A/n: Because I am feeling a little festive today...I am going to give you 3 updates today.

I want to give a few shout outs...just cuz I can! BellaEdwardLover1991, SexyLexiCullen, JA Mash, FFLoverLaura, Iambeagle and EdwardsEternal have some AMAZING stories going on...and if you aren't reading them...you are truly MISSING OUT! Go, check them out and tell them I sent you...they are all in my favs!

Warm fuzzies and bewbie gropes to my beta extraordinaire, Bnjwl! LOVE YA GIRL!

No abuse mentioned in this chapter...some of you have asked if this has an HEA...yes, it will...not maybe a typical HEA but yes, this is a Bella/Edward story.

Chapter 5

I got to work an hour early this morning to once again avoid the crowd, my cheek was now a lovely shade of puke green slash yellow and not nearly as visible.

As I got off the elevator I decided to grab a cup of coffee before I locked myself away again for another day.

Imagine my surprise when I walked in to find Bella, she had already made coffee. She stood and hummed to herself while she waited for it to finish. I could see that she had her earbuds in her ears and I didn't want to startle her so I turned to walk out of the breakroom.

"Edward?" Her voice was like warm honey, it made me feel good.

I slowly turned around, "Sorry, I didn't want to frighten you." I said as I put my hands up in front of me.

She let out a small laugh, "It's okay, I heard the elevator ding between songs so I knew someone else was here." Bella's smile was friendly and her face was kind.

"Oh," I managed to mutter, unable to make eye contact with her again. Years of being accused of ogling other woman had taught me not to look other women in the eyes.

"Your cheek looks better today." She commented as she poured a cup of coffee.

I grabbed my own mug from the cabinet as I answered, "Thankfully, it's quite embarrassing, actually." I mumbled.

"Well, it must have been some kind of joke to garner that kind of smack across the cheek, you seem too soft spoken and kind to deserve something of that nature." She voiced her observation which told me she might have more questions.

I was terrified, I didn't want to lie to her again but I couldn't tell her the truth.

I liked this woman, she was friendly and warm. I didn't want our work relationship to be effected by constant lies I had to tell. There was also no way that I would ever tell her the truth either. I was stuck in hell, right in the middle of my lies. I played the constant game of don't ask, don't tell with myself.

I never allowed myself to acknowledge what Tanya did to me was wrong or as something I needed to stop. I simply resigned myself to the fact that this was my life now and there was nothing I could about it. Especially with her 'little insurance policy' against me. She made sure that I couldn't leave her.

I certainly didn't want a beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated woman to tell me all the things I didn't want to hear. So, I deflected.

"How...how was your first day on the job?" I stuttered my question and hoped that it had distracted her from my mark.

"It went well, I came back," she giggled and sat down on the sofa that lined the breakroom wall.

"I know it won't be easy to jump in, as things are pretty backlogged, it seems." Bella took a drink from her mug as I sat down at a table a few feet away from her.

"Yes, we stay plenty busy around here." I replied, although I had a dozen other things that I could have added or spoken about.

"Hmmhmmm, there are always those that need us, that's the whole reason I got into family law, specifically." She answered around her mug.

Her statement felt heavy, with a lot more meaning behind it. It rattled me. It made me feel like maybe she could see me, see through my mask that I kept up. It worried me, too. I might need to avoid her, so as to not let her get to close to the truth.

I just nodded my head before I stood up, "Well, I guess I better get to work."

"See ya around." Bella said as I nodded and headed to my office.

That was the most casual natured conversation that I had had with someone, in the office, in over a year.

So, why did it make me sad when I closed my office door?

A/N: I know that you want more answers...they are coming...I do have a purpose for the slow burn, I promise.

Next chapter in a few hrs.

Kyla