Well hello there again! This idea came to me as I was wrapping up The Friend Line and it wouldn't leave alone, so here it is, my new brain child. A few things before we start...

This one is written differently then how I usually write as it is written in third person. I wrote it this way because I wanted to be able to show both Edward and Bella's thoughts at the same time rather than individual points of view. Also, this is not going to be a long one. Getting that out there now. Its looking to be 11 chapters. It should post weekly.

And once again, thanks to my beta Chandrakanta for making the banners for this one and for taking another story journey with me, she's awesome!

Ok, so here we go. This is going to be heartfelt, just so you know. Not the usual angst, but tissues will be needed at times.

Chapter One

"You're really leaving?"

Bella looked up at her co-worker Emily, who was standing just outside Bella's cubical with her hands on her hips and a stunned look on her face.

"Damn, I guess Kate can't keep her mouth shut," Bella hissed. "I haven't even told the boss yet, so can you keep your voice down, please?"

"But why? I thought you loved it here?" Emily questioned.

"I do," Bella replied. "But this was always a filler until I could find a job doing what I love—what I went to school for. I got a job offer that I could not refuse. It just came up, really—I just got the call the day before yesterday."

Bella was one of three executive assistants to the founder and CEO of one of Seattle's top Architecture firms. At only 31, her boss was one of Seattle's youngest entrepreneurs.

Bella didn't have much contact with Edward Masen, as she was the third assistant. Her dealings with him mostly consisted of emails and errands. She had sat in some meetings with the firm, but it was mostly to take notes. While Mr. Masen was smug, he was also the most attractive man she had ever seen, always dressed in designer suits that were tailored to fit him perfectly.

His hair was the shade of copper and always a mess; his eyes the color of jade could stop you in your tracks when he looked you. He was tall and lean, with narrow hips and a jawline that could make anyone drool. He was delicious, but he was a hot head with an ugly temper. Mr. Masen was definitely intimidating, so Bella was more than okay with being the third assistant and only dealing with him through emails.

That is until today.

"You haven't told Mr. Masen yet?"

"No."

"You better tell him, Bella," Emily suggested. "You sure as hell don't want him to find out through office gossip. You know how he hates finding things out in the office last."

"He probably doesn't even know who I am. Most of my dealings with him are through a computer screen. I'm sure he won't miss me, nor will my leaving impact his day to day."

"Maybe so, but he's still your boss and you have to tell him."

"Yeah. I know." Bella shrugged.

"When are you leaving?"

"In a week." Bella looked at her calendar. "I start my new job in ten days and I need to pack."

"Wait, you're moving, too?"

"Yeah, I'll still be in Washington, but a few hours away. I can't pass this job up, Em; it's what I was meant to do with my life."

"Well, I wish you luck—with the job that is—not with telling Mr. Masen you're leaving in a week." Emily turned on her heels and started to walk away from Bella's desk, but not before saying, "Good luck with that."

Bella let out a deep sigh and sank down in her chair. She knew it wasn't common practice to give less than two weeks' notice to your current employer, but she didn't have a choice. She needed to pack her things from her sister's place and get her affairs in order.

When Bella was 11 years old and living in Arizona with her parents, they were killed in a car accident. Rosalie was 20 and attending college in Seattle. After the accident, Rosalie was appointed her little sister's guardian and Bella moved to Seattle to live with her.

It was a hard adjustment for both sisters, as there was a nine-year age gap and Rosalie wasn't around much when Bella was a baby. But over time, they got closer and now were each other's best friends. Bella adjusted to life in Seattle and got through high school unscathed, much to Rosalie's relief. After high school, Bella decided to follow her sister's footsteps and attended U-Dub.

After five years of school, Bella graduated at the top of her class, but with no job prospects in her field. When the job with Masen Architecture came her way, she accepted, and she had been there for the past two years.

The ping of a new email brought Bella out of her thoughts. She froze when she saw it was an email from Mr. Masen. She exhaled when she saw it was a list of phone calls he needed her to make to set up meetings. After she made the necessary phone calls and set up the requested meetings, Bella emailed her boss; it was now or never.

FROM: Isabella Swan

TO: Edward Masen

SUBJECT: Agenda.

Mr. Masen,

Per your request, I have set up your meetings for the coming week. Here is your agenda.

Tuesday August 6 10:45am

Brunch with Alexander Jenner

The Cove.

Thursday August 8 1:00pm

Lunch with Senator Allen

Four Seasons Hotel dining room.

