Thank you guys so much for the feedback! Ya'll are awesome!

I'm sorry about the long wait for the updates and even the teaser. I went away on vacation one week and then the next I was busied with soccer camp, a full blown research paper and project for my summer internship program and then I volunteered at a VBS all weekend long. Excuses, but still it limited my computer time.

As always thanks to my lovely beta EverlastingMuse. You all should definitely check out her stuff, it is all pretty amazing. :)

While you're at it, check out my new story I posted, Catch Me. I'm updating it after this and will get back into the swing of things with updating on the Thursday/Monday schedule for it. I'd love to have your support!

Now since this was an uber long author's note...here we go!

Chapter O7: Afraid they'll see that she's lost her direction

BPOV

The dim lights cast a shadow on the small wooden table, reflecting off of the silverware separated into two different stacks. Only a quiet chatter echoes through the nearly empty restaurant, the usual lunch crowd already gone. A group of waiters stand at the counter by the door, chatting casually and occasionally looking over at our table.

I pick at the flimsy paper napkin in my lap, my eyes trained not on the carefree teenagers but on the small drops of water running down my near empty glass. I don't look over at the other people in the restaurant and I certainly don't glance up at Edward. Neither one of us have said more than a few words since we parked, we are both ignoring the other one rather well actually.

Finally, after the check has been paid and the table cleared except for our glasses, Edward breaks the silence.

"Shit Bella, I'm sorry," he starts, running a pale hand through his long hair. I glance up at him, deciding that he deserves to at least talk to a face rather than my scalp. "I've been a complete and utter jerk to you these past few days, and you did absolutely nothing to deserve it, you even cooked for me! I should have respected you more, I should have treated you like a proper guest…" he trails off, looking across the table directly at me. His eyes are pleading for me to forgive him, and I know I will. Mystery Man looks so defeated and genuinely remorseful about everything that I know I won't hold a grudge.

I shake my head slowly, "It's fine, I should've been a better guest," I offer, knowing it's true. Sure I didn't do anything badper se, but I know I could've –should've- offered him more for everything he gave me. All I did was use his things and bake him a few peanut butter cookies, hardly proper compensation for everything he did for me.

He opens his mouth to say something but one look from me silences him immediately. I don't want the conversation to turn into a "who was worse" one and decide it would be best to aim it in another direction. Without thinking I raise my fragile, sickly white looking arm across the table, offering my hand to his.

"Fresh start?" I question. It's the only way the two of us will ever be able to move forward and work together. I can't be his personal assistant if they're is any tension or resentment between us, and while I don't exactly want to be his best friend yet, I know it has to be done.

Edward smiles and nods, engulfing my hand in his, "Truce," he claims.

I clear my throat, getting into the part completely. "Hi, I'm Isabella Swan, Bella for short," I introduce myself, the corner of my lip twitching as I fight back a smile.

He plays along, "Edward Cullen, Edward for short." He's mocking me but I don't care. If I have learnt one thing these past few days is that he's just like that. He doesn't do it to be condescending, I don't think he does at least, he just does it for whatever reason.

"No Eddie?"

He glares, "No."

"Ed?" I question, the red on his cheeks giving away how much he hates standard nicknames for Edward.

He doesn't answer verbally instead his eyebrows narrow. A burst of laughter breaks through and once I start, I can't stop. It's the first time I've laughed in who knows how long and my body decides to make up for it. Tears begin to form at the corners of my eyes as my chest tightens. The laughter forms deep in my stomach, cutting off my air as I clutch my sides. I can't even look up at Edward; I'm too consumed in my fit of laughter.

They slowly start to fade, leaving me completely breathless. Even though Edward chuckles softly, I can tell by his expression that he think I'm a certified loon and is already regretting our truce. I shake my head with a smile, the laughter making me much happier than I was earlier.

A stray chuckle makes its way out as I apologize for it and take a sip of my cold water hoping that it will calm me down.

"Sorry," I mumble, going back to my water drop races.

