Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from these wonderful characters:
Author: August Shaffer
Rating: R
A/N: As soon as I get time I will post a discussion with a picture of all the characters. Thanks for your wonderful support for this story!
Inheritance: Chapter Two:
(Present day for Bella)
I was hoping to get another drink before Leah and Alice force me to go to a damn spa with them. They knew that I could not afford to spend any money on such a frivolous thing. I had been working my ass off just to save enough money to get me a new vehicle. The one I had was on its last leg. I hated asking for rides to and back from work. It was getting seriously sickening. How had I let it all go? I once had a nice car, nice condo, great job and now six months later I was living in Vegas working as a damn waitress at a club where most men wanted me to flash them my breasts instead of getting them a drink. It was seriously degrading.
I had obtained a second job recently that was a little more decent. I work at a bookstore. It would be a great job except they had an area in the back where the guys could buy X rated books and magazines. Seriously, why would you put that in a bookstore? Didn't Vegas have enough porn movie stores as it was? It just seems degrading for the famous authors whose books were being sold in the same proximity of such trash. But hey this was Vegas. You did not get far without seeing something freaky on each corner. I was starting to think that the night we left for Alice's birthday party had been an enormous mistake on my part.
It had started out for fun. We came to gamble. I got drunk and pretty much lost all of my money. Alice tried to loan me some cash but I had refused. Instead I began to feel sorry for myself and thinking about how my ex friend had stolen my fiancé and apparently was now having his baby so I decided to stay away from Forks Washington. I just wanted to be as far away as possible from that nightmare. So Leah suggested we find jobs and stay here in Vegas. It seems like a brilliant ideal at the moment. Now six months later I was beginning to think I had acted impulsively.
My parents had offered to help me out. I definitely refuse them both. I knew they just wanted a chance to save me. I was tired of being saved. I was going to stand on my own two feet no matter how damn sore they got.
The strangest part about my move was that Alice had decided to stay as well. Leah and I were both a bit shock by that sudden decision on her part. She had tried to explain how boring her life would be back in Forks without us there. She was Edward's cousin. Although they were close she and I were closer. I loved her like a sister. She and Leah were my only links to any form of sanity after Edward rip my heart out.
"Bella where is that bikini I bought you?" Alice asks as she pulled out her pool bag searching around for something.
"Which one? You bought me three remember?" I cock an eye brow as I made her recall the argument we had at the store a few weeks back. She wanted us to go to an opening at a Hotel where she was working. They were having a big pool side party with an awesome concert following it. I had nothing decent to wear. So she drags my ass with her to pick out a suit. I of course naturally pick out a cute one piece. She smacks my hand and began searching for a two piece that showed off my attributes.
I hated it. I like my body covered up. I did not feel as beautiful as they did in a two piece. I felt like the ugly duckling these days. Sure, I knew I was pretty enough and my body was slim. I just could not get past the fact that Edward had chosen Tara over me. He had chosen a girl whose body was smoking hot. I wonder if it was still that way now that she was four months pregnant? Would he cheat on her once she got fat with his child? I hoped so. I knew it made me sound like a bitch but I truly did not care.
After I left Edward called me a hundred times leaving me messages about how sorry he was and how it had been a mistake. He missed me and wanted a second chance. If he had been here in person I would have stabbed him with an ice pick like a million times. He had some balls trying to tell me that Tara had seduce him.
Then I got a couple of calls from Tara trying to clear up the mess she had created. She of course confessed that she had adored Edward but had never imagined he would sleep with her. She told me that Edward did not love her like he loved me and that if I was a smart woman I would come back and work things out with him. I wanted to cut her head off and shit down her throat. How dare she tell me how to handle my break up with Edward? She was the very reason we were over! There was no going back to that. He had broken two major vows in a relationship. First he cheated on me and secondly he did it with one of my friends. You never come back from that. Never!
I might have been a weak and gullible girl in the past but I was not that sweet little girl anymore. I would never let another man sneak under my radar and fuck me over. I would manage fine on my own. I started to take up on Leah's mantra. The three F's.
Find them.
Fuck them.
Forget them.
I use to think that was such a crass observation of life but now I understood it all too well. Leah had been on the right track all along.
"Oh yeah, where is the black and silver one?" Alice smiled wickedly at me.
"Top drawer on the right." I rolled my eyes at her as I pick up my favorite sandals and slip them on.
