Author's Note: So here's EPOV! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Chapter 50
Edward's Point of View
Eva and I entered the lingerie store, where one of her witnesses worked. I felt a bit uncomfortable to be in a place for ladies, but I didn't glance at anything. I've had practice with women on avoiding inappropriate spots on their bodies when they tried to flirt with me. This wasn't any different.
I went straight to the girl at the counter while Eva lagged behind me. The girl blinked, looking dazed when she saw me.
"Hello," I said. "We're looking for a Melissa Simpson. Is she here?"
The girl looked disappointed. Reluctantly, she answered, "The manager? Yes, she's here. I'll call her out. Who shall I say wants to see her?"
"Tell her Eva Benson wants to talk to her," Eva told her. "She'll know who it is."
The girl nodded before disappearing through the Employees Only door. Soon, a tall woman came out, smiling.
"Hello, Eva," she said, holding out her hand to shake. "It's nice to see you again. Oh, and this is?" She looked rather taken aback to see me. She glanced up and down at me, as though I was worth her time.
"This is my lawyer, Edward Cullen," Eva introduced. "Edward, Melissa."
I shook her hand politely. "We're here to talk to you about your testimony."
"Ah, yes, of course," Melissa nodded. "I was wondering when you would drop by. When is it?"
"This Friday," I answered. "Do you think you'll be able to testify against the man who stole Eva's purse?"
"Of course," she said. "The least I could do. I still can't believe I refused to speak up when I saw him take it. I'm sorry for that, Eva."
Eva shook her head. "It's fine. I'm just grateful that you're doing this for me."
"So can we expect you at the courthouse at ten o'clock on Friday?" I asked.
"You bet I'll be there," Melissa said cheerfully. She glanced back behind her. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I think I'll need to get back to work. I'll see you both on Friday." And she turned and walked away.
At that moment, there were clacks of heels behind us, and suddenly, someone snapped, "Edward Cullen!"
I knew her voice anywhere. But what was she doing here? Wasn't she going to be with Rosalie and Bella this afternoon?
Surprised, Eva and I both turned. Sure enough, Alice was scowling at me heavily, while Rosalie and Bella stood behind her. The way they were dressed made them look like rich young women from rich families. Which, they were.
Rosalie was biting her bottom lip, looking embarrassed, while Bella stared at me, expressionless.
"Alice," I greeted them. "Rosalie. Bella. What are you doing here?"
"A question I might ask you," Alice retorted.
I blinked, confused. "What do you mean? I'm working."
"Yeah?" she laughed sarcastically. "In a lingerie store?"
"Edward," Eva said, staring at the three women curiously. She was trying to figure out where she'd seen them. They probably looked very familiar to her. "Who are they?"
Alice's eyes flashed towards her. "Who are you?" she asked sharply.
"Alice," Bella murmured. "You're embarrassing us." She certainly looked ashamed of her our sister's behavior.
Eva stepped back at the venom in her voice. She looked a bit taken aback. After all, what had she done so wrong to hear that sort of tone addressed to her?
"Alice," I warned. "What are you doing?"
"What am I doing?" my sister repeated incredulously. "You know perfectly well what I'm doing. What are you doing with her when you should be working?"
I frowned slightly, wondering what she was getting at. Of course I was working. What else would I be…?
Then, I remembered that I was in a lingerie store. With a young woman that was around my age. And I realized what she must be thinking.
"It's not what you think," I said softly, feeling panicky. I couldn't help but glance at Bella as I said it, though I was still addressing Alice. Would Bella misunderstand?
Bella merely stared back, her eyes unreadable. It was frustrating. I wanted to scream out and deny the misunderstanding. I was getting desperate.
Alice recaptured my attention. "Fine, then," she said arrogantly. "What are you doing with this girl, then? Is she your girlfriend?"
My eyes flickered back to her. "Alice," I said defensively. "You're misunderstanding. This is-"
Eva decided to save me.
"I think there's been some confusion here," she said quickly. She was smiling now, as though she finally caught on to what was going on, and found it extremely amusing. "My name is Eva Benson. I'm a client of Edward's, and we're here to ask a witness of mine some questions about testifying against someone." She laughed as she stepped forward again. "Does that answer your question?"
Alice blinked. She looked taken aback. For the first time, she had nothing to say.
I smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Eva. I think you just got me out of trouble."
Rosalie exhaled too, looking annoyed now at Alice's quick assumption. Bella glanced in Alice's way, sighing quietly.
