Note: The next chapter is finally here. Let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight. I merely play with the characters for entertainment. No copyright infringement intended.

Bella

My Mistakes Were Made For You

The question was burned in my mind – Did I have feelings for Cullen?

That damned Tanya with her damned mind games. What was she playing at?

I knew she couldn't possibly want me to be mooning over her ex, especially living in his home so close to him, no matter how impossible she thought an actual relationship between him and me might be, but now that she planted the thought in my mind it was all I could think about.

But she wasn't stupid. If Tanya saw, or thought she saw, some hidden desire in me, she wasn't going to stand idly by while my feelings grew silently, not when she wouldn't be around anymore to check my progress and quash any imagined attempts from me. Not when she had taken a major blow, in way of a broken engagement, and was in a defensive position. And so it goes, the best defense is a good offense.

And she certainly came off offensive.

I believed, though Eric was still wary, that everything she said to me that day in my apartment was sincere. In her own way, she was doing me a 'favor' in trying to warn me about the kind of man Cullen was.

Of course, that didn't mean she also didn't have ulterior motives. Like she said, she didn't think her words would mean much to me now. If I was falling for her former flame, then I would fall. Headlong, no stopping now. She should know; she'd been through it herself.

And she expected the same fate for me, heartbreak and all.

And if she could speed it all up by bringing it to my full attention, the better for her.

I'm surprised she didn't call me her 'pretty' and cackle on her way out.

And now my mind drifted to thoughts of him whenever it had a spare moment, and too often when it didn't.

It was like that witch had planted this poisonous thought in my head, and in the fertile ground of my imagination and memories of him it was growing like a weed and taking over my brain.

I tried everything to keep him from creeping into my mind. Including trying to keep someone else in my mind.

Which was how I ended up here now…

"Bella?"

I lifted my eyes to attention. "What was that?"

My date smiled politely in spite of disappointment. "You seem distracted."

I exhaled. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Is it work?"

I bit my lip in thought. "Sort of."

"Children can be tough," he said.

"Yeah, they can be," I agreed, though that wasn't exactly it.

"Or is it something else?"

I looked at his eyes in question. Was I that apparent?

His grey-blue eyes returned my gaze in seriousness. "Is it me? Is it my food?"

I let out a laugh. "No, Riley, the food was fantastic."

"And I'm okay, too," he pondered.

I smiled. "You're also fantastic," I told him. "I'm just…"

"Distracted," he finished for me.

I sighed. "Yeah," I told him apologetically.

"Will you at least stay for dessert?"

I smiled in answer.

It was a shame I was so preoccupied with someone else. Riley was very sweet and cute and could really cook up a storm. And he was very understanding about my reluctance to start anything with him.

I just wished I could understand it.

I returned to his house from my self-sabotaged date. As Seth dropped me off at the front entrance, I looked up at the grand mansion with bitter resentment.

This stately, majestic home was the representation of this mysterious, unattainable man slowly invading my consciousness against my will, and I worked in it and lived in it and ate in it and slept in it – with him in it.

How could I possibly get him out of my mind when everything around me was his? How could everything not remind me of him when I lived under his roof, cared for his brother, was under his employ?

That's right. I worked for him, which, in a way, meant I was his, as well.

No. I shook my head at the terrible thought. Whatever this was, it didn't mean that. It wasn't that. I wasn't something he owned.

I may be surrounded by him, but if there was ever a real danger of that happening, I would leave this place.

I gave it one more once over with my eyes before I entered with my resolve.

And then my resolve faltered as I was met with the vision of him in the den.

Was this man's mission to sabotage my life? Because like everything else, he was very good at it.

He regarded my obvious stupor but passed over it. "Have a good evening?" He had a drink in one hand and was still in his suit. He must've returned not much earlier than me.

I nodded and responded, "Yes," before I started thinking too deeply about it and revealed anything else.

"Early evening," he replied.

My eyes involuntarily searched for the clock in the room. It wasn't even 10 o'clock yet. It seemed it was an early evening for him as well, but I thought better than to goad him. And I certainly wasn't going to elaborate how he was indirectly at fault for my spoiled night. So I simply agreed again, "Yes." I thought it best to get away from the man, who was proving to be a weak spot for me, so I started saying, "Well, I should –"

"Care to join me for a drink?" he interrupted and raised his glass slightly as if in toast. He started walking toward the bar cart, to pour me a glass, no doubt. Either he was sure I was going to say yes, or he didn't care what my answer was.

The thing was, I would've loved to have joined him for a drink, if only for the hope that he might reveal a little more about himself. But as much as I wanted to be around him, I didn't want to be around him.

And Eric's mantra of 'always leave 'em wanting more' came to mind.

"No, thank you," I made myself say. "I have an early day tomorrow." Though no earlier than usual. "I should get some sleep." Fitful sleeps of late. "Good night."

Cullen turned back around after having refreshed his own glass. He showed no sign of surprise or disappointment. Was I mistaken in assuming he was going to pour me a drink and not take no for an answer?

"Good night, Bella," he said and took a sip.

And just like that, I was the one feeling surprised and disappointed, and discarded. The man had a talent.

I didn't want my face to betray my emotions, but I was sure it did. I turned to leave Cullen, alone but triumphant, whether he knew it or not.

The kid was working on his homework at his desk, and I was on his bed thinking of how foolish I was. I shook my head hoping to shake some sense into it. When that obviously didn't work and I was only in danger of giving myself a headache, I got up to go bother Emmett.

I stood over him and looked over his math problems. The ones he had done so far were all correct. He was a smart boy, just like his brother.

"You sure that's right?" I questioned the problem he had just solved.

