CHAPTER 1

Years ago, I sat in this very corner with my mother as we waited for our flight to be called. Even at a young age of five, I knew that my parents' relationship has taken its toll and I have to leave the luscious green surroundings and move to the unknown.

Renee, my mother, being free spirited and full of adventure just can't stand the tiny town of forks. She loves to explore and try new things. And although she loved my father, Charlie, she needed to be out of the "cage" as she called it. And with that, she took me with her and flew to her hometown in Phoenix.

This also, is when I had my first kiss. Funny as it may sound but yes, I had my first kiss at the age of five. My memory of it is still clear and I could play it on my mind as if it were happening right in front of me. Renee went to the restroom and I was left in the waiting area. Suddenly, two boys went over and made fun of me.

FLASHBACK

"Hi, what's your name?" the blonde boy asked with his weird accent.

"Isabella. Isabella Swan" I smiled.

"I'm Captain and this is Muscleman."

"That's a funny name." I said.

Muscleman looked pissed and then he went ballistics at me.

"Hey, my name is not funny! Yours is!" He spat "Swans are beautiful. You're too plain. Your name should be Isabella Duckling! Like the ugly duckling!" the blonde boy tried to calm him down but later joined Muscleman chanting ugly duckling while laughing. Tears started streaming down my face when another boy walked by.

"Em! Jazz! Where have you been, mom and dad are looking for you. Dad is furious and he will be more if he learns that you're in bullying someone. Leave the pretty girl alone!"

"You're such a kill joy Eddie! We're just trying to keep this little duckling company."

"Mom would be disappointed that you're calling girls inappropriately. Go away and leave her alone." The two boys left.

"Here" the boy with the weird colored hair offered his handkerchief to me while flashing a crooked smile but I didn't take it. So instead, he held my face gently and wiped it away with his knuckles. I felt like I was in a fairytale. When the bad guys are tormenting the princess, out of nowhere her prince charming would come and rescue her.

"Thank you." I said shyly

"You're welcome. Don't be sad anymore and don't believe what those two said. You are not an ugly duckling. You're beautiful."

Apart from my parents, no one has ever said that I am beautiful. Pretty, charming, cute, yes but beautiful, no. I don't know what came to me but all I remember was that I put my hands on his face and put my lips onto his. Our eyes were open and I saw his emerald eyes widened in surprise. 1..2..3..4..5..

"Izzy, come on now the plane's about to leave honey" mother called. I move away from pretty boy and ran towards mother. Before entering the doors I look back over him and saw that he was still sitting touching his lips.

I was lost in reverie of my first kiss when Angela, tapped me on my shoulder.

"Bells, it's time to board the plane."

And with that we both walked through the doors. We're headed to Los Angeles to talk to AMC Productions to supervise an upcoming film. The need to supervise it is due to the fact that it was solely based from the book that I have written. It was never my dream to write but I enjoy doing it. Throughout the years, I have gained the respect of readers and I was even regarded as the female counterpart of Nicholas Sparks. Back in high school, when I decided to return to Forks, I found myself regularly contributing short stories for our school paper. Despite the fact that I moved to Forks high school during my junior year, I excelled in both academics and co-curricular activities. I graduated with honors and even received special awards for Composition Writing. Although I am more than qualified to get into the most prestigious schools in continental US, not to mention that I was granted scholarship, I can't afford to live far away from Charlie. After nearly losing him when he got shot in one of his operations, I told myself that I would stay as near as possible to him. I took Communications in Seattle State University. I have always wanted to work in the entertainment industry but away from the lime light. I mostly enjoy doing production, not to mention the excuse of travelling to different locations. College further honed my talent in writing and it was during last semester in college year that I was able to publish my first book and the rest as they say was history.

"Bells, you think we could go back by Friday? Ben and I are supposed to finish some wedding details. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh Ange, that'll be alright, I'll just have to meet with the producers for a day, then I need to talk to the publishing company. We could go back by Friday if you wish to."

"Thank you so much Bells. I know you're busy finishing up your book, and then you have to fly in and out of LA for quite some time, not to mention that you are also helping me with my wedding." She said as she took a sip of her wine.

