So the polls are officially closed the moment I update this story. I am happy to announce that Hidden Away is the winner and it will be my top priority(I hope all you readers are happy)! I just want to say that I am thrilled that so many people had voted for this story and thank you so much for giving this story a chance. It means so much to me that people enjoy this story and as well as my writing.
Though Hidden Away will be my top priority, I will work on my other ones from time to time, but to let you know, I'm not going to be updating right away tomorrow, because Breaking Dawn is coming out so I'll be reading that! But I'm pretty sure that will keep you occupied until my next update.
I just want to make sure that you are all happy with this choice and if you want any changes with my story, let me know. So I hope you enjoy this upcoming chapter and review! That would be fantastic!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, it belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 10
Throughout the entire tour, I watched Bella carefully, observing her every movement. Though she acted like she was perfectly fine, especially for a human who had just almost given herself a concussion, I notice how gentle she was with her body. As if any jostling movement would break her.
I did not want to speak up, on the slight misconception that I was wrong, but there was a nagging feeling that told me that she was not how she seemed.
It also amazed me to a point of pure bliss to watch her expression through her eyes. I could see how they would light up with excitement whenever we moved from room to room, but I was curious as to why she would not go further then the doorway. I'd expected her to be swooning over each new sight, but she remained perfectly still.
As well, I noticed how different she acted around almost every object we held within our home, almost as if she has never seen anything like it before. It was a most curious sight and thought.
The moment we had reach Carlisle's study, as well as the library, I discovered her passion for literature. Though I was unlike Jasper and his unique empathy sensitivity, I could practically sense her excitement when her eyes gazed upon the mountains of books in the library. Her eyes lit up so bright, and it was simply astounding.
But once more, she chose to remain within the door frame, refusing to budge any further. I couldn't understand why she decided to keep herself from exploring the books and indulging herself within the plots and subjects.
I would remember this and explain it further out with Carlisle. Perhaps he may better understand the psychological workings behind Bella.
Continuing with the rest of the sight-seeing excursion, though Bella was still unstable on her feet, I thoroughly observed every action she made. And still she did not express any emotion on her face except through her eyes and she remained silent to the peak of my desperation.
I wanted to hear her voice, the sweet melodious ring behind it. A voice in which the angels speak with and could light up your entire world with just a single utterance.
When I spoke of this to her, I inwardly scolded myself for my foolish and impulsive words. I did not want to frighten her with such quick movement yet I just did what my mind did not desire. It was just that longing to hear her voice was so unbearable that I could not stand the silence.
Before I knew it, I was sinking, drowning in that look of complete innocence that she had given me. Entranced, spellbound, engrossed within those eyes and I could no longer control the impulsive actions that my dead heart wanted to do.
Then I heard her speak, just a simple "why?" but I could feel a whole other meaning behind it.
Often I had caught her within her own spell. It worried me for a moment for I had perceived that she may have been retreating within her own shell, but relief washed over me when she spoke to me again. But that voice was filled with pain and fear, something that I did not want when she spoke to me. I wanted her to feel protection and trust when she was near me.
Then I was simply shocked when she told me she felt imprudent, "Surely Bella, you do not think so lowly of yourself. I want to help you Bella, for someone as beautiful as you are, you do not deserve this pain that I see inflicted within your eyes,"
I caught the light tinge of red that adorned her cheeks, but my want for her to trust me overcame that bloodlust.
"I have not known you very long Bella, but I would like to," slowly and unconsciously, I leant forward to be closer to her, to feel the warmth of her body radiate towards me, "Please, trust me,"
And with her reply, my heart felt like it had reawaken, "I would very much like to do so,"
This emotion, this feeling to protect her, keep her with me always, to have her trust me was so overwhelming. Closer, closer, closer…
Then a voice I so familiarly recognized appeared in my mind. 'I do hope the dear likes chicken, well if not I did purchase macaroni and cheese,'
It was then I realized the current position I was in, and with Bella no less. I needed to restrain myself; it would be extremely foolish of me to frighten her because of my quick pace. I will wait for her until she is comfortable enough with me, no matter how long it takes.
I can see that fear in her eyes while she is with me, or any other member of my family, and I wanted to be able to erase that fear, to have her trust me. I will be patient and wait however much time she needs.
Then a noise sounded from outside and Bella had a look of surprise on her face. I assume that she must've heard Esme pulling in for she mumbled an apology to me. I was unsure of what she spoke about, she did nothing wrong but I wanted to ask her something before she moved away from me.
