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 10: Familiar

You'd think we were presidential or royal with the amount of security that followed us. Three black SUVs drove through busy streets of New York City just like they did in the movies. I always thought it would be cool to experience something like that, but right now, I just felt uncomfortable. I saw the looks of the people on the sidewalks. They'd turn their heads to stare at the shiny expensive cars driving by. I can almost hear their thoughts as they wondered which famous person was inside.

No, we're just on our way to lunch.

"Bella?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and nervously turned to look at Alice.

"I'll explain at the restaurant, I promise," I told her.

"You'll explain why Uncle has Sam following you around," she asked skeptically. "Or how you know Uncle for that matter?"

When I nodded my head, she just crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. She didn't seem mad, and for that I was thankful. I caught Sam's eye in the mirror, and quickly averted his gaze.

I didn't like that Sam knew about my past. That was one of the downsides of having a security detail. They had to be informed about a lot of things. In my case, they needed to know James' background information in order to do their job correctly. Otherwise, James could literally show up in my face if they didn't know what he looked like. They knew the faces of the people they needed to look out for; all the associates James had at Witherdale Industries and my friends from U of C have all been thoroughly scrutinized. These guys have been specifically trained to protect me.

At this point, with Jason and Charlie having an eye on James at all times, I felt more comfortable. Especially when Charlie said that James was busy with other business related affairs. During the last nine months, Witherdale Industries took a hard downfall in the stock market. I can only imagine what had happened since I 'died.'

Aside from that, I looked drastically different from Marie Witherdale. I wasn't some rich, pale, bony, black-haired housewife with makeup caked on my face. I didn't wear clothing so revealing that it left nothing to the imagination, and I didn't look lifeless. I felt confident with my image now—even with my unplucked eyebrows and printed tees. I was sun-kissed with wavy brown hair so long it touched the dimples on my lower back. My cheeks weren't hollow, and my eyes were no longer sunken.

Most of all, I was happy. I'm still confused about a lot of things but for the most part, I'm happy. I'm not saying I'm 'healed' but I'm making conscious decisions to make better choices, such as accepting Charlie into my life, and keeping an open mind about what he has to say to about Mom.

I spend a lot of time thinking, and I've learned to appreciate where I am now. I survived James, and that was the important part. I used to think that Mom sacrificed herself for me to be in this position, but now I just believe that she's in a better place.

One thing hasn't changed for sure, though; I still miss her.

X

Alice had chosen a French restaurant in Central Park West that supposedly housed some renowned French chef. I've become quite the food critic when it came to fancy places like this. I mean, after tasting so many different cuisines all over the world, it only made sense. I thought street food tasted better than some five-star restaurant. I liked hearty and filling dishes rather than restaurants that focus on plating techniques. Even last night, I was very critical of the mushroom ravioli. I muttered about how bland the pasta was. The ravioli from the so-called five-star restaurant had nothing compared to the pasta made freshly by the chefs in Italy. I laughed to myself as I realize how ridiculous it was having a battle in my head about pasta.

We were seated quickly when Alice told the hostess her name for the reservation. The staff had given us the VIP room with large windows that overlooked the street below. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at how people acted like puppets when you wave money in their faces. I grew up working for money and more often than not, we lived paycheck-to-paycheck, and so it was still hard for me to throw money down on a two hundred dollar, four-course meal.

Even as a trophy wife, I was forced into clothes, jewelry, and the luxury that came with marrying James. I knew he was rich, but money was never a factor in my attraction to him in the beginning. I wasn't a gold digger, and I never will be.

"So," Alice started. "You have more noodles following you, than I do."

"Noodles?"

"I call my bodyguards 'noodles'," Alice said and her eyes widened in surprise as I started laughing so hard that tears came out of my eyes. Even though she tried her best not to smile, she couldn't hold back.

"I call mine 'suits,'" I finally managed to say. Now it was her turn to laugh.

Just like that, we had broken the ice and Alice was back to being Alice. I knew that I'd eventually have to tell her the truth, and being her friend, I felt that she needed to hear it directly from me. I didn't want her to hear it at the Christmas party when Charlie introduced me as his daughter.

