped out of my shoes in the living room of my suite, I realized that I'd yet to turn on my Blackberry since landing at the airport. I dug it out of the depths of my purse and pressed the power button, praying - no, begging, - for a message from Edward. Tell me you're here, tell me I can call you, fuck, tell me anything.

And, of course he did.

New Text Message
The Spy
7:15 pm

You should see the Jacuzzis in Baltimore.

I immediately ran through my bedroom to the bathroom and flicked on the lights. The tub was built into one complete side of the wall, making it twice the size of the one in Boston. My phone buzzed again.

New Text Message
The Spy
8:30 pm

I hope you have a good flight. Call me when you're alone.

There seemed to be another message, but I didn't bother to look at it. I slammed my finger on the green call button, almost frenzied as the phone rang . . . and rang . . . and rang.

"Hello, you have reached the voice mail box of Edward Cullen -"

I immediately pressed end and tried again.

To no avail.

"Hello, you have reached the voice mail box -"

I slumped a little in disappointment before checking the last message.

New Text Message
The Spy
9:45 pm

Unexpected complication - talk to you tomorrow.

I sighed, ultimately deciding that I was exhausted and his "complication" was sort of a blessing in disguise. I'd been going on less than four hours of rest and lots of caffeine. It was time to sleep. I stripped down to my underwear and climbed into bed, finding myself lost in a dream within a matter of seconds. Sure, the fact that Edward didn't answer tonight bugged the living hell out of me, but one night without him wouldn't kill me. He'd kept me up entirely too late last night, a fact evident in every bruised nerve ending between my legs.

The next morning, I was wide awake and rearing to go by seven am. It was me pounding down Alice's door this time, dressed to the nines and two coffee's in tow. Groaning and moaning, she answered the door with sleep still in her eyes and her hair resembling a peacocks tail atop her head. "Ugh, well aren't we bright-eyed and bushy tailed this morning? What? No marathon sex last night?"

"I already told you. I'm turning over a new leaf, I suppose." I grinned and, somewhere deep down, that was true. Perhaps it was Edward's words that stuck with me so thoroughly.

"But you need to realize something - whatever happens from here out is out of our hands now. We've already made our beds, Bella. So you might find that you'll sleep better if you accept that."

There was some sort of blinding truth to that statement, something that struck me deep down. Even though Eleazar was probably hot on my trail and we'd be exposed any minute, the fact that I was sticking to my guns with this whole "distance" thing was somehow rejuvenating. Eleazar could search all he wanted, but as long as we didn't give him anything new to exploit, I felt like we'd somehow be okay. I felt so empowered today - like I was ready to take on the world and kick it's ass - metaphorically speaking.

"A new leaf, huh?" She grabbed her coffee and eyed me from head to toe.

"Well, not really a new leaf. Just a leaf I left on the side of the highway a few weeks back."

Alice pursed her lips and gave me a single nod. "I love those pants on you, by the way. They look nice with those heels." She was referring to my black pinstripe pants and black stilletos I had donned for such an ass kicking occasion.

I gave her a smile and sat on her couch while she climbed into the shower. A half an hour later, Alice was emerged from her bedroom sporting an equally tasteful ensemble and handed me my flash-drive. "I looked over that last night and added a few things - let me know what you think."

I shot her a wink and stood, mentally preparing myself for setting up the convention booth. We headed downstairs and were immediately greeted by Jenks and Scotty in the hotel lobby.

"Morning, Swan. Alice," Jenks politely said.

Scotty said nothing.

Alice and I greeted them in turn and started to head toward the entrance of the hotel, but stopped dead in our tracks once we noticed the idiocy of that idea. The relentless press had not moved. They seemed just as crazed and bloodthirsty as last night.

"We've secured the back entrance for you, Mr. Jenks," a hotel attendant suddenly whispered.

We nodded and followed him into an employee only zone behind the front desk. We walked down a long corridor which ultimately dumped us out in the back parking lot, marked "Employee Parking Only." The limo was waiting for us. We piled in, somehow hoping no one would see us leaving and jump in front of the car for that last desperate shot.

