A/N: Wow i really appreciate all of you who actually left a review! :D Thanks a lot! Here's chapter 3! I probably won't update with Chapter 4 so soon because I've got quite a lot of tests to study for this week :/
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Only the ridiculous plot is mine.
Dread grows in my stomach as I twist my fingers into knots, making the car ride nauseating. I lick my lips nervously, staring out of the window. It's been 2 weeks since I've last agreed to the proposal, and Esme, being really efficient, has made all the necessary arrangements for me to move to New York.
Yes.
New.
York.
Even when I think about it now I still feel like I'm melting into a puddle of nerves. I realised too late that I might have agreed on a whim and hadn't properly factored in the changes that I need to make on my decision. I tried sounding Esme out, dropping hints that I might not want to get married after all. I don't know if I really wasn't being obvious enough (although I'm pretty sure I was practically spelling out 'I DON'T WANT TO GET MARRIED ANYMORE' to her), or she was just feigning ignorance, or maybe she's just, in spite of her capable business-handling skills, clueless.
I was shocked/stunned/stupendous when Esme said that I will be withdrawing from Forks High School and receiving home schooling in future.
I was pretty upset about that, but my parents managed to convince me that home schooling might suit be better as I'll be able to learn at my own pace. (Whoever's going to teach me trigonometry needs all the luck that he or she has now or even more)
Anyway, come to think of it, home schooling might really suit me better (since Tyler Crowley's not there. Well, Tyler's this really...Actually, no, you don't have to know.) although I'll miss some of my friends like Angela.
Okay, so back to why I'm moving to New York (shudders). Apparently the company's located in New York, which is why we're moving there. Esme's father-in-law was the creator of the company. And Carlisle, Esme' husband, took over as head of the company after the older man passed on. So far they've been very successful. And I've heard that they're planning to expand into the UK or Asia or something.
Gosh.
I mean, I knew they were rich. I just wasn't quite sure of the extent of their wealth until I'm actually about to experience it.
I realised that I was still clueless about the kind of work they do when I agreed to the marriage on impulse. Renee, trying to be helpful, researched briefly about their work, and then I learnt that they owned a cosmetics company. Esme also cheerfully told me briefly about how the company was established, starting from scratch. The story supposedly went like this: Esme's father-in-law and mother-in-law had just welcomed the birth of their son, who's obviously Carlisle. It was then did they realise that 'there wasn't a decent bath gel which was suitable for application on delicate baby skin' (Esme's words, not mine), so after years of research and development, they came up with the Cullenade, a completely organic bath gel made with a special (and secret too, Esme revealed) blend of natural herbs. The bath gel can be used by people of all ages, not only babies, and is 'absolutely gentle on any skin type' (said Esme). Come to think of it, even I used the Cullenade bath gel when I was little. They've made it really affordable so every one can afford to buy good quality bath gel, and it's practically found on any shelf of any shop in America.
Even in the tiny, unknown town called Forks.
So it's practically become a 'family brand' (as Esme had proudly declared).
And it's about to be ruined in my own bare hands.
I still shudder when I think about it.
"Why are you shaking? Are you cold?" Esme asks in concern, peering at my face for any sign of discomfort.
"Er, no. I was just...Never mind." I brush off her concern casually with a wave of my hand.
Anyway, the Cullen Enterprise has branched out into various areas of cosmetics and have also developed various skin-care products as well as make up for both women and men, but they're really famous for the Cullenade bath gel.
I really can't bear to think that such an established brand would be utterly tarnished in my very h-
"Bella? We're here," Esme smiles at me, breaking my train of thoughts.
I nod and get out of the car. (Oh which I forgot to mention, is very posh. Probably the best car I've sat in in my entire eighteen years of life)
I peer around my surroundings quizzically.
Is it just me, or does the company building resemble a-
"-hospital," Esme is saying.
"Sorry?" I mutter absently, trying to focus my attention on Esme.
