CHAPTER TWO- ESCAPING THE GRIEF FOREVER

I'm leaving.

I've made up my mind.

Lying around the living room couch for the past three months since Charlie's death wasn't going to help anything. I knew that, of course I knew it, but I didn't do anything about it.

Until now.

I would have to leave. This whole place, the entire town reminds me too much of Charlie. Everything would just hurt more and I need to break away from that reminder. It's not that I would move on that fast, but at least I could try. Besides, the only person who was holding me back from moving was Charlie. And since the universe took him away from me; there really was no point now, is there?

The doorbell rang and the only part of me that moved were my eyes, no matter how sore they were from all the late night sobbing and weeping sessions. It rang again, and again, and one more time. I squeezed my eyes tight shut, longing for the noise to disappear. Wishing everything would end, including the fact that Charlie was forever gone…

It was inevitable; because the sound was still echoing through out the whole room. The night was looming too, who would want to visit 'Mourning Bella' at this hour? The whole town could probably clearly hear me for a long time now.

The ringing stopped but was later on replaced by constant frustrating knocks on the door. I took a deep breath and separated the blanket that was draped across my body. I heaved and jerked the tissues and plastic cups, which were previously filled with coffee for the last couple of nights, away while I marched towards the door. There, stood behind the door was a man and a woman. The man was in a uniform which robotically told me that he was a police officer since he had a coat on with a badge by the chest pocket and a gun holster tight around his hip. The woman was carrying a suitcase and her complete facade and expression seemed professional and refined. Her hair was tied firm behind her head, and she was wearing a lawyer-like suit.

"Good Evening Miss Swan, we apologize for the short notice and barging on like this, but we decided to inform you as soon as possible. Even if it is slightly late for now." The woman was the first to speak, and her voice was as composed as her appearance. "This is Officer Walker" She gestured toward the man. "And I'm Daphne Ortega, your father's company's Lawyer. We're here to talk about your family's money and everything that is left for you now."

That one completely caught me off guard. What did she mean by the family's money? My eyes shot back and forth the suitcase and the woman, deliberating if she was telling the truth. They could easily have been faking their identities and probably be robbers or psycho paths.

"Miss Swan?" The man said, stealing my attention back. "It was fortunate and truly convenient that your father readied a will just in case of tragedies like these. And, we would want to discuss about that."

Perhaps they weren't criminals; I guess it would be safe to talk to them inside.

"Um. You could come in." I insisted but remembered the mess I've made in the living room and slightly felt uncomfortable. But then I vaguely cared, I just wanted this to get over with.

"Thank you." The woman said, taking the first step through the doorway. The man followed and I took a quick glance outside in the night, peeking if anything interesting was happening in Forks which was visibly impossible, and shut the door close.

They had their backs on me and the woman was scrutinizing the scene before her.

"Sorry, just don't mind the clutter. I wasn't really expecting company…" I quickly paced towards the couch and shoved everything away.

"Well understood, Miss Swan." The man said while I was still stalling.

"Please, call me Bella. Miss just makes me feel old." I sniffed once, crossed my arms by my chest and then faced them. They still had their same masks from a while back.

People could only take much seriousness.

"So, what about my father's will?" I started.

"Well, Miss S—Uhm, Bella. You're a legal adult now, and they weren't any relatives that we could track down. We justly struggled to retrieve your files and your father's since you were adopted. That's why we were not that ahead of telling you sooner." The woman answered.

"And like I said, Mr. Swan was prepared and it said on the will that you would have the whole property. The house, his possessions…the money. Basically everything that he owned. It is now all yours." The man added.

My jaw fell slack at his statement. "Everything?" was the clever response I defied back.

"Yes, Miss S—Bella. Everything." The woman confirmed while the man only shrugged and nodded. "The money has already been transferred to your account in the bank. Although, I suggest you could get a job since—well, the source of earning money had…you know…" She added.

"Yeah…I guess I could find one, I just graduated and, I'm free…" My mouth was still open and I was still speculating. Charlie was always a bright man, and I will forever be grateful to have a father, even if not biologically, like him. I'll surely miss him. But this only serves as a sign that I really need to start moving. Why?

I'm using the money that I now own to get the hell out of here. I'm leaving.

"Well, thanks for the information." I retorted fast, ready for them to leave and me to take action.

"Oh, wait." The woman's face lit up. "One more thing…" She laid the case by the table and opened it swiftly. She grabbed something from inside and then pulled her hand out, holding something that appeared to be a pouch of some sort. "This came with the will. And obviously now, it's yours, whatever this is." She handed it to me and I grabbed it quickly to get on with my plan.

