Edward will not leave you. No matter what, he can't. Trust me on that one."

And then she added, "Neither of you will and you both know that."

oxoxoxo EPOV oxoxoxo

I reached my room and looked around. This would be the last few hours of privacy in my room. My bachelor pad was about to change. I dropped her bags near the entrance and pushed mine near my cupboard. I just wanted to lie down on my bed and fall sleep. I turned to go to my bed and as Bella walked in and looked at me.

I don't understand this girl. I had began to get irritated every time I saw her. She had ruined my life and she didn't seem fazed by anything. I tried insulting, being rude, giving her the silent treatment, even tried to raise her expectations of the night and broke them... yet she stayed. No one can believe in arranged marriage so much!! Was she expecting me to magically change and fall in love with her???

And she was a virgin I think, remembering the phone call on the other day.. she saving herself and all?? Who does that in these times?? Uugh!!

She still stood in the door, looked around in the room to take in everything and then looked at me, probably afraid to enter.

Why did you marry me? I asked you not to. GO AWAY. I felt anger radiate off me, my fits clenched and eyes blazed. She still stood nonchalantly making me even more angry.

Then she walked to my bed, sat on it and then looked at me and said, "I can have the bed if I want right? Thanks."

You what?? No you can't! Aargh!!!

I turned, stomped and locked myself in the bathroom. I was heaving and fuming as I stood at the basin trying to steady myself. I looked at the changed me in the mirror and felt all the anger bubble up. The only thing I could remember was the day we spoke.

--o--

Carlisle, Esme and I drove into the address to see a small house in the clearing. This house was not bigger than a shed in my backyard! Charlie Swan, the owner of this house was an acquaintance of Dad from his younger days in Forks. They seldom called each other and had remained friends for years after. Dad spoke very fondly of this family. He even knew and liked the daughter and asked me to be open minded about this. The initial introductions were done and I got a fair idea about this family. Charlie Swan and Rene Pratap had a 24 year old daughter, Bella. She was born in Forks and shuttled between India and Forks, Washington between her parents. She had been staying with her father for around 7 years and had completed her education here. That was a relief, maybe she didn't believe in this. I could talk to her.

When we were asked to talk, I suggested we take a walk outside ... away from prodding interfering ears to really have a one to one talk.

"Bella, what is your opinion on this.. Are you just as uncomfortable as I am??"

"Hmm" Good. She was. I took a moment to read her..

She was beautiful and had mesmerising eyes.. Had I met her somewhere else, in another situation, I may have even asked her out. She was not like the girls I knew.. she didn't come on to me.. which was unusual. She didn't try to hit on me.. not even subtly.. She didn't even try to start a conversation..

Maybe she didn't like me... So then it would be a clean break. Good.

"Why did you agree to meet? You could have said no if you didn't believe in this.." He eyes sparked up and she looked straight at me.. Her eyes were soft but had a quality about them that was strong and perceptive... This might be easier than I thought!

"Who said I don't believe it? I strongly believe in an arranged marriage. Our parents are more experienced than we are.. Even your parents were in an arranged marriage right, and they have been married for over 30 years? Arranged marriages and astrological matches are for a reason and yes I do believe in them."

She wasn't shy, she was quite clear in her thoughts. And she wanted this? I asked on trying to be polite, "So you want this?? You want to get married? Why? You don't even know me. Don't you think we need to get to know each other and then decide?"

"Probably... But I will be leaving for India in a week." She seemed lost in her thoughts for a few moments and then replied firmly, "Edward, I do believe there is a reason you are here now. I firmly believe that there has to be a reason why things work as they do. Our parents obviously want this match and I will not go against their wishes. Let me also clarify that if this match does not work out, I will not 'get to know you' or anything.. It will be the end of our association."

This was beyond comprehension! So then, I tried to turn on my charm, that would surely work.. It always did. I looked deep into her eyes and slowly whispered to her, "Bella, of course you don't mean that. I like you. You are beautiful and smart and we will be very good together. Don't you think we should find that out?" I could see her pupils dilate and her breath hitch.. I felt her melt.. it was working.. I smiled to myself as I slowly slipped my hand on her back to pull her close..

"Edward", She whispered back as she lightly let her hand rest on my chest.. Her voice was sweet and enchanting and her eyes were swirling pools of sinful dark chocolate and yet they were amazingly pure.. I could feel myself start to believe in my words.. I wanted to know her better.. I wanted her to know me, for me, not for my inheritance.. I could really start to like her... I waited with bated breath as she began to speak..

"Edward, we will be good together, very good surely" I smiled..."But I have seen enough of the new world and my old world to know this - You do not like me. You don't think we should marry.. and what you are proposing, while I am flattered, will never happen. I can only have an arranged marriage. I don't have a choice. I am sorry Edward.. I really am. We could have been great."

She pushed a bit and I left her to stand in front of me. She still looking at me with a pained expression. She was searching for something but she couldn't speak.. her eyes were begging and pleading but I did not understand. And then, her eyes changed. It was like she had decided.

"Bella, Astrological matching.. karma.. arranged marriages? I don't believe in this... See, I sincerely do think that if we met outside we could have hit it off. But this will not work out. I don't want to marry. Please understand what I am telling you. You should not marry me. I am not good for you." My voice was hard and hurtful.

She didn't react, she seemed to accept the rejection, as if she expected it. This was beyond weird. She turned to look at the door and then back at me with a resolute expression.

"Edward. When we go inside, we will be asked to give a decision. I cannot say no as my parents have decided that this is right for me. But you can. Feel free to reject me and we will part ways here and now." Bella turned around and started walking towards the door leaving me behind, shocked and stunned.

I walked in a daze back to the house to see an audience waiting for me. Carlisle was grinning and so was Charlie. Bella's grandparents were giddy with happiness and her mother was wiping her tears of joy. Bella was just sitting silently amongst all this staring at the center table wringing a hanky. She had obviously said yes to this match to have caused this environment.

What struck me the most, however, was my mother's face. She was beaming.. she was happy again.. She was literally holding herself back waiting for my reply.

"Edward, Bella has agreed to the marriage.. What is your opinion, son?" Carlisle asked.

Bella had expected me to say no and was waiting for it.. I, however, could not say no either!

"Father, I will be honored to take Bella as my wife."

The room erupted in celebration as Bella and I stared at each other. This was really going to happen and there was no way to stop it now.

oxoxoxoxo

What's Edward's story? He could have walked out! She did give him a chance.

This turns more bizarre every moment..

Jupi