Thank you to Team Harpy and to all my passionate readers. I love you all.
Lots of conversations this chapter.
Chapter 42
Edward
I knock on the door and wait. I hear some movement and then the door opens. Her smile falls from her face. Good, if I don't get to be happy, neither do you.
"Good afternoon, Angela." I greet her cheerfully as I move past her and have a seat on the sofa.
"Why don't you have a seat?" She offers sarcastically.
"Thanks, I think I will. Angela, it's time to have a civilized conversation between grownups." I smile beguilingly at her.
"You've wasted a trip. Anything I have to say to you will neither be civilized or ladylike."
"Indulge me."
"I have requested a family meeting from Ed and he is indulging me. Anything I have to say to you or your family I will save until then."
"I noticed it's back to my family now. That's progress."
"Don't bank on it. You are responsible for a bigamist marriage perfectly symbolized by your fake ring."
"Oh, you tried to hock it already? Where's your sentiment?" I mock.
"I was merely having it appraised for insurance purposes." She sniffs.
"Right. Well, think of all the money I saved you. The premiums on a genuine diamond would have been extremely high."
"Oh heaven forbid, anything from you should be genuine." She hisses.
"I actually thought the ring was quite lovely, but a hundred thousand dollar investment just didn't seem prudent."
"I am really gonna have to talk to hotel security. They just let any riffraff up here."
"I own this place, remember?"
"Oh right, right, right. You have many positions and titles including Masen Whitlock, rock and roller. Now there was a surprise."
"Well many of us have two sides to our personality. Take you for instance."
"You already took me once. It's not gonna happen again. Speaking of being taken, how is Little Miss Fingernails?"
"My wife has a name and I am not inclined to discuss her with you."
"Who could blame you? She must be such an embarrassment."
"Don't push it, Angela," I warn as I stand up to try to intimidate her.
"You should take your own advice. No matter how angry she is at you, nothing will prepare you for how mad I am."
"Let's have it. Just how mad are you?"
"I've just about decided that ten years is worth suing you for bigamy and coming out of prison and living a life of luxury."
"What a scenario. Keep dreaming."
"I think I will. Every word coming out of your mouth further convinces me."
"I know you and I know you won't spend seven seconds in jail. Let alone ten or fifteen years and as far as the rest of your life in the lap of luxury, well judging from your track record, it won't take you long to set up another sucker. But might I suggest taking your show out of Tacoma? Maybe Los Angeles."
She takes a swing at me and I catch her hand midair. "Whoa! Hey now. Don't add assault to the list of charges you've accrued."
"I think I'll take my chances."
"If you think you can take down the entire Cullen family and come away a winner, you are sadly mistaken but I will have fun watching you try."
"Let's get one thing straight. I won't leave quietly."
"Sure you will." I grin at her.
With that, I leave her to stew.
Bella
I peer through the window into the cottage where I see Alice on the phone having words with someone. From the sound of it, it's Peter wondering how this is gonna affect the Idle Rich now that 'Masen' has been outed.
I stopped for coffee right inside Tacoma at that little gas station I like so much and boy, was I surprised to see Edward and Angela Cullen's face splashed all over the front page of the Tacoma News Tribune with a small, thankfully flattering picture of me in a small box at the corner. Headline reading 'Tacoma Real Estate Tycoon Marries Two Women!'
News at 11! Read all about it! Please have a front seat row to my humiliation. I grab two of them and place them with my coffee on the counter to pay for them. The cashier eyes me and then the paper then me again. Luckily, she minds her business. I guess the tear tracks and the dark circles under my eyes work in my favor.
I decide to bite the bullet and go into the house. It is where I live after all. Alice about falls out of her chair when she sees me. I ignore her and set about placing my things in a nice heap by the hallway entrance.
"Bella?"
I tighten my jaw and look her right in her lying face. "Can you ever forgive me?" I just look at her. Let her sweat a little. Lord knows she deserves that and more. "Can you at least just let me explain to you? Will you just let me tell you my side?"
"How can I forgive the lies from the person who called me best friend and sister?"
"Because I am your best friend. I am your sister."
"Alice there hasn't been one honest moment between us."
"That's not true."
"Right from the beginning the very first moment when you told me there was no one else in his life up until yesterday when you tried to stop me from going to the bottled blonde's birthday party."
"I know. And it wasn't because I wanted to lie to you because I didn't. I just felt trapped."
"Our friendship didn't mean diddly to you because if it did you would have found plenty of chances to come clean and stop protecting Cullen."
"I tried to so many times."
"What? What happened, huh? You opened your mouth but couldn't find the words?"
"Just listen to me for a second please." She leads me to the couch and I let her and we both sit.
