DAMNIT, WOMAN, I LOVE YOU
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
"I'll probably take the flight out tomorrow afternoon and get into Forks tomorrow night around eight or nine. Do you want me to stay at the Lodge or is my old room still mine?" She informed and asked in the same breath.
"Your room will always be your room." He answered. Then after a slight hesitation, he continued by wanting to know everything Bella could tell him about Marie and her friends. Bella told him all she knew more through what Marie had told her than by actually meeting anyone of them.
"But, Dad, I can't believe that Marie would be so involved with a man that she would take her own life over a rejection, if that is what it was. It just wasn't in her nature. Not the Marie I knew."
"I have to agree with you, but, we really need to wait for the coroner's report. Anyone give an indication how long that might take?"
"No, but, I'm sure you'll ask once you go to get the body released and ready for return."
"Damn straight I will. In the meantime, do I have a bed here or not?" He asked with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
"You always have a bed here." With that she showed him to the guest room so he could freshen up some before dinner.
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"Oh, shit! Edward! Edward, where are you?" Alice yells.
"In here, pixie, why?"
"You better take a look at this. And I do mean now."
With that Edward Cullen walked from the kitchen with his brother, Jasper and Emmett trailing behind, into the living room where Alice, Jasper's wife, and, Rosalie, Emmett's wife are sitting. "What's up that has you so wired?" he asked smiling down at her. Rosalie was busily looking at the television watching the entertainment news section. Both women seemed to be distressed.
Edward looks at what Alice had shoved at him and then, "I'll be damn. How did this get into print?"
"It's not only in print, but, on the entertainment shows as well. It seems a gossip columnist at the L A Times got a hold of some information and then did a slight article which you just saw. That was all it took for the rest of the entertainment stations to hound in on it."
CHAPTER 4: MY PROMISE TO YOU
The story hit all of the media outlets and everyone was demanding interview time to try and get the scoop. Edward and his family refused to allow any questions concerning the newspaper story to be asked. Unfortunately, this only led to further interest, summarizing over what little facts were given and guessing as to the truth of the matter. Only one source was more accurate, up to a point, than the rest and that was the gossip columnist at the Times.
Edward had been questioned by the police concerning his association with Marie Swan. He had admitted that they had dated a few times, but, it was only casual and nothing else. They did come back a second time with questions about a supposed proposal of marriage and a more serious relationship than what he had told them in the beginning. And, of course, this second round of questioning had become known to Jessica Stanley as well, the gossip person that had released the first article that started all of the speculation to be with. Why was everyone trying to make it seem as if there was more than what it really was?
He had met her after the studio had purchased a script she had written and submitted. And, it was the first time in a very long time that he and the studio shared any excitement over a script. It was brilliantly wrote, had a gripping plot and very believable characters. In fact, several directors besides him were being considered to do this film and each of them wanted it. He knew that this script had something that would make it memorable long after they all were gone. That was why he wanted it; he wanted to be the one to bring it to life and to be able to show just how special it was. All four directors that were being considered would kill for it.
Then he met the writer and she was special herself, in that down home, neighbor next door sort of way. She was shy, quiet, with the most expressive blue eyes, dark auburn hair, and clear alabaster skin that was beautiful, while standing five foot three, slender built and no medical enhancements, just all nature. Her mind was sharp just like her wit and Edward found that he enjoyed her company, but, he wasn't one to want to settle down with one woman yet and she begin to hint that she was hoping for that. So, he let her know that it wasn't going to happen. They each moved on to other things, but, maintained a friendly with each other and worked well together with no stress or tension involved.
To say that he had been shocked to answer the door to find the police standing there wanting to question him about her and then to be told that she was dead took a bit for him to believe. There was nothing to indicate that she was depressed or was even contemplating an act of suicide. He asked if they were sure that it was suicide. And was answered that at this moment all factors indicated such, but, the investigation at this point was still ongoing due to who she was related. Now, that peaked Edward's interest, but, no one would give him that information. He wanted to send his condolences to her family and even that information was denied him. But, out of respect for Marie, the studio had put a temporary hold on production for a few days "In Memory" of Marie.
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The coroner's report was still pending even after Marie's body had been released to the family and they had it transported back home. The whole town of Forks turned out to share support of the family that lost a beloved daughter. Forks had seen this child be born; grow into womanhood before heading off to college and then moving to Los Angeles for her dream job. Two of the town's daughters of the Swan family had gone to L. A. to work for well established companies with good paying jobs.
