Chapter 4 ~ Airport Meetings
Bella POV
"So Bells, what you up to tonight?" Jess asked, as we finally left the dam mall.
"Er.. Sleep?" After a very long day of stupid shopping, it was the only thing I wanted to do at the moment.
"Bella!" both Alice and Jessica shouted at me, causing me to scream loudly. A few people gave me weird glances, but luckily no one recognised me in my sunglasses and baseball cap.
"What?" I asked, honestly confused.
"You've just been out shopping! You have to go out and show what you brought!" Alice whined, acting like I was being dumb.
"Er.. No I don't.. and after last night.. I just want a day away from the press," I complained, feeling like my legs were going to drop off.
"No Bella, you are coming out with us! Come on, I'm leaving in 5 days!" Jess whined.
"I know I know, maybe tomorrow?" I asked, already knowing what the answer was.
"No! Tonight! We can go to Seven again and get some free drinks, yeah Ali?" Jess winked at her, though I had no idea why.
"Er.. Actually I have to go home, you know people too meet. Byee!" Alice called out as she ran with her bags to her car which was across the parking lot from ours.
"How come she gets to go home?" I complained, though there was no point.
"Because she has a reason! Now come on!" Jess tugged, pulling me back to her car which we both rode in together.
"Eurgh, but why Seven Jess? The paps can get me so easily there!" I complained as Jess drove us back to my place, to 'get ready'.
"Because, you've already been there this week, so the paps aren't going to think you'd go there again!" Jess smartly pointed out.
I sighed, I could already hear the loud booming music entering my ears, followed by the amounts of drunk men drooling over me; then to top it off, having to run to my car, away from the paparazzi. Sounded like a great evening, especially when I could be at home reading or something!
"Come on Bells! You're going to have fun, and maybe meet a new man? Well maybe not 'new'…"
"What?" I asked, completely confused.
"What?" Jess replied like she didn't hear me.
"What did you say?" I asked, knowing that this was one of Jess's games.
"What?" She gave me another confused expression.
I leant back in my seat and sighed again. Jess always did this when she didn't want me to hear something she said; it was one of the most annoying things about her, just because you could never win! (A/N Okay, my friend (Zira) does this ALLL the time and trust me it is MEGA annoying : !)
"You're so annoying," I mumbled, causing Jess to giggle.
"Come on babe, we are here now!" Jess replied, while stopping the car outside my house and a whole load of paparazzi...
***
A few hours later, both me and Jess were 'ready', well Jess was ready- I was just plain exhausted. Jess had picked me out an outfit to wear, from the tiring shopping trip we went on earlier. Luckily it was only a simple black dress, with a pair of gold heels- which I was a 100% likely to fall over in. Jess was wearing a deep green dress, which brought out the colour of her eyes and some black stilettos. She looked drop dead gorgeous; shame there was no Mike about.
"Where's Mike?" I asked, as we went to leave via the front door.
"Oh… he's already in England," Jess replied, while opening the front door. And as if on cue, a million flashbulbs went off all around us, it was too dark to see actual people but I knew who they all were. Scum- low lifes.
We ran to Jess's car, pushing past a million people who were all shouting, "BELLA!" and eventually reached the car.
Jess and I both let out a massive sigh as we got in, before Jess drove away quickly.
"Why is Mike already in England?" I asked, still remembering the conversation we were having.
"Oh, he decided to go earlier- you know get a job and some money. He's living with his parents at the moment," Jess said, her voice filled with sadness.
"Oh," was all I could say, "Jess you should have gone with him too!"
"No, don't be daft! It's only a week!" Jess laughed, but I knew it wasn't real.
"Hmm," I mumbled.
The rest of the journey was full of general chit chat, Jess's eyes were containing a lot of excitement though; but for what reason?
"Oh we are here!" she squealed as she tried to park as close to the club as possible.
