Chapter Three

Bella

The party wasn't getting any better as far as I was concerned and I suddenly found myself alone when Patrick went to talk to his friends. I wandered over to sit on the edge of the raised fountain and watch the Koi swim past illuminated by the colored lights floating on the water. Who would have thought it? A simple girl from Forks rubbing shoulders with the rich and influential of Phoenix. I still felt out of place even though my own gallery was doing well and brought in more money than I could ever spend.

Although I was trying hard to enjoy myself, I still preferred a good book and hot chocolate in front of a log fire to such gatherings.

If Patrick popped the question, which I knew he eventually would, could I accept? I tried so hard to fit into his world and no one seemed to notice the little girl lost screaming from behind the mask. Well, that was a little melodramatic, but sometimes I felt like the real me no longer existed. That my true self had been locked away along with the memories of Forks.

Pulling myself up short, I shook my head. No, Bella. We are not going down that road again. This is your new life, you just need to stop thinking about the old you. You aren't the girl who lost so much in Forks. You are a strong and successful career woman with your future stretching out before you.

My mind drifted back to Forks and my dad. It had been a shock when I discovered that he had left everything to me, including his life insurance.

I hoped Charlie would be proud of what I had done with the money he left me. Maybe a gallery/ curio store would have been a shock to him, but, on the other hand, maybe not. He had always seen more in me than I saw myself.

The hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle and I swung around, but I couldn't see anything to alarm me. Then suddenly the parking valet was there, just on the other side of the fountain and I gasped in surprise.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Ma'am?"

I nodded, pulling my shawl around me more tightly.

He stood gazing at me, "I apologize if I frightened you. Still, I suppose Halloween is the time to do it."

"No, I'm fine. You just startled me. I was miles away."

I shivered involuntarily, "It's getting a little chilly."

He nodded and moved slowly around to join me.

"Allow me to escort you back to your friends."

He held out his arm and feeling it would be rude to refuse I linked arms with him and we walked slowly back to the party.

It was colder out here than I thought, even his sleeve felt chilly.

"Do you work a lot of parties?"

He shook his head, "Nope, this is my first. It's a new company and my boss is hoping to get some work from it."

"Oh, right. I guess it must be boring parking cars."

I groaned inwardly. Try to make conversation, Bella, not bore the guy to death or embarrass him. Groping for something else to say I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "I like your accent."

I clenched my teeth to stop any more inane rubbish from spilling out. Is that the best you can do, girl?

"Thank you. I'm just a poor southern boy trying to make a living."

I glanced at him, unsure if he was teasing me, then relaxed. There was something about the guy that put me at ease.

Scanning the crowd, I could see Patrick with his back to me laughing at something one of his friends had said and the valet guided me up to join him before nodding to me and disappearing into the crowd again.

I missed his calm presence and casually turned around and peered into the crowd on the huge patio, but there were just too many people standing around.

I got a strange feeling that I was being watched and I was sure that it wasn't my mysterious companion which made me uneasy. Moving closer I took Patrick's hand and felt him squeeze mine comfortingly.

He grinned at me mischievously, "I can't leave you alone for a minute before you find yourself a new escort, Bella. Who was he?"

"Just the parking valet. He saw me sitting alone and took pity on me."

"Poor little orphan Annie. You know there's no need for you to be alone. You should have mingled. I know you can do it."

A little annoyed by his patronizing words I checked my watch and seeing the gesture he smiled, "OK, I get the message. My poor Bella has had enough. I would offer to get you home before the stroke of midnight, but I'm afraid it's a bit too late for that. Let's just hope I don't turn into a frog on the way."

I thought I'd done pretty well for me, but I was relieved to say our goodbyes to our hosts and make our way back to collect the car.

It was the same valet and he nodded to me as he held my door open.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure, Ma'am. I hope you enjoyed the party."

That soft southern accent was a killer!

I peered into his face but could see very little in the poor light. Besides, the bloodied bandage over his head and one eye and the gray make-up that gave him an unearthly zombie pallor hid most of his face.

As he shut the door, careful not to catch my gown in doing so, I got the strangest feeling that we had met before, but that was hardly likely.

