Chapter 2 As the Clock Strikes
"Hello Detective Masen." I heard Charlie's voice echoing down the hall, welcoming our guest in as I laid the hot dish of lasagna on the table. "Edward, this is Isa- I mean Bella." I ignored them until Edward walked up to me, seeming content that I knew his actual name. I looked square into his emerald eyes again, wearing a different mask than before. This was an invisible mask, and I was a different person.
"Edward," I said curtly. He took my hand as I quivered slightly when I realized that they fit together perfectly. His eyes flashed.
"Bella, nice meet you." Edward kissed my knuckles softly, his eyes never leaving mine. "So what did you prepare for us so graciously tonight?" His eyes swept over the dinner I made, glistening.
"Lasagna," I said in a platonic tone, "You like it?" He nodded as he sat down, across from me. Charlie pulled out two wine glasses and a coke for me. Edward arched an eyebrow. "I'm underage." I explained, "I'm eighteen."
He took a sip of red wine as he chewed thoughtfully before his eyes lit up, "This is good." I fought a smile at his attempt to look casual.
"Thanks." Charlie was eyeing me suspiciously. "Is there something wrong, Dad?"
"No, it's fine; it's just that... have you two met before?" My heart stopped, and I smiled a, what I hoped to be, a normal grin.
"No, we haven't met," Edward saved me the trouble, "She's kind of familiar though, like that B person we met the day before." He slurped a stray noodle. He seemed to be joking, but my heart started to drum in my chest. "Of course, I'm joking Bella." I thunk- ed him in the shin under the table, feeling smug as he huffed out a painful breath.
"What's wrong Edward?" I inquired innocently, chewing on a piece of cheese.
"Nothing," He muttered, no doubt rubbing his sore kneecap.
EPOV
Dang, she really knows how to kick... I had to give her credit for that slick move. I returned to the meal. However, Bella was very distracting, especially when she wore that sinfully adorable blue blouse and navy jeans. Casual, yet elegant. I shook the thought out of my head.
"So are there any other jewels coming in? We may be able to detect the BAR Trinities next move." I murmured before chewing on a lettuce leaf.
"Come to think of it, I've heard that the museum's keeping a fine-cut emerald in their possession. It's worth billions," Chief remembered. "Bells, do you think you can lend me that magazine of yours?" Bella peeked up through her eyelashes at her father.
"Sure. It's upstairs though; can you give me a sec to fish it out?" Bella asked.
"Of course," He grinned, eyes crinkling. "Isn't she a jewel?" Charlie nudged her affectionately as she got up to ascend the stairs.
"She is," I agreed, my eyes following her as I watched until she disappeared into the hallway.
BPOV
"Alice," I hissed into the cell phone speaker.
"Hi Bella, what's up?"
"Get into three way with Rose I need to tell you something about Edward."
"Edward?" Alice was obviously confused.
"Masen," I mended, hearing Rose join in on the conversation.
Rose entered the conversation. "Hello?"
Alice shushed her,"Rose, Bella's telling us something."
"Okay, Edward who is Detective Masen, is figuring a plan to stop us getting the Cat's Eye. They're thinking on protecting it."
Rose cursed. "Well, tell us how so we can find a loophole out of this."
"I don't know yet. Stay on and I'll keep it in my pocket so you guys will hear the entire conversation, but don't talk until I say it's clear." I grabbed the catalogue and raced downstairs.
"Thanks, Bella." Charlie flipped through it. "Okay so the jewel will be on display starting on Friday which is three days from tomorrow, plenty of time to schedule a force," He noted
"Dammit," I heard a voice hiss from my pocket. Edward glanced up at me, his brow furrowed. I pretended to be just as confused. He shook his head and I shrugged as we turned our attention back to Charlie, me blushing and cursing whoever had chosen to make an outburst.
"...to the twenty fifth of October which is about three weeks time. I want police cars surrounding the entire place each night, substituting. We have enough people, but I'll need you there every night Edward to gain evidence, can you handle it?" My dad asked, oblivious.
"Of course Chief." He waved his hand at Edward.
"Call me Charlie, Chief is when Charlie's at work. Call me that when you're on the job." Charlie chuckled.
"Yes, sir. So I will be reporting for duty tomorrow at the museum?"
"Yes, and Bella?" I looked at my father, "Bring Alice and Rosalie with their parents tomorrow, and we'll take them to dinner, and if you would like, invite your friends to the museum with us to sneak a peek. Just don't tell anyone else." I was surprised, "I know that you girls like sparkly things anyway." I beamed at him, thinking how he didn't know the half of it.
"Thanks Dad." I hugged him, silently cheering, probably like Alice or Rose on the other side of the line.
"My pleasure. Edward, would you like to stay a bit longer?" Charlie patted his full belly. "Go call your girls, Bella." Already done as of five minutes ago- the same time I had retrieved his magazine, of course, he didn't need to know that....
