Chapter Twelve

Bella

I was so angry with Patrick that I wanted to scream. I knew right then that whatever happened I was never going to marry him. There was too much of Edward in his makeup and I was lucky that I'd recognized it before it was too late.

Never one to take no for an answer he turned up an hour after I left him with a huge bouquet of Lillies as if that would change anything and stood like an eager puppy waiting to be invited in.

I just stood in the doorway and waited.

"Bella, I'm so sorry."

He hesitated then said, "Aren't you going to invite me in? I'm trying to apologize and make things right."

I shook my head, "No. I'm not. It's over and I'd like you to leave, Patrick."

He was stunned, "What? Stop being melodramatic. You're overreacting. Come on, Bella. Don't keep me standing out here like a stranger. It's humiliating."

"So was the way you behaved earlier. Just go, Patrick. I should have seen this much sooner. You and I just won't work. I don't fit in with the way you see things and I don't intend to change. Not for you, not for anyone. I almost did that once before."

"You mean the guy back in Forks?"

His eyes narrowed in suspicion, " It wasn't the guy you were with earlier, was it?"

"No, it wasn't and Jasper has nothing to do with this. Well, I guess he has because I finally saw the real you Patrick and I didn't like what I saw. Now please, go."

He tried to peer over my shoulder, "Is he here? Is that why you won't let me in?"

"No," I said wearily, "I'm alone and that's the way that I want it. Just go."

He thrust the flowers at me and started to turn away.

"I'm sorry Bella. You obviously need time to calm down. I know that my actions earlier weren't appropriate. I'm just so crazy about you that I overreacted when I saw you arm in arm with another guy. Please call me in the morning. We can work this out. I know we can."

I shook my head and let the flowers fall to the floor then shut the door on them, and him. I had no idea if he left or was still waiting there and I didn't care.

I had a quick shower and pulled on some comfortable sweats then curled up on the sofa with a mug of coffee, a pack of pop tarts, and the TV remote. It reminded me of times in my teens when I was fed up and wanted some comfort.

I had hoped to find a program to stop me from thinking about the last few disastrous hours but nothing held my interest.

It was over for Patrick and me, that I was sure of. As for Jasper, well I had to admit that I was drawn to him. He was my guardian angel but more than that, he was my dream lover. Another vampire in my life? I smiled, did I have a death wish?

The phone rang stridently, making me jump and I checked the caller ID in trepidation. If it was Patrick I was not going to answer. When I saw it was a number I didn't recognize I almost ignored it but then decided that would be cowardly. If it was Patrick using a friend's phone I would merely cut the connection.

Unfortunately while not Patrick it was another equally unwanted caller, Renee! It appeared that Patrick had been on the phone to her, in pieces and begging her to talk to me on his behalf.

"Bella, Patrick is in a terrible state. The poor boy is devastated. He knows he acted stupidly but he's very contrite. What on earth were you doing hanging about with another guy? Didn't you think it would hurt Patrick if he found out? He said the guy's name was Jasper. Didn't Edward have a brother called Jasper? Please tell me you haven't gotten involved with that family again. Remember how they treated you in the past. Charlie and I were worried about your sanity and your health back then. What is going on with you? One day you are getting engaged to Patrick, making wedding plans and the next you throw his flowers in his face and lock him out."

I waited until she finally wound down, which took some time then took a deep breath and tried to make her understand the situation. I ignored her questions about Jasper and focused on Patrick and his domineering attitude.

"Oh, Bella. Patrick just wants the best for you and let's be honest, how many guys worry about their wife's future? Did your father concern himself with what I wanted to do? No. At least Patrick is thinking ahead. He's right too. When you have children you won't have time to run the gallery, you may even be too busy before that. Businessmen have a very hectic social life and that means you too."

"Am I the only one who finds it annoying that he hasn't even proposed to me yet he's planning my future?"

"Well no. But he is going to pop the question at Christmas. Isn't that romantic?"

"And you know this how exactly?"

