Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from these characters just the plot is mine to play with as I desire!
Everything Goes: Chapter 17
Bella was growing accustomed to Jake driving her around. She was even starting to feel less scare each time they left her apartment. Jake dropped off the napkin to the police station the following day after it was left stuck to her door. They informed them they got a partial thumbprint but nothing showed a match within their system.
Bella was hoping he had changed his mind about targeting her for some weird revenge vendetta. For the entire week she heard nothing, saw nothing, and felt nothing out of place. Leah was the only one who seemed disappointed by the lack of the attackers attention on her. Of course Leah wanted to be the first to nail the guy and print the story. Bella tried to be patient with Leah when she would check on her like three to four times a day for any sort of update about the matter.
"Okay here is the deal sweetie since we have got nothing still on the attacker I need you to do a job for me. It's a simple one for me. I was suppose to go but honestly I can't do it not tonight. My back is killing me and I need to go home and soak in a hot tub." Leah rubbed her lower back while wincing. Bella could see she was truly in a lot of pain. Leah never showed any signs of weakness before now.
"What is it?" Bella looked up curiously. Honestly she was glad to get out of the office for a change. She also missed writing her own articles. The past week if she was not researching something pertaining to the attacker then Leah had her checking the work of the other writers. She was glad to get back into her game.
"An art showing on the square. You know that cute little place called "La Angels" well they have a new artist there who is suppose to be as hot as his work. I need you to go and write up an article about him. If you get a chance try to interview him,it would make the piece better." Leah suggested as she popped two pills in her mouth followed by a drink of water behind it.
"Okay. Uh, should I dress up?" Bella wasn't sure if Port Angeles art gallery was an upper class sort of thing or just a simple get together.
"I will send you a dress and shoes." Leah looked her over.
"Why?" Bella looked a bit upset as she stared bravely back at Leah.
"Because this is a black tie attire and I honestly don't think you are the type to own more than one dress for such an occasion." Leah smiled lazily as she stared back at Bella.
Bella hated it but she had to admit Leah was right. She didn't think her Senior prom dress would be suitable for such an event.
"So what time is the event?" Bella asked as she looked down at the silver watch on her arm.
" I have a hair appointment for myself but since I'm not going you can go in my place. Don't say a word. It's on the company credit card. So is the outfit so please don't act so self righteous and try to offer to pay for it." Leah sighed heavily knowing how Bella was already after just working with her for a month. If Leah tried to buy the girl a hamburger she was always trying to repay her somehow. She had never known someone who did not appreciate gifts no matter how small or insignificant.
"Crap. Jake has the car." Bella remembered as she reached down to grab her purse.
"Oh yeah what am I going to do about him?" Bella cringed as she considered how Jake would feel about wearing a suit and wondered if there was enough time to rent him one.
"Uh, Jake isn't invited to this honey. Seth is going with you. He already has a suit and all. In fact he can pick you up and bring you home from the event so Jake won't worry." Leah patted her on the head like she was a good dog.
Bella suddenly felt unsure about this job tonight. She had been so excited at the thought of working on a real article until she discovered Jake would not be joining her. With Jake she always felt safe. She wondered if she could survive an evening with out him by her side. She was awkward around socialites. Jake was the charming one, not her.
When Seth walked around the cubicle with a set of keys in his hand and a wide grin she realized she might be alright after all. Seth was a sweet talker and his dimples made the ladies swoon whenever he was near them.
"Let's go my lady." Seth smiled warmly at her.
"Are you going to take me to get my hair done?" Bella giggled.
"You know it. I might get a cut myself." Seth wiggled his eyebrows.
Bella exhaled long and loud. She was going to be okay. Seth would be just as good as Jake at watching over her. She made a quick call to Jake in the car while they drove over to the hair saloon. By the time she had arrived Jake went from being annoyed by her assignment to understanding and gave her a curfew. He understood how important it was for her to write again. She had done nothing but complain all week about it. He also knew that she was starting to grow a bit restless staying in the apartment all the time. He hated to give this guy any sort of chance to get to her but he also knew if he did not let her do something with out him glue to her side she would eventually grow sick of him.
He was not about to lose her now that he had finally found the best thing that had ever happened to him.
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Seth made his appearance at her apartment door at precisely seven o'clock. Bella was pleasantly surprised at Jake's reaction when she slipped into the strapless blue silky cocktail dress that Leah sent over with a pair of cute black heels. She decided not to wear any jewelry. It looked nicer with her neck bare she noted as well as Jake when he kissed it for several moments.
