A/N - Ooh, Another update? Go me!

For those who read the original story, this chapter is much different. I've changed the direction of this part of the story because I wasn't too happy with it when I reread what I wrote almost ten years ago.

Here's your first curve ball!

It's a shorter chapter but if I kept it going, it'd probably be a bit too long for my liking. The end of this seemed a fitting break between chapters.

Enjoy!

Chapter 17

I chuckled as Edward forcefully yet playfully pulled me along behind him as we made our way down the hallway on our way to the main casino floor.

His signature smirk was firmly set on his face, teasing, and it made me want to kiss him. But insteady I settled for grinning back at him, trying to hold back my manic giggles as I tried to keep pace with him.

"Why the hurry?" I panted from beside him, my much shorter legs working harder to keep up with him, the four inch heels on my feet hindering my efforts further.

"The quicker we do the rounds, the quicker I get you home." He shrugged, his gorgeous crooked grin remaining.

Home?

Well, that sounded nice. Unexpected, but nice nonetheless.

We entered the empty elevator and finally, his full attention was turned back to me and my skin prickled in anticipation. His smouldering green eyes gazed down at me and he slowly backed me up against the mirrored wall. I found myself struggling to breath, again. I had no idea how this man was capable of making me feel this way and to an extent, it terrified me, yet I had decided long ago that I would take all he could give me and enjoy it whilst I lasted. However long that may be.

I didn't want to get too attached, having no idea whether or not my feelings were reciprocated but I knew I was already in too deep. Who was I kidding? When the day came that he no longer had to keep me under lock and key, what would make him want to stick around? Was I enough? I doubted it. I was pretty sure visions of the future, children and marriage didn't occupy any space within his mind and a wave of disappointment hit me, I couldn't do anything to withhold it.

It was a fact I'd need to come to terms with but for now, I'd settle for whatever I could get.

"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked, snapping me out of my reverie. His free hand came to rest on the crook of my neck, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin and causing my whole body to tingle at his delicate touch.

The doors chose that moment to ping and open, stealing his attention from me, his question forgotten and left in the air and for that I was grateful. He could read me like a book, there was no other way I was skirting around that question. Distraction was the best line of defence.

He squeezed my hand and led me out of the elevator, this time his pace wasn't so rushed as he fell in step beside me and we came to face a group of tall intimidating men. They all nodded once at Edward and dropped back in step behind us as we continued forward.

"What's going on?" I asked, looking at up him. His gaze remained focused straight ahead, his features unreadable and daunting -as always and it drove me insane. I tugged on his hand lightly to bring his attention back to me and his eyes finally met mine as he sighed before answering.

"Walking around unprotected isn't always something I have the pleasure of doing, Isabella."

I was becoming increasingly aware that my full name being used in conversation was a business formality and it made me uncomfortable, a frown marring my face. Gone was the playful Edward I had come accustomed to over the past few days, the teasing laid-back Edward I was madly and deeply falling for and in his place stood a formidable, dangerous yet stunningly beautiful man.

I nodded dejectedly, my gaze falling towards the floor.

Was this how it was always going to be in public? He was just going to turn cold and sour whenever we left our little bubble?

My wandering mind was soon halted in its tracks when I finally lifted my head and looked around. Suddenly I felt even more uncomfortable, my eyes widening in panic as everything around us registered.

Everyone was staring, at what I wasn't sure but I assumed it was Edward. It didn't take me long to realise that the majority of gaping mouths and awe-inspired stares were from the women within our vicinity and that realisation made me fume.

Mine! My mind spat and I shocked myself with the sheer amount of anger that coursed through my vains as the many women watched him, eagerly eyeing him as though he was a piece of meat they wanted to devour.

"Double Jack and coke," I practically screeched at the barmaid as we approached one of the many bars on this floor. I looked up at Edward and found him smirking down at me, one of his eyebrows raised. "What?" I asked, trying to act as though nothing was bothering me.

