Heyy guys! I'm back with another chapter although chapters from now on will be shorter than the ones before.

Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot is mine.
Leave me some love in the end! P.S: The unknown 'guest' who's complaining about my English can back off now. I won't change it. If my reviewers have any problem with it, they can mention it. Thank you!

Warm hands brought me back to life as I was carried in someone's arms. I couldn't process where we were going, did we reach Venice? This is foolish, I'm being carried around for no apparent reason. In a moment, I'll wake up and come to my senses then I'll just go about my business until I receive the email containing the contract of the merger from my dad and then

My dad.

Almost instantly, the memories of what happened before I passed out came back in a dizzying and painful rush. Oh my god, my dad. My company. All the efforts me and my dad made for the rising world-wide corporate...

Which is hanging on a thread.

I didn't know what I was doing. I just knew I had to get to my dad. I had to comfort him, hell, who was I kidding? Fuck comfort, I had to grovel and beg on my knees for him to not leave me alone in this cut-throat world. To not let it swallow me.

I wanted to slip away from this world and just dissolve into darkness. But I couldn't. I think that smooth, velvet voice tethered me to this world. H ewas whispering, why was he whispering?

"Ssshh Bella, it'll all be over in a few seconds. Just relax. We'e not gonna hurt you, okay? Relax, baby."

Baby. I found myself loving that name.

Oh. Baby. Did that mean Irina loved it too? Who was Irina? Oh, that skank.

My thoughts were going a mile per second. I had to stop and do as that smooth, velvet voice told me to do. I had to focus on my breathing and then I had to relax. My shoulders slumped and I fell back against dozens of soft and fluffy cushions.

But before I could protest that I needed to see my dad, before I could wail and cry and scream at the prospect of him leaving me, something sharp pierced me and I fell back into darkness.

I woke up this time to actual butterfly kisses from Edward on my neck. I smiled without thinking and then looked around to see I was in my room. Edward was sitting in a chair beside my bed and I had an IV in my hand.

"Oh god, I was so worried about you, Bella. Are you okay? Do you need water? Something to eat? Oh god, you didn't have breakfast, didn't you? I'll get you some. Do you need me to push up your pillows a little bit

"Edward, I just need you to sit here beside me and shut your mouth." I croaked. My throat was really dry and hurt like a son of a bitch. Edward noticed that and raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"And some water will be good too, smart-ass."

"Ok, ma'am." He placed a kiss on my forehead and I was shocked to realize that I was about to move my head up to meet his lips with mine. Foolish, foolish Bella.

After a while, he returned and I gulped down the water in one go. "Slow down, hot-shot."

"Shut up."

"Do you feel better?"

"Much better."

"Really?"

"Yes, Dr. Cullen."

He put on a fake doctor voice and said authoritatively, "All in your best interests, Miss swan."

We both laughed and it was good to laugh again after such a tiring day. With a jolt, I realized that I still hadn't contacted my dad.

"Edward, my dad-

"I know. He's still in the ICU but doctors said that he can be moved to a regular floor in 3 days."

I nearly fell back asleep in relief and joy. If someone didn't know about my situation, they'd wager I'd gotten a giant cookie and gone to cookie heaven.

"How do you know that?"

"I talked to his doctor."

He was so sweet. I couldn't believe I could ever doubt this guy.

But I had to be careful.

Just then, Edward held up a large tray filled with soup, roast beef and fish cake sticks (my favorite).

"Food! Now, I know you'll tell me you don't feel like eating but I'm afraid I have he authority to feed you forcefully." He winks and wags his eyebrows at me suggestively.

I narrow my eyes at him playfully and smirk at him, "Oh yeah? You'll feed Bella Swan forcefully?"

"Oh yes, I will. And don't try me, Bella."

"In fact, I'm starving, Edward. And I'd love to eat the feast you prepared for me."

"Well, that's good. I can never refuse you now, anyways."

He probably meant it as a joke and I should've treated it with the same eye roll I gave every else boy who tried to flatter me but I couldn't understand why my heart did that little flutter.

And I couldn't understand why I kissed him after.