Summary: Isabella lived a perfect life with her husband until the abuse started. With the death of her mother, she may have just been given life changing gift: a way out. But with it comes a whole new world that she may not be ready to face. Maybe with the help of her green-eyed savior. Mafia, Crime, Abuse, Hurt/Comfort.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Stephanie Meyers owns characters but the plot is of my original work.

Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Snow

I stood at JFK in the middle of the Christmas holiday craze. This was possibly the worst time to travel, but I needed to get home somehow. I wore an ivory, double-breasted trench coat made of high-quality cashmere with a white fox fur headband. I looked ridiculous, especially with the wide-rimmed sunglasses, but it was a precautionary measure I felt necessary to take now that I'm back in the United States.

Although I wasn't in Chicago, New York was still an incredibly busy city, and airports are filled with cameras, photographers, and paparazzi looking out for celebrities. Even though I wasn't a celebrity, I didn't want to take the chance of my face being captured on a magazine cover or end up in a newspaper article. It's only been nine months since I was in this country but it's not long enough for me to feel comfortable being out in the open.

I didn't tell Charlie that I was coming back. I wanted to surprise him and Esme. I figured showing up at Charlie's house one day was as good as it'll get. I decided this spontaneous trip back home last night. Although Alice and I wanted to travel together, she was too busy to just drop everything. But we agreed that after the New Year, she'd take a week off for a trip to Japan.

I acquired Charlie's address from Jason. He was the one to suggest that I should wear some sort of disguise to obstruct the full view of my face. Jason informed me that as of recently, James hasn't shown any signs that he was looking for me. It could just be a façade; he could still doubt that my 'death' was fabricated.

I just had to remind myself to think positively. As long as I took care of my behavior in public, I would be okay. New York wasn't close to Illinois, but it wasn't as far compared to Korea or Peru. I didn't want to live the rest of my life hiding from James. I have enjoyed my 'new' life these past nine months, and as far as my mental health goes, it's been months since I woke up crying from a nightmare.

I called Charlie while I was on my way to his house. Now that I'm thinking about it, Charlie didn't exactly live in a house. The word didn't suffice when I saw Google street images of Charlie's monstrosity of a home. I knew Charlie had money, but I didn't really wrap my mind around what his exact worth was. I only Googled the house because I didn't want to accidentally knock on his neighbor's house.

Boy, Charlie lived lavishly.

"Hey, Bella," he greeted cordially.

"Hey, Charlie. How was your day?"

"Went pretty well," he replied. "You don't usually call this late."

"Oh," I said. "Well, yeah, I just got back to my hotel."

"In Singapore? It's 6 PM here. What are you doing up so early?"

Damn, I forgot about time zones. There was a 12-hour difference between Singapore and New York. It was technically 6 AM back in Singapore, and that's where Charlie thinks I am.

"Oh, I went for a morning jog," I lied.

Charlie let out a hearty laugh on the other line. This was why I hated lying—I couldn't convince a five-year-old even if my life depended on it.

"Oh, what? You don't think I work out, Charlie?"

"No!" He laughed some more. "I'm sure you do."

"Anyway," I rolled my eyes. "What are you up to tonight?"

"Nothing, really. I just got home, so I'm probably going to do some more paperwork before heading to bed."

"Did you eat?"

"Bells, why are you suddenly so curious about my night?"

"No special reason," I said defensively. "I just wanted to talk to you."

Charlie's home wasn't actually too far from JFK. He lived in Hewlett Bay Park, only a couple miles from the airport. Esme and Carlisle lived a little north from Charlie in North Hills. Maybe in the morning I'd visit Esme, since I knew she was usually home on Saturday mornings. That is, if Charlie doesn't blab to Esme about it tonight. I'd make sure to tell him to keep it a secret until then.

"Tammy made something for me to eat tonight before she left."

Tammy was one of the staff members at the house. She was the one in charge of the cooking and cleaning. As far as I knew, Charlie had a couple of employees around the house for gardening and maintenance. With a house as big as his, I understood the reasoning.

We hung up after a couple minutes because the cab driver took the exit and I knew we were getting closer. I didn't anticipate Charlie having a security house at the entrance of his driveway. Memories of my home in Kenilworth flashed in my mind as I remembered Felix. He was the guard that James instructed to keep me within the walls of our property. I remember begging Felix to let me out, but he never budged. I knew now that if he did, James would have probably killed him.

When we pulled up outside of Charlie's home, I paid the cabbie, got out of the vehicle and stood there with a dumbfounded look on my face. The Google street images didn't do justice to this house.

I grabbed my suitcase and walked up to the security booth. I'm pretty sure this guy won't believe me when I tell him I'm Charlie's daughter. The rest of Charlie's world still doesn't know I exist.

I should have known that considering the safe house back in Davenport was so heavily guarded, it only made sense that Charlie's house would be the same. "Excuse me?" I knocked on the glass window. The man inside swiveled around in his chair and opened the window.

"Miss, this is private property," he said. "If you don't have proper clearance to enter, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave the premises."

"I came here all the way from Singapore to see Charlie. He's a close family friend, and I was going to surprise him."

