DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!
Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!
Join the Facebook group for previews and more :)
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Chapter 6
"I paid a good amount for you. It's time to cash me in, girl," his honey-colored eyes scare me, a fear that can dry my mouth and make my skin crawl.
"Let me go or I'll make a scandal. I swear," I threaten, trying to make his grip less painful. The man is tall and intimidating, at least that's how he keeps looking at me.
"We have a fucking deal, Isabella," he whispers in my ear. "I made a deposit to your bank account; you can look if you want. My part is done, now you have to comply."
I struggle and am released on the third attempt. His eyes roam the campus slyly, there are students everywhere, despite the cold. The man hides his hands in the pockets of his dark trench coat and reloads in his truck.
"Let's go somewhere else," he mutters so softly it's hard to hear him, opening the door for me to get in. "We need to talk, beautiful."
I clench my fists. I'm not as much of an idiot as he thinks I am.
"You are crazy, I don't know you," I express clearly and concisely.
I take big steps away from him. My heart wants to burst out of my chest, I am filled with dread that he will catch me. Just when my legs don't want to cooperate and run, I see the Newton boy crossing the white-painted grass. He's a classmate.
"Hey, Newton..." I shake my hand at him, and he stops; I run to meet him. I'm saved, I don't look back, I guess Carlisle is still where I left him. "Oh... hi, I'm Isabella. Bella."
The boy has his magnifying glasses fogged up, he raises his blond eyebrows looking at me over the clothed glass and his blue eyes look cautious.
"I'm Michael," his hand squeezes mine in a comforting greeting. "Mike."
We walk on. He adjusts his scarf covering his mouth and nose and his glasses fog up again, he sniffles.
"I hate the cold," he mutters.
"Why did you choose this place if you hate the cold?" I want to know. I need to talk about anything.
"I won a full scholarship here," he boasts proudly, even blushing.
"I got a half scholarship, but I didn't do well."
"Oh... my sister didn't do well either. From one day to the next they told her there was an error in the system and that she only had a half scholarship." adjusts the cap on her head. "She went back to Arizona and found a better university there."
"That's just what I'm going to do. I have to leave."
"Do you mean because of the scholarship or because of the guy who was mistreating you?"
I grimace as the icy wind hits us head-on. Mike has noticed Carlisle, maybe I should trust him and tell him.
"I have a feeling I'm into something big, and I'm scared," I reflect aloud.
"If you're afraid for your physical integrity, the best thing to do is to stay away."
"I think we have the same classes," I change the subject. I can't involve more people. "Do you feel like walking out together?"
"I'm fine. We just have to pick up the pace because I don't want to be late for work. Where do you live?"
"Two blocks away. It's the newest building, that's where I live with Jessica, my best friend."
"I work in the cafeteria behind that building, I'll be your guardian," he promises shyly.
We continue walking while talking about anything, although my mind can't stop thinking about that man. I must avoid being alone at all costs, but most of all, I must avoid seeing him again.
Mike shakes his hand when he sees me enter the building. I am grateful to him. At last I find a good person in this fucking city. Once I'm safely in the small apartment I start doing my homework; a good cleaning never hurts, I run the broom around the corners and the duster over the surfaces. Now it's time to cook.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
It's been a week since I had the unfortunate encounter with Carlisle Cullen. I'm glad I haven't heard from him, though I can't say the same for Lauren. Her killer-bitch-about-to-attack looks have followed me everywhere.
I rub my cold hands over my face.
The afternoon continues to rain and freeze like most days. Now I'm outside the modest coffee shop where Mike works, I'm here for a job interview. I see through the glass that his boss is shaking his head and I know it's a no.
My mood drops and I disguise it with a short smile.
"I'm sorry." He says when he leaves with me. "I don't understand what's going on. We need staff and he had promised he would hire you and when he heard your name he backed out, damn it."
"Don't worry, it wasn't a lucky day," my voice is cracking and my eyes sting, I still smile. "Thanks, Mike. I have to go; the evening is falling."
"I can't drop you off," he explains apologetically, "I'm on my shift."
