A/N: First off, thank you to everyone that's responded to this in any way. I'm super surprised that things are being received so well! Without further ado, here's the second chapter that was promised:
I was glad to be alone in the back seat. Lauren. Mallory. Mallory... Mallory... Where had I heard that name before?
"Bella, I know you wanted to make that pasta for dinner, but I was wondering if you'd let me and Emmett take care of everything? We thought that perhaps you'd like to meet Rose and Alice before tomorrow's fundraiser."
Why did the name Lauren Mallory sound so familiar to me?
"We were thinking steaks, since Emmett is pretty good on the grill, and mashed potatoes because those can't be screwed up right?"
He'll trash me? Had he trashed Lauren Mallory? What did that even mean here? I couldn't really imagine him trashing anyone...
"Alice claims to have made a pie. I'm not too sure when she started baking cause she's always been pretty hopeless in the kitchen. Maybe Jasper taught her? I hope it's apple."
How mad would Edward be if I used his internet and the mac he just bought me to to google him? That seemed ungrateful, even for me.
"Isabella, do you like apple pie?"
I couldn't think straight. Or breathe. Remember to breathe.
"Bella?"
Oh crap. Edward was calling my name. I didn't need him probing the reason why I wasn't answering him.
"Bella, you ok there? Is apple pie alright?"
"Yes. Definitely love apple pie. Do you think we'll be at the penthouse soon? I could probably use a nap before dinner."
"Hold on back there short stack. We should be there in less than ten."
I meet Emmett's gaze in the mirror. He could tell something was off. I do my best to smile my most convincing smile. As discreetly as possible, I roll up the little slip of paper and slide it into my boot. Secure and not too obvious right?
As promised, we're back to the penthouse. Thankfully, James doesn't seem to be the doorman on duty. As we approach the elevator, Edward stops to shake his hand.
"Jacob, this is Isabella Swan. I'm hoping she'll see fit to stay here with us for awhile."
He reaches to shake my hand, and I immediately begin to trust him more than the other guy. He smiles, and it seems to reach his eyes.
"Please call me Bella."
"Well Ms. Swan, I think it would be pretty unprofessional to do that while I'm on duty, but since I've got the attention of such a pretty girl, how about I give you the packet with your security credentials?"
I nod and smile the first real smile I've been able to muster since that slip of paper practically fell into my lap.
I watched as Emmett snickered quietly while Jacob took delight in carefully explaining each security feature's pros and cons and how I accessed each one. Edward look almost angry. I felt bad for doing it, but I had to stop him. I needed to do some digging and I only had a limited amount of time to do it.
"Jacob, this all looks so great. Thanks for explaining it to me. If I have an questions, I'll be sure to track you down."
With a nod in Edward's direction, we were on the elevator, heading up to Edward's.
"Isabella, I hope you don't mind. While you were in conversation with the doorman, I took the liberty of having another one of the building staff bring your new purchases to your room."
"Well Edward, technically speaking, they're your purchases. I'm just borrowing them."
"Bella, if you decide this isn't for you, anything that's been purchased for you, is for you. No strings. All yours."
There was an awkward silence then. Clearing his throat, we all stepped out of the elevator and into the hallway leading to Edward's door. Before I knew it, we were standing in his sitting room again.
"Alright you two. I'm gonna go and grab Rose and Alice. What time is dinner?"
I watched as Edward grabbed at his already wild hair. It was up to me to help him out here.
"Seven I think. Five hours is more than enough time for steaks and potatoes."
"Knowing the two of them, we'll be here for eight. Ed. Short stack."
With a nod of his head and a small wave, Emmett was gone, leaving Edward and I standing there.
"I probably shouldn't have volunteered to cook. I bragged about the potatoes but I could probably figure out a way to screw that up. I should have listened to Emmett and had something catered, but I wanted you to have some privacy to meet Rose and Alice and-"
"Edward, deep breath. I'm more than happy to help. How about we take 45 minutes. You catch up on any work calls or emails, and I can unpack some of the mountain that I'm sure is in my room."
"About that..."
He had the good sense to at the very least look sheepish.
"Edward?"
"Well... While we were out, I thought of some stuff you might need to go with today's purchases, so I may or may not have had some additional items messengered over..."
"Edward. Today alone, we've been to the Ugg Australia store, The Apple Store, and Cartier, never mind my fitting with Angela. Of those places, where did you order extra?"
"I may or may not have had Angela pull a couple of things from the rack..."
"Edward! Today has been more than enough."
"Bella, it would make me really happy if you'd just accept the things I'm willing to give you. Besides, winter in Chicago is long. You need more things."
Despite myself, I found myself smiling at Edward. He was generous to a fault, but there was so much I didn't know about him. He was easy to be with, but that little slip of paper was in the back of my mind, nagging me, burning a hole in my boot.
"Edward, can we talk about something?"
It killed me to see him look so sad.
"Bella, we can talk about whatever you'd like?"
This wasn't going to be easy. I knew that every side had two stories, but Emmett's words from earlier were haunting me. No amount of googling would satisfy me, because unless it was written by Edward himself, his side would be missing.
"...he deserves a chance to share his secrets on his own.."
"Edward, I need you to be honest with me. Who is Lauren Mallory, and why am I here instead of her?"