Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All recognizable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. The original content including, but not limited to, the ideas, plot line, characterization and intellectual property of this story are owned by OliviaRising. August 2010.
A/N: Okay- where to begin? Many of you have expressed serious hate toward Edward and while I agree that the anger is warranted, I'm worried that some of you will never be able to move past his shitty behavior. I am not at all condoning his actions, but just remember- he and Bella were not dating at the time and he made his intentions clear from the start. At this point in time, you are only seeing things from Bella's perspective, so, naturally, you feel her pain and anger. You don't know what is going on in Edward's mind/life right now, so don't be so quick to condemn him. Please have faith, and I hope that you guys will give Edward a chance to redeem himself. Remember- everyone makes mistakes.
With that being said- please keep letting me know what you honestly think! Don't censor yourselves! If you hate something- tell me. I absolutely love reading your reviews, so keep them coming!
Oh! And make sure you sign your review if you want a teaser! I got some fabulous reviews last chapter that were not signed, so I couldn't respond or send the teaser :(
As always: Review = Teaser
A Beautiful Melody
Chapter Ten
"I want you to get the hell out of my life."
Wait! What? I didn't actually mean to say that! But there's no turning back now- the pained expression on his face only fuels my anger.
"Isabe-"
I don't let him finish- I don't want to hear his excuses, I don't want to hear him plead.
"No! Don't talk to me, don't call me, don't invite me out to lunch or to gallery openings- just leave me alone!"
And just when I think I have finished my tirade, I surprise even myself by continuing.
"We will see each other at work, and that's it! We will have a professional relationship like we should have had from the start!"
All throughout my diatribe, I have avoided looking directly at him, but now I spare a glance at his face and almost take back everything... almost. He looks as though I've just ran over his puppy or told him he has permanent erectile dysfunction. He looks devastated.
"Of course. If that's what you want," he says softly.
I'm surprised by his easy acquiescence.
"That's what I want."
I try to sound confident, but the look on his face has completely doused my anger. I have never seen him look so vulnerable.
Before I can change my mind and run into his arms, I tear my gaze from his beautiful, tortured face and run out of his office. I don't allow myself to think or even take a deep breath until I am safely ensconced in the company car.
That was not how I imagined today going.
I forgo returning to Black Corporations and, instead, direct the driver to drop me back at my apartment. I need a drink... a strong one.
Alice is home, and the moment I see her spread out on the couch, staring dreamily off into space, I immediately feel like an awful friend. I've been too wrapped up in my own problems to find out what's going on with her. She hasn't been home much lately and I've barely even noticed.
Deciding it's never too late to be a good friend, I put aside my Edward issues and focus on Alice.
"Alice?"
"...Hmm?"
She is still staring off into the distance with a glazed look on her face.
"Alice!"
"Huh- what? Oh, Bella! How long have you been sitting there?"
I roll my eyes.
"Long enough- what are you daydreaming about that's got you so completely flustered?"
Immediately her eyes shift downward and blush spreads across her pale cheeks like wildfire. Wow... I have never seen Alice Brandon blush! She looks as though she is debating whether or not to tell me, but then her excitement wins out and she practically explodes with ebullience.
"Oh, Bella! I'm in love! I've met him, finally! I just knew it would happen soon and it's better than I could have ever imagined!"
My eyes widen in shock. I was expecting her to rave about a chic party she's been invited to or gush about a designer who complimented her shoes...
"I- uh, when did this happen?"
I'm so taken aback that I can't even show how happy I am for her... probably because, in my heart, I'm a little envious.
"Do you remember that blond man that was sitting at our table when you... um, left...?"
How could I forget? That was only the most humiliating moment of my life.
Instead of telling her this and ruining her happy mood, I just nod.
"Well, I gave him my number and we were texting all weekend and then on Monday he took me out on a date."
She practically squeals at the end, and I feel even worse that I didn't know or notice that she has been seeing someone.
"And you're sure he's the one? Even after only one date?"
"Oh, Bella! I can feel it! And when we kissed... it was like... like I had never been kissed before that moment. Like all of my previous relationships were practice for this! Besides, it wasn't just one date- we also had breakfast and lunch together today."
I admire Alice's blind faith, and a few weeks ago, I'd probably be as believing as she is. But I know better now, and I know that romance is rarely a fairytale. But she is so happy and I don't want to ruin her perfect fantasy with my pessimism, so I keep my real thoughts to myself.
"I'm so happy for you, Alice! When do I get to meet this lucky man? What's his name?"
"Oh, of course! His name is Jasper! Is that a wonderful name? Jasper... it's so... so foreign."
Maybe it's my jealousy or pessimism getting the best of me, but I don't think Jasper sounds very foreign...
"Oh, and I didn't mention the best part! He's Southern! He grew up on a ranch and everything! He's like a cowboy!"
