Disclaimer: These characters belong to Stephanie Meyers

Bella POV

I have always thought of Esme as a mom, and like any child would do, I ignored her flaws. I thought Esme could do no wrong. She was the mom that I wish I had. There were many nights when I'd run away from home to The Cullen home, and Esme would lie for me and tell my parents that she hadn't seen me. She'd always make me go back home the next morning, or if there was school, she'd make sure to get me there. She was the ideal mom.

Then she showed me this other side of her. This side that I didn't think existed. The side that was underhanded, and manipulative. This side that was just as snobbish as Tanya and her mom.

She's done well with hiding it from her family with her award winner smile, and her charm and enthusiasm. She has a big heart, always has, but it's somehow made her think that she knows whats best.

That's why when she called me literally seconds after Edward left my apartment, I was ready for her backlash. I was ready for her 'Esme knows best speech'

"Bella" her enthusiasm always amazes me, seeing as I rarely get affected by things. Maybe that's another reason that I'm not a good candidate for her son. She needs someone that has had years of ass-kissing practice for her social elite friends. I've never been that type, and never will be. It has nothing to do with my upbringing, or not having money, its a personality trait that I can't shake.

"Esme" I fake enthusiasm, and she lets out a small but fake laugh.

"How are things, dear" Everything she says makes me think that she's just being fake, and I hate it. I winder if we ever can just have a conversation like this again, and it feel like old times. I used to call and talk to Esme for hours, about everything. and nothing, but now, I just want her off of the phone.

"Great" Sarcasm is something I'm good at, and she knows that I'm not going to ask how she's doing, because I'm not fake like her.

"I see" she says, and I instantly furrow my eyebrows. What does that mean? "Listen, I need a favor" she begins, and I roll my eyes. She's really going to act line our relationship is okay, and nothing has changed. "Alice is having a hard time with the menu, and she's a bit of a procrastinator, so tohelp her out, I figured I would give you a call. I'm sure at this point you've heard about the-"

I interrupt her. "Yes, I heard, and I have given her suggestions. The rest is on her Esme"

"I understand that you have attempted to steer her, but I need you a little more hands on"

"How so" I ask, intrigued by her choice of words. Hands on?

"I would like you to cater it"

"You mean Edward. I don't own a catering company, nor a restaurant" yes, I'm aware that I'm being a bit rude, but oh fucking well. I know what she's trying to say, and I know that she's trying to manipulate me. Now that I know her true colors, I'm guarded.

"Edward has to attend this event as a guest, but you can handle this event. I know you can. Edward has been wanting to cater one of these events for years, but never trusted anyone with his business. He trusts you"

I know he does. I sigh. I know she has an ulterior motive, but this would be good for Edwards business. So I agree. "I'll do it"

"Great! That's great Bella. I'll speak to him about it, and see if he is onboard with it. Thank you, Bella. We'll speak soon" or not!

Bella Pov

Somehow Esme and Alice convinced Edward to cater the event, and I was chosen to oversee the preparations of course, since both Edward and Rose were to attend the event as guests. But not me. The crazy thing is, no one noticed the problem with that, except the bitch. Tanya.

"Right where you belong huh, Bella. Behind the scenes, in a kitchen." she says, coming around closer to bother me while I work.

"Don't you have work to do" I ask her, and then look up to see what she's wearing, and I furrow my brows. She has on a very form fitting red dress, and there's no obvious baby bump. She still isn't showing, and now I know somethings not right. I'll have to talk to Edward about it.

"I do. But I thought I would check on my kitchen staff" she tilts her head to the side, and folds her arms across her chest. "You should be serving wine right now"

"I'll get someone on that. Anything else?" this is still a job that she is paying us for, so I know that I have to push my hatred aside and remember to provide good service.

"No" she shrugs, but continues to stand there watching me. "He didn't ask you to be his date tonight, did he?" she asks. "At first I just thought maybe you really wanted to do this event, but now, I see how bitter you look about all of this..."she pauses with a laugh. "He didn't even ask you to come, did he"

"Can I help you with anything else? If not, I think it's best you leave. You're taking up space." I tell her, and she smirks, but walks out of the kitchen.

There are no more instances like that involving her for the rest of the night, but she makes it her business to flirt with him when I come around with trays of food, or serve wine. She's really laying it on thick, and whats killing me the most, is the fact that he doesn't flinch away from her touch not even once.

At one point she's leaning into his side, and he places his hand at her waist, and I'm so caught up in that small gesture that I bump into a server sending two trays falling to the ground, and most of my tray falls ontop of me as I hit the ground.

I look up, embarrassed when I feel the whole room looking at us. Edward looks back, and comes over to help me as well as the other server up. He then leads me back to the kitchen.

"Are you okay" He asks, and I snatch my arm away.

"I'm fine. I'm working. Go back to your date" I spit out the last word, and he flinches away from the harshness of my tone.

"She's not my date, Bella. You know how these things work" he lets out a laugh, and holds out a hand gesturing towards the door.

"Just go, okay. I'm working" I shove his chest lightly, to move away feom him, and prompt him towards the door. He grabs my hand, and pulls my body to him.

"Hey" he tilts my chin to look up at him. "I love you"

"I love you too" No matter what happens between us, that will never stop being true.

Edward Pov

Bella is acting strange. She has been for almost three weeks now. A bunch of one word answers, only speaking when absolutely necessary, and even in those times she keeps it short. I don't like it. So I tell her!

"Stop!" I shout, and she stops maneuvering around me. She's doing this shit on purpose. She won't even look me in the eyes. I reach out for her, and she finally looks at me, but quickly looks away again. The look on her face causes me to drop my hand. "What's wrong, Bella?"

She shakes her head, and then shrugs. "Nothing"

I close the distance between us, and she slowly looks up until she's looking me in the eyes. "Something is definitely wrong"

She huffs, and shakes her head again, looking away from me. I place my palm on her cheek, and I see something flash across her face, but she quickly masks it. Something is definitely wrong, and she's hiding it. But why? Why won't she just tell me what's bothering her?

I haven't seen her since my moms dinner, and now today she's here, and she won't speak to me, won't look at me, nothing! I thought that we were on the right track. We were fine. But now...

"B, you know you can talk to me about anything. You know that right?" I ask her, pleading with her to help me make things better between us. I don't like this distance.

"I'm just tired" she looks away again as she speaks, and I instantly know that she's lying.

I lift her chin to look into my eyes. "You'd tell me if I did something, right?"I ask. She nods twice, and looks away again. I won't push her today, but if this continues, we will be having a talk.

"I need to give you this" she says quietly, and hands me a sheet of paper. "Promise me that you won't read it until I leave the office"

I look down at the paper, and she quickly snatches it back. "Promise"

"What does it say? What is it" I reach for the paper, and she quickly puts it behind her back. "Fine. Fine"

She turns, places the paper on the desk, and then starts for the door. "Can I come over tonight"

She stops walking, but doesn't turn to face me. "I'll call you" she whispers. Then she's gone. I'm left standing there feeling more like she's just walked out of my life again, not just my place of business.

Once I'm over the shock of her leaving, and come to realize that I'm being ridiculous, I walk over to my desk and grab the paper.

I dont know what I expected, but this most definitely was not it. I skim the words, and what stands out has me running for the door. I throw the paper down, and run out of my office with the words 'regretfully resign' running through my brain.

AN: Why is she quitting?