Chapter 1

The sun was beating down on me in the most heated London sun I've ever felt. The reason I chose to stay in London, England was because I knew the sun didn't come out much, although today proved different. The weather was basically mocking me. I looked around at the small outside cafe that I was seated in. People all around me looked happy, most of them had smiles plastered on all of their faces.

This morning when I woke up I knew it was going to be a terrible day. Firstly because I hated the sun, I was more of a somber person who liked rainy days. According to my psychologist it was because I saw myself as a dark person, I already knew that hence why I stopped seeing my shrink; she was telling me things I already knew. Secondly was because I was in England. Don't get me wrong I loved England; I just hated the fact that every single minute I spent here reminded me of the reason as to why I was here. My family betrayed me in every sense of the word and I just had to get out of that place. Who the fuck did they think they were by the way? I am Isabella Marie Swan heir to Charles Stefano Swan's entire empire. I took a few deep breaths to keep my mind on track the last thing I wanted was to make a scene. I took a sip of my dark coffee and tried getting my head around what had happened the last two days in California.

My father was Charles Albert Swan, oldest son of my late grandfather Stefano Albert Swan. They are the two biggest and most influential Spanish mobsters that have roamed this earth. When Stefano was killed at the age of 75 he had left his empire for my father because he was the oldest out of his siblings and because he was the one with the most brains. Ever since than my father had evoked fear in almost every man that didn't see things the way he did. He basically owned California, the name Swan evoked fear on anyone that had access to a television or a newspaper. My father wasn't a bad person per se. If you were able to look past the thousands of men that have died at his hands and at the command of his word you will see the loving family guy and big softie that he actually is.

About four years ago at one of our annual family dinners that consisted off about 30 mixed Spanish and Greek relatives my father made an announced that after his reign was over I would be the one to take over the family business. This of course left everyone and me at a loss for words. The first thing I bet everyone thought was the fact that I am a woman. It would be the first time in recorded history that a woman would lead an entire empire. I was stunned, but I quickly wrapped my head around it. In all honesty I always knew that I would be the one to take over. If you met my two older siblings you would understand why. Emmett was the oldest of the three of us, but he acted like the youngest. If he wasn't busy with organized crime you'd always find him with his longtime high school girlfriend, Rosalie, or you'll find him busy playing games on his Xbox. He was like a child stuck in a grown up's body, minus the killing. Rosalie was Emmett's lifeline, I think; they were made for each other and anyone could see that. She was a bitch, but probably the only real friend I have, apart from the people I were acquainted with in our social circle. Jasper was more mature than Emmett but was as naïve as they got. Every second month he brought home a new girl that he swore was his soul mate. I guess you could call him a hopeless romantic.

Even though I was the youngest and to top it off a girl I had to be the brains for whenever our father send us out on missions. In our small group Emmett was our muscle his strong big built frame could almost beat down anyone that stood in his path, Jasper was our hacker and also our negotiator, he had this thing with words that could make any enemy want to sit down and listen to him and I was what they called our "G.i. Joe", but my true specialty lies with the machinery. I had the gift to disable any weapon in less than ten seconds and my shooting aim was better than that of a professional hitman's. I was a damned good fighter, but most of the time refrained from the actual battle field, just for the fact I hated when things go too messy. The three of us together were truly a force to be reckoned with. We always had each other's back doesn't matter what the situation was. In all honesty I thought that we would always be together. The situation that I was in now though proved otherwise.

Two days ago during a rather uncomfortable dinner my father told me that I were to get in a physical relationship with Felix Volturi. At first I thought it was a joke, but quickly realized that he was dead serious. He explained to me that if I had a child with Felix our families would always be connected in some way. It was sick and twisted and it made me extremely nauseous. I argued with him against it and waited for Emmett and Jasper to back me up, but almost strained a vocal cord when I noticed that they were also in it. All they kept saying was that 'it could be good for business". The Volturies were an Italian mafia family that was almost as powerful as ours. They were right behind us and throughout the years they have tried to take us down, but never succeeded. Aro was the head of the Volturies and had two sons Felix and Demitri. Ever since I can remember Felix had always had a crush on me, besides a one night stand a few years back I couldn't give a rats ass about him. They were our closest rivals and I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on all of them if I had to.

