- Chapter Number Fifteen -
I wake to the sun on our skin, streaming through the window. The blankets are twisted around my legs and body.
"Hey," his voice is smooth, "good morning treasure."
I open my eyes and smile at him. He sits fully dressed beside me holding a warm plate of food.
"I ordered you some breakfast," he says, "thought you might like it delivered to you in bed."
Something's off. His demeanour has shifted and his posture is sagging slightly.
"Oh," I say, "thanks."
Carefully I sit up, keeping myself covered.
"Let me get you a robe," he places the plate on my lap, standing from the bed, "Em and Rose have gone out for a morning swim."
"Nice," I nod, "was she all hungover?"
"Slightly," he finds a bathrobe and returns holding it behind me.
I slip my arms in and pull it around myself, tying the strap around my waist so I can eat freely. He takes a seat again and looks down. He can't meet my eyes.
"What happened?" I ask, cutting into my pancakes.
"I don't know how to really say this to you," he sighs.
I lay my cutlery down, turning my full attention to him. Had I done something wrong?
"I have to go," he says.
"You need to leave?" I look into my lap, trying to hide my disappointment.
"I had a phone call this morning," he explains, "the project in LA hit a massive road bump and I need to be there for a week or so. It could be shut down if I don't go. Lots of money could be lost and it could be bad for my company."
"Then you have to go," I say sincerely, "go and fix it."
"You're sure? I hate leaving," he takes my hand in his, bringing it to his mouth.
"Edward it's your job," I say, "you have to go and take care of something. Hawaii will always be here waiting."
"Thank you," he kisses the palm of my hand and nods, "you're being so understanding. I wish it made it easier."
"I can help you pack," I begin to move my plate.
"No," he shakes his head, "you eat. I can start once you're finished. What's an extra half hour or so going to do?"
He sits with me as I finish my meal. Making small talk about the wedding and our trip. Together we pack. There's an element of sadness in the air that both of us can feel.
"Emmett borrowed some of my shoes," he tucks a shirt into his case.
Then he heads out of the room in search of it.
I shouldn't look. But it's in my line of sight when his phone lights up from the bed. I'd never ever want to be that girlfriend. But how can I help it when it's on display in front of me? The screen lights up and on it is a name I don't recognise. Not one he's mentioned before.
If that were just it I'd shrug it off as a work thing.
But it's the way the message starts with "babe" and I can see the kissy emoji faces. The name Tanya is in the contact line.
"I hope you can make time for me while you're in town. So glad you'll be here my birthday. Perhaps you can unwrap me for my present ;) x"
My heart sinks.
I'm unsure what to do. I could jump to conclusions and scream and shout. But then it's clear I was looking at his phone. It might be an unsolicited message.
Instead I race into the bathroom, lock the door and dial my best friend's number.
"Hey," Rosalie answers, "we're heading back. Do you need anything?"
"I need you to ask Emmett if he knows a Tanya?" I ask.
"Huh?"
"Do it," I sigh, "just please."
"Sure. Babe, do you know Tanya?" She asks, her head sounds turned from the phone.
"I did," his voice sounds distant, but close enough to hear him, "dated Edward for a while. Mother hated her."
"So an ex?" Rose asks.
"Yeah," he answers, "college girlfriend. He cheated because he was dumb. We were all silently relieved. She used to check me out and was a total bitch to Alice. Edward just didn't see it. I think he needed an easy out because she would have become crazy if he just dumped her for the sake of it. She was a cheerleader."
"She hit on you?" Rosalie snaps.
"Babe it was years ago," he chuckles.
"Bel-" I hang up.
Why was she messaging him?
Clearly all had been forgiven.
"Babe," Edward calls out, "the asshole is wearing them I think. I checked all around his room and couldn't find them anywhere. I'll have to get them off him another time."
I need to relax. There could be an innocent explanation.
I step out of the bathroom and nod. My heart in my throat.
"I'll make sure he puts them aside for you," I say, struggling to look at him.
I look everywhere else.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"Just sad you have to go," I'm forced to look at him.
My lie works, his arms opening up for fold me into them.
"I'm sorry. I'm going to make it up to you," he kisses my head, "you deserve every second of my time. I'm sorry you need to share me."
The irony.
"I'll be back to New York in no time," he promises, "I swear I'll take no time at all."
I want to confront him, but I feel stupid. What if I'm wrong? I feel like the text isn't enough evidence. Perhaps he'll ignore it. After all the passion in his words and movement, I trust him enough and our connection enough. I need to trust that we will reject her of his own will.
So I let him leave without confrontation. Praying i haven't just made a huge mistake. That I haven't yet again fallen into another painful trap.
For a week I overthink. I wonder what he's doing and if he is with anyone else. I keep my concerns away from Rosalie to prevent further drama. I didn't want her to go all protective over me. When she asked why I'd called about Tanya, I gave her a stupid answer. She didn't buy it but she also didn't push on it.
He communicates with me through text messages and voice notes, promising to call soon. That there's been an issue with construction and he's working tirelessly to get everything back on track.
My days at work stretch and when I'm at home I stare at the TV without watching it. Everything is just in limbo waiting to find more evidence he's lied. Or waiting to find something to debunk the suspicion I don't want to have.
