CHAPTER FIVE
Over the next few days, whenever Edward sees Bella, or when she notices him staring at her, she turns and stays clear of him. Bella skipped any tour involving Edward, enjoying more horseback riding and the beach. Every time Edward sees Bella, she's enjoying herself though. Smiling and laughing with new people she met staying at the resort the same time as her. Bella made friends fast with Tyler too much to Lauren's dislike. Even Jessica was suffering with Mike vying for Bella's attention, forgetting her.
Lauren and Jessica saw Bella having lunch with Tyler, Mike, Eric and a few other new guests. Tyler and Mike were fawning over Bella. Edward nearly punches a wall after watching Tyler and Eric joking around trying to hold Bella on their shoulders while they were inside the pool before dropping her fully clothed into the pool with a beach ball. Bella came up in her white t-shirt and jeans, soaking wet. Edward is clearly jealous, but Bella comes up smiling, clearing having fun with them. Edward couldn't think what he did for Bella to start hating him and barely acknowledging him. One evening, Edward went to just say hello while Bella was standing alone at the bar, but she ignored him and found her friends.
"Man, what did you do to her?" Jasper asked after seeing Bella ignore Edward yet again.
"I don't fucking know," Edward hissed. "It wasn't like I said or expected anything from our drink date. I just want wanted to talk. Now she fucking hates me for whatever reason." Jasper chuckled.
"I like her." Edward rolled his eyes. "She doesn't break like other girls. That's exactly why she terrifies and excites you so much. Your smile and sex appeal isn't winning her over easily maybe at first, but now you really have to work for her. You know she could make you happy. And happiness of that type is the most terrifying in the universe. But Edward, once you fix whatever you did wrong, you two might have a chance. I saw she's here for a while. You have time.."
"I know. I just gotta figure out how to fix it."
Bella met up with Lucy Gibbs, Bree and Diego Tanner to head to the only main city on Robinson Crusoe Island. Bella met Lucy and the two instantly clicked fast, and they have have inseparable ever since that day. Lucy Gibbs was actually carrying one of Bella's novels when she came to the pool. Bella noticed when Lucky realized who she was, she totally fangirled of course. Bella had to sign the book and take pictures with Lucy, but quickly Lucy realize how down to earth Bella was. After just talking through lunch, they have hung out every day since Tuesday afternoon. Lucy is from France, though born in New Orleans. She is an aspiring actress and model. She was on vacation with her cousin Bree. Bree and Diego were finally going on their honeymoon after their wedding in March. Lucy made sure her hut was far away from her cousin and her cousin's husband, which was great for Bella, because that meant Lucy was barely 2 huts away.
When Lucy was first introduced to Edward when she arrived Monday night, she was like every other females all smiles and giggles at his obvious gorgeous Adonis figure and sex appeal, but when Bella told her what he did to her on Wednesday during one of Edward's hiking tours, Lucy frowned.
"Well, of course. Someone that totally gorgeous is obviously a male slut, not one girl would be good enough for him," Lucy said.
"Still, I wouldn't touch him a ten foot pole."
"Well, one night isn't bad. And it would be a good story."
"Lucy!" Lucy chuckled.
"What? I am not picky."
Lucy and Bella loved the shops in the town San Juan Bautista. The shops were cute little vintage shops. These beautiful vintage and colorfully exotic shops, made it so you never know what treasures to find in San Juan Bautista. Today was Friday, June 12th. Bella is dressed in a red ditsy floral ruched crop top with shirred shorts and white sandals.
"You look cute!" Bree said. "Doesn't Bella look cute honey?" Diego looked at Bella, who blushed.
"Oh yes wife, I agree with you." Bella smiled. Diego never called her cute, just agreeing with his wife, so he wouldn't get in trouble.
"Do you want to hit that Antique shop again first?" Lucy asked.
"Oh yes, I love that place," Bella said.
"Diego and I will be at the Market shop." Bella and Lucy nodded and waved the newly wed couple off.
Bella finished up at the Old Adobe Antiques, housed in a 1799 National Landmark adobe It is a curiosity shop with antiques, collectibles, and folk art. Bella felt like she was stepping back in time and enjoy the ambiance of this 200+ year old structure while browsing for favorite treasures. She brought a few traditional Chilean jewelry pieces from their collection.
"Are you keeping that necklace for yourself?"
"Oh no, I think my mother would love it for Christmas." Lucy nodded.
Edward was finishing up some paperwork on his walk back from the yacht when he saw Bella coming back from some obvious shopping. Her arms were filled with bags. Bella smiled and waved goodbye to Lucy, Bree and Diego as they headed to their family lodge hut on the opposite end of the resort.
"I'll drop off my stuff and meet you for dinner at 6."
"Ok." Edward and Bella both paused when they noticed each other.
