Thank you for all of your support through these beginning chapters, I really appreciate every review that you send me and I read them all! So we're moving on with this chapter and Bella our focus.

Thanks for reading! Please review!

BPOV

I sat at my desk in agony. I began to feel very fortunate that I had my own printer so I didn't have to move around the office very much. As soon as Tanya was out of sight and she had given me the worst and most time consuming jobs possible. Our computing system had recently been updated and they were going to generate a system of transferring all of our client's details straight over. But unfortunately the company forgot to budget for the extra man power that would take and it is now my job. Everybody else in the office got mundane jobs also but easy ones that meant they would be free for hours to chat to each other, still being paid. I on the other hand, would be here all night. I printed off the 38 double sided pages of clients names in size 6 font and columned on pages. Everything felt like it blurred together. I then had to make a new file for each name and click through all of the records on the computer to match addresses and case studies. It had taken me around 45 minutes just to complete 3 clients. We had over 4000 clients. The reality of the monotonous task had numbed me and my knees felt all the better for it. Whenever I tried to bend them or push them out straight I would hold in the hiss that begged to leave my lips. It hurt more than anything I'd ever experienced and I had to fight tears back.

I struggled through the morning and when lunch hour hit, everyone had vanished from the office. I took the opportunity to try and stretch my legs.

EPOV

As I sat at my desk watching Isabella on the CCTV I pondered how I would approach her to take her to see my father. I knew I had to do it sooner than later and it would disappoint my father if I didn't bother at all. The shame of being a disappointment flooded my head and I began shuffling through my torn briefcase, hoping that a little work would assist my mind clearing itself out. I pulled out other identical folders to the blue one, only these were yellow, red, green and black. I piled them up besides my briefcase on the desk and pulled out a huge lump of paper, what I assumed should have been inside the folders. I flopped the huge pile of paper onto my lap, checking the briefcase for any remnants of paper that I had forgotten. Seeing it all clear I put the briefcase down to my side and spaced out the files on my desk. I began looking through each piece of paper individually and splitting them up among their correct folders. They were completely mixed up. I began losing myself in the filing, flashing sideways glances at the CCTV to catch a glimpse of Isabella. She was working away, typing and crossing things out on the paper before her. I could see she was in pain, even through the less than high definition cameras.

I paused my actions when I felt a slightly thicker piece of paper in my pile. I looked at it, it appeared to be glossy. I felt across it gently, hoping to bring back a memory from within myself but I couldn't put it together. Why would I have glossy thick paper in my accounts?! I picked up the paper by the corner ready to throw it away when a flash of colour on the other side caught my eye. I turned it over and the image that was on it took my breath away. Two figures stood in amongst a high corn field, the sun beginning to set behind them. Embracing each other as only best friends would. The smaller girl had jet back hair in a short bob, a fringe framing her face. She was very pretty. Her petite body wore a white Victorian style petticoat. The top part, a sheer white material which led down onto a white boned corset, the bottom of her dress resembling a petticoat most, flowing down to her feet which were covered in satin white shoes. To her right was Isabella. Wearing an identical dress however her corset was a faded pink colour and she wore no shoes, her hair curled naturally and heavy at the tips, rolling over her shoulders beautifully. Their arms held each other loosely yet Isabella's hands were gripping her friend. They were laughing at some unknown happening and I automatically wanted to see Isabella laugh that same laugh for me.

The photo had made me feel things I hadn't felt for years. The innocence that resonated from the print in my hand took my breath away. I wanted to be in the photograph with them. I wanted to be running through the fields with them, laughing and feeling carefree. I wanted to be with Isabella. After every thought that tortured my mind, this tortured me the most. I couldn't decide what was right or wrong anymore and I didn't like it.

I was stunned at the photo before me and in that moment, a few things I was sure of.

I could not keep away from Isabella Swan
I needed to get her to hospital right away and I would do anything to accomplish that
and last of all
I would never give this photograph back to her.

BPOV

I sat in silence, trying to adjust myself on the seat and judging my surroundings before standing. I couldn't hear anything apart from my own breathing and I didn't expect anybody to be in the office. I began lifting myself from the chair.

