*Chapter 3*: The Phone Call and The Reunion

Thank you so much for all your reviews and alerts. Wow, it's a surprise for me that this story already have a lot of readers.

For vampiregurl: Hi, there. It's nice to see you again :) To answer your questions, please be patient. The show is about to begin!

For KristenStewartFan: I planned this story will be all BPOV. Perhaps I could write the parallel version or a chapter in EPOV if there were enough readers asking for it.

So, it's all depend on you all! Anyhow, this ischapter 3.

Edited by: AshlynVarela

Chapter 3

The Phone Call and The Reunion

I went home exhausted. Exhausted from work and also from the stupid engagement thing. I flopped down on my couch in my apartment and exhaled. I removed my shoes and turned the TV on. A cheesy sitcom appeared on the screen and for a moment I tried to adjust my brain to understand the story, although it failed miserably. Suddenly my BlackBerry vibrated and with slow motion I picked it up.

"Hello."

"Hi, Bella."

I smiled. "Hi, Alice. How are you, girl?"

I heard Alice giggled. "Oh, I'm fine. Hey, guess who called me this morning?" I yawned. "Who? Jasper?"

"Duh, of course not Bella. If he called, why should I tell you?" Hm..good point there. I rolled my eyes. "Then who was it Alice?"

"Edward Cullen."

I nearly dropped the phone. "WHAT?"

"I know strange, right? Suddenly he called and asked me if I could come back to Forks this weekend."

A shiver ran down on my spine. I remembered my mother asking me to come home to Forks this weekend also. What was that guy planning anyway? "And what was your answer?"

"I haven't given him my answer yet, but he really expected me to come. He called Jasper too by the way." Damn! What the hell did he want? "So...you called me to ask if he called me too. Is that right?"

Alice laughed. "Ditto!" and then her tone became serious. "Did he call you Bella?" I played with my fingers. "No, he didn't. But he called my Mom."

"WHAT?"

I rolled my eyes. "Geez...Alice. It's not a big deal. Perhaps he didn't know where I am."

"Oh, please, Bella. Don't play smart with me. He could see your Facebook profile or asked your parents or maybe track you with Google Earth (believe me, I tried this once and it was succeed). Speaking of Facebook profile, I looked at his this morning. Wow, he's still gorgeous. If I didn'thave a relationship with Jasper I probably stalked him around."

I burst out laughing. "Careful there Alice. Jasper will kill Edward if you really did that." Honestly, I didn't mind.

Alice laughed. "Just kidding Bella. There's no man that can compare to Jasper." I smiled hearing her words. I knew Alice and Jasper loved each other deeply, even after all these years. I just wished I could have the same bond with my other half someday.

"So...are you going to Forks this weekend?" Alice asked, cutting my daydreaming.

"Um...I haven't decided yet. It's still Monday though so I'll call you on Thursday." I paused. "Hey Alice. Do you remember a boy with bronze hair that used to play with us when we were kids?"

Alice didn't answer and then I heard her gasped. "Hell, no!" "Yup, that was Edward."

Alice sighed. "How come I don't remember him?"

"Trust me, Ali...you're not the only one who asked the same question." Alice scoffed. "So, all of my time in high school, I didn't recognize him."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean? Did Edward ever move from Forks?"

"I don't remember Bella. All I know is Dr. Cullen moved to Forks in my junior year. Perhaps they lived in another town before moving back."

I sighed. "What about Jasper? And also I remember the blond girl, what was her name?"

Alice chuckled. "Jasper was moving out of Forks too when he was in elementary school. I guessed I was lucky when his parents decided to return to Forks. That rainy town is holding a lot of interest. The blond girl is Rosalie Hale. She moved to New York when I started high school. That's why you didn't see Rosalie in school."

"I see."

"Hey Bella, did you know that Rosalie was jealous of you?" "Huh?"

Alice giggled. "She was jealous of you because Edward paid more attention to you than to her." I grimaced. "Seriously, Alice?"

"Uh-huh, but I think she's already passed that phase. I heard she was dating a football player, Emmett McCarthy in New York."

"Hm...lots of things have changed." I yawned again. "Sorry to cut this conversation short Ali, but I feel so tired. I'll call you back on Thursday. Ok?"

"Ok Well, I better get going. I still have a lot work to do too. Take care Bella."

"You too. Bye Alice!" I pressed the end button. I walked to my apartment window, the busy streets of Seattle with the car's light's created a lonely feeling for me. What was exactly happened here?

