"Again!" she shouted, her eyes finding mine as I took a deep breath and raised myself back into the plank position. This was the fifteenth one in a row, and the sweat pouring from my body was disgusting. When the timer went off, signaling the three minutes I collapsed to the ground, groaning at the sound of Alice's clapping and laughter.
"You did good!" She grinned, standing above me with her hands placed on her delicate hips. I rolled to the side, looking up at her as I reached up to push the hair out of my face.
"I feel like throwing up." Truth of the matter was, I felt great. Don't get me wrong—it hurt like hell, but I had gotten so far in the last six months. Six months already? I grimaced a little at the thought of where I had been six months ago. Jake had left me broken—in every sense. Two years of marriage and he had the balls…the audacity to bring that tramp into our home. I shook my head violently, trying to push the thoughts away but it was no use.
I could picture it all so clearly, I had opened the door to our modest two bedroom home, slipping my heels off with a quiet groan. But when I went to move forward, my legs had run into a box. Taking a moment to look over the room I suddenly noticed about a dozen different boxes haphazardly stacked in the hall with "Bella" scribbled on them. I pushed them aside, my breathing becoming shallow as I searched the kitchen and living room. "JAKE?!" I screamed, my heart beating itself against my chest. That's when I heard it—the giggle, coming from upstairs. I took the stairs two at a time, my body shaking as I pushed it.
"Stop that tickles!" The mystery voice was coming from my room; my blood running cold through my veins at the sound of it. I swallowed hard and pushed open our bedroom door, my eyes gluing themselves to the site in front of me. Victoria Crane, one of Chicago's most sought after single ladies. Amazing attorney, retired model, charity expert—the bitch was too good. My eyes followed her creamy complexion from her foot up to the barely there lingerie. Jacob lay beside her, a smirk on his face, while his fingers drifted over Victoria's stomach.
"As you can see, Bella—you've been replaced. With my promotion to partner at the firm—I have to start thinking bigger and better! Let's face it, toots. You're… beneath me. And Victoria?" He growled playfully and buried his face in her neck, eliciting another round of giggling. My fists clenched at my sides as Victoria's eyes found mine, a small smile playing at her lips. Jacob lifted his head again and chuckled quietly.
"I mean look at you, Bella. Frumpy, mousy… dull. I can see your fat through that dress by the way," he paused, sitting up in the bed so that he could focus on me. "We had a great two years, you helped me get to this point and I'm thankful—but I have to do what's best for me, and you're not it. You're not good enough. Your stuff is downstairs packed and ready to go, you have a moving truck coming tomorrow. You should probably go stay at Alice's tonight-don't you think?" He tilted his head, pity and disgust evident in his eyes. Without a word I spun on my heel and ran down the stairs, grabbing my purse as I made my way out the front door. I could barely remember how I made it to Alice's house—or the week after. It took Alice two weeks to get me out of her spare bedroom—I remember the first rays of sunlight stinging my sensitive eyes.
"I could kill him." Alice would mutter, before wrapping her arms around me. I cried myself to sleep over and over. When I wasn't crying I stood in front of a floor length mirror over-analyzing every inch of my body. You are frumpy, I thought over and over, pinching at the thin layers of fat that spread itself over my stomach and thighs. I stopped eating—eating made me this way, I reasoned. I didn't get far—four days until I finally passed out. When I woke up Alice was screaming bloody murder, ready to put me in a hospital. It was that day I knew I had to do something—anything other than this.
Alice had worked at Jasper's gym for five years. She had started as a front desk girl but was soon promoted to trainer when they realized just how motivating she was. Jasper put her through an associates in physical education, gave her nights off for certifications in multiple fields and the rest was history.
And here we are, with Alice Brandon's bright blue eyes watching me as I struggled to sit up. I arched my back, delighting in the cracking sound that followed.
"You know—you don't have to keep going this hard, Bella. You lost the weight two months ago, you look amazing! Why are you still killing yourself?" She frowned, plopping down on the mat beside me.
What could I say? That the workout helped me channel the anger I felt? That I constantly felt there was a tightened coil on the verge of snapping that has logged itself in my chest? Instead I chose silence, my eyes drifting towards the door as a group of girls walked by, probably heading to the yoga class in the next room.
"Bella—this can't still be about Jacob. He doesn't deserve to have this power over you and you know it. He's a complete slime ball and he and that red-headed bitch deserve each other." She spit out, her eyes narrowing as she grabbed my arm.
"You're going out with me tonight. This is getting ridiculous." She stood and pulled me up with her, grabbing my other arm.
