A/N: There shall be a super important A/N below. Please read. Oh and sorry for not replying to the reviews. I was kinda rushing to get this chapter out.
Chapter 8: Are You Kidding Me?
*** Bella is at Forks with her 'extended family' ***
I clapped my hands as Jacob took his helmet off.
"My turn!" I shouted.
We were playing another extreme sport that I doubt would be considered a sport. Technically, two of us would drive our motorbike towards each other till one of us steers away. It took a lot of guts; Emily, Seth and Leah did not participate.
I smirked as I strapped on my helmet. Sam grinned in anticipation. Both of us were daredevils, though I always won. The distance between us before Sam gives up was very little.
I don't give a shit about my pitiful life. This was why I always win.
I embraced the sense of adrenaline again as Sam and I neared each other. Another reason I loved this extreme sports was that I felt in control, like I could choose whether or not I shall live. I had control and I craved for more, seeing that my life was controlled by the saddest excuse of a father.
Sam turned at the last moment and I grinned victoriously. Leah and Seth cheered for me, while Emily smiled. She was Switzerland when Sam and I challenged each other.
Ring… Ring…
I groaned. I bet it's Father.
"Get back to the mansion now." Father snapped before hanging up. Nice to know that you love me too. I thought dryly.
"Sorry, guys. I need to go."
Everyone's laughter stopped and they came forward to have a group hug.
Sam ruffled my hair and said, "Next time, tell us before you do something stupid. At least we can laugh at you when you fail. No one provides better entertainment than you."
I could hear the teasing in his voice, yet the soft undertone that told me that he cared deeply for me.
I smiled warmly. It's nice to know someone cares for you.
"So, technically I'm supposed to go to this… gala… as Ian," I clarified.
Father nodded.
My lips pursed. Of course, he'd rather I go as Ian than go as Bella. Of course, he wouldn't want the society to know Bella. Of course, it was logical… So why do I feel so bad?
"Tell me the reason I should comply?" I asked defiantly. I would have gone to the gala as Ian; I had no idea why I wanted to rebel right now.
Father sighed, "Alright, what do you want?"
Was this how he thought of me? Someone with an ulterior motive behind everything I do.
I snorted. Different possibilities were running in my mind. I could ask for a new bike. I could ask for recognition. I could ask to… cut off our parental ties…
With a leveled voice and my head held high, I stated my condition, "I am legally eighteen in a few months. I want to cut off all ties with you. I shall no longer be Isabella Swan and have no need to follow your orders as a daughter."
He furrowed his eyebrows like it was a difficult decision when I knew that he didn't give a shit about me.
"Alright," he said gravely. But I caught a hint of smile on his lips. Of course, when there is a possibility that I will no longer share the same surname as him, he'll grab it, no?
"You go to the gala as Ian and it's a deal."
I pursed my lips and my heart felt heavy like a chain was weighing it down.
"Deal," I replied, shaking his outstretched hand.
I shifted uncomfortably in the chair. You did think that after wearing that stupid bandage with a flat chest for so long, I would get use to it. Guess what? NO.
I took another sip from the champagne and distracted myself with the graceful dancers on the floor. How nice was it to dance! I was already clumsy as a female dancer, now I have to take the initiative as a guy? Imagine the chaos that will ensue…
From a distance, I spotted Father talking to another blonde handsome middle-aged man. They were laughing heartily and I could tell immediately that their happiness was flat out... fake. I placed the glass of champagne on the table and begun advancing towards my Father to find out what they were talking about.
Another young man, around my age with a strange shade of bronze hair approached them. Wait… What? BRONZE HAIR? I rubbed my eyes slightly to get myself out of the alcohol induced state.
HOMG. It's Edward CULLEN. I couldn't stop, could I? Father had seen me and was waving his hand and beckoning me to go over. Ian wouldn't defy Father and I seriously need to maintain our deal.
Forcing a smile, I joined the happy trio. I could see from Edward's eyes that he looked slightly murderous and yet still smiling. Father patted me on the back and introduced me- I mean Ian.
"This is Ian, my son. I think Edward here already knows him. They attend the same school." He smiled warmly.
I gave them and tight smile and mentally chastised myself for not being able to reach their level of fakeness. Then I realized that I didn't have that much of a practice anyway.
"So, we were just talking about the engagement of your sister, Isabella Swan and Edward here. Isn't that wonderful?" The man Father was chatting with chirped.
Thank god I wasn't drinking champagne for I would have spat it out on that man's face…
Wait… Did he…. Just say… ENGAGEMENT?
I forced another tight smile and replied, "Simple wonderful. I think Edward would really suit my sister." I think I need to brush my tongue tonight.
"What. Are. You. Trying. To. Play. At?" I pronounced every single word slowly like he was a retard. Which I was seriously considering right now.
Father relaxed against the chair and replied casually, "You're not yet eighteen, Bella. You are still under my control. I say you get engaged and you will be. This engagement will bring the two companies closer."
"What about our deal?" I hissed.
"It's not forgotten either, Bella. Once you're legally eighteen, you have the right to refuse. But we're getting you engaged before eighteen, and during your engagement, you'll sign a contract. Happily."
I narrowed my eyes. Father always had a way of finding loopholes.
"What contract?" I asked.
"The contract will state that you will get married to Edward happily after your eighteenth birthday, if not you'll pay a compensation fee of half a billion to Edward. It means that before eighteen, you're bound by my words and after eighteen, you shall be bound by the law." He gave me a victorious yet wicked smile when he finished.
Why did I have such a father?
A/N: Um… Okay. The all important A/N. You see, I don't think this story is getting a very good… feedback. Not that someone has actually flamed me. But I think that I'd rather concentrate on my other stories that actually have people reading and reviewing it.
I feel like such a coward for doing this… But I'm putting this story on HIATUS. No, I'm not deleting it. It's just going to be stopped… for a while. While I concentrate on my other stories and possibly try to find an inspiration that will wow my readers.
I really want to thank people like: Da RaNdOm PeRsOn, gablen500, cb, LiaMissPia, People-Are-Crazy for reviewing more than once and especially Angeltales321 who reviewed every SINGLE chapter. Thanks caww who has reviewed almost every story of mine. Seriously, all this encouragement rocks and I'm really sorry for stopping. Read my other stories for now, kay?
Yeah. I'm not sure about when I'll continue. Put me on author's alert or story alert. You'll be able to find out.
I feel all mushy and sad inside me and I'm really sorry. I probably should stop this lengthy A/N.
Review because I'm going on hiatus? Yeah. Thanks.
-Dare2Dream97
