Disclaimer: All characters are not mine. No copyright infringement was intended. Thank you to Stephenie Meyer for creating Edward and Bella for our enjoyment. I just like playing with them, making them my own … even for just a little while.

We're going back to Bella and spending some time with her and Angela, plus time for her to get ready for the benefit and the first part of the benefit itself.

Chapter Eleven

Bella

"Girl, a limo with champagne and a private session with a buyer at Bergdorf's? Your man is loaded," Angela cackled, drinking her second glass of bubbly. "And this actually champagne. FROM FRANCE! See?" She held up the bottle, her eyes wide behind her chic glasses.

"You're cut off," I deadpanned, taking her glass, finishing it myself and putting the flute into the holder in the rear of the limo. She pouted. "Angela, Masen is doing this for me and I don't want to come off as being white trash. Even though, according to my lovely sister, that's what I am."

"Fucking bitch. You are not!" Angela sneered, crossing her arms angrily. "You are the epitome of grace and goodness. Alice is the trashy one. I bet she lost her virginity in the back of van on prom night, with her skirt hitched up around her waist."

"That was you, Ang," I giggled.

"Oh, yeah," she smirked. "But, I wouldn't put it past her. That girl is a walking-talking STD." Crossing her legs, Angela looked at me expectantly. "Speaking of sex … did you have any with smexy, foreign man? He's sex on a stick with all that hair … I could just imagine it between my legs."

"Angela!" I hissed. "Seriously?"

"I saw him leave the bakery a few days ago. I only saw his ass and his hair. Yummy," Angela nodded, holding up a fist. "Don't leave a girl hanging …" I rolled my eyes, bumping my fist with hers. "Now, back to this dress thing. What color are you looking for? Something bright and bold or classic and refined?"

"I'm thinking classic and refined, with a pinch of sexy," I shrugged. "Not TOO sexy, but enough to leave him wanting more."

"That's my girl," Angela beamed. "So, tell me about your date? Did you get some action?"

"You're like a guy, Angela," I snickered as we pulled up to Bergdorf's. I blinked up and gulped. "I never thought I'd be able to shop here." We got out and were greeted by the manager, leading us to the top floor with the couture gowns. "I came here once with Mom, just before she discovered she was pregnant with Alice. She had a gift certificate from a friend. We talked about what we'd buy, but all we could afford was a new scarf and it wasn't even the whole thing. Mom had to pay for part of it with cash."

"I bet Renee had fun with it, though," Angela said, threading her arm through mine.

"Oh, totally. We got dressed up in our best clothes, acting like we were all posh. But, we weren't. We're from Brooklyn," I snickered. "It was a nice fantasy for the day, but this isn't me."

"Bells, you deserve the fantasy … more than that, you deserve the happily ever after! I know that you had a great life lined up in Greenwich," Angela said. I looked over at her, unsure as to how she found that out. I hadn't told her about my job or anything prior to my return to New York. "Your dad spilled the beans. He was heartbroken that you had to give up your dream to come back here after getting his diagnosis. He's hopeful that you'll still be able to teach."

"My certificate has lapsed. I'd have to take more classes in order to become a certified teacher, which means more money. Money that I do not have," I said as we stepped off the elevator and onto the shimmering level high-end fashion. "Holy crap. This is … unreal."

"This is how the other half lives," Angela said. She walked over to a dress, looking at the price tag. "Fuck, this isn't a dress. It's a studio apartment in Alphabet City." I turned on my heel, wanting to head back to Brooklyn. This was too much. "Oh, no, you don't! Live a little, Bells."

Angela dragged me back and standing before us was a gorgeous woman with toffee-colored skin, sleek brown hair and ice-blue eyes. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. "Which one of you is Bella?" she asked, her voice deep and raspy with a slight accent. Angela pushed me forward. I stumbled, shooting my friend a glower. "I should have guessed. Masen did say that you were lovely. I have to agree." She put her arm around my shoulders. "We're going to have so much fun." She smiled warmly at me, holding out her hand. "I'm Tia."

"Bella Swan," I answered, shaking her manicured hand.

