Disclaimer: Don't own the main characters.

BETA:MIST

A/N: As you can see I am not finishing this at chpt 10 like I had first planned. Xoxo August

Midnight Masquerade Chapter 10:

Bella had been blown away by Jake's kindness and his hands off approach the entire weekend he spent with her before he had to return to Seattle. She would not admit it to him but she had been over the top excited when she learn that he had got a second interview for the Forks Office position. She knew it was too soon to see her and Jake as anything other than friends but at least they were building something with a stronger foundation than just sex.

She also noticed the week after Jake's visit that Edward had begun to text her more often. Asking her random questions about how she was doing and how great it was for her to work with someone like Riley whom she could trust and had a history with. She could not pinpoint it but he was acting rather suspicious. She wondered if he thought that she had been sleeping with Riley behind his back. She had never revealed whom she had an brief affair with nor did she force him to reveal his lover. So she could not fathom why after all this time he would be fishing for the answer now.

Sitting in her office she was surprised to find a dozen of white daisies on her desk. Picking out the card, while inhaling the sweet scent she was even more surprised to find the card and flowers were from Jake.

"Will be in town again this weekend. Hoping to see you."

Bella press the card to her lips. She had been a little disappointed when Jake left out on Sunday and they had only shared a hug before he departed. They had spent the entire day and most of the night on the beach Saturday. Sunday morning they had met up at the diner for breakfast before he had left town. In that short of time she had learn much about his childhood, his favorite hobbies and how close he was with his family. She had never seen this side of him before. It was intriguing. It was also nice. Nice to know that there was much more to the man than a winning smile, great biceps and delicious sex.

"So are you up for a game of monopoly Friday night?" Riley asks as he strolls into her office with several files in his hand.

"Monopoly?" Bella frown at him.

"Yeah, Victoria wants to do board game night. She told me to invite you and a few others from work. We get lethal when we play against one another." Riley chuckles.

"Seriously?" Bella had a feeling he was not over exaggerating. She remembered how competitive Riley had been in school with his grades, sports and anything else he put effort in. When she met Victoria, Riley's wife, she had seen the same signs in her as well. They complimented each other. Both were very strong vibrant and generous people. Victoria who was six months pregnant and ordered to bed rest was growing crazy with all the free time on her hands. She was use to keeping herself busy with all the charity work she did.

"I might." Bella agreed to a night at the Bier household.

"Good. Bring that handsome fellow who sent you those flowers." Riley winks at her. He had spied the delivery man sitting them on her desk. He had seen a change in her on Monday when she stroll into work with a big grin on her face, pink cheeks, and a sparkle in her eye that he had not seen in a long time. He knew what Bella look like when she was in love. He had been on the receiving end of that look many years ago.

"I don't know when he will be in town." Bella knew it was fruitless to try and argue with Riley that there was a guy in her life. He knew her better than Edward had.

"Well, if he does please bring him. I would like to meet the guy who made you bright eyed and cheery at last." Riley patted her on the back before strolling back out of the office with his own smile.

Bella sat down at her desk to finish up some editing that needed to be done before the morning print. It took her longer than usual. Her mind kept straying off in a different direction. She could not stop thinking about how great it was to find someone who she actually liked enough to imagine a future with. A future that would include a house, white picket fence and a baby someday. She had never seen that vision when she was with Edward. Not even in the beginning when everything was shiny and new with them.

As if he knew she was thinking about him she received a text message from Edward himself.

I will be in town. Hope to see you.

Bella gulp hard. All the happiness she had felt began to sink to the bottom of her stomach. Edward coming into town as the same time as Jake could not go well. Was Jake right about Edward trying for the same position as Jake had? Why would Edward want to come here? He never said much about Forks when they had come to visit her dad from time to time. In fact, he actually appeared bored by it all. So why would he want to move here? The only thing she could conclude was he thought there was a slim chance they might reconnect. It was not going to happen. She no longer saw him in a sexual way nor in a boyfriend kind of way. She only saw a guy whom she once love dearly but now wanted to just remain friends. Did he not see that by now? How many times had she not returned a text or call this week just to make a point to show him he was not number one in her life? Many.

Edward pack up his clothes hoping he had everything he needed. He knew his appointment with Mr. Roberts was a half an hour after Jake's. He knew this because he had Lauren sweet talk Jake's assistant for the information.

He also learn that Jake spent the entire weekend in Forks. Edward had to stay away from Jake for most of the week after he learn that bit of news. He knew that Jake had family there but he also knew that Bella was there too. Jake no doubt spent some of his weekend with her. Which meant they were probably screwing their brains out. Edward had seen red as he envision that loathsome scene.