Once we'd gotten to the Convention Center, we found our booth amongst mass chaos erupting at every turn and Jenks seemed thoroughly impressed with our layout. Because of the close proximity of Johns Hopkins, Baltimore had been dubbed the 'Medical Convention,' and all of our best pharmaceutical and surgical equipment was on display - not to mention the cancer-eating robot prototype. This should shape up to be one of our best conventions yet.

Jenks and Scott talked about what they liked and didn't like, then started barking commands at Jessica and Aro - who both responded like the best ass kissers in the business. I couldn't help but feel somewhat unfocused, if only for a split second in time and reality. That tingle was shooting down my back again, and I knew, without a reasonable doubt, that Edward was somewhere watching me. He could see me, even if I couldn't see him.

A faint blush graced my cheek as that little smile spread across my face. This time was different. This time I had the prying eyes of my boss and hundreds of photographers on me at every waking second. There was no more looking for him. There could be no more meeting his gaze across the room. I had to keep my wits about me. But just knowing - feeling and knowing - that he was here and could see me was enough for now.

Reluctantly, I returned my attention to Jenks who nodded in applause and took my hands with his. "Swan, you're doing a splendid job. I can't wait to see what you have in store for tonight. We've got some errands to run, but don't forget about our lunch." He gave me a warm smile and turned to leave, Scott meekly following as usual. Alice and I discreetly gave each other a high five and congratulated our ability to rock this shit.

It was backstage at the press junket that I finally saw Edward Cullen for the first time since we confessed our very souls to each other - and he looked amazing as usual. He was wearing a steel gray business suit with a dark green shirt underneath. His hair barely brushed, he nervously ran his fingers through it and shoved his other hand in his pants pocket, turning toward the entrance of the stage momentarily before readjusting his attention to his father. My heart involuntarily fluttered, for it instantly recognized its equal and longed to be closer him.

I allowed this rush to continue for only five seconds. Surely I could afford five seconds of daydreaming.

Five . . .
The way his pants hang over his waist made me think of ripping off his belt two nights ago.

Four . . .
The way his hair felt between my fingers when he knew he was caught, when he surrendered and allowed himself to confess another hanging skeleton.

Three . . .
That look in his eyes once he'd ripped off my blindfold and told me he wanted to see my face when I came.

Two . . .
Those lips - velvet, soft, delicate - like two slices of orange just begging to be sucked at.

One . . .
This distinctive twinge in the bottom of my gut that tells me, everytime I see him, that he is right - he is where I'm supposed to be.

And just as I was about to go into negatives, I notice the posture between the two men. The rigidity of Edward's shoulders and the pain smeared across his face. Their hushed voices broke me from my fantasy. "I know. I'll be there, alright? There's no need to pester me further about it," he groaned, pointing his fingers to the ground as if making a very definite point.

Carlisle smiled slowly and adjusted the collar around Edward's neck before straightening his tie. "Of course, Edward. How could I ever doubt you?"

The look that Edward gave his father in that moment could have cut diamonds - piercing, lethal.

"Do you want to take this bottle of water on stage?" Alice chirped from behind me. I jumped and turned towards her, awkwardly glancing back toward the Cullens. They both had looked up and saw me standing there, obviously eavesdropping on the conversation. Edward instantly turned a certain shade of rosy pink before flashing that brilliant smile in my direction, but Carlisle remained as calm as ever, as if my presence was merely trivial.

"Thanks, Alice." I took the bottle of water and walked toward the two men, cutting in between them as I made my way to the stage. "Mr. Cullen," I whispered, acknowledging Carlisle and Carlisle alone. Any look at Edward, any stolen glance at all, could mean the exposure of a very dirty little secret - and the mess from that explosion would devastate us for years, perhaps irreversibly altering the relationship between the father and son that I now parted.

This stage was bigger, much bigger than that in Boston, and Edward and I were seated next to each other again. And, again, hundreds of Baltimore's media finest sat before me causing a strange sense of being hunted to overwhelm me. Their prying eyes seemed to stare right through me - and I wondered what they saw. A successful business woman playing coy with a successful billionaire? Perhaps I was the seductress, and Dean, the innocent businessman falling victim to my feminine wilds? Either way, the press lusted for knowledge about my personal life. I was new, I was fresh meat, and they, the hyena pack, were all too eager to sink their grubby teeth into my hide.

