I OWN NOTHING. SM OWNS IT ALL.

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The Colleague.

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Chapter eight.

"Yeah that's right Cullen, she used to be mine. Didn't she tell you?" What a smug asshole.

Well this was a revelation I didn't expect and I didn't fucking like it.

"You know I saw you last night with him but I didn't think for one minute you'd go near him Bella. I thought you were just joking when I saw you grabbing his junk."

"Just leave us alone Jake, I've got nothing to say to you. And it's none of your business whom I'm with." There was something fishy going on here, Bella knew my ex was Tanya, Bella knows Jake and Tanya are together now. So what am I? Payback or something?

"Look Bella; listen babe, I made a mistake cheating on you, will you at least hear me out. Fuck Bella, I've missed you so much." Hmm I am still here and I'm getting really pissed. So him and Bella used to be a couple I thought she'd have better taste to be honest; he was so full of himself, a real jerk.

"What's going on Edward, is this punk bothering you?" Emmett and Riley were by my side. Both giving off don't mess with us vibes or I'll snap you in two motherfucker.

"I knew it, Tanya said you had no guts man. Need your brother to help you out?" I couldn't believe the nerve of this fucker, what a prick. I moved forward till I was standing nearer to the idiot.

"Listen shithead, I don't need anybody to fight my battles for me. What's your fucking problem?"

"No problems, just wanted to speak to Bella here. We were together until a year ago." I did the maths quickly in my head even with the alcohol it didn't take a genius to work it out. He said a moment ago that he'd cheated on Bella, was it with Tanya? It sure sounded like it, unless he was a manwhore.

"Yeah that's right Cullen! Well figured out. Tanya and I have been seeing each other for a year now. You thought you'd split up because you're a boring useless bastard, well you are actually and Bella I know for certain, he wouldn't of been enough for you in the sack. Cullen, she had already been seeing me for around six months when you broke up. Are you that stupid you didn't know?" Do you know I've never met anyone so arrogant, conceited and damn right pathetic, his ass is mine but before I could retaliate...

I couldn't stop him; Emmett lunged for Jake, big dumb ass got to him first, when I really wanted to smack him one. Made me look stupid, when I could of defended myself. Riley pulled Emmett off of Jake and held him by the arms. Bella just stood there looking shocked and regretful. Was she upset that Jake had been floored by Emmett? Jake got up off the floor then I made my move, I pulled my arm back and punched him square in the jaw with as much force as I could. What happened next was in slow motion, Jake just fell down like a big piece of shit he is; I'd only knocked the fucker straight out cold.

"Come on Ed, lets get you out of here. I'll speak to Felix and smooth it over if anything's been said. You coming with us Bella?" I looked at her expecting her too follow, I wanted an explanation. She knew on her first day in our office that Tanya was my ex girlfriend. She never let on about Jake. Why? I was angry at her too.

"Er...I'm just going to hang out here for a bit longer give you two a chance to cool down. I'll call you in a bit Edward. Riley you'll stay with me?" I couldn't fucking believe it, well suit her fucking self.

"I will Bella, but I'm not happy about this, you seriously don't want to talk to this dickhead after what he did to you, do you?" I waited...But I knew what was coming.

"Yeah we have a few things to discuss." Glutton for punishment.

"Come on Emmett, lets go. I don't like the company any more; don't bother calling either."

"Edward, please don't be like that. I can explain. Just bare with me."

"Save it Bella. From now on we have a working relationship only. Got it?... Good." Bella frowned, after nodding slightly. Emmett and I left in a hurry, luckily the doormen weren't any the wiser and just waved us goodbye. Em whistled for a cab, we got in. My head was banging like fuck, it felt like Rey Mysterio was in there doing his 619.

"Are you okay Edward? Your hand? You punched him pretty hard."

"I'm fine, very disappointed in Bella though. Should of known I guess; told you, she was too good to be true. And fucking Tanya, six fucking months Emmett. I had no idea. Thankgod I'm clean, I got tested after we split, know why now, I must of known deep down." Nearly home, I hope we still had that whisky my dad had given to me and Em when we moved in because I needed a drink. Emmett payed the cab. Home just where I wanted to be.

"Edward what are you looking for?" I was banging cupboards in the kitchen, where the fuck is it?

"The whisky dad got us, have you seen it?" He looked slightly annoyed, what's his fucking problem?

"Don't you think you've had enough to drink Ed. You were knocking them back at the club."

"No I don't, well where is it? Gone?" Emmett went into the lounge and from the sideboard he got the untouched bottle out. Excellent!

"Here you go, do you mind if I join you?" Nah couldn't give a fuck so told him it makes know difference to me. He poured us both a hefty measure then went to the icebox to get icecubes. We sat across from each other. Well am I going to get the third degree or what?

"Don't you think you're being a bit hasty? When you said that to Bella, about a working relationship only from now on." Oh here we go!

"Nah, I don't actually, she obviously knew when I told her Tanya was my ex girlfriend that Tanya had cheated on me with her ex Jake. I did the sums. She never let on to me, don't you think that's a bit strange. She only told me that she knew Tanya."

"I can see your point Ed, but maybe she wanted to get know you a bit first without all the drama." He could have a point I suppose. But no, not backing down on this. So I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Look I liked her a lot, she's gorgeous, sexy and intelligent. Who wouldn't right? She's been so full on with me, and yeah I liked it but seriously, she's too much. I realise this now. And now I know why, don't you see Em, she was just using me and it had the desired affect. Jake sounded like he wanted her back." And that proper made me pissed.