"Every time I would try to tell you, you would say all these sweet things about Masen and I just couldn't do it. I just didn't want to hurt you."
"As opposed to what? I managed to get hurt anyway."
"I know, I'm sorry."
"I got to hand it to you, Alice, you really had your act together. I must be really stupid because I didn't smell a rat, at least not where you were concerned. And now everywhere I look all I see are lies. Like that day when Angela came here and she was just doggin' me and Edward… oh Masen, I'm sorry. Remember the time you asked me how Masen intended on giving up his double life. I asked you point-blank if something was going on and you lied to me. And then Kate married Edward Cullen. Boy Alice that was a clever one. That was so clever." I get up and begin storming around the room. "You know I can't believe you would do that to me."
"I can't either."
" I mean unbelievable all the schemes and the plots you and Cullen dreamed up to get me not to worry every time I would get just a little too close to the truth."
"Okay okay! Listen alright. Yes, Edward did come up with plots, and yes I begged him to tell you. At least just try to think about why he did it. He was trying to buy time to get out of this mess because he truly adores you and would do anything to keep you."
I snort. "Yeah, everything except tell me the truth or bring me home to meet his family. You wanna know why? Because he is ashamed of me."
"That is not true. In fact, it's the opposite. Bella, he was afraid of how you would react to them."
"Oh yeah because they are rich and cultured living in a big house. I couldn't deal with that, could I?" I delve into sarcasm.
"You have only seen the upside to the Cullens. Wait until you see a family fight."
"That ain't gonna happen. I have seen all I want of that whole family especially Mr. Edward Cullen."
"I know this is the biggest scam any man has ever pulled on a woman and it blows my mind as much as it does yours but there is something about Edward you really need to understand."
"Great, this is where the violins start playing and you've told me all about Cullen's really unhappy childhood already so you better come up with a new line. What about an incurable disease, he only has six months to live and I need to take pity on him."
"Stop it. I am trying to tell you that Edward really does have two different people inside him."
"So I married a schizophrenic? That's what you're telling me?"
"No, see he has a good side and he has a bad side. And you bring out his good side and the longer it says out the stronger it gets. It's his dark side that made up this second identity. I mean Edward has done some really wicked things in the past. This is actually pretty tame for him now that I think about it."
"Well, it's wicked enough for me."
"I'm trying to explain to you that he has this brilliant part to him. He is- for lack of a better word- a con artist. He loves a game. He loves a setup, a scam."
"Tell me somethin' I don't know. He's your basic operator."
"What he really is, is a performer. Isn't that what you really hooked into? I know this started as a game but he finally realized that he was really in love with you and he would do anything including using his talent as a performer to keep you."
"Well, there's no question there. He gets high marks as a performer. I mean he was keeping me going at the same time he was doin' the two-step with Blondie."
"No! He does not love Angela nor did he sleep with her at any time during this sham of a marriage. They were a thing years ago but it was short-lived and before he married Kate. And the blackmail story is the gospel truth."
"Why should I believe that?"
"He hired Mac to investigate Angela. And Mac got solid proof to send her away for years. Look, Angela isn't even in the house anymore. She's been banished to the Hotel Murano. "
"I don't know. All of this stuff just sounds like more made up crap and I just can't get a handle on it." She opens her mouth but I stop her. "I don't want to hear you defend what you and Masen… Edward… ugh, Cullen, I don't want to hear it. A lie is a lie no matter how you try to justify it."
"You're right and I would do anything to take back the lies I told you. I only did it because I truly believed I was keeping two people together who really loved each other."
"Yeah well, I gotta really question your judgment there, Sister."
She smiles sheepishly through her tears. "Sister. You were like the sister I always wanted. My own sister was quite a disappointment to me. You made me feel like an equal, like I was really important, like you valued my opinions."
"I might have to reconsider that," I mutter.
"No please.' She grasps my arms. "Whenever I don't have anyone to talk to, when I feel like I'm going crazy, you're the one I call. My whole life I was surrounded by people who were smarter than me and older than me and they never let me forget it. And you've made me feel really good about myself. Please don't leave me. I can't lose that. I don't wanna lose that." She pleads.
"Okay, don't overdo it." I can see where her neck is all splotchy. No need to stroke out.
"I told Rose I was willing to step aside and let you two run BAR without me. If it would make you more comfortable. Maybe it could help you to forgive me." She clears her throat. "I don't want to do anything to damage what we've worked so hard to build."
"Don't worry about that cause I ain't about to let that happen."
"Does that mean you want to work…"
"What that means, is that I don't trust you but uh I'm a pro so I can work with you."
"Okay, I can deal with that. Thank you." She wipes her tears. "And I'm gonna make it up to you. I really really am going to make this up to you."