The next day I woke up early. I didn't sleep very well last night, still trying to figure out what Edward was planning for all of us. I knew he was smart; he won't make a hasty decision. But he was also a very determined person. I remembered when he followed me around for a week just to ask me some stupid questions.

I prepared for the day and packed my bag. I stopped when a note from my phone calls from yesterday slipped into my finger. I'll visit you tomorrow at your office. I gulped. It meant I have to meet him today. I rubbed my temples. What was I going to do? I couldn't call in for being sick, I had important meetings today with my authors...or perhaps I could ask the front office to say I was not in the office if he really came. I slumped in my seat. Well I guessed that was the best way...for now.

After I heated up my Chevy's engine I walked to my office in a gloom mood. I asked the front office to tell anyone with the name Edward Cullen that I was not in the office today. When I reached to my floor I went straight to the pantry and made myself a coffee. I guessed a little caffeine would help me for the day. I walked to my desk carrying my cup of coffee and stopped dead in my track when I saw a bouquet of lilies on my desk. Lillie's were my favorite flower, and again not all of people knew that.

"It came this morning," I heard Jessica say. She looked kind of...annoyed. Hm...That was strange. I furrowed my eyebrows and opened the card. I could see an elegant handwriting in it.

I hope these flowers will brighten up your day. Looking forward for meeting you today. Yours, Edward Cullen.

I blinked several times. Wow, he was good. His training with girls in high school really gave him some justice. And...I really did think he was looking at my Facebook profile.

"You said you were only friends," Jessica said again. I could decipher her tone now. She was jealous. I smirked. "We were."

"Then, why did he send you these flowers? And lilies? A normal man would give red roses or white roses. He's not normal." Yeah right. So I could dump him and you had a chance to attack him. No way! I might not like Edward, but II wouldn't leave him to fall for Jessica's attack, I still had a heart to prevent that.

"Lilies are beautiful," I answered shortly.

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She disappeared in her booth and my smile did too. I looked at the flower cautiously. What was he planning? I felt like a girl who had a stalker in her life and I couldn't escape. For a moment I just sat in my chair, didn't know what to do until an e-mail appeared on my BlackBerry. One of my author's would like to come and met me at 10am in the morning. I put the bouquet in the corner on my desk and started my work for today.

After my meeting with my author it was almost lunch. I sighed and looked at the file on my desk. I won't be finished with my work if I went to lunch now. I shook my head and went to the snack bar machine in the hall to have some granola bars. I returned back to my desk and put my hair into a ponytail. I wore my glasses and started to open the file. This was my normal style when I had a lot of work. I was just finished half of my files when I heard a velvet voice behind me.

"You look sexy with those glasses."

I froze. I recognized that voice. The voice I haven't heard in the last 7 years, the voice that brought a nightmare's when I was in high school. My heartbeat increased its tempo. How...I mean...What...How could he...Damn! Never mind.

I slowly turned around in my seat and there he was in all of his glory, Edward Cullen. Honestly, he was more handsome in person rather than on his Facebook profile. He wore a dark coat with a deep blue shirt underneath and dark trousers. I almost raised my eyebrows.

He smiled. "Hi, Bella."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How did you get in here? How did you know I work here? And the most important thing is...what the hell are you doing here?"

He gave me his famous crooked smile. "Well, firstly, it's nice to meet you again Bella. Secondly, I didn't mention my name in the front office because I knew you'd be avoiding me so I used Jasper's. Thirdly, I checked your Facebook profile and I found out you work here. And fourthly, I'm here to talk to you. Am I answering all your questions?"

It took me a minute to process all of his answers. It looked like my brain stop functioning when I stared at his face. I shook my head mentally. This was not good!

"O...kay...so, what are you want to talk about?"

Edward just opened his mouth to answer my question when Jessica interrupted. "Bella, did you see...Oh, sorry...I didn't know you had visitor." She blushed and composed her face. "Hi, I'm Jessica Stanley. Bella's best friend here."

I chocked on my granola bar. Edward smirked, he knew Jessica was lying. I always thought Edward could understand what you were thinking, it was kind of creepy. I wondered if he ever understood me.

"Nice to meet you, Jessica. I'm Edward Cullen. Bella's fi...friend." Edward replied and grimaced. I raised my eyebrows. Was it me or he really was about to call himself my fiancé?

