Sorry for the awful cliffhanger, hope this makes up for it. This chapter plays on my love for fantasy and gets a little scientific - I am in no means a scientist, not by a long shot. But please play in my land of imagination, yeah? Let me know what you think! :)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight.

BPOV

I bolted as fast as my heels and gown would allow me, with Angela trailing quickly behind me, managing to get myself to the women's restroom before the impending anxiety attack. Well that and I was seconds away from punching my first through the nearest wall.

If only Jacob were around to help me with a training session, though I doubted that punching bag would make it through five minutes.

How the hell was he here? And why? Did he know this was my gala, that I'd be here?

My brain was racing I sat down on one of the loveseats and stopped Angela before she walked in, and barked at her to get Rose for me. That was the only person I needed right now as I struggled to fight away the darkness and fury that was raging inside of me. All I could understand Angela agreeing and the door locking behind me as she tried to ensure I wouldn't be seen which I was immensely thankful for. I was at the point where I probably would have lost it on the next person who walked in the door, no matter if I knew them or not. I couldn't risk the press finding out or the paparazzi snapping any photos – my entire reputation would have gone to shreds.

Breathe, Isabella. Breathe.

My chest was tightening as I fought to try to catch a breath but nothing was working. I tried working on the exercises that Jacob had taught me when I felt myself losing control – focusing on my breathing, start repeating the alphabet in my head and closing my eyes so I could try to focus. This time was probably one of the worst episodes I'd had since… prom night. My hands were trembling so I clasped them together in hopes in getting the trembling to stop, which came to no success. Angrily, I grabbed the sofa upholstery on each side of my thighs hard enough for my knuckles to turn stark white. Still no luck.

This entire situation was completely and utterly fucked.

Seeing Carlisle and Alice already proved to be challenging but I was proud of how I had pulled myself off. Alice was obviously tougher to face of the two although I had a bit of faith that if there were a next time, maybe I could try a little harder. Seeing her again reminded me of how strong our bond was and I could almost see myself working to repair that with her somehow, if she was willing to as well.

But now that Edward was in the picture? No, it was all a big gigantic fucking disaster blown to shit. All of those years that I had worked so hard to convince myself that he meant nothing to me, and often believing that, was completely bullshit when I heard his voice. I could barely even make eye contact with him. I couldn't believe how pathetic I was, turning into a child and just freaking out the moment where I was in that situation. So many years had gone by but still, I allowed myself to let him affect me when he should have meant absolutely nothing.

Edward was nothing.

He was not the boy that I had fallen in love with all of those years ago. He was not the boy who taught me how to love and showed me that I was capable of being loved. And he was not the boy who saved me from my mother, countless times, even when I was moments from death from her hand.

So if he wasn't all of that, why did I feel like my heart was tearing inside of me and that my whole world had been turned upside down again?

A deep guttural scream left my chest as I emptied everything I could out of me, standing up and grabbing a glass vase holding flowers from the counter beside me and throwing it across the room, shattering it into pieces.

"Okay, so who is he and what do I need to do to him?" Rosalie's familiar voice asked as I continued to breathe in and out deeply.

I didn't hear her come in but did catch her immediately locking the door behind her and moving to stand in front of me, her arms crossed against her chest and deep concern etched on her face. I knew Rosalie – she would wait for me to open up, if that's what I chose to do. Usually I gave her next to nothing but now I felt like there couldn't be any withholding information. My past, at least part of it, had caught up to me and was under a spotlight. And now, I needed my closest friend.

"He's here. Edward, my ex from Forks, he's right here in this goddamn building!" I answered through clenched teeth, not waiting for her reply before continuing. "I have no idea if he knew I was here, although it's a gala held by Swan fucking Enterprises so you'd think he'd put two and two together. Or maybe his father didn't tell him. Oh, and did I mention that? That his father's here? And his sister, my ex-best friend?"

Rosalie stayed silent as I continued to vent and empty my thoughts into word vomit.

"Seeing Carlisle I could handle, Alice was tough but I stood my ground, Rose. But he just looked at me, and I swear I didn't know whether to scream at him or treat him like a punching bag, but I just ran. I ran like a child! And now I'm here, I yelled at Angela and I broke that vase, which I'll probably have to pay for. And now you're here and I'm so glad you're here."

