AN: Alright, here's a new one. First chapter introduces Bella, and you'll get a glimpse of what her everyday life is like. You'll get a little introduction to Edward, hopefully you'll get a feel for what havoc he'll wreak in the future. You'll also meet the four most important people in Bella's life, they prove crucial to later chapters. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or any of the characters involved. I do not own any of the fabulous supermodels named, nor do I own Mr. Tom Brady. I do not own any of the music listed, although I do wish I owned that estranged husband of Pink's. The things I would do to that man ;)

Chapter 1: $2,150 an Ounce

The bass pulsated the platform she was standing on. Bella closed her eyes and let the delicious rhythm overtake her, a usual ritual before most shows. The five-inch stiletto heels on her feet had her feeling like royalty in its oddest form as numerous stage-hands moved around her frantically, like the planets moving around the sun.

"Swan, you're up in three. Behind Adriana, pronto! Thank you doll," Ben screamed. He was her favorite stage-hand by far. So obviously gay but so unforgiveably hot with his dark brown hair and electric blue eyes, and that unmistakeable California glow. Bella could make out every taut muscle on his stomach through his skin-tight work shirt.

"Oh I love it when you give direction," she said shooting him a wink.

"What I'd do to you if I was straight," he mumbled. Bella laughed and pecked him lightly on the cheek before coming to fall behind Adriana. Pink's "Oh My God" came over the premium sound system and that was their cue. Adriana launched herself onto the catwalk in one long stride, and Bella followed suit.

Put me on the table

Make me say your name

If I can't remember

Then give me all your pain

I can sit and listen

Or I can make you scream

Kiss it and make it better

Just put your trust in me.

Bella raised an eyebrow and parted her lips slightly, putting in no effort at all to look seductive. She pushed her shoulders back, sticking out her sculpted chest as she lengthened her strides artfully. One thing she did have to thank her parents for was their highly-envied genetics. Bella had legs for days, followed by a perfectly-toned upper half and flawless facial features to match. Her long chestnut-colored hair always fell in graceful waves past her shoulders without any effort at all, and the color complimented her eyes beautifully. Now, complete with a California glow, Bella could even pass for exotic. She was careful to keep her gaze fixed as she strutted past the celebrities in the front rows on both sides of the stage. Gwyneth Paltrow sat next to Madonna, their eyes glued to the catwalk. Lindsay Lohan was perched next to Sam Ronson and Drew Barrymore, smiles as wide as the early-morning California horizon. The Olsen Twins were busy posing for People's two best photographers. Diddy sat alongside Kimora Lee, deep in conversation over their next project as always. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sat aside their respective wives, Jennifer and Luciana. Even the royal family had flown in for the occasion, Charles and Kate looking as darling as ever. To your average person, a roomful of celebrities was likely to cause heart failure, but for Bella it was nothing more than her everyday job, her career.

Bella was a supermodel, strutting her stuff alongside the best of them, Heidi and Tyra included. She had been eighteen years old and a highschool graduate when she decided to throw herself head first into one of the top modeling agencies around; Elite Model Management. Being blunt, Bella's childhood wasn't the stuff of fairytales. She had been born in the small town of Forks, Washington, to Renee and Charlie Swan. By the time Bella was five, her parents' marriage had completely crumbled. Renee, money hungry as always, had gone off in search for a man willing to waste all his wealth on her, leaving Bella without as much as a note. Charlie had been resentful of Bella since day one, reason being she had a vagina. After a couple of years spent learning to fend for herself, Charlie called his sister Esme to 'come and get her' as he had put it.

Bella's aunt Esme lived in Brentwood, California, and had always been her favorite. While she'd only come to visit once, it was enough for Bella to know that she loved her as though she were her own daughter. From the time Bella had moved in with her, the two had become inseperable. Esme always thought Bella deserved the finer things in life, including the Porsche Carerra she had received for her sixteenth birthday. Esme had enrolled her in Harvard-Westlake, one of the most prestigious private schools in the nation, always assuring her that the $20,000 annual side-note was a small price to pay for her darling niece. The one thing Bella never really seemed to get over was the idea that maybe Esme had done all of it to make up for her wretched early years.

