I do not own any of the characters below, they all belong to the great SM.
This chapter is a little short and only told in BPOV. I'm working on building up the J & B relationship (which won't go beyond friendship - I'm Team Edward all the way even though he doesn't play a role in this chapter). The Japanese signature - ハンター means Hunter.
I can't tell you who this is yet so keep reading to find out later in the story.
Again, reviews are greatly appreciated.
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Chapter 6 - Secret Admirer
BPOV
The next four weeks were a whirlwind. Jane had arranged for lots of interviews, photo shoots, and other events to promote the upcoming tour. It was hard to find the time to finish writing some of the songs we wanted to put on the new album. It was definitely coming along though. We got up every day and headed to the studio at 9:00 am laying down as many tracks as we could. We only had twelve weeks initially to get it done so we were all working harder than ever.
Alice was busy acclimating herself to her new job as the Assistant tour manager so we didn't get to spend as much time together. She was working very closely with Marcus going over the schedule for the upcoming nine month coast-to-coast plethora of cities we would be traveling to. If I know anything about Alice, it's this job suits her strengths perfectly. I trust her to make the best decisions for both bands and work to make sure we have as little stress as possible while on the road.
She was still working on my new wardrobe at night. I started getting up earlier in the morning so she could poke and prod me with a vast array of material and accessories. I managed to get out of going with her to pick everything out for the new clothes she was making.
"Alice, I told you. I have complete faith in you. You know what I like and what's comfortable." I told her while she was giving me the famous pout.
"But Bella, this is your big debut as a top performer. Don't you want to have a little fun?" She asked still giving me the puppy dog eyes.
I tried not to look at her or else I knew I'd give in. "I have to get the rest of these songs written. I'm already going on less sleep than what I'm used to."
She finally gave up, "By the way, how was your lunch date the other day?" She smiled one of her all-knowing smiles at me.
"It wasn't a date. It was two friends having lunch together." I said while trying to downplay the whole thing.
She narrowed her eyes at me, "Bella, why don't you let loose once in awhile. I mean….he's like totally hot and totally into you."
I rolled my eyes, "He's just a friend. I like being around him and he's a lot of fun to hang out with. I don't know why, but I just see him as the brotherly type." "
"Besides I don't think he's totally into me." I put my fingers up and made air quotes
"Fine, whatever you say." She scoffed as she walked to her room.
I thought back to the other day when Jake and I met for lunch at a little café down the street from the studio. He had asked me everyday for three weeks if I'd go to lunch with him but I kept turning him down. I've been so focused on getting this album together that any distraction could set us back. I finally agreed after Emmett and Alec said they were going to work on a couple of solos they were perfecting for the tour itself.
Flash back:
"Bella, over here." I heard Jacob's voice from across the room. I looked up and he was sitting at a small table in the corner.
I walked over and was met with a huge smile. That's one thing about Jacob, he's always smiling. I swear nothing gets him down. I set my bag down and pulled my jacket off as he stood to pull my chair out. "Um…Thanks." I said as I sat down.
The waiter came over to our table before I even had a chance to say anything else. I ordered a Coke and told him I needed a few minutes to decide on food.
"Sooo…how's everything going?" Jacob asked after I had a minute to collect myself.
"Things are going really well. Right on schedule, as Alice likes to say. How are things going for you?" I mimicked the little pixie.
He immediately started telling me about all of the time Breaking Dawn has been spending in the studio. He was bubbling with excitement as he told me about the new tracks they had been laying down.
"Edward's an absolute genius when it comes to music." He stated in admiration.
I cringed at hearing his name, "I'm sure."
"Oh, he's really not a bad guy. Just misunderstood." He defended, "We've been friends for a long time so I guess I am a little biased. We've been through a lot together over the years so it's hard to look at him like he's not without fault."
"I'm sorry." I said quietly. Obviously, they were quite close and I didn't want to come off as being the bitch that I'm sure he's made me out to be.
"It's okay. Enough about him. Let's talk about something else."
The waiter returned and took our order before we started chatting like a couple of old friends. I learned a lot about "Jake" as he told me about his childhood and the guys he calls his best friends. I was so enthralled with the conversation that I almost didn't notice when the food had arrived.
