Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Stephanie Meyer does.
Chapter 3
Obsessions
Bella collapsed in the chair closest to the fireplace and sighed. She kicked off her shoes, and undid the tight bun that Alice had done earlier. Alice and Rosalie walked the room with hard expressions on their flawless faces.
" What in gods name was that?!" Alice demanded after she shut the door behind her. Bella shrugged.
" He was being arrogant and selfish. I was not obligated to praise him so I didn't." Bella's voice was emotionless. Alice frowned.
" He was only being friendly! He meant no harm! As usual you have reacted without thinking." Alice commented icily. Bella shot out of her sitting position instantly, and took two long strides towards Alice.
" Have you not heard of feminism?! I don't care if he was just being friendly! I know exactly how those kind of men think! They steal innocent girls hearts, then twist it and turn it until its shattered into pieces! Honestly Alice! I would expect you of all people to understand my actions!" Bella huffed to the washroom. Alice rolled her eyes, and stalked off to change her dress. Rosalie was left in the middle of the room with an amused look on her face.
Bella stripped out of her undergarments, and slid into the tepid water that rested in the tub. She leaned her head back against the brim of the tub and closed her eyes trying to relax. It failed to complete its purpose. Images of her family's estate back in Kent flashed through her mind, along with her mothers smiling face, her fathers serious but kind face, Judith's delighted face, and her brother Philip's handsome boyish face. They all reminded her of the things she had given up and left behind for this. At the time she had felt so certain that this is what she wanted, that she wouldn't listen to her mother's and father's pleas to stay. Bella sighed again. She knew that she was stubborn, but she could never help it even if she wanted to. Not that she was going to run to the courtyard and broadcast it to everybody. Bella clenched her teeth.
This is what you want! Isabella Swan are you mad?! Why are you thinking about all the things that you have left behind, when you could be planning your next adventure?! You were miserable in the country side. Did anything so exciting happen that is worth going back happen? No! You need to be free to do as you wish. After all you are almost old enough for matrimony...
Bella tried to ignore the part of her that was itching to answer all of the thoughts that were flowing through her mind like a river. The sound of the door in the main room brought Bella out of her thought abruptly. Bella rose from the tub and slipped on her clothes that had been on the washroom floor. She opened the door cautiously. Elizabeth Masen had entered the room, and was talking to Rosalie. When she noticed Bella her eyes widened slightly at her appearance. Bella looked down at her attire and blushed slightly. She was barefoot, her dress was clinging to her wet body, her face had no powder on it, and her long hair hung loosely down to the small of her back. Rosalie and Alice arched an eyebrow at Bella.
" I'm sorry to disturb you Miss Swan. Perhaps I'd better come back later..." Elizabeth said as she inched towards the door. Bella chuckled softly.
" No please do stay. Please excuse my attire. I have just returned from the washroom. Please have a seat." Bella tried to make her voice sound as steady as possible. Elizabeth smiled and sat.
" I have come this evening to ask you ladies if you would like to join me and my family for dinner tonight. Your mothers and I are great friends. Almost like sisters if you will. You beautiful girls are like my daughters! Even though the last time I saw you was when you were four..." Elizabeth's voice was lost as she thought of the memory. Rosalie cleared her throat.
" We would be delighted to dine with you tonight Mrs. Masen. I'm sure our mothers will be very pleased to hear this. What time should we come by?" Rosalie was always the most polite one of the girls. She had a way of charming adults.
" Oh it won't be very formal so please do not dress formally. It will begin at half past six. My husband will be very pleased to hear that you will be coming by." Elizabeth rose. After she had said goodbye and disappeared, Alice and Rosalie looked at Bella expectantly. Bella stood.
" Alright, alright! I'm sorry! And I promise to be well behaved at dinner tonight! There! Are you happy?!" Bella huffed after a moment of silence. Alice and Rosalie smiled triumphantly.
" Exceptionally. But as my own little form of punishment I demand that you let us dress you for the dinner tonight." Alice said. Bella shook her head defeated. There was no point in arguing with Alice. She always won.
" Fine. But if you make me looks like a-" Bella was interrupted by Rosalie and Alice.
" A harlot. We know." Bella surrendered to the forces of Alice. Rosalie laughed as she watched Bella grimace when Alice took out her most uncomfortable and revealing dress. When they were done it was five-thirty.
