Yay for quick update! *wink* I can't thank you enough for supporting this story. You know I read all your reviews! See you later!

"You said to meet me there tomorrow. But tomorrow never came."─Lana

It had been weeks. A month probably. New Moon was my daily scene now. I was anywhere he wanted me to be. By his side, smiling if needed to. Something I did to fucking survive. It was tiring. Each day got heavier. I crawled to the bed every night surrounded by uncertainty. I was thinking about Mom. How was she? Was she safe? I felt nausea in the pit of my stomach imagining things they could do to her. And the fact that I could do nothing about it. I was helpless. For a second I doubted I could do this anymore. Today I let myself slip. I swore to God only this one. Because tomorrow Edward would be back from that business trip I didn't bother to ask.

I walked upstairs to the third floor in my yellow two-piece bathing suit. A pack of cigarette and towel in hand. I was alone in his massive indoor pool. At three in the morning. Wide-awake with bloodshot eyes. I couldn't believe I just snorted a line in the fucking toilet from a package Lottie gave me at New Moon the other day. I remembered she winked nonchalantly at me saying 'What? Aren't we all fucked up?' Everyone knew she was a mess from the start. But she had Pete step in every time she had gone too far.

I sat by the pool. My legs dangling inside the water. The cold dulled the uneasiness inside my chest. This was early morning feels. Right now, I couldn't even cry anymore. I lit my cigarette, taking a deep pull. I contemplated about going in, but decided against it. Though I was alerted as fuck, I felt emotionally tired to do anything. The eerie calm intensified. I was sporting a lazy grin across my lips. I was riding the high and sure as hell enjoying the shit out of it.

I stayed there until the color of sky changed, watching the view before me unimpressed. Another day for my imprisoned soul. I was too consumed in my own thoughts I didn't hear someone coming to my pity party.

"What are you doing here?" His voice made me scramble. It was too late to pull myself together, but I still tried. I tamed my hair and rubbed my face. It did nothing to undo the mess of me. I absolutely looked like I just had a fucking breakdown.

The last man I wanted to see towered over me, wearing jeans and dark green sweater that brought out his eyes. It caught me off guard. This version of him almost reminded me of the boy I used to love. He did the same, checking me over from head to toe. His gaze lingered on certain part of my less-covered body. Those irises darkened, matching the color of his sweater.

I butted out my cigarette and got up to stand. His eyes went south almost automatically, solely focusing on my skimpy bikini bottom. A half minute before meeting mine.

"You're home already?" It was a confused question. I had not gripped the reality yet.

His eyebrow lifted. "You haven't answered me. What are you doing here?"

"Swimming, I guess, but it's cold." I shrugged off.

"Of course, it is." He replied with that what-the-hell tone. I just intended to turn away and gather my stuffs before something caught his attention. "Not so fast." He muttered, abruptly yanking my waist back to him.

"What─" My words stopped midair because his face was inches away from mine. His other hand cupped my jaw. He stared at me so intently it was too much. I tried to look away, but he held me still.

"Are you kidding me, right?" He chuckled humorlessly. His thumb wiped over my nose. I was caught and he was angry. "What did you take?" he snapped.

I pushed him away, but the man didn't budge. I didn't answer him, just rubbing my nose together.

"Did Lottie give it to you? Where are the rest?" He demanded.

"Relax. There was this party last night─"

He cut me off. "Relax, you said? Un-fucking-believable. I don't need a druggie in my house!"

Then, just kick me out already.

"You're exaggerating." I rolled my eyes. He was the one who was selling drugs across this city and now he told me this? I didn't need his pathetic ass taking care of me.

"I heard that." He scowled, pulling me even closer to him. Huh? Did I just that line out loud?

His touch was burning and for a moment, I didn't care that he caught me in my downfall. That was probably because I was still high as kite. I grinned, nonchalantly running my hands over his chest. Yeah, definitely high. High and half-naked.

This was distracting him. "Don't start what you can't finish." He warned, holding both of my wrists to stop them wander lower.

"What? You don't want it?" I teased. It was a brave question and I didn't know what I would do if he called my bluff. I killed the gap between us, testing him further. He was hard against me. It only made me bolder. "You sure don't want to fuck me?" I whispered blatantly. His breath hitched. He looked like he resisted the urge to attack me right in the moment.