"Oh, yes...Edward Cullen. Bella told me so much about you. She said you guys were good friends." Jessica gave him a- what was supposed to be sexy smile.

Trust me; I tried so hard not to choke my granola bar again. Edward smiled. "Really? Like what?"

Jessica blushed. "Um...that you worked in the Seattle local hospital and you guys were good friends in high school."

Edward pursued his lips. "I see. Well, I always want to be a doctor, even though my father disagreed. You know, being a lawyer its hard to understand a doctor."

I shook my head. It was a trap. Edward just tested Jessica. Damn! All these years and he still knew how to figure out if someone was lying or not. Believe me; he could have a good career in the interrogation department. I felt bad for Jessica but I was curious myself to hear her answer.

Jessica begun to flirt. "Yeah, I know. Your father definitely doesn't know what is good for you. A handsome man like you becomes a lawyer? I don't think so."

Edward smirked. His green eyes sparkled with humor. "Is that so?"

I rolled my eyes and rose from my seat. "Edward, did you already have lunch? I'm hungry."

Edward looked at me and smiled. "Actually Bella, I was just about to ask you for lunch, but apparently your best friend

here interrupted us."

Jessica blushed again.

I smiled grimly. "Let's have lunch then. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Edward nodded and turned to Jessica. "See you later Jessica." Jessica beamed when Edward walked out from my booth.

"See Bella...he likes me." Jessica said with dreamy eyes.

I combed my hair with my fingers and took my glasses off. "For the record Jessica, he knew you were lying." "Huh?"

I turned around just before putting on my blazer. "His father is not a lawyer. His father is a doctor too. Have a nice lunch Jess." I suppressed the urgent to laugh when Jessica's face turned pale. I turned around again and walked to the front office. I guessed payback was a bitch, literally.

*Chapter 4*: The Lunch and The Confession

Chapter 4

The Lunch and The Confession

I walked side by side with Edward. I just looked down or looked to the street, didn't have the heart to look at him. Sometimes I caught him glanced to me from the corner of my eyes. He ran his fingers to his hair couple of times, he seemed nervous.

"Where are we having our lunch?" I asked for the first time.

He smiled, seemed relieved I broke the tension. "Actually, we already here."

I stopped beside him and looked to an expensive restaurant in front of me. I looked at my costume and frowned. "Um..Edward, I don't hink my clothes are representable for this restaurant."

He rolled his eyes. He didn't answer me and opened the glass door for me. "Humor me."

I sighed and got in. Like I said, he was a determined person. "Didn't we have to call a reservation for this?" I whispered to him while we were inside.

He just smiled and we approached a waitress. "Excuse me, Miss. We have a reservation here."

The waitress seemed surprised and her jaw was dropped when she stared at Edward. Oh, please..not again! In seconds she composed herself. "Oh...yes...um...under which name, Sir?"

"Cullen."

She looked to the list. "Ah, yes. Very well, Mr. Cullen. Please, follow me." She said and for the moment I swore she was glaring at me. What was her problem anyway? I almost rolled my eyes.

She guided us to the corner of the room. Soft music could be heard from our table. It was romantic. Edward pulled out the chair for me. The waitress still glared at me when she was leaving our table.

"Did you come here often?" I asked him, just curious. Perhaps the waitress knew him.

Edward shrugged and looked over the menu. "Couple of times in special occasion." and then he looked at me. "Why did you ask?"

"I think the waitress likes you."

Edward scoffed. "It happens all the time." All the time...figures! "And this special occasion.. as on a date?" I dared him.

Edward sighed and stared at me with his piercing green eyes. "No, Bella. Special occasion as in formal dinner with my dad."

"I see."

A waiter approached us. "Hello. Can I have your order, please?" He asked Edward but he was staring at me. Odd! What could possibly interesting about me?

Edward narrowed his eyes and cleared his throat. The waiter smiled and diverted his attention to Edward. "What your order would be, Sir?"

"Bella? What would you like to eat?" Edward asked.

"Um..." I glanced over the menu. Some names I didn't recognize, I meant how could that be possible? It was just a food. Why should they have to put complicated names on it? "I...have...beef stroganoff," I picked the most recognizable food.

"And you, Sir?" The waiter asked. "Make it two."

"Alright." The waiter wrote down our order. "And for the drink?" Edward stared back at me. "Bella?"

"Um...a..coke?" I nearly grimaced.

Edward nodded and turned to the waiter. "Two cokes, please."

