A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you. A million thank yous from me to all you lovely people. Here is some vindication and revenge. Thank you Marissa for being so quick with this chapter, you did a lovely job. Also check out Twificvagabond(dot)blogspot(dot)com, April in Paris is the story of the month…exciting huh? (=
This chapter has been difficult to write because my laptop, Emily, is sick and being fixed. I would have had this to you guys much sooner if not for this tiny snag.
Enjoy and Chez Sylvain is a real bar in France...Just a little FYI.
See you at the bottom.
FPOV
I'm happy with my lot in life, I always have been. To some, my life might seem like a forty-one year bought of luck and perhaps there's something in that. Things come easy to me, brilliance, friendship, skill, work, and women. Ah, always have I had a way with the women. They love me and I love fucking them. Sex has always come easy to me as well, I'm a great fuck, had been since I popped the cherry. I suppose I was born gifted. But my fate, luck, gifts, what have you, in no way meant that I did not earn my winnings. Blood, sweat, liquor and tenacity have made me the man, the lawyer I am. And this case, this enormously personal case was no exception to that.
"Mother Fucker…" I could hardly believe my fucking eyes.
"Monsieur 'ammen, is everything alright?" Lynee, my assistant, asked from the door nonplussed by my foul mouth—she was accustom to my grating experlatives. I shook my head absently still focused on the papers I held in my hands.
"Yes, fine, Lynee…I'll call for you if I need anything."
"Anything Monsieur 'ammen, all you 'ave to do is ask. I am very good at following directions and…anticipating needs."
"I'm aware of your talents Lynee." Smirking I looked up at her and nodded back to her desk outside my office.
"Kicking me out so soon, pity," she sighed playfully and left, her hips swaying as she went.
I had come to enjoy this about her, she, like her country women, never failed to speak her mind. Lynee wasn't worth her paycheck. She was shit at coffee, tea, my schedule, and she answered the phone late nine times out of ten, but she was fucking brilliant to watch walk away.
I went back to work, reading carefully the documents again. This recent bit of information I obtained from M. Gainsbourg was the ace I, we needed. I had the bastards now; did they think they could pull the wool over my eyes with such coarse attempt? Did they not know who the fuck they were dealing with? I was fucking Felix E. Hammen of Green, Elson and Hammen, top grades in Cambridge and youngest partner in firm history, for fuck sakes. I should have to have my accolades posted somewhere.
Your ego and dick are competing for top billing Felix, Alice had once told me. They were both top billing. Just to be clear, they are both top billing, equal in size. Ego was needed in law, and my ego was justified, there wasn't a case placed in my lap that I hadn't won and I wasn't going to break that streak now.
I called Gainsbourg and asked him to meet me and Isabella at Canard, only mildly bothered by his worshipful prattling. He promised to be at Canard early as to go over vital information with Isabellar and hung up, thankfully. The man was taxing, but valuable. Checking my watch, I was surprised to see that it was only ten in the morning. I got more done before noon than most people got done all fucking day, or all week.
Smiling, arrogantly I might add, I placed the second most important call of the morning and waited, knowing that I had these bastards by the nads.
"Canard, comment je peux vous aider?"
I groaned quietly and shifted in my seat, "Hello Teresa, love."
"Felix. It's nice to 'ear from you, finalement. 'Ow can I 'elp you?" Her voice was deep and seductive in my ear, my cock stirred at the memory of being in her. I made a note to meet up with her soon. She had been fantastic the last time. Idly, I wondered how she came to be so flexible.
"There are many ways you can help me love, but this is business, not pleasure." I chuckled at her disappointed sigh. "I'm calling on behalf of Miss Isabellar Marie Swan, CEO and sole owner of Canard, I would like for you to inform the board that they are required to be in the board room at three this afternoon, no excuses. Yes, even Caius. I'm going to fax you some documents and I need you to make twenty three copies and make packets in the order that they arrive. Also, Teresa, have security waiting in the boardroom when Miss Swan and I arrive."
"Twenty three packets will be waiting when you arrive at three, Felix. I'll hand them to you myself. May I ask why I am calling security? " Teresa purred.
"They're going to be busy this afternoon, that's all I can say at the moment. Goodbye and see you later, Teresa."
"I'm looking forward to it, Felix. It 'as been too long since the last time…we saw each other."
I smirked and agreed with her. It had been too long. Before Teresa could get too deep into what she wanted to do to me I made a date for Saturday and hung up. Saturday was good, that day Alice and Jasper were on duty. Perhaps "duty" was the wrong word…
I highlighted the signatures on both documents and attached the statement from my man in Vincennes and while I waited for the fax to go through I began gathering my things. In moments I received a confirmation and a naughty fax from the little spitfire Teresa. On my way out I told Lynee to cancel whatever meetings I had for the day and headed towards the lifts. Once the doors closed, I dug out my mobile and called a certain devil pixie. Now was a dangerous time to call her but I couldn't be fussed about that, I needed her help.
"Alice, its Felix—"
"What! Has something happened to Bella? You better fucking hope something happened to her or I swear Felix, I'll put your balls on a skewer and roast them….I'm busy!" She screeched loudly. Fucking hell, I felt bad for that mop headed fiancé of hers. There was still time for him to back out.
"Calm your tiny ass down, nothing happened to Bellar, but this does involve her. How soon can you get to her place?"
"I'm leaving now." Alice snapped before hanging up without so much as a farewell.
"Well, that was fucking rude." Pocketing my mobile I looked around and noticed Heidi, a fit as fuck junior associate, leering at me. I smiled; she had German barmaid appeal, with her honey braids and breasts confined to tight tops. I was an equal opportunist, I didn't discriminate. German, French, Italian, Moroccan, Spaniard, Irish, English…The list could and did go on for days.