"I'm not taking advantage of you in this state." He murmured, releasing me with a push instead, as if I was some kind of disease. My grin widened. I expected it. "Fix yourself. We have a church to attend to." He said before walking away.

I had not gone to the church in a long time and it wasn't like Edward going on every Sunday either. In case no one knew, we weren't really Catholic material. It was just thick in our Italian blood.

I took my time to get ready. Showering, straightening my hair, putting on my mascara and nude lipstick. I was wearing a Chanel jumpsuit with a deep neckline, black Gucci coat draping over the shoulders.

I walked downstairs and found Edward in the kitchen. The man had changed into his usual outfit, but I admitted it didn't make him less hot.

He threw some sunglasses on and it was a sight to see. Damn. I could watch him all day blaming it on the substances in my system.

It was so cold outside. Paul and Sam drove us while we were busy being silent in the backseat of the Rover.

We arrived there just in time. To my surprise, Lottie and Pete were attending too. She got these big sunglasses covering half of her face and possibly bloodshot eyes. A lopsided smile was thrown my way. This woman was pretty much wasted. I wondered why the hell she put the effort to be here.

Everything went on smoothly except to the glances I got. I found it hilarious as they saw me like I was a ghost coming out from the grave. I didn't blame them. If I were them, I would think I was risen from the death, too.

It was finished and we exited simultaneously. I was so in need for bed right now because I had not slept in the last twenty four hours.

Edward pulled Lottie by elbow as we were in enough range from prying eyes. He was furious. "What the fuck did you give her last night?" there was danger in his tone, but Lottie was too high to even realize.

She looked at him confused. "Huh?"

The grip on her arm tightened. He wasn't in the mood for patience. "Don't give me that shit."

"Can we not do this in public?" Pete said calmly and it made Edward look around his surroundings.

"Your fucking sister has the nerve giving Bella shit stuffs." He spat, coming face to face with Pete.

"Calm your dick. It's not like I shoved it up to her nose." Lottie snorted, inspecting her orange nails. This fuss was wasting her energy.

"Shut up! I swear to God if you gave her heroin…"

"Edward, we'll make a scene." Pete said. He had the point even though there was no trace of concern in his voice. This man was the only one here who was composed as fuck. He didn't change a bit.

"Give her those stuffs again and I will fucking ruin you." He warned, finally let her go and walked away. I followed him towards our car.

"What was that?" I turned to him as soon as we were seated and the car drove away.

"Don't fucking talk to me." He growled, facing the window the entire time. Sam and Paul were playing deaf in front.

"You don't have a say in my life. I'm a grown woman!" I almost yelled. It was like I wanted to explode. I couldn't calm down. A month being with him did that to you.

He chuckled darkly. "Funny. And who do you think will clean up the mess?"

I was fumed. Fuck it. I was done playing nice.

"You don't own me!" I snapped, taking out my anger on him. I was seriously back to square one. But at this point, I didn't fucking care. He caught my hands before I could really hit him.

His smirk was pure evil. But it was his next words that slapped me in the face. "I do. I own your life and everyone in it."

We didn't talk anymore. I spent weeks playing arm candy for vain. Now I was climbing from zero. So fucking stupid. This was why cool composure didn't suit me. Totally the opposite of Jasper. Fuck. Jasper. I completely forgot about him. Did he know I was missing? Just thinking about this made me insane. I sincerely prayed to God they didn't get him. But again, I didn't even know what Edward was planning.

I was painting my nails lavender to match the color of my sweater when Lottie barged in the sitting room wearing some cliché revealing dress that reminded me of Paris Hilton. She was glamorous from head to toe. Sapphire around her neck. Sequin all over her body. No bloodshot eyes this time. Her smile was wide and sober.

"Why, why, Bella, you are no fun anymore." She greeted me with that attitude I hated the most.

"What do you mean?" I tempted to ignore her, but she was known for being a persistent bitch.

"Parties you missed this week. Why the fuck are you locking yourself in this miserable house?" she inquired like I just lost my mind.

"I'm not locking myself." I scoffed. "I just don't have a reason to go." That was partially true. Edward went solo in every fundraiser because we couldn't stand each other right now.

"You don't need to have a fucking reason. You show up because you run this city." She pointed out, looking pleased with herself.

