A/N: Hello to my lovely readers…So here we are again…with Bella and Edward…This story is for you…Thanks to my so precious and efficient coach Susie ( xlavendermoonx) for the time she always gives to correct my deficient grammar and to re-organize my structures. Thanks to Julianne (lionandlamb01) my personal advisor. Thanks to my ytube and twitter friends. You rock girls…Thanks to my French-Canadian supporters to take time to listen to me and my constant rambling about the story…Justine, Esther, Marco, Marie and Luc… I love you all so much…

'Everything in excess is opposed to nature…'

Hippocrates

MY ALL

Chap 5

TIT FOR TAT

EDWARD

What the hell? ... What the hell? …. What just happened?

I was still standing here in the line, with my sweater full of coffee, staring at the sweet little ass of the girl who just spilled coffee on me. She was leaving Starbuck hurriedly, her long hair swaying across her shoulders. I saw her open the door, run across the street, and then disappear completely from my sight.

She said I ruined her night…Was it the girl …the angry face… the red dressed girl that I had a vague memory of this morning?

I knew somewhere I had behaved like a jerk yesterday…but as far as my memory was concerned: it was blurry and obscure.

Yes – dick. That is the way your mind works under the influence of alcohol and drugs…not even able to remember when you act like a stupid asshole. Hey…The motherfucker was still in force today, trying to give me a lecture. Get you're fucking voice out of my head…I can deal with my own shit.

I had to call Marcus. I had to know what exactly happened yesterday. Marcus was my friend, and I had to apologize if I'd caused him any trouble with my fucking lack of manners.

As far as the girl was concerned…I felt sorry for her, but I didn't know her.

And there was no chance I would ever see her again. She was only a girl, and as I had so many in my life to think about, she was of no importance. I had no time to linger on her.

I went straight to the men's room to clean my sweater. I tried to remove the coffee stains as best as I could. I had a flight to catch, and I couldn't get on the plane looking like this.

It took me about 5 minutes to get rid of most all of the stains. I left the washroom with my luggage, ordered my coffee…finally, and left.

I whistled for the first cab I saw. The car driver stopped and helped me with my luggage. I got into the backseat of the taxi.

"Hello sir. How are you today?" the driver asked.

"So far, so good," I answered back, in no mood to have a discussion with him.

"Do I know you? Your face…Are you Edward Cullen?"

"No sir...not at all. I am not him. I get that all the time though," I shot back at him, not in the mood to be fucking signing autographs or posing for pictures.

"Oh sorry sir…you really look like that guy," he said.

"Yeah, I know…Maybe I should get plastic surgery…or maybe not…it is easier to attract women with my Edward Cullen face," I added with a smile.

The driver smiled back and asked me where I wanted to go.

"The airport…JFK," I said

"Okay, sir."

It took about 40 minutes to get to the airport. The driver helped me with my luggage, I paid the fare and gave him a nice tip…I may be an asshole, but I am not cheap.

I headed toward the automatic, steel doors.

As soon as I walked in, I was literally assaulted by camera flashes…Oh no!!

The fucking paparazzi again…That is a part of this job that I did not like at all.

I hated it…Those bastards and their silly questions.

What the fuck!!

I could not understand the appeal of taking hundreds of pictures of me pushing my luggage, waiting in line, showing my passport, and while well…DOING ANYTHING. And all the while, asking me the most stupid questions one could ever dream of.

"Hey, Edward…here…here…give us a smile man." I heard.

"How is it going with Irina? Are you still in love with her? Where are you going? Are you filming another movie? When is your next movie coming out? Are you still singing? When are you coming back? Is it true that you have a love affair with Kate? Kate was playing my assistant in the Harry Clearwater movies. Are you really a mind reader? They were all talking at the same time.

Stop with the fucking questions I said to myself, while I smiled. That was the way I was supposed to react -- by not giving a damn at all. I did not answer back. I just hoped my check-in would go fast so I could get to the gate as quickly as possible.

Finally, I moved through security. I put my carry-on bag, my belt, my cell, my keys, and my shoes on the conveyor belt. I then handed the agent my passport and boarding pass as I walked through the metal detector.

