Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or Angela, or Ben, or Embry. I don't even own Denny's, although it would be so awesome if I did. I would be rich out the wazoo. LOL. But I'm not so too bad for me right? I do own Nick and Crystal, and since they are my characters, I can tell you that Nick is the hottest limo driver in Seattle.
Chapter 1
Angela POV
What am I going to tell Ben? "Oh, sorry Ben but I'm gonna have to break-up with you after almost three years because this guy told me that he was a werewolf and that he was in love with me." Yeah, I don't think that would work. I mean, three years is a long time to be with someone. We'd been talking about marriage for God's sake.
I loved Ben, I really did, but there was no question as to whether I loved Embry or not. It wasn't infatuation, no, it was love and there was no other word for it. Well, maybe there was another word for it, 'imprinting', or at least that's was he called it. I still didn't fully understand it, but it was a little bit like love at first sight. When he first explained it, I laughed about his description, but there was no denying the feelings I was having, even if I couldn't describe them.
I didn't ask for this. I just came back to Forks to visit my best friend and help her with the feast she agreed to. And the visit was fun, it really was. I had a lot of fun visiting Bella again; we had a lot of catching up to do. A lot had happened to her, but I had a feeling that there was something she wasn't telling me. Something huge and complicated. I guess I knew what that was now. Werewolves? Come on. No one would think of that. Well, except maybe Bella. I wouldn't ever tell her that, but I suspected that her brain ran on sort of a different frequency tan everyone else. I'd have to ask her how she found out about it later. Right now I had a lot of other things on my mind.
Like what Embry had told me. And the thing was, I believed him. As I had when he very first told me, even without the tangible evidence he had given me later, I believed him. And I didn't know why. Sure he explained it to me, but that doesn't mean it made sense. I had just met the guy and I was ready to give up my life for him. He hadn't asked me to; but I was willing.
Four days was all it took. Four days to make me forget about everyone else. Four days to make me forget about everyone else. Four amazing days. But those four days were over now, and now I was on a flight back to Seattle plotting my next move.
First thing was first, I had to break it off with Ben. I couldn't just string him along. I was already going to be breaking his heart. That was the thought that killed me, the fact that I would be breaking poor Ben's heart. Poor, sweet Ben who had never been anything but nice to me in our whole—almost three year—relationship. I couldn't stand the thought of hurting him, it almost killed me.
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The flight to Seattle ended way too soon, and I found myself wishing I was on the other side of the country instead of a very short flight acroos the state; then I would have more time to think about what I was going to say. Now I was just going to have to wing it.
I got off the plane and started looking for Ben. He was supposed to be here to pick me up, and I knew he would be there because Ben was always punctual. I kept looking for him, but I still hadn't found him yet. Oddly, I saw a man in a suit and chauffeur's cap holding a sign that said 'Weber'. It must be a different Weber, son then where was Ben? By now I had looked all over the terminal and I couldn't find him anywhere. He had never been late before, I was getting worried.
I decided to go up to the chauffeur and see if he really was looking for me, since the crowd in the terminal had started to dissipate.
"Hi, are you looking for me?" I asked him.
"Are you Angela Weber?" He replied with a smile.
"Yes sir I am." I answered. I guess he was looking for me.
"Then follow me please."
I followed the man and he led me to a beautiful, black stretch limo. I was impressed, I had never ridden in a limousine before. I got in the long car and didn't even much notice the inside. There were too many questions running through my head. Like where were we going? Or, how could Ben possibly afford this?
Soon, the driver rolled down the divider and started to speak.
"Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, I'm Nick."
"Nice to meet you Nick. Can you tell me where we're going?"
"Sorry ma'am, but I've been instructed not to do that. Your boyfriend wanted me to tell you it was a surprise."
"Great, well thanks anyways."
"Your welcome ma'am" he replied, and then he rolled up the divider and left me alone to enjoy the ride.
I rode a little while in silence, looking around at the stylish leather upholstery, the stereo, the television set, and the fully stocked mini-fridge and soft drink—because we were underage—bar. Soon though, we came to a stop, and Nick came around and opened the door.
"First stop." He said.
