AN: Thank you so much Sweety7smiled, ..invisible,I-love-edward-forever and you-made-my-soul-black. Your reviews make me happy. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter.I'm trying to keep some of the scenes the same in the book, but different. Can't explain haha.
After I put my keys into the doorknob I pause before letting us inside, I turn and look at Edward with a stern stare.
"What?"
I sigh. "I have a cat, he is not to be your food." After I say that I open my door and we walk inside.
He laughs. "You are more worried about your cat than you're worried about what I can do to you?"
"Oh I know you won't do anything to me, I'm not sure if that's the same for Yarny. I know you don't drink blood." I state and I see Edward looking at some papers on my desk.
"Yarny?" He laughs but then grows serious. "How do you know I don't drink blood? You know vampires can't survive without blood."
I remember what the papers on my desk are and quickly organize them and shove them inside a folder which I throw inside my desk. I see him walk over to Yarny and I feel myself tense up, please don't hurt Yarny.
"Well your eyes aren't red like James and he made it clear he does drink blood. So what do you drink?"
He looks up at me smiling while petting Yarny who is now purring in his hand.
"Animals."
My eyes widen and I quickly go over to Yarny and retrieve him from Edward, "Oh really?" Yarny meows and Edward lets out a laugh and walks over to me and starts petting Yarny again who struggles out of my hands and into Edwards. I feel betrayed, stupid cat.
"Your cat likes me." He shines his teeth at me and I let out a huff and go into my kitchen quickly cleaning up the little messes I left around. I start taking off most of the post-it notes on my cabinets and slowly comes over to the kitchen.
I feel him stare at me cleaning. "You don't have to clean up for me Bella."
"No, no its okay I should have don't this earlier but I was in a hurry." I shake my head and put the little post-it notes together. They all had some vampire idea or fact or grocery item on them, I really didn't feel like Edward thinking I'm crazy.
"You take sleeping pills?"
I glance over and see he is in my bathroom, I quickly drop my post-its and scurry over. Is it me or is this guy nosey, geesh, I can't look away from him for one second. This was a bad idea.
"Yeh, I've been known to have trouble sleeping and it just started back up again."
"Do you take a lot of medicine?"
"Why?" What is it to you ?
"I have studied a lot over the years, even attended Yale and Harvard on medicine and the human body. I want to become a doctor."
Despite him telling me this, and my belief in vampires, I still find it hard to believe some things. Him attending Yale is one thing but Harvard too? I need proof…
"Why aren't you? How old are you anyway? You must have the time to-"
He interrupts, "Time yes, but I can't be a doctor because of the chance of dealing with human blood. My control isn't that good, sure years of practice and refraining from blood I could probably do it but…" He shakes his head. "My father, Carlisle is a Doctor so I know it is possible for a vampire to stay clean from human blood but Carlisle is decades old and more well willed than I could ever be." He smiles and rubs his hand along my marble sink.
"Is he your real father?"
Edward shakes his head; Yarny comes into the bathroom and rubs himself against Edwards legs and Edward leans down and pets him.
"No, he's the leader of our coven but I respect and treat him as if he were my father, I think you would like him he is a very nice fellow." He looks back down at the pill bottle and back at me. "There's a study on this brand specifically, these aren't good for you, they can cause Alzheimer's in the future I can get you better ones if you would like."
"Oh, um, thanks." I pick up the bottle, "Why wouldn't they take them off the shelf if that were the case?"
"Because they don't know that it can cause Alzheimer's yet. They will soon enough, after living for years and years while focusing on medicine you start to see flaws in many things. But let's not get into that." He takes the bottle away from me and puts it in his pocket.
My stomach rumbles and Edward laughs and pokes my belly, "You should get something to eat." I nod, still in amazement that Edward was open with the information he just shared. Maybe he doesn't know that I'm writing a book… that would explain why he is sharing this with me.
