Shit…. Shit shit shit, I'm late! I willed my old Chevy not to die on me as I pushed it from the MMA school to the club. Shit! Jessica is going to fry my ass! I reeked still from my class and my after-class work out. But the good news is that being a DJ, no one had to smell me.
It doesn't stop people from looking at you being all sweaty, my rational side chided. I grimaced. I was thankful again that Jasper made me pack a spare change of clothes. I glanced up at the sunset then down again at my digital clock on the dashboard. "Come on old boy, you can do it," I rubbed a hand on the dashboard. "Tonight's going to be a huge night. I need this cash for the kids!" A flash caught my eye and I looked up at Charlie's picture that hung down from my rearview mirror.
Charles Swan… my adoptive father. The man who took no shit no matter what. I remembered the first day that I met him.
((Flashback))
"Charlie Swan? This is Isabella Forks, your new foster daughter."
Charlie looked to be in his mid-fifties with a graying mustache. However he looked to be in pretty good shape for his age. It wasn't until I glanced around that I found out why. Damn… he's a cop.
"Her last name is Forks?" Charlie asked, arching a brow at the faceless social worker I was with.
"She was found in Forks, Washington. You're familiar with your home town, aren't you? Well… we don't know much about her other than her first name. No record of her parents… no record of her birth, nothing—"
"—Can't we talk about this inside?" Charlie cut her off sharply, startling the both of us. "I'm sure that none of us wants to relive that detail of our lives." I tilted my head, staring at the brown haired brown eyed cop of Seattle, Washington .What was his angle? What was his game…? I just… cant figure him out.
"Sure. Isabella, why don't you take your things upstairs? Charlie, you sure you can take on another?"
"I opened this house for a reason," Charlie gruffly answered. "You know those reasons quite well. Let's just get this paperwork done and let the poor girl get some rest. Jasper!"
Oh great… a slave driver, I thought. This should be fun.
A lanky, thirteen year old boy with a tattoo on his wrist of a lion jumped down the stairs. "Yeah Charlie?" CHARLIE..? Didn't all foster kids call their new 'parents' mom or dad?
"Would you mind taking Bella up to the room across from yours? After these papers I'll start on dinner."
"Yes sir!" Jasper saluted him with a grin, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Come on. I'm Jasper Swan, if you're living in the house that means he's adopting me a sister too!"
"A—adoption..?"Jasper stopped, turning to look at me.
"You didn't know?"
I swung around to the social worker with a glare, finally taking in her face. She was a tall, sandy haired woman with light brown eyes. Her badge had informed me that her name was Andrea Tanner. "You told me this was another foster house!"
"This is a foster house. Charlie Swan is a foster father for eighteen children of all ages. Though Jasper is the only one he adopted as a son. You are the first he will adopt as his daughter. Charlie Swan is the soul owner of Swan Haven House for Orphans."
I stared at her then back to Charlie… taking all this in. I had heard rumors of this place. Orphans that I had run into over the years who had been here, told me how good Charlie treated them. How he was firm but kind… an ideal foster father. And here I was making myself a bitch. Again.
"I see… then… what should I call you?"
"Charlie is just fine," the cop's eyes twinkled slightly in amusement. "Jasper?"
"I got it Charlie. Come on Bella—is this all you've got?" Jasper asked incredulously, lifting my very small suitcase. "Oh my— that wont do if you're going to go to school next week..."
"I'll take care of that," Charlie said, turning to a notepad and taking a red pen to write.
"Alright, if you'll please sign these documents Mr. Swan, I'll be on my way."
((End flashback))
That had been almost fourteen years ago. Charlie had been great, and I had thanked whatever God was out there that placed me in his care. Til about three years ago… when he was taken so brutally away.
((Flashback))
I had been studying at the library, working hard for my bachelor's degree in business education. Some of the foster children back at Swan Haven House had been suffering grade wise… so I figured it would do some good to learn what they're learning and probably home school some of them. Charlie was doing everything he could, but since the Chief had assigned him this huge diamond thief case, there had been little time for the rest of the children.
"Bella," I jumped as Mrs. Cope shuffled over to me, beckoning with a finger. "You have a call."
A call?
I jumped from my seat and raced across the library, my feet barely making a sound and picked up the receiver.
