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"Bella…are you coming?" Alice was annoyed and waiting behind me…her foot tapping in an irritating manner. It was 6.30 and Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett and I were supposed to go out to 2i's tonight. Jacob couldn't come since he had left for a camping trip with his brother for the weekend.

"Bella…you can't make me wait back in office on a Friday," Rosalie complained.

"Tell you what," I said, "You two go ahead and I'll join you later. I anyway don't need as much time as you two to dress, right?"

"But why do you need to stay back today babe," Alice asked.

"I need to finish this file James gave me before the weekend. This won't take too much time…but you two go ahead," I said looking at them in a pathetically pleading manner.

"All right…fine," Alice said, "But I hope you have the keys…because I don't think we'll be able to open the door if we are both in our respective baths."

"Don't worry Alice…I've got my set of keys right here," I said and continued working on my file.

Rosalie muttered something under her breath and I managed to catch the words "workaholic" and "nerd".

I just rolled my eyes. Curse that stupid James for remembering the file so late! Just because he was senior to me didn't mean he could boss me around, right?

I finally finished the file and emailed it to James who had gone on his date with Victoria a long time back. I looked at my watch and sighed…7.30...man, Alice and Rosalie were going to be mad. I shut my computer down and walked out of our office. I was already at the reception when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to see Edward Masen walking right behind me, a smile on his face. I smiled at him, "I didn't notice you inside," I said as he called for the elevator. "Oh…you are not the only one James sent a file to, you know," he smiled

We got into the elevator when he said, "so…what are your plans for the weekend?"

"Oh…nothing really," I said, "I'll probably stay at home and read a book or something. Although I am going to 2i's with Rosalie and Alice and their boyfriends." I didn't know why I found it necessary to add that last bit of detail.

"Ok…" Edward said as if waiting for me to continue. "Um…would you like to join us," I asked hesitantly.

"Sure," Edward said.

"Ok then…meet us at 2i's at 10.30 tonight," I said smiling at him.

We got out of the elevator when he said, "Where do you live Bella? I may be able to drop you. I've got my car."

I laughed, "Its ok Edward…I'd rather walk."

Alice, Rosalie and I lived at a rented apartment just a couple of blocks away from our office building. It had 3 bedrooms and each bedroom had its own bath. And we could not afford this place on our own…but Mr. Cullen had been kind enough to finance the down payment as Alice's 21st birthday present. That was 4 years ago and we had managed to pay our own rent after a couple of years.

Rosalie and Alice were in their baths as Alice had predicted. I walked quietly into my bedroom and had a nice hot shower thinking about how hot Edward actually looked. I had never noticed his looks before because I was too busy writing him off as weird but today I actually observed his looks. He had beautiful bronze hair and deep green eyes. He was tall and well built and had sharp features that belonged to the cover of some fashion magazine. And his dressing sense was impeccable.

I dried my hair and dressed in my new black halter neck dress and curled my hair with the help of Rosalie's curling tongs which had somehow ended up on my dressing table.

I went and saw Alice already sitting on the couch switching channels on the television. She was wearing a blue and black checked dress and her short black spiky hair was messy, as usual. She wore high heeled black peep toes.

"Alice, I need help in the makeup department," I said.

"Um…since when did you become interested in makeup Bella," Alice asked raising one eyebrow.

"Oh come one Alice," I said rolling my eyes.

She just grinned and skipped to my room. The makeup she applied was minimal but I looked amazing. I slipped on my black gladiator shoes and gave my hair one last flick.

"What's happening Bella? Why the extra effort," Alice asked.

"Oh…nothing," I said shrugging.

"My oh my," she commented, "look who's blushing."

"Shut up Alice," I said and walked out into the living room and sat on the couch waiting for Rosalie. Alice skipped behind me. "Oh by the way Bella," Alice said, "Jasper was asking me…he's got a colleague…Mike Newton or something. He wanted to find out if you would be willing to blind date…since otherwise you would be left all alone."

"Oh that's ok…I've already invited someone else…I assure you…you won't leave me all alone," I said.

"Who?" Alice asked casually, still switching channels. "Edward Masen," I said trying to match her casual attitude.

"What!" Alice screamed as she jumped up from the couch. "Rose," she screamed and Rosalie came rushing out.

"What? What?" Rosalie ran out of her room, one shoe in hand. She wore a short red dress and had let her hair down for once.

"Bella's invited Edward Masen to our party today," Alice said indignantly.

"I can't believe you Bella," Rosalie said, surprisingly calm, "Do you not realise? He's not a very nice person. Oh...sure he's polite and intelligent and has a great taste in music," she rolled her eyes at the last bit, "but he's creepy. He's trouble…and you've got to keep your distance." Turning to Alice she said, "We cannot do anything now that she's already invited him Alice…we've got to be the gracious host. Please don't pout and grab attention there…it'll just give him the satisfaction. And Bella…please…learn to judge people better, ok honey?"

Well, what do you think? I know it's boring but I had to add this chapter...to build the story. Hope you like it :)