I have to refrain from rolling my eyes and laughing out loud. Alice has always had a thing for cowboys- she used to want to marry Woody from Toy Story when we were younger.
Alice's good mood is infectious and takes my mind off of Edward.
"So what was he doing at the charity banquet? He must work for a competing company."
And just like that, Alice's face falls. She is no longer smiling, but looks a little... hesitant.
"He is the head of P.R."
I wait for her to elaborate but she doesn't.
"Okay... for which company?"
It's not like Alice to leave out any details, so I am immediately suspicious.
"I know this will be hard for you, Bella, but Jasper is a wonderful person. Don't judge him by who he... associates with."
And then it dawns on me.
"He works for Cullen Enterprises?"
I already know the answer.
Alice nods slowly, carefully.
"Please, Bella, give him a chance!"
I smile weakly at her, even though my stomach has plummeted.
"Of course! I was just... surprised. I'm happy for you Alice, I really am."
And I actually mean what I say, even though this is one more unwanted connection to Edward.
Alice hears my sincerity and immediately embraces me.
"Oh, Bella! I know this is a hard time for you right now, but things will get better, I promise!"
I nod my head to appease her, but I don't actually believe.
"I'm tired. I think I'm just going to head to bed."
Alice pulls out of the embrace and stares incredulously at me.
"Bella! It's not even seven o'clock! This sun hasn't even set yet! You can't go to sleep now- you'll wake up at two in the morning!"
I sigh in defeat. She's right- there's no way I can fall asleep now.
"But don't worry- I have plans for us tonight! We're going out!"
"Out? Alice, it's a Tuesday!"
"Bella, that's one of the many perks of living in the city that never sleeps- there's always something to do, even on a Tuesday!"
"Just go without me. I don't feel like going out and I probably won't be much fun anyway."
"Don't be silly, Bella. You'll never move on if you don't make an effort, besides, you can meet Jasper tonight!"
There's really no point in arguing, Alice wins every time. At least I have a few hours to lounge around.
I reach for the remote, hoping for some comic relief from Tina Fey, when Alice grabs it first.
"What do you think you're doing?" She demands.
I look at her incredulously.
"I'm not allowed to watch television?"
"Not right now you're not! We have to get ready!"
"Alice, like you said- it's not even seven o'clock!"
"We're going out to eat first, silly. You can't properly meet Jasper in a crowded club, can you?"
I don't answer her, I just trudge into the bathroom.
When I finish my shower, Alice is waiting in my room, holding an omniscient, black garment bag with a mischievous smile plastered on her face.
"I borrowed this from work today... well, they don't actually know that I took it, but I'll return it before they even notice it's gone! It was used in the spread we're shooting for the upcoming issue and I just knew it would look perfect on you!"
She unzips the bag, and I immediately see that the dress is way too eccentric for me.
It is a one-shoulder dress of ruched silk and tulle that is tightly bandaged around and covered in a bright pattern of fluorescent blue, purple, black, yellow and green colors that are mixed together like paint splotches. The dress hits mid-thigh and is made sexier by small, sheer, sliced black insets. (Link on my profile.)
"I can't wear that, Alice!"
She looks at me like I'm crazy.
"Why not?"
"Well, for one- it's stolen merchandise, and two- I'll be out in public!"
"Don't be so dramatic, Bella. This dress is borrowed. It will be back safe and sound in the styling closet tomorrow... provided you don't spill anything on it. And the whole point of wearing such a fabulous dress is to show it off!"
The dress is beautiful... and I am trying to be the new, confident Bella... and this dress definitely screams confidence... and sex.
"Fine. But I can't be held responsible if something spills on it- you know how clumsy I am."
She just roll her eyes and thrust the garment bag at me.
"I've left the shoes and purse on your bed- now hurry!"
And with that, she scampers off into her room to get dressed.
Alice has left me to do my own hair and make up, so I have no choice but to leave my hair down in natural waves and keep my make up light. I try to recreate the smokey-eyed look that Alice usually applies on me, and I am proud to say that I actually manage not to screw it up.
Alice struts out of her room like some sort of glam-rock pixie in a metallic brown, deep v-neck mini dress with a jagged hemline. The dress hangs loosely off of her petite frame and is cinched together just below the deep v-neck by a chunky belt. Only Alice could pull off such a daring look. (Link on my profile.)
"So, where are we going anyway?"
"This fabulous new sushi restaurant, Raw."
Oh, no... that's where Edward took me on our first date... well, it wasn't really a date- more like an interrogation...
We arrive at the restaurant just before eight o'clock and I thank my lucky stars that the bitchy hostess doesn't seem to remember me.