"Don't worry, I live around the corner," I raise my hand in a short goodbye.
I run in the freezing rain camouflaging my tears. I feel so miserable, so worthless.
I turn around the building walking on the sidewalk; my hair is dripping from the rain, I'm cold. I keep crying too and start sobbing.
I take out my keys; the building is only accessible if you belong to it. It's very secure for college students.
"So... this is where you live."
The involuntary jump my body makes allows me to drop the keys that fall on my boots. I turn around; she is in front of me with an umbrella and some documents in her other hand.
"Leave me alone, Lauren."
She steps a little closer. She extends the documents to me.
"Here's the fucking evidence, you idiot. There's a deposit in your fucking account." On those sheets is my name printed with a large amount. I don't accept them.
Her index finger presses my shoulder.
"Keep wasting your time looking for a job, you'll never get one. Not until you've kept your end of the deal."
"Damn you!" I tug on her arm and her umbrella falls; I push her, and she falls onto the waterlogged sidewalk. "I'll accuse you, you crazy bitch. I'll talk and I'll tell everything," I snap.
"Bitch!" she shouts from behind me. "You'll regret it! You can't imagine what awaits you."
I pick up my keys and with trembling fingers manage to open the glass door, I don't look back. Simon waves at me and I ignore him, running to the elevator.
When I enter the apartment I know I am safe; I lean my forehead against the door as I lock it.
The room is lonely, Jessica usually sleeps in after school. These days she intentionally leaves her cell phone on the counter so I can use it. She's good to me.
I take it in my hands and slide down to sit on the floor. I hug my legs. My tears begin to flow in a bitter torrent.
«What am I in?»
The only thing I can think of is to talk to Dad, I want him to hold me. My fingertip chooses his contact. It rings once...
"What do you want?" my little sister asks. Leah knows I'm using Jessica's cell phone to reach them.
"Hi, Leah, can you put Dad on the phone?" I ask, wiping away my tears. I mustn't cry. It's urgent," I sob, covering my mouth with my hand, "Please, sis."
"Don't call me that. You're not my mother's daughter," her comment is cruel, she's silent for a moment and then sniffles. "You know what my dad's doing? He's decorating my room. We finally took out your bed! Now it's only mine, there's no more trace of you in the whole house. We also took your pictures out of the frames and now everything looks better."
I lie on the wooden floor, I'm in a ball. Letting my tears come out and release me from my anxiety.
"Bella!" my friend exclaims, squats down, wrapping her arms around me and with her fingers combing my hair, puts my head in her lap. "What's wrong with you?"
"Everything is wrong with me. And I don't know what to do."
"Cry, Bells. Cry for the moment. It's good to get it off your chest."
"I want to get out of here."
"No, no," she sobbed. "Why don't we talk to my dad? We can tell him everything, I'm sure he'll know what to do to help you. He's a lawyer, Bella"
"I'm afraid Carlisle Cullen will show up again. The bastard deposited the agreed amount in my account, he did it to pressure me."
"Why don't you talk to the rector?" she suggests. "Marcus Vulturi is a caring and charitable man; he can help you."
I shrink my body and sit down on the floor, wipe my tears, and watch her carefully. Jessica has her blonde hair in two bad braids and is wearing her pink panther pajamas.
"If Aro refuses to listen to you," she adds, "you may as well turn to his brother. Marcus is the solution to everything. There is no one else."
She smiles holding my hand and gives it a squeeze. She's right, I must find Marcus Vulturi.
"Let's cook, come on..." she asks, standing up and pulling my hand, "Don't be lazy, I'm hungry."
She drags me a few steps, I don't want to stand.
"You can eat leftovers, Jess," I protest, "I don't want to cook."
"You haven't told me what they told you in the cafeteria, how did it go?"
The change in conversation distresses me again. I sigh and stand on my feet this time. I open the refrigerator and check that there are no leftovers inside, nothing appetizing other than vegetables.
"I didn't even get an interview; the guy barely heard my name, and his answer was a resounding no. I'm not even getting an interview. That's not all." I munch on a baby carrot, I'm hungry. "I won't find a job unless I hold up my end of the bargain with that man. Lauren told me."