Charlene and Frank Swan were devastated by the loss of their daughter. Renee and Charlie Swan were grieved for the loss of their beloved niece. And, Bella was grieved, upset and not ready to believe that her cousin had taken her own life. It wasn't in Marie's nature to do such a thing. Something had to have seriously happened for her to come to the point of not feeling like she had any other option. Marie knew that Bella always had her back no matter the problem and they could and would work through it together. No, there had to be something that was being overlooked. Something to do with that low life Edward Cullen.
But, as Bella kept thinking back over the last few days and all that she had been told, she suddenly realized that she had a way to get to Edward Cullen and being her attack of revenge for what he had pushed Marie into doing. She was positive that he had something to do with the loss of Marie. Marie may have lied to get her job and lied by omission when using an old college project script of her to help get the job, but, she wouldn't lie about her relationship with Edward Cullen. She was always excited about her date nights with him. Never had she mentioned that she might be seeing someone else besides him. If she had been why wouldn't she say instead of acting like Cullen and she had an exclusive thing going on?
The script and the movie that was being made from it was her ticket to get close to Cullen. And with that thought a plan was being to form in her mind. What if she could get him to the point of where Marie had been and then dump him. To let him feel the pains of rejection and loss the same as he forced Marie to endure and the whole time laugh at the enjoyment of watching him suffer. She knew it was going to take some work to get him to even notice her, but, once he did she would play it for everything that she was worth.
She didn't really classify herself as a beauty, but, she knew she was good looking, pleasing on the eye, dressed well, good sharp mind and intelligence and a nice shape. So, she had to do something that would grab his attention from the beginning that would make him want to talk with her. Once he approached her she felt that the rest would just be a matter of playing her cards right and game of pull and shove to get him where she wanted him.
Yeah, it should work. Not exactly a piece of cake, but, workable and doable. And she would begin right after Marie was laid to rest. She would get off by herself to begin her campaign of bringing Edward Cullen to his knees. And, with that thought she felt that she was on the right path to bring to peace to her cousin.
Suddenly, Bella was jerked back to the present as she realized that the service was over and everyone was leaving. Her dad reached out to take her arm as he was doing the same to his wife, but, Bella told him to give her a moment of alone time. He nodded and walked away with Renee to wait beside the car from her.
Bella walked over to the casket, placed her hand on it and quietly said, "I promise you that I will get resolution and make him pay." And after saying that she turned to make her way over to her mother and father to leave the cemetery to head over to her aunt's and uncle's home for awhile to try to console them. After awhile Renee, Charlie and Bella left to go home. Bella was looking forward to some alone time, that way she would be able to set up the next part of her plan. Things would fall in stair step order and it would be starting with this next phone call.
Listening to the phone ring twice, three times and ready to hang up after the fourth, it was answered by a very sleepy sounding woman. "Jess, how are you doing?"
"K, but who the hell is this?"
"Bella. And do I have some news for you. You are still doing that piece on Edward Cullen aren't you?"
"Yeah, but, you say you have some more news for me? Is it like that last bit?"
"Yes, but, better. It covers Fantasy Productions and him, both."
"Damn, wait a minute, let me get up and grab pen and paper." Bella could hear some quick movements and a little cussing over the phone before Jessica came back on the line. "Okay, I'm ready, but, I need to ask, is this verifiable. Yes, and in a few days you will already be leading the pack because you will be releasing it first.
"I have to say that my source will not talk with anyone just yet. But, will be confronting Fantasy Productions in a matter of days concerning what I am about to tell you. At that point you will already have released the story while others are just starting to get the facts. It is at that point your story will have been proven correct. Is that verifiable enough for you?"
"Sure the hell is. So, give me, woman, what do you have for me?"
"The Road of Loneliness that Edward Cullen is directing and which Fantasy Productions was supposed to have bought from the owner, Marie Swan, is incorrect. They didn't by the script from the owner. The owner had no knowledge that the script had been passed as someone else's work. So, permission was never obtained for it to be filmed, released or anything else. As it has not been legally bought.
"That information causes me to wonder if someone found out about it and decided to hush the supposed owner up so she wouldn't let anything slip. Could that have been cause for murder to be made to look like a suicide?"
"Damn, I wide awake now. This is one hot story. And, you say this has not been revealed to anyone else at the moment?"
"That is correct."
"Bella, do you want any credit for this, or, is it all mine?" Jessica asked a bit hesitantly.
"The assignment was given to you. I am just relating what information has come to light, so, it is all yours."
A/N: Well, Bella now has her plan worked out and has indirectly put Jessica to work stirring the pot. The stage is being set. How do you think this information is going to rest with Edward or the studio? Could it be cause to start the police to doing a more in-depth investigation?
I hope you enjoy this new story as much as all of you seemed to have done with my others.
Please take the time to review and I will be more than happy to reply.