I led them back to the door and they left quietly.

First thing's first, start packing.

My whole body responded automatically and it acted quicker than my brain. I strode towards my room and practically snatched everything that would come in handy. Not too many clothes, I knew I would be able to buy more in the destination I was going to. My body ran to the bathroom and nearly shoved all the toiletries available.

Since the woman told me that the money was taken care of; that was least of my problems now.

I ended up bringing three medium-sized bags and another one which was small enough for all the important things to stuff in. It was honestly late, around three in the morning, but I truly wanted to escape from here right away.

I ran back into the living room, the bags were on my back and on my hand, leaving only one free hand to take hold of the phone. As I dialed to call for a cab, I quickly talked into the phone and hung up, heading towards the front porch and waited for the car. The furniture and the rest of the stuff were left inside the house, but I honestly couldn't care less about it. I would probably just send someone to bring it to where I was going.

The cab came in minutes and I hastily threw the bags on the trunk and sat at the back seat, nearly yelling the directions to the driver and giving him the money early.

He directly reversed the vehicle and started straight to the airport's direction. It was past midnight, so there weren't any intense traffic. Since I was clearly hurrying, and all I could do was fidget around anxiously to get to the airport.

We finally arrived and the driver popped the trunk open. I dove through the open space and yanked my bags away, slamming the lid close and running towards the entrance of the airport. I spotted the stall to buy the tickets and luckily, no one was there in line.

The man that worked behind the stall seemed asleep. I had to tap the glass countless times to catch his attention. He finally sat up and I was getting intolerant at every second that passed by. I could not take anymore of the 'Forks, Washington' living.

"Where to?" His lifeless tone asked.

"One first class ticket to California, please." My rapid words responded back.

"The next flight is slightly late…" He hesitated, taking in my hurried look and probably doubting me.

"Look, I really don't care. What time is the next flight?" I asked impatiently.

"Uhm…7 O'clock"

"What?!" I fell into shock, almost out crying at his face. But my senses knew better and instantaneously came back and I realized that it wasn't that bad. "Oh, fine…I'll take it."

"Okay…"

I paid my money and tucked the ticket firmly in my jacket. There was still three hours left for me to spend my time here in Washington, but I truthfully couldn't wait to get into a warm, bright place like L.A.

The waiting area for the flight to California wasn't even nearly half full, doubtless only twenty people were in there.

I placed my bags to one of the chairs but I couldn't seem to calm down. Instead, I paced around, but my mind was somewhere else, wandering around the midst of possibilities of what I would do with my life when I get to California, but I was abruptly stopped when something hard practically knocked me over.

"Ow…"

"God, I'm so sorry…Here, let me help you."

My hand automatically shot up to my head, but someone grabbed my arms, making me stand up. I lifted my head to see a man with wavy blond hair and a striking rueful smile.

"I'm terribly sorry; I should be more alert to where I was going." He apologized again.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks." I tried to raise my lip to form even the smallest smirk when I realized who he was. "Dr. Carlisle?"

"Ah, yes. Well, that's my name…" He laughed, but I was simply stunned to see him again. Charlie was great friends, maybe even best friends, with this wonderful man and I haven't seen him in years.

"Hold on, are you…?" He innocently asked. I wasn't offended, since I knew I probably looked different to anyone who hasn't observed my great physical development in my four years of college. And last time we conversed, it was our high school graduation party and Charlie and he were the chaperones.

"It's me. Bella! Bella Swan…" He seemed confused at first then his entire expression turned…rather glum. All I expected from him was recognition and maybe another smile, but next thing I felt, was that I was caught in a bone-crushing trap.

"Oh, Bella! Bella, Bella, Bella..." He cooed in my ear. His voice on the verge of cracking, but my mouth hung open, and I literally didn't know what was going on. His hug didn't seem too comforting, but at least he knew me.

"I'm absolutely sorry about Charlie…I tried contacting you, but these busy nights in the hospital…" He let go of me but held me by the shoulders, staring at my eyes.

Oh yes, Charlie. Right. He was friends with Charlie, so definitely he would know what happened.

For some reason, my sight shifted to a blur and I felt a sensation painful as stinging in my eyes.

"Right…Charlie." It was barely audible, and his arms were wrapped around my body once again.

"What are you doing here in the airport at four in the morning?" He checked his watch and then eyed me suspiciously. "Are you planning to go to California?"

I didn't know what to react to that. If I should tell him about my escape plan or lie to him. But lying wouldn't help anyone, and he ought to know anyway.