I immediately closed the gap between us and put my arms around her, taking Rosalie by surprise I was sure, but she wrapped her arms around my shoulders right after. My heart was racing as I struggled to breath, my chest closing in on me tightly and I closed my eyes. We weren't always the affectionate type with each other, never letting our emotions getting to us too much, but I needed Rose to help me stay upright. Both physically and quite literally.

I could feel the traitor tears threatening to escape but bit my lip to try to hold them back as Rose squeezed me tight. "Bella, you need to relax. Just take a deep breath, I'm here with you."

I listened to Rosalie's words as she instructed me to breathe in and out, not feeling like the CEO Isabella Swan but instead as the vulnerable Bella Swan who was just needing love from one of the few she loved in her life. This Bella didn't show herself very often, in fact she hid herself almost always, but right now I didn't have the energy to keep the walls up. A few moments passed before I could feel my heart rate slowing, my breath becoming regular and my chest ache became a very dull ache instead. Rosalie could tell, which caused her to slowly pull back and put her hands on my shoulders, looking at worriedly.

"Are you okay now?"

I nodded, looking at the ground with a bit of embarrassment. That wasn't a moment I wanted to relive.

"Good, because now it's time for you to get your shit together, Bella."

Huh? I raised my head and looked at her in surprise, not expecting her mood swing as she was looking at me now with her hands on her hip and her head cocked.

"I'm serious. He's here, they're all here. But so what?"

Those two simple words stopped everything for me.

So what?

Edward was here, right in this very building probably only several feet away from me. I had spent the majority of my childhood with him, growing up with him and his family. For years I had shared everything with him, from silly childhood experiences to the moment we realized we didn't have cooties, to sharing our firsts. I loved him, gave him my heart and dreamt of spending my entire life with him. I couldn't see my life without him, which is why I shaped my post-high school life around being with him. He was my person, my everything. And through all of that, he was the only person I trusted and confided in when it came to the abuse from my mother. He was the one who would see my bruises, kiss them gently like I was made of glass before helping me tend to them. Through the physical and emotional pain that I went through because of my mother, he reminded me that I was still loved and he loved me more than I could have ever dreamed of. Or so I thought.

That was then, when I was a child. A teenager, but still a very naïve child. I may have matured quickly due to everything Renee had put me through, but I was still naïve. I was blinded by pathetic childish love, thinking that he loved me but really he was just enjoying my physical company as he passed the time with me. That was until he got sick of me and found someone else to warm his bed. I meant nothing to him. But that was long ago and I was not that child anymore.

I was more than that. I became a woman, a strong woman who accomplished so much at such a young age. I was reveled, envied, praised and adored. I built a multi-billion dollar empire for myself, accomplishing more than anyone had at my age. And I had more awaiting me in my future than anyone could dream of.

Rosalie was right. So what if he was here? Edward was nothing – he was a part of my past. A past that I had long forgotten and dealt with. I would never forget my past, but I was better than reverting back to the person I was back then. I didn't care about Edward Cullen, I couldn't even hate him. There was nothing left in me for Edward.

"Exactly," Rosalie said, noticing from the change in my demeanor that I had come to the realization of what she meant. "Him being here changes nothing. This is still going to be one of the greatest nights of your live, and the greatest one of your career. So let's get out of this restroom and get into that ballroom because I bet you they're calling your name right now, Isabella Swan.

What would I do without Rosalie?

"You know I love you, right?"

Her face quirked in a cunning grin as she winked at me. "Always, and it goes both ways." I laughed at her and gave her a tight hug which she returned immediately. "Now come on, time for you to dazzle the rich and the snobby."

Rosalie and I walked into the grand ballroom together, as Angela pressed on her microphone, announcing to the crew that I was ready for my presentation. I looked at her apologetically, hoping she would understand what she could now but not take my outburst at her seriously. She returned a small smile and quick nod of her head, which I understood that there was no love lost.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen." The MC's voice rang through the speakers, as the chatter from the audience lowered in volume as he gathered everyone's attention. "Thank you all for joining us this evening. If you could all please take your seats, as our evening is ready to begin."