We continued to talk while we ate and I was actually enjoying myself. I told him about my Dad, the police chief and how my mother had died when Emmett and I were teenagers from breast cancer. He seemed to sense my sadness at that point and started asking about the other guys in the band. I told him about Alec and Quil, and even Tyler. He laughed when I told him about the "little concerts" we used to have in the garage.
There wasn't any of the awkwardness that came along with a guy and a girl going out on a date. At least I didn't consider this a date. There were a couple of times during the conversation where he would give me strange look but I couldn't quite pinpoint what it meant. It was very comfortable to be around Jake, and in this business, it was nice to have someone outside the band as a friend.
After awhile, I decided I needed to get back to the studio so Jake offered to walk with me. We were coming toward the building when I remembered that I needed to ask him something.
I stopped and looked up at him, "Jake, do you know anything about some flowers that have been making their way to my apartment over the last several weeks?"
He looked confused, "No. I wish I could say they were from me but I honestly don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh" was all I could say. I had been coming home for the last three weeks to the same sight at my door. A single red rose with a romantic quote attached. The signature was the same on all of the notes and written in Japanese. Alice keeps teasing me about a secret admirer but I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
I had been thinking they were from Jake, but he didn't really seem like the kind of guy to hide his feelings from anyone. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if the person will come out eventually. I shrugged my shoulders and kept walking until we were at Vamp. I turned to Jake to say goodbye but was met with a kiss on the cheek instead. It wasn't a romantic gesture by any means but it still made my heart flutter a little. I think he knew it too. I hadn't had a boyfriend since freshmen year of college, when Emmett had threatened to castrate the last one. He looked at me with a big grin, said goodbye, and walked away.
I jumped back to the present when Alice came bouncing back into the room with her arms full of various fabric swatches. She started going over all of the ideas she had for each one when there was a knock at the door.
I jumped up to answer it a little too enthusiastically as Alice rolled her eyes at me and went back to her design ideas. I looked through the peephole but didn't see anyone there so I opened the door slowly. I took a step out into the hall and still didn't see anyone. I figured it must have been some kids so I turned around to head back in. That's when I saw it. Attached to the door was a single red rose with a note attached. I grabbed it and walked back to the dining room where Alice was seated.
"Another one." She smirked.
"Yeah, we're running out of places to put them" I said as I sat down to read the note:
Bella,
The dedicated life is the life worth living
You must give with your whole heart.
ハンター
I re-read the note a few times before handing it to Alice. She touched her hand to her heart as she read it aloud.
"It's so romantic. Whoever this is, they're really trying to sweep you off your feet." She sighed with a hint of hopefulness in her voice.
"I think it's sweet but don't you think it's kind of creepy. I mean, this has been going on for four weeks now. Shouldn't this person have told me who they are by now." I asked as I grabbed the note to place it in the growing pile on the counter.
"Maybe he's just trying to build up the courage. I mean, you are a hot Rock Goddess who is about to kick-off her first American Tour." She retorted.
I put the rose in a vase that was holding about two dozen others, "Yeah, well I know we get a lot of fan mail since the Grammy's but it usually goes to the studio."
"That's true. It's got to be someone we know. How else would they get this address?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Regardless, I think I'm going to take these down to the studio to show Jane." I pointed at the pile of romantic notes.
"You know your brother will find out then." She snickered. She knew exactly what he would do if he saw all of this. Freaking out would be an understatement.
"Alice, I'm a grown woman. Emmett will just have to deal with that and let me handle this on my own." I said standing up a little straighter.
"That will be the day!" She laughed.
I started laughing with her and soon we were back to working on outfit designs. We stayed like that for a couple of hours until I yawned and stood up to go to bed.
"I'll see you in the morning." I hugged her and walked to my room.
"Good night Rock Goddess" She laughed.
As soon as I hit my bed, I drifted of to sleep filled with dreams of standing on stage and singing to the masses.
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The Quote:
The dedicated life is the life worth living
You must give with your whole heart.
-- Anne Dillard
Next Chapter - Music and Lyrics (oh and we'll hear from Edward)
Thanks Again!