"Isabella Swan," I answered.
"Ms. Swan? My name is Detective Walsh… I… I'm Charlie Swan's partner in the thief case he was working on."
'Was' is a past tense word… did that mean Charlie was taken off the case?
"Yes Detective? Is everything okay?"
"Ms. Swan… it's my… deepest regret to inform you that Charlie Swan was shot in the line of duty today at Seattle National Bank." I couldn't answer to that… what was I supposed to say? That it was okay? No! It's not okay! "Ms. Swan..? Are… are you still there?"
"Yes Detective… I'm… here." I heard my voice crack and felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I suddenly realized I had been crying. Hard. I fell to my knees, clutching my throat as I panted to catch my breath. Mrs. Cope gently pulled the phone out of my hand to speak to Detective Walsh. After a few 'mmhmm's' and 'yes's' and 'of course's'… she hung up.
"Bella, I'm going to take you home okay?"
"No… I need to see Charlie!" I squeaked. "I need to know!"
((End Flashback))
It took almost a full year after his death to get Swan Haven under mine and Jaspers joint care. Charlie would've wanted it. We couldn't let all those kids go into other homes. We were a family! I sniffled, holding back tears and tilted my head up to have them stay behind my eyes. No, no crying. No more crying! You've got to be strong.
A car honked loudly before whipping around and pulling in front of me. It was shiny, black and clearly very expensive. The chrome glared at me with obnoxiously polished perfection. A hand flashed me the finger. The light had just turned. I glared and flipped him off, "Asshole!" My foot hit the gas and I pulled ahead. You'd think that being in Seattle with all the rain, people would be more sensible. Not a chance in hell.
Speaking of hell.
I pulled into Eclipse's employee parking lot. Out of all my passions in life, being a D. J was one of my top talents. That and practicing mixed martial arts. But music is life! I had an array of music for all types of occasions. Tonight was eighties rock and pop themed. And it was my favorite night of all. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it just was.
I pulled out all the stops this time. Everything I ever had in that era of music from Aerosmith to Bon Jovi to Michael Jackson…. I had it all!
Jasper swore that I was simply born into the wrong era.
I think he's right sometimes.
I smiled, quickly hurrying out and grabbing my spare clothes and music gear. "SWAN!" my momentary joy was chased away by that single, screeching, nasally… familiar voice that was the manager of Eclipse. I bit my lip. If money wasn't so good here, I would've dropped the gig like hot lasagna and would've taken up street dancing again. I winced, remembering that we just took on another four kids at Haven House. We needed that money.
"You're late!" Jessica Stanley snapped, stomping over to my truck. I winced, seeing her in those six inch stiletto heels. She's going to break one if she doesn't get this parking lot resurfaced, I thought.
"Traffic," I covered.
Jessica Stanley, age thirty three, five-foot two (without the heels), blond, blue eyed, primped, painted and hair sprayed into 'perfection.' More like being synthetically perfected. But that was her thing, I could respect that… sort of.
I picked up this little profiling habbit from Charlie and Jasper, who wanted to be a private detective for a while before…. Fate intervened. He now worked as hard as I did doing odd jobs… just like me. If something opened up, we were first in line. We love those kids back at the orphan house. It was Charlie's dream to keep it a safe place for kids. Who knew where Jasper or I would've been if he hadn't taken us in.
"Are you even listening to me?!" Jessica snapped, her face twisting.
Nope.
"Sorry, what?"
Three
Two
One
"Swan I swear to God if you mess this up for me, you're fired!" she snapped. "We have a HUGE VIP coming to the club tonight and he's a big spender. He can make us or break us."
"Make a good show, impress the high roller. Got it. Anything else?"
This is nothing new, Jessica, I thought.
Eclipse was one of the top five night clubs in all of Seattle. We had made it into several magazines where celebrities had been found viewing the club and occasionally chilling out at. Needless to say, we were very popular. Which is why I'm thanking my lucky stars that I got this job to start with, remember?
I took a breath, trying to straighten out the kinks in my back. I could've really used a hot shower after my workout.
"Swan, why do you look like you just stepped out of a boxing ring?" she wrinkled her nose. "Not that the bruises aren't an improvement though."
And this is why I really don't like Jessica.
