1. System of a down
Edward peered himself over the rearview mirror of the Aston Martin, combing his bronze tousled hair roughly with his white, slender fingers. His eyes were that usual shade of topaz and he looked sleek in that black suit he had randomly picked out from the depths of his matted wardrobe. The black trousers exposed much of his slender waist underneath the silk white shirt, starched and ironed to perfection. His leather shoes glistened off the sharp rays of the orange torches hung along the dark vacant road. He looked immaculately dashing, the mane of his messy bronze hair hanging closely to the sides of his head. But he wasn't particularly sure why he was even doing this. Perhaps he just couldn't resist his burning desires, scalding deep in his heart. He just had to see her...even for a brief nanosecond.
His hands gripped the leather steering wheel, the mass of knotted veins protruding beneath the cream-white skin. Rose was beautiful...that soft pale cheeks he was tempted to touch and stroke with his fingers, the porcelain white face hidden amongst the myriad of colours on her lavish gown. But he had taken such a huge risk just to catch a glimpse of her, he could barely avoid from jeopardizing his family name during those blissful, unbelievably short encounters in the same marble gloom hall of the Swan's mansion. The filthy traitors, the Swans had dubbed his family's name. He shouldn't even have driven his car into the iron-wrought gates, rusting at the edges. He was even prohibited. The whole of Cullens actually.
At least he wouldn't get caught by those beefy bouncers with earpieces plucked into their ears constantly. It was a masquerade party..those vintage parties where the guys have poker up their butts and don excruciatingly tight leggings beneath their flowy blouses. It was that Middle Age century thing he loathed. He managed to slip into a vacant lot and got out, a mask over his almond eyes. He looked stunning, a long blue feather perched at the right of his reddish mask. He stepped into the mansion with a flourish and felt a hundred eyes boring into his. He strode through the glass double doors, the heels of his shoes squeaking against the polished wood-paneled floors. A young lady in a blue gown barely covering her torso came up to him with an impressive amount of confidence, her blunt chin stuck in the air. Edward contained himself from the bout of laughter itching to burst out.
"Good evening, sir. I guess you are looking for your beautiful maiden here, "she spoke in an outrageously enthused tone.
"Yes and that wouldn't be you, I'm sorry, Madame", Edward said in response and left her fuming, eyes burning at her.
Rose, Rose, Rose...where is she? Perhaps she hadn't come. In that grand mock carriage of hers. He rocked on his heels agitatedly, his hands shoved into his pockets. He couldn't risk being there too long. He marched across the vast hall, towards the refreshment booth. He fidgeted with the trays of smoking croissants and poured himself some punch. He sipped at the sweet tangy liquid, scanning the hall for any sign of Rose. Zero.
"God, Rose, you're killing me", he murmured in utter desperation.
The halls were beginning to fill up with an appalling number of guests in medieval suits and elaborate costumes. Edward leaned on one of the poles and had been approached by several girls who commented on his sexy pose. Rose still wasn't there. Bathroom. His sanctuary for a disdainful night. He was so familiar with the mansion he actually hadn't realized it. And this was suppose to a rival's house. It could have been easily his grandmother's. He glanced at the beautiful fish tank at the end of the poorly-lit hallway. The tank emitted out a blinding blue light, small fishes swimming through the immaculate waters. He moved up to it, his footsteps muffled by the carpeted floors. His fingers trailed the fishes slowly on the glass. Then a set of unblinking eyes met at his fingers. Edward stared at it strangely, leaning closer to the glass. His face followed the direction of the eyes, to and fro. The eyes were beautiful. Pools of deepest ochre. Intriguing.
Then a face popped out from behind the tank. Such inhuman beauty stood before him, smiling elegantly up at him..such classical beauty...
"Hi. I'm Bella Swan. Nice fishes, eh?"
And that was when he found he was doomed for life...and fallen in love...