"I would never hang up on you Mr. Hammen."
"I know Heidi, love, I know you wouldn't." I told her exiting the lift. She was cute, seemed willing and more than able, but I didn't fuck people I worked with. Dipping your pen in company ink was just fucking unprofessional, that was. I looked but never touched. "Have a lovely day, Heidi."
"You too, sir."
Have I mentioned how much I love my life?
Within moments of parking, a buzzing midget showed up at my door, practically wrenching it open along with my arm. Out on the side walk she started badgering me with questions. What's going on? What do you need help with? Are you going to try and get Bella out of that damn David Bowie shirt? Instead of telling her right away I decided to drag it out some, enjoy the satisfaction of withholding. Much like withholding an orgasm to the last possible moment…the build up was great and end result was phenomenal. Maybe I'm a bit of an asshole, but Alice is as impatient as they come and it was always fun to mess with the half pint. By the sixth floor Alice gave way to acting like half an adult and pinched me until I told her what was so important that I interrupted her during wedding planning time.
Fucking woman, I thanked God that Bellar was more sensible than her counterpart. Of course thinking of Bellar made me angry, thinking of how broken she was made me see red. Carlisle was a dead man, next time I saw the wanker, I'd break that ridiculously straight nose of his.
The rest of the way up I explained what I had found out to Alice, and how she factored in. I needed her to basically strong arm Bellar into some business like attire and out of anything paint or tear stained. Once I finished my tale, Alice was in awe and I had to say it was completely warranted. I was fucking brilliant, those papers had passed so many hands and eyes and not one of those pricks caught what I had, more than likely because they were paid to be blind. I hadn't slept since Bellar asked for my help and there was no limit on how hard I would work for her. I loved that girl. Which was why "duty" was the wrong word to use, it was with pleasure that I looked after her. To be clear, neither of us was concerned she'd do anything drastic, but if left alone, we couldn't be sure she'd take care of herself properly. Even with us "dropping by" she hadn't been eating enough. A man can tell those things.
"Wow, Felix…do you have any idea how impressed I am right now? I know we fight like cats and dogs, but you're my hero right. I mean, I knew Aro; he was one wordy and secretive man. I don't want to know the amount of digging and sweet talking you had to do." Alice said stepping out of the lift. She looked like she wanted to say more but the blaring music flooding the hall between Bellar's flat and my own chased the words right out of her.
For a moment we both stood there, simply taking in the grief that our friend was shouting through her music selection.
"Again. Has she been this way since…?"
"Yeah."
"Why would she…"
"I don't know, really. Round ten in the morning the day after she got up suddenly and said she was going out. Rosalie, Emmett and I tried to stop her but she was determined. She came back an hour later and started painting with the music as loud as she could get it. He was gone. The place was cleared out. Not a damn stitch left. My guess was that she was going to talk to him…that or beat his ass, either way she didn't get a chance to do what she wanted."
"I should have been here; Jaz and I feel so responsible. I can't think what happened, what changed? The bastard seemed so invested in her. So in love…Something had to have happened. You don't think it was the proposal, do you? He wouldn't just make a decision like this without talking to anyone about it."
"It wasn't anyone's fault, Alice and it sure as hell wasn't the proposal. I reckon if he would have talked to someone, we wouldn't be here, but Carlisle was set in his decision…even if, according to Emmett, he didn't want to leave. Emmett said Carlisle wasn't himself, said he had been drinking at Sir Winston's for a while."
"What was I thinking? That's twice with him, twice that I've regretted pushing my ducky at him. Now I have two punk bitches to cut. When I get my hands on them…Jacob is easier, he lives here, but Carlisle. I'll fucking fly out to Chicago if I have to."
"What is with you and cutting people, you're mad. Fucking hell, Alice. Remind me never to cross you. I never knew smurfettes could be so vicious." Shaking my head I opened the door with my key and walked in.
The smell of oil and turpentine was thick in the air, almost as thick as Bellar's pain. The dividing doors were thrown open carelessly, exposing the madness of a broken heart. From where I stood the half dozen drying canvases were visible, propped up against walls, stools, and the doorway. What was painted on them was unimportant to me, sure I was attracted to Bellar's work, but she was my concern at the moment.
Standing at the easel was Bella in the same clothes I had seen her in the last time I checked on her; minuscule shorts and the top that offended Alice, paint brush poised over the blue face and singing.
No one could hear her over the volume of Billie, but I knew. She had taken to singing with the most depressing of tunes since Carlisle left, leaving it to the blues to express herself. It had been two weeks, two weeks of nothing but painting and mournful singing. She hadn't really spoken to any of us.
She answered questions with small discernable nods and whispered words strictly in French…unless she was singing of course. Oui, non, her anglais vocabulary these days only extended to lyrics.
"Is the song on loop, Felix?" Alice whispered, her eyes were fixed on her friend. The irritating woman I knew was gone—Alice looked moments from crying. Tears from Bellar I could handle, I hated them, but I could deal with them. Tears from Alice would ruin the quasi sexually charged love/hate relationship we had going. I couldn't have that.
I nodded and was thankful when Alice snapped back to her cheery self and turned down the music. Bellar either didn't notice the decibel change or didn't care; she continued to sing as if she was still alone.
…if each plan
With your man
Done fell through
There was a time
When I was his only one
But now I'm
The sad and lonely one…lonely
Was I gay
'Till today
Now he's gone, and we're through
Am I blue…
Fucking Billie Holiday, why did it have to be Billie? I always thought there was no one in more pain than Billie, but Bella was running a close second.