Patrick drove away and I turned for a last look at the valet, but he had already moved away to fetch another car.

"Are you OK, Bella? It wasn't so bad, now was it?"

I shook my head, "No, not as bad as I expected but I don't intend to make a habit of it so please don't sign me up for any more."

He grinned, glancing over at me, "Poor Bella. You really should get used to it. When we're married we shall throw lots of parties like that. I have to admit that Abigail really outdid herself this time. I asked her about the company she used. Being a businesswoman yourself you'll be pleased to know it's run by another woman. Esme something or other."

I felt my blood run cold at the sound of that name, "Es...Esme? That's an unusual name."

I gritted my teeth. Come on Bella, pull yourself together. It's just a coincidence.

"Yes, that's what I said, really old fashioned. I had a great aunt called Esme, or at least so rumor has it."

"What was her surname?"

My tone must have sounded strained because he glanced over again, "Who? My great aunt?"

I glared at him and he rolled his eyes, "OK, chill out. I can't remember. What's wrong Bella? You look like you've seen a ghost. Sorry, not funny, I know."

The last was in response to my frown. I didn't like anything supernatural spoken of lightly and he knew that. It made me feel different because I knew it wasn't all spooky superstition and hated being reminded of my knowledge and how I had gained it.

Moving his attention back to the road, he began rummaging in his pockets with one hand.

"Hang on. She gave me a business card. It's here somewhere."

"Haha!"

Pulling a hand free of his pocket, he tossed the card onto my lap.

I stared at it afraid to pick it up for several seconds and when I did my fingers trembled. What were the odds that Esme Cullen, an interior designer, had taken up a new if similar hobby in Phoenix? I tried to tell myself that I was being irrational, but I had to force myself to turn over the heavy cream card and look at the gold lettering embossed on its face.

As I took in the words printed there I let out a breath which was audible to Patrick.

"Bella, are you sure you're OK? You look scared. Did someone upset you this evening? That valet for instance? I saw you give him a funny look."

I shook my head, "No. I just have a headache. I think I may have a chill. Maybe I should go straight home."

"Rubbish. If you are ill, I'll look after you. I wouldn't dream of dropping you off. I love you, Bella. I know you find that hard to believe, although I don't understand why. You mean the world to me."

He patted my leg, but I hardly took in his words. I was busy looking at the name on the card 'Ms Esme Platt'. So, not Esme Cullen then?

Of course not, the Cullens would hardly move down here. It's why I came to Phoenix in the first place, all that sunshine... I told myself to stop being so stupid. Pull yourself together for God's sake, Bella!

I was so annoyed with myself. I should have refused to go to the damn party. Instead, I had gone along to keep Patrick happy and now I'd gotten myself all screwed up and thinking about Forks and the Cullens again. I had jumped to the conclusion that Esme had to be the same Esme that I had known and now I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I had picked up at the party.

Patrick was very solicitous, getting me some warm milk and fussing around as I got ready for bed. I swear he would have tucked me into bed given half a chance! I was reminded uneasily of Edward's overbearing solicitude.

He sat down beside me and took my hand, "Bella, you're freezing. Should I call the doctor? Maybe we should go to the ER."

"No, I'll be fine. I just need to sleep. I'll be OK in the morning. It's probably just a chill."

He smiled, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. His touch seemed to burn my skin and I flinched which he noticed and I was sure the gesture hurt his feelings.

"Bella, if there was something wrong you would tell me, wouldn't you? Whatever it was. I know that something upset you at the party. Can't you tell me what it was? If it was that pushy valet I'll call the company and get him fired."

He was thoughtful for a second then blurted out, "Did that bastard make a pass at you?"

I shook my head, how could I tell him what was wrong when I didn't know myself? I could hardly explain that I nearly died when I heard the name Esme because my vampire ex-boyfriend had a mom called Esme.

"I just felt shivery. That's all, Patrick. Really. The valet was very sweet."

He took a deep breath and I wondered what was coming next. Why couldn't he just leave it alone and let me sleep? Unfortunately, Patrick was like a dog with a bone, he would keep worrying it.