Jasper had joined the two of us and took his place beside Rosalie, trailing behind me as Angela led us to the corner of the hall in a dim corner while our MC waited for everyone to be seated. Angela came to my side and handed me a small microphone earpiece to put on and placed a slide clicker in my hand.

"Thank you," the MC announced. "Political leaders, environmental activists, prominent business and tech innovators and notable celebrities. The most influential leaders from across the globe. You've all been hand-picked to help celebrate another year of success at Swan Enterprises, raise funds for a well-deserving charity but also join us for an enormous milestone announcement which will be marked in the history of Swan Enterprises. So who's ready to get this night started?"

Cheers erupted from the crowd and my face broke into a huge smile, slowly forgetting everything I had gone through just moments before.

"It is with immense pleasure that I present to you the woman who's gathered us all here this evening. From a simple idea, she single-handedly built a multi-billion dollar corporation in a few short years, knocking down every obstacle that has come her way. A leader in the business, technology and environmental industry, proving that anything a man can do, a woman can do better. The astounding technology her corporation has created has launched our planet on a path of hope, rather than one with a bleak future as we have created. Without a speck of doubt, she has given us that hope and made our world a much better place, becoming a role model for the industry and for young business leaders, environmental activists and specifically young females across the world. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you, Isabella Swan."

The hall exploded in applause and I drank it all in, smiling at Rosalie and Jasper quickly before I began to walk up the steps to the stage. The spotlight turned to me as I did and I felt like I was gliding to the stage, fitting exactly into the role I was about to play.

This was it. This was me.

This was exactly what I'd worked so hard for and I was never going to give it up.

I walked up to the center of the stage, a beaming smile across my face as I waved at the crowd. The thrill that I felt in that moment was incomparable to anything else I had ever felt. I felt like I was on a high and I never wanted to come down from it.

"Thank you for that wonderful welcome," I began as the audience's cheers and applause quieted down. "Though I would love to take all of the credit, I must admit that I tortured a few and brought them with me along the way.' I winked as the crowd's chuckling filled the room.

"And thank you, every single person in this room, for joining us tonight in celebration of yet another monumental year at Swan Enterprises as we raise funds for a very well-deserving charity and also as we unveil our biggest project yet. Although it's important for us to celebrate our past, tonight is a little different. Tonight, we're all about the future."

I clicked to the next slide as the screens filled with a beautiful 360 of our planet, where areas that were known to be third-world or struggling areas were covered in dark brown, signifying death and destruction.

"This is our future now, the path that we've chosen and have continued on. The first areas to be affected are our third-world countries, as illness, hunger and poverty will destroy the population and environment. We will bring it to a point where there is no turning back, where we will no longer be able to revive the environment and will lose millions of people. Cultures will be lost, native languages forgotten, as they all become a part of history. We cannot allow this to happen, we won't."

Clicking again, the screen changed to a beautiful Earth, filled with green grasslands and bright blue oceans.

"This is our potential future, one that we can create. We at Swan Enterprises as well as all of you here in this room. We can come back from the damage that we have done as we've made the impossible quite possible. Rosalie, Jasper, could you please join me on stage?"

As Rosalie and Jasper climbed up, I clicked again as the projected images on the screens zoomed into clips of groups of people from many different areas of the globe. Smiling faces on them all as they laughed at the camera, children giggling as they put their arms around each other and posed, animals as they drank from clean watering holes.

"Rosalie, Jasper and I are immensely proud of what we are about to announce to you all. Years of dedication, hard work, sweat and tears have led us to an innovation that will change our world for the better and build communities back from extinction.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is our extreme pleasure to unveil to you, Project Gaia."

The screen behind us lit up as the video's sound engulfed the room, presenting the computerized visuals of Project Gaia and the impact it would make in the world. Project Gaia was a new innovation that we had created at Swan Enterprises, named after the Greek goddess Gaia, who personified the Earth as a literal version of Mother Nature. The name, as well as the mythology behind it, inspired the entire project.

