Chapter Six - Charity Balls and Long Lonely Nights
"Alright Bella, we just have to take a few more measurements and then we'll be all done."
The short silver-haired seamstress reassured as she coiled the measuring tape around Bella's waist while her assistant wrote down the measurements on a notepad.
I was currently in Mr Black's office, standing on one side of the intricate double doors while Michael guarded the other. Mr Black sat behind his desk typing away at his computer seemingly uninterested in all of us, and in the centre of the room was Bella, perched on a little step stool, arms spread while three older women walked around her with a clipboard, tape and scraps of fabric.
"Alright honey, you can get down now, we're all done." The woman who looked like everyone's favourite grandma told her gently. Bella shot her a grateful look before relaxing and jumping to the ground. I bet she was grateful, they'd had her spread out like that for nearly an hour.
"Thank you, Mrs Cope," Bella replied kindly, softly rubbing her arms to no doubt soothe the ache.
"Oh, Bella, you are such a beautiful young lady, and your measurements have barely changed since the last gown we designed for you. This gown is guaranteed to outshine every single old fogey at that ball. You'll be the centre of attention and all eyes will be on you." The seamstress proclaimed proudly. Bella seemed to baulk at the idea, her lips twisting as she forced the smile to remain on her face. I guessed she, like me, didn't particularly enjoy being in the limelight, preferring to live our lives as close to the shadows as possible. It didn't appear she was getting a choice though, because as soon as she opened her mouth, the Boss spoke.
"Thank you for your dedication, Mrs Cope. As promised, ten thousand dollars will be deposited into your account today. The remaining twenty will be transferred upon the completion of the dress. If there are any problems between now and the ball, feel free to contact my assistant; she will support you in any way possible."
Mr Black said smoothly, approaching the woman with a shiny business card. I was momentarily stunned by his words, my brain short-circuiting at the idea of someone, anyone, spending that amount of money on a dress. For one night. Even though I was surrounded by such wealth every single day of my life now, the casual frivolity of it all still baffled me.
"Oh, not a problem, dear, you have always been such a loyal client. And Bella is simply a darling to design for. I will put the completion of this dress before everything else to ensure she shines like the star she is."
"Isn't she just," Mr Black agreed, wrapping his arm around Bella's back and pulling her in, before placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. The seamstresses swooned.
"Well, we must be on our way, so much to do. Bella, Mr Black, it's been a pleasure as always. I hope you'll send me a picture of you wearing the dress, deary, when all is said and done. You're going to look absolutely marvellous." The older woman sang, reaching out to give Bella's hand a small squeeze before they packed their things and left the room, Michael closing the door behind them.
"Such lovely women. If only I was fifty years older." Black crooned causing Michael to choke back a laugh. Bella looked up at him disapprovingly.
"Why do you always hire them if you're only going to make fun of them?" She scolded. Black merely smiled, dark eyes shining with mirth. "I'm only having a bit of fun, pet, no need to be so sour. Especially since you're getting a thirty thousand dollar dress out of it."
"I didn't ask for that dress," She told him as he sat back down behind his desk. He shrugged, unconcerned. "Nevertheless, you will wear it, and attend the ball where you will be the fantasy of every wealthy man in the city. But I will be the only one who'll ever have you." He winked.
She made a disgusted noise at the back of her throat before looking away in discomfort. He chuckled.
"Lighten up, dear one. The ball is for charity, after all. I believe the theme this year is 'saving orphaned children and their puppies' or some other nonsense. In any case, I'll be donating plenty of money to the noble cause and you will be on my arm for the entire affair. Looking beautiful, as always."
He sounded so smug, so superior, like a teacher talking down to a small child. There was affection, and amusement, but also a clear air of someone who knew they were better and smarter in every single way.
Bella huffed quietly, scuffing her shoes against the shiny hardwood.
"I don't even see why I need to go to this thing. It's just going to be you and a bunch of other rich, cocky men trying to outdo each other, flashing your cash around, all in the name of charity. I bet that charity won't even see half of that money either. What's the point of being there if all I'm going to do is stand around looking pretty?"
Mr Black's face hardened. I immediately tensed.
"Bella," a note of danger entered his otherwise pleasant tone. "We've discussed this already. You are accompanying me to this ball because that is what a woman does. They support their partners in all their endeavours, be it work or social. And you will not be merely standing around 'looking pretty,' as you put it. You will be keeping me company while I build associations with valuable contacts. You will strike up conversation with their wives and be sociable. And, most importantly, you will behave like a loyal girlfriend who only wants to see her partner succeed. Am I making myself clear?"