"I don't think you should be doing that" I heard Edward's calm voice behind me and I gasped in shock. My hand coming up to my mouth to silence it which was something I really should have thought about more thoroughly. I lost my balance and my body began to fall again, I tensed ready for the impact, something that never came. I opened my eyes to see Edward's staring at me. His hands were tightly wrapped around my hips, pulling them towards him even more. I realised my hands were on his arms before I could control myself.

"See, you're very accident prone aren't you" Edward added with a chuckle, his fingers flexing on my hips. A curious emotion in his eyes.

"I'm not accident prone, I'm just a bad luck magnet" I mumbled, pulling away from him. I hazarded a glance only to see his face mask back into a straight and stony emotion. His hands released me like a flash and I stumbled to hold onto the desk behind me.

"Everybody on this floor has the afternoon off." Edward grunted as he pulled his hands to himself. Just like that the Edward I knew well was back.

"Oh... okay, well I need to at least get a handle on these files so I think I might stay he-" I began protesting, offering to stay for free.

"No!" He almost roared towards me, the anger in his voice startled me and I pushed my chair back, trying to make as much space as possible between us. He scared me and I wasn't afraid to admit it.

He saw my chair move and his whole face contorted in what appeared to be agony. His hands went to his head and gripped his hair. That was the first time I ever saw Edward Cullen close to vulnerable.

"Okay, I'm sorry Sir, I just wanted to make a proper start so I didn't fall behind" I turned away and began shutting down my computer. Confused at what was making the man before me so torn.

I heard a mumble behind me.

"Pardon?" I called behind me, turning when I heard no reply.

"Edward. Please call me Edward." He replied softly

I watched and studied him carefully, watching his body language to see if it was a trick. His shoulders seemed more relaxed than before and his face was more tranquil.

"Okay, Edward" I replied softly.

I saw a faint smile appear at his lips but he never allowed it to spread into a full grin. I felt him watching me from behind as I gathered my belongings, careful to hold my satchel out of his view as much as possible. I didn't want him to shout at me again. After what felt like a lifetime I was ready to go. I began to rise when a hand flew out in front of me. I jumped away at the contact, whimpering at the pressure on my knee and my ass hit my desk with a loud thump.

I heard a huff and loud heavy breathing before he spoke.

"I was just trying to help you!" He pleaded with a tone of frustration in his voice.

"I don't need help" I mumbled, gathering my arms tighter to my body, holding my photographs to my chest.

"Please" he leaned forward to me, keeping his hands to himself. "Humour me?" He slowly withdrew a hand from his side and left it in the empty space between us.

I looked from his hand to his face, unsure of what to do. I knew I needed help to stand up but I didn't know if I could trust him, just as I pondered the very thought he spoke again.

"Isabella" I loved the way my name rolled off of his tongue, I scolded myself internally for thinking such a thing. That is the reason why he hates you; he thinks you're like everyone else. Don't prove him right. "I am your employer" he winced at the word, causing my eyebrows to furrow, "I have a duty to care for all of my employees. I have a responsibility to make sure nothing detriments the business" He halted before almost choking on his words, his eyes clamped shut and he began shaking his head. Before he could speak I accepted what he had said. In a way, he was right, I didn't want to cause my boss any more trouble and I certainly didn't want any more attention that I already had.

I pushed my hand through the thick, tense air between us and reached for his, which was making its way to his hair. He sucked in a huge gasp as our fingers touched and his eyes met mine instantly. A fire igniting in them, enough to make my own eyes widen. He shuddered and gripped my hand tightly, almost too tightly. Before pulling me up towards him, his other weaved itself around my waist and pulled me slightly off the ground. I felt worried knowing he was holding the majority of my weight in one arm but he didn't protest. He led me out of the door without another word. I felt odd being in his arms. I wanted to drop all of my things and hold him as tightly as he was holding me but I knew it wouldn't be wise. I kept my things to myself and carefully trod on the ground wincing, he was alleviating most of my pain by walking with me like this and I was thankful for that. Feeling the warmth of his body close to mine made me start to daydream. Just like I always daydreamed while I walked through the corridors of the 8th floor I started imagining what it would be like to be this close to him all the time. Before I could imagine it in any further depth we had reached the elevator.