Why was she with him? What could she possibly see in him? He was not exactly marriage material? As long as Edward had known him the man had never been in a relationship that lasted long. In fact, he was pretty sure that Jake just hooked up with women. So why would a woman as mature, brilliant and wonderful want to be involved in such a short term relationship with Jake? It had to be the sex. Which only made Edward feel worse. The thought that Jake could make Bella feel more turned on than he had really stung his ego.

He knew for a fact that Bella had orgasms with him. He had seen her face on many occasions. So it was not like he lack in that department. Just Jake must have done it even better. The guy was a overachiever from hell as far as Edward could see.

Lauren walk into his room tying her silk robe around her narrow waist.

"Please hurry back. I miss you already." Lauren purrs as she presses her breasts against his arm, nibbling on his ear lobe.

"I will try." Edward answers with a short smile.

"Good." Lauren beams as she follows him out of the room.

"Make sure you lock up before you go." Edward tells her as he kisses her on the cheek and leaves the apartment where Lauren had been staying more and more often over night with him. He had not intended on having her there so much but he grew lonely after the break up. He did not like being alone. Lauren made it all seem easier. More acceptable. Until he discovered the possible affair between Jake and Bella.

Now all he could think about was confronting them both. He also wanted to get that job so badly. He wanted to see Jake's face when he learn that his dream job, the job where he believed he could have it all would not be in his pocket after all. For once Edward had a shot of being the victor in this game of cat and mouse.

Jake arrived a few hours earlier than intended. He could not sit still all day. He had to hurry and get to Forks. He was ready to get this mundane interview over with so he could meet up with Bella and hopefully spend some more time with her.

He knew she had received the flowers. He had received a text message thanking him for them and also for remembering they were her favorites. He noted how the text messages he had sent after that were not replied back to as fast as before. He had a bad feeling something was bothering her and she was not ready to reveal what it was yet.

Pulling up to the office where the President had made their appointment from he march in with all the confidence he could muster. After all he had a lot banking on this interview. If he got this opportunity to prove his business skills he could also prove to Bella he was a guy more than capable of being in a loyal and loving relationship.

The interview went smoothly. Mr. Roberts seem more than pleased with his answers. He kept a steady smile on his face the entire time. He also agreed with some of Jake's views of where the company could go someday. Jake was surprised when Mr. Roberts ask if he had any plans of marriage in the future. Jake admitted that someday he did seem himself settling down but at the moment he was just enjoying life. Mr. Roberts seem disappointed by his statement.

"I was told you were involved with someone at the moment and that it might be a distraction to you as you phase into this position." Mr. Roberts studied him closely.

"I am not. I have a friend whom I am getting to know but we are not in any serious sort of relationship." Jake wondered who in the world had Mr. Roberts been talking to about himself and why they felt he was not responsible enough to keep his professional and personal life separate.

"Oh. So you would not mind working long hours and weekends to get this portion of the business running?" He asks as he taps his pen on the legal pad in front of him while staring closely at Jake's face.

"No. Absolutely not." Jake shook his head.

"I see. Good." President Roberts wrote a few things down before looking at Jake with narrow eyes.

"What do you think about Edward Cullen wanting this same position as you?" Mr. Roberts was curious at how Jake would paint Edward. He knew that Edward had been the one to bring Jake aboard their company. The two men had shared a good professional relationship. However, when they had become competitors for the same position he was not too surprised when Edward warn him that Jake was not the type of guy who took things too seriously. He pointed out that Jake was a lady's man. He could not even commit himself to one woman. He ask Mr. Roberts how could he expect Jake to show that form of commitment to his job if he could not do so it in his personal life? Mr. Roberts had been intrigued by Edward's point of view on the matter. He wonder why exactly Edward had mentioned Jake's bachelorhood as a problem. He wonder if Edward was somehow jealous of Jake after all. Before he seem to admire the man.

"He is a hard worker. He is very smart. He is also charming. He has a great head on his shoulders." Jake was not sure if he wanted to make Edward sound too good. After all he was after the same job.

"Do you think he is the committed type?" Mr. Roberts through out the bait and waited to see if Jake would bite it or not.

"Well, sure." Jake shrugs his shoulders as he contemplated where Mr. Roberts was leading him with these questions.

"Do you think he will be with the company long?" Mr. Roberts recalled Edward commenting how Jake was not the type to stick around for too long. He would work his way to the top and then move on.

"I hope so. I would hate to see us lose someone as a valuable team player." Jake replied wondering if Edward had been ask these same questions or would be and how he would respond.

"Your right. He is a valuable asset to this company. I guess the last question that remains is why you would be better at this position than Edward? After all he has been with us longer?" Mr. Roberts pointed out the one fact that made Edward stand out more than Jake. The truth was, they both did outstanding work. They were both bright, respectable men with clean records.

