Hello! :)

Chapter 4.

I have an obsession with cars.

Enjoy! :)

-MW-

Chapter 4

"Fences – Paramore"

"Can I Have This Dance – Zac Efron & Vanessa Hudgens"

"All of Your Love – Hellogoodbye"

Bella POV

-FLASHBACK-

It was two months after Charlie's funeral and I had just gotten back from another one of my hundred thousand dollar shopping sprees. Okay, so I haven't been doing so good since then. I didn't know what else to do and so far, I've been doing a good job of distracting myself.

I know. This is so typical. Girl loses someone in her life. Girl cries like there's no tomorrow. Girl finally stops crying because she had no more tears to cry. Girl wants to forget pain. Girl does some really stupid things to forget the pain.

I opened the door to my manor – yes, everything's mine now – and put my keys on the table next to the entrance. I walk up the spiral staircase to my room and shut the door loudly. That was usually my way of telling all the help in the house that I was home and they had to be prepared to, basically, pamper me after my "long days". But I wasn't in the mood for that today.

I quickly changed from my Jimmy Choos into my knee-length boots, slid on my leather jacket, grabbed my phone and went out the door. I was walking down the hallway when I ran into one of my maids, Emma.

"Miss Bella, will you be sleeping here tonight?"

-END FLASHBACK-

I reached for the brush sitting in front of me and began to run it through my hair, reminiscing about what happened after Charlie's funeral. Alice got fed up after a few more weeks of me and my phase and confronted me about it by locking me in an office with my shrink.

I'm not proud of who I was back then. I did a lot of stupid stuff. Mainly, I just wasted a big chunk of what instantly became my money after my dad died. I know, it was more than stupid and I have no excuse for everything that happened, but I had to admit, it was the perfect distraction. Although now, I do wonder what I'm going to do with everything I purchased back then…

Someone knocked on my door and I answered with a "Come in!" before the person poked his head from behind the door.

"Miss Bella? Will you be taking any of your cars tonight?"

"No, Emma, thank you."

Yeah. I went a little crazy with the credit cards back then. I'd almost always be sleeping in a five-star hotel 3 nights in a row before I realized I had run out of clothes to change into. But then that gave me an excuse to go on another shopping spree. And when I got bored, I'd drive around in the limo a couple of times. But then I got bored with that and told myself how slow it moved especially considering how long the thing was, so I went shopping for sports cars instead.

-FLASHBACK-

"No, Emma." I answered her. Then I ran down the staircase, grabbed my keys and went out the door. I went to the building that was right beside the house and pressed on a button on its wall. The door buzzed open and I walked in, already knowing what I was going to use on the road today.

I stopped next to my black Aston Martin Vanquish V12 and ran my hands gently over it. This was my baby whenever I didn't want to be seen at night.

1875 kg of aluminum and from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds...I sighed, this thing runs like a dream. I got in and revved the engine and made my way to my destination.

I stopped outside the dealership and locked my car then made my way inside the building.

I looked around the place, already singling out the ones I liked when a man in a suit approached me.

"Good afternoon, Miss! Welcome to the Porsche Dealership! How may I be of service to you today?"

I already knew what I wanted and the sooner I got it, the better. This distraction thing didn't always last very long.

"I want that 911 Turbo." I said nodding my head in the direction of the car.

"Yes, of course! Please follow me so we can start the paperwork."

We walked to a desk that wasn't far away from the entrance and he gestured for me to sit down but I declined, opting to stand instead.

"So," he started "if you just fill this out and write down the address to where we're to deliver it, you will receive it in about 4 months – "

"I want two of each in all four standard colors, with the wheels Carrara White on the yellow ones. I want Sport Seats, black full leather interior, aluminum footrest, floormats in interior color, carbon multi-function steering wheel, and a telephone module for PCM." I said, looking bored.

The man was struggling to write all the specifications I wanted with his fountain pen and even poked his hand a lot of times, making it bleed because he was shaking.

"Y-y-yes, we will h-have those for you in four –"

I slammed my checkbook on his table and he jumped at the sound. I slid it towards him, at the same time leaning forward.

