A/N : Hey guys. I wanted to ask are you guys having problem in reading with all the flashbacks in between? Do you want me clarify this more? Please let me know so I can arrange it accordingly.

Again thanks to EdwardsFirstKiss for editing this for me and all her valuable suggestions.

(UPDATED: Jun 9, 2017)

SM owns all characters but this plot is mine.

Happy reading!

CHAPTER 4

BELLA

December 17, 2012

"Ali! Where are my damn flats?" I muttered irately. It's already quarter to ten and I have to be at the office by eleven. Provided, I didn't get late on my very first day. Alice, aka the-she-devil, came through the door, holding something in her hands.

"Ugghh.. I can't find a thing in this black hole. Where the hell are my jeans?" I yelled in frustration, rummaging through the closet, I shared with Ali. I turned around to found her dropping a pair of stiletto on the carpet.

I looked questioningly at her. "Oh come on Bella! You are not going to wear jeans and flats now, are you? Which 25 year olds goes to office in jeans!" She dared me, raising an eyebrow in challenge. Of course, even if the earth is about to end, there should be no excuse for being in accordance to the latest fashion trend as per Alice Brandon. Yeah, she would just say 'die in fashion'. Damn her!

"Grrr.. ok fine give it to me pronto." I accepted my defeat, as there was no point in arguing her, when I was already running out of time. She handed me the stiletto and a charcoal grey skirt with black stockings. I quickly ran to the bathroom to change, pairing them with a forest green top. I said my goodbye to Ali, after she gave me a quick 'Alice Brandon' makeover. Only Jasper has the guts to tolerate her brand of crazy.

Luckily, I reached the building by 10:55 AM. I made my way to the reception, breathless by running all the way here from outside. I collected the task, Jessica gave me for today and proceeded to go ahead. As I turned to walk towards the designing office, I ran into someone and tripped on the floor. But before I could face plant myself, I was captured in a firm grip.

"I am sorry, I am sorry, I am an idiot. I should look where I was going..."

"Hey! Hey! It's fine Bella. You're not hurt, are you?" My ramblings were cut off by a velvet voice, which had been starring my dreams, since Friday. God! He looked so handsome in his navy button down. From this position, I am in direct line of contact with his oh-so-lickable adam's apple. He is definitely muscular underneath and I can feel it by being in his arms like this. I looked up and my lustful brown met concerned green.

"Are you okay?" He asked again, steadying me on my feet.

"Yea.. yes, I am good. Sorry." I blushed and looked away. He chuckled and released me.

"Someone looking steady this morning, Miss Swan", he teased playfully.

"Yeah of course it's not me, Mr. Cullen," I muttered sarcastically, rolling my eyes. He just laughed, shaking his head.

"So I hope you had a good weekend?" He smiled.

"Mine was pretty boring. Just moped around the apartment, listening to all the petty ramblings of my roommate. What about you?" I asked curiously, tilting my head a little.

"Hmmm.. Let's see. I met this amazing woman last Friday and haven't seen her till this morning. So the bottom line is I had a tedious weekend but a remarkable morning." He gave me a crooked smirk.

Bloody hell! He's trying to flirt or what? Oh definitely 'or what'. I was not that stupid to believe that the likes of him, Edward Cullen can ever flirt with the likes of me, plain old Bella Swan. I ignored his comment and said, "Well good for you then, Sir. Now let me pass because I don't think my boss would like my lack of attention and punctuality on first day itself."

"Oh believe me he'd love it," he countered cockily as I gaped at him open mouthed.

"Catching flies Miss Swan?" He whispered leaning close to my ear as he brushed past me. His lips almost touched my ear, and his warm breath made the hair on my nape stand. God! He smelled good. The tingles that travelled all the way to my toes, were enough to made my knees buckle. I just stood there for a few seconds, admiring his sexy backside. Yeah, I know I am hopeless.

My colleagues in the landscape architecture department were all friendly and welcoming. "Hey you newbie! Can't you work with your hands fast?" barked Victoria Smith, our Department Head. What? Exceptions are always there.

"Ignore her. We all do," whispered Angela who was sitting beside me. She was a brown haired, dark eyed beauty with a kind heart. I passed her a smile and continued my task.