I get out the catfood and pour Yarny his portion then I look through the grocery bags, still not having put them away. Sadly it was the only food in my house, another wave of embarrassment hits me. I put the milk in the empty fridge and leave the bananas on the counter. I put the kettle on the stove and heat it up for a cup of coffee. Edward looking through my cabinets to find nothing, I pretend not to notice anything wrong. I mean I am one person so he can't expect much of anything can he? And he doesn't eat human food so he probably doesn't see anything wrong with this.
" Bella, are you sure you aren't a vampire?" He says with a frown as he shuts another cabinet. "I have more food than you and I don't eat."
"Why would you have food in your house?" I get my mug and pour some coffee in it while waiting for the water.
He shrugs, "Esme, my mother, she like the feeling of being human and if anyone should come over it would be awkward."
I get my coffee and walk over to my couch, "Yeh, I don't make much money, most goes to my apartment, my heat, my cable, my internet, Yarny. I'm also saving up for a car. It's so much, so I have to budget my food. Not to mention I'm still paying off college loans…" Which reminds me of the bills, ugh.
"You have no food Bella, when's the last time you ate a three course meal?" He walks over to my window and stares out then looks back at me. I shrug.
"I was never a big eater, I only eat when I'm hungry. And I'm not unhealthy either Doctor." I giggle at the name and suddenly remember I don't know his last name. "What's your last name?"
"Don't change the subject Isabella," a shiver runs through me. " how about I take you out to eat tonight?"
I raise an eyebrow, "How am I supposed to go on a date with a man whose last name I don't know?"
He smiles, "You trust me to come into your home, but not to get a free dinner?"
He has a point and I know it but still. "Okay, you're right. So what's your last name Edward? Tell me and I will go out and eat even though I'm not that hungry."
"Cullen. Yours? Oh wait that's alright I already know!" He bursts out laughing.
My jaw drops, "Heeey! That's not fair, how do you know?" I cross my arms, not that I really care, all this is in jest and my stomach is starving.
" I saw it on one of your papers, are you a writer?" He walks back over to my desk where he was looking previously. "You look like a writer, and would explain how you have little money for food." Oh this man is smart, I think sarcastically but as soon as I look into his eyes my demeanor changes and I feel like I'm floating as his eyes stare into my soul.
"Bella?"
"Huh, oh yeah, I write. I'm a writer." I clear my throat.
He nods, "What do you write about?" Oh the moment of truth, I can lie of course but he would know. Mine as well get it out already. He might help, or he will most likely leave telling me to never speak about him in his book or else, that 'or else' being a very serious threat.
"Vampires."
He looks at me very seriously before breaking out in a grin.
"I already knew that." He says and covers his smile with his hand obviously humored by my anxiety.
"If you knew that why did you ask!?" I get up and stomp my way into the kitchen and place my coffee mug into the sink, he was following behind me.
"I wanted to see what you would say." He says happily.
This guy, vampire, is something else. Making me worried for nothing. But when I turn around he isn't smiling and he looks down at me with all seriousness. He puts his hand on my shoulder while looking as if he's holding back.
"You know if you publish this book there will be vampires looking for you, they will take care of you quietly and make it so the world won't have the chance to know your book ever existed. You're asking for a death wish Bella."
I look down at my feet and shake my head, "This is my passion-"
"Bella! This is just asking to be murdered."
"My Editor and Publisher would kill me if I didn't finish this book." I said feeling funny even after saying it. Obviously there is nothing worse than a vampire coming to kill you.
"Your Editor and Publisher," he thinks for a minute. "Do they believe in vampires?"
I shake my head, "They laugh when I get them new information and they don't take me seriously." I shrug, "I can't blame them, they weren't raised believing this stuff, they must think I'm loony." Which hurt me in a way, I don't have many friends and I'm not the best people person. But I would like to think my Editor and Publisher were like friends, I talked to my editor enough to think this.
