CHAPTER EIGHT
I got slowly to my feet, shaking with fear and took a few steps back from the door.
"Bella? It's Edward. Can I come in?"
Shakily, I unbolted the door and turned the key in the lock. Edward was still in the white t-shirt and black and white checked pants he wore for work when he came in; clearly he had rushed over here. I stepped back, wrapping my arms around myself.
"What do you want?" I asked tremulously. Edward took a deep breath and seemed to be searching for the words.
"I was worried about you," he finally said. "I am worried about you. Have been for a while."
"Why?" I asked. Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"You changed, like overnight. One minute you're this happy, focussed, straight A student. The next you're jumping at your own shadow, dropping out of school and moving out on Rosalie, who by the way is really cut up about the way things went between the two of you. And tonight was just the last straw, Bella."
"I... people change," I said, a little lamely. Edward narrowed his eyes.
"Not like that; not without a reason. You said that if you told people could get hurt. What people? Who is threatening you? Is it some new boyfriend?"
I laughed bitterly at that, looking up at him.
"A boyfriend? Yeah because everyone wants to couple up with me don't they? Best friend, sister I never had, great to work with, friendly Bella. But let's face it, Edward, I'm no beauty and no one is interested in being my boyfriend, so you can set your mind at rest on that score."
He gave me a wide-eyed stare, as if he couldn't believe what I was saying and then sighed.
"Why would you think that?" he asked incredulously.
I shrugged.
"Maybe because it's true. It's always the same story. Everyone wants to be my friend... or... or..." I broke off, looking away from him. Edward was silent for a long time, looking genuinely bemused.
"I didn't know you saw yourself like that."
"Why wouldn't I? Everyone else does," I muttered. He gave me a small smile.
"Not everyone," he said. I returned his smile and shook my head.
"It's ok, Edward. You don't have to pretend. I know what you think of me," I said.
"Do you really? So what do I think of you, Isabella?"
I shrugged; the question catching me off guard.
"I know you don't like me all that much," I replied. "But it doesn't matter. Look, you've done your duty now; you've seen that I'm fine. I'll be in work tomorrow as usual and I'll do my best not to annoy anyone..."
"Bella I didn't come here because of work," he said, exasperated. "I came here because of you. God you really have no idea at all, do you?"
"No idea of what?" I asked.
"Nothing. It doesn't matter," he muttered, looking suddenly very uncomfortable. "Look, I do care about you. I know it doesn't always come across that well, but... I just don't like seeing you so down all the time. And customers complaining? They never complain about you! You get more tips than anyone else! If it isn't a boyfriend then what is it? Who is intimidating you, because I know someone is?"
"I..." I broke off as my phone started to ring in my bag and froze. He saw the sudden panic in my expression and grabbed my bag, rooting through it until he found the phone. Glancing over at me, he answered it.
"No one there," he said, with a shrug, but then it beeped, confirming a text message had come through. My eyes widened and I stared at it in his hand. Edward read my reactions correctly and slid the phone up, opening the message. He read it and his face paled, a glare marring his features.
"Who the hell is this, Bella?" he demanded, reading the text.
"What does it say?" I asked, hesitantly.
"Do you get a lot of messages like this? Who is it sending them?"
"I don't know," I said, wearily, taking the phone from him and reading the message.
Bitch. I tell you to stay away from him and he's there in your apartment. Are you trying to make me angry?
Edward strode across to the window, looking down at the grounds outside.
"Can you see anyone?" I asked, fearfully. He shook his head.
"I really don't like this, Bella. Some freak is watching you; spying on you and it just isn't right. I want you to come with me."
"What? I can't do that," I said. Edward gave an exasperated sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
"You can and you will," he snapped. "If you think I'm leaving you here alone for some freak to spy on and threaten you're wrong! And if you don't come with me I will just ring the police."
I was silent; fast running out of arguments. In the end, I went through to my bedroom, grabbed a backpack and shoved a change of clothes, toothbrush and deodorant in it. When I came back through, Edward was looking through my messages, his features contorted into a furious glare. Really, I should have yelled at him, demanded to know what the hell he was playing at reading my messages, but I didn't. I just held out a hand for my phone, but Edward shook his head.
"No chance. I'll look after this one. You need a new phone and a new number.
That's the first thing we'll sort out."
"But..."
"No buts," he replied, surprising me by shoving the phone in his pocket and grabbing my hand in his.
He took my keys from me and locked the apartment before grabbing my hand again.
He didn't let go until we reached his car and then he handed me inside, closing the door behind me before climbing in. He sat for a moment, his hands resting on the steering wheel, but then he turned the key in the ignition and pulled away.
The car ride to his apartment was silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
"Will Emmett be at your place?" I asked, suddenly, uncomfortable at the thought of seeing him. Edward shook his head.
"He's basically moved in with Rosalie now. I have the place to myself so you don't have to worry about that."
I sighed with relief.
"You know if you just told them..."
"No!" It came out louder than I intended and Edward glanced across at me. "Sorry. I just can't say anything to them."
"Ok, fine. We'll do things your way for now, but I'm not going to stand by and watch you fall apart because of this Bella." He paused and I looked at him, as he focussed on the road. "Can I ask; has he actually done anything, other than the threats?"