"Masen said that you are mine to spoil," she said, rubbing her hands together eagerly. "We have a few things to get for you. First, the dress for the charity event tomorrow. I've got a few things pulled, but seeing you in person, I think I want to go a different direction. How opposed are you to showing skin?"

"What?!" I squeaked.

"I have this beautiful Calvin Klein navy blue sheath, but it's a deep-cut V-neck. Very sexy," she purred. I stared at her blankly. "Trust me, Bella. You will love ravishing and Masen will be unable to keep his hands off you."

"More skin. But, don't make her look like a hoochie. This is a high-society charity thing," Angela giggled.

"It's Calvin Klein. She'll be a couture hoochie," Tia quipped. "Everything off except your panties. There's a robe hanging here."

She breezed out of the dressing room, dragging Angela with her. I took off my clothes, wrapping my body in the silky robe. About ten minutes later, they came back with arms filled with sleek, sexy dresses, all in various shades of blue. Tia took off a dress, pushing Angela out of the dressing room and arched a brow at me. I stepped into the most gorgeous dress ever and was shocked at how much skin it showed. My eyes widened as I saw my cleavage. I tried to reach for the robe, but Tia dragged me out to the pedestal.

"Bella! You've got a figure!" Angela squealed, clapping her hands. "And tits!"

"I'm all tits," I said, hiking up the dress and pouting deeply. "Tia, I don't feel comfortable in this. I'm a wardrobe malfunction away from indecent exposure."

"I don't want you to feel uncomfortable, but I want you to look at yourself," Tia said, sliding my arms down and turning me to face the mirror. "What do you see?"

"Pale skin, small breasts, tired eyes and gaunt face," I said, wrinkling my nose. "I don't see what Masen sees. I'm not beautiful. Plain would be the best way to describe me."

Tia stood behind me, twisting my hair up and pulling out some tendrils. She pinned the dress, making it fit a little better, but it was still too big and much too revealing. She smiled at me. "I see a beautiful woman with translucent skin, pink lips and chestnut colored hair. You're slender, but you have womanly curves. You are timelessly exquisite, Bella. I see what Masen sees, but he sees deeper than what's on the outside, Bella. I know that there's more than what's on the outside. I've known Masen for a while now. You're the first woman to really hold his attention. When he told me about you, I could hear his respect and affection toward you."

"How close are you to Masen?" Angela asked, her lips pursed.

"He's been a client of mine for some time," Tia answered. "Only a client, and that's it. To be honest, Bella's more my type than Masen." She gave Angela a gaze, a smirk on her face. "Or you … you single, sweetie?"

"Nope … in a relationship and I like boys," Angela tittered anxiously. "Let's focus on Bells. This is her show."

Tia nodded, looking back at me with a quiet chuckle. "Now, is this your dress, Bella?"

"No. I feel almost naked," I said, trying to hide my body.

"Okay," Tia replied, helping me off the pedestal. We changed me into a different dress. This one was a deeper navy-blue with intricate black beading. I felt more covered with this dress, but it was understatedly sexy. It showed the right amount of cleavage and hugged my hips and ass. "Oooh, I like this one. It's like it was cut just for you."

"I like it, too," I smiled. Tia beamed back, helping me back out to the pedestal. There wasn't a lot of pinning she needed to do, save for shortening the skirt since I was so small.

"Oooh, Bells, you look smoking hot," Angela sang.

"I agree," Tia grinned. "With simple makeup, but a smoky eye? Masen will cream his Dior tuxedo." She changed my hair, pulling it half back, fluffing the rest over my shoulders. "Now, stay here. I'm going to get a purse, some shoes and a wrap. It's supposed to be chilly tomorrow."

"What about jewelry?" Angela asked. "Her chest seems awful bare."

I didn't hear a response, but from Angela's squeak, she didn't say anything. I looked at my friend, arching a brow. "What did she say?" I asked as Tia danced away.

"Nothing," Angela giggled. "Damn, girl. Your arms are fucking muscular."

"Just what I want to hear," I said, holding out my arms and wrinkling my nose.