"Look Bella, I know it's none of my business and I'm not going to ask any questions but I would like to make something perfectly clear. I spoke to your mom and I know there was trouble with a guy when you lived in Forks with your dad. By the sound of things, he was a nasty piece of work. I would never hurt you. I'm just saying that if something has upset you then I'm here for you."

I groaned and opened my mouth to protest. Renee had no business telling Patrick anything about Edward, she hardly knew him or his family, but he carried on too quickly.

"As I said, I'm not going to ask any questions. I don't care about your former boyfriends or anything that happened in the past. She told me you had a hard time when he dumped you and that's why you're so cautious with guys. I can understand that, but you should understand something too. I'm not like him."

I couldn't help smiling at that and he nodded, "It's true. I would never hurt you as he did, but maybe he was just a young jerk. Who knows? I will always look out for you. I will always love and cherish you, Bella. You need never feel insecure or frightened again."

I had to stop this, my head was thumping with the stress of it all.

"I know, Patrick, but this has nothing to do with Forks or Edward either. I didn't feel too good earlier. I should have told you that I wasn't feeling well but I didn't want to disappoint you or the others."

He nodded looking solicitous but I knew he wasn't finished yet. He seemed to ignore my words and carried on following his own train of thought.

"Do you want to talk about him, Bella? I feel he's kinda like the elephant in the room. We skirt around him and I never know what to say in case I put my foot in it and upset you."

Shaking my head firmly I replied quickly, "No, Patrick. I don't want to talk about him, not ever, and Renee had no right telling you anything. I don't ask about your past so please, just leave it alone."

I could see that I'd hurt him but I was in no state to try talking about Edward. Besides, what could I say?

There was a short and awkward silence before he stood up nodding reluctantly.

"OK. No problem. You try to get some sleep. If you need anything just yell. I'll be in the other room. I get the message that you'd rather be alone."

I sensed he wanted me to ask him to stay but he was right. I wanted to be alone and after some hesitation he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

After that, I should have known I was going to have a bad night. I had nightmare after nightmare. First I was lost in the forest looking for Edward. Then trapped in the ballet studio with James. Every bad moment from my time with Edward fought its way to the front, one after another, and I woke covered in sweat in the middle of the night. Relieved that I hadn't screamed out loud I climbed out of bed to get a glass of water.

Looking in the bathroom mirror I groaned. I still had traces of the makeup on from my costume and spent some time scrubbing it from my face. Then I combed my hair and studied myself again. Better... But still a mess.

Padding back to the bed I sat down, staring out through the window and watching the lights of the traffic on the interstate in the distance. I yearned to be there, on my way nowhere, just driving aimlessly. The trouble was that I couldn't run from my dreams and memories. I was trapped in my head with them. Would I ever truly be free of Edward? I was beginning to doubt it.

I had tried running in the past and when that got too exhausting I made a conscious effort to pull my life together and went to college. I'd done pretty well for a long while. Got my degree and started my business with Renee's help and Charlie's money. I felt that I had finally put the past where it belonged.

True the odd memory would prick occasionally but I'd not had a full-blown pity party in a very long time. I should never have gone to the Halloween party. I hated people making fun of things that were so real and dangerous, yet I longed to be like them. Ignorant of the bloody reality of the monsters they took as movie and literary creations.

I hoped Patrick would forget about my past before it drove a wedge between us because I knew that it would.

There was a soft knock on the door and there he was smiling and looking contrite.

"Sorry to disturb you. I heard the water running. Are you OK?"

I nodded and he stepped into the room, "Bella, I'm sorry. I promised myself that I would never pressure you and I made a complete fool of myself earlier. Can you forgive me?"

I smiled, "It's OK, Patrick. All forgiven."

With a sigh of relief, he came over and sat on the bed, "You want some company? I could do with a reassuring hug."

I opened my arms and he snuggled up close, "I hope you feel better in the morning, If not I am taking you to the doctor. You were so cold and white and I don't mean the make-up, even your lips were drained of color."

Curling up together on the bed I soon fell asleep, and this time there were no nightmares.