"Jake honey, don't mess up my hair." Bella moaned as his lips delicately slid up and down the side of her neck to the nape of her shoulder. She felt butterflies swirling around in the pit of her stomach.
"Baby, you look too good to go without me. How can I possibly believe that Seth can fight off the men tonight?" Jake pouted.
"Honey, you know you're the only man I desire." Bella pushed his legs apart as she scooted up in between them trying not to wrinkle the dress. Her hands caressed his chest, slowly sliding up until they were wrap around his neck. Leaning in she kissed him. She hoped that the desire she felt for him was felt through her kiss. She loved Jake. She could not imagine any other man stirring up any feelings even the slightest stirrings the way he did. She also knew in her heart that there was no way in hell she would do anything to harm their relationship. She had too much at stake with him. They were not casual lovers or possible soul mates. He was her best friend and he was one hundred percent her soul mate.
"I hope so." Jake sighed heavily. He hated feeling so insecure but looking at Bella dressed like this he couldn't imagine any man not staring at her. She was breathtaking. Her hair was pin up on top of her head. Her lips were painted a light pink that just screamed for you to kiss them. Her eyes were painted a soft blue that really made the blue dress pop. He was fascinated with how damn feminine she looked. Not that she wasn't pretty to him even without the makeup and a fancy dress but tonight she just looked more girly than he had seen her in quite sometime.
He also noted she looked more fragile. He saw her as a tiny little thing that any man could crush with one blow. His gut burned with rage at the thought of anyone causing harm to her.
"Seth you better take care of my girl tonight. Do not let her leave with anyone." Jake ordered as he stood over Seth who was just smiling like an idiot at Jake.
Bella was amazed at how relaxed Seth seem to be.
"Dude, she is a grown woman. Besides you shouldn't show how insecure you are or she might have to find a man with a bit more confidence in himself." Seth replied cockily as he winked at Bella.
"I ought to…" Jake went to reach for Seth when Bella shoved Seth out of Jake's reach.
"Go to the car." Bella demanded as she cupped Jake's face between her hands and placed a slow tender kiss.
"Stop it. Seth is a kid. Come on be reasonable. I promise to stay by his side all night. I will be home as soon as I get the scoop on this new artist. I will call you when we leave. Love ya." Bella's voice was soft and tender.
"Okay. Just be careful Bella. You're my life." Jake warned her as he caressed her cheek lovingly.
"I will." Bella promised before walking to the town car where Seth sat smiling like the cat who ate the canary. Bella wanted to smack him. He had no idea just how scared Jake was about the attacker using this opportunity of getting his hands on her. It wasn't as much about him being jealous as it was about his fear of letting her go without his protection.
She told herself she could do this and as soon as she got the interview she was going to grab Seth and race home to Jake and his strong but gentle arms.
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Bella and Seth walked in together and right away Bella could feel eyes on her. She hated these fancy parties. It was mainly for the upper class people to snub their own peers. She had been to plenty of these while she dated Edward to know they were not her cup of tea. Sure the dressing up part was fun but the actual event was only fun if you were with someone you enjoyed spending time with.
Seth stepped away from her side to grab them both a drink while she stared at some of the pictures. She was quite impressed. She had taken a few art classes while she attended college. She even dabbled a bit but never got serious about it. She was quite impressed with the artists depth of colors. He seem to make you feel the mood of the picture with how heavy or light the coloring was.
Seth popped back on her side handing her a drink.
"So what do you think? Is this guy good?" Seth frowned as he turn his head left and then right. Bella snorted. She could see that Seth had no clue at what he was looking at.
"He is very good. You can feel his emotions in each painting." Bella explained as she sipped on the champagne.
"So what is his name?" Bella thought out loud as it occurred to her that Leah had never given her the name of the artist she was suppose to interview tonight.
"Jasper Whitlock." Came a familiar voice making her jump slightly.
"Edward!" Bella nearly squealed in delight to see a familiar face among the crowded room.
"Bella you look smashing." Edward pulled her into his arms as he gave her a friendly hug.
Bella felt her cheeks blush as his eyes openly appreciated the view before him.
"Thanks. I'm here for work." Bella announced.
"Well work definitely looks good on you." Edward smiled his famous lop sided grin.
Seth coughed looking between the two of them.
"Oh, Seth Clearwater this is Edward Cullen my …well…my friend." Bella felt her cheeks burn brighter as she felt the awkwardness of trying to explain how Edward fit in her life now.
"A very close friend I hope." Edward teased her.
"Yes," Bella shook her head in agreement.
"What are you doing here?" Bella asked curiously.
"I'm happen to know the artist. He was my college room mate." Edward explained.
