Chapter Five

Bella

At Thanksgiving, I did my best to be bright and cheerful although I had dreaded it. Another social event was the last thing I needed. The gallery had been very busy and the virus had wiped me out for a week.

I had tried to get out of going to the party but Patrick said it would do me good to get out and enjoy myself and I didn't have the strength to argue with him. Besides, I was getting heartily sick of the four walls of my apartment.

At the venue, I found myself looking around for the mysterious parking valet hoping he would be working again but most of the staff were female and none of the men looked anything like him.

It was a glitzy event without being overpowering and again I had to give the company 10 out of 10. The meal was out of this world while still homely and I found myself eating for the whole room! Patrick found it highly amusing but my excuse was that I'd starved for the week I was sick.

They offered a separate room with a massive screen for the guys who wanted to watch the football while others with money to burn could gamble on roulette or poker.

I wasn't a fan of gambling so I found a quiet corner and sat down, closing my eyes and trying to decide what to do about Christmas.

Patrick had made several comments about romance and festive weddings and I feared he was going to pop the question over the holidays. I was very fond of him, I knew he loved me and would do everything he could to make me happy but I felt unsettled. It was as if there was something in the air that could ruin everything although I couldn't even explain this better to myself.

Did I love him? I think I did, I just wasn't sure that I was in love with him. The other thing that terrified me was the thought of all the social events I wouldn't be able to get out of. The family were very active and close-knit which meant they spent most of the time together. Could I cope with that? I wasn't exactly a fan of his father who tended to think himself a little above the rest of humanity or his stepmom whose overt sexuality made me cringe.

Patrick eventually tracked me down and sat beside me offering me a flute of champagne which I took without noticing.

"Penny for them."

I turned to him and smiled, "They aren't worth it. It seems strange not seeing Stella here, she loves these social gatherings."

"Yes. I arranged with Esme to have a dinner delivered to her along with a bottle of champagne and a bouquet."

"That was nice. By the way, is your new secretary here?"

He shook his head, "Nope. She spends Thanksgiving with her father and when I told her to bring him along she explained that he was too sick. I'm beginning to think we should keep her on even when Stella gets back. She is so efficient."

I could tell he was feeling uncomfortable and was about to change the subject when I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Marty beaming down at me, his eyes fixed on my cleavage.

"Bella, you look particularly gorgeous today. If you ever get bored with Patrick you could make an old man very happy. Looks are deceptive you know, I'm really only thirty and my engine runs as smoothly as it did when I was eighteen."

I was past becoming irate with his suggestive remarks and merely smiled back.

"I'll bear that in mind. Don't you have a date with you?"

He usually had some young escort on his arm but he shook his head.

"I offered to escort Victoria but it seems she couldn't find anyone to sit with her father."

"Victoria?"

Too many familiar names were cropping up these days. I shook myself mentally and then it fell into place.

"Oh, the new secretary. What's she like? Patrick is being very secretive about her."

"I guess that's because she is sweet on him and he doesn't want you getting jealous."

"Really?"

I turned to Patrick who was glaring angrily at Marty which made me wonder if there was some truth in his words.

"That's ridiculous, Marty. Stop stirring things."

I leapt in before Patrick could silence him.

"Come on Marty, what's she like? I should at least know my rival."

Patrick threw up his arms in disgust, told me he was going to get fresh drinks and stalked off.

Marty slipped into his spot beside me and laughed, "It's so easy to wind Patrick up, poor lad. He should know me by now."

"Come on, spill the beans. What is this wonder woman Victoria like?"

Marty's eyes became dreamy, "Bella, I cannot tell a lie. That girl is sex on two legs. She's got a figure like a model, long hair and legs that go all the way up…"

"OK, OK. I get the picture. What's she like as a person?"

"Well, she's got a soft voice, very sexy, but…" he'd seen my glare, "That's not what you wanted to hear, is it? She's very efficient. She picked up the job on the first day. She knows how to treat a client on the phone, the mail gets done immediately along with the filing. She could work on Wall Street."

"Where does she live?"

