Disclaimer: All Twilight names, places and characteristics belong to the talented Stephenie Meyer. I just play with her toys.

Authors note: I'm back! After spending a lovely weekend with friends and meeting lovely twilighters such as BooBoo Stewart, Myanna Buring and Noel Fisher, I am very happy to bring you a new chapter. I apologise in advance if the Italian involved in this chapter isn't a good translation, I used four different websites and tried my best. If you have a better translation for what is written, please feel free to PM me. Many thanks!

"Bella Swan? Open up, it's Marcus,"

I sat up instantly, a look of alarm taking over my expression. I felt clammy with nerves, I inhaled deeply while Edward sat up and rubbed my shoulder.

"Bella? Open up or I'm coming in,"

"You don't have to talk to him," Edward told me, placing a single kiss to my sweating temple.

It went quiet outside though I could hear footsteps. It gave me a few moments of thinking time. I'd ruined Marcus' films, the least I owed him was an explaination, if I could think of anything sensible to say. If I was honest, I half expected his lawyer to be the other side of the door with him.

"Bella?"

It was Eric.

"Bella? C'mon, let me in, he just wants to talk,"

I pushed myself up from the couch using my hands and walked over to the door with my head held high. I slowly reached for the door handle, pulling it down and opening it slowly. Eric was stood with his hands against the doorway, his head hung down just slightly with a look of frustration. Marcus was stood behind him.

"Finally," Marcus sighed and pulled Eric's arm back, bringing him away from the door so he could push past and into the room. "Thank-you,"

Eric came in and closed the door behind him, we stood together against it, I felt his fingers link with mine and squeeze, silently telling me that somehow everything would work out okay.

Marcus paced around the room. Edward was still seated on the couch, resting his elbows on his legs and his soft hands under his perfectly shaped chin, a long finger rubbing against a stubbled area of his chiselled jawline... Now wasn't the time to daydream about my hot piece of man candy. He stared at Marcus, his eyes following him every second.

The room was too quiet. I opened my mouth to speak, only an 'ah' came out.

"You were highly recommended to me, Miss Swan," Marcus began, breaking the most awkward silence I've ever known, "I must admit, I am disappointed,"

Marcus stopped his pacing, he faced me, we weren't far apart, a metre, maybe a little more. He looked calm, too calm. Maybe I could sort all of this out after all.

"I know, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am," I replied guiltily, letting go of Eric's hand to make sincere hand gestures.

"I've never reacted like that before and I can't find the words to explain why because it's just too complicated," I glanced at Edward briefly, our story was a weird one to tell, "I'm just as frustrated as you about what happened out there, but I can't do it, it wouldn't be appropriate, I'm sorry,"

The director was silent, he looked down at his shiny black shoes. He huffed loudly as his cheeks turned a violent shade of red. He looked up, his eyes were angry.

"Sorry? You're sorry?" He roared, storming over to me to scream in my face. I could feel the anger radiating from his skin.

"Marcus. Just listen to her!" Eric begged, trying to calm his lover.

"And it wouldn't be appropriate? What the hell is that?" He continued, flailing his arms around while he had his say.

"Lei รจ una puttana economica chi ha il sesso sul nastro per un vivere e lei dice che questo sarebbe stato improprio?" He screeched in his British accent.

I guessed he was part Italian judging by his rant, no wonder Eric went after him. I didn't understand Italian... but I knew whore. Eric gasped in horror.

"Markie..."

"Shut-up!" He hushed Eric. Eric turned into a shell of a man, hanging his head, his eyes watching the scene unfold.

I looked over Marcus' shoulder while he continued to hurl abuse at me, Eric was trying to shush him. Edward's eyes darkened and he rose to his feet, he walked over slowly, like a lion ready to pounce on his prey.

"You've ruined my career, Swan! Do you realise the money I've lost because of you?"

His fist hit the door beside my head, I jumped with a start.

This guy was a fucking psycho, and Eric was seriously interested in him?

"I...I-I'll pay!" I stammered, frightened.

"Damn right you..."

Edward's hand slammed down hard onto Marcus' shoulder. He pulled him back away from me, hard enough so Marcus fell to the ground with a thud. Edward stood in front of me, though facing Marcus, looking down on him in disgust.

"I should hit you for speaking to her that way, but I'm a gentleman, I won't do that in front of a lady," He said calmly. Marcus sat up, rubbing his behind and blowing his bouncy hair out of his eyes.

"It's not Bella you should be mad at, it's me. I'm incredibly sorry everything happened this way but it ends now. I won't let you guilt trip the girl for doing the right thing,"

"The right thing? It's her job," Marcus scoffed from the floor.

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, I don't know where she stands on this. But she's worth so much more than this... this world she lives in that means men letch all over her,"

He turned to me while he spoke, his eyes looked more gentle, he was speaking to Marcus, but he was speaking to me too.

He offered me his hand and I took it without hesitation, a little jolt of electricity flowing through my body. Edward's touch calmed me. Marcus looked calmer and Edward pulled me against his chest. I buried my face into the soft material of his shirt, it stroked my cheek as I moved, the cotton of the shirt and the scent of Edward's aftershave soothing me. His hand rested gently on the back of my head, his fingers curling into my long locks.

"I think it's time we got going," Eric suggested, "Give everyone a little breathing space,"

I heard the sound of Marcus rising to his feet.

"Breathing space? You'll be hearing from my lawyer," He snorted.

"And you'll be hearing from mine," Edward quickly responded.

I whispered that I would pay Marcus every penny... I just wanted it over. From what I could tell, Edward hadn't heard.

"Eric, would you get Bella's things? I'll get a cab,"

Edward led me out of the office and we left the restaurant via the back entrance. Edward assured me that Marcus wasn't following us, his hand rubbed my arm affectionately while we walked. I'd only just realized I was trembling. Having someone scream and shout at you in a BDSM scene was different than someone screaming at you in real life... it seemed many things this week were new.

Our bodies turned to leave the room when Marcus just had to get the last word in.

"You'll never work in this industry again," He muttered.

I didn't dare reply.

We made our way around to the street and Edward looked around for an empty black cab. I heard the voice of Eric in the distance but I stared at Edward. He was so calm and collected, like the lion who'd just protected the weak little lamb.

"Don't you worry, Bella, I'll get this straightened out. Don't you worry about a thing," He smiled down at me crookedly, even chuckling slightly trying to lighten the mood.

Except I had a lot to worry about. What was I going to do now?

I saw the bright pink of Eric's shirt and he hailed a cab and crawled in, waiting for us. He looked emotional, his eyes were blotchy. It broke my heart to think his had just been broken too.

Edward stepped off the kerb to get into the car when I tried to pull him back to me with all my strength. I got his attention, a pair of green eyes looking down at me with concern.

Now I'd gathered my thoughts, I'd never admired Edward more than I did right now. I lifted myself onto tip toes and slid my arms around his neck and kissed him, just once.

"Thank-you," I whispered.

"Don't mention it," He smiled.

"You think your lawyer can really sort this mess out?"

He nodded confidently.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for not shagging my brothers," He grinned and kissed me.

The kiss was deep, and wet, Edward's tongue swept across my lips begging for entrance. My emotion and his taste consumed me instantly and I broke away gasping.

"Let me thank you a little more back at the hotel? I think I owe you," I smiled innocently.

"Too bloody right," Edward grinned.

"You're so British," I teased.

He lightly tapped my ass while I eventually climbed into the cab.

"You love it,"

I did. I really did.

What do we think our Bella Boo is going to do about her crumbling career?

What will she do with Edward?

Tell me your theories!