"Wow, that is fascinating." Bella smiled warmly at him as she sipped nervously on her drink. She was feeling a bit more confident about obtaining a quick interview with the artist now.
"So you're here to write a article on tonight's showing?" Edward observed.
"Yeah." Bella nodded her head again.
"Well, come on I will introduce you personally." Edward gave her his arm. Bella took it and glanced back at Seth letting him know it was okay she was with Edward. Although Seth cock an eyebrow warning her that Jake would not be happy to know that he let her leave his side even if it was with a friend like Edward.
"Be back in ten." Bella called out as she strolled happily with Edward.
"Isn't Seth a bit young for you." Edward teased as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Seth is a co worker." Bella giggled.
"Oh, I'm surprised you don't have a date with you." Edward was digging for information on her status and they both knew it.
"Jake couldn't make it. It was a last minute deal with my boss. She wasn't feeling well so I came in her place." Bella explained not knowing why she felt suddenly nervous about telling Edward the change in her relationship with Jake. With anyone else she was proud and excited to reveal the news but with her ex boyfriend she felt somehow strange. Not embarrassed but almost guilty.
After all how many times in the past had she told Edward that Jake was only a friend and nothing more?
"So I hear that Alice is still not well and she fears for your safety. Aunt Esme tells me that someone is possibly stalking you now. Is that true?" Edward ask with genuine concern on his face.
"Yes. I'm okay. Jake is with me and it killed him not to be here tonight with me." Bella replied honestly.
"No leads on this bastard?" Edward frowned angrily.
"None. The scary part is that my dad and Jake both believe I know him. Alice would only reveal to me that I was in danger and that I knew him. We both know him. I can't think of one mutual friend that Alice and I could share that would be this horrible." Bella sighed sadly.
"Me either but people often surprise us Bella. I mean look at you. You hated these sort of events but you were willing to go for your job." Edward reminded her of the many events he had to drag her to go on with him.
"Yes, but the difference is I get paid for this and I got a free dress in the process." Bella chuckled lightly.
"Oh so if I had paid you and bought you a dress you would have complained less?" Edward laughed.
"Maybe." Bella shrugged her shoulders.
Edward's eye sparkle with joy as he stopped in front of a guy who screamed "artist". He was dressed completely in black. His hair reach his shoulders with a slight wavy texture. She also noted the soft shade of brown eyes that stared up at her with a curious smile on his face.
"Whom have you found for us tonight?" Jasper asked with a soft whispery voice as he took Bella's hand in his and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it before looking into her eyes.
Bella felt like he had just stared into the very depths of her soul.
"Jasper Whitlock I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Bella Swan. She is a magazine writer. She hopes to get a few minutes of your time to interview you for her article." Edward stated in his most professional tone.
Jasper's eyes sparkled as Edward's had earlier.
"I would be delighted. Come let's walk and talk." Jasper gave her his arm as he led her around the showing. Bella ask her questions while listening closely to every soft word spoken from the artist's voice. He was quite a guy Bella noted. She couldn't help but find herself thinking how Alice would have enjoyed being in his presence. He had such a gentle nature to him. He could talk for hours and you would be mesmerized by the tone of his voice. It was almost magical.
"Thank you so much Mr. Whitlock for the interview. I see there are several people starving for your attention. " Bella thanked him politely for his time.
"Please call me Jasper. Any friend of Edward's is a friend of mine." Jasper kissed her hand once again before releasing it and strolling away to a woman who was fanning her hand above her head. Bella suspected she was his agent.
Smiling and feeling quite relaxed she began to scan the room for Seth. She knew he had to be quite upset with her for being gone so long. She had left his side for over a hour now. She began to circle around the larger room and then began into the smaller rooms when she felt a warm hand reach out and gripping her upper arm.
"Where are you off too now? I've been trying to get your attention the moment you stepped into the door." Bella jumped and the relaxing mood evaporated.
"Riley?" Bella was shocked to see Riley at the gallery. She was also a bit unnerved the way he mentioned that he had spotted her from the time she stepped in the door as if he was waiting on her to arrive.
"Bella. I'm sorry if I scared you. I saw you and I wasn't sure if it was you. Every time I turned around you were with a different guy and I was not quite sure if it was appropriate to approach you during those times." Riley replied nervously as he stared down at his feet while talking to her before he lifted his head and his eyes reached hers.
"Oh I'm sorry too. I just…well…it's been a long week." Bella chuckled came out rough and uneasy despite her trying to sound casual.
"I see. So are you here for pleasure or work?" He ask curiously.