Both have confirmed and Senator Allen requested you bring the plans for his office building design.

If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know.

Mr. Masen, I know this is a bit unusual, but I was wondering if I may have a word with you when you are able to afford me some time? I would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance,

Isabella Swan

Masen Architecture LLC

Executive Assistant to Mr. Masen

425-555-1700 ext 4805

Bella hit send and waited for Mr. Masen to reply. Her heart sank when she saw the small white envelope appear, letting her know she had new mail. She clicked on it and read his reply.

TO: Isabella Swan

FROM: Edward Masen

SUBJECT: Agenda

Miss Swan,

Thank you for setting up my schedule promptly, Regarding your request to meet with me, I have a meeting in 30 minutes. If this won't require much time, you may come to my office now.

Edward Masen, CEO

Masen Architecture LLC

425-555-1700 ext 4800

Bella gulped when she read his reply. Well, it was now or never. She stood from her chair, smoothed out her skirt, and checked her teeth in her mirror to make sure there were no remnants from her lunch. She walked down the hallways, and when she got to Mr. Masen's office door, she took a deep breath and knocked.

(*)

It had been a long week for Edward Masen filled with lunch meetings, dinner meetings, and late dinner dates.

As he sat in his office and looked over blueprints to a building his company was designing, his eyes were strained. A new email coming through caused him to groan and look away from his plans.

FROM: Isabella Swan

TO: Edward Masen

SUBJECT: Agenda.

Mr. Masen,

Per your request, I have set up your meetings for the coming week. Here is your agenda.

Tuesday August 6 10:45am

Brunch with Alexander Jenner

The Cove.

Thursday August 8 1:00

Lunch with Senator Allen

Four Seasons Hotel dining room.

Both have confirmed and Senator Allen requested you bring the plans for his office building design.

If there is anything else I can assist you with, please let me know.

Mr. Masen, I know this is a bit unusual, but I was wondering if I may have a word with you when you are able to afford me some time. I would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance,

Isabella Swan

Masen Architecture LLC

Executive Assistant to Mr. Masen

425-555-1700 ext 4805

Edward wondered what Isabella wanted to talk to him about. He didn't have many dealings with her as she mostly took care of his calendar. He, of course, knew who she was: petite brunette with legs for days and big brown eyes. Oh yeah, he knew who Isabella Swan was.

Edward responded to her email to grant her request.

Edward returned his attention to his blueprints and scribbled some notes in the margins. Then he heard another beep, this time coming from his desk phone.

"Mr. Masen?"

"Yes, Kate?" he asked his assistant through the speaker of his phone with a huff in his voice.

"I know you said to hold your calls, sir, but you have a call on line one—it's your father."

"Thanks, Kate, I'll take it." Edward picked up his receiver and pressed the button for line one. "Dad?"

"Hey, son, I'm sorry to bother you at work—I know you're busy."

"It's fine, Dad," Edward replied. "What's going on, how's Mom?"

"It's not good, son," he answered. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this over the phone, but the doctors told us there's nothing left they can do." Edward's heart sank from his father's words. "Your mother wants to go home, Edward."

"Is that wise?" Edward asked. "I mean..."

"It's what she wants, son," his father answered. "She doesn't want to be in the hospital anymore. She wants to come home to..." Edward's father stopped his words. Edward could hear him collecting his thoughts. Then he spoke again. "The hospital is going to set us up with a home hospice nurse so someone can be here with us 24/7 to attend to your mother's needs."

"H-how long?" Edward choked out, his heart racing in his chest.

"Not long, a month at best, maybe less," he replied. "I'm so sorry, son."

"Me, too, Dad." Edward took a deep breath and let the shaky breath out. "I'm going to come home."

"Edward..."

"Dad, she's my mother. I'm coming home. I have some things to settle here at the office and then I'll drive out. I should be home by early next week."

"All right, son," his father agreed.

"When is Mom coming home?"

"Not for a week; we have to get things settled with hospice care and then the nurse can't come until then."

"Okay, I'll be home as soon as I can," Edward stated. "Please tell Mom… I love her."

"I will, son."

Edward hung up the phone and fought back the tears that had been pricking the corners of his eyes. His mother was dying and he felt completely helpless. He wasn't ready to lose her.

She had been sick for a while now and Edward was always too busy with work to go home. He hadn't been home in almost two years. Home was Forks and it was four hours from Seattle, where he had lived since he graduated from Dartmouth nine years ago.

