Chapter Ten

~ Edward ~

It's been two days since I last saw Bella. I wanted to call her at least a hundred times, but I had no idea what to say her.

Fuck, I didn't even know if she wanted to talk to me. I was upset with the way things were left between us. None of it was sitting well with me, but I didn't know what to do.

I was thankful to be at work, because at the very least, it served as a distraction. I walked off the elevator on the ground floor, and as I was walking through the lobby, I saw Kate standing at the front desk.

"Kate?" I asked, walking towards her.

She picked her head up and looked over at me. "Oh hey, Edward," she said. "I didn't know you were working today."

"Yeah, I'm on until eight tonight," I replied. "What brings you here? Are you okay? Garrett?"

"Oh yeah, we're fine," she answered, "all three of us."

"Oh that's good then," I said and then saw her hand resting on her stomach. Finally her words hit me. "Wait, what?"

"Just got the official word," she declared. "I'm ten weeks pregnant."

"Oh, Kate, I am so happy for you," I exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. "Wow, Garrett is going to be a father… scary thought."

"Yeah, I know," she said with a laugh. "Now I'll have two children to take care of."

We both laughed, she was right. Garrett was a big kid, no doubt.

"Is he here with you?" I asked.

"No, he's at work. We took the test two days ago and this was my first appointment. I just texted him with the good news. Oh, Edward, don't tell him I told you. When he tells you, act surprised, okay?"

"No problem," I agreed.

"So how are you?" she asked. "I haven't talked to you since you were at the house last."

"I'm okay," I lied.

"That didn't sound convincing," she said. "Do you have time for a cup of coffee? Well, tea in my case."

I looked at my watch. "Yeah, I can sit for a few."

We walked into the cafeteria and I ordered her a cup of decaf tea and myself a dark roast coffee.

"So, what's going on with you?" she asked. "Garrett told me you were seeing the girl you met at the club?"

I was happy she said girl and not stripper like her goof of a husband did.

"Yeah, we, uh… met up… hung out… whatever the kids are calling it these days."

"Fuck, Edward, you sound so old," she commented, "So what happened?"

"She left," I said. "I think I fucked things up, Kate, and I don't know how to fix it."

"Edward, you can't blame yourself. She's in a life that none of us can understand and it has to be hard for her. Whatever got her to this place couldn't been pleasant, and she's so young."

"I know," I agreed. "But she got under my skin and I can't get her out of my head. When I brought her back to my place after she was attacked, I saw her for the first time, no makeup, no costume, just her, and she's so beautiful. I know she's young and I know she's in this crazy world, but I just can't shake her from my insides."

"Wow, she's definitely gotten to you," Kate observed. "You didn't act this way when you were with Rose."

"Rose didn't affect me like Bella does."

"Well then, I guess you need to figure this out, my friend. Just be careful; I don't want to see you get hurt," she warned. "But know that whatever you decide, Garrett and I will always be here for you. And now you have a third person in your corner." She smiled, rubbing her still flat stomach.

"Thanks, Kate," I said. "I'm really happy for you both." I stood to my feet and when she got to hers, I hugged her. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, Uncle Edward," she said with giggle.

"That has a nice ring to it," I said, smiling. "I have to get back to work. I'll wait for Garrett to tell me the good news."

"I'm sure he will soon."

"I'll have the cigars waiting." I hugged her again, walked out of the cafeteria, and then I headed to the ER to finish my shift.

~*uCa*~

Pacing.

I was fucking pacing in my living room.

Back and forth.

If I continued this, I was going to wear a hole in my carpet.

So many times I dialed her number, and even more times I reached for my keys. I raked my fingers though my hair and reached into my pocket for my phone. It was ten pm.

"Fuck it," I said out loud and grabbed my keys.

I drove downtown and when I got to the club, I took deep breath before going inside. I knew it was a risk going to her job, but I had to talk to her, even if I had to pay for it.

"Hey, sugar, can I get you a drink?"

I looked behind me and saw a girl standing there in a bra and g-string. I cleared my throat. "No thanks, I'm actually looking for someone."

She nodded and walked away. I scanned the stage, but didn't see Bella. I looked around the club and still didn't see her, but then when I looked over towards the bar, I saw her boss.

"Where's Bella?" I asked as I approached him.

"Who the fuck are you?" he asked, choking down his beer and looking me over.

"I asked you, where is Bella?"

"I don't have any Bella here," he spat.

"Isabella… where is she?"

"Ah Isabella, right, that whore," he fumed. "She's not here, she quit mid-shift last night. She was in the VIP room with one of my best-paying customers and ran out before he got what he paid for."

I exhaled.

"Where did she go?"