"Okay," she said after our laughter died down. "Spill."

I nodded. "But first, I don't want you to freak out about anything."

"Well, that doesn't start any conversation off very well, Bella."

"I know, but I just want you to know that I never lied to you. I just didn't tell you the entire truth because I was too scared. You were a stranger to me."

She seemed to accept that answer.

Since we met back in October, Alice and I have been talking almost every day. This was why I valued Alice's friendship—I had grown so close to her that it would hurt me to damage our relationship; especially since this was the only friendship I had left with someone my age. Although I wasn't ready to tell the rest of the Cullen family about my history with James, I was prepared to tell Alice. I trusted her, and I know that she'd understand.

"I didn't lie when I said I worked with Esme, but that's not how we met," I started. "I met her because of Charlie…I'm…Charlie's daughter."

Alice blinked a couple times before she let out the gush of air she had been holding. "How?"

Her eyebrows were furrowed, and I could almost see the battle going on in her head. She's trying to figure out how it was possible.

"I've known Uncle since I was born," Alice said slowly. "It's not that I don't believe you. I mean, clearly, you've proved it already by showing up today with Charlie's entourage. But, I'm trying to understand how…"

"If it helps, I also didn't know Charlie was my father until about four months ago," I shrugged. "When I grew up, it was my just my mom and I…"

So, I told Alice the story.

From the marriage, to the abuse, to the escape, and my first time meeting Charlie. I told her that was why I left the states and why, up until now, I was still lost in my own life. The entire time, Alice listened with her eyes wide open. We ate our fancy, four-course meal, and she asked questions, and I answered. When I told her about James, I could feel the anger radiating off her. She had reached out to grab onto my hand in a comforting gesture.

Alice Cullen was too kind for this world.

"So, that's why Mom and Dad left for a couple days back then," she suddenly said. "They just abruptly left and told us they'd be back soon. And when they did, Mom looked so sad and broken…It was because she met you."

"Esme's been like a mother to me these last couple of months," I said honestly. "It helps to know that she and my mom were best friends. I feel closer to my mom being here and staying at Charlie's house. It was a part of my mom's life that I didn't know about. She was a part of this world before she left."

"Why did she leave?"

"I honestly don't know. As far as the family business, and what happened back then to make her leave, that's something that Charlie and I still have to talk about," I said.

"So, you don't know anything?"

I shook my head.

"We will talk soon," I said. "But I wanted to hear it from him when I was ready. Back then, I just wanted to be irresponsible for once in my life. I wanted to put my life on hold, so that I could focus on finding myself. Traveling helped. It helped with the nightmares and fears. But I can't keep running away forever."

"Bella," she struggled to find the words. "Whatever happens, I'll always be your friend. I'm honored that you trusted me enough with this information, and I'm so happy for our friendship, and that you're home."

"It's going to take some time to get used to that," I laughed as my eyes watered.

"What?"

"That, this is home," I smiled at her.

X

Two hours into the shopping trip with Alice, I regretted my decision to go with her voluntarily. I was correct when I said Alice was the type of girl to get glammed up … She didn't pick up anything that wasn't a designer label. Her fashion taste wasn't in the least bit budget friendly.

Alice noticed I still had the same pair of black jeans I wore when I first met her. And because of that, she knew my wardrobe was sorely lacking. After about four stores, I was ready to call it quits. Sam carried at least ten bags in his hands, but she had other plans as she dragged me further down Fifth Avenue. I actually did like the clothes that Alice picked for me; they made me feel confident in a sexy, yet in an elegant way. I cringed when she stopped in front of Victoria's Secret. Sam disappeared, for which I was thankful.

I didn't really see the necessity for lacy undergarments, but Alice said that every woman needed at least one matching set of bra and panties. She didn't want me to get it with the intention of impressing someone but rather, to feel confident with my body.

I jumped for joy in the fitting room when I realize I jumped two sizes bigger. The matching bra and panty set that Alice handed me was very modest but still sexy. They were nothing compared to the crotch-less panties and shelf bras that James made me wear. These made me feel incredibly sexy without having to reveal my soul.