"I think that Edward would do better in a larger base office. Edward likes the bright lights and luxuries that city life has to offer. He likes the steady pressure. I do not see him blending in well here. It's a small area but it is growing and that is obviously why we are building a office here. I just….well…I can't see him working well with people he might deem beneath him." Jake was not lying. He was telling him the exact truth from his perspective. He knew that Edward had a thing for fashion, cuisine dining, and four star hotels. Forks had none of those things. Edward would come off as precocious and stuffy to the people in this area.

"Thank you very much Jake. It has been a pleasure speaking with you. I will let you know my decision next week." Mr. Roberts stood up and shook Jake's hand firmly as he smile brightly at him.

Jake left the office wondering why in the world Mr. Roberts would ask him questions about rather or not he could commit to something? He had never fell behind on any project? He always saw everything through. The only answer he could come up with was Edward had somehow pointed out that Jake did not commit to the women in his life. Which honestly made no sense to him? Why would that matter where his professional life was concerned? Was that the only thing that Edward could come up with to shed doubt on him?

Jumping into his truck he race to Bella's house. He was hoping they would have time after all to see each other tonight. The last message he received from her she had not mention any plans made for this weekend. He hope that was a sign that she was leaving it wide open for a chance to be with him.

Bella was not sure what to do. Jake was hoping to spend sometime with her this evening. Edward was also. Although she and Edward were over and she did not owe him her loyalty she knew that if she turn him down and he learn she was with Jake somehow he might connect the dots that would lead him to exposing who her secret lover had been. She did not want to cause a rift between them. She knew that they were both already vying for the same position in the company which was making Jake nervous as hell. He liked Edward. He felt awful for hurting Edward even if he had not intended too but he was not going to walk away from this chance to improve his position with the company or be closer to his family out of guilt for what he had done behind Edward's back.

Bella did not blame him either. She was just trying to do her best to keep the fire to a simmer. She did not want to see these two wonderful men going at each other's throats. She knew that she would be forced to make a choice between them. Either way she chose, she would ultimately lose.

Grabbing her purse she left the house to meet up with a few co-workers from work at Riley's house. She was going to try and not see either one of them tonight, even if she had wanted so badly to show off Jake to her new friends and reveal to Riley who had stolen her heart. She had a feeling that Riley would approve of Jake. After all he knew of Jake when they play sports together. She had never heard Riley mention anything harsh about him back when they all went to school together.

Bella left a quick note for her father in case he return home earlier than planned. She knew he liked it when she inform him of her whereabouts even if she was a grown woman now.

Jake drove to the Swan household humming a song as he pull into the driveway. He was disappointed to not see Bella's car parked in the gravel driveway. He did see that her father was home. He had tried to call her twice on his way over but each time it went straight to voice mail. He wonder now if she was out on a date? Hating the thought of her with someone else he force the ugly thoughts out of his mind as he approach her front door.

He knock a few times before Mr. Swan open the door wearing his usual annoyed expression.

"Yes?" He ask.

"Hi sir, my name is Jake Black. I was hoping to see your daughter this evening." Jake felt like the awkward teenager coming to meet the parents for the first time. Charlie had an intimidating air about him. One that made even a grown man's knees shake as he seem to stare straight through you.

"Well, I hate to disappoint you but she is not home." Charlie stated casually while still eyeing him up as if he was grading him somehow.

"Oh. Do you know where she might be?" Jake knew he was stepping across the line. After all if she wanted him to know where she was she would have told him and if her father saw it that way he would say the exact thing.

"She left me a note that she was going over to Riley Biers house." Charlie blurted out before considering the fact that perhaps Bella did not want to see him and that is why she left in the first place.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks." Jake did not need to know anything else. He knew that Riley was Bella's ex boyfriend. A boyfriend whom if his memory served him right was the guy she nearly married but when they went to separate colleges they discovered they were not ready for marriage. He knew this because he had heard about the break up his Senior year. It was a big buzz that the happy couple had finally broken up.

Jake felt the joy evaporate from his heart. He worried he was too late to win her heart the way he had planned. Driving to La Push he wondered if Bella would ever see him as more than the guy she once had a great but brief affair with?

Edward was annoyed at how long it was taking for his interview. He had a bad feeling that Mr. Roberts was seeking something out of him. Something he was not giving him in order to wrap up the interview. When it did end at last, he rush out of the office in hopes of seeing Bella or even better interrupting her time with Jake.

Each time he called her or text her he did not receive a response. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Was she with Jake and ignoring him? Or was she busy elsewhere?

Checking into his hotel he found himself starving despite the delicious meal that Mr. Roberts had brought in for them. Grabbing his keys and wallet he drove into town to find a pizza joint where he could hopefully get a decent pizza and keep texting Bella until she finally answered him.

