Thank you for the reviews! I feel so blessed! I hope you like this new chapter. It's got a lot of drama, and is not something I would have usually written! Let me know what you think:
Taking things in my own hands was a very vague goal I had set for myself. I needed a plan...a solid, fool proof plan. There were a few things I wanted to clear out with Edward. Sure, he had "come clean" and told me the truth about every thing he did in the past. But I was still paranoid. Would there be more secrets in the future? Was I fully prepared to deal with these secrets? I really wished Rose was here. Sometimes, I just needed her sane, mature advice as against Alice's willy, childish ideas.
I looked at the time. It was probably 8 in the morning in India where Rose was. I figured it was worth a chance calling her.
I went into my room and called Rose on Facetime. Fortunately Jacob wasn't around so we could talk and narrated everything that had happened since I returned from Rome. Abruptly leaving when Alice got home, his reaction to seeing Paul at home, lying about Lauren, getting irrationally angry today morning and ignoring me all day. I also told her about telling me the truth about everything. Rose deduced that he was probably uncomfortable being in Alice's presence since he thought she knew about the sexual harassment case and was afraid that she would blurt it out to me if she even remotely suspected that he was not good for me. This did make sense. Edward had told me last night how he was hesitant to ask me out because he feared Alice would tell me about Lauren and that would make me prejudiced.
As for his reaction today, Rose said that he just needed some space. Some guys tend to read too much into what we say. She asked me to speak to him tomorrow and talk about whether both of us think we are at a stage in our relationship that we can disclose it in office and where this is going. But for tonight, I was just going to let my hair down, and go out with Alice.
Alice was game, as I knew she would be, we decided to go to Paul's bar for drinks and have dinner at a nice restaurant. Paul was behind the bar, serving, when we reached. He insisted that our drinks be on the house. I knew we couldn't drink much because we had to be driving home, so we decided on having one Cosmopolitan, walking to the restaurant next door, and by the time we finish dinner, we would be sober and ready to drive. The bar wasn't crowded. I just assumed it was because it was the middle of the week. I sipped on my drink, chatting with Alice about my trip. Alice seemed to be really trying to like Edward for my sake. Paul was busy serving another patron. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit me. It was strange, but I didn't pay much attention to it.
I started feeling dizzy again and just then, I saw a bouncer coming up and standing behind Alice. I started panicking then, but didn't get too far because I blanked out right then.
I woke up feeling really thirsty and had a queasy feeling in my stomach. I looked around and I seemed to be in a godown of some sorts. There were crates of beers around me. My hands were tied behind my back and so were my legs. It was dimly lit but I saw a figure standing in front of me. I must admit, I was scared. The figure stepped forward and I recognised him immediately,
"Paul," my voice was hoarse and my throat felt scratchy. Paul had an evil smirk on his face.
"Do you really think I came over the other day to just apologise, Bella," he sneered.
umm...yes?!
"What are you talking about Paul?"
"I never really got over you Bella. Sure, I didn't want to be tied down in a relationship. I still don't. But I have always been attracted to you. I just want to fuck you, Bella. I came over that day to see if you would be willing to have an...what should I call it...a no-strings-attached fuck-a-thon"
If I was scared before, I was petrified now. Clearly, consent was not on his mind.
"But you're getting married," I said, surprised my voice wasn't quivering, despite how scared I was.
"Yes, well, doesn't mean I am not a man anymore. Besides, I am being forced into this arrangement. I made the stupid mistake of knocking up the sister of some very powerful gang members."
I closed my eyes, silently praying for a miracle to happen. Paul was walking towards me now. I was struggling against the ropes binding me.
Suddenly, I heard a loud crash from behind me. I turned around to see the door wide open and Edward standing at the doorway. I looked at Paul and his eyes were open wide, his mouth agape. I would have laughed, had it been any other situation.
So, how many of you thought Paul was a nice guy, huh? Yes, I went a little drama-movie here...hope ypu liked it...let me know in the reviews!