Our HOD, Victoria was a standoffish woman probably in her late forties. She has reddish hair with blue eyes and a permanent frown marred her features, as a sole representative of her personality. As soon as she left the office, a collective sigh escaped from everyone which in turn was followed by a round of snickers. My thoughts then drifted to Edward, who I can't seem to figure out. I had to admit that I am attracted to him; but I cannot let myself be this deep in lust for him, just like that. For all I knew he could be a player. Hell! I don't even know whether he was serious in his previous comment or was just goofing. Above all, he's my boss and an attachment like that with him would just make me appear like a slut, sleeping with her boss to gain promotion. That last thought made me stop dead in my line of thoughts. No! I definitely could not allow this to happen. I shook my head and resumed to work.

February 4, 2013

I was waiting for a cab outside 'The Cullens'. It was raining and there was none to be seen in the distance. I checked my watch and it was half past eight. I left late today, due to some excessive work load. I sighed tucking the hair behind my ear, as I thought about the day. Apart from some scowling barks and snarky comments from Miss Smith, as I was now supposed to call her (I should have known it's only Edward who was on first name basis for me), it had gone trying but good. It had been almost two months since I started working for the Cullens and it was going all smooth, till date. The owner of Cullen Architecture, Mr Carlisle Cullen was a great and knowledgeable person. I met him and his wife Esme Cullen (who was also the co-owner of the firm), a week ago in a meeting regarding our recent project. Esme has a kind personality with a great sense of designs. She had offered to take me under her wing to guide me, which I gladly accepted.

But there was still one issue needed to be addressed, which had been over my mind 24×7. It was about 'The Edward Cullen'. He has constantly occupied my thoughts, no matter how much I tried to deviate my attention. It's not that he had done something questionable to me, but still. Oh, who was I kidding. I was all ready for his 'questionables', but I didn't felt worthy of his attention and let's not forget the million dollar question, 'What would it make me look like if I get involved with my boss?'. I even had these dreams that potrayed me holding a 'WHORE' sign. Maybe I was over thinking this, but I couldn't help it.

He always greeted me at the reception in the morning and then followed me to the office, chatting about everything and nothing. We had started taking our lunch with each other, in spite of my resistance initially, and he had even suggested to spend a weekend together, to which I politely declined. He had been constantly dropping hints for us to get together, being not so subtle in his advances and although I can't justify this even to myself, I am on the verge to accept him. Even Angela was suspecting something. Hell! Alice is all over me, daily bickering and talking my ear off about how I should accept him and stop being a whiny bitch, especially since she had seen 'The Edward Cullen' charm the other day, when she came to pick me up from office, to went shopping. But I can't just dive in head first doing that with my boss, regardless we are now on friendly terms. I had to admit, he is sweet and a true gentleman, and now I am just contradicting myself. "Damn him and his charms!" I cursed quietly.

"So what do I owe to be greeted by such a lovely sight Miss Swan?" I was startled by the sudden noise and turned around to look into my intruder's green eyes. Well think of the devil.. God, his eyes!

"I was waiting for a cab Mr Cullen." I replied politely.

"I have asked you to call me by my name, haven't I?" He said running a hand through his hair. They were slightly wet from rain and I wondered where had he been.

"Well as far as I remember, I asked the same from you. Miss Swan, really?" I raised an eyebrow in challenge and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Fair enough Ma'am," he chuckled. "Come on, I will drop you."

"What? No. I can get a cab, thank you very much." He just shook his head and reached for the files and handbag in my hand. "Hey! What do you think you are doing," I protested.

"As you can see, there is no cab nearby and the weather is not cooperating, it's only fair for you to let me drop you," I looked at him suspiciously. "Come on Bella! It's not like I'll kidnap you or something," he said rolling his eyes.

"Fine." I huffed and handed over my things.

"Hallelujah," he sighed dramatically and snickered, as I smacked his arm playfully. We walked to his car. It was an Aston Martin and I can't tell anything beyond it as I am naive in that matter. Though, even I know how expensive it was.

"Nice car," I complimented as we settled in.

"Thanks. You like cars?" He asked, looking excited at the prospect of me liking cars. Well, for what it's worth, I like him; not that I was going to admit it to him.

"Nope. I don't know much, except it takes you from place A to place B." He looked at me incredulously as if he had just realised, I was one card shy of a full deck and that was enough to set him off about a giving me a 'Cars 101'. I just tuned him out after that, looking out into the rainy Rochester evening.