"Hi."
"Hello," Bella said softly.
"I see you did a lot of shopping again today."
"Uh yeah. Just a bit."
"Well, see you later."
"Yeah, see ya." Bella walked passed Edward. Edward looked back watching Bella walk away. Bella briefly looked back only to see Edward walking away as well.
For dinner, Bella changed into a simple cream t-shirt with blue shorts and fancy brown 2 buckle strap sandals. Lucy was going over flyers for the final tour she wanted to do on Saturday before leaving. She was excited be doing to snorkeling boat tour tomorrow. It was her first time, since she already did a hiking tour and horseback riding, this week. Bella decided not to sign up for another boat tour again.
"Oh but we will have fun! I have never been cliff diving before!"
"It is a nice tour, but I have some writing to do."
"Oh. Well, that's good then. We can hang out after that."
Lucy flew in Monday night but would be leaving on Sunday, while Bree and Diego were staying another week. Bella ordered the ceviche. Different versions of ceviche can be found all over Latin America, especially in Chile and Peru. Locally for Isle Esme is made with raw fish (often reineta or corvina), marinated and cooked with lemon juice before being served up with onions, garlic, merkén, cilantro, cumin, salt, olive oil and red peppers. Ceviche goes great with the tangy local drink, pisco sour, made with Chilean pisco, pica lime or lemon juice, syrup and ice.
"How's the ceviche?"
"Great."
"I can tell, you practically inhaled it." Bella laughed before ordering a second one.
"Well, those Chilean hot dogs for lunch was not enough with all the shopping we did."
"Yeah. So, we are still going to that night show tonight right?" Lucy asked digging into her steak and potatoes.
"Of course!"
"Good. I hear the dancers are hot!"
"Well, I know Tyler and his mother runs the show with his family, I haven't seen one yet."
"Why not?" Bella flashback to trying to see a fire night show last week. When she saw Edward, she bolted from the show. When she tried to see the show a few days later, Edward was there again and Bella refused to go.
Bella arrived with Lucy for the Friday night fire show held on the resort. Bella was dressed in a black sleeveless cinched dress with black Tory Burch miller sandals, blush pink Chanel purse with gold chain, and pink long fringe earrings. After dinner, Lucy and Bella were entertained with a historical pacific culture dance show featuring Isle Esme's best fire walkers & knife dancers. This was Bella's second time seeing the show. The show culminates in a heart stopping acrobatic fire display by the ocean. A truly captivating experience that is not to be missed. Bella took many pictures, especially of the hot dancers. Tyler smiled and waved Bella over. Bella noticed Edward the whole show, as she was enjoying the show. With Lucy by her side, she didn't run from him like before. Edward was asked to join the dance, though he played off as shy, but very good dancer secretly. Bella smiled as Edward was able to twirl the fire and even walk on the fire coals with ease.
Tyler, and several dancers went through the crowd to get guests up to dance with them. Tyler was able to pull Lucy on stage. Lucy of course grabbing Bella to join her. Edward and Bella were holding sprinkles next to each other. Bella smiled back at Edward for the first time nearly a week, it was a genuine smile. Edward held Bella's hands as they danced together in a circle at the end of the show. Bella smiled, feeling the spark fill her body when he dipped her and pretended to kiss her. Lucy smiled as Tyler dipped her and kissed her cheek.
Bella got up Sunday morning and after a tearful goodbye to Lucy where they promised to keep in contact, and got dressed in gray double strap sports bra, white long sleeve sheer top, black stretch leggings, and brown and green hiking low boots. It was Sunday, June 14th. She slipped on a beige vest and black beanie. She packed her black backpack and went off on her hiking trip alone. Bella knew her mind needed this natural tour alone to reflect spiritually. Bella decided to take the famous Patriot Caves trek. She walked along the hillside to the Caves of the Patriots.
About 300 Chilean Patriots dug Patriots Caves (Cuevas de los Patriotas) into the hillside. They lived in the caves after their defeat at the Battle Rancagua in 1814. They endured hunger, cold and wet conditions for three years. Above the caves is the Mirador Selkirk viewpoint, where Alexander Selkirk spent several lonely years trying to spot a vessel to save him in 1704. Bella just enjoyed touring the caves. The island buzzed with life, and is home to 61 times more native plants species than the Galapagos, and 13 times more birds. It has been named a National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and some of the famous feathered and furry faces Bella came come across like the Juan Fernández fire crown.
Bella loved the lonely trek. She found many moments just look at the scenery and beautiful green mountains and hills. Bella felt somewhat accomplishment, doing such a long hike, about 5 hours along. She made the final walk down to the shore on the east side of town, there she saw the abandoned artillery and canons.