"No! Not that. They're still feminine but toned. I've got flabby triceps. I can't ever wear a sleeveless top or dress. Nope, my arms jiggle," Angela snorted.

Tia came back with a pair of sky-high heels. Angela held my hand as I slid them onto my feet. Tia draped a black beaded wrap around me. "I think this is it, Bella," Tia breathed. "Classic, understated and sexy. Now, this will be delivered to The Mandarin Spa, with the accessories. We do need to hem it and take it in around the rear." She handed me a card. "A full day of relaxation and beauty is scheduled for you and for Angela. Masen will pick you up at the spa. Angela, I need to borrow you for a moment. Come with me? Bella, admire your stunning beauty."

"I wouldn't go that far," I deadpanned.

"Well, don't move. A seamstress will be here momentarily to take those measurements for the hem and pin it for you," Tia ordered, dragging Angela with her. They were gone for a few moments when an older woman came scuttling in. She spoke to me with a heavy accent but complimented the dress and my beauty. I blushed, muttering my appreciation, though I didn't see it.

Tia and Angela came back once the seamstress took my pinned dress from the dressing room. I was Tia's last client for the day and she said that we were going out for dinner. Angela arched a brow, daring me to back out of it. I kept my mouth shut and we went to a Thai place near Bergdorf's. We drank some Thai beer, gorged ourselves and laughed.

It was the best night out I'd had in years … aside from my date with Masen. I had forgotten how wonderful it was to have a life. To share secrets with girlfriends. To do something other than live in that bakery and fear for Alice's wrath.

I missed it.

I didn't want to lose it.

Hopefully, I'd be able to have a life. My fingers were crossed.

xx AMDFT xx

The following day, another car came to pick me up, along with Angela. I was up with the birds, heading down to the bakery to start the morning. Alice hadn't even woken up. When Dad saw me down in the kitchen, he stomped up to the apartment and dragged Alice out of her bed, kicking and screaming. He pushed me back upstairs and told me to relax while he made sure that my slacker sister worked in the bakery. She scowled when I got into the car. I just waved at her, with a snarky grin.

I was buffed, polished, waxed and plucked within an inch of my life. My skin felt soft and my muscles were relaxed for the first time in almost four years. My hair was curled and pinned back into a half up-do, with sultry and sexy makeup. Tia came with my dress and helped me into it. "Girl, Masen is going to fucking explode when he sees you."

"Agreed," Angela said as she tucked her freshly cut and colored hair behind her ear. "If I were a lesbian, I'd do you."

"I am a lesbian and I'd definitely do you," Tia beamed. Her cell phone beeped, making her smile widen. "Angela, I'm going with you. Bella, Masen is here. Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

She hugged me, and we went out to the lobby. Angela and Tia left, holding the door open for Masen. He looked beautiful, wearing a tuxedo that was cut to his body to perfection. His hair was tousled sexily, with a little bit of scruff on his face. He grinned crookedly when he saw me. "Bella," he breathed, his accent made my thighs clench. "You are a vision of perfection."

"I wouldn't go that far," I blushed, idly toying with the clutch that held my phone, money, driver's license and a tube of the lip gloss. "You are … wow … I mean …"

"I've rendered you speechless," he chuckled, walking toward me. He picked up my hand, kissing my knuckles. "I have something for you, cherie." He threaded our fingers together, guiding me to a private room off the lobby. He reached into his jacket, pulling out a small box. "This is for you, Bella. Something to enhance your beauty." He handed me the box and kissed my neck. I bit my lip, opening the box and gasped when I saw what was inside of the box.

"Masen, this is … too much," I breathed.

"Nothing is too much for you, cherie," he said, plucking out the necklace and gently turning me around, attaching it around my neck. He turned me back and his fingers grazed the necklace. "Perfect." He laughed quietly. "I'm not going to put the earrings on."

"Again, this is too much," I said, taking the earrings and putting them into my ears. "Thank you, Masen. I feel like Cinderella."

