Disclaimer: Nothing related to Twilight Saga is mine. I just own this plot and a few characters, like Jordan Connolly, Anne Dawson, Alicia King. Twilight gang belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
N/A: Hello, guys! Chapter 13 at last! As I promised, it's a longer chapter. Not too long, tough. I think it gets a bit tiresome to read. And also boring.
Enough babbling! Happy reading!
Chapter 13
Harder to Breath
"When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You'll understand what I mean when I say
There's no way we're gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face
Of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there?
Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there?
Cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe"
Maroon 5 – Harder to Breath
Jasper's POV
"It was great seeing you, J. Ciao." Said Alice Cullen in an irritatingly smug tune.
I stood there open mouthed like an idiot. I simply didn't get the pixie girl. Yesterday, she was asking me out; all lashes and smiles. Today, she acted as if she barely noticed me. What the hell is going on? Where the hell did that guy come from? And Jesus, why does this Alice girl have to be so irritating? I hate chicks like her! Too bad she's such a good kisser.
Well, screw her! Screw all the freaking women!
"Whoa, someone looks pretty pissed, huh?" asked Rosalie, giving me a bottle of Evian. I shot a warning glance at her, but she just ignored it, "Wow, Alice is a lucky girl."
I coughed and looked at her. "What do you mean?"
Rosalie smiled at me, with a knowing look. "Oh, I worked with Falacci in a campaign last year. He's charming," she grinned at me, a dreamy look on her eyes, "sophisticated, funny, he doesn't mind going shopping—"
"Are you trying to say something, Rosalie?" I asked starting to get seriously pissed with that whole 'Patrick Falacci is the best' campaign. Rosalie shot me a sheepish look.
"Oh, Jazz. You know I love you. But this emo vibe of yours is so 2007." She rolled her eyes and I had the impression she was mimicking Alice.
Seriously, were Rosalie and Alice in a competition for who is the most irritating girl in NY? I could have yelled at her, but I decided to go for a different tactic. So, I smiled at her.
"And your persistent denial about Emmett is totally 2004, but who cares?" Her smile fell and mine grew, excellent.
"I'm not in denial about Emmett," she said between her clenched teeth.
I sighed, bored.
"Yeah, yeah. If lying to yourself makes you happy, Rose--." I said in a complacent tone that I knew would irritate her a bit more. I wasn't disappointed.
"Screw you, Jasper!" she said, her lovely face even more beautiful in fury and she patted her feet. "You are just angry because she got over you."
I put the bottle back on the bar in a decided movement. That one wasn't going to pass without an answer.
"She didn't get over me. That guy wasn't her boyfriend," I snarled back. We were inches from each other.
"Yet. But Patrick is a ladies man, dear. You don't stand a chance against him. Sorry brotha." She patted my face gently. It was insulting. I grabbed her wrist and said,
"You have no idea what you are talking about Rosalie. But, let me tell you something. Alice Cullen will be mine, got it? This is going to be over when I say so. Watch and learn."
She straightened her hand and I shook it. "It's a deal."
RPOV
I knew it! I knew that it would work! Jasper is usually a nice brother to deal with, but I knew he couldn't resist a challenge, and Alice was a challenge! He needed a girl to cheer him, you know? He's so peaceful and bookish, AND shy! Most people don't like my brother much because it's hard to get to know him, but it was just because he's so shy. Of course having dreadful parents as we do, it wasn't a surprise, but we wouldn't stay over with Julian and Kelly for too long.
I waved a quick good bye to my brother and quickly called Bella to tell her the news as I went to the quarters where the Donna Karan's models were changing and getting ready for the show. She nodded at me once and handed me a gorgeous dress. I quickly changed, in the middle of the crowed room. Nobody paid attention. Half of the men here were gay. I was home. I sat on the make-up stylist's chair and he started brushing my cheeks when a tiny, skinny girl came with a big bouquet of red roses.
"This had just arrived, Rose!" she squealed. Maybe I should introduce her to Alice. "They are so lovely!"
"You are such a lucky girl!" said the stylist, "A gorgeous brother and men all at your feet!"
"The right one will catch your eyes, too, Ivan. Just wait and see. Listen to my words." I said, with a smile and I picked up the tiny card.
For a second, I truly hoped it was Emmett's; I knew it was ridiculous and he had a girlfriend – and I had a boyfriend too, but—a girl can dream, right?
I sighed. It was Royce's.
"Hey, gorgeous!
Good luck today!
Roy"
"That's cute," I said, a bit happier. I picked up my phone and dialed Royce's number. He picked up on the second ring.
"Hey," I said.
