Hello everyone I am back with another chapter. I hope you all are enjoying my little story. I swear Fran is making it ten times better this time around so everyone should thank her! Thank you so much Fran for your excellent beta skills you go above and beyond! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. These characters belong to Stephanie Meyers.
Chapter 8
Bella's POV
"Hey babe, " I breathe softly into the phone, glancing over to see if Edward heard me and of course he did. It's obvious seeing as he was just smiling at me seconds before I answered Demetri's phone call and now he's frowning and deliberately looking everywhere but at me as we walk. "What's up?"
"Nothing. Where are you?" There's an edge to his voice that lets me know that he's in one of his moods.
"Um, I'm just taking a walk," I answer glancing over at Edward again and, this time, his eyes are glued on me.
"Taking a walk," He deadpans and I can tell that he's peeved.
"Yeah, I needed some fresh air," I quickly reply knowing that's the best way to deal with his attitude.
Quick and direct.
"You have a car, Bella. An expensive car that I bought for you." He points out the obvious and I cringe because he makes it seem as though I asked for that car.
"So what," I roll my eyes as Edward and I continue to walk.
"You need to use it," He slightly raises his voice and I come to the conclusion that I should just agree so that we can move on with the reason for his call.
"Okay, I will," I say quickly needing to move on. "Did you need something?" He was beginning to irritate me and I just wanted this phone call to end.
"Yea actually I need you to go home and get dressed. I have a last minute dinner to attend."
I fold my arms across my chest trying to figure out why I'm needed at a dinner. "And I have to go," I ask open-endedly.
"Bella," He huffs in frustration. "I'll be home in thirty minutes. Be dressed."
Edward's POV
When I got back to Carlisle's after dropping Bella off at home I found him in his office next to the room that he'd deemed my own. I knocked softly, peeking through the cracked door.
"Come in son," He says without looking up from his work.
"What are you up to tonight?" I ask walking further into the room. He looks up then and smiles, clasping his hands together in front of him on his desk.
"I think Eva's cooking dinner as we speak."
I hop into the seat in front of him casually and he seems to look pleased with how comfortable I've made myself in his office.
"How do you do it, Carlisle?" I ask the question that is at the forefront of my mind every time I think about how much money he seems to have. I fold my arms across my chest shaking my head waiting for an answer. He furrows his eyebrows confused by my incomplete question.
"How do I do what exactly" He sits back in his chair, and studied me with open interest.
"This," I slowly eye different articles in his office as I speak while motioning around with my hands. "Adjust."
He nods in understanding and makes an 'ahh' sound.
"I'm having a hard time with everything," I tell him.
"That's because you're thinking too much. Have you used the card that I gave you even once," He asks with his head tilted in concern.
"Of course not Carlisle. What would I need to buy." He provides pretty much everything for me.
He sighs. "Clothes, Edward, I'm sure you need clothes."
He's not aware that Alice has already taken care of that for me, but I nod anyway just to appease him. He purses his lips slightly and I can tell that something is on his mind.
"I need to ask you something son," He says and I nod, encouraging him to continue. "How would you feel about me mentoring you?"
"Mentor me? "I ask in surprise. "For what?" Curiosity getting the better of me.
"I want to take you under my wing and teach you everything there is to know about the investment business," He explains.
"How can I do that? Don't I need a college degree or something?" I ask him confused, but actually considering it. I hadn't thought much about my future but I know that if I plan to have Bella in my life, I will have to have a better job than Jasper's assistant. Then a thought occurs to me. I may not even have that job anymore. I hadn't even talked to him about my absences.
"You leave that up to me," He says and I nod. "It's going to be hard work, and long hours but I'm sure, that with a couple of years experience, you will do great."
I ponder the idea and I honestly can't find any excuse not to give it a try. It's an excellent opportunity for a guy like me.
"I don't want to pressure you. I know your music is important to you."
"It was important to me growing up, but now?" I speak out loud but really to myself trying to push myself just to agree.
"And you are welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. I'd be lonely here otherwise," He says and I nod with a smile that he quickly returns before looking back down at his desk.
"How many bedrooms are there in this house?" I ask him, having only really been on one side of the house.
