EPOV should be ready over the next week or so, I've been having a lot of fun writing it!

Just in case I don't get to answer all of your reviews.. Thank you! I love reading them all, some make me laugh out loud! If I hit a mental road block I always read all of your fantastic words. They are like word porn... Seriously.

Huge thanks, again, for the sweet and lovely messages/reviews I've received, I am feeling better and I'm definitely in a better place, in my mind.

The length between updates will vary, however I am trying to shorten it! (I have volunteered to take on a few projects recently and I'm trying to fit everything in!)

Thanks to the FicSisters who recommended this story on their site! Sending love and kisses your way!

Love to you all!

Thanks Mi, my rock!

I pull a pillow off my bed and stay curled up on the floor, for what feels like hours. I hear the faint noises of the world outside, as time passes. A while after the sun has gone down, I hear Rose come home and she creaks my door open, in an attempt to find me. I don't make a sound as she whispers my name into the darkness, thankfully I'm hidden behind the bed. She closes it and I sigh softly in relief because I just can't face the inevitable torrent of 'I told you so's' that I know I'll get. Rose knows me too well, I wouldn't be able to lie to her.

I hear her talking animately to someone on the phone and the door to the apartment closes loudly behind her as she leaves. I don't get up, despite feeling thirsty. I curl up tighter and hug my knees closer in an attempt to ease the ache in my chest.

He left. Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions, but it really doesn't feel like I am. He seemed so distant before he went, he could barely look at me. I've been trying to analyse it all whilst lying here. I realise quite quickly that I can't but it doesn't stop me from going over everything again and again.

More tears slide down my cheeks as I remember the way Edward looked at me, like I was beautiful and worthy. I wanted to see something in him so desperately that I probably imagined it all.

I don't regret anything that happened but I did hope that he'd stay around, regardless of his reputation. I knew the deal from the beginning when he laid his cards out very clearly on the table, so this is my fault. I feel like I'm being overly dramatic but right now, I really don't care. I just don't want it to end.

My throat starts to feel like sand paper so I get up shakily and walk into the kitchen. I chug down a glass of water and some Tylenol. I lean against the side for support because my legs feel weak and tired.

I shake my head and slowly walk into the TV room. I always swore to myself, after seeing Rose and Alice go through bad break ups, that I'd never act like this again. It was bad enough after Jake. This feels so much worse though, probably because I actually gave Edward a part of me and he took it and then left. I can't help but feel sorry for the likes of Tanya and all the others he's left behind him in his wake.

Not to mention the fact that I'm in love with him, despite everything.

I groan, out loud. How did I ever let this happen?

I walk over to the fish bowl and peer in at the little goldfish swimming around in lazy circles. I grab the pot of food and shake some in, I watch as Cassy swims to the surface and his little mouth pops open to eat the flakes.

"What is your namesake doing to me, little Casanova? Would you treat a girl like this?"

I sigh and tap the glass gently with my fingertips, I watch as he carries on swimming and gobbling up the little pieces of food.

I lean against the doorframe to my room and wrap my arms, tightly around myself. I look at my bed, the sheets are still all bunched up from earlier. I can see the blood stain staring back at me, I walk over and yank the sheets across the top so it's not visible anymore. I feel the tears threaten again so I grab the blanket off my chair and take the pillow from the floor and make my way to the sofa. I just can't sleep in that bed, not right now. I curl up and immediately realise how tired I am.

I fall asleep, with my last thoughts saturated by images of Edward.

I wake up hours later with a thumping headache, I scrub at my tired eyes before turning my head. I immediately notice a glass of water and some tablets sitting on the small table in front of me. There's a note under the glass, so I sit up warily and grab the water, drinking it as I pick up the note and read it over the end of the glass.

Bella,

I'm assuming that you've lost your phone?

I tried calling you, I was worried.

You were groaning in your sleep. I thought you'd need these! (Hope you're ok?)

See you later (I'm staying at Em's.)

Love you!

Rose xxxx

I sit up quickly and swallow some medicine, even though I don't think it will really help. I glance at the clock and realise that I really need to start getting ready for work. I briefly consider calling in sick but I know that would be silly. Time doesn't stop for anyone or anything.

I shower and get dressed, feeling numb and I just do everything automatically. I attempt to put a bit of concealer on under my eyes to hide the redness but give up. I've never been great at make up, but it does look marginally better. I squint at my reflection, I don't look too bad, considering.

I make my way to work and Angela is the first to greet me at reception. As soon as she sees me, a huge and sincere smile appears on her face.

"Bella! It's great to see you! Did you have a good weekend?" I smile tightly and nod, my eyes sting with tears that are threatening to fall.

I agree to meet her for lunch after we've swapped some small talk. I turn to leave but I feel her hand as she holds onto my arm, making me swivel back round to face her.

"Did you hear about Mr. Masen?" Her face looks sad and I nod in reply, not trusting myself to speak.

"It's terrible, but thankfully he's on the mend. Victoria is in charge at the moment, so I should imagine that she'll need even more coffee than usual! She's off out this morning, for the presentation. So you may have extra work today, give me a shout if you need any help."

I nod and make the appropriate 'I'm listening' noises as she speaks. I thank her for the offer of help before she eventually lets me get to my desk and we part with a wave and a smile.

I get to my work station and sigh loudly when I see all the papers and notes stacked up, waiting for me. Victoria immediately pokes her head out of her door. I think she has some kind of Bella radar.

"You're late." Her voice is clipped as she glares at me.

I look up at the clock in confusion, I'm actually five minutes early.

"I was hoping you'd come in early. Today is, after all, very important." Her eyebrows knit together and she purses her lips.

I try to mumble an apology, but she cuts across me.

