Chapter Twenty Eight: Picture Perfect

Edward POV

I fastened the black satin bow around my white collar. Mum had showed me how to do this a million times, but they never turned out as good as hers. As a kid, I was always dressed up for business functions for my father. Not that I ever wanted to go to them, but it was good for appearances and I didn't have much choice in the matter. That was until I was old enough to tell him to go to hell. Thinking of my parents, along with the realisation I was mere minutes from my mother made my guts turn with guilt.

Guilt was an all powerful emotion that currently consumed me, guilt over leaving Bella, guilt over what I was doing with Tanya and now guilt over not seeing my mother. This had become the ultimate nightmare weekend. I was still hoping that I would wake up in Bella's bed, where I should have spent the night, and laugh off a stupid dream about a crazy ex-girlfriends.

Whether it was from severe lack of sleep, emotional turmoil or I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. I couldn't shake the horrible feeling that I was a drunk walking along the edge of a cliff, completely unsteady and just one wrong step from falling to my demise. I took a deep breath to steady myself and looked at the final product in the mirror, the edges of the bow tie were still a little crooked, but I couldn't be bothered trying again. Three attempts were enough to drive any straight man crazy. Also considering who I was doing this for, I was tempted to throw the damn Gucci tie in the trash along with the black tailored suit I was wearing. What a coincidence Tanya had a suit tailored to my exact measurements? My suspicion of her planning my attendance at this event well in advance was all too obvious.

Today had been pride-draining. The sun had just risen when we arrived in the Chicago airport. I hadn't slept a wink on the plane, desperate to get to Chicago so that I could use my damn phone and call Bella again. I tried unsuccessfully to get some alone time so I could call her, but Tanya refused to leave my side. Even a bathroom break was written off because Tanya's personal driver James was waiting for us as soon as we stepped out of the terminal. To my absolute elation, Tanya drifting asleep in the Limo and I took the scarce opportunity to send a quick text to Bella. It was short, but probably the most heartfelt, guts-on-the-line text I had ever sent anyone. And yet she hadn't responded, and I was starting to fret that I had lost her. Even if Alice had explained to her my situation and what Tanya was like. Maybe it wasn't enough. Hell, even I thought it wasn't enough. I felt like a wormy, gut-less fool. To scared to stand up against the big bad red-head. How could I expect Bella to forgive me when I couldn't forgive myself?

Tanya had then proceeded to drag me in and out of dress shops, florists, tailor shops, shoe shops even the hair salon. She told the barber exactly how she liked my hair, a little shorter on the sides, and styled at the front. It was too short for my liking but like the rest of the day I had no say in my appearance. Nor did I really care at this point. I was pulled along, in and out, dressed up and down, I felt like her personal little string puppet.

I grabbed my phone off the dresser and made my way out of the bedroom and down the stairs to the foyer of the lavish house. Luckily Tanya's home was exceptionally large and I was given one of the spare bedrooms. The thought of sleeping in her room would have been disturbingly familiar. Needless to say I would have preferred to sleep in a den of hungry Lions. I didn't think it was possible to hate Tanya any more than what I had before, but after today and her bribing me. She was only one person off the top of my 'people I most hate' list, almost surpassing my father. If not for the fact that so far her threats were only implied and had not yet been acted upon. I stressed the word yet, because if she so much as hurt one hair on Bella's head, physically or emotionally, I doubt even my bulletproof self-control could withstand the repercussion of me exacting my revenge.

Tanya's house was ostentatious much like my parents. Overly furnished and decorated with things, expensive things. Looking at the high sculpted ceilings and priceless artefacts, I couldn't help but feel home sick and not for my parents house. I felt home sick for the first place that had ever felt like a home, Forks. The tall green trees of the expansive forest were replaced by the steel and tarmac of Chicago City. I missed the comfortable elegance and safety of Carlisle and Esme's home, the warmth and charm of the Swan residence. But most of all I missed Bella's tiny bedroom, where her bed took up all the space, and the small desk and dresser table were scattered in books, CD's and things that seemed like little pieces of her soul. I could have spent hours in that room like a perverted snoop rifling through her stuff just so I could discover one more bit of trifle yet all consuming information.