"Did you just hit your head?" I didn't have a better response. Me? Run this city? Last time I checked my family didn't even exist anymore.

"You have no clue, don't you?" she shook her head like she was the smart one here. What the hell did that mean? "This shit city, you rightfully own it. Chicago is yours."

I snorted, getting done with my nails and this nonsense conversation with her. "Like I don't know that."

"So? Take it back. Play him dirty." She said simply. Was she being serious right now? She put a cigarette between her fully lips, blowing out the smoke as soon as it was lit, before looking at me in the eye. "This is what makes us girls, Bella. We never play fair."

As much as I didn't want to admit it, her words was kinda fucking with my head. A sick realization I didn't think I needed. There was no other way. Sooner or later the hell would break loose. It just depended on how and when it would happen. Lottie was right. Girls never play fair. We just had that power.

I was thinking it through because this one particularly? I couldn't fuck it up. But again, what more could I lose?

I opened my room and closed it behind me, staring at the door across from mine for three seconds to gain the confidence. I told myself that there was nothing to be nervous about because I sneaked into his room many times before. And he was always waiting for me with the door unlocked. Determined, I strode over and reached the handle, opening it without a warning. The sound was loud against the deafening silence. I entered and pushed it close. Inside was eerily calm. I could see Edward standing by the window wearing only pajama pants. His bare back was on me, but I knew he knew that I was coming.

"Interesting to see you here." He said after a moment. Amusement laced in his voice.

"This room doesn't change much." I replied instead, looking around before drawing my attention to the photographs sitting on his desk. Me, in one of them.

He hummed. We knew we were thinking the same thing. Images of me staying here until early morning behind Alice's back was playing in our head.

"Used to be your favorite." His tone was reminiscing. He then moved to pour himself a drink.

"You still don't lock the door?"

He turned to me with that smirk. "Only so you can come in."

I made a way to him. Slow and calculated. He took a large gulp, eyes watching the whole time. Anticipating. Guessing in his mind.

I stopped beside him. "May I?" I pointed to the liquor on his table. He nodded okay so I poured the brown liquid into my glass.

"Do I need to worry?" he asked as I lifted it to my mouth.

"Huh?"

He shifted closer, impassively sneaking his hand beneath my nightwear. The move startled me. He was quick to pat and reach the band of my shorts. I cursed inside as he pulled out a small blade. "I hope you don't intend to stab me with it." He murmured on my ear.

"Habit, sorry." I smiled despite the alcohol burning my throat. He put the glasses down. His, then mine. Turning his full attention to me. Those fingers tucking my hair behind my ear.

"So? To what do I owe the pleasure?" he whispered. Dark and intimidating. Telling me he didn't have time for my crap.

But I was calm as an ocean. I was prepared for this. "I'm giving you what you want." It came out stronger than I expected.

He was surprised, but quickly gaining his composure as I turned around. An evil grin spread across his lips. "And what is that?"

"Me. All of me." I replied without missing a beat.

He laughed. "Have I already had it?"

"No, you haven't."

He raised his eyebrow, probably realizing how true it was. He hadn't had me. Not yet. He wouldn't take if I wasn't willing to give.

"Is that so?"

"I'm giving it. Everything you want."

He tilted his head, judging my expression. He contemplated it.

A pause before, "And in return?"

"I want Renee's safety." I kept the sadness out of my voice when I said her name. "And to be included in the family activities. More than becoming your arm candy." I said, keeping his gaze.

"So demanding. Now I'm wondering your motive." He smirked, running his thumb along my neck. He knew me too well to let this go.

"I own it, too, you know. Chicago." I took Lottie's words as a weapon.

"Hmm, claiming back your throne?"

I shook my head, drawing my fingers up to his inked torso. Lightly touched the tattoos one by one. The act made him shiver. "No. I want to run it with you." I kept my voice low, but I knew he heard me. "You will always have the upper hand." I convinced.

My left hand wandered down his abdomen. It was hard beneath my touch. While the other just hovered on this one symbol over his chest. IV. My initial name. Though he got it tattooed in the form of Roman numerals. I grazed it over and over again. Proud.

"You're playing a dangerous game, baby." He warned softly, pulling me closer to him.

I smiled up, knowing I got him. "We have a deal?"

Well?