Edward shakes his head, "No, no, it's fine. You have a nice laugh." I don't know if he means it, but either way it doesn't stop the blush from engulfing my cheeks.

I duck my head further as a familiar ache makes its way into my head. I'm usually not a materialistic person and rarely care about having certain things but when it comes to my headaches, I would do anything for the fancy seventy-five dollars a pill medicine my parents used to buy me. When it hits I forget about Edward sitting across from me and attempt to subtly rub my fingers against my forehead, knowing it does nothing to help but not willing to give up trying it.

I clench my eyes shut as it deepens, pounding against skull, threatening to break through. My hands come together in fists on my lap, but it doesn't help, I know that. Nothing makes it go away; it just takes time, so I wait. I wait until I can finally breathe and think again, until I can see straight and actually hear the noises in the room for what they are.

Edward clears his throat, reminding me that I am in fact not alone. My blush deepens, embarrassment filling me as I realize he just witnessed my strange looking moment. He tilts his head, almost as if he's trying to read my thoughts before speaking up, "Why do you always do that?"

I expect him to ask why but the way he worded it caught me off guard. Always? Did that mean Edward had seen me have these headaches before? No, that's not possible. I'm sure that the other times I've had them I was alone, he was never around me, not that I can remember.

I call him out on it, "What do you mean always? I've known you for less than a week."

He blushes. Cocky, arrogant CEO of a publishing company Edward Cullen blushes. "Uh, I just meant I've seen you do that before at my apartment and at the restaurant before Jasper and Alice got there, you did the exact same thing you just did."

"Oh." I don't know how to respond so I opt for silence.

"Well, why do you?" he asks again, not willing to let the topic drop.

I shrug and look down again. "Headaches, I used to get them when I was fifteen, but after I stopped taking my medicine they kept getting worse and more often. It's probably just the weather or something." I try to seem as nonchalant as possible, not wanting his attention. They've been a part of me since I was a teenager and they aren't as big of a deal as he's making it out to be.

"Why don't you just take an Advil?" he asks.

I snort but quickly cover it up with a cough, not wanting to seem rude or unappreciative of his concern. "Advil is a little weak, it doesn't help." I know because I've tried taking even four of them a few times and it did absolutely nothing, even when I was younger and they weren't near as bad.

"Oh, well why don't you see my father? He's a doctor and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to see you and prescribe something for them. You shouldn't have to have constant sinus headaches and be in pain if you don't have to be." He's suggesting it out of compassion and while I want nothing more than to accept his offer, I can't afford to, literally. Doctors aren't paid as much as they are because of free check-ups, and I know the pharmacist wouldn't appreciate handing out the pills for nothing.

I shake my head, "It's fine, really. They never last for longer than a few minutes."

Edward narrows his eyes. I don't look down like I have been, instead I glare right back all the while knowing this small conversation is about to get out of hand unless one of us folds. "No, it's not. You won't able to work as well if you're in constant pain. Just visit him, get some medicine, and live pain-free. Simple and easy as that."

He is exaggerating my words and he knows it. I clasp my hands together tightly, "I don't have insurance," which is true. I use it as an excuse, hoping he'll understand why I can't and let it go. Besides, many people don't have insurance, it's not required.

He smiles and sits back in his chair, looking far too content for my liking. Something about my statement erased the frustration; he looks as if he knows he just won the round. "Yes you do, through the company you have health insurance, pretty generous health insurance if I do say so."

If this is how he wins, I win too. I don't know about the insurance and if what he says is true, maybe I could actually see his doctor dad. I'm so thrown back I don't say anything until a cell phone is thrust into my face.

"What the hell are you doing?" I snap leaning away from it. It's almost under my nose and I glance down at the screen and see that it's dialing someone.

Oh no he didn't.

'Dad's Office' pops up onto the screen. "Dr. Cullen's office, Giavanna speaking, how may I help you?" Her voice echoes through the phone and I snatch it up, glaring at the man sitting smugly across from me.