"Because I'm an MMA teacher," I explained for the billionth time. "Look, if this is so important, I really need to get inside and set up."
"You better," Jessica snapped. I walked past her and I heard her sniff audibly. "Wheew, and grab a shower! Don't you have time back at that little shit hole to clean yourself up or are you dealing with babies in your spare time?!"
String… snap.
I whirled on her, glaring. "Shut your god damned mouth! Don't you say one word about my kids or I swear to God Jessica," I stopped… seeing the satisfied grin on her face. I straightened, taking a deep breath. "I'm well aware of my predicament. If you keep wasting my time out here, I won't have time to clean up!" I turned, heading inside.
"I'm docking your pay, Swan!"
I will not punch the bitch.
I will not punch the bitch.
I will make a damned voo-doo doll and pin the bitch to the wall!
Eclipse use to be an old youth center before the city shut it down and it was remodeled into the popular night club it is today. Thankfully, they kept a few of the showers for employees since things do tend to get alittle… messy when food and drink is in order. Some customers like to get happy and think it's funny to throw their liquor on a waitress or throw food fights.
I ducked into one of the stalls, wincing as the smell of bleach immediately reached my nose. I stripped, grabbing my toiletries from my spare clothes bag and started cleaning up. I jumped when someone banged loudly on the door. "Shit!" I slipped on the tile, banging my arm against the wall. "Double shit!" Quickly rinsing out my hair, I grabbed my towel and wrinkled my nose when I realized it was overdue for a wash. "Give me a minute!"
"Bella?"
Alice.
"Oh, hey Allie," I called. "I'm getting changed, what do need?"
Alice had been my only true friend since I started here at the club. She had been a huge help to me settling in with the other girls. Notice I said 'settling in' and not 'getting along.' It had been established that so long as they stayed out of my way, I stayed out of theirs.
"Jessica was bitching about bruises, can I come in?"
I groaned, wiping a mirror and looking at my face. One of my older students got in a lucky shot and caught me in the eye. It was beginning to swell.
"If it'll stop Jessie girl from bitching, sure." I heard the door click and open. I heard the lock click again and the soft patter of her feet as she came around the corner. "Hey," I offered a smile.
"Bella," she groaned, setting down her bag. "Jeeze, why do you get so rough?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Not really, but still you shouldn't be going this far with your students."
I winced when she started dabbing a touch of make up around the shiner. I pulled away, "Because you and I know that it's good money. I need it."
"You know I can help you."
"And I already told you that Jasper and I are doing just fine," I schooled my features into the perfect 'everything's fine' face. It was something I perfected since Charlie died. Nicole, who was seven when he died, still had nightmares about us closing the house down.
"H… how is Jasper?" Ah, there's the breathy voice.
"He's fine," I smiled. "He asked about you before I left."
"He did?" Alice's baby blue eyes widened comically as if I just told her she won the lottery. "I mean… that's cool."
She and I both smiled knowingly. "He might be dropping by during your shift tomorrow."
"Really?!" she squeaked, and I winced when she dabbed alittle too hard on the bruise. "Sorry!"
"It's alright. Are you almost done?"
"Can I do your make up?"
Any excuse to keep talking about Jasper, I thought, laughing internally. "Make it quick, I still have to do sound checks before the crowds start coming in."
Alice worked fast, like, lightning fast as she shot off question after question. What was Jasper doing now? How was the Haven House? What color should she wear? Did he like short girls (being only four-foot-eleven)? I smiled as I answered every single one. He was doing some shipment work now, the house was fine, she should wear yellow and he wouldn't have asked if he didn't.
Finally, when she was finished, I quickly ran a brush through my hair and threw it into a ponytail. I looked into the mirror and smiled. You couldn't tell there was a shiner there unless syou really looked. I put on my favorite shades and headed out. It was time to work some magic!
Sweet emotion
Sweet emotion
Talk about things that nobody cares
Wearing out things that nobody wears
You're calling my name but I gotta make clear
I can't tell you, baby, where I'll be in a year
I bobbed my head, turning up the tracks as people filtered on and off the dance floor. Everyone had come out tonight. Absolutely epic. I turned, swaying to the music and raised my hands. It was hard dancing up here on and being connected to the tables… but still, I couldn't help it when the music moved me. I just moved!