"Uh, there are six," He says and I mentally count the number of doors that I've seen, and I'm sure that there are definitely more than six rooms. He must see the calculating look on my face because he continues. "There's also this room, a game room, theater, and a library."
"Carlisle you must be fucking loaded," I laugh and watch as he shrugs nonchalantly as he always does when money is the subject.
"It was my parents' home. I grew up here and I stayed behind to help with the family business while my brothers went off to their respective career choices." He explained and I nod slowly before looking around his office curious if he'd left this room exactly how it'd been when it belonged to his father. To me it doesn't reflect the man that I have grown to know over the years.
Carlisle looks at me expectantly as if waiting for me to say something. "What?"
He sighs but opens his mouth to speak. "Son," He says cautiously. "Bella is ...," He trails off looking dead into my eyes. "She's my nephew's fiancée." He starts and I can see that he is at war with his feelings on the matter. "You should know that Demetri is very..." He trails off again looking heavenward, then back at me. "He's very possessive, and he has openly expressed to me that he dislikes you."
More like he dislikes my interest in his fiancé.
I chuckle lightly averting my eyes from him with the scratch of my jaw in an attempt to hide my irritation. I slowly stand and with a low voice, I open my mouth to speak.
"The feeling is mutual."
I turn to leave but he stops me with the shout of my name. I stop and turn back to face him. "There are things involving my family," He clears his throat, his face growing more and more strained as he speaks. "Things that I am not at liberty to discuss. You should be aware that I left not only my money, but my family for reasons that may become clear to you if you continue to pursue Bella."
Somehow what he said seemed like a threat but not from him. He's warning me seemingly out of experience.
"I think that I can handle your nephew, Carlisle." I try to make light of the situation with a grin that he doesn't return.
He sighs heavily looking down, pinching his nose and rubbing his eyes before looking back up. I want to assure him that I know what I'm doing but I also don't want him worrying about me so I do something that I promised myself that I would never do.
I lie.
"I'm not pursuing her. We parted as friends here at breakfast last week."
A simple half-truth.
He nods but doesn't look at all convinced. He knows firsthand just how deep my feelings are for Bella. My world shifted upright at the first sight of her. I didn't know her, didn't even know her name but I felt so much at that moment when her eyes met mine. I knew, I just knew that I had to have her and that nothing would stop me from one day making her mine.
Bella was my singular reason to wake up in the morning. She gave me motivation, and an actual reason to want to live a life that seriously lacked purpose. She was my everything, and I still haven't completely come to terms with the fact that she is further out of reach than I ever thought. I'm so close, yet so far from the only thing that I have ever strived for in life and it fucking hurts. Her heart belongs to someone else, someone that can give her everything that I can't, and I wasn't sure, if I even stood a chance against him.
"So she knows how you feel?" Carlisle asks after a beat of silence. I shake my head no and he gives me a sympathetic look, but quickly wipes the expression clear from his face. "You can talk to me about anything Edward, you know that." It was a question didn't need to be answered. He knew that I could and would talk to him about anything.
I slightly nod my head seeing that he still seemed to want an answer. He grins and then stands, his fingertips linger on the desk. "Now, let's go see what Eva has prepared for us."
Bella's Pov
I can't focus on anything, not the conversation flowing around me, the music softly playing in the background, or the arm resting behind my seat. I barely even registered Demetri's hot breath at my ear as he spoke to me through grit teeth.
"You're awfully quiet." He points out but I still can't think straight. My mind is on Edward. We'd walked all the way to Demetri's home and he left me with a kiss that left me wanting more. There was a silent promise in the kiss and it held far more urgency then the one from earlier in the day. He wanted more, that was obvious, and I was left more confused than ever.
I shrug with a smile, my eyes still trained on the centerpiece in the middle of the table. I couldn't even focus my eyes on it as my mind swirled with thoughts.
"You should eat." He nods his head to the food and when I don't respond he clutches my thigh roughly under the table and my eyes snap to his to see him basically sneering at me.
I look up at him bewildered and put off by his actions. Was I always expected to enjoy myself at his business dinners? I'm just supposed to pretend I'm having a good time? What if I wasn't up to it, which I wasn't, was I still expected to keep up appearances for his sake? The look on his face gave me my answer.