He had to see this through. He was going to confront her. He was going to ask her if Jake was her secret lover? Maybe he could find some peace. Maybe he would not be so wound up every night. Maybe he would manage to get in a relationship where each time he screw his partner he did not see her face.

Stepping in the small parlor he was repulsed at the discolored furniture. He knew that most places in Forks were similar to this one. Used. Worn out. Still, he remembered they also served some great pizza when he was here last with Bella.

Sitting in a table for two it did not take long before a waitress with killer legs came to take his order. He ordered a large pepperoni pizza and a pitcher of beer. After all he was just driving a few blocks back to his room. Wishing like hell he could get a hold of Bella so he could see her tonight. He knew he had no rights to her anymore. It hurt him. He missed her. Missed her like crazy.

Lauren was filling in the void with casual sex but she lack the personality that made Bella and him click so well.

Sipping on his beer he watch out the window as the residents of Forks walk about and hung out with their families.

Bella had agreed to go with Riley for the pizza's and beer they ordered. Everyone was famished. It had not dawn on anyone to bring food since Victoria was no longer able to be the great hostess she normally was.

Stepping into the parlor with Riley by her side brought back a few old memories. She was not sad about them. She was pleased to see how far they had both gone on with their lives and how they had remained close friends after all these years.

"Crap left my wallet in the truck." Riley felt his back pocket just as he open the door for Bella.

"Okay." Bella knew he was going to run back to his truck while she went inside to check on the status of their large order.

Glancing around with a melancholy smile she saw a familiar face that she had not dreamed of being in there.

"Bella!" Edward wipes the grease from his cheese as his eyes widen with delight as Bella step inside the pizza parlor.

Bella wave at him as she slowly made her way across the room to his table.

"Edward. What are you doing here?" Bella look around the dingy old restaurant wondering how Edward had chose this place out of all the newer places in town.

"Pizza. I remembered it was so good when we came down that one time to visit with your dad." Edward answers as he stands up looking at the available chair across from him.

"Oh." Bella seem to forget that visit but continue to smile weakly at Edward.

"What are you doing here? Alone?" Edward look behind her wondering if Jake was going to show up soon.

"I'm here to pick up food for a small get together." Bella rubbed her hands together hoping that Riley made his entrance soon.

"That's nice. I had my interview today. The second one." Edward's face lit up proudly at his achievement.

"Really. Wow. That is truly great news." Bella felt like someone had hit her in the center of her stomach. She was lying through her teeth. There was no way she could endure Edward being in the same town as her, not now. Not since he had been acting all clingy.

"I know right. We could see each other more. As friends of course." Edward added real quick as he saw the uncomfortable look she made.

"Bella." Riley called out as he stood at the counter with several boxes of pizza and a couple of six packs of beers on the counter.

"Got to run. It was nice to see you Edward." Bella waved nervously at him as she quickly crossed the room to Riley.

"You too." Edward call back as Bella pressed her lips together facing Riley with a "help me" look.

"Who was that?" Riley asks curiously as he pays for the order.

"Edward. My ex boyfriend." Bella whispers to him.

"Oh. I thought he lived in Seattle?" Riley replies as he puts his wallet in his back pocket.

"He does. He is here for a job interview." Bella sighs roughly.

"Ohhhh. You do not want him to move here do you." Riley states.

"Pretty much NO. Hell no." Bella cringes at the thought of having to see him often around town. It would make her life extremely uncomfortable. Especially if he continue to act like they had something special still between them.

Riley slips his arm around her waist. Bella jumps looking at him with confused eyes as he leans over and kisses her quickly on the cheek. Bella felt her cheeks turning bright red. She hoped like hell that this was somehow a act for Edward and nothing more.

"Go along with it." Riley whispers into her ear as his hand glides down her lower back side and cups her ass cheek for a few seconds before he let her go. They both took the food and walk out. Bella did not dare look back at Edward's reaction. She knew he rarely got jealous but something warn her that this time, he might actually be experiencing the green eye monster.

Edward threw his napkin on the table as he spied them get in Riley's vehicle and drive away. He cluck his tongue as he gulp down his beer.

He was not sure how to take the scene he had been a witness too. His gut scream that Bella was not there with this guy. No, she was probably going to meet up with Jake at this little get together. There was no way she would have started up with someone new this fast. It was not like her. Then again, having an affair with a guy like Jake was also not in her usual behavior. So what was going on? Was she with this new guy and he had been wrong about her and Jake all along? Or had it been just a act to throw him off their trail? Either way he was going to plan on staying one more day. One more day to find the chance to confront the two scheming lovers who had both played a big part in destroying his trust in the both of them and in the idea of love.