Treasure Beyond Gold

Chapter 1

When I woke up it was still slightly dark, but I felt totaly awake. I wanted to know if Edward was awake aswell. So i rolled over to his side of the bed, only to find that it was empty.

My stomach tightened as I moved my hands over his side of the bed, my heart started to race.

I sat up in shock and squinted as I tried to look around the bedroom, but it was impossible. Everything was grey or black in colour. Our curtains were fully closed, but that wouldn't change anything as it was dark outside too. I could see the stand-by light on the TV glowing red. The radio alarm clock on his bed side table glowed it's green time - 6:48am, I was an early riser. I sighed deeply and I felt me way over to my bedside table and flicked on the lamp.

The yellow glow of the lamp barely lit the room, but it was enough to see in. I panicked as I still couldn't find him, his side of the bed was straight and neat, the pillow plumped.

"Edward" I called out, worry strong in my voice. This isn't what is supposed to happen, not today. Not on St. Valentine's Day.

My throat felt dry, a small ache at the back of my throat told me I was thirsty but i had bigger worries than thirst.

Only then did I notice the folded up note on top of Edward's pillow. I reached for it, the name on the outside read "Dearest Bella", his neat hand writting fitting well with the heavy cartridge paper.

I opened up the note...

Good Morning Love,

Do Not Fret. I will see you later on, and I am sorry for not being with you this morning. Happy Valentines Day. I already miss you, this is what I would like you to do...

Alice is coming to pick you up at 10:00am, and she will take you to where you need to be...

Don't try to call me, you will just get an answer phone message.

See you sooner than you'll ever believe,

All my love,

Edward

I read the note twice, checking the details. Alice at 10:00am, okay. I closed the note up and left it on my bedside table.

I went into the bathroom and had a shower, the muscles in my body relaxed with the hot water. My strawberry scented shampoo made me feel like I was a child, picking strawberries, again. The bathroom filled with strawberry scented steam.

I roughly dried my hair with a towel.

I got changed into my casual wear, Blue blouse and skinny jeans. My damp hair was a mess, I decided it wasn't worth doing something elaborate with it, so I brushed it, little drops of water flew off onto my clothes as it hit my back and I left it hanging to the small of my back.

I picked up my leather handbag and slid Edward's note into the back zip-up pocket, and zipped it away. I took out my phone, deciding wether or not to try to phone him, when his note said otherwise, but i still tried.

I phoned his number straigt off speed dial. It rang a few times and went on to answer phone, just as he had said. The answer phone message was 'Bella, I told you not to bother, and that you didn't need to. Remember, Alice at 10:00am, miss you" I sighed and put my phone away in my bag.

I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen, I made myself some maple pancakes to use up some of the time until Alice came, and also becuase I was starving. The house was alive with the smell of sweet maple syrup and warm pancakes, i had used my mum's recipe as it slowed down the cooking process and made the whole thing more sweet. I licked my lips as I poured the syrup onto my pancakes, my mouth waited in anticipation.

That was another good thing about the slower method, it took up more time, making me more hungry.

I savoured every mouthfull and put my plate by the sink. I walked around the house to the living room and picked up last weeks she magazine and sat down and started to read it.

Before i knew it, it was 9:45am and I prepared to go out and see where Alice was taking me.