The response for last chapter was amazing! 18 reviews for the one chapter! You guys are awesome!

Once again thanks to the lovely Everlastingmuse who edits and looks over my chapters before I post them. She's amazing and so is her writing, ya'll should definitely check out her fics.

I posted another story called Catch Me. It's co-written with Sarah from the sarahandkate account. We already have 26 chapters written so updates can be often! Check it out. :)

I don't have much to say but I'll see you at the bottom.

Here we go.

Chapter O6: She's not a drama queen

BPOV

I lay in bed starring at the blurry ceiling fan. In my haste to leave Edward's apartment I had left my glasses in the guest bedroom and I can't see anything, literally. At first I had brushed it off to be the tears but when Alice and Jasper had finally calmed me down enough to wipe my eyes I soon realized I was in fact living in a blur. I've been hanging on their arms all night.

I roll over and close my eyes, the pain I had felt earlier returning in one giant wave. I don't understand the mystery that is Edward Cullen. I don't know what I've done to deserve his harsh words and condescending ways. I can't comprehend how he's so nice and compassionate one minute and completely heartless the next. I don't know why he is so happy to see me go or at least why he had to say anything about it while I was still in hearing range.

I hear a knock at the door and I quickly wipe under my eyes with my finger. I open my eyes and push myself up against the headboard as Alice quietly opens the door and walks in. I smile at her blurred figure and wait for her to say something, not entirely sure why she's in my room to begin with.

"How are you doing?" she asks sitting on the edge of the bed beside me. She reaches over me and switches the lamp on.

I shrug, not really wanting to answer truthfully. I can throw the pity party all night long and eventually it will have to stop if I want to move forward, but at the moment I feel the need to embrace it still, at least a little bit.

She chuckles softly, "Yeah, I figured. It'll get better, Edward's just; you just have to give him a chance. I know he seems like the world's biggest arse right now, but underneath all of the hard exterior he really isn't that bad."

I don't respond, not knowing what I can say to that. I almost snort. Despite Alice being my friend, a friend I trust more than anyone else in the world apart from Jasper, I don't believe her, not entirely. I've seen the nicer side of Edward but I can't believe that the nicer side is really the dominant part of him, it just doesn't make sense at all. I feel like I'm going in circles.

Alice looks around the room quickly before standing up. "I didn't come in here to plead his case; I just want you to keep that in mind today," she glances down at her watch, "Speaking of which, we need to get you dressed."

She extends her hand to me. I squint my eyes to make out its exact location and slowly reach mine out to hers. She takes it and leads me out of the bed, successfully weaving me around furniture and into the bathroom. I sit down on the closed toilet seat and wait patiently as she disappears back into the room returning with my shopping bags in her hands.

I watch her hazy figure rummage through each one before finally pulling out the cotton blue dress I had found at the first store. Alice sets in my lap before placing the other bags on the counter. "Do you need any help getting dressed or do you think you can do it yourself?" she asks.

I hesitate for a second knowing that I haven't done anything without my glasses in years. I know that it will be harder to hide the need to keep the tags on with her helping so I quickly make up my mind, "No, I think I can do it."

She nods and heads towards the door, turning back with her hand on the doorknob. "I'll be right outside, call me if you need any help." I think she smiles but I don't know for sure.

Once she's completely out of the room with the door shut tightly I stand up and use the counter to guide me to the sink. I fiddle with the knobs for a few seconds until I can get the temperature warm enough. I splash the water on my face, hopefully wiping away any signs of my earlier distress. I grab the towel hanging from the wall and dry myself, rubbing it on the crown of my head in order to dry any hairs that got wet in the process.

My eyes slowly adjust as I wake up but the constant blur still remains. I quickly pull my sweatshirt over my head and push down my pants, stepping out of them the moment they hit the floor. The last thing I need is for Alice to walk in the door before I'm completely dressed.

I reach the blue grabbing it with my fingers and shaking it. I move my fingers around until the dress falls straight and I am holding it from the sleeves. I spot the white tag and flip it around. It takes less time than I expect to maneuver the dress onto my body. I smooth it out and feel for the hanging the tag, the one most people remove before they even put the new clothes on their body. When I feel it I gently tuck it inside my dress and take a step back.

I can't see myself completely but I see enough to know I look professionally dressed. I don't look like a street urchin with dirty ratty clothes and greasy hair anymore. I feel...different. Like somehow, I'm starting on a clean slate.

I leave my clothes on the floor and use the corner of the counter and wall to navigate my way to the door. I reach for the doorknob and turn it, the door creaking slightly as I pull it out.

