Hello, readers! I am truly sorry that I haven't put another chapter up in such a long time. I had lost the muse for this story and was knee-deep in Cosmetology school, but as I am no graduated, and found Olivia all over again, more chapters should be coming out regularly. Every time I would get an email saying someone else has favorited or subscribed to my story, it would make me want to write that much more. Well, I thank you all for being patient with me, and I hope you enjoy chapter six.

Disclaimer: As always, I do not own any part of Twilight or the Twilight universe.

Scorpio Rising - Chapter 6: Holiday

One week with the Cullens and I literally thought I was going to go mad. Not "mad" as in twitchy, anxious, and agitated, but "mad" as in I was ready to pull my hair out and run screaming into the mountains. It wasn't that there was anything really wrong with the Cullen family, it was just that... well... there was nothing wrong with the Cullen family. They were perfect. They each had their own little hobbies that kept them busy and entertained. The stillness within the house was so heavy with their contentment that I found it deafening. If it hadn't been for the fact that I needed to hunt almost daily, I would have surely succumbed to the brain fever that was threatening to boil over. The opportunity to go running for hours and get away was treasured dearly, though I almost always had a "companion" (though they felt more like a chaperone), and as always, my work kept me thoroughly distracted.

My favorite of my hunting "companions" was Jasper. He was the one that truly understood what I was going through, and he didn't try to offer advice or encourage me on as if I was a young child learning to tie my shoes for the first time. The human blood that still lingered in my system - and that lingers in the system of all - normal vampires - causes our kind to be a bit more aggressive and restless. Feeding on animal blood sort of calmed the Cullens to a point where they could actually relax and enjoy their eternal existence. As inspiring as this was, it was a slow process, and one that I hardly had the patience for. I never stayed in one place for too long, my life consisted of constant business trips, and their being content to settle in one location and "live amongst the people" was still as far from my comfort zone as I could possibly get.

My number one annoyance was the little one. As adorable as she was, she had no concept of personal space. If it hadn't been for Bella, I'm quite convinced the copper-haired princess would have pitched a tent in my room and declared every night a slumber party. I couldn't fault her entirely, life at the homestead was excessively boring and now she had someone brand new to follow around and learn about. Thank goodness I had my stories about famous composers I'd met and helped along the way to keep her satiated. While I spoke, she was silent, so I told as many stories as I could.

My second annoyance were the wolves. Though I understood their reasoning, I was still rather impatient with their attitude towards me. Honestly, they were more hot-headed than I was (and that is saying a lot), and I'd never met anyone, who wasn't a vampire, that could hold a grudge like they could. On top of all that, their scent was nauseating and they were loud and obnoxious. Thankfully, annoyance number one was on my side, so that kept me in Jacob's good graces and, by default, the rest of the pack.

The rest of the Cullens, collectively, fell into third place on my list of annoyances, but not for any singular reason - each member had their own little annoying quality. Edward's ability to read minds and therefore know all of my thoughts was rather irritating, especially when he was so easily offended by most of them - overly sensitive prat that he was. Alice was a sweet, harmless thing, but I was quite done with her psychic ability the moment when she looked at me scolded me for planning to sneak out in the middle of the night in front of the little one who looked so distraught at the idea of her new toy leaving her. Rosalie was just unpleasant all around, I'd never met a more disagreeable woman in all my life (aside from myself, of course). Her rather exuberant mate, Emmett, at least shared my restlessness, but he had no subtle way of showing it. I was quite convinced the only way that man would be happy was if he were allowed to be a super hero, running about the world fighting villains and showing off his strength and abilities. Jasper's incessant efforts to try and calm me down when I started getting agitated with his family members was my next source of annoyance. The final two members of the Cullen family were the most annoying of all because I could find no reason to be annoyed with them. Carlisle and Esme were the most delightful beings on the planet, and I believe that was the most infuriating thing of all. If they had each just had one minor thing, I might have justified bolting in the middle of the night, but, as it stood, their hospitality hardly warranted such rude behavior.