But now as she owned the catwalk with fierce confidence, she reached the end and peered down into the front row. There, in her reserved seats, were the only people that she'd ever really need. Esme, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Jacob beamed up at her with the utmost pride and respect. Bella blew them a kiss, struck her pose, and pivoted on her heel to make her way back down to the other end. She had known Emmett and Jacob from childhood, they referred to themselves as 'The Three Musketeers'. Alice was a PR intern at Elite that had been selected to do a piece on Bella for the opening of the fall fashion season. They had clicked instantly, and the two had never looked back. Jasper was Alice's fiance, and while it was taking all Bella had to like him, she was glad he could give Alice the life she deserved, and much more.

Bella made her way backstage and was being stripped down before she could even blink. The Ferragamo show was quite possibly one of the biggest shows of the year, and this being the 80th Anniversary celebration said nothing less. This year the showcase was taking place in Shanghai, and while it had been the flight from hell, Bella felt good to be able to leave California behind even if just for a couple weeks. But now, as Ben was pulling the most intricate of cocktail dresses over her slender frame, Bella realized the West Coast was where she belonged entirely.

"Alright babe, same line-up as before. Knock 'em dead, gorgeous," he instructed. Bella flashed him a reassuring smile, she knew all too well what she was to do. Again poised behind Adriana, the chorus to Pink's song blasted over the sound system;

Oh my God, go a little slower.

Oh my God, what was that again?

La da da, let me feel you baby.

Let me in, 'cause I understand.

Let me feel you baby, 'cause I understand.

For whatever reason, Bella found herself feeling strangely empowered by the song. If the girl was good at anything, it was raw sex appeal. The song screamed it.

Thank you Alicia, Bella thought to herself. She'd have to thank her at their next run in on Rodeo.

The show was coming to a close, the girls making their rounds in the last collection of the evening; dresses of all kinds. Bella had been chosen to display one rather marvelous cocktail dress. 'Monochrome' gowns were fastly becoming all the rage for the autumn-winter seasons. Bella's particular dress fell to rest three inches above the knee. Strapless with a sparkling black bodice that ended just below the breast, it was devastatingly vintage. From the breast down, it consisted of nothing but a delicate, white mesh material that flowed out rather elegantly. The heels Bella strutted in consisted of a five-inch heel, with a delicate open-toe design. The shoes had a polished finish, black from heel to toe, with a single grey button perched on the top of each shoe. How someone could take something so understated and make it catch your eye was beyond Bella, and she mentally bowed before the late Salvatore Ferragamo.

Bella reached the end of the catwalk and flashed a bright smile to her fan section, discreetly gesturing them to meet her backstage.

"Alright ladies! Great show! I'm sure you're all dying to head back home, but make sure you make an appearance at the afterparty. It's being hosted by Cartier, and I'm sure you don't want to miss out on those giftbags," Ben suggested. Some of the girls laughed, including Bella, as they all returned to their stations to undress. Bella looked in the mirror and frowned as she took in her ridiculously ratted hair, the shit stood as tall as the Empire State Building. Contemplating how to brush through it gave her an instant headache. Alice and Jasper appeared in her vanity and she turned to greet Alice with a warm hug.

"Hard day at the office, huh?" Alice joked. She looked downright fantastic in the J Brand jeans Bella had forced her to buy on their latest Rodeo excursion, not to mention her peach-colored Anna Sui camisole.

"Wouldn't you know it," Bella pretended to fan herself while panting slightly. "Thanks for coming Jasper, I know it wasn't exactly your idea of a good time," she deadpanned.

"Please, he just got to spend three hours ogling supermodels, he's set for days," Alice joked, bumping his hip with her own. Bella smiled faintly, failing to find the humor in her words.

"There's the lady in waiting!" Bella knew that voice all too well. Jacob came bounding toward her, Emmett in tow. He scooped her up for a bear hug, practically squeezing the life out of her.

"Put me down, Jake! Can't. Gasp. Breathe! Gasp." She swatted him playfully as he set her back on the floor.