"Project Gaia was born from the dream to create ways for those living in disease ridden, poverty stricken areas which also had a lack of food and sustenance for the entire population. In simpler terms than my R&D department would explain, it is essentially a space, called a Gaia Shell, which is impenetrable from any outside source. Gathering energy from the sun and the Earth, it gathers up fuel and converts it into energy for the Shell. Think of it like a greenhouse, but where one seed can bloom and produce sustenance once or twice instead produces it for a lifetime. One little tomato seed will produce for years, providing more food to a family than you could imagine. A pipeline from the Gaia Shell will be built to the nearest water source, and the energy source will convert that infested water into clean, drinkable water that will never run out. Hundreds will be able to use the Gaia Shell every day, think of the possibilities for the struggling communities that need our help before they are gone forever."

I continued to go through the details, noticing the captivated gazes of every attendee as we went through the details of our greatest project yet. Finishing the presentation, the crowd erupted in applause, standing to their feet as Rosalie and Jasper moved to flank my sides as we stood and watched with pride. We looked at one another and smiled, almost about to burst with pride and joy of what we had just done.

"Now that's the reaction we were hoping to see!" I exclaimed, laughing as the cheers grew even louder and I had to raise my voice to share our next announcement. "And in honor of Project Gaia's unveiling, and with approval from my most wonderful CFO, we are throwing in one Gaia Shell for every two purchased. You will receive three Gaia Shells, capable of sustaining over a thousand people for the investment of two."

The audience roared even louder, all in excitement and awe over Project Gaia and the remarkable offer that we were giving them. I could see some individuals whispering to people sitting beside them, clearly working out details on the financials as they didn't want to miss the chance at getting their hands on a true game-changer. My cheeks were literally starting to hurt from smiling so hard but I couldn't help myself. The reaction in the room was more than I had dreamed of and I couldn't even imagine the impact it was going to make on thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people in dire need of help.

My eyes travelled across the room before I caught someone standing at the door of the ballroom, surprised as I realized who it was. Sharp green eyes were staring aback at me, dark and loaded with such strong emotion that was so familiar yet I couldn't place it. I stared back at him, watching as his jaw clenched as he swallowed visibly, before he shook his head sharply and walked out of the ballroom.

Good, leave. I thought, happy I lost a distraction that wasn't needed.

I turned back to the general audience and thanked them once again as the servers took that as their cue to serve the first course. The three of us followed Angela off stage as applause sent us off and we took our seats at our table. Our phones began to blow up as notifications of emails came through. This was Rosalie's expertise, the financials and processing of offers, so I watched eagerly as she picked up her phone and began to sift through the emails.

"Oh my God," she whispered excitedly, looking up at Jasper and I from her phone. "Bella, we just received an offer to purchase twelve! And another for 10! Holy shit, this is amazing, I can't even believe it!"

It took a lot to leave Rosalie in as much awe as she was in now, but what a sight to be seen. Not only were we going to impact so many communities but the financial impact to the company was immensely positive. The revenue numbers plus our stock values at the opening of Wall Street in the morning were definitely going to be more than we had even imagined.

"I'm so proud of you, Bella," Rosalie remarked as she put her phone down after looking at a few more emails. Jasper put his arm around me and whispered his agreement. "This right here, everything you've just done is the most amazing thing to date."

I smiled shyly, swallowing down the lump in my throat and winked at her. "Thanks Rose. Couldn't have done it with you."

"Uh, hello?" Jasper drawled, snapping his fingers in front of my face. "Are y'all forgetting someone?"

We both laughed as I placed my hand over top Jasper's which was placed on my shoulder.

"We could never forget you, Jasper." I said, patting his hand as a smile overtook his face.

"Yeah, no matter how hard we try," Rosalie quipped, getting a nice eye roll from her brother.

Our evening continued with a delicious dinner and dessert, although we didn't have much time to eat as we broke off and networked with the entire room. It was all so worth it, as tired as we were, as we had hundreds of offers awaiting our reply. I tried to avoid the Cullen's for the rest of the night, thanking Rosalie as she had gone over to chat with them instead of myself, hoping that they wouldn't realize how obvious I was at dodging them. I couldn't let them believe that the old Bella Swan that they had known for so long was still there – she was gone.