The only member of the Cullen family that didn't bother me to distraction was Bella, which I found terribly odd. One would think that my initial feelings of envy toward her would have placed her on the list with her family, but I couldn't bring myself to feel any ill-feelings toward her. In fact, she became a sort of ally. After receiving my 500th dirty look from Edward for something I was thinking, I finally went to Bella and asked her if she would shield me from her husband, and she did! The look on his face when I asked this was priceless, I would have paid millions just to have a photograph of it. She was also good at distracting her daughter, thus freeing me of my three-foot-high shadow. How could I be annoyed by someone like that?

At the end of the week, I was very ready to go to San Francisco for a holiday from my new life in The Twilight Zone, but an email changed all of that.

Hey boss,

I am just emailing you to confirm your hotel reservation for the

Gala on Friday. Attached is all the information about your

room and your transportation.

-Franke

I looked over the confirmation, and my mouth pulled to the left as I tossed around the idea of altering my reservation. If I was as agitated as I was after a week in this place, imagine what it had been like for Bella. Now, it looked as if she were truly blissful in her existence, but a girl had to get away every now and then. I wanted to take her to New York with me. I wanted to bring her to the Gala, and I wanted her to see that my life was not lonely. I had a very gratifying existence, in the grand scheme or things, even if it were void a mate, and I knew that she would be the only person that I could bring, that I wouldn't want to set on fire after being left alone in a hotel room with for three hours.

Franke,

I need you to alter my reservations. First, I need a second first-class

ticket, cancel my reservation and rebook if you must so they are

together. Also, I now require a two bedroom suite, I don't care

about the cost - and make sure to let them know that if they won't

change my accommodations. Also, inform the boutique that I will

be bringing another to be dressed - Vera Wang and Christian

Dior dresses are probably best for her - and make sure that she

gets an appointment at the salon where I am getting my hair done.

Cheers

I moved my finger along the track pad and hit Send, a smirk pulling on my lips as I closed down the window and closed the lid of my computer. Franke was definitely one of my favorite of all the assistants I've had in the past, it was a shame I only had her for another six months; then she would graduate from Columbia and I would never see her again. Soon it would time to go through the annoyingly arduous process of interviewing for a new assistant, select one, and have Franke train them up her last month. It wasn't a difficult job, and certainly one they could do from home, but it was amazing how so many just couldn't accomplish things that she was able to.

Foster, Collins, and Howard has ten people on the payroll, and only three of them actually are in contact with me personally. Franke, Alfred Rook, the Office Manager, and Renata Foster, my partner. They are also the only three I've met in person. Alfred's job is simple, he is my eyes and ears in the office, making sure that business runs smoothly. It's not a difficult task, but he makes a rather handsome salary - and it's with that I hold my power over him. He's worked for me for seven years, and I'm hoping that salary is enough to keep his mouth shut about my lack of aging. Renata has a much more important job, she is my eyes an ears amongst the humans in everyday life. Though I hold final say over everything, she has my support in whatever decision she makes, and she knows her stuff. I also pay her a handsome salary, and it has definitely worked to keep her mouth shut about me, as I have known her for twenty years. Perhaps Bella will get to meet her at the Gala.

I slid the computer off of my lap and onto the bed, standing quickly, I changed into some new clothes: a dark blue sun dress (the irony of owning of those was the initial reason for purchasing it) and simple hair of gray canvas flats. My hair was easily manipulated into a low, side-ponytail, the hair hanging over my left shoulder, and I headed down stairs. The house was always buzzing with some movement, but it seemed that everyone liked to gather together in the mornings, much like a human family - minus the breakfast and coffee.

"Good morning," I said pleasantly, as I stepped off the stairs and into the living room.

"Olivia!" the little one said, bounding over to me and hugging my right leg. I was slowly becoming accustomed to her affection - very slowly - so I merely smiled and patted her on the head.

"Hello, little one."