Sometimes I would jump down to dance. But that was rare. Maybe tonight I should join in.
I glanced up, seeing someone flash the signal light at me. I turned, spotting Jessica. She flashed her light at me then pointed it away. I followed the blue beam till it swept over one particular table. Men in suits were being seated.
I frowned.
Men in suits.
Suits.
Very expensive suits.
My twenty-twenty didn't fail me as I took each of them in. There was one burly bear of a man with shades on and his hands clasped loosly in front of him while another, shorter but muscular man took a seat in the booth. A third in a dark gray suit sat across from him. A gold watch flashed on his wrist and a pinky ring with a hens egg flashed back at me.
A pinky ring? Hollywood is a few states south, boy, I shook my head and glanced at Jessica. She was making her way over. When did she change clothes?
She was now wearing a very tight, pink tube dress that pushed her tits up to her chin and her hair teased into curls. The extra sway in her hips told me she was looking to either land a deal or a good night. Either way… she wanted me to keep an eye on things. As Aerosmith came to a close, I changed it to Journey's: Separate Ways. The beat pulsed into the crowd, making them cheer. Jessica took the muscular guy's hand and tugged him. He yanked away, saying a few words and then turned to the other in the dark gray suit.
Did Jessica Stanley just get rejected? I stifled a giggle , but it was just too funny. She stormed away and gave me the signal: a thumbs down. I shrugged. I wasn't going to crash the night just because she got burned.
I turned back to the tables, adjusting the volume and turning up the bass.
Hell yes!
I grinned, watching the crowd come and gather around my tables. "Isa! Isa! Isa! Isa!" They chanted. "Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!" They demanded.
"Who am I to deny my crowd?" I asked into the mic. I turned down the music and switched tracks. I set a timer for seven seconds and quickly put up a list to play.
Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson was my favorite to dance to on this night. And my crowd knew it. It's why they came. I may not be the king of pop, but he did make some killer music and taught me some epic dance moves. (Thankyou YouTube)
I vaulted over the tables and people scrambled to get out of my way. Michael's breathy pant filled the speakers as people began to cheer and move aside to let me have room. I grinned, taking up stance on the tips of my toes with my hands in the air. When he made his signature 'OW!' I echoed and began to move.
As He Came Into The Window
It Was The Sound Of A Crescendo
He Came Into Her Apartment
He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet
She Ran Underneath The Table
He Could See She Was Unable
So She Ran Into The Bedroom
She Was Struck Down, It Was Her Doom
I began to spin from side to side, swaying my hips with the beat. When it hit the Chorus, I felt a pair of hands snatch mine and spin me around into a hard. Instinct, and years of dance lessons, took over.
It was the muscular man.
The strobe lights caught his hair and I realized that it was either a light brown or an off bronze color. His shakes slipped down and a crooked smirk caught his lips, making them turn up in an adorable fashion. "Keep up," I warned, our feet immediately taking off.
"Don't worry Principessa, It's not me that needs to keep up." He wrapped an arm around my waist and immediately rocked back and forth. I followed his lead, not use to dancing with a partner.
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK, Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK, Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK, Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK,
Are You OK, Annie
(Annie Are You OK)
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK)
(There's A Sign In The Window)
(That He Struck You-A Crescendo Annie)
(He Came Into Your Apartment)
(He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet)
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom)
(You Were Struck Down)
(It Was Your Doom)
I spun away, immediately dancing into the solo steps, bobbing my head in approval. He smirked back, his steps echoing years of professional lessons. Then I frowned, watching him moon-walk to me and spinning to face me. Is he challenging me?
I leapt up, stamping each foot down separately. He arched a brow at me. That's right, you're not the only one who dances.
When I finished, we met eachother in the center, taking position. Our heads snapped to the side, as if we rehearsed this, and rocked back and forth. I broke off, spinning back into him and rolled my hips back into him. I gasped out, feeling how… passionate he was.
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
You've Been Hit By
You've Been hit By
A Smooth Criminal
When we spun apart, he pointed his hands in a gun fashion and 'fired.' I feigned being shot and leapt away. My spine straightened and I held my hands up, starting into my normal set again, thinking he was going back to join the crowd. Thanks for the good time, buddy, but this is my show. I closed my eyes, letting the music move me.