In short Thursday's dinner was heated. It ended with me telling my father that I'll be leaving and don't know if I'll ever be coming back. He told me he'll disown me if I stepped one foot outside the front door. I didn't look back as I rushed to my Mercedes and sped off to my apartment to gather my belongings.

I sighed as I set my coffee down. I'd be lying if I said being here was better than being at the mansion. I had no idea what to do with myself. On a normal day I would've been busy with the family's business, but now that my daily duties were taken away from me I had no idea what to do. When my father said he was going to disown me he meant every word. He completely cut me off of the family's banking details. Yesterday I got a text from the bank that stated I no longer held any part in the Swan's financial department. I thought the whole thing was absurd and that my father lost his fucking mind. If it wasn't for the fact that I had businesses all over the world I would have been dead broke. I don't know how long my father was going to disown me, but I made a vow that I wasn't going back home until they begged me to return. I couldn't stay for long in London though I had my own businesses to tend to back home.

When I left the diner I called my driver and had him take me to the hotel that I've been staying at for the past two days. The hotel was called 'The Whales deluxe' it was a pretty shitty name, but it was one of the best hotels in the city. As I entered the lobby I heard a familiar voice calling behind me, I ignored it, hoping it was my imagination, and walked in the direction of the elevators. "Bella, why are you ignoring me?" My mother said as she came to stand in front of me.

"Oh mother, I was deep in thought I didn't realize you called me" I lied as we gave each other air kisses "What are you doing here?" I asked. She took off her expensive glasses and eyed me wearily. She still looked the same as the last time I saw her, which was four months ago when she decided to visit us at the mansion. Her red hair looked too red for my liking, anyone would think that she dyed it but unfortunately that was her natural hair color. I was just thankful that I got my father's dark brown hair.

"Didn't I tell you I've been in the city for nearly three weeks, I have an exhibition next week, you should come. Your brother told me what happened between you and your father. He also said you bought a one way ticket to London. Your father probably had one of his goons follow you around that's why he could tell me in which hotel you booked yourself in."

"Probably you know how he is" I told her.

"Oh Bella I missed you so much. You know this is actually a good thing for you. I've been telling you for years that you and your brothers should move out of that mansion, but no you never listen to me because what do I know? I've always told you your father was going to drive all of you into the ground before you're twenty five." I opened my mouth to stop her rambling, but she quickly cut me off "And dear Lord are you still dressing like a forty year old housewife. Gosh it's like I'm not even your mother. Just last year when I saw your father I told him ever since you were small you suffered from old lady syndrome. You're twenty-two, when are you ever going to loosen up? " this was the main reason why I wanted to avoid her in the first place. Whenever we saw each other she would always throw back handed compliments or plainly insult my choice of style. My father couldn't stand her, yet he still had three children with her. I was dressed in an orange sheath dress with a black Christian Louboutin ankle strap heels. I may have a dark passenger always wondering around in me, but I loved dressing up in preppy clothes. If she were any other person I would've made some kind of threat by now. Renee was the only one who had a problem with the way I dressed and that's just because she's an artist who wore 'artsy' clothes.

"Mother you know I have a condition" I told her through gritted teeth.

"I knew you were going to say that and you need to stop blaming that thing you have going on for everything. Don't let it control your life. In fact there's a book I want you to read it's called 'How to take back your life for dummies'. It will help you so much dear." I was completely dumbstruck by her. She always implied that my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, otherwise known as OCD, was something I chose to live with. I was diagnosed when I was sixteen and at first it was extremely difficult and I always tried to push back the urges whenever I wanted to clean something for the umpteenth time, but over the years I gave in to the urges. I get by with the help of my anti-anxiety medication.

I turned to her as we came to a halt in front of the elevator. "I'll be heading up."

She gave a short laugh "no matter how old you get you're still that little girl you were all those years ago" she laughed again "the one who everyone thought were never going to talk. But when you did you surprised us all, you haven't change a bit" I could see her getting lost in happier memories years ago.