"Why do you need that bikini? Don't you have like a hundred?" I wondered.
"Don't question my motives you won't like the answers." Alice laughs loudly from the other room.
I shook my head with a bewildered look on my face. This was not good. Alice was up to something evil. I sighed loudly as I put my empty glass in the sink.
"Leah, let's go. We don't have all night." Alice shouted across the hall as she came strolling out of my room pushing the bikini into her bag.
I wonder what the hurry was? We live in a town that never slept. It was only four in the afternoon. Our appointment was not until five and it would take us only about a twenty minute drive from our apartment.
"Damn Alice I was trying to shave." Leah storm into the room wearing a deep frown on her beautiful face.
"Are we going to the spa today?" I suddenly felt like I was not being informed of all the details about our rare day off together. Our schedules usually conflicted so we rarely all got to go out together.
"Yeah." Alice snaps.
Leah just grunted as she pulled out her favorite black finger nail polish and places a fresh shade to her toes.
"Okay isn't that the point of going to the spa?" I gave her a suspicious glance.
Leah shrugs her shoulders not missing a beat. She was not going to go reveal what Alice was up to. I glance down at my black denim shorts with a cute aqua tank top. Was I underdressed for their mysterious plans? Oh well Alice could not bitch since she did not inform me beforehand I laugh inwardly.
Alice walks back into the room with a small duffel bag, her pool bag, and her latest purse. I was definitely suspicious now. It did not take a rocket scientist to know that Alice was carrying far too much stuff for just a simple afternoon of getting our nails and hair done.
"What the hell Alice?" I snap at her.
"What?" Alice blinks and presented an innocent smile.
"You guys better not make me regret using my one day off with you by pulling some stupid shit!" I glared between my two best friends.
Alice smiled at Leah who just shook her head and smiled sheepishly.
Yeah, I was definitely in trouble tonight.
Jacob had decided to go in tonight to check on his favorite club. He had always enjoyed Black Gold the most. There was a fun but seductive atmosphere at this particular club. It was also the first real established club that his Uncle had started. He also likes the employees there. They work hard. They took their job serious. Yet they knew how to make the guest feel at ease and have fun.
He walked in and saw about fifty guests already in the five hundred capacity building that they were allowed. He went straight to the bar where he found his old friend and co-worker Quil.
"Hey man!" Jacob high five his old friend.
"Wow Jake Black in the house!" Quil shouted loudly.
"Dude! Stop it." Jake grins as he sat on the black and gold stool in front of the bar.
"What would you like to drink?" Quil cock an eye brow.
"I still can't believe Marque kept you working here." Jake teased.
"Hey, he knew I brought in the ladies." Quil flex his biceps.
Jake laugh.
"Give me a jack and coke." Jake decided to have one drink to help take the edge off. It felt so weird to be in the club without his Uncle being in the place.
"K." Quil turn around and made the drink then handed it to Jake.
Jake took a sip and squeezes his eyes tightly.
"Damn did you put any coke in it?" Jake choked.
"Oh you really wanted coke." Quil burst out laughing as he took the glass back and made it correctly.
"That's uncool dude." Jake lick his lips as he felt the liquor make its way down, warming the pit of his stomach.
"Had to mess with you like old times." Quil stood with his arms across his chest as he gave him an amuse smile.
"So is it true? You and Paul are fighting over the clubs?" Quil ask curiously as he scans the small crowd.
"Yeah. It seems my Uncle thought it would be amusing to put us against each other one final time." Jake look sadly at his friend.
"That sucks. But it does sound like Marque." Quil chuckled although his eyes showed his grief for the loss of his former boss and friend.
"I know right." Jake snorted.
"So what are the rules?" Quil continue to question Jake.
"Apparently I have to get married in thirty days and stay happily married for one whole year." Jake reveal as he gulp down the drink.
"Shit! Jake married. That just doesn't sound like such a good thing for you or her. Poor woman." Quil placed his hands behind his head as he flash him a shock look.
"Poor woman hell! She will no doubt get some of my money once it is all and done. I have to be the one to have to act like a fool for a woman I don't even want in my life." Jake scolded.
"Does Paul have to do the same thing?" Quil look wide eye at him.
"Yeah." Jake lips curled into a wicked grin.
"That's even worse! He is an asshole to any girl he dates." Quil cringe at the thought of any woman forced into marriage with Paul. They were friends but he was lucky not to be a woman in his life. He often told Paul he was a jerk to the ladies. Paul would always tell him to mind his own fucking business. Quil learn to just stay out of it.