"I said, we're at the hospital," Esme explains patiently, an excited smile lighting up her face. "I figured you'll want to visit your husband before you actually sign the papers."
I stare at her blankly.
Esme's smile slips off her face. "Bella? You alright? You don't seem to be well today," she says, frowning.
"No, I was just...distracted," I admit, feeling my cheeks warm slightly. I feel a bit guilty, not paying attention on Esme.
"So," she takes in a deep breath. "Are you as nervous as I am?"
I giggle slightly at her expression and she grins, before leading the way into my husband's ward.
The air is sterile in the hospital, and reeks of the ethanol, or some other cleaning agent.
Nurses are scuttling around, some too frazzled to even see us, some hastily flashing a small smile before rushing off to save lives or something.
I don't realise that I am clamping my hands tightly together until Esme urges me to loosen up.
And then, we arrive at the ward.
I don't believe it, but my heart is crashing against my ribs harder then I've ever experienced before.
"Edward, honey," Esme croons softly as she enters the ward. (The really, really, really big ward. And I'm not exaggerating.)
For a moment I don't dare to move. But then I think, he's just a sleeping man, so what do I have to be afraid of? So I enter the room, my fingers joining automatically again.
"You can say something to him, Bella," Esme gestures to her sleeping son.
I don't look up from my feet as I speak. "Er, hi, Ed-"
"You can relax, Bella," Esme laughs quietly. "Edward's not going to bite."
I look up at Esme's shining face and realise that she's been trying to be brave, just for her son. My nerves soften and I try to move my gaze to Edward's face.
Oh.
Gosh.
Okay, the picture I googled didn't do him justice. At all.
Even while asleep, Edward's beauty strikes you. Tendrils of bronze hair sweeps lightly over his forehead, his pale face more absurdly handsome than the picture I found. Shadows from his long lashes fall upon his cheeks, and his angular nose is a perfect slope on his face. His lips are pale and dry, but still attractive. (Attractive? Really, Bella.) I can't help wishing to see his lips pull up into that devilish smirk in the picture I googled.
I realise that I am gawking at him, and quickly compose myself.
"Uh... Hi Edward. I...I'm Bella, and I really hope you get better soon, so that er...we can learn more about each other."
Gosh this is awkward. It's like talking to a wall.
Wait.
I don't know why, but he seems older here than in the picture. His face seems more angular and...
"What are you thinking about, dear?" Esme asks me fondly.
I uncrease my brows and smile at her. "It's nothing, it's just that...er, I googled Edward once, and he looks a lot older here."
What am I saying? What am I saying?
Esme gives me a quizzical expression. "Well of course, dear. Edward's pictures were taken three years ago or even longer before."
Oh right. Gosh.
He was fifteen when he looked like a Greek God?
God is so unfair.
"Uh, Bella," Esme's cheeks flush pink. "I actually brought the papers here so you can er, acknowledge it."
Papers? What p-
She pulls out a manila envelope and I catch the word 'MARRIAGE' on it.
Oh.
Now?
Right Here?
Oh crap, did I say that out loud?
"Yes, I thought it would be better if you signed it in the presence of Edward," Esme says, her eyes glistening.
I widen my eyes as I realise that Esme is shedding tears.
"Okay," I agree, my own voice wobbling a little.
"I'm sorry I can't hold a proper wedding ceremony for you, Bella," Esme says, looking at me. "I would have loved to."
"I understand."
"If...Edward wakes up, I'll make sure to organise one for you, and your parents will be present to see their little girl get married."
I nod, and suddenly feel that my lashes are wet too.
She nods with a watery smile and hands me the papers.
I don't really mind Renee and Charlie not being here, since signing of the papers is just a very administrative procedure of marriage, but the thought of possibly not ever being able to hold a wedding ceremony stirs something within me. Can I really sacrifice my life to a man I barely knew?
Am I ready to give up everything?
"Once you sign this, you'll be my daughter," Esme is saying.