"Actually, I'm more on fleeing to California, Carlisle." I admitted, looking only at the pattern on the floor.

"Oh…I understand. Wanting to get away from the memories, huh?" His hands were still on my shoulders, but now stroking me, comforting. Thoughtful.

"Exactly. I didn't really expect for you to understand."

"Bella…when Esme, my wife, passed away from serious conditions and untreatable diseases, no one was there to console me and cope with me. Except for Charlie, he truly was a great man." He had the depressed appearance on his face again, and this time, I was the one who wanted to hug him, but thought better of it, because again, I was clueless to where he was going with this.

"I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to the daughter of my best friend."

"I am grieving, Carlisle, but I guess this trip would do a lot of good for me. I could get a job, find a masters maybe and…I'll just figure things out when I get there."

"Alright. But, do you have a place to stay?" There was a twinkle in his eye that confused me even more. Something that looked like…hope? What was this man up to?

Sure, he caught me. I hadn't planned out anything about any place; I was too much in a hurry, clearly.

"Uhh---No. But I could always get a hotel in California and look for a new place from then." I shrugged, and falsely grinned at him.

"Hotels in California are always a mess, believe me. And there's no time to buy an apartment, please Bella, I have an extra place, our beach house. You could stay there as long as you may please." I was shocked at his offer, but of course I wasn't taking this. It was my problem and although Carlisle was being a great gentleman, this was just sweet of him but…

Well, I couldn't really find a reasonable excuse.

"Carlisle. Thanks, but no thanks. It's too much of a hassle and I think I'm actually interfering." I attempted on using my best convincing and persuasive tone, but the odds of him buying it was low.

"That's ridiculous, Bella. Take the beach house, and take a break for a moment. You probably just finished College, and you would want a break. After all, it's summer." He beamed at that, apparently hoping for me to accept the offer.

My mind hasn't made up any answers yet. I needed a place, yes, but taking Carlisle's? Well…I don't know.

"At least stay in the beach house until you find a place of your own…?" He tried offering again. He could perhaps feel that I wouldn't accept it.

"Carlisle, I would love to stay on the beach house for a moment but—"

"Wonderful!" He interrupted me before I even cleared out my point! Oh great, the old interrupt-right-after-she-says-something-about-accepting-it ­trick. This would just make me look shameless and I would feel guilty now…

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Dad! Did I just hear this correctly? What are you trying to do?" Another voice came behind Carlisle, and I was positive I've heard it before. Smooth, deep, and a luring tone. Where had I heard this? "She's not taking anything! I'm using the beach house the whole time I'm in California, remember?" He was behind Carlisle now, but he was facing me, his hands on his pockets and evidently acting nonchalant. A grin was wide-spread across his face but he was talking through his gritted teeth. Perhaps thinking that I wouldn't hear what he was saying.

Carlisle laughed and held one finger up and turned around to face the guy.

"Son, change of plans." He said through his smiling teeth too. "Don't you remember Bella? You know, Charlie's daughter?"

What is happening? Don't they think that I could hear everything they were discussing about? That was it. I'm surely not taking the house anymore.

"Carlisle." I loudly said more than necessary, stealing not only his attention but the bronze haired, green eyed, crooked smiled guy as well. "I'm sorry, but it seems that I'm prying. I'll just get my own place, thanks." I shyly smiled and tried to walk away, but Carlisle obviously followed me and held my wrist tightly.

"No, Bella. You are staying. Don't mind my son, he's…light headed right now." I heard an audible snicker from the familiar looking son of Carlisle's and saw that he rolled his eyes, but I couldn't place a finger to who he was. He was attractive, sure, but he obviously already appeared to be obnoxious and egotistical, like any other frat boy, definitely.

"I'm not light-headed, father. Stop lying. She's not staying there. You're not staying at the beach house." Little Mr. Frat boy took a step forward and narrowed his eyes, his gaze on me. No longer hiding what he wanted to say through his clenched jaw.

Carlisle took a deep breath and continued ignoring him. He gave me a little smirk and subtlety hit this guy with his elbow. Frat boy slightly jerked, but kept his stance.

"Bella, you know Edward from high school." He introduced us. Mr. Frat dude rubbed his ribs and shot a warning glance towards his father but then looked at me again.

"Hello, Bella. Nice to see you again."

There was nothing pleasing about the way he said my name. It was filled with venom. And I most certainly did not like him in any other way.

AN: I'm gonna post the next chapter soon if I see that this one's actually progressing. :) So yeah, Review guys! Thanks! :D