BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY

Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life

Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die.

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down

You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah.

No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,

but I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold.

But I'm a million different people from one day to the next

I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

-The Verve-

ST. MARCUS ACADEMY

TUESDAY

It was the next day and everyone, for the exception of Peter, Jasper and Emmett, were already in the cafeteria taking breakfast before classes at 7:30. Edward, Mike and Ben were sitting by the door; Edward was waiting for Emmett to appear and the incessant questions of the whole school. The Bellisimas Club was waiting for the rest of their group near the entrance; Bella wanted to talk to Emmett about his experience yesterday. Rosalie, Angela and Alice were waiting in line to get their food and were getting impatient since it was a very large line.

Everything looked normal for the rest of the students until Emmett entered the room being supported by Peter and the new blonde kid. Everybody started to murmur around them. What was very quiet room were the only sound were the plates and utensils, now was surrounded by the words of curiosity of the students… even the cook helpers were doing gossip of their own.

Bella noticed her best friend, all bruised and weak. She left her bag with her friends and went fast to where they were helping him.

"Emmett… what happened to you?" she asked all worried.

While she checked him for any more injures that weren't that visible she took the boys bags to help with something. Lauren went to help too, telling Jess to go to their usual table. Edward was being witness of the whole thing since he was in the table spot to the doors; he kept his face down on his food though.

"Ummh… Edward and I fought" he told her. Peter twitched knowing the truth but he understood why he couldn't tell Bella in the cafeteria.

Bella saw red. This… boy could be handsome and all but he had zero right to fight with him. She turned around looking for the gorgeous man. When she spotted him she marched to his table where she tapped his shoulder. She gasped when an electrical shock went through her arm. Edward felt it too but he didn't react to it. He shifted in his chair to face her, anticipating her beautiful factions… She's a Cullen he reminded to himself.

"Why can't you fix your issues like a normal person?" she asked "Are all the new kids barbarians? She asked making reference to yesterday when that girl tried to hurt her. Angela heard and giggled with Rosalie. Rosalie was ecstatic when she was told of the events that took place in the afternoon while she fought with her mother via video call.

"Look… it is not your problem and I won't talk about it" Edward simply said. He turned again to his breakfast. Bella stomped her way back to Emmett who told her to drop it. They went to their table where Jessica was waiting for them. Lauren frowned… she thought Edward wasn't the type to fight.

Bella thought that the minimal exchange of words they had was something else. His voice made her goosebumped all over her body. To Edward was the same but he tried to push that far behind in his thoughts.

When they moved to their table like four students came to Edward's table and inquired him in how the fight took place. Mike and Ben themselves were curious. They tried and tried to get information from him but he didn't said a peep.

"Well, you surely wiped out his ass, man!" said Ben, a little too excited.

"Look guys. Please. Let's stop talking about this okay?"

"Okay. But there's something I don't understand man" Mike told him "He's a motherfucking bull, and his trashed… and you don't have a single scratch" Edward only smirked at them and ate his eggs and bacon. Maybe something will come out of this whole mess for him.

Meanwhile, in Rose's table, Angela and Alice were asking her what happened with her mom. They heard her fight until very late but they didn't want to intrude.

"So what did your mom tell you after you went all Kim Kardashian on her?"

"I honestly don't know and don't care. I'm doing a big effort being here… she can't be seriously asking me to call her every fucking time at every single hour" Angela chuckled and Alice shook her head. She was about to tell her to try and be kinder to her mom, since to her it looked like she was doing an effort to take the party in peace but was interrupted by the giggles of Bella and Jessica, that were taking some fruit salad to where they sit.

"Bella, your hair looks breathtaking styled that way!" she was using a nicely done high pony tail with her natural waves; she even had a scrunchie matching the uniform.

"Thank you, cutie" she sent her a kiss and winked at her before following her friend.

They had to ask Emmett what the hell happened.

"Why don't you go and kiss the bathroom where they sit?" Angela asked, very rudely.

