Before I knew it Friday had arrived and with it brought Edward Cullen standing on my doorstep while I stared at him.
He smirked and looked me up and down. I looked down myself and saw a cats face on my pajamas.
"Don't judge me" I told him as I invited him inside "I'm just going to put some clothes on"
"I would never judge, Bella" He said but even his tone held laughter.
I huffed and moved back to my room as he moved to the kitchen.
I needed something that gave me courage, something that would help me through the day.
I pushed my clothes apart and walked through into the extended wardrobe. I knew exactly what I would wear and I knew exactly how it would make me feel. I took the skirt and top and quickly changed.
The skirt was cream, high waisted, tulle and reached mid calf. The top, a cream, sleeveless, figure-hugging crop, blended flawlessly together with the skirt.
I put my feet into my nude Jimmy Choo pumps as my hands felt for the familiar necklace. I had success and wrapped the pearls around my neck.
Daddy had bought them for mum for their tenth anniversary, the day she left him. So I was left with them.
I looked at my reflection and smiled. I brushed on some tinted moisturiser and then took a deep breath.
I turned around and walked back to the kitchen.
Edward had already helped himself to some cereal when I got back and was in the process of chewing when he saw me.
His mouth opened and he breathed in which resulted in him choking and sending his food flying everywhere.
"Are you alright?" I asked him as I rushed to his side
"Im fine. I just died" he told me
"Serves you right for taking my cocoa puffs" I jibed and he cracked a smile, a crooked one, that made my heart stop. He looked me up and down, approval shining in his eyes
"Perfect, ready to go" I nodded "And do you have the day off?"
"Well someone called my boss and told her I wouldn't be in today," I told him while shooting accusatory glares at him.
He just shrugged and walked towards the door. I took this to mean that we were leaving so I grabbed my Alexander McQueen Heroine shoulder bag and locked my door on the way out.
As I turned around I noticed what kind of car he drove.
There, parked in the driveway, MY driveway, was a Chevrolet corvette in red. My eyes widened and I gaped.
Edward chuckled and opened the passenger door for me.
I slid into the leather seat and breathed in deeply. He closed the door behind me and moved around to the drivers side.
My eyes followed him as he sat in the drivers seat and I was still mesmerised when he started the car and sped out of my driveway.
I loved the thrill of a fast car.
I only hoped that our first stop wouldn't be anywhere close
We pulled into a private parking building and a man held my door while I got out.
Edward came and took my hand in his while we walked towards an elevator
"Tell me Bella. Have you ever been to the Gershwin Theatre?"
"Not yet" I told him and looked at his face for answers. The elevator moved down and we stepped out into a lavishly furnished room
"Have you ever performed on stage before?" Edward asked
"All my life I've been cast in a lot of musical theatre productions. Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Sound of Music, Hairspray, My Fair Lady, Fame, Annie, Chicago, High school musical, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Rocky Horror Picture Show…" I looked at him and he had the biggest grin on his face.
I lost my breath.
"You'll like this then" He moved the curtain in front of us and pulled me forward with him
"Wicked" I whispered to myself with a gleeful smile on my face. There was a large clock in the background. Set for opening night.
"You've seen it?" Edward looked at my face
"No but I would love to. It's my favourite musical in the whole wide world of musicals. Nothing else can compare to Glinda and Elphaba" I started humming no one mourns the wicked under my breath
"Go ahead and choose something to sing" Edward said
"Oh, no. I don't sing alone. Like, at all" I said laughing at myself
"I want you to sing for me"
"No way Edward"
"Yes way Bella"
"Fine. But just a little bit" I told him rolling my eyes and turned towards the seating. It was so empty but I could imagine it full of expecting people.
"Close your eyes and breathe" He told me and I could hear that smile
"Shush and let me think" I told him "This is going to be cliché but its my favourite one from all of them" I closed my eyes and imagined that I was Elphaba
"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game
Too late for second guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap"
I opened my eyes to find Edward in the front row of the seats. He smiled up at me and I felt confidence in my next words
"It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
And you wont bring me down
I'm through accepting limits
Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost
I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you wont bring me down" I finished and stood there breathing heavily for a few seconds before Edward started clapping.
"That was fantastic Bella" Edward said as he came back up on stage
"Thanks" I mumbled "Did you set this up just for me?"
"I did"
"Well…" I was at a loss for words, "How?"
"Do you not know who I am?"
"Of course I do. You're Edward Cullen. Carlisle Cullen's adopted son and brother to Emmett McCarthy" He looked taken aback and seemed to think for a few minutes before smiling
"Yeah I am"
"That doesn't explain how you got that chance Edward"
"I'm just well known in theatre and acting" He shrugged nonchalantly and I wondered exactly how well known he was.
