AN: Hey readers! Please Review...Also, I don't own anything. I changed the rating on this because of some violence potentially in later chapters and a possible lemon.
Message/Anniversary
I opened my e-mail for the millionth time today to see if anymore leads had responded. I was looking through the usual newsletters and junk mail when I saw that there was an e-mail from a very odd e-mail address: .
I instantly opened it and found there was an attachment of a video; I downloaded this instantly and waited impatiently for the video to open, tapping my fingers on the desk. I clicked play and instantly my eyes began watering; Bella was tied to a chair with duct tape and there was a bag over her head. I could clearly see the diamond ring I gave her just 2 weeks ago on her finger. Her hair was a mess but seeing her made my heart race; or at least it would have if it hadn't been in this context. I had to travel often for business so we spent a lot of time on Skype. A man dressed all in black came on the screen with his demands.
"So you see we have captured your little girlfriend, or should I say fiancée. If you knew where she was, you probably would have her by now so we figured we would show you that she was safe and sound with us. Obviously you didn't care enough for her to have her protected from your rivals, so now we have her. We want something you have, and clearly you would never listen to us if we wrote you a well-mannered letter so we figured this would get your attention. We want money. We have a plan to make the world better and we need funds to get what we need. $20 million should be good to get us started. You have 12 hours after this message was sent to respond. If you send us that you will give us the money, then we will allow her to go free once we have received the money in our account. We will deliver her back to you promptly and we can go our separate ways. Please respond promptly, at least for her sake."
The man left the screen and the screen went black. I looked at when the message was sent. I had 9 hours to get any information I could from this and respond before they hurt her. I quickly called my contact in the police force. They took hold of the video and they tried to track information down. I didn't even want to think of what she was going through. How could I have been so stupid?
Then there was a different problem. Why did these bastards need 20 million dollars? I couldn't just hand it over. That makes no sense. Besides, it isn't like I would actually get her back. They would hold her as a ransom for more money and more money; I had seen this movie before. I was at a complete loss for what to do. My phone rang and I quickly answered.
"Hello this is Mr. Masen."
"Edward, I tried my hardest on tracking this video. It's a dead-end. There is no way to track it; the IP address was a bust as well. It is from a satellite internet source, this guy knows what he is doing. Without more time, we can't do much else. I recommend that you try to get more information out of him before you give in though. Try to find out more about what he wants the money for."
"Alright. Thanks for trying."
"We aren't giving up just so you know, but we will be working past the deadline he gave you." I hung up the phone with him and I tried to think of what I was going to do. I opened my e-mail and hit reply.
"Hello, I have some questions as to what my money will be funding. I need more information on the 'project to make the world better' before I will authorize such a hefty transaction. Thank you, Mr. Masen."
I had nothing left to do but wait. I was staring at my computer screen when the screensaver came on. It showed a picture I had forgotten about. Our one-year anniversary had been quite the fiasco…
I had been planning this for the past couple months…considering I had never had a girlfriend for an entire year, this was quite a milestone. I was going to take her on a sunset helicopter ride around New York City and then a private dinner in a small fancy restaurant which I had reserved for the occasion. Then I had rented a horse and carriage for a private ride through Central Park where dessert and dozen roses would be waiting. I had sent a dress over to her earlier that day. The whole shebang cost about $1,500 but it would be worth it to see her smiling face glowing later tonight. As a result, I was quite surprised to find her dressed in jeans and a t-shirt looking rather angry when she opened the door.
"What is this?" she practically screamed, gesturing to the dress.
"A dress for this evening, it is our one year anniversary."
"I am aware of the date. I got you some chocolates, here." She threw these at me and I caught them and set them on a table. I walked over to her and put my arm around her shoulder.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"Wrong? Wrong? Yes, I don't want you to spend all this money on me. If this is the dress you sent over, I don't even want to know what you actually had planned. This dress must have cost a fortune. I mean I know you are worth millions Edward, but I don't need this to be happy."
"What do you need and want then?"
"I want you. I just want to spend time with you doing normal things that normal couples do. I want to go to the movies with you and go out to dinner." I decided to neglect to mention that we were going to dinner as I realized what she meant since she was basically crying.
"I am sorry. I forgot that you don't like me because of my money. Perhaps you can forgive me, and we can have a nice mild anniversary? I am sure the helicopter pilot will understand when I explain the circumstances…as will the carriage driver and the restaurant I reserved." She looked at me in shock as I listed all of the lengths I had gone to.
"We can go to dinner and the carriage ride." I smiled and she left to go put the dress on. I had never met a woman who wasn't interested in something other than money and quite frankly, Bella baffled me. This is what made her better than the other women. I didn't have to go to ridiculous parties anymore. She was quickly becoming everything I had ever wanted in a woman, but had only previously found through my wealth.
Bella planned our dates after that night; although she did enjoy the date that I had created for her. I was caring less and less about becoming wealthier and more and more about being with her and pleasing her. I realized how quickly it was happening but I didn't want it to stop since these were brand new feelings and they were so strong; so much stronger than the greed and determination that I used to surround myself with.