Bella looked like she wanted to say more, she really did, but the intimidating glare on Mr Black's face had her backing down. Her shoulders slumped as she scowled at the floor, muttering a quiet, "Yes, sir."
The boss smirked. "Good." He turned to me. "Escort her back to my room. Ensure she stays there for the rest of the day."
Bella's head shot up. "But... but it's only nine o'clock, I was going to-"
"Then perhaps next time you will think twice before trying to argue with me. Edward," He turned back to his computer, completely dismissing us both. Clearly, the discussion was over.
Bella stood frozen for only a moment before turning on her heel and storming out of the office. I gave a respectful nod to the boss - not that he saw - before following closely as she stomped all the way to his bedroom, marched inside and slammed the door shut right in my face.
And here I thought I might have a fight on my hands.
Honestly, I felt sorry for her. It must be hard, having someone take all your choices and dictate everything you do. But did she really have to antagonise him like that? It was clear the man was obsessed with control and had a massive problem with any behaviour he deemed disrespectful. She'd known him long enough, would it really be so hard to just defer to him, lest he lose his patience?
But this was nothing new, the more time I spent working directly under Black the more I understood Emmett's words. Bella was combative; constantly fighting for any scrap of freedom, always starting arguments and never letting anything go. No matter that Black always won those arguments. No matter that she tended to lose privileges whenever she tried to resist all rules he placed upon her.
But no matter how hard my heart pounded during every showdown, the fact of the matter was she always got off easy.
Emmett was right about her getting away with far more than anyone else ever could. Black was brutal, and if the stories I'd heard about him were true, his reputation didn't do him justice, yet despite her deliberately trying to push his buttons, all she got was a time out.
Part of me wanted to tell that to her face, just look her in the eye and beg, for both our sakes, that she stop poking the deadly bear, but, for multiple reasons - not least because telling her to obey her captor to make me feel better would make me feel like a scumbag - I wouldn't.
But was she that much of a prisoner though?
Yet another mystery that seemed destined to go unsolved. When I learned the three seamstresses would be coming to the manor to measure Bella for this ball, I was confused. According to Black, they weren't members of his organisation, in fact, according to him, they were rather famous in certain circles, used by many of the cities elites and very highly sort after. So, I didn't understand why Black would willingly bring them here. Wouldn't inviting three civilians provide the perfect opportunity for Bella to escape? All she had to do was tell them she was a prisoner and...
And what?
What could they possibly have done?
And once again the same old questions overtook my frazzled mind. Why was she here? Did she come from a wealthy family, kidnapped for ransom or something? Judging by how much wealth Black had, I honestly doubted it. Then... had she been sold to him by those human traffickers I heard stories about on the news sometimes? Did he just... take her off the street? Why her? Looking at her, I kind of understood. She was beautiful. Possibly one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen, but... was that all? Black could have anyone. Who he was, he must have women begging to be on his arm. So why resort to keeping a young, unwilling girl captive? None of it made sense, only compounded by the fact that Bella hadn't tried to ask for help today. What was going on? All these secrets were driving me insane.
Time passed and I grew tired of the Wordsearch game again. I really thought it was time to get a new phone if scenarios like this were going to play out often. At least that way I could have something to do while loitering alone at all hours of the day. While thinking of all the wonderous ways I could entertain myself with the internet at my fingertips, the bedroom door opened.
"Bella, you know you can't leave-"
"I was just going to ask for a glass of water. Is that too much to ask or will I be made to suffer?" She interrupted, scowling.
I looked her over, suspicious.
"You swear you won't leave?" I questioned hesitantly. She tutted, before raising her right hand to rest above her heart. "Scouts honour," She mocked.
I thought of perhaps calling down to the kitchens and having someone else bring it up to us, but then shook my head. It was just water; I could go down to the kitchen and be back in less than eight minutes.
"All right. I'm trusting you, Bella. Don't move. I'll be right back."
She nodded sharply and closed the door, irritation and impatience coming off of her in droves. After a moment's hesitation, I headed towards the elevators. I was just about to press the button for the ground floor when alarm bells started ringing in my ears. Something didn't feel right.