"You seem agitated," he grinned; his eyes never leaving my face as I kept my gaze firmly set ahead towards the numerous shelves of alcohol at the back of the bar.

"I'm fine," I shrugged, taking the drink I was offered from behind the bar as she placed it in front of me and swallowing a huge gulp of the liquid, revelling at the burn as it descended my throat. It was strong.

Truth was, I felt it was going to need to be if I was going to deal with copious amounts of gawping woman all night.

I scowled when Edward dropped my hand suddenly and turned his back to me to greet the men that approached him from the other side of the bar.

Great, now I was left alone.

Remind me again why I was here?

Clutching my drink tightly, I glanced around the room trying to focus my attention on anything but Edward's back.

Most of the female population of the casino had gone back to doing whatever it was they were doing before we entered the room, but I didn't fail to notice that they continued to steal cheap glances at Edward every now and again, raking their eyes over his body approvingly. I also didn't fail to notice that they were all beautiful; it was hard to imagine why a man like Edward would even consider spending time with me when he could quite literally take his pick of any woman within this room.

"I'll have another." I raised my empty glass to the tall bartender again and she smiled at me in response before making her way over to the bottle of Jack Daniels that still sat on the back shelf of the bar, waiting for me.

"Come, Isabella." Edward finally turned to me after I had spent half an hour sitting alone, doing nothing but drinking copious amounts of alcohol and brooding in to my glass whilst he spoke to the men around me, not even sparing me a single glance or touch as he effectively ignored me.

"Why?" I asked, my attitude causing him to raise an eyebrow in my direction. It was obvious he wasn't accustomed to be questioned.

"We're going to the VIP lounge," he stated blankly. "Now, come."

Anger bubbled within me at his cold tone. Where the hell did my Edward go? I had no idea if it was the amount of alcohol I had consumed or whether it was sheer shock at his sudden change of character but suddenly, I was angry.

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" I scowled, roughly placing my glass on to the bar as I looked straight at him. An unexpected surge of courage hitting me full force.

Thanks Jack!

"Excuse me?" He almost choked, his back straightening as he looked down at me. So this is how it was going to be? He was going to try to intimidate me whenever I had the audacity to stand up to him.

"You go to your VIP room," I waved him off. "I'm not interested in sitting around like a spare part whilst you talk and laugh with your acquaintances."

His eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn't decipher and I knew then, I was treading on dangerous ground.

"Fine," he spat, turning before I could even retort and walking away, all the men obediently falling in step behind him and leaving me sitting there, truly alone.

But I refused to let myself get upset about the current situation and decided that ordering myself another drink was probably the best idea at this moment. I had to calm myself down.

"Another?" The barmaid asked as she approached me.

"Yes please," I smiled weakly, sliding my glass along the bar towards her.

"You know, I'm not paid enough to give advice but I'll tell you this for nothing..." I looked at the girl. She seemed friendly enough and appeared no older than myself. She was tall, blonde and tanned; wearing the standard casino attire of a black fitted blouse and skirt and a small red half apron. "You'll regret talking to him like that. I suggest you do damage control before that little outburst comes back to kick you in the ass."

I rolled my eyes at her, suddenly fed up with everyone in this damn place.

"Yeah well," I sighed, "I'm not scared of him like everyone else seems to be."

Yeah, right!

I took my drink from her outstretched hand, jumped down from the bar stool and walked away.

I had no idea where I was going, I didn't know my way around the club nor did I know anyone I saw but I couldn't allow myself to sit back and be treated like a piece of shit by Edward. I was better than that I didn't need him to have a good night.

I'd find my own fun if it was the last thing I did and as of right now, I was in the mood for pissing him off.

I quickly found myself on another floor, a nightclub. It was a far cry from the quiet hustle of the casino.

