Chapter Seven

Bella

Once safely inside the gallery, I peered out through the window but there was nothing to see. The street was empty except for a couple walking hand in hand at the far end.

In my office, I sat down staring at my trembling hands. I was sure I had just escaped something, perhaps a mugging, but that wasn't what scared me the most.

Although I couldn't make out much, the figures at the entrance of the alley were only illuminated for a second in the headlights, I was sure I had seen, well not entirely sure, a face I recognized.

Whoa there, Bella. Stop being so fanciful. How could you possibly have recognized anyone in that single glimpse? It wasn't so much a face as a profile, really just a jawline but I could have sworn it was the parking valet from the Halloween party.

Now I knew I was being an idiot. Why the hell would he be following me? Besides he wasn't alone, there had been another figure with him. The more I thought about it the less sure I became. I was wrong. They were merely a couple slinking into the dark alley for a few minutes alone.

What I couldn't explain so readily was the feeling of imminent danger I had felt at the time. I must be getting jumpy in my old age! First I had assumed some woman was Esme Cullen just because they shared a first name then I jumped when I discovered Patrick's new secretary was called Victoria. As if the Victoria I had known would fit in at an office! Now I imagined I was being menaced by one of Esme Platt's employees! I needed a holiday.

For all my bravado I was still glad when the other staff appeared to open the gallery for the evening and I was soon absorbed by business. The strange happening faded to the back of my mind and I was pleased to be able to report to Patrick later that I had sold a painting and a porcelain vase. Who needed a slick events company to organize an evening's entertainment? I had merely played some soft music in the background and supplied canapes and a selection of wines and soft drinks. The fact that Christmas was rapidly approaching may be responsible for my sales. I always did well this time of year.

My next problem was what to buy Patrick for Christmas. I was still uneasy about the holiday. His family weren't really my kind of people. They did everything at full speed. Not a moment was wasted just sitting around and enjoying the season.

There was also the probability that one or the other of his family would argue with someone. It had happened both times I had spent Christmas with them and again on vacations. Patrick didn't understand it when I had asked if we could go away together. Just the two of us. It wasn't the way he had been brought up and was a totally alien concept. I just didn't need the drama a vacation with his family always provided.

The feeling of unease returned as we locked up and I was grateful for Tina's offer to walk me home. I hated feeling like this, vulnerable, but I couldn't shake it. Even when safe in my apartment behind locked doors I continued to feel edgy. I must be tired, or it could be the unease of what I felt was coming at Christmas.

The next morning the sound of the phone ringing woke me up and I grabbed it clumsily, almost dropping the receiver. Glancing at the clock I saw that I had overslept, it was almost ten!

I didn't recognize the voice on the phone, just registered that it was female.

"Is that Bella?"

"Who is this?"

"I'm sorry. I'm ringing on behalf of Patrick. He asked me to tell you that he's going to be away an extra day or so. This contract is proving to be more work than he anticipated."

I was puzzled, why hadn't he called me himself?

"And you are?"

"Again, apologies. I feel like we already know each other. I've heard so much about you. I'm Patrick's personal secretary."

So, this was the woman giving Marty palpitations!

"Oh, yes. Patrick mentioned you. Stella's temporary replacement. Well, thank you."

I hadn't liked the way she described herself as Patricks PERSONAL secretary, emphasis on the personal, or her familiarity which is why I had emphasized temporary!

Had things gotten so bad that I was jealous of a voice on the phone?

"Did you want me to relay a message to him?"

"No, I have his number thank you."

"I don't think that will help. Patrick lost his cell phone and I don't have his new number yet."

"Well, perhaps you can give me his hotel number."

"Sorry. He's staying with a client and I can't disclose the address or number but I can take a message if you like."

I disliked the bitch even more now!

"It's OK. I'm sure I'll hear from him later."

"Well, if you're sure. It was lovely to finally talk to you, Bella. Remember if you need anything I'm only too happy to help."

She gave me her number which was not the office and then rang off.