Edward was on the beach when he notices Bella in the water. It was early Monday morning. She was dressed in a black bikini top and white scoop bottoms. Bella had nice captain's hat on her head and black sunglasses. She brought the captain's hat at the military store with Lucy on Friday, who said every captain needs a hat. It was Monday, June 15th. Bella was walking, about calf deep in the ocean, when she let out a horrible scream. Edward rushes as Bella topples over, to her hands and knees in tears.
"Bella, are you ok?"
'Something wrapped around my foot! It stung me!" Edward helped Bella from the water to the shore. He saw her foot and knew immediately Bella just got stung by a jellyfish. Edward removed the tentacles around her foot of the jellyfish and tossed it back into the ocean. "Ow, ow, ow! Oh my fucking god! It's hurts!"
"Bella, look at me. Look at me, Bella." Edward cupped her face with one hand. "You're going to be ok."
Edward settles Bella down to sit on the sandy beach away from the water.
"It still hurts."
"It's ok, I got you." Edward kneels down to see Bella's foot. The jellyfish sting around her right ankle is apparent. Jellyfish stings cause immediate, with intense pain and burning that can last for several hours. Raised, red welts were already developing along the site of the sting, which looked like Bella was just hit with a whip. And those welts may last for 1 to 2 weeks, and then itchy skin rashes may appear 1 to 4 weeks after the sting. Bella hisses as Edward examines her foot. "Let's go back to my place. It's not far."
"My bag!"
"We can get it."
"Ok." Edward helped Bella stand. She hopped on one foot before Edward simply lifted her up and carried her. She gasped. She adjusted her beach bag against her stomach as Edward kneeled down while still holding Bella so she could pick up her beach bag. Edward lifted them back up.
"I'm sorry, I'm so heavy."
"Please Bella. It's just easier this way. And don't worry, I have lifted bags of potatoes weighing more than you." Bella blushed.
Edward's house can only be described as being tall and white like his parent's house back in North Carolina. Its interior is quite the same in its colour and shades as his mother, Esme has furnished it's rooms with white furniture which would make the house brighter. Edward's mother was a famous interior designer, and has decorated all types of houses, especially redesigning the resorts huts and family lodges. When Edward had this place built, his mother had many ideas for a lovely home for her son.
"You call this a house?" Bella exclaimed.
"It's a bit big huh," Edward confessed. Bella shook her head.
"Just a bit."
"Well my family loves to visit and don't feel like using our resort huts, so my mother practically made my house their home."
Edward settled Bella next to his sink in his kitchen. Bella barely got to see his house as they stepped inside his island mansion home and headed straight for his kitchen, other than the large glass windows and glass doors all around.
"I love this island for it's vast jungles, many, many trails, indigenous population, birds, dolphins, sea lions and sparkling sand and beaches, but the jellyfish I hate," Edward said. Luckily, over the years, he has had only 2 jellyfish stings, but he won't forget that pain for a lifetime. Edward put Bella's foot into the sink after removing some dirty dishes. Edward rinsed her foot with some clean water before he found some vinegar in his cabinet.
"That was a jellyfish?"
"Yeah," Edward said, pouring the vinegar on her ankle. "And it wrapped around you good. There are a few good tricks, so don't worry. I got you." Bella grimaced, as she watched Edward from her seat on the counter next to his sink. Edward rinsed Bella's ankle with vinegar for a good minute. Edward repeated the rinse with cool water.
Bella was relaxing on Edward's couch after he used some mild hydrocortisone cream around the 2 welts on her ankle. Edward gave her one of his t-shirts. It fit her like a dress.
"I'm sorry but I can't find my oral antihistamine for the itching and swelling."
"It's ok. I think I have some back in my place. I could just…"
"No, stay. You shouldn't be moving about so soon. Relax. I know I can find some in the medical hut which is not far from my place."
"I don't want to be a bother."
"Bella, you're not. Let me just run over there quick. You're lucky. We don't get sea wasps, or box jellyfish around these waters during this time of the year, because those are deadly."
"That was painful enough."
"Yeah, but it could have been worst."
"My luck." Edward smiled.
"Here's my remote. Watch some tv and relax, I will be back soon."
Bella was looking around Edward's living room with her foot wrapped with a icepack. It was so open and nice. Bella peaked around the house while Edward was gone. The house, was not a house, but a mansion. It is large, with an open floor plan, multiple bedrooms, large windows, and also has electricity and working plumbing. Bella found his master bedroom and bathroom. The master bedroom has a huge king-size white bed with bug netting attached to the four poster frame. Another bedroom. the blue room has blue walls with an appropriate sized bed. Bella could see a small boat in the water along with a jet ski on the sand near the house. There also was a staircase leading to the top floor but Bella's foot prevented her from going upstairs. Edward returned with the medicine. He caught Bella looking over his wall of family photos.
