SM owns Twilight.

(CozItRunsInMyBlood /Rose B. Mashal) owns the plot.

(BandMum) is the wonderful beta.

Chapter 10 Part 1

Smokey did a little dance when he saw me returning to the lab. God! He was such a cutie, he made me smile like nothing else. I was very tired and wanted to lay on the bed, but I didn't want to upset him, so I went to him and we did the thing we did with our fingers through the glass.

Something in me wished I could release him from his glass cage, I imagined he must not be very happy in there, although he looked okay. I dismissed the thought, Dr. Cullen made it clear I shouldn't even feed him, let alone take him out.

It seemed that Smokey would play with me all day if he could, and I would have stayed to play with him as much as he wanted, but I couldn't. When the pain became unbearable, I knew I had to go to my room right away, or I would collapse right in front of Smokey's cage.

"I have to go lie down, now. I'm very tired." I said I could see the disappointment on Smokey's face that I was cutting off our play time. "I'm sorry, buddy. I promise to come back when I feel better."

I planted a kiss on the inside of my hand, then blew it in his direction, and he gave me one of those toothy smiles I loved dearly.

Once I stepped inside my room, I went straight to the roses on the table and smelled them. Then I picked up the diary and read the neat line again.

They listen to you, they don't spill your secrets, and they never judge you.

~E. M.

Dr. Cullen said that he didn't share my birthdate with his assistant, so I wondered if he could hear me, because I told Smokey last night. I didn't know how I felt about that.

Initially, I didn't want to think about being constantly watched by a complete stranger. But now it was difficult to ignore, and I wasn't sure why. Was it because of the nice gesture? Or because everything about him was mysterious and I was curious to learn more about him? Was it because he didn't want to interact with me? I didn't know.

He watched my every move and probably listened to every word I said, but I knew nothing about him. If he was the figure I saw in the window the other day, then he was hiding away intentionally. But, why?

I understood not liking to be around people. I didn't. either. But I also tried my best to stay invisible, I didn't go around giving people roses. Why did he do that?

Because he felt sorry for you. You're pathetic, and you know it.

I was pathetic and pitiful.

~WtSGD~

"Oh, my God! This is all for me?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course, they are, Bella," Dr. Cullen chuckled. "I'm sorry it arrived late."

"This is too much Dr. Cullen." He had bought art supplies for me: brushes, canvas, and paints. "I don't deserve all this."

"You sure do, dear. I'm glad you like them."

"Like them? I love them!" I said excitedly. "Thank you, thank you so much."

"You're most welcome, Bella." Dr. Cullen nodded with a big smile. Silence filled the room as I gazed at the many brushes and paints, until he spoke again. "So, do you know how to use everything?"

"Honestly, not all of them. I only painted when I was in kindergarten before my parents got divorced. I have a faint memory of it, but I vividly remember that my teacher encouraged me and said she was proud of me." I grinned as the memory played in my head. I wished I could remember the teacher's name.

"That's good. Why didn't you take painting classes in school after that?"

"I was homeschooled."

"So?"

I shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. My smile faded as I remembered things I wanted to try but my mother and step-father didn't allow.

Dr. Cullen must have noticed my discomfort because he changed the subject. "Well, I hope you enjoy them. It's not your birthday present, though."

"Oh, no. This is already too much. Please, don't trouble yourself bringing me more gifts!" I felt awful about him getting many things for me. He provided a life I never dared to dream of, and I wasn't giving him anything in return. I hadn't held up my part of the deal because I couldn't even let him examine me.

"It's no trouble, at all. I promise. I'll get you something else when I return from my trip."

"What? You're going away? Why?" I felt my chest begin to tighten.

"A business trip. Not for long; just for a couple of days."

"But- … what about me? What will I do while you're gone?" My throat closed, leaving me speechless.

"You're free to do whatever you want. Go out. Stay home. Whatever you wish. You can order food to be delivered, but they'll have to leave it by the gates. I don't like strangers on my property.

"I'll leave enough medication to last you until I get back, but you have to promise me not to double the dose if you the pain becomes intense. You have my phone number, so you can call me whenever you want. I'll also give you Eric's number. Call him if you want to go anywhere."

I was silent for a minute or two, looking anywhere but at him. I didn't know why I felt sad about him leaving. It should have made me happy because I wouldn't have to worry about an examination attempt for two days. But I didn't like it. Maybe I was just used to him being around, and didn't want to be alone in this big house.

"What if something happens?" My concern was vague, but I simply didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to explain my fears.

"Don't worry about anything. My assistant will keep an eye on you. You'll be all right, I promise," he smiled, and I worried anyway. I wanted to cry.

~WtSGD~

A few hours later, Dr. Cullen returned with my meds, and some more instructions on what to do while he was away.

"Will you promise me to take care of yourself and only take the medication, on time, in the exact dosage you're used to?"

"I promise, sir." I said, staring at the floor. I was disturbed about him leaving, and unable to express understand these feelings.

"You're going to be okay, dear."

You don't know that, I wanted to tell him, but I nodded in response, with my head still hanging down.

"Take this time to rest and do some painting. Maybe it will ease some of your concerns, alright?"

"Yes, sir."

"Bella, look at me." I looked up immediately, fearing that the tears in my eyes would irritate him. "You have nothing to worry about. The house is secure and you're safer than you think. No one is going to hurt you now. You have my word."

His words were sincere and reassuring. A sense of comfort washed over my heart when I heard them. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and smiled softly.

"Thank you, sir." I said.

When Dr. Cullen left, I realized that it wasn't the fear of being unsafe that upset me. His absence saddened me. My mind suddenly filled with images of the day my mother took me from my father's arms. It was almost the same feeling I had now.

That made me more aware of how stupid I was, Dr. Cullen was kind and absolutely the most generous person I ever met. But it was wrong of me to have fatherly feelings for him.

Regardless of all he had done for me, I still didn't completely trust him. I might never trust anyone again. I knew so little about him, and what I knew could all be lies. Even this deal might be.

Nothing specific made me doubt Dr. Cullen's intentions, but I had learned the hard way that bad people hid their cruel nature behind soft smiles and sweet words.

I shouldn't expect to be friends; I was merely a medical experiment to him. Probably no more precious than Smokey was.

Stupid Bella!

After I mentally slapped myself for being so dumb, I slumped on the bed and curled into a ball. This was going to be a long night. I only hoped the nightmares wouldn't be too intense.

~WtSGD~

Author Note:

Hmmm … So, Bella and the assistant are now home alone. What could possibly happen? ;)