"You know what? Don't make promises you can't keep."
"I won't but I feel so much better now that you know the whole truth."
"Yeah, the whole truth. Quite a concept, huh? You just need to work on your timing a bit." She nods. "Well, I need you to continue holding down the fort. I got some business to take care of." I gather my purse and keys. "You said Angela was at the hotel, right?"
I hear her say 'Yeah, but…" but I'm already out the door.
***B***
The look of surprise on her face is satisfying though fleeting as she quickly schools her expression.
"You."
"Done with lunch?" I asked with a pointed look at her food cart. "I hope so. I think it's time we have some straight talk, that is if you are capable of that sort of thing." I walk past her without an invitation. She shuts the door with a definitive thud.
"This is unexpected." She looks me up and down. "Or perhaps not."
"I said straight talk. You aren't off to a very good start."
"What is it you'd like to discuss? Maybe Edward's favorite color or flavor ice cream? Should we play match up?"
"Is the blackmail story true?" I cut to the chase.
"What blackmail?" Oh, she's got the whole innocent thing down.
"Whatever got you in bed with Cullens and to the altar with Masen."
"Oh, Edward has been bombarding me with apologies and excuses for his trifling dalliance with you. But what on earth is he telling you? Blackmail, really?"
"I don't think he's makin' it up."
"Of course he's making it up. He is trying to save his own skin. The signs are all there. Desperation makes a man so obvious. Oh, you poor thing. So open and trusting. It probably never occurred to you that Edward might have bigger fish to fry. He didn't need me to blackmail him to play with the grownups. He did that all by himself. It was the rest of the family that needed a little convincing."
"So then there was blackmail? He wasn't lying about that."
"What if he wasn't?" She shrugs. "That happened so late in the game that it wasn't practically insignificant. Let me clue you in on something, In the months before no one had to force him in or out of my bed. We were having a grand old time before I decided to make him marry me. Can you really be so naive to think there was nothing going on between Edward and me before we suddenly announced our engagement? What did he tell you? That out of the blue I walked in and put a gun to his head?"
"That you had something over him."
"That Edward. He really does amaze me. He is quite inventive when his back is against the wall. We had been carrying on for months before you came on the scene. I hope he's not trying to portray this marriage as name only."
I look up at that and she catches my eye. "He is being a bad boy."
"You know he may have said a lot of things I don't buy but there is one thing I know. He has better taste than to consciously go after someone broad like you."
"Should we discuss the more intimate details of Edward Cullen? Let's just forget his favorite color. What about that tiny little birthmark that can only be seen in the most extraordinary circumstances."
"He has no birthmark."
"Then you're not looking in the right places."
"Liar!" I jump up and get in her face.
"See you don't know him at all so you don't deserve him and I'm not gonna let you have him."
I think about decking her but decide against it so I walk towards the door to leave.
"What's wrong? Getting too close to the bone?" I stop. "That's what you came here to hear right?"
"No. I came here for the truth! That was my mistake. You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you right on the ass."
"And you can't face it when it does!" She shouts.
I get back in her face. "You do this to people, to watch them suffer, right? Is that how you get off? Well, you ain't getting at me, sister."
"You pathetic little wannabe. Whatever made you think you could play in my league?"
"Who would want to? You don't have a single shred of decency about you."
"Why don't you just go home and play with your dolls." She spats.
"Yeah yeah, I will make one of you and stick pins in it."
"Oh, that is very adult. Is that the best you can do?" She taunts.
"No, your roots are showin', Blondie."
"So are yours. Your low rent, rock 'n roll, simple-minded roots." This hag puts her hands on me as she tries to shove me out the door. " Why don't you just go find someone your own kind?" I slap her hands off me.
"Why don't you? Why don't you go find a viper who eats their young."
"I just bet Edward loves to hear you talk like that."
"That is one category in which you don't get to…"
Suddenly we are shouting over each other and I don't even know what's being said. We are forcibly separated by some bellboy.
"You haven't seen anything yet." I glare at the bellboy. "You want to keep your hands off of me!"
"I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." He stammers.
"I'm gonna have to ask you to chill." Shoving past him I get back in Angela's face. "You know there's a word for women that trade sex for money. I'm not gonna say it in front of this nice man but you know what I'm talking about."
"Miss I must really insist…"
"It's Mrs! And don't you forget it." I look at Angie. "You either. Don't you forget it either." Then I storm past them both.
I think I've made my point.
Edward
"Mr. Cullen, you have a guest." Waylon does that weird little bow of his and as he walks out, in walks Rosalie King.
I abandon my work and stand up. "Well, this is a surprise."