The walls were tall and royal blue in colour, the floor dark and marbled and the lighting dim, flashing strobe lights threw hints of colour over the massive room and the music boomed deep, vibrating through the floor and up in to my body. It was busy, hoards of people dancing, grinding their bodies together in time to the music and hundreds of figures littered the space, standing at the bar, sitting on the plush leather sofas and milling around laughing with their friends.

It was the classiest nightclub I had ever laid eyes on and I got the impression these people were not your average Saturday night party-goers. They were elite party people.

"Bella?"

I turned upon hearing my name shouted above the thumping base of the music, not recognising the voice.

"Jacob!" I yelled back, smiling and practically throwing my arms around him, the alcohol in my system taking my inhibition and dignity and throwing it to the dogs.

He grabbed me, mostly to stop me falling but also to return my affection.

"What are you doing here again?" I shouted over the music, bringing my face closer to his in a vain attempt to be heard. "Are you stalking me?" I joked.

"Is that what you want?" He joked back loudly, a handsome smile taking over his face.

"No, I want to dance!" Grabbing his arm, I did my best to pull him towards the dance floor, laughing when he finally relented and followed me.

Dancing was not my forte, it never would be. For as long as I could remember, I had been cursed with two left feet and pitiful coordination, but my good friend Jack Daniels had my back and I felt like I could take on the world, one dance at a time.

I led him to the marble floor, bumping in to numerous people as I stumbled my way through the crowd but not bothering to apologise.

When I finally made it to the middle of the dance floor, I turned to face Jacob as he smiled down and me and grabbed my hips. We moved drunkenly in time to the music and I laughed loudly as we threw our arms around, the music booming loudly in our ears and the sheer volume of people in such close proximity meaning we were thrown together on more than one occasion but Jacob was nothing but a gentleman and caught me every time.

I was lost in my own world, trying my hardest to forget the anger I was harbouring towards Edward and the way he treated me, the alcohol clouding my judgement and skewing my inhibitions. I was having fun, giggling, sweating and fumbling around when suddenly I felt Jacob's hands at my waist again and looked up just in time to catch his intent. He was lowering his head towards mine as I looked up at him, I watched on in slow motion as his eyes drifted closed and my breath caught in my throat. He was going to kiss me.

It felt wrong.

Sure, Jacob was handsome and he was kind. He was a catch and in an alternative universe I would have been happy for that moment but my mind, no matter how angry, couldn't escape the flash of Edward's face that assaulted my mind in that moment.

Jacob wasn't the man I truly wanted to be dancing with, he wasn't the man I wanted this close to me and he definitely wasn't the man I wanted to kiss. Suddenly I felt sick.

Bringing my hands to his chest, I put all my force behind my actions and pushed him away just as his lips reached mine. He looked shocked and worried but he stumbled back and I fled the scene as quickly as I could, looking for an escape.

I ran back up the stairs towards the bright lights of a balcony, pushing past people as I fled. The large outdoor space brought me to a halt as soon as the fresh air hit my body and I took a deep breath inwards. It was a smoking area mainly but I didn't care, the cold crisp evening air granted me a reprieve, the noise of the city below drowning out the booming music from within the club.

Making my way over to the outdoor bar, I looked around the space. Throngs of people littered the vast area, it was a roof terrace. Plush padded patio furniture filled the floor space, twinkling fairy lights softly illuminated and cast a twinkling glow over the party-goers as they mostly puffed on cigarettes and chatted happily to their friends under the glow of tall gas heaters. It was a complete contrast to the scene inside but it was a relieving space.

The barman smiled at me as I approached and took an empty seat at the bar.

"Rough night?"

I raised my head from hands and smiled politely at him, nodding a little in answer without actually speaking to him. I must have been a pitiful sight, in a nightclub all alone and looking thoroughly exhausted.

"What can I get you?" He asked, his smile never faltering. He felt sorry for me, no doubt.

I almost asked for a water, the colder evening air rushing straight to my head and making me realise how much alcohol I had consumed. I felt awful, the alcohol sitting low in my stomach and my head swirling but as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, a shrill voice broke my train of thought.

