That's Why You're Beautiful

Chapter Three

I awoke the next morning with a dull ache towards the back of my head and groaned in protest, slumping back into my pillow. There was a slight ringing in my ears and I could feel a wave of nausea rolling in my stomach.

It took me a few moments to realise what day it was, and I smiled a little in the realisation that I didn't have any work today. However, I then felt my throat tightening as I remembered what had happened yesterday.

Ugh, I hated my life sometimes.

I closed my eyes, trying to get a little bit more sleep, but my mind was too active to rest. I dragged myself upright, grumbling to myself. So much for a day off.

I peeked over at my alarm clock and moaned at the time; 9am. I didn't know whether I could stomach the early Sunday morning TV, and I didn't fancy sitting here having too much time to think. I sighed heavily, placing my head in my hands. After a moment's deliberation, I pulled on my nightgown and headed towards the kitchen for a cup of coffee. It was then that I heard a strange sound coming from the bathroom, and I suddenly realised it was Alice.

I ran quickly towards the door and called, "Alice? Alice, are you alright?"

Her response was another eye-watering retch and I winced; what was making her sick?

"Alice? Alice?" I reached for the door handle but realised with a jolt of worry that it was firmly locked. "Alice, let me in! I need to help you! Alice!"

There was a moment of silence before the door clicked, and Alice stood in the doorway looking pale and blotchy. Nerves flipped through my body; was there something seriously wrong? She looked so ill.

"I think I had too much wine last night," she croaked, smiling weakly. I watched as she dithered towards the sofa, slumping down head-first into a pillow. A low groan escaped her lips and I heard her mumble, "Could you get me some water please, Bells?"

I nodded, heading towards the tap. After I poured some water, I headed back towards her and handed her the glass, which she slowly sipped at through her cracked lips.

"Blimey, Alice," I sighed, sitting by her side. "I've never seen you this bad before."

She grumbled something incoherent before saying, "I know... it sucks."

I leaned back against the sofa, closing my eyes. "D'ya think you'll be alright for later?"

When there was no reply, I looked up to see Alice peeking at me with clear confusion. This was surely the hangover from hell, by the looks of things.

"The party..." I explained slowly. "The one which Jasper invited us to."

Realisation hit her and she groaned. "Ugh." There was a long pause, before she added, "I just have one question, Bells."

Knowing her incredibly well, I pulled myself up. "I'll get the painkillers now."

Painkillers, huh. If only there was a tablet to kill the emotional pain, as well as the physical pain.

Three hours later and Alice was still curled up on the couch, wrapped heavily in a blanket which I'd provided for her. She was a little better, but I was still worried deep down.

Another re-run of The Simpsons was showing on the TV when I heard the familiar sound of my mobile ringtone. I leapt upwards, grumbling to myself. It was my work mobile, and I could swear that if anyone was demanding me today, I would lash out and probably wouldn't be responsible for my actions...

"Hello?" I answered breathlessly.

"Bella," came a familiar, sharp voice that was cold and lacked any emotion. "It's Yvonne."

Oh joy. My favourite person in the world; my lovely boss.

"Hi," I replied, biting my lip.

"Bella, I need a favour."

I slowly closed my eyes. Not today, please.

"Yvonne, I've got plans for today... I really can't-"

"Somebody's called in sick and a client is expecting to see her," she continued obliviously and I moved my hand into an irritated fist. Did she not just hear what I'd said?

"So I was wondering if you could step in for her," she finished, in her blunt, nasal-voice.

"Um... Yvonne, I've..."

"There's no option, Bella, be there at 8pm tonight."

And with that, she hung up.

It's at times like these that I wish I could hire an assassin.

She expected me, at completely last minute, to entertain a client at 8 o'clock tonight, when just one hour later I had a party to go to. If I didn't turn up, I'd be fired, and then both Alice and I wouldn't have a job, and we'd probably end up losing our flat and living out on the street in the freezing cold, with people staring at us in disgust as we begged for money to get a decent meal.

Okay, perhaps I was over-reacting a little. But it seemed like the simple solution would be to take the job.

Darn.

I chucked my mobile onto the nearest surface and dragged myself back into the room to join Alice. To my surprise, she was sitting upwards and had some more colour in her cheeks. She smiled towards me as I sat down by her.

"You look better," I commented, untangling my hair absently with my fingers.

"Yeah," she murmured. "But you don't look too good. Bad phone call?"

"Yvonne. She's asked me to take a job at 8pm tonight."

Alice winced at my words. "Will you still make it to the party? I really would like you to meet Jasper..."

Her puppy-dog eyes refused me to say no, so I shook my head, "I'll be there. I'll just be a little late."

She grinned. "Phew." Following that, she jumped upwards. "Now, I need to get a dress for later. Wanna join me?"

"Of course," I replied. Anything to get out of the flat.

A few hours later, I was on my way towards the apartment. I groaned as I made my way up the stairs, really not wanting to be there. It was when I reached the top that I noticed a thick book on my doorstep.

A Physics textbook.

Well, that explains everything; yesterday must have been opposite day, like in that Spongebob episode. When I'd told Edward that I didn't want the textbook, he'd heard me say that I did want it.

Perhaps he was mentally challenged, or just completely and utterly moronic.

I kicked the book to the side and reached for my key. A voice from behind me made me lurch forwards and I whizzed around, completely surprised to see Edward standing there.