I almost cried, though, when the next lyrics came on.
So They Came Into The Outway
It Was Sunday-What A Black Day
Mouth To Mouth Resus-Citation
Sounding Heartbeats-Intimidations
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Annie Are You OK
So, Annie Are You OK
Are You OK Annie
Detective Walsh's phone call came back in full force. My heart thudded in my chest and blood pulsed in my ears as I held my breath. I didn't want to cry in front of my crowd. I was Isa! DJ of Eclipse… entertainer. Entertainers don't cry!
Then the hands returned, "Are you Ok, Isa?" the same voice asked.
I puffed out a breath and forcefully thrust my hips back. He spun me around and my shades slipped abit and I met his eyes. Holy shit… those are some contacts. I've never seen eyes so green, I thought. His eyes searched mine and his grip tightened. He then smiled as the music began to take over again and the tears dried up.
"Dance for the joy of it, Principessa," he stated. "Danza conil vostro re." I shivered, recognizing the Italian but I didn't understand what he actually said.
(Annie Are You OK)
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK)
(There's A Sign In The Window)
(That He Struck You-A Crescendo Annie)
(He Came Into Your Apartment)
(He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet)
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom)
(You Were Struck Down)
(It Was Your Doom)
(Annie Are You OK)
(So, Annie Are You OK)
(Are You OK Annie)
(You've Been Hit By)
(You've Been Struck By
A Smooth Criminal)
I broke off again, circling around as the final lyrics began to take hold.
Okay, I Want Everybody To Clear The Area Right Now!
Aaow!
(Annie Are You OK)
I Don't Know!
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK)
I Don't Know!
(There's A Sign In The Window)
I Don't Know!
(That He Struck You-A Crescendo Annie)
I Don't Know!
(He Came Into Your Apartment)
I Don't Know!
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet)
I Don't Know Why Baby!
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom)
I Don't Know!
(You Were Struck Down)
(It Was Your Doom-Annie!)
(Annie Are You OK)
Dang Gone It-Baby!
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK)
Dang Gone It-Baby!
(There's A Sign In The Window)
Dang Gone It-Baby!
(That He Struck You-A Crescendo Annie)
Hoo! Hoo!
(He Came Into Your Apartment)
Dang Gone It!
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom)
Dang gone It!
(You Were Struck Down)
(It Was Your Doom-Annie!)
Aaow!
Once more, he grasped my hands and shuffled our feet until we ended in a perfect dip. I panted, trying not to do so in his face. "You can let me up now," I told him. He did so and bowed, offering his hand.
"May I buy you a drink?"
"On duty," I panted, jerking my head to the turn tables. "Thanks for the offer though."
"Soda?"
"Not on my deck!" I snapped, then smiled. "Thanks though. You've got some killer moves."
I turned to go back to my spot when he grasped my arms again and pulled me back, "That's not the only thing that's killer here, sweetheart. When do you take break?"
"You'll have to figure that out," I breathed, heat flushing through my body.
He tisked his tongue softly. "I'll be watching."
"I hide."
"I seek."
I rolled my eyes and tried to move forward. "Look, I really need to get back to work," I said, noticing how my tip jar was already very fully. Shit yes! I thought. He moved forward with me, taking my hand.
"What's your name?"
"Isa."
"Your real name."
I turned, pushing my sunglasses back up my nose. "Look, you're a great dancer but I don't know you. I go by Isa around here and that's as much as you need to know. Don't push it."
"I'm not going to hurt you," he frowned. "It's not my first visit."
"Then welcome back to Eclipse," I did a mock bow. Before he could answer again, I hurried up the steps back to my tables and clicked the door in place. He gazed up at me, his lips turning up in a smirk. He did that 'I'll be watching you' motion and then walked back to his table.
Okay! Chapter 1 is done!
Let me know what you think.
Principessa- Princess
Danza con il vostro re- Dance with your king.
Credit to Google Translate for the Italian translations. (I'm fairly certain it's accurate)
I do not own Stephanie Meyer's characters. I do own the storyline though!
I also do not own Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal nor its title.
No copyright Infrinement intended. This is souly for the joy of writing!
Sincerely,
Moonlight
