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~Edward~
To say it's been the day from hell is a complete fucking understatement. By the time Carlisle came in to talk this afternoon, his only advice had been, "I think we should call dad." And, after looking through his research, I had to agree. I told him that I needed to discuss it with Bella first, because it's got to be her choice. It's always got to be her choice, but know having a small idea what she's being put through makes my heart ache, and my blood boil for her.
I will destroy Aro Volturi if it's the last goddamn thing I do.
I pull into the garage and put the car in park. My hand immediately goes up to my hair and tugs, thinking about how she never even answered my text. I know I was harsh, but she was being a brat.
I think back to my original assessment of my beautiful girl and, while, yes, she is mature beyond her years in most aspects of her life, she's still so green behind the ears when it comes to relationships. It's frustrating, to be honest, but it doesn't change a damn thing. It doesn't change the way I feel about her. I will find the patience to deal with her growth in this area. She's worth it. I know it deep down.
I enter the house from the garage door, and imagine my surprise when I find Bella sitting at the kitchen island wearing the most outrageous and adorable rain boots I've ever seen. She's perfect.
"Zafrina let me in." She looks upset. Uncomfortable.
"You don't have to explain how you got in, baby. You're always welcome. I'm glad you're here."
I approach her slowly, because she kind of looks like a scared deer ready to bolt. Thankfully, she allows me to kiss her lightly on the mouth. That's a good sign. I don't linger, however, and make to remove my coat and suit jacket, draping them over one of the empty bar stools.
I remain silent, waiting for her to articulate whatever reason she has for coming. The atmosphere is just starting to get awkward when she finally speaks, but, when she does, I'm reminded of why I'm so drawn to her in the first place. Gone is the bratty girl I've seen lately; sitting before me is the strong woman I found irresistible.
"I gave away the extra shift for tonight. We have a lot to talk about; I'd appreciate it very much if you just gave me the facts, before letting let me work through it, and piece it together at my own pace. I'm not shutting you out, I just need to understand what I'm dealing with. Please understand that the accusations you're making are against the only person I have left in this world that I would consider family. I trust, or trusted, this man with everything. I trusted him with my life. When he said I would be better taken care of with a foster family, I trusted him. When he said his hands were tied when I had to move halfway across the country to live with Bess, I trusted him. When he said he'd set me up in an apartment without having to go through any legal hassles, I trusted him."
She closes her eyes, and takes a deep, shaky breath before continuing, "So please understand my need to understand. Please don't judge me for wanting to believe that he is doing right by me. That he's not trying to hurt me."
A big fat tear escapes from one of her eyes, and I can't hold back at the sight of it. I need to comfort her. I wrap my arms around her, and she lets me. But only for a moment before she gently pushes me away.
"Will you tell me what you found out?"
She swipes at her eyes; even with no makeup and wet lashes, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever known.
I walk over to my briefcase, and pull out the thick file that Carlisle had worked so hard on all day. But, before I hand it over, I need to make one thing clear.
"You're not alone, Bella. Not anymore. There are a lot of people who care deeply about you. The hard work that went into this file is a testament to that fact. We're not trying to hurt you or take anything from you. I'd never take anything from you. I want to give you the world. But I think you deserve to know the truth. What you decide to do from there is completely up to you. I'll support you no matter what."
Her big brown eyes look up at me with apprehension. I don't know if it's because of what I said, or because she's afraid of what she'll find.
She sets the thick folder on the counter top, and brushes her hand over the matte black surface before opening it up. I roll the sleeves of my shirt to my elbows, and grab a couple of water bottles from the fridge before taking a seat next to her. I know that she's going to need some help deciphering what all these documents mean, but I'll let her ask in her own time.
She pulls out page after page, pouring over what is printed on each one. When she looks up at me with sad, tired eyes, I know that I know I'm needed.
I reach for the top document and start explaining, "This is a seller's affidavit. It's a document needed to sell your shares of the business." She scans the piece of paper and then lightly traces her signature at the bottom. I push it aside and pick up the next one, "This is a limited power of attorney. This allows Volturi to make any necessary changes to the document in order to keep it compliant with the sale." Again, her loopy scrawl is at the bottom.
She closes her eyes and drops her head into her hands, "What kind of changes?"
She sounds so defeated.
I'm going to destroy that bastard.
"We'll have to talk to Carlisle to know for sure."
And so it goes; we spend the better part of an hour going through the documents, with me trying to give an overview of what they mean without going good into too much detail. By the end of the stack, she looks both shocked and stricken. She truly had no idea about anything involved with her parents' estate.