Alice made her way into the room, gingerly moving a damp painting to clear a path for me to follow. I didn't. I don't know why it was so difficult to walk over to her today. It wasn't the emotion. I had let her cry on me for hours that day two weeks ago and when she pulled away, I didn't fault her. I knew she was retreating to safety. Perhaps it was that today I finally understood that there was no getting over what Carlisle did to her.
D day, as I refer to it, seemed so long ago. I had been waiting by her door to update her on the Canard situation. I expected to see the sexy little thing in blue leather and witty banter on her lips but when I called out to her she didn't respond, nor did she show a sign of hearing me. When I saw her eyes, I understood why. She looked…empty. Her usual spark was nowhere to be found and as I watched her tear apart every drawing of my once best mate, my heart actually broke for her. Usually I give off a cold-hearted bastard persona, I've embraced the title, mastered it in the courtroom, but Bellar melted that bit away. She was a warm weakness of mine. She was like the best friend you always fancy, but never touch because in your heart she's family. There was something in her face as she held the palette knife in her hand that day, something I only now understood.
Carlisle was truly it for her. He was the only man she had ever loved, the only man she had allowed to into her heart and his leaving reaffirmed to her that men, people in general were not to be trusted beyond a certain point. She had trusted Carlisle past that point and she wouldn't do it again.
Was I gay
'Till today
Now he's gone, and we're through
Am I blue
Oh he's gone, he left me
Am I blue
"Ducky," Alice whispered slipping the wet brush from Bellar's hand. "Felix and I have some news to share with you, but we need you to get ready and leave this place, okay babe. I'm going to pick out something for you and I want you to wash your face and hands and go and wait for me in the bathroom, ok? Have you showered? Felix do we have time for a shower?"
I nodded without looking at her. Bella nodded and looked over to me, asking with a glance where we were taking her and if she had to leave. I understood how she felt, her flat was safe. I smiled softly and held out a hand to her.
"Ok, ducky. Have you eaten breakfast? Do you need help getting dressed…Oh watch out for that painting it's kinda in the way. I'm going to pick out something nice, with some pretty heels and we'll do you hair…it's all wavy and pretty, maybe we'll just leave it down. We need get you out of this shirt, babe it's been two weeks!"
I saw Bella wince at Alice's last sentence, her step faltering and eyes widening with panic. I instantly regretted calling Alice.
"She's not a child Alice and she can wear the damn shirt if she wants." I grabbed Bellar's hand and walked over to one of the chairs. I thought she'd sit, but instead she dropped my hand like a hot coal and went over to the windows. Alice stalked by throwing me an aggravated glare. I wasn't fussed by her looks. "I asked you to help, Alice, not force her to change her fucking shirt. If it's that important to her, she can wear it underneath."
"It's coming off Felix, it's painted on. You said out of anything paint and tear stained. You said professional and presentable—Ziggy Stardust is neither. Remember you called me."
Swearing under my breath, I went to stand beside my friend, trying to see what exactly she was looking at. Everything looked normal, cars, clouds and people walking about, some smoking, others not. I commented on the weather like a good English man, but she didn't give a shit about the weather. From behind me I could hear Alice asking herself which skirt would look best with the shoes she had picked out. She called out to ask which blouse Bellar would like best, blue or black but she didn't wait for a reply before hollering that it was time to "get pretty".
Bellar sighed and turned towards her bedroom. I hadn't expected her to be talkative, but I had hoped she'd say something. I didn't like this girl, silent and submissive. I missed the Bellar with fight, the bad ass that rode her motorcycle in the rain, and smiled indulgently when I acted like a pig.
I waited on the couch while Alice got Bellar ready. After what felt like hours, both women walked out, Ziggy nowhere in sight. Bellar was in one of those ass hugging pencil skirts, a semi sheer black blouse, and the highest red heels I had ever seen. Under different circumstances I would have made a suggestive remark about how edible she looked…it didn't seem appropriate now. Her face was as beautiful as always, as was her shiny hair, but life was missing from her big brown eyes. Robotically she took the London Fog Alice handed her and followed us down to my car. Her breathing was so erratic in the lift I could have sworn that she was having a panic attack but when the doors opened and fresh air circulated she settled. Alice looked at me with questions and alarm but I simply shook my head. Carlisle. How many times she must have ridden that lift with him. Alice left us, kissing Bellar's cheek and demanding that I call her the moment we were finished. I agreed under threat of skewered balls.
Traffic was very light and we made it to the rue de Commerce with an hour to spare. I parked my car in the space with Aro's name plate, mostly out of spite, but also because that spot was now Bellar's right.
"We're here, love." I told her softly, touching her arm as to get her attention. As if waking from a dream she looked at me then at the quintessentially crème French building, tracing the delicate gold scrolled Canard with her eyes. Without so much as a question, she got out of the car and I followed, nodding to the door man who faltered when he saw Aro's precious granddaughter.
"Bonjour Mademoiselle. C'est un plaisir. "
She smiled sadly and shook his hand, "Bonjour Michael, comme sage." Her voice was horse and raw, but it was genuine.
As we walked away I heard him say that she was just like her grandfather. He was absolutely correct, which was why today had to be done with Bellar's presence. Unfortunately that meant exposing her to the vultures that had descended since Caius and Marcus forced her out and not to mention the ones that emerged after that blasted rag put out all those photos.
Le affaire du Prof Cullen et la infâme Swan.
Eyes and whispers followed us across the lobby. Comments about her were made as we passed, about her character, her scruples, and her likeness to Renee—it was all bollocks. Some backstabbers had the decency to hush their words, but not everyone was so kind. Wisps of conversation swirled about, people were talking about her and Carlisle and the compromising position she had them and herself in. How he left her, there was even of photo of her mounting her bike in tears on the fateful day. It was judgment of biblical proportion and I knew she heard it all, felt it in the weight on her shoulders. Once we were alone and riding up to the board room, I took the time to ask if she was alright.
