A/N: Sorry for the late update guys! :(

I was super-dee-duper busy with – get ready for it - *drum roll* HIGH SCHOOL! :O Shocking, right? Well, midterms are soon, meaning I might not be able to post as frequently. But I'll try my best. I promise! :)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Twilight Saga, any characters (blah blah blah...) belong to Stephenie Meyer. But the rest of the story, characters and events should be mine...I think...

And thanks to all of those who reviewed Chapter 2! Especially: Spartans2300, What-The-'CHIZ', LadyVerRose, writergal24, and S.M. Cullen! ;D

So please review, I'd like to know my effort in this isn't being wasted. :p

Soon we were nearing a tall majestic building whose stones looked ancient and weathered. I felt a slight chill when I reminded myself of who I was to be approaching and if I was to get through this mission unharmed. Chances are that if things were nearing from terrible to terribly horrible terms, I could always escape using teleportation. But I doubted that I had enough strength to last me for one more trip.

Nathaniel Sullivan - my newfound vampire "ally" that Mr. Montgomery sent to assist me - still had my warm hand folded gently around his cold one. That was a shock. Usually anything unusual wouldn't escape my notice - and this was very unusual. I shouldn't slip up again; if I slipped up once more, it could land me in some pretty serious bullshit.

But still - and I didn't know why - I tried my best to slip my hand out of his without him noticing. I should've tried not to be inconspicuous about it. With him being a vamp and all, it was a failed effort. The second I managed to free my trapped hand, he shot me a quick glance. It was guarded but I could easily see through deceptions. Hidden in his eyes were disappointment and a bit of frustration. What did I ever do to him? All I did was free my hand…

My cheeks heated as I thought of possible reasons he was disappointed by me taking back my hand. Did - did he…like me? Not in the obvious friendly way 'like' is commonly paired with? No…that can't be possible! Why, we only knew each other for about ten minutes or less!

"Well…I think it's possible. I just hope you realize…that you…" Nathaniel trailed off.

Was he talking in response to my thoughts? That was crazy. But I'd seen many crazy things in my lifetime so better safe than sorry. In this case, I'd better be more cautious with the thoughts I think around Nathaniel or all hell can break loose.

I decided to play dumb - to test if he can really read my thoughts.

"What's possible? And what do you hope I realize…?" Fake interest coloured my tone.

Nathaniel sighed. "It is very possible that I may like you…on more than friendly terms." He gave me a wry smile. "So now you can probably infer that I can read your mind, am I right?"

The first reaction I had when I heard him was my own pride. My suspicions were right after all! But on the other hand…

Nathaniel liked me. As in, wanting to be more than friends.

Had he been a human, there was a slim chance of us hooking up. Reality check: he was a vampire. For goodness sake, he was a predator and I was his prey, which means I should - and I would - stay away from relationships with lethal supernormal creatures. Nathaniel's chances of any form of chemistry with me would therefore be…a flat no.

"Yes, Nathaniel, you\re right when you say that I think you can read my mind…do you mind telling me how that works?" Ah. My curiosity gets the better of me this time.

I thought he wasn't going to answer me but he released another loud sigh. It seemed sad. And for one second, I felt sorry for him.

"I can hear your thoughts, but in turn you can hear mine. I guess you could call me 'telepathic'. I try my best to keep my mind blank so you wouldn't sense that I was reading your thoughts. In other words, when I try to read one's mind, it's like there's an invisible mental connection. That connection is similar to telephones: both ends of the line are open and accessible to both participants." Nathaniel kept his eyes forward, not daring to look at me.

Trying out the "connection", I decided to ask Nathaniel with my thoughts if he was all right since he didn't look anywhere near content. In response, I sensed that he felt hurt because of the minor rejection I had given him.

Guys - I will never understand them.

"We're here." Huh. I never noticed how quickly time flies…

We stood in front of the old building's entrance and entered it to find a luxurious and tasteful lobby. I wasn't very sure if this place was pretending to be some five star hotel or restaurant…it was just too fancy. But obviously, to my knowledge, this place had ulterior motives.

A tall, dark-skinned lady looked up from behind the counter with her green eyes. She greeted us and told us that we were expected in the main room. Nathaniel walked up to her and asked her for directions while I kept my senses on alert for anything amiss.

We wound through the corridors as directed and loaded into an elevator.

"You can call me Nathan, Adrianna." A little smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Okay Nathan, but we are only in each other's presence for business matters only. Therefore, I see no use in calling you by other names." I hardened my voice and refused to look at him. If I ever got close to anyone, I would have a weakness. And if I got too close to Nathaniel - I mean Nathan - then it could possibly mean death for me.

Surprise and anger rushed through me through the other side of the bond. I let myself feel betrayal. How dare he invade my thoughts again?

"You know that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. Besides, Mr. Montgomery would have my head on a silver platter if that were the case."

"Pfft. I don't know that as a fact. I also don't trust my enemies."

He shot me a brief glare at that.

"We're not enemies, Adrianna. If we were, why would Mr. M assign me to you?" He shook his head. "I'm one of the good guys, Adri. I don't even drink human blood anymore…"

"Why did you call me Adri? I thought we were going to be strictly businesslike." I said cautiously.

Adrianna wasn't my real name anyways. I shouldn't be so worked up about it than I actually was.

I kept my eyes on him to see if he heard that. But judging from the emptiness of the bond and Nathaniel's unchanging expression, he hadn't.

"Because…just because you're on business terms doesn't mean I have to be."

The elevator dinged right after he spoke, allowing me to hide my reaction from him. I was flustered, and somewhere inside me, butterflies were gnawing at me. I quickly exited the elevator to compose and scold myself.

Saved by the bell.

Hmm. How cliché.

A/N: I don't know why, but I seem disappointed in this chapter. :( I feel as if it isn't progressing very fast...But don't worry, Alice (hopefully) will be in the next chappy! :DYeah, so what did you think of it? Did you like my (Yes, he's mine! I made him up, so I get to keep him, too. ;D) Nathaniel character? Want me to take him out of the story *tears up*? Or...would you like him to stay in the story? ;)

Lemme know in a fantabolous review please!

Oh and sorry for the longggggggggggggg wait...;p

Ronnie – who is trying to stomach all her Hallowe'en candy at once...