"You mean there's more?" I asked smiling. This was nice, but where were we? I was suddenly whisked away by a woman with an awesome sense of style. She took me into a big department store looking building, where she sat me down in a big salon chair.
"Okay, we have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in," she said. She looked a little exasperated.
"What is it exactly we're doing?" I asked her.
"You are going to get a makeover," she replied, "We're going to turn pretty into gorgeous."
So, for the next hour and a half, I was poked and prodded. My hair was put into an elegant up-do, my make-up looked amazing, and the woman—whose name I found out was Crystal—had given me a beautiful black full length gown to wear. It had a plunging neckline, straps that went around the back of my neck. The dress was backless and it had a tiny gold band that accentuated the front of it beautifully. Now, I looked like I belonged in a limo.
And on that note, Crystal escorted me back out to the limousine where Nick opened the door and helped me in. We drove some more and finally, when I thought we were never going to get there, the limo pulled to a stop and Nick came around and helped me out of the car.
I felt like a million bucks. And that's when I looked at where I was, it was the nicest restaurant in Seattle. The best place to go for a romantic evening. This was some homecoming. And at that moment, Ben walked out of the restaurant.
That's also the moment it hit me. The moment it all came crashing back down to Earth. What I had to do to Ben. What I couldn't possibly hide from him even for one night. It would be the hardest thing I ever had to do, but there really as no other option.
I couldn't believe I had forgotten. Me, who never forgets anything, loses all focus of her goals for a ride in a limo, an incredible makeover, and an expensive restaurant. What was wrong with me, and why hadn't I thought of Embry—or Ben for that matter—in that whole time? Embry was imprinted on me, I didn't really think I was supposed to lose focus that bad. I wasn't the type of person who did that. I 'm the level-headed one, the rational thinker.
Of course, if I was honest with myself I could admit that a little time not thinking about them was what I needed. But no that was over, and I had to come back to reality—or at least my new version of reality—and Ben had planned a wonderful evening for us with money that I knew he didn't have, just so I could bread it off with him. Why was he even doing this? It's not like I was gone for a year of anything, just a week, and sure I hadn't called him in those last four days, but that should be reason for him to be mad at me, not for him to have and extravagant evening planned for me that costs who knows how much.
Ben escorted me into the restaurant where we were taken back to a room where curtains had it closed off and there was a sign out front that said 'Private Party'. Apparently, Ben had rented out the whole room just for the two of us. I tried to get rid of the wave of nausea that was suddenly threatening to overcome me. This was so much worse than anything I could've ever imagined.
Whatever he was planning wasn't good, and I had the sinking feeling that it involved more than just sharing a meal together.
He led me to a table in the center of the big room, and he pulled out a chair for me. As I sat down he placed a kiss on my cheek then he went around the table to take his own seat. It's funny how I never much noticed his height before, but suddenly, when I had Embry to compare him to, he seemed very small and insignificant. At this realization, by heart tore open even more. I thought about all of the times this boy had been there for me. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health. We practically had the whole marriage thing down. I was ready to spend the rest of my life with this guy, and now with one week, I was ready to throw all of that away.
I am truly a terrible person. Werewolves are like tame puppies compared to the monster I am going to be in Ben's eyes after tonight—in my own eyes. Oh God, what was I doing?
"You look beautiful Ang, I missed you." Ben said pulling me out of my inner state of panic.
I plastered what I hoped was a smile on my face, "I missed you too." Lie. Strike one.
"Did you have a nice time?" he asked me.
"Yes I did, and how was your Thanksgiving?" I asked him after I got over the lump in my throat.
"It was pitiful actually. I went to Denny's for thanksgiving dinner because I burnt the chicken to a crisp. I never have been able to cook." He answered with a chuckle.
"Well I'm glad to say Bella and I didn't burn anything. It would have been really expensive to take Charlie, five girls, and nine of the biggest boys you have ever seen to Denny's." I said nonchalantly. I really just wanted whatever was going to happen to go ahead and happen, so I could get it over with.
Soon the waiter came and took our drink order and gave us our menus. I had lost my appetite with all the worrying I had done, but I was extremely thirsty. I ordered a Coke and then started looking over my menu with dread. I decided that I would order the chicken cor don bleu—not that I actually wanted it—because it seemed to be the least offensive thing on the menu.