"Hi! Did you get my flowers?"
"Sure, they are beautiful, thanks!" But they were kind of cliché, if you ask me. Stop, Rose.
He greeted someone on the other side of the line and said.
"Well, it was great talking to you, Rose, but I have a game on. Prepare yourself to lose, Cullen! We must have dinner later, Rose, to celebrate my victory!"
He turned the phone off before I could answer something. The smug bastard! To celebrate his victory? What about my contract with L'Oreal? The Cosmopolitan Magazine's cover? Royce was such an arrogant man! It's always about him! His victory, his car, his orgasm, and hold on a second, doesn't he ever work? It's a Monday, for goodness sake!
"Wow. Such a heavy aura here." Said an ethereal, soft voice behind my back. I turned my face to see Emmett's freak girlfriend. Katrina Lovegood or whatever. "You know, Rosamund."
"Rosalie." I corrected her between my clenched teeth. Smile Rosalie. Don't kill the hippie girl.
"Rosalie." She said and smiled warmly, "You should really have a shower with coconut soap. You are so negative, don't you think, Ivan?" she asked and Ivan, the traitor, nodded with a serious look.
Oh, my God. Why me?
EmPOV
"Royce!" I called out to my old friend and he turned off the phone and hugged me.
"Emmett, old boy, you came!" he said, pulling away and patting my shoulder. He was a bit shorter than me, but he was pretty strong. He introduced me to his rich and unoccupied friends, all tanned and looking like they go to the gym; just like Royce.
They bored me like hell.
We had lunch at the club and then some massage. It was a weird thing for a dude, but I had to admit it was good.
"How about a little match?"
It was unreal, even to NY to have a place like that in the middle of the city. But rich people were stubborn and demanding; so if they wanted a country club style fully equipped, they would get it. We went to the tennis court, since the other two dudes – don't ask me their names, I have no idea – went to the pool, Royce and I went for a little match, for the old times sake.
"So, Emmett. How is Kate doing?" he asked, a bit out of breath, because I was making him run up and down the court.
"She's okay," I said, in an easy voice. "She'll be offering a dinner in my new place on Sunday. Rose must have told ya."
"Yeah, yeah." He said, as I marked another point. "Rose and your sister and that other chick are very good friends."
"Oh, Bella? Yeah, they get along well," I said. I didn't want to talk about Rose; or to think about Rose. Thank God the house will be full of people. I would be as far away as possible from Rosalie Hale. It's been one hour since I thought of her. I knew she would be in an important event and, if she weren't such a freaking vixen, I'd have called to say good luck to her. As friends, because that's what we are; good friends who don't get along well. She's a friend of my baby sister's, what did you expect?
"She's hot, man. Have you and her--" he trailed, his eyebrows raising suggestively and a nauseating smile. It took me a couple of seconds to realize whom he was talking about. It was more than disgusting. It was sick! I loved Bella like a kid sister. Thinking of her like that was messed up, man. Even for me.
"We aren't like that, dude. Besides, she's dating my brother and they are this lovey dovey couple," I replied and hit the ball again, a bit too strong and he ran to hit the ball. This guy is starting to get on my nerves.
"Well, that's a shame. I'd love to take a ride on her. But, it's okay if she's dating someone. I'm not a jealous type. Is your sister single?" What? "You know, it's nice to have you back, man. I was thinking-- maybe you would like to join us next weekend? We are going to Aspen and Trevor is taking some friends. Maybe your sister would like to join us too." He laughed, "I'd love to get to know her better."
I don't know what happened but everything in front of me was red. When he returned the ball to me, I just automatically hit it, but my target wasn't the back of the court, but his smug nose. I watched as he winced in pain when the red blood tinted his white Polo.
"Ouch. You son of a bitch! What the fuck is your problem?" he shouted, curled on the floor, his hands wet with blood. I approached calmly and hissed.
"Don't you ever get near my sisters or my friends, King. Especially Rosalie Hale. Stay away from her. And, King? If you talk about Bella that way again I'll rip your balls off and make you eat it. Copy?"
When I made sure Royce had got the message, I grabbed my things and went back to the hospital in Midtown, one of the four we owned and I managed. I decided taking Management classes after Edward decided becoming a pianist, and he had too. The boy had talent and just signed a contract to write a soundtrack. Dude, he was the best. I may tease on him, but come on! It was my job. But that kid was my pride.
I got in by the main entrance and the receptionists blushed and complimented me. I flashed them a smile, but it was a mere formality. I was paying attention to the room, seeing if everything was working. The ER was full, but in order. People were waiting to be attendant. I nodded, pleased. Until I saw Bella coming from one of the exams rooms with a bandage on her forehead and her hand seemed to be immobilized.