"Bella! Imagine meeting you here!" It wasn't a friendly voice and my back straightened, my guard coming up almost as quickly as my head whipped around in the direction of the person who had shrieked my name.

Jane.

"Great," I mumbled under my breath as I looked towards the barman quickly and apologetically.

Plastering the most false smile I was capable of on to my face, I looked at her and the four girls she was with. All five of them looked overdone and shrill in appearance and I wanted to disappear.

Jane's fake grin took over her whole face, her makeup was too dark and way too harsh and her short black dress barely covered her boobs and ass. She looked cheap. As did the rest of the girls who accompanied her.

"Hi, Jane." I managed to nod slightly and speak but the apprehension I felt inside overtook my defence and my voice sounded strangled. I was so over this night. I couldn't be bothered arguing, not tonight.

"Are you here alone?" She smirked, almost laughing at me and not waiting for my answer. "Poor thing." Her voice was laced with sarcasm and I rolled my eyes without speaking a word in response. It didn't matter anyway, I was alone.

"I heard Edward was here tonight," she continued, her eyes lighting up in hope and I wanted to laugh at her desperation.

"Is he?" I asked, keeping my voice as flat as I could. For all I know he could be at home by now.

"Yeah, some girls on the second floor we're talking about him as we passed. I promised the girls," she nodded her head behind her towards the girls she had approached me with, "that I'd introduce them to him and get us access to the VIP lounge."

She made no attempt to let anyone know that I was also acquainted with Edward and for that I was grateful. Her friends were listening to every word she and I spoke.

"Good luck," I offered her coldly, motioning towards the bartender. Maybe another drink wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"I don't need luck," she sneered, laughing one high pitched shriek in to the evening air and I shuddered at the noise, as did the bartender who now stood in front of me. "We all know Edward and I are... close," she insinuated, winking in my direction and even the tall blond barman sniggered under his breath at the absurdity of her claim.

"Right," I smiled weakly, nodding in sceptical agreement.

"So, why are you here, Bella?" She wouldn't quit talking. I had hoped that being as stand-offish as possible would repel her and she'd take a hint but it turns out, Jane is just as observant as she is classy.

"Truthfully?" I asked, raising my eyebrow in her direction but she didn't answer, just continued to stare at me, her thick black false eyelashes blinking at me blankly. "I have no idea," I sighed before asking the barman for a Jack Daniels and coke.

"You're here hoping to bump in to Edward too, aren't you?" She growled at me, trying her best to hide her animosity behind her fake smile. "Oh, Bella," she rolled her eyes, laughing again, her voice filled with false sincerity as she hurtled verbal blows in my direction. "You really are a sorry sight. In what world would Edward look twice at someone as..." she looked me up and down, "pathetic as you."

I looked to the barman who raised his eyebrows in shock and bit back a laugh as he placed my drink in front of me. It was at that moment I realised I had no money and I groaned, wanting to hit my head off the bar. The other drinks I had ordered had all been in Edward's company and had no doubt been added to his tab.

"This one's on me." A voice from behind me spoke and my back straightened as I recognised it. The barman nodded once and disappeared as Jane squealed under her breath beside me.

"Edward!" She shrieked and rushed towards him. I followed her with my eyes, watching as she sauntered up to him but he ignored her completely, his eyes never leaving mine as he stepped around her and came to stand next to me at the bar. I turned my eyes from him and looked at my drink, not bothering to acknowledge him.

"Edward!" She squealed again and I rolled my eyes, taking a sip of my drink.

"Touch me and you'll regret it," he barked at Jane, his eyes narrowing in her direction and she snapped her hand back before it reached his shoulder, as though he had shocked her.

"These are my friends," she continued desperately, motioning to the four over-done girls who stood behind her. She really couldn't take a hint and I snorted in to my glass.

My eyes met with his quickly before he looked to Jane again, distain evident on his face and the girls practically melted when he nodded in their direction, turning his attention back to me quickly as Jane spouted off their names.

