I woke up quite early and the first thing I did was call human resources. I told them the full story, that my manager had told me that I was fired, and I was wondering where were the papers, acting up a little, as if I didn't know anything. They were surprised, to say the least, since they told me I was put on to a promotion a couple of times, which shocked me. I was surprised as well, since I had never gotten the news, and they told me my manager, Angela, had told them that I had declined. They were hell ova pissed off and they ended up scheduling a meeting with me at the end of the week.

I didn't know what would happen to Angela, but since I blocked her number right after I had the call with management, I would never know.

I was staring at my phone wondering if I should call him or say anything… No! I left him how I wanted, and I was happy about that. Kind of. I wished he would reach out though.

I couldn't help but to wonder how he had broken things up with Maria. What was the story there…? I hadn't voiced anything to him about my ever-growing feelings, and he was so cruel towards me, I had a shiver going through me just imagining what had happened there. I don't believe it was a good break since she and Angela were a thing, and obviously wanted me out. There was a compliment in there somewhere, but I didn't care much for it, since they had hurt me. And I was done with being hurt.

I wanted to tell Angela that Maria wasn't serious with her, at least I think she wasn't. Since the last time I saw Maria she was coming off on Jasper. I was going to have to talk to her that was sure. I wasn't going to warn Angela though. She had made her own bed with this thing and she was going to lay in it.

I ended up sleeping for the rest of the day, feeling so alone and tired. I didn't feel guilty about it since I didn't have to go anywhere for the rest of the day.

The next day I had a realization that Jasper wouldn't call me. And I slept for the rest of the day again, after doing some of my university work. I would be done soon, and I was excited about it, but it was hard to do something else than wallow in my self-pity.

The day after that, I realized that I still loved Jasper, and the feeling wasn't going anywhere. He probably knew it; he could feel it I was sure of it and that's why he acted like that. He didn't want a relationship and I had to respect that even if he hadn't respected me. For both of those reasons I would leave him alone. I had done the running after gig and I was tired of it. I was tired of running. And all that tiredness was making me sleepy, so I was sleeping nonstop because of it.

It was day number 4 of me being Jasper free and I was suddenly sleepless. I had slept all that I could sleep, but it was alright. I had places to be anyway. I was still tired though, that hadn't changed.

Looking in the mirror I wasn't happy with what I saw and knew that I would have to work on my looks today. In just a few days I had dropped some weight and it didn't look too good, since I started to look more malnourished… The dark bags under my eyes were the main thing though, that would show something was off. And the greasy hair… Shit – I had let myself go and it was only just a couple of days.

I went to work on myself, and after the shower I looked better. I had scrubbed, shaved, and buttered myself up. I looked better and for a second, I felt better. It helped to eat something real as well. Concealer did the trick though. After some mascara, foundation, and lipstick I looked good even if I didn't feel as good. And I looked damned good if I did have to say so myself. I actually ended up doing something with my hair and wearing a beautiful, tight pleaded skirt, complimented with a tight black shirt.

To look more professional, I put on a blazer, since I was going to meet the head of HR and see how we could work out this miscommunication. It wasn't one, obviously, but I would entertain their thoughts for a minute on that subject.

I met up with Sue Clearwater, a woman, dressed in a smart, green pantsuit. Her hair was so shiny that I was happy that I washed myself up before meeting her. She came in the city, since the HR department wasn't located here, and they sent the director to talk to me. I knew not to back down since they understood as well, sending the one in charge, that this was serious business.

I shook her hand and after exchanging pleasantries we went down to business. Well, I definitely did.

"You know, I know for a fact that Angela has done this on purpose." I said "She is being manipulated by my… friends ex lover, who believes we are together and is acting in a jealous way. And even if I think that's despicable, I don't believe that's an excuse and she should be fired."

Sue Clearwater was nodding her head, listening to me talk. I tried to match my tone to the calm she was portraying.

"I would like to assure you that that has been taken care of. The reason behind her actions do not excuse her." She shook her head "We do not, by any standard, support that type of action, and we are so sorry that something like that happened. Angel won't be returning."

I nodded, happy that it went smoothly "Good. I had another question… What happens with my job?"

She smiled, leaning forward "Well, we want to offer you the management position."

When I didn't say anything, her smile altered a little "You can have a little time to think about it, if you want you can keep the position you were in as well."

"How about a position in the office?"

She looked surprised but entertained the idea "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm finishing up my master's in literature. I did a thesis on publishing, and I would love nothing more than a chance in a field of something like that."

She pursed her lips, nodding slowly "I think we can manage something… How about I give you a call next week and we'll circle beck?"