The foyer was empty and silent. No doubt Tanya was still getting ready. I hoped all her preening was not for my sake. I would take Bella in sweats and a pony tail over Tanya in Armani any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I sat down on a velvet padded bench and pulled my phone from my pocket. Refreshing the screen I looked in vain to see if I had any missed calls or messages from Bella. But I already knew there would be nothing. I had my phone in my pocket all day continually checking to see it hadn't died or if it was on silent by accident. But no it was a perfectly functioning, top of the range Nokia and I was starting to worry.

I was so close to calling Bella, when the doorbell sounded. I knew there was basically no one else home except Tanya and the maid so I made my way over to the entrance. Through the glass doors I saw a kaleidoscope of colourful dresses and black suits similar to my own, looks like the pre-party was at Tanya's house.

Before I knew it, the door was swung open and the familiar sea of faces made their way into the oversized entrance way. The girls carried tiny purses on their corsage covered wrists and the boys held silver flasks and open bottles of grey goose vodka which they seemed happy to swig without glasses. The once quiet house was now replaced by rowdy voices and then to my dismay shrieks or recognition as they caught sight of me.

"Edward!" I recognised Irina's voice before I saw her shove her way past a few of the others. Kate followed on her heels. I use to call them tweedledee and tweedledum. They were part and parcel with the Tanya package and I was not surprised to see them here. "I can't believe you actually came, Tanya said you were coming but I didn't think you'd actually show up after what she did to you."

"So what was the going price?" Kate giggled and swiped her fingers suggestively down the lapel of the jacket. "If I knew you were this easy I would have put in an offer."

I grabbed her wrist stopping her hand from moving any further down my chest. "Back off Kate" I growled throwing her arm back to her side. "I'm not in the fucking mood."

Kate looked up at me, her eyes shining with mischief like she was enjoying it.

"Now, now Edward, that's no way to treat our guests." Tanya's sickly sweet voice cut in, loud enough for everyone to hear. All heads turned in her direction, jaws slightly a gape but I refused to be part of it. No doubt her ego was growing to epic proportions from the amount of awe I could see in their gazes, guys and girls alike.

I kept my eyes down as she swivelled in front of me. Her hand reached out and under my jaw until I was forced to look at her. She was wearing an emerald green dress, with a plunging neck line and dangerously high splits. Typical attire for Tanya, she never grasped the concept of leaving something for the imagination. Her assets were on show for everyone to see. I struggled to remember how I ever found this girl attractive, but I put it down to blind familiar allegiance.

Without even looking I knew everyone's eyes would be on us, the hushed voices were a dead giveaway. I hated this so much, I felt so cheap and unclean. What I would give to be able to lock myself in the bathroom and scrub my skin raw just to feel clean again. As much as I hated Kate, her words rang true in a way, how much was I willing to sell myself for? Going through this was basically a form of prostitution.

Although for me the price was Bella's safety and if I had to, I would do a lot more that slap on a suit if I it meant I could keep her safe. But no one else here knew that.

I noticed James through the window, stretched out waiting on the hood of the first limo, a little sanctuary I could possibly hide myself in until we left.

"Look Tanya, I'll wait in the limo before I really go and do something to one of your little friends that I'm sure we'll both regret." I said and headed for door.

Before I could get far, she grabbed my arm. "Not just yet Eddie, were going to take some photos before we leave."

"I'm not doing photo's Tanya. That wasn't part of the deal." I raised my voice hoping that at least the other guests heard my unwillingness to be part of this.

Tanya cocked her head to the side and I knew she was pissed. I'm sure our little bribe wasn't entirely public knowledge. She gripped me tighter her freshly manicured nails dug painfully into my bicep as she brought her lips to my ear. "Don't be like that Eddie." She whispered her voice hissing with acid. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. And the deal was prom! Photos are a part of Prom, so I suggest you suck it up and smile."

As if on cue a photographer appeared from the family room and started snapping all the guests. When it was our turn, Tanya posed like a girl possessed. Legs on show, eyes fluttering, shoulder turned it was like a rehearsed dance of poses. No doubt she had practiced the routine in a mirror a thousand times over. She dragged me in to the flashing light and wrapped her arms around me. I tried to remain as blank as possible much to the photographer's dismay. "Look here sir, Smile… Please Sir… Smile."

Sorry buddy, it's not bloody happening.

Finally I thought the onslaught was coming to an end, but I was wrong. Tanya slipped her iphone out of a tiny purse and handed it to the photographer.

"Could you take a few more photos on this Laurent, I want to save it as a screen saver."

