A/N: I am so sorry that I was not able to send out quotes last time. I have been trying to figure out what was wrong with the story because it wasn't posting, but would post in the app...

It was a very confusing first chapter! I will send quotes this time! I hope that it works on the site and app this time!

Day Two:

Relationships Have Steps

"This is...an interesting space," Edward Cullen comments to fill the awkward silence. Victoria Clark does have an interesting office. We're sitting in a space that is very dimly lit and covered in red velvets. It's pretty explicit, sensual, and slightly sexually charged.

I look at one of the lamps next to me on a black iron table. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be phallic. "Victoria is...interesting. But, her methods work!"

Edward looks at me with an expression I dare to describe as panicked. "I thought this was a matchmaker...but I feel like you've brought me to the office of a Dominatrix."

I smirk and give him a raised eyebrow. "Why? Are you into that kind of thing? Because I'm sure she can find that, too," I joked, with a wink.

The fact that his jaw doesn't drop open severely disappoints me. "I am putting myself in your capable hands, Ms. Swan," he says, almost nervously. "Though...I'll admit to being a little uncertain about this...setting."

I nibble at my lips. "I promise this won't be as painful as you think it will be...and that Victoria will find you the perfect match."

"You're willing to stake your bet on this?"

"Of course, I am!" I beam. "Afterall, I'd have to marry you if I didn't!"

The same confused look from the night before crosses his features, just briefly. He seems perplexed and puzzled, but doesn't say anything further.

We spent the previous hour filling out some basic intake questions for Victoria's records...and matchmaking capabilities. Most of the questions were basic family history...then there were some that were a little more intrusive. Victoria's information included preferences down to whether they had a preferred bra size. I couldn't help but be slightly disturbed by this. Afterall, was she a matchmaker or was she somehow manifesting these girls from thin air?

But, to be fair, Victoria had been in the business a long time. She knew what she was doing. If I didn't have full confidence in her, I wouldn't be here, sitting next to the most attractive man I have ever met.

Edward turns toward me, fully, reaching a hand toward mine. "Bella...I…"

As he's about to start his sentence, the intimidating mahogany door across from us opens up. My eyes can't help but take in everything at once. Out steps a woman that could have stepped out of a Sports Illustrated magazine, except, rather than a string bikini, she was wearing a black, high waisted pencil skirt and a red silk blouse. A bright red, curly mass takes over her head and descends to just below her shoulders. Her pale face is adorned with a smear of red lipstick that says that she's a lethal predator in this environment.

Every time I see Victoria, I want to sink into the ground and not come up for air. I'm a minnow in her shark pond. You can't help but shrink away from someone that beautiful who exerts that much power. We can't help but to stand as she approaches because that is how much power simply exudes from the porcelain pores on the woman's body. I feel my nose wrinkle in slight disgust.

She waltzes over to us with the confidence of a business woman. She's used to this interaction. She reaches out her hand for Edward to shake. "You must be Edward Cullen," she intones in a clear, melodic voice. He takes her hand and she's already latching onto him in a way that has to captivate and attract the majority of people she is seen around. "I'm Victoria Clark."

Edward smiles warmly at her and I feel some visceral jealousy cut through my stomach. I push it away, slightly confused. "Wonderful to meet you. Ms. Swan has told me good things."

Victoria rolls her eyes and looks at me. "Oh, has she?" She sighs as she drops Edward's hand. "Now, if only she would allow me to set her up with a date since she believes in my ability so...enthusiastically." She glances at me quickly again with a look full of implications, but it's so small an increment of time that I tell myself I might not have seen it.

"Well, come in. No need to discuss business in the waiting room," Victoria clears the way so that we can step into her office ahead of her. The decor of her office is similar to the waiting room. Still red velvet draping the walls, still black iron and mahogany fixtures. The high wingback chairs are even plush red and black velvet to go with the decor.

In a way, I feel like I've stepped into the Queen of Heart's castle.

Victoria sits down behind her giant, extremely ornate desk and crosses her hands on her desk. She gestures to the chairs across from her with a long, perfectly manicured hand. "Well, have a seat."

Edward looks at me with a raised eyebrow, but sits down in the wingback chair before me. I chew my lip and join him. It's a nervous habit I can't escape. I feel my shoulders start to meet my ears.

Victoria opens her laptop, easily going into business mode from her former flirtatious attitude. "So, Bella tells me that you're looking to find the love of your life."

Edward kind of laughs nervously at this. "What else has she shared with you?" When Victoria doesn't reply, he clears his throat. "She would be correct."

Victoria looks at me. "Bella has already given me a lot of pertinent information, but, why don't you tell me what you're looking for...in your own words."

