Thank you for the reviews and thanks to all the people who favorited this story...trust me, when I first began writing this, I had not anticipated such a response from the readers!
I forgot to thank one person in my last chapter - Lilypad10 [wonder if she's reading this]...she was the first one to suggest that I introduce Tanya to make Bella feel jealous...
Also, a huge shout out to my Beta, Crazykate28...she really edited my chapter in 5 hours flat...andI loved her value additions...and I am so sure you will too! She's a genius!
Keep the reviews flowing please...it's really motivating! And I feel all warm and fuzzy when I read an especially kind review :)

"So don't you think it's weird that the head of finance herself came to pick us up today? I mean, she could've easily sent a driver, you know."

Tanya had dropped us to our hotel and had since gone back to her office. Edward and I had decided to grab something to eat and unpack. We were planning on being at the office from tomorrow onwards. The flight was tiring. We had gone to this little restaurant next to our hotel, the desserts on display looked ridiculously appealing. Although I wasn't in any mood to have anything sweet, Edward was ecstatic. I didn't regret coming here…who knew aubergines could be so delightfully delicious!

Edward swallowed his mouthful of pizza, "yeah…I thought about that. And I thought it was fishy at first. But maybe she's just being hospitable," he shrugged.

Yeah…sure he would think that. All the way from the airport to the hotel, Tanya relentlessly spoke to Edward and by relentlessly, I meant flirting unabashedly; she would find the vaguest remark funny. Tonya took every opportunity she got to touch him; either as a friendly punch on the arm, or an oh-you-poor-dear pat on the thigh.

I'd found it amusing and worrisome at the same time. Amusing, because Tanya was just making a spectacle of herself, being so desperate and worrisome because as much as I didn't want to admit this to myself, I didn't want Edward to have any sort of relationship with her that was beyond professional. It would just make our work more difficult. After all, we were here to find out whether Tanya was handling the branch properly and was not involved in any sort of fraud, whatsoever. If Edward got involved with Tanya, he would just turn blind to her inefficiencies. "Wasn't she being a bit too hospitable" I asked in a curt tone.

"I don't know Bella…maybe that's how it is here. As they say, when in Rome" He smirked.

I just rolled my eyes. I knew for a fact that he was dying to use that line and was going to find every opportunity to do just that.

The rest of the meal passed by silently. Edward thoroughly enjoyed it and talking didn't seem of a priority. I found myself staring at Edward while he was eating. There was something appealing about him as he ate. We walked back to our hotel to unpack. Our rooms were next to each other. Since I was going to be staying there for 2 weeks, I decided to arrange all my clothes in the wardrobe.

An hour and a half later, I had finished unpacking, had a nice hot bath and had flopped down on my bed with my book. It wasn't cold in Rome, and it wasn't hot either; it was pleasant. I heard a knock on my door and I opened it to find myself facing Edward dressed in khaki knee length shorts and a black t-shirt.

"Bella…the Trevi fountain is just 5 minutes from here. And there are a lot of tourist attractions in the vicinity. Do you wanna go sightseeing?"

I really wanted to visit the Trevi fountain, so I agreed.

It was a short walk from our hotel to the fountain and although we walked side by side, I still kept my distance from Edward.

It was 6.30 in the evening, and still bright out. There were a lot of tourists at the fountain. It really was beautiful, the way the early evening sun got the water droplets as the cascaded down the magnificent sculpture. It was breathtaking; almost emotional. I was broken from my Trevi Fountain daydream when Edward handed me a coin.

"Go on…toss it into the fountain. One coin symbolises that you wish to come again. 2 coins for marriage and 3 for a divorce," he said with a smile.

I took the coin and tossed it into the fountain and turned around to see the bottom of the fountain full of coins of all different shapes, sizes and colours. It was beautiful, like a chaotic mosaic under the pristine clear water.

Edward too, tossed a coin in, and we sat at the steps facing the fountain. We didn't really speak about anything much. Just sat there, taking in the magnificence of the fountain and the crowd around it. It was a somewhat surreal moment; I had always dreamed of coming here one day, I just had always hoped that it would be under different circumstances. Maybe of the more romantic variety, with a man I loved sitting next to me, not a co-worker.

Suddenly, an old woman came to us. "Flowers for your love" she propositioned Edward in her heavy Italian accented English.

I was about to protest. I wasn't his "Love". But Edward cut me short and smiled at the old woman.

"Of course," he said and purchased a bunch of yellow roses and handed them to me.

"Yellow roses for friendship, that is what the golden petals symbolize Bella," he said and that made me somewhat calmer. He turned around to face the fountain again, and I found myself wondering how his nose could possibly be so perfect. "I didn't want to be rude, besides when in Rome…right?" A smile played on his lips; he really did have quite the smile, even from a side view. Geez Bella quite the smile, really, where has my mind been lately? I was beginning to wonder about myself.

The sun was beginning to set when Edward suggested we visit the Spanish steps, they were close by and a church rested at the top. There was also another fountain there, albeit a smaller one. I loved how Italy was laden with fountains, they are so majestic; and just add to the appeal and overall grandeur. We climbed the steps and went to the Trinità dei Monti. Edward wasn't allowed inside because he was wearing shorts, but since I was wearing full jeans and a top that covered my shoulders, I had no problem getting in. It was a beautiful church, I was awestruck by the artistic way it was constructed in, and it created such ornate imagery. Again I found myself overwhelmed by the beauty that was Italy and I hadn't even been here for 24 hours.

I took my time inside and when I went out to find Edward he waiting for me. I felt a little guilty about making him wait so long, but I couldn't help myself. If he were in my shoes I know he would have done the same, I'm sure of it. We decided on an early dinner and went to a restaurant; I didn't eat too much and neither did Edward…well not too much compared to his standards at least. Again the food was wonderful, what little I had. We walked back to our hotel with a Gelato in hand, trying to eat it as fast as we could without it making such a sticky mess. We finally made it back to The Hotel Barberini, when Edward turned to me.

"I spoke to this tourist when you were in the church. He's from Rhode Island. He said that there's an illuminated Rome tour that leaves at 9 and is very good," he said.

"It's a good idea. But I'm really tired, maybe another time" I said barely managing to stifle a yawn.

"You're tired," was his brilliant observation, "we'll do the illuminated tour next week, does that sound okay with you" He reached out and placed a strand of hair behind my ear that had blown into my face from the warm soft breeze. It was strange I barely even registered his action.

"Sure that sounds fine…well I am going to get to bed, goodnight Edward and thank you for the invite"

I just wanted to get some sleep, and what was with me, I think it was the jet lag.

I made it back to my room and immediately went for my bed where I plopped down on my and went to sleep almost as soon as my head touched the coolness of my pillow. The hectic part of the trip starts tomorrow, great I can't wait. A fun filled day with Miss Flirty.

So that's the end of yet another chapter. I hope you liked it...I really wish for more reviews...and since it's Christmas season., won't you fulfill my wish? Anywho...the next chapter is being written and will be uploaded shortly...I hope I won't have to make you wait for too long...

Love,
Lupinxtonks