Chapter Three – Nervous and Fainting
Edward—Earlier that evening
I started to pace. It was damn nervous habit that I had yet to outgrow. However, Ms. Swan's body guards started to eye me as if I was dead where I stood the moment I moved. They were only making me more anxious. I stopped and started to shift from one foot to the other, it seemed to safer in their eyes at least. I couldn't believe how nervous I was, especially in comparison to how I felt before my arrival at the studio.
Truth was that it started until I was informed that Isabella Swan would be attending my audition. I'd met countless celebrities thanks to my parents' presence in the industry for at least twenty-five years. But was about to meet her.
Holy shit, was that me gasping for breath? I was a moment away from full on hyperventilating. What the fuck was wrong with me?
"Dude, what's your problem? Haven't you auditioned before?" the big curly haired guard named Emmett asked.
"Nervous," I nearly choked on my own words. "But no, I've done this hundreds of times."
"So, why are you so nervous?" Jasper inquired, his eyes narrowing. He had introduced himself earlier and was the one that informed me of Isabella was indeed on set. Dad had said she would be, but sometimes things come up and thought maybe she wouldn't. Maybe that was part wishful thinking, part I don't want to make a fool of myself.
"Let just say, I've been waiting for a long time to meet Ms. Swan."
Having said that, the next thing I knew, Jasper pinned me against the wall. "What do you mean by that?" Jasper asked with a hiss.
"Whoa, guys I'm a fan and am about to meet her," I blurted out, hands up defensively. "I'm just trying out for a part, but I am a fan of hers."
"That's not helping," Emmett indicated with another shove. "She's had some trouble and we want to make sure you're not some sick stalker paparazzi or something."
Jasper suddenly released his hold on me and stepped back. "Let him go Emmett, I've seen one of his movies."
"Trust me," I said once they let me go. "I'm not here to hurt her. I've read her books and think she's brilliant."
I stepped away from the wall with my hands half way in the air. They still glared at me and kept a watchful eye on me. Not that I cared, but I did start to pace again. The fact that while we waited there was an uncomfortable silence, but then again, it was probably just me. One of their cell phones went off and Emmett answered.
"Rose," he said "Okay. Two minutes." With a simple glance toward Jasper, they took a stance near the building's entrance with their legs spread apart and their hands behind their backs.
I couldn't help but chuckle, because they were very serious about their job. But in their case, that was good thing. It meant that Mrs. Swan was safe in their hands. They turned to level me with another glare. Turning away, I took a few deep breaths and tried to shake out the tension from my body. Then, I started to fidget again.
I should've asked Dad to join me.
After several minutes, two golf carts pulled up nearby. One of them was driven by an older gray-haired man in his late fifties that I immediately recognize as Michael Wise, the film's director. Alongside him was a blonde woman with hair that contrasted nicely against her dark blue power suit. I knew from one look at her that she was a woman not to be trifled with, in other words I should not piss her off.
Where was Ms. Swan?
It was then that I noticed the other cart carried a petite woman with inky black hair that was stuck out in every direction. The other woman, who sat beside the first, was the one I'd waited over a year to meet personally. She stepped out of the cart, adjusted her blue top, and brushed her gray skirt that enhanced her curves perfectly.
So beautiful, I thought to myself. The pictures I'd found online did not do her justice. She had creamy, ivory skin and legs that went on for miles.
While I continued to stare, unable to take my eyes off her, Jasper and Emmett immediately left my side and walked over to her. I took a deep breath as she whispered something to them, before she turned toward me.
With a flash of a gorgeous smile, she extended her hand and introduced herself. I offered her my name and my hand, when we touched it was like nothing I'd ever felt before. Her skin was so soft, but there was something else.
And then she fainted, falling into my arms, thankfully. I caught her immediately as all those present flocked to her side. "Ms. Swan, Ms. Swan, are you oaky?" I asked her, as I tried to stir her.
"Get off of her!" Emmett said in a menacing growl and roughly pushed me enough so that I had no choice to release Ms. Swan into his arms.
What the hell just happened?
"Alice, grab a water bottle," Rosalie ordered the other woman. I grappled to pull myself together, my breaths were ragged. Did I do something to her? Had I hurt her unintentionally? Jesus, Emmett looked as if he wanted to strangle me. What if it was me?
Thankfully, everyone seemed preoccupied with Ms. Swan and not on me. Had they been, I would've been mortified that I was having a mild panic attack at the mere idea that I possibly hard hurt the Isabella Swan.
"Here," Alice said, as she bent down beside her boss. "This is my fault. She didn't eat lunch today, because we were running late."
"She's stirring," Jasper whispered.
~oOo~
Isabella
I felt like I was on some kind of rough surface and being held in an iron grip. I heard voices all around me, and when I opened my eyes I seriously wanted to close them again. Did that really happen? After a moment, I looked up to a concerned looking Emmett.
"What happened?" I asked, trying to get up. Emmett realized my efforts and had me on my feet in a second. I only swayed a bit.
"You fainted. Are you dizzy?" Alice asked softly, concern had her frowning.
"No," I replied, shaking my head from side to make sure. "I'm alright, just a little light-headed." I proceeded to shake each of my limbs, trying to get out all the little tingles that were still going through my body.
Did that just happen? I shook away a shiver. That kind of thing only happened in books. I should know, I'd written a few encounters like that.