"Oh, that's nothing; you know we're all friends here. Remember, you, Alice and I promised to help plan each other's wedding it was just that you'll be walking down the aisle before us."

Angela, Alice and I became best of friends when I moved back to Forks. We always went sappy for romantic movies and love stories. That's the reason why we decided to open a small events planning business. Angela did the photography and documentation, Alice is all about the glitz and glamour while I took charge over the production of the actual event. By next week, Angela Weber will become Mrs. Ben Cheney. They met each other when Angela attended a visual arts convention in Seattle. They were both smitten the first time they saw each other. After two years of being together, Ben asked for Alice and my help for the proposal and since then, the three of us immersed ourselves in fulfilling our promise with each other.

"So Bella, will you be revealing your identity now? Alice hasn't given up trying to figure out your pen name. Surely she'll be surprised to know."

"Maybe after I finish this book, I think the publishing company would want to have a book tour, we'll know about it by the time we meet with them. Where the heck is Alice? I'm really starving she should've been here 15 minutes ago." I whined. Alice was supposed to pick us up in LAX but she's late, she was never late and I'm starting to feel a little irritable because I am really hungry.

"I've tried calling her but it keeps on going to her voicemail, I hope she's ok." Angela said.

I went back to playing Fruit Ninja on my Ipad when Angela and I were startled by a commotion. Girls were screaming and lights started flashing.

"Must be some Hollywood star." We both shrugged. I almost dropped my Ipad when one girl squealed loudly. "OH MY GOD ANTHONY MASEN MARRY ME!"

"Now that is some Hollywood star!" Angela chuckled.

Anthony Masen. No wonder the entire female population is ready to kill each other. The man is to die for. Nice bod. Nice face. Nice everything. He's one of the up and coming movie stars in the entertainment industry. Every girl would throw themselves to him as if he was a god. One thing that differentiates him from the other stars is that he is a really reserved person. There was not much about his personal life that can be seen in internet sites or gossip magazines. He was all about protecting his family as one of the articles that I have read put it. There was no mention about if he is dating or any other relationship, well aside from the claims of the women he has worked with. He started from a humble beginning until he rose to stardom but he never let fame get him, as Oprah said in one of her interviews with him,"he's an angel whose feet remained grounded."

The mob passed by us and Angela and I can't keep ourselves form snickering. Though we are fans of an actor and a few, we wouldn't go to the extreme of chasing them. I caught a glimpse of Anthony, he was wearing a baseball cap and had his sunglasses on. I didn't see much of his face with the crowd following but I was struck by his strongly defined jaw. I've seen his pictures but to see him in person is different. No wonder that the thing called "jaw porn" came about.

When the chaos was over I look at my watch to check the time. I'm really hungry now. I was about to call her when I saw THE MIDGET running.

"Where have you been MARY ALICE CULLEN! You are suppose to pick us up at 7 not 7:45! You left us STARVING!"

"Easy Bells, I'm really sorry, I was caught in the mob. C'mon, the car's waiting." She said apologetically and started walking. Angela and I had no choice but to follow her.

"Ali, where are we headed? The front gate is over there right?" Angela asked confused.

"Um…ah, it's traffic. There were a lot of cars in front so, I used some help. Ah yeah."

"Alice, are you ok?" I asked. She was never like this, never unsure in answering, she seemed nervous.

"Yep. I'm good."

We ended up in a secluded parking area. Maybe this is where the famous and important people wait for the valet to avoid commotion. We were standing second in line as we wait for the car. I noticed Alice glancing towards her left and I followed her gaze. Then that is when I saw a big bulky guy pacing back and forth, the other was leaner and blonde and is talking to. . .Anthony Masen! For a while I kept my eyes locked to the blonde one shifting my gaze to the big bulky monster. They kind of look familiar I thought to myself. It was then that I saw the blonde guy looking at me or so it seems. I followed his gaze and found that he was actually looking at…Alice? A black SUV came buy and the 2 guys together with Anthony went inside, maybe I was just really hungry because I saw the blonde guy winked at Alice. Our car arrived shortly.

