Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight!!

Chapter 2

We arrived to an utterly huge house. Vivianne wasn't exaggerating, it really was almost a castle.

"The Masens must be very rich," I whispered to my mother while I admired every single inch of that place. I was supposed to be still upset, but the magnificence of all that was overwhelming, so my curiosity won over the rest.

"Yes. Actually they are a very important and powerful family. You could say they almost rule Chicago. People say they're very polite though.', she answered in a whisper herself.

Sure, I thought sarcastically. They were probably just arrogant people that thought the world spun around them and that they could get anything they want.

"May I pick your coat?" a servant asked and I delivered it to him.

The ballroom was outstanding, that's for sure. All those small glassy bulbs that emitted light made it look like some kind of fairytale. I was already used to see the splendour of the electrics, but it was just too beautiful. Some people were dancing the waltz, while other people just spoke to each other and drank champagne joyfully.

While I was admiring the room, I felt a hand touching my shoulder. As I turned around I saw a gorgeous young man, with emerald-green eyes and messy bronze hair, staring at me.

"Hello. You must be Miss Isabella Swan, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes...," I stammered, a bit astonished by how inhumanly handsome he looked, "but I prefer to be called Bella instead, if you don't mind," I added, my voice still now. I should have known that everyone would know me here as Isabella. One more reason for me not to like this place.

"Bella it is, then. I'm Edward Masen. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said as he took my hand to kiss it.

I blushed and I don't know what happened, but as his lips touched my skin, a current of electricity passed through me. What's wrong with me?

"The pleasure is all mine," I responded, with my hand still burning, "So, you are Mr. Masen's son, right?'

"That's right," he said with a dazzling smile, "And you're the new doctor's daughter, isn't it?"

"Any problem with it?" I said coldly. I really didn't like his smug tone. I was very proud of my father.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I offended you, it wasn't my intention," he said apologetically, "I really think that being a doctor is an amazing job, I actually am thinking about becoming one." My mouth hanged open. This was new. Normally people of his social status considered my father's job an inferior job.

"Are you serious? I mean, that's excellent but…it's just…odd."

"Why?" he asked sincerely admired, locking me in his gaze.

"Well, I don't know, it's just that I thought that maybe you would like to continue the work of your father," I said with a small smile.

"I like to help other people," he just said, shrugging.

"That's very nice of you," I replied smoothly.

Who would have thought that someone like him would be like that? Or maybe probably he was just faking it to impress me. Well, if so, he had done a good job.

Suddenly, he leaned forward to me and held my hand.

"May I have this dance?" he asked with a smile crossing his face.

Yes, he was definitely succeeding. Well, a dance can't hurt anybody.

"Yes, I would be honored," I said smiling.

And so we walked to the centre of the ballroom and, just as the music started, we started waltzing around gracefully. Well, at least he was graceful, I was just leaded by him as he supported half of my weight. It is what you get for being clumsy: you aren't able to dance as well as it would be expected.

Our bodies were so close that I hardly managed to breath. Stop it, Bella, It's just dancing, get yourself focused so you don't fall.

But the warmth of his body, his skin upon mine, his eyes meeting mine. I couldn't help but stare at him with amazement. I probably just look an idiot.

"You're a pretty good dancer," I managed to say.

"Well, the beautiful woman with whom I'm dancing helps a lot," he said as he held me closer.

I looked away, stopping abruptly, and blushed. This is getting ridiculous.

"Have I embarrassed you? I apology if I did," he said confused with my reaction.

"No," I lied biting my lip, "But my parents must be wondering where I am. I'd better go."

"Would you mind if I come with you?" he asked pleadingly.

Why did he have to be such a damn gentleman? Watch out the words Bella, he is just being nice.

"That's very nice of you but you don't need to do that. Don't let me ruin your night," I said.

"I insist. Besides I'm looking forward to meet your parents, specially your father."

Sure you do.

"Fine," I hissed impatiently, "Let's go then."

We walked together through the room until we finally found them talking enthusiastically to a young couple. The woman looked more or like my age and had black, spiky hair. She was wearing a beautiful golden dress. She looked stunning. The man on her side was blond and was also very good-looking. As we approached them, my father spoke to me.

"Oh Bella, there you are. I want you to meet Mrs. and Mr. Hale," he said.

The woman came up to me and gave me a quick hug, just like we had known each other for ages.

"It's such a pleasure to finally meet you," she said excitedly, "Your parents talked a lot about you. My name is Alice and this is my husband Jasper."

"Nice to meet you," he said shaking my hand.

"You too," I replied.

Then they noticed Edward standing there.

"Oh, hello Edward," Alice said apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't notice you were there."

"You know each other?" I asked surprised.

"We are siblings," Edward explained, turning then to Alice, "I didn't know you two we're coming. Is Emmett also here?"

"Yes. Rosalie and him arrived a while ago," she said, "They must be with Mom and Dad."

"Alright, thanks. I'll talk to them later," he smiled.

Then my father, to my embarrassment, cleared his throat.

"Oh I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce you," she said embarrassed, "Edward, this is Mr. Charlie Swan and his wife Renée. I would introduce you to Bella but I believe you've already met."

"Yes, we have," he said as I nodded.

"And Mr. Swan, this is my brother Edward," she continued.

They shook their hands, and then Alice took my hand and pulled me with her.

"Oh Bella, I'm so glad for you to come to this town. I really hope we're going to be very good friends," she said with a wide grin.

"I feel the same, but, Alice? Where are you taking me?" I asked a bit concerned.

"To my old bedroom," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "I moved to Jasper's house a some time ago, but I still have my room here, at my parents' house."

"And why are we going there?" I asked suspiciously.

"So we can speak more privately. I want to know everything about you," she said, "And for you to know me better as well."

There were a lot of things I would like to know, indeed.

A/N: So, another replaced chapter... hope you all like it...

Now another issue: I want to thank all the people who reviewed and to apologise to them as I didn't reply to their reviews as I usually do..it was just that I've been busy...but I promise I'll reply to all the reviews that come next. Every single one! I promise! So review, review, review!!!

Another apology: I'm sorry about chapter 5 but it has been taking longer than I expected...I've been quite busy and I'm with lack of ideas for it...sorry. I'll do my best to finish it and update it as soon as possible. And now with the holidays coming I'll have more freetime :)

Love,

niqha*