Chapter 20 - She can do what now?

The days flew past like that. The city life made me invisible and that was exactly what I needed. I worked hard at the club and I became a bona fide attraction with my shows. The club even started using that to draw in more people. Aaron and I remained fast friends and I was glad our little date hadn't ruined anything.

The money was good and I managed to head into town to go to the book shops and libraries again, stocking up on my knowledge again. I was learning quickly and about as many new things as I could. I was caught up on all the current day culture. And I was expanding all my other knowledge, as I pretty much had none, except for social skills, courtly manners, and from my human days how to be a good housewife. But now… I was learning about literature, physics, psychology, biology… there was so much to learn and I enjoyed everything I got my hands on. I chatted with my customers to get inspiration for other fields to study as the club mostly attracted young professionals or students.

I spent my days off at home reading the books I had bought or borrowed from the library.

I had been in Dublin for a week now and I was getting comfortable here, getting used to not having to look over my shoulder. I still made sure to keep myself hidden. I only took off my disguise when I was at home and had all the blinds closed in front of the windows.

I made sure that my old ID was somewhere hidden in a place no one would easily find it. I had made sure all traces of Isabella Swan in Dublin were gone. I kept myself offline for that exact reason as well.

I had purchased a cell phone, but I'd made sure that it was prepaid and had no internet on it. I simply couldn't risk it.

Though the Volturi had been stuck in the past, they weren't above using technology when they needed to, including finding someone. And the Cullen's had seemed especially techsavvy themselves. I knew they'd probably have no trouble tracking me if I was in any way findable online.

But as I settled into this new life, something kept naggin in my chest. A feeling… a hollowness of some sort. I had felt it first when Aaron had kissed me. It felt like something was missing. As I sat in my comfy chair near the window I longed for Angela or even Rosalie. They'd been my companions and although the circumstances under which we had separated weren't great, I still missed them. They had been my friends. Angela most of all.

She'd known me in Volterra, and she'd been there for me with the Cullens. It was a hole that books couldn't fill and Aaron could only do so much. He'd wanted to hang out more often after work, but I held him off. It wasn't fair to him to keep stringing him along. He wanted more and I couldn't give it to him.

I put away my book and headed to my small bathroom to take a shower. I was due at the club for my shift in a few hours. Aaron and I were both working tonight, together with Amy, another bartender. I quickly showered and dressed and then put on my disguise again. I curled the short hair of my blonde wig playfully and put in my contact lenses. Then I put on my signature red lipstick and headed out the door.

'How are ya Phil?' I greeted as I walked in the backdoor.

Phil grinned at me and smiled. 'I'm grand, darlin.' He said. 'Ready for tonight? Should be packed.'

'Have you been advertising again?' I asked.

Phil had really been investing hard in advertising and having people prowling the streets in search of customers. Phil grinned and nodded. 'There's a promotion on tonight. Buy one, get one free.'

My eyebrows shot up. We'd never done anything like that before. 'That's going to get them coming.'

Phil nodded. 'Let's hope so.'

'Aaron in the front?'

'Yea, he's setting up his and Amy's station. Amy'll be running late a bit. So if you can go help him out that'd be grand.'

'Will do.' I nodded and then turned around to head to the lockers.

I stuffed my purse in there and pulled an apron from the hangers on the side. I tied it around my waist and stepped through the saloon doors. Aaron spotted me immediately. He gave me an enthusiastic wave and launched into a detailed play by play of some tv show episode he was obsessed with. I hummed and nodded at the appropriate times as I started helping him set up Amy's station and then started setting up my own.

'So did you see it?' Aaron asked finally.

I shook my head. 'No, sorry.'

he shook his head. 'you don't know what you're missing.'

'I think I got a good idea.' I grinned at him.

He shook his head and walked over to me. 'How you've been?' he asked.

'Good.'

'It's been awhile since we saw each other.'

I rolled my eyes. 'It's been two days, Aaron.'

He shrugged. 'Feels like forever.'

We chatted easily after a few moments of awkwardness after that last remark until the music started pumping through the stereos and the club started filling up. Amy showed up and we all got to work.

I was shaking a daiquiri when a familiar bulky shape was headed in my direction. My heart stopped. It couldn't be. He stepped right in front of me and gave me a small timid smile.

'Hi.' He said with a wave. I blinked once, twice. But his eyes bore into mine and I knew my disguise hadn't fooled him.

I didn't hesitate. I threw the drink I had been making into his face.

'Fuck off.' I spat at him. Aaron noticed and immediately came over.

'what's going on here?' he demanded.

'This gentleman was just leaving.' I said curtly, glaring at Emmett.

Aaron looked at Emmett as well and seemed tacken aback by his size and sheer muscle mass for a moment, but then he regrouped.

'Do I need to get security or are you going?'