"Alice?" I question knowing I'll need her help to do my hair. "Can you help me?" I ask, tugging on my hair softly with my free hand.

"Sure," she responds happily, walking over to me armed with a brush. She takes my hand and walks me back to the bed. I sit down at once and watch as she somehow gracefully crawls behind me and starts brushing my hair. I smile and close my eyes at the feeling. No one has touched my hair in such a comforting and friendly way since my mother when I was only fourteen. It feels incredible to have someone playing with it, so incredible that when she sets the brush down and climbs out from behind me I almost groan.

"Almost done," Alice claims, hurrying out of the room. I eye the door cautiously, unsure of what her intentions are. I don't know what else I would need.

She returns carrying a pair of flats in her hand. The first thing I wonder when I see them is why Alice, fashion crazy Alice, would even own a pair of simple flats. Apart from the times I've seen her in Jasper's apartment she's always wearing heels that make me cringe just looking at them. She definitely isn't the type to keep such simple shoes in her closet.

"Strange, I know. I don't even remember when I got them but I figured they'd be best considering how clumsy you arewith your glasses. I can't even imagine how much trouble you'd get yourself into in heels without them." She teases handing me the shoes. I quickly slip them on and stand up.

"Perfect," Alice claims, eyeing me with a smile of her face. "You'll knock'em dead, Bella."

Jasper and I sit in comfortable silence the entire way to the building. We were never the type of friends who always had to be talking; we could simply sit in silence and still feel as if we were bonding. I take the lack of conversation as a chance to wrap my head around everything.

My bag is in the backseat so that I can take it to work with me and leave on my own in order to move back into my bug free apartment, at least that's what the story is. I have already looked through the brochure the rude lanky teenage boy had given me and came to the conclusion that I can easily live out of the gym until I save enough money to move into something more permanent. The fitness complex is surprisingly nice considering its low summer special price.

It has private showers, 24 hour accessibility, washers and dryers available for use and the security of needing a keycard in order to enter. It offers everything a person needs to survive, apart from food which I completely understood considering it is a place people usually go to burn away the extra calories not put them in. I know thirty dollars or so a month wouldn't be well out of my price range and if I return one of my dresses without exchanging it for another one I could use that money for the payments.

I mentally smile, pride swelling within me at being able to come up with a plan that requires no outside assistance all by myself. The best part is that no one has to know about it. Not Edward, not Alice, not even Jasper would need to be informed about it.

"What's got you so happy all of a sudden?" Jasper asks, looking over at me briefly before focusing his attention back to the road.

"Nothing," I claim with a shake of my head. I look out the window to hide my face from his view. Even though I can't make them out, the buildings and bustle of the waking city calms me down, helps me get into the proper mindset for seeing Edward again.

I don't want to admit that his words hurt me to myself and I definitely don't want him to know either. I just have to go in there with the intention of acting as if it never happened, as if I am nothing more than a new employee he's meeting for the second time. I have to be completely professional and leave any personal feelings behind.

My heart rate accelerates as Jasper pulls into an underground parking lot, my internal pep talk not complete. I don't feel confident enough yet, I'm not fully in control of the situation and my emotions that come with it. I grip the door handle tightly and focus on taking deep calming breaths.

You can do this Bella. I chant to myself, clenching my eyes shut when the car comes to a complete stop. I don't make an effort to move even after I hear Jasper's seatbelt release.

"Come on Bells, this is it." He says softly, taking my hand in his. I open my eyes to look at him, my expression frantic. He offers a small smile and squeezes my hand before dropping it. "You'll do fine, I promise." I mentally scoff.

His words aren't as reassuring as I would like them to be. I decide that I won't let Edward Cullen have such a strong influence over my actions. I take in one last deep breath before jutting my chin up and sliding out of the car. I reach into the back seat, grab my bag out, and quickly walk over to where Jasper is waiting for me.

I know there is a strong confident woman deep inside of me and I let the shy timid me step aside in order for her to take the reins. At least I try to pretend she's really there and that I'm not about to have a full blown panic attack.

I follow behind Jasper quietly, ignoring the curious looks of the other employees we come across in the elevators and the hallways. He waves to the receptionists before leading me to another elevator. I step inside and stand towards the back corner, my eyes widening when he only clicks '5'. I had hoped Edward's office would be higher up, on the roof preferably. That way I would have a nice long ride to collect my thoughts and straighten myself out.

