CHAPTER THREE

Angel got to work right away teaching me all the duties I would be required to fulfill. Mostly it was just keeping track of Mr. Cullen's calendar, making sure he arrived on time to the correct locations, keeping him on task and any other job that arose.

Angela was almost as shocked as I was when I told her of the job offer, she gave me the standard 'Bitch' meaning congratulations and I hate you. My parents were also excited and proud of me however you could tell my mom was wary of her whittle girl going halfway around the world without the proper adult supervision. At the time I told her I would constantly be surrounded by capable adults who I was sure would protect my damsely ass from any wrongdoing, little did I know just how right I was.

August came and even though I rarely saw Mr. Cullen, Angel assured me that when I showed up at the airport he would be there to greet me. A private car was sent for me at the apartment and we arrived somewhat quickly to the airport. Mr. Cullen's car arrived at the same time and I immediately went into personal assistant mode trying to help him with his suitcases.

"Good morning Mr. Cullen," I greeted. I was shuffling around the many cases trying to steady myself.

He immediately went to my side lifting the bag from my arms, "Leave the bags, Bella. They will be fine. Follow me."

He started walking at a serious pace.

"Mr. Cullen is there anyone else traveling with us?"

He immediately stopped. "Bella, we are going to be working together for the next several months. Please dear god call me Edward."

"Well I'm not a god, but if you insist. Edward it is." I smiled up at him. He shook his head, smiling and continued onward.

The plane was, to say the least, amazing. I had never flown first class but I'm pretty sure this one flight would be better than riding first class for the rest of my life. Every chair flattened out to a bed and there were three big screen televisions throughout the cabin. A small kitchen with a microwave, completed with a stocked fridge of alcohol and chocolate. Apparently, there was a private bedroom in the back of the plane but I didn't see it.

Emmett came barreling on the plane, yelling about peanuts or something. I asked Edward if there was anything I could do but he just told me to relax and enjoy the flight there would be plenty of time to kiss his ass later. I glared at him then flipped around and stalked off to the other side of the plane.

"Bella, you have a little temper don't you?" It was three hours into the flight and Edward sat down across from me with a glass of some type of alcohol in his hand.

"Most of the time no. In fact, my roommate would tell you that I'm the most agreeable person on the planet, but for some reason, you just bring it out in me."

He thought about that for a moment. "Well, maybe we didn't get off on the right foot. I have to apologize for my behavior, lately, I have been going through some stuff so I apologize if I have come off as some entitled asshole."

"That's ok. In this business that's an occupational hazard for someone like me," I kidded. "But apology accepted if you will accept my apology for being disagreeable at times."

He all the sudden became very serious, "Bella, when we arrive in Italy we will be in Rome. There will be a couple of private cars to pick us up and take us to my home on Lake Bracciano. Once we are there I have a couple of cars that we will use to get around as well as going to and from location while we are filming. I know you have your international driver's license but I only want you to drive with the supervision of Emmett or myself. Italian roads and drivers can be challenging and I feel this is for the best. The house is on the lake and there is a boat at the dock, which is off-limits unless I or Emmett are there. You are more than welcome to use the kitchen or other media rooms, I want you to feel comfortable and at home. There is a small town within walking distance, and of course, you are more than welcome to frequent it in your free time. However, I only ask that if you are planning to go out that you are back to the house by nightfall unless accompanied by someone. Lake Bracciano is a fairly safe place but you are a beautiful young American girl and sometimes the Italian men are known for being a tad bit assertive."

"Thank you, Edward, for the information and I will try to follow your rules. But I am a grown woman and I'm sure even though I have never been to Italy I am fully capable of handling any situation that presents itself."

I was trying to not get upset, but it kind of felt like my mom had just walked in and was already scolding me and treating me like a child.

"I will not use your cars except to chauffeur you around and of course I will show the proper respect for your house, but I really don't need to be babysat."

Edward began to get up from his seat, "Oh Bella, you have so much to learn."

What the hell did that mean? He swallowed the rest of his drink, quietly laughed and walked away shaking his head.

We arrived in Rome and it was dark, even though I had a taken a nap on the plane I was still tired. We filed into the cars and rode quietly off to our final destination. I really couldn't see anything when we approached the house, there was a lot of shrubberies and a big gate surrounding the property. We drove through and immediately everything was lit up. I will never forget the first time I saw Villa Stellia Mia. You know you're rich when your house has a name. It looked old and majestic the architecture appropriately Italian. With white stones and beautiful balconies I cannot even begin to put into words just the awe I felt looking at it and this was to be my home for the next couple of months.

Edward showed me to my room and said good night, I think we were all tired. I still managed to enjoy the beautiful bedroom even with my fatigue. Beautiful high ceilings with white crown molding, the walls were painted in a sky blue and in the center a queen bed with a white satin comforter. I officially was in heaven. I opened my suitcase, locating my pajamas and toiletries and took off to the connecting bathroom. Even though it was almost three in the morning, I wanted to take a shower. Somehow it just seemed wrong to sleep in that beautiful bed, dirty.

The first week, I hung out around the house and walked down to the lake. It wasn't till the first week of September when I became brave enough to go and visit the town nearby and take in the sights. I now understood why Italians were known for having a longer lifespan; I wouldn't want to die either if I lived here. Everything was so peaceful and the Italians took pride in their history and instead of getting rid of a building when it was old they would restore it and celebrate it.