About thirty seconds after I sat down, I felt Edward's presence behind me. He pulled his chair out from under the table and gracefully sat, shooting the press a smile and a small wave.

"Mr. Cullen," I whispered.

"Ms. Swan," he responded just as quietly.

I opened my mouth to say something about last night, to ask how he'd been - hell - anything to hear that voice again. But before the words formed on my lips, the room went dark and the MC for Baltimore began speaking. "Welcome to the Baltimore Medical Technology Convention, graciously hosted by the Baltimore Convention Center in association with The Technological Association of America. My name is Abigail Smith, and I'll be your mistress of ceremonies for the week." She was a fairly slender woman with red hair flowing halfway down her back. "We're going to start with a short presentation, introducing the array of companies represented today, and then we'll open it up to the press for questions."

The projector began playing behind us, and as much as I wanted to ignore it and stare at Edward, I knew I had to keep up my facade. So I begrudgingly turned my head and watched the mock up of our corporations. I smiled when they presented Cullen Inc - Edward was just so damned cute. And I smiled wider when Dyco Tech was introduced. The clip they used of me saying "The information necessary to advance in this world of technology is out there, ripe for the picking" was spot on with the music and looked really awesome. It was from an interview with CNBC about six months ago.

I turned back to face the audience, feeling rather confident in the way things were panning out so far, when suddenly, the blackberry in my pocket buzzed once.

New Text Message:
The Spy
10:15 am

"Do you know how difficult it is to sit here and resist the
nagging urge to throw you across this table
and fuck you in front of them?"

I almost couldn't help the little giggle begging to fall from my lips. A huge part of me wanted to scream, "Hell yeah!"

But that part was instantly subdued by the lights coming back on, laying us bare for the press to devour.

"Mr. Michael, I believe you picked first question," Abigail Smith said, gesturing to the bastard way at the back.

Fuck. Here we go. Come on you prick, come get me. I'm ready.

"Ms. Swan," he started, taking a step forward. He work dark denim jeans and a pinstriped polo shirt, covered by a beige vest with over sized pockets. He looked just like how one would expect a presshound to look - the slimey dickhead. "Dyco Tech has had a major breakthrough in the medical community with the invention of microscopic robotics, capable of making the distinction between healthy and unhealthy cells, and able to destroy disease from the inside out. How did such a technology come about?"

I suddenly let go of the giant breath I wasn't aware that I'd been holding. "Well, Mr. Micheal," I began, almost overjoyed that he'd left his skepticism at home. And then I told him the story. I included the names of every inventor working on the project, as well as the funding necessary to complete it. It was a total success, though entirely too expensive to market nationwide. The cost of each robot was well over $5,000 and to completely destroy cancer, you'd need at least forty of them.

Eleazar nodded, held his recorder a little higher and smiled. "And this is money that you've accumulated from several investors, Mr. Dean being only one of them?"

"That's correct, Mr. Michael. But I don't see where you're going with this." I crossed my hands in front of me, leaning on the table to get closer to the microphone. My eyes narrowed on him, almost daring him to say it. Would he expose us right here, right now? Seated in front of the world? Or would he just bat us around for a little bit just to torture the struggle out of us?

"But, before a month ago, he was a huge investor in Cullen Inc, your main competition. Is that not also correct, Ms. Swan?"

I saw Edward stiffen next to me. His fingers gripped harder around each other in his lap and he turned his head to look at me, nervously anticipating my response.

"How William Dean spent his money before investing in Dyco Tech is none of my concern." And that much was true, even though I had always known where Dean's interests lied before Dyco Tech. But the truth was that this was none of the nations concern - least of all Eleazar Micheal's.

"What else happened about a month ago that would spark such a change in financial assistance?"

"Mr. Michael, is this a press conference or an interview? If you'd like, you can set up an appointment with my assistant, Alice Brandon. I'd be more than happy to sit down with you to answer these questions. Next network please."