"Bella, promise me that you will stop writing this book. There must be something else you have interest in?" It sounded more like a demand, but his amazing voice, his eyes staring.
"Okay." What? No I can't just stop because he says stop. Another part of me thinks that I can stop if he says stop.
He leans down and gives me a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks Bella."
My lips feel icy cold and my mind feels like it just experienced heaven, trumpets playing in my ears and the sky opening up and shining down on us both. I take a deep breath and feel him laughing while pulling me along out of my apartment with my keys and my jacket in his hand he locks the door and were off.
"Were getting you something to eat."
That night I slept like I hadn't in years. The dinner was amazing and we talked about irrelevant things, like favorite colors and music. I haven't been out on a date in ages and it feels nice to be a little social instead of holed inside my house with nothing but my own thoughts. I'm tired of being alone, of being a narcissistic and depressing person. I want to be romantic and 'sex in the city' cliché. I won't go as far as saying I want a group of girl friends who gossips day in and out about dresses and sex but sometimes… I wish to be that typical person outside of myself.
Edward walked me to my door after treating me to a healthy dinner then descended into the night. I forgot to ask him for his number but I figure that I would see him sometime soon.
The next morning I made myself some coffee and walked around my house in my comfy pajamas thinking about the day before. Edward is definitely something godly and ugh I can't even think of a word for him. But who could… suddenly I am thinking if he had any past girlfriends, I mean a guy like that must be able to pick up women with not even a snap of his fingers but a mere glance would do!
Before I can start to panic my phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Bella?"
"Whose…?"
"Me, Jacob? Don't tell me you forgot about me already geesh! Haha!"
I almost drop the phone and put down my coffee.
"Holy crap Jake! How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages! How did you get my number?" I smile and sit down and start to pet Yarny who jumps onto my lap.
He laughs again. "I have my ways."
"No, seriously, if you can find me…"
"Don't worry, I called your editor. I remember you telling me her name and I looked up her number and well I told her I knew you and-"
"Okay okay I get it… wow… so she just gave you my number huh?" That wasn't very comforting to know I mean Jacob is my friend I've known through thick and thin but my editor didn't know that. Maybe I vaguely mention Jacob once… I'll have to talk to her.
I could practically see Jacob right now, nodding his head. "Yep. She sounds cool, says your still writing that vampire book." He scoffs out the word vampire like its some awful disease.
I giggle. "Have a grudge against vampires? Did they egg your house on Halloween?"
A pause. "Yeah, well I was calling to see if we could hang out."
I stand up and start to pick up my house alittle. "Um, sure… when? I mean I do work you know. Wait you're in Forks?"
Jacob was raised in Washington while I in Arizona, but every summer I would visit my father in Washington and my father is a friend with Jacobs father thus a friendship was born between Jake and me. It wasn't intentional but we ended up going to the same college in New York though majoring in different degrees. I came home to Forks earlier than him because that's just how it worked out. I didn't know he came back until now…
"Yep, just got back from New York not to long ago. I wanted to stay but my father and the other member of my tribe thought best if I came back." He says with emotion I can't really describe. Like he longed to be back but also HAD to come back home.
"Well then we should definitely hang out, I live on West Ave, close to Petersough street. You know where that is right?"
"Mhm, cool. So when do you want to catch up? And this is great you have your own house!"
I wanted to tell him that while it was nice being alone it was horrible as well, and sometimes even scary. But that's not something I admit to anyone, that I hated being alone, my past sometimes catches up with me and being alone is the worst time for that to happen.
It wasn't until Sunday that Jacob and I would meet up which is fine with me since I owe two chapters and rough drafts to my editor to revise, plus I was missing my favorite coffee from the café, Piccoli Café. Which is actually Italian if I guess correctly. But the vampire Edward was talking about… what's his name… Jared… started with a J, ugh I have Jacob on my mind. Anyway that dumb Vampire that threatened me and now it ruined my wanting to go to my café.
Meow, I look down at my cat.
James.
