(Bella POV)
Angela finally convinced me to go to the optometrist. When I read, my eyes get all bleary and I usually wind up with a headache. I knew it had to do with my eyes, but I really didn't want to find out I need glass. I mean glasses, really? Angela looks good with them; they suit her. Not me. Angela thinks I'll look good and they'll help me and prevent my eyes from getting worse. The headaches will stop and so will the troubles reading. Plus, I'll only need them when reading. With some more rambling, over time, Angela's arguing won and off I went.
So I when I arrive to the optometrist I get a checkup - my first one in years - and it did not go so smoothly. I need reading glasses. It took an hour in that office until I got my prescription and my glasses will be ready by next Thursday. It's Tuesday. Not too bad if you ask me.
When I leave I feel a bit relieved and the doctor even said I look good with glasses. The ones I'm getting aren't big, just little squared frames that have a red wire. They fit my face and are comfortable.
And I only need them when I read. That's what I keep reminding myself anyways.
I hop into my little black car and drive off to work. I glance at the clock seeing that I'll only been an hour and a half late. I don't like being late even though I'm the boss and Angela pushed me out the door to go. Still, being late just doesn't suit me.
...
During lunch Angela and I go out to get a sub. I get the all veggie one like usual and so does Ang. I tell her about the watch, Edward and my worries.
"Angela, I really am not comfortable with the watch, but I don't know what to do with it. It's worth a lot."
"Put it up for auction." Angela shrugs. "It seems like a good idea to me. I'll get contact with a few places if you want. I'm sure they'd all be eager to help; it'd bring in a huge crowd."
"I feel like I should let Edward know." I admit and look down at my sandwich. "I lied to him."
"Do you trust him?"
"For some reason, I really, really do. Almost as much as I trust you! I just met the guy. He knows so much about this watch, too! Maybe he'll know what to do with it."
"I trusted Ben with my car after a week of dating. A month later he took care of my mum when I had to go to work. Remember that? I trusted the guy with my mum! You know, Bells, sometimes you just got to go with your heart. Or gut. Whatever's talking to yeah."
I laugh. "Thanks."
We continue to eat and chit-chat and when I'm nearly finished my sub, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see someone's calling. It's a number I don't recognize, but I pick it up anyway. It might be important.
"Hello?"
"Okay, I've had enough of this. You wouldn't give me the watch, so how about a trade?" I know that it's Valentino Berchi by his accent immediately.
"How'd you get my number?"
"Don't change the subject."
"How did you get my number?" I repeat and Angela sends me a worried gaze. I try to calm her with a reassuring smile. I get up and walk over to the garbage. "Now isn't the time, Berchi. What do you want? I told you I wasn't interested. I don't even have the watch anymore."
"Rat's ass. If that watch got out, it'd be all over the news. Right now it's with you. Only you know about its whereabouts. Now, listen. I am willing to trade, but if you don't want to trade I'll figure something else out."
"I know how valuable the watch is. I'm not interested. If you call again, I'm contacting the police." I hang up and go back to Angela. I don't tell her about Berchi even though she knows about the watch. Instead I tell her that it was some sales person that called before and I told them to get me off the list, but they didn't, hence why I wondered why they called again and knew my number.
Angela bought it.
...
At home the phone rings again and again so I finally pick up. It's a private number.
"Who is this?" I demand.
"Isabella Swan, you think hanging up will do much?"
"Valentino Berchi, I will call the police on you!" Despite trying to keep my voice steady and strict, my insides churn and my gut suddenly feels queasy. I look around my room even though I know Berchi won't pop out suddenly.
"That won't do much. I'm in Italy as we speak and you can't trace this call. Or you can, it's a payphone even though I blocked the number. Worth the additional fee if you ask me. About the watch, I need it as soon as possible. My client needs it."
"I told you already-"
"Why won't you be easy?"
"I don't trust you." I grind my teeth. "I want nowhere near you and such an extravagant item doesn't deserve to be near your greasy hands!"
I hang up.
I spend the night with the phone ringing again and again and again. By one in the morning, I unplug it. Even though there's no more constant ringing, I can't sleep. My ears are still ringing and my gut is still clenched. Just how far will Valentino go?
I stare at the clock endlessly. Whoever says that staring at the clock makes time go by slower is absolutely right. I can't stop though. Even if I look away, my eyes see numbers. That's how long I've been staring.
Two o'clock approaches and I've realized that what felt like an eternity, really only was under an hour. I sigh and sit up, pulling the comforter around me for protection. I think of Angela who's probably curled up with Ben fast asleep without any troubles. And here I am, alone.
It's depressing, really.
Even though my phone is unplugged, I know my cellphone isn't, but it's on silent. I wonder if Berchi started calling my cellphone instead realizing that my phone is unhooked. Something about him scares me and even though I've never seen him, it's almost as though I can picture dark, cruel eyes staring into mine.
I'd much rather be looking into Edward's emerald eyes.
Knowing sleep won't find me I get up and hunt down my phone. I had to go into the kitchen, flick on the lights, and stub my knee, but I found it on the granite island. I flip it open and see there aren't any missed calls or text messages. It oddly surprised me, but didn't relieve me. I go through my contacts and stop on Edward's name. I don't care how early it is, I need to call him.
What a lady I am.
It takes a bazillion rings, or maybe that's my impatience, until he picks up. He's groggy and mutters out a hello. At least, I think it was a hello.
"Edward, I'm sorry I'm calling so late. It's Bella." I reply and apologize again at the end.
"It's fine, not the best timing, but still fine. What's up?" He asks still sounding sleepy, but speaking in an understandable voice.
I sit down on the edge of my dining table and cross my legs. "I'm kind of scared." I admit. I instantly want to smack my forehead knowing Edward has no idea what's going on. I sound like a little kid telling her parents that she's scared of monsters under the bed.
"What's going on?" He sounds on alert. I can picture his head snapping up like someone just splashed cold water on his face.
"Uh, it's kind of a long story."
"Do you want me to come over?"
"Will you?"
"Of course I will." I hear shuffling on the other end of the phone and I know he's already out of bed. "Give me ten minutes."
"You don't have to knock, just come in."
"No, I'll knock. Keep your doors locked." And he hangs up.