"Bella, may I ask something of you?" and thankfully, she nodded.
"Will you talk to me? It's such a shame to hear your beautiful voice kept silent," it was such a selfish act of me to ask her but I could not stand to not hear her speak. Happiness swelled in with her answer, "if you so please,"
I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face, "Yes, I do,"
The sound of the door opening had frightened Bella which had caused her to jump away from the noise, as well, to my dismay, from me. This trust will take time to build.
"Oh Edward, Bella, it's nice to see you up and about," she exclaimed, glad to see that Bella was at least comfortable enough to be on her feet and touring our home.
"Welcome home Esme," I greeted my family member as she walked in through the door. As common as instinct, I was being called to help out my adopted mother with the load of groceries that she had brought home with her. Surely with her increased strength, a few bags of food and human necessities were not a problem but I was brought up with manners to help a lady with her packages, no matter the circumstances.
There was one parcel left, one I assume that was quite heavier than the others judging by its contents. Though in my hands I held the other many necessities that Esme had bought, one more would be no trouble at all for me, but I was surprised when I saw the frail, sweater-clad hands of Bella moving forward to pick up the last bag.
It surprised me more that such a heavy bag was almost an almost-easy lift for her. For someone who I assumed to be so fragile, she managed to heave the bag into her arms, though quite clumsily. The bag was shaky in her arms and she looked like that she may collapse any moment from the heavy weight, but she managed just fine to stay on her feet.
Of course I knew Esme would have none of that. "Oh dear, here, let me take that for you," Esme exclaimed, proceeding to take the heavy package away from her, but Bella simply shook her head and refused to let go of the bag. She held it closer to her body and did not want to let go.
Instead, Bella brushed passed us, heading for the kitchen with her head bowed down. We could do nothing but follow after. "She is an unpredictable one isn't she?" Esme mumbled to me and that was something that I couldn't do anything to except agree.
I was about to follow when the stench of something peculiar caught my nose. My next step faltered; something that did not go unnoticed by Esme.
"Edward, what is it?"
To make sure what I smelt, I breathed in my surroundings, confirming this strange scent, "I smell something unusual, it smells bittersweet. Almost like blood, but at the same time, it's not,"
Esme paused to breathe in the air. Her nose wrinkled slightly but she held no expression on her face to perceive that strange smell my nose had caught.
"Perhaps you smell something from the forest," Esme suggested. I suppose that idea was reasonable enough. Deciding to ignore the scent, I continued to follow Bella into the kitchen.
I watched from the door frame Bella's movements. It was easy enough to compare Bella's lumbering and awkward stumbling to the grace of a vampire, and her tiny frame almost looked like she may fall over soon from the heavy weight in her arms. But her face told a different tale. She held a look of determination, of ferocity to never surrender. Every minute, she continued to surprise me with her bizarre but extraordinary actions.
With a grunt of effort, she placed her heavy parcel on the black marble countertop. Once she had ridded herself of the package, Esme took that time to intervene, "Thank you Bella for your help, but I do not take pride in letting my guests work around my home. Why don't you and Edward make yourself comfortable while I prepare lunch?"
Bella's posture became rigid as her eyes filled with confusion, "guest?" I didn't understand why this bothered her.
I placed the rest of the groceries on the countertop and Esme made quick work of unpacking, "Why of course," Esme continued on, "and once again, thank you for your help, you too Edward. Now go scurry off," and with a wave of her hand, she shooed us away.
Following Esme's orders, I lured Bella away from the kitchen, and I was about to lead her back into her room until she stopped. My gaze set to where her eyes were drawn to, in front of the black grand piano.
Just looking at that piano made me smile. Music was my passion, and that beautiful piano was the way to unlocking my desires.
"Do you play?" I asked her softly. Perhaps music was her passion as well, but alas, it wasn't when she shook her head.
Her eyes looked up at me curiously, "do you?" she whispered, and I couldn't stop that smile on my face when I heard her voice. It was the melodious ring of it that enticed me, I couldn't help that feeling.
I suppose that we could be sidetracked. I led her towards the piano and motioned for her to sit beside me, but she would not budge any further then behind the piano bench.
"Bella?" what was wrong?
"Oh no, I couldn't possibly sit beside you. Surely it would distract you from your playing,"
Though what she said was completely absurd, I couldn't help but smile at her shyness, but it felt like there was more behind what she was actually saying.
"Don't be foolish Bella, come sit," and with that, I stood up to guide her in sitting beside me, however she moved very slowly, and I began to play.