Then I get sick of waiting. I get tired of waiting for his number to pop up on my screen. So I decide to take back a bit of power.
It's late and I have just finished washing the day off me in the shower. Rosalie was spending the night at Emmett's leaving me alone to my own devices. If she was here i would have made her talk me out of this. Made her go FBI on Edward's ass like I've been contemplating asking her to do.
The black lace of the lingerie leotard sticks to my skin, pushes my breasts up and the back has a g-string. Twisting slightly into position I take the photo, so there's ample viewing of my behind and my front. Then I hit send. No words, just the image.
Letting out a shaky breath I throw my phone onto my bed, beginning to change back into something comfortable. Just as I have the straps down my arm and I'm about to tug it down my body, my phone buzzes.
"It worked," I smirk to myself.
He's FaceTiming me.
Quickly pulling the straps back up, and fixing my hair, I answer.
"Hello," his smile makes my heart do a double take.
I forget all the anxiety and doubts.
"Hey," I bite my lip, 'I'm missing you."
"You have no idea how much I'm missing you. I've been fighting tooth and nail to call you," he says, "it's just things have been difficult. They're getting better now. We've reached a deal with the construction company and the owner. They should resume building tomorrow."
"Great," I smile, "I knew you'd sort it out. You're so smart."
"I am aren't I," He grins, "I do hope you've got that little piece on for me and no one else is there pretending to be your boyfriend."
"Nope. I'm here on my own," I sit on the edge of my bed and smile, "I just wanted you to have something to remember me by."
"You think I'd dare forget you?" he shakes his head, incredulously.
"Maybe some other hot LA girl needs a fake boyfriend," I shrug.
My attempt to dig is shameless.
"Well I'm taken," he says, "nothing fake would beat this reality. I must say thought I do have a touch of bad news."
"Oh really?" I sink.
"Remember how I mentioned that offshore contract?" he asks, he clicks a pen as he speaks.
"In the UAE?" I nod.
"You remembered?" he raises an eyebrow impressed.
"I remember most things you say because it's important to you," I brush my hair off my shoulder and lie back on the bed as I speak with him, "did it get the go ahead?"
"It did. The developer wants to meet me in London though," he nods, "they want me to head there for a few in person meetings to go over plans. A huge opportunity because of the extravagance of the buildings in Dubai."
"That's incredible, Edward," I beam, "I'm proud of you."
I momentarily forget I'm suppose to be suss on him.
"Thanks babe," his smile is beautiful, "it's so thrilling to have support like yours. From someone who genuinely cares about everything I do. Someone to share with."
"I don't understand why that's bad news," I say, "shouldn't this be a good thing?"
"It would have been four weeks ago. Before I met you," his expression is sullen, "I'd do whatever without needing to worry."
"Worry about me?" I feel a sting.
I'm holding him back?
"No. I worry about me and my sanity from being away," he shakes his head, "The past week without you has been torture. I feel like I left such promise behind in Hawaii. Like something I was in the middle of exploring before having to turn back."
"It's work," I try to reassure him, "I understand you have to make sacrifices and if I wasn't prepared to be one I wouldn't have agreed to this. I'll be here waiting."
"I'm one lucky man and I miss you. You're on my mind when I'm building modern day castles," he grins at me, "then as I'm sitting here at my desk writing blue prints for a sky scrapper in Dubai I get this photo. This absolute angel in the sexiest fucking lace that I want between my teeth."
"If I had known you were busy I wouldn't have sent you it," I say, "I was just missing you too."
"I don't care if I'm busy. This is welcomed," he motions at me with his hand.
"When do you have to go to London?" I ask.
"Tomorrow," he sighs, "for two weeks."
"Two weeks," I can't hide the disappointment.
"Yeah," he nods, "I wish I could fly toward you instead."
It's not fair. Why'd I fall for this guy?
"You'll miss my birthday," I sigh sadly, "it's next weekend."
"Shit," he growls out, throwing down his pen, "I'm already such a fucked boyfriend. I'm sorry baby."
"It's fine," I say, "Rose will do something with me. She always does."
"Come with me," he offers, "I'll make it the best birthday you've ever had."
"I can't," I shake my head, "that's incredibly expensive."
"Not when you're me," he picks his pen up and begins to write something furiously, "I'm going to have Kate organise it."
"Kate?" I ask.
"Assistant," he answers, "meet me in London. Please, Bella. Bring that black lacey thing so I can remove it."
"Edward just wait a second," I sit up growing frustrated.
Why was I jealous? I can't get past the Kate thing. There's a Tanya and now a Kate.
"Please," he begs, "I'll give you everything under the sun including orgasms. Multiple. There's so much to explore and when I'm not busy we can go together. Eat luxury foods, shop. Please baby."
He's begging me. He wants me.
"I'll send you a jet," he offers.
"I'll fly economy," I shake my head, "I'll try and get the time off work. It should be fine. They owe me even still after the wedding."
"If they don't I'll find you a new and better job. Knowing you'll be joining me will make it so much easier to go," he says.
Taming the green eyed monster within I remind myself it's me he's begging to go. He wants me there. No other women. Me.
"Want something to get you through?" I offer.
"I thought you'd never ask me babe," I hear his pants unzip.
Thank you so much for reading
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