"But, hopefully you won't turn into a pumpkin at midnight and leave me with just a shoe," he smirked. "Regardless, I have the most beautiful woman on my arm. I'll be the envy of every man in the room." I opened my mouth to disagree and he arched a brow. "Don't argue, cherie. You're a vision. Now, I want to spend the night with my girl. We get to enjoy very expensive rubber chicken and schmoozing with New York elite." His eyes moved to my lips. "May I kiss you?"

"Please," I breathed. He smiled brightly before brushing his lips with mine, his fingers dancing along my jaw. The kiss was entirely too short, making me yearn for more. He backed away, his eyes soft and loving. I clutched to his lapels, trying not to fall.

"I've got you, cherie," he snickered, his arms moving around my waist. I blushed, nodding dumbly. "Come on, Bella." He slid his arm around my waist, resting his hand on my hip and guided me out of the small, private room. He moved us through the lobby and gave a curt nod to Jacob who was dressed in a black suit, holding the backdoor of a black limo open. "How's traffic, Jacob?"

"It's New York, Masen. It's bad," Jacob quipped. He blinked to me, bowing his head to me. "You look beautiful, Ms. Swan."

"Quit flirting with my girl," Masen grumbled good-naturedly. "What would your fiancée say?"

"She'd probably agree with me," Jacob replied, giving Masen a shitty grin.

Masen rolled his eyes, helping me into the rear of the limo, which was elegantly appointed with leather seats, mood lighting and champagne waiting in a silver bucket. He slid in next to me, popping the champagne and pouring us each a glass. The privacy glass was up, cutting us off from Jacob. "To the most beautiful woman, inside and out," Masen smiled, clinking his glass with mine.

"To a wonderful man, who makes me feel like a princess," I blushed, sipping my drink. Masen's smile grew, and he leaned over, kissing my neck. "What can I expect from this charity event?"

"Dinner, silent auction, dancing, dry conversations with snobby elitists," Masen snorted. I arched a brow. "I'm going since it's a part of my position. I need to be a diplomat, establishing relationships with these elitists."

"And I'm your arm candy?" I giggled.

"You're more than that, cherie," Masen said, pulling me closer to his muscular body. "You're going to keep me fucking sane. I hate this part of my job, to be perfectly honest."

"You said you're a diplomat. What do you do?" I asked.

"I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you," he quipped, kissing my nose. I pouted. "Seriously, some of what I do is classified by my government, Bella. I'm not here illegally. I'm not James Bond, either."

"You sound like him with your accent," I giggled. "It's a perfect combination of British, French and a touch German?"

"That would make sense," he snickered. "I can speak all three languages fluently. But, the language used in Gevalia is close to French, with some Italian influence, too." He reached over, threading his fingers with mine. He stared at me, a soft smile on his handsome features. "I can't believe I'm sitting here with you, cherie. I'm so lucky."

"Wait until my clumsiness rears its ugly head," I snorted.

"Even then, Bella," he breathed, kissing me tenderly. He murmured something under his breath. I couldn't understand it since it was in French or the Gevalian/French hybrid language. I'd taken seven years of Spanish. Not helpful at all in trying to decrypt the sexy conundrum that was Masen, the fuck-hot diplomat from Gevalia. The limo stopped. Masen took the flutes of champagne, kissing me as Jacob opened the door. "Are you ready, beautiful?"

"If I say no, will you take me back to your penthouse?" I tittered nervously.

"I intend to, after this charity shindig, cherie," he purred hypnotically. "I want to hold you. All. Night. Long." I blinked, my face flushing a furious red. Did he mean sex? I'm not having sex … not yet. We've barely gotten to know each other! "Breathe, Bella. I saw the look of panic. Are you thinking that …"

"Sex," I squeaked.

He chuckled, low and deep. "As much as I want to make love to you, we're not ready. But, I want to show you how I feel about you, even if it's just holding you in my arms as you sleep, cherie." He slid out of the car, offering me his hand and I followed him. I gulped anxiously when I saw a red carpet and photographers. "Just smile, Bella."

What the fuck am I walking into?

A/N: We'll continue the charity event in Masen's POV. Pictures of Bergdorf's, Bella's dress, her jewelry and the Guggenheim are on my blog. You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79. Leave me some loving!