He placed me lightly on the ground and reached for the button to summon the elevator to our floor. We waited in silence, close enough to be awkward but not enough to be satisfied.

EPOV

I wanted to put my hands on her again, hold her tiny hips in my hands and grip at her waist until she fell into my arms begging for me. I wanted to run my hands through her hair and take her on her desk. The control I held needed to be admired. I was so close to ruining every security measure I had built up over the past year. I needed to get a grip on the situation at hand.

I can't help but admit that when she called herself a 'bad luck magnet' I wanted to shout in her face and tell her to go fuck herself. I had come to assist her and help her out and she calls me 'bad luck'?! Well that's gratitude for you! But just as I was beginning to turn I glanced down and saw her throbbing knees. I couldn't hesitate any longer I had to make my point known. When I had told her everybody had the afternoon off I wasn't joking. I couldn't have given just Isabella the afternoon off to take her to hospital or everyone would have assumed we were fucking. I had to let everyone go. Little did I know the one effort I had made, which subsequently caused a whole heap of shit for me, was something Isabella wasn't really too fussed about adhering to. This infuriated me; I mean what did I have to do to make her see that I was being nice?!

But here we stood, in front of the elevator, waiting for it to meet us. I thought over the words I said to her and how wrong they were. At this precise moment in time I couldn't care less about the company's reputation, I needed to make sure she was better. Why did I even say that?!

As I heard the elevator ding I swiftly walked towards it, not waiting for it to open fully. Isabella shuffled nervously beside me, her stupid shoes scraping and occasionally stepping properly on the floor. I lifted her to make sure her heel didn't get caught in the gap between the marble floor and the elevator. When we were finally stood in there I felt more trapped than I ever have before. I was in touching distance of every wall around me and there would be no escape. I was driving this girl to hospital and then we would be even more trapped. Holy fuck what am I doing?!

Without thinking I let go of her just as the elevator started descending. She didn't expect the quick release and lost balance entirely, falling directly onto me and pushing me up against the wall of the elevator. Her head was pushed up against my chest and her hips bent slightly, grabbing at me for support. Before my hand reached hers I looked ahead into the opposite wall of the elevator, its mirrored surface giving me a jaw dropping view of Isabella's ass. The material of her skirt was stretched deliciously across it and I felt my body tense up. I felt stirrings in my pants immediately.

She found my hands and I pulled my eyes away from her ass to concentrate on her face. I pulled her up and held her hips, lifting her body slightly as she bent towards me, her body yearning for support. I wanted to hold her tightly and tell her everything would be okay but I couldn't allow myself to get that close to her.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a klutz" Isabella mumbled, while trying to push pain away. I could see the tears in her eyes brimming with her words.

"Okay" I mumbled

Okay?! What does that even mean?! why the fuck did I say that?! Oh god what am I doing?!

Isabella straightened herself up and rested a hand on the balance bar behind me, pulling her hips away. When her touch left me I felt a wave of oxygen brush over my face, I needed that.

"May I speak freely Mr Cullen?" I heard a small voice beside me

"You may?" I answered in confusion, desperate to hear what she would say.

"Thank you and I'm sorry" she halted before taking a deep breath a continuing, "I think I must have bumped the ground a little too hard and I should probably sit down for an hour or two until they feel better. Isn't it strange that you gave us all the afternoon off right before a weekend" she chuckled to herself

No it isn't strange. I planned it, stupid girl. I thought back to my briefcase when I noticed her arms still clutching her satchel. I asked one of the doormen to put it in my car for me before I dismissed everyone, it would be safer there than anywhere near Isabella. I looked to my side, noticing her eyes were imploring me. Oh! She wanted an answer.

"You're welcome" I replied bluntly.

I was ready to remain silent until I focussed properly on what she had just said. She wanted an hour or two to sit down to heal her battered knees. Was she insane?!

"You'll be going to hospital regardless!" I stated plainly, facing forward. Looking at myself in the mirror, noticing the creases and wrinkles where she had face planted me and frowning.

