Against all Odds Chapter 1

Alice POV

There is nothing like a hit of coffee before a long day of work. I locked the car and took out my coffee. I walked into the building.

"Morning," I called out to my PA, Laura.

"Good or bad?" she teased as she followed me into the studio.

"You tell me."

"Well Sam broke her foot," Laura started but continued quickly, "but we have a replacement coming in. She is great; Bella was busy so she made me take care of this." She smiled seemingly proud. I tried my hardest to be a fair boss, but I knew Bella could handle everything and next to her Laura didn't seem up to it.

"When will she get here?"

"One hour, can I get you anything?"

"No it's fine, take a break for the day." As she scurried of I looked at my work. I smiled I was at the top of the world. Growing up in care most people looked down at my background. But I kept faith, I never knew where my passions lay but I know what I didn't want. I didn't want to live of anyone. Depend on anyone. Be a teenage mum, living of welfare which was what was expected of someone with my background.

But now I'm a successful fashion designer. Luminous I have put sweat, blood and tears into. Bella has kick started it with me, without her boldness and my charm I would still be at square one. I even bought my own studio which was huge. This saved money instead of renting out. There is a hair and make up department, catwalk and events area, studios for shoots, my office and conference room. I was in the photography room. A magazine shoot was planned in two hours and a model on her way in half an hour. Where on earth was Bella…?

"Honey, I'm here," sang Bella. Coming into view, her brown hair loosely curled, a headset on her ear. I could see she was wearing the necklace I bought her for her birthday with a black corset top and matching black jeans.

"Photographers are here already, making notes on lighting, composition among other things," she said. "Models are due in 92 minutes. Hair and make-up have been informed of changes, everything under control. Are you okay?" She asked seeing right through my fake bravado act.

"Nervous," I squealed, putting both hands on my flat stomach. "I don't think this new line was a great idea…" But she stopped me by putting both hands on my shoulders and turning me towards the mirror.

"Look," she said. "You are Alice. Beauty within beauty. But you're not just a pretty face." I looked at my self my long black hair, intense green eyes I was dressed head to toe in my clothes. The black strapless dress I wore with the black strappy heels. "You're smart, built yourself up and refused to take no as an answer. One killer smile and you bag yourself multi million dollar deals. You're my girl." She kissed my cheek and hugged.

"Where on earth would I be without you?"

"In your worst nightmare: with two kids, one bedroom flat, without your favourite conditioner." She smiled slyly at my insecurities.

"My God," she slapped her head. "I nearly forgot. I bagged Rosalie Hale, she is a dream come true once you have her face on the frontline Luminous will hit the roof." She led me out the studio and into my office.

Bella's POV-

After Alice ran around talking to everybody and making sure they are alright and knew what they were doing I found Hanna. Well done Laura, she managed to get as good as we had. She had long legs a perfectly symmetrical face with high cheeckbones. She had Permed straight hair and full length fringe. Alice waltzed in with her headset talking in a soothing voice carrying two garment bags.

"Don't worry Sam, you can have paid leave and come back when you get better. Don't rush. Okay. Take care. Bye." She walked toward me oblivious to Hanna and smiled.

"Everything is under control but I'm not sure about the temperature-"

"Is fine, you're a bit warm because you've been running a round doing my job," I said rolling me eyes. "Have I ever dropped the ball?"

"No," she smiled guiltily. Then she turned to Hanna. "And you must be Hanna?"

Hanna laughed. "Yes, I'm here for an interview but it looks like it might be short."

"Actually I haven't got time for an interview. I've seen some of your work I think I'd just rather give you a test run."

"A what?" I whispered at Alice, confused. But she just winked at me and gestured us to follow.

In the studio room she turned on the camera sitting at the tri-pod.

"I need you to just stand in front of the camera, yup right there. Now chin up, smile, and loosen up." Alice gave me one glance.

"So I heard you took a break for a year, and then it turned out you had a baby," I said to Hanna. "Ah, the beauty of babies."

She laughed. Snap.

"Yes, his name is Zak. He has his dad's look. He will be a heartbreaker one day." She laughed again. Snap.

"Okay, I want to try something else," exclaimed Alice, excited, as she took the camera of the tri-pod. "Bella, there's a CD in the radio, press play."

Again as confused as ever, I just did as I was told.

"Hanna I want you to go Pink, go crazy," she said as the intro to Stupid Girl played. It was amazing, the mood of the song made her pull out crazy poses. She tossed her hair to one side and growled playfully, Alice laughing and singing along snapped like crazy.

"Good, that's great," she encouraged snapping Hanna roaring and laughing her arms clawing into the camera.

"This is Alice in Wonderland," she said as she stood straight, her eyes round in wonder, her hand outstretched as though walking into another world. Wow. She danced, posed and she seemed so relaxed as Alice snapped at every move of a finger. Then she stood back and watched satisfied, her point achieved.

"Now the shell is broken," she said laughing and hugging Hanna.