I don't want to overstep my boundaries, but I also don't want her to feel like she's alone in this or like she has no options. I hope she doesn't take what I'm offering the wrong way, but I have to say my piece.
"If you'd like, my father is willing to have a look at everything, and tell you what your options are. He's the best in the business. If anything is salvageable, he can get it done."
She looks up at me through tear filled eyes, "That would be a blessing, but I can't afford your father. And I'm not willing to take a handout. The last one I took cost me three hundred thousand dollars."
I can't help but be offended by the comparison, and it must show on my face because she's quick to correct herself.
"I'm not implying that he'd consult me for free, or that he's anything like Aro."
And with that last word… that last name, she breaks into a heap of sobs that come from so deep inside of her that they sound downright painful.
Without a second thought, I gather her in my arms, and carry her upstairs. Setting her down gently at the end of my massive bed, I leave her for a moment, and head into my closet to grab a tee shirt and a pair of sweats.
When I return, I slip the thick red sweater and short pink top she's wearing off her body, and immediately replace the garments with one of my old, faded Harvard tees. She's still crying when I quickly remove her flowered rain boots and jeans. As soon as I pull the jeans from her legs, she curls up to the fetal position, and cries even harder. I quickly discard my shirt, tie, and slacks, and throw on the sweats so that I can crawl up on the bed, and hold her.
She doesn't fall into my embrace, but she doesn't push me away either.
She cried frame wracking, gut wrenching sobs for the better part of an hour, and then finally fell into a fitful sleep.
Once she's asleep, I make my way back downstairs, and gather up all of the paperwork, then take it to my home office. I also fix a quick dinner, just in case she wakes up hungry.
She comes down to the kitchen as I'm cleaning up. I hear her footfalls on the tile, and, when I look over my shoulder, she quietly says, "You left me."
"I made you some dinner. Can you eat for me?"
She shakes her head no. She sits in one of the stools, playing with the edge of a linen napkin.
"I can't believe that I'm paying thirteen hundred dollars a month for a shitty apartment that actually rents for eight hundred. I'm so stupid."
"You're not stupid. You've been taken advantage of; there's a difference."
She lets out a humorless laugh before continuing, "I thought I was so strong and independent. But I'm not. No matter how you spin it, I'm not. I'm a fool. I'm a fool for ever trusting him."
"You were a child, Bella. Of course you trusted him. He was chosen by your parents. Of course you trusted him. Don't berate yourself for that."
She sighs heavily, resting her head in her hands, "What am I gonna do? I can't stay in his apartment."
"You can stay with me."
"No. I don't want this to throw us into a position we're not ready for yet. I can't move from one man's living accommodations to another's. I know your heart is in the right place, Edward, and I appreciate the offer. I really do. But I need to actually stand on my own two feet first."
She gives me a half smile before amending, "That doesn't mean that I won't spend plenty of nights here, I just need a space of my own. Especially with the way I feel right now. I hope you can understand that."
And I do. Once again, everything that she's trusted in has been ripped out from underneath her. She's truly he strongest person I've ever known, and my admiration and respect for her grows tenfold.
"Of course, Bella. I'll support whatever decisions you make. I'm on your side, sweet girl, and I always will be. Please don't doubt that."
"Do any of these papers interfere with my bank account? I've been saving for the next payment to Chase. But, obviously, Chase is going to have to wait until I get myself situated into a new apartment."
"I really think you should talk to my dad. It's not charity, baby. It's a girlfriend perk. There's quite a mess in that paperwork; you're going to need help. Just talk to him. And, if you're at all uncomfortable, then we'll figure something else out."
"You really think I'll need a lawyer? It's that bad?"
"It's a mess that's been snowballing for nine years, sweetheart. I think you're going good to need a team of them." I don't mean to scare her, but I want her to understand the severity of what's going on, and the fight she has ahead of her.
"And you're sure he won't mind? This sounds like a lot of work."
It will be. But my dad is basically retired. He only consults and picks up cases that he wants to be involved in. He's been bored out of his mind lately. He'll be happy to have something to do besides golf."
She still seems uncomfortable with the idea, but I know she can't handle this alone. Thankfully she agrees to meet with him, and I'm able to arrange it for the next afternoon. She's going to love my dad. He's the complete opposite of me.
"Thank God I don't have to work tomorrow. I have so much to do."
She reaches for my hand, and, with so much sincerity she says, "Thank you, Edward. Thank you for being here for me. I honestly don't know what I would do without you."
