(Gelateria Slap) (June 4th 2010)
Bella laughed at his little joke. She had been expecting him to bombard her with questions.
"It's delicious. I don't think I want to leave this behind."
"You don't have to. I am sure I can send you home with a large box packed with them if you wish." Aro said as his mind whirled as to how to make that possible. For her he would do anything.
Bella blushed as she swallowed her bite.
"I don't need you to do that for me Aro." She said. It always made her uncomfortable when Edward did it, she wasn't going to change her mind with Aro.
"I know that Bella, it's just what I wish to do. I have told you before how mates are supposed to react with one another. This is just me acting on those instincts. I am very much aware you have no desire for expensive things as others would ask for. If I could indulge you with a few pints of delicious gelato then I will do so. I only want you happy." Even if it's not with me. Aro said and thought. He wished he could make her feel for him the way he did for her. Sadly for him it was clear that she did not share in those feelings.
"Oh." Bella replied somewhat awkwardly. She did not want to talk about anything too 'deep'. Perhaps sensing he mood shifting Aro pressed on and asked about something he was curious about.
"Where are Rosalie and Emmett Cullen?" Aro asked and was rewarded with a small knowing smile.
"They are more than likely outside talking to your guard or staying near enough to watch over us but not too close to be intrusive." She replied.
"Why is that?" Aro asked. He did not know how to feel about having his guards being questioned or watched over by anyone other than the coven leaders.
"Well, you see, coming here was my idea." Bella said as she put her food away. She cleaned her mouth with the napkin as she found her courage. "We were coming to Italy already but I asked Rose and Emmett if we could come a little early so that I could see you here before we had to go back on schedule. I thought it might be a nice surprise and we could talk a little." Bella said fidgeting slightly with her hands in her lap. It felt so awkward to tell him this because truthfully she didn't know the reason herself. It was an impulsive decision she was beginning to regret.
"I believe this is the best surprise I have ever received in my life." Aro said happily. His emotions were rushing through him as he guessed why she was here. He couldn't help but hope she was beginning to feel something for him.
"I'm glad." She replied. Bella was feeling awkward once more.
"Will they be joining us later?" Aro asked trying to make her feel more comfortable and keep the conversation going.
"No. If you wish, we can spend the rest of the evening walking along the pier, shopping, talking, whatever." She said with a small shrug. "We have to leave tomorrow morning so we only have tonight."
Aro stomped on his thoughts to simply take her by force and lock her in his rooms. He would not stand it if she stayed mad at him for decades if he turned her by force.
"Oh? What brought you all to Italy?" He asked casually.
"Rose won a contest from work and the prize was a trip to Italy visiting some of the major cities. Rose talked to headquarters and ensured Emmett and I were included in the trip so long as we paid our own way. Not that either of them is letting me pay for much." Bella said with slight exasperation. "Our touring starts tomorrow in Florence so we can only be here tonight. I thought since we would get here early I would let you know in case you wanted to see me in person once again."
"I am incredibly happy for her winning then. I do wish you could have visited for longer. I would like to have shown you Volterra." Your castle my Queen and rightful home. He thought to himself.
"I don't know." Bella said immediately. She did not think she would be able to leave if she stepped foot in the city let alone the castle.
"May I know why it makes you nervous?" Aro asked as he got a good idea why. Even if the idea was appealing he knew he could never do anything that would upset her.
"If I go, would you let me leave?" she asked him straight out. Bella could see a look of hurt flash across his eyes.
"It would hurt me to see you go after you had been in my home but yes. I would let you leave. I could never hurt you mia Bella." Aro said. He looked into her eyes and begged her to understand him. He was fighting himself everyday just to make her happy living her life away from him.
"I'm sorry if I insulted you Aro. I just have a hard time believing you would let me go given what I know." She told him sadly. This was it. She was going to tell him. This could change everything.
"What has happened? I am having trouble understanding how your … Jacob … could be okay with you being here. What is going on?" Aro asked while masking his revulsion at the name he hated. He really wanted to know how the mutt could be okay with her being so close to him.
"Aro, what I am going to tell you is difficult for me so please watch what you say. I have been dealing with this as best I can but I still feel the same way. Just let me tell you and then we can discuss some of it." She said while looking at him pleadingly.
Aro felt a terrible feeling settle into his stomach. It was as if she wanted to tell him bad news in person herself.
"Very well, I promise." He said.
"I don't know if your guard can hear me so I only ask that they either move away so they can't overhear or you ensure they never speak of this to anyone else." Bella said covering her bases.
"Felix, Demetri please move away so you do not overhear us. Make sure the shop is still within your site and approach when we exit for more instruction." Aro said slightly louder.
Bella gave him a grateful nod and paused for a moment to give the guards time to move away.
