Chapter 4
Three days later it was Tuesday.
I point blank refused to go shopping again with Alice again, so she pulled me into her walk in wardrobe and shuffled about, pulling loads of short dresses off the rails and making me try them on. I couldn't help but notice that most of them were black or blue.
After my 15th outfit change, I was getting sick of trying on more and more clothes that looked ridiculous. But in order to stun Edward, I had to look fabulous, so I persevered.
I hadn't texted Edward at all, wanting to surprise him completely with my new transformation at the club. If he was grumpy now, then he wouldn't be once he saw my outfit.
As soon as I tried on the dark blue dress, I knew we had found a winner. It was shorter than my last dress, and the back was cut out. It fit me well though, hugging my curves and pushing up my breasts. Alice squealed and towed me over to her makeup counter.
She told me my makeup was going to be dark, sexy and mysterious...something I had never tried to pull off before. She grabbed endless tubes and brushes and began prodding at my face. I noticed that she spent a great deal longer on my face than normal...probably because I was wearing a lot more makeup than usual. She then grabbed the curlers and curled my hair so my hair cascaded down my back and pulled half of my hair up and half down. She stuck some pins in my hair, sprayed it and then went to grab some shoes. I pulled on the black, four inch high-heeled boots.
I looked in the mirror and gasped. My eyes were smoky black and my skin looked darker, but not fake. I grinned at my pink lips that nearly blended in with my skin tone. As predicted, the dress hugged my curves and highlighted them. My legs looked long and smooth with my boots.
I grinned. I looked fucking hot.
Alice, Jasper, Emmett and I climbed out the jeep and headed on out to the queue. Emmett was purposely not looking at me, not approving of my choice of clothes, but didn't say anything for which I was grateful for.
Alice dressed in a white dress that was split down the middle, shoving the edges of her breasts together and showing her tummy. She wore similar heels to me, but hers were much higher. Her makeup was greyer than mine, but kept a similar theme. Jasper was having a hard time controlling his hands and eyes and was blushing so bad whenever I noticed him gazing at Alice's breasts or his hand started to itch towards the bottom of her dress. I studiously ignored him and so did Alice as she teased him by pushing her chest out whenever she spoke to him or leaning over to whisper something to him, giving him a good view of her rack. She winked at me when Jasper wasn't looking.
Not 10 minutes after waiting in line, I noticed a familiar wave of blonde hair and blue eyes. Rosalie ran up to us in a short red dress and leapt on Emmett as they embraced. I looked away, not wanting to intrude.
Alice cleared her throat, raising her eyebrows at the lovers who shrugged, grinning.
"Hey, it's so good to see you all!" Rosalie squealed. "I have some passes for you! I noticed you in the queue. I had no idea you were coming by today!"
"Yeah, we just wanted to come out and party," Alice giggled.
Rosalie led us into the familiar club.
I didn't care that most guys were ogling all three of us, and the girls ogling the guys. I was here to have some fun. I knew nothing bad was going to happen to me. I knew Edward would be watching on the security cameras. It was only a matter of time before he came out and joined us.
We headed straight to the bar as Rose ordered some strong shots as we all swallowed and ordered another.
Alice towed Jasper out to the dance floor and they began dancing in a way that I thought should not be allowed in such a public place. Rosalie and Emmett soon followed and I was left alone, pissed that Edward had not yet come and found me. I sighed, dragged myself out to the dance floor where Emmett and Rosalie were, swaying my hips, closing my eyes, spinning round and round, waving my arms in the air to the slow, sensual electro music.
"You look so fucking sexy," Edward moaned in my ear clutching onto my hips from behind me.
"Well you kept me waiting long enough," I huffed, sticking my tongue out at him from over my shoulder.
"Sorry, I had some business to attend to," he smirked. "If I knew you were coming I would have been her sooner...and if I had known you were dressed like that...fuck."
I smirked, grinding up against him in time to the beat. I usually hated dancing, but with Edward's hands guiding me and roaming down my body, I didn't mind. He gave me confidence. And by the sound of him, he wasn't complaining.