And the entire room laughed, apparently feeling the same way.

Except for Eleazar, who simply flashed a devilish and snake-like smile at me as he backed into the darkness.

A small blond stood next and was introduced as Sally Terrace. She addressed someone at the other end of the table, one of the companies from California that had created a new way to do spinal surgeries. It was less invasive, more effective and fixed a larger margin of spinal injuries. If I bothered to pay attention, I would have found it quite innovative.

But I seemed to find myself focused on the balding figure of my destruction lurking in the back of the auditorium. My eyes met his and I knew, in this moment, that he saw right through me. There was something there, something he could smell on me, he just couldn't put his finger on it.

Either that, or he knew exactly what my secret was and he was hell bent on making me admit it first.

A few minutes went by and, finally, someone addressed Edward who leaned forward into the microphone and answered the question politely, slowly drawing my attention away from Eleazar. Whatever happens from here is out of my hands now. I've already made my bed - Edward and I must now lay in it. I averted my gaze to the table in front of me and prayed for the session to be over.

And just as soon as it was, I practically bolted backstage where Alice was waiting with her arms crossed and a smirk smeared across her face. "Why did you agree to an interview with that - that monster?" she whispered.

I took a drink, the soothing water coaxing my dry throat into submission. "I had to do something to get him to shut up, didn't I?"

Tanya, Edward and Carlisle passed behind Alice and it was all I could do not to stare at him. Edward's emerald eyes met mine with intensity, as if suggesting that he was thinking exactly the same thing I was - that was entirely too close. I knew, right then and there, that Edward was well aware of Eleazar at this point. Perhaps he hadn't known last night, the way I had, but he knew now and the look on his face screamed tension. We'd talk tonight, that much was certain.

I sighed and adjusted my attention to Alice again, who grabbed the water bottle from my hands and nodded toward the exit. It was time to meet Jenks for lunch. We squeezed past the press, and once inside the confines of our limo, I took a heaved sigh of relief. Things were getting worse. The shit storm was indeed headed our way, and it was all my fault.

The ride there was silent, neither of us really knowing what to say about the way things were starting to go. Sure, financially, we were still on top - we were kicking the shit out of Cullen Inc at these conventions, and Dyco Tech was on the verge of a runaway monopoly. If things continued like this, we'd be so far ahead of Cullen Inc, they'd never catch up. But the press was getting too close, much too close, and Eleazar Michael - well, that cat knew something. I don't know how he knew or even if he had proof, but he was digging for some sort of clue - and I knew he'd keep digging until he found it.

By the time we'd gotten to the restaurant, I realized I had no idea what to expect from this meeting. Why hadn't Jenks talked to me about it last night? Why hadn't he told me what it was in reference to? The fact that he didn't only made me more paranoid about what was waiting for me. What if Eleazar had already found my dirty laundry? What if he was in the process of blackmailing me to Jenks? Or the Cullens for that matter?

Climbing out of the car, I turned to Alice and asked if she knew why were here in the first place.

"No, not really." she responded, circling around to stand next to me. "I was hoping you had some idea."

Shaking my head, I pulled my business jacket a little tighter around my waist and buttoned it to the other side. The restaurant was actually a pretty nice place, located right on the bay with full length windows so you could eat while watching the boats go by, and that's exactly what Jenks had intended for us. He and Scott were on the upper level of the dining room, right by a huge window. The weird thing about the situation and what immediately tipped me off that something was amiss was the fact that they were seated at a table for eight. There were only supposed to be four of us. Who were we waiting for?

I shrugged it off, thinking the staff had simply failed to move the extra furniture away. Alice and I walked to the table and took the seats opposite Scott. He sat back to the window with Jenks to his left, the head of the table. Alice took the seat next to him, and I the seat next to her.

"Good Afternoon, ladies. I trust things are going well at the conventions. Jessica has agreed to the luncheon?" Jenks greeted, shaking both of our hands as we sat.