"Listen," I paused to look at his nametag "Mark," I smirked. I was really having fun with this.

"If you can get those to the address I gave you by tomorrow," his lower lip was quivering now, and my smirk grew even more pronounced.

"I'll throw in an extra million dollars. How does that sound?" I asked, looking at him from under my eyelashes.

He immediately straightened up and cleared his throat, fixing his tie."That will be no problem at all. We will have your 911 Turbos in perfect condition by tomorrow, Miss…"

"Swan. Isabella Swan."

"Miss Isabella Swan." He said in a suggestive tone.

I made a gagging face on the inside and immediately wrote down the amount on one of the checks I tore out from my checkbook.

"Thanks, Mark." I said the quickly turned to leave.

-END FLASHBACK-

I got up and made my way to my closet, bringing out the black garment bag and taking out the dress inside it. It was the dress that I bought for my party tonight. Alice and I took forever walking around the mall but finally, we found something worthy enough: a peach strapless number with a bow detail at the back. It was simple enough.

I laid it on my bed before returning to my vanity to finish fixing myself up, then I checked my clock to make sure I still had enough time before Edward came to pick me up. My phone rang and I went to my bedside table to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Bella! Are you on your way?" Alice asked.

"No, but I'm almost done and my date's not – " Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Date??" this time I heard two voices come through the phone.

"Is that Rose?"

"Hey, Bella!" her voice rang.

"BELLA! Who's your date??" Alice persisted.

I felt my face cringe and I knew that I had to get this over with sooner or later.

"Um… It's… Edward…" I said his name in a whisper. Alice was my best friend but I really had no idea to how she'd react to me bringing her brother as my date tonight.

"What? Sorry? I didn't hear you!" she shouted over the phone. I started to hear loud music and Rosalie yelling to someone.

I sighed in frustration and just spat it out, "IT'S-ED-WARD!!!" I yelled, making sure to say every syllable so she understood me.

All I could hear from the other line was the loud music and the bass getting turned up even higher, when Alice suddenly spoke.

"OH MY GOD! REALLY? THAT'S GREAT!" She yelled back.

"YOU'RE NOT MAD?"I asked her.

"NO! OF COURSE NOT, BELLA! I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SETTING YOU TWO UP ANYWAY! BUT NOW YOU GUYS GOT TOGETHER ON YOUR OWN! THIS IS SO GREAT!"

I sighed in relief. At least this didn't bother her. It would have been a really big problem if she had any reservations about it at all.

"THANKS, ALICE! I HONESTLY THOUGHT YOU'D BITEMY HEAD OFF OR SOMETHING!"

"COME ON, BELLA! BE SERIOUS!" I could practically feel her rolling her eyes at me.

"AL! JASPER'S HERE!" Rose spoke up from the background.

"ALRIGHT! BELLA, I GOTTA GO NOW! SEE YOU SOON!"

"BYE! LOVE YOU, AL!" then I set the phone back on the base.

At least that was over. I made my way to my bed and picked up my dress, taking it off the hanger and slipping it on. After I zipped myself up, I heard the doorbell ring throughout the house. Then I heard a knock on my door and went to answer it.

"Miss Bella, your date is here."

"Tell him I'll be down in a minute."

I closed the door and leaned my back against it. My heart started to beat really fast and I felt heat from my chest start to rise up to my cheeks. I put my hand over my heart to try and slow it down but all it did was speed up even faster.

I walked to my vanity again and checked myself, making sure nothing was missing and I that I looked okay before I went out my door and made my way down the stairs.

Edward POV

"I'm here for Bella." I said to the girl who opened the door.

"Ah yes, please come in. I will go call her."

"Thank you."

I looked around the house and noticed how different it looked from the last time I was here. Everything about it changed – the furniture was more modern, the colors of the walls were more neutral now and there were a few pictures sitting on the shelves a few feet away from me.

There was a shiny, black grand piano that stood next to a spiral staircase. I walked into the next room – the living room, it looked like – it had a high ceiling, much like the rest of the house, and a big window that replaced the wall, showing off a view of the outside. A plasma TV was on my right and a big black couch in front of it. On the other end was another doorway that led to the dining room.