We are led to a booth in the main room of the restaurant, near the sushi bar, where Jasper is already seated. The moment he spots us, he immediately rises from his seat. He barely spares me a glance- he only has eyes for Alice. When we are within reach, she practically falls into his arms and kisses him. To her credit, the kiss is chaste, but the look they give each other afterward is enough to make me look away. They are silently communicating through dreamy stares and I feel as though I am intruding on a private moment.
Alice is the first one to snap out of it, realizing that I am standing awkwardly to the side.
"Jasper, this my roommate and best friend Bella. Bella, this is Jasper."
The way she breathes his name even has me believing that it sounds foreign.
Jasper reluctantly tears his eyes away from Alice and shakes my hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Bella. I heard so much about you."
Judging by the look they were just giving each other, I find that hard to believe. I seriously doubt they spend their precious time talking about me... I seriously doubt the spend their time talking at all.
As we sit down, I give Jasper the once-over. There's no doubt- he is extremely handsome. From his short, golden curls to his aqua eyes and tall, lean frame, I fully understand why Alice chose him. I'm sure he also has a wonderful personality, but the gorgeous looks aren't hurting any... I certainly wouldn't kick him out of bed...
And he is obviously just as smitten with Alice as she is with him.
"So, Bella, Alice tells me you work for Jacob Black?"
"Um, yes. I'm his P.A."
Jasper shakes his head and chuckles.
"You must have an infinite amount of patience."
I look at him questioningly.
"Oh, please don't take any offense! It's just that- I only see him a few times a year, and even that isn't few enough, if you know what I mean."
I just offer him a small smile and sip my wine. I completely agree, but I can't exactly bash my boss in front of his competitor. Besides, Jacob isn't that bad... he just comes across as an asshole to those who don't really know him...
The rest of dinner is pleasant. Alice and Jasper constantly drift off into their own world, so I keep myself occupied with the amazing food. Who knew that I, Isabella Swan, would actually like raw fish?
It turns out that Jaspers personality more than matches his good looks. He is funny, intelligent and definitely a charmer. It's easy to see why Alice is so head-over-heels with him.
The only added sting to being an obvious third wheel is that I am surrounded by memories of Edward. Every time I take a sip of my sake, I am reminded of the first time. Every time I chew the delicious Chilean Sea Bass, I remember how Edward always orders the perfect dishes without even glancing at the menu.
Ugh! Enough about Edward! This night is about forgetting him and moving on!
When we leave the restaurant to head to the club, I am more than ready. I am twenty-three and I will not put life on hold for some... schmuck!
Thanks to Alice's connections with the fun and fabulous of New York City, we are able to skip the long line and immediately enter when we arrive.
The club, Cielo, is located in the Meatpacking District and crowded with an eclectic mixture of people. The sunken dance floor is centrally located and surrounded by banquettes decked out in brown and beige suede. The overall look is a stylish take on the Seventies aesthetic.
This isn't the typical type of club that Alice usually frequents, but she insists that it's "the place to be."
We manage to find an empty booth in the dim lounge area, and Jasper immediately leaves in search of drinks. The moment he is out of earshot, Alice turns to me.
"So, Bella, what do you think!"
"He's great, Alice. I'm really happy for you."
"Do you think it's too soon to sleep with him?'
"Uh- what? Alice, that's up to you."
This conversation is becoming a little uncomfortable.
"I want to, I really want to! I mean, I know he's the one- so what's the point in waiting? But social etiquette says that I have to wait for at least, what... a week? But I don't think I can wait a week and I don't want him to think I'm easy."
"Why don't you discuss this with him? You two seem pretty comfortable with each other- I don't think he'll mind talking about sex, especially once he hears how badly you want to do it."
"You're right! Who cares what social etiquette says? If I want to bang my boyfriend, I will!"
…That's not exactly what I said, but she seems happy with it.
After a few drinks, Alice drags Jasper off to the dance floor, and I am left by myself at the booth. I've already had four shots and two Cosmopolitans, and I am well on my way to being completely wasted.
The music is blasting and the beat is pounding, and before I know it, my feel have carried me out onto the dance floor. I body moves on its own accord, fueled by the alcohol swirling through my system.
I don't know how long I dance by myself before I feel a warm, masculine body press up behind me. My mind is too hazy to remember my usual inhibitions, so I just continue to bump and grind with the man as he wraps his arms around my waist.
When the song seamlessly switches to the next, I feel the man's breath on the side of my neck and near my ear.
"I'm Riley."
His voice is deep and husky.
I don't know if it's the alcohol in my system or my craving for a man's attention, but Riley's hard body pressed against mine isn't nearly as off-putting as it normally would be. For once, I don't think, I just feel.
"Bella," I murmur back, turning my head so that my lips are close to his.
The moment is so intimate, even though we are surrounded by plenty of gyrating bodies.
Registering the flirtation in my voice, he immediately uses his strong arms to turn me and press me flush against his torso.