I had two hours left before departure. I slowly walked to the gate, took a seat, and decided to call Marcus first and then Charlotte.

I phoned Marcus and waited for him to answer.

After the fourth ring, I heard his voice.

"Hey, hello Marcus." I said. "How are you?"

He did not answer. Instead he said. "I SHOULD ASK YOU...HOW ARE YOU??"

"I'm fine man. I just wanted to know what happened last night. Did I do something to annoy you? I faintly remember something, and then I met this girl at Starbuck's and she told me…"

He interrupted me abruptly and said. "Yes Edward, you behaved like a complete bastard and said some very hurtful remarks to one of my female guests…and yes, I am very annoyed with you."

"Oh! I am so sorry about that Marcus…I …I…uh…umm…can you accept my apologies? I mixed a lot of alcohol and drugs…and…"

"I know that Edward. You told me that your body could handle the alcohol. But as far as I am concerned, your grey cells can't…so maybe you should drink and smoke less the next time." he added in a frustrated voice.

"I am so very sorry Marcus…I didn't mean to embarrass you…I don't know what to say…"

"Don't say anything Eddie. You're still a good buddy. I still love you man, but try to remember the next time. This is my business here and I can't afford to have you chase the guests away."

"Please accept my apologies again. I feel so bad," I added in a sad voice.

"Okay Edward. Just forget about it. I'll try to make it up to Miss Isabella Swan."

"Isabella Swan…Is that her name?" I asked

"Yes, Isabella Swan. You don't even remember her name?? Fuck Eddie…"

"No Marcus…I…I really don't. I am so sorry."

"Stop apologizing. What's done is done. So when is your plane leaving for Pittsburgh?"

"In half an hour."

"Okay, Edward, enjoy your holidays. Say hi to your family and call me when you are back."

"All right, Marcus. I'll call you and sorry…again."

Then we hung up.

My second phone call was to Charlotte.

"Hello Charlotte. It's Edward."

"Hey…hello…I knew it was you… I can recognize your sexy voice anywhere."

"Don't give me that 'sexy'-thing again," I said laughing. "I read the script...'JE TE CROIS.' I love it and I want that role."

"Oh, I am so happy. The contract is on my desk right now. You'll have to accept the terms and sign it."

"Sure Charlotte. Just fax it to my father's house…I'll read and sign it as soon as I get there."

"Okay, darling…Enjoy your holidays and try to relax."

"Yes sure…That is the plan. Relax. Bye Charlotte. See you in a month."

"Au revoir, Edward. Take care of yourself." And Charlotte hung up.

While waiting for the departure, I picked up a magazine and began to flip through the pages. I was on the front-page again and inside as well. It was the most recent issue of Vanity Fair. I took a quick look…yes…the pictures were beautiful… this was the intention…showing Edward Cullen in all his splendour and his glorious masculinity… the sexy beast. I dropped it quickly…not being too much of a fan of admiring myself since I was the first one to see my fucking face every goddamn day of my life. So I decided to listen to my IPod instead and relax. I guess I dozed a bit, since I lost track of the time. I suddenly heard the call for all passengers of Flight P9356 to get ready to board. That was my flight and I was ready to go.

I got up and boarded the plane. My seat was in the VIP section. I sat near the window, buckled my seat belt, and waited for the plane to take off. Travelling in the air always made me extremely nervous. Nervous not being the exact term…I was kind of on the verge of paranoia each time flew. I feared the plane would crash, terrorism, hijacking, the pilot having a heart-attack, hitting the wrong switch…and the plane was full of strangers, so if someone was hiding a knife…I had no trust in the security system at all…I was so good at inventing all kind of stupid doomsday scenarios. My brain was nearly on the edge of a breakdown every fucking time I had to take this kind of transportation. So, I tried to relax...deep-breathing…doing something sort of mental Tai Chi. I put in my IPod ear buds, chose some soft ballads, closed my eyes, and tried to concentrate on the music. After awhile, I must have drifted off to sleep again, because the next thing I heard was the stewardess telling me to get ready for landing.

I was pretty happy I had actually slept. I was not usually the type of person to sleep in an airplane. I was more the kind of:

'I-AM-WATCHING-YOU-ALL-PEOPLE-SO-MAKE-THIS-FLIGHT-AS-QUIET-AS-POSSIBLE'-type.