" How do I look? Do you think the yellow is too perky for dinner?" Alice asked as she twirled around her her yellow dress. She flaunted her yellow shoes, and fixed her hair that was set into tight pin curls on the back of her neck. Of course she looked almost like a beautiful yellow sunflower. Bella rolled her eyes.
" Alice why must you even ask? We all know that you look breathtaking." Bella stated while she tried to find a position that made her feel like she could actually breathe. She looked enviously at Rosalie, who looked like a princess in her pink dress and shoes. Her blond hair was in an elegant bun. Bella then looked down at her own outfit. The violet purple dress Alice had insisted she wear exposed more than she was used to, but she had already given up on that argument long ago. Her long mahogany hair was curled like Alice's hair, except her hair was in a cluster high atop her head. The dress was tight and uncomfortable, and her head felt numb from all the pain of the style in it.
" Come now! Hurry! We will be late!" Rosalie said as she pulled her two friends out of the room, and down to the front gate of the academy. When they arrived at the large house, a servant let the into the parlor where they met Elizabeth Masen and her husband Edward Cullen Sr.
" Oh you girls look lovely! So many bright colors!" Elizabeth exclaimed when she saw the girls. After the hugs and kisses were over, the girls were escorted to the table. Bella froze as soon as she sat down. For the first time she noticed that there were eight place settings instead of five like she had thought.
" How many people are dining with us tonight Mrs. Masen?" Bella asked in a strained voice. Elizabeth furrowed her brow in confusion.
" Why eight of course. Why do you ask." Elizabeth answered as she set her napkin on her lap. Bella could feel the color drain from her face.
" W-who are they?" She whispered. All the heads in the room turned to stare at Bella's horrified face. Elizabeth grew anxious.
" Why my son Edward of course. My dear whatever is the matter with you? You lips are pale as is your complexion!" Bella had to hold onto the table for support.
Edward as in the one that I insulted earlier? Oh great. This should be a pleasant meal. Just my luck. Bella thought to herself.
" And who are the other two?" Rosalie asked hopefully. It was obvious from her voice that she hoped it was Emmett and Jasper, Edward's friends.
" Oh please forgive me for not say so earlier. My dear friend Esme and her daughter Victoria. Victoria is about your age I believe. Oh she is so charming and handsome you are certain to adore her!" Elizabeth answered. As if to confirm the invitation, there was a knock on the door. Shortly Esme and Victoria walked into the room and took their seats across from Alice and Bella. Victoria had bright orange hair, skin the color of a ripe peach, large almond shaped hazel eyes that looked almost feline, large pink lips, and a petite figure. Bella stared at her with an unfathomable expression on her face. Victoria was so beautiful that she was almost not beautiful anymore. As little as that statement made sense, Bella was convinced that it was true.
" Victoria, Esme, these three ladies are Alice Brandon, Bella Swan, and Rosalie Hale. I believe they are your age Victoria." Elizabeth chirped happily. Bella could feel Victoria examining her face critically. She looked down at her lap and blushed. Esme and Victoria didn't have anytime to reply to Elizabeth's introductions, for Edward had just walked into the room and taken his seat next to Victoria, and across from Bella. Edward's bronze hair was sticking up in all directions, and he had a few dark bags under his eyes. Without looking up at anyone, he swiftly stuck his hand into his water and wetted his hands. He then slicked back his hair in slow meticulous movements. Elizabeth gasped.
" Edward! Where are your manners?! What kind of gentleman dips his hand in his water to fix his hair?! Imagine what our guests must think of your behavior!" Elizabeth scolded her son sternly. Only then did Edward look up and realize that everyone was staring at him. His gaze followed everyone at the table. He stopped briefly on Victoria's face, then continued around the table until his gaze fell on Bella. He stared at her for a few long moment before turning back to his mother.
" Sorry I was late I was just out with Jasper and Emmett. Why didn't you tell me we had guests?" Edward's voice was a little raspy and sounded oddly slow. Bella raised an eyebrow at him. He was drunk.
" Have you been drinking again Edward?! How many times must I say that a respectable doesn't drink enough wine to make him incoherent?!" Edward Sr. yelled at his drunken son. Edward rubbed his eyes sleepily.
" I'm not drunk! Well anymore... Anyway who are all these young ladies I'm surrounded by?" Edward attempted to change the subject.
" Victoria, Esme's daughter, Alice Brandon, Bella Swan, and Rosalie Hale." Elizabeth answered quickly forgetting her anger with him. Edward smirked when his mother said ' Bella' instead of Isabella.