"Mr. Swan didn't give me any new names to add to the clearance list."

"My name is Emily Humphries," I said. "Could you double check it for me?"

"Miss, I've worked here for five years now, and I know who has clearance."

"But you don't get it, I'm family."

He chuckled and shook his head. "So you say, but I don't know who you are. Now, please. I'm going to ask you to leave before I have to call the authorities."

"What about Isabella Swan?"

"I can assure you, your name is not on that list."

"Renee Swan?"

"Miss, please." Now he was aggravated. He stood, and he walked out of his booth to come face to face with me. "Don't make this any harder that it needs to be."

I started to protest once again until a voice behind me suddenly spoke. He was wearing a suit, and I immediately recognized him from the safe house.

"Paul, I give her my clearance," the suit said.

"Yo!" The security guard's entire demeanor changed when he saw the suit standing behind me. "Man, you're back. You've been gone for months!"

"Charlie sent me out," the suit shrugged.

"When'd you get back?"

The suit looked at me warily before answering.

"About an hour ago." I frowned and wondered why he gave me that look.

"Listen, Paul, I have her under control. I'll drive her up." He pointed to the black SUV stalled on the street beside us.

"You're sure?" Paul guarded me carefully with his eyes.

"Yes."

With that, Paul walked back in his booth and the black iron gates opened.

"Don't get me in trouble," Paul warned, and the suit nodded his head once again.

He held the back door open and gestured for me to get in. It was a quarter-mile distance from the security house to the actual mansion itself. He already had my suitcase and backpack in the trunk. The property was easily twenty-five acres, and thick oak and spruce trees surrounded it.

I sighed as I got in the car.

"You know who I am," I said.

"Yes," he nodded his head as he started driving.

I was going to ask more questions before I realized that I could just ask Charlie myself. We arrived quickly, and before I could reach for my door handle, the suit was already there opening it for me. He took my bags out, and we walked up to the front porch. There was a giant mahogany door and a keypad to the right. The suit punched in a couple of numbers, the door hummed, something clicked, and then he pushed it open.

I was awestruck by just the entrance of the house. The manor itself had a very Renaissance architectural design with its arches and mosaic walls. The entrance was a marbled, two-story, skylit entry with twin curving staircases. There was a grand chandelier that hung above, and the paneled walls were adorned with paintings. Everything looked expensive.

"Ms. Swan," the suit cleared his throat to get my attention.

"Where's Charlie?"

"Jacob!" A woman appeared through one of the four arched entrances. I wondered idly where they all led, and I was excited to get a grand tour from Charlie. "I thought I heard someone come in."

She didn't hesitate when she walked forward to pull him down for a hug. She was incredibly tiny compared to him. He had a muscular build with dark russet skin and long black hair that was pulled into a low ponytail. She stood on her toes as she hugged him and patted his back gently.

"Boy, I've missed you around here," she cooed. "When did you get back?"

"Tammy," he laughed. "I bring company."

"Oh!" She pulled away suddenly and turned to look at me. She gasped, and her hand flew to her chest. "You look just like…"

"Tammy, this is Isabella," he introduced me.

I stuck my hand out to shake hers, and in a very Alice manner, she pulled me into a hug. "Oh, you are so beautiful, Isabella!"

"Please call me Bella," I smiled at her. "Thank you."

"You came here for Charlie, huh?"

I nodded my head. "It's supposed to be a surprise."

"You're in luck," she laughed. "He locked himself in his office after dinner. I'm his head staff, by the way. I run around cleaning after him. Now, Jacob will take your stuff to one of the rooms, and we'll head to the office."

"Okay." Jacob disappeared up the staircase, and we headed down the same archway from which she came.

"I'll spare you the tour. I'm sure Charlie will want to do that," she said.

"I figured as much." We turned a corner into a hallway that branched off to three different paths. I was sure to get lost by myself. Then I asked her, "You don't seem surprised to meet me. The security guard at the gate almost didn't let me in."

"Well, unlike the other staff, I've known Charlie since he was a teenager. So, I worked for him when Renee was still here. You look so much like her."

Goosebumps appeared on my arms as I thought about my mom running around these halls. That she lived here during her marriage to Charlie. Technically, I guess I also lived here during the first year of my life.

Tammy stopped in front of a door, which I assumed to be Charlie office. She smiled at me and said, "Just go right in. I'll be in the kitchen preparing a meal. I'm sure you're hungry."

I nodded and watched as she walked away. When she disappeared around the corner, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in," I heard Charlie say.

I twisted the knob and peeked my head in. Charlie was busy looking down at some papers on his desk. He didn't look up as I made my way over. The room was just as fancy as the rest of his house. White marble flooring and giant windows that overlooked the front of his property.

"Hey old man," I greeted as I leaned my elbows on one of the white, button-tufted chairs in front of his desk.

His head snapped up, and his entire face lifted when he finally saw me.

"Bella!" He got up and walked around to hug me. "What are you doing here and what are you wearing on your head?"

"It's a headband, Charlie," I rolled my eyes. "It's my disguise."

"You're in New York! Since when?"

"Not too long ago, I hopped in a cab as soon as I landed."