He leans closer to my ear, still clutching my thigh. "Eat,"He demands and when he pulls away from me there was a smile on his face as he looked over at his friends, pretending he'd just whispered something endearing.
I was used to this behavior, but not when I was so obviously in a tizzy. If he cared for me even in the slightest, wouldn't he have asked if I was okay?
Shaking my head to clear it, I gently grab my fork and look up smiling at his friends. They return my smile instantly and I feel Demetri release my thigh, but he pulls my chair closer to his. Then he kisses the side of my face and whispers in my ear. "Good girl."
The next day I decide to skip my daily routine at the cafe, needing to keep a bit of distance between Edward and me after what happened yesterday. I haven't forgotten how it felt just to be with him, and honestly, even though it hasn't been a full twenty-four hours, I already miss him.
I touch my lips softly, remembering the feel of his lips against mine. So soft, so smooth. He was so careful with me, so expressive, as if each kiss was conveying something that he wasn't able to say.
Biting my lower lip, I let my eyes slide close, remembering the feel of his tongue, his taste, his scent. Oh god! He has me going crazy thinking about him, dreaming about him, and fantasizing.
All of a sudden, I hear a door slam shut and I turn quickly feeling startled. I grab my chest and close my eyes as the fear leaves my body with a deep sigh.
"Thought you'd be half way to Leah's by now," He tosses his newspaper down on the bed and walks towards the closet to grab a shirt.
"Not today," I answer him shortly, feeling a little sick to my stomach at the sight of him. "I'm going to check out flowers," I try to force a smile.
As I watch him dress, I begin to get a rush of thoughts again and before I can stop myself, I blurt out. "What's my favorite color?"
He spins around to face me as he puts on his dress shirt. His brow is raised in confusion and he doesn't make a move or speak a word, he just looks at me with curiosity written all over his face.
"What's my favorite color Meech," I ask again a little less forceful and more playful as if it were a game.
His face changes to a look of disgust. "Don't call me that! I despise that name," He goes back to buttoning his shirt.
"Are you going to answer me," I fold my arms across my chest and watch as a small grin spreads across his face as he walks over to me. Resting his hands on my shoulders, he leans down kissing my forehead roughly, causing my eyes to shut.
"Your favorite color is blue," He answers sure of himself and I smile thinking that it must either really be obvious or he really does know me. How could he not? "What brought this on?"
He walks away going back to his task, not looking at me.
"Just something someone said to me yesterday." I wave it off thinking that someone like Demetri would remember little details like my favorite color so I'm not so sure that's the best question to ask. I may very well have told him at one point in time and forgot. However, Edward had known without me ever telling him. "It's stupid."
He nods, continuing to button his shirt. "Help me with this," He points to his neck where the very top button is. I walk over and grab his button quickly fastening it.
His stare pins me where I stand and I become unnerved. "What do you know of Edward," He walks away to the dresser mirror, fixing his clothes.
I spread my arms out before letting them fall to my sides in a shrug. "Nothing really."
"But you have coffee with him every morning?"
"I have tea with Alice every morning," I correct him and he raises an eyebrow as if he knows something contrary to what I've said. "Sometimes he's there, and Rose, sometimes Tanya."
"I'm not stupid Bella. He's there. I know that he is, just about every morning."
"Are you having me followed?" I ask loudly after much thought. His words clearly lead me to believe that is exactly what's happening and I need to make sure that that isn't the case.
His face quickly grows angry at my tone. "You are in no position to ask questions, Isabella. But if you must know, I have Alice followed daily."
I shake my head in deep thought trying to find a possible reason as to why that is needed. "Why?"
He lets out a deep, exasperated sigh. "That is none of your business," He shakes his head.
"Alice isn't a bad person. This makes no sense. Alice is not your enemy. She's your cousin. " I can't believe that he thinks Alice would do anything to hurt him. She's the sweetest person that I've ever met.
He rolls his eyes and looks over at me with an impatient look. "This conversation is not up for discussion."
"She's my best friend. Tell me why you're having her followed." I grab for his arm as he turns his back on me, unwilling to talk further. He quickly swoops his arm away and inadvertently smacks me with the back of his hand.
I stagger back covering my eye where he hit me.