Google would become my best friend tonight.
As we walked out of the theatre and into times-square I couldn't help but think that perhaps he really was someone who was well known.
He pulled some shades on and put his hair into his fedora a bit further. I just smiled to myself and took in the view quietly contemplating who he really was.
We sat down on some stairs and he took my hand in his. We sat in silence for a while before the questioning started
"Do you have any siblings Bella?"
"No. Mum and dad split up when I was younger and neither of them have had children since. Do you? Other than Emmett?"
"I do actually. My sister Alice is very dear to me. She is my best friend and my confidant" He looked really happy as he spoke about Alice and I only hoped that I would get to meet her tomorrow "She's married to Jasper"
"Oh. So that's how you know each other?"
"Yes, and Jaspers sister is Rosalie, Emmett's bride" My head spun just thinking of the combination. "So why did you move to New York?"
I gulped. I had never told anyone before
"My dad died and I didn't want to move to Hawaii with my mother and her partner" I prayed that that would be enough
"I'm sorry Bella" He said and squeezed my hand in comfort
"Don't be sorry. It was nothing you did" I said. I hated when people said they were sorry. Sorry for what? That he lived his life? That he had me but was still lonely? That he will never see his little girl get married and have children? That he was murdered?
"I'm still sorry Bella. I lost my mother when I was five. It's not as much time as you spent with your father but I still know the loss of a parent" I looked at his eyes, green with sympathy
"Thanks. I'm sorry as well. For not accepting your sorry" He smiled at me and I let out a small laugh
"So.. wedding planning?" He asked
"Yeah. Well I mean, I hope one day I can start my own business and plan my own weddings. Jessica is alright as a boss but she's all about the connections to people. I'm more about creating the wedding of the brides dream and making sure it runs smoothly" I could see my own business in my head. I just had to get there.
"So… any wedding in your future?" He looked sheepish and I laughed, loudly, attracting a few gazes
"No way! I have never found a person who even came close to boyfriend material" I was smiling widely "And yourself?
"Completely unattached. Never found the right woman to settle down with. I'm hoping to settle down within the year though. Not marriage, just find the woman and move in together, talk about starting our lives together. I have such a big family and I want my own big little family" I found myself smiling serenely to his words. It was exactly what I wanted.
"Great minds think alike Edward" I turned my head and he smiled down at me. His eyes flickered to my lips and mine flickered to his as well. He was leaning in. My eyes closed on their own accord and my mind started a war.
Don't hyperventilate Bella.
Breathe. Breathe.
Oh God his lips look luscious.
No Bella. Focus. Focus.
Breathe. Don't overthink this.
Oh God, he's about to kiss me.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
.
Oh.
.
My.
.
God.
.
I felt myself being knocked sideways up the stairs and I opened my eyes to see someone walking past
"Sorry" She mumbled as she kept on walking. I looked back to Edward and the moment was gone
"Lets get out of here huh?" He took my hand and helped me up, avoiding my eye. Well… that was awkward. I only hoped the rest of the day wasn't like this…
.
.
~ATW~
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"What about a coffee and ice skating?" Edward asked as we drove along a highway
"Sounds like a plan, Stan" I said lightly.
I was still trying to figure out what he was hiding and what the almost kiss meant. The fact that he has kept me so occupied has not helped my mental state.
"What going on in your head?" He looked at my briefly
"Nothing, really. Just excited. It's been a really great day and I have had the best time ever"
"I have as well Bella" he said, "How about we save skating for next time?"
"Next time?" I exclaimed "Getting ahead of ourselves Mr Cullen"
"No. I'm just certain you'll agree to another date with me" He smiled his crooked smile at me and I got lost.
I sat there staring at him as he maneuvered the traffic. Finally the engine stopped and he turned to face me
"I had a great time showing you New York Bella. And next time we go out I would like to take you to dinner. Would that be alright?"
"Uh… what?" I was so mesmerised by his eyes
"You, Me, Dinner?"
"Yeah sure" I agreed, not hearing what he said, and he smiled and got out of the car. He walked around the car and opened my door for me.
While he walked me to my door he brushed my hand with his hand.
I felt tingles run up my arm and down my spine
"I'll see you tomorrow Bella but until then…" He grabbed my hand and kissed it before kissing my forehead.
I was still staring at where his car had been ten minutes later.
A/N - I am so sorry about the wait time guys! I have had so many assignments due in the past week so I have been unable to find time to write. I am hoping to get some time over the weekend to write some more. Next chapter will be the wedding. Hope you all enjoy xx