But this time, maybe because of my previous night and the fact that I was pretty exhausted, everything went well. There hadn't even been any turbulence.

The plane landed. I took my carry-on backpack, slid my Ray-Bans on, and got off the plane. I went directly to the tram that would take me to the baggage claim area to pick-up my luggage and get home.

As soon I walked into the baggage claim area, I saw a 6 foot 3 inch giant -- broad-shouldered, black hair, piercing green eyes -- waiting for me with a huge smile on his face. It was my brother Emmett…my brother and my best friend. He lifted me in the air, swirling me like I was some kind of a rag doll, hugged me so tightly I nearly lost my breath, and then he put me back on the ground. My brother was as happy as I was to see him.

"How are you bro? Long time you've been away…I've missed you so much," Emmett said.

"I've missed you too, Emmett. I am so happy to be here. How are mom and dad and Alice?"

"Everybody is doing fine. They are waiting for you at home."

"Mom cooked your favourite meal," Emmet added with a smile.

"I've missed mom's cooking so much…so tired of eating crap…I can't even endure the smell of Hot Pockets anymore…nearly vomiting the last time I ate one."

"Yeah Eddie…we all know how gifted you are in the culinary arts."

"Hey, Emmett, I can't have all talents. I have so many already," I said, winking at him.

"Yeah man…I still see that your fucking ego is as huge as it was the last time I saw you."

"I was born with that ego. What can I do bro? God gave me all of it."

"You can be such an arrogant asshole. C'mon jerk…let's go to see the family."

We left the baggage claim area with my bags, got into Emmett's BMW, and drove home.

At last, Sewickley, my family, my folks. Finally, four weeks with my loved-ones.

BELLA

I was still so furious…the memory of last night's events…still so present in my mind. That fucking asshole…Edward Cullen. I was never so insulted in my whole life. And I had to see him twice in 24 hours – at the party last night and at Starbucks today!

I bumped into him and dropped my entire cup of coffee on him…the bastard…I had felt like slapping him again, maybe even punch him in his pretty little nose 'til he bled, kick him in the balls, stomp on his foot, break his arm, gouge his eyes out.. Murder…

After the incident…let's call it an incident…I am so angry…I can't find the exact words. I went back to the table and asked Jake to drive me home. Just from the look I had on my face, he knew something had happened.

"What's going on Bella?" he asked me in a worried voice. "Are you sick?"

"No, Jake, I am not…I just met a real son of a bitch, and now I feel like killing someone. Can you get me out of here now…like… right now?"

"Sure, Bells. Come on…I'll drive you home."

We left the restaurant, saying good-bye to the people we knew on our way out, and moved quickly towards Jacob's car.

As soon as we were in Jake's Vanquish, he asked me what had happened in the restaurant.

"Don't take this wrong Jacob, but I don't want to talk about it right now. I will just tell you that this Cullen-guy is the most pretentious prick-fucking bastard I have ever met in my whole life."

"Oh…okay Bella. Whenever you want to talk, I'm here. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, I know Jake. So sweet of you."

The rest of the journey we didn't talk at all. I didn't watch the road…I didn't listen to the music...I remained silent, lost in my inner thoughts.

Edward Cullen…beautiful face, sexy body…. so beautiful outside…so ugly inside…

How dare he say those things to me? I kept hearing them again and again like a broken record, repeating the same lines over and over.

As soon as I arrived at the loft, after saying Jake good-bye, I opened the front door and went directly to the coffee table in the living room, took the magazine with the bastard on it and tore it into million pieces, throwing it in the garbage at last. No way fucking Cullen would be here in my place, even in a magazine…no way ever…no more fantasizing about him.

I had to find a way to calm myself. I couldn't even imagine going to bed in this state. I was so agitated, I decided to make a café cocktail and call my dad Charlie. Our last conversation was two weeks ago, and I had told him about my new job. I just hoped he was not sleeping. My father was a policeman, living in Forks, my hometown, and I knew he was beginning his shift very early in the morning.

On the third ring he answered.

"Hello."

"Hi, Dad. Were you sleeping?"