I cup my hand behind her head, and lean down to kiss her lips, because I just can't imagine not doing it at the moment. We're a team. And I'm prepared to spend the rest of my life showing her that fact until she believes it. Until she never doubts it. She deserves so much more than she's been given in this life.
"I'm going to come with you."
Her head snaps up like she's about to argue, and I put my hand up to stop her. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I may think of some details that you wouldn't think to ask. I'm not trying to smother you, or trample on your independence, I just want to help."
She thinks about it for a moment before agreeing. "Okay."
"For instance, maybe we should choose one or two neighborhoods, and limit the search to those. Where you're currently living isn't a safe neighborhood. There's no security. I'd prefer for you to consider safer surroundings."
"I agree with that. I'd be willing to give up size for safety." She looks over at me before adding, "I'd be comfortable with paying the same amount I'm paying now."
I pull out my laptop, and set it up for her. Making a list of the safest neighborhoods, and pointing out where they are in relation to the club. She doesn't have a car so it's important to me that she's not too far from work, the supermarket, and, well, me.
She spends the better part of the evening making and revising a list of apartments for us to see, setting appointments when necessary. I'm pleased with her initial choices, but it's hard to definitively say that until we actually see them.
I also make a list of the basic documentation she'll need in order to put in an application, if she finds a place she likes. We'll have to stop by her apartment in the morning.
Before we go to bed, I send Carlisle a quick text, letting him know that I won't be in tomorrow. Thirteen years of working, and this is the first personal day I've ever taken. It feels so strange. It's worth it, though, because Bella is and needs to be my priority. If we have any chance of making this relationship work, I can't put my work before her needs.
The next morning, I wake before Bella. I gently extract myself from her grip, and quietly make my way to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. She had a rough day yesterday, so I'm determined to let her get a little more sleep.
Once I'm dressed, I head down to the kitchen to grab something quick and easy, because I'm fucking starving, and I doubt that Bella's plans include breakfast.
I freeze as I enter the kitchen. Kate is sitting at the island, eating a bowl of fruit and drinking a cup of coffee. She looks pristine, as always, in a cream colored suit and dark heels. She barely even glances in my direction as I speak, "What the fuck are you doing here, Kate?"
"Wow. I thought we were on better terms than that, Edward."
Her nonchalance annoys the fuck out of me. "Why are you here? And how did you get into my house?"
She looks up at me from under her lashes. "It was once my house, too."
"Cut the shit, Kate."
"Just as uptight as always, I see. And I still have a key. I didn't think you'd mind." She goes back to her bowl of fruit, not fazed by my comment at all.
"I do mind. Now, what do you want?" I hold out my hand, and she exasperatedly removes the key from her keyring, and slaps it down in my hand. I feel a certain satisfaction getting a rise out of her because it's such a rarity. She never does get to telling me why she's come, however, because Isabella makes her way into the kitchen.
"I stole your tee…" she cuts off mid-sentence, staring at Kate. She's wearing her jeans from yesterday, those ridiculous flowered rain boots, and my Harvard tee tied at her hip. Her face is freshly washed, and her long hair is piled up on top of her head. She looks so beautiful, and also really fucking young.
"Jesus Christ, Edward, are you having a mid-life crisis?" Kate hisses under her breath while turning accusing eyes toward me. "Is she even legal?"
She turns back toward Bella with a phony smile, "Hello, darling. I'm Kate, Edward's ex-wife."
I smirk when Bella returns the saccharin sweet phony smile. "What a pleasure to meet you. I'm Isabella." She doesn't offer any further explanation as she opens the refrigerator, and digs inside.
"I'll walk you out." I offer while Bella fixes herself breakfast.
Kate definitely looks put out, but follows me through the foyer, now she doesn't have a choice. "I was hoping to ride with you to the office to discuss some business matters."
"Kate, you can't show up at my house unannounced, and just expect to get what you want. I'm not going in to work today, but you're more than welcome to call Joyce, and schedule an appointment. Preferably, make it next week. I'm in the middle of something important."
There's fire in her eyes when she answers, "It's obviously not that important if you're taking the day off to hang out with jailbait in there." She gestures toward the kitchen with her thumb as she says this.
It is odd seeing Kate jealous; I've never seen it, not even once in all of our years together. I honestly don't even know how to react. It seems completely ridiculous and unnecessary.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Kate. Go home to Garrett."
She looks appalled and pissed off all at once. "What would I possibly be jealous of, Edward? I've never cared about your booty calls in the past and I certainly don't now."
