Thank the girls in the LTAE group for the early update. Actually they threatened me ... and I'm sticking with that story!
Wow, the days are flying by! Breaking Dawn Part Two will be here before we know it. It's going to be bittersweet.
A bit of a side note, a few readers are concerned with Edward's naivety in this story. For those of you who don't know, this story is loosely based on events in my real life. This Edward is/was my brother and he was very close in personality to the Edward I'm writing in LTAE. Things will change for our Edward, he will make changes in his life, but they will take time. I hope that helps to ease some doubt. I realize that every story is not for every person, but I hope you choose to read on. I love each and every review; you all truly inspire me to keep writing about a subject that was so painful in my life just a few years ago. This is my form of therapy.
Love to my usual peeps, Rachel, Nic, and Kyla. Love you all so much.
Join me my Facebook group- Love Through Another's Eyes
SM owns all.
Let's see how Bella is fairing at the dinner party.
Chapter Eleven
Bella
I can't believe that fate would bring me here tonight, tease me and then torment me all in the span of a few hours. My green eyed stranger, the man I have dreamt of nearly every night since we met, is in fact, not mine at all. Even worse, he is married to her.
She walked up to us in full Kate mode, a sickening smile on her face and a look of rage in her eyes. After blatantly demeaning me in front of Edward, she coaxes him into leaving for dinner, and then flaunts Royce in his face and then looks back to see if he is following. She purposely emasculated him and he took it?
His action has me reeling. Edward doesn't strike me as the submissive type, but Kate has a way of making everyone feel that way, so why should he be any different?
It's crazy, all this time I've heard her speak of him, complain about him, and I never made the connection. How could I? The person she spoke about sounded dull, withdrawn, sullen even. But this man? This beautiful man couldn't possibly be the very same man that she has habitually moaned and groaned about, my mind can't conceive of it.
That man was fun and carefree. This man looks hollow and broken. What has Kate done to him? I feel this overwhelming need to help him, protect him. My heart clenches as I realize a harsh truth in this horrible reality, I want to love him. I need to find out more about them together, about him.
Speaking of them, Edward and Kate are now standing outside the dining room. From the way Edward escorted Kate out I knew something bad was about to happen. From what I can see, they are involved in a heated argument. Edward looks angry and tense, Kate looks ... bored. Before I get a chance to wrap my head around what is transpiring between them, Lauren approaches me, effectively blocking my view.
"Snooping, Isabella? That's surprising, even for you."
She is standing a little too close and needs to back off. I take a few steps backward hoping she will get the hint. "Really, Lauren? What, did Kate send you over here to babysit? I doubt that is in your job description."
She laughs, "How do you know him anyway ... you looked quite friendly earlier? You can't be delusional enough to think someone like you could turn the head of Dr. Edward Masen, could you?"
Now it's my turn to laugh, "So Kate did send you over here then, that's so ... predictable."
"Oh Bella, you really are a naive little girl. You have no idea what you are getting yourself into here. Didn't your parents teach you not to play with fire?"
"Lauren, I really have no idea what you mean. Not that it's any of your business, but Edward and I met briefly, years ago. We were just getting reacquainted is all, technically we aren't even friends." Although I would like to be, I feel like I need to be his friend.
Lauren's face looks almost menacing. "Well, Isabella Swan, you would do well to remember that. Being friends with Edward Masen will get you nothing but trouble with Kate. Not that I can blame you, he does look like he'd be a good fuck."
I can't believe the crap she is spewing. "Lauren, look ..." She cuts me off and continues without taking a breath.
"If I wasn't so loyal to my girl, Kate, I'd have to try a few tricks of my own on that man. Which brings me back to you Miss Swan, heed this warning. Stay the hell away from him. No matter what you see or hear, pretend he doesn't exist or Kate and I will find a way to ruin you. Your sweet innocent doe act isn't going to work with us." She gives me one last glare before turning and walking away.
It appears that Kate has confided in Lauren about her personal life and has implicated my name in all of this. Why am I not surprised? Lauren really has no reason to be concerned with me anyway. After tonight I most likely will only see Edward Masen in passing anyway. I have no reason to associate with him otherwise. I can stay away from him, right?
~LTAE~
It's nearly midnight and everyone who is important is still holed up in Dr. Marcus' study, talking business. I'm literally the odd woman out here, as all the other leftovers not invited into the meeting are scattered around the room cackling like hens. I hear them gushing about that new teenage vampire flick starring that panty dropping English bloke, Robert something? That man has most of the female population in a tizzy. Yeah, he is fine, but he is no Edward. Where is Edward anyway? There must be something wrong with me because instead of leaving, I am waiting around in the hopes of talking to him again.