"That won't be necessary" she stated just as plainly.

I froze. She thinks I gave her the afternoon off to just sit at home doing god knows what with however many strange men she's doing at the moment. What a selfish woman!

"You're going to hospital and that's the end of this discussion Isabella" I huffed out at her, gritting my teeth and holding my jaw together with all of my might for fear of shouting in her face.

"Excuse me Mr Cullen, but you are not my father" she chuckled in an annoyed tone, "I am not going to hospital, I'm going home"

The elevator was still descending far too slowly for my liking.

"So you're just going to throw my offer back in my face?!" I was starting to get angry at her; I clenched my fists and held them to my side tightly. Don't grab the girl. Don't grab the girl.

"What offer" she was facing me now, her small beautiful features scrunching up with irritation

Beautiful?! Where did that come from?!

What did she mean, 'what offer?' what a selfi- … Wait… Did I actually tell her?
Oh fuck me I didn't tell her I was driving her. SHIT SHIT SHIT!

"I'm driving you" I turned to face her, my body tense now from embarrassment rather than anger

Her face became incredulous and her jaw dropped.

"No thank you Mr Cullen, even if I was going to hospital. Which I am not! I don't need you to drive me, I can drive myself!" I could see the fight in her eyes and her eyes were darkening with anger.

I could feel my emotions changing once again, was she so daft to believe she could actually achieve driving herself to hospital with knees like that?!

"I know what you have done to yourself, you can't drive in your condition. I'm driving you. End of discussion!" I grunted at her, moving closer to tower over her, showing my dominance.

To my surprise she stood up straighter, her chest pushing out causing my eyes to stray for a split moment.

"You don't get to decide when the end of the discussion is Sir" she raised her voice at me

"The hell I don't! You'll do as I say and that's final!" I raised my voice back at her

She was standing up to me and… I liked it. Part of me wanted to fire her skinny ass on the spot and the other parts wanted to tear her clothes off and punish her for raising her voice at me. The way her eyes darkened and glowed with passion and the way her chest heaved. I needed all of it.

NO!

"I'm driving you to hospital and there's nothing you can do about it!"

A loud 'ding' sounded and before I knew it Isabella was limping out of the elevator. I followed after her, trying not to raise my voice as the lobby was in total silence. She was huffing and muttering to herself. My legs followed her as if they were magnetised, I followed her to the door when I realised I needed to find the doorman, he had my car keys.

I cursed to myself and thundered to the front desk demanding my keys back. The woman behind the desk muttered some words at me before moving at the pace of a snail to retrieve my keys from a sealed envelope in a safe. Sauntering her hips in a vulgar way before returning slowly back to me. I threw glances over my shoulder to see Isabella stumbling her way through the car park in her ridiculously dangerous shoes before turning a corner. As soon as the woman neared me I snatched the envelope from her shouting an apology over my shoulder before running towards the car park.

Before I could even begin to get angry at the runaway office girl, I heard a screech of breaks. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the van approaching Isabella's stunned body.

"No!" I grunted violently and loudly before running with all of my power to her.

The van stopped just yards from her quivering body but the force of her own shock knocked her body backwards. I followed the only possible landing with my own eyes and realised either way she would need to go to hospital today. I only hoped I could get there in time to make sure the hospital visit involved her leaving with bandages. Not in a body bag.

My whole universe stopped. All I could think about was saving Isabella from this fall. I didn't care about my briefcase, or the company or my car or my past. I needed to be in the present. I needed to save this girl.

I saw her body start to fall and sprinted as fast as I could towards her. Just as she was nearing the ground my body reached hers and one arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Making sure my legs avoided her knees I used my other hand to cradle the back of her neck so she didn't get whiplash from the sudden halt in movement.

Her eyes were clenched shut ready for impact and until I lifted her head. Her eyes flew open and her chest heaved. The top few buttons of her blouse were open and her porcelain skin shone brightly underneath. All of a sudden a violent rage came over me, how could she put herself in such danger when she knew I could have been there for her? Who would do that to themselves?!

The anger must have shown itself in my expression because she gasped and attempted to duck away from me.

"DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" I very almost shouted in her face "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you, do you ev-" I spat my words out to her.

"Man I'm sooo super sorry, I totes didn't see you coming" I heard shaky mumblings coming from behind me.

The van driver

I turned in his direction and before I could tell myself to stop I roared, "Get the fuck off of this property right this instant. If I ever see you again around here you better hope I'm not behind the wheel of a van you fucking idiot! NOW GO!"

He tripped over his feet before jumping into his van and screeching out of the car park. The girl beneath me was trembling, I turned to face her with the anger for the van driver still on my face and I heard a whimper leave her lips.

I calmed minutely and my eyes roamed her body for injuries. My hand leaving her waist as I gently lowered her to the ground. My fingertips comfortably now roaming her soft skin. Running over her damp forehead and brushing hair from her eyes, running down her neck to check her pulse which pounded through her beautiful skin.

She was silent through this entire motion until my fingertips ran over her chest to check the exposed skin for any sign of stress. She choked back a sob instantly.

I pulled my fingers away from her, my other hand nervously still cradling her head upwards.

I looked into her eyes, still infuriated.

"Don't you ever do that again. Never put yourself in danger when someone can help you, it's idiotic. I don't hire idiots" I huffed, unable to find the right words.

Her lips parted and I sensed she was about to talk through her sobs, her eyes glued to mine and tears brimming once again.

I wanted to tell her to stop crying.

"Okay?" I asked her

She nodded and sniffled

"Now will you let me drive you?" She paused and blinked, tears ran across her cheeks and down her neck. My finger flew up and wiped them away without a second thought. My eyes were still lingering on her. She gasped as my fingertip touched her neck unexpectedly and finally nodded.

My heart lifted properly for the first time in a long time. I would no longer feel guilt for not looking out for this girl. She would be near me now for at least a few more hours; after she was gone she wouldn't be my problem anymore.

Before she could attempt to move, something I knew would happen soon. My arms scooped her up, satchel and all and I cradled her in my arms, walking in the direction of my car.

"No, please, I can wa-" I looked down in my arms at her raising my eyebrow and smirking. She quickly finished her sentence and lay silently in my arms, waiting and shifting around until we got to my car. I chuckled to myself at her irritation.

When we reached my car, I shifted her onto one arm and handed her the envelope.

"Open it" I prompted; she looked beyond bewildered but did as I asked… finally!

The keys fell out onto her tummy and she looked up at me with confusion.

"Press the button that looked like an open door" she looked down and pressed the button

My car unlocked and she jumped slightly in my arms at the sound. I smirked again and asked her to reach down and open the passenger side door. She began to get down from my arms when I coughed, halting her. I lowered myself and put her in the car myself. Being careful not to hit her head on the door frame, I sat her comfortably on the seat, adjusting it quickly to make sure she had enough leg room to stretch out. I reached in towards her seat belt when she spoke again.

"I got it" she softly spoke; my hand had already touched the seat belt and was pulling it across her chest, the strap dragging across her skin. She gasped when my hand brushed across her chest accidently.

"Sorry" I mumbled. Shoving the belt in the clip I slammed the door and walked around the back way to get to the driver's side.

I had to stand with my back to the car for a few moments to regain my thoughts. What the fuck had just happened. My pledge to ignore all girls and avoid them like the plague had completely backfired. I had tried to push this girl away and instead I had touched her more times in one day that I had touched Victoria in the space of a week. I needed to understand these feelings I felt for her more clearly. What was happening?!

When I believed she was in danger I couldn't understand what was going through my mind. I needed to understand it better. All of a sudden everything stopped but why?! Why did I want to make sure she didn't hurt herself?! Why did I even care? It's not like she's my problem, like I have anything to do with the fact she can't even walk straight or manage to cross pavement without attracting massive accidents to her. I rubbed my eyes with my hands and gripped my hair as my hands ran through it. What was happening to me?!

And now I would have to spend another few hours with her. The very girl that confuses every thought I ever process. The girl that I want to scream at every time she talks. The girl that makes me so angry with the slightest facial expression. The girl that I want in the back seat of this car.

Fuck me, this would be a long car journey.