"No problem Mam." Laurent diligently replied.

Tanya grabbed my shoulders and turned towards me so that I couldn't avoid her eye contact.

"Eddie, can you please be a little more believable."

I was about to tell her to go fuck herself, but before I could, her hands grabbed my neck and her lips were on mine. If the moment could get any worse I heard the quiet click of her iphone. It was over as quickly as it started, but I knew Laurent timing was perfect, the image was captured.

Tanya pulled away and I looked at the photographer, the phone clutched in his hands.

"Give me the phone." I gestured towards Laurent. My voice was hard and he looked at me with fear in his eyes, before turning frantically towards Tanya.

"Give it to me, Laurent." Tanya demanded holding out her hand to him. Tanya must have been a scarier opponent because Laurent reluctantly gave the phone back to her and promptly left the room. I couldn't blame him though Tanya could do a lot more damage to him than what I could.

Tanya squeezed my arm, "Edward. It's just a photo, no harm done."

"I don't give a shit Tanya. I don't want anyone seeing that photo not even you. Give me the damn Phone."I reached for her hand but she drew it back away from her, and put her other hand on my chest.

"No Edward, It's my phone. If you let me keep this one tiny photo of us I won't make you be in anymore. You can even leave early. You don't have to come to the after party."

"I never intended on going to the after party."

"That's part of Prom too."

"You keep going on about Prom being the deal Tanya. When the hell was I going to get the fine print?"

"God, give up Edward you know you won't win. I think I'm being pretty reasonable here, letting you leave early. Everyone else is going to the after party."

"For all I know you've probably planned it that way. You'll ditch me after prom and go find someone who actually wants to hook up with you. Because you sure as hell know I won't be giving you anything tonight."

Tanya laughed coldly. "If I wanted your cock tonight Edward, I'd just take it."

"You know that's called rape nowadays."

"It's not rape, if you say yes. And believe me if I really wanted to, I could make you agree to anything."

"Keep the fucking photo, Fuck it!" I growled in desperation.

"That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

"You've got your photo, you've got tonight and then that's it. I'm going back to Forks the minute this stupid prom is over, and you can't ask for anything from me, ever again. Got it?"

"Okay Eddie" She winked and replied sweetly but unconvincingly.

After the last of the guests were finished with photos and polishing off their bottles of champagne and vodka, we all made our way to the procession of Limo's.

Lucky for me, once we were arrived at the Prom, Tanya was sufficiently distracted by more gushing girls and bright lights. I was able to sit relatively unnoticed at our table. Occasionally a familiar face would dare to approach me, but after realising I wasn't in the mood for small talk they would quickly move on.

It was nearing the end of the night, when Tanya finally approached me. There was a slight sheen of sweat on her brow and some of curls had come loose because she had basically spent the whole night on the dance floor and in and out of the ladies room with her entourage.

"There's only a few more songs left Eddie. Before it's over and I need my man accessory, come here." She wiggled her finger at me.

I knew this was it, the last request and I was done, so I sucked in a deep breath, left my balls at the table and made my way onto the dance floor with her.

Of course a slow song came on, and Tanya hitched her arms around my neck. I braced my hands on her waist keeping an arm length between us, despite her desperate attempts to tug me closer.

We swayed to the song along with all the other couples, although there was a lot more snogging and groping going on with the others. "This is nice, isn't it Eddie? I always knew we'd be together at Prom. First we were friends, then lovers, now enemies. Such a natural progression don't you think?"

"You're sick" Was all I could manage to reply.

She was about to retaliate when she stopped mid breath and smiled. "Oh great timing, I wonder who this could be?"

To say I was confused when she released her hold from my neck to open her clutch bag which hung from her wrist, was an understatement. I didn't think wild horses would stop her from the last dance, but yet here she was allowing a phone call to interrupt us.

She pulled out the vibrating phone and I noticed the callers ID on her screen. I was even more flabbergasted as to why she would answer a call from someone she called 'slut face' until Tanya opened her mouth and it all made sense.

"Hello Bella, I guess you got my picture message?"

xxxx

A/N: It's been a while, but I'm finally going to finish this story. I have the next 2 chapters in draft so they should come out pretty quick. Just needed the motivation to get started again. Sorry to any of my long time readers. I will finish this story! (my little mantra )

Ps. Reviews are great motivation