A/N: I went home this week because my college had a break. Unfortunately, I left my laptop at school, so I was unable to post. But now I'm back. Sorry about that. Oh, and a reviewer asked for longer chapters, so they will definitely be getting longer. My aim is to please, so if you have any advice or constructive criticism (or praise is nice too), feel free to review and I will accommodate to the best of my ability. OK, no more long author's notes. Hopefully.
Bella
Two weeks passed quickly since the accident. I was healing- only a couple of bruises left, which really could have been a lot worse, all things considered. At the magazine, everyone was concerned for me and treated me even more nicely than usual. Even Lauren, one of the secretaries who usually mocked me for my fashion choices, was more kind.
Yet, I still had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach that Alice and Edward were right. There wasn't anything in particular to be concerned about. Just every now and then, I'd get this weird feeling that someone was watching me. But I'm probably just paranoid. I am not being stalked. It's ridiculous to even use the word.
And then there was that other funny feeling in my stomach. Hell, it was a funny feeling in my stomach, my head, my whole freaking body. I couldn't get Edward Cullen out of my thoughts. The guy was the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on, and spoke to me with real concern. I knew I was being really immature and starting to resemble and twelve year old girl. Edward and I had no reason to ever meet again. Nothing was going to happen with this nonexistent "stalker." Plus, even if I did ever see him again, he was so out of my league. So unattainable.
After since the accident, Alice insisted that I drive my ancient truck to work rather than walk like I usually would. She was overprotective, but I went with it anyway. She even offered to pay for my gas. It was so easy to give in to Alice.
The clock over my desk at work hit 5:30 and seconds later, like clockwork, Alice danced into my office.
"Ready to go home?" she asked sweetly.
"You betcha. Give me a minute to shut down my computer." I logged off and pressed the power button, and then grabbed my keys and bag.
Alice looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eye. I could almost predict the conversation that was coming. She had been harping on the same point all week.
"So have you thought about giving Detective Cullen a call yet?" she asked innocently.
"Alice, for the love of all that is holy, as I told you yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, I have no reason to call Edward. There haven't been any other incidents," I answered obtusely, running my hands through my hair and sticking it up in a bun. I knew where she was going with her question, but I refused to make this easy for her.
"You know that I'm not talking about calling him for that reason. You were clearly attracted to him. An idiot could have seen it. Call him up and invite him for coffee. Or tell him how you feel safe and nothing's happened. Just give him an update. Anything!" she practically begged. I think Alice takes my life more personally than is normal.
We headed to the employee parking lot, which had about six cars in it. Most people used public transportation or just walked to work. My truck was easy to spot from far away- I drive a big, rusty, red beast. Despite what Alice said, even though I had more money now, there was no point in buying a new car. I really only had the truck because I loved it so much in high school and college that I didn't want to get rid of it. Having a car is a pain in the butt when you live in the city.
I noticed something weird about my truck. It looked lower to the ground, for some reason. Odd.
"Hey, does something look off with my truck?"
"Shit," was Alice's single word reply. I followed the line of her eyes and then broke into a run over to my truck, Alice right behind me.
"Nooo!" I wailed in defeat.
All four tires were completely deflated. There was a note on the windshield. I opened it carefully, being mindful only to touch the edges of the paper.
Complacency is a dangerous thing.
Well, fuck. That's not good.
Alice obviously agreed.
"We're calling Detective Cullen this instant. Get out your phone," she demanded harshly.
"It's unnecessary. Really, I don't need…" I trailed off, because I knew I couldn't deny the truth any longer. Someone was messing with me. My excuses wouldn't hold up.
"Stop it. Call, right now, or I will."
"Fine, give me a second." I fished through my bag, and grabbed out my cell phone. I then found the slip of paper with Edward's number on it, and punched the numbers into my phone.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Cullen." What a clipped, short response.
"Hi, Edward. Ummm…this is Bella Swan."
I prayed that he would remember me.
"Bella, hello. How are you?" His tone brightened and my heart soared in response.
"I'm okay, I guess. It's just that..ummm…" How the hell was I supposed to explain this?
Edward saved me from my predicament.
"Did something happen Bella? Are you okay?" His voice was worried again.
"Yea, I'm really fine. It's just that I came out to my car and my tired were slashed and there's a note of my windshield." I tried to downplay it a bit.
"Are you at work?"
"In the parking lot next to my office," I responded, a bit puzzled.
"Don't move. I have your information, so I'll be there in 15 minutes. Stay with Alice. And thank her for making you call me," he added.
"How did you know..?" I trailed off.
He chuckled in response and the phone clicked off.
Almost exactly fifteen minutes later, Edward pulled into the parking lot in a shiny silver Volvo. He was just as punctual as Alice tends to be.
"Hey," he greeted me with a grim smile as he stepped out of his car.
His eyes flashed immediately to my truck and he went over to examine it.
As he perused the damage, I perused his body. Dark grey t-shirt, worn-in jeans, messy hair. He bent over and I got a great view of his behind. Yum. I subconsciously licked my lips, and Alice let out a little giggle. I blushed slightly but continued to look over his body.
His jeans clung to his muscular thighs, and his back had clearly muscled as well. He certainly wasn't the body-builder, steroided out type of guy, but that was a positive. He was sculpted in a leaner way.
He stood up and fingered the note, reading it over a few times before putting it into an envelope and then his pocket. Finally, his eyes met mine and I flushed slightly, hoping that he hadn't felt my eyes all over his body seconds earlier.
"You know what I'm going to say. You were right- this seems to be another act from the person who hit you two weeks ago. We could go ahead and call the SPD at this point, but all they'll do is file a report. So I'll take care of that for you."
"Thank you so much," I responded. He was really saving me a lot of stress.
"You're welcome. Of course, that's only the first step. There's no way I'm letting you go without some form of protection. You live alone, you're vulnerable. So if it isn't too forward of me to say, I'd really appreciate it if you would stay with me for the next couple of days until we figure this out." He looked a little nervous, so I almost felt bad answering him the way I did.
"No way in hell. I am not stopping my life for some idiot who slashes my tires! I barely even know you anyway, why would you offer this?"
"Look, you're at risk. And I can't just let you be unprotected. What if something happened? That would be my fault for not being more careful with you. You're my responsibility, whether you like it or not," he reasoned.
"This is not happening. No," I countered.
"Yes, it is."
"No. No." Why was he smirking? And why did I have to sound like a three year old whose mom wouldn't give her a cookie?
"Alice? Help me out here," he turned to Alice, who grinned in response.
"Bella, I'll have you packed up in no time! Or we can just shop for new clothes to bring to Edward's house for a few days if that's easier. But you're GOING," she told me, with emphasis on the last word.
Again, it's easier to just give in to Alice. But on my terms.
"How's this- you come stay with me for a few days? This way I don't give up my life, and you don't need to have to host me in your home. OK?"
He pondered my request for a few minutes and then nodded yes.
This wouldn't be so bad. I mean, having the object of my obsession over for a few days? What could go wrong? How much could I humiliate myself in just a few days?
Shit. I'm screwed. What did I agree to?