Kidnapped/Meeting

I slammed my fists down on the desk and held my head in my hands.

"Where the hell is she?" I muttered to myself.

I felt I couldn't do anything. I lost my joy, the one woman in the world who meant more than all the money and material objects I once loved. Those bastards had stolen my life. Now I was going to use all of my power to get her back. Thankfully, I was not one of those men with no resources; I was one of the most powerful men in the world, and if I had to destroy the world to get her back, I would do it. I would have done anything for her the second after our eyes met at that party five years ago; the second I realized that she wasn't one of the many women I had met since making my millions in the investment industry.

I was downing a drink trying to numb my brain from all the meaningless conversations. I didn't know why I was even here; I hated these parties more than anything. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I slowly turned towards them. I figured it was another meaningless fellow investor there to talk strategy or a gold digger looking for a good time; hell, they were easy to find here since most investors were virgins until they got rich, and then the women came running. Not to say I didn't find them fun, but the meaningless good times were well, meaningless.

The second I met the eyes of the woman who tapped me, I saw something completely different, they were a striking blue and she was quite sure of herself. She was dressed nicely, it was a cocktail party, but she was classier than most of the girls here seeing as the neckline of her dress didn't go down to her waist.

"Hello, my name is Mr. Masen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?"

"Swan. Although most people call me Bella."

I chuckled, "Yes, I personally dislike the formalities as well; I much prefer to go by Edward."

"Delighted to meet you, Edward. I actually did have a reason for tapping you on the shoulder though."

I tilted my head slightly and she continued, "I was wondering if you might give me a lift home; my ride seems to have been distracted by the amount of available rich men in the room and she will not be in any condition to drive herself, let alone me as well."

"And you determined that you could trust me how?"

"You don't have a drunken woman lying all over you."

"I suppose I could have my driver take a detour on the way back to my place."

"When were you planning on leaving?"

I sighed to myself as I surveyed the party, "Now seems like a good time to bow out, seeing as how half the party is drunk and the other half is attempting to get laid."

I motioned for her to follow me and they walked to the front door. A woman stumbled out of the bathroom in the hallway, teetering on six-inch heels and crashed into me. I quickly grabbed her before she could hit the ground. She swayed in my arms and giggled foolishly as I tried to get her to stand on her own. She was so drunk that she eventually was leaned against the wall when I finally let go of her.

"Don't you wanna make sure I get home ok tonight?" she asked me.

"I am sure there are plenty of gentlemen in the other room who would love to escort you home." I never let a hint of distaste into my voice although the look I had in my eyes showed that I really didn't care for this woman who was clearly trying to throw herself at me. She looked dejected for a second before stumbling into the room to find a half drunk man who would do what I had refused to.

I turned back to Bella and placed my hand out. She smiled slightly and took it, walking out to my car. She gave the driver her address and got into the back of his limo with me.

"So if you don't mind my asking, why exactly did you come to this party?"

"My friend thinks I don't get out enough so she dragged me here against my will. No offense, but the societal elite of New York City don't really catch my fancy."

"None taken…since you clearly are not a regular to this scene, what do you do?"

"I am a grad student at NYU studying medicine."

"Medicine at NYU? Why did you choose NYU?"

"Full-ride scholarship. My parents are paying for the apartment in the city; I couldn't afford anywhere else so I am hoping my research makes up for the lackluster name in the medical world."

"What are you researching?"

"Well, unfortunately that is top secret, and I can't tell you that."

I looked at her in disbelief only to realize that she was completely serious. I was surprised but didn't pester her. The car was slowing and the driver turned to the backseat and told us we had arrived at her apartment.

"Thank you for the ride."

"No problem Miss Swan. May I ask for a favor in return?"

"That depends on what it is."

"Your phone number. I never know when I may need medical advice."

She laughed at my poor attempt at humor but gave me the number nonetheless. I also gave her mine in case she ever needed a ride again. I watched as she walked to her building and disappeared into the darkness of the building.