She's trying so hard for indifference, but fails miserably. She smooths her cream colored jacket, and then reaches up to smooth her hair. I can tell she's self-conscious, especially since it's obvious that she's recently hit the Botox.
"She's no booty call." I shove my hands into my pockets, and lean against the wall. "She's the one, Kate."
"Are you joking, Edward? Have you completely lost your mind? She's a child!"
I can't help but smirk at the insult. "She's certainly no child."
"You're disgusting. And you know what I mean."
"I'm dead serious. I'll wait as long as I need to for her sake, but I'm done. There's no more searching, as far as I'm concerned. She's it for me."
Her eyes soften at my declaration. "You're a good man, Edward. I hope jailbait realizes what she has."
"What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
A sadness settles in her eyes, and she shakes her head. With a delicate shrug of her shoulder, she tells me. "I was going to plead one last time for the Nantucket house, but I see now that it's a lost cause. I'd thought, if we could talk face to face, you might cave." She gives a resolved smile as she adds, "I hope she loves it as much as I do."
With a final hug that finally feels like goodbye, she leaves.
"I do." I hear Bella's voice from the doorway to the kitchen as I close the door behind my past. I turn toward her, not having any idea as to what she's answering.
She smiles as she clarifies, "I do realize what an amazing man you are. And I didn't listen the whole time; I just came to see if you were okay, and I heard her say it." She slides her arms around my middle, and tilts her head back to look up at me.
I cup her beautiful face in my hands, and lean down to kiss her. She grasps my wrists as I pull away so I kiss her again.
"You smell like me. I like it."
"It's your body wash, you Neanderthal." She smiles and rolls her eyes, going back into the kitchen to grab that hideous red sweater.
We stop by her apartment to get the paperwork she needs, and then head out to our first appointment.
The area is decent, but the security sucks. The leasing agent lets us into the apartment, and Bella immediately falls in love. It's pretty big with two bedrooms, hardwood floors, and updated appliances. I care far more about the security, and I don't hesitate to tell her that.
She tells the leasing agent that she'll think about it, and get back to her tomorrow.
The next one is in a very nice area, it's close to the club, and has excellent security. But, as soon as the leasing agent lets us in, I know that Bella hates it.
It's much smaller than the other apartment, and only has one bedroom. The bathroom is tiny, and the kitchen leaves something to be desired. It's also the same amount of rent. I think the security alone is worth it, but Bella disagrees.
By the fourth apartment, Bella is annoyed with me. And, to be honest, I'm pretty annoyed with her. I understand that she's a girl and all that, but security is far more important than closet space. I'm trying my best to be as supportive as possible without being overbearing, but it's so fucking hard.
"I want to show you a place, and I want you to be open-minded. Can you do that?"
I expect an immediate rebuff, but am surprised when she reluctantly agrees.
I pull up to the security gate of the familiar large red brick building in Naperville, and quickly enter my access code. Bella looks warily at me, but I keep things as professional as possible. I pull around the circular driveway into one of the eight carports, waiting for the agent I called earlier to meet us. I don't have time to worry too much about her reaction before Julia pulls up beside us.
I help Bella out of the car, and am pleased when she reaches for my hand.
"Mr. Cullen, it's a pleasure to see you. Isabella, I'm Julia, let's have a look at the unit, shall we?"
She pulls her set of master keys out from her handbag, and unlocks the front door, after entering an access code. She leads us up the large stairway, and around the banister to the top right unit. Bella looks around, obviously impressed by the stunning entryway.
Julia unlocks the unit, again with a key and a code, and leads us inside.
"Wow."
Bella's eyes are as big as saucers as she takes in the beautiful apartment. It's not huge, but it's definitely not small. It's got two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms, along with a nice sized living area, and a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.
Julia's heels click against the dark hardwood floors, which echo in the empty space as she shows Bella around. "Come on, dear, let me show you the master bedroom."
When the ladies come back from the rest of the tour, I can see the turmoil in Bella's eyes.
"What did you think?"
"It's incredible, Edward. But there's no way I can afford this." She looks back longingly toward the bedroom.
"Well, let's talk about it. It's close to the club. It's in a fantastic neighborhood. The security is superior." I'm ticking off each of the selling points on my fingers as I say them.
She looks over her shoulder at Julia, "And how much are you asking for this unit?"
Julia's gaze flits to me ever so briefly before she smiles and answers in her most professional tone, "The rent is thirteen hundred dollars a month, basic utilities included. The only thing you'll need to get is cable and Internet."
