Chapter XI
Three years had passed and Edward and I haven't broken up. In fact, our relationship had strengthened dramatically, and we even moved to our own house.
It was away from main town and in a quiet section of the woods. It was a cosy, one-story, secluded, quaint little cottage that looked like it had been copied straight out of the 'happily ever after part' of a fairy tale. Despite its small size, it was the perfect house for the both of us and we wouldn't trade it for any other. The interior was just as pleasant, if not more so than the exterior. The sofa in front of the crackling fireplace in the main room was our favourite place to reside, as it was perfect for reading, talking and snuggling on with Edward.
The atmosphere of the house was extremely tranquil and even on our worst days, the mere sight of the house waiting for me made me feel better immediately.
A perfect place for me and Edward.
"Hey," said Edward, sitting next to me. "You've got mail."
"Really? I said, accepting the envelope from Edward. "I never get mail, unless it's from the bank, regarding my account. I have no parents to send me any letters, and I don't think Phil Dwyer would write to me when he can text or ring me."
I opened it, and my eyes widened.
I am watching you.
The four, printed words stared blankly back at me.
"Edward," I felt myself saying. "We're not safe here…you know that trip to Alaska you planned? Do you want to go there now?"
"You're safe with me," said Edward, scanning the letter. "This could be nothing, you know. Just a creepy message from Emmett. He does that a load of times, but he usually does it by phone…not his style either. I know you really want to leave, but we can't show whoever this creep is, that we are afraid of him. It seriously could be an innocent prank from one of the city kids. If you feel any better, do you want to go back to the Cullen house? There's more people there. Besides, that idiot who posted this to you doesn't have any proof that he or she is watching us. Why don't we wait a little? I'm sure there's an innocent explanation behind this. I'm going to meet a few music critics to discuss my music. We can't rely on my parents for money forever. Do you want to come?"
"I think I'll stay here. There's cleaning to do."
"Why don't you call Alice over? That way you won't be alone."
"Okay. Good idea. When do you have to leave?"
"Half an hour. I'll wait for Alice to arrive before I go. Don't worry, Bells. Nothing bad will happen to you as long as I live. If any psycho wants to attack you, he or she will have to go through me. I'll cook you mushroom ravioli for dinner if you like?"
"Thanks. I'm sure I'll feel much better when Alice is here."
After texting her, Alice knocked on our door ten minutes later. How did she get here so fast?! Hopefully she didn't drive over speed limit!
"Take care of her," Edward told her, as he pulled on a jacket. "I don't want to see her missing when I return from a quick talk with the critics."
"Who?" asked Alice.
Edward handed her a letter.
"Seriously?" said Alice, her eyebrows raised. "Classical? You're determined! Most musicians these days tend to play pop music or rock music. Do you really think the critics will approve? Hold on…you're going to talk to the Volturi Brothers? Seriously?! They're like the American version of Simon Cowell! They're blunt with their responses and can be rude! You can handle that? If they don't like your music, they'll just say that to your face."
"I can handle it," said Edward calmly, taking the keys from the shelf. "That's the type of people I like in business. Ones that are plain with answers, not ones that are full of flattery. Take care of Bella. We'll all talk later. I have to go."
"So!" said Alice, turning to me, once Edward left. "What can we do today? Go fashion shopping? Go jewellery shopping? Window shopping? Movies? Have a girls' day out? We haven't had one of those in ages! Rosalie has a new boyfriend and seems really happy! Do you want to go and visit her? Please don't tell me I'm here to help with the housework!"
"Sorry Alice," I said with a laugh. "It's the housework."
I handed her a basketful of clothes to be folded. Alice pouted, but began folding the clothes neatly as if they were her own.
I loved having Alice over to talk to as a sister (the closest person I have to a sister) about matters I knew she wouldn't tell others, but also for folding and ironing clothes. I can do most household chores like dusting and wiping, but when it comes to 'womanly' jobs that are clothes-related, the clumsy side of me took over the rest of my body.
When I attempted to fold a shirt, the ending result would be worse than the starting one
It would look uneven and like a dog's breakfast after I finished folding it, and it wouldn't stuff snugly in the wardrobe and I would end up pushing it in, making it wrinkly again.
As for the dreaded iron…
How can I begin to describe my time with that annoying implement?
Oh yes, when I accidently leave it on and burn my fingers!
When Alice ironed and folded clothes, she never burnt her fingers or made the clothes wrinkly. Her finished work on clothes would look as if a fairy waved her wand over the batch of ironed clothes and the magic folded them! Alice was always so delicate when it came to handwork. I wondered if Alice would live with us and help with the clothes department…
"You seriously didn't call me over here for helping with the clothes again, did you?" said Alice, neatly placing the last folded shirt on top of a stack of identically-folded clothes. "You could've spent the evening having a romantic night with Edward, folding clothes by the fireplace and discussing stuff like a married couple. I don't mind doing it, but I feel like there's something mysterious going on. I mean, you and Edward invited me over here randomly. It wasn't the first time, but when I arrive, Edward has to go to an important conference? He tells me to 'take care of you'? He never said that to me before! He's always been a protective brother, but he never mentioned taking care of you! Is there something going on that I need to know of? You know you can trust me."