"My turn!" Emmett bellowed. Bella wasn't sure how well her oxygen intake would be for the evening, but smiled as she slung an arm around both of their necks.

"So who's tail are we chasing tonight, boys?" She joked. Emmett and Jacob had invented a little game where they would each seek out the hottest model they could find and chase her around all evening, hoping in the least for a casual conversation.

"No one's. We're just interested in scoping out that giftbag of yours," they both admitted. Esme came into view behind Emmett then, and squeezed between the two of them to give Bella a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"You were devastating, sweetheart. I'm positive that you succeeded in making all your fellow coworkers look downright awful in their outfits," she gushed. Bella blushed slightly as she looked back at Emmett and Jacob, who were cackling like hyenas.

"Enough, enough! Time for some primo liquor and run-ins with the rich and the famous!" She exclaimed, linking arms with Esme and Emmett; Jasper, Alice, and Jacob followed suit.

"You mean your peers," Jacob corrected. Bella rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, something like that."

Cartier threw one hell of a party. Held at Shanghai's Port International Cruise Terminal, everyone who was anyone had started to arrive, nursing tall glasses of champagne donned with the freshest of fruit Bella was sure. Ferragamo's sons and successors, James and Salvatore, were greeting each guest as they arrived. Bella wrapped her arms around both their necks at once, air kissing the both of them on each cheek. She introduced Esme and the rest gracefully then sidled over to the pyramid of champagne glasses, making sure to grab enough for everyone. After handing the glasses out, Bella took a long draw from her own, savoring the taste as it slid down her throat deliciously.

"Mmm," she cooed, "Dom Perignon White Gold Jeroboam. $40,000 a pop for one of these bad boys," she concluded, thrusting her glass in the air toward Emmett.

"Either you've adapted to this lifestyle divinely, or you're one hell of an alcoholic Swan," Emmett countered. Bella scoffed.

"I'll take the first one. Anything with the word 'divine' attached must surely refer to myself," she joked. The Ferragamo brothers joined in. Bella was on her game tonight.

"Well we should make our rounds before we start catching backlash from the other guests. Be sure to grab your giftbag on the way out, and come find us before you leave darling," James kissed Bella on the forehead before stroding off.

"Can I just say that I'm not a fan of the growing number of men who kiss you everytime they see you?" Jacob interjected, coming to stand beside Emmett. They both folded their arms across their broad chests.

"Jacob, please. Those two men have known me since I was eighteen years old. They flew into LA to do some interviewing at the agency for their father's museum in New York. In the modeling world, that's like saying they've known me since I was in diapers," Bella argued. Jacob's futile attempt at proving a valid point faltered, and he let out a groan of defeat instead.

"Oh, Bella, you have company at three o'clock," Alice pointed out. Bella turned slightly to her right to see Heidi and Adriana making their way over. Bella flashed a look of warning to Emmett and Jacob to be on their best behavior and turned around to flash the fellow models a welcoming smile.

"Heidi, Adriana, amazing turn out tonight, don't you agree?" she offered. They both flashed her warm smiles in return.

"Quite the turnout, I have to agree. But I think it's safe to say you stole the show in that dress of yours, darling," Adriana pointed out. Bella felt herself blushing slightly.

"Nonsense, what about you in that evening gown? You have the figure that makes anything work!" she argued. Heidi nodded her head in agreement before turning her attention back to Bella.

"Let's just agree to disagree. We all owned that runway tonight, ladies. It was no Victoria Secret show, that's for sure."

"Absolutely. Being here in Shanghai makes me feel like such royalty," Bella admitted.

Adriana laughed. "I know exactly what you mean! I feel like it's such an honor to be wearing that man's clothing." The three laughed and nodded their heads in agreement. After introducing the two of them to the rest of her clan, the girls bid each other adue. Emmett and Jacob looked completely star struck. Bella rolled her eyes and slapped them each upside the head.

"How many times have I taken you along on these little trips? And you're still sitting there, looking like a fat kid in a goddamn candy store. It's a little embarassing."

"Well excuse me that I don't rub shoulders with the rich and the famous every single day of my life," Emmett explained.

