A/N: I am so sorry about how long this took! To make it up to you, this is over 1,000 words. Does that make you smile? It makes me smile.

Disclaimer: Since SM got sued, do I still say that Twilight belongs to her? Oh well. It still doesn't belong to me (*sob*).

Previously…

"My name is Royce King."

Chapter 8: Dinner With His Family Part 2

BPOV

"Well," Esme began, "Now that introductions are over, I think it's high time that we all sit down to our meal."

Edward led me to my seat which was between my two favorite people, my—shudder—fiancée, and Royce.

Joy.

We had missed the first course, but right after we all sat down again, the salad was served. I didn't know any of the servers, thank God, because the kitchen staff didn't really mingle with the cleaning staff much. It was unlikely that anyone would recognize me, but I averted my eyes anyway.

It was mostly quiet while we ate salad, and when the next course, pasta, was served, I looked down again. I could only imagine all the questions I would face if someone recognized me.

Afraid of gossip, now, are we? I chastised myself. I didn't have anything to be ashamed of.

Unfortunately, during my inner tirade, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. My sudden burst of confidence caused me to look up straight into the eyes of the person sitting across from me.

Rosalie's icy glare chilled me to my bones. There was such hatred in that gaze, and for the life of me I couldn't imagine why. Thankfully, I was saved by her brother.

"So, Miss Isabella, how did you and Mr. Edward meet?"

I took a bite of pasta to avoid the question. I had a semi-hysterical vision of me saying "Well it all began when he ran into me and I started a fist fight…"

This should be the time in my story where I say "Thankfully, Edward took this chance to come and rescue me," but he didn't.

Traitor.

I swallowed and took a deep breath, "Oh, just where you would expect." Before she could question my vague answer, I plunged ahead, "Where did you and Mr. King meet, Miss Hale?"

"Well," she began self-importantly "As you may or may not know, my father works in the bank. Royce's father is the president of the bank where Daddy works. One day my mother forgot to give Daddy his lunch, so she sent me up to deliver it to him. That's where I met Royce."

Royce jumped in, "She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen." It was not the tone of a lover, in fact it was almost…lecherous.

This guy needed a hobby that didn't involve prostitutes. "So, Mr. King, what do you do?"

"Well, after I complete my studies, I plan on taking over for my father at the bank."

I almost choked on the snobbery in that tone. I really don't see what right they had to act so much better than everyone else. Just because "Daddy" is a big shot, it doesn't make Royce or Rosalie anything special.

Then again, maybe I'm being hypocritical. My mother helped me get this job. Any employer that ever saw me try to walk across a flat surface would clearly never hire me. I think I earn my keep, but I guess it's how Royce does when he gets the job that's more important, rather than how he got the job. So I smiled sweetly and said "That's nice."

Then Rosalie shot me another icy look and the conversation ended. What ants got into her pants? I wondered.

EPOV (By Popular Demand)

After dinner, we all moved into the parlor for tea.

So far, Bella was doing rather well. She hadn't spilled anything on herself or others, she used the silverware correctly, and she spoke well. What was the point of this plan if she was going to behave so well?

It was very frustrating, to say the least.

"So, Mr. Whitlock, what are your interests?" Bella asked.

She was horrible. Absolutely horrible! She was attentive as everyone was speaking, and she actually cared about the answers to the questions that she was asking.

"Well, I just spent the last three years in the military, so now I'm just enjoying civilian life."

"Really," she pursued, fascinated, "What was that like?"

"Well, I was stationed in Texas, where we mostly just did standard patrols. I ended up training new recruits."

"Stop being so modest!" Esme interrupted. "Major Jasper Whitlock was the youngest major in all of Texas, and a highly decorated hero. He was wounded, and after that he started training youngsters who lined up trying to emulate him. Then, he was medically discharged."

"It's not nearly as dramatic as she makes it sound, Miss Swan."

"You're very brave, Major Whitlock."

I suppressed a growl. Why should I care that she is completely in awe of Major Whilock? Who cares that her attention is focused completely on him? Even if she is supposed to be MY fiancée, it's no big deal right?

Unfortunately, I think my mother noticed my discomfort. "Bella, dear, I think my son is getting worried that you're paying too much attention to Mr. Jasper."

She laughed, and I could swear that she smirked at me.

This was going to be a long night.

Bella's POV

I was completely enthralled in Jasper's story. I wish I had adventures like that!

Isn't this sort of an adventure? A little voice inside me asked. No, definitely not. Adventures are supposed to be fun.

All of a sudden, Esme interrupted by saying, ""Bella, dear, I think my son is getting worried that you're paying too much attention to Mr. Jasper."

I laughed. It was so absurd, the idea that Edward would be jealous. This isn't even a real relationship! But when I turned to look at him, he did have a strange look in his eyes. I smirked at him, because he was in on the joke, that there were no feelings between us at all. He just looked more uncomfortable.

"Sorry, Mr. Jasper, but unfortunately I have already been taken." I made my voice sound as regretful and longing as I could.

Edward squirmed.

Well, the jerk enjoyed my discomfort before, so I should enjoy his now. Maybe I could turn this to my advantage...

This might just be fun after all.

Okay, I can understand if you don't want to review considering how long I made you wait. I'll make a deal with you though: If you review, I will send you a SNEAK PEEK of the next chapter.

Deal?

Good.