Once my fingers hit those ivory keys, everything else just flowed magically behind it. The sound, the melody of the song just came natural to me as I played the gentle lullaby of Esme's song.
In the end, I held the last note a little longer then usual, and I listened attentively on how the note merged with the wild beating of Bella's heart.
I turned my gaze on her to see the tiniest hint of moisture gathering in her eyes, which were blinded with happiness and her cheeks were painted with a faint tint of red. It just bothered me how the rest of her face remained expressionless, I just wished that her face would not contrast so greatly with her eyes.
"Did you like it?"
She nodded in response and I heard her heartbeat increase in speed. The way her eyes sparkled and her body reacted, it almost seemed like this was her very first time listening to music.
"You play very beautifully," her quiet voice spoke. Though I have received many compliments about my playing, hers seemed to make my dead heart swell with joy and pride.
"Thank you. Would you like me to play more?"
She nodded her head eagerly and sat attentively. I smiled at her enthusiasm, she almost resembled a child in her amusing behvaiour, but I thought it was a wonderful change from her usual quiet and passive emotion.
To play for her was amazing. She absorbed every single note I played, followed every crescendo and every slur, just absolutely loved the music she heard.
I've played for my family constantly, but to play for Bella was different. Though my family enjoyed my playing and how it makes them happy, but for Bella, it was just…wow.
For some reason, playing for her made her very happy, which in turn, made me overjoyed. It felt like a calling, to make her happy and that it was the best thing I could do for her. It even surprised me when I caught the faint shimmer of a smile on her face, albeit it was very tiny but I caught it.
At the end of my song, Esme had arrived with lunch for Bella.
"Beautiful playing Edward, once again," she complimented, smiling widely at me as she strode over towards the coffee table to place the tray on top.
I slid of the piano bench, bringing Bella along with me, to lead her to her lunch. "Are you alright with garlic chicken pasta? If not, I can prepare something else, perhaps macaroni and cheese?"
Though Esme never prepared food before, mostly because we hadn't required it, she appeared to have outdone herself on such a simple meal. Placed on an ornately designed silver platter was a bowl of garlic chicken pasta, a side of tomato soup, a rather large slice of cinnamon apple pie and lastly, a glass of homemade fruit punch.
We both watched Bella curiously. She sat almost inhumanly still, hands in her lap with her head bowed. It was hard to see if Bella had heard Esme or not.
"Bella?" I reached out for her, but she flinched away from my touch. And that simple gesture pained me inside.
"Thank you," she whispered, and once again, her voice was extremely hushed.
Esme shot me a questioning glance quickly before she nodded and left to return to the kitchen. 'Make sure she eats something Edward. I'm holding you to it,'
And with that quick message, she disappeared from sight and I returned my focus back to Bella.
She had remained statuesque and if it wasn't for the sound of pulsing hurried heartbeat and gentle breathing, I would've assumed her to be dead.
"Bella, are you hungry?" I asked gently. I was unsure if she even noticed the food or not, and her silence was beginning to worry me.
"Bella?" I placed my hand under her chin and was shocked at the cold I felt. Though it was not even close to my body temperature, it was unnaturally frigid for a human. Tilting her face upwards, her face was slightly flushed and clammy.
"Bella are you alright?" and the worry was evident in my voice.
Before she blinked, her eyes appeared the most coldest I have ever seen, so distant and frosty, but with a quick blink, they returned to their usual shine. "I'm fine," she whispered.
I inwardly sighed with relief at hearing her voice, but was still concerned for her health. Something was not right here, but I couldn't pinpoint the exact condition.
"This can't be for me," Bella stated quietly, motioning towards the food.
"Of course it is Bella. Are you not hungry?"
She shook her head slowly but she would not reach out towards the tray, "But it is too much. I do not deserve this,"
Giving a sigh, I reached towards the bowl of soup and held the spoon in my hand. "Bella, eat. You need it," I advised and lifted the spoon towards her.
Her eyes stared at me cautiously, but I heard a defeated sigh from her lips and she opened her mouth. I smiled, and fed her the much-needed nourishment.
And this continued on until we had completely finished the bowl of soup. I reached for the main dish and looked at her firmly.
"Now must we follow the same routine or are you willing to do it yourself this time?" I asked her, amused at our current situation. In all my immortal life, I never would've thought that I was required to force feed a human.