"I don't fucking know, but that bitch owes me $300, so if I ever do see her around here again…"

I reached into my wallet and pulled out three hundred dollars. "Consider her debt paid." I slammed the cash on the table.

"Who are you, her pimp?" he asked, swiping the money off the table.

"No, I'm just someone who cares about her, which is more than I can say for anyone here."

I walked away from him and headed out the door.

"Excuse me, are you looking for Bella?" I heard a voice say behind me.

I turned around to see another barely dressed girl. "Yes, I am, do you know where she is?"

"She left last night; she cleared out all of her things. She was really upset and said she couldn't do this anymore. She told me she met someone who made her want to do more for herself. I'm guessing that person was you?"

"Why would you think that?" I asked.

"Because you don't look like the men who usually come in here, and I heard what you said to James."

"Thank you for letting me know," I said, completely stunned.

"She was home earlier today, when I talked to her on the phone. She might still be there."

I nodded to her and walked out of the club.

When I pulled in front of Bella's apartment building, I looked up and saw her light was on. It had started pouring, and by the time I got to the front door, I was soaked. There were buzzers on the sidewall, and judging by the way the numbers were listed, it looked like Bella was in apartment four.

I pushed the buzzer and waited.

Nothing.

I pushed it again.

Nothing.

One more time.

"Who is it?" I heard her say through the speaker.

"Bella?" I replied. "It's me, Edward."

Silence.

"Bella?"

"What are you doing here, Edward?"

"Please, can I come up? I need to talk to you. Please, Bella."

She didn't say a word and I was about to speak again, but then I heard the door click. I pulled on the handle and sighed when it opened.

I walked up the flight of steps and when I got to her door, I noticed a notice taped to the outside of her door.

It was an eviction notice for non-payment of rent.

I knocked on her door.

When she answered, my breath caught in my throat. Her hair was down, her face natural, and she was dressed in shorts and a tank top.

"Hi," I said.

"Hey," she replied.

"Can I come in?"

She moved aside and allowed me to come in the door. I looked around at the bare apartment. She had a sofa bed in the middle of the room and a small table and chairs. I could see there was a tiny kitchen and a bathroom.

I looked back over at her as she walked to take a seat on one of the chairs.

"I know it's not much," she said. "Your condo is a lot nicer."

"Bella, I don't care about that," I insisted.

"Well, looks like I won't be staying here much longer anyway," she replied. "I'm sure you saw the notice on my door."

"I went to the club; James told me you quit," I said. She nodded and bit her lip. "What happened?"

"It doesn't matter; I left," she deflected. "I walked out and now I need to find another job so I can pay my rent. I'm just going to go to another club or do some independent work."

"Bella, you can't," I said quickly.

"Why not?"

I walked over to her and touched her cheek. "Because you deserve better." She jerked back from me and I took a step back. "Look, Bella, I came here tonight because I didn't like the way things were left between us. I'm sorry if I made you feel you cheap; that was not my intention. I care about you and I…"

"No, Edward," she said, cutting me off.

"No what, Bella?" I asked. "Why does it freak you out that I care about you?"

"Don't you see, Edward? I'm not worth it. I'm not worth anything! If I was, then my father wouldn't have left me with a mother from hell when I was five years old, and start a new family with someone else."

"Bella…" I tried to move closer to her, but she backed away.

"That's why I was attacked; I'm not worth anything, especially to you!" she shouted through her tears. "Please just leave me the hell alone!"

With that, she tore open her door and ran down the stairs into the cold, pouring rain.

"Bella! Stop!" I shouted after her. I ran down the stairs and outside after her. As soon as I was out of the door, I was able to catch up to her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Let me go!" she shouted as she thrashed in my arms.

"No!" I shouted back, holding her tighter. "I'm not letting you go! I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Please, Bella." I pulled her against my chest where she finally conceded and fell into my arms. Her sobs were breaking my heart.

I lifted her small frame up in my arms bridal style and carried her back up the stairs to her apartment. She held onto me tightly as I held her close. We were both drenched and she was freezing. When I got back to her apartment, I sat her down on her sofa bed and got her a towel.

I then noticed a duffel bag in the corner and grabbed it. She didn't say a word as I packed her clothes and other personal items. When I was finished, I walked back over to her, handing her some dry clothes.

"Put these on," I told her. She took the clothes from me and changed into them silently. "Let's go," I said, grabbing her bag, and then reaching for her hand.

I closed the door behind us and didn't let go of her as we walked quickly down the stairs and to my car.

As we left the parking lot, I looked over at Bella and knew that there was only one place I could take her.

Home.

A/N: ***SIGH*** Of ourse Edward was going to after her.

Thank you all for your reviews and PMs. they have been to great and I am so humbled that you are liking this little tale. So next update will be tomorrow so we can check into Bella's head again.

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