"Ah, Aro actually. I'm sure he'll handle it just fine," I explained, talking a sip of a water and picking up the menu. I took a brief look, but didn't really read anything - I already knew what I was getting. This was Maryland for Christ's sake - OF COURSE, I was getting Chicken Chesapeake. There's absolutely nothing tastier than baked chicken breast stuffed with crab meat and seasoned with Old Bay. Yum!

"How do you think the press took our microscopic robotics?" Jenks asked, closing his menu in front of him and folding one hand over the other.

There was something strange about him - something off. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

"I think it went well. I think we perked the interests of several doctors in attendance," I answered, pursing my lips as my eyes narrowed in on him.

Somehow, I knew my answer was in vain. He didn't really care about that, and he was only making polite small talk before dropping the motherload. There was something eating away at him, something he hadn't told me yet. It might as well have been stamped across his wrinkled forehead, heavily creased with the stress of a unwanted burden.

"But that's not why we're here, is it?" I continued, darting my anxious gaze to him. "Let's cut to the chase, Jenks. What's the news? What did you have to talk to me about?"

He smiled, seemingly impressed with how easily I read him. Clearing his throat, he looked up at me and adjusted the tie around his neck. "For the last month or so, I've been considering a ginormous business deal," Jenks started.

"What business deal?" Scott quickly interrupted, obviously as taken back as I was.

I took a drink of water to hide my nervousness.

"With Cullen Inc," Jenks continued.

I involuntarily choked and spit the water back into the cup, coughing and wheezing with surprise.

. . .

Did I just hear that right?

What the fuck was going on?

My head snapped up at him and my jaw almost hit the table. "Excuse me?" I instantly retorted.

"You heard right. Cullen Incorporated. Carlisle made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I'm selling the company," Jenks solemnly explained.

My heart started pounding in my chest so hard, I could feel it literally everywhere in my body. My stomach twisted into knots, my palms grew sweaty, and I instantly got lightheaded, like I would fall off this chair any second.

I simply couldn't fucking believe it. I'd spent all these years dedicating my every waking second to this company, to this job, to everything about it - and NOW - of all the times in the world to be thinking of this - only NOW did he tell me about his plans for selling Dyco Tech to - them. The enemy.

"No, no," I told myself. "He must be joking."

And just as I opened my mouth to say something along those lines, Jenks removed all doubt.

"Well, merging the companies would be more appropriate I suppose. Either way, I'm done." He took out his hankerchief and rubbed it over his brow, taking a deep sigh of relief. "We're at the top of our game, Swan. It's the right thing to do. They need our financial help just as much as their new wave innovation can help us. I'm too old for this game now, and Carlisle - well, Carlisle understands."

"That's why you have me, Jenks," I instantly argued, my tone reeking of fury. "That's why you promoted me. We're doing wonderful, you can't deny that! So why are you considering this? What did he promise you?" I almost couldn't help the shaking in my voice.

Jenks' eyes narrowed on me as he lifted his chin in defiance, as if preparing for a metaphorical slug to the face. "And you've done an extraordinary job, Swan. No one should tell you any different. You'll continue to do an extraordinary job. There's several clauses to the contract that we're still working on."

So many questions were running through my head and I simply couldn't stop them from rolling off the tip of my tongue. "Clauses? Jenks, there are board members that need to be consulted, shareholders that need to be informed, not to mention the hundreds of investors and subsidiaries that will demand their say. What are you thinking?"

"Enough, Isabella," he barked, sounding remarkably like my father in some strange manner. My back stiffened and I shook my head slowly, almost appalled that Jenks would really consider this with his mortal enemy. "In the end, I have the final say over what happens with my company. That's always been the case. I still own over fifty percent of Dyco Tech, and I'm able to sell my shares to whomever I'd like."

"That much is true," Scotty cut in. "But you don't know these people, Pap. They could screw you out of billions."

"No," Jenks started, but a quick look to the entrance stopped his train of thought. "In fact, our guests of honor are arriving now," he announced, standing to welcome my worst nightmare to our table.

In utter disbelief, I looked to Alice who had the same shocked, clueless expression that was no doubt smeared across my face as well. It seemed to happen in slow motion. My breathing was deep, echoing through my ears in a labored rhythm. I inched my head in the direction of the entrance, and there they were.