The night came to an end before we knew it. Angela helped us get our belongings and called our car, as Rosalie, Jasper and I left the ballroom and began to leave the venue. That was until we heard Alice's shrieking voice a short distance away.

"Are you kidding me? We booked our room weeks ago, what do you mean there are no rooms available?" She argued with the person on the other line, as I sighed and told Rosalie and Jasper they could just meet me in the car.

It wasn't Alice's mini freak out that bothered me as much as Carlisle's weary expression as he stood with one hand across his face, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose in a very familiar way. He just looked so tired; I must have not realized it before. Blame it on my worry for the man who I saw as a second father for years, I walked over to see what was going on.

"Carlisle, is everything alright?" I asked him, surprising him as he slightly jolted and looked down at me as his hand left from covering his face.

So much for avoiding the Cullens tonight, after all.

"I'm afraid not, Bella. It seems there was some confusion with our hotel suite and there are no other available rooms."

"Have you checked with any other hotels? There are a lot in the city, maybe –"

"No, I've checked and they're all full," Alice replied in a clipped tone, taking me a little by surprise. I must've shown my surprise as she looked back at me carefully, before taking a deep breath and replying again with a slightly softer tone. "It's too late notice, the only available places are in 4-star hotels and I can't do that to myself."

Ah, there was the Alice I remembered. A little materialistic but we all had loved her for it.

"Alice, don't be a snob." A velvety voice replied softly behind me. I didn't even need to turn to see Edward behind me and I didn't want to.

Alice sniffed before throwing her arms up in frustration. "This is awful! We have nowhere to go!"

"Alice, calm down," Edward replied, unfortunately walking into my line of sight and standing in front of his sister. "We'll just grab a motel, I'm sure there's one nearby that has a room available. I'll give them a call."

I watched as Alice's face contorted into an expression of sheer horror and I had to stifle my laughter. Or tried to, as laughter left my lips and I was faced with the gazes of three faces that shaped my past. I quickly composed myself and cleared my throat.

"That won't be necessary, Edward," I said, making sure he caught the way I spat his name with disgust. "You're all more than welcome to stay with me."

What?

"What?" Edward blurted out in shock.

We were clearly both just as shocked by what I'd said but there was no way that I could take it back now. Especially as I looked at the dropped jaws and wide eyed expressions looking back at me.

"Bella, are you sure?" Carlisle asked softly, breaking the silence as I smiled tightly and nodded my head.

"Of course, Carlisle. I have more than enough room at my place, you're all welcome to stay with me tonight." Carlisle opened his mouth to speak again but I raised my hand and smiled at him gently. "Please, I insist."

I said all although I silently prayed that Edward would deny my offer and go stay at some filthy motel. Sure my mini epiphany earlier brought me back to reality and reminded me that he meant nothing, but that didn't mean that I was comfortable with him sleeping in my own home.

Carlisle looked briefly at Edward and Alice before turning his gaze back towards me, a smile slightly lighting up his tired face. "Thank you, Bella. We would love to stay with you tonight."

"No need to thank me, Carlisle. Do I need to ask the driver to stop anywhere to pick up your belongings?" I asked as I noticed that they had no bags with them, curious where they could be.

"They're in Edward's car. He drove," Alice replied as she looked at me closely, gauging my reaction.

Wait… their bags are in his car?

Did that mean that Edward lived in New York? But they had just said that they had nowhere to go. So how could that mean that he had his car here, but he didn't have a place for his family to stay tonight? I was sure there was some confusion showing on my face but at that point, I didn't want to know. It didn't matter what he did or where he lived, although if he lived in New York, that couldn't have been a coincidence.

Edward spun sharply and stomped out of the building as I provided Carlisle with my address and phone number, letting him know that I would be home shortly after dropping Rosalie and Jasper off first so he could call me when they arrived. Carlisle walked over and gave me a quick hug, thanking me again before turning to follow Edward out. I turned towards Alice awkwardly, a moment of hesitation passing before she took a few steps forward and reached over, holding my hand and squeezing once before letting go.

"Thank you, Bella," she said genuinely, smiling sadly at me before turning to follow her family out of the door.