"Shit," He groaned in my ear as we grinded into each other. "Fuck...Nuh..."
"Quit humping my leg and buy me another drink!" I smirked, kissing his lips.
"Quit thrusting into me and maybe I will," Edward whispered against my ear, sending shivers down my neck.
I raised my eyebrows and danced my way over to the bar, feeling Edward's hands on my bum as he guided me.
"So why are you here, Bella?" Edward said as he walked round the bar and poured me a shot.
I leaned against the bar so that Edward could see my cleavage. He gulped, sliding my drink towards me, not registering it.
"I get this free?" I giggled as he nodded, rolling his eyes. "Yay! Urm, I'm not sure. When I got in the other day Alice asked me if I wanted to go. Rosalie met us outside."
"You should give me some warning next time. I could take the night off. I have to go back to work in half an hour. My dad can't really handle looking after this place on his own for too long." Edward frowned as I swallowed the shot and slid it back towards him for a refill. "I think you've had enough," Edward protested.
I giggled and shook my head, twirling my hair between my fingers.
"Sure, whatever," I laughed. "Don't be a pussy! One more?" I pouted.
Edward shook his head but poured enough and watched as I swallowed it, flinching at the burn.
"So half an hour, huh?" I said. "I can't really do much in half an hour, you know."
Edward groaned and pulled a hand through his hair as he understood what I was suggesting. "No, Bella. You don't know what you're saying."
"I fucking do!" I screamed, licking my lips and running off into the crowd as a good song came on. I heard him shout my name over the crowd, but I was too drunk to listen to what he was saying.
I saw Rosalie and Emmett near the DJ stand laughing and dancing together. I started to head over towards them, but tripped on my shoes and went flying into someone. They turned around.
"Watch where you're going, for fucks sake!" A blonde girl yelled at me as I steadied myself.
"I tripped!" I argued. "It was an accident."
"I've heard that before, you ugly cow!"
Four more girls turned around from behind her and glared daggers at me.
"You stupid bitch!" One yelled as one advanced on me.
Instead of shying away like I normally would, I stalked forwards to meet her. I wasn't drunk but I did feel a kind of buzz and felt a tiny bit tipsy, I had no idea what I was doing, and didn't care about the consequences.
"Don't call me a fucking BITCH!" I yelled, pushing the advancing one away from me. The girl who first spoke pushed past her and slapped me. I whipped round and glared at the girl.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR!" I yelled, beyond pissed. I refused to seem weakened and rub my hand on my cheek even though it stung, so I advanced. I pushed her away from me as she tried to do it again. Her friends started advancing on me, but I held my ground and raised my fists.
A young, attractive, blonde male ran forwards and put his arms out in front of us. He looked really upset and pissed like we had planned this.
"Fighting is not tolerated in this club," The man said slowly and calmly. "I suggest you all leave this club now, otherwise we will do it with force. Understand?"
"No, dad!" Rosalie appeared beside me. "This is Bella."
The man turned around. "Edward's Bella?"
Edward's Bella?
Rosalie nodded frantically.
"Don't make her leave, Dad! They advanced on her first!" Rose cried, glancing at me and away as she took in my expression.
This was her Dad? Edward's Dad? I should have guessed. He was incredibly beautiful...just like Edward and Rosalie. I froze, looking down and blushing in embarrassment. This was not how I wanted to meet Edward's Dad.
"Bella?" Edward called from behind me.
I turned around; my face covered in guilt probably and glanced up at him as he looked around at everyone and sighed, pulling a hand through his hair.
"I'm so sorry, Mr Cullen!" I whimpered, clinging onto Emmett's hand as he moved to stand beside me. "I didn't mean to cause a fuss in your club. Maybe it is best if I leave..."
I attempted to walk off, but a hand reached out in front of me.
"No," Carlisle said urgently. "I...I'll meet both of you in the office, Edward."