I gave her a weird look, before getting out myself and following a nearly running Jessica to the entrance. I hated skipping the queue and receiving more then a few evil glares; but what could you do?
"Bella Swan," I said to the very large bouncer at the entrance of the club. Jess gave me a nudge. "Oh plus one."
"Right this way." The bouncer smiled, while opening up the red velvet rope for us to enter the club.
"Eurgh," I complained, as I already heard the loud booming music coming from the club.
"Bella hurry!" Jess looked nervously at her watch, before tugging me inside.
We spent the first 30 minutes just sitting down and having a few drinks, though I would only have one alcoholic drink, because to be honest I hated the taste of it. Jess kept looking at the door and her watch every second, like she was expecting someone, but who?
"Looking for someone?" I asked her, as she glanced to the door for the 100th time that night.
"Oh uh-" A ringing sound went off in Jessica's hand, "Ahh! I'll be right back Bella, stay here!"
I sighed and leant back into my seat as Jess ran out one of the club backdoors, speaking to someone on the phone- probably Michael. I rubbed my head as a headache from the music started to come on and closed my eyes.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't help but notice a very pretty woman sit on her own looking sick and not see what the matter with her was."
I quickly jolted up right as I realised that the husky voice was talking to me.
"Hey, hey, don't be scared- its only me." A reassuring , very warm hand grabbed onto the shoulder.
"D-do I know you?" I asked the stranger who was nearly standing over me.
"No. I'm Jacob Black, nice too meet you." He took the warm hand off my shoulder and put it out for me to shake hands. I looked up to see a pair of deep brown- nearly black eyes staring at me, on a russet coloured skin head with long black hair pulled together in a ponytail at the back. The figure obviously was very muscled out, as his torso was almost ripping out of his white shirt.
"Oh, I'm Bella, Bella Swan." I tried to smile, while shaking his hand.
"I know that," Jacob winked at me. "Is this seat taken?" he asked, motioning to the seat by me.
I shook my head without thinking but was wondering who the heck was this guy? At least he wasn't drunk I guess, and he was extremely attractive, but God was he up himself! I hated guys like that.
"How's your head?" he asked, grabbing my eye contact again.
"Oh.. It's fine.. you know- loud music isn't really my thing." I tried to laugh, but just ended up looking stupid.
"Nah, nor mine." Jacob smiled, showing me an array of white gleaming teeth- which shimmered even more off his dark face.
"So what are you doing here?" I asked, putting my guard up and remembering that I had no idea who this guy was.
"Oh," Jake looked a bit taken back that I asked this. "Business meeting, I own a set of clubs near here and all over the world; so decided to have a meeting with Emmett, the owner of this place about business."
"Oh," was all I could say, still confused by him.
"And you? Surely you shouldn't be somewhere where people can spot you so easily?" he asked, concern filling his eyes.
"I.. er.. I, well my best mate, Jess is leaving on Monday so we had a little farewell thing. You'd be surprised by how many people don't recognise you in a club, especially this one," I replied.
"Ahh, clever hiding spot then," he noted with a grin
I nodded my head. For some strange reason I was entranced by this guy, though I hardly knew him. Though when I looked away and felt the warmth of a man by me and then turned back to see him it was almost a disappointment, like it wasn't him I wanted. It wasn't his deep brown eyes I wanted, they were nice but no, they didn't feel right to stare into. Or maybe I'd just lost the plot.
I had a sudden flashback of this morning, while I was in my office looking at the stupid newspapers- Edward came in telling me about my meeting. But before he left, there was a moment, or maybe I imagined it, but I swear our eyes just clicked and it was almost impossible to move them again…
"So, where's your friend? You really shouldn't be here on your own." Jacob's voice pulled me out of my daydream, making me realise that Edward was definitely not the one. I knew after James, that I would never date anyone famous again, but come on- that didn't mean I'd date a geek.
"Oh, she's-"
"Bella!" A mortified Jess ran up to me, her eyes wide with horror.