It only took him a second to respond in the affirmative. Confidence also ran in the family, I supposed.

"Are you positive?" I egged on.

"Yes," he firmly stated and he swiveled his head to look at me questioningly. "Why are you bothering me?"

"Because it's my job," I answered.

"No, it's not," he retorted.

"Oh, yes it is."

"No, it's not! Your job is to watch me, not annoy me."

"My job is to annoy you and bother you and tickle you until you laugh and you cry," I said and began tickling him.

He wriggled and protested under my fingers. He ordered me to stop between fits of laughter.

I stopped the playful torture when my phone started ringing. Emmett shot his tongue out at me and turned back to his work while my attention was called elsewhere.

I looked at the screen and saw it was the offices of Cullen, Corp. Kate called sometimes with orders from her, or rather our, boss.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hi, Bella," greeted Kate in a professional tone. "Please hold for Edward."

This was new. I didn't usually get the direct line to Cullen.

"Bella," came his voice.

"Yes," I sounded overeager and I immediately regretted it.

"Would you like to have dinner tonight at La Mer?" And then he added, "Sue can look after Emmett the rest of the night."

My mouth opened but no sound came out as in my shock I was trying to process what I had just heard. I shut my mouth and looked to the only other person in the room. The kid still had his back to me concentrating on his homework. Of course, the kid didn't hear what I just heard but it didn't stop me from looking for some confirmation that I did hear what I just heard. But looking at the kid also made me feel guilty, like I was doing something wrong or bad, and secretive.

"Bella?" Cullen called over the phone.

"Yes," I responded.

"Seth will pick you up at eight." And then he hung up.

I stared at my darkened phone screen and wondered if that just really happened. Did Cullen just ask me out on a date? And did I just say 'yes?' I know Cullen thought I did. I mean, I was saying 'yes' to my name being called, not to the previous question. But would my answer to that question have been any different?

Perhaps it was best that he hadn't given me the time to actually ponder the proposal and overthink myself out of it. Because this was what I wanted… wasn't it?

I was too nervous to even call to tell Eric about it. I would just have to call him after the dinner and tell him everything then. I wasn't even sure if this was a proper date. I mean, he could be intending to review my work with me over a nice dinner, in a very expensive restaurant. That's what bosses did, right?

Though none of my many previous bosses had, except Eric, of course, but he was always the exception to everything.

And actually, I had been to the very same restaurant with Eric and Angela on my birthday once. It was a lovely place; delicious food but cost a bundle.

And despite myself, I was beginning to look forward to it, as nervous as I was.

I decided to wear my fitted black dress pants and a white blouse. I wanted to look professional so as not to appear as though I was assuming it was a date.

When I arrived at La Mer, I gave the hostess Cullen's name and she led me to a raised area near the back. When I climbed the few steps, our table came into view. Cullen stood up from his seat and I had to pause a second to take in the view.

Behind him were floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city with all its twinkling lights in the darkness. And Cullen looked all the more handsome standing in front of the gorgeous background.

My first thought was that I should've worn a dress.

As I approached, Cullen came around the table to pull my chair out for me. Then he went and sat in his seat opposite me.

A waiter came around with a bottle of wine and poured us glasses.

He still hadn't said anything yet, so I sipped my delicious and probably very expensive wine to wait out the quiet. I peered over my wine glass and he looked perfectly content and blasé. None of the awkwardness or nervousness that affected me touched him.

When I couldn't take it any longer, I put down my wine and dared to ask, "Is this about my work?"

I saw the inklings of a smile start on his lips but his expression looked almost sad.

He's going to fire me, I suddenly thought.

But, "No," he said.

A swell of relief rushed inside me and I tried not to let it show. It was greater than I thought it would be. Had I ever been afraid of being fired from any of my numerous jobs before? I didn't think so. At least, never like this. It made me think that it wasn't the losing of this job that frightened me, but of what it would take me away from.

I looked at him in confusion as a swell of something else filled me. Was it hope?

If this wasn't about work… "Then…" I questioned.

I stared into his eyes and they pierced me.

Then they suddenly darted to the side and I turned my head to see what had caught his attention.

It was Jasper.

He walked toward our table, and Cullen got up from his seat. I mirrored him.

"Hello, Bella," he greeted me. Then he turned his head to look at Cullen. From my angle, I couldn't get a clear look at Jasper's face. But it was only for a second. When he turned to face me again, he had his usual warm smile. I was probably just imagining some tension just then.

"Just in time," Cullen said to Jasper. He then turned to me and said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to tend to. Please, enjoy the dinner, on me." He gave a pat on Jasper's arm on his way out.

I was left staring after him in bewilderment. What was that? A blow-off? And did he just hand me off to Jasper? Why even bother asking me to dinner if he wasn't going to stay? I just didn't understand.

I looked to Jasper who was already taking the seat left vacant by Cullen. He gestured to the seat across from him indicating for me to sit.

I gave him a frustrated look when he seemed just as indifferent as the previous occupant of his chair, and I took my seat. I brought my hands together on the table in front of me and interlaced my fingers.

"Does he really have business to take care of?" I asked, oddly feeling stood up.

"He always has business to take care of," he said, as if that really answered anything.

"Are you lying to me?"

"No," he replied without missing a beat.

"Would you tell me if you were?" I eyed him suspiciously to hammer home the point.

His blue eyes were dark in the dim lighting of the restaurant, but they still glimmered with life and mischievousness. "That's a trick question," he said with a knowing smile.

"Maybe," I said, giving him one of my own. "So here's another trick question then: What's going on here?"

I didn't know if he was going to answer. I didn't know if he could answer. But he simply said, "I believe we're about to have dinner."

And we did.