I should be home by now and comfy in my pajamas, writing the next entry for my blog. "Turning Page" is a labor of love for me. I started the blog as a senior in high school as a way to deal with my grief when my mom, Renee, died. I found it therapeutic to just let my feelings out, whether it be just a sentence or two, or an entire page. I now have quite a following, and it makes me feel good to give back to my readers. A few of them have even become friends, as grief has a unique way of bringing people together. The blog has also been an aid with my job at the clinic. A career helping others through their grief just seemed a natural choice for me.
My mom was forty-three when she died. I'll never forget the day the officer showed up at our house with the news. I had been in the kitchen, sautéing onions and jalapenos for my famous chicken enchiladas when the doorbell rang. I remember thinking scatterbrained Renee must have forgotten her house keys again as I shut the burner off and made my way to the front door. It was at that very moment that my whole world changed. I saw the officer's lips moving, but it suddenly felt as if I was in a tunnel. His words echoed and swirled all around me.
Gas hauler.
Crash.
Flames.
Then, I drifted.
I lost all reason.
Fade to black.
Silence.
Renee was not only my mom, but my best friend. After her death, and after I graduated from high school in Phoenix, I went to live with my dad even though I could have managed living on my own. He was my only link left to her, and I held that dear. Charlie Swan was the police chief in Forks, and even though he and my mom had been divorced since I was young, he took Renee's death hard.
When I was almost six, mom packed up my room, took me by the hand and together we walked out of our little white house and never looked back. Living in a damp, mostly grim city was not the way Renee wanted to live her life, and she had wanted more for her daughter as well. Warm weather and sunshine called to her and we found ourselves in Phoenix, Arizona. It couldn't have been more different from Forks, which was what mom was counting on. Dad was shattered. I'll never forget the look in his eyes the day we left. That look will haunt me forever.
So, even though saying goodbye to nearly all my friends and the sun was brutal, I knew returning to Forks, to my dad, was the right thing to do. I'll never regret my decision; because it was also the decision that led me to him ... to Edward.
I'm brought out of my thoughts when a petite brunette comes walking up to me. "Is that a Balenciaga original?"
"Umm, maybe? I'm not sure. It's my roommate's dress actually."
"I didn't know that it came in midnight blue, that color is great on you."
"Thanks." Should I know her? She is petite with alabaster skin, shoulder length brown hair and piercing dark grey eyes.
"I'm Alice Brandon by the way. You can call me Ali, all my friends do. I'm the event coordinator for this dinner." Okay, that makes sense.
"Bella, Bella Swan. Err, nice party."
"Thanks. I usually don't do these types of engagements, but Dr. Marcus' wife personally requested me for their function. I love all event planning really. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, you name it," she says as she reaches into her ridiculously large handbag and pulls out a business card.
"Here, just in case you have an upcoming event." She hands me the card and continues her speech without taking a breath. How does she do that? "One can never network enough. Edward says I'm way too forward, but I have to get my name out there right? I mean eighty-percent of self-employed businesses are successful from word of mouth."
Edward? My Edward? "Edward Masen?"
"None other. We've known each other since grade school. I love that man like a brother, would do anything for him. Do you know him?"
"Yes, we have met, a couple of times actually." Yeah I just quoted his exact words to Lauren. "I work at the clinic, I'm interning there as a grief counselor. I work with Kate."
"Oh, I see. So you are friends with Kate?"
I don't know if Ali is friends with Kate so I don't know how to answer her. "Well, I work with Kate but I'm not necessarily friends with her. As far as Edward goes, I'm not exactly sure if we are friends yet."
She smiles at me, "Edward is a great guy, so if you have the opportunity to be his friend, then go for it. They don't come any better than Edward Masen. Kate is, well, never mind, I should get to work now. It was great meeting you, Bella."
"Likewise, Ali." Hmm, she didn't sound like she's too fond of Kate but thinks the world of Edward. Now I feel more determined to find out exactly who Edward Masen is.
~LTAE~
I see him walk in and take a seat in a wing chair near the fireplace. He looks utterly delicious, but conflicted at the same time. His bowtie is loosened and the first two buttons of his shirt are undone. I notice his glass is full, and I wonder how many drinks he has had tonight. Probably quite a few I imagine, in order to cope with Kate and her antics. Can't say I blame him. He runs a hand through his beautiful tousled hair. The simple action is ... sexy. My hand itches to replicate it; I imagine his hair is soft.