Edward Cullen, Carlisle Cullen, Tanya Denali - all walking right for us.

Hence the table for eight.

I took them in for a few seconds, watching the impending approach of doom that awaited me and praying to instantly disintegrate into nothingness. All three Cullen Inc representatives shook hands with Jenks and took their seats around the table - Edward next to me, Carlisle at the end and Tanya on the other side across from Edward.

I was so overwhelmed with everything that was happening that I could have reached out and slugged Jenks for doing this to me. I had nothing prepared, no logical thoughts on the matter, absolutely no definitive reasons why we should or shouldn't do this. All I seemed to be able to think at the moment was, "Edward knew."

This whole time, he knew. He even mentioned it two nights ago in Boston, but I was too dead set on Jenks hating Carlisle to think that a merger would even be possible.

Christ, it explains everything - why he wasn't that upset about Dean leaving the company, why he told me not to worry about Vanderhausen - hell - even why he started sleeping with me to begin with.

To get close to me. To make this transition easier.

I was just a road block.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

It felt like he had just ripped out my heart and placed it in the center of the table for everyone to devour.

My stomach clenched with utter anguish. Everything we'd done now seemed a hundred times worse - a million times more taboo.

And I'd never felt more used or violated in my entire life.

If I could bring myself to look at anything but the napkin in front of me, I might have stared holes right through him, daring him to say one word out of line.

Be that as it may, I couldn't look away. I couldn't look up. I couldn't even speak.

I seemed frozen, either unwilling or unable to accept this situation as reality. I felt like I simply must be dreaming - fate wouldn't do this to me. Fate wouldn't give me an equal enemy only to match him up as my business partner the day after I admit to falling in love with him. Fate wouldn't be so - cruel.

Alice gave me a quick nudge in the side, somehow bringing my attention back to Earth, and I realized that fate really was doing this to me.

Fate was a fucking bitch!

I finally got my wits back just in time to look up and notice everyone staring at me.

"What?" I snapped.

"Carlisle asked you how things were going at the conventions this year. I wasn't in Boston, though I'm more than willing to take your word for it," Jenks explained, gesturing to Carlisle at the other end of the table. "I told him you were the best one to ask about that."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," I murmured, taking a deep breath as I turned to look at Carlisle. His features were leathered and hardened, as if he'd spent far too many decades out in the sun. That or Cullen Inc had completely taken its toll on him. His blond hair was brushed back and gelled, the way it always was, and he wore a grey business suit, making him seem like he was one hundred percent business one hundred percent of the time. I analyzed the lines of his face, so familiar yet so strange. Emmett and Carlisle shared the same profile, the same square jaw, and the same long, pointed nose. To be completely honest, Emmett looked like the spitting image of his father, except for the eyes, and Edward - well - Edward might as well have been the post-man's son.

Carlisle smiled and a warm, fuzzy feeling washed over me. I instantly regretted thinking that about his paternity; it was dead wrong. Edward's adorable grin was absolutely inherited.

Somehow answering Carlisle's question seemed like I was giving away confidential information, something a traitor would do. But, was I not indeed sleeping with the enemy? Was I not already committing treason?

Regardless, I forced myself to calmly respond. "Very profitable, thank you for asking. How about you?"

I crossed my right leg over my left and folded my hands on the table in front of me, awaiting Carlisle's response.

"Equally as well, thank you. And I hear Baltimore is shaping up to follow suit."

The waiter came over and introduced himself as Ricardo. We went around the table, ordering a variety of different options, and I went with the chicken chesapeake like I had planned. After the waiter left, I nodded and leaned forward the slightest bit, redirecting my attention to Carlisle. "Let's cut the small talk, Mr. Cullen. You came here to offer us a proposal, what exactly does that entail?"

His gentle face tightened into a humored smirk as he glanced to Edward and nodded. Edward leaned into the table and narrowed in on Jenks. "We buy your shares in Dyco Tech, Mr. Jenks, for which you will receive a monthly residual - proportionate to the growth of the company, of course," Edward croaked, refusing to meet my gaze specifically.

