Chapter Nine

Work passed relatively fast the rest of the night after my little discovery of the article.

I had managed to finish documenting all of Antonio's records an hour before finishing. And since the night was proving to be very slow Antonio sent me home shortly after.

Nothing eventful happened on my way home, but I can't say the same for when I got home.

Pulling up to my parents' house I saw a bright red BMW parked in my spot. I sighed in frustration and parked in the road. Thanks to the parking situation I got completely soaked running from the street to the front door in the pouring rain. Dripping wet I rushed into the living room with no at all regard for who may be here.

Inside I found myself frozen in my place. Renee and Charlie were sitting on the love seat. Alice, Jasper and Rosalie were across from them on the couch. And worst of all, someone with striking reddish hair had his back to me in the armchair, and crutches leaning up against it.

I thought for a brief second about running for the stairs before anyone noticed me. But I'd probably make an even worst scene and trip. It was too late though, everyone was turning towards me.

My parents were beaming as were Jasper and Alice. Rosalie looked bored, and slightly disgusted at what I looked like. Then he turned.



As much as I thought I hated Edward Mason, I have to admit, he is otherworldly. His hair had caught in the light as he turned in the chair and I found myself eager to see the sparkle in his green eyes in real life. Get a grip Bella! I thought to myself. He is an egotistical jerk!

I wasn't disappointed as he met me with a full smile, stunning me into forgetting how I felt about him. I was doing all I could to remember to breath in and out. I couldn't believe it possible, but he looked even better than he had in the hospital, looking that good is just completely unfair to the rest of us.

"Hello Bella." The way he said hello, it made it sound like he said my name everyday. Like showing up unexpected in my living room was an all the time thing. I was speechless.

I looked past him to Alice who was grinning her goofy grin and holding Jasper's hand. I focused on her when I answered. "Hey, what are you all doing here?"

It was Renee who enthusiastically replied. "They were dropping Alice off, and Edward wanted to come in and leave something for you."

I looked over to Edward then who was flashing his beautiful smile at me. I tried to remember what about him I hated. "I wanted to apologize, and give you a better thank you than just the flowers."

I internally cringed at the idea of being given another gift, especially in front of everyone. It seemed kind of showy.



I was starting to remember what irritated me about Edward Mason. He didn't seem to notice as he pulled out a card and held it to me.

I started at the white envelope standing still in my place, my cheeks getting warm. I could only imagine what my face must look like. "Really, the flowers were plenty. I don't need anything else."

Alice sighed from the couch and Charlie sent her a look. Renee was busy giving me the same look that Alice was though. Edward took my words in stride, unlike when I had seen him before. "Hmm, well it's not for you per say. Just please, it's nothing big. You can open it later."

Finally he seemed to catch on to what was bothering me. I reluctantly walked over and took the card.

As I reached for the card our fingers met for a half a second, and a shock of electricity hit me. I pulled back quickly, dropping the card to the ground.

Edward made no movement to reach for the card at he started at me curiously. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it."I mumbled as I reached for the card.

When I stood up I saw Edward, Jasper and Rosalie getting to their feet as well. "We need to be going." Jasper said sadly to Alice.

I tried not to laugh as she pouted. "I'll miss you."

Jasper leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering something after. My mom awed and Charlie cleared his throat. Jasper immediately 

straightened up and faced to Charlie. "Goodnight Chief Swan, Mrs. Swan."

"I told you, call me Renee." My mother hated being called Mrs. Swan, she said it made her feel old.

Rosalie and Edward both said goodbye as well, and made their slow way to the door. I put the thin card on the coffee table and went to stand beside Alice as Jasper got an umbrella out for them. Alice and Rosalie were saying goodbye and Edward had turned to me. His face twisted slightly as he looked at me, some sort of emotion playing in his eyes. I felt myself turning red under his gaze.

"What?" I asked looking away.

"Nothing, it's just I'm usually really good at reading people. And something about you, I just can't figure out." His words were distracted as was his face when I looked up.