"About five months after you left Forks Jacob found his imprint." Bella said with a sad voice. "It was a hard time for us. We were at odds for months after it happened. Eventually we decided to part and I stopped going to La Push. The wolves still agreed to protect me and provide a safe place for me to meet your since I still do not wish to be turned. (Aro winced slightly at that.) I moved out of Forks that fall and went to Seattle. I went to a local college and worked in a nearby boutique with Rosalie. We also rented apartments in the same building to be near each other. Emmet went to college with me while Rosalie worked full time. That's where I have been for almost three years. Our boutique changed locations recently and we moved once more but this time downtown to be closer to work. I have been dating on and off for a while now since Jacob and I promised each other we would try to find happiness."
Aro was dumbfounded when she finished. Five months! Five damn months! That foolish boy broke her heart five months after he had left. MAY! That's why she had looked so off when he had seen her in May. She had been dating. Why? He was here, right here for her. He would have moved mountains to make her happy. She could have come to him.
Perhaps she saw the look on his face but Bella had to speak when she saw a dark look begin cross his features.
"I didn't want to seek you out simply because I wasn't with Jacob anymore. I didn't want to treat you like a second choice, no one deserves that." She said.
His dark thoughts left him after she spoke. He knew she wasn't the type to use people. She had the means to destroy him or use him to her whims with only her word. She could have led him on anytime she wanted but never did. She just didn't feel for him the way he felt for her. Aro sighed as he thought of their bond. He wished it was working properly. He wanted nothing more than to have been there for her over the years.
"Is that why you are here now?" He asked carefully after thinking about it. He needed to know. Now that he was aware she was available and dating, he wanted to make it clear to the world she already had someone after her hand.
"To tell you the truth I have no idea why I am here. I tried to figure it out but I just end up going in circles. Rosalie tells me to just go to the flow and not do anything that makes me uncomfortable. Two years ago I wouldn't have been able to send you all those packages or even gifts but now I can. So, to tell you the truth I have no idea why I am here. I changed my mind so many times before the plane took off and while it was in the air that I am surprised I didn't bolt out of the shop while I waited for you to arrive." She finished off sheepishly with a slight redness in her cheeks.
"So this was just impulsive?" Aro asked carefully. He wished Marcus was here at the moment. He needed to know more than ever if their bond wasn't repairing itself at the moment.
"Yeah." She said as she was lost as to what else she could say.
The air had descended into awkwardness. Bella was feeling her skin tingle as she fought the urge to leave. Aro sensing her distress rose from the table first. He adjusted his jacket as she watched in surprise. No doubt thinking she insulted him and he was leaving to nurse his pride. How wrong she was. It seemed he had no pride when it came to her.
Aro extended his hand to her. She took it in confusion as she rose from the table. Aro placed her hand into the crook of his arm as his other hand picked up her trash with the other. Bella grabbed her small purse and looked at him in bewilderment.
"A walk along the marina and its shops sounds lovely. I can finally show you some of the best things about Italy." Aro said cheerfully. He was only partially happy as he sounded.
Bella gave him a sweet understanding smile as she nodded her consent. Aro disposed of her trash as they left the shop.
Demetri and Felix walked to them quickly from further up the street near a noisy outdoor restaurant. Once they were within five feet of them Aro stopped them.
"Bella, these are Demetri and Felix." Aro said to her as he motioned to his guards. "They will be following near us as we enjoy the Marina tonight." He said the last to his guards who simply nodded to both of them.
"Yes Master." They said in unison and moved aside to let them pass. They had both been studying their new queen carefully once they approached. She appeared to be in much better spirits and thankfully without all of those damned dogs near her. Their leader hated to have his mate smell of them but he never complained. Some of the mated coupes disliked her for how much she was putting one of their masters through. They never let their thoughts get to far from them since they knew their master could see it. They just couldn't fathom rejecting their mate.
Felix and Demetri both hoped this was the start of something good.
Bella and Aro spent the evening strolling through the shops and talking. Aro noticed everything Bella admired and tried to buy them for her but she refused. Remembering how she did not like it when Edward went behind her back to buy them he simply kept in mind her style and likes for future reference. He did manage to buy her little things throughout the night by appealing to her rational mind and love of cooking. A few things from the market for her to take home and enjoy or snack on the ride to Florence tomorrow was an excuse he used often.
Aro took advantage of the opportunity and steered the conversation as much as he could and found out more about her. While yes, he did know her through reading the thoughts of others he still wanted to do so himself by talking to her. She also changed her perspective over the years or found new things to like. He found out that she loved her indoor garden and used it weekly for fresh herbs. Her new apartment was smaller than her last but her rent was much higher since she moved downtown. However she does now have a bigger balcony and decided to section a part off and make her own little garden which had yet to come to pass. Something Aro would rectify as soon as he could.
Aro told her of a few things happening in the castle, which wasn't much, and updates on his brothers. He told her of his love of the arts and literature. They spent a while talking of the opera. He wished to take her to one and almost asked but held himself back. He didn't want to push her.
Once Bella began to yawn he reluctantly suggested their night had finally come to its end. He took her to her hotel and enjoyed the short walk to it which was across from the small gelato shop he met her at. Rosalie and Emmett were waiting for them in the lobby in a corner. They looked like a couple on their honeymoon which was probably why they had been left alone.
