Note: I do not own or have rights to Twilight or its characters!!!
Chapter 10
Aro
I left the enchanting Mrs. Platt and returned to my other guests. As I mingled with the crowd, I continued to keep a watchful eye on both her and Carlisle. Esme stood at the foot of the steps where I left her for a number of minutes as I resumed milling with my guests. She seemed unsure of what to do next. I was relieved when she finally regained enough of her composure to make her way towards the buffet table. This was in the general vicinity of where Carlisle was currently engaged in conversation with Councilman Thornton and his lovely wife. Unfortunately, if Esme continued on her present track, Carlisle would likely not see her, as his back was turned.
"Aro, the project designs are fantastic," I suddenly found Vladimir Gogoasa, the head of the Gwinnett County Historical society, blocking my view of Esme. I suppressed my irritation and put on an enthusiastic smile instead.
"I'm glad you approve Vladimir," I replied as I tried to manipulate our positions so the he was no longer blocking my line of sight. "Does that mean I can count on the Historical Societies blessing?"
"Possibly, I'll be able to give you a more definite answer after the presentation," I could hear his reluctance to fully commit; it was all political of course. "There are a few things that concern me, perhaps . . ."
I didn't hear the rest of his statement; instead the warm musical sound of Carlisle's laughter filled my ears. I couldn't see him or Esme as the crowd around me had thickened. I was now at the point of walking away in order to get a better view, but just as I was about to dismiss myself the crowd parted.
"Are you listening to me Aro?" Vladimir demanded in his politician's voice. "You seem rather distracted at the moment."
"Of course I'm listening," I insisted pleasantly. "You are still annoyed with me because, after I bought this property, I tore down the burned out remains of the original house instead of attempting to salvage and rebuild it."
"I have every right to be . . ."
Again I tuned out Vladimir's irritating chatter. I was not the only one to notice my best friend's melodious laugh. Esme heard it as well and she was frozen in her tracks not more than twelve feet away from the unsuspecting Carlisle. Her eyes were fixed on him, her reaction to his presence as palpable as a heartbeat.
"I'm sorry Vladimir, but I'm afraid that I need to make an urgent phone call," I lied with typically casual ease, "There is a matter at the hospital I need to check on."
I didn't give him an opportunity to reply as I excused myself from the company of my esteemed guest. I moved through the crowed until I found a better vantage point. Curiosity and the tension of the moment had me in knots. She was standing there, as immobile as a statue carved in living marble, her eyes reverently fixed on Carlisle's back. The expression on her face was a mixture of enraptured ecstasy and utter confusion. I held my breath as I waited for her to take that first tentative step towards destiny.
So focused was I, watching Esme gazing with unnatural intensity at Carlisle, that I did not notice my lodge brothers approaching from behind me until one of them spoke.
"Aro, what mischief are you up to?" The sudden boom of Caius' voice startled me and I jumped. "Who are you watching with such predatory interest?"
"It is no concern of yours," I dismissed angrily as I was more than a little embarrassed at having been startled. Caius was my friend and brother, but he had the most inopportune timing imaginable.
"Is Aro stalking someone again?" Marcus muttered as he joined us. "One of these days he's going to end up in jail for that, and I'm not bailing him out."
I ignored Marcus' comment and continued to watch the current drama. Esme was still enthralled; froze in her tracks and gazing with wide eyed wonder at the ever oblivious Carlisle. An irritated hiss escaped my lips.
"Is that Carlisle you're watching with such intensity?" Caius continued with his vexing chatter. "Damn, I hardly recognized him all dressed up like that. I don't believe I've ever seen him in anything other than those tired khaki pants and monotonous blue oxford . . . I didn't know he owned other clothes."
"That's silly Caius, of course the man owns other clothes," Marcus retorted. "I doubt very seriously that he sleeps in . . ."
"Silence, both of you," I growled cutting off the rest of Marcus' statement. "Honestly, you two are worse than a pair of gossiping old women." I sighed deeply and then frowned when I saw Mr. Newton walk up behind Esme startling her thus breaking the magic of the moment. The meeting between my grief bound Romeo and his bashful Juliet would have to wait.
"Why are you spying on Carlisle?" Caius insisted and I knew that I would have no peace until I told them everything.