"I just don't like talking about stuff that's meaningless and that has no value" I informed her of course she knew this already.

"It was nice seeing you mother. We should have lunch sometime" I had no wish to have lunch with her. The only thing she was going to talk about was how much my siblings and I disappointed her.

"Great. What about Monday?"

"Perfect" I mustered the most perfect fake smile I always did when I spoke to her.

When I reached my room number I had to look twice to make sure that I was at the right room. The door was opened and the room service attendant was standing in the doorway, talking on her cellphone as if she belonged there. "What are you doing?" I asked not even trying to mask my rage when I saw her holding a pair of my stilettos. She abruptly switched of her phone when she heard me speak. "I am so sorry I just came to clean your room and then I saw this amazing pair of shoes. I am so sorry" her English accent was infuriating me with every word that came out of her mouth. "You stay here" I told her sternly as I stormed into the room making my way to the bedroom. I almost had a panic attack when I saw that not only was my neatly packed shoes laying disheveled on the floor, but also were my clothes. I heard her coming to stand behind me "I promise I wasn't snooping or anything, it's just that you have impeccable taste. I am so sorry."

I turned to her quickly "If I hear you say you're sorry again I will bang your head against the bathroom sink. Repeatedly." I could see that she believed me and I wasn't bluffing either. I never made empty threats, and I wasn't planning on starting now.

"Please just don't tell my boss he'll fire me." She begged.

"I want to speak with your manager" I laughed cruelly at the sight of her face "Those shoes are worth much more than your yearly salary. You had no right."

I walked to the phone that was laying on the nightstand next to the bed and dialed the number that was given to me on the first day that I arrived at the hotel. "Hello this is Whales deluxe how may I help you?" the secretary answered on the third ring.

"My name is Isabella Swan and I demand to speak to your manager. I think some of your 'cleaning' staff don't know just how small their position at this hotel is and I need to sort it out with the manager." As I spoke to her I could feel the anger pulsing through my veins.

"Unfortunately Mr Scott, the manager is not in today, but you can speak to Mr Cullen" she replied robotically as if she had it rehearsed.

"Who is Mr Cullen?" I asked impatiently, I didn't have time to waste on talking to someone who held no authority; I wanted this girl fired asap.

"He's the owner" she replied with a bored tone I swear I heard her sigh.

"Even better. Where is his office?"

She sighed before answering "It's on the last floor; you walk straight with the corridor and turn left you won't be able to miss it."

"Can you alert him that one of his most important guests are on their way up" I hung up the phone and turned to the help. She was crying softly into her hand, but I didn't care.

"You're following me" I instructed her as I walked to the elevator.

A blonde was at the door to greet me when we reached Mr. Cullen's office. She had unnatural blonde hair that was tied in a bun and had on a pair of glasses. I saw from her name tag that her name was Justine Becker. Her English accent was strong and disgusting. I could clearly distinguish that she came from Manchester. "Mr. Cullen is expecting you" she held her head high and took a glimpse at the girl that was still balling her eyes out behind me. She snuffed up her nose and like she was the richest bitch in this building or the queen of fucking England, which she clearly wasn't. She opened the door and motioned for me to follow.

Mr. Cullen was talking on the phone and had his back turned so that I couldn't see his face. He stood facing the glass window that overlooked the city. His office was rather small and completely messy I couldn't stop myself from thinking of all the ways I would clean it. I would start with re-packing all the books alphabetical on his desk that was currently laying splattered everywhere. Then I would move to the files on his desk and also rearrange them alphabetically. I would then get on my knees and start scrubbing every inch of the floor with disinfectant. I counted to five when I noticed that I started fidgeting with my hands. I hate being in messy rooms it always put me on edge and made me cranky. Only then I noticed Mr. Cullen had yet to turn around and acknowledge me. Before I could say anything he said his goodbyes on the phone and turned to us.

"Mr. Cullen Mrs Isabella Swan is here to see you" she smiled at him weirdly like she was trying to impress him or something.

"It's Miss Isabella Swan" I corrected her.

He sat at his desk seat and motioned for me to take a seat as well. "Justine you are excused"

Clearly uncomfortable Justine walked out of the room, still holding her head high.