Without words we step off when it dings open. I immediately spot a desk similar to the one downstairs and even though it is blurred without my glasses, I can tell that it is vacant, that it was the personal assistant before me's. I take a step closer to Jasper and use the excuse that I can't see in order to hold his hand. I feel like a little kid again being led to the kindergarten classroom with her father but I can't bring myself to care. I really can't see that well anyways.

He chuckles to himself, catching on to my logic. I act like I didn't hear it and continue following him past the cubicles only stopping when he does in front of two large light brown wooden doors. I gulp and slip my hand out of Jasper's not wanting to seem like a wimp in front of Edward.

I look over at Jasper for reassurance as I hesitantly bring my hand up to knock. He nods subtly and steps aside allowing me the freedom to do this all by myself and seem like the confident person we both know I'm not. My clutched fist makes contact with the hard wood and I cringe away from the sound. It echoes throughout the suddenly silent room.

"Come in," Edward's voice commands. My eyes narrow as determination sets in. I can do this; I just need to believe it. I stand up straighter and smooth my dress down before turning the knob and entering into his office. I can't see the details but I can make out him sitting behind a large mahogany desk. I don't bother scanning the room any more without my glasses, I'm sure I'll have many opportunities to admire its grandeur later.

"Ah, there she is, the woman of the hour," he teases. I gape at him, wondering what he is on to be like this. His attitude makes me question whether or not I heard him correctly last night. He's acting nothing like the cold man who rejoiced at my departure. "You're even five minutes early."

I don't look at the clock, I don't even look away from where he's sitting, and I'm not able to. "No traffic," I say honestly, refusing to allow this man to get to me any more than he already has.

He hums in response before gesturing for me to come closer. I hesitantly take a few steps forward, hoping that there isn't anything on his floor that I'll trip over. Luckily I'm able to stand in front of his desk without falling, as if he needs anything else against me.

"Here's a list of everything I need done this morning. You're in luck, Claire left behind a few pointers and notes for you at her, well now it's yours, at your desk. I'll buzz you if I need anything else. Do you need me to show you to it?" he asks, arrogance oozing out of his voice. I fight the urge to glare at him, instead opting to smile as sweetly as I can manage. How could he change moods so quickly?

"No thanks, I saw where it was," I state, enjoying the small satisfaction of not needing Edward's help. It dawns on me at that moment that while I may know where it is, I have no way of getting there without Jasper to guide me through the cubicles and people scurrying around. I debate asking Edward for my glasses as I can make them out of the edge of his desk, taunting me. I decide against it, not willing to give him that pleasure. I cross my fingers behind my back praying that some employee or intern will be nice enough to help me up if, no, when, I fall over something.

He raises his eyebrows but nods, "Well then, here you go," he says, extending the list out to me. I reach for it slowly, concentrating hard on where his hand actually his and not where my horrible eyes are tricking me in to believing it is. I'm fortunately able to swipe my hand over and grab it without making too much of a fool of myself.

I wait for him to say something else but when he drops his head back to his desk I know I'm dismissed. I slowly turn around and try to subtly extend a hand in front of me. I hadn't closed the door the entire way upon entering his office and use the light between the two as a guide to get me back out. It takes longer than it should but soon I find myself back in the bustling hallway.

I stand against the door for moment in order to collect myself. Toughen up Bella, I tell myself, stepping away from the door and in the direction I hope Jasper and I came from. I stay against the wall, using it as a guide and support. I feel bad for all the people out there who really can't see at all and suddenly appreciate my glasses that much more.

I know I must look strange to all the employees who are sure to be watching me. I may have horrible eyesight but I'm definitely not lacking in the hearing department. I don't hear many keys clicking or words being spoken and this is a publishing company. Everyone should be working on their computers typing away, but instead they have obviously decided to watch the new crazy personal assistant stumble her way to her desk.

I'm so focused on the wall and making it to my destination that I don't see the figure approaching me until it's too late. Her bony shoulder makes contact with mine with a force that sends me falling onto my bum. I humph as my body makes contact with the hard wooden floors, the sting immediate.

"Whoops," she sneers in a nasally voice that has me cringing into the wall. "Didn't see you there," she continues before walking away not before her sharp heel makes contact with my hand.

I bite back the noise that threatens to escape as the pain rushes through my hand. I blink back the tears and slowly start to get up only to have a strong arm wrap around me forearm.

"There you go," the deep voice says once I'm back on my feet. He turns his head away from me, "Hey! Shouldn't you all be working?" he snaps at the spectators before turning his attention back to me. I attempt to step out of his grasp and he notices the movement, immediately dropping his hand. "Are you okay?" he asks.