Rosalie POV

I opened my mouth to say something but I really didn't want to interrupt the moment. The model looked graceful. As she threw her head back, the designer snapped pictures and gave her more instructions.

"That's it, shake yourself, loosen up," she encouraged. The model shook her body, and blew her fringe and still managed to look cute.

"Now the shell is broken."

I decided to step in then. The brunette I ran into a week ago jumped up from her stool and with a smile rushed over.

"Hi, oh god I didn't think you were going to drop in today," she explained. He looked behind her. She stuck her hand out. "I'm Bella Swan. And this," she gestured to the short, black haired designer, "is Alice."

"Nice to meet you," chirped Alice.

"Likewise," I said smiling more easily. Definitely different to others I've worked with before who thought models were just faces and sometimes referred to us as numbers.

"I-"

"Miss Alice," called a young woman who was out of breath.

"I thought I gave you the day of?" said Alice confused. Day of? Definitely different.

"I know, but I couldn't go without checking with some things," she cried. Bella put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. She flashed me a look clearly worried.

"What happened, Laura?" asked Alice calmly.

"The season feature dress is missing," whispered Laura in horror. It took one second for us to digest. Bella was the first to move already talking in her headset and jogging.

"Excuse me," said Alice and she walked of.

Alice POV

I knew something like this would happen I couldn't put a finger to it. The reason for my buzzing was that I knew. The next hour went by in a blur; Bella has commanded everybody to look for the dress in their department. Which brought me to my office. Everything was out of their garment bag, every dress checked and re-checked. Bella dragged me of to a corner.

"I think it's Leah," she whispered angrily.

"Bella-" I started exasperated.

"No, listen," she interrupted, "she has sat there smiled, and clapped when you made the biggest season dress in New York. You have beaten her in every curve; she's poison. She would do this."

"Bella, I'm scared, making that dress it was all intuition, I didn't draw it out. I d-don't," I stopped, embarrassed that my voice was cracking and my employees were here to witness it. But Bella gave me a sympathetic smile and squeezed my shoulders.

"We're going to find it, lil sis," she said looking at her watch. "We are thirty minutes late for the shoot. Everyone is ready. You can stay here, I'll watch over the shoot-"

"No, I'm coming," I said, determined. It's just a dress; not a big deal. I tried to think positive. As I walked out the door, it was opened forcing me to crash into the person behind it. I buckled of my heels falling back but before I hit the floor strong arms were wrapped around my waist. I gasped and looked up at the curious blue eyes. I felt suspended a foot of the floor my body horizontal the only thing keeping me from the floor was this man's arm. I noticed how extremely close he seemed to be. Blushing, he stood straight pulling me of the floor completely and setting me on my feet. That's when I appreciated his huge well muscled physique.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Boy, that was close," said Bella, keeping a hand on my shoulder.

"It's fine," I said.

"Alice, " I looked up at Rosalie, when did she get here. In her hand was a garment bag that had the Luminous logo.

"Is that-?" I asked.

"I think so," she said. I nearly fainted with happiness.

Bella took the bag of her and opened it. Right there was my ruby, exquisite, delicate dress.

"Where did you find this?" Bella asked sharply.

"It was me," said my saviour. It was all I could do to pull him down and kiss him. "I was on my way to pick up Rosalie. I bumped into this woman who was in a hurry. She dropped the bag, I called after her. But the name tag said Luminous and I'm sure that's what Rosalie mentioned."

My chest twanged in disappointment. This striking blonde was with Rosalie.

"My brother is just the best, isn't he?" she smiled knowingly. Brother? That explains all the similarities.

"Thank you so much," I sighed tired.

"It' nothing," he smiled. He nudged Rosalie playfully. "Why don't you introduce me?"

"How about after, we are now thirty nine minutes behind schedule? Alice you still need to pick someone to showcase this." She said, all professional. I looked at Rosalie and smiled.

"I have the perfect person," I said staring at her till her eyes went wide.

"Me?"

"Yes, you now move." Said Bella exasperated, grabbing her arm and marching her along.

Bella POV

I groaned feeling the blister of my new shoes. Perfectionist Alice took more than usual to get the shoot over and done with. It had to have something to do with Jasper, I snorted amused, and she couldn't focus with him too close. And the way he watched her! The models gone, clothing packed and locked. It was just me and Alice.

"Photographers gone," she said walking in with our coat. "Time to lock up."

Locking the door. I used my card to double lock it.

"We should get a chauffeur," I mused. "I left my car, you're giving me a ride."

"Might as well," she answered unlocking her Benz door. Getting in to the warm I turned the heater up and kicked of the heels.

"So," I said deliberating my point. "Jasper. Whoa, careful!" I said as she reversed not so smoothly.

"Sorry, sorry," she squealed gripping the steering wheel.

"I see I touched a nerve," I teased but she just scowled at me

Alice POV

That night I dreamed. I saw the future, it had been very blissful. Till a frightful, ugly past interrupted. I groaned as I woke up. This is not good. Not good at all.