He doesn't even seem concerned about my eye one bit. I know he didn't mean to hit me, but he did actually smack me, and I feel a bruise forming already. Doesn't he care that I'm standing here crying, clutching at my eye?
He doesn't look at me as he speaks again. "I'm late for work."
Bella Pov
Later that day, I finally decide to get up and do something with my life. After Demetri had left I took a long, steaming hot shower. I just let the water run down my body before finally washing my hair. I really just needed that time alone to just think, and just let the flow of thoughts take me away.
The truth is, I didn't even know where to start. I was beginning to see a web. A huge web, full of lies and deceit. And not just my lies, but also the lies of everyone around me. What was Alice hiding? Does Edward have anything to do with it?
I smack my hands to my face in frustration; in an attempt to slow down my thoughts. God, how did I get in the middle of all of this? Falling to the cold tile beneath my feet, letting the hot water fall over me, I pull my legs to my body, holding them tightly to me.
I tell myself that I love Demetri, and I want to be the one that he loves. I want to watch him break records, and earn millions. He is so full of ideas, and I want to be here for him, supporting him along the way as I promised when I agreed to marry him.
Finally, after sitting under the showerhead for what felt like hours, I finally get up and towel myself off to get dressed for my day. I dress comfortably in black boots, and a knit scarf, with my favorite skinny jeans, a long sleeve, hunter green shirt, paired with my leather jacket. I then threw my hair up in a messy bun, and put on my Gucci sunglasses, needing to cover the bruise on my face. Makeup just would not cover it completely seeing as I bruise so easily.
Somehow, I end up in front of Carlisle's house minutes later in hopes of seeing Edward. I had an overwhelming urge to see him and somehow that urge took over my body. It's as if my body calls out for him, and I'm drawn to him like a magnet. Our attraction is like nothing I've ever experienced before. It's as if my brain knows I'm engaged to Demetri, but every fiber of my being craves Edward.
Without even realizing, almost in a zombie-like state, I knock on the door. It's as if I'm watching myself do these things without much control over it. At least, that's what I tell myself. It makes me feel less guilty about the situation when really I am so guilty. I'm actively seeking out Edwards's attention, in desperate need of his company.
Edward swings the door open and his face lights up when he sees me standing there, and a lump forms in my throat as I stare at his beautiful face. How could I possibly marry Demetri knowing there's a guy in the world that looks at me like this? Does Demetri look at me like this and I just never noticed?
I look down quickly, embarrassed but also because I didn't want him to see my face.
He reaches forward putting a hand around my waist, pulling me to him and he catches me by surprise when he kisses my temple. He then releases me, but grabs my hand, pulling me into the house. He closes the door behind us and continues to hold my hand, pulling me down the hall until we stop in front of a room.
He pulls me in slowly, turning to close the door, still clutching on to my hand, squeezing every so often as though he can't believe that I'm real.
Edward makes a move towards the bed, but I shake my hand loose from his grip, deciding that it was best to stay near the door. He turns slowly to face me with his eyebrows knit in confusion.
"I'm good here," I tell him, and watch as he purses his lips at me with his eyebrows still knit, but there's a hint of amusement in his eyes.
He nods his head and shrugs, taking a seat on the end of the bed.
"If you think you're safe over there," He says huskily, before shaking his head in mock disbelief, and the sound of his voice does crazy things to my lady parts, makes me want things that I shouldn't. Then he chuckles lightly when I don't say anything, before scratching behind his ear.
I nod, letting him know that it's true. I would feel better having a conversation with him within a safe distance. I was dangerously close to jumping his bones.
"Okay," He says after a stretch of awkward silence, dragging the word out in an exaggerated way. That's when I notice the look of irritation and sadness on his face, and I instantly want to know what's wrong. I want to help him. I want to take his mind off whatever is bothering him so that I can see his smile that I love. I want to take that look away so badly, which for me is a sure sign that I care about him. I sigh, thinking of how to continue, and not sure how to fill the silence between us. He seems to be stewing.
I come to the conclusion that I care more for him than I should for someone who is just a friend. I need to backtrack, make it known to him exactly where I stand, reestablish our 'friendship'-even though I know it just gives me a guilt free excuse to see him.