Edward nodded, taking my hand and pulling me through the crowds as I stumbled along behind, ashamed of myself.
I heard the five girls protesting and Carlisle's voice, but it soon drowned away as we entered the familiar room from last week. I sat down on the sofa, and put my hands over my face, bowing my head in shame. There was silence.
"I'm sorry I called you a pussy," I muttered.
I heard him chuckle from across the room.
"That's okay," Edward smirked. "What happened out there, Bella?"
"Just some bitches starting on me," I mumbled, sniffing.
"Wait," Edward tried to peer around at me. "Are you...crying?" Edward sounded surprised.
"Maybe," I sobbed into my hands. I felt the sag as he sat next to me, pulling me against his chest.
"Why are you crying?" Edward whispered into my ear, dragging his hands up and down my arms in comfort.
"I just embarrassed the shit out of myself in front of your Dad," I wailed. "Fuck, I didn't want to meet him like this!"
"Woah, Bella. Relax, babe," Edward soothed. "I had no idea you were that feisty, though," Edward smirked, nodding towards the open door to another room. The whole wall was covered in tiny black and white screens, obviously showing all of the different camera angles of the club and what was going on. In the middle was a bigger screen, and it showed my confrontation with the girls, obviously on repeat. I looked closely as I tripped into them, and noticed that one of the girls had purposely stuck their foot out, obviously hoping for a fight.
"Little shit," Edward and I both said together and burst out laughing. I sniffed and froze, as the door opened and the handsome man, proving to be Edward's Dad. I immediatly jumped off Edward's lap, smoothing down my dress and fiddling with my hair as I watched him observe me.
"Haha, you're alright, love," Carlisle smiled politely, nodding down at Edward's lap. "I didn't mean to frighten you or something back there. I brought you in here just because I wanted to meet the 'incredible and beautiful Bella'...Not the girl that a couple of young ladies picked a fight with."
"Dad!"Edward cringed as Carlisle quoted him.
"What?" Carlisle laughed with an identical smirk to Edward's.
"That's all?" I said hesitantly, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers.
"Of course, Bella," Carlisle sighed. "Esme and I have been dying to meet you and your brother ever since Rosalie and Edward mentioned you both!"
"Then why did you just bring me in here?" I frowned. "Emmett was standing right next to me."
"I spoke to Emmett and Rosalie when you two were dancing...You were a little...well you were in your own world...didn't want to disturb you or anything, did I?" Carlisle blushed, avoiding eye contact, obviously talking about our wild dancing.
On the sofa, Edward snorted into his hands. Carlisle cleared his throat as I let me hair cover my bright red cheeks. Edward finally recovered himself from his laughing fit and looked up at the both of us and quickly looked away again as a smirk began to creep onto his face.
"Well...anyway, Esme and I were wondering if you would care to join us for Sunday lunch at ours this week?" Carlisle said, recovering himself. "It's been so long since Edward has brought a girl home, we just thought-"
I looked up at Edward as he stood up abruptly.
"Don't," Edward growled at Carlisle.
Carlisle laughed, but you could tell there was something he was hiding as his eyes darted towards me and back to Edward.
"Well I already invited your brother round, so..." Carlisle trailed off, returning his gaze to me with some force.
"Sure! I mean, I'd be delighted," I smiled at Carlisle.
"Well it's settled then. I'm sure you two can sort something out about lifts...Our house does take some finding..." Carlisle said, obviously dismissing us, as he started to walk off into the security camera room.
"Thank you, Mr Cullen!" I smiled.
"No problem," Carlisle said around the edge of the door. "See you on Sunday." He shut the door.
Edward sighed, pulling his hand up to the bridge of his nose.
"Hey, are you okay?" I questioned, sitting down next to Edward and peering round his hands to his face.
"I'm fine," Edward snapped.
I pulled back, surprised at how harsh he said it, obviously meaning for me to leave him alone.