Aha! That's it, wow… love how that happens when I don't think about it and it pops out of nowhere.
Stupid James… What am I afraid of? Some silly red eyed intimidating vampire? Heck no! That's not the Bella I know, that's not me. I am going to get my coffee right now weither that vampire threatens me or not.
I pat my cat and head out of my house.
Soon enough I'm in front of Piccoli Café, the dark tinted windows with rose red curtains which must be new because I don't remember the curtains being that red. Unless they decide to wash their curtains with blood instead of water like normal people. I laugh at my humor and momentarily forget why I am hesitating in the first place, then suddenly remember as I walk in.
I walk up to the counter, the café surprisingly not crowded like the past times I have been here. People or Vampires were scattered, no one really loud or talking. Just some mumbles here and there. James didn't look to be here.
"The usual?" The waiter asks and I look at him in surprise before nodding. I hand him the change and wait for him to get me my drink.
I look over to the 'Employees only' door. Anxious suspicion overwhelms me. That door is so tempting, I wonder if I could sneak in… just a peak at night when they are closed. The Piccoli Café does close at around three in the morning and opens at six in the morning. Three hours would give me enough time.
The waiter sets down my coffee in front of me alerting me, I look up and notice him staring at me before looking at the door I just was looking at before looking at me. He smiles and I swear I see fangs but before I can know for sure his smile is gone and he's leaning foreward. I lean back automatically.
"If you want to go back there, you can. But the guarantee of you coming back out is zero. Capiche?"
I nod vigorously before taking my coffee and taking a seat in the back of the café. After I sit down I look back to the counter expecting to see him stare at me, but he's not. Instead I just catch his backside going into the other room, through the employees only door. I suddenly have a bad feeling and I get up and quickly leave the café.
'Stupid stupid stupid, why did I have to be so obvious, or I could have denied it. I could have pretended to be zoning out! Oh man…' I think as I quickly stride to the direction of my house.
I so need a car. So bad.
"Hey, Bella?" I turn around so fast I make my head spin, my hearts pounding.
Strong hands grab me. "Are you alright? Lets get you home you don't look good."
"Edward."
"Hm?"
"I think that Piccoli Café is dangerous, something is going on in there."
He stiffens and doesn't say anything as he walks me home. I'm too nervous to ask him to say anything, another day perhaps. Right now I want a bath and relax. Yes relaxation sounds good right now. As we stand in front of my door and waits and I expect him to leave but instead he follows me in and shuts the door behind me. I stare as he walks to my couch and looks over at me.
I walk over to him but I don't sit down and I wait for him to talk.
"You don't look good, can I make you something?" He says concerned.
Normalcy, I sigh somewhat relieved. I nod. "Do you know how to make a cup of tea?"
He nods and goes into my kitchen, I hear him shuffling and clanging things around while I sit down and close my eyes and wait for my tea. I hear him uncharacteristically swear and I open my eyes and look over.
"Are… you okay?"
"Yeah, don't come in here!" He says frantically.
My eyes widen and I stand up, what's this guy doing in my kitchen?!
"Edwaaard…?" I ask as I walk into my kitchen. "What. Are… you…?" I pause because I'm looking at Edward stirring a big boiling pot of hot water with what looks to be ten tea bags floating around. Edward obviously lies like any man does… I sigh and take over not really sure how anyone can fail at making tea.
He stares at me as I scoop out the tea bags, shut off the oven and dump most of the watery tea out saving only enough for a cup or two. It's still good and he did make it, just not in a conventional way.
"Sorry… it's kind of embarrassing to me. You know? Looking through a microscope I know what to look for if I'm looking for cancer. I know how to play most of Beethoven's pieces and here I cannot for the life of me remember how to make tea!"
Before he can I finish I have already taken his face in my hands and start to kiss him, he immediately responds deepening the kiss. Sucking, nipping, tastes so good. I moan and gasp for breath and suddenly its over and we have stopped. I don't know what came over me, his pathetic excuse for tea or his apology… my hands are still in his hair while his gaze is in my eyes.