"Ugh, Angela. Don't be like that. They are not bad, they are actually pretty nice" she smiled, remembering how sweet they were with her yesterday. Rosalie just chuckled.

She took every single good moment to heart, and what Bella did… she would take it forever in her esteem. Alice took one skirt and two blouses she gave to her and put it in her closet and the rest she saved it for her sister. She knew Cynthia would like the "princess like" clothes.

"Being an idiot is way worse than being bad, Alice" Angela insisted, finishing her food.

"Why are you calling them names? Is it because they are different from you?" Alice felt defensive.

"For me that's reason enough" the girls with glasses simply replied.

"Stop, girls. Please!" Rosalie intervened. She didn't like those airheads and wasn't about to waste energy and words to try and change Alice's mind.

To each their own.

…

After classes everyone retrieved to their bedrooms, to the gym or different parts of the academy, maybe to spend time with their friends or time on their own. Maybe to talk with their parents or just to waste time.

In Edward's case he was wasting his time with Mike and Ben. They were playing in the BKB field one on one and Ben was obviously loosing. They were having fun. They were being dudes.

Edward's mind was full of Isabella. That little and insignificant touch was anything but to him. And it shouldn't be that way. He was set on his mind before coming here and he could not change his mind for a pretty girl. Worse if she was his target's daughter.

But her voice was also something so sweet… it sounded almost like majestic bells to his ears. And her smell; freesias and strawberries. The move she made when she turned her back to him let him enjoyed her scent. He even had a good glance to her perfect manicured hands.

For God's sake! This girl came straight out of his fantasies! All called him in. Her voice, her hair, her smell… But his promise to his dad was more important than his carnal necessities. That's what they were he decided. Carnal necessities.

While he prepared to shoot to the hoop he felt someone pushing him, making him loose hos balance and the ball. He saw the shocked faces of his friends first and after being able to stand upright he turned to see the ass who pushed him.

Peter.

"I was looking for you" the blonde said. He had brought attitude. He was less intimidating than Bella though, Ben thought.

"Well, I have nothing to talk to you, so leave" Edward was fuming. What was the deal with this rich rats and wanting to fight?

"I do" Peter was getting closer and closer while Edward, almost laughing, was backing up. He seriously didn't want to destroyed this dipshit's face. When he was pushed once more he couldn't keep it. He threw a punch at his face but Mike and Ben got him before he could hurt that kid. Just in time, Emmett was dragging himself to there.

Before Peter could throw himself at Edward again, Emmett hold him in place with ease using only one arm.

"Peter, man! Stop! What the hell is with you?"

"Get off me man. This is between that low life and me" Edward fought to free himself but Mike was kind of strong.

"I own him one, so I won't let you fight him. Also… have you seen how he has left me?" he boomed a laugh and Edward laughed too. Emmett In a try to make amends for the shitty things he said extended his fist to him. The bronzed guy look at it first, still hesitant but he bumped it anyways. Emmett smiled with relief and Edward smirked.

Into Mike and Ben's eyes this was weird. Weren't they supposed to be hostile towards each other? They just fought!

In Peter's eyes though, this was a clear betrayal from his best friend.

…

Bella was brushing Jessica's long red hair and Lauren was snapchating with someone she met on Tinder.

They were preparing to go to sleep and talking a little about the new girl Alice. Jess and Bella wanted to make her part of their group but Lauren insisted the group didn't need a forth party. She also said that she was already friends with the troglodites Rosalie and Angela. What they didn't know was that Lauren didn't want her because she had seen her all friendly with Edward.

Jessica and Bella rolled their eyes and when the song Truth Hurts by Lizzo came on the speaker they had connected to Bella's laptop they shrieked and the three of them started to sing that song.

They even got up on their beds and started to dance and jump, using hair brushes and hairspray cans as microphones.

