Bella's POV

The smell of fresh paint assaulted my senses and I nearly fainted with joy, or it could have just been the fumes. The blank canvas that sat before me only seemed to increase my euphoric feeling. I wasn't sure what I wanted to create, but just having the scent of paint inspired me. I pushed aside all the half full ramen cups, paint brushes, and coffee mugs. I spread out my large sketchbook. The blank canvas was like an invitation from an old friend, a warm promise guaranteeing a good time.

My hand worked absentmindedly, images fluttering through my head. I ended up just drawing the form of a female, enjoying drawing her curves... Oh the shading! I shivered with pleasure. I slowly added onto the image. A tree to shade her, cherubs to serve her, a mid morning sun to accentuate her contours. I had to switch pencils often to make everything just right. My eraser was down to a nub and my fingers were starting to feel strained so I decided that it was about the right time to get dinner.

Checking my fridge I realized that Amy was right. I hadn't gone grocery shopping in... a long time. The sun was just setting as I started my two block walk to the store. The sunset was a vision of pink hues, shy purples, and daring oranges. It only took me fifteen minutes in the store to pick up my usual canned goods, ramen cups, and since I just got a big check I decided to treat myself to some fresh fruit. As I walked back I munched on some strawberries. They were beautiful. Some were fire truck red, others were blood red, and a few were a shade of red of cheesecake with a gloss of raspberry glaze. My eyes glanced a streetlight and I was mesmerized. The glinting of the moths' wings in contrast with the yellow tones the light emitted was stunning.

I shook myself from my stupor and continued on. When my apartment building came into view I spotted someone sitting on the stairs. I focused on his form and studied how he looked differently as I neared him, brushing up on my study of the perception of distance. The lines of his body became clearer, the black shirt turned to blue, and as a car passed by I saw that his skin was startlingly white. When I was a few feet from the steps he looked up and stood.

"Excuse me would you perchance be Ms. Isabella Swan?" I looked at him, feeling suspicious. He took that for confirmation. "I work for the man who purchased your painting Waterfall of the Nymphs. He was very pleased with your painting and wanted to commission two more." That caught my attention.

"Yes, I am Isabella Swan." I set down some of my grocery bags so that I could shake his hand. It was very cold. "Please come inside."

"Thank you. I'm Demetri Jones. Please let me help you with your bags." I couldn't place his accent as I led him upstairs. When I opened the door to my apartment the scent of paint immediately hit me, making my shoulders sag as stress I didn't know I was holding dissipated.

"Would you like anything to drink?" I offered and he shook his head no. I shuffled around quickly clearing off two chairs for us to sit in. "Please tell me about these paintings your employer wants." I could barely contain my joy. It had been too long since I had a commission.

"Master Cai-" Demetri cleared his throat, interrupting himself. "I mean Mr. Volturi didn't specify the size of the paintings, but he tends to like them to be to scale. The first one would be of his wife laying on a chaise lounge chair while the second would be of him and his brothers, but he didn't mention what they would be doing. You would be paid 3,000 dollars in US currency upfront for the inconvenience of having to travel to Italy, the plane ride is on our companies private jet so that would be paid for as well as your trip back, we have a small apartment in the city already set up for you, you'll have a budget for food, and if my boss likes your two painting he will buy them. For now they would only pay for your time and art supplies." Demetri grinned as I sat stunned. "Pretty much all expenses are paid for."

"That is a very tempting offer. I don't have a passport though."

"I can easily remedy that." He pulled out a cell phone, snapped a quick picture of me then sent off a text. "So what do you say Ms. Swan?"

"I'll need the night to get my things in order."

"Fantastic. That will give me enough time to pick up your passport." He glanced around my apartment. "My boss also said that he can put up the money for your rent here so that you won't have to bring all your belongings. All you'll need is your personal care items, clothing, and something to keep you entertained on the trip. I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon." He stood and I walked him back to the door, still slightly stunned. "It was a pleasure doing business with you Ms. Swan." We shook hands again before he departed.


A bit sketchy on Demetri's part, but Bella is off to Italy!