"So, when's the New York trip?" Alice asked, coming out of her little office. I blinked, and had to check myself to keep from glaring at her. Her ability to predict the future was definitely getting old, especially when she blabbed it to the whole house. The only thing that I had to be grateful for was that she hadn't spilled the beans that I wanted to ask Bella. "Bella's going to have great time."

And there it was.

"Momma's going to New York?" Renesmee said, looking over at Alice.

"Mm, yes..." I said, unable to stop myself from glaring this time, and Alice flinched back slightly. "I was going to invite her along this morning. I have an important gala that I must attend - for business reasons - and I thought that Bella could do with the holiday."

"I've never been to New York," Bella said, walking in.

"I figured as much," I retorted, probably sounding more condescending than I meant to. Edward shot me a look.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," he started.

"Oh, please, Edward," I said waving dismissively at him while I walked around the couch and flopped down on it. He and Bella moved to the sitting area so I didn't have to turn my neck all the way to keep talking to them. "It's just three days, the best hotel accommodations, a gala, and a chance to see an extraordinary city."

"But why me?" Bella asked. This was probably the only question that would be asked today that wouldn't annoy me.

"Because I like you," I said, looking her up and down, "and that doesn't happen very often, and I'd rather like the company of another woman while I'm off attending this thing."

There was a very strange look on Edward's face, it was somewhere between a fear, annoyance, and fury. Bella was still doing her job of shielding me, so it probably frustrated him that he couldn't see my true motivations - of which there were none, but he didn't know that. To fuel the fire, per say, my lips pulled at the corners and I smiled at him, my red eyes twinkling. I saw his jaw tighten, and I looked away feeling rather satisfied with myself.

"Well, I appreciate that, but I really think I should stay here," Bella said.

"Bella," I said, looking back at her with an incredulous expression, "it's three days, the world isn't going to end because you went on one little holiday. Besides! I already bought your plane ticket and altered my hotel reservation - which is no doubt costing me an extraordinary amount of money because hotel managers are flaming-" my eyes found Renesmee at the end of the couch, so I censored myself, "...jerks."

"Well..." Bella started, looking very unsure. I'd really clenched her with the information of already altering my plans for her.

"It'll be fine, you're going to have a lot of fun," Alice added in with a smile. For the first time ever, I was really happy for Alice's predictions to be spoken aloud.

"See!" I said, pulling on a cheesy smile, "We're going to have fun! Just say yes, and spare me the embarrassment."

"All right," Bella said, with a sigh, and then she smiled a little, "I am really curious to see New York."

"And you'll only see the best parts," I said with a grin.

Edward was watching me, clearly not trusting me in this situation, and that fine. I wasn't bound by an ethical code to make him happy. His family trusted me, that should be enough. Hell, I tolerated his child, that should be enough for me to earn a medal. Honestly, that man relied too heavily on this ability to read minds. The rest of the world did just fine without being able to do that, he could relax and get over it. My thoughts were mine to keep.

"So when do we leave?" Bella asked. It was funny how she looked from me to Alice and back again. Of course, Alice could answer that question...

"Thursday at 8am," I responded simply, happy to the be one to answer.

"This Thursday?" Edward asked. As it was Sunday, I could understand why he would be so shocked, but honestly, this family never really did anything, so it wasn't like I was interrupting plans or work schedules or anything.

"Uh, yes sir, this Thursday - the day after Wednesday," I said, rolling my eyes.

Bella laughed and looked at Edward, "I think Alice can get me packed up before then."

"Ooo! Yeah!" Alice chirped in, "Oh, Bella, I have the best dress in mind too!"

"No dresses," I said, cutting in, "we're getting dresses on loan from a boutique on Fifth Avenue. Just pack a couple cocktail dresses and some good day wear - the weather is supposed to be dreadful." I said the last bit with a knowing smile. Dreadful weather meant day walking.

Bella just smiled, and though Alice was a little disappointed, she nodded. I grinned at Bella, and then got off the couch. "Right, I'm going hunting," I said walking towards the back door, "see you in a bit." And surprisingly enough, no one followed.