I feel like I just got told to be quiet, when I haven't said anything.

"Well," he begins. "I'm looking for someone who understands that my schedule isn't always consistent. I want to spend time with them whenever I can, but, I expect us both to have our own lives. I want her to understand that I still love her even if I have to pull a two day shift at the hospital." I purse my lips. This seems like a logical and definitely not an unreasonable request or want. Even still, he continues. "I want to show up with roses and chocolates and not be looked at like a complete fool. I want to whisk her away on a vacation and have her be thrilled...I'm looking for a romantic...I'm looking for…"

He doesn't continue. In an almost defeated manner, he looks at me and shrugs. "I guess I'm looking for the impossible."

I didn't realize I was holding my breath. I let out the largest sigh I have ever let out and shakily intake air. "No…" I sympathetically grab his hand, which seems to surprise him, but he doesn't shove my hand away. Instead, he returns the gesture. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a practically feline grin spread across Victoria's face.

Victoria clears her throat. "Well...I think I do have my work cut out for me, then, don't I?" She winks at Edward. Edward squeezes my hand...that's when I realize I'm still holding onto him. Oops. I drop his hand, embarrassed and become particularly interested in the toes of my patent leather heels.

Victoria snapping her laptop shut clears my head. "Well, Mr. Cullen. Give me twenty-four hours and I'll be in touch. I have quite a few ladies that would definitely not be...opposed to your version of romance." She stands up. Edward fluidly stands up from his chair to shake her hand. Meanwhile, I'm a baby fawn trying to keep my balance and smooth out my skirt. Victoria smiles in a manner than I question whether it would be any less at home on a lion about to catch a gazelle. "It was wonderful to meet you Mr. Cullen. I promise that you're in good hands."

I start to follow him out, but, Victoria stops me. "Actually, Bella...can you stay for a moment?"

I feel myself gulp. Victoria is great. But, she scares me. And, being called out by her seems even more petrifying. Edward looks at my frozen form and pauses. His eyes narrow, as if he smells my fear. "I'll wait outside?" I nod and turn on my heel to Victoria. When I hear the soft click of the door behind me, I tense even more.

I know this is irrational. It's not like Victoria is a serial killer that intends to murder me. She's just...prettier than me, taller than me, has the attitude of a man, and probably would eat the majority of people I know alive with a look, but, I know it's completely irrational for my body to be afraid of her.

Victoria shakes her head and she's suddenly much more relaxed. She sits on the edge of her desk and grabs a bottle of water I didn't even register was on her desk. "So...tell me again why you don't just keep him for yourself?"

I almost get whiplash from the sheer confusion that statement causes. My face collapses in on itself with the sheer wrinkles that my expression is causing. "What?"

Victoria rolls her eyes, as if what she's saying is common knowledge. "Body language one-oh-one, Bella Marie Swan." She sips her water pointedly, once more. "Edward Cullen's body was angled toward you the entire time you were in my waiting room. And, before you ask, that mirror is two way glass." She points a bright red tipped finger at the ornate mirror.

I angrily glare holes into the floor. "Isn't that illegal or something?"

Victoria scoffs. "There's more. Let's be realistic about this situation. When you came into the room, his body was angled toward you, again. You instinctively grabbed his hand. When you did that, it was almost...magnetic, right? As if his body just called out to you and your response was automatic." I scuff my feet against her plush carpet and try not to look her directly in the eye. If I do, I'm terrified of what she's going to see or say. "You want him. Not just in a sexual way. You want him...I think you should take what's yours."

I shake my head. "Victoria...men like Edward Cullen do not fall in love with women like me."

Victoria turns off the light on her desk and, suddenly, we can see into her waiting room. She snakes an arm around my shoulders and guides me to look at the mirror. Edward is pacing her waiting room like some kind of nervous, caged animal. Victoria leans into me and whispers in my ear. "You were so nervous that he's genuinely afraid for your wellbeing. He believes that you might be in danger...and his body language is tense. He would break down that door if you made a sound."

Just as abruptly as she had guided me to the glass, she abruptly spins me away. "You say that men like Edward Cullen do not fall in love with women like Bella Swan...but, he's already infatuated." She briskly walks to flip her light back on. "I'd make your move quickly if I were you...because I am very good at what I do."

I shake my head. "Thanks...I'll...keep that in mind."

Victoria's eyes narrow. "Please do." Victoria shuffles some papers on her desk. "You will regret it if you let your soulmate get away."

I shake my head and go for the door. I don't know what she's talking about, but, I don't like it...

A/N: What do you think? Reviews equal quotes: for real this time! XD