"Oh," he said. "How did you get in?"

"Uh, one of your suits actually came and gave me clearance. Jacob, I think."

"Well, that's good," he nodded his head carefully. "How long are you staying?"

"I was thinking of spending Christmas here," I said nervously. "Unless you had plans or something. But I figured I'd surprise you anyway."

"No," he shook his head quickly. "I usually just spend it with the Cullens. It'll be a good opportunity for you to meet them."

I knew he would say that.

"Yeah, I think Esme would love that."

"Does she know you're in town?"

I shook my head. "I was going to surprise her in the morning. Take a cab there or something. I didn't tell anyone except Jason that I was coming to visit."

"Well, you're obviously very welcome here. This is your home too, Bella."

"Thanks, Charlie," I said. "I appreciate it."

X

Charlie and I caught up until Tammy came and asked if I was ready to eat. I nodded my head because I was truly hungry. Charlie stayed in his office and finished the rest of the paperwork while Tammy showed me the way to the kitchen.

I died when I finally saw it because this was a cook's dream. It had state-of-the-art appliances, marbled counters, a kitchen island, a walk-in refrigerator, breakfast bar, pantry, and plenty of space to cook as much food as you wanted. Tammy prepared me a simple meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Her food was delicious, and she shooed me away when I tried to wash my dish after I finished.

Charlie then gave me a tour of his twelve bedroom fourteen bathroom mansion. It had a spacious kitchen, dining room, family room, game room, home theater, gym, spa, wine cellar, sunroom, pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court, and a nine-car garage. Charlie explained to me that this house was inherited from his great-grandfather. Over the years, Charlie just made incredible renovations to modernize the interior of the mansion.

I was staying on the second floor. It was an L-shaped, master bedroom with ivory and earth tones. It had a four-poster bed, vanity, walk-in closet, chaise lounge, a large arched window, and a set of double doors that led to a balcony. I thought James lived an extravagant life, but it seemed that Charlie was the one percent of the one percent.

Charlie told me that he had a meeting in the morning, but that later in the evening we could go for dinner. He gave me access to his vehicles so I could drive myself to visit Esme. He scoffed when I said I could take a cab. He also stressed how important it was for me to be careful and not recognized.

Normally, whenever I stayed in a hotel, the first night was spent tossing and turning … but that night, I slept soundly. Maybe it was because I felt safe with Charlie under the same roof or because I was exhausted.

When I awoke, Tammy informed me that Charlie had already left for the city. She offered to make me breakfast but this time, I insisted on helping her. She hesitated at first, but I was stubborn. She said that was something I got from my mother. Mom didn't let people wait on her hand and foot like most typical rich housewife. She often helped Tammy around the house with the exception of the kitchen. We laughed hard at the memories Tammy told me about Renee's culinary disasters.

I quickly got dressed in the best attire I could pull from my suitcase and raced down the stairs. Unfortunately, most of the vehicles Charlie owned were sports cars, and I know I am very likely to damage them in some way. Tammy helped me pick out the least ostentatious looking one, which, in my opinion, was still a hundred times flashier than my BMW back home.

The Aston Martin was extremely sensitive under my foot. It was especially nerve-wracking considering I haven't driven in months. I quickly got on the highway in the direction of Esme's home. Eventually, I got used to the feel of the car and I got there in no time.

Unlike Charlie's house, Esme and Carlisle's home wasn't as heavily guarded. Although they didn't have a security house at the gate, it was patrolled by one of the suits. I smiled to myself when I thought about how Charlie couldn't stop laughing when I told him that's what I called his security team.

When I pulled up outside the gate, the suit immediately opened it for me. Charlie had called ahead and let them know that I was surprising Esme. Carlisle gladly gave me clearance for their home, chuckling on the phone about how happy Esme will be when she finally saw me again.

I parked the car out front and headed inside. When I arrived at the door, another suit was standing in front of it. He greeted me with a nod and then opened the door for me. The Cullen property was a little smaller than Charlie's, but it was still just as extravagant.

"Hello?" I called out, but no one answered.

I walked further down the foyer and turned the corner. I ended up in the kitchen and called out again for Esme. My eyes zeroed in on the vase that was sitting on the kitchen island. They were freesias. They were my mom's favorite flowers.

I reached out to touch one of them and remembered how she planted a bush of outside in our yard. She ordered them online, and it always blossomed with beautiful flowers in the spring.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the smell and I was brought back to my childhood. Memories of Mom running around the house with these flowers in her hair flashed in my mind. My friends used to tell me my house smelled like them all the time. I kept inhaling the fragrance because I felt close to my mom again.

Then someone cleared his throat.

My eye snapped open, and I made eye contact with a pair of piercing green eyes. I stood up straight, but we never broke contact. His eyes were bright, mysterious, and enigmatic all at the same time. By far, he was the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen in my life. With his tousled bronze hair and chiseled face, I knew right away he was way out of my league. I was pushing it when it came to James, who, at the time, I thought was the best-looking man.

Wow, was I wrong.

This guy was beyond perfect.

But then he opened his mouth.

"Who the hell are you?"

This chapter was edited by SunflowerFran. Thank You!

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