A/N: You hate me don't you; please don't hate me. I have an excuse, no I don't. Please, please, please don't hate me! Unfortunately this chapter was long enough without the lemon, so next chapter will definitely be it! I decided to make it a one-chapter thing, just in case someone doesn't want to read it, you can just skip it completely. We're moving on a bit quickly here by the way! Bella's dress is on my website:

http://ticket2romance (dot) yolasite (dot) com/ -Remove the spaces.

I don't own anything in relation to Twilight but you all know that!

BPOV

Weeks passed in a blur, to quickly for me to notice much. Construction continued at the hotel, and it brought Alice and Jasper as close as ever.

I didn't speak to Mike any more then absolute necessary, as did he with me.

I had ditched my old apartment for a new one with Alice. We shared the rent and it wasn't to far from where I was living before.

My relationship with Edward, didn't progress any further either. I kept lusting after him at work, tried hard to concentrate on what he told me to do.

The hotel was going to re-open in a week's time, so things around here were a little hectic. Tonight, as a form of celebration, we were going to have a Masquerade party.

* * *

"Come on Bella, you have to dress up, please." Alice squealed beside me. I had agreed to letting her help me get ready, not that I was incapable of doing that myself.

"I'll dress up, but a mask, really Alice?" I was a bit hesitant to wear a mask.

"It'll be fun Bella, come on, and let's stick to the theme. I'll wear one too." She urged, pouting.

"Fine," I agreed. It couldn't be that bad. "Let's go shopping after work, I need a new dress desperately."

"So do I," Alice stated sadly. Alice never liked to leave things to the last minute; she would always have all the necessary preparations done before hand.

Jasper had kindly asked her if she would like to accompany him tonight, and I was going date-less. Fun right? No sarcasm indented there, I rolled my eyes at myself.

"Cool, now can I please work on these files so we can get out of here?" I was actually looking forward to dress hunting. Alice laughed and nodded, leaving my office to go find Jasper's'.

I sighed and got to work. After about five minutes I heard a knock on the door. Alice, I got up angrily, and made my way to the door. Irritated I threw it open, "Alice I am going to kill you if…"

I quickly broke of when I realized that the person standing in front of me wasn't Alice; it was Edward.

My breath caught in my throat and I stared at him shocked, and dazed. "I…I'm so sorry Edward, I thought you were Alice." Well that mush was obvious, I slapped myself mentally, at my stupidity.

"It's, umm…fine Bella, you can finish of now, if you want." He stated trying to hold back laughter; he glanced down at his watch. Was it just me or was there a trace of longing in his voice, like he was giving me the option of not going, and like he wanted me to choose that option.

I sighed; it was probably just me, that trace was just repressed amusement. "Will I be seeing you tonight?" he asked casually, looking up and staring into my eyes.

"Of course…you will," I muttered incoherently. He smiled brightly at this, and I smiled back. Edward would have to be there, this made the prospect of going all the more appealing.

We just stood there smiling at each other, until of course someone had to come and ruin the moment. "Bella, are you ready?" Alice asked, and yes this time it was her. I nodded, and leaned back towards my desk, to grab my bag.

"I'll see you tonight Bella," Edward said before stepping out of my office, while I stared after him regretfully.

Alice rolled her eyes, "Stop drooling, pitifully after him, and actually ask him out." She said annoyed. No because I was a pathetic, cowardly, idiot.

"Alice, he's my boss." I realized sadly.

"And?" She asked sceptically.

"And, I don't mix business with pleasure." She rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Oh please, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard." She said raising her eyebrow.

"Yeah it would be," I said glaring at her, and thinking back to Jasper and her relationship. I grabbed my keys and we both walked out of the office. I quickly locked the door and we made our way to the exit.

"Hey Bella, Hey Alice," A voice said. I looked up to see Rosalie walking towards us.

Rosalie and Alice had become very good friends over the past weeks, as Rosalie shared our thrill in shopping.

"Rosalie," Alice screeched happily. "We're going dress shopping for tonight, I know it last minute, but…wanna come?"

"You know I would love to, but I went yesterday." She said happily. "Try Chanel, they have some new stock."

"Yay," I said excited, god love Chanel.

Alice and Rosalie laughed, pleased at my excitement, "Thanks Rose, let's go." We got into her car and sped of to Chanel.

Unfortunately I didn't find anything there but I did find the perfect Marchesa dress elsewhere. Apparently it was exactly the same dress that Leighton Meester wore in Gossip Girl, Season 2, Episode 24, Valley Girls- at her prom.

It was a black ball gown, sleeveless. It had gold around the top of it, which continued down flowing into an intricate pattern around the bottom.

It was perfect; I showed it to Alice who screamed in excitement and approval, so I quickly paid for it.

After finding Alice a perfect dress from Versace, we headed home to get ready. I pulled my hair into and elaborate bun, and put some mascara and eyeliner on.

I put some greyish black eye shadow on, but lightly, as I didn't want to go over board. Alice found me the perfect black and gold earrings, and I pulled out my black heels.