"Well, he happened to mention it. And I notice you are avoiding my questions about this Jasper person Patrick found you with."

"I am not avoiding them and Patrick didn't FIND me with anyone. I was in a public place, a crowded mall. I wasn't doing anything wrong and he's a friend, an old friend. Patrick acted like a hormonal teenager. It was very embarrassing. I'm just glad Jasper ignored his rudeness. Most guys would have punched Patrick in the mouth."

"Is he one of the Cullens?"

And there it was, the direct question. Well, I was not going to lie to my mom.

"No, his name is Jasper Hale. Although he was living with the Cullens when they were in Forks."

Renee's voice raised several octaves. "I knew it. Is Edward back too? You need to stay away from that family, Bella. They're bad news. You had your heart broken once and now they are back to ruin your chances of a good life with Patrick. Please, Bella. Don't do it. Call Patrick. Explain how you feel. I know he'll listen to you. He's desperate to put things right."

"I'll think about it. Right now I'm tired. I just want to go to bed."

"Bella. I'll call you first thing in the morning. Don't do anything silly, this is your future. I know how easy it is to make stupid decisions in the heat of the moment."

Deciding bed was probably the best place for me right now before I said something we would both regret, I said goodbye. Renee's digs about her relationship with my dad hadn't been helpful or necessary.

The moonlight illuminated the painting on my wall and I lay there staring at it.

"Is there room on that horse for me? Let's just take off across that meadow and not stop until we're far away from everyone."

Esme

When I took over from Jasper that evening he filled me in on what had happened at the mall. It seemed neither of them had made the first crucial move but at least they were talking and she knew he was here.

"So what do you think of Patrick now you've officially met?"

"He's an idiot. I don't know what Bella sees in him. You know he tried to crush my hand when we shook. I thought only kids did that."

"Was she pleased to see you?"

He shrugged, "Well, she didn't run screaming in the opposite direction."

"Jasper, for heaven's sake. It's as clear as the nose on your face that the girl has feelings for you. You've only got to see that painting on her wall."

"I've seen it, Esme. It's just a painting and she runs a gallery. Bella's into paintings."

I rolled my eyes, why did men find it so difficult to get to grips with their own emotions?

"Did you give her the ticket?"

"Yes."

"And did she ask if you were going?"

"She mentioned it."

"Good. Well, it's a start. Now come on. Rose and Emmett are dying to see you and I know he could do with some help. Rose is trying to rein in his festive overkill. There's no need to watch over Bella any longer."

He eyed me suspiciously, "There isn't?"

"No. I may have twisted the truth just a little when I said Carlisle had heard Bella was still in danger."

"Twisted the truth a little? What does that mean?"

I sighed, "It means I needed a way to keep you here until you found the courage to talk to Bella."

"So you lied to me?"

I pulled a face, "Lied is such an emotive word. I was just looking out for you. Besides, you can't leave now. You've told Bella you'll be at the ball."

He shook his head in bewilderment, "And I thought I could trust you, Esme."

I smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You can, my love. I'm looking out for you and the alternative was to knock your heads together so consider yourself lucky, you got off lightly. Now come on. We have a house to decorate. Who knows, we might even have company for the festive season."

Bella

I had a stiff neck when I woke the following morning. I had fallen asleep sitting up and my pillows had slipped onto the floor. It was going to be one of those days, I could feel it.

I glanced at my phone which I had silenced the night before and saw the message icon was flashing. Putting it back down by the side of the bed I decided I needed time to decide what I was going to do before I spoke to Renee or Patrick. Time and several strong coffees.

Patrick had been loving, caring and thoughtful towards me at first but when I looked back on our relationship I should have seen the warning signs. When things were going his way he was charming and delightful but if he was crossed or thwarted he would change. Then a different side of his character appeared. Everyone brushed it off with a joke as his 'business face' but it was more than that. Patrick didn't like it if he couldn't get his own way. I had been easy to get along with. I never argued with him and only rarely put my foot down which he found amusing.