I still couldn't work out why Patrick hadn't called me himself. He knew my number and that of the gallery. Besides, he had called last night and hadn't mentioned any of this.

I checked my phone only to find the number Patrick had used was withheld. Great!

I tried Patrick's cell phone anyway and was surprised that it was answered, but then I recognized Marty's voice.

"Bella?"

"Hi, Marty. Why are you answering Patrick's phone? You aren't with him are you?"

"No. Somehow it got left behind. I wouldn't have answered but I saw it was you. Is everything OK?"

"Yes, I think so. I just had a call from Victoria."

"Who?"

"Victoria, the new secretary."

"Oh, right."

He sounded cagey.

I explained what she had said and he hesitated before speaking.

"I see. I don't get why he didn't call you, he must have been there."

"You mean with her? Victoria went on this business trip?"

"Well, Mr Robsard called before Patrick left and told him there were going to be some social events. He wanted Patrick to bring you but Pat knew you had your gallery evening so he found a substitute."

"How very sweet of her."

Marty couldn't have missed the sarcasm in my voice but he didn't comment on it.

"Can you give me a contact number for him?"

"Sure, but I think they're on the yacht and I don't have any way of contacting him there. If he calls in I'll tell him you were trying to get in contact. In the meantime, can I help?"

"No. It's OK and don't bother telling him. I'll wait until he calls me."

A worm of suspicion settled in my brain. Why hadn't Patrick told me he was taking his secretary? More to the point, why hadn't he asked me to accompany him? I could have left Tony to run the gallery or at least I would have had the chance to refuse the offer for myself. I hated it when he made assumptions.

Would you have gone, though? He knows how much you hate those business trips and all the social gladhanding. Maybe he was just thinking of you.

Was he? Or did he see it as a good excuse for a week away with the flashy eager young secretary?

I was like a bear with a sore head all day and before I forced my staff out of the gallery I gave up and left them to it.

Great, now I had nothing to do but think about Patrick and Victoria having fun on the yacht while I sat here at home like a fool.

Don't you trust him, Bella? Of course, I did, but he was a man and she was by all accounts a gorgeous young woman.

Why had she called me? No, why had he asked her to call me? Why hadn't he called me himself? Why hadn't he told me about her last night?

The questions were driving me crazy and I decided to take a drive out of the city and treat myself to lunch at a little restaurant Patrick and I loved.

Sitting alone at one of the small tables in the shade of the trees I knew coming here had been a mistake. Whenever I had been here it had been with Patrick and we had talked and laughed the hours away. The thought that Patrick might even now be with Victoria darkened my mood and took away my appetite.

I picked at my food wondering why I was suddenly so suspicious of Patrick. I think it was the call from that secretary who started it. Why hadn't she told me that she was with him? Why had he asked her to give me a message? Surely if he was seeing her too he would have kept her a secret or did he not care? Maybe I was wrong about my feeling that he was going to propose to me. Was that just wishful thinking? Something else nagged at me. I'd never met Victoria but her voice sounded vaguely familiar. Almost as if it had been someone I had spoken to before and she had been trying to alter it to throw me off.

He had also excused himself to work late a few nights recently which was odd. Admittedly he had done so in the past but only rarely and he'd always managed to call me during the evening if only for a couple of minutes. His excuse that his cell phone was playing up seemed pathetic now I thought about it. His phone was like a third arm, always with him. If it was playing up he would have bought a new one. So, why hadn't he?

In fact, he hadn't talked about his new secretary since telling me about her arriving at the office to take over the injured Stella's job.

Suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle. I had that unsettling feeling that I was being watched again. Turning around as casually as I could I checked out my surroundings.

No one appeared to be interested in me, they were busy with conversation or eating and then a voice at my side made me jump.

"Hello, Bella."

I glanced at the woman who had joined me and my mouth fell open.

"Esme? So, it was you."

She smiled, "Yes. I thought you might guess it was me when you saw my business card."

"I did wonder until I saw the name."

"My maiden name."

"But why? Why are you here? Are the others here too?"

