CHAPTER 3: Mary-Alice Brandon


BPOV

"We're here," Esme said to me. All conversation now ended as she led me inside the spa. She didn't need to do any more than that because it was at that point that I saw my best friend in the whole world, Alice. I no longer took notice of the beautiful building, or the anticipation for the pampering to come, I was too consumed by the happiness of seeing Alice.

What was Alice doing here? She was supposed to be on tour with Jasper's band, winding down after Fashion Week mania. Alice's version of winding down has always been different than everyone else's.

I ran to her and hugged her almost to the point of pain. Any casual observer would think that we hadn't seen each other in years, but in fact, we had spent the summer in each other's constant company. Though she missed my birthday just last week, the first one we hadn't spent together since she moved out to New York two years ago, so we were making up for lost time.

Hand in hand, we walked into the spa, and was greeted by the receptionist.

"Is this everyone in your party, Miss," she asked Alice, with her too bright smile plastered on her face. Alice nodded in confirmation and we were led to a private room where we were told to await our attendant for the day. Alice and I hadn't stopped holding on to each other while Esme watched on amusedly. There was no guaranteeing that either Alice or I would be on the same continent from any given moment to the next.

When our attendant came in, she was joined by three young women, whom she informed us were to be our masseuses. She read out the different scented oil options that we could choose from and leaves with a promise to return in an hour, as per the strict instructions she was given by Edward. He was leaving nothing to chance it would seem.

I chose freesia and lemon infused coconut oil, even opting for a head massage as well. I intended to make full use of the relaxing services at my disposal.

TWO HOURS LATER

We were seated in the hot tub waiting for our attendant to hand over the next clue. Initially I had thought Alice would have been the one to give me the clue, since that's the way it worked up until this point. But no, I was at the mercy of a stranger. Not that I'm complaining. Edward probably knew that I would have pestered Alice until she caved and told me way before time. He was forcing me to relax and enjoy the moment.

"Miss Swan? I have your clue here for you whenever you're ready. It was a pleasure working with you and Mr. Cullen." She walked away as she said this, having placed the envelope on the wooden table that holds our clothes. It took everything in me to not immediately run, sloshing water all over the travertine tiles, and rip into the envelope. But I restrained myself, because I knew that as soon as I had the next clue in hand, the others would be forced to cut their hot tub time short.

Five more minutes. I'll give them five more minutes but then it's back to the chase.

But, Alice being Alice, sensed my impatience and did what I couldn't find it within myself to do. She announced that the spa day was over and that it was time for me to look at the third clue. I smiled at her gratefully and slowly made my way to the piece of paper that would tell me where to go next.

It smelled of his cologne. Had he been here the whole time, waiting for the right moment to send out the next clue? Or was this place so efficient that they found a bottle of Edward's preferred scent and spritzed it on to add an extra layer to the moment? Whichever, I appreciated the small piece of him that it gave me.

Folded inside the thick piece of paper was a smaller note with Tyler's haphazard scrawl. Saving Edward's for last, I read Ty's message first.

'We playing nice. You come find us now?'

A lone tear fell down my cheek. He was such a smart little boy, and it was clear that he had written that without Edward's help as well. I just wanted to hug him, squeeze him until he complained that he was 'done hugging now'. His precious soul demanded love from anyone who encounters him, and I willingly complied. I wonder if he knows how much of my heart he has. There was also a Polaroid that Edward snapped of the kids eating at a non-descript location. No clues were leaked and yet I was allowed to see them safe and sound. Peace of mind and slow, sweet torture all in one message.

I folded his note carefully and began to read Edward's:

They miss you, you know, so hurry.

I wish I could have seen the relaxed look on your face while you were getting your massage. I bet you looked gorgeous, your smile glowing brilliantly. Which oils did you choose? Did you like the experience? Was it too much? I hope not. You needed that and I know you, you wouldn't have gone there otherwise.

I love you. I miss you. Come find me.

Beneath that sweet message was a single sentence: For your final stop, time to get your hair done; Alice will know where to go.

"Shopping? I didn't sign up for this torture Alice."

"Yes, well, today Edward's in charge so chop, chop." The evil pixie was already changed into her street clothes, when that happened was beyond me. Without further argument, I turned to my clothes to do the same.


AN: I almost posted the wrong chapter. You would have been so confused. Oops! See you in two weeks? Maybe sooner?

Lunar ^_^