It was a fucking stupid question, she wasn't. She was as white as a sheet, her pretty eyes filling with tears as she attempted to control her breathing.
"Listen to me Bellar, hey…love, look at me." For the first time today her eyes met mine, glassy and vulnerable. She looked unbelievably young in this state. "You did nothing wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of, you hear me? I'm working on the pictures, ok. In the board room I'm going to do the talking, but you might have to defend yourself. I need you to be the strong girl I know today. Can you do that for me? "
She nodded and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "I can't get him out of my head, Felix. I…miss him."
Her voice was raspy with desperation as she made the confession, tears now leaked steadily from her eyes. I would kill Carlisle if I ever saw the bastard again. What would he say if he could see the way he left her? I took her into my arms, hoping it was some comfort to her. I knew it wasn't. She wanted a different Brit.
"I know Bellar…I know."
xXXx
An hour later, all the board members sat around the table with crisp packets in front of them courtesy of Teresa. Bellar had composed herself and adopted a stern and cold mask that I assumed was a study of Rosalie's. Caius and the other mutinous dicks in suits sat around the table, envious and enraged to find that Bellar was sitting at the head of the table, where she belonged.
Marcus had the good sense to look nervous as did the bald midget Lucca. Caius however observed me with a defiant eye, almost daring me to give it my best shot. I have no clue what he thought I had called this meeting to do, to grovel, plead, or perhaps to throw in the towel and hand over the keys to the fucking kindom, but he was about to be rudely surprised.
Clearing my throat, squeezing Bellar's arm under the table for support, I rose to my feet and addressed the board.
"Good afternoon everyone. As you all know I called this meeting on behalf of Miss Swan—"
"What power does she have to call meetings. She's hardly in the position to decide what happens here." The same balding man that stood in the cathedral with Caius said, slamming his hand on the oak table. Fuck, I wanted to horse whip this prick so bad.
Before I could say a word Bellar spoke, emotionlessly. It sent a shiver down my spine.
"Lucca, you have no say here, you never have. As far as Aro was concerned you didn't belong at this table. I share the opinion. Only after my grandfather's passing have you moved up the ladder, under Caius' influence. No doubt because you have spent the better half of six months kneeling at his feet, but make no mistake, you are of no more valuable to this company than the coffee filters. You are as disposable as they are. Now, if I were you I'd keep quite from this point on before you find yourself unemployed and unemployable. Continue please, monsieur Hammen."
"Avec plaisir, Mademoiselle," I smirked as Caius' clenched his fists. "In front of you, you will find two excerpts of Aro's last will and testament. One was drawn up several months before his death, dictated by Aro himself and the other was drawn up much later, by someone other than Aro. Both are signed and dated with what appears to be Aro's signature, but one is a forgery. I assume that I do not need to explain the severity of falsifying legal documents. Attached to the copies is a statement from forensic analyst Dr. James Monae corroborating the forgery, take a look if you would like. Turn to the first page if you will, and let us read along."
As I read the document that Caius forged I could see realization on each face. The wording was correct enough at a passing glace, but there were holes, gaps that made little to no sense and gave the air of a botched attempt to fool.
"If you have the intellect I think you have you all are, like I was, thoroughly bewildered by this document. First it names Isabellar Marie Swan as the sole owner, grants her control of every Canard share, only to then contradict the statement above with an amendment age clause, claiming that she is to be a company figure head until she reaches the age of twenty four years of age in which the Head board members are in full control of her company. Curious, very curious.
"For those of you who do not know, wills, unlike state documents require no amendments. If something needs to be changed, a new will is drawn. Now, I would like for you to flip the page now and read Aro's actual wishes for the company he created for his granddaughter. Pay attention to the crest stamped beside his signature and its absence from the previous page."
This time I did not read Aro's words. They were quite affectionate, almost like a love letter to Bellar, and I didn't think it was wise. She was being so strong; I would have hated to screw that up for her now when there was still more to get through. Across the table Caius fidgeted in his chair, not bothering to read the papers in front of him. I hadn't expected him to; he knew exactly what it said, which was why he had forged a new one.
"Well, dis sounds like dee Aro I know. It was strange to me dat 'e would not leave Isabella in charge. We all know 'ow Aro felt about you three." A woman in a blue suit exclaimed shaking her head from Caius to Marcus and Lucca.
"Anne, what proof is this," Caius began feathers thoroughly ruffled, tossing the packet in the trash before addressing the rest of the board. "Useless papers. Aro was unwell towards the end and as his health failed him he saw how unfit and unable Bella—"
"It's Miss Swan, Caius. You are forgetting your place once more. You are walking on very dangerous ground…be careful." Bellar warned, still with her mask of cold bitch. I had never been more proud of the steel I saw in her eyes.
"Careful. Miss Swan…perhaps you forget yours. You are a child, unsuitable to run this company even if your silver spoon entitles you to it. The board is in control until the day you turn twenty four and it is a good thing. If left up to you Canard would cease to be one of the most respectable publishing companies in France and become as infamous as Le Moulin Rouge, with a whore at its helm. Don't make me laugh child. Power, you have none here, and from what half of Paris is shouting you didn't even have the feminine power to keep your toy in Paris with you. Smart man that Carlisle Cullen was, left you before you could drag him down."