" Mother are you sure you are allowed to call her 'Bella'? She might not like it." Edward smirked at Bella. Elizabeth furrowed her brow. Bella felt the sudden adrenaline of anger fire through her veins. She glared at Edward.
" She has earned the privilege to call me Bella. And if you would like that honor then I suggest that you straighten up your manners." Bella retorted. Elizabeth, Alice, Rosalie, and Edward Sr. all laughed heartily at Bella's answer. Esme and Victoria looked at each other, appalled. Edward snickered.
" For you I would do anything. Even straighten out my conduct." Edward replied with a smile on his face. Everyone except Victoria and Esme laughed even harder. Even Bella couldn't help but crack a little smile. Edward's grin deepened when he saw that Bella had smiled at him. It wasn't a laugh, but it was better than a glare. After everyone had sobered up, they made small talk. After they had run out of subjects to talk about, it was silent. Esme broke the silence by addressing Bella.
" So Bella tell us about your family. Where do they live?" Esme's questions were harmless, but her tone of voice was a little too curious. Almost mocking. Bella shifted nervously in her seat.
" My parents and my two siblings, Philip and Judith, are living back at our estate in Kent. My brother is 15 years of age and my younger sister Judith is 6 years of age." Bella answered. Victoria raised her eyebrow.
" What is your fathers profession?" Esme pressed. Bella had to restrain herself from snapping at both Victoria and her mother.
" My father is a government official." Bella answered through clenched teeth. Victoria laughed out loud. Bella closed her eyes to try to calm her anger. It was enough that Bella had to speak of her family who she missed dearly, but Victoria laughing at her father's respected profession? That was too much. Alice and Rosalie exchanged a nervous glance when Bella opened her eyes. Esme smirked at Bella.
" What is his name? Perhaps I've heard of him." Esme continued to press. Bella didn't bother hiding her anger.
" Charles Swan." Bella replied sharply.
" I've never heard of him before. Are you sure that he works for the government?" Victoria retorted. It was the first time she had spoken, and Bella was taken aback by her whiny, childish voice.
" Of course I'm sure! He is my father!" Bella answered harshly. Elizabeth interceded.
" My dear Victoria you must not pay attention to the government then. Lord Swan is at the top of his field I'll have you know. And I think we had better drop this subject immediately, for I happen to be great friends with Bella's mother, and I know how respectable the Swans are. It must also be a sore spot for Bella to talk about the people that she misses the most. I know how it feels to miss Eleanor. Its not very pleasant." Elizabeth closed the subject with her final statement. Bella gave her a smile of relief.
After the food was served, people started moving to the sitting room to chat. Bella made an interesting observation as she sat down and chatted to Alice and Rosalie. Edward had joined their conversation, and the four of them were deeply engaged in conversation, when Victoria sat down next Edward and smiled sweetly.
" Hello my friends how are you? I have been meaning to chat to you all night!" Victoria said her voice dripping with fake kindness. Bella, Alice, and Rosalie regarded her with a polite nod, then returned to talking with Edward.
" Bella's family has the nicest estate out of all of our families, and that I am certain of." Alice continued. Bella blushed and was about to deny it, when Victoria interrupted.
" Well my family owns an estate in Bath. I bet its a thousand times bigger than yours Bella." Victoria challenged. She glanced at Edward as she spoke. His eyes were on her face, and she pushed her chest up ever so slightly. Bella saw her whole movement. She didn't know why, but for some reason it made her feel angry that Victoria had an interest in Edward. She didn't hate him anymore like she had this morning. In fact she actually was starting to like him after talking to him more. But she knew that she didn't love him. So why was she feeling so irritated? She turned back to Victoria.
" It may be bigger than my estate in Kent, but thats alright. For Kent and Bath are two completely different places. Your estate might be considered big for someone in Bath, but it could be considered average in Kent." Bella replied calmly. She didn't know why, but Victoria seemed to dislike her already. Victoria huffed away back to talk to her mother and Elizabeth. Edward's gaze flickered back to Bella as she continued their conversation. The evening came to a closing soon after their encounter, and everybody said their goodbyes. But just as Bella was leaving, Victoria pulled her aside and hissed into her ear.
" Don't think that you have Edward Cullen all to yourself. You might want to tighten your grip on him, because you never know when someone might snatch him away." Bella looked up to retort, but Victoria was already gone.
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