Recently, however, he had become more demanding and less thoughtful. Now he assumed that I would go along with his plans for us to get married without even needing to be asked. He wanted me to be like Magda and his friend's wives who looked good smiled a lot and acted the part of perfect hostess at dinners and parties. Well, that just wasn't going to happen. I was nothing like those women nor did I intend to become one. And as for selling the gallery! What right did he have to go behind my back and scheme with Chelsea to sell it off? It had nothing to do with him or her for that matter.

I hesitated before leaving the apartment. Here I was safe, Patrick didn't have a key, but I couldn't keep him out of the gallery. I was tempted to take a day off but that wasn't me either. I needed to confront this problem and if he turned up, then that's just what I would do. I wasn't going to start hiding, not from him, or Renee.

I collected my phone and saw I had three messages from Renee and a dozen from Patrick. With a sigh, I began scrolling through the former and deleting the latter.

Things were quiet at the gallery this morning and I began to relax. Maybe Patrick had finally accepted that I didn't want to talk to him and with luck Renee was busy.

Suddenly I heard the sound of Patrick's car as it pulled up outside and not wanting to entertain the staff and clients with my domestic problems I grabbed my jacket and went to confront him.

He looked as if he'd slept in his suit. It was so rumpled and his eyes were red-rimmed.

"Bella, we need to talk. I've been up all night trying to work out how I can make things right."

He was pacing back and forth wringing his hands and people were beginning to stare.

"Patrick, stop this. Why aren't you at work?"

He stopped pacing and stared at me, eyes wide with incomprehension, "Work? How can I work when my world has just exploded? Don't you understand, Bella? I love you. I have a life with you all planned out. You have to listen to me. Please, Bella."

I sighed, it was obvious he wasn't going to leave until he had talked to me so I nodded, "OK. Come inside. I'll get some coffee."

He shook his head emphatically, "No. Not here. I need to talk to you, Bella. On our own. You have to listen to me."

His eyes were brimming with tears although whether of sorrow or frustration I couldn't tell.

"Then where?"

"The Botanical gardens. We can find a quiet place there. You love the gardens."

I did and I didn't want that to be ruined by an argument with Patrick but at least it was public. I certainly wasn't going to suggest my place or his.

"OK. I'll get my car keys."

He grabbed my hand and I felt that he was shaking. Close up it was apparent that he hadn't slept at all.

"No. We can take mine, it's here."

"I can't be away long. I have an important call coming through in a couple of hours."

"I'll get you back, I promise. Please, Bella. It's important."

Reluctantly I followed him to his car and climbed in. As I did so I checked for my cell phone and realized I had left it on my desk but before I could say anything he took off way too fast.

"Slow down, Patrick please."

He nodded and eased off on the gas pedal but his driving remained erratic and I was relieved when we arrived at the gardens.

"No. There are too many people here."

He was gazing around the parking lot, "Too many. I'll find somewhere else."

I opened my mouth to protest but we were already rejoining the flow of traffic headed out of the city.

"Where are we going, Patrick? Stop and we can talk. Patrick, listen to me."

I heard the panic in my voice. I should never have gotten into his car, I was a fool and now I had to find a way to make him stop. His driving was frightening me and I begged him to slow down.

"You have to listen, Bella. I love you. I need you. It's all planned out. We're going to be so happy. You can't leave me. Do you understand?"

He was staring at me and I had to scream at him to watch the road.

"Listen to me, Bella. You have to forgive me. I'm so sorry. I love you."

He was crying, his hands shaking on the wheel and he continued to stare at me.

"Do you understand? Here, look…"

He scrambled about in his pocket and pulled out a small box fumbling within the catch.

"Look."

I glanced down and saw it was a ring with a huge diamond setting.

"See. I love you. You have to marry me, Bella."

I opened my mouth to speak and suddenly there was an earsplitting blare of horns and screech of tires. I never had time to reply to him before the truck hit.