Should I tell her?
Alice looked at me expectedly.
Before I could say anything, the doorbell rang.
I went out and almost tripped over something at the doorstep. A carton of eggs? I seriously don't remember ordering it…
With mixed feelings, I went to the kitchen, hoping there wasn't a bomb amongst the eggs. Making sure I was alone in the kitchen, I opened the cardboard carton and almost fainted from shock. Instead of the usual dozen, there were only ten eggs.
Ten eggs that were lettered.
"I can see you," I murmured, reading the letters that were written on the eggs in permanent marker. "I doubt it's a joke now…damn it. Edward's still on his way to this conference. If it isn't with the Volturi Brothers, I would've begged him to return…"
"Eggs with letters?" said Alice, who was at my side in a flash.
God, how fast is she?
Does she have the speed of a hummingbird?
"I can see you?" said Alice, her eyebrows raised. "What is this? Do I have lettered eggs too?! That message is very creepy. Should I call the police?"
"No," I said slowly. "Not yet. Look, I don't know if I should tell you this, but as a good friend, I will. This morning, I've received a letter. Here. Edward said it was a joke, and I shouldn't take it seriously. That's a reason why we wanted you over. I should've went with Edward to his meeting, but it might cause a bad impression on him with the Volturi Brothers. Now these eggs? I really don't think it's a hoax anymore. I should start taking it seriously."
"Oh. I am watching you? Really freaky."
"Yeah. If this stalker sends me messages through letters and egg cartons? What else would he do? Send it in the middle of two slices of bread? Peg it to clothes in the backyard? Stick it around the front of the house like 'wanted' posters? Tape them to my truck? Stick them to Edward's car? What am I saying? Am I getting a bit paranoid about the lettered eggs and the letter? Oh god! What if that creep sends his next note in mushroom ravioli?!"
"Calm down Bella! Nothing will happen to you!"
"Something always happens to you if you don't do anything! I might not even be able to sleep at night by myself! There's hardly any protection here!"
"Don't worry! I'll ask Emmett to come here and stay with you two if you'd like! He can beat up a gang of five without getting a scratch on himself!"
"No! I…I don't want to bother him."
Alice's eyes twinkled. I sensed she had a plan evolving in her mind…
A week had passed and my situation had slightly improved. Alice had bought me a Pit Bull Terrier (I affectionately named him Sam) who was sweet in the inside.
"Want to come with me today?" asked Edward.
"Another meeting with the Volturi Brothers?" I said, patting Sam (he woofed happily back at me). "I'd love to! What do we do about Sam?"
"Alice can take care of Sam for a while. She loves him as much as we do. Besides, I want my new partners to meet my girlfriend. Today, we're having the final discussions of terms before they sign me up for a possible partnership or promotion. We're all having lunch together at this rich restaurant, so do you want to come with me? You'll have to buy a formal dress and all, because if you do want to come, you'll be picked up with me in a limo sent by-"
"Did you say a limo?!"
"Yeah. The Volturi Brothers have a collection of them."
"One of my dreams had been to ride in a limo with you! I hate those formal dresses, but I suppose I'll wear one! Thank god I still have the one Rosalie gave me! I wonder if I can still fit it! Do you want to call Alice over to look after Sam?"
"We can do that fifteen minutes before we go. Why don't you go and try the dress on?"
A light of happiness danced in my eyes as I walked to the bedroom. Perhaps with a nice limo trip and a perfect lunch, all that crap about the stalker will disappear from my mind! Now, where did I put the dress Rosalie gave me? I'm such a fish at times…
I opened the wardrobe and screamed.
"What is it?"
Edward was by my side in a flash.
Fluttering from the wardrobe were pieces of blue fabric, gracefully landing on the ground. All my white shirts have been hung in front of my other clothes, and served as paper for the words 'I will fucking get you' written on it in red. Every single shirt was written on, not one of them missed. Feeling dizzy and unwell, I slowly sat down on the bed.
"Who would do this?!" said Edward angrily. "What fucking creep would do this?! It's sick! How could a person get the Hell in here without being seen?! You know what, you and Sam will be coming with me today! I don't care if that bloody lunatic gets in the house! I can't have Alice in here with the chance of being killed! I'd rather the house wrecked instead of you being murdered with Alice and Sam! Just wear the finest dress you have! I'm sorry if I sound angry, but I want you safe! Tonight, we'll pack our bags and return to the family home. It has maximum security, and no one can break in without alerting any one of us. You'll be safe there."
"Thanks," I murmured, kissing his cheek.
"If it gets worse, we'll have to tell the police."
"They never take stalking cases seriously."
"I know, but it's better than nothing. If we get officers stationed at the door, it'll be something that we should view as an achievement. Hopefully the police will take this more seriously. Especially if they check up your history."
"You're so understanding and helpful! If only Jacob or Uncle Billy were like this…they never helped me
in anything, after Aunt Sarah left us. It's hard to believe, but Jacob used to be a nice cousin."
"Everyone changes eventually. I'll meet your in the kitchen in ten minutes."