"Well I was just trying to be polite," I argued back as I stumbled out the door, tottering on my heels. The amount of drink I had tonight was starting to show. I was surprised I was able to maintain control in front of Edward's Father, but I suppose I was just feeling lucky. Although I was tipsy, I refused to look weak in front of Edward and so I tried to saunter out the room and into the club.
Why was he acting like this? Was he hiding secrets from me? Was Carlisle? I noticed Carlisle's fake laugh and his darting eyes as he tried to cover up. Why didn't Edward feel like he could trust me? I told him my deepest and darkest secret that I hadn't even told my family, and along he had a secret of his own that he was planning on hiding from me? What gave him that right? How dare he act all kind and understanding and pretend like he was normal?
I shoved my way through the crowds, heading towards the double doors on the opposite side of the building that led outside. I turned around and saw Edward pushing his way through the crowd to the left of me, heading towards Emmett and Rosalie. I saw him frantically speaking to the both of them. Emmett started yelling at him, looking around the club, trying to find someone...me.
I watched Edward and Emmett argue some more, although Edward looked messed up and weak and wasn't even listening to Emmett. Rosalie said something and they all broke up, heading in different directions. Edward started to head straight towards my area and I quickly moved behind a group of people, before I realised something.
Maybe Edward just wasn't ready to tell me? Maybe he was just waiting for the perfect time...once he got to know me a bit better. I mean, we'd only known each other for about 3 weeks...that's not very long in terms of couples, is it? God, I'd been so stupid! If I really cared about Edward, I shouldn't have gotten in a strop over something that was still troubling him, right? I should have stuck around, comforted him and told him I was here for him whenever he needed advice or something. Why was I so stupid!
And just like that I was sober.
I searched above the crowd, hoping to find him. I spotted him near the middle of the room, frantically looking around. I shoved my way through the crowds, pushing everyone out of my way as I broke into a run. Just before I leapt on to him, I noticed his shocked face as he tried to brace himself for the impact. We stumbled backwards a few metres before we eventually smacked into the floor with a huge thud. Shit. We landed on his back...
"I'm sorry!" I wailed, running my hands up his chest and to his face as his eyes focused on mine as he groaned, but with a small smile on his face. "I didn't mean to go off in a strop like a complete bitch! Do you forgive me?"
"Fuck yeah," he moaned as he tried to sit up. "Although I should be the one to apologise for hiding things from you when you were so upfront and I wasn't."
"It doesn't matter," I smiled. "You tell me anything that's worrying you as soon as you're ready, kay?"
Edward nodded, but grimaced and rubbed his back.
"Is your back okay?" I bit my lip.
"I think you need to nurse me better," Edward grimaced, but a noticed a faint smirk on his face. "Stop biting your lip...you look too sexy."
I nodded and hugged him, careful not to hurt his back as I kissed his face everywhere I could before I noticed a lot of people were still watching at us in amusement. "Come on, maybe I should take you home," I frowned.
Edward mumbled his reply.
"What the fuck happened here?" Jasper and Alice said, staring down at us.
"Nothing," Edward and I laughed in sync.
"Well that was creepy..." Jasper laughed.
I pulled myself up from Edward's lap and towed him up with a little help from Jasper.
"Fuck, that hurts," Edward grimaced, leaning onto Jasper for support.
"Maybe we should take you to the hospital?" I frowned. I was so clumsy! How could I hurt him? That was so stupid of me!
"I'm fine," Edward shrugged, but I could tell that slight movement hurt even though he tried to hide it from me.
"Come on," I said. "I'll drive you home."
Edward smiled and nodded. He started to try and walk towards the exit, leaning on me and Jasper support with Alice leading, but I could tell I was doing nothing but slowing them down. Edward was tall, and it didn't make sense for him to lean on me; such a small person.
"Here, let me," Carlisle said, coming up from behind us.
I let go of Edward and let Carlisle take my place. He had obviously seen the whole pandemonium.
I stood on my tiptoes and searched the crowd, looking for Emmett and Rosalie. I ran over to Rose and explained what happened and told her to find Emmett and tell him I was taking Edward home. She nodded, gave me a departing hug and took off into the crowd.