"Jess, what's wrong?" I asked, pulling her closer.
She shook her head and looked down to the ground. "No! It all went wrong! And now I have to go to damn England! EURGH!" she screamed, causing us a few glares. I instantly ducked my head, hoping that no one knew who I was.
"What went wrong? Jess what are you going on about-"
"Who's he?" Jess asked, pointing to Jacob.
"Oh this is Jak-"
"Oh look I don't care, I swear I will get you and…" but she trailed off so that I couldn't hear the end of the sentence.
"Get me and what?" I asked, utterly confused.
"What?" Jess looked up at me with the annoying smile.
"Oh God," I groaned, annoyed by how many times today she had said that to get out of things.
"Come on let's go, I want to go to bed." Jess grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the nightclub as fast as lightening.
"But-" I didn't even get chance to say goodbye to Jacob. Hmm not the end of the world really, I just hated to be rude.
"Jess! I was actually talking to someone in there!" I shouted, as Jess started to drive away from the club, after us having to run from more paps.
"Hmm, what?" Jess asked, like I'd pulled her out of an important trail of thought.
"Never mind," I huffed, leaning back into my seat.
"Hey, want to go to Alice's?" Jess asked, a bit too brightly.
"Er.. No I want to go to bed, like you do," I replied.
"Oh yeah…"
"Hmm.."
***
"Awww Bella! It's been nearly ten years, what am I going to do?" Jess whimpered into my shoulder.
"Pfftt! Get a life?" I joked, earning a punch from Jess.
"Flight 182 to England, London now boarding."
"Ahh that's me! Oh God! Sugar! Bella I love you so much!" Jess wrapped in for another hug.
"Me too! Have fun okay! And call me lots." I hugged her tighter.
"Okay, of course! Oh and Bella." Jess whispered the last bit.
"What?" I asked, getting a bit worried.
"Remember with men, to look behind the bad glasses and clothes- there could be a drop dead gorgeous man there." Jess let go of me and gave me a sly wink before running with her suitcase to the airport queue.
I stood there frozen, wondering what the hell she was going on about. Did she mean Edward? No.. she didn't, did she? It was pointless anyway, I knew under those glasses the magical emerald eyes which lay there. But this was Edward Cullen, my assistant!
"Well, Miss Swan, fancy seeing you here- maybe now I could say a goodbye." Came a deep chuckle from behind me, which brought me back to the world again.
"Oh Jake." I spun around to see Jake, in a drop dead gorgeous black suit- again with his torso bulging out of the white shirt- I swear he must do that on purpose. Idiot. "Sorry, about the other day, just my friend," I said pointing behind me, where Jess used to be.
"It's fine Bella, do you have time for a drink?" he asked, with a smile playing on his lips.
I really had to get back to work with Alice.. But then would she want me to pass up the opportunity to have a drink with a very attractive guy? Her and Jess were always the ones telling me that I needed a guy! "Sure!" I smiled.
Jake smiled back, before guiding me to a small café. Luckily I'd decided to wear shades and a baseball cap- God knows how Jacob recognised me.
"What would you like?" A waitress asked us, obviously in shock seeing a very attractive guy, with a 'weirdo'- which was what I probably looked like in all my 'gear'.
"Umm, tea for me please, Bella?" Jake asked.
"Err same please," I replied, keeping my eyes on the menu, which made Jake chuckle under his breath.
"Coming right up!" the waitress chirped, before leaving our table.
"Aww dear Bella, is it really that bad?" Jake asked, laughing again, while putting a hand on the table, which was a bit too close to my hand which was already on it.
"Yes! If anyone, especially the paparazzi, has a whiff I am here…" I snarled, causing Jake to laugh more.
"Ahh, Bella I do feel sorry for you, really." Jakes eyes suddenly got darker as he said that, sending shivers down my spine.
"Where are you going?" I asked, noticing the black suitcase on the floor by him.
