Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. They are Stephenie Meyer's. Nor do I own the fashion label mentioned. Nor do I own the actor mentioned. Although I terribly, terribly wish I did. Hahaha. I'm very sorry I'm only posting this now, my Internet connection is still on vacation, I'm resorting to spending cash on Starbucks. : (

"Get out of the way."

Alice couldn't do anything but to move aside and let us pass by.

"Maybe we should spend dinner together tomorrow? Since it's your official first night in Paris?" I heard Edward ask.

You have got to be kidding me. Since when did Edward become daft?

"Sure." Jasper answered.

I turned to Jasper and looked at him with a scowl on my face.

He smiled.

"Alright, we'll see you later." And with that, Jasper led me into the elevator.

I turned to him when the doors closed. Thankfully, we were the only ones inside.

"Have you gone completely insane?" I seethed.

He chuckled in a very insulting way. Ugh.

"Bella, calm down. It's just dinner."

"With Alice, your ex-wife, and Edward, my ex-boyfriend. Or have you forgotten what they are to us?"

My temper wasn't going down anytime soon and he must have felt that as he frowned.

"Bella, are you feeling threatened by Alice and Edward's presence? Because I'm not."

I snorted. "Funny you should say you're not, yet you're the first to slip up. Maybe you should be the one threatened by their presence as I can see how vulnerable you've become with Alice."

Shit. That was kind of a low blow as I know he had already apologized for his slip-ups but I was too incensed that he accepted Edward's dinner invitation.

Naturally, Jasper was hurt and angry.

"How many times do I have to apologize for that, Bella? Do you want me to beg at your feet just for you to forgive and forget? Will you never let me rest until I actually die of guilt and frustration?"

Think of an appropriate response. Think of an appropriate response.

"Nobody dies out of guilt." I muttered.

"Do you want me to be the first?"

I said nothing.

The elevator door opened and we got out.

We were silent as we got into our room, which turned out to be the Presidential Suite.

I took no notice of how grand our room was as I turned around to Jasper.

"Where are we eating tonight anyway? And how do I prepare for the first night in Paris with you, your ex-wife and my daft ex-boyfriend?"I snapped.

"Hotel's having a ball. Wear formal." Was all he could reply as he retreated to the study and sat down.

"Fine. I'm going out, I'll find something to wear so as not to disappoint." I glared one last time at him, who was currently closing his eyes and burying his face in his hands.

Traitor tears make a comeback. Oh joy.

This is turning out to be one fun vacation.

Walking around Paris on my own did nothing to clear my mind, although picking a dress for tomorrow's ball did manage to pull me away from my thoughts.

I walked around looking for the perfect dress when this dress displayed outside a department store caught my eye. I entered the store and asked the first sales rep to point me to the store with the dress the mannequin on display had.

My stomach dropped. They led me right to Vera Wang. The same dress was displayed inside.

I had enough money to buy it but I didn't think it'd be wise to splurge on one dress when I can buy a cheaper version.

Before I turned my back on the store, a woman approached behind me and asked, "Didn't anything catch your eye?"

"Oh yes, there's one. That dress on display, but I'm afraid I can't take the price."

"Oh, well. You seem like a nice girl. What do you say on borrowing?"

I snorted. "Good one, miss. It's Vera Wang. " I told the woman, as if she couldn't read the name of the store.

The woman laughed.

I turned around and then my jaw dropped.

"Dear, I am Vera Wang."

Oh.my.god.

15 minutes later, I'm holding the Vera Wang bag so tightly as if my life depended on it.

Maybe there's still some good luck in me. It's not often a fashion designer allows you to borrow her latest creation.

Although it isn't entirely free.

I gulped at the payment she asked.

The first question in my head goes…

What the hell were you thinking, o clumsy-foot Bella, agreeing to model for Vera Wang's Paris fashion show?

Have you gone as completely mental as your deranged vampire of a boyfriend?

I must have been thinking too much as I jumped so high when a car honked in front of me.

"Stop daydreaming in the middle of the street, miss!" shouted the French cab driver.

"Sorry." I muttered.

"Scared you quite a bit, didn't he?" a friendly voice asked beside me.

I turned to my left and for the second time that night, my jaw dropped.

Standing beside me was this British guy who must have been an actor. His aura was simply hauling in paparazzi.

"Hello, I'm Ben Barnes. You?" he said, extending his hand.

I stared at him like an idiot for a few more seconds before shaking his hands. I noticed he blushed.

"Isabella Swan. Call me Bella."

"Beautiful name. What brings you to Paris, Bella?"

"Oh. I wanted a bit of sight-seeing."

"Do you have a guide? Maybe I can tour you around. I'm pretty familiar with this place."

"She's with me."

I jumped at another voice.

His voice dripping with jealousy, he stood beside me, gripping my shoulders a bit too tightly.

I saw Ben looking curiously at me and gazed at him, sizing him up.

"Hello." Ben greeted him.

Grunt.

"Oh, I should be going. See you around Paris, Bella." And with another smile that would take the breath out of many girls, he left.

I looked straight up at him, hoping he would feel the full force of the wrath in my eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Edward?"

A/N: I'll find a picture of Bella's gown. And I'll post the next one either Saturday or Sunday :)