"We need to talk. This thing between us has to stop Edward. I'm serious. I love Demetri," I say sternly, determined to just be friends with him and maybe call a truce. I know that I should just stop all communication with him, but the honest to god truth, is that I can't help how badly I miss him when he's not around. He's become a fixture in my life, a part of my daily routine. I'd like that to continue.
"Then why did you come here?" He asks his irritation slowly turning to anger. I can see it in his eyes as he stares at me, before shaking his head, looking away with a scoff, and then pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I have a few questions to ask you," I finally speak, and I see his nostrils flare, as he averts his eyes from me to the floor but wags a finger at me accusingly.
"Good, because I have a few questions of my own. Let's start with you telling me about that bruise." He says without looking at me. I stand there frozen, clutching my purse in my hands. I'd hoped that he wouldn't see the bruise; I didn't want to talk about it. "Take them off." His voice is a roar, and I physically tense at his words.
"What?" I question in a tiny voice.
"Take the shades off, Bella," He all but growls at me. He stands up when he sees that I hadn't made a move. He gives me a threatening look, and I relent, slowly removing the shades from my face.
His face contorts showing a million different emotions before settling on one.
Rage.
His eyes darken and his body begins to shake, as he is unable to control his anger.
"Motherfucker," He mutters angrily through tight lips, his nose flaring, and his jaw clenching, as his hands balled into fists at his side. A storm is raging inside of him, and he looks as if at any moment he'll inflict the damage that is intended. He wants to wreck shit, and I have no doubt that if Demetri was nearby, he'd try to kill him.
The thing that most surprises me is how calm I am. He wants to rip my fiancé to shreds and I'm...calm? That's not normal right?
"Edward it's nothing," I shove my shades back on my face, trying to hide from him. They also hide my facial expressions, so I desperately need them.
"It's nothing? You think it's nothing?" He asks incredulously, and his eyebrows are knit with a pained expression on his face that breaks my heart. I'm responsible for that look on his face. I have to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Look, Edward, I didn't come here to-" I begin to explain the actual reason that I'm here, but he cuts me off.
"-Did he do that to your face?" He asks me but then takes a deep breath, shoving a hand through his hair, tugging at it, looking around everywhere but at me. He seems lost, and frustrated. He wants to do something but he's stopping himself. He begins a slow pace around the room, running his hands down his face. He's pissed, and I don't know how to feel about his reaction. I know one thing. I don't want them fighting over me.
"It was an accident."
His head whips in my direction and he looks as if he can't believe what he was hearing, but there is nothing that he can do about it at this point.
"Fuck!" He looks up at the ceiling with his hands balled into fists against his eyes. "An accident," He says incredulously. "You're covering for him. Covering for a monster!" His voice cracks and I know that he is slowly losing it.
"I'm not." I defend my fiance and again he doesn't look convinced or pleased with my answer. If anything, what I'm saying is making things worst. "Please just..." My voice breaks and I think he can see that I'd really rather not talk about it. He sighs heavily, shaking his head as he makes his way back over to the bed and takes a seat, but his legs bounce excessively. He rests his elbows on his legs and threads his fingers together behind his head as he takes slow breaths. It seems he's having a hard time calming down, and I want to comfort him. I want to assure him that I'm okay so we can move on.
So I do.
"I'm okay, Edward," I whisper. I hear him mumble something but I can't make out what he says. "Are you okay?" I take a few cautious steps towards him.
"You're the one that's hurt, and you're worried about me?" He looks up at me as he speaks, then he laughs with no trace of humor.
We're silent for a while and I try to find the words to say to ease the tension.
"Can we take a walk?" I ask him and watch as a small smile spreads across his face. We seem to be at our best when we walk, and I really need to get some things out in the open. His room is making it hard to do with all of the tension buzzing between us.
He stands and stalks towards me, and my chest rises and falls heavily as my heart rate speeds up because of his close proximity. I see purpose in his stride and determination in his eyes as he stops in front of me, towering over me.
"Why are you with him? "He whispers softly but with genuine interest. He wants to understand but I don't want to explain myself.
"He's good for me. And I'm happy. That's all my dad ever wanted for me." I whisper just as softly and he shakes his head with furrowed brows, the irritation is back, and I watch as he tries to shake it off.