"Coffee." She slams the door shut and I get up with a sigh to go and fetch her a bucket of hot caffeine.

Angela emails me, cancelling our lunch plans as she's too busy, I'm almost glad. I really like Angela but today I just don't feel like socialising or eating.

Victoria leaves before lunch to do the presentation. She doesn't offer for me to come with her. I thought she would, but today I don't actually mind. I robotically work through all the jobs she's left me and when I've filed away her accounts and put all the letters she wants sent out, into envelopes, I make my way to the mail room.

The guy in there, Demetri, tries to engage me in conversation. He's nice and despite how I feel, I find myself laughing at his jokes. It never hurts to make friends at work and I'm surprised at his abilities to make me smile, despite everything. He was in with last years intake of internships.

"You can't have been here for long, are you on an internship?" He asks with apparent interest on his face.

"Yes." I reply with a nod and a smile.

"Who are you working with?"

"Victoria." I don't mean to but I roll my eyes and then laugh nervously.

"Oh, poor you." He gives me a knowing look and we both laugh together. He has a nice laugh.

"You're welcome to come and find me in here, if you ever need to get away from her for five minutes. I even have a secret stash of good coffee, instead of the break room stuff."

He pauses before adding in a sing-song voice. "Plus, I have cookies."

He winks and I begin to notice how handsome he really is. His skin is tanned and he's got a cheeky smile which makes his light blue eyes sparkle. Most girls would love any kind of attention from him, I can't see anything other than friendship because there's only been one man since Jake and Demitri just isn't him.

"She seems to know where I am, even if I do try and hide." I sigh dramatically.

"I promise, she won't find you here. Have you seen all this stuff stacked up? In fact I'm pretty sure we could even hide you in one of these mail bags." He shakes out a huge sack and I can't help but giggle.

"I'll have to bear that in mind, especially when she gets back later."

I leave in a slightly brighter mood, after saying goodbye to Demitri.

My good mood disperses quickly when my thoughts slide back to Edward. I can't help but think of him and how he looked the last time that I saw him at work, in a suit. His long legs, muscular body and that face. He's incredibly good looking, I think I was punching well above my station in all honesty. I should just be happy that I got to be with him, even if it was brief.

Demetri seems to be a really nice, sweet guy. I've seen him a few times, over the last week. That was the first time we've actually had a conversation and he is the kind of guy that I should fall in love with, like all the guys that Alice sets me up with. I guess you can't help who you fall in love with though, I just seem to really be able to pick them.

I settle myself back down at my desk and a couple of hours later, Victoria arrives back in a flurry, she barely glances at me before slamming her door shut.

I slip in a few minutes later with a freshly brewed mug. I place it carefully on her desk and try to make a hasty retreat while her back is turned.

"Not so fast Bella. Sit." She points a finger at the chair opposite her desk and I feel a silent sigh escape me.

I immediately sit, she makes me incredibly nervous. She turns to me slowly and her face softens.

"What's going on?"

I try to grasp what she's talking about, I'm sure that I've missed a part of this conversation somewhere.

"Something has got you tied up in knots, you aren't exactly operating at your normal level. You haven't even eaten. Is it a boy?"

I resist the urge to laugh at her wording. Boy?

"I'm so sorry."

She doesn't let me finish my pathetic apology.

"Bella, boys are never worth this. They don't care as much as we do. You are a beautiful young lady and you could have your pick of boys, or girls. Even that guy in the mail room likes you."

I feel my eyes widen in shock. Where did she hear that?

"Gossip in this place flows quicker than any stream. If you ever get tired of men, give me a call. In the meantime, move on. Have some fun while you can. Don't look at tomorrow, concentrate on today."

I nod, my mind too busy trying to digest what she's just said.

"Thanks, again I'm really sorry. I'll try to concentrate better at work."

"It's okay, we've all been there. Me more than most, so I know what it's like. Just go and have some fun, live for the moment."

Her smile is kind as she watches me carefully. She's being uncharacteristically nice, it almost starts my tears up again. My tear ducts may need taping up if this carries on.

"Now how about I tell you all about our new clients? They loved the presentation, especially some of the aspects that you came up with. I'll be sure to credit you for that."

I listen and smile in happiness at her compliments of my work. We discuss the presentation some more and then begin to talk about a few more projects that are coming up. It feels nice and relaxed as we laugh in between serious ideas and figures. She suddenly sits up straight and glances at her watch.

"Well, I wish we could chat all night but I have to get going. I'm off to see Mr Masen in hospital, I assume you know?"

"Yes, how is he?"

"I think he's getting discharged tomorrow. I thought I'd let him know about today's success, you're welcome to come with me?"

"No, thank you. If you could just let him know that I hope he's feeling better."

"Of course. Go and have fun." She accentuates the last word and waves her hand towards the door.

I smile and walk back out to my desk. I gather all my things together and grab my purse. I'm ready for this day to end. It feels like it's one day down, so many of them to go but I feel more positive than I did this morning. I know it probably won't last, especially when I get home to the empty apartment.

I walk slowly through the corridors, towards the elevator. I adjust the strap on my bag as I walk, I swivel my bag round so I can shorten it. My attention is held as I fight with it.

Just as I pass the mail room I feel a large hand grab my arm gently and pull me backwards towards the closet door. Another hand grabs me at the waist and I feel my feet leave the floor. My back is pressed firmly into a hard body and I wiggle to try and get free. An oomph leaves my lungs.

I feel a scream bubble up my throat, but before it comes out the warm hand from my arm covers my mouth. My initial fear and anger disappears immediately as I smell the familiar scent and once I'm back on the floor, I spin round in his arms and stare up at my kidnapper. I can feel my heart beating painfully fast in my chest as I stare up into his face.

"Edward?"