AN: here we are! Another chapter! Wow! I know, you must be shocked...
Anyway, this chapter made my lovely Beta Liz cry and call my Eddie a dog...Poor Eddie.
This chapter set things in motion, don't worry my darlings...is coming...is coming...
I'm wonderign if I should rate this story M for future chapters...Oh well.
Sex on the ebach is a good drink. I like it. I've tasted Manhattan too, but it's too strong for me...bleah...
Poll's still up.
Thanks for every reviewer and reader. I would appreciated if the people who have on alert would review too. Thank you so much.
Happy reading!
"Hello Ed" .
That was how Bella greeted her friend on Monday, her voice monotone and defeated. She threw her bag and her coat on the desk and then slumped in the seat, her head on her elbows and her elbows on the desk.
Edward looked at her concerned "What's the matter honey?" he asked sweetly, his eyebrows scrunched together, while he put the magazine down and went over to her desk, kneeling down to look at her. Edward had a way to sat honey. He said it carelessly, but at the same time, in the sweetest way you'll ever hear.
She sighed "I broke up with James" she said and suddenly she felt a warm hand on her back, trying to soothe her or calm her. As if she was nervous!
"And how did it go?" he asked, concern in his voice. If she had looked at him she would have understood, by the apprehension in his eyes, that he was worried sick for her, not for James, or her romantic life, but for her well being, her happiness. Unfortunately, Bella didn't look into his eyes, and thought he was being so nice to her, that he really was a friend.
"It went fairly well. It could have been worse. He could have thrown a fit, instead…
Flashback
"So, I wanted to talk to you about something James" said Bella, at the end of their dinner. James had returned from Paris the same morning, and , even if he needed rest, had accepted to encounter Bella. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to clear things.
"Yes Bella, tell me" said him, his Britain accent coming out. His eyes were calm and serene, his face was imperturbable and a small smile graced his lips.
"I…I…" Bella stammered, but then she took a deep breath and started the speech she spent all afternoon practicing on. "I wanted to tell you, that I think we should stop seeing each other" she said, firmly but unsurely at the same time. Firm, because she was sure of her decision, unsure because she didn't know what James reaction could be.
His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't seem angry "Why? I thought we were having fun" he said, with a calm that starlit her. It wasn't the calm of the villain, that knows he'll force you to his will no matter what, but the calm of a mature person that wants to clear things up.
"Yes" she said, core secure and relaxed "We were having tons of fun" she smiled "But, c'mon, be honest. We don't love each other. We were like…friends with benefits" she said, pondering over their relationship "And I'm not reproaching you for anything! Not at all" she said, so to her speech would not lead him to misunderstandings "But I feel that I've come to a time where I want more than that. I've had lots of fun. Now I want something…" she struggled to find the world.
And yet that afternoon she was so good with that speech…
"Deeper?" guessed him, smiling amused.
"Yes" she sighed "That's it".
He laughed and then pretended to wipe if forehead from sweat "Fiew!" he said.
Bella looked confused, and threw at him a confused stare "Uh?" she grunted.
He smiled "Well, I've been thinking the same thing Bella. I didn't intend on leaving you –I'm not so rude-" he added jokingly, scowling at her "But I knew I didn't love you. And I too, think it's time to find someone with who I can have something more" he said and then, after some seconds of pause he added "I hope to have found her. I really like her. I met her yesterday in Paris. Nothing happened" he said to Bella, so to prove his loyalty "But I can feel it's going top be something important" he finished off, then he got up.
"Well, I better get going then" he started, then he walked up to Bella and hugged her "Thanks Bella. We really had fun together" he said.
She returned the hug "Thank you too" she said. And then James was out of her door, and her life.
End flashback
"Well, it went good" Edward commented.
"Yes!" Bella exclaimed "But if you think about it, it's kind of sad. On a part, we felt the same way, on the other, though, I was so easy to leave." She said sadly. "I'm a little offended. Am I that ugly Edward?" she asked. And that was a first. Bella wasn't exactly a narcissistic person, but she wasn't blind. She saw that her eyes were captivating, that her hair was glossy and curly, that her lips were full and rosy and that her body was nice. A 34 B cup bra and 116 pounds was a nice body. She never doubted her feminility and her ability to attract men, because she knew she was quite pretty, no need for false modesty.
But, for an instant, only one, her self esteem got incredibly low, and she needed reassurance. And there was nothing better that hear that you're a very beautiful woman. It beats even chocolate.