I knew she heard the edge in my voice but right now I didn't care. I needed to know if Edward was watching us.

"I should explain, you deserve some answers. May I join you? That way you can eat while I talk."

I looked at my plate but my throat had closed up with apprehension.

"I'm alone if that helps. Carlisle and I are taking a break."

Relieved, I nodded and she sat opposite, careful to stay in the shadow of the cabana.

As she began to explain what had happened I found myself eating although I didn't remember picking up my fork.

"You mean you and Carlisle argued over me? Why? You didn't care when you left me in Forks."

Esme had the grace to look embarrassed, "I know it must have looked that way. I'm so sorry that I allowed Edward to take control. I hope you can forgive me."

I looked around again, "So, is Jasper here too? Watching over me?"

She shook her head, "No. He's back at my apartment. He doesn't know that I'm here. I'm sure he would be very angry if he found out."

"Why? From what you've said he was saving my life."

"He feels responsible. He was the one who let you slip through his fingers here in Phoenix and it was Jasper who killed James."

"I'm sorry, I don't see that. I was the one who tricked him back then. Besides, shouldn't it be Edward who is riding in like my white knight?"

"Edward is married."

I heaved a sigh of relief and she smiled again.

"You look like a drowning woman who was just handed a lifebelt."

"It feels that way. You know that I never want to see him again, don't you? He almost ruined my life. It took me a long while to get over what he did to me."

"And you aren't there yet, I know. I think he's met his match with Sasha."

"Sasha?"

"Yes, his wife."

"So, your business was just a cover story? I have to admit you did a great job. Your staff seem to like you too."

Even as I said the words it hit me, "I had a strange feeling that I'd met that valet before."

Her grin widened, "He was hoping you wouldn't recognize him in that disguise."

"It was Jasper. So, where's Alice?"

Esme's expression became sober, "Alice left. She is living in Portland with her husband."

"Alice left? But I thought…"

My voice faded off, they had seemed like the perfect couple, so what had gone wrong?

"And Rose? Emmett?"

"They're traveling although I'm hoping they will come home soon. I miss them all."

"It seems your life fell apart too, because of me."

She reached out and took my hand, "No, Bella. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I've learnt what is important and I refuse to be taken for granted any longer. There were three people in my marriage and that's one too many. Finally, Carlisle has seen that too."

"So, I guess you'll be leaving then? Now I'm no longer in danger."

"Not just yet. I have another party booked."

"You're going to stay?"

"Believe it or not I'm enjoying myself, Bella. I feel good. I can be myself and you know I love designing. Parties are very much like homes. The right ambience can make or break an event or a room."

"And Jasper? Your parking valet."

"I'm not sure."

Suddenly I needed to speak to him.

"I'd like to thank him before he leaves."

"I don't know. He's not one for goodbyes."

"Please. Will you tell him that I'd like to see him?"

Esme sighed, "I'll see what I can do but I think he's going to be angry that I contacted you."

"Why?"

"Jasper thinks we've done enough damage in your life. He thinks you deserve to be happy and that means a life free of our kind."

"You said you had one more party to arrange. Is it in town?"

"Yes. It's a masked ball for one of your boyfriend's competitors."

"Could you get me an invitation? And see if Jasper will stay to help you out? I could ambush him. He's not going to throw me out of a party or leave you in the lurch. I'd like to thank him, Esme."

She smiled, "Leave it with me. I'll see what I can do. It was good to talk to you again, Bella. I hope you can forgive us in time."

"I already forgive you, Esme. That's all that matters. Jasper too, and I'll tell him so if I ever get to see him again."

She got up and threw me an enigmatic look, "You never can tell, Bella. Especially at Christmas."

"It's not Christmas yet."

"True, but there's still festive magic in the air."

Then she was gone, leaving me to mull over all she had told me.

The crazy thing was that I felt so much better for seeing her and discovering why I had been experiencing all those strange feelings of being watched. I still didn't understand the festive magic reference but for now, I felt better.