"I love you, Bella. I just want you to get on with your life. What was the point of becoming this lean, sexy bombshell if you aren't going to show it off!" She grinned and slapped my ass before running out of the room. I shook my head and sighed, knowing that I wouldn't be getting out of this.
By six o'clock that night Alice had dragged me around the mall, purchased me a new lingerie set, a new dress, new shoes, and makeup. She had stood by with a smile as I was tortured by the wax associate at Rosalie's Spa—and now here we were, sitting in my room as she fussed over my hair.
"Honestly, Bella, you would think I was dragging you off to war the way you're acting right now." She scolded, all while she carefully sectioned and curled my hair into loose waves.
"I just don't know if I'm ready for this." I mumbled, though I knew the real answer. I knew I needed to get back out there and start my life again, but how could I trust anyone? How could I believe anyone after Jacob.
"Done!" She squealed, pulling me up and shoving me towards the mirror.
My jaw dropped instantly, my eyes taking in the beautiful woman that stood before me. The crimson colored strapless mini hugged me perfectly. It ended a few inches above my knee, and had a small black band directly under my bust that pushed my cleavage up even more. My curves had become so defined, my stomach flat, my tits perky. My skin glowed from a mixture of Alice's nutrition tips, and my chestnut colored hair had grown past my shoulders. My eyes looked the brightest they had since our wedding day—I looked like the old me, just hotter.
As the smile curved at my lips Alice began to clap and dance around, her long black locks bouncing around her.
"We're going out! It's been so long since we've gotten drunk together!" She grinned, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the door. I stopped her momentarily so that I could slip my feet into the black pumps that we had bought earlier, and followed her out of my apartment.
Alice had planned us a night to remember—dinner at one of the fanciest lounges, dancing at two different clubs. She wanted to make sure there was no chance in us coming home sober—her words not mine.
The taxi we called dropped us off in front of Trata, one of Chicago's newest restaurants. I had no idea how she had gotten us in here but I wasn't going to complain. The second we walked through the large glass doors every eye found us—curiosity gleaming from each set.
"They're all wondering who you are." Alice whispered; a small smirk on her face.
"Two for Brandon." She told the receptionist.
"Ah, yes. We're just getting your table ready, —would you two like to wait at the bar?" We grinned and nodded, moving towards the small intimate area the receptionist gestured towards. Everything was immaculate—beautiful mahogany wood and black tile made the bar stand out. We eased into two of the plush stools and waved to the bartender, my eyes widening a bit at the handsome man that greeted us.
His disheveled hair suited him perfectly. His bright green eyes, and chiseled jaw was enough to make me gasp—but the smirk he gave me when he realized I was eye-fucking him? Unforgettable.
"Hello ladies, my name is Edward; what can I get you?" He leaned forward, his arms resting on the bar as he looked at me with a playful gaze.
"Glass of merlot for me. " Alice smiled, though I could tell she was busy focusing on the staring contest we were having.
"Uh…whiskey sour.." I whispered, groaning internally at the automatic shy girl that came out of me the second he laid his eyes on me.
"Coming right up." His voice was like liquid velvet, pouring through my ears and invading my brain. Once he walked away Alice grabbed my hand, her eyes wide as she whisper yelled.
"He's eye-fucking you, Bella—And he's gorgeous! Look at his ass!" she demanded, my eyes instantly obeying. Of course it was perfect, I mean at this point he could have a third foot and I would still wash in his old bathwater. Within minutes he was in front of us again, placing perfectly prepared drinks in our hands.
"First ones on the house." He winked and strolled towards the next set of customers. I took a sip and shook my head, not even slightly surprised by the fact that it was the best whiskey sour I had ever had.
"I demand you ask for his number before we leave this bar, Bella." She growled, her eyes locking onto mine.
"Alice, no way. I'm not asking him for his number just because he gave us a free drink!"
"Really? And here I thought I was making a good enough impression on you. Guess I have to try harder." His voice stopped me in my tracks, my head snapping forward to find Edward standing in front of us again.
"I think your friend call you, Bella—right? Well, Bella. If you won't ask me then I'll just have to ask you; can I have your number?" He smiled, his eyes twinkling in amusement. I stared at him for a moment, unable to get my mouth to move. Within seconds Alice was pushing a napkin with a jumble of numbers on it towards him, and then wrapping her arm around my wrist.
"Let's go." She mumbled, pulling me out of the seat as Edward watched me. I finally offered him a smile, earning me one sexy smirk back. It's like an instant shock right to my lady bits. I turned and followed Alice, wondering just how many times I'd get to see that smirk again.