The moment the words left his mouth I glanced at Bellar, equally expecting bloody murder and tears. Silence descended on the room, not one of the twenty-one other board members moved for fear of drawing attention to themselves. Anger was coolly displayed on her beautiful face mirroring his impudence. Both were palpable in the air; even I was weary of making a sound.
Without taking her eyes off of his face she took a deep breath through her nose, exhaling slowly, and beckoned Monsieur Gainsbourg who had been sitting behind her inconspicuously with a curl of her finger. The man was no doubt cursing Caius for speaking to Isabellar in such a disrespectful manner. It was only natural—he had known and been an active part of her life since she was eight years old.
"Introduce yourself, s'il vous plait."
"Oui, Isabella. My name is Marino Gainsbourg and for fifteen years I was under the employment of Monsieur Aro. I was a measure of security should anyone attempt to do what one of you has attempted. I was hired with the purpose of guarding Isabella's standings should anything happen to Aro. Every important document was signed in my presences. Every contract, paper, decree, estate holdings and will were put in my trust by Aro himself. Aro's will was not only dictated and drawn up with me in the very room, but as further security that his wishes be upheld; a tape of his will was made and kept in my possession. Should the need arise I was to turn over said video to either Isabella or her lawyer."
"And you have that cued up for us Marino, non?"
"Oui." He answered her with an expression of devotion and loyalty. He might irritate me, but like I had noted before, he was valuable.
He pressed a button by Bellar's elbow and the painting behind her became a black screen. Aro appeared on the screen, his face still full of exuberant life. This was obviously filmed long before he started to show signs of malady. When he began to speak I noticed Bellar close her eyes and bite her lip. She missed her grandfather, it had only been seven months give or take weeks since she last heard his voice.
When the screen went blank, once more the room was silent. After looking for approval from Bellar I dismissed everyone accept the traitors, or at least the known traitors and Massimo. Gainsbourg whispered something to her before kissing her cheek and walked out the glass doors. I nodded to the sentimental bastard in gratitude and noticed that we had drawn much attention to ourselves. I had always found the idea of a glass conference room pointless before day, but now, with the curious eyes of the many Canard employees I rather liked the idea…it was like a public trial. I rather liked the attention, Bellar not so much, but she squared her shoulders and turned to the guilty men with a withering stare that scared me. Me! Of all people.
Smiling to myself I thought, "Off with their heads, Bellar."
"This is outrageous Caius. I believed you of every evil, but this…you sat there at Aro's death bed and promised to protect Isabella and her company. How could you?"
"Massimo." Bella called softly. He stopped at her simple utterance of his name and fixed his eyes on wall of windows. "I've asked myself what grand-père would do if he were where I am. It's impossible to know for sure but here is what I am going to do with you three. Marcus and Lucca you are fired. You have until the end of the day to remove yourselves and all of your things from this building. Both of you will be escorted and watched as you do this. You are to turn over all your contacts, clients and pending contracts and manuscripts. Go now, security will be waiting outside your offices."
As they walked out with their tail between their legs I decided this was more like a public execution. I almost wished I had a beer and some nuts so I could enjoy the show.
"Caius, you and I both know that you have been the ringleader here. Now, you share the same fate with your followers, but they didn't forge any papers. You did. So naturellement, your punishment will fit the crime. "
"You have no proof of that." Caius spat. Repulsed, I wiped off my smartest blue suit. Disgusting prick.
To my surprise Bellar laughed humorlessly.
"I don't need proof. I can get it, but I don't need it. You see, things like these have a way of getting out. People are tricky that way, they can never keep things to themselves and when the word gets out that you were fired suddenly, without severance after so many years of "loyal" service and escorted from the building like the criminal you are, questions will arise. Then when I file a suit against you, more questions will arise. With my money and Aro's name you'll be buried by mountains of legal troubles that will drag on for months until you beg for mercy. I might feel kind, but then again I might not. I might just leave you to the fate of your crimes. How hefty would the fine and sentence be Felix? Never mind…it's not important. In the end it won't matter what proof there was or wasn't, your reputation will be tarnished beyond repair. You'll be a leper and no one will touch you."
"You can't do any of that." He whispered in disbelief. From Bellar to me he looked, as if to judge how serious she was.
"Watch me." She was dead serious.
"Canard will burn to ground with you," he started, his voice shaking as he snatched his blackberry and Monte Blanc stylo from the table. "Why do you think you never saw your whore of a mother round the family businesses, eh? She didn't have what it took and neither do you. She did know her way around a prick though... Cut from the same cloth votre mère et vous."
"I'm nothing like her; I wouldn't touch you with my enemy's hand. Get out the hell of my sight Caius."
On shaking limbs he left the board room where a member of security escorted him to his office. Triumph was sweet and I was on verge of celebrating when I caught sight of Bellar's face. The mask was cracking, her strength was dwindling quickly. Under the table I squeezed her hand and tried to give her support.
It wasn't enough. She smiled faintly and turned her attention to Massimo.
"Massimo…I want you to take Aro's place here, if you'd like. I trust you...to do what is best for Canard. Together…we can run the company…the way…it should be ran."
"Ce serait mon plaisir, Isabella. Vous êtes comme mon vieux cher ami Isabella, ne doutez jamais de cela."
After shaking her hand, he left us alone in the glass room. Sensing her eventual breakdown I gathered up our things and spoke to Teresa about filing one packet here at Canard. She smirked and readily agreed, and when she saw Bellar she hugged her and complimented her shoes. Was "aimez vos chaussures" code for "you did a bang up job in there"? Women, not even God himself understands them.
Outside the offices were buzzing loudly. Naturally, things that were conducted in private always became public. In the lift I stood beside Bellar, holding her limp hand in mine as she stared blankly at the descending numbers.
"I'm proud of you Bellar, that couldn't have been easy."