I quickly found a suitable outfit for an important luncheon and changed. The last thing I wanted was to look like a complete idiot and give the Volturi Brothers a bad impression of the people Edward interacts mostly with. Edward and I are still boyfriend and girlfriend, but would there be a possible chance for our relationship to go further…?
Glancing quickly at the mirror, I brushed my hair as neatly as I could (Rosalie and Alice would've combed it a thousand times better) and joined Edward in the kitchen a minute before the limo arrived. I could barely contain my excitement as it pulled up on the driveway.
The driver stood up and knocked on the door.
"Mr Edward Cullen?" he asked. "Miss Isabella Swan?"
How did he know my name?
"Yes," said Edward smoothly. "The Volturi Brothers are expecting us at a restaurant. Do you happen to know where it is?"
"Yes, Mr Cullen," said the driver, gesturing for us to go to the limo. "I am under strict instruction to bring the two of you there immediately. Unfortunately, I am restricted from giving too much detail like the name of the restaurant. I can assure you that I will not lead you astray. The Volturi Brothers have placed good trust in me. I am Demetri. The main chauffeur."
"A pleasure to meet you. Wouldn't you be driving your employers-"
"They're already at the restaurant."
"Can you explain the tinted windows?"
"Of course, Mr Cullen. Please take a seat and be comfortable. The Volturi Brothers love sending their music to the world, but they hate being seen while conducting business. All the limousines have tinted windows to protect them from being seen by unwanted fans and media people. Their bodyguards are part of their regular retinue, but there are times when the Volturi Brothers prefer their privacy. Another reason for the tinted windows is to prevent people seeing where they're going. I'm sure you can understand by now that privacy is vital to the Volturi Brothers. Are you ready to go? Mr Cullen, after a couple of meetings with them, you must realise by now that punctuality is another element the Volturi Brothers love. Miss Swan, if you press that button, a mirror will appear."
Demetri nodded at us through the mirror and began driving. In the limo, Edward and I sat on plush, velvet black pillows on top of leather black seats. The limo itself was midnight black and polished so well that not a single speck of dust could be seen on it.
"Do I look alright?" I said worriedly to Edward.
"You are perfect," Edward reassured me.
"Seriously! Even if we were strangers? Would I be presentable to elite members of society? I really don' want you to-"
"Stop worrying! You'll always be my Beautiful Bella no matter what! Even if I just saw you for the first time, you'll still be wonderful! I'm telling the truth, not just as a boyfriend. If you're still uncertain, why don't you ask Demetri?"
"Okay! I believe you! Do you know this part of Forks?"
"No. Not really. I remember passing it a couple of times."
"Do you think Sam will be okay at home?"
"He's fine! I left dog biscuits and some water for him."
Demetri drove us through a stone arch and parked in front of a fancy building that had many stone statues of angels in the well-cut garden.
A man (about six foot seven) stood at the door, waiting patiently (for us?). He has a masculine body with a slight olive complexion. His black hair was short and cropped and dark sunglasses. Even without directly seeing his eyes, with his grim expression and tight mouth, it gave him a menacing aura. Something told me that if I offended him, I would be mercilessly crushed into pieces with his bare fists. If it was Alice that angered him, she would be crumbled to dust.
To my surprise, he took off his sunglasses when I stepped out of the limo, and winked at me, a flirtatious grin replacing the sullen look he had on his face a few seconds ago. Suddenly, his aura seemed to have changed completely from an intimidating, cold man to a playful, interesting guy. Edward stiffened beside me. Reassuring him, I squeezed his hand.
The aura-changing man sauntered towards us, or more precisely, to me.
"Hello there," he said, winking again at me. "The name's Felix. I'm the Volturi Brothers' bodyguard. The more important one anyway. If you have time, I'm sure it'll be great if the two of us can go and have a nice supper together and then perhaps a walk in the sunset? I'm willing to pay the bills. Now…what's your name, pretty lady?"
"Isabella Swan," I said, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you Felix. I'd love to walk in the sunset with you-especially by the sea-but I'm a taken woman. Have you met my boyfriend yet? Felix, this is Edward Cullen, a talented musician in the making."
The smile vanished from Felix's face.
"Felix," said Edward politely.
"So you're Cullen," said Felix, glancing at him as if he's sizing him up. "Not what I was expecting. Come on. The bosses are waiting. Not a good impression if you arrive late for lunch. Now, Isabella…may I call you 'Izzy'? If you ever want to talk, I'm available. Here's my card. Call me anytime you want. I'll be waiting for that call. Even at the middle of the night.
I looked at the card. Fierce Felix. Ready to serve for any situation. Costs are debatable and will not be wasted. Permanent employers considered.
I glanced at Demetri and then back at Felix.
Something bugged me…
It suddenly hit me.
Why do both the chauffeur and the bodyguard have foreboding, red eyes? Is it a strict requirement for the employees to wear red contacts?
Extremely sorry for the long wait, but I was loaded with piano exams!
Anyway, I was planning to acknowledge every single one of you that reviewed, but I realised that it wasn't the appropriate time yet, but if any of you want me to read a specific fanfiction you wrote, you're welcomed to PM it to me :)
Thanks for the birthday wishes and please review! :)