A/N: once again, many thanks to everyone who reviews/story alerts/favourites this story :) I still don't own anything worth money (e.g. Twilight or Phantom of the Opera)

CHAPTER 10

We were in a circular meadow, surrounded by rows of wildflowers, swaying in the gentle breeze. In the distance I could see a farmhouse partially hidden by the apple orchards.

"What is this place?" I asked in amazement. Never in my life have I been this far from the opera house.

"Somewhere I liked to go before I made home at the opera"

"You mean you never left the opera?" I could not comprehend why anyone who rather spend their time all shut up in there rather than savoring the freedom and beauty of this place.

"Oh I did… sometimes" his eyes were alight with amusement and his voice implied something more.

"How long have you lived at the opera? I remember Madame Giry telling us stories of the phantom of the opera. That couldn't possibly be you could it?" I strained my neck around to see his expression.

"Yes that is me, though not all of the legend is true. For example, I am not a phantom nor do I prey on young girls"

"Don't you?" I muttered under my breath

"What was that?"

"Nothing" I replied as innocently as I could. He looked dubious but did not question me further.

The horse was slowing down now and I realized we were at the farmhouse.

"Who lives here?" I asked. The house was not dusty or derelict, the curtains were drawn but the porch had chairs and tables in impeccable condition.

"My sisters and brothers"

"You have siblings?" I had always thought that Edward was a solitary man and that was why he lived alone.

Before he could answer, a young woman burst through the door. The hinges seemed to be holding on for dear life but stay intact with the wall. Her pale face was shining with excitement underneath her short black hair. That was strange, most women in Paris always had long hair, but then again there was nothing normal about these people.

"Edward!" she sang as she saw us. I was temporarily stunned by her enthusiasm. Edward gracefully hopped off the stallion and held a hand out to help me down. I held onto it reluctantly, not wanting to fall onto the damp ground.

"And this must be Bella!" she came forward and hugged me tightly, making me splutter and gasp for air.

"Hello" I said shyly, the familiar blush beginning to stain my cheeks for no apparent reason.

"Bella this is Alice" said Edward brusquely. Edward frowned at Alice while she stared back, a defensive look about her eyes. He nodded infinitesimally then turned to me.

"Do you want to meet the others?" he asked

"Sure" I smiled trying to look genuinely happy rather than scared out of my mind.

He sensed my reluctance "Actually I think we will go and take a walk first"

"Okay, I will wait till you get back then" called Alice. I waved bye to her and set out back towards the meadow not speaking a word to Edward who was close beside me.

When we reached the meadow, I sat down on the warm, soft grass with Edward following suite. His eyes followed my every move and it was impossible to be comfortable around him.

"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"Nothing" I lied. In truth, I had an endless list of questions that I was burning to ask him but something told me not to ask them right now. His eyes were troubled and a frown was twisting itself onto his features.

"Do you mind if I go back to the house for a bit? Feel free to go there when you are tired of this place"

I stared in bewilderment, who would grow tired of a beautiful place like this? "It's okay, I'll be fine here" I smiled.

When he got up and walked briskly back to the house I was surprised at his thoughtlessness. I could quite easily escape without him being here. I remember seeing a farm quite close by when coming here, surely they will help me? Then I remembered my pitiful sense of direction and gave up on those plans.

I relaxed and sank deeper away from reality. I reminisced back to the rather few happy memories of living at the opera; Jacob, Angela and even Michael filled my thoughts as the sun warmed my body.

Before I knew it, I was asleep. I woke up to a blade of grass tickling my cheek. I stood up and stretched, looking around. Edward was still not back yet but the sun was overhead, indicating it was perhaps around mid afternoon. My stomach growled loudly so I began my way back to the farmhouse.

I raised my hand ready to knock on the door but I heard loud voices quarrelling from inside. I ducked my head and knelt outside the front window, watching the argument in front of me.