"Sure, after I wash the dishes." Edward stopped me gently. "Allow me." He scooped up the plates with uncanny grace and walked into the kitchen. I ambled to the couch, reaching into my jeans and retrieving the cell phone.
"Talk," I commanded.
"Score!" Alice shrieked.
"Mhm, we'll be there at ten." Rosalie approved, hanging up. We waited until it was official that she was gone from the conversation.
"So how was dinner?" Alice quizzed.
"It was interesting; Edward accused me for being in the BAR Trinity though. Of course, he was kidding. I kicked him in the shin, so I hope he's okay."
"He probably is... Tell me, was it better than seeing his eyes filled without hate?"
"It was," I admitted, blushing.
"What was?" Edward's velvet voice sounded behind me, his smile blinding.
"Uh…it…um…" Stupid female brain. "Nothing, just talking to Alice."
"Brandon? Charlie said something about you and your friends at work. He's always telling me that you three are all best buds and go out twice a week." He sat beside me, crossing his legs, and slinging an arm casually around the couch above my head. The phone accidentally slipped from my fingers.
"Bella?" Alice screamed.
"Yeah?" I picked it up, trying to calm my racing pulse.
"Is Edward there?" She questioned rather loudly. Edward stretched out his pale long fingers.
"May I?" I handed him the phone wordlessly. "Thanks, Edward Masen speaking." He chuckled. "Nice to meet you too, Alice…yes Bella is next to me." He winked at me, causing the blood to churn in my face, "Yes…interesting…ah yes, I am a rather a big fan of Mrs. Brandon's fashion sense even if she does do women's clothing more than men's…" he spoke, lips twitching.
I took the time to speculate him. His biceps flexed every time he moved, and his chest moved up and down in a steady rhythm as he breathed. His bronze locks seemed to be heavenly soft, and his eyes -even if looking at it from the side- were endless.
I felt a pestering addiction to touch his face, to see how smooth his skin was or to feel his silky hair beneath my fingers…. I sat on my hands, listening to hear his velvety voice talk, "Oh…she's still in high school? With you? Senior year?" He paused and then laughed, jolting me slightly, "I'll consider it…if she agrees to it," he winked at me, "Really? Now, that is bad luck." He chuckled, "Oh?" He stared at me with a hint of emotion in his eyes that I couldn't detect.
"What?"
"Nothing, Alice just says that you have no sense of style whatsoever." He told me.
"Alice!" I whined, reaching for the phone, but Edward kept it at an arm's distance, taunting me. I climbed onto him, onto his lap until he surrendered it over. "Thank you," I hopped off him, only to find that Alice had hung up on me. "I'm going to kill her tomorrow," I grumbled standing from the couch, heading for the single seat.
"So Edward, tell me more about yourself." Charlie settled onto an armchair, forcing me to sit next to Edward.
"Well, I play the piano and listen to music a lot. I love the classics, and I sometimes compose music." He waited patiently for the next question.
"What's your favorite color?"
"Brown and blue." He answered abruptly.
"Gemstone?"
"Sapphire." (A/N: I couldn't help it, but seriously, Bella would look good with sapphire.)
"What kind of flower?" I questioned, curiosity getiing the better of me once Charlie had given up, settling for watching the television, ignoring both of us.
"Freesia."
"Fruit?"
"Strawberry."
"Birthday?"
"June 20th."
"Favorite book?"
"Wuthering Heights."
"Me too…" I murmured, trying to come up with more questions. "Where do you want to go in the world?"
"Everywhere."
"What do you need in life?"
"It would be wonderful to settle down one day with a wife."
"What kind of animal do people usually compare you with?"
"Mountain lion."
"Is your hair naturally like that or do you mess it up every morning?" I teased, trying to cover my burning interest.
"Natural, nothing could tame it."
"Favorite season."
"Winter."
"Favorite flavor."
"Chocolate."
We went on for what seemed forever, me shooting questions at him faster than a normal person could answer; he countered with perfect timing. Eventually, I yawned, and Edward immediately frowned.
"It's late. Goodnight, Charlie, Bella. I will see you in the morning. What time?"
"Ten is fine… or do you prefer noon?"
"I'll settle for ten," he flashed me a dazzling smile, making my heart stutter before picking up double time.
"Then be present by ten o'clock sharp and no later. Rose and Alice will be here at ten also, right Bella?" Charlie cut in. I nodded, without breaking my gaze with Edward's. "I'll see you in the morning." And with that, Charlie departed into the other room, leaving me with Edward Masen, the most dangerous person for me to be alone with, yet the only person I longed for.
"Goodbye, Edward." I walked him to the door. He paused in the doorstep, turning to face me. He took my hand softly in his and kissed it just like he had earlier, making me blush.
"Sleep well, Bella."
And then he was gone.
Beta Note: To warn y'all incase you didn't know before… well, Tiffany, our wonderful author, is quite demanding sometimes. In other words… she would be most happy is she was rewarded with FIVE reviews. You know the drill, just click that button and tell her what you thought. (:
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~Madds~