I didn't know if I was getting the job or not, but it felt good to stand up for myself and what I wanted. I wanted to grow and develop, and no one was going to keep me back.

After the meeting, I was feeling pretty damn good. Sue Clearwater seemed like a good person and I trusted that she would call me back. I was just slightly nervous that I wouldn't get the job, but at least it gave me something to look forward to.

When I saw the time, I was happy to note that I was going to be earlier with my second meeting of the day. Well… not much of a meeting, more like just a hang out. I walked up to the café and I was suddenly sad, not so triumphant as a moment ago. I remembered Jasper again and I thought that physically I could feel my heart breaking. I swallowed the hard feelings and went inside.

Walking in I had thought that I would be early, but then I noticed Jane, and realized that she wanted to be here early as well. I smiled at my new acquaintance.

"Hey, I smiled towards her." She stood up as she saw me, and I noticed that she looked better as well. Then again after my miniature make over this morning, I knew how deceiving looks could be. She was wearing some mom jeans and a comfortable looking band t-shirt, with her hair down. She looked relaxed and comfortable seeing me and that made me a tiny bit happier.

"You look good." I complimented her.

She smiled "Back at you. Should I have dressed more business appropriately?" she pointed to my blazer

I shook my head "This was for something else." I went to go get myself a drink before I joined her. It might have been a little early, but I needed one. I wanted to look at the corner where Jasper and I sat, after he had marked me as his submissive.

"So, how have you been?" I asked her, when I sat down next to her.

When I went to the café, after seeing Angela and Marie knowing I couldn't do anything, I went to see Jane, hoping that she would be working. And she did. I told her the story of what was happening, and she contacted Caius for me. The next time there would be a get together Maria would be having a surprise as big as I had.

And so, I got to talking with her, getting to know her a little. Jane was also the only other person I knew who was getting burned from this type of a relationship and going back to them. There must've been a bond or something. At first, I was just wondering how was she dealing with those types of things. When I mentioned my concerns about this, she told me I didn't know what I was talking about. I ended up letting her in first, telling her about the last time Jasper and I had.

"I'm alright." She shrugged "How about you? Jasper call yet?" She thought that he would call me as soon as possible. Obviously he didn't.

I pursed my lips, drinking the gin and tonic "No… I doubt that he will."

She half smiled at me as if she knew something I didn't "He's just scared Bella. I'm not excusing him, but it's so obvious that…" She didn't get to finish her sentence, as it trailed off, when she watched someone walk in behind me.

I didn't want to turn, since I was afraid that it might be Jasper… or Maria… Or perhaps Rosalie or Emmett. I stayed still, watching Jane "How do you like your drink?" I asked her to bring her back.

She looked back at me, breathing in, looking at her tea "It's good!" she took a sip.

We stayed quiet as Jane tried not to look at who it was. I couldn't help myself any longer, and I had to ask, "Who is it Jane?"

She smiled and bit her lip "It's umm… It's Demetri… He umm…. He's one of the doms. I've been exchanging messaged with him." I didn't know a Demetri, so I relaxed.

"You should go ask him for a drink." I suggested as I downed my drink. I didn't want to talk about Jasper and what can of worms were possibly inside him "I'll go home early."

Jane shook her head "Wait." She stopped me by putting her hand on my hand "Demetri is friendly with Jasper. If you want, I can ask him to-"

"Oh god no." I muttered "Thank you but no. Please don't say anything." I gave her a quick hug and turned to leave, trying not to look at this Demetri person. It was a little petty, but I just wanted to keep away from Jasper as much as possible, meaning, I didn't want to see his friends or anything.

The rest of the week was tough to say the least. But it ended up making me feel like I had toughened up and taken control that I had seemingly lost. I didn't want to be a cynic, but I couldn't help to feel like I couldn't trust anyone anymore.

Since I was waiting for Monday morning to come around for Sue Clearwater's call, I was left alone to my thoughts. I was trying not to think about him but it was just happening.

I remember Rosalie saying that Jasper wasn't as calm as when he had a sub and I was wondering had he gotten a new one? Was he looking for one? Perhaps that was the reason why Jasper wasn't bothered to speak to me… Since Jasper wanted only the dom-sub relationship, I couldn't tell him that that was all I wanted. Things had changed for me. And perhaps since I couldn't have him in a way I liked, there was no reason to have him in my life – a clean break. It was a painful realization, but it didn't matter since he didn't want a relationship. He showed me that much.

I was about to fall asleep when my doorbell rang.

I was weary, since not a lot of people knew I lied here. When I came to the door, and asked whoo it was, I heard a beautiful voice, I didn't expect to hear again.

"It's Rosalie. And you better let me."