The second his eyes met mine our gazes locked. I had no words to answer him, and I couldn't look away. We must have been staring at one another for a little while when Rosalie interrupted. "Hey Edward, the bus is leaving, with or without you."

She looked between Edward and I then tugged at his uninjured arm, pulling him gently towards the door.

He grinned the crooked grin I had seen in the paper as he walked out the door and I remembered something, chasing after them into the rain. All the anger that had left me suddenly returned as I yelled out over the rain. "Wait! Why did you lead the people from the newspaper on?!"

He turned back to me with a confused look on his face. "What?"



"You didn't deny what they were saying!" My angry voice had suddenly become louder than needed, even with the rain.

Edward's confusion slipped into a smug smile as he winked at me, then turned and simply left. Ugh!

I stormed back into the house and slammed the door. He was way too full of himself, that arrogant, self centered showboat! I leaned up against the door fuming to myself when I noticed that everyone else was still in the living room watching me.

"Bella, you okay?" Renee asked as she slowly made her way to put her arm around me. I saw Charlie slowly back out of the room, wanting to avoid any possible 'girl time'. I couldn't blame him.

"Yea, I'm fine." Okay, I was sort of fine. Just royally upset, and wanting to kick Edward's already limping butt.

Alice laughed from beside us. "Edward sure does know how to push your buttons."

Renee laughed for a second with Alice, then stopped herself. I pushed her arm away and faced the two of them. "Alice what were you thinking bringing him over here? I told you I hated him."

Alice rolled her eyes. "It wasn't my idea Bella."

I crossed my arms definitely. "Then whose idea was it?"

"Girls I'm going to make sure Charlie isn't eating the rest of that blueberry pie." As kooky as my mom often was, she knew when to butt out, plus she was probably going to have another piece of pie with him.

Alice turned to Renee. "Save me a piece please mom."



Renee nodded her head and walked away. I was now glaring at Alice. I knew she was trying to elongate this conversation somehow. "Well?"

"Bella, really. What's the big deal? He wanted to drop in and show you a friendly gesture for being so rude before. He's actually a really nice guy." Alice was hoping I'd take her words and leave it there.

"Nice? Come on, there is no way that arrogant jerk is nice." I insisted.

Alice threw her hands up in the air and walked away. "Whatever Bella. I'm going to eat pie… believe what you want. He is a little arrogant, but overall he's really nice. You should try giving him a chance."

With my arms still crossed I headed for the stairs, then I remembered the card on the coffee table. I grabbed it angrily and stormed upstairs.

When I got to my room and had slammed the door, I thought of how upset I was. And over what? A newspaper article?

Maybe, just maybe I was overreacting a tad bit. I sat down on my old bed and pulled open the envelope. Inside there was a simple 'thank you' written over a plain card.

This didn't look too bad after all. I sort of wish I hadn't made such a big deal of it. Then I opened the card and read what was written inside.

Dear Bella,



Again I would like to thank you. But I believe I owe you an apology as well. I know now that I acted pretty rudely when you were here to visit me. There was no excuse for that. I was going to sent you flowers to apologize, but I have a little bit more help on what you like this time.

Damn it Alice. No wonder why she liked him, he probably went shopping with her. I shook my head and continued.

This person has let me in on some details about you, one in particular that you are involved in a lot of local charity work. So please accept this gift, thought it is not technically for you. I have funded a local habitat for humanities in your name.

The project is scheduled to start next week, or can be pushed back if you want. I hope you like this. Alice has the contact information about the project for you.

As I said, we'll never be fully even for what you did for me, but I think this might even the score a bit.

Sincerely,

Edward Mason

My hands shook a bit as I reread the letter twice before placing it carefully on my bed. He had me.

As much as I hated the idea of anyone spending money on me, this really didn't count. It was honestly the best gift anyone has ever given me… even if he was an arrogant jerk.

Disclaimer: Twilight and all its cool characters belong to lucky lady Ms. Stephenie Meyer!



Ps. I know a lot of you are anxious to find out about Edward's family, and don't worry it will be coming up pretty soon!