Kate is in Marcus' study as I speak, probably getting her flirt on with King, and her husband is sitting alone across the room looking lost, lonely and yes, even angry. From what I heard, Kate's actions at dinner were obnoxious at the very least. She sat between Edward and Royce like a mother would sit between two feuding children. How Edward kept his cool, I'll never know.
Is it wrong that I hope they argue on the way home?
Is it wrong that I want to walk over there and lick that damn Adam's apple that's calling out to me as he is throwing back his drink?
Is it wrong to ask him to slowly peel me out of this dress and take me right there by the fireplace?
Why does the heart always want what the heart can't have? I am so conflicted here, my head is spinning. What is the deal between him and Kate, and why can't I just walk away?
You are a grown woman, Bella. Figure this out, listen to your heart. I'm walking over to him before I can convince myself not to. When he sees me, his face lights up. I smile, my green eyed stranger, my Edward, smiles back.
"You were gone."
"Yeah, I had to get some fresh air. Things got to be ... overwhelming. My wife is ..." he says as he motions for me to sit in the empty chair next to him. It's cozy here by the fire. The way the fire plays with the bronze in his hair ...
"She is very," I hesitate, not wanting to offend. He interrupts me before I find the right word, sparing me.
"Flirtatious? Overbearing? Infuriating?" He runs his hand through his hair again. I want to do that.
"Sorry."
"It's my life, Bella. We make our choices; we are forced to live with them." His eyes are sad. I want to hug him.
"Edward, every choice moves us closer to, or farther away, from something. Where are your choices taking your life?" He is quiet, contemplating my words, the words of Eric Allenbaugh actually. I pray I didn't overstep my bounds, but it's too late now, I don't regret what I said.
"There you are, I have been looking everywhere for you," Kate says as she strolls in, breaking the silence. Wow, she always has the best timing. "I'm ready to go now." She looks at me dismissively. "It's been enjoyable, Miss Swan."
"It has been interesting to say the least, Kate. See you at work." I glance over to Edward. "It was nice to see you again, Edward."
"Good evening, Bella." He offers his hand as he stands but Kate grabs it before it reaches me. She shoots me a look, effectively ending our goodbye. With one last lingering look in his eyes, he turns and allows Kate to lead him out of the room.
I'm left feeling empty.
I sigh.
I know what's going on here.
I just need to accept it.
My name is Isabella Swan.
I'm twenty-six years old, and I'm unconditionally and irrevocably in love with another woman's husband.
Kate
I'm thrilled that Royce personally requested me to oversee this project with him, and that Dr. Marcus agreed so easily. Being in charge of opening a new clinic for Dr. Marcus will keep me occupied, will keep Edward off my back and hopefully will get Royce into my bed. Thinking of him now takes me back to the meeting.
As they go on and on over details I could care less about, my eyes wander over to Royce who is sitting directly across from me. He catches me looking at him and I see a faint smile on his lips. His tongue peeks out and swipes along his bottom lip and I'm instantly aroused. His tongue disappears, then he proceeds to bite that lip and I involuntarily moan out loud. I cross my legs in an attempt to relieve the pressure that is building inside me and he chuckles at my action. Real subtle, Kate.
Edward is eerily quiet on the ride home but that suits me just fine. His outrageous behavior and his outburst were totally uncalled for, in my opinion. He had some nerve trying to cause a scene in front of my peers. He was also entirely too interested in Miss Swan for my liking, so even though I have too much on my mind to worry about him or his new found jealousy, I really need to confront him. There is too much to lose here, I have to keep all my bases covered.
"Edward, that little display of yours was completely uncalled for and unnecessary."
"Excuse me, but I think many of your actions tonight were unnecessary. I was waiting for you to conveniently drop your napkin under the table."
"Don't be crude, Edward."
"What's the matter, Kate? You don't like to be called out for acting like a whore?"
"You might want to remember who you're talking to Edward Masen. We are in fact married and I am your wife."
"Let's not kid ourselves, Kate. From the moment we said I do, our marriage has been nothing but an act. Call it what it really is to you Kate, an arrangement. A way for you to get everything you can from me for as long as you can. I just wish I wasn't so tragically blind back then, because things could be so much different now. I could be happy."
I smirk at him and think to myself, this was never about your happiness, Edward.
A fic I simply can't get enough of is Because Of A Boy by Cutestkidsmom. It's the sweetest story ever, please check it out.
Are you still with me? Wednesday?
Judy
XO