oOo
Edward started looking for Bella once he had got ridden of that abominable Zafrina. She had been an acquaintance mostly of Irina's, and Edward dimly remembered her from various art shows and parties.
Since there was no longer a queue at the bar, he ordered a quick shot of Scotch. It was what he needed after that conversation. He downed it and went searching for Bella.
The bell rang for the second time. Everyone was returning to their places, chattering excitedly as they made their way through the foyer. The crowd was thinning.
Where was she?
Edward turned around, his eyes searching frantically.
Had she returned to the auditorium without him?
No, that would be unlike her.
Suddenly, a sort of dark shadow near the entrance doors caught Edward's attention. It was Bella, in her thick, black coat.
"Bella!" he called, but she was already leaving.
"Bella! Bella, wait!"
He ran after her, catching her just as she was stepping outside.
"Bella, Bella! Wait!"
She turned round, and Edward's heart broke when he saw that she was crying. Her eyes were red, her makeup smeared.
"I'm sorry," he gasped. "I'm so sorry, Bella."
She didn't protest when he wrapped her in his arms. Even in her ridiculous Antarctica coat, she felt small and fragile.
What an idiot he was! She'd probably felt like shit, standing next to him and Zafrina, who kept babbling on about Irina and her work.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," he whispered into her hair.
It was cold outside, and he was just in his suit, but he didn't care if he got pneumonia.
"I'm so sorry, Bella," he repeated. "Please, please forgive me."
She was crying, tiny sobs against his chest crushing him further.
"Please, please, Bella… I'm so sorry…"
"It's not your fault," she finally replied, sniffling, but looking up at him. Despite her panda bear eyes, she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. And for some reason, holding her, despite the fact that her despair was his fault – it felt good.
It had been a long time since Edward had been the one to provide comfort, not the one to receive it.
"It's okay," she whispered. "It was childish of me."
"No." he swallowed. "No, you have every right to be mad. My behaviour was so insensitive… I just… I just didn't think. That stupid woman kept going on and on, and it caught me off guard. I just wanted her to stop. I never realized how you must have felt…"
He kissed the top of her head.
"Are we okay?" he murmured into her hair, and saying the words, he imagined what life would be if Bella said no, that they were not okay, and that she didn't want to see him anymore.
The idea alone made him want to throw up.
"Yes, we're okay." Her voice was so soft he almost didn't hear her.
His sigh of relief was ten times louder.
oOo