"Bella, it's not that he doesn't want you to work"
Alice tried to comfort her friend while Mike had run to the back to fix himself. Bella was a mess. She had witnessed how easy it was for Edward to lose his temper and not think twice about taking a human life.
"Jasper said he feels like you are missing something he is not able to give you -"
Alice enquired, watching her friend thoughtfully.
"That's ridiculous Alice, I'm not missing anything." Bella dismissed her.
"Why did you want to get a job Bella, and don't tell me it's because you don't have a trust fund. You know Dr Cullen said we could go to college with his funds."
"I know Alice. It's not like we're going to college anyway. I just - I guess I needed to do this for myself."
"Okay, somehow I get that. Will you risk Edward killing Mike though? Jasper says Mike's thoughts and lust for you are beyond normal. I can only imagine what Edward has seen in his thoughts."
Alice' tiny face scrunched up in disgust
"Mike is with Jessica, how can he even think of me like that?" Bella shuddered
"He's always had a thing for you Bella. I bet he asked Jessica out hoping to make you jealous. That's why she doesn't like you, you know."
Bella huffed.
"Well I'm not interested in Mike so why did Edward act that way. He could have killed him."
"Yes, he would have even." Alice agreed
"Alice, that is not okay"
"He's a vampire Bella. Mike is messing with his mate. The punishment is death."
Alice spoke as a matter-of-fact. Bella was taken aback by her statement.
"You like being independent and doing things for yourself. That's okay, I get that. But you must let Edward take care of you. That's his job - the only thing he needs to know how to do. You didn't even discuss getting a job with him first. He can't hear your thoughts Bella. He thinks you need something - money wise - that you're not asking his help for. He feels shut out, like you don't trust him to provide for you. It's hurting him."
Alice showed a rare seriousness that Bella knew to listen. Bella's heart ached when she thought she was hurting Edward.
"I don't mean to hurt him Alice. I don't even need this job or the money. I did it for Charlie." Bella whispered.
"Why? Does he not have enough for you two?"
Alice' eyes widened. She had been staying at the Swan's since her gran was admitted. She was wondering whether it was putting Charlie out.
"No-no. I wanted him to be proud of me, to know that I was capable of standing on my own two feet - before I leave him." Bella explained.
"Oh Bella, Charlie is proud of you. He doesn't expect you to be on your own two feet while you're still in high school - I don't believe that. Right now he's more worried about boys like Mike." Alice comforted.
"Well, that and you. He said I must speak to you about not wasting your inheritance "Expensive cars and clothes are only temporary" he said. Consider this message delivered."
Bella retorted.
"Charlie's sweet. Tell him not to worry, after..."
"After what?"
"There's a gift waiting for you at home. Come on, let's go."
Alice kept her eyes averted, making Bella suspicious. She went to the back office to thank Mrs Newton for the opportunity to work there but informed she wouldn't be coming back. She claimed the need to focus on keeping her grades up as an excuse. She decided the job was not worth making Edward angry enough to kill Mike.
Alice kept up the chatter while they drove to Bella's house. She had introduced Edward to her grandma that afternoon. She wanted her grandma to know that she had some family and Bella; and that she would be alright. Of course, Edward wasn't staying in Forks for long to her gran.
Edward informed that her grandma doesn't like him. Grandma Brandon was worried he had come back for Alice's money, and she intended to speak with Alice about it.
Bella swallowed a lump in her throat when they parked into her driveway. A blue sporty Audi TT was parked there with a big ribbon on top. She was already protesting in her mind.
"Now Bella don't complain. That's yours, nicer than myne by the way."
Alice announced. Bella dragged her feet to join Edward and Jasper by the car. Edward handed her the key but she didn't take them.
"I can't accept this." She shook her head 'no'.
"Guys, why don't you give us five minutes please" Alice asked, her eyes narrowed at her friend.
"What are you doing? Didn't you hear me earlier?"
She pounced on Bella after the brothers gave them a little privacy.
"Why - and who decided to buy me a car? I don't need one. Soon I'll be running faster than they can go. Why do any of you think I need a car?"
Bella was not the least bit impressed or ready to give in with this.
"This, dear sister and friend, is the consequence of you getting a job and none of us understanding why. Edward was so miserable. He loaned some money from Carlisle and played the stock market. He bought you this with his first earnings. He hasn't even paid Carlisle back yet. You really want to throw that in his face?"
Alice was getting angry. She had a soft spot for Edward. Next to Bella, he was her closest friend. They shared special moments with her speaking to him in her thoughts. Alice was an open book. Whatever she didn't speak about out loud to Jasper, she had no problem thinking to Edward.
Bella rarely found herself at the receiving end of Alice's splutter. She was shocked, first at Edward's actions and Alice's obvious anger.
"Wh-what am I going to tell Charlie?" she wondered out loud.
"Easy, it's a gift from my 'cousin' and I. That will get me off the hook with wasting money and get Edward off the hook with being the obsessive boyfriend he is."
Alice's mood had shifted a complete hundred-and-eighty degrees.
"Now, will you please get the keys. Esme is expecting us." She encouraged.
"Edward"
Bella called barely above a whisper and he appeared behind her. She took his face in her small warm hands and kissed him soundly.
"Thank you. I'm sorry about earlier. This is very thoughtful of you." She said between kisses.
"I'm crazy about you. You're all I ever want and need, never doubt that." She continued.
Edward was putty in her hands. He forgave her quickly.
Charlie asked about the fancy Audi parked in the driveway when he arrived home that night. Alice was a bubble of cheer when she told him it was Bella's gift from herself and her cousin. She was adamant Bella was deserving of it and explained to Charlie that Bella and her cousin are the only family she will have once her gran passes away with a sad pouty look. Charlie didn't say anything other than to warn her to be careful with her money. He decided that he'd return the truck to Billy for Jacob to use. Bella hoped he wasn't hurt.