"Work actually. But it has been such a pleasure to look at these paintings." Bella replied.
"I see. So who here is the lucky guy that won you away from me?" Riley scanned the room in search of the men he had seen her with tonight.
"Um…none of them actually. I came with a co-worker. Jake is home." Bella replied as she picked up a glass of champagne from a waiter standing close to them.
"Ah…so Jake is the name of the bad sport who stole my girl. Wait a minute, isn't that the name of the guy who was at the club with you?" Riley looked startled as he stared hard at her.
"Yeah. Jake is my roommate and boyfriend now. We weren't that night I was at the club. It just sorta happen afterwards." Bella explained as she sipped on the drink.
"I see. So you guys were close friends who turn into lovers. How romantic." Riley sighed heavily.
Bella sensed that he was not sincere about his last statement.
"Yes that about sums it up." Bella smiled nervously as she scanned the room for Seth or Edward.
"It's too bad I didn't get you out of that club that night. I might have won you first." Riley smiled warmly at her.
Bella felt small butterflies twittering in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't that she was turn on by him she was more embarrassed by her behavior that night with a total stranger. Riley, being that stranger stood before her giving her a look that said each time he saw her he replayed their moment in the bathroom together in his mind. Bella blushed as she looked away.
"So why are you here?" Bella decided to turn the tables on him. He seem so interested in her, she figured it was fair to question why a single guy like himself was at a art gallery.
"I happen to know the artist." Riley admitted.
Bella blinked a few times. What were the odds that Edward and Riley both knew the artist?
"You know Jasper?" Bella was stunned.
"Yes, apparently you do too?" Riley replied with a equal look of surprise.
"Well, no, not until tonight. Edward introduced us. I interviewed him for the magazine." Bella explained.
"Oh, Edward? I thought he looked familiar." Riley chuckled as he shook his head.
Bella was now truly amazed and intrigued. Riley knew Edward too? The world was becoming such a small place after all.
"You know Edward Cullen?" Bella finished off the drink while she watched his face intently.
"Yeah, I went to college with them. We were in the same fraternity." Riley replied sheepishly.
"Oh. So you guys were like brothers in college." Bella could see how Riley would fit in with Edward and the few other friends she had met of his.
"Yeah." Riley replied with a sad smile.
"So how do you know Edward?" Riley's sad smile faded as he stared curiously at her.
"I …well…we use to date. He is also the cousin of my best friend." Bella replied as she pressed her lips firmly together.
"Small world. " Riley chuckled but the tone made Bella's skin crawl. She suspected that he and Edward shared some soft of history. Something bad had perhaps occurred between them. When Riley's eyes landed on Edward who was talking to Seth she saw the way his face froze momentarily when he saw Riley by her side. She knew that look all too well. Edward was not pleased. When she looked up at Riley he seem to wear a similar look on his face.
Bella's gut instincts were warning her that there was definitely some bad blood between these two frat brothers.
"I probably should go. Edward tends to get a bit pissy when I am near his girls." Riley spoke softly but his tone was rather harsh.
Bella also noted how he use the term "girls" as if he was referring to Edward as a player. Bella knew that he had no trouble finding women but she had never seen him as the playboy type. Yet when she saw a flicker of pain in Riley's eyes she suspected that the rivalry was due to a mutual girl they both shared in their past.
"It was good to see you again." Riley reach over and hugged Bella. Bella was shocked by his sudden closeness to her body.
"You too." Bella mumbled nervously as he flashed her a warm sincere smile before strolling away as Edward made his way to her side.
"You know Riley Biers?" Edward ask with a fierce demanding tone. Bella was thrown by his harshness with her. Edward had never shown her anything but kindness and respect. This was a side of him she had never known until tonight.
"Barely. I met him at a club." Bella replied embarrassed by the stupefied look that Edward was giving her. She knew he did not think decent women should partake in club like activities. He always said it was nothing but trouble waiting to happen to any decent woman. Now that his cousin had been brutally beaten and rape due to being at one she understood why he had truly loathe the club scenes.
"You need to be careful Bella. Riley isn't the most reliable or trustworthy of guys." Edward replied coldly as he continued to stare at Riley's backside as he made his way toward the other side of the gallery to speak to Jasper.
"I'm beginning to wonder who I can trust at all." Bella replied sadly as she found herself adding Riley Biers to her list of potential suspects. He did speak to her and Alice that night.
Alice's statement about him calling them both whores rang in her head. It was definitely possible that Riley Biers had attacked Alice and was now stalking her.
"I want to go home." Bella stared up at Edward with large frighten eyes.