"An apartment in the city although she spends nearly all her time at her father's."

"So he lives in the city too?"

He frowned, "I guess so. I'm not sure. I never asked her. You don't need to worry about Patrick, he's crazy about you. She does like him though."

Wandering off to chat up one of the young servers, Marty left me to my thoughts. So, this Victoria had her eye on Patrick. That was probably why he didn't talk about her. He was embarrassed and didn't want me to become jealous when there was no reason to be.

Deciding to tease Patrick a little I hunted him down and after a few final words to the client he had been talking to I led him out onto the balcony.

He threw a baleful glare over his shoulder at Marty as we passed.

"Did you get what you wanted? You do know he was winding you up, don't you?"

"You mean she isn't bright, gorgeous, and efficient?"

He pulled a face, "Well, yeah, she is."

"And she's got her eye on you?"

"See. I knew he would stir things up. That's why I haven't told you about her."

"So, she has?"

"No, not really. She's just friendly and my dad thinks she's a real asset to the business. I think he wants to keep her on. Stella is getting close to retirement and Victoria could take over without too much hassle."

"Isn't that a bit cold? Poor Stella's only fifty and once her leg mends she'll be back."

"To be honest I think Victoria projects a better image. You know, the bright young thing at a successful brokers office."

I stared at him. It was the kind of thing his father might say, not him.

He sensed I wasn't happy with the topic and changed it hurriedly, "I expected to find you with another mystery companion when you disappeared."

"I didn't disappear, you got talking about business and I found somewhere to sit down."

"I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to that, sweetheart. It's all a part of the glad-handing we have to do. You'll be the hostess in years to come."

"Me?"

"Of course, don't worry though, Magda will give you some pointers. My stepmother is very good at it."

Yeah, I'd seen her in action! It could be embarrassing at times although it appeared that I was the only one to disapprove. Or maybe I was the only one who noticed?

I heard a booming voice behind me and turned to see Patrick's dad standing there.

"Bella, it's been too long since we saw you. Pat said you'd been ill. Glad to see you're fine again now. I hear we're going to have your company for Christmas. It's great to have all the family together. I love the festive season, good food, good wine, plenty of company, it doesn't get any better than that. Could be a special year for you but I'm not supposed to say too much."

He winked at me as Patrick jumped in with some business talk and I went outside for some air. A special year? Had Patrick told his father that he was going to propose to me? It certainly sounded like it and it seemed that my acceptance had been taken for granted. For some reason that made me angry. I felt I was being manipulated, just like poor Stella.

Deciding I needed some space I grabbed my coat and asked Marty to tell Patrick I wasn't feeling too well and had grabbed a cab.

"Don't be silly, Bella. I know he's busy but I'm sure he won't mind being interrupted. Especially under the circumstances. It's not what I said, is it? You do know I was only joshing you?"

"I know that Marty. No, really. I'm fine."

"Then I'll drive you home."

"Marty, you're drunk."

He considered this and then nodded.

"Ah, right. Well…"

A voice from behind us spoke up, "If the lady needs a ride home I'd be more than happy to take her."

I spun around to see one of the servers standing there.

"It's all part of our service."

I protested but Marty insisted and I found myself sitting in a car with one of the female servers who drove towards my address.

Deciding I didn't want to sit in silence I tried to make conversation.

"Have you been with the company long?"

"No. I used to work for another corporate events business then I saw the advert for this one. It's better pay and the boss is very nice. My other employer wouldn't have offered to drive you home. Ms Platt left instructions that the guests were to be looked after until the event finished including making sure no one was stranded or inconvenienced."

"She sounds nice."

"She is."

"What's she like?"

"Well, she's young for someone with her own business but she's really on the ball."

I laughed thinking not every woman who owns her own business is a wrinkled old hag!

She dropped me off and waited until I was inside before leaving.

I knew Patrick would be angry with me but I needed some time to myself.

I made some hot milk and took it and a book to bed, turning off the ringtone on my phone. I would talk to him tomorrow, but for tonight I was going to relax and have some me-time. I felt a little as I had when Edward had disapproved of my actions but I still did it anyhow. Go for it, Bella!