"I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100% that bitch

Even when I'm crying crazy

Yeah, I got boy problems, that's the human in me

Bling bling, then I solve 'em, that's the goddess in me

You coulda had a bad bitch, non-committal

Help you with your career just a little

You're 'posed to hold me down, but you're holding me back

And that's the sound of me not calling you back"

Loose brown, red and blonde hair was moved with the elegance that only well-kept hair possesses. They looked like straight out of magazine or a tv commercial. And that's exactly what Carlisle Cullen saw when he entered her daughter's room. Her looking totally happy and not sick like the message he received a few days ago from one of her friends.

He cleared his throat to make himself noted.

The girls screamed in terror and Bella fell down on her bed with a hard thump. She was in shock.

"What are you doing here?" Bella asked her dad. She was panting and heaving.

Carlisle Cullen was there, in all his fashionable and neat presence. If the man wasn't Bella´s dad, Jessica would totally tap that. Even Lauren has had a crush on her bestfriend's dad.

"I came here because your friend texted me telling me you were so depressed you wouldn't even eat nor sleep. Right Lauren?" Lauren, in panic, denied her participation in it. She seriously didn't know what the hell was happening.

Jessica jumped from her bed to Bella's and hugged her friend as if she was comforting her "I wrote it, Mr. Cullen… we've been so worried for Bella's wellbeing, sir. She's been so sad and melancholy…" Bella got the clue and started the drama. She leaned into her friends arms looking all fragile and devastated.

"It didn't look like that a few minutes ago. I could hear you guys singing from the entrance to the hall and I came here waiting to see my daughter made a mess but she's dancing looking radiant as always" he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, challenging them.

"Uh… because we asked her, Mr. Cullen, I mean sir" Lauren, still nervous intercede "It´s so difficult seeing her like that, all heartbroken"

Bella, dusting off her acting skills she acted upset and asked them why they told her father that she was feeling down, that she didn't want him knowing. Carlisle was mused but he didn't show it. These girls always do something helping all Bella´s tricks that make him and Jacob laugh. Only if Eleanor was here to see her daughter act like this… a shame.

"Please, go girls. I need to be alone with my very busy dad" Bella said sniffing and cleaning her nonexistent tears. Jess and Lauren left the room laughing once they were out and wanting to know how that would go for their friend.

Carlisle laughed silently and went to sit in her daughter's bed. Bella was face down in her pillows "crying" about how sad and heavyhearted she was.

"What is happening, doll face? What is making you so sad, my dear?" he said once he coerced her to sit down. He caressed her princess hair and made her put her head in his shoulder.

"Nothing, daddy. You go back to your business and work. I don't want to be a bother in your overloaded agenda" she dramatically sighed. He offended asked what was she's getting at, still hugging his only daughter "That… that you need to attend the really important things in your life" Bella was now really upset and Carlisle notice it in the change of her tone.

"You are the most important thing in my life, dear" he said seriously "And if this is for the Paris thing, Bella, you need to know every action has its limit".

"Enough limit the life put on me since I didn't grew up with a mom" she said dejected.

He grinned and made her laugh with one anecdote he had with Jacob this week about him trying on a suit three sizes less than he actually is. That made it. If something put her in good spirits was Jacob. The man has been working for them since she was baby. The bonded as an uncle and niece. And for Carlisle, Jacob, was his brother and best friend.

They talked for a little bit more than 3o minutes until Carlisle saw his watch. He needed to go. This was the worst part of his work. He wished he that the news he had would make her happy though.

"I need to go, doll" he said sorrowful. Bella nodded but didn´t let go of him. She really missed him, even if he was a grumpy daddy. They remained quiet for a little while more. He leaned a bit to see Bella, who was actually crying now, a sight that broke his heart "If you smile for me I'll give you a surprise" he told her in almost a whisper.

Isabella smiled briefly and tightened her hold in her dad "What is it?" she asked, cheerless.