I nod, clearing my throat, "Yeah, just wasn't paying enough attention." It's only part of a lie, I really hadn't been paying attention but that certainly wasn't the reason I fell.

"Just ignore Lauren, everyone else does," he claims, chuckling as he places his hands into the front pockets of his trousers. "I'm Jacob by the way, Jacob Black." He doesn't offer his hand to shake but instead simply offers a warm smile.

I find myself smiling back, "Bella Swan."

We stand there for a moment the air around us somewhat awkward. I make a move to continue walking towards my desk, knowing that if I want to keep my job I'll actually have to accomplish the things on the list Mystery Man gave me. The movement brings him out of his thoughts.

"Oh! Did you need any help finding your desk? You were walking pretty slowly there," he asks, no signs of teasing in his voice, just genuine concern. I don't mind accepting help as long as it's not from Edward.

"Would you mind?" I ask, not wanting to bring him away from whatever he is supposed to be doing knowing he can get into trouble with Edward.

"Nah, who wouldn't want to show a pretty girl around?" he teases, walking forward.

I blush immediately and duck my head. My mood swings are almost as bad as Edward's. He starts rambling about the different places in the building as we walk the short way to my desk. I listen carefully, knowing the small details will be the one to help me in the long run.

"And here we are," he claims, swooping his arm out in front of me in the ladies-first way. I walk behind the large desk, running my hand along its smooth surface until I come to the center of it where the chair is tucked under. I carefully pull it out and sit down, sighing as soon as my body hits the plush leather.

I use my feet to swirl the chair around in order to face Jacob, "Thank you," I say softly and sincerely. The two words alone don't feel like enough to express how grateful I really am for his help. If I hadn't just met him he would be on the receiving end of a very tight Bella bear hug, that's for sure.

He shakes his head, "No problem. I'll let you get settled in, though I'm sure Cullen's got a ridiculously long list of things for you to do. If you need anything don't hesitant to come and get me," he offers, smiling before he walks back into the other room.

I turn back around to face the computer screen and the empty desk in front of me. I sit up in the chair and slide my bag off my shoulder, dropping it down onto the ground by my feet and pushing it under the desk. I place the piece of paper Edward gave me down on the clean desk and groaned.

I can't see any of it.

I bite my tongue as the frustration overwhelms me. He knew this would happen, he knew I wouldn't be able to do anything without my glasses, he had to of otherwise he wouldn't have made such a big deal of flaunting them in front of me. I bend over and began rummaging through my bag until I am able to fish out my new cell phone.

I mentally count the keys out in my head, moving my finger with my thoughts until I'm certain it is on top of number 2. I hesitantly press down on the button, already regretting getting out of bed this morning. The only comforting thought I have is knowing that there are few things that could happen to make this day any worse than it already is.

I bring the phone to my ear, thankful that his number is the only one I have programmed and that he had put in on speed dial. It rings twice before he picks up, his smug voice ringing through the phone.

"Yes Bella?"

I bite back the urge to snap something at him. "I need my glasses," I blurt out, not able to come up with anything else to say.

"You can come and get them whenever you want," he says, his voice more teasing than true taunting.

I huff, "You know I can't do that. I nearly died getting this far!" I restrain myself from saying anything else to him by considering what Alice had told me earlier, that I just had to break down his arrogant walls and that he really is a nice person beneath it all. I still didn't believe her but at this point I am latching on to anything that brings me hope.

He laughs, "I see. I'll bring them down as soon as I get a chance, it might be a while though," I start to nearly shout something back at him but he's already hung up. "Why does he do this to me?", I whisper angrily.

I drop the phone and flop my head into my hands, sincerely hoping that the tasks he wants me to do are easy and not very time consuming. I know I've lost a lot of time with my slow pace and that I'm losing more every second I don't have my glasses. I hope Edward is feeling generous enough to bring me them soon.

The door opens seconds later, someone walking up behind me. I see my black rimmed glasses dangling in front of my head by a slender pale hand. I quickly snatch them and slip them on; sighing in relief as the world suddenly clears. It feels better than words can describe to be able to see again.

Maybe Edward isn't such an arse, I decide. I turn around to thank him but he's already gone.

Mystery Man becomes that much more of an enigma.

I'm sitting at my desk, putting the finishing touches on a memo Edward had asked me to do when everything hits me at once. All the feelings I have been repressing throughout the morning assaulting me simultaneously. All the snide remarks, the teasing comments, all the things that happened prior to this morning, everything that Edward has done that struck a cord finally causing me to burst.