Thankfully, Bella submitted to terms and accepted the bowl from my hands. I kept my watch on her, making sure she would eat her food. A little while later, she finished eating and handed me back the bowl. Half the contents were still left, but at least she ate something.
"Good, are you thirsty or still hungry?" I inquired, indicating towards the glass of juice and slice of pie.
"I'm a little thirsty," she responded, sounding almost terrified to voice her thoughts. I just hope my smile reassured her that it was alright as I handed her the glass. She drank it slowly until the end.
"Better?"
She nodded and placed the glass back on the tray. "Thank you for the meal," she said, and made her way to stand up. The moment she stood, she swayed on the spot, and I made quick work of catching her before she collapsed.
"Bella, are you alright?" I asked worriedly. She nodded and straightened herself, but she still looked a little hunched over.
What was she doing? I kept my arms wound around her, to keep her from falling over again. I was only mere inches away and the smell of salt hit my nose and that same scent of bitter sweetness.
Both fragrances seemed radiate off of Bella, and I happened to have caught the tiny moisture that was once again in her eyes.
"E-Edward," she whispered, her voice shaking when she said my name, "You have been very hospitable, all of you have, but,"
"Bella, what's wrong?" what did she have planned?
I watched as she swallowed and finished speaking, "but I must leave now. You've been so kind to me when I do not deserve it, and I will forever appreciate what you have done,"
"What? Bella, you can't leave. You're not well," I tried but she merely shook her head.
"I cannot stay for it would be unwise to endanger you any longer,"
"Danger? Bella, what are you talking about? Is someone after you? Please Bella, tell me, trust me," I pleaded. She couldn't leave, she was still injured, though she hadn't actually mentioned it yet, but I knew that if she left, she would die out there.
"NO!" she said a little too hastily when I mentioned about her being chased, but she quickly composed herself, "No I cannot stay Edward. I don't deserve your kindness that you have given me. I shouldn't have stayed," she said as she tried to break free from my grip.
"No, Bella, don't go," I needed her to stay. Not only for her injuries, and though however selfish it may be, I didn't want her to leave me. I wanted her to stay here, so I could protect her, help her, be with her.
"I'm sorry Edward," and with a gentle push on my chest, I unwounded my arms and she backed away.
I was stunned, I couldn't understand why she was leaving, and I felt paralyzed as she made her way to the staircase, no doubt to retrieve her things.
But two steps away from me, her eyes closed in pain, and she cried out in pain, clutching at her left side.
Rushing to her side, I caught her in my arms before she fell. "Bella? Bella?" I shouted frantically, and Esme was at my side in an instance.
Bella had delved deep into a coughing fit, and with each cough, she would wince and clutch harder at her side.
"Bella? Edward what happened?" Esme asked.
"I'm not sure, she just collapsed. Bella, what's wrong?" I tried to get through her, but she coughed and coughed. It was then that the bittersweet scent was slowly transforming into a revolting stench.
"Edward do you smell that?" thankfully Esme noticed as well and I was not hallucinating.
"Yes I do Esme, what is it?"
"I'm not sure," Esme was slowly panicking, I as well. Something was happening to Bella, her coughing would not cease and she was slowly becoming succumbing in my arms.
"Perhaps Carlisle will know what to do, he's at the hospital," Esme suggested. That would be a good idea until Bella's pleads was heard through her coughs.
"N-not – hospital – f-find – me," was all I could decipher through her coughs. I looked up at Esme worriedly, "I'll call Carlisle," she said and with that she was gone.
I looked down at Bella, and her coughs were beginning to subside, only to be replaced by heavy breathing. "Bella, hold on,"
Bringing her closer to my body, I begged for her to stay awake. But it was useless when she fell limp in my arms.
So there it is! Sorry for the suspense at the end, but I will try to update as soon as possible. I hope you enjoyed! (Breaking Dawn is coming out tomorrow! So look forward to that and I hope it will keep you busy until my next update)
If you're looking for any changes in the story, more detail, less detail, more storyline...anything, just let me know and I will try my best to acquiesce to your suggestions and request.
Still, I'm looking forward to any reviews and if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to let me know. If you want to contact me, you can either email me (on profile) or message me, either way works so don't hesitate to ask if you're curious.
(By the way, I was just thinking about this, if you want music with this story, I mean to find a song that would best suit this chapter and let you know, hopefully you understand what I mean. And also, if anyone is looking for a beta, I'm still available)
Hope to hear your comments soon, Thanks for Reading!
Sincerely, Lady R. Lotus (hope you all noticed the changed pen name)