Bella smiled when she saw them and greeted them warmly as they did to her. He had been aware of their presence the entire time though. They kept far away but still were close. When the attention turned to him he extended his hand to Emmett who briefly shook it with a blank face. That moment however was all he needed. Emmett Cullen did not like him near her and thought he was unworthy of her. He thought a lot of things some of which he agreed on and others he knew he would kill the boy for simply thinking them.
None of this showed on his face but the vampires around him knew he now knew more of his secrets. It was something no one was comfortable with and many envied his little mate her ability.
Aro extended his hand to Rosalie who he could see in her micro expressions really did not want to shake his hand. Just as Rosalie extended her hand to shake his hand his little mate reacted.
Bella snatched back Rosalie's hand and blushed red as everyone turned to look at her as she exclaimed.
"Wait!"
"Bella?" Rosalie asked perplexed and secretly glad her friend intervened. No one liked having Aro read them.
"You cannot read Rosalie." Bella said as she looked at Aro.
Felix and Demetri looked at their master in slight fear. No one had ever done that. Ever.
Aro was mad at Bella for interfering. He was sure he could get more information about the past years from her than he did Emmett. What he had seen in the boy was enlightening but not as Rosalie would be.
"Why not?" He asked calmly even if he felt anything but.
Bella fidgeted a little but then set her jaw. Without looking at him she answered.
"There was an incident and Rose had to help me shower and dress for a few weeks. Please don't look."
Everyone stayed quiet as they processed what they heard.
Aro really wanted to see his little mate naked but not by someone else's memory. He could understand her interference as she was blushing now and clutching Rosalie's hand who tried to calm her. He couldn't touch the girl now or else his mate might never forgive him.
"Under those circumstances I understand." Aro said and watched Bella relax.
"Thank you. I know you like to use your gift on others." Bella said gratefully and then a little chastising. "I don't want Rose near Edward either. I don't want my privacy invaded like that." Bella said with a shudder at her ex's name.
Aro did not like to be chastised. He could give her some leeway but she wasn't going to get that much. He did not want any of his coven to see that. He also did not want young Edward near Rosalie or his mate as well. That boy lost all rights to her when he foolishly cast her aside.
Rosalie smiled at Bella and took Emmett's hand.
"We have an early morning tomorrow." She said as she smiled to them all. "I can go pack your new things away while you two finish up." Rosalie said to Bella and Aro as she motioned for the guards to give her Bella's shopping. Emmett took the single bag in Aros' hand so Rose wouldn't touch him.
"Thanks Rose." Bella said.
"No problem. I will have all our stuff ready to go." Rosalie said. Turning to the Volturi she inclined her head slightly as did Emmett and they both gave their goodbyes.
Demetri and Felix left the hotel to give their Master and his mate some privacy.
Aro and Bella sat down at the seats Rosalie and Emmett had vacated except with more distance between them. Aro once more took the reins of the conversation before Bella could begin to get nervous. Both continued talking for another twenty minutes about nothing in particular. Aro wanted to prolong the night but when Bella yawned once more he knew he had to say his goodbyes. He had only seen her the month before and now he was reluctant to let her go again after such little time. He knew it was ridiculous but he wanted her by his side all the time.
"I think it's time for you to rest my dear." Aro said somewhat sadly.
"Yes, I don't think I rested enough since we left America." Bella replied.
"Then I should leave you to your rest." Aro said as he stood. He helped Bella stand as well.
He held onto her hand and bowed over it then kissed her knuckles causing his little mate to blush.
"Goodnight mia Bella." He said.
"Goodnight Aro." She replied.
With a small smile Aro inclined his head and exited the hotel as his guards appeared at the door. They inclined their heads to her and they all left together.
Bella grabbed her little purse and walked to her room where she knew Rosalie was waiting for her. Emmett was probably pacing until she was safely in her room and would most likely keep watch all night.
She didn't want to analyze anything about tonight at the moment though. She just wanted to fall asleep in her bed and not have to think at all. She needed to be distracted of it all. Thankfully they had a week of scheduled stops to some of the best places of Italy. She could think later.
Sorry to have kept you all waiting for this chapter.
Originally I was doing better until we got confirmation from my son's school that he would be having online classes now. Turns out we can only use my laptop since our tablets are not compatible with the app. With my husband working from home for about nine hours I'm the only one who can help him. I am stuck going back to kindergarten now every weekday. As you may have guessed, it's not fun. So I am no longer able to spend so much time writing. But I will still try to update every week at least once. I have been doing it twice but hopefully the weekends will allow me to be more flexible.
I don't like it either. I was really happy dedicating my time to writing. Now though I have to cut back, again. I hope you can all understand it. I am updating this story as well as "Second Chance at Love" on the same days. This way I can keep better track of them. Thankfully this story is close to its end.
I have one other story of Aro as well, "Unrequited Obsession". That one is a crossover with Harry Potter though. It is however finished so if anyone wants to go read it while they wait please go ahead, you might like it.
As always don't forget to follow, fav and review. :-)