"No, sweetheart. I was watching a basketball game on the sport channel."

My dad and basketball…I thought smiling…He couldn't live without basketball.

"How was your day, Dad?"

"Not too much action today. I just had to fill out some paperwork, so I stayed in the station all day long."

"How about you pumpkin?" Even at 32 years old I was still my daddy little girl… I smiled inwardly and told him about my promotion; how I was glad that the executives chosen me. I gave him some details about the new job.

"Congratulations darling. I am so proud of you…and your mom would be too…I am sure she can see you right now…from paradise."

"I know Dad…I know…I still miss her so much."

"Me too, Bells….She was our sun…our sun…" he murmured back.

My mom had been her own personal sun and ours too. Generous, kind, loving, caring, tender…I loved her so much. She died from leukemia five years ago…a suffering, painful battle against leukocytes...those damn invaders who decided to establish themselves in her blood and slowly suck her life away. She fought for about two years…never losing faith, fighting every day, and still smiling. But she was not strong enough… the warriors were too powerful and her army was too weak…they took her… they took all her energy… and they finally destroyed her.

My dad's voice brought me back to reality.

"So pumpkin what did you do tonight," he asked with a soft voice.

"Oh…there was a cocktail party with the designers."

"You don't sound too enthusiastic about the event…did you meet lots of nice people?"

"Yep, they were all very nice." I replied in a hesitant voice.

"Are you sure Bells? ... You don't seem to…."

"Don't worry Dad," I said cutting him off in the mid-sentence, "Everything went well. I better go now. I have to take a shower and go to bed…This has been a long day, and I have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Okay pumpkin…call me back soon…I love you."

"I love you too, Dad, and I will call you again soon. Be careful…"

"Always am," he added. And I was sure he was smiling.

After my shower, I went to bed and tried to sleep. I say tried because it was not restful at all. I dreamt of an angel face with devilish horns that kept chasing me with a spear and laughing with this kind of horrid laugh that was more of a growl than a laugh…and I was surrounded by infuriated warriors who were trying to catch me and kill me. When I woke up the next morning, I was totally covered in sweat and confronted with the zombie face again…and gosh…I was so tired.

I had to work miracles on my face again. I took a shower to get rid of the tension that was still in me… fuck you Cullen -- that is all your fault…and then dried and combed my hair back into a pony-tail, made-up my face, and got dressed. I chose a pair of black flared-leg pants, a pale blue blouse with three-quarter length sleeves, and a black leather jacket. I put on my high-heel black boots and hurried to the kitchen to eat breakfast. I put Golden Graham cereal in a bowl, added some milk and strawberries, and ate it as fast as I could. I put my empty bowl in the sink, and then I was ready to go to work.

Since I had to stay in the office all day, I decided to walk. The air was cool, but it was sunny and beautiful -- very pleasant weather to be outside. There were many people on the street, most of them talking on their cells, gesturing, and almost bumping into each others…Well that is New York…frenetic New York.

I arrived at work and went directly to my office. Jessie and Angela were already there, Angela behind her computer and Jessica waiting for me with a coffee in her hand. My god…this girl is a saint and a mind reader... I greeted them; we had our ''. We just talked a bit more about my meeting with Aro Volturi and about the night at La Santa Fé. I briefly told them about the evening and my encounter with the famous Edward Cullen -- son of a bitch and arrogant dick-- and then I left the girls and they went back to their respective jobs. It was almost time to see Victoria.

Victoria was the director of Human Resources. She was a tall woman with the most beautiful, long, curly, flaming, red hair I'd ever seen. She was a nice person, very efficient in her job. As soon as I went into her office, she congratulated me.

"Hey, Isabella. I am so happy you got the job. They could not have chosen a better person," she said, as she firmly shook my hand.

"Thank you, Victoria. I am very excited that the executives chose me…very, very glad indeed."

"So, take a seat Bella…we have some things to discuss."

For about 30 minutes we discussed all the details concerning the post: my involvement in the new enterprise, the expectations of my employers, the files that had to be handed over to the person who was going to replace me in my current job, my moving to Montreal and information about the French classes I had to attend in order to master the language within 6 months. Victoria informed me that the company had already bought me a house in Laval which was a suburban town, very near to the city where the new branch of Newton, Black & Associates was located. It was a departure and a welcoming gift from my employers. I was so grateful of this extremely generous gesture. I was close to tears.