Edward was pretty easy going you could tell just how much this place changed him. We actually started getting along and we're getting comfortable joking around with each other. Edward had a childlike quality to him; in fact, there were a couple of times I would find Emmett and him running around playing with water guns. The first time it happened it scared the shit out of me as I saw a man dressed head to toe in the black, facemask and all skulking around near the window. I would have called 911 if I knew the number for 911 in Italy. But Emmett made his intentions pretty clear when he blasted Edward who just so happen to be standing behind me with a violent stream of water. I was, of course, an innocent bystander.

I walked into town late one afternoon, I had always heard about gelato, Italian ice cream. I located a cute little place with tables and chairs outside. I bought a couple of scoops and sat down looking upon the lake. A man walked up, he had on dark sunglasses and boy was he cute. He had light brown hair and was about six-foot, built with a strong chest and arms.

"Ciao Bella." He said with a sly smile.

"How did you know my name?" I started looking around wondering if someone had put him up to this.

"Your name is Bella? What a coincidence. Ciao Bella in English means hello beautiful." He laughed and sat down at my table.

"I'm sorry I knew that. I guess it just caught me off guard."

He smiled at me extended his hand, "I'm James." He kissed my hand and I immediately blushed. I never had a boyfriend before and that was due to the fact I was awkward around boys. Awkward around boys, celebrities and apparently anything with a pulse.

"So Bella do you live around here?"

I knew better than to tell a complete stranger that I was currently living with the famous Edward Cullen, so I remained elusive. "I'm visiting with friends for the season. I just arrived a few days ago."

"Oh well then perhaps I should show you around, I'm from New York originally but I have a house nearby and I visit often. I know a thing or two about Italy's secrets."

His eyes bore into mine, I was momentarily overwhelmed. Trying to regain composure, "That would be lovely. I would love to take you up on that sometime. Although I probably should tell you that I will be helping my friends out during the week while I am here and the weekends are the only time I will be available."

He thought for a moment and proceeded, "Well how about next Saturday, we can meet here and I'll show you around the town. I know all the best places to eat and I can even take you up the Castle it has the best views. Can we say to meet around noon?"

I don't know if it was the Italian air but the giddy school girl in me was jumping up and down. Here sat a beautiful man who seemed to be interested in ME! Of course, there was a small part of me that questioned whether or not this was a smart move, but I justified it by telling myself that everything we would do was to be in public. I nodded my head affirming the time for the day.

"Yes, noon would be great. I'm sorry I need to get back to my friends." It was beginning to get a little dark and as much as I would like to throw out Edward's rules about supervision after dark, part of me felt that maybe I shouldn't push him within my first official week of employment.

When I got back to the house, I could hear people talking in the main television room. I shyly approached trying to not make my presence known. I could see Edward walking around with a bottle of wine filling up his guest's glasses. His guests happened to be Jasper and Alice Whitlock.

Damn the nerves started kicking in; I slowly backed up deciding it would be best to go to my room. As I turned to leave I bumped into a damn end table knocking a silver platter to the floor. The racket echoed throughout the house. I ran over to the offending platter, quickly picking it up and turning to sprint up the stairs. Of course, the whole party gathered to seek me out just as my foot landed on the first step.

"Bella," Edward called out to me.

Shit. I slowly turned. "Sorry," I said embarrassed.

He gave me a knowing smile, "Well you're just in time, Bella I'd like you to meet Jasper Whitlock and his wife Alice. They just arrived. You may proceed to curtsy."

He gave me a toothy grin, and he was lucky that looks could not kill. Jasper gave him a confused look. Emmett looked like a show was just about to start.

"Ha Ha, you're so witty." I rolled my eyes and looked to the Whitlock's. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock."

"Hi Bella, I'm so happy you're here it will be nice to not be the only girl for once," Alice sang.

"Hey hey hey I've brought girls around here before," Emmett replied.

"She didn't mean one of your many conquests, Emmett. And just so you know my house is not to be used as your no-tell motel," Edward huffed. "Bella joins us for a glass of wine, we were all just talking."

We all made our way back into the living room; I sat down on the couch near Alice. She seemed really nice and from what the gossip mags said, she had a heart of gold. Alice was also an actress; she got her start in television and had managed to transition gracefully into movies. Mostly romantic comedies but lately she branched out to small independent films most likely trying to procure an academy award. She smiled at me like I was her brand new shiny toy, it kinda creeped me out.

"So Bella, what did you do today?" she asked.

"I finally went into town and got my first gelato," I answered.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Bella? Didn't get lost did you?" Edward teased.

"No, in fact, I found adult supervision today." I mused. Take that Cullen!

"Adult supervision?" it was the first time Jasper spoke.

"Yes, Edward feels that I'm a target for the many Italian vampires that could attack." I was smug. This couldn't be good. Come on girl

ACT PROFESSIONAL!

"So who is the lucky adult that will be supervising you?" Edward asked. I felt a trap coming on.

"His name is James, he has a home nearby." Metaphorically walking with caution.

"Hmm, you met a stranger who wants to take you around," He said making the gesture using quotation fingers.

"I'm not naïve; I plan on keeping it very public," I snapped. "He's taking me to a local restaurant and up to the castle."

"It's been less than a week and you've already fallen for the Italian charm. Not naïve? I know many intelligent women who get into cars with complete strangers." He rolled his eyes.

"He's not Italian, he's a New Yorker." Leave it to me to find the thinnest argument ever.

Sensing victory, "Well then, by all means, everyone knows you can't find a dangerous person in New York."

"You're not my father" could I be any more pathetic the only thing that could make that statement worse was if I had pigtails and a trembling bottom lip. "I may seek company with whomever I choose. As long as I continue to perform all my duties then this is none of your concern."

I jumped up from the couch and like the hormonal teenager, I apparently had become I stomped off to my room.


AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.

DISCLAIMER: STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.