I may be dirt poor, I may live on the streets, hell I might even smell like sweat and sewer but underneath all of that I am a human being that deserves respect. Edward might be able to get away with treating his other employees as if they are nothing more than the gum on his shoes but not me. I'll work for him, put all I have into accomplishing the tasks he gives me, but I won't sit back and let him treat me worse than he'd treat a stranger's dog.

I'm through letting Edward Cullen walk all over me.

With the newfound confidence in hand, I push up on my glasses and slide out of my chair. I don't bother knocking or announcing my entrance but instead pull the heavy wooden door back and step into his office. He looks up from his desk immediately, obviously not expecting anyone to enter without at least alerting him first.

I don't give him any time to talk as I charge forward, my head held high. I take a gulp of air before opening my mouth, all the frustration and anger I've ever felt around him spewing forth at once.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I ask rhetorically, he opens his mouth to answer but I beat him to it. "You may be able to treat everyone in your life like complete shit but I refuse to let that happen to me. I have done absolutely nothing to you, nothing to deserve your bad attitude. I didn't force you to let me stay in your home; I didn't hold a knife to your throat and make you agree to it. Hell, I even made you cookies! Even if you didn't want me there but found some ounce of generosity buried deep within you, you could've at least waited until I was out of the building before throwing a party. Don't even get me started on the way - " My loud ramblings are cut off by Edward repeating my name, each time more forceful than the previous one.

"Bella, you need to calm down. It's obvious we have some…issues that need to be solved." He says calmly as if this is nothing more than a business deal to him. He looks as if he is about to continue when a throat is cleared behind me.

I whip my body around to catch a glimpse of the person at the door, my heart still thumping in my chest. I attempt to calm myself by taking deep breaths, it barely works.

"I can come back later," the man asks, his suit pressed and expensive looking. His short blonde hair shows no sign of age despite the fact he looks years older than me. I hesitantly take a step to the side and towards the door, desperate to get out of Mystery Man's office now that I've come to my senses.

"Oh no, its fine, we were just finishing up here. I'll just need second." Edward says casually. It's obvious he knows the man very well. I wonder if he's possibly more than just a business partner.

The man nods, a soft smile on his face. "I'll wait outside," he states, gently shutting the door behind him. I internally groan at being left alone with Edward, my cheeks heating up as embarrassment floods through me. I yelled at my boss on the first day, I am so about to be fired.

At least he had the courtesy to do it without the man watching.

I turn back to Edward, hoping that at least looking at him might save the job I so desperately need.

"Bella I don't think we started off on the right foot. How about I take you to lunch this afternoon and we can maybe talk it out?" he offers, leaving it completely up to me. It should touch me that he's being so nice again but it only furthers my frustration. He's moodier than any woman I've ever met. What a nuisance!

I nod anyway. "That's fine, do you need anything?" I ask, reluctantly adding a sir at the end because I'm just that big of a suck-up.

He smirks at my attempt at flattery and shakes his head, "I think I can manage," he claims cockily.

I shake my head and head toward the door, looking back once before walking out of his office. I shut the door, leaning on it once it's closed. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, trying to wrap my head around the situation.

I just stormed into Edward's very private office, uninvited, to yell at him, and I still had a job. He even offered to take me to lunch in order to talk whatever was going on out in a more neutral setting. I don't know what he's doing or why, but I guess that's why he's Mystery Man. I groan and slide down the wall, completely forgetting that I was supposed to fetch the business man.

Within all of the confusion and turmoil I'm sure of only one thing: Edward Cullen will be the death of me.

Longest chapter yet, nearly 11 pages on word! I was going to go further but when I looked down at the word count and saw that I decided to cut it short. I won't be able to update on Wednesday, I'm going out of town for the Red Sox game. :) I'll be gone all week and I will have my computer so hopefully I'll get the next few chapters written up. I'll make an extra effort to find a way to give reviewers a teaser.

Since 18 people reviewed last chapter, how about 20 this time? I think we can do it!

Chapter Rec:

Frontline by MissAlex

Edward Cullen is a mysterious, wealthy CEO, who always gets what he wants. Isabella Swan is a headstrong nurse at Manhattan Memorial Hospital. Edward arrives at her ER one night and their steamy chance encounter changes both of their lives forever.

A reader recommended this and I have to say it is amazing! If you have any spare time this is definitely worth checking out. Let me know if you have anymore!

See you soon,

Rae.

PS. Sorry to all the readers who got an update only for it to be this chapter again. In my haste to have it posted last night I had many formatting errors in the chapter and wanted to go back and change it before I left. Those who already reviewed will get a teaser as soon as possible!