I was to leave in four weeks. I had one month to sell my house, pack up my stuff, meet my successor, and inform him of all the dossiers that I was in charge of.

It would be a very busy month indeed. But, I was ready to go on with my life…a new life that was beginning for me.

After the meeting with Victoria, I went back to my office to begin the classification of some documents. I called some of my clients to inform them of the new developments concerning their career advancement, and all the progress we actually made to promote their lines of fashion creations.

Jessica stayed with me in the office, and we talked a bit more about the previous night, including my incident with Edward-fucking-bastard-Cullen. She was very surprised and shocked to discover that the man of her dream was actually a conceited, impolite, rude and self-absorbed guy…whose notoriety went obviously to his head ….and was very happy that I had slapped him so hard that his head spun.

I continued to work on different tasks in the afternoon. I was so busy that I had not even realized that it was almost 4:00. The day had been a productive one. I had worked non-stop from the moment I was done with Victoria's meeting. I was beginning to feel tired, so I decided that it time to quit. Angela and Jessica had left thirty minutes earlier, so I was the last one still working.

I turned-off the computer, the lights, went outside, and walked towards the elevator. I was alone in the elevator too. It seemed to me that most of the people working in the place had decided to leave early.

As the elevator descended, I thought of stopping at the Starbucks that was about five blocks away. My need for caffeine was strong, and I wanted to drink their famous choco- cappuccino. The elevator stopped at the main floor, and I exited. The air outside was still cool so I walked slowly, enjoying the freshness of the atmosphere and taking deep breathes. I was finally relaxing. I wasn't thinking of anything but getting my coffee.

It took me about 15 minutes to get to Starbucks. The place was almost empty. I went directly to the bar and ordered the choco-cappuccino. As I turned to leave, I lost my balance. The heel of my boot got caught on a broken tile, and I dropped all of my coffee on a man who was waiting in line behind me…Fuck…I was so embarrassed and the guy was very upset. I apologized profusely, feeling like an idiot until I raised my head and saw him…That face…him again…and then I stopped…looking him straight in the eyes…my embarrassment being immediately replaced by anger and sadistic joy…Edward-fucking-asshole-Cullen right in front of me. He seemed to recognize me, telling me that it was okay.

"Do I know you? Your face seems familiar," he said with his velvety voice.

"Oh! Yes, Edward Cullen. You saw me all right yesterday, but you don't fucking know me at all. And forget about all of my apologies. You ruined my night yesterday, you fucking pretentious prick…and now I ruined your sweater. Tit for tat…" I snapped back.

Then I left without looking back, knowing very well that he was still looking at me. I hurriedly exited through the door and almost ran to the other side of the street. There was a bench just across the Starbucks, so I sat down and tried to calm myself and relax. A few minutes later, I saw him leaving the coffee shop with his luggage, a carry-on bag, and a cup of coffee. I saw him whistling to a cab. Oh…the bastard is leaving the town…Good! As far as I was concerned, he could go to nowhere land…Lose his ass somewhere. Good riddance…I hope I never see you again asshole… I murmured to myself.

I decided to stop dwelling on those bad thoughts. I decided to erase them from my memory. I couldn't care less. I stood up and began to walk. There were more important things to linger on than Edward Cullen. And with a smile I went back to my place.

End of the chapter: A/N:

First of all, this is the café cocktail recipe:

One oz. cognac

One twist lemon

One oz. Dark crème de cacao

One and a half tsp. Sugar Syrup

Two oz. Coffee

Combine with ice and shake well. Strain and add ice. Garnish with fruit.

The next chapters will be on both Edward and Bella individually…I know you are eager to see these two again….but as I intend to make this story as credible as I can, I must write on Edward with his family…and Bella with everything she has to deal with before moving to Montreal…so be patient..

Hope you liked that chapter…Review this chapter if you want…We live in a free country. I read all your comments and usually reply…I appreciate the readers who take time to review. Thanks to all of you…xxxx