"Same old shit, different day," Bella breathed, "get another excuse Emmett, that one's tired."

"What the fuck crawled up your ass and died?" Jacob shot back. Bella sighed and rubbed her temples. Esme came over to massage her shoulders gently.

"Sorry guys. For the past two weeks I've lived in five-inch heels, walking runways and stuff of that sort. I'm surviving on eight hours of sleep at the most for the entire time I've been here. I'm dead on my feet, just ready to go home," she reasoned. Jacob gave her a small hug and Emmett instantly dropped his poor attempt at a scowl.

"We gotcha B, but would it be the wrong time to mention that I have yet to see what's in that giftbag of yours?" Jacob wiggled his eyebrows like Groucho Marx, pretending to pull the cigar from his lips. Bella laughed and shoved him away by the chest.

"Fine." She gave in, heading over to the table adorned with intricate-looking giftbags. It was almost a shame to tear it apart. She grabbed the one belonging to her and held it high above her head.

"The moment of truth!" She grinned as she reached into the bag, pulling out the newest in the Blackberry line; the Blackberry Javelin. Bella was a little disappointed, as she had already gotten hers four months before it had even been leaked mainstream. Jacob's eyes lit up.

"I definitely know you already have one of those. Hand it over." Bella smiled and handed him the phone. Emmett started to whine like a five year-old.

"What about me?" he folded his arms over his chest. Bella held up one finger, as if to say 'one moment please'. She peered down into the bag, shuffling around for something she hoped he would like. After a few minutes she rendered her attempt useless.

"Sorry Em, I guess you didn't really luck out with them giving me my own personal bag. If they hadn't individually labeled them, you probably would have had more luck. I'll get you something back home if it makes you feel better," she offered feeling slightly horrible.

"Bells, I'm kidding. You don't need to buy me anything. Good lord."

"Works for me," she concluded, reaching back into her bag. Bella pulled out a long red box with the familiar Cartier writing along the top. Surprise, surprise. Inside she found a necklace consisting of her favorite; pink gold. At 18-carats easily, the necklace was still so simple; so...her. A single fleur-de-lis rested upon the delicate chain, donning intricately-cut diamonds. Bella was in awe at the raw beauty of the single piece of jewelry she held in her hand.

"Jacob, put this on for me please," she rushed over to him, afraid of the necklace disappearing in his ridiculously large hand. As Jacob finished, Bella smoothed her fingertips over the chain and smiled as she noticed Gisele gliding over to say hello. The first thing she noticed was the necklace.

"Oh Bella, that necklace is beautiful! Was that one of your gifts?" she inquired. Bella smiled.

"Yes, it was. I'm still trying to catch my breath," she laughed, "you'll have to excuse me." Gisele chuckled slightly.

"I know. I was talking to James and he was telling me how he and Salvatore went to both Cartier and Harry Winston to hand-pick jewelry to place in our bags. But it was only for their favorite models," she winked.

"Oh, I'm sure," Bella said picking up on her wisecrack. "So where's Tom?" Bella ventured. She knew her star quarterback boyfriend was never too far behind these days.

"Well it's pre-season right now, so they'll keep him on his toes until the actual season starts. Plus he's involved in that whole press junket for whatever it was that buddy of his got himself into. Didn't really think it'd be a great idea for him to be jetting across the country at the moment."

"What buddy of his?"

"The one they signed last season, first round draft pick right? He played with Tom over at Michigan. God, I can't seem to remember his name for the life of me," Gisele said, gnawing on her bottom lip in thought.

"Cullen. Edward Cullen," Emmett spat. Bella was sure she heard all three of the guys groan in unison. What was the big deal with this Cullen character anyway?

"Edward Cullen! There we go! Anyway, Tom hasn't told me much, other than the fact that he crashed his brand new G Wagon into a tree and totaled it. I'm sure some DUI charge is pending, or something along those lines. I'm not one to say much about it considering I don't know the whole story, though." Bella liked how genuine Gisele always seemed. She was one of the only girls with a good head on her shoulders.

"You make this Cullen kid sound like a godsend, being selected first round and all. Why is it that I have yet to hear about him?" Bella was a little more than curious.