"So tell me about yourself," he asked suddenly, probably realising my lack of interest on the current topic.

"Well, what do you want to know?" I asked cautiously. I didn't like to talk much about me, because there was nothing interesting and extraordinary.

"Tell me about your family, your hobbies, your likes and dislikes... You don't talk much about your family," he prompted. He looked genuinely curious as he turned his head towards me for a second.

I looked at him, thinking how much to tell. Taking a deep breath, I look at my hands in my lap and started, "So let's see. I am not like your other colleagues, with a traditional picket fence life. I was raised in an orphanage, as I was not worthy of the time of the day of my birth parents. At an age of twelve, I was adopted by a foster care, who didn't give a damn thought about me because I was an introvert. My only rope to be held was my best friend and now my roommate Alice, whom I had met in middle school. We moved to Rochester after we graduated high school in Forks and now, nearly at the age of 25, I shared an apartment with her. I like writing poems in leisure and drawing pictures. I don't dislike much things, except I can't tolerate cats." I sighed, as I ranted all this to him. Now surely he would lose some interest in me and move on.

The car came to a halt suddenly and I jerked forward by the impact.

"Is that what you think?" he asked almost angrily.

"What?" I looked up at him, confused by his actions and was met with green eyes that burn with fury.

"You think you are unworthy?" I looked away from him, shrugging a shoulder, unable to respond verbally. Fingers met my chin and he tilted my face his way. His eyes softened, as he cupped my face in both of his hands. "Isabella Swan, you are worthy of having the universe at your feet and if it's the last thing I have to do in this world, I will make you realise it." His fingers caressed my face lovingly. "I need to be honest here Bella because I can't take being away from you anymore. I liked you from the moment I saw you in my office. Your eyes captivated me. Your presence beguiled me. You are worthy of every happiness and affection, sweetheart and those who can't see it, are in loss of interacting with such a wonderful soul. I know we have known each other for a handful of months, but I feel strongly for you and I wish to call you mine."

With that said, he crashed his lips to mine. I was frozen in shock for a second but then responded eagerly. His lips were soft as silk and the kiss was better than I had dreamed for the past two months. Although, I had dated a few guys and had my fair share of kisses, this was nothing I had ever experienced. With Edward, everything was so much more. His tongue demanded entrance which I happily obliged and soon our tongues were lost in a battle of dominance. All the emotions that were bottled up within us, came gushing out at once. I reached for his hair but as I gripped them, he pulled away. "I'm sorry. I swear I don't know what has gotten into me. I just...," he said baffled, running a hand through his hair. Oh, how I love seeing him all sweet and nervous. "I.. I apologize..."

"Its okay," I blurted out cutting off his apology.

"I.. I like you too." I confessed softly, closing my eyes as my cheeks heated.

"You do?" he asked. I opened my eyes and saw his eyes twinkling like that of a kid, who had just gotten his Christmas present.

I nodded but expressed my concern, "I do, but I don't know how we are going to make it work, with you being my boss..." I trailed off, shaking my head.

"Oh baby, that's nothing to worry about. We have no policy against dating within the staff," he stated as a fact, starting the car. "Besides, you are a gem to behold darling and I don't care what anyone has to say about it, except us. You like me, I like you, we wanna be together, end of the story. It's none of any other's fucking, god damn business. Let them rot in hell, for fuck's sake." I gawked at him, as I had never heard him cuss like that. I had to admit, it's sexy as hell and it made me press my thighs together for some relief, as my core was already throbbing due to the after effects of the kiss.

"And remember, if you agree to be mine, then believe me m'lady I promise, you can never ever get rid of me until you orders me away. Oh and for the record I am allergic to cats," he winked at me. I just laughed at his antics, remembering my mention of hating cats and falling all the more for him at his vow. We held hands the entire way to my apartment, looking forward to begin our next chapter in life.

Little did I know that it would be the first of the many promises, he would fail to complete.

Thanks to all those who favorited, followed, read or reviewed my story. This was some good natured chapter after the angsty ones. What do you say? It was quite bigger, wasn't it? And what do you think about 'The Edward Cullen '? (*snickers*)

I would love to hear from you. Pretty please leave me a REVIEW and let me know your thoughts.

Thank you for reading.

See you soon!

-K