'Look, I just need a moment.' Ememtt started as he wiped the daiquiri from his eyes, grimacing slightly as it had gotten in his mouth.

'Not happening.' I spat.

'Alright. I'm getting security.' Aaron stated, quickly signalling them over.

They surrounded Emmett immediately and I kept glaring at him, daring him to break our cover. He sighed, shook his head and then turned around to leave. Aaron put his hand on my arm and rubbed it soothingly. I kept my eyes trained on Emmett's retreating back. But then I spotted a blonde haired head that seemed way too familiar as well. I swallowed hard. This couldn't be happening. I shrugged off Aaron's hold mumbeling something about not feeling well and then I turned on my heel and ran away.

I was aware of aaron yelling after me, but I knew he couldn't leave Amy alone. It was too busy. I ran to the ladies room and locked myself in. My breath was coming out in pants and I struggled to calm myself down again.

How? How had they found me? why had they found me?

I'd been gone from their clutches for almost a month now. Why would they now come to me?

I hadn't expected this… I wasn't sure how to deal with this.

I knew they would be out there, so going back to work was out of the question. I had to go and pack and leave. Run away again. Make sure they wouldn't find me again. But how had they found me? I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

First things first. I had to get out of here, now.

I slipped into the back and prayed Phil would be there, alone.

'Phil…' I asked rounding the corner. But I stopped in my tracks. Sitting on Phil's desk was a short black haired girl. I frowned. I recognized her from the Cullen Coven, but I'd never been introduced to her. She'd been in the pictures in Edward's room though, that I was certain of.

'Ah there she is right now!' the girl exclaimed.

'Elizabeth.' Phil said, his eyes slightly unfocussed. 'it's a slow night tonight, why don't you head out with your friend here. She said your father is at home in bed sick.'

'It's not slow, Phil. Your advertising worked. It's packed out there.' I said, cocking an eyebrow at the girl.

'I'll take over then from you. If your father is sick, you should be with him.' he insisted, giving me a kind look.

I shook my head. 'No, it's fine. Mother is with him.' I said, looking at the girl in defiance. She just shrugged at me before turning back to Phil.

'You see, always so stubborn. She needs some time to rest herself. Between her father and work, and school… I just don't know how she does it.'

She pouted slightly as she twirled a lock of her short hair around her fingers. God she was laying it on thick. And Phil was eating it up. I wanted to groan.

'That's right. you need rest, Elizabeth. Now off with you. I don't want to see you here again until Saturday. You hear me?' he said, pointing a finger at me.

That was three days from now. I narrowed my eyes at the girl again. What was she up to?

Still she had gotten me out of here, that was what I wanted as well. Now it seemed I just needed to lose her.

The girl sprang from the desk and hooked her arm through mine and she dragged me out of Phil's office. As soon as the door closed behind us, I ripped my arm from hers and planted my hands on my hips.

'What on earth do you think you're doing?' I spat at her. She held up her hands innocently.

'Bella' she started.

"It's Elizabeth' I snarled at her.

'Elizabeth…' she started again. 'I know how you feel about us, I know you feel betrayed, but I need you to trust us. I need you to come with us and let us explain everything.'

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared her down. 'Look…' I paused looking pointedly at her.

'Alice.' She supplied, hurt fleeting across her features for a moment.

'Alice… I don't really care what you have to say. I left. I left all the cullens behind and I left the Volturi behind. I don't want to be found anymore. I don't owe any of you my allegiance.' I spat then I turned around and stalked away. S

he trailed after me and until we reached the street she remained quiet. Then I stopped in my tracks. They were all waiting for me, next to a parked car.
Emmett and Rosalie stood at the front, slightly to the side was Jasper and Carlisle and Esme were at the back.
I groaned then got angry. I stomped over to them and jabbed my finger into Emmett's chest.

'I guess the drink wasn't enough of a hint for you.' I snarled. 'Get out of my face. I won't ever go back with you all.'

'Bella.'

'it's Elizabeth!' I snarled. Then whirled around and walked away.

'Wait!' this time it was Rosalie.

I turned around and faced her my anger boiling over. 'What?' I snarled. 'What the fuck do you want?'

she took a startled step back.

'what the fuck could any of you possibly want?' I growled. 'don't you and your little coven miscreants think you've tortured me enough by now?'

She took another step back, throwing a pointed look at Alice, who shrugged.

'I don't want to hear anything you have to say. I want you to leave right now.' I snapped.

'Bella.'

'for the last time, it's Elizabeth!' I yelled.

Then I took off. Not wanting to hear anymore. I didn't care why they were here. I didn't want to hear it. I just knew I was done with them. They had used me, they had abused me. They didn't get to come here and make demands of me. I was done being abused. I wanted my own life, and I was just starting to build one again.

Why couldn't they have just stayed away?