"No idea. I've only met him a couple times, but I know he and Tom have a pretty close relationship. So close that I guess Tom is willing to stand behind him for anything, no matter how guilty he really is," Gisele shrugged her shoulders, "but I don't know that much about him. I'm just sure he's not someone you want to get involved with. I hope I'm not coming off conceited in saying this, but men like Tom in the NFL are few and far between if you know what I mean," she reasoned. Bella didn't have the strength to argue.

"But anyway, my plane's getting ready to take off shortly. You were to die for on that runway tonight!" she assured Bella.

"Well thanks, and the same goes for you. I envied what that set of heels did for you. Send my love to the East Coast, and tell Tom I said hello! He better have some tickets reserved for that press box, he knows we love to come see him play, plus I'm sure you don't mind the company," Bella winked. Gisele laughed and parted ways gracefully. Bella stifled a yawn and turned around to face everyone. Emmett and Jacob were shooting her a look of death.

"What now?!"

"Don't even think about that goddamn Cullen prick," Emmett spat.

"Oh go fuck yourself Emmett, I don't even know who he is. Neither did you until a couple minutes ago, I'm sure."

"You sold me on that bullshit about Leinart and look where that got you." Like Bella needed to be reminded. All she really wanted to remember was the pact that she had made with herself swearing off any and all professional football players.

"Fuck. Here we go again," she mumbled. Jacob interjected.

"I've been following the news on this guy, he's a total fucking cocksucker. The jackass signs a contract for $22 mil and all of a sudden he's hot shit. Fuckin' buys a house in the Hollywood Hills for the price of a piece of Trump real estate, a $105,000 SUV that he crashes three days after he buys it. It fucking pisses me off. The fucker's reckless, and he's blowing his money because he can? He sure as shit isn't Tom Brady. Tom kicked those habits long before he could even afford them." Jacob shook his head in obvious disgust.

"Jake and Emmett are both right, B. I know what you went through with the last football player, and I am definitely not interested in signing up for that program again," Alice admitted. Jasper shook his head in agreement.

"We're all just looking out for your best interest, honey. You know that. Now it's been a hell of a trip, so what do you say we call it a night? Your plane leaves soon, anyway," Esme reminded her. Bella let out a long sigh and slumped her shoulders.

"I actually leave tomorrow, I've got to stay behind and do some PR in the morning, but I've arranged for your guys' flight to leave tonight. It'll be a long one, but I know you're all dying to go home as much as I am. First class, as always. You guys mind as well get going, James has limos waiting for us out front." Bella ushered everyone out into the crisp, early morning air. James and Salvatore waited out front by their respective cars.

"Ah, I see the necklace was a hit James, you have amazingly good judgement," Salvatore complimented his brother in regards to the necklace Bella wore around her neck.

"Oh, I absolutely adore it," she gushed, hopefully not in what came off as mock enthusiasm. She flashed them her brightest of smiles. "I definitely hope you will be inviting me to return next year, your father is a brilliant man."

"Miss Swan, we would not have it any other way. You stole the show by a long shot. I can promise you that more than half of the magazines will have your picture gracing their front covers within the next week or so," James assured her. Growing more exhausted by the second, Bella gathered them in a warm embrace for the last time that evening. After kissing them both on the cheek, she returned to see everyone off.

"I'm not expected in much before early Tuesday morning, but I'll be fine. I have a phone if I need it. Have a safe trip home, I love you guys!" Bella hugged everyone individually before opening the door and ushering them inside the spacious Rolls Royce limousine.

"Love you, too B, be safe," everyone chimed in unison. Bella closed the door gently and waltzed over to her own limousine.

Peace and quiet at last.

"Rendezvous Merry Hotel, please," she instructed the driver before rolling the privacy window up all the way. Bella kicked off her Ferragamo heels and rubbed her temples between her fingers. What a fucking night. What a fucking two weeks it had been. The first thing Bella was doing when she got back was booking herself a trip to the Cal-a-Vie spa in Vista, one of the best spas in the country. It was her own little 'welcome home ritual'; she booked herself a day at the spa to unwind from the hectic world of fashion.