"Oh, to Paris for business, I need to meet a few people," he replied.
"Ahh, what people?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Business people Bella, contacts! You should know all about that!"
Hmm too well, I thought as the memories of boring magazine parties came to my head. I really did love my job, especially when I got to write in the magazine, just like with all good jobs- there was always a down side at some point.
"Yeah, I actually have to go to New York in a few weeks." I smiled. I'd never been to NYC but had always wanted to go- mainly for sightseeing. I'd gotten very excited when I got the phone call about a big magazine event there.
"Wow, New York. Impressive." Jake nodded his head while smiling.
"Yeah, I can't wait." I smiled back with him.
"Here are two teas guys- anything else I can get you?" the waitress asked, as she put the cups and teapots onto the table.
"No thanks," Jacob replied for me while giving me a wink.
"Okay, well just give me a buzz!" she chirped, reminding me so much of Alice, before leaving.
Both me and Jake poured our tea and took a sip.
"So where do you live?" I asked, wanting to know.
"Ahh, mainly a small town called La Push- I'd doubt you'd heard of it."
"No! I do, I used to live in Forks with my parents," I replied, proud that I used to live near him.
"Ahh, so we could have met before and never have known it.. Shame." Jake smiled, while cautiously placing his hand on top of mine and giving it a gentle stroke. It gave me a small wave up my arm of pleasure, but nothing that special. I had more with James..
The thought of James's name, reminded me of why I didn't ever want to be in a relationship again. You just couldn't trust men. I thought I could and I did. But then, just like that, they can turn on you and it hurts.
I flinched away from his hand as memories from James came back, which I thought I'd locked away.
"I'm sorry, that was too forward of me I-"
"No, it's just… I don't think I'm ready for that yet, just after my ex.."
"James."
"Yes, things… things went wrong and I know that was years ago- it's just,.. Still hard." Geez I must have sounded like a weirdo, but at least Jake got the truth before it went too far.
"Well Bella, for you I'd take as slowly as you'd want. Look, I have to go and board now- but take this," he handed me a piece of paper, "and just call me whenever you're ready, I'll always be waiting." I knew this was sweet, but couldn't help but to think a little weird.. But Jake seemed like a 'ladies man', so probably had a lot of experience and didn't care about being up front with girls.
"Thank you." I smiled, taking the piece of paper and putting it into my pocket.
"I hope to see you again Bella," Jake said, while walking around my side and taking my hand before planting a delicate kiss on it and then turning to leave.
I sighed and smiled as I felt butterflies enter my stomach. They weren't the usually exciting kind you get when a guy you really like gives you your number, but they were nice and comforting, like Jake I guess.
I stood up and decided it would be best to ring Edward, as it was his first day and I wasn't even there. I pulled out my phone and found his number, and getting a little nervous- for some weird reason – when it started to ring. I started to walk on my way out back to my car which I had taken Jess in.
"Hello?" An almost velvety voice answered, giving me the exciting butterflies. Urghh no! This was my assistant and a nerd too! I really needed to pull myself together. Though I knew in that instant that tonight the endless green, emerald would haunt my dreams again…
A/N: okay Jacob is a doosh, I know, I hate him too (and trust me you should of seen what steph said about him :L ) but we (kinda) need him ): and maybe some of you are team jacob fans? I know I am team edward, but not when taylor takes his top off ;) lol
But… Jess has gone, so it's just Edward and Bella… alone ;)Alos it's very important to know that Bella got very hurt by James, and that it's very hard for her to trust a man again.
Err.. In other news I don't think I have told you this, but new moon is coming out on dvd (in uk btw) ON MY BIRTHDAY :D .. soo yeah :D I was MAJORLY excited about that ;)
Thank you for all the reviews guys, keep it up! I've got the next chapter written up, so faster reviews = a faster update ;) And I promise soon it will start to get interesting :D
Also BIG thank you to Steph :D
Please review :D
Laura