"You are beautiful you know that?"
I blush and feel kind of faint, I look down and let go. He smiles as I pour my cup of tea and I go over to my couch and he follows and sits beside me placing his hand on my leg. "I don't want you going to that café anymore Bella, it is dangerous. James is aggravated and obsessed with you." He growls and I stare at him stunned.
"How?"
He stills, "I can…read minds." he looks the other way towards the window.
I almost choke on my drink and I set it down and turn my body facing him. "What? And how come you haven't told me this sooner?! So you know what I'm always thinking?" I feel sick, that means…
"No." He is suddenly looking at me again taking my hand in his. "I can read everyones mind but yours! And I never thought to tell you, I never been so open to a human before you Bella. You… attract me like nothing I ever felt before. Ever."
I shake my head. "How do I know you aren't lying? Maybe you're just saying you can't read my mind but you can." I pick up my tea, suddenly I feel like I need something stronger.
"It's what attracted me to you when I spotted you in the café. I watched you, I was mad at you actually." He looks at me apologetically before continuing. "You were typing and I was wondering what could be so important for you to type so vicious and I came to discover that you had no thoughts, or rather I couldn't read you. First time in my life this has happened to me. It still makes me anxious, I want to know so bad what goes on in your mind. So when I saw you leave after writing something on the napkin I had to check it out. And that when I found out you knew vampires… you know the rest of course."
Wow, talk about destiny or something.
"Um, this, that was interesting. So, am I weird? I don't have a tumor blocking my thought signals do I doctor?" I laugh and he scowls.
"That's not even funny to think about." He frowns. "And no, you are just special. I don't know why, but I think maybe this is a sign."
I nod thinking the same thing. "So James is definitely after me? For sure?"
He stands up and clenches his fist. "I won't let that thing ever touch you! I will make sure of it. It's just difficult right now because he is working for vampires very high up, and if he were to be disposed of… let's just say these high powered vampires would notice and come investigate. We can't have that."
"Working for? Doesn't he work for the café?"
Edward gives me a look.
"You mean these high power vampires are running a small café in a small town?" This all sounds kind of fishy.
He nods. "That's exactly why, nobody cares about a small town. And anything for food. This isn't the only café, you have to remember…" He sighs and stops himself. "Listen just don't go there, find somewhere else… actually lets find somewhere else together. Bella would you be kind enough to allow me to take you out on a nice date to find a comfy café for you to peacefully drink your coffee?" He bows taking my hand then kissing it.
I'm shocked because we go from one extreme to the next but I giggle because the man before me is charming and I was bitten by the love bug long ago, "I'd love too." Oh god, I'm becoming one of those girls.
"Great, hmm Friday good for you?"
I nod and he kisses me again, I breath him in, our teeth accidentally hitting each other he jumps back and smiles sadly. "We have to be careful Bella," He sighs.
"Why?" I gasp still trying to catch my breath.
"I not only lust after you but I still a monster and want so much more." He closes his eyes in pain and I walk up to him and put my hand against his cold face.
I frown. "I understand. But you are not a monster." He looks up and smiles.
"Goodbye my dear."
"Bye- WAIT!"
He swivels around, "What?!"
"Your number! My number!" I go into the kitchen quickly and write mine down then hand him the pad for him to write down his. He chuckles at me and writes it down then takes mine.
"You're adorable." He opens the front door, "You're not taking any pills are you?"
I shake my head.
"Good." With that he smiles, locks my door then walks out shutting the door behind him.
I run to my bedroom and jump into bed face first into my pillow, I scream with glee, never feeling so incredible especially since what happened to my father. I stop my gleeful squeals, my negative mind ruining the moment and water springing into my eyes I start to sob into my pillow where moments before I was happily sqweeing. I feel myself drift off while tears continue to soak my pillow.