Chapter 3 - The Audition

Bella's POV

"Let's get back to the music room and go through the concert play list. I hope you can spare me another hour or so Miss Swan."

"Bella."

"Excuse me?" Shapely brows rose up questioningly.

"You can call me Bella." I was disappointed by his response.

"Well Bella, would you care to accompany me to the music room?" He sounded patronizing. I was hoping that he'd reciprocate by asking me to call him Edward.

"Right after you Mr. Cullen." I deliberately used his surname.

"What's with this 'Mr. Cullen' business? Ask Bella to call you Edward! Don't be such a dork!" Alice called out as she followed us into the music room. I had to hold back a smile at her directness.

"Well then Bella, call me Edward." He muttered seemingly distracted while picking up some music notes from his desk. I didn't respond.

"Isabella…"

"Bella…" I couldn't help rubbing it in his face.

"Bella," he finally looked up into my eyes and held out the stack of music notes in his hands towards me. I quickly took them.

"Please go through the notes. I guess you already know most of them."

"I do." I simply stated.

"I suspected as much. You have an extraordinary talent. I suppose you have a photographic memory to go with it," he continued giving me an appraising look. I was very surprised. It was a very astute assumption as not many people figured it out so quickly like he did.

"Yes Edward." I wanted to deliberately use his name. His eyes seemed to suddenly glow like embers and he sucked in a deep breath. That intense look was back.

"Wow Bella! That's amazing! So you remember everything? I mean…"

"Alice! Give her a break. Bella, I'll give you half an hour to go through the notes then I can answer any questions you have. After that you can leave."

"Not before she talks to me." He rolled his eyes. I was surprised at his somewhat informal response to her. I couldn't stop myself from smiling at him and I saw the corners of his lips turn up slightly before he pulled Alice onto the corner sofa with him. I couldn't help eavesdropping on their conversation. I was curious about their easy relationship. It was as if Edward was two people. He was so easy going with Alice while very formal with me.

They talked for a while about some places Alice had visited. She had apparently been on holiday the past two weeks and this was the first time she had seen Edward after she got back.

"So Alice how was it?" The twinkle in Edward's eyes when he looked down at her meant that he was teasing her.

"It was good Edward…much better than I could have ever imagined. He first…" to my surprise Edward covered Alice's mouth with his hand nodding his head no and he blushed. I was amazed by this sudden turn of events. What were they talking about?

"Please Alice I don't want to know the details. Believe me when I say I have plenty of information on the topic."

"Oh, but Edward you don't have firsthand experience. Let me tell you exactly how…" This time Edward started tickling her. Whatever she was going to say he didn't want to hear, but he was the one who brought up the topic in the first place. She was giggling like a school girl trying to evade him.

"Stop, stop, let me tell you how sweet…" she continued to laugh. Was she his baby sister? But they looked so different. Alice's relationship with Edward really was a big mystery and I can't seem to let go of the feeling that there was more to this interaction than that met the eye. I could ask, but I realized it was none of my business.

"What's going on? Edward, what's this I hear that you've replaced Tanya?" A deep gravelly voice called out.

Edward groaned and I saw Alice practically drag him down to her by his shirt collar and whisper something in his ear. Edward turned to Alice and nodded his head. She smiled back at him. They both stood up together with Alice still hanging on to Edward's arm.

"Come now Edward, answer me, what have you done?" I didn't like this voice.

I whipped my head around to see a short pudgy man in a business suit walk into the room.

"Ah Aro! Just in time, I was going to practice a bit with Isabella." Edward stated.

"So it's true? You've found a replacement? Are you crazy Edward? Do you know how much money I have riding on this? I can't afford the tour to be a flop. This is the first time you are doing something like this. So unless you make a good impression it will be the last."

"I know that Aro. That is why I am going to use only the very best." He gritted out.

"You think this little brown mouse can play better than me Edward?" Tanya huffed.

"When I proposed this tour it was understood that you will use my daughter as your violinist. It would give her the exposure she needs. I will not tolerate you making last minute changes like this." So this was Tanya's father. He looked nothing like her. Her mother must be exceptionally beautiful.

"I made no such promise and you know that Aro. The contract I signed with you clearly states that I have the freedom to select the accompanying artists, the music, tour locations and the instruments. You have no say in that." Edward seethed.

"I will not tolerate this nonsense. Wait till Marcus hears about this, he's on the way. Ahh, here he is. Just the man I wanted." A stout older man walked into the room.

"Edward, I need an explanation." He looked harassed. It was clear he didn't want to be in the middle of this argument.

"You will get one after you hear Isabella play. Come on Bella, let's play. You know the drill." For once I was on his side. I really didn't want Tanya near Edward. He sat down at the piano while I took out my violin.

"Come here…" He motioned me to come and stand right next to the piano facing him. Then his eyes met mine and after I nodded my head he started playing. I listened, as he would always play it first for me and then after I memorized it, I would start playing.

"Well, she's not playing. What did you expect a miracle?" Tanya rudely interrupted us.

"Enough of this nonsense Edward; send the girl away and we'll forget this ever happened." It was clear that Aro was trying to dismiss me without giving me a chance to play.

Suddenly Edward stopped playing and stood up facing them.

"I have a proposition for you gentlemen. What do you say to an audition? I think that will be fair to both ladies." Aro started laughing in derision at this.