He did.

"Uh, yes, I'd like to make an appointment."

I hear a shuffling from her side. "Name?" she asks, her voice still as enthusiastic as it was when she first answered.

"Isabella Swan."

"Well Isabella, what seems to be the problem?"

I look at Edward before answering hesitantly, not entirely comfortable to be doing this in front of him. "I have, uh, frequent headaches. I really would just like something-" she cuts me off.

"-to help with the pain. Yes, that shouldn't be a problem at all. How about next Thursday at 1 o'clock?" Giavanna offers nicely, as if she sincerely cares about my wellbeing. I find myself agreeing and quickly hanging up before handing the phone over to Edward, glaring at him for forcing that onto me.

"That wasn't very nice you know." I say, crossing my hands in front of me. Really, I don't mind that he made me as I was probably going to do it anyways, but I don't appreciate him forcing it on me, deciding for me that I was going to make an appointment with his father.

He shrugs in stands, dropping a bill on the table for a tip before holding his hand out to me. I eye it cautiously before placing my hand into his and allowing him to help me up and lead me to his car. I'm not entirely sure how, but within that hour or so that we ate lunch our relationship shifted. No longer were we two people who couldn't stand the sight of the other, but we weren't best friends either. We are just two individuals working together and getting to know each other. Just Mystery Man and Blind Bella.

Three days have passed since we went to lunch together and to my great surprise things have been going pretty well. I know we still have a long way to go before being best buds and hanging out on the weekends, but I know we're off to a better start than before. Just today alone we rode the elevator up together and greeted each other, and actually said sincere 'hellos' and made casual chat the whole way up.

Mind blown, I know.

I push the thoughts of a new and improved Edward aside and arrange my desk neatly; placing a sticky-note with a few things I know I'll need to do tomorrow on the computer screen. I close out of everything and shut off the computer before pushing myself out of the large leather chair and grabbing my phone off the desk. I carry it in my hand as I navigate my way back to his office. I see his doors and immediately square my shoulders, I refuse to seem weak or naïve in front of him again. With the truce, I vow to make the best of it and act better than any other secretary he's ever had.

I plan on proving myself a hundred times over.

That thought fresh on my mind, I slide my glasses up my nose so that I'll actually be able to see him and knock on the door softly. Taking the initiative and hoping it doesn't get me fired I open the door before he can answer and step into the roomy office, looking straight at his desk. He's leaning over looking at a stack of papers in front of him, glass perched on his nose.

Wait, what? Mystery Man wears glasses and yet he still didn't give mine to me knowing what it would feel like to be without them?

Screw professionalism.

I glare at him and his glasses, crossing my arms across my chest as I approach his desk. I stand at the edge, almost looking down at him. He sits back and smirks, sliding the glasses off his nose and tossing them on his desk as if to say, 'See, I don't really need them, you do.' It's only when I see the playful look in his eyes do I drop it with a huff.

"I'm just going to ignore that," I claim. My eyes flicker around his room, my shoulders sinking when I hit his wall of pure glass, wet glass. It's raining heavily outside and I have no ride to the gym. While I don't feel like walking the few miles in the pouring rain, I smile knowing that I'll have a roof to stay under. I shake my head to clear my thoughts, remembering why I came here in the first place. "If you don't have anything else for me to do, I'd like to be able to go home." I say, it's more of a question than a statement.

Edward looks taken back by my request and looks down at his watch, his eyes widening as he reads the time. He whistles softly, "Time sure does fly. Sure, sure, definitely. I'm just about done myself." He notices the rain running down his cleaned windows, "If you want to wait around about an hour or so I can drive you to your apartment."

I'm touched by his offer, surprised that he's taking our truce so far. I smile but shake my head, knowing that he most definitely can't take me to my 'apartment'. "I'll just catch a cab." I tell him, taking a step towards the door. I don't want to stay next to him long enough for him to talk me into a ride and know the only way to avoid this is to avoid him.