She widened her eyes at me and her mouth formed an O.
"Emmett? What are you doing here?"
"I work here. What are you doing here? And what the heck happened to you?"
She smiled a sad smile. "Long story."
"Oh, not the tripping and falling again!" I groaned. She gave me a faint smile.
BPOV
"I kind of deserved that one. I was walking too fast and I didn't see the cable on the floor. When I saw it, I was on my boss's car, my blouse ruined. " I shrugged "It's just another day in Bella Swan's life. Don't worry I'm okay. I'm going back to work."
Okay, that was a lie. My hand was hurting like hell and I had just discovered that Jacob told some strange version of what really happened between us. Something like, I kissed him and then felt guilty because of my boyfriend and ran away from him. I wonder where the hell he got that kind of bullshit. From the Lifetime Channel? Maybe some Barbara Cartland novel?
"Bella?" asked a deep voice coming from the reception. Good. Both of my bosses were here. "How are you doing?"
"I'll talk to you later, okay?" I said to Emmett, but he didn't move. I was pretty sure he would ask Connolly to take me home. I was only child, but he always protected me like his sister. It was always like that.
I looked at their faces and said. "I'm better and I'm ready to go back to work."
They exchanged a quick glance and Dawson said, in a soft voice:
"About that, Bella. How about you take the rest of the week off?"
I gasped. "What?"
She shrugged, "Your hand is hurt. It's not like you can type or use the microscope."
"I'm fine, Anne." I said. I felt like I was missing something they weren't telling me. I could type with one hand and it wasn't broken. I just had to immobilize it for a few days. "Seriously." I said anxiously.
Connolly sighed. "Bella, we know you are a responsible employee. But we can't let your problem with Jacob Black—"
"My problem? He's the one who came here to stalk on me--" I couldn't believe this was happening. Jacob was totally screwing with my life.
"He also came here to investigate an important case and I don't have time to deal with two CSI's love problems!" replied Jordan, who was clearly making an effort to keep it cool. He put his hand on his face, "Anyway, it's decided. Until we get this guy, or you two can deal with each other, I'll keep you home. I'll send you the images of the samples. This way is better for everyone." He said on a definitive tone. I could see what he was doing. If I were someone else, he probably would fire me.
"We aren't punishing you, Bella," said Dawson, "but we don't want to dismiss you either. Let's just keep this cool until things calm down a bit."
I nodded, pressing my lips together to stop them from trembling.
"Do you want a ride home?" asked Anne.
"I'll take her home." Said Emmett, putting a protecting hand on my shoulder. She seemed a bit surprised with his response, but her and Jordan just nodded and left. I wiped a tear from my face with my good hand.
"It's okay, Bella."
"No, it's not. Jacob is totally messing up with my life, Em. I feel like he's taking everything from me just to make me go back to Seattle on my knees." I turned and he hugged me, then he patted my back and said:
"He hasn't won yet. Those guys—your bosses like you, Bella. I bet you impressed them with your job. They're fighting to keep you there. Just do what you have to do. Black can't stay here forever. Screw him." And a smile crossed his face as he led me to the main entrance, "and speaking of assholes, do you want to hear something funny?"
I had to smile at him.
"Yeah."
"I just broke Royce King's nose today," he said, with a smug smile. I gasped, I barely knew Royce King, but as far as I've heard of him, he was a smug bastard, with too much money and too little morals. I don't know how Rose can date him.
"Noooo. How did you do that? You know Rosalie is going to eat your liver because of that, right?"
He smiled fainted for a second, probably because he was thinking about Rose's fury, but he regained control.
"Another day, another battle, Bells. I'll tell you while we wait for the driver."
"What driver?" I asked, with a suspicious glance at him.
"The limousine, duh," He laughed.
"No way!"
He looked at me with his brows raised, "the chances of you escaping from here in a cab are less than zero. Now, be good and listen to Uncle Emmett."
"Emmett!" I said, annoyed, "I'm perfectly capable of arriving home in one piece just taking a freaking cab!"
He didn't let himself be convinced by my reply.
"Should I call Edward? I'm pretty sure he's going to want to know why his girlfriend stopped by here--"
I froze. Edward was going to be so pissed with this stuff. He's so protective and I loved that, but he also was a bit exaggerated. And it wasn't a big deal, I just tripped, fell and in my way, I managed to beat with my head on the topper shelve and drag on my way to the floor the other shelves plus the coffee machine. I think I won't win any popularity contest thanks to the coffee machine.