After insisting on an oath of secrecy; I took several minutes to fill my brothers in on what I was up too. Marcus considered my plan with extreme thoughtfulness but made no comment. This wasn't at all surprising, my friend and fellow Volturi tended to keep his own council and only shared his wise opinions when directly asked for them. Caius, on the other hand, was another matter entirely.
"I'll keep your devious little secret, Aro," he sneered. "I'll even assist you if I can, but as an aside, I'd like to make this cloak and dagger affair a bit more interesting."
I had an idea of where this conversation was going, but I played the innocent anyway. "What did you have in mind?"
"A modest wager," Caius replied smugly. "You may be Carlisle's best friend and mentor, but I'm his boss. I see more of him every week than you do and I know for a fact that his melancholy over the death of his wife runs deeper than the Mariana Trench. I don't think anything is ever going to change his disposition. In fact, I don't think that even the divinely enchanting Mrs. Platt can shake him from his depression and free him from his self-imposed monastic habits. Two thousand dollars says that Esme Platt doesn't stand a chance with Carlisle."
"I don't think it's fair to wager that kind of money on the happenstances of a single encounter at a party, Caius." Marcus intoned. I was surprised when he spoke; he seemed aloof and had a faraway look in his eye throughout my exchange with Caius. I didn't think he was even paying attention.
"Of course," Caius gave in with a sigh. "What would you suggest as an appropriate time frame then?"
"Five months." Marcus insisted firmly.
"That's a bit liberal, don't you think?" Caius objected. "How about this, if Carlisle and Esme aren't romantically involved in . . . Oh, say two months I win and if they are, Aro wins."
"Make it three months and you have a bet." I had a very good feeling about this situation. In fact, I nearly insisted that I would have them engaged to be married in three months, but I decided not to push things.
After taking a minute or two to consider the terms of the wager Caius offered me his hand; we sealed or bet with a firm hand shake. Tomorrow I would transfer two thousand dollars to Marcus' bank account and Caius would do the same. He would hold the purse and disperse the funds to the winner in three months time. I was looking forward to spending Caius' money on something completely frivolous that would constantly remind him of his loss.
My lodge brothers returned to their hobnobbing, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I looked down at my watch; fifteen minutes remained until it was time for Esme to begin her presentation. It was just enough time for me to slip away unnoticed and return before having to introduce her. I made my way through the crowed and then dashed upstairs to my private office.
It had occurred to me as Caius and I sealed our bet, that many things could affect the outcome of this situation. Not the least of which was the unpredictable dynamics that might evolve between Carlisle's boys and Esme's daughters. I decided it might be a good idea to check up on them and see how thing were progressing.
It would have been an exercise in futility to pop into the game room for a visit. No, I had learned long ago that, to the teenaged mind, adults were akin to the police. Had I showed up, whatever natural interaction might be taking place would immediately cease. I had a better way.
I settled myself behind my desk and booted up my computer. The entire house, with the exception of the bathrooms and the master bedroom, was outfitted with discreet security cameras. These were monitored by my private security company 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but I had an extra future installed for myself. I could access the live feed from any camera in the house with my computer. I quickly logged into the system and brought up the feed from the game room. After turning up the volume, I settled back to watch.
The group had segregated itself along gender lines. Jane and Esme's daughters lounged on the sofa and love seat near the TV; deep in conversation about school and college prospects. Alec and Carlisle's boys were playing pool; they were engaged in their usual rancorous banter. I was disappointed to say the least, but this was only their first meeting. I was already planning to have Alec and Jane invite Esme and Carlisle's children over again soon for some contrived function or other; anything to get the two groups together.
I checked my watch again; I needed to be back downstairs in six minutes. As I was about to shut down my computer I noticed Isabella get up from the couch and approach the boys. I instantly liked this young lady when I meet her in the foyer. In spite of her reserved appearance, she possessed a fierce inner spirit. It was visible in her brown eyes and rang in her voice when she replied to my comment about her name. I was captivated and couldn't help but continue watching.
"Who's winning," she asked the boys.
"I am," Edward answered in his typical cocksure tone. "I always win when it comes to pool. I don't know why they still think they can hustle me . . . it never works."
"So, you're playing for money?" Rosalie now joined in on the conversation.
"There's no other way to play," Emmett answered.
"How much money," Alice skipped across the room to join her sisters.
"Why do you want to know darlin'?" Jasper inquired. "You thinkin' of placing a little bet of your own."
The three girls chuckled as they shared a knowing look between them. This was entirely too interesting to walk away from; I would make up some excuse for being late starting Esme's presentation.