"Let's go." Edward led her over to Seth who was looking anxiously at her.
"I'm ready to go now." Bella announced nervously as she gulped hard.
"Finally." Seth let out a sound of relief as he reached down to take her hand in his.
Edward stepped in between them.
"I will take her home." Edward announced unexpectedly to the both of them.
Seth looked at Bella with a worried smile. Seth knew that Jake and Leah would be expressly upset with him if he let her go with this guy and something happen to her due to that.
"I don't know Edward. I promised Jake to bring her straight home." Seth adjusted his tie nervously as he looked at Bella for some assistance.
"He is right. I need to let him take me home." Bella agreed with Seth. Although being with Edward had made her feel safer than when she was with Seth. Still, she knew how bad it would look if Jake saw her walking up to the apartment with her ex boyfriend by her side. He would have some serious trust issues the next time she ask to leave the house without him.
"Are you sure Bella?" Edward's expression showed Bella just how far his feelings still went toward her. Although she was deeply flattered and yes perhaps a bit happy to know that he cared about her she couldn't let him do it. It wasn't fair to him or to Jake. She would be absolutely fine. What could possibly go wrong between the gallery and her home?
"Yes. Thank you Edward but Seth is capable of driving me home safely." She smiled proudly at Seth who looked extremely relieved to hear her agreeing.
"Okay. It was good seeing you again." Edward leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"Likewise." Bella agreed as she smiled tenderly at him before walking away with Seth by her side.
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Walking across the parking lot Bella felt her stomach muscles clenching up. She couldn't explain it but tonight had been extremely confusing for her. Emotionally mainly. It was odd to come across your ex boyfriend who also happen to know the guy you spontaneously made out with one night and to discover that neither of them were too keen about the other.
Then there was the way that Edward warned her of Riley. What was it about Riley that made Edward look so frighten when he saw her talking to him? What was their shared history? Was it really any of her business to ask him about it? What if it had nothing to do with what was going on around her?
So many questions were running through her mind that she had not noticed that Seth had disappeared around a row of cars with out her. Bella stopped in her tracks when she heard a strange sound up ahead of her. The parking lot had plenty of lights but the funny thing was where there car was parked the light seem to be out. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
"Seth? Seth?" Bella called out. She turned around making a small circle to see if she could make out anyone else in the parking lot. She saw a few people several feet away from where she stood. But no Seth? She heard another strange sound like someone hitting someone in the face.
"SETH!" Bella shouted frantically.
Her phone began to ring in her purse. Pulling it out she answered it.
"Jake! Oh my god I can't find Seth. I am in the parking lot and he has disappeared." Bella began to scream rapidly.
"Go back inside the gallery Bella. Run." Jake shouted.
"Okay." Bella began to run in her high heels across the smooth pavement. She could hear the clinking noise her heels made as she stared straight ahead.
"Bella." Seth called out in pain.
Bella stopped in her tracks. She turn slowly to look behind her.
She knew it had been Seth's voice but she could not make out his figure in the dark.
"Bella I am on my way. Get inside the gallery." Bella heard Jake shouting from her phone that was in the palm of her hand by her side.
"Jake! I hear Seth. He is in pain." Bella answered as she sobbed loudly into the phone.
"Don't stop Bella. Go inside and get help." Jake continued to shout furiously at her.
"Okay." Bella began to run again toward the lit up building when she felt her body being pulled backwards. Her body hit the cold pavement with a loud smacking sound. Her head hit so hard she was sure there was a goose size egg already forming. Opening her eyes she cried out from the pain.
"Bella….Bellla….are you inside yet?" Jake continue to cry out from her phone while he drove frantically to the gallery.
"Bella isn't safe. I warned you Jake." A deep male voice spoke into Bella's phone.
Jake felt his entire body freeze up as he heard the sound of a crashing sound and Bella's voice crying out in pain. Then the phone call ended. He looked down at the phone. The call was lost. He tried redialing it over and over as he made his way to the gallery. Each time it went straight to voicemail.
His heart was racing. His head was aching. His entire body was screaming in fear. He couldn't believe the attacker had manage to get her after all they had done to protect her. The bastard had obviously been following her all week. He found an opportunity to hurt her at last. The one time Jake was not around to save her.
"God NOOOO!" Jake shouted as he imagined the evil bastard harming Bella the way he had hurt Alice. Jake felt like his soul was being ripped from his body as the anger, fear, and heart break shook him from the inside out.
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So what do you think happened? Where is Seth? What happened between Edward and Riley? Why does neither of the men seem to trust the other? What happened to Bella's phone and did the attacker finally get her this time?