And rightfully so. He had no business looking at me for the time being - not until he fully explained himself - if I even let him do that.

"Fifty percent," Jenks said.

"Twenty," Carlisle instantly responded.

"Forty five."

"Thirty, and not a penny more," Edward forcibly answered this time, instantly silencing the babbling between Carlisle and Jenks.

"Ms. Swan remains as CEO of the hybrid company," Jenks suddenly spat.

"What?" I murmured, and Alice gasped. This was certainly a game changer and I could feel Edward stiffen next to me. No one had anticipated that blindside.

There was a moment of silence at the table, one where Edward slouched in disappointment, Carlisle hesitated and Tanya simply smirked. She lifted her glass in toast to me, took a sip and then wiped her lips with a napkin, giving herself a small laugh.

"I thought they both would share the position," Carlisle softly suggested.

"Ms. Swan remains as CEO, or we get up and walk away."

"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted. "There are more people involved in this than you three and us. There's a whole board to consult. Not to mention investors - one in particular - that may not think this is the best idea -"

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander," Carlisle cut in. "Besides, from what I've heard of you Ms. Swan, you have no problem controlling the board, isn't that correct?" His tone was rife with innuendo, as if suggesting that I was so cut-throat, no one would dare challenge me, even the members of my own board. He was trying to tell me that even though others treated me with kid gloves, he would have no problem telling me exactly what he thought.

"It hardly seems that way when the decisions I make turn out to be the right ones, Mr. Cullen," I hissed, damned determined to let him know I'd have no problem telling him exactly what I thought as well. "And we haven't necessarily decided that this move is good for the goose - it may destroy the gander. Or worse, piss them off and make them take their money and walk away. From what I've heard of you Mr. Cullen, that seems to be the trend these days. So let's take a minute to discuss why this might be detrimental before we start talking about who's getting paid what."

A moment passed between us, a moment where Carlisle and I glared at each other. His quick tongue and arrogant nature would be matched only by that of yours truly. After what seemed like an eternity, his grimace finally warmed into smile as he took a sip of water and shot me a wink. It wasn't flirtatious, or even comical in matter, it simply said he respected me. He appreciated my balls. People must have treated him with kid gloves as well.

"It could be against a few laws," Scott suggested. "And the competitive nature between these two is doing wonders for the market." He pointed at Edward and I.

"But wouldn't it better if things were more - affordable?" Edward retorted.

And he had us. If we came together, the net worth of that company would be incredible. We could afford to do whatever the fuck we wanted, and no one else could afford to stop us.

As everyone at the table pondered this idea, the waiter came around with our drinks and placed them in front us.

Edward sighed and looked to Jenks, a strained, exasperated expression smeared across his face. "We can work out the finer details at a later time. Who will head the final company is of no matter right now. I agree with Ms. Swan, we need to figure out if this is the right thing to do."

"The economy is slipping, who knows when it will buckle out from under us," Carlisle added. "Not to mention the instant increase in staff and employment ratio."

"So we talk to our board members when we get back to New York, hold a formal meeting between the two companies, and go from there," Jenks commanded, as if the entire thing had already been settled. He raised his glass and gave us all a very excited smile. "To a bright future with new friends."

I heaved a dry cackle in response and lifted my glass the tiniest bit - a sarcastic salute, if even a salute at all.

The rest of the lunch went on around me, but it seemed unreal - abstract. It was like I was in one of those picture boxes, and all the photos whizzed by me with tremendous speed, yet I remained motionless. I found myself filled with a certain frustration, towards Edward, towards Jenks, towards Carlisle. Had he been the culprit all along? Had the original Mr. Cullen put Edward up to this the entire time? Had any of it actually been real?

Were my feelings for him still true and unwavering? Were his for me? Was last night even worth anything?

Sure, I answered everyone's questions and made polite small talk with Carlisle and Tanya like I was supposed to - I certainly wouldn't be caught losing face. It was Edward's silence that seemed to perturb most of the people at the table. When Carlisle called him out on it, Edward simply laughed and shook his head in response, blaming the humidity. But if I could read him as well as I thought I could, he seemed rather - ashamed.