"It shouldn't be. This is business and I'm looking for an introduction."
"To?"
"To my recording artist. Masen Whitlock?" She crosses the room and has a seat on the couch, crossing her legs elegantly.
"He's listening."
"So is Masen going to honor his contract with BAR or not?"
"I don't have a contract with BAR and I certainly don't have one with you."
She cocks her head to the side.
"Does Masen Whitlock have a contract with Bella Swan?"
"A verbal agreement."
"Masen has been delivering services to BAR under established terms. You and I both know that when two parties under mutual agreement a binding contract is in effect."
"Binding is the kind of word that lawyers love to fight over," I smirk.
"Masen… Edward… What do I call you? I have no desire to pursue this on legal grounds. But the fallout from your double life is affecting a lot of people. Bella and Alice. Alice and me. Not to mention you and Bella."
"Don't insinuate yourself into my private life."
"You haven't given me much choice. Masen's relationship with Bella is at the heart of my business and I have a considerable investment. And In order to protect my investment, I have to keep the talent happy. Which I am finding is not easy in this racket."
"I don't want to be in any racket with you; personally or professionally."
"I'm just an innocent bystander. You're the one who married my partner and then screwed her over. The point here is BAR has not one but two CDs with you on the cover which don't mean a damn thing if we don't have shows lined up to promote the music. You've got to sing and Bella has to promote. Which is why I went to Forks to see her."
That gets my attention and I sit across from her. "How is she?"
"She's hurt and mad, not a good combination for an Italian woman."
"I know. I was on the wrong end of her mother's native tongue." I clear my throat.
"And lived to tell about it. Very impressive."
"I think they're leaving me at Bella's mercy."
"Well before that happens, can we get back to the matter at hand? Am I going to have to eat my investment in you or is Masen Whitlock going to sing for BAR?"
"The whole situation backfired on me." I mused.
"I've seen worse; no blood, no dead bodies. Pretty benign."
"I was so close to ending this charade then coming clean with her."
"Bella would've found out about Angela anyway."
"I could've made her understand. I know she loves me."
"If she didn't, there wouldn't be a problem - for her or for me. Which brings me back to my question. Are you going to honor your verbal agreement?"
"My future depends on Bella. And believe me, I have every intention of getting her to forgive me. Whatever it takes."
"Let's say you do pull that off. What happens to Masen Whitlock and Edward Cullen? Are You going to wear leather pants or double-breasted suits? Who is going to interview you; The Wall Street Journal or Rolling Stone?"
"Maybe both."
"And you think your family is going to allow that?"
"Playing with that band, being with Bella, being Masen has been the best time of my life and I don't intend to give that up."
"You can't be two people."
"No?"
"You didn't learn anything from this mess?"
"How to juggle two lives? It has to be easier now that everything is above board."
She laughs, but it's bitter in sound. "And you're just going to keep on playing the same old games."
"Oh it's not a game, the stakes are real. In fact, I have just as big an investment in those two CDs as you do. It's just a different kind of investment."
"Let me clarify something for you. At Cullen, Inc, you're the boss. At BAR, I am. You're the talent."
"That's something else we need to get straight."
"Oh? I guess I didn't make myself clear."
"Don't harbor any illusions about the nature of our relationship, Mrs. King."
"What illusions? You sing and I own the company you sing for."
I laugh. "The only reason I am entertaining this conversation is that you are my wife's partner and BAR is even more important to her than it is to you. You see, normally I don't do business with people that have the same past you do. Your connections."
"Normally I don't do business with people who fuck over my friends the way you do." She unfolds herself gracefully from the couch. " The bottom line we both stand to gain by working together. I get a fair return on my investment and you get to become a rock star. All we have to do is remain calm and work together peacefully."
"And get Bella to agree to work with me."
"You know something? Because it is in my best interest, I am going to do everything I can to dig you out of this mess you've gotten yourself into."
"How? By interceding with Bella on my behalf?"
"Hmmm. something like that. See us kids from New York, we take care of each other. Now, I've had a very unexpectedly busy day meddling in other people's drama so I'm going to turn in early this evening. I'll be in touch later, Masen. I hope to have a very lucrative working relationship with you." She holds out her hand for me to shake and I do it as I think she may be the unlikeliest ally I've ever encountered.
But she may very well be my ticket to getting Bella back.
Playlist:
Straight Talk- Dolly Parton
Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse
I am sure some of you are wondering what the hell I'm doing with the whole Alice situation. Trust me. Also, she won't be mentioning the NDA. Quite frankly that is not what kept her from telling Bella, her loyalty to Edward did, not a piece of paper. Rose also may seem to be self-serving but she's not entirely. Alice and Rose will be instrumental in getting them back together.