Bella side eyes me, and sweetly asks Julia to give us a moment privately to discuss it. It's at this very moment that I know the gig is up.
As soon as the door closes behind Julia, Bella turns to me and crosses her arms. "I think it's pretty unbelievable that the rent on this amazing apartment is exactly what I can afford." She looks down at her perfectly manicured fingernails as she adds, "Would you like to explain yourself?"
"Yes, I own the building. But, in my defense, I also own the building of your other top choice. It would be difficult to find one that I didn't."
"You know what I mean."
"Okay, okay. The rent for this place is not normally thirteen hundred, but it is negotiable. The last couple that lived here paid $1450.
"Bella, you've been over-paying for the last four years. Consider the very small discount good karma being returned."
She grips her forehead, and closes her eyes, but doesn't say anything.
"It's everything you want and it's safe. I only thought of this place after I saw what you liked and disliked about every other place."
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Edward, but I don't want to go from one arrangement to another."
"I get it, baby, I do. But it really wouldn't be that way. I understand your desire for independence, and I fully support it. Especially with everything that's going on. You wouldn't deal with me. This property, and all of the others I own, are handled through a leasing agency. I have absolutely nothing to do with the operations of any of them. They're purely investment. I wouldn't see your contract, and I'd never see your rent. Bella, there's a difference between taking offered help, and blindly accepting someone's arrangement."
She places her elbows on the granite counter. And chews on her thumb, "I love this one."
"I know you do."
"I think it's good that you wouldn't be involved in any of the business dealings, but knowing that I'm getting that big of a discount just because we're dating. It feels… I dunno."
She molls over it for a few more minutes. "Let me pay the fourteen fifty that the last couple paid."
"Fourteen even, and all utilities."
"Edward." There's a warning tone to her voice.
"Isabella." I return it in spades.
"I can get my own Internet."
"Let me buy you a new bed. Yours sucks."
"I really love this place." She looks around again. "Promise me that you'll not interfere."
"I promise. Like I said, everything is handled through an agency."
"Okay."
"Okay."
It's the hardest promise I've ever had to make, but I know it's everything to her. If I'm to maintain her trust, I'm going to have to keep my hands out of her business. I can't manipulate situations to go as I see fit. I need to be grateful that she took this offer in the first place. I'm upset that she raised the price, but, at the same time, I need to learn the difference between helping and controlling. If she needed that concession in order to feel in control of her decision, then so be it.
I step outside, and make some calls as Bella fills out the paperwork involved. I'm just finishing up with a prospective client when she comes outside with a smile on her face, and two shiny keys dangling on her finger.
Julia stops her to program her passcode into the front door, and then proceeds to let her know that the same code will work for the gate.
I wave at Julia as she gets in her Lexus, and breathe deeply to try to maintain my calm when Bella slides her arms around my middle. It looks like public displays of affection are another thing that I'm going to have to get used to with Bella.
She reaches up to cup the back of my head, and pulls it down to her level so that she can kiss me thoroughly. I have to admit that I love kissing her far more than I hate doing it in public.
She chats excitedly about the new apartment while we make our way to my parents' place in Barrington. I love that she seems unaffected by the house as we drive up, but, then again, she grew up in a house much like this, according to those documents. I'll have to ask her about that.
My mother, prim as ever comes to the door to greet us. "Oh, you must be Isabella. My goodness, look at you. What a beauty. Edward, you didn't tell us she was so pretty."
She wipes her hands on her apron before embracing Bella. She pulls back, and cups Bella's face in her hands before shouting into the house.
"Ed, come here!"
She grabs Bella's hand, and leads her into the house, smiling at me over her head.
My dad is coming down the stairs as we enter the house. "Isabella, it's lovely to meet you. I was just sorting through your file. Come on up, hun; we've got a lot of work ahead of us"
"I really appreciate you doing this for me, Mr. Cullen."
"Nonsense. And none of that 'Mr. Cullen' business, it makes me feel old and uptight like that one over there." He winks at her as he gestures to me. "You can call me Ed, sweetheart."
She smiles at him, and then follows him up the stairs. I give my mother a quick kiss on the cheek, and then follow right after them. I know if anyone can help Bella in this situation, it's my father. He's a brilliant attorney, the best in the business.
Aro Volturi isn't going to know what hit him.
What do you think of Kate? Do you think they'll be able to do anything to Aro? What did you think of the apartment shopping? Do you think Bella made the right choice?
As always I love to hear your theories!
Lots of love, Laila xx