I close my eyes and sigh, knowing I have a long night ahead of me. I quickly snatch my bag from underneath my desk and head to the elevators. When I'm out of the building and in the garage, I take in my surroundings and remember the route to the gym I now have membership to. Once I'm sure I'll be able to find my way I take in a deep breath, enjoy the warm dryness of the garage before darting out into the rain. I am completely soaked within seconds and curse myself for not staying a shape. I can't run the whole way there, not even a block later and I'm ducking under an overhang to catch my breath.

Forty-two sprints and near heart attacks later I spot the familiar red sign. I scurry through my bag quickly and find my still clean ID, swiping it through the scanner and pulling the door opened in one quick movement. I lean against the door with my head tilted towards the ceiling for a moment just to catch my breath.

I peek out of the side of my eyes when I hear the soft humming of the treadmill. I groan when I spot the same gorgeous blonde and burly brunette from the last two nights. It took me a little over an hour and a half to get here from work which meant I arrive here any time between 6:30 and 7. This Hollywood couple always seemed to be here when I was or came shortly after and since they were so concerned about maintaining their model-like bodies; they stayed a good three hours a day.

Now I'm all for a good body shape, physical fitness, and couple bonding and all that, but I couldn't just hand out in the bathroom while they are here without it looking incredibly suspicious so for the last two days when I came I went straight to the back. No, I don't stay there, instead I slip out of my work outfit, fold it neatly with the tag still hidden in case the blonde comes in and sees it and put on my sweatpants.

I walk out into the main room with as much confidence I can muster up before awkwardly straddling the bike and slipping my feet into the pedals. I had attempted to work the elliptical yesterday and after nearly falling off the thing twice I opt to try to bike tonight. I hesitantly fiddle with the settings, hoping I don't appear as confused as I really am before I begin to peddle.

I glare at the couple's reflection in the window and pray for their sake that they don't come every night like I'm now suspecting they do. I can't physically work out for the three hours or more and every day they come here I'm forced to. As I push the pedals down, ignoring the pain shooting through my legs, I decide to make a plan for tomorrow.

I already know I won't come straight here. I don't think my poor innocent body can take another day of exercising without a break. I try to think of things I can do to pass the time after work and realize I only have one more dress left. A smile erupts on my face when the plans start to come together. Instead of coming here I can walk over to the small strip mall and return the clothes, maybe even browse in a few other ones in order to find the replacement dresses. I know I probably should feel horrible about using the clothes this way but somehow I can't bring myself to and besides, I'm pretty sure the daily workouts are punishment enough.

As I pedal my way into my seventy-fourth minute I think about how badly this day has gone. I wipe the sweat away from my forehead and huff, watching as the distance place hits the next mile. I glance over at the couple and see them smirking, at whom or what I don't know. Even though I know it probably isn't directed towards me, I can't help but glare back. Hopefully the rain will stop by tomorrow. And maybe I can spend more time with Edward. My boss, I remind myself.

Not my favourite chapter yet...but it had to be done. So any guesses to who the annoying couple is? lol.

We have about three chapters left of the title names being after a certain song, then we'll be changing to another one which I think fits this story spot on...sort of. Any guesses to the current on, what the title is and who sings it? :) You know you want to try.

All reviews are appreciated and replied to with a teaser! We ALMOST got to 20 last chapter, literally we were like 1 away. Ya'll were so close! Let's try it again and break 100. I know you can do it, even a simple :) if you liked it :( if you didn't will still make my day.

Chapter Rec:

No Place Like Home by tellingmelies I haven't read it but a reader recommended it and it was also in my 'Must Read' bookmarks so I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's a pretty awesome fic.

Game, Set, Match by ManyLeigh87 An awesome fic that I've actually read and someone else recommended it. It's definitely a must read for Edward/Bella fans.

I can't think of anything else to tell you guys besides check out my other story and recommend your favorites too! They'll be showed here for everyone to see!

xoxox

Rae.