"Good day Miss Swan" he smiled at me. He was extremely good-looking and couldn't be a day older than 27. He had weird green eyes that I've never seen on anyone else before. His hair was a copper/bronze color that was always a fashion crime, but somehow he made it look amazing in its disheveled form.

I realized that I still had to greet him, but refrained to do so; he did make me wait a good few minutes earlier so I wasn't going to make an effort to be nice.

"Your staff needs to be taught a lesson" he held up his hand motioning for me to stop talking.

"You don't have to say anything else. I've been having problems with this one for nearly four months now. She already has three warnings and I've warned her what was going to happen if her hands got itchy again" he stood up and walked over to her where she was standing before the door. He had a London accent, but it was different from everyone else's, it was more personal I think, I bet that he had mixed accents. And strangely his accent didn't bother me at all like everyone else's, I actually liked it, very much.

"Jessica" he told her slowly and softly. Jessica was a strange name for someone that lived in England. She started sobbing uncontrollably. "You know what is going to happen. I need you to pack up your things and go. You've caused too much trouble for some of our guests over the past few months." Before he could say anything further she stormed out of the door.

I stood up and had a smile on my face "well thank you Mr. Cullen" surprisingly I was much more happier.

"I'm just doing what needed to be done" he answered "would you mind having a quick coffee with me?" he asked, he even looked a little hopeful. I wasn't sure what his motives were, but I found myself not actually caring.

"I don't drink coffee" I told him, I don't know how it happened but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop it "it's not good if you want to keep your teeth healthy" he probably thought I was a weirdo.

He didn't seem fazed at all by my little confession "how about tea?"

"Okay" I said a little awkwardly and went to sit on the chair I sat earlier.

He called in Justine and told her to bring one coffee and tea. She eyed me wearily and snuffed up her nose like she had earlier. This girl was beginning to work on my nerves.

"Don't mind her she has an attitude problem with every female that comes in here, I have no idea why" it seemed as if he really didn't know why she acted that way. Anyone could easily see that she was jealous and just didn't like women talking to him.

"Do you mind telling me why the hotels name is 'The Welsh Deluxe' I mean you're obviously from London. But I'm detecting something else in your accent" he looked at me amused probably because it's the first time he really heard me speak. I was stunned myself. He wanted to say something else, but I cut him off "Agg its obvious you're from Wales, hence the name and your mixed accents" it felt so good putting that little puzzle together.

He smiled brightly at me and it kinda made me feel exposed. Why did I have to say that to him, now he's looking at me weird? It was still cute though.

"Yes you are completely right, I am originally from Wales." Just than Justine came into view with our drinks. She placed the tea in front of me "this is your black ty-phoo tea" I had no idea what type of tea that was, but I didn't want it. "I've never heard of this brand, but can you get me Lipton, green tea" I didn't want to seem rude in front of Mr. Cullen for some strange reason so against my better judgment I added "please" before she made her way to the door I stopped her "just bring the contents, with cream and sugar. And please don't touch the handle again."

She reemerged a few moments later and I quickly made my tea just the way I liked it.

Mr. Cullen tried to make conversation with me, but it wasn't working. I knew he just wanted to be nice and the fact that I was short in answering his questions made it slightly awkward and made it felt like an interrogation.

"It was nice meeting you Mr. Cullen, but if you will excuse me I have business to attend to" I actually had nothing to do; I just didn't feel like being asked questions anymore. I stood up the same time he did.

"Please, call me Edward I insist"

I had no plans to do so "I suggest you tidy up your office a bit. It doesn't give a good first impression Mr. Cullen" we shook hands and I was out of his office before he could say anything else.

A/U All I can say is that I hope that those who are going to read this please click on the review button it's going to mean the world to me. Was Bella too mean? I want to know all your thoughts. The next chapter will be up in five days or maybe less I already started with it. Please stick with this story!

Stay safe. Oh and can you tell me how many words do you think is appropriate for a chapter. I don't have a beta so if anyone wants to volunteer you can message me. And lastly if you have any ideas that you want to maybe share with me message me I would love to hear them and put it in the story.