**Twilight is not mine.

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I was shaken out of my thoughts by a velvet voice. "Enjoying the view?" it quietly said. Turning in the direction it came from; I still could not find its owner.

"Pardon me?" I said. The most musical laugh I have ever heard replaced it. I was beginning to think I was imagining things when the most handsome man I have ever seen stepped out of his hiding spot.

I raised my head to look at him. Immediately I realized how tall he was.

His eyes were the most brilliant green and his hair was bronze and unruly. His jaw was sharp and he had the most alluring crooked grin on his face. I was shocked and suddenly drew in a breath. I stood there riveted.

"Oh," I said, finally able to compose myself. "It is a lovely view. I love Atlanta this time of year." "Yes, I would have to agree on the view," he said so low I barely could hear him. He was looking right at me, and not at the gardens or the sunset.

I could feel my cheeks redden as I turned away from his gaze. Once I had calmed my blush and my rapidly beating heart I turned back to where he had been standing.

Just as quickly as he had appeared he was gone. Shaking my head, I again began to wonder about my mental health. That had just happened, right? I moved back to the ballroom perplexed.

Alice lithely walked directly to me. It was amazing how graceful she was. I was secretly very envious. "Oh Bella, I have to introduce you to one of my brothers," she said. I came face to face with the huge bear of a man she had been dancing with.

"This is Emmett." Immediately I was twirling around in a circle in his arms. He put me down as he laughed. "Very nice to meet you, Bella. I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of you if it is up to this little pixie," he said.

Alice smacked him on the arm and he chuckled and waved as he walked off. "Sorry about him, he has no couth," she said. Wow, how on earth they were related still remained a mystery to me. Although that did make sense to me now that I thought about them dancing earlier.

"I am so looking forward to getting to know you better, Bella. Would you mind if I came around to see you tomorrow afternoon, or if you like you could come here. I am sure that my mom would love to have you visit," said the little pixie bouncing happily.

"Sure, Alice, I would love to. Either way is fine with me," I said. Oh, please can you come here. It has been so long since I have had a dear friend to spend time with," I agreed. There was no way you could honestly tell her no. There was just something about her.

"It's settled then I will see you at 12:30 for a late brunch," she said as she hugged me once again and waved goodbye. She then flitted around the room.

This of course left me to my thoughts of the gorgeous man I had seen earlier. I scanned the ballroom laughing to myself. When had I had such a reaction to a gentleman? Never.

Unaware I seemed to have caught the eye of another suitor. He proceeded over to me and I couldn't help but shiver at the way he was observing me. He had long blond hair tied back and was attractive but in a roguish sort of way. Immediately I sensed danger.

"Why, hello there. I couldn't help myself when I saw you from across the room. I had to come and meet such a beautiful woman. My name is James," he said.

Another voice approached me from the back, "and she smells simply mouthwatering." it said. The hairs on the back of my neck began to stand up. "I am Laurent," the man behind me said.

I really did not want to reveal my name so I introduced myself as Marie. "Nice to meet you, Marie," said James. "Likewise," I replied.

Angela saw my predicament and must have read the fear on my face. She led Ben over to me.

"Dear Marie, I am certain we shall meet again," said James as he raised my hand to his rough lips and placed a kiss on my knuckles. I shivered once again. With that James and Laurent quickly excused themselves.

"Who were they?" asked Angela as she took in my more flustered appearance. "I am not sure, but I can promise that I do not wish to see them again," I replied. "I haven't made their acquaintance before, they must be from out of town," said Ben.

Angela and Ben dutifully guarded me until my father reappeared to escort me home. I graciously thanked Esme on the way out and she reiterated her invitation for tomorrow.

Ashleigh was waiting in my room when we arrived to home to help me out of my gown. As I sunk into the coverlet my thoughts immediately returned to the green eyed stranger I still was not convinced existed.

"Silly, stupid girl!" I chastised myself. Thus began my dreaming of his beautiful face.

He was always just out of my reach. Each time I was close enough to touch him, he would suddenly vanish right out of sight.

The next morning dawned and I found myself tangled in my bedding. What a frustrating night I had.

"Morning, Miss Bella," Ashleigh called as she opened the curtains in my room. I was definitely not a morning person, although this never stopped her from trying.

Soon I dressed and headed down for breakfast. Mrs. Cope had just finished setting the table and my father was seated at the head.

"The Cullen's have asked me to visit for lunch today," I announced. He nodded and grunted his approval and we continued on with our silent breakfast.

I really loved my father, Charlie. He was a mild mannered, silent man. I relished in our silence though to most it would seem unnerving. It was the way we have always operated.

My mother left when I was very young. She was described as very flighty and I don't think my father had ever recovered from her departure. It was the proverbial elephant in the room.

I believe this was why he was content to leave me be, and did not put demands on me. I think he was trying to prevent the same happening with me.