Bella was so tired that she didn't even remember how she made it all the way up to her penthouse suite but she did, in one piece yet. She stripped off her evening gown, along with all the hype the evening had conjured up, and climbed into bed in just her La Perla Flame Collection black lace bra and matching thong. She dozed off into a fitful sleep in record time.

The alarm went off at 8 AM sharp, startling Bella slightly. Hadn't she just fallen asleep? She padded into the bathroom and checked her complexion; not a single ring or bag under either one of her eyes, another thing to thank Renee and Charlie for. Her hair was still ratted as professionally as it had been for the show the night before, so Bella pulled it up into a ponytail and gave the hair around her crown a little more of a boost. She quickly slid into her size zero Rock & Republic skinny jeans and pulled her favorite vintage, black CBGB shirt. Casual style drove the press nuts. She switched out the Ferragamo heels for her favorite pair of white Jimmy Choos, spritzed on a little of Clive Christian's No. 1 (that went for $2,150 an ounce), and was out the door. She left notice with the front desk to have her luggage carried down at noon, when she was scheduled to leave for the airport.

Bella walked the block down to the street where the press junket was to take place. Why they had picked a small cafe, she hadn't the slightest idea. All she knew was that Adriana would be there to share her pain, and she was thankful. Bella was ushered into a tiny room in the back of the cafe, where she was bombarded with cameras and recorders the second she walked through the door. She took her seat and flashed her brightest of smiles at the press. Adriana took the seat next to her and for the next hour, the girls took turns answering some of the most frivolous questions;

"Why Shanghai?"

"What part of the US are you headed back to?"

"Did you get to keep any outfits from the show?"

What the fuck? Didn't they educate these damn fuckers from the press? Bella's irritated expression growing more and more apparent, the security men standing by the doors ushered everyone out a half hour before the junket was scheduled to end. Bella turned to Adriana.

"God, I could use a stiff one right about now. I'm headed to the airport, you headed for home, too?"

"Yes, but I'm traveling back home with my boyfriend, so I'm waiting for him to finish up some corporate get-together and we'll be on our way. Let's do lunch this week, I'm thinking Wednesday?"

"Sounds good. Just drop me a line whenever you're free. I'll be at the spa the minute I get back," Bella laughed, "God knows how long I'll choose to stay."

"I know what you mean, and that doesn't sound like such an awful idea, either," Adriana agreed. The girls hugged each other and Bella headed back to the hotel to catch the limousine with her luggage in tact. She made it to the airport with close to an hour to spare before she was scheduled to board. She managed to swipe the newest issue of Forbes and skimmed through it while she bobbed her head to some Death Cab on her iPod touch. Shanghai was growing on her, if not for the huge advance in technology, than for the fact that barely anyone recognized her. She couldn't remember the last time she was able to sit in an airport without being bombarded by hundreds of overbearing fans.

"Flight 103 to Los Angeles, those in first class may begin boarding," a woman said in rather poor English. Bella was the first one on the plane, and the first one to order a strong cocktail. Unable to fall back asleep, she let her mind wander as she reminisced about the night before. Something had obviously crawled up Jake's ass when it came to that football player, Cullen was it? He had never used the word 'fuck' in a sentence more than once, ever. Bella didn't get it. After switching her iPod back on and requesting for her sixth Belvedere and diet, she was finally able to get some rest.

The fifteen-hour flight would be downright dreadful otherwise.

Bella had been in such a deep slumber that one of the attendants had to wake her up and usher her out of the plane after landing. She took a private elevator down to the luggage carousel, knowing without a doubt she would be noticed, but by how many people she had no idea. She'd originally driven to LAX in an attempt to attract less attention to herself versus arriving in a limousine of any kind. The airport grew colder as Bella stood alongside the luggage carousel in nothing but her skin tight jeans and tee shirt. Her feet ached from her beloved Jimmy Choos and as the carousel powered up, her luggage was the first to come tumbling down. She quietly sang her praises as she headed for the main parking deck. Bella fumbled around her plum Louis Vuitton Surya bag for her car keys, and deactivated the alarm instantly. She gently tossed her Louis Vuitton luggage into the trunk of her powder blue Special Edition Range Rover Sport HST and climbed in, more than eager to get back home. As Bella drove along PCH, the sun was beginning to peek above the horizon and she smiled as she took in the moist ocean air flowing freely through the sunroof.

