Teach Me How To Love

5~

*Bella's P.O.V*

I woke up to an empty bed and an amazing smell Id ever smelt before .

That's weird...

I got up from my bed and walked into the living room. Madi and Tyler were watching Mickey Mouse and holding hands on the couch. I smiled at the two and turned around.

I saw the back of Caleb's tall figure leaning over the stove. My eyebrows furrowed and I walked into the kitchen to see what he was doing.

"What are you making?"

Caleb jumped at the sound of my voice and ended up dropping whatever he was holding into a frying pan filled with grease. The grease splashed his hand, causing him to let out a quiet curse and hold his hand to his chest.

I put my hand over my mouth, trying to contain my laughter. It didn't work.

Caleb narrowed his eyes at me and I finally got myself together.

"Let me see." I said, reaching for his hand. He pouted and shook his head, pulling his hand away from me. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand.

There was a welt along the back of his hand and I suddenly felt bad.

"I'm sorry." I said, looking at the burn. "I didn't mean to scare you." He grabbed my chin and made me look at him.

"Don't be sorry. I'm fine, okay? Besides, it got you to laugh." He smiled at me and I felt my cheeks heat up immediately.

He chuckled and went back to cooking whatever he was before.

"What is that?" I asked, looking at what looked like bacon, but wasn't.

"Turkey bacon." He answered. "You've never had it?" I shook my head and he smiled.

"Well, It's time you do." He grabbed a piece from a plate by the stove and gave it to me. I sniffed it and then stared at it for a minute.

Caleb rolled his eyes and took the bacon from my hands and instructed me to open my mouth. I did as he said; my cheeks burning the entire time. He fed me the bacon and I was surprised by how amazing it was.

"Oh my god." I moaned. "That's amazing!" He laughed and nodded, telling me 'he told me so'.

After eating Tyler and Caleb went home, promising to come over for another play date Friday.

****

"Isabella, could you come in here please?" Mark called on the intercom. I sighed and made my way into his office slowly.

"Hello, darling." He said sweetly. I closed the door and sat in the chair in front of him.

"How is Madilyn?" He asked. I cringed when he said her name. I didn't ever want to hear him say her name again.

"She's fine, sir." He smiled.

"Now." He started. "I remember a few weeks ago you asked me for a raise, yes?" I nodded and my heart started pounding erratically.

"I'm going to give it to you." I smiled widely, I couldn't help it. This was great! "If..." Of course. "If you do something for me first. The raise is yours."

I looked at him confused. He smirked and looked down at his pants and back at me. My eyes went wide and I stood up abruptly.

"No way!" I yelled. He made a tsk noise with his tongue and shook his head.

"Now now. You do want that raise don't you?" He asked.

"Yes, but..."

"That is the deal. You help me, I help you. If you don't, I expect your desk cleared by this evening."

"You.." Anger boiled inside me. I can't take this anymore! "You asshole!" I screamed. I picked up a book off the table and threw it at his head. "You're a sick bastard!" I yelled. "I quit!"

I stormed out of the office, grabbing my coat and whatever else I needed.

I got in the car and drove home; still raging.

Luckily, Caleb was bringing Madi home later since he was babysitting her. I have about an hour and a half to calm down before she gets home.

Calming down was sort of what I did. When I got home I fell asleep on the couch by accident and didn't wake up until I felt weight on my stomach.

I opened my eyes and saw Madi laying on my stomach and smiling at me. Caleb was standing at the end of the couch laughing.

"Where's Tyler?" I asked, sitting up and moving Madi onto my lap.

"I took him home first." Caleb said. I nodded and rubbed my eyes. They stung from all the crying.

"Madi, it's late. Let's go lay down, okay?" Caleb said. Madi nodded and kissed me before following him into her room.

I laid back down on the couch and sighed.

A few minutes later Caleb sat on the floor in front of the couch and stared at me.

"What happened?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" He couldn't know something was wrong...

"Your eyes are red, There's a newspaper with the job section open on your table, and you kind of stink."

"Gee thanks." I chuckled, sitting up and making room for him.

"Well?" He said, sitting across from me on the couch.

"I quit my job." I whispered. "Before you think anything bad of me I promise I didn't want to! I know I need it, God I'm so selfish!" I looked down at my hands, tears falling again.

"Hey, it's alright." Caleb said, wrapping me in his arms.

"No it's not. My boss was a total perv. He knew I needed the money to take care of Madi and he said the only way to keep my job was to..." I trailed off, and started sobbing. Caleb tensed up and made me look him in the eyes.

"Did he touch you?" He demanded. I wanted to lie, but I couldn't. Those eyes hypnotized me. I nodded and Caleb stood up.

"When?" He yelled.

"Wednesday..." I whispered. It seemed to click In his head as he recalled Wednesday night and anger filled his eyes.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He yelled. I immediately stood up and covered his mouth with my hand. I dragged him into my room and shut the door. I didn't want to wake Madi.

"Bella..." He trailed off, grabbing my arms gently.

"I was scared." I said honestly.

His eyes softened as he stared into my eyes.

"What are you going to do?" He asked. I shook my head, feeling another tear escape.

"I have no idea. I can't afford rent forever. I have some money saved but once it's gone..." I sobbed. Caleb hugged me again and I sighed; feeling safe in his arms.

"You're looking for a new roommate aren't you?" Caleb suddenly said.

"Yeah, but..." I trailed off and shook my head. "No, Caleb. I can't ask you to do that."

"I want to. Look, I'll pay for anything we need until you can get another job, okay?"

"Caleb..."

"No. Bella I'm doing this. You two need me and I'm not going to let you guys suffer any more."

"I can't let you do that." I said sternly. Caleb stared at me for a minute.

"Bella, Say hello to your new roommate."