"I moved the office to the house, here in St. Marcus. I'll be closer to you and when I'm not traveling, we can spend the weekends at home" Bella shrieked, excited hiding her face in her dad's chest. She cried and told him how much she has been missing him and how much she loves him; Carlisle's heart was warmed and happy to hear her daughter happy with a thing he considered minimal.

When he finally said goodbye to his precious daughter and wished her friends a goodnight, he went in the exit's direction and got distracted with his phone which chimed alerting him of a reunion he has tomorrow. He was checking the details that needed to be addressed when he slammed into someone, a kid, almost his daughters age, making the guy dropped the backpack he was carrying along with a basketball.

"Damn. I'm sorry kid. I´m such a klutz like my own daughter" he extended his hand to the pale guy to help him stand up.

"No, you forgive me. I was the one in the moon. Thank you" he accepted his hand and the help. How embarrassing, Carlisle thought.

"You look slightly older to be here kid. What year are you in?" he asked curious. The guy answered him quickly "Oh. You must be my daughter's classmate then"

"Probably, sir. What's your daughter's name?"

"Isabella Cullen-Swan" Carlisle answered to Edward. The bronzed guy could not believe his ears. He now saw the resemblance. It was all in the factions, but Isabella's hair and eye's color must be from her mom. Well, fuck.

So this is the man whose fault was his dad's death. He looked elegant and fancy, just like the devil spawn he could not stop thinking about. All pristine and polished… he surely didn't seem like the murderer Edward was convinced Carlisle was.

"You are Carlisle Cullen" the emerald eyed guy didn't ask, he said it like he knew it was a fact, and to the blonde man, that was weird.

Not often he was recognized by boys his age.

"How do you know my name, boy?" Carlisle, even though he was alerted, he didn't act impolite.

He has had these encounters with kids before, that wanted something more of his daughter and him. He was used to this kind; he refused to judge before knowing his answer though.

"Oh, well, because you are such a well-known business man and an award-winning and mentioned in multiple business magazines" Edward explained without hesitation and with a mask on his face.

"Maybe you are talking about my brothers. We share the name Cullen for business matters".

"Of course… Earnest and Demetri" he answered to an unasked question without realizing it. Carlisle challenged him "I'm going to be honest with you, sir. I'm an admirer of all the things the Cullen's have accomplished. Your enterprises and business are something I aspire to achieve in the future" okay, but how and when did he learn to lie like that? What do I do? Carlisle asked him. He was testing him, realized Edward "You are in charge of opening the doors for the deals and trades in the American continent, as well as Europe and great part of Asia. And also Cullen's Clothing were the first one to acquire the best technology fo the usage of fabric"

Edward had spent a big part of his time studying this man and it shows.

Carlisle asked him a bunch of questions like how was he so interested in these industry topics and stuff like that, at what Edward told him that he wanted to study economics science and how he was subscribed to all the business magazines an owned a lot of books on the matter. He also told the man that's why he applied to a scholarship in the best Academy of the country, he wanted to improve.

Carlisle was surprised and amazed. He, in his 45 years of life, he has never met someone like this kid right here. He had goals and ambitions and he knew what he had to do in order to aim and accomplished it. Carlisle wasn't wrong in that, but Edwards's real motive was hide for him.

"What's your name kid?" he finally asked.

"Edward Masen, sir"

"I had an acquaintance named just like you" he chuckled, what a coincidence. Edward breathed slowly and deep before screwing this. He knew he had an acquaintance; that's my father, you son of a bitch! He wanted to scream at him. Carlisle took out his high priced wallet and grabbed a card. He handed it to Edward and shook his hand "Well, it was a pleasure, son. Give me a call if you ever need anything" They said they're goodbye's and Carlisle hurried out his car, where Jacob was probably waiting already.

Edward couldn't believe it. He touched the card with thoughtful and carefully.

Cullen's Clothing

Carlisle Cullen

CEO

Contact me:

Cel: 786-7736-937

Email: ccullenenterprises at Cullen dot com

The only thing I need is to destroy you and your self-rightness of a daughter, Edward determined.