"Maybe, we should postpone until next week," Michael indicated, looking as worried as Alice and Rosalie. "You're clearly not feeling well."
"No, no. I'm fine. Just give me a few minutes inside. Where's Mr. Cullen?" I asked as I brushed my clothes off and stood upright on my own. There was no way I was going let him walk away. I needed to see if he's the one.
For the part I mean.
"I'm right here, Ms. Swan," he said from the behind the protective stance of Jasper and Emmett. One look at him and I knew there was no way in hell he was leaving without securing him for Eli. Then again, I had to see if he could act. Looking the part was not enough, no matter how good looking he was. "Sorry, I don't know what that was." His brow was tight with concern, as was his voice.
"What do you mean by that?" Jasper asked as he glared at Edward.
"It's nothing, Jasper," I said, hoping to stop him from grilling Edward. I waved off their concern. "It was probably built up static. Don't worry about it. Let's get inside."
However, when I moved toward the door, I wobbled. Emmett was there to make sure I didn't fall flat in my face, and once again I was thankful for his dedication to me. He held onto my arm as he escorted me as Michael unlocked the door and allowed us inside.
I sighed as the lights flickered to life overhead. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I could make out all the indoor sets for the film. There was a full modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; a modern but warm living room set with cushy chairs and sofas was only partially done. There was a large and inviting bathroom and in my favorite set, the bedroom. It was large, with dark wood, a four post bed and warm lights to give it the sex appeal it needed for the scenes.
I let out a sigh. I was home. Or, at least in a little place that reminded me of my dreams and fueled my imagination. I was itching to write again.
"Are you sure you want to do this now, Ms. Swan? I will be glad to reschedule." Edward asked as he approached me. I looked up to his eyes, mesmerized by the intensity of his sincerity in his deep green eyes.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen, I'm sure. And please call me Isabella." I hated being called Ms. Swan or even Isabella. I much preferred Bella, but Rosalie insisted I had to be professional. Only my friends and family called me Bella, and never in public or in front of outsiders.
"Okay, Isabella, you can call me Edward," he said with a widening smile. There was something in his eyes that indicated he was very happy to see me. I was far from confident when I came to the opposite sex, but with what I could see in his gaze, it was obvious he appreciated what he saw.
I was such a novice when it came to attraction and I was almost thirty.
I swallowed, but kept my composure as he closed the distance between us, all but eliminated a foot or so. "It's nice to meet you," he said, once again offering his hand. The cock of his eyebrow indicated he was as intrigued as I was about what happened, even curious. He was testing me…or in that case, our touch.
However, our little bubble was intruded upon when Emmett eyed Edward's hand and growled. I turned and leveled him with a glare of my own. Taking Edward's hand in my own, ready for another jolt, but instead it was just a warm tingling feeling that seemed to be emanating from our hands. I wondered if he felt it, too. When he looked down at our hands and raised an eyebrow, I knew he did.
I released his hand and blushed. Damn! I hadn't reacted in such a way to a man since high school. The good thing was, his face and the tips of his ears were tinged red, too. I had to admit, that made me feel better.
"K, let's get this show on the road!" Alice squealed, clapping her hands.
"Edward," Michael said as he approached the bedroom set. "We're going to start with Scene #104 starting with the line for Vanessa, 'What are you doing here?'"
"Yes, sir, but who may I ask is reading the part for Vanessa?" Edward asked, looking around for a familiar fellow actress.
"I will be reading the lines with you today," I stated simply. "We still haven't been able to find anyone for Vanessa, but we need to find our Eli."
He stopped in his tracks and turned to me. "With you Ms. …I mean Isabella?" He gulped as his eyes widened before he swallowed again. Is it me or did his ears just turn red?
"Yes, is there a problem?" I tried to say in a sensual voice. Just to try it out, since I haven't in a long time. If ever.
"No," he said quickly. "Just give me a minute to go over the scene and my notes." Before I could even respond, he'd pulled out part of the script and studied it intensely as he stalked away. That couldn't be good. Did he have a problem with me?
It seemed I still intimidated people as I had in school. Such a shame, I would've loved to see what could happen with Edward. Then it struck me that I had never had to do a scene of that nature with anyone. God, I why did I agree to this?
I turned to Alice and whispered in her ear, "I don't think I can do this." I was about three breaths from a panic attack. Something I hadn't had in years and no one in the room had ever witnessed.
"Breathe, Bella, you'll be fine. I think he's just as nervous as you are. He is gorgeous!" Alice whispered back. That hardly helped my anxiety. I was actress, if I had to, I'd channel another part of me to get me through the scene.
~oOo~
Edward
Oh no! Oh no! I was about to do a very tense kissing scene with the woman I'd been obsessing about for at least a year. I had no idea she was reading with me!
You can do this, I thought to myself in my head over and over. Exactly what was about to happened, I had fantasized about. I groaned at my wayward thoughts. It was not the time to think in that manner. She was a professional and so was I.
But she's so beautiful.
You can do this, I repeated in my head. I realized that I'd been rambling in my head for a few minutes like a dumbass. With another deep, fortifying breath, I turned back to face her.
I had to take another much needed breath as she walked toward the bedroom set. The sway of her hips was a hypnotic as her eyes. When she sat on the warmly lit bed, I realized I was in deeper shit that I first thought.
