oOo
Bella felt slightly intimidated as they entered the exhibition. Everyone seemed rich and trendy and sure of themselves, sipping champagne and nibbling tiny delicacies. A band was playing soft jazz music that mingled with the chatter and laughter of London's art scene.
She distinctly felt that she did not belong. Her dress was not expensive and her bag was not by Hermès. Her haircut was boring and she was not worldly-wise. She could feel her shoulders slump and her confidence crumble. Leah gave her hand a squeeze.
She took a glass of champagne from one of the waiters, wondering what on earth had gotten her to play for the other team. It felt all wrong.
And then she saw Edward across the crowded room, looking just as ill at ease as she felt, until their eyes met.
A smile, small and secret, graced his lips as he mouthed his hello. He gave her a tiny wave, wiggling his pinkie. Bella's heart expanded and flew to him.
"Oh, look, there he is!" Alice exclaimed, pointing him out. "Wow, this is a nice champagne, huh?"
"Roederer," Jasper remarked.
Bella was only half listening to her friends before she traversed the room much like a magnet drawn to its counterpart.
Edward was nodding his head at something the man next to him said, but as soon as she was within his reach, he stretched out his arm, wrapped it around her waist and pulled her into his side.
"Hey."
Warm lips on hers, and his hand on her hip. His scent, and his feel, sturdy and tall.
"Hey," she whispered against his mouth.
He nuzzled her nose with his before bringing them back to the reality of the curious group surrounding them.
"Bella, you remember Zafrina. And this is Joham and Senna. This is my beautiful girlfriend," he announced with a sort of touching pride in his voice. "Isabella Swan."
"Oh, hi!" Zafrina said. She air-kissed Bella, and Joham and Senna did the same.
"I was just telling Edward that the change in his work is amazing," the man of the group said. "He clearly found a new muse!"
For the fraction of a second, Edward's fingers dug into her side, but he quickly relaxed.
He grabbed a fresh glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters and took a large gulp.
"Yeah, well," he said, and took another big sip.
It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice over Bella's previously cosy, warm heart.
"Oh, I didn't mean to suggest…" Joham was clearly embarrassed. "I was just… Never mind."
Edward's smile was bordering on painful.
"I love the one titled 'Midday Thames'," Zafrina said in an obvious effort to help over the uneasy silence. "Is it a recent work, too?"
"Yes," Edward replied curtly. He finished his champagne. "Will you excuse us for a moment? I haven't shown Bella around yet."
oOo
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