So, in a complete one-eighty, I proudly marched out of that store with multiple sets of bras and panties. Alice beamed happily as we walked arm in arm. I never knew how good it felt to have a girlfriend like this. Even back in my college days I never went on shopping trips because I couldn't afford to buy anything more than one blouse. When I was married to James, someone shopped for me.

In the back of my mind, though, my pocket hurt after today's purchases. I had money from Charlie but I felt guilty for using money that I didn't work for.

"I still don't think that this will be enough, Bella," Alice shook her head as we stared into the trunk. After visiting Versace and picking up a couple pairs of footwear, we finally called it a day. Sam had loaded all the shopping bags in the back of the SUV and was currently standing with the other suits. "I don't understand how you managed to live with only five shirts. I would die, Bella. I really would."

"I didn't need much, Alice," I rolled my eyes at her. "And you're exaggerating. I had more than five shirts… I had one suitcase."

"Well, you're going to dress better, and that's final," she said. "You're a Swan. You should exude grace, elegance, and beauty. I won't dress you in anything less, and I certainly won't dress you like a slut, so don't you worry about that."

I laughed as I accepted the fact that she had appointed herself as my stylist.

She reached out and touched the bracelet on my right hand. I held out my wrist so she could look at it. It was a handmade, woven, leather bracelet with a silver latch.

"I picked this up in Italy," I said as she twisted it around. "The man who made it had a son who was part of the program I was volunteering for. He was one of the low-income families that benefitted from your mom's organization."

"I love that," Alice hummed. "It's wonderful how you have all these experiences. Like how the things you own have a story behind them, it's not just some bracelet. I'm envious, really… Hm, I know someone else who recently went to Italy."

"Who?"

"Jacob Black," she said. "He's Uncle Charlie's head security, but he's been a part of the family since I was a kid. He and his dad…"

Her voice started to fade away as I finally put the pieces together.

I recognized Jacob from somewhere else.

X

After we had dropped Alice off at her studio, I instructed Sam to take me directly to Charlie. He nodded his head once and we started driving in the direction of the house. As soon as we pulled up, Sam opened the front door for me, and I dashed off to Charlie's office.

I didn't bother knocking this time.

Charlie looked up in surprise, and I frowned when I noticed that Edward was in the room. Edward looked perfectly poised and seeing him there made me angrier.

"Charlie, we need to talk."

He nodded his head at Edward.

"I'll speak to you later, Boss," Edward said as he stood. He turned in my direction and addressed me, surprisingly. "Isabella."

"Edward," I said curtly.

He walked out of the room as I stepped in.

"What's wrong, Bella?"

"Jacob Black," I said. "That's what's wrong!"

Charlie sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Bella, I had to."

"You had to? What does that even mean?"

"I meant it when I said that your safety was my number one concern. So, of course, I'm going to keep you safe. Especially in a foreign country!"

"You could have just asked me."

"Oh please, Bella. You wouldn't have let me even if I did. Jacob never once bothered you. He was just there to make sure that no one tried to hurt you. Don't misinterpret my actions into something worse. I just did it to keep you safe."

"But…" My resolve was getting weak.

"I'm sorry if I betrayed your trust. But I'm a very careful man. I wouldn't have sent Jacob after you if I didn't find it necessary. I wanted to keep you safe. I'm going to repeat that until you understand why."

"Then explain it to me."

"Fine…I'm always one step ahead of you, Bella. Everything I do has a purpose. You don't worry about the same things I do, and I'll show you how."

He stood and walked over to a file cabinet in the far left corner of his office. He opened it and pulled out a black folder. Then, he handed it to me.

"Open it," he said.

When I did, a gasp escaped my lips.

"When you went out with Alice in Korea, I wasn't kidding when I said that she was a celebrity there. Naturally, there are photographers and paparazzo following her. This was a result of it."

They were blown-up photographs of Alice and me eating at the restaurant. The others were of us walking around the palace and looking at street vendors.

"I knew that this was going to happen so I purchased the photos from the photographers and Jacob took away their SD cards. If anyone denied us, we handled it in a less civilized manner."

"Charlie…I don't know what to say."

"Well Bella, I think it's time we talked about why your mother left."

This chapter was edited by SunflowerFran. Thank You!

4/11/18