Everything was just right; I walked over to Alice to check she was okay. She finished getting ready and I looked over at her.

She was wearing a silvery white gown, which pleated out from the front and rippled down the bottom.

With matching heels and matching make-up she looked amazing. She had chandelier earrings on, which reminded me of when the chandelier at the hotel dropped.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, I'm sure Jasper's eyes are going to pop out of his head." I complimented her.

"Right back at you," she said looking at my dress. "Edward will definitely be pleased." I laughed at the last bit, there was only one thing missing…

"Our masks," Alice exclaimed. We ran over to her dressing table and got them. Right on cue there was a knock at the door.

"There's Jasper come to 'escort' Cinderella to the ball." Alice glared at me, annoyed. "Hey if the shoe fits…" I laughed again at my not so subtle reference to a fairy tale that when I was little, I so longed to live.

Alice's face lit up like candles on a birthday cake, when the knocking continued. "Okay Bella, I'll see you soon, and don't you dare forget the mask." She added in with a warning glare.

I nodded and watched as she opened the door. This was a conversation I could definitely miss.

I decided to trash my room, while waiting for them to go. I could briefly hear voices outside, which abruptly stopped, and followed with kissing noises.

Ewww were they making out? I know I was probably being immature but my best friend and her boyfriend making out in, our doorway.

I shuddered at the metal image that came with that thought. When I was absolutely sure they were gone, I grabbed my bag…and the mask.

I drove to hotel slowly; Edward was going to be there. Suddenly I was grateful for the masks, they could sure come in handy if you didn't want to be seen.

But what if he was wearing one to? That meant I couldn't shamelessly ogle him from the sidelines.

I stopped the car and took a deep breath; you can do this Bella. I walked through the main door to the party.

It was being held in the grand hall, on the first floor. There were only a few rooms around there.

I was lingering in the entrance, trying to spot someone I knew, when a hand grabbed onto my waist and pulled me into the corner.

"Bella," A voice breathed. I looked up to see a tall, guy holding onto me tightly, but not uncomfortably. A mask hid the top half of his face, other then his piercing emerald eyes, for which there were two holes cut out.

Sexy bronze hair was peeking out from the top of his mask, and gorgeously full lips were pointing upwards, forming a smile. There was only one person this ridiculously gorgeous man could be, Edward

"How do you know?" I whispered breathlessly, "I could be anyone." He gently lifted up my mask so that my lips were exposed, but the rest of my face was covered.

He leaned in and kissed me, softly at first, but then passionately towards the end.

I gasped; this was something I had been dreaming about forever, and to experience it now, here… "I know it's you," he replied. He slowly took off my mask completely, and then took of his.

I stared at his flawless face, breathing heavily. I had just kissed Edward Cullen. That thought only lasted a second before he kissed me again.

Faint footsteps in our direction, made him pull back abruptly. "Edward, Bella can you help out with the snacks?" Emmett asked, smiling.

His face showed no sign whatsoever, of questioning, why we were standing, alone, in a dark corner, or what we were doing there.

"Sure," I reply quickly stepping away from Edward.

From then on, I tried my best to avoid him for the rest of the night.

I did spot him once or twice, but I never approached him. Although his gaze flickered towards me, other guests occupied him.

I mostly hung out with Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Alice. I also saw Mike at some point; of course he would be here. He came in, holding hands with Tanya, who looked just as beautiful and intimidating as ever.

Well at least they're happy together, was the only sarcastic comment I could think of at the time.

Waiters passed guests with trays of drinks, I stopped them frequently, grabbing a glass and draining it in one go. I tried to have some sort of control, so I wasn't exactly drunk, just tipsy.

Music was playing, and couples were swaying together. I danced with many, although my 'tipsy' state didn't think to note whom.

Unfortunately, as quickly as the party started, it ended as well. Guests were starting to leave, and slowly the place was emptying out. I decided to stay back a bit, and help the others clean up.

The others, the thought of that made me laugh. Jasper and Alice had disappeared somewhere, and so had Rosalie and Emmett. So it was basically just Edward, a few hired cleaners and of course me.

I tried not to get to close to him. I was beginning to sober up around now, so I knew what I was doing.

I began collecting the used glasses, when Edward came and stopped me. "Bella, you don't have to do that. It's getting late, we should start heading home." He offered kindly.

I nodded and Edward grabbed our jackets. He held mine out for me, and I stepped into it. "Thank you." I said to him, cautiously. He smiled in return.

He led me out, and closed the door behind us, letting the cleaners do their job. We walked down the long hallway towards the elevators when I stopped suddenly.

"Edward I…" I started, but his lips cut me of. He kissed me eagerly and roughly. I couldn't bring myself to stop him, because I wanted this just as badly, so I kissed him back.

He backed me against a door, probably to one of the rooms, our lips never breaking contact. Then he reached behind me and turned the knob, pushing us in.

* * *

A/N: So there we have it, next chapter is definitely going to be the lemon! By the way, the dress Bella wears is the same dress Leighton Meester wears at her prom in Gossip Girl. Please review, and I promise to update faster this time!