Bella sure doesn't look like she lives here at all, I thought. There was barely any real personal item that showed it, except for the pictures.

"Miss Bella will be down in a minute." I turned to face the girl from earlier and smiled at her.

"Thank you very much."

"Would you like anything to drink?"

"No thank you, I'm okay."

"Alright. Miss Bella said to make yourself at home, Mister…"

"Edward." I offered.

"Edward," she repeated "You may sit on the couch if you'd like."

"Thank you."

As I was sitting on the couch, my thoughts went back to my plan earlier this afternoon. All I had to do was show Carlisle that I can have a life outside the office – in this case: make Bella my girlfriend – and then, everything will be okay again. That's all there is to it. Then everything that I've been working for my whole life, everything I've dedicated my life to, would fall into place.

Nothing would be missing anymore.

I smiled to myself. Yes, I'd have everything I've always wanted and more. I laughed, a real throw-my-head-back kind of laugh, the kind that I haven't done in a very long time. Everything was starting to make sense to me now. I looked outside the huge window, up at the sky. Even in darkness, the scenery before me exuded such breathtaking beauty.

"Edward?" I heard Bella's voice call from the other room.

I stood up and made my way to her, but then the sight of her made me stop in my tracks and forget how to breathe.

All I can remember of that moment is everything suddenly moving in slow motion, my heart was beating at a pace that sounded like it would fail at any moment, her hand carefully gliding along the railing started the butterflies fluttering around in the pit of my stomach, it was like this feeling of pleasure was so great that I was afraid if it continued, the longing for it to cease would disappear.

She stops in front of me, biting her lower lip and blushing. Lovely, I thought. I took her hand and brought it up to my lips, caressing it, which made her blush even more.

"You look stunning," I complimented her. And if it was possible, she blushed even more.

"Thank you…"

I smiled and gestured towards the door so we could make our way to my car.

When we were outside, I could help but take another glance at her from beside me. Her cheeks were back to a normal color now and she had a small smile on her face with excitement in her eyes.

"Ready for your party?" I asked her.

"I think so," she answered, smiling up at me.

Breathtakingly beautiful, indeed.

Bella POV

-In the party-

Alice couldn't have done a better job. Even though I was scared out of my wits about this party, she managed to do everything to my liking. Leave it to Alice to make everything in your life picture perfect.

"So, do you like it?" she asked, seeing the smile on my face.

"Alice, I love it! So far, everything's been amazing! Thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome! So! Where's your date?" she said wiggling her eyebrows.

I laughed at her playfulness, "He said he was going to find Emmett and Jasper."

She pretended to look shocked, "He left you here all alone?"

I raised my eyebrow at her, "Alice. He's been with me all night!"

"And you didn't like that?"

"I did, but, there's gotta be some boundaries, right?"

"Bella, there are no boundaries when it comes to love." She said with a serious tone in her voice.

I snorted at that. Love. He was just my date for tonight, nothing more. Anything that went beyond that would only compromise the work.

"You never do know, Bella," Alice said. Then she ran off into the crowd saying something about the music not being loud enough.

"Excuse me," I called to a waiter.

"Yes, ma'am? Oh! You're the birthday celebrant! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

"So, what's a pretty girl like you doing way over here all by yourself?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. I groaned inwardly. I really wasn't in the mood for this.

I laughed lightly, trying to act completely obtuse to his efforts at trying to pick me up.

"Well, this pretty little girl would really like a beer," I said, trying to sound sarcastic.

"Sure thing, I'll be right back with that," he winked and went over to the bar.

I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up in the air. I let them fall to my sides and took in a deep breath, trying to drown out the loud music.

I thought about what Alice had said earlier about possibly falling in love with Edward, and even now, the thought seemed completely preposterous to me. What if it didn't work out? Our monthly meetings would become very awkward. Sure, he's good-looking, and smart, and totally charming… He sounds too good to be true, I sighed. It's not possible that guys like that still existed in this world.