The waiter wrote down our drink order and took the menu. He winked at me when he was leaving our table. Seriously, that waiter really needed help.

I turned back to Edward. He still scowled to the waiter. "Um...thank you for the flowers," I said to him, trying to have a conversation.

Edward stared back at me and smiled. "Anytime, Bella. I know they are your favorites."

I blushed. "Er...yes. And that was a nice move with Jessica there. I didn't know you still had it in you. Well, thank you again even I don't remember mention that to you."

Edward looked at me, amused. "You really don't remember, do you?"

I stared back at him. His face turned sad. I swallowed hard. "Edward, I don't mean to be rude, but yesterday my mother called me and told me about...something."

Edward gave me a sly smile and looked to the table. "About the proposal?" I shuderred. "Yes." My voice was barely a whisper now.

Edward didn't answer me, just playing with the napkin, when suddenly he stared deeply into my eyes. "I love you, Bella."

I stopped breathing. My eyes went wide. I was sure there was nothing wrong with my hearing whne he said he loved me. My brain seemed malfunctioning in a moment.

"Bella, please say something," Edward pleaded. His green eyes full with remorse.

I exhaled, realizing I just hold my breath. Anger filled my body immediately. "What do you want me to say, Edward? We didn't see each other for seven years. You told the whole student body of Forks High some fake rumors about me. You made out with a blond in school hall the day you asked me to the Spring Dance and you had a different girl every week. Suddenly you have the right to ask my father for a marriage. What is this? Another plan of your conquer in women? How many women did you asked to be your wife, huh?" I said through clenched teeth.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose, his habit when he was frustrated. "Look, I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to hurt you. At that time I just thought you'll going to like me if I was that type of guy."

"What type of guy?" "The cool one."

I threw my hands in the air. "The cool guy is not my type. I thought you already know that. So, you didn't know anyhting about me. At all. And suddenly you proposed to me?"

"I know, Bella. I'm so sorry. Through my college years, I tried to make it up to you. I stayed contact with your dad, trying to convince him so I could escort you back-"

"Wait...wait...What? You contacted my dad? All these years? He never told me!" This time I nearly lost my temper. "I told him not to," Edward said slowly.

I tried to control my breathing. This man was unbelievable. Our conversation cut when the waitress gave us our meal. I was too hungry to bother her glare and her flirtatious glance for Edward. I ate my food with uneasy feeling. What was I going to do now? There was so much I needed to ask Edward about this. About his proposal. About his love declaration.

I finished with my food in record time. Actually it was the fastest moment I ate with beef stroganoff. I played with the glass of my coke, waiting Edward to finish with his food. I glanced to him when he already finished. I decided to ask one question that bothered me when I was in high school.

"Is the rumor true?"

Edward raised his head and looked at me. "What rumor?"

My brown eyes bore to his green eyes. "That you slept with all the girls."

Edward's jaw dropped to the floor and for the moment he didn't answer me. I sighed. Well, I guessed the rumor was true. "Who told you that?" He asked incrediously.

I looked at him, surprised. "So, you really did sleep with them. And then you want to marry me? Not a chance, lover boy!" Edward shook his head. "No, I meant, who told you that rumor?"

"Tyler Crowley." I answered shortly.

Edward burst out laughing. "Oh, man...he's really sick."

"I don't understand."

Edward grimaced. "It was Tyler who slept with those girls, Bella. Not me. It was Tyler's way to wash his hand clean. I never had any interest for them. At the time you caught me kissed the blond, it was a dare. I didn't kiss her back."

I raised my eyebrows. "That was not what I saw."

Edward chuckled. "I was pushed to the wall. What do you want me to do? Besides, it was just a dare. She was Tyler's next target. I didn't care about her. Well, she did try to get close to me but I didn't return her affections."

I shook my head. "I don't understand you, Edward Cullen. Why didn't you tell me that we were know each other since kids? It'll make my years in high school gets easier."

Edward sighed, playing with his napkin again and then stared deep to my eyes. "Do you remember the day you moved from Forks? We met for the last time at kids."

I stared back at him, questioning him with my eyes. Edward just gave me a-try-to-remember-look. Suddenly those green eyes in front of me changed to a younger boy.

*Flashback*

"So, you are going to move?" younger Edward asked. "Yes, " I replied. I was 6 years old then.

The boy in front of me just playing with the sand on his shoes. "Will you come back?" I shrugged. "I don't know."

He looked at me with his green eyes. "I like you, Bella."