It was between Edward and a young beautiful woman. She was taller than me, slim, pale, blonde and extraordinarily beautiful. Who was she? Perhaps Edward's other sister? I silenced my thoughts and concentrated on the scene in front of me.

"Edward, what have you done?" said the girl, obviously exasperated

"What do you mean?" Edward's eyes narrowed dangerously to slits and his voice was cold.

"I mean you stealing someone who does not want to be with you!" said the girl, her voice rising "Oh and not just any girl! She happens to be engaged to Vicomte De Black too! "

"What are you trying to say Rosalie?" said Edward coolly.

"What I am trying to say" thundered Rosalie "Is that you can't just take people like that! Especially not in front of a whole opera house full of people! You're just waiting for her to escape so she can tell everyone about us! And what would that do huh? Have you realized that it will endanger our whole family and everything Carlisle has built for us?" Rosalie was on the edge of losing it now

"I have thought of that actually" replied Edward curtly "and she wouldn't tell anyone, I know Bella"

"Edward, please, The Vicomte has been looking for her already. He has posted notices all throughout Paris and surrounding towns and has also provided a hefty reward for anyone who finds her. He will find her eventually Edward, and she doesn't love you" Her voice was calm and collected, trying to persuade Edward.

"She will love me in time" whispered Edward. It was so quiet I wasn't sure it was meant for Rosalie to hear, but she did hear it.

"Stop lying to yourself Edward! If you don't release her I will!" her voice had risen again, her tightly clenched fists shaking slightly.

"No you will not" Edward was also shaking with anger, the tendons in his arms standing out from his fury.

"Watch me do it then" hissed Rosalie. She slammed her fist down onto the table so hard that it broke in half, the wood splinters scattered around the kitchen.

I jumped back in fright and my arm caught a string of lanterns that were hanging on the porch. Everything went silent for a moment; I could almost hear Edward and Rosalie's head turn in my direction. I heard Edward curse then the door exploded from its hinges.

I scrambled to my feet and backed away, my eyes wide with fear. I felt warm moisture dripping from my hand; I must have cut it somehow. I looked away, the sight and scent of it making my stomach swirl uncomfortably.

I looked at Edward, his face was contorted into what seemed like pain, his eyes were hard and he was rigid – as though carved from stone.

"Let me take care of that" his eyes focused in on my bleeding hand.

If he were a vampire, shouldn't this be driving him in an uncontrollable frenzy? With the blood and all? I shook my head deafly and backed up to the railings of the porch.

"Here let me take care of that" said Alice brusquely. I don't know where she had come from but she was already dragging me into the house, shoving past Edward. She led me into a beautifully furnished room and sat me down on the bed.

Her small, cold fingers worked delicately on my bleeding cut and with a snip of a bandage; she was done.

"Thank you" I smiled at her

She grinned back "No problem"

We sat in an awkward silence; I was fidgeting with my bandage and staring out the window while I saw Alice looking curiously at me.

"Is it true you were engaged?" her soft voice was sympathetic

I smiled ruefully "I still am"

She pulled a face "I'm sorry this has happened to you… You seem like a nice girl but Edward would not listen to me"

I was surprised, for some reason I had thought Edward and his family were all monsters but Alice was proving me wrong. She even reminded me a bit of Angela, except more enthusiastic.

"I have a few questions Alice, would you mind if I asked?"

She considered for a moment "I think it would be better if you asked Edward himself"

Alice looked over to the doorway where Edward was conveniently standing, a grim smile upon his face.

"Come on Bella, time to go home" and with a swish of his cloak, he disappeared around the corner.

A/N: yes another Author's note! :) Anyways, my sister insisted that i say i have to get 20 reviews this chapter for me to post the next one up!

However, don't get me wrong - i'm basically happy that anyone is actually reading this!

Anyways, bye! if i do get 20 reviews, it should take me a few days to update as i have leflt my geography assessment to the last few days before it's due -- oops..