What if it is?

I groaned out loud, "Not you again!" I said to no one.

"I'm sorry, did you want me to leave?" I quickly turned my head to see Edward standing behind the booth I was sitting in, smirking at me.

I blushed, realizing that he caught me talking to myself, even if he didn't know it.

"No, no, no… I'm sorry, I was just – "

"Here's your drink, pretty girl!" the waiter came back with my drink in his hand. He took one look at Edward, who made his way to the seat across from me and his expression immediately turned into a scowl.

"Is there anything else?" the waiter asked dryly and I couldn't hold my laughter in for long.

"No… Thanks…" I said, trying not to let any giggles escape from me. The waiter left and I was once again left alone with Edward.

"I'm sorry for leaving you like that. It was very rude of me." He said with a smile at the end.

"It's okay, I was with Alice anyway and we had to catch up on some things."

"Well, you have my undivided attention now." I finished my drink – which I probably shouldn't have done in one sip because I was such a cheap drunk – my head started throbbing and I felt intense heat all over my face. Next thing I knew, I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the dance floor where a song I knew I liked, but couldn't think of the title because of my current state, was playing.

We were dancing – well, I was jumping up and down and head banging – when someone bumped me from behind, slamming into me so hard that I feel face first into Edward's chest.

Well, that was embarrassing.

I held onto his arms to prevent myself from completely hitting the ground and looked up at him,

"I am so sorry…! Wow, these lights are BRIGHT!" I said, ducking my head into his chest. I felt his body shake and I peeked up at his face and saw him laughing. Oh that's just wonderful, I thought as my face turned even redder.

It must have been the alcohol working itself into my brain because the next thing I knew, he pulled my arms over his shoulders and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him, closing the gap between us. He leaned in and whispered in my ear,

"Bella," he breathed. Everything in my head started swirling around and I leaned into him more, breathing him in. It was like he had his own scent, it was mostly sweet, though not like any cologne that I've ever smelled before – not that he actually needed any. I can't take this dazzling thing anymore…

"Do you want to go home?" he whispered.

My grip tightened from behind his head and I pulled my head back to look him in the eyes.

"You really should stop doing that to me, you know…" his eyebrows furrowed at this.

"Do what?"

"Dazzle me…" I said breathlessly. Before he could say any more, we were interrupted by Alice dancing her way in between us.

"BELLA!" she yelled over the music, "IT'S TIME FOR YOUR CAKE!"

-

"Happy birthday, happy birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Emmett sang loudly in my ears.

We were all gathered around my huge 3-layer birthday cake and Alice took the liberty of going overboard with this.

"At least it's edible, so it'll be gone before you know it!" she told me earlier.

A microphone was put in my hands and I took that as my cue to make my acknowledgments.

"Thank you so much, everybody! You know, all of this" I gestured to the party "wouldn't have all been possible if it wasn't for my best friend, Alice Cullen!

"Again, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for all of the lovely presents and for being here with me tonight to celebrate my 24th birthday! So, enjoy the rest of the party and have some cake!" then there was applause.

As the night went on, the people started to disappear but not before coming up to me and greeting me 'happy birthday' again.

"Thank you," I smiled at them "and thanks again for coming!"

As soon as I was sure there was no one else, I sat down on a low stool and put my head in my hands. I was so ready to retire from this night.

"Ready to go?" a wonderful voice asked me. My head shot up and I saw that it was Edward.

"You have no idea," I said getting up. He held out his hand and I took it, smiling at him.

We walked to his car and he opened the passenger door for me the second time that night.

He started the engine to his silver Volvo and sped in the direction of my house.

"Well… That was fun." I started, walking to my door.

"Yeah, Alice sure knows how to throw a party." He laughed. Then he suddenly stopped when he saw the building with the massive garage door next to my house.

"What is that?" he asked with his mouth slightly agape. Taking into consideration how he was driving on the way here, I'd bet that he'd love to take a look.

"Do you wanna see?" I asked crossing my arms with a smirk on my face.

"Sure."

R&R! :)

-MW-