It was a Friday.
Late afternoon.
I had only just arrived home after a long day at work. I smelled of sweat, and body odor.
All I wanted to do was get home, shower, and put my aching feet up. After the long day I've had I really needed it. I was extremely exhausted. Mentally and Physically.
Luckily my parents decided to take Lottie for the weekend so I could rest, otherwise, I'd be dead on my feet.
I knew I wasn't going to go out once I got home, so I decided to splurge and go to my favorite BBQ place to buy a pulled pork sandwich with an order of fries, then drive home.
The complex I lived in had a coded gate, which had a small fob key, which I carried in my car.
I parked in my assigned spot, grabbed my tote, and my bag of food before sliding out.
The elevator was down for maintenance, so I had to take all five flights of stairs to get to my floor.
I almost sighed in relief as I placed my bag on the coat hanger, and the food on the small table.
I then undid the buttons of the powder blue button down, shrugging it off, and letting it fall to the ground. Then proceeded to unzip the zipper in the side of my black pencil skirt, and pushed it down. I almost sighed as it pooled on the floor, before I kicked off my work shoes.
I worked in Cullen Enterprises.
It was long hours, and I sometimes stayed longer than necessary due to many people from my floor messing up the freaking software that had to be monitored every single day, if not every few days for malware, or spyware.
I didn't exactly hate it. Because the job is still better paying than any other company or offers that I had gotten when I moved back to Seattle, Washington from Jacksonville, Florida two years ago.
It also came with full dental, medical, and vision insurance so I can't complain. Add the fact that we get bonuses twice a year. I was sold.
The only thing that sucked was that we had a strict office wear policy. No casual wear. Unless it was Casual Friday, which happen every fourth Friday of the month.
I usually tended to dress up my clothes to make it look like office attire but I hadn't had a chance to do my laundry and I was left with my powder blue button down, the black pencil skirt, and the shiny black heels.
Walking in the shoes all day, and running on little to no sleep had me dead on my feet.
I sighed as I pulled on the oversized t-shirt, before grabbing my bag and padding my way towards the couch.
I slowly sat down and brought my legs up with a sigh. I leaned forward to grab the remote, turning on the television to put on my favorite show.
I ate faster than I thought possible. I set the empty styrofoam box on sighing as I flexed my toes, groaning at the soreness in my calves and soles of my feet.
Sleep quickly overtook me, and I ended up falling into an exhausted sleep, only to be woken up by the shrill noise of my phone going off.
I sat up quickly, blinking for a few seconds, before realizing the song WAP by Cardi B was playing.
Fuck. That could only mean that Rose, my older sister was calling.
Why was she calling though? She knew this was my only free time out of my whole busy schedule. What was going on?
I sighed as I walked half asleep to grab my purse, searching blindly for the loud, vibrating phone before sliding my finger across the screen and bringing it up to my ear as I yawned.
"What is it, Rose?" I asked, as I held back another yawn.
"Bee, hey, I need you to do me a favor." She immediately told me.
I frown, "What's going on?" I asked her.
She sighed, "Nothing yet. Look, Nettie, Lucy and Maria were supposed to come with me but... well, that's not important. I got us all tickets to see M4, I know you're probably tired but the tickets cost me a fucking month worth of my work, so please Bells, will you come with me?" She begged.
M4? Who the — Oh, that band she had become obsessed with since they started to gain fame and all of that.
For her to spend that type of money on the tickets that meant she probably got front row, and VIP...
I sighed, looking at my watch. "At what time is the concert?" I finally asked.
"It's in two hours." She told me, in relief.
"Where?" I asked.
She mumbled incoherently.
"Come again?" I asked as I made my way to the bathroom.
"Across town." She mumbled.
"Fucking hell, Rose! It's already five!!" I growled her.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, Kate, Alice, and you are all rushing over here..." She told me, apologetically.
I sighed, "Whattype of concert wear is it?!" I asked as I went through my clothes.
"You can wear anything, but I advise you to wear that nice black mini denim skirt, a white t-shirt and those cute platform sneakers you love so much." She told me.
I nodded, as I pulled out the outfit and set it on my bed, before sighing. "Alright, I guess I need a few minutes." I mumbled.
"Thank you, Bee. I owe you." She sighed.
"Yes, dinner, a spa day, and a fucking trip out." I told her before hanging up.
I quickly went to the bathroom, tied my hair up, and went in to shower. Forgoing the hair wash until I got back tonight.
I quickly washed my body, and shaved, before getting out. I sprayed on some of the perfume she had given me for my last birthday, before rushing to my room.
I slipped on the cheeky pair of underwear from Victoria's Secret, before pulling on a pair of black sparkling fishnets, a pair of black shin length socks. I slipped on the black denim miniskirt, and pulled on my bra before my white t-shirt.
After that I put on my favorite shin length Doc Marten platform boots foregoing the platform sneakers, and made my way back to the bathroom to redo my makeup. I added some edgier eyeshadow, redid my eyeliner and put on a darker shade of matte lipstick.
My hair was curly from earlier so I combed through the curls and pinned it back in my usual style before grabbing my bag, phone, and coat before rushing out.
Traffic was as busy as I expected it to be through rush hour.But I made it to the address Rose had specifically sent me with time to spare.
Our childhood friends, Alice and Kate were already there waiting with Rose as I approached.
"You look amazing!" Alice squealed as I arrived.
