Monday morning came too quickly. It was as if the weekend had never existed and work was upon me again. Of course it was raining outside so I gathered some clothes and ran to the gym. I put in my ear buds and ran, hard. I put the treadmill at top speed and ran until my legs felt like jelly. It felt good. I really needed a man to release some of this energy before I spontaneously combusted.

I stepped off the treadmill and crouched with one leg extended to stretch my hamstrings when I noticed that the TV was playing. It caught my attention because my face next to Mikhail was on the screen. It didn't surprise me this time so I just smiled slightly. I looked over at the desk and saw the obnoxious blonde girl sputtering. She kept looking from the TV and then back at me. I gave her a little finger wave and then flipped her off. It was juvenile but it made me happy.

I walked around the gym inspecting my other options before I found a rectus femoral strengthening machine and sat down. It was two paddles against my inner thighs. I had to push in and out with my legs strengthening all the muscles around my hips and pelvic bone. When I finished my muscles were twitching. I then rode three miles on the bike before it was time to go to work.

The rain wasn't as oppressive today as I walked into the building. People were staring but I ignored them. The rain had also kept the paparazzi from my door. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

In the elevator I thought about stopping in IT, but decided against it. Now would not be a good time to be alone with Jacob. His words were still in my head and I desperately wanted to take him up on his offer. I stepped off the elevator and walked to Rosalie's office. As always she was typing at her desk with a phone at her ear. I sat in a chair and waited for her to finish.

"I understand that. Yes, it is an on-going investigation but… No that's not what I… thank you. Yeah. Goodbye." She hung up the phone forcefully and sighed. "I want to leave the police alone and let them do their work but the reporter inside me also wants a good story. Sometimes it sucks trying to sleep at night when you have spent so many hours harassing families in mourning. Sometimes I hate my job." She rubbed her eyes and sighed again.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I knew I couldn't solve any of her problems, but perhaps I could ease the burden.

"No, it's alright. I have a job for you though." She handed me a piece of paper with a photo paper clipped to the corner. It was a picture of a man in his late thirties who looked like he was of Mediterranean descent. He had black hair that waved to his shoulders and flawless olive skin, but his eyes struck me. They were such a light green color they were almost white. "This is Aro Silvia. He is into real estate, Hollywood, and anything else he can get his hands on. He owns a house on the shore and three more in California. His parties are where people go to become someone. I want you to be a regular. Try to meet upcoming stars, that way we will have the first interview with the new 'it' people."

"And how do I know who will be an 'it' person?"

"Use your gut. But I would go alone, a few winks and smiles go a long way with actors." I frowned at the thought of using sex appeal to get what I wanted. It wasn't fair, but technically it was a legal move and I had done it before…

"Alright, I'll try." I didn't know what I was getting myself into.

"Fantastic. You can also work on those Seahawks pieces in your free time. You don't have to come in to the office every day you know. I'm sure you can write just as well from home. Just send updates and things through e-mail. But you're always welcome to come and work here if you have trouble working from home."

"Really? Ok, just send me a timeline for when articles are due and I'll get everything done."

"I figure you'll also need to sleep in later. Aro's parties are not restricted to the weekends so your sleep schedule might change drastically. You can take this paper; it has his numbers on it so you can introduce yourself. If he likes you you will be invited via text message every time he has a shindig. Otherwise I'll have to find someone else. Winning over Aro is the hard part of this assignment."

"I'll try my best."

"Good. Now with business out of the way… how was your weekend?" As she changed to friend mode her face brightened.

"It was good. I went to Jacob Black's jazz performance with Alice, Jasper, and Mikhail. I had fun." She cocked a brow but didn't push me to elaborate. She obviously had news of her own. "So what did you do?"

"Well, I went shopping and spent time with Emmett, and… we decided to make our wedding public. We set a date and everything! It's on August 11th, can you believe it? I want you to be one of my bridesmaids, please say you'll do it Bella!"

"Sure, I guess. Wow that's so soon!" What day is today? I tried to figure out the math in my head.

"Yeah, it's about a month. If today is July 10 that is… a month exactly, 31 days. Wow, I'm getting married in thirty one days!!" She sung and smiled widely.

"I'm so happy for you." Her phone rang. She looked at my apologetically but I understood. I got up and left with a little wave. I went to my desk to gather any paper work I would need at home. I put my laptop in its case and slid papers in a pocket to protect them. It felt strange packing things. I had only been sitting at this desk for week and it already felt like home. I placed the bag back on my chair and walked over to speak with Alice.

"Hey Bella! How was the rest of your Saturday? I'm sorry Jasper and I did that, we get so wrapped up in each other I lose my better judgment. Did you get home ok?"

"Yeah Mikhail dropped me off. It was fine Alice don't worry. I just talked to Rose, talk about big news."

"I know right! I'm her Maid of Honor! It's just so exciting; you have to help me plan everything. The Bridal Shower, the Bachelorette Party, everything! We need to go shopping soon to pick out dresses, decorations, invitations, present registry, the works! There is just so much to do. PLEASE say you'll help?!" I chuckled. She made this seem like a life or death situation.