Home sweet home.

Pulling into the circular drive of her sprawling Italian-villa style home, Bella opened the door to the attached three car garage and pulled her Range Rover in alongside her Bentley Continental GTC of the same color. Too exhausted to move much, she left her luggage in the truck promising to herself that she'd take it up later. She tossed her handbag onto the Italian-leather pit couch in the living room and made her way to her rather palatial master bedroom. The last thing Bella did before dozing off was power up her Blackberry.

It seemed as though Bella had had a harder time adjusting to the time difference, as she woke up and noticed her alarm clock read 1:30 PM. Shit. She fumbled for her Blackberry atop her antique cherry oak nightstand and cursed as the screen read '12 Missed Calls'.

"Fucking A. I can't catch a goddamn break," she mumbled as she scrolled through the call log. Five missed calls from Esme, two from Jacob, one from Emmett, three from Alice, and one from the spa calling to confirm her all-day booking tomorrow. Bella immediately called the spa, confirming said appointment. Afterwards she called Esme, knowing she would spread the word that she had returned home in one piece.

"Don't forget I booked a spa day for myself tomorrow. I feel bad because I normally invite you and Alice to come along, but I could use the personal time. Let everyone know I'm okay, just feeling a little overly-exerted at the moment. I love you and I'll call you in the morning," she told Esme.

"Alice and I are certainly not upset, we know you had a rough couple of weeks. I'll let the boys know you're doing just fine, and I'll talk to you soon. I love you sweetie, take care." The line disconnected and Bella padded into the spacious kitchen to rummage around her sub-zero refrigerator for a snack. After deciding on nothing but a tall glass of light chocolate soy milk, she curled up on the couch and browsed through her DVR. Not finding much of interest, Bella finished her glass of milk and curled back up under her warm Egyptian cotton sheets.

She slept the rest of the day away.

The alarm went off somewhere between 9:30 and 10:00 in the morning, and Bella rose feeling plenty rejuvenated. She made a quick smoothie with fresh yogurt, papaya, and mango, tossed everything into her Surya bag, and sped off onto the 401 not wanting to wait any longer to get to Cal-a-Vie.

No more than a half-hour later, Bella was being greeted by a Swedish woman behind the front desk.

"Welcome back Miss Swan, you're looking radiant as always. What will be first?"

"I'm going with the European plan this time around, and I'd like to start with the hot stone massage if it isn't a problem."

"Not at all, let me page Iris for you, she will escort you to your room." Iris came into view within seconds, and showed Bella where she could undress.

What a glorious twenty-four hours it turned out to be.

After four different kinds of massages, reflexology and hydrotherapy, extensive yoga sessions, and a couple of mind-numbing facials, Bella was more than willing to jump back into the growing empire she so often grew exhausted of. She handed the cashier her triple black American Express as her Blackberry went off.

Adriana.

"Hi doll, how was the flight home?"

"Rough unfortunately, I barely got any rest at all. Logan slept like a log, of course. Anyway I was calling to set up our lunch date, seeing as how we should probably plot for the upcoming La Perla showcase in Soho."

"Right, well I'm free as of now. What time is it anyway?"

"A little after eleven. Does the Geisha House sound good? I've been craving sushi for the past couple of days," Adriana admitted.

"Sounds perfect, what time?"

"1:30. Hollywood Boulevard stays congested all day, so that should buy you a little more time to get there. See you soon!" The line disconnected and Bella climbed into her Bentley and put the top back. The weather seemed unseasonably warm for the middle of October, but she wasn't anywhere near complaining. She dialed Alice as she turned onto Sunset.

"Hey Bells. What's up?"

"Alice? I need you to do me a quick favor and page Margaret up in public relations for me. I have to finish going over the media schedule with her for the La Perla show."