"Is this your parents?" Bella asked, holding up a picture frame she picked up from a mantle.
"Yeah. Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen, lovely right?"
"Your mother is beautiful, and your father, he's quite a handsome fella. I see where you get it from," Bella said. Carlisle was a handsome Dad, with striking gorgeous blonde hair and the prettiest blue eyes. His wife, Esmeralda, Esme for short, was gorgeous too, like every Disney princess Mom, she was beautiful with brown flowing hair and green eyes. Bella knew Edward got his eyes from his mother.
"Yeah, he knows." Bella chuckled.
"They look so young here."
"Yeah, I think they were just out of college. Dad had dyed his blonde hair black because he lost some bet to Mom. It became Mom's favorite look on him," Edward said.
"How long have they been married?"
"Over 30 years now, 31 years in August."
"Wow. That's a true love story."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"And you have one brother?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, Emmett. He's actually younger, like on some 18 month delay."
"John Mayer."
"Yeah," Edward said. He smiled, as Bella caught his song joke. Bella picked up another picture of his parents. "Oh, that was the opposite day bet. Dad dyed his hair brown, and Mom went blonde a few years ago." Bella chuckled.
"Your parents love to bet huh?" Bella asked.
"Yeah."
"And this is Emmett?" Bella held up another picture frame with a young man and young woman. .
"Emmett and Rose, Rosalie, his wife. They have been married for 7 years now, practically right out of high school." Emmett was huge. Bella could tell he was bigger and taller than Edward with the cutest dimples. He had his father's blue eyes, and mother's brown hair. Rosalie was gorgeous too, like supermodel with long blonde and violet eyes. Bella could see the love pouring from the picture of Emmett and Rosalie. Bella picked up another picture with Rosalie, Edward's mother Esme in the middle and Jasper. Bella knew Edward and Jasper became friends because Jasper's sister married Edward's brother. Bella could see the similarity in Jasper and Rosalie when they are both brown haired.
"Yeah, Rosalie and Jasper lost a bet to Emmett and myself and had to dye their hair. Rosalie was miserable until the brown dye washed out. If you ever wanna piss off Rosalie, tell her she looks good brown haired. She might cut your throat. She swears she born to be blonde and any other color is blasphemy. Jasper likes to dye his hair brown sometimes just for the fun of it and remind his sister." Edward smiled. Bella chuckled.
"Wow. So, what about you?" Bella asked.
"What about me?"
"Married?"
"Me? Married!" Edward laughed. "No, not yet."
"Why not?"
"I guess I haven't found the right one yet." Bella smiled.
"You?"
"Yeah no, I guess I haven't found the right one either."
Edward found their picnic dining area near their resort restaurant empty. It was still very early in morning service. Bella rested her bandaged foot on one side of the bench while Edward brought over some food from the buffet. As much as Edward loved seeing Bella in his clothes, she slipped on her white coverup dress.
"I know you took a pill an hour ago, but I figured you would like this too," Edward said as he brings Bella a beer. It wasn't even 10 o clock, but after the pain from her jelly sting, a beer was welcomed. She smiles. Edward had snuck into the bar area and stole a beer for Bella.
"Yes, I do. Thanks." Edward made a plate with burgers, sausage links, eggs, cabbage and onions on a kabob.
"I can't eat all of this!" Bella considers herself a flexitarian.
A flexitarian is used to describe a diet or a person who eats a mostly vegetarian diet, occasionally including meat. There is no standard agreement or definition of what this means; whether flexitarians eat meat once a day, once a week or just occasionally is up to the individual person. Bella tries to save eating red meat like beef to once a month, while chicken and pork to once a week or once every other week. She could call herself a pescetarian, which is a diet that includes the animal flesh of fish only, along with vegetarian foods, but as a New York there are times when she smells a great cheeseburger and has to eat it. Or fresh fried chicken and carnitas burritos. But Bella tries not to eat meat everyday except for fish, which is why she uses the flexitarian diet.
"Half is for me, especially the burger," Edward said splitting the plate into two. "How's the foot?" Edward drinks some coffee after tearing into the egg and cheese burger sandwich.
"Uh better. The burning and stinging stopped, thanks for the home remedy with the vinegar. Never knew that." Edward finishes his egg burger fast realizing he needs to head to work and at least check it after being late.
"Good. Well, I'll leave you to enjoy your breakfast I need to check in with the office, but I will be back to walk to your room once you're done."
"You don't have to," Bella said. "I can make it back alone."
"I want to. Just relax and I will be back shortly"
"Ok." Edward got up. "And Edward…" Edward looked back balancing his empty plate and mug.
"Yeah…"
"Thanks...thanks a lot." Edward smiled. "I was really scared back there but you were…amazingly calm and extremely helpful. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome Bella." They smiled at each other. "Now eat and I will be back."