"I know." Jake chuckled.
"So you think you will win?" Quil stated.
"You know it. Paul is a good guy don't get me wrong but he doesn't know a thing about women. He will no doubt screw it up. That is if he can find some girl stupid enough to marry him." Jake shrugs his shoulders. He did not want to appear cocky but he knew he had at least a shot at winning.
"How about you? Any ladies line up?" Quil brought up the very question that had Jake freaking out. How was he supposed to find a woman who was decent enough to give his last name too even if it was temporary? Also how was he going to find one that could stay faithful and stay in role of a loving wife?
"Not yet. I haven't exactly announced that I am shopping for a bride." Jake replied as he sucks on a piece of ice.
"Be careful my friend. I know of at least fifty that would do anything to be called your wife." Quil reminded Jacob of his history with women. He had been with plenty.
"Nope. I ain't about to get hitched to one that I already have been with. I want someone fresh and new. Someone who doesn't know my history. Someone who I can fool into thinking I am the perfect man." Jacob revealed his theory on how to find his new bride.
"You better grab a tourist then. I believe all the Vegas chicks already know about your love and leave them reputation." Quil smirked.
"Not a bad ideal." Jake laugh.
"So what is planned for tonight's event?" Jacob asks curiously as he watches a few more customers stroll in.
"We are having a pole dancing contest. We had a pole installed last week and the girl who dances the dirtiest wins a thousand dollars." Quil revealed.
"Damn! I have to stick around for this." Jake pushes his glass toward Quil.
Quil took the glass and fix another drink with a little less Jack. He knew that Jake would be here for a while. He didn't want to have to take his sick ass home tonight after closing.
I hated to admit to Alice but I had enjoyed my visit to the spa. Getting my Pedi and Mani as well as my hair cut was a rare treat for me these days on my budget. Then I went ahead and splurge since Alice was paying and got a deep tone massage. It was exhilarating. My body had ached from being on my feet so much. I missed the days when I use to sit behind a desk and work in an office atmosphere. It was dull but it was less physical.
Once we had finished with our self-indulgence Alice grabs my hand and pulled me into the Hotel area where the spa was located.
"What are you doing?" I ask nervously as Alice led us to the elevator. She wave at the concierge who wore a shit eating grinning.
"I got us a room." Alice explained as she hit the penthouse button.
I look startled. I gasp as I search Leah's face for some sort of an explanation? This was strange. Why would Alice get us a penthouse? We had an apartment to return too?
"Girls you are scaring me now. What is going on?" I pleaded as my stomach began to flutter nervously. They both knew I hated surprises.
"We are going to step inside take a shower and then get dressed. Afterwards we are going to go Black Gold. I heard there is going to be a kick ass DJ there tonight. I know how much you like dancing." Alice smiled.
"Why are we doing this exactly? What is the big deal?" I frown at them both as the elevator doors open.
"Well, it seems Bella you forgot that today is your birthday." Leah patted me on the back as Alice jump up and down clapping her hands.
Inside the luxurious room was a two tier cake with candles on top. There were also a few gifts sitting beside the gorgeous cake. I felt as if I had been hit head on. How had I forgotten my own birthday? What was wrong with me? I knew better than to forget that date. My birthdays were like Friday the 13th bad luck day for me. I swear every year something freaky or painful happen to me. After all on my last birthday I had broken my wrist when I slip on the diving board at Edward's pool. I reach out touch the place where it had broken.
"Shit! Shit!" I covered my face with the palms of my hand as it hit me. This was not going to be such a great day after all. This was not a good thing! Nope it meant that before it was all said and done something horrible or horribly embarrassing would no doubt happen to me.
"Oh come on! You know you like it." Alice pouted.
"It's lovely Alice. It's so thoughtful but you know how bad my birthdays turn out for me." I reach out and squeeze her hand letting her know that I appreciated the effort but I was not happy with the fact that it was my birthday.
"So let's make this one a better birthday!" Leah cried out as she walk in and pick up the expensive bottle of champagne.
I watch as she tried to uncork it. Alice grew aggravated and step in to give her directions. It was an amusing sight. I glance around the expensive room wondering what could possibly go wrong tonight? What horrible experience had I not endure yet in my lifetime? It seem like it could not get any worse than what I had already gone through, right?