I knew I could play any of the pieces he had already played with me. I also wanted to be able to earn this place for on my own merit and not just because Edward couldn't stand Tanya. At the back of my head I felt scared that I would lose my model. Edward seemed to sense this.

"You will still get what you wanted." He said to me in a lowered voice so that the rest of the room couldn't hear. I smiled at him and nodded my head in agreement.

"So what do you say ladies and gentlemen?" He turned to look around the room.

"I'm all for it Edward." Tanya purred giving him a cat like grin and then turning and glaring at me.

"Agreed?" Edward once again asked Aro and Marcus.

"Yes agreed." Marcus sighed running a hand in exasperation through his hair. Aro nodded his head.

"Well then Tanya, you go first. Number four." Tanya glared at Edward. I instantly knew that this was a piece she found difficult.

Edward turned back towards me and winked at me as he sat down to play. I knew he was getting her to go first so that I would have the opportunity to memorize the piece. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the music as they played. Tanya didn't make very noticeable mistakes, but there were parts where she hesitated too long and the flow was not that smooth. It was obvious she was not very comfortable playing this piece. When they finished Edward turned to look at me.

"Okay Bella, are you ready." I nodded my head yes. He kept his glance on me while he started playing; I joined him shortly and started to play just like we used to when we didn't know each other. His eyes were captivating; I was mesmerized by their intensity. Without having to concentrate my hands played the music while my mind got lost in Edwards' emerald depths. It didn't feel like we were two people, it felt more like one person playing two instruments at the same time. We were so in tune. I guess the weeks of playing together in perfect harmony was paying off. He had never played this piece with me before. I think it was a new one. When we finished there was silence in the room. Then suddenly we heard a loud squeal and Alice started clapping her hands. No one else joined her. She rushed over once again kissing Edward on the lips and then hugging me to my surprise.

"My god! Where did you find her?" Marcus asked. It was clear he was impressed. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face.

"That was unfair! He must have practiced with her! That was cheating. You knew I found it difficult to play that piece Edward." Tanya was pissed off.

"Yes. It looked like you practiced a lot. When exactly did you meet?"

"Actually I only met Bella this morning. She lives next door. I've heard her playing and when I was practicing in the evenings, she would listen to my compositions and play with me. When I realized how good she was I asked her whether she'd like to play with me." Oh Edward, I would love to play with you. What the hell am I thinking? Where did that thought come from? I shook my head to clear it.

"I don't believe you! It took me three weeks to learn that piece!" Tanya huffed.

"Well, I think Bella played with me for the last five to six weeks am I right?" Edward looked at me questioningly.

"Yes. I moved here six weeks ago."

"She has a very good ear and an amazing natural talent." Tanya's eyes narrowed into slits at Edward's praise.

"Well that was something." Marcus chuckled while Aro glared at him.

"I think you're biased, Edward. You selected that piece on purpose. It must be one that Bella plays well."

"Okay then, you select one and we'll play it."

Tanya made her selection and they started playing. Once again I closed my eyes and concentrated. This was a piece that we'd played before too. I remembered it very well. It was a difficult one to master, but since I'd played it three times in the past several weeks with Edward, I was sure I could play it.

"Shall we Bella?" Once again Edward kept his eyes on me the whole time we played. I felt the music flow effortlessly from my hands. This was much easier than the first since I knew it already.

"Incredible… absolutely incredible," Marcus was nodding his head in disbelief.

"I still think they are cheating. He must have taught her the whole concert and practiced with her."

"No I haven't Tanya. And when did you think I had time to practice with her when I was with you in the studio most of the time?"

"There is something suspicious going on here."

"Well then, why don't you just bring out any piece of music and then the two of you play it? I don't care what."

"Tanya, I think we've seen enough of this. I think Bella is great." Marcus spoke up, but Aro was having none of that.

"I agree with Tanya. Let's see them play a completely new piece. Not one of Edwards'. I'll find one on the internet and then they can play." He gave Tanya a look and they shared a secret smile it was obvious this was going to be a piece she knew very well. As I suspected it was one she played extremely well, but I knew I was better for the simple reason that I didn't try too hard and just let the music flow.

"Well, we have a clear winner. Now let's get this show on the road. Edward I expect you'll get everything prepared for Bella for this journey?" Marcus asked.

It was Alice who answered and finally everyone left leaving me with Alice for the dreaded measuring. She made an appointment for me the next day with a salon and I was finally free to go home. That night Edward played with me again, but he didn't play the part first, we both started playing together since this time I had the notes and I knew which piece came after which one.

A/N: Please review and let me know what you thought of this little audition. A big thank you goes to Dazzleglo for agreeing to beta this story.

I also have some great news! My story 'Preparing for the wedding' has been nominated for best Edward and Bella under the work in progress full length fictions in the Emerging Swan Awards. If you love our Edward please do cast a vote for him.

I've got more good news my amazing beta Dazzleglo's story 'Moose on the loose' has also been nominated for best humour. You really should read it if you haven't already.

Here is the link to vote for both stories through the Emerging swan awards website:

Emergingswanawards dot blog spot dot sg/p/full-length-fic-wip-nominees dot html

Or here's the direct link

Esurveyspro dot com / Survey dot aspx?id=219e1b90-4526-4c9a-9f1e-372cae504f1