I smiled. "I like you too, Edward. You are nice to me and you are a good friend." He shook his head. "No, Bella. I mean...I. Like. You."

I titled my head. "What do you mean? I don't understand." He smiled. "Bella, will you marry me someday?"

My face lit up. "Marry? Is that the game we usually play? About a mom and dad and kids?" "Yeah, just like that."

I frowned. "Is that mean Alice and Jasper will be our kids too in the future?" He smiled knowingly. "Of course not, silly Bella. We will have our own kids." "Oh, I see."

Edward hold my hand. "I'll find you, Bella and when that day comes, I'll marry you." I smiled. "OK!"

"Bella! Honey! Come on!" My mother called me from the car.

Edward squezzed my hand. "Go. Your mother is waiting for you. I promise you I'll find you."

I just nodded and smiled. Edward smiled back and kissed my cheek. "See you later, My Bella."

*End of Flashback*

The memory of the young boy suddenly returned to the present Edward. I glanced frantically to nothing in particular. I felt something hold my shoulder. "Bella...Bella...hey, are you alright?"

I breathed so hard and looked to the same green eyes. "You...it was you." I whispered.

Edward nodded, seemed relieved and also scared. "Yes, that was me, Bella. I made that promise years ago and I nearly break it. I told you I'll marry you."

I shook my head. "What is this? Some kind of love at the first sight? We're not live in fairy tale, Edward."

Edward smiled warmly. "It's not. The first time I met you, for me, you were just a clumsy girl and annoying. But the more I

spent my time with you, the more I drawn to you. You are selfless, kind, beautiful, smart. You're perfect, Bella. Sometimes I always know what other people are thinking but I never understand you. I don't know why. So...No, Bella. It was not love at the first sight. I really like you and love you."

"But...but..when we were in high school-"

Edward sighed sadly. "I know I shouldn't listen to Tyler's advice. I should just be myself. I'm sorry for the nasty rumors too." And then he stared at me. "I had to follow you for a week because he was already had a plan to get into you. And you know what that means."

I looked back at Edward. Really? He did that to protect me from Tyler? If he didn't follow me around, I probably ended up with Tyler in his bed. I clutched myself with my hand, trying to repress the shudder.

"Hey," Edward stroke my cheek. "I won't let him touch you. I'll protect you."

I looked up and stared to Edward. My eyes glistened with tears. "Thank you." I didn't know why I felt so weak.

Edward wiped away my unshed tears. "Please, don't cry, alright. I'm sorry if this engagement seemed to be forced but we could start easily if you like. Besides, I need to make up my time in our high school to gain your trust. It's not an easy thing to do, I know. But I willingly to try for you. So, Bella, can we start again?"

I smiled weakly. "Please, let us be friends first and we could see what we will become after that."

His eyes tightened, seemed hurt, but Edward quickly hiding it. He smiled. "I would like that." He kissed my forehead. "Thank you, Bella." and then suddenly he became serious. "But I mean it when I said I want to marry you."

I sighed. "I know, Edward, just please give us a moment to know each other. OK!" and then I realized something. "What will happenned this weekend?"

Edward smiled grimly. "A reunion. You'll see." I stared at him in disbelieve. "Reunion?"

"Which reminds me to ask you about it. Will you be able to attend it?"

I blinked several times. "Um...I don't know. I'll let you know soon." I just crossed my fingers while I said those words.

Edward stared at me and nodded. "Alright." and then he turned to his watch. "Come on! The lunch is over in 15 minutes. I need to get you back to the office."

I nodded and Edward called the waitress for our check. The waitress gave him a sexy smile and handed him the check. Edward pulled out a cash, despite my protest, and the waitress left us. She turned seconds later with our change and the bill. She winked to Edward when she left. Edward looked at the bill and frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked him worriedly. "Do we have to pay more?" He shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go!"

He pulled out my chair and I got up. I wore my blazer back and Edward placed his hand on my lower back. I shivered from his touch. He approached the waitress who beamed at him and gave her the bill. "Sorry, but I don't need this." and then he returned to me. "Come now, Bella."

He tugged my hand lightly and we got out from the restaurant, leaving the dumbfounded waitress. "What is it?" I asked him again.

Edward smirked. "She wrote her number on the bill. I returned it back to her." I burst out laughing while Edward grinning. Really, this man was unbelivable.

Two chapters in one day? It's all for you, readers. Just stay close, a lot of twist and surprise in the next chapters :)

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