I couldn't escape and I had to admit it wasn't as bad as I expected. There were others limos in the street. Some tourists seemed pretty disappointed when they watched me climbing out of the car. They probably were expecting to see someone famous, but they just got me. I almost felt sorry for their sad, disappointed faces.
Everybody was out when I got in the apartment. Which was great, since I didn't have to give explanations for a couple of hours. I went to my room and took a couple of aspirins. I lay on the bed, where I left myself being dragged by the darkness again.
I woke up an hour later, with some laughing in the living room. I got up and check my hair in the big mirror of the nearest bathroom and decided changing into some comfy clothes as well. I put on a faded denim pants and T-shirt. I was hurt but not sick.
To my surprise, it was Esme in the living room who was laughing. She looked completely in awe, with her shoes off and snuggled on the couch. Lots of packages from fancy stores were piled around them. She looked as if she was posing for a magazine.
There was also another woman with her, pretty as well. She had the same height as Esme, and she had short pale blond hair and green eyes. Her outfit was both classic and elegant, probably Chanel. I don't know why she give me the impression she was the type of woman who spent the whole day between the salon and the shops on Fifth Avenue.
"Hi, Esme." I said timidly, entering the room. Esme looked up and her smile fell in the same instant.
"Bella, oh my God! What happened?" she ran to me and her delicate hand examined the bandage on my forehead.
"I fell at work," I said. "It's okay; I went to the hospital and they said I'll be fine. It wasn't a big deal."
She sighed.
"Oh, Bella. Be careful. This way, your mother is going to tell me I'm not taking care of her daughter."
I laughed a bit, "I'm sure Renee won't have anything to complain about."
She smiled at me. "Well, if you are home earlier, you can have tea with us. Bella, this is my friend, Alicia King."
The other woman rose from the couch and gave me one of those kisses in the air. She barely touched my cheek. We all sat and Alicia commented, while the tea was served.
"Hello, Bella. Esme talks about you all the time. It's great to meet you at last."
"Thank you," Alicia King? Is she Royce's mother? I wonder what she'll have to say when she hears about what happened with her precious son's nose.
"As I was telling Esme. We are so lucky our children are getting along so well." I almost spat the tea when she said that. I coughed a little and put the cup back on the coffee table. "Roy is dating a model. Rosalie Hale, Esme. Can you believe that?"
Esme smiled "Actually, I've met her on the other day. Lovely girl. Her brother is a good friend of Edward and Emmett's."
Alicia took a little sip of tea and said. "About Edward, Esme, is he still single?" she asked in a casual tone. Too casual.
Esme looked at me. We haven't talked about that with Edward's parents, but I'm pretty sure they knew something was going on. I widened my eyes at her and she looked back to Alicia.
"Well, Edward is very reserved about his personal life, Ally. But I know he's involved with someone."
"So, it's not official," added Alicia with a glow in her eyes. I think she use contacts. Actually, I bet she made had couple of plastic surgeries on her nose. And she used too much Botox on her cheeks if you ask me. "Would he be up to a date, maybe? To check on his options, of course he is too young to be involved too seriously with someone. That's what I keep telling my Royce." She shot me a smile. "Don't you agree, dear? Young people like you should be enjoying your lives."
"Sure," I replied and I tried to smile too, but I guess it was mostly like a grimace.
"You'll have to ask him, dear," Esme replied and her tone was a bit colder. "Who do you have in mind?"
Is Esme serious? I started panicking. I can't believe this! She gave me a calming squeeze on my wrist and waited for the answer. Alicia put the cup of tea on the coffee table and said,
"Well, I think it's time for us to solve that little—incident of five years ago, Esme. This sours our friendship and I treasure you and Carlisle too much. And it's the perfect opportunity, with our kids becoming friends and everything. Royce is back in town and Lauren is working with Alice--"
Esme's hands trembled and I gasped. Oh, my God. I'll kill this woman. Esme gave me another squeeze and said.
"I don't think this is going to be possible, Alicia."
"Oh, please, Esme! That wasn't even related to Edward. My niece was just imprudent and a bit silly, but what's the point of being young if you can't be silly?"
"Your niece destroyed my son relationship with his girlfriend. Her conduct was wrong and criminal."
Alicia raised her eyebrows. "Don't you think you are exaggerating? They were in High School and you know what girls do because of boys. I still remember the little prank you gave to Selma Holloway to get to dance with Carlisle at prom!" she laughed and for the first time in my life, I saw Esme blushing.
"That was a completely different situation!" she said, her face red as a tomato. Alicia shrugged I was sick of this. That woman would say anything to justify her children's behavior.
