A/N: Just a quick announcement for a quick chapter, I've started posting Simple Twist of Fate on my livejournal also. So, if you prefer to read on lj, by all means :). The link is on my profile. As always thank you for reading!

"Oh hell is truly on it's way"
-Crawl by Kings of Leon

The next day I flirted with the idea of calling off. I wanted to save myself the embarrassment of facing Edward after I rejected his drunken advances. But tonight was the opening of Alice's exhibit and I needed to be there.

Luckily, when I got there, Edward was late again. I didn't mind putting off the inevitable awkwardness that was sure to ensue when he arrived.

The gallery was abuzz with last minute preparations for that night. The caterers came early to set up their stations and familiarize with the place. We laid out brochures for the gallery. Straightened pieces, made sure it flowed just how Alice wanted it to.

Finally the moment I'd been dreading arrived. I was straightening all the flowers in the lobby when Edward walked in.

At first he didn't look at me and went straight to his office. My heart sank back to it's normal spot in my chest, instead of it's uncomfortable position in my throat. Then he walked out and we made eye contact. He motioned for me to follow him. Normally I'd love to follow him and enjoy the view of him from behind, but this time I really wanted to do anything, but follow him.

I did as he silently asked and followed him back to his office. He then motioned for me to have a seat and he closed the door behind us.

"I.." he started hesitantly. "I'd like to apologize for my… behavior last night. It was completely uncalled for and disrespectful and so unprofessional. At least the parts I remember. I also want to thank you for assuring I made it home safely."

"Apology accepted and you're welcome." I assumed that was all and I began to get up when he stopped me.

"Can I talk to you, about sometime else for a moment?"

I nodded yes in reply.

"You know what. Never mind, we've got a lot of work to do for tonight."

"Are you sure?" The look in his eyes told me something was wrong.

"It can wait."

With that, he led me back out of his office. As soon as I walked into the lobby Alice was standing there, tapping her foot impatiently. I looked at my watch and I noticed I was five minute late for our lunch. Then she saw Edward behind me and stopped that annoying tapping.

"Ready, Bella?" I nodded, biting my lip. Alice's eye bore into me, like she wasn't looking just at me, but in me.

We drove in silence to the restaurant.

"Bella, what's your boyfriend's name. I know you've told me before, but it seems to have slipped my mind." I furrowed my brow curiously at Alice.

"Jasper," I said.

"See, I knew it, but I didn't at the same time. Oh, um I have a surprise for you." She searched through her purse and pulled out a small slip of paper.

"A dry cleaning receipt?"

"Silly, Bella. It's a dry cleaning ticket. You'll need to pick up your present from the dry cleaners. I wanted you to have something spectacular to wear for tonight and Domenico owed me a little favor."

"Who's Domenico?" I asked puzzled at the unfamiliar foreign name.

"Domenico Dolce. As in Dolce & Gabbana. Ring any bells?" My eyes grew wide.

"Oh, Alice. I couldn't…" I started.

"Shush, I insist." There was no point in arguing with Alice, so I stopped while I was ahead.

"We'll stop by the dry cleaners on the way back." She paused for a moment, as if she was afraid to say what was on her mind. "Can I ask you a question?"

I nodded yes with my mouth full of salad.

"Are you sleeping with Mr. Cullen?"

That was when I inhaled too quickly and began choking on a crouton. There I was, in the middle of some fancy cafe with a throat full of day old bread gasping for air and hacking a lung up at the same time.

A waiter ran over to help me by smacking my back. My eyes were watering, makeup running down my cheeks. Alice's shrieking wasn't helping.

One final cough and I could breathe somewhat normally again.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I swear," I assured everyone. "I think we should go."

Since I almost died in the middle of their restaurant our lunches were free.

Why would Alice ask me that? Was I that obvious? Was he?

"And the answer is no," I finally answered after I had regained some of my composure.

We stopped by the dry cleaners and picked up my new dress. From what I could tell through the plastic bag it was just a simple black dress and I thanked God it wasn't anything too flashy.

We stayed at the gallery until right before it opened. Alice fixed my hair and makeup in Angela's office. I slipped into the black dress and I almost didn't recognize myself. The dress hugged my little curves perfectly. She topped it off with a pair of plain black heels, but I left on my black pantyhose from earlier. I was never very comfortable with showing too much skin.

The familiar tune of my ringtone filled the office and it was Jasper. He just called to tell me he was on his way and would be there soon.

I waited in the lobby for him. He walked in wearing the only suit he owned, looking very dapper, as always.

"Hey, babe." Jasper kissed me on the cheek and took my hand.

"I want you to meet someone. Alice?" I called for her and she entered the lobby looking incredible as always. This time she wore a navy blue slip dress. "I want you to meet my boyfriend, Jasper. Jasper, this is Alice."

They shook hands, but acted a little shy towards each other. After that Alice basically disappeared and I didn't see her for the rest of the night. Jasper and I walked around the gallery. He seemed so intrigued by each of the photos.

While Jasper was looking around, I went to get a glass of champagne. I felt that familiar twinge in my stomach and I knew Edward was approaching me. I turned to look at him. He looked so handsome, as always.

"You look beautiful," He said as he walked up to me. I shivered at his words. "I'd like you to stay and help close tonight. Then I'm going to need you in my office after everything is wrapped up. There seems to me some sort of error or miscalculation on the budget for tonight. I believe it's a mistake with the caterer's. Is that alright with you?"

"Um, sure."

The night continued without a hitch and Jasper left early to get back to work. Everything was cleaned and everyone had left. Edward was in his office and I began the walk to his office.