I couldn't concentrate on my book, much as I tried. I kept hearing Bruce's words. Christmas is family time. I wasn't a part of his family yet and the more I thought about it the more I shrank away from joining the dysfunctional crowd that composed Patrick's family. I guess I was just a loner, I never felt as if I fitted in. Hell, I never felt I fit in my own family which, to be honest, was probably as dysfunctional as Patrick's!

It appeared I would soon be faced with a choice. Marry Patrick who loved me and would give me a good life or be alone again. I just wished Patrick would discuss it with me instead of just dropping hints like I was a child.

My phone vibrated on the bedside cabinet and I picked it up. It was Patrick and I knew if I answered he would push me into inviting him over. I groaned and put my book down then turned off the light and pulled the covers over my head. Hiding from the world seemed like a really good idea right now.

A few minutes later there was a banging on my door. Obviously ignoring my phone hadn't worked as a hint that I wanted to be alone. With a groan, I grabbed my robe and went to answer the door.

Jasper

I might not be able to attend the Thanksgiving party but that didn't mean I was going to leave Bella unprotected. Instead, I watched from a distance.

I was confused when I saw her leaving with one of the servers but then Esme texted me to say Bella had wanted to leave and she had made arrangements for her to be escorted under such circumstances.

I followed the car back to Bella's place and checked it was safe while she thanked her driver and waited for the elevator.

Once she was settled inside I retreated to my usual spot and settled down for the night to guard her.

An hour later the boyfriend's car pulled up outside and when he alighted I saw his shoulders were stiff while he radiated anger and disapproval. I hoped Bella would ignore his buzzing but after a few minutes the door opened and he stalked inside. This could be interesting. Had they argued? Is that why Bella had left so unexpectedly?

I considered moving further away, I didn't want to snoop on the two of them but in the end, I stayed put deciding there was little chance of romance going by the emotions emanating from him.

I heard him enter the apartment, "What the hell is going on, Bella? You know I had to learn of your whereabouts from Marty? I must have appeared a fool searching the place for you only to be informed you had gone home. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? And in front of important clients. I even called. Why didn't you answer? Are you trying to send me crazy?"

"Hello, Patrick. Why don't you sit down and stop shouting."

I grinned, well done Bella. The guy is acting like a jerk.

"I am not shouting. I'm just worried and angry. What made you think it was acceptable to leave me in the lurch? I would never have done that to you."

Oh right! Emotional blackmail. Good move asshole.

"OK. I owe you an apology but I just needed to get out of there. I didn't realize that Marty would take his time telling you. I didn't ask you to take me home because I knew how important the party was to you. I don't feel so good, Patrick and I'd like to go to bed."

I gritted my teeth, don't let him off so easily, Bella. He acted like a real idiot.

There was a short silence and then I heard him kiss her and shuddered.

"I'm sorry you aren't well, my love and I'm sorry I acted like I did but I was worried about you. We are going to spend the rest of our lives together so you have to learn to lean on me. I'll look after you. I'll always look after you. Do you want me to stay?"

I felt my knuckles pop as I waited for her reply.

"If you don't mind, I think I'd like to be alone. I have a bad headache and I've just taken some Tylenol with hot milk."

He wasn't happy but what could he do? He kissed her again and then left. I could tell he was still a little angry and couldn't help grinning. That'll teach you, asshole.

I expected Bella to retire for the night but she continued sitting on the couch where he had left her and decided to get a little closer. If she was actually in pain then I could help.

Bella sighed heavily and began to talk to herself, "We are going to spend the rest of our lives together? You haven't even asked me yet. I'm beginning to think you aren't as different from Ed…. You aren't that different if you just assume things. Why can't I find someone who likes the real me? Why do I always end up with someone who wants to control my life?"

She was feeling pretty down so I sent a wave of weariness. Things would look better in the morning, or not. I thought she was right, this Patrick wasn't as controlling as my sometime brother but he was walking on eggshells with Bella and he didn't even notice. You can love her without controlling her and if you don't back off… Well, you're going to lose her.