I am pleasantly surprised to see that he is definitely easy on the eyes. His short brown hair is in a slight disarray, and his features are all proportionate and masculine in the dim lighting of the club. His arms haven't left my waist, and he is gently moving my hips to the rhythm of his.
He is easily a foot taller than me, and I have to tilt me head upward to see his dark eyes. We are mere inches away from brushing lips, and I am surprised to realize that I actually want to.
Why not? It's not like I'm committed to someone else...
I don't allow myself to finish that thought because then it would lead to him. And he is the last person I want to think about while I'm the arms of this tall, handsome man.
"Would you like go to a booth and get a drink?"
His breath fans over my face and I nod in assent.
He leads me back to the lounge area with his hand placed firmly on the small of my back... reminding me so much of another man.
We slide into a booth located in a dark corner of the club, secluded from prying eyes.
"What's a beautiful girl like you doing alone in a place like this?"
He is obviously very sweet, but I can't help the part of me that wishes for Edward's demanding and commanding interrogations... which then leads me to think about how demanding and commanding he would be in bed...
"I'm here with a friend and her boyfriend... they are somewhere on the dance floor."
Just then, a waitress passes by and Riley stops her to order.
"What would you like to drink?" He asks me.
I know I should get water, but I don't want this carefree feeling to end.
"I'll have a coke and rum."
There, that's not too bad- even teenagers drink that. The waitress nods and then looks at Riley.
"Just water for me."
I'm impressed- men don't usually pass up alcohol. He knows his limits.
While waiting for our drinks, we make small talk. I try to keep focus, but my mind constantly drifts away with the pounding of the music. By the time the waitress comes back with our orders, Riley and I have steadily moved closer together.
I take a sip of my coke and rum, and look up at Riley's face.
And there I see it- he wants to kiss me.
And I want him to... I think. But something is holding me back.
Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I scoot backward and excuse myself to the bathroom.
The club is as crowded as ever and I literally have to push my way through the throngs of people. I can see the door to the ladies room just up ahead, but I don't make it that far.
I am grabbed from the side and swiftly pulled into a dark passage way. I let out a loud yelp, but it is drowned out by the noisy atmosphere.
I rack my brains for self-defense moves when I am suddenly spun around and backed up against the wall. Only then does my assailant's face become visible in the dim lighting.
Edward.
I let out gasp as relief floods me.
"What the hell! Are you trying to give me a hear attack?"
"I'm sorry, but it was the only way to get you alone."
His beautiful face doesn't look sorry at all- in fact, he looks a little pleased.
"What are you doing here, Edward? I though I made myself very clear today in your office."
"Isabella, it was never my intention to disregard your wishes, but you cannot honestly expect me to stand by and watch you get mauled by these men."
"I am not being mauled! Not that it's any of your business anyway..."
"Anything that concerns you is my business."
I scoff- what an arrogant bastard!
"And I don't think it's wise for you to drink so much in this type of setting- something could happen to you."
"You're counting my drinks? Who do you think you are? I don't know what gives you the impression that you can dictate every aspect of my life, but let me assure you that you lost all privileges with me when you brought that whore to the banquet!"
"Isabella, you have every right to be upset with me, but don't put your safety at risk just to spite me."
"I'm not doing anything for you! I'm just out having a good time... until you showed up, that is."
He is becoming irritated now- my defiance is vexing him.
"And you think it's prudent to allow a man you just met to watch over you while you are so obviously incapacitated?"
"That's none of your business, Edward. And if you ask me, Riley has more decency and integrity in his pinky finger than you have in your whole body!"
He is positively seething.
"You've made your point, Isabella. We're leaving."
I can practically see the steam spewing from his ears.
"You're not my babysitter! If you want to leave- go, but I'm staying."
He is towering over me, but I stand my ground. There is no way I'm backing down- not this time.
"If you're trying to hurt me, Isabella, you've succeeded. But there is no way I'm leaving you here with these wolves. Say goodbye to your friends and get in the car."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"That's fine. I'll drop you home. You need to get some sleep anyway if you want to get up for work in the morning."
"Stop! Stop telling me what to do! You don't own me- I don't belong to you!"
He stares down curiously at me.
"Baby, if you did, we wouldn't have this problem- I'd never let you out of my sight."
My head is too hazy to even attempt to decipher what he is saying.
"Come, Isabella. Let me take you home."
The longest chapter yet!
Alice has met Jasper... and she's desperate for a roll in the hay! Bella was thhiiiisss close to kissing Riley... but she didn't. And Edward popped out of nowhere! How did he know that Bella would be at this club? On a Tuesday, no less! Will she leave with him or will she kick him in the boys? Only time (and the next chapter) will tell!
By the way- this was not jealousward's debut appearance. I'm saving that for later!
Leave me love!
xXx Olivia