"I think you're overreacting, she didn't know Jake was going to be there." Was he stupid, it could of been one of his haunts on a Saturday night. And I told him so.

"You could be right, all I'm saying is maybe you should hear what she has to say before you totally shut her out." I didn't answer just poured myself and him another drink, there was only half a bottle left. Could I feel any more miserable at the moment, humiliated, angry and decieved. Fuck my life...That just said it all really.

"I'm sorry Emmett for being pissed at you, you got to Jake first and I just wanted for once in my life to deal with it myself and I would of you know. You were just faster."

"Hey I'm your brother, we watch each others backs alright. Anyway you knocked him out man, that was awesome. You have a mean right hook, I was proud of you."

"Don't think Bella was impressed; she looked horrified that I punched her beloved Jake." Gees I sounded spiteful well tough shit; I feel fucking spiteful.

"Edward you don't have to pretend to me, I know you're hurting man. Look just go easy on yourself. Tanya Denali is a first class bitch and she totally deserves a fucking prick like that muppet. The way I see it she did you a favour. Think about it bro; fancy being stuck with that for an eternity." I burst out laughing, hell yeah he was right. Good old Em, I could always depend on him.

"Cheers Emmett, another drink? Man, dad knows his whisky, it's so smooth." I got up wobbling slightly and refilled our glasses. I went over to the ipod and selected an album randomly. Radiohead! Great just what I needed to feel more depressed I quickly changed it to Snow Patrol slightly more upbeat.

"Edward, your mobiles ringing it might be Bella." And? didn't want to talk to her. So I just left it, not answering. Then are doorbell was buzzing, she was downstairs? It had to be her, she was persistent I'll give her that. "Man I'm going to see if that's her, if it is I'm going to let her in alright."

"Up to you, don't expect me to speak to her." And I'd try not too, wonder what she wanted? Probaly to give me some half assed excuse. I heard him lift up the phone, he spoke to her and then he let her up. He went to the door and opened it for her arrival.

"Be civil Edward please, Riley's with her too." Oh so fucking what. Hope she doesn't stay long, say her piece and fuck off.

"Hello Emmett, where is he? I wanna talk to him; it's important."

"Go ahead but I warn you Bella; he isn't in the best of moods." I heard that.

"I'll stay and talk with Emmett Bella, he can make me some coffee huh?" They went through to the kitchen, Riley only nodding in my direction. She stood in front of me she must of been home and changed because the sexy red dress she'd had on earlier had vanished. She had on jeans and sweatshirt now, she still looked fucking sexy as hell though.

"Well get it over with, say what you've got to say and go."

"Edward please just listen to me, I realise it must of shocked you; what you heard before. I was going to tell you about my past soon, I just didn't want it to come between us just yet. I wanted to know you first, I'm not lying when I said I felt an instant attraction to you."

"Huh you say this now; bit predictable Bella, I must say."

"Look believe what you want, but it's true. We've only known each other a few days I was going to tell you honestly. Jake opened his big mouth, he just wanted to cause trouble like always. He won't leave me alone, he's been pestering me for months now."

"Has he, why?" I knew why, but I wanted her to admit it.

"Well he reckons it was a big mistake with Tanya and wants us to try again. Edward, when I found out he'd cheated on me a year ago I ended it straight away. Tanya Denali pursued him he says and he had a weak moment. I know Tanya and she is I must admit, quite beautiful on the outside. So I don't know maybe she did, maybe she didn't. Anyhow he did have a sexual relationship with her and she was with you at the time. I actually caught him doing the nasty in his apartment, I'd forgotten something there so I went back using the spare key and the rest is history as we say. I didn't know about you and Tanya till you said in the office the other day. I'm sorry Edward I just; you know wanted to keep it fun for a bit longer. Before real life rears its ugly head."

She sounded like she was being sincere. But something was telling me that nah I wasn't giving in on this.

"Bella I appreciate you coming round here to explain, but the damage has been done, I've been duped by everyone it seems. So like I said before, a working relationship only from now on. That's all I've got to say on the matter so I'll see you at work on Monday. Goodbye."

She looked at me in disbelief. Maybe I was being pathetic, but no I'm sick of being dumped on. It had to stop, starting now. Riley came out of the kitchen he must of heard what had been said, he just shook his head to say you're a fucking looser if you're going to let her go. Emmett no big surprise had the same stoic expression. Em showed them out. Bella was dignified holding her head up high. My brother must be talking to them at the door because he was a while coming back, well the mood I was in; I didn't give a fuck.

"You're a stupid fucking idiot, you're just going to let her walk out of your life? Are you fucking insane?"

"I'm perfectly sane Emmett thanks, just had enough of all the crap. I'm going to bed now I just want this day to be over. Nite."

He didn't wish me goodnight, guess he was really angry. Well it's my life and from now on I'm not taking any more bullshit. I undressed just leaving my boxers on couldn't even be bothered to wash or brush my teeth. What a fucking day, full of highs and lows. I laid there in the darkness the only thing on my mind was the dark haired petite beautiful woman that had just left my apartment. Fuck, I wish she'd just vanish from my head.

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Thanks ever so much for the reviews for the last chapter, loved them.

Please review if you like or don't, either way it makes me inspired to carry on with this story.

Cheers for reading.

Bluebuttercup.