"I think an introduction is in order," I said. "Eva, this is my older sister, Alice. Rosalie is my brother's fiancée. And…" I paused. Then, I continued reluctantly, "Bella, my…sister-in-law."
How I wished I could say proudly that she was my wife. Or even my girlfriend. Anything but this. For the millionth time, I felt regretful of my mistakes.
Bella's lips twitched once, but her expression remained neutral. I suppose it would be awkward to hear the term to her too. After all, we had a history.
Rosalie laughed once, sounding embarrassed. "Sorry, Edward," she said apologetically. We tried to convince her that it was probably nothing, but you know her."
How well I did.
I looked back at Bella, studying her face again. She didn't seem to be accusing me of anything. Unlike eight years ago, when she'd lost the baby. Her eyes had held nothing but silent accusations back then. I felt relieved. It was an expression I never hoped to see on her beautiful face ever again.
Finally, Alice cleared her throat. "It seems as though I did misunderstand." She addressed her words directly at Eva. "I'm sorry, Miss Benson. Please don't take offense."
Eva smiled warmly. "Of course not. It was a mistake. I'm just glad nothing bad happened to Edward. I was a bit scared for him a minute ago."
I had been too. Alice would seriously kill me, raise me back from the dead, and kill me again, if she knew that I was dating another girl. After all, hadn't I promised her to get Bella back? She'd probably thought that I had changed my mind and decided to two-time Bella or something.
"She does look scary," Rosalie admitted, smiling.
I turned to Eva. "I think we're done for today. I'll call you tomorrow, and we'll go talk to the other witness."
Eva nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow, then." She turned back to the three girls. "It was nice meeting all of you." Then, she glanced at Bella curiously, then frowned slightly. And she walked away.
I watched her leave, then said, "What a surprise, seeing you here."
"We were on our way to have lunch," Rosalie explained, "when we saw you here. I suppose Alice was wrong this time."
Bella looked playful now as she nudged Alice. "That's proving it, alright," she teased, confusing me.
"Shut up," Alice muttered under her breath, looking bad-tempered.
"What'd I miss?" I asked.
"She said she was going to prove that you were dating that girl," Rosalie offered in amusement.
I sighed. "Well, it's nice to see that you trust me so much. I told you that I wasn't dating, didn't I?"
"My trust in you disappeared eight years ago," Alice snapped, glaring.
Of course. I smiled unwillingly. "Understandable." I looked at Bella pointedly.
She looked uncomfortable. She quickly changed the subject. "Have you eaten yet? Why don't you join us, Edward?"
I was surprised at her casual invitation. And by the look on Alice's face, I wasn't the only one.
"That's a good idea," Rosalie said, nodding. "We're going to that steakhouse next door."
It was true that I hadn't eaten, but I wasn't particularly hungry. However, if it gave me another hour or so to be with Bella, I was willing. Besides, I was eager to restart our relationship in a non-awkward way.
I nodded. "I think I will. That is, if my angry sister doesn't mind." I glanced at Alice, hiding an amused smile.
She sighed resignedly. "Come on. I'm hungry." And she stomped out.
It was as good as an invitation.
Bella let Alice and Rosalie walk in front of her, and she didn't seem to mind walking next to me.
"I hope you're not too uncomfortable," I said. "I only agreed to join you in hopes of returning our relationship to its non-awkward state."
"Of course," Bella replied. "I don't mind."
I heard a slight reluctance in her tone. I looked at her. She looked ahead meaningfully, as if she was determined not to look at me as we walked. I wasn't particularly convinced.
Lunch was rather silent. I didn't mind because I was able to watch Bella, who was sitting across from me, the whole time. But Alice and Rosalie seemed a bit awkward with the tension.
"So, Edward," Rosalie said, clearing her throat. "What's Miss Benson's case? I hope it's not rape or anything like that." She looked slightly sick, as though she was recalling her past.
"No, actually, Eva's case is rather simple," I answered, lowering my fork slightly. "Just simple thievery. But she had some important things in her purse when the thief tried to take it, so she's suing him."
"Why do you waste your time for those simple things?" Alice asked. "You should focus more on the serious cases."
I laughed. "My job is to get involved in every criminal case that comes finding me, Alice. I don't choose."
Bella didn't seem to be listening. She looked lost in thought as she placed a piece of steak in her mouth.