I was silent, swallowing nervously. We stopped at traffic lights and he turned to look at me, with an expectant gaze. I squirmed in my seat, knowing he wouldn't let me get away without an answer.
"Do you remember that day when you took me to college?" I asked. He gave me a blank look and I sighed. "After we had a bit of a row ... Well anyway, it doesn't matter. A girl was stabbed near the bistro and he sent me a text, telling me basically that he did it because I made him angry... And he made it very clear that he would hurt someone much closer to me if I made him angry again."
"Is that when it all started?"
"No," I said. "It started after that night we played spin the bottle, when you kissed me..."
"Ah, yes I remember that," he said, with a sudden grin. I flushed red and felt my heart sink a little.
"I know it was very embarrassing for you and I'm sorry..."
"What makes you think I was embarrassed? Really, Isabella, you do have the most ridiculously low opinion of yourself"
"Why do you call me that?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Call you what?" asked Edward.
"Isabella."
"It's your name isn't it?" he said, as he pulled onto the car park of his apartment block.
"No one else calls me Isabella. Everyone calls me Bella. And you only call me that when you're telling me off."
"Telling you off?" he echoed, as he switched the engine off. He turned to give me a crooked smile, which made my heartbeat speed up. He leaned in closer to me. "Well perhaps if you weren't always saying such silly things I wouldn't need to tell you off... Isabella."
It was funny; I had always hated being called Isabella. But somehow when he said it, I didn't mind so much. In fact it sounded kind of sexy; nice. He came round and opened my door for me and then took my backpack.
"I can carry that myself," I said. He ignored me though and led me to through to the apartment block and into the lift, which took us up to the top floor. He led me down a short corridor to his front door and led me into his three bedroomed apartment. It was exactly as I would have expected from Edward, clean and decorated in monochrome, with open planned living space, allowing him to cook while entertaining. He took me straight through to the guest bedroom, placing my bag on the bed.
"I figured you might want to freshen up," he said.
"Thanks. You might want to do the same." I gave his uniform a pointed look and he rolled his eyes.
"Sure thing. Well, you can use the main bathroom and I'll head into mine. Just come through when you're ready."
I thanked him again and then picked my bag up, carrying it through to the bathroom, which he indicated was across the hallway from my room. It had a large Jacuzzi bath, shower cubicle, WC, bidet and glass sink. Every inch was spotless with natural stone tiles and a feel of hotel luxury about it. There were several fluffy white towels on a chrome shelf and I took a couple down to use. The shower was lovely, helping to clear my head and make me feel slightly more human again.
I dried off and changed into jeans and a cream jumper. After I'd put my bag in my room, I headed through to the living room and found Edward standing in the kitchen area, opening a bottle of wine. He smiled across at me and handed me a glass before surprising me by coming to sit beside me. He leaned back, resting his head on the back of the sofa, stretching his legs out in front of him.
"Why are you doing this, Edward?" I asked, suddenly. He opened his eyes and sat up.
"I'm sure an intelligent girl like you can figure it out, Bella," he replied, cryptically.
"I wouldn't have asked if I knew," I said, softly.
"What made you think I was embarrassed to kiss you?" he asked, taking me completely off guard. I flushed red.
"Well... it must have been uncomfortable for you. I mean having to kiss a waitress and worse it being me!"
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Put yourself down all the time. It most certainly was not embarrassing kissing you. I couldn't have asked for a better dare for you."
"You certainly pulled away quick enough," I muttered. He laughed at that.
"Mike was already having way too much fun with the truth and dare game," he replied. "I wasn't going to feed him any more ammo."
"And then I just pissed you off a little bit more afterwards," I said, sighing. "I seem to have a habit of getting under people's skins."
Edward looked across at me, his gaze hardening.
"If you are referring to the bastard sending you these messages, he has a screw loose, Bella. It certainly has nothing to do with you or the way you are. You have done absolutely nothing wrong."
"What will he do now though? He's told me to stay away from you and here I am in your apartment. Oh God, what am I doing here?" I got up quickly and started to move towards the bedroom, but he stopped me, placing a hand on my arm.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Edward, I can't stay here. I'm putting you in danger. He stabbed that girl from school just because he saw me talking with you at work... He'll know I'm here. He'll hurt someone. Oh God, he might hurt my mom! Or he might come for you. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have come here..."
"Bella, you are not going anywhere," he said, firmly.
"But..."
"Isabella, I said you are not going anywhere," he repeated, scowling at me, as he took hold of both of my arms, holding me securely. I looked up at him and tried to pull away, but he pulled me closer to him, looking deep into my eyes. "No one is going to hurt me or anyone else, Bella. I promise you."
"How can you promise that?" I said, a little breathless at his proximity.
"Do you trust me?" he asked, leaning closer still, his breath now fanning my face. I found myself nodding and he moved back slightly.
"Good," he said. "Because no one is ever going to hurt you while you are with me."
And then he went and sat down again, beckoning me over to the sofa. Slowly, I went across to him and lowered myself back onto the sofa, holding my breath as he turned to face me again, his intense gaze holding my eyes.
"I wondered," he said, after a moment's silence. "That kiss we had at work, did you like it?"
"I didn't really get a chance to find out," I replied, instantly flushing as I realised what I had said.
"Perhaps we should remedy that?" he began, but then heavy footsteps came across the room.
"Edward? What the fuck is she doing here?"
