Disclaimer: All characters and content of Twilight solely belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Hello again Lovelies, hope that all of you have an awesome weekend. Here is a little holiday treat for you.
Just a little note for you all as well, I personally find the age for Marcus in the movies to be a bit old for this story, but I find 19 to be a bit too young in comparison to Bella, and so in this world he and his 'brothers' were all turned in their late-20's; specifically 25 for Marcus.
A special thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed A Tasteful Seduction. You make the hours of fighting writers' block worth it!
Enjoy!
-Silver
A Tasteful Seduction
Chapter 2
My eyes flick to the door once again as they have every couple minutes for the past hour. I'm seated on the edge of my bed with my hands in my lap and my lower lip caught between my teeth. My nerves are like butterflies in my stomach, and every little noise makes me startle and freeze; waiting and listening for anything following the sound.
Silence is the only thing that comes each time, making my chest heave with my sigh and my spine loosen slightly. I have already brushed my hair 3 times since I ate lunch, attempting to style it a little before finally giving up and returning it to the simple ponytail I had put it in upon awakening.
Around the fourth time I had paced into the bathroom to check my appearance it had finally occurred to me that I was acting ridiculous. Why was I getting so worked up? I didn't even put this much thought into going out with Edward so why was I so worried about looking good for Marcus?
After scolding myself mentally about getting all anxious for nothing, though it did nothing to help the rapid beat of my heart, I finally forced myself to sit at my current perch on the bed and have refused to allow myself to move since.
Suddenly I hear a loud sound, and it takes a couple seconds of catching my breath and clutching my chest before I realize that it is in fact the chiming of the cell phone Edward had given me a few months prior. He claimed that he didn't care about paying the cost as long as I had a way to get a hold of him any time I needed; but I suspect the truth is that he wants a way to contact me at any time he so feels like it.
Regardless, if I don't answer he will only keep calling and get snippy and it is not me paying for the long distance charges, so I lean forward to grab it out of my bag and touch the screen to answer; holding the bright pink monstrosity to my ear.
Seriously, what was it about the Cullen's and the color pink?
"Hello?"
"Bella, love, why didn't you answer sooner? It rang 3 times, is something wrong? Did someone keep you from answering?"
I pull the phone away to stare at it incredulously for a moment, before shaking my head and bringing it back to my ear with a roll of my eyes.
"Uhm, Edward? Yeah, I am a human; I don't have the super-fast ability that you vampires do. It took me a second to find the damn phone."
"Right, sorry love, I just worry for you. There has been no sign of Victoria yet, but the wolves are still keeping guard over at your father's, and we have Emmett and Jasper out trying to track her right now."
"Okay, well things are fine here. I was a bit bored at first but I am going out to the gardens in a bit so I will at least get some fresh air."
"The gardens? Bella, you can't; any of them could attack you out there. Please, stay inside-"
"Inside this room, Edward? Like they won't be able to get in if they want to? They, like you, are fucking vampires Edward; I am pretty sure the hinges on that door stand no chance against them!"
"Isabella! Do not speak to me that way! That language does not become a young lady; how many times must we talk about this? Just stay inside like I told you to. When you are back here with me we are going to have to have a long talk about this attitude you have had lately!"
I am only half listening at this point; my jaw clenched so tightly that my teeth hurt.
"Edward?"
He stops his rant at the sound of my voice, he was probably expecting an apology. Boy, he is sure going to be disappointed.
"Yes, love?"
"Fuck you." And with that, I hang up the phone; going as far as to turn it off when it immediately starts to ring again. I toss the hideous cell into my larger suitcase before settling back onto the edge of the bed.
Feeling the rage bubbling up in my chest, I do the only thing a girl in my position could do; I grab the largest, fluffiest pillow from the head of the bed, smother my face into it, and let out a frustrated scream. It isn't a very long scream, but it is satisfying enough.
The only problem was that once the rage settles somewhat, the tears come almost always immediately after.
I am by no means sad, definitely not, but the anxiety of staying in this place and the stress of having Edward scolding me like a child is enough to make the salty water well up, and once it starts I find that I can't stop the small tears from falling from my eyes and sinking into the pillow still pressed to my face.
"Isabella?"
I startle, jumping a little and snapping my face up to stare into the deep, ruby orbs of none other than Marcus Volturi himself in a simple but elegant suit, a necklace around his neck with a large, golden 'V' resting on his chest just above his breastbone.
"M-Marcus? What are you doing in here?" In my shock I completely forget about the tears still falling slowly down my face, that is; until a pale hand raises up and gently brushes one of them away from my cheek.
My face is at once hot, but I can't bring myself to move away from the soft, cool touch. In my embarrassment I turn my eyes away from his and to the floor, but it only lasts a second before the hand moves to hold my chin between thumb and index finger; tipping my face up so that I can do nothing but stare at him with a questioning gaze.
"Are you alright, little one? I was on my way here and I heard you scream, I thought you might be hurt so I just let myself in."
I find myself smiling at the genuine concern I see in his eyes, and that must reassure Marcus a little because he stands straighter and brings his hand back to his side.
Ignoring the feeling of loss at the removal of his hand, I set the pillow aside and bring my hand up to wipe the tears away but pause when a small, white handkerchief is held in front of me in offering.
I take the cloth with a small murmur of gratitude and use it to wipe the tears away and dry my eyes before moving to pass it back to Marcus. He shakes his head at me with a small smile and a wave of his hand.
"Keep it. You need it more than I, cara."
With a bemused nod, I place the cloth into the pocket of my jeans and stand up. I look up at the ancient, and no doubt powerful, vampire standing in front of me.
"Well, shall we take that walk?"
Marcus tilts his head a little, but it is enough to make his long brown hair shift and flow over one shoulder. I catch myself watching the movement closely before realising that I am staring and snapping my gaze back to his.
"Are you certain, Isabella? If you are too upset, we can go another time. It is no trouble if you wish to be alone at the moment."
I shake my head quickly, feeling my ponytail swish against the back of my neck.
"No, no; I want to go. I would like to get to know you."
'Where in the absolute hell did that come from?!' The trail of thought screeches to a halt however as a brilliantly bright smile lights up Marcus's face. He moves to the door and opens it before turning and offering the crook of his arm to me.
"Well, Isabella, shall we?"
With a grin that I am unable to keep off my face, I walk forwards and wind my arm through his, my hand resting lightly on his upper arm.
"Yes, please."
With one last passing thought on the cell in my suitcase and the likely very angry vampire on the other end of it, Marcus leads me out the door and down the hall towards where, I assume, the gardens await.
Despite everything with Edward, I think today is going to be a good day.
Yes, yes I know; I am evil, I suck, etc. The only reason I am leaving it here is because I have a LOT planned for the garden chapter and if I tried to fit it all in now, I would be rushed and you guys would get a crappy chapter with a large lack of detail. It will be a busy chapter and I want to make it the best I can for you guys.
BUT, Bella told Edward off. So we have that going for us, which is nice.
Thank you again Lovelies, I promise the story will get rolling soon.
Love you all!
-Silver