I kept my face passive as I looked at my drink, studying it much too harshly and doing my best to ignore his beautiful presence as he stood at my side, looking down at me. His eyes bore in to the side of my face and it was difficult to ignore him but I was still too angry at the way I had been treated tonight. I could hear Jane behind us, still talking and her friends had joined in, but their voices were muffled and distant. His presence was overbearing and I could feel it suffocating me in the evening air.

"I'd like to leave," I finally acknowledged in his direction and he nodded. I wanted to go back to my apartment, I didn't want to go back to his house but that wasn't an option. He needed to know there was consequences to his actions with me, I wouldn't be stepped over and I wouldn't be treated so cruelly. I wouldn't forgive him easily and he needed to know that. I needed to know whether or not he cared if I was angry at him.

I stood up and swayed a little on my feet, grabbing the bar to steady myself as he grabbed my elbow to stop me from falling.

"God, Bella, what a mess you are." Jane laughed over the rooftop, mockingly and I took a deep breath, looking towards the sky to stop myself from slapping that smug smile right off her face.

"Shut up, you absolute tramp," I seethed, my deep inhale doing nothing to calm the anger that clawed at my chest. She took a sharp breath inwards, shock marring her features as my words hit her and Edward snorted, his hand still firmly gripping my elbow.

I shouldn't be allowed to drink alcohol, that much was becoming clearer with every second that ticked by. I was angry at the world tonight and in situations that I'd usually rise above, I was allowing my emotions to spill over.

I was angry at my life and what it had become. I was angry that I needed to be hidden away and protected, angry that Edward had made me feel so special and the whipped that elation from right under my feet in a split second. I was angry at Jacob and his attempt to kiss me, at Jane for being the desperate slimy bitch she was, and angry that I couldn't even escape it all and catch a cab back to my own apartment. Alone.

"Let's go," Edward whispered, his mouth close to my ear as I stared at Jane, willing her to throw something back at me.

Her eyes widened as she regarded Edward's close proximity to me and I could see the rage that burned behind her eyes. Christine had probably sent her out tonight with the sole purpose of getting in to Edward's pants and the thought made me laugh and swallow back the bile that rose in my throat.

Her friends watched on, disbelief evident on their faces. No doubt she had lied to them in terms of her and Edward's relationship and I couldn't help but feel a little bit sorry for her. After all, she did spend a lot of time in his house and in her head I honestly believed she thought she had a chance with him. She was no worse off than me, really. I lived under his roof and up until a couple of hours ago, I had also believed I had a chance with him. Jessica and I were practically the same and the unwelcome thought made me want to scream.

I laughed harshly in to the air between us all and Edward took that as our cue to leave, practically dragging me back indoors without another word from Jane and her friends. There was so much more I wanted to say to her but I felt deflated after my sudden realisation that Jane and I were not dissimilar.

"What's so funny?" Edward asked once we had bypassed a couple of men and entered a private elevator.

"Absolutely nothing," I sighed. "If anything, it's tragic"

"Jane?" He questioned, not a hint of emotion in his voice.

"And me," I quipped back, keeping my eyes on the elevator door in front of us.

He was silent for a few seconds before the doors pinged and opened on to the hallway that led to his office.

I walked out before he could move and I heard his footsteps behind me.

"Tragic?" He eventually spoke. "You and Jane?"

"Yup," I answered, popping the 'p' and keeping my pace knowing that if he really wanted to, he could easily catch up with me. It was almost as though he was purposefully hesitating.

"Stop, Bella." He commanded, yet his voice wasn't loud. I knew he was no longer following me so I sighed, before turning to face him in the hallway.

His face was passive and I tried my hardest to do the same as we stood staring at each other, the space between us magnified and the air thick with tension. No one had followed us and I thanked the heavens above that we were alone.

He cocked his head to the side, examining me and no doubt trying to figure out how lightly to tread. I wasn't about to make this any easier for him so I remained quiet, never breaking the eye contact we held as the silence stretched out between us.