Her shoulders, once straight and high fell. The façade of strength and rime vanished, leaving behind a very hurt girl in red heels and a fetching skirt. This meeting had drained her and as necessary as it had been, I felt like shit for putting her through it. "Can I go home now?"
I wanted to say yes, but I had yet to call Alice and I knew she'd want to celebrate. She understood my silence and sighed.
xXXx
Alice was chattering away with Sylvain the proprietor, an aging transvestite, about her wedding. Jasper was sitting beside her, watching with glee as she laid out plans he obviously had no say in. Afternoon ceremony, outdoor reception, white and pale yellow flowers with amber accents…I stopped listening after she said beaded bodice and checked my balls. Yes, they were still there. Bella was sitting in the corner between Jasper and I, looking like a paper doll in her green and black dress Alice put her in. Both Jasper and I had been against this little celebration, but seeing as Alice gave Jasper access to pussyland and Bella was a silent party, I had been out numbered.
Swirling around the amber liquid in my cup, I watched Bella. I was concerned for her, not just because she seemed increasingly shut away from us but because this place was a fucking dive. Sure it had a reputation among France as being a jewel from a golden age, a petit bar cabaret but history or no history I didn't like it here. Fuck me, it was shady and had defiantly seen better days. And sparkling rafters? What bar has sparkling rafters? God love Bellar but leave it to her to choose the fucking saddest bars in all of Paris. Many places were suggested, mostly overly trendy places by none other than Alice. Stupidly Jasper mentioned Sir Winston's, not knowing its significance. Because Bellar walked out of the room after dropping a paint laden palette we decided that she would choose the place Alice was dragging us to.
Next to the bar snored Bruno, Sylvain's boxer and beside him in a shabby dusty coat was a man drinking away his last pennies. In a very dark corner a man with greasy unwashed hair sat smoking, shrouded in darkness and a hoodie. Cheers, Bonjour Tristesse!
"Jazzy and I decided that it would be nice to have the wedding close to family so we're having the wedding at my dad's place. November will be here before you know it, and I have so much to do."
Jesus, kill me now. Weddings and I were not on speaking terms.
Sylvain nodded in agreement, sipping his wine oblivious that the bloke in the corner had yet to receive his cheap beer. I decided to ignore them and focus on coaxing some life out of Bella.
"What you drinking, kid?" She held up her glass to my nose, giving me a quick whiff and put the glass back down on the dusty table. "Water? Nothing too strong tonight huh?"
She nodded and looked towards the old microphone on stage with watery eyes. Her lip trembled and quickly she bit it in a vain attempt to stop. Songs I knew she adored both for their melancholy air and their beauty began to play. Her pale throat quivered, a sure sign that pain was ganging up on her, dying to get out, one way or another. Sing or cry, sing and cry, cry or sing. I could see the questions in her eyes as she listened with half an ear, feigning indifference. It was fucking painful to watch.
"Bellar, if you want to go up there, no one, least of all me, is going to stop you. If it helps love, do it." She shook her head and leaned against my shoulder, eyes still fixed on the mic. Leaving my drink to gather dust like the rest of the place I stroked her hair.
"Please Bellar; don't make me watch you like this. I can't do it," I whispered against her hair.
Over her head Jasper looked curiously at her face and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. Maybe his seedy talent of discerning her feelings wasn't so seedy, at the moment.
"Go on darlin'. Ain't no one here and I think you've got a lovely singin' voice."
She didn't say a word, but she walked over to the silver mic. Sylvain heard us and walked away from the table to turn on the mic. Thankfully he didn't return, but decided to converse with the suicidal shabby coat man. Bellar began to sing and I took a drink for the first time since it had arrived and closed my eyes. Fuck, I had thought Billie was bad. Edith Piaf was worse.
Typically French and just what Isabellar was feeling. Ne me quitte pas…such an adequate song. With every line I wondered how Carlisle could abandon her. Had she begged him not to? The song ended and another followed.
"I'm going to murder Carlisle, Jasper." I frowned. Alice was all threat and no action. I was still waiting for her to do something to the bastard Jacob.
"What she singin'?" Jasper asked no one in particular.
Without opening my eyes I answered, "La Foule, Piaf."
Under my breath I mouthed the words along with Bella. The song was having a wondrous effect on my thought process. La Foule. The crowd. People, other people tearing two lovers apart. Who would do such a thing? Who would stand to benefit for this pain, who was sadistic enough to take pleasure in this? Carlisle had told me that he was in love with Isabella. Love had never been something he took lightly or fleetingly. As far as I knew he had loved only once before. Once in so many years said so much for his capacity to love, the depth of his feeling when he fell. Carlisle's love was true, it could be counted on. So, why the fuck would he leave her? Marriage wasn't in the cards for me, but for Bellar and Carlisle is was natural, the next step; marriage, a baby, and happily ever fucking after, and not in that particular order.
Was it fear? Could that really be the reason? If that was the case I'd fly to that fucked windy city tonight and drag his blonde ass back where he belonged.
But then there was those photos…They had to have come from someone, somewhere. Who? And from where?
"What's the song about Ali?"
"Two people, at a festival of sorts…they dance and love, but when they get the peak of the dance, the crowd rips them apart. They never…they never see each other again. Jazzy, my ducky…how do I fix her?" Alice cried.
"Darlin' you can't fix her, the best you can do is be there for her when she needs you. That's all any of us can do. You did it once before, right…with Jake."
"Jacob is scum! He was different Jaz. Bella didn't love him. She loves Carlisle and she told him. Do you have any idea how difficult that must have been for her? She's been in love with him since Rose threw a bitch fit at the fun fair, maybe even before that. She told him how she felt and he walked away from her. What is wrong with him? I really thought they'd get married and have babies and be happy."