"I'll help, don't worry."

"Hooray!" She yelled and threw her arms around me. A few people around us snickered at her joy. I blushed and tried to loosen her grip.

"Hey Alice? Have you heard of a guy named Aro Silvia?" She uncoiled her arms from around me.

"Yeah, I went to one of his parties a couple nights ago with Jasper. He is one unique guy I tell you."

"How so?" I wanted to know what to expect, to know whether I had to worry about this guy or not.

"Just kind of eerie. When you first meet him he holds your hand and just stares into your eyes for a while. It's just a little creepy. But I guess he gauges people by their eyes or something like that. He liked me but I don't know why. He gives Jasper the creeps to, but his parties are amazing. It's like going to the Playboy mansion." I pursed my lips.

"I see."

"Why?"

"I have been assigned to go to his parties to meet upcoming stars."

"Lucky, why do you get the good stories? First the Seahawks and now Aro?" Alice pouted slightly.

"Because she isn't dating my brother." Rosalie retorted ruffling Alice hair. She looked less stressed now. Alice snorted in response. I just smiled at them.

--

It didn't take long for me to get situated at home. I had everything set up, my computer was on but I didn't have anything to write yet. I pulled the piece of paper that Rose gave me out of my bag. I looked at Aro again and took a deep breath. I typed in his number and pressed 'send' hoping for the best.

"Hello?" A pleasant voice answered.

"Hi, Aro Silvia?"

"Yes, this is he."

"My name is Isabella Swan from the Seattle Sun Times; I believe you know my boss Rosalie Hale?"

"Yes, Rose. How is she?"

"She's fine. She actually just put me on an assignment that has to do with you. Would you care to meet for lunch and discuss it?" I bit my lip hoping he would say yes.

"Alright, how about Lester's down on Pike street? Say in one hour?" So soon!

"That sounds fine. I will meet you there. Thank you very much Mr. Silvia."

"Please, call me Aro." We hung up and I ran to get ready. I showered and blew my hair straight. Lester's was not an expensive restaurant and not at all what I was expecting him to choose. I pulled on a nice pair of capris and a blouse and made my way over. He was seated already when I came in. I walked over and stood next to the chair across from him. "You must be Miss Swan. It is a pleasure to meet you. Please sit." With that I smiled and sat.

"It's an honor to meet you Aro." I offered him my hand and he took it. He didn't shake it. Instead he sandwiched it in between his and stared deeply into my eyes. Even though I knew it was coming I couldn't look away. His hands were soft and warm and his gaze strong. His eyes were such a peculiar color I didn't mind staring. They were almost sea foam green up close.

To the people around us we must have looked strange staring at each other, but we were not even interrupted by the waiter. After a few more minutes Aro must have found what he was looking for. I on the other hand had not. As soon as Aro released my hand and smiled the waiter materialized.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I think two bowls of clam chowder and two cheeseburgers are in order. I would like a water and she would like a…" he thought for a second," lemonade, thank you so much." He was exactly right.

"That is quite a parlor trick. You knew exactly what I wanted." I was creeped out and in awe.

"Great minds think alike," was all he responded. "So, tell me about yourself Isabella."

"You can call me Bella if you want, everyone does."

"Bella then"

"What would you like to know?"

"Anything you wish to tell me." He spoke with honesty. I furrowed my brow and tried to think.

"I don't like being the center of attention." My voice rose at the end making it sound like a question but Aro didn't interrupt me. "My mother loves attention. She is a child at heart, putting on a show for the adults around. But I love her just the same; I just never inherited that trait. I'm more like my father. We are the 'wait and see' kind of people."

"What happened to your father?" I was surprised by the question. I had not said anything that would imply something. Perhaps it was my tone. Aro smiled kindly waiting.

"Well, my mother left him when I was just a baby. She couldn't handle living in a small town and it broke his heart. She remarried and he didn't. He had a stroke last year and I have been taking care of him since." Aro nodded as if he knew.

"Life is not easy, but he is very proud of you." I was surprised at myself for how much personnel information I had just given him.

"So, would you like to know my assignment?"

"Yes, very much so." He put his face in his hand and waited.

"My job is to interview up and coming stars at your extravagant soirees. That way I will have the first interview. Of course I would greatly appreciate your help deciphering who I should interview. Also if I could be invited to the parties in the first place, it would make my life a whole lot easier."

"I see. That shouldn't be a problem. My parties can always use more beautiful women with actual substance. I will add you to the list." I gulped, not knowing how to word my next question.

"Is there some way I can reciprocate your hospitality and kindness?" I wasn't sure how he would interoperate my words.

"Be honest with me and we will be fine." His face was very serious but smiling.

"Is that all that you want?"

"Yes." The rest of the meal was spent talking about my childhood. Aro was very polite but did not like to talk about himself so he steered the conversation towards me, despite my hate of attention.