Title: Red

Summary: Mafia/Gangster fic: When I arrived at JFK airport in my long red hooded trench coat, to attend NYC Uni, I never imagined the path my life would go down. I swear Cupid and Hades are meddling with all of our lives. My father will so disown me, when he finds out. If he finds out. But little did I know...

Lots of thanks to my second pair of editing eyes... my amazing beta: Questionable Decisions for helping me to make this story possible to be posted! Xx

Disclaimer: Me? I have no connection to the Twilight Saga what so ever. Anything Twilight recognizable belongs to its creator Stephenie Meyers... I wish I had her creative imagination, the lucky woman :-)

The city heat swamped me as soon as I stepped out of the airport and began waiting in the Taxi bay in NYC. The difference in temperatures amazes me, how it changes in different areas.

But I loved this, I loved the heat of the sprawling city, I loved the confining space between skyscrapers, and the way they seemed to never end as you look up to the sky, seemingly miles away. I didn't realize how much I had missed the city life until now.

Nobody knew me here. Not many people had bothered me in Phoenix; but everyone pestered me in the tiny, rainy, cold town of Forks, Washington. While there, I had ended up being someone due to being the shiny new girl, who's dad's the top dog at the local police station; the long lost daughter of Chief Charlie Swan. I was a mystery to them. The girl who left town with her mother, (not by choice) then came walking randomly back into their midst!

I often wondered what it would have been like if my mother had left me with Charlie and I had grown up in Forks instead of Phoenix. It probably would have been better this way... for me at least. But that's a story for another day! Today's about tasting freedom.

Finally a taxi pulls up and the driver opens the door and comes around. He then introduces himself as Demetri, saying that he shall be my taxi driver today!

I had to admit the man is very handsome. Not a drop dead gorgeous type; but half-way there.

He's tall, at least six foot, pale like me, with dark mysterious eyes similar to my own dark brown. He reminded me of a villain in mystery or adventure novels. He was also sporting long, dark hair, framed loosely around his handsome face, and princely facial features. He oozed power! And I wondered why he was a taxi driver instead of a business man.

I sat in the front of the taxi as Demitri drove away smoothly from JFK, and headed into New York City. The city where dreams are supposedly made from. A place for power hungry or determined minded people alike! A place for people with money. The rich 'n' famous... then normal folk like me trying to get by in life and looking for a slot to rise up to and shine.

He asked me where to and I said NYC Uni. Which is partly true. I needed to sign in and get my new student package as well as a planner with my time table... then unfortunately go shopping.

I also did not feel one hundred percent comfortable in telling a stranger my new NYC address. Don't ask me why... but I trust my instincts!

He made small talk along the way; asking me where I am from, my family, was I connected to any one here in New York?

I felt a little uncomfortable with the twenty-one questions and replied in short.

Forks, Washington. I lived with my Dad before moving here. I had little to do with my mother, even when I had lived with her. He asked the natural question with a frown... "why?"

I replied with "it's personal." He didn't subject me to further questioning after that, probably due to my tone and facial expression.

The rest of the ride was in silence. He put the NYC Radio One local station on and tapped away on the steering wheel as we drove to downtown New York, where the University resides in all its glory dominating a large corner by itself.

As Demetri pulled up to the curb he got out and opened the door for me. I got out, thanking him and pulled my wallet out. I asked how much and he said thirty five dollars, then frowned as he thanked me.

Just as I was walking away he asked me where my luggage was.

I just replied with...

"It's a new beginning."

Before turning away again. As I started walking, I swear I heard him say this,

"Welcome, Isabella Marie, to hell."

I turned around so fast, I almost toppled over; shocked that he knew my name, for starters, but Demetri and the taxi were gone.

'What the...?'

I stood there for what felt like a long time. Confused by the last words that I swear were vocalized by Demetri, the taxi driver.

I frowned as confusion washed over me when the shock wore off.

What a way to welcome a new girl to the city.

But my mind was working overtime...

How did he know my name?

Author's Note: :-) end of first chapter :-) I wonder What do you think of Bella and Demetri's small talk and his last words to her?

Would love to hear your theories?

See you all whom kindle reads/reviews next Sunday (^_^) x x