Fantastic. Brilliant timing, Bella.

"Um, hi!" I blinked wildly. "Fancy seeing you here."

His expression looked hurt. Had he seen me attacking the stupid textbook?

"I'm... I-I'm guessing you don't w-want the textbook, then?" he asked quietly and I saw that underneath his large glasses his eyes were avoiding me.

I swallowed. "Um, er, no, of course I do! I... I was just... I didn't have any hands free and it was in my way... and..." Now who was stammering?

He nodded slowly. "Okay... Well... well I know when I'm n-not wanted. I was just trying to h-help." He turned around and I found myself calling after him.

"I was coming to see you again, b-but I can tell I'm clearly an inconvenience," he said. "I'm s-sorry for bothering you."

Once he was gone I couldn't understand the strange guilt I was feeling. I punched the door in frustration.

Still, on the bright side, I was finally rid of him and I also had tonight free now... Wahey. I turned on my heel and rushed down the stairs, heading back home. On my way down, however, I spotted Edward again. With Yvonne.

Oh crumbs.

"Is... uh, is everything alright here?" I asked, leaning against the wall. Oh no, he can't be complaining or something...?

Although I wouldn't blame him.

"No, it's not actually," Yvonne snapped in her cold voice. "Edward here was just telling me about your somewhat disastrous meeting."

"Uh, no... I, I wasn't... I just..."

Yvonne held up her hand to silence him. "Well, I bumped into him. He was hardly satisfied with your services."

"Yvonne I-"

She interrupted me. "I don't care for your crappy excuses, you just listen to me. Get back up those stairs, and give this man his money's worth." She turned to face Edward. "I do apologise, sir."

He looked completely startled and glanced at me. "I'd... I'd rather not. Not t-tonight."

Yvonne shook her head. "I really do insist..."

Edward began walking away. "N-no." His voice was strangely firm. "Thankyou, anyway. Goodnight."

He disappeared and I closed my eyes slowly, waiting for the enslaught. "Well, that was fantastic, Miss Swan. Good going. You'd better watch yourself next time, lady." She stormed off and I couldn't help hoping that someone was hiding behind a bush, ready with a weapon of some sort.

I rushed back into the flat a few minutes later to be greeted by Alice.

"You were quick," she pointed out as I slammed my keys on the kitchen counter.

"Please... just, don't mention it."

She nodded silently, while I sighed with guilt. "Sorry, bad moment. Ignore me."

I rushed into the bathroom to get ready without another word.

Within five minutes or arriving at the party, I had come to a basic conclusion.

It was one of those parties where I really, really didn't want to be there. I didn't know anybody and, to be perfectly honest, they all seemed quite... intimidating. Everyone looked at me like I was a piece of dirt off their shoe and I was beginning to feel paranoid.

Surely they couldn't know?

I peeked around the room, looking for the exit. I estimated how long it would take me to sprint towards the door and run back home without being spotted.

Hmm. Perhaps that would be a bit too obvious. And I'd probably stumble around with these ridiculously high heels and break my ankle.

I stood on the spot like an awkward penguin and swigged on my drink desperately. Why did I always end up in these situations? It wasn't like I had done anything to deserve it.

Well, besides being a prostitute. But that's no biggie.

I winced at the pain coming from my feet and made my way towards the seats. I gratefully sat down and leaned back, staring at the people dancing and watching the lights blazing. Without any warning, it brought back a raw memory from my wedding night.

David placed his arms around my waist and pulled me closer towards him. We swayed gently to the music at the reception, and I was the happiest I had ever been.

"You're finally my wife," he smiled, gazing down at me. I grinned in response. "Yes, it's taken a long time but we got there in the end."

I rested on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I was vaguely alarmed by a whisper in my ear.

"I love you, Bella."

I smiled in bliss. "I love you, too, David."

A deep voice brought me back to reality, and I noticed a muscular man waving a drink in front of my face. I blinked and focused on him.

"Hi there, you look like you need a drink," he grinned.

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He took a seat by my side and placed the glass on the table. "Well... you've been sat there staring into space for a good while, and it looked like thirsty work."

Is he trying to be funny?

"Have you been spying on me?" I asked, gratefully accepting the drink. "That thought's quite worrying..."

He laughed. "Well, I couldn't keep my eyes off you." He paused, holding out a hand. "I'm Emmett, by the way."

I eyed him carefully, before shaking his large hand. "And I'm Bella."

He raised an eyebrow. "It's great to meet you."

Feeling a little emotionally drained, I was desperately contemplating a way to escape his company. Before I could come up with any ideas, though, Alice suddenly sprung in front of me, towing a man behind her. It was only when he stepped out into the light that my heart quite literally stopped for a brief moment.

"Hi Bella!" she smiled. "Finally, here's Jasper!"

I couldn't move, so I just stared. Jasper. Jasper Hale. Now I knew why the name was familiar.

I'd seen his long, curly hair and steely eyes before. I'd seen him without any clothes, lying next to me.

I'd slept with him before my best friend, his girlfriend, had.

He'd been a client of mine.

I swallowed and met his shocked gaze. He recognised me too. He knew who I was. I could see him trying to maintain his composure as Alice peeked up at him.

"Jasper, this is Bella."

He blinked several times before holding out a hand.

"B-Bella... it's nice to meet you."

Again.