"You're angry," he finally observed, his eyes narrowing but the tone of his voice not giving me a single hint as to how he felt about that.

"No shit," I growled back, through my clenched teeth and he smirked, his eyes alighting almost mockingly.

"Ooh," he teased, "Why?"

Was he being serious? I knew he wasn't stupid and I found it hard to believe he was that obtuse. He was playing dumb on purpose, pushing me and knowing exactly what buttons to press.

I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

"It doesn't matter," I spoke quietly. It didn't, not really. I knew that he wouldn't care. If he did care he wouldn't purposely try to ruffle my feathers like he was doing in that moment.

Gone was that caring Edward from this morning. The man in front of my now was cold and taunting.

I smiled sadly at the realisation of what I was faced with, I had prepared for this after all. I knew it was coming and yet when faced with it, I hadn't prepared for the overwhelming devastation that swept over my body. I managed to keep the tentative smile and for that I was proud, it was a true bittersweet moment, I wasn't crying and I wasn't swearing.

Go. Me... Fucking. Bravo.

"It doesn't matter," I sighed once more, the words barely a whisper as I came to terms with the loss I felt and I turned and walked towards the staircase that led to the exit. In truth, I had no idea where I was going or how I was going to get there but I had to keep my resolve, I had to be strong -I deserved that much from myself.

"Where are you going?" He called to my retreating back, his voice sounding bored.

"It doesn't matter." I called back, throwing my hand over my shoulder in a nonchalant motion, mentally patting myself on the back as my voice didn't waiver.

"You'll come back!" He shouted bitterly and that sealed my resolve.

I would not go back. Not towards where he stood, not to his house and not to him. I'd take my chances on my own because at the end of the day, that's all I had -myself.

I walked straight out of the exit of the club, in to the parking lot Emmett had driven me to earlier in the evening and started walking without a destination.

The cold air whipped around my face and I hugged my arms around my body to shield myself feebly from the chill as my aching feet carried me forward in the darkness.

Is this what it felt to be broken? The dull echoing emptiness I felt in my chest? It wasn't heartbreak, I knew that for sure, I knew that with heartbreak came emotion -devastating, painful emotions and sadness. I felt nothing. No tears leaked from eyes, no sobs shattered through my body in to the empty streets, I didn't want to curl in to a ball and disappear from the world and I didn't want to run back inside the club straight in to Edward's arms. A chilling laugh escaped my lips at the realisation that that's probably exactly what he was expecting.

No, this was not heartbreak.

This was coming to terms with all that I had prepared myself for. I knew this would happen. I had braced myself for it and in doing so, it made me feel nothing but emptiness. It's not what I had hoped, it's not what I wanted but it's what I had prepared myself for mentally. I felt nothing.

Did I want to see his smile directed at me once more? Absolutely. Did I want to hear his laugh and feel his touch? More than anything. But I wasn't prepared to subject myself to his cold, torturous and wild changes of character in a weak desperate attempt to take anything I could get. I deserved more than that. I deserved respect and consistency and I refused to tread on eggshells around him in fear of irritating him. I wasn't settling for less than I deserved as a human being first and foremost.

I also knew, on the flip side that Edward was a dangerous, ferocious man. The type that struck fear in to others and subjected violence on to those he considered deserving of it. I wasn't a silly little girl, I knew who he was, what he was and I wasn't going to try and bargain with him nor was I going to beg him for anything. If he was going to change his behaviour towards me, he was going to need to realise his mistakes on his own and want to fix them, for himself. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

And for the life of me, I couldn't see that happening.

So I walked, with nowhere to go, no money and no hope of anything. My feet carried my aimlessly through the dark streets, my subconscious pushing me in a specific direction.

A/N - For those who read the original, did you prefer this chapter? How do you feel about the change in direction?

As always, thanks to everyone who takes the time to read, review, favourite and follow. It really does make me smile!