Edward had put all his time in his company, so much time that he had forgotten what was important.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to calm himself and stop his tears from falling. A slight knock on his office door made his head jerk up. He wiped at his face and went back to his blueprints.

"Come in," Edward said.

When Bella heard Mr. Masen's voice from the other side of his door, she gripped the doorknob and slowly opened the door. When the door was fully opened, her breath caught in her throat when she saw her boss leaning over his desk looking at blueprints.

He had loosened his green tie and the sleeves to his charcoal dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. His jacket was tossed on his couch and his hair looked like he had been pulling on it. Bella's mouth ran dry.

"Mr. Masen, thank you for seeing me so quickly," Bella said from the doorway.

Edward looked up at her briefly and then took a seat in his chair.

"Come in, Miss Swan. What can I do for you?" Edward looked up at Bella briefly and all he could see were her legs, long legs that were emphasized by the skirt and heels she was wearing. Edward cleared his throat.

Bella took a few hesitant steps towards his desk, and when she was close, he looked back up at her again, his green eyes burning through her.

"I um... I…" Damn, he was intimidating. Bella almost forgot how to speak.

"Spit it out, Isabella. As I have told you, I have a meeting," he spat.

Bella shivered from the sound of her first name on his lips. He mostly called her Miss Swan, so hearing him say her first name caught her off guard.

"Right, I'm sorry," Bella said. "I'm really sorry for the inconvenience this might impose, but I've been offered another job and it's my dream job... and I'm sorry... but I um... have to give you my notice... sir." Bella felt like a complete idiot. Could she stutter her words any more?

"I see," Edward answered, folding his arms in front of him. Could this day get any worse? "And when will you be leaving? Two weeks at least?"

"Um, no, sir," Bella started, her heart pounding in her chest. "I have to leave by Friday. I need..."

"A week? You're only giving me one week's notice? That's highly unprofessional, Miss Swan."

Now she was Miss Swan again and he looked pissed. Bella swallowed hard.

"I know, sir, and I'm really sorry, but this job, I can't pass it up. It's what I've been wanting to do and I..."

"Well, it's nice to know we were able to employ you while you waited for something else more appealing to you," Edward hissed.

"That's not..." Bella stopped her words and then looked at Edward in the eye. "I have loved working here, Mr. Masen, but as designing skyscrapers is your passion, this job opportunity is mine. I'm really sorry to leave you in a lurch, but I'm sure one of your other two assistants can cover your calender."

Edward raised his eyebrow at her. He had no idea she was such a firecracker. She was always so quiet, but now she stood in his office telling him like it was. No one ever stood up to him.

"Well, Miss Swan, I guess that's it? Edward said as he ran his fingers through his hair. Bella watched him with bated breath. "Please make Kate aware of your plans as she will be taking over your duties. And on your last day, please turn in your ID and keys to Kate as well."

"Yes, sir."

"Also, I need you to please cancel the meetings you just set up, I need to go out of town unexpectedly. Please give Senator Allen my regrets and inform him the plans will be sent over via messenger for his review."

"As you wish, sir." Bella felt uneasy. She could sense something was up with her boss. He never canceled meetings. "Is everything okay, Mr. Masen?"

"What?" Edward asked.

"I mean… it's just you never cancel meetings and well...

"Everything is fine, Miss Swan, just focus on your job. You do still have work to do for the time being."

Bella took a step back and nodded. She didn't say another word as she turned on her heels and walked out of Mr. Masen's office. When she returned back to her desk, she let out the breath she had been holding. Mr. Masen was definitely an asshole, he didn't even wish her good luck. She shrugged and sent the email he asked her to send. It was going to be a long final week at Masen Architecture.

(*)

After Miss Swan left his office, Edward slouched in his chair. First he was told his mother was going home to die and now one of his assistants up and quit on him.

No one quit on him.

But she had. That little firecracker put him in his place and quit on him all in the same five minutes. And now he wouldn't be able to look at her legs again. Edward shook his head and rolled up his blueprints, placing them in a tube before grabbing his suit jacket and leaving his office.

"Kate, please hold all my calls. After my meeting, I'll be going home. I'll be back in the morning."

"Uh, sure, Mr. Masen," Kate answered.

Edward walked by her desk, and when he approached Bella's desk, he looked at her. She was sitting in her chair with her long legs crossed, typing away. When she looked up at him as he walked by, Edward redirected his stare and walked out of the office.

A/N: Well alright then. Until next time.

Thoughts so far?

XOXO