Chapter 3

In Bloom

They arrived at the club sometime later. They took a stroll first, the weather was lovely, it was April and finally, it was getting warm. New York winters were brutal so the whole city was enjoying this warmth preferring a walk to a cab ride that night.

The line to the club seemed intimidating but their names magically turned out to be on the list, so without any hassle, they got in. The place was breathtaking. It was somehow connected to the hotel next door – you could pass from club to the hotel and from hotel to the club without a need to go outside, at least that's what she overheard. It had some sort of cabin in the woods design theme going on with lots of fireplaces, a lot of dark red color in fabrics used for furniture and curtains, dark redwood, and dark gold when it came to lighting. It looked very cozy but grandiose at the same time. It was several floors as well. Looked like 3, she thought, unless they have a basement level as well. The first floor was something that could possibly be called grand ballroom, the second floor was pretty much a balcony wrapping around the first floor with some more space in the back. They were escorted to the 3rd level right away. It looked like the most private level out of three, with another list person right in front of it. They were escorted pass that person as well. Somehow tonight they turned into super-duper-ultra VIP, she snickered to herself, or whatever they could be called now because all the doors were opening for them even before they thought of trying them. It was much less crowded on this floor; she also noticed stairs that lead to the rooftop. If she loved anything about New York nightlife it would be places with beautiful rooftops and views from those rooftops. She could spend hours there if ever needed, just enjoying the view and the peace of it. Her night just became somewhat less stressful – even if Alice ditched her for the night, which hopefully she is not going to, she would have her sanctuary.

Alice dragged her to the bar, they ordered two cocktails and started to look around.

"Ok, so the crowd is even fancier than I expected. I don't recognize any actors or film directors yet, but the night is young. Pay attention Bella," Alice said looking very serious.

"Alice, thanks for looking out for me but I don't want to be a film actress. I really love theatre plus the thought of fame that comes with screen acting really makes my skin crawl. I'm just gonna enjoy myself, going to check out that rooftop. Don't worry about me! Do your thing, find me later, I'll be just fine", said Bella and forced Alice to believe her holding her gaze. She didn't want to hold her friend back, ever, plus she had some observations to do. Really, Alice needed not to worry.

"You sure?" Alice asked, already seeming anxious to approach someone she saw out of the corner of her eye.

"Positive", Bella smiled, "go, build your empire, promise I'll get some free clothes one day", she giggled.

Alice laughed at that. "Of course! Now if you'll excuse me I see this socialite that I have a perfect dress for…" And she was off.

Bella looked at her disappearing form with affection. Alice inspired her with her determination. One day, she could swear, this girl would be next Donatella Versace. She was not kidding about building an empire comment. If someone had the potential to build an empire, that would be Alice.

Bella looked around. She couldn't see Him yet, nor his little click, but the space was so big, she was sure she'd see him eventually. She decided to check out that rooftop after all. She climbed the stairs and stepped out on a lovely terrace. It was absolutely breathtaking. The view was gorgeous; she could even see Empire State Building in the distance. There were many little decorative trees almost making space feel like a labyrinth she needs to follow through; she started to walk further, exploring the space, feeling like Alice in a Wonderland… When she finally turned around the corner this space opened up to her, with several couches and tables around the perimeter. Some people were smoking and talking by the railing, some people were enjoying bottle service at their tables. 3 tables were busy with fancy looking patrons; one was empty with little 'reserved' sign on top of it.

Bella headed towards the railing and leaned on it, sipping on her cocktail, thinking about how happy she was she moved to New York. The city was challenging and she knew the road ahead is going to be tough. But the feeling of finally being free overwhelmed her in a most positive way. She still felt guilty she disappointed her father. He hasn't even talked to her in months; he was giving her the silent treatment and that weighed down on her. He controlled her so masterfully her whole life, he was a chief of police and God forbid his child would ever be caught doing anything questionable, the shame! Her curfew was appropriate for a 7thgrader and remained the same until she graduated, she was barely allowed dating, not that she had anyone to really capture her attention. She wasn't even allowed sleepovers at her friend's Angela, her SAT score was supposed to be the best in the entire school – it was exhausting. It was almost like she was involuntarily chosen by her father as a role model on "how to raise the perfect citizen" mission that he seemed to be on. And god, she hated to be perfect… Well, seem perfect because she didn't really believe she was perfect, not for a second.

She had all that fiery adventurous energy that was suppressed inside her whole life – she loved to paint, sing and she dreamt of acting since she was a teenager. Maybe it started as this desperate desire to be someone else at least for a little while… She signed. She would try to call her father again next week… She had a feeling he was trying to manipulate her through guilt to come back home, where she could be easily controlled again. That was not going to happen.

She was lost in her musings when someone's body appeared next to her on the right. Deep inside she already knew who that was. She didn't look yet but she felt his presence to her very bones. It was definitely Him. He lit a cigarette and took a long drag. She looked up quickly. Of course, she was right. He was wearing a suit tonight. No tie. Designer but unkempt, she remembered how she described him to herself the first time she saw him. Quite accurate, she smiled briefly. She had a feeling he was looking at her and when she smiled he spoke.

"Enjoying your night?" he asked, his voice was deep and silky smooth. There was authority behind it, she had a feeling he could rule whole Manhattan.

"It is a beautiful club…" her mind was definitely failing her. She was so overwhelmed by him, there were 10 thousand things she could say wrong. She was starting to panic, praying for him not to notice.

He stayed quiet for a second but she had a feeling he was observing her. She didn't dare to look.

"How old are you?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Old enough to be here, no need to worry," her insecurities about looking and feeling like a child reared their ugly head. She cringed at how rude it must've come across. After all, they were the ones who put her and Alice on the list, they could be the ones to take them off it, she was sure. How embarrassing if she's going to get them both kicked out…

That made him chuckle.

"Good to know I'm not going to lose the license on the day of opening," he said.

"It is your club?" curiosity got the best of her.

"It is", he said. Nothing more. He was definitely not volunteering any information.

"What is your name?" she wanted the answer to that question for a while now.

He seemed surprised by her question like he assumed her to know who he was.

"Edward", he said.

"Edward," she repeated. "Do you have the last name, Edward? Or you go just by first? Like Madonna, or Cher…"

She saw a hint of a smile. He seemed to be testing her, she just couldn't understand what the test was about.

"Cullen. Edward Cullen" he finally said.

"Nice to meet you, Edward Cullen. I am Swan. Bella Swan" she reached out her hand, with a little smirk. How she was able to manage her heartbeat was a mystery. This man was having the weirdest effect on her.

The moment his hand took hers she felt a jolt of electricity coming through her. She felt it to her very toes. She took her hand back right away, looking down, trying to stop inevitable blush she knew was coming. Who blushes from a handshake, she kicked herself mentally. It sounds like something from a 19th-century novel. If only she had more experience dealing with boys…

He was still observing her. She had a feeling he must've felt something too. After a minute he stubbed his cigarette out.

"I'm afraid I must go, I need to check that everything goes smoothly tonight. Please enjoy your night, Bella. I will see you again" and with that, he left.

She stood there little shaken by such a sudden departure. She briefly looked at the tables and the one that was empty before now had his two friends lounging, observing the whole interaction. Jasper saluted his glass at her from afar and she automatically repeated the gesture.

He said he'd see her again. She was not so sure. It seemed like they lived in two different worlds. She stood there numbly, disappointed she couldn't hold his attention longer than 10 minutes. This man is definitely not for her, she decided, and she needs to squash this ridiculous obsession of hers. She put her glass down and headed downstairs.