"Oh no Bella!" he said, caressing slowly her hair, looking even more concerned "You're such a pretty girl. You're very beautiful. C'mon, don't be a baby now" he said, trying to cheer her up. "Now, we have to talk about the book" he said, getting serious. And that seriousness got Bella anxious.
"What about the book?" she asked.
He was walking back to his desk, picking up the draft she had finished "Ok, so. The end. It's all wrong" he said. And that infuriated her. He was so nice at times, and during the past half year he had improved a lot in her eyes, but at work he was just the same. Awfully arrogant, annoyingly conceited and so damn overconfident. As if he were "All That"!
She exhaled, frustrated "What about the end? It's a happy ending Edward! He changes her and they all live happily ever after!" she said, loudly.
He looked at her and chuckled. "Don't laugh at me you sucky bastard!" she said. And then she heard what came out from her mouth. Sucky bastard? What the hell? Oh why, why she says the first words her mind process instead on thinking them rationally? Why she always had to look like a fool?
He arched an eyebrow "Sucky bastard?" he asked, laughter in his eyes and in his voice "Well, that's new. Please, enlighten me Bella" he gestured with his big hand.
"Argh!" she shouted, clenching and slamming her fist on her desk. "You're impossible!" she continued.
Moments passed, and Edward had still had stupid smirk on his face, while Bella was still very angry at him.
"Have you finished?" he asked, suppressing a laughter.
She grunted.
"Ok, I want you to change the end. It sucks. It's cliché and vain of meaning. I mean what the hell?" he said, his hands in the air, sitting at the corned of his desk, his long legs reaching the floor.
Bella's eyes became two slits, and she spoke, her tone menacing "And why, pray tell? Why my wonderfully romantic ending is so disgusting to you?" she asked.
"Because" he started to explain, as if it was obvious "Its' fake. Think about it Bella: he spends the entire book going on about how he isn't good for her, about how eternity is not so special, about the monster he is, and then, after he saves her, blocking her transformation, he changes her? There's no coherency, there's no sense!" he said "Edward wouldn't make this …absurdity! In the end, he won't change her" he said, slamming his fist on the desk.
She got up from her chair faster than light " What? He doesn't want her? You're telling me he should leave her like that for the rest of her life and grow old and die, while he stay forever young and wonderful!" she said "And then, he would be all alone" she whispered. What a sad thought. Poor Edward, how could she leave him there all on his own? Without someone to take him company? All miserable and alone?
She shook her head "No, no, no, no. I won't do it!" she said firmly. She had decided, no way her male character would be left like a …artichoke! She wanted an happy ending and she'll have an happy ending!
He shook his head "Yes. You'll leave her human and in love. Think Bella. I don't want a sappy love story, but I don't want a tragedy…" he said and looked at her, hinting something. But she was too angry to care what he was hinting at.
He sighed and passed and hand through his hair, messing with them "I mean: he won't change her at the end of this book" he put emphasis on the word 'this' "But he could in the other" he said, smiling.
Bella took a step back, confused, not sure what he was talking about "What other book?" she asked stupidly.
He was exasperated. She could tell from the way his nostrils flared "Oh God Bella! Please, try to connect your little brain once a day!" he said, insulting her "A sequel Bella! A sequel! I'm telling you I think you should make a saga, not only one wretched book!" he explained.
Her mouth formed a little circle "Oh" she said, disoriented. She hadn't thought about it. A saga…it sounded so…so…important. Wow. She had to think about it…
"Ok" she said. She had thought enough. Edward was so convincing, so persuading, so…sure of himself. It was both annoying and…and…oh God, it was, sexy!
"Good girl" he said, nodding in approval "Now, write" he commanded. And that was a long afternoon.
"Edward, this is Tanya" she said, pointing the two people, even tough they were standing in front of each other. "Tanya, this is Edward" she finished.
The blond girl flashed an smile worth to be on advertisement and extended her hand to shake his outstretched one "Nice meeting you Edward" she said.
He smiled seductively "My pleasure" he responded.
Bella had a tight, forced smiled on her lips, and her eyes went back and forth the two : was only her imagination, or the was a double meaning there? Maybe it was her malicious mind.
Tanya was a tall, blonde and very attractive girl, with large pale, blue eyes, that Bella had met via Rosalie. She was one of the models that worked for Prada and, even tough the feeling was not mutual, she adored Bella. Or so she seemed. Although Rosalie and Alice said Tanya really admired Bella, she had the nagging sensation that she liked to have her around as a self esteem booster: in other words, she thought Bella was less pretty than her, hence she was superior and she felt good having her around. That meant she could go around with someone uglier than herself, someone with who her beauty would be enhanced.