"Me too Darlin', me too."
Jacob.
There was my answer, wrapped neatly in a greasy git package. Why hadn't I thought of him before! He hated Bellar enough to want to cause her pain and we all knew he had been stalking her. He had assaulted her—we had proof of that. He could have easily taken those pictures, but what did it have to do with Carlisle? Was he threatened enough by Carlisle's presence in Bellar's life to threaten him? Something was nagging me, but I couldn't pin point what…it was something Emmett said about a job
When the last notes faded, I opened my eyes and saw her standing on the stage, alone and shaking. Normally she was shy, but I had a feeling she felt so alone that it would hardly matter if the place was packed. She wouldn't see or even care about them watching her.
"Alice," I shifted in my seat to look at her. I groaned when I realized she was in Jasper's lap crying. Fuck her tears, they made me want to get her tissues and tell her Bella was going to be right as rain. Clearing my throat, I directed my question to Jasper instead. "Emmett mentioned something about a job Carlisle wanted or was going to get or…but I can't quite recall what he said. Do you?"
Jasper was distracted by Bella and the next song she was performing. He was right, she had a lovely voice.
The night is bitter,
The stars have lost their glitter;
The winds grow colder
And suddenly you're older -
And all because of the man that got away.
"Oi, Jasper." I prodded, snapping my fingers.
The man that won you
Has gone off and undone you…
"It was a job Carlisle was going to get, a sure thing from the sounds of it. An old mentor of sorts is retiring and going back to London, from what Emmett said Carlisle told him Alastair offered his job to Carlisle. Some woman wanted the job, but Carlisle told Emm she had little chance of getting it. He joked that she'd have to blackmail Alastair to get the position."
"Blackmail…" I hedged, ideas starting to form foundations. "I knew Carlisle a long time ago, mostly he's the same, but he's changed some. The man I knew wouldn't be threatened by blackmail; he'd face it head on. Would Carlisle do the same today?"
Jasper thought for a moment and then his face registered what I was playing at."If he was the one being blackmailed, sure he'd face it. Tell them to do their worse, but since he lost Edward and Esme he feels like he needs to protect his loved ones. I guess the answer would depend on who was threatened and maybe who was doin' the threatenin'."
Jacob.
"Jacob," Alice snarled.
"Yes, Jacob. Damnit Alice! Jasper is rubbing off on you."
"No, Jacob."
"Hello Alice." A man said, pulling back a chair to sit in.
"Jacob." I worked to control my anger, barely restraining the urge to rearrange his face, though by the looks of him, someone had already done it for me. My bet was on Carlisle, he always had known how to throw a punch or two. Or fucking six. "Speak of the devil and he shall show up."
"Ah, you guys were talking about me, I'm flattered."
"Oh, we were just discussing where to dispose of your body. I'm up for dumping you in the Seine." Alice quipped. Jasper's hold tightened. He was a bright man for doing so. "What happened to your face super star…did someone's boyfriend beat your ass or is this what happens to almost famous losers who talk too much shit?"
"Fuck you, you little bitch."
"Don't speak to her that way you little dick."
What happened next happened quite fast. Before Jasper or I could react Alice slipped out of Jasper's arms and launched her tiny body at Jacob, knocking him back on the glitter littered floor. Knocking over the table Jasper flew to her side, but found that she didn't need his help at all. Blood was pouring out of Jacob's Hannibal nose protector from Alice's two fisted attack.
"I'm a bitch? You're a bitch Jacob Black and I'm going to slap you like the bitch you are. How dare you show your face around here? Bastard!"
"You better get your woman off of him before she gets arrested. I'll take care of him." I whispered to Jasper as Alice made good on her promise. Her slaps began to echo in the empty bar along with his yelps and groans. He was such a twat. It really was a shame she didn't have a blade on her.
After pulling a still fighting Alice off of Jake, Jasper checked her hands while I hauled Jake's sorry ass off the floor. Bella was frozen watching us, but more importantly, taking in the state of Jacob's face—not all that damage had been done by Alice and she was trying to figure out who was responsible for the dark bruises, swollen lip and broken nose. Typical of Bellar as of late she followed us out into the bitter night in silence, her London fog wrapped tightly around her. Jacob was struggling, but the guy had no real strength.
"What happened?" Bella asked quietly, to whom I wasn't sure.
"Bella baby, you're worried about me—"
"Shut your mouth." I told him. "Don't talk to or even look at her, you sick piece of shit."
"I've seen a lot of Bella lately," He laughed, leering at her suggestively. Roughly I pushed him into the alley wall, my forearm making contact with his injured nose. I almost laughed at his howl of pain.
"Take Bellar home please Jasper, and get Alice home. I've got some things I need to talk to Jacob about."
Jasper was holding Alice by the waist tightly, restrained her from beating Jacob's ass further. Alice was begging for another go and beside her Bellar simply watched Jacob. Finally Jasper convinced Alice to stop fighting and come with him to hail a cab, Bellar however stayed glued to the side walk. I told her to go with Alice and I'd check on her later but she didn't listen to me.
"Bellar, please love go. I'll be fine…"
"Yeah, Bellar love go. Hahhaa, did you like the pictures I took Bella baby? I did, especially the one of you on that red chair. So did Carlisle. He loved the one of you two fucking." She sobbed, Jacob smiled and I elbowed him in the ribs.
"What did I tell you? Don't talk to her. Bellar…please get out of here. He's a lying sack of shit, nothing he says matters."