And he should be. He deserved to feel that way.

Somewhere around the end of the lunch, I felt Edward reach under the table and try to grab my kneecap. It was a simple gesture that almost repulsed me. I instantly put a hand under the table and pushed his away. He didn't deserve to touch me anymore.

As soon as everyone's lunch was in a To-Go box and Carlisle had paid the bill, I stood from the table, said goodbye to Jenks and politely acknowledged the Cullens before bolting to my limo. I could hardly make it there without screaming. Just as I went to climb into the backseat, Edward met my gaze from across the parking lot. He gave me a small smile and a wave.

I gave him nothing in response.

I wasn't in the car for even five minutes before the tears came. Alice wrapped her arm around my shoulders and pulled me into her, holding me through my breakdown. I allowed it for thirty seconds - but only thirty seconds. I was strong. I was independent. I didn't need Cullen. I'd been doing just fine until he came along - and I'd do just fine without him. But that didn't mean it was painless. His omission had cut me pretty deep.

And I would get him for this. I would steal his job, his reptuation, everything he was. If we were to merge with Cullen Inc, then I would do everything in my power to make sure Jenks' clause remained in effect. Edward Cullen would not get away with this.

I. Would. Ruin. Him.

Perhaps it was Carlisle who had suggested Edward form a relationship with me to begin with like I initially thought, and perhaps not. Maybe Edward had only continued to see me so that I would get attached to him and vote for us working together. And if that was the case, he had another thing coming. I do not take lightly to other people sharing my things.

I said I loved him, that didn't mean I wasn't going to fuck him properly - especially after getting fucked so royally in that restaurant.

On the other hand, perhaps the reason I was most upset had nothing to do with why he had started seeing me or even why he continued to. Maybe I was so pissed off because we had fallen in love - I did care about him intensely. And he was supposed to love me in return. He claimed to trust me, so much as to say it was more than I trusted me - so why had he kept this from me? Why hadn't he told me this last night? I guess the real question is whether I would have told him. To which the answer was absolutely no. It wasn't my job to keep him informed, nor was it his job to keep me informed.

Business was business.

And pleasure was pleasure.

Certainly I understood that.

So, why did it hurt so bad? Why did it feel like betrayal? Why was I so angry?

Whatever the case, I decided to take a deep breath and calm my Irish temper. Surely, I could pursue my vendetta if indeed Edward did have some malicious intent towards me. But after everything I'd been through with him and after our experience last night, jumping to that conclusion hardly seemed like the right thing to do. I'd been wrong about him before, and so, out of respect, I would wait to rationalize.

But that didn't mean I'd let him easily get away with this behavior. We'd have a conversation about the merger - most definitely. And then I could decide what would be the best way to deal with this.

Thirty seconds came and went, and I wiped my eyes because it was over. I wouldn't let him get me anymore upset - I couldn't afford it.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked, rubbing my back supportively.

I nodded and gave her a small laugh. "Yeah, yeah I'm okay," I assured her. I pulled myself together and looked down at her, my eyes narrowed and my jaw squared. "This just get's better and better, you know that?"

Alice giggled and gave me another hug. "Nobody said life was going to be easy."

Before I could say anything else to her, my blackberry started buzzing in my purse. I fished it out and sighed when I read the name on the screen.

"What? Is it him?" Alice asked.

I shook my head and pressed accept. "Hey, Rose. What's going on?"

"Where are you?" she urgently said.

"Leaving the Rusty Scupper. You are not going to believe what I have to tell you," I started.

"Hold that thought, Bella. Meet me at your hotel suite as soon as possible. I need to tell you something," Rose sputtered, almost speaking too fast to get everything out.

"What?"

"I met my Department of Defense buddy today for the first time," she explained.

"And?"

"I realize now why he kept his identity a secret."

"Well, who is he?"

"I'll tell you when you get here. Hurry!" And the line went dead.

A/N: Soooo...

What'd ya think?

Tell me your favorite and/or least favorite part! (I can understand if there's more than one in this chapter)

Thanks again for reading.