I ran over to the exit and noticed the group heading towards Edward's car. I caught up with them at the hood of the car.
"Come on," Carlisle winced, sliding out from Edward's arm. "Let me see."
I looked over at Carlisle in confusion.
"I used to be a Doctor," Carlisle answered my confusion. "I quit a couple of years ago...It was a lot of work...late hours and I didn't want to be away from my family. I miss helping people, but it was nearly time for my retirement anyway."
Edward scoffed. "You only just turned 50 last year, Dad!"
Carlisle grinned. "Now take your shirt off."
Edward sighed, but obeyed. He raised his arms and pulled his arms and head out of the top and faced the hood, leaning against it as Carlisle started pressing here and there on Edward's back. I was frozen. I knew that Edward was muscular, but fuck...His muscles bulged on his arms and he had a firm, clear six pack. My eyes trailed down to the hair line just above his jeans and gawped.
Alice cleared her throat innocently and gave me a smirk with wide eyes. I blushed.
I focused on Edward's back. Between his shoulder blades and on them was a light blue bruise, obviously swelling.
"Fuck," I cried. "I'm so sorry, Edward!"
Edward turned his head and looked round at me and tried to give me a reassuring smile, but it made me feel so guilty. "Bella, its fine...totally worth it!"
I looked down and bit my lip as I felt a tear slide down my cheek.
"Bella, don't cry!" Alice exclaimed as she took in my expression. "You heard Edward; he's fine. Aren't you?"
Alice gave a strange expression to Edward that he tried to read. "Course I am. Still standing, aren't I?"
I shrugged, leaning onto Alice who put her arms around me.
"There's no serious damage," Carlisle said. "But I think a couple of days rest is in order. And take some pills when you get home. It might be useful to put some ice on it...to reduce the swelling. I think that's about it."
Edward nodded and pulled back on his shirt, much to my disappointment.
"Your not planning on driving home yourself, are you?" Carlisle questioned.
"I'll take him, Mr Cullen," I smiled.
"Good luck driving that pimp mobile around the city, Bella," Carlisle smirked.
I gaped, amazed that someone so old had said something meant for someone so young.
Edward scoffed, but fingered his keys in his hand without making any gesture for him to hand it over.
I leaned on one foot and placed my hand on my hip and stared expectantly at him.
"Hand it over," I sighed.
"I...urgh...You drank a lot...I don't think it's best if you drive," Edward said nervously.
"Hand the fucking keys over, Edward!" I screeched. "Excuse my French, Mr Cullen."
He smirked and nodded at me in forgiveness. Edward took a couple of steps back and looked at me with wide eyes.
"Hand. The. Fucking. Keys. To. Me. NOW!" I screamed, confused at why he was refusing to give me the keys. Wasn't I helping him?
"Take care of my baby," He sniffed slowly, but I could tell he meant it.
I tutted, snatched the keys from his hand and said goodbye to the others. I held the door open for Edward and helped him in and then walked round the other side.
I slid in and immediatly froze.
"What the fuck do I do?" I gulped looking at all the complicated buttons and screens. I mean, sure, I had been in Edward's car before, but I had never noticed all the high tech gadgets.
"Bella, look at me," I looked at him. "I...shit...are you sure you're okay to drive? You had more than your healthy amount...I know my flat is only a couple of blocks away...but are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, Edward," I said. "The weird and nervous events of this evening have brought me into focus. I can drive a fucking car around a corner."
"It's not just a fucking car...it's a beautiful fucking car with an even beautiful woman in it," Edward whispered. I guess he was only worried for my own safety. "A car is replaceable...but you aren't."
"That's the second time you told me I was beautiful..." I whispered back.
"It's because you are," He said softly and leaned towards me for a kiss. I met his lips slowly and comfortably, applying very little pressure. My hands came up to wrap in his hair and pull him closer. His hands cupped my cheeks and it was as simple as that...I was falling for Edward Cullen.