"He saw them Bella, he saw all the pictures. He liked them. Carlisle didn't care about you baby, he left you just like he always meant to. You meant nothing to him. He didn't even try to stop those pictures being printed."
Just as Bella started crying Jasper came and gathered her in his arms before striding back to the cab waiting across the dead street.
"She's gone and she couldn't give a shit about your sorry ass. Now, you little pick what did you say to Carlisle?"
"I'm not telling you shit hot shot and you're not going to do anything to fuck up your expensive suit—" Quite abruptly my knee found its way to his crotch, hard. "Fils de pute!"
"I know you took the pictures, you French pig and I'm sure you sold them to the highest bidder but you're not smart enough to use them against Carlisle, which means you had a partner. What I need from your useless ass is a name."
"Va te faire foutre!" He gasped, holding his balls. Again I kneed him, a little harder but not too hard…I needed the name before he passed out.
"Le cerveau il etait en option chez toi… J'ai besoin du nom ou je le ferai encore."
Panicked bloodshot eyes pleaded, tears pouring from them like the blood Alice had drawn. "No! Not again please! I'll tell you! Jane, her name is Jane Lapointe, she found me. She threatened to let the pictures out and Carlisle caved."
"Caved? What does that mean? Who did she threaten?"
"He agreed to do anything she asked as long as she kept the pictures a secret."
"Who. Did. She. Threaten."
"Bella, who do you think?"
"And you decided to release them anyway. I'm guessing he did this to your face before he left huh." He nodded weakly and for good measure I kneed his balls once more. "Thank you."
I let him go and he crumpled to the floor. Pathetic little boy. Keeping an eye on him in the event that he would try to get away, I pulled out my phone and dialed. Two ring and gruff voice answered.
"Sorry for bothering you so late but remember the pictures of Bellar's arms I sent you… I have the man responsible. Right, see you in a few."
Shortly after I had finished dragging bleeding and whimpering Jacob back into the bar, three men, two in uniform and one in plain clothes, walked in the bar.
"C'est il?" One officer asked.
"Yeah, that's him." The inquiring officer walked over and cuffed Jacob. "Jacob Black, you are under arrest for assaulting Isabella Marie Sawn. And you better fucking believe she's pressing charges."
"He also admitted to taking those photos Charlie…a couple he had to have trespassed in order to get. Broke all kinds of laws he did."
Charlie's face turned a shade of red and without warning cocked his fist and punched Jacob's face.
Poor guy, his nose was fucked for life. Jake staggered but didn't fall due to the officer's firm grip on his arm.
"That's assault!" Jacob yelled, "He fucking hit me! That's assault, arrest him!"
The arresting officer looked to his partner then at Sylvain, "I didn't see him hit you. As far as I know you fell. Right?"
"Right," His partner echoed.
"Oui, he fell." Sylvain answered.
"You really should be more careful Jacob mate…think of your acting career. Your face is your money."
"What acting career?" Charlie scoffed.
Cursing and shouting obscenities, Jacob was taken from the bar. I sighed and ordered two beers, one for me and one for Charlie, but he declined, he was driving. I thanked God Alice had had the good sense to suggest we take a cab here. It had been a long fucking day and I needed a drink.
"Thank you Felix…for keeping my baby girl safe."
"No problem, Charlie. I'm happy to do it."
"It's more than I can say for the perverted cradle robber." I could tell he was angry, he had the right, but the whole Carlisle situation was leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. My anger towards him was dissolving as more pieces of the puzzle came to light. "I always knew he was an asshole. He better never come back."
"I'd hold off Charlie…the story doesn't make sense."
"I don't care what the story is Felix. He's not coming around Isabella ever again, not if I have anything to say about it. He didn't love her."
Sylvain handed me my beer and I drank it thankfully. Charlie and his fatherly delusion, he had no say in what Isabella did or didn't do. I wondered if he'd ever realize she was an adult.
"All due respect Charlie, you don't know what you're talking about. Carlisle does love Bellar and she's grown. She can pick who she wants and who she doesn't. You have to let go or you're going to end up losing her. She's smarter than you give the girl credit for."
"I'll lose her one way or another and I know she's smart. She's my kid Felix." Charlie was on the defensive but someone needed to give it to him straight.
"You don't show it. Trust her enough to let her make her own decisions. She won't be you Charlie, and Carlisle isn't like Renee. He fucked up, I'll give you that, but he won't say away. He loves her too much."
"We'll see."
I knew when to quit, another fate given gift of mine. He was set in his ways. Bellar would forever be that six year old freckled girl in pigtails to him. As I sat there drinking in silence, thinking over everything I had learned, I realized that getting Bellar and Carlisle back together would not be as easy as for me.
It would take everything I had; blood, sweat, liquor and tenacity.
A/N: Please review, let me know what you think. Rock tossing it fine…as long as they are small rocks. ;)
Translations:
Bonjour Mademoiselle. C'est un plaisir—Hello Miss. It is a pleasure.
Bonjour Michael, comme sage—Hello Michael, like wise.
Le affaire du Prof Cullen et la infâme Swan.—The affair of Prof Cullen and the infamous Swan
Avec plaisir, Mademoiselle—With pleasure miss.
votre mère et vous—Your mother and you.
Ce serait mon plaisir, Isabella. Vous êtes comme mon vieux cher ami Isabella, ne doutez jamais de cela.—It would be my pleasure, Isabella. You are like my dear old friend Isabella, never doubt that.
aimez vos chaussures—Love your shoes.
Fils de pute!—Son of a bitch!
Va te faire foutre!—Kiss my ass !
Le cerveau il etait en option chez toi… J'ai besoin du nom ou je le ferai encore—Brains were optional with you…I need the name or I'll do it again.
C'est il—This him?