"Maybe," Isabella began as she circled the table, inspecting the position of the billiard balls still in play. "How much is the pot?"
"More than you've got little girl." Edward grumped. "My daddy is a doctor, which means my allowance is a lot bigger than yours. Now go back to your girl talk so we can finish the game."
"Chicken shit," Isabella muttered as she strolled back towards the couch.
"What did you say?" Edward demanded.
"I called you chicken shit," she answered boldly. "That's what uncle Mike calls someone who puffs themselves up and tries to act like they're all that even though they're not. You want to be a crowing rooster and rule the barnyard, but your nothing more than a squishy green pile of chicken shit."
A chorus of low moans could be heard from the other boys. Jasper hung his head and shook it slowly. I was more than a little concerned, Edward had a temper and I hoped he wouldn't do anything rash with my guest. I was fully prepared to rush down to the game room and break up any unfortunate mishap.
"The pot," Edward replied gruffly, "is two hundred and fifty dollars, that makes the minimum bet fifty bucks, but I'll let you in for whatever you have in your purse."
"That sounds good, but I have a better idea," Isabella wasn't the least bit intimidated by Edward. "All the money in your pot against whatever my sisters and I have in our purses . . . and, you finish the game playing against Rose."
Impressive, I thought. Impressive and unfortunate, Edward was the best billiards player I had ever seen. The girls were about to be, as the Americans say, taken to the cleaners.
"Edward against her," Emmett sneered, "You're on little girl, and you're going down!"
Sadly, I was inclined to agree with Emmett's observation. I would have to find out from Alec how much the girls lost and devise some way to refund their money.
"One more thing," Rosalie said as she selected her pool cue from the rack on the wall, "My sister's name is Bella. When I'm finish kicking your ass and taking your money, you're never to call her little girl again."
It was the ugliest massacre I had ever witnessed. Edward had been playing solids against Jasper's strips. Rosalie inherited a lost game as Jasper was seriously behind. To my amazement, however, after a series of well calculated and impressively pulled off shots Rosalie was now soundly trouncing Edward. When she sunk her last striped ball and then the eight ball for game, I couldn't help but smile.
"Where the hell did you learn to play pool like that?" Emmett asked, awe filling his voice.
"Uncle Mike taught me the basics of the game," Rosalie seemed friendlier as she answered. "But my last boyfriend, Royce, showed me what 'real pool' was all about; he used to clear eight hundred a night hustling. It was great, until Uncle Mike found out about his criminal record. He cornered Royce in an ally and threatened him with a shotgun; told him if he ever saw him nosing around me again . . . well I'm sure you get the picture."
I laughed so hard that tears leaked from the corners of my eyes. I wasn't sure how Carlisle's boys would adjust to Esme's daughters, but I was absolutely enchanted by them.
Alice approached Jasper with her hand out and a satisfied grin on her lips, "Time to pay the pixie, sugar . . . no pennies please." When Jasper finished counting out Rosalie's winnings, Alice stuffed the wad of cash in her purse. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Slim."
"Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that this isn't the first time you three have pulled this little scam?" Edward inquired as he leaned in closer to Isabella.
"A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do," she shrugged in reply. "As you so blatantly pointed out, your allowance is bigger than ours, we have to make due on the salary of a single Mom."
"And like all girls," Alice chimed in, "we have needs. I really should thank you boys; you've just financed our next shopping trip."
"Hey, Baby Cakes," Emmett propped himself against the pool table near Rosalie, "Does your Mama know you go around hustling poor young men like us at pool."
"Do you like jewelry?" Rosalie asked in reply.
"I sure do, Baby."Emmett answered as he leered at Esme's attractive oldest daughter.
"Good," she stepped in so close to Emmett that he could likely smell what flavor lip gloss she was wearing and then she looked him straight in the eyes. "Because the next time you call me 'Baby'," she spoke in the smooth sultry tone of a true vixen, "you're going to be wearing this pool cue upside your head for the rest of your natural life."
If I didn't soon return to my guests, I would have to invent some major medical crisis at the hospital to explain my absence. Satisfied that chemistry of some sort was taking place between the children, I shut down my computer and headed back to the party. It wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, but at least they were talking. As with chemical imbalances in the human body which I could correct with proper treatment, so to could I correct the off balance interpersonal relations developing between these young ones. At least the ice had been broken, now if I could only do the same with their parents.