"Uhm, so we're going to have dinner first before I drop you off at the hotel. Italian sounds good?" Alice asked.

"Ali, right now, we just need something to eat. Anything will do" Angela sighed.

The familiar California Girls of Katy Perry started playing and Alice pulled out her phone. "Alice..mhhm..under what name? K!"

Alice, despite her tiny figure is full of energy and sometimes I wonder if she really is a human or a robot. She loves fashion and everything to the extreme. Alice is the youngest in her family. They live in Seattle before but moved to Forks when his father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, accepted the offer in the town hospital. Her mother, Esme, was a renowned interior designer. I have thought Alice as my best friend and sister but would you believe that I have never set foot inside their home? Charlie being the overprotective dad and police chief, didn't allow me to go to far places and with Alice home situated somewhere in the middle of the forest, dad insisted that she stay with us or at Angela's whenever we decide to have some girl time. Charlie and the Cullens though are good friends and both Carlisle and Esme trusted him their daughter. Alice owns a boutique. One in Port Angeles and the biggest and busiest is here in LA. Every once in a while she would fly over to California to check on her shop, especially during the awards season.

We pulled over the restaurant, and Alice lead the way through the double doors. The server handed over the menu and waited.

"Hm, interesting, I'll try the lasagna isabelle"

"I'll have what she's having." Angela said

"I'll have the usual." Alice responded. The usual? She's been dining here often? "So what are the plans while you're in LA?

"Not much, I just have to meet with the heads tomorrow; if everything else went smoothly they'll start with the project by August." I said

"Alice we've missed you so much! It's been 3 months, you've been really very busy. Are you sure you're gonna make it to my wedding?" Angela teased a little.

Alice assured that Angela will not be missing one of her bridesmaids. She just need to finalize the proposal for the wardrobe for the next project that she will doing, afterwards she could go back to Forks and will just have to return upon the request of the production company.

"By the way, what project will you be doing this time?" I asked. She was about to answer when the server opened the doors and a group of five men entered.

"This can't be happening!" I moaned. Alice and Angela shot a look at me.

"Really, first it was in the airport, then while we were waiting for the valet now here? Is this some kind of a sick joke?"

Angela snickered before speaking "Well, how many times do you get to encounter a movie star, and not just a movie star, it's Masen Bells, c'mon."

"I know Ange, he's really attractive but, isn't it weird enough? And you! You never were late! You said you we're caught because of the mob following him" I pointed over Anthony's direction before continuing "then you we're off, you stammered. While we we're waiting for the car I saw you flirting with blondie over there! Now what's more surprising is that we get to dine in a VIP room in this restaurant! Seriously Ali, what's going on?" I wasn't pissed at her but she's really acting strange plus I'm really starving.

She exhaled loudly and was about to open her mouth when the server came over our table bringing our food. I was too famished to interrogate her that could wait. Angela and I pig out over the lasagna.

"Oh fuck this is so gooood!" I said too loudly after taking a big piece of it. Alice and Angela were staring at me and I know that the other people in the room are staring at me as well.

"What? I'm fucking starved and this lasagna is really good. Please don't act like you were all born yesterday! Jeez!" I said loud enough so that the other group could hear.

We finished our meal and were about to leave the restaurant only to find out that the entrance was blocked by God knows how many paparazzi! Oh great! All I want is to go to our hotel and rest! Alice spoke to one of the crew and we were ushered through the back door. Now something's really unusual. Our car arrived and Angela and I climbed in. Alice was almost inside the car when blondie appeared through the same door were we gone out followed by the gang. Once inside the car she fished out her phone and sent a message with smile.

"Alice mind sharing?" Angela teased.

"No, not now. Let's wait till its official." She responded

The rest of the ride to the hotel was in silence; Angela and I are both exhausted while Alice seems to be busy fondling her phone. We arrive at the hotel, got our keys and settled down in our room. Alice bid us goodbye and promised to pick us up tomorrow for the meeting. I called Charlie before I went to bed as Angela did the same and called Ben. We both said our goodnights and succumb to sleep.