Jessica pushes herself up by sitting on the counter.
"This is creepy, Bella, what if they're a mafia?" she shudders. "If you leave I'll go with you, I won't be alone."
"Will you go with me to Hawaii?"
She rolls her eyes. She's smiling.
"Of course I will. I want to see with my own eyes how you end up keeping that worthless Tyler. I want to be the one to tell you: I told you."
"You're never gonna love him, are you?"
"No, I'm not."
"Ty's a good boy and he loves me."
"Aha... Tyler was the popular all-American boy who took a shine to the studious girl in high school. Very cliché."
"When you have your first boyfriend I won't like him either, you'll see."
She shrugs.
"When I have my first boyfriend you're going to love him because he's going to be the best," she sounds excited. "I've been very patient for the perfect guy to come into my life, I'm waiting for him very willingly."
"And he will come, I assure you," I smile at her. Now for the time being, move on. I need ingredients to make a lasagna, do you want to go to the supermarket? I'll make you a list."
"I confuse sugar with salt. You go," she jumps down from the counter and walks to her room, "I'll give you my card."
I look down at my clothes, I'm soaked.
"I must wear dry clothes, or I'll get sick!" I shout, as I walk into my room.
In my closet I look for something comfortable, some flared jeans and a black sweater and my anorak.
"I'll go with you, I won't leave you alone," she buttons her coat downstairs, still wearing her pink panther pajamas. I laugh.
We go down the elevator together, as we step outside the cold goes down to our bones as the sun goes down. We walk with more haste as the wind whips in our faces, but the rain has stopped.
The supermarket is two blocks back.
"Do we run?" I suggest to Jess.
She runs before I do, she's a cheater. I run.
My heart is about to burst out of my mouth, I'm so agitated. I take a breath and go into the tent. Jess has a basket with her and is picking out lettuce, I roll my eyes.
Jessica doesn't know anything about choosing inexpensive ingredients, she doesn't care about the price, so she starts filling the basket with everything she sees.
I inhale.
My eyes roam the shelves in search of chocolate powder. I pout. I must forget the taste of that delicious chocolate I had the joy of savoring. I angrily walk away from the aisle; images come to mind of Pat's arrogant dad and what I did to him one day.
I shake my head. I am shameless.
"Paying over a hundred dollars on unnecessary purchases makes you a lousy housewife," I complain as I try to carry the bags.
Jessica and I are not the tallest girls, nor are we the sturdiest.
"Oh... wait for me here," she says putting the bags down and placing them on the floor, "I forgot my m&m's."
I exhale.
I see her through the glass and Jess is still looking and running her fingers through the various chocolates. It takes her about five minutes before she returns, we resume our walk with laughter. In front of the building my friend looks for her keys.
A screech of tires makes me turn, bags fall from my hands and my legs weaken as I watch a luxurious Cadillac pull up.
"Hello, beautiful," Carlisle says. The honeyed sound in his voice making me sick to my stomach. "Have you made up your mind?"
My heartbeat quickens with indescribable fear.
Jessica takes my hand, she's with me. I have a lump in my throat and a lot of fear.
I turn my face slightly as I hear another car pull up; it's a Ford pickup. Edward Cullen with his wild and enigmatic bearing gets out of it.
His furious gaze goes from his father to me and back again.
Without thinking, I let go of my friend's hand and take refuge in Edward's arms. I hug him with all my strength. And my need to feel protected.
"My love, you're here," I voice without letting go. I'm sure he can sense my panic. My voice breaks. "Stay with me, Edward."
His arms wrap around me, he holds me close, and I can feel peace.
"I'm all yours," he replies.
I think you can hear my screams as I am writing the last sentence. But well, here we are with yet another chapter. Did you like Edward's reaction? Do you think Edward senses what's going on with Bella and her father? What will happen with Bella? I look forward to reading your opinions.
To those who commented thank you very much: Ale Stewart, , tas62, Rosemarie28, Dulce Carolina, Pattsy1994, cocoa blizzard
See you on Wednesday or Thursday with a new chapter!