"Jasper actually forced me into an early lunch, so I'm out of the office right now. I'll do it first thing when I get back you have my word."

"I know I do, thank you love. I owe you a drink this week, don't let me forget."

"You'd never need to worry about that," Alice giggled and hung up. Bella cruised onto Hollywood Boulevard and rolled to a stop right outside valet at the Geisha House. Adriana was already perched atop a stool at the wildly ecclectic sushi and cocktail bar. Bella climbed atop a stool to join her, an order of Kanpachi Serrano arriving simultaneously. The waiter turned to Bella to take her drink order.

"A glass of Rock&Vine please?" He scampered off and Bella turned her attention to Adriana. And the food. In between bites, Adriana slammed her hands down on the bar's marble surface in an attempt to get Bella's already undivided attention.

"Alright, I talked to Marisa right before I boarded the plane home and we agreed to all catch a flight out to New York together. My assistant told me we already have five press junkets booked up between Wednesday when we land until the following Sunday when we're scheduled to fly back home. Are you solo on anything?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you. Margaret seems to have taken a spontaneous trip to Aruba because she's fucking M.I.A. Either that or she's flat-out avoiding me," Bella offered.

"I say you make a trip to the agency then, because we have one helluva fucking week ahead of us darling. Have you received any details though? Do you know what collection you're showcasing?"

"Yes actually! Marcus called and left me a message while I was at the spa. They have me showcasing the Black Label Collection. Lucky me," Bella deadpanned.

"No really, you should consider yourself lucky. They have me in some frumpy-ass night collection. I'm sorry but I stopped wearing clothes to bed the minute I hit puberty." This made Bella laugh, mainly because it was true for the both of them. The girls finished a light lunch and parted ways. Bella stopped in at Semifreddi's on her way to the agency, picking up one of Alice's favorites; a chocolate croissant. After finally reaching the agency after what seemed like an eternity of rush hour traffic, Bella managed to track Margaret down in the break room on the third floor. After a brief conversation, she was relieved to find that the only media attention she would be getting was that of the already-booked press conferences. Bella made her way down to Alice, handing her the croissant and managing to keep all conversation brief. She took the 401 back home, suddenly wanting another night alone. Her Blackberry rang the minute she turned the Bentley down her private drive.

Jacob.

"Hi Jake, sorry for the lack of phone calls, I've just been taking it easy," Bella began.

"Isn't that a goddamn understatement. Truth is we're next to kin, and unfortunately for you that consitutes last minute dinner plans," he quipped. Bella groaned.

"Where and when?"

"Spago, I'll come pick you up. I've been in the city all day so I'm around."

"Fine, I'll see you in a bit." Bella rushed inside to take a quick shower, having yet to wash her Shanghai trip away. She sighed as the hot water cascaded down her taut stomach, relaxing all of her overly-tensed muscles. After washing her hair extensively, she finished the shower with a quick shave of her long legs. Bella let her long chestnut waves air dry, wanting to feel as laid back as possible. She pulled on a pair of distressed Seven capris and a soft pink Dolce & Gabbana thermal, slipped into her new pair of Chef Ring Fendi sandals, spritzed on a bit of Chanel No. 5, and perched herself outside on the front porch to wait for Jacob. He pulled up in his black HumV. Bella shook her head as he honked the horn while she headed for the passenger side door, making her jump slightly.

"Why you chose this over a McLaren I'll never know," she spat. Jacob looked at her and laughed, as if to mock her.

"Drove one in Iraq, fell in love with it instantly. Don't think I'll ever drive anything else," he admitted. Bella cringed as she remembered the year he spent overseas. She felt her heart climb up her throat automatically. Jacob caught her reaction and laid his hand on her lap. She lay her hand over his as he turned to speak.

"Sorry, I know that's a touchy subject for you B, but the important thing is that Emmett and I are here to stay." She did her best to feign relief as Jacob sped down Sunset.

The truck roared in protest that only Bella seemed to pick up on.

End A/N PLEASE READ!! If you're going to add my story to your favorites or alerts, please drop me a damn line. I hate not knowing what it is you guys think. I'd do the same for you. Love love love.