"Earth to Bella," Alice said loudly, making her jump. "What are you thinking about? Don't you have any questions for Edward?"
Bella smiled. "Not really. Not on the subject of Eva Benson."
Alice made a face. "Ask anything, then. I don't like the silence."
"I do have one question I want to ask," Bella admitted. "Maybe you know the answer. I was thinking about Angela Weber."
"Who's that?" Rosalie asked.
"Angela works with Jasper in the Cardiology Division at Columbia," I answered immediately, not thinking.
The three girls stared at me. Alice looked taken aback. "How did you know that? I thought Jasper only told me."
"Jasper tells me some things too, you know," I said defensively. I wasn't going to admit that he'd only told me because the news was related to Bella, in a way.
"Is she a doctor?" Bella asked, now addressing directly at me.
I met her gaze steadily as I replied. "No, a nurse. A good one, I hear."
She smiled. "That's nice to hear. I suppose I'll be bumping into her from time to time. I've missed her."
Just then, her cell phone rang. She looked embarrassed as she took it out. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Alice said dismissively. "Just answer it here. You're with family; who cares?"
Bella smiled at Rosalie and me apologetically before answering. "Hey, Brown. What's up?"
My eyes flashed up. Who was Brown? Was it a man?
She laughed. "I'm eating lunch. You?"
Alice and Rosalie were studying her too, probably wondering the same thing I was.
"I miss you too," Bella said wistfully. "Why don't you come visit? New York is a good place for tourists."
The room was silent, and we heard the other person on the phone snap something at her. She laughed again.
"Alright, alright," she said. Then, she frowned. "No, I'm not going to. I thought I told you to butt out of my affairs?" She paused. "Look, if you're calling to annoy me, you might as well just hang up. I'm eating lunch with my family."
"Family?" we heard faintly. "Are your parents still not letting you out of the house? I told you that you should've gone to visit them more often! It's all your fault, Swan."
Bella rolled her eyes as she poked her meat with her fork. "I'm eating with my in-laws, alright?"
"The Cullens?"
"Part of them," she confirmed.
"Yeah? Does that 'part of them' include him?"
"You know what? I'm hanging up." Bella sounded annoyed.
"Come on, Bella. Give me some details."
"I'm eating, Brown. I'll call you later or something."
The person on the other end lowered their voice, and Bella paused to listen. Her face grew grim, then changed quickly to annoyance. "Sharon Brown. If you're going to nag me about this again, I'm seriously not going to talk to you anymore. I might not even go back to UCLA, and everyone will blame you. You know how popular I am with those male doctors, right?"
"What!" The other person screeched. She was definitely a woman. I felt relieved as I looked down at my plate again, but Bella claiming to be popular amongst those doctors wasn't exactly reassuring.
"Deal with it," Bella snapped. "You're wrong, and he won't. He's not an idiot."
"You are so not good with men, Isabella," her friend said disapprovingly. "Men are predictable creatures. Yet, you think every one of them think like your ex-husband. Intelligently. Frankly, if he let you slip through his fingers, he was an idiot, and if he's not going after you again, then he still is an idiot."
I looked up from the food, curious. Ex-husband? Me?
Bella glanced at me, realizing that I'd just heard everything. "You know, he's sitting right in front of me, and he heard everything you just said. Do I need to remind you that you have a loud voice, Sharon?"
"Oh, sorry. Fine. Call me later, 'kay? And you're giving me a report in full detail about everything that's happened so far. Understand?"
Bella sighed. "Fine. Bye." And she hung up. She turned to us, embarrassed. "Sorry about that. She has a big mouth sometimes." Her eyes flickered to me.
I smiled. "It was very amusing. Does she always talk bad about me to you?"
Bella bit her lip. She didn't answer.
I grinned. "It's very interesting to know what your friends think about me, Bella."
Bella glanced at me, then looked away, embarrassed again. "Sorry," she repeated.
"Who was that?" Alice asked. "Your friend from UCLA?"
"One of my colleagues. Sharon Brown. You know, the one that set up all those matchmaking meetings for me."
"And you're close with her?"
She smiled. "She's a bit like you, Alice. She's sweet, but she can be annoying sometimes. And she loves fashion."
Alice sniffed. "I don't know if that's a compliment or not."
I hid a smile as Rosalie and Bella laughed. It felt good to hear her musical laughter once more.
AN: You like? Then review. You know my threatening words. No updates until I'm satisfied with the amount of reviews I get. Okay? Please!