But that, was only Bella's opinion.
In spite of her annoying laugh, her poor sense of humor and her awful grammar –she was from Croatia- Bella knew better than to make her one of her enemies. She was popular, famous and knew lots of people, and that's the most important thing in New York. More than once, when she felt bored and lonely the only thing she had to do was call Tanya and they'll be speeding off to some new club, or to the most fashion designer's birthday party, or on some cool artist's exposition. It was fun. The only thing to do was ignore Tanya, and Bella was very good at ignoring.
But it was hard to ignore both Tanya and Edward, when they were flirting freely under her nose.
They were at the Cream, a club at 246 Columbus Avenue at 71st Street, it was a nice place, the music was decent and it was packed, a positive sign. But, being in a packed club pressed between Tanya's breast and Edward's chest while they were on the verge to go at it. It wasn't the most relaxing situation in the world, and, truth to be told, it was a little gross. She had always seen Edward under a serious, comforting, almost paternal light, and seeing his tongue in Tanya's throat wasn't exactly the most wonderful sight in the world.
"Ehm, I'll go get myself a drink" she said, and tried to stand up. But the two wouldn't break their…union.
"Excuse me" she said, clearing her throat pointedly. Nothing. "Ahem, excuse me" she repeated, louder, and she stood up. Well, not entirely, but half up, half down. She put her right hand on Tanya's head, her left on Edward's and added pressure. They wouldn't break contact? She would.
"Excuse me!" she finally yelled and, thanks to her strength, she could break the two apart. Those said two, tough, even apart, were looking intensely in each other eyes, both their lips red and swollen, their breaths ragged, panting like dogs.
Please a bathroom for Bella Swan. Or a bin too. Anything would do.
She went to the bar, where a blonde, blue eyed, busy bartender was preparing some drinks. She waited for some minutes when she took off her jacket, revealing her deep neck line that showed the white creamy skin of her breasts. She then pressed her bust to the bench and smiled brightly.
The blonde guy was at her side in an instant "Hello, I'm Mike, welcome to the Cream, what can I get you?" he said, smiling too.
"Sex on the Beach, please" she yelled over the loud music directly in his eyes. Under other circumstances that was have been rude, but, apparently, the boy like to have her lips near his ear and, hence, the opportunity to look directly at her chest.
He nodded and she smiled in thanks. She looked momentarily at her bench and saw that the two hormonal creatures were still exploring each other throats. It was disturbing.
Bella, then, noticed in that moment something. That the sight was not only disturbing, but also irritating, but not for the obscenity of it all- it wasn't really obscene, she had done worse things in public- but for the people involved. Or better, the man.
Her eyes widened in horror. Oh God! She was jealous! Of Edward!
Most people wouldn't have accepted that revelation that easily, but Bella knew herself, even if not completely yet, and knew perfectly that she was a very possessive person. Possessive of friends, objects, shoes, clothes, cars. Everything. And she knew, deep down her heart, that she had grown to love Edward, to think of him as her knight in shining armor, someone that could always be there for her. The man that took care of her when she was ill, the one that comforted her when she was down, the one who yelled at her when they quarrelled, the one that laugh with her, that suggested names, clothes, places. She had grown attached to the idea that Edward would be forever her friend, always available for her and at her service.
But he wouldn't be single forever. And someone else would have him all for herself. And she wouldn't, couldn't, do anything, because it would be that other person's right to have him run to her aid, take care of her, ditch Bella for her, be sweet to her and comfort her, instead of Bella. And that would be horrible.
"Here your drink" said the bartender, smiling, his voice chipper.
Bella turned around to look at him, and smiled in return. She then took her drink and tasted it, the flavour of peach in her mouth.
She stayed like that, there, all alone, the night. The worst and most disgusting night of her life.
AN: Here's the chap, my lovelies!
So, Bella is coming around with ehr feelings, not completely, but a little at least, and Edward...is not a dog. I cana ssure you about that. See how sweet he's with Bella? But then, why Tanya??
Ihihihihihihih you'll find out soon.
The clubs I name in this story are real. You can check. The Cream seemed to me the better one on the list of clubs. Can you imagine this? In Italy, I can have the detailed description, with times, cost etc. of clubs in NY! It's absurd... oh, the address is real...so, if any Ny citizen wants to go to a different club than the usual...well, that's it!
So, tell me impressions, comments, questions. I'm here. And today I'm in a wonderful mood I must say. :D
Review!! I'd like at least 15 reviews, thanks! please, with a huge cherry on top and cream...ihhih
Baci
Marta