"He's not good to you." He pushes and I roll my eyes because now I'm getting irritated. He really thinks that he knows what's best for me. We've only known each other a few weeks for god sakes. I tell myself not to hold it against him. He's on the outside looking in on our relationship. He can't know everything Demetri has done for me.
He almost made me forget that I came here for a purpose. I need to know more about Alice's relationship with Edward so that I can tell Demetri and prove that he can trust me with the information about Alice. Why was he having her followed?
I want to know what was going on with the family and I want to fix it. They love each other I just know it. It's one of the main reasons I want to marry Demetri. I love them all so much, and it hurts me that they are keeping secrets from each other. If everything is out in the open, maybe a solution can be found.
I also want to find out know how Alice is connected with all of this. I did find it weird that Edward came out of the blue claiming to be Jasper's friend and Carlisle showed up around the same time, and they just so happen to know each other, also. Ugh, I have way more questions than answers and it's pissing me off.
"You don't know that." My voice grows louder to show him just how offended I am.
His nostrils flare as he takes a heavy breath. He then surprises me when he grabs my hips gently as he takes a step closer to me. His fingers massage my hips slowly and god, it feels so good. How does he always seem to make me forget about everything and focus on him?
My eyes slide closed feeling his body heat radiate through me and his delicious smell envelopes me. He smells fresh and manly, no hint of cologne, just his natural scent, and it's intoxicating.
"I know you," He whispers softly, almost seductively, trying to reel me in. Or maybe I imagined he said it that way. Either way, he's driving me crazy with his touch, and his voice, and I can barely even focus on words or thoughts.
He leans in close, so close he's only a breath away and my mind is completely fuzzy. I open my eyes and I almost melt from the sheer emotion in his eyes. He glances at my lips silently asking for permission but I can't give it to him, but I also don't have the strength to pull away. I want him but I can't keep giving him hope. I can't keep letting him think that this is okay. It's not okay for him to touch me like this, or be this close to me. It's not okay for me to feel this way about him. Nothing about this is okay.
"I want you. "He groans against my lips, not kissing me but just brushing them slowly against mine back and forth taking my breath away. "Tell me you want me and not him." I don't speak; I just hold a breath, waiting for his lips to touch mine.
Just as his lips meet mine for a kiss, the door opens and my head snaps over to see Carlisle peek his head in, his eyes wide with surprise. Edward pulls back slightly but keeps his arms at my hips, and I bow my head completely embarrassed.
Then the reality sets in of what I almost let happen. We almost kissed again. What the hell is wrong with me? I always leave Edward feeling guilty, and torn up on the inside. This isn't me. I'm not a cheater. I have to stop putting myself in these predicaments. Otherwise, the guilt of what I'm doing will kill me sooner than Demetri will if he ever finds out.
My mom always used to say, 'what's done in the dark always comes to the light.' She also used to say, 'if you have to do it in the dark, it's something you shouldn't be doing in the first place.' She was wise in that way.
My mom was big on telling the truth. Always be truthful, upfront and almost painfully blunt. There was never any confusion where she was concerned. Everyone knew where she stood because she never had a problem letting people know how she felt. I guess I'm more like my dad in the way that I have my secrets, and they will hopefully follow me to my grave as his did. Some secrets are worth keeping, and sadly, some eat away like guilt. This is the reason I feel like absolute shit every time I think about the fact that I'm cheating on my fiancé.
I pull out of Edward's embrace and turn to face Carlisle. He doesn't say anything nor does he even look my way and the expression on his face is unreadable.
"Carlisle," Edward says, and I hear Carlisle clear his throat.
"A word?" Carlisle says and I look up in time to see him move away from the door. Edward looks down at me and the fire in his eyes lets me know that this isn't over. He bends to peck my lips once, twice, before walking out of the door behind Carlisle.
Fuck, Carlisle! He must think I'm a terrible person. Demetri is his nephew and he'd just seen me in an intimate embrace with Edward. I have to stop doing this before it gets out of hand.
I look around the empty room trying to remember why I even came.
Oh yeah, I'm Demetri's personal spy.
Do you ladies think Edward should back off? ... And what do you think Carlisle thinks about this?
Your reviews mean everything to me. Thank you all for reading. :)