Instead of taking the elevator to the ground floor, I went to the next floor down, then walked down the hall and waited at the bottom of the rich wooden staircase. It was just a hunch. Black's bedroom was on the highest level of the manor, like a king looking down upon his kingdom: there was nothing above him. It had surprised me, at first, as I'd never been inside a house with elevators before, but I understood the need for them since the manor was so large and vast, with multiple levels and wings and suites. So logic dictated, if Bella was going to try something, she would have to come down the staircase to do it. And sure enough, after just a minute of waiting in the shadows, the door to the upper-level slammed, and familiar chestnut brown hair came flying in the wind as she sprinted down the staircase. Her smile melted straight off her face the moment she set eyes on me.
"How-?"
"I'm not an idiot, despite what you may think."
I couldn't believe she had tried to trick me, and what was worse, how close I came to falling for it. Gods only knew how I figured it out, but thank fuck I'd followed my instincts for once. The consequences if I had lost her...
Swallowing down my anger, I gestured her back up the stairs, and she glared at me before spinning on her heels and stomping up each step like a petulant child.
"Why would you even try to leave after he told you not to? What if you got caught?" I demanded to know, my voice shaking with rage and fear. I didn't want to think about what the boss would have done if I had not followed his orders, but I could only assume it would have been painful and bloody. As if reading my thoughts, Bella huffed in annoyance before muttering an unrepentant,
"That would have been your problem, not mine."
My heart all but stopped. So she knew how much trouble I would have been in, knew what could have happened to me and still tried to pull this stunt? Desperately attempting to quell the fury my shaking hands betrayed, I opened the door to Black's room and practically pushed her in.
"Well, that's the last time I do something nice for you, Bella. Next time, you're just going to have to bear it. Don't try to ask for any favours from me again." I told her quietly, afraid that were I to raise my voice I would end up railing at her. She rolled her eyes as though I was nothing but a nuisance, before letting out a snippy, "Yes sir," and slamming the door in my face for the second time that day.
How dare she- How dare she! She could have gotten me killed! And for what? So she could, once again, experience the thrill that must have come from disobeying Black's orders. Emmett was right. I shouldn't take her helpless, gentle demeanour or her wide, innocent eyes for granted. I needed to be more on guard around her, and resolved at that moment that I would be just that.
She didn't try to come out again, and as the day slipped by, I was starting to wonder if I'd even manage to get home tonight. Finally, the elevator at the end of the hallway pinged and Mr Black stepped out, followed by his loyal henchman. Michael moved forward to open the door for his boss, and before stepping in, Black turned to me.
"The little minx didn't try anything, did she? She has a habit of attempting to sneak away whenever I send her to bed early." He asked facetiously, and I barely managed to quell the urge to clench my teeth in frustration. So she did do this often, well that would have been bloody nice to know beforehand, but there was no way in hell I would say that to his face. In a moment of pure maliciousness, I considered ratting her out, as payback for trying to get me into trouble, even if, by Black's own words, the punishment might not have been as severe as the ones my imagination had been fearfully conjuring these last few hours. But, ultimately, decided against it. I supposed... she did... kind of... deserve the right to reap some revenge on me. Just not revenge that might get me shot.
"No, sir. She hasn't left the room."
Mr Black smiled. "Good. You're doing a good job, Edward. I believe I made the right decision, hiring you."
"Thank you, sir," I replied, genuinely appreciative of the praise. At least someone appreciates me.
As we rode down the elevator together, Michael smirked, "A real handful, that one. You've got your work cut out for you, Cullen. I hope you can handle it."
Yeah, me too.
AAA
Later that same night, while I stared at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to bless me with her precious gifts, I couldn't help but reminisce about my old life, and how drastically different it was from the one I was living now.
I never imagined I'd end up here while pulling all-nighters and studying with my friends. Friends, who hadn't so much as texted me after I dropped out of college. I believed we had all become really close, I bore my heart and soul to them after I returned to collect my things. They'd all attended my father's funeral, but after that... nothing.
I'd tried my best to keep them in my life, but I supposed they no longer had any time for me. Now, if they called me, I wouldn't have any time for them. Life and work now centred around following that rebellious girl who seemed to have made it her mission to make this job a living hell. I was up for the challenge, sure. I just hoped she wouldn't end up taking things too far.
Just as I was on the cusp of sleep, my phone went off. Groaning loudly, I fumbled in the dark for it, pressing buttons blindly until I heard breathing on the other end of the line.
"Hello?" I greeted groggily.
"Edward, it's me."
"Tanya?"