The waiter came with our drinks and then took our order. Ben ordered kalamari and my eyes got wide. I wondered if he really knew what that was.
It wasn't long until the waiter brought us our food. Ben found out that he didn't like kalimari, so I gladly halved my chicken cor don bleu with him. We ate our food, and we got ready to order dessert. That was when what I had been waiting for happened.
I had thought that the waiter was there to take the dessert order, but instead he brought a single red rose on a silver platter. I took the rose gingerly and looked at its perfection. How could something so perfect be the start of a conversation that could only end in heartache?
I looked over at Ben and he looked nervous. He carefully got out of his chair and went around the table to me. Then—to my horror—he got down on one knee. I knew what was coming next, but what I didn't know was why. Why was Ben proposing to me? Why couldn't he have waited? Why did Ben have to be such a sweet guy? And most importantly, why, why did God have to make things so damn hard on me?
I couldn't get engaged to Ben. We weren't meant to be together. Maybe in a world that wasn't filled with mythical creatures, sure. But not now. Not now that I knew what else was out there. I couldn't just be in a relationship with Ben and know that Embry was the one I was supposed to be with. I couldn't do that to Embry, I couldn't do that to Ben, and I especially couldn't do that to myself. I sucked in a very, very nervous breath and held it. I was getting ready for the impact.
"Ang, we've been dating for a long time now right?" he started out.
"Right." I answered apprehensively. I knew what was coming. He must've known I knew what was coming.
"And we've had some great times together too right?"
"Right." I said again.
"And I want to go on having these good times with you Angela. Forever. For all of my life." He took a deep breath and continued, "Angela, will you marry me?"
I knew what I had to say, I knew I had to do it but it was the hardest words I ever had to say, "I can't Ben. I'm sorry."
This stunned him to say the least. He was heartbroken I could tell, and tears were threatening to spill down my face. "What Ang, what? Why can't you?"
I choked back my own tears and persevered on. "When I was at Bella's this week—and in her e-mails—I seen what it did to her to be so involved with someone. I don't want that to happen to us Ben. She was devastated, and I don't think he'll ever get over it. I just don't want to be involved in a long term relationship right now." Lie again. Strike two.
"So, your not just refusing my proposal, your breaking up with me too?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said shamefully. This was so hard for me to do. I felt like crying, but I wouldn't let the tears come.
"I don't understand Ang. That won't happen with me and you. I know it won't. You know it won't."
"No Ben, I don't. And neither do you really. You're a great guy Ben and any girl would be likely to have you. I'm just not the girl your meant to be with." I told him trying to sound reassuring. I wasn't fooling anyone, not even myself. I couldn't take it anymore and I got up to leave.
Ben got up and started to follow me. He didn't bother with keeping his tears in check anymore, they were now running freely down his cheeks. "Don't do Ang. What about all of those good times we had? Don't you love me anymore?"
I didn't want to do it, but I had to say the one thing that would make him let me go, "No". Strike three. I'm out.
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When I went outside I noticed it had started raining. Hard. I hailed a cab, not bothering with the limo that was waiting outside for the newly engaged couple to emerge.
"Seattle airport please," I told the cab driver. I knew I looked terrible. I was soaking wet, my dress was probably ruined, and mascara was running down my face. Crystal should've used waterproof mascara. I knew I looked terrible. But I didn't care.
I just set in the cab and cried, waiting to get to the airport where I would make my next move. Soon we were there, and I gratefully grabbed my small gold clutch and got out of the cab paying my fare
I walked into the airport and straight up to the main ticket counter. "One way ticket to Port Angeles please."
A/N: So, this is the first chapter of my second story and I am so excited. In case you didn't already know this, this story is a spin-off of my other story Oxygen. I am currently on chapter nine of that story, and if you haven't already read it you should. I know this is a really depressing story so far, but the next chapter is going to be awesome full of lots of fluff between Angela and Embry. It's going to be flashback so you guys can know what happened to make Angela change her mind so completely in just four days. So, read and enjoy :)
Lobe you my readers. Ciao!
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