I look at her, feeling ridiculously touched. I've made a choice. I've made a promise.
I stare at the dotted line meant for me to ink on.
And I raise my brow at the dotted line beside mine, with Edward's signature already in place.
"Edward's..."
"Oh yes, I made him sign it when he was 12."
I look at her with incredulity. "What?"
"Edward's background, information regarding his inheritance, and the assets he owns are pretty complicated, so I had this marriage papers specially crafted by the lawyer for his marriage a long time ago. In the case in which he divorces his wife, the alimony and all other necessary information have been keyed in."
I stare at the paper, feeling blood drain from my face. So this was a prenuptial agreement, along with the marriage certificate?
Esme's smile freezes on her face, "Of course, I'm not insinuating that you're out to get Edward's inheritance. I chose you after all. I was the one who approached you. It was just a form of insurance, in case Edward gets into a bad marriage, that the terms are already there."
"I-" I whisper numbly. I flip the pages, reading incredulously. Here and there I catch words that make my eyes water.
"Bella," Esme touches me lightly on the shoulder. "I trust you. All those are just very technical terms that are necessary in the contract."
"Contract?" I say flatly. "My marriage is just a contract marriage?"
I knew that once I agreed, my marriage cannot be a real one. I knew that my marriage is going to be a contract marriage, just for the purpose of grooming me to become an heir.
I already knew all of that, so why am I feeling that all of this is wrong?
"I..." Esme struggles to form words.
"If Edward wakes up, and decides to divorce me, everything that I've given up for this marriage will be useless, am I right?" I ask.
"Edward will never do that." Esme says, trying to calm me.
"If he doesn't like me, he will," I say numbly. "So in the case of the divorce, I'll be given some money and then be forced to go home, and all of this would be for nothing?"
"Bella!" Esme cries. "Of course not, dear. How about this- I'll go home and alter the papers, get a lawyer to craft a new contract -"
"No it's okay, I'll just sign everything. Where do I have to sign?" I mumble, scrawling my signature off ever dotted line that I catch, with Edward's signature beside mine.
"Bella, please," Esme is saying apologetically.
"No, Esme," I sigh, wiping my eyes. "None of this is your fault. I agreed to this. I gave you my word."
"Bella, please listen to me," she speaks quickly. "I'm not saying that I don't trust you. This was done a long time ago, merely for the sake of precaution. It's the way our company does things. I'm not doubting your integrity or anything like that. I raised Edward to be a gentleman, so even if he does wake up, and even if..." she swallows. "Even if the both of you decide to settle on a divorce, you will definitely be duly compensated. Edward will never let you suffer. And I will make sure of that. Of course, I can't compensate you for everything you've given up for this marriage, but I will try. Even if you decide to divorce Edward, I will still look upon you as my daughter."
"Oh Esme," I whisper, tears filling up my eyes. "I don't know if what I'm doing is right. I've given up a lot of things because of this promise, but what if it doesn't turn out well?"
"It will, Bella, it will," Esme wipes off my tears. "I know how you feel. You're young, and you're scared. You don't know if your choice is right. It's a big step you're taking in your life, and you're afraid of failing. But I believe in you. I will be here for you. I will help you. And so will Edward. Trust me. And you don't have to be upset about the papers. If there're any amendments you want to make, it's still possible. All you have to do is tell me, and I can craft another contract. After all if I tear this piece of paper, everything will be worthless."
"I'm not upset about the papers. I don't know why I'm feeling this way either. I'm just -" I break off, breathing hard. I rub my face and try to calm myself down.
"I understand Bella. Trust me, I'll do my best to help you."
I managed a weak smile, and went into Esme's motherly embrace.
A/N: Bella's just feeling very confused, and she doesn't know if what she's doing is right. So, first encounter with Edward! Hopefully Edward will be awake by the second encounter! :D Anyway, I hope you got an insight on the Cullen household and how things operate. Do leave a review and tell me what you expect for future chapters, or tell me what you think for this one :D