"Well, Mrs. King. I'm afraid it's going to be impossible for Edward to meet your niece again." I said and I didn't even bother to fake my smile, "because we are dating."
Her smiled faded at once. "Oh."
"It wasn't official, but now it is. Edward is not available."
Alicia regained pretty quickly from the shock.
"I'm sorry, dear. You should have said that earlier," her smile was devious, "of course, you are very pretty. I'm sure you don't have a problem with-- competition. Do you?"
"Alicia!" said Esme, scandalized.
"It's okay, Esme. Let her say what she has to say."
Alicia King shrugged, "I'm just saying that, if even Edward's mother didn't know you were dating and you are living under her roof is a sign that you two aren't very serious, are you?"
That kind of hit me a little. We had agreed to not talk to his parents because it was too early. Even for us. We were trying to take it slowly.
Apparently, she took my silence as an advantage.
"That's what I thought." I glared at her and she laughed, "oh, don't be mad, dear. Edward is a handsome boy. I'm sure there are other girls interested in him as well." She looked at my outfit, "If you two are so serious as you seem to believe, you won't have anything to worry about, right?"
With this, Alicia King kissed us goodbye and left. Thank God. I should warn Alice that her mother knew about Lauren. But the clang of heels told me that I wouldn't have that chance.
"Oh, my God, mom. What the hell is Alicia King doing here?" she said and she looked at me, "Oh, Bella! What happened to you?"
"Mary Alice Brandon Cullen. You, young lady, is in trouble." Said Esme in an icy tone. Alice got pale and I swallowed.
Okay, I think this is my lead to leave the room, right?
EPOV
"Thank you, Emmett. I'll be home as soon as I can," I said, asking myself why Bella didn't call me. But Bella was stubborn.
"Problems?" asked a known voice besides me.
I looked up to Tanya as she handed me a cup of coffee. She sat on my side on the bench. We were in a small pause between the practices. It was Tanya's and my routine to grab a cup of coffee and watch the view of the street, while we listened to the other people practice as a soundtrack. We met here. Tanya played the violin and I, the piano. Besides Alice, she was my best friend. I felt kind of bad because I neglected her because of Bella, but she didn't seem to care.
"Bella fell at work and made a small trip to Midtown." Tanya snorted and I frowned. She looked at me apologetically.
"Sorry, Edward, but she's so funny with this clumsiness. Is she all right?"
I nodded. "Emmett sent her home."
"Good, I'm sure if it was something important, she would have called you."
"Yeah, but there is something Emmett isn't telling me. That is what worries me. Bella is having problems with her ex-fiancée. He came here because of a case—"
"—And he's giving her a hard time." She completed, "Some guys just don't take a no for an answer."
I sighed, frustrated.
"You know what's the worst part is? If I was in his place, I'd try to get her back, too."
She nodded and looked at me. "And where does this leave you, Edward?"
I smiled at her. "I'm the one dating her, Tanya. She didn't seem to want to go back to Seattle."
She got a bit closer to me and her light green eyes buried into mine, "And what if she did?" She whispered and her eyes were intense, filled with emotions that I didn't want to hear about. That I couldn't "If she decides leaving you?"
"Tanya." I said in a warning tone, but she didn't listen to me. She grabbed the back of my hand and because my hand was too busy holding the cup of coffee, I couldn't stop her when her lips pressed mine with passion.
I freed my hand and pushed her away.
"What the hell, Tanya?" I shouted, already getting up, "Why the hell did you do that?"
She blushed furiously and her eyes shone with fury and embarrassment
"Because I'm in love with you, Edward, and I thought that I could play the role of the good friend in love with her best friend. But I can't! Okay? She isn't good enough for you." She patted her feet and she looked like she was going to cry, "I refuse myself to lose to that plain Jane."
"Shut up, Tanya." I said to her and I threw the coffee in the trash. "We are done. Don't get close to me ever again."
I turned away from her, but I still could hear her sobs. Everyone from our class were looking at us and giggling. I ignored them and headed back to the main building.
"I love you, Edward! I won't be ashamed because of that! Tell Bella that! I won't give up on you as a good girl!"
Dammit! Why is this happening?
"Did you hear me, Edward Cullen? I LOVE YOU!"
#
N/A: Yeah! Let's add a bit of drama! I'm sorry for the ones who expected a medical drama with lots of people crying, but I've seen this before in other fanfics and I didn't feel like doing this here. Because if it's not well written, it just gets kind of boring. And the idea here is to make you, dear reader, have a bit of fun.
Reviews, please?