I frowned, feeling suspicion bubble in my chest as we stood there.
"Thanks? So, where's the entrance?" I asked.
Rose smiled as she handed me a special bracelet with a barcode on it, and VIP pass in a lanyard, before pulling me in the direction of the entrance.
I noticed she was wearing a tight pair of jeans that were rolled at the seam, and a black bedazzled bra, with a black denim vest over it. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and her makeup was done perfectly. She had on a pair of white platform sneakers.
Alice smiled as she pulled in the hem of her deep green bodycon dress as she walked, she had placed a knitted sweater over it and was wearing a pair of black ballet shoes on her dainty feet. Her hair in its usual disarray of spikes, and her makeup in neutral tones.
Kate was wearing a pair of shorts, a blue crop top, and her hair in a high half ponytail. She only had cat eye liner, and matching blue lipstick, and matching Chuck Taylors.
We made our way down to our assigned seats in the front.
Rose squealed as we arrived and sat down. She quickly pulled out four sets of earplugs, handing them to us as the lights turned off and the squealing began.
I turned to look over at the stage, lights began to flash in the darkness, momentarily blinding me before my eyes adjusted.
A few minutes after the concert began Angela new gen texting me about something that happened, which prompted me to keep my eyes on the screen while the music began too surround us.
As the band began to perform a few sets. The air was filled with excitement, squeals, and people singing along to their songs.
Rose eventually noticed that my attention was elsewhere and pulled me out of my seat. She and I sang to her favorite songs as the band performed it, smiled on our faces as we danced to the beat. Taking videos and pictures of each other as we did.
Once the concert finished Rose dragged me to the gift shop and we bought a few things, before she dragged us to the VIP section, where we waited to meet the band.
She was practically bouncing as we were led through a hallway, and into a large room.
The band members were already there.
Rose smiled in my direction as she rushed forward to shake the hands of all the band members with Alice, and Kate following closely behind.
I stood by the double door for a second as my phone began to ring. I apologized, before turning and heading through the doors we had been led through.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Bella, I was wondering if you know how to reset the firewall on the third floor, through your laptop?" Jonah asked me.
I frowned. Of course I did, but I don't exactly carry around my fucking laptop everywhere I go."Call Darren, I'm not at home to right now." I told him.
"Seriously? Well, where are you?" He asked.
"Don't worry about it. Call Darren, and if he doesn't know, call Isaiah or Felix." I said, before hanging up.
I took a deep breath before walking back into the room. By this time, everyone was sitting down on the couch talking animatedly.
Rose turned to look at me, a concerned look on her face. She wordlessly stood up and made her way over to me.
"What's wrong, Be?" She asked me, quietly.
"Nothing. I just got a call from work." I mumbled, flushing as I felt everyone's stares bore on the side of my face.
"So, why do you seem so bothered?" She asked me.
"The firewall on the third floor is down…." I mumbled as I looked down at my screen to check for any emails.
It's so unlikely that the firewall went down. Something else must have happened.
She frowned, "Did they call Darren? He's the head of the I.T department. Why are they always calling you?" She asked.
"Because I'm his assistant…" I mumbled, tiredly.
She sighed,"It's Friday night. No more work. It's your only free weekend. Don't waste it on work." She told me as she pulled me in the direction of the couch.
"Rose..." I sighed.
She gently pushed me into an empty seat before sitting down next to me, an excited gleam in her eyes. "Bella, this is Emmett McCarthy. He's —" She began to say.
I looked at her and the large guy that was built like a fucking linebacker. He was staring at my sister like she was the best thing that happened since sliced bread, and immediately knew who this was.
I sighed, "That's the guy you've been so secretive about, right?" I asked her, amused.
She flushed and nodded, "We didn't want to attract any attention just yet." She told me.
"So, you've been going out with this guy… for what two- three years? What's really going on, Rose?" I asked.
Alice and Kate exchanged looks before giving me sheepish smiles.
"What is this all about?" I asked.
"Well, the truth is we've all been going out for a while now..." Alice said as she weaved her fingers with the one with honey gold hair. Kate followed her example as she pulled the tall lanky guy, with a goatee and Mohawk closer to her.
I turned to look at Rose, suspiciously. "Why didn't Maria, Lucy or Nettie really to come?" I asked her.
She gave me a sheepish look, "The last time they came with me they were escorted out for getting too…" she trailed off.
I sighed, "Flamboyant? Annoying? Inappropriate?" I asked sarcastically.
"All of the above." The guy sitting next to me said.
I turned to give him a snarky reply only to feel my jaw fall in surprise.
Oh God, no. This couldn't be.
I could feel my breath become heavy as I stared into the eyes of the last person I'd thought I'd ever see again.
No. This had to be some cruel fucking joke. He couldn't be here, not after the last time we saw each other. Like he doesn't know me. Like the time we spent meant nothing to him.
Oh my God, I had to leave before I did something stupid.
"Hey Izzy Bee, long time no see." He said with a smirk.
As I heard his old nickname for me, I felt my body go rigid.
"Bee?" I heard Rose ask as I fought off the panic I felt begin to flow in my veins.
"Rose, I'm not feeling well. I think I'm going to go." I said as I got up, and rushed out of the room.
I only managed to walk out of the double doors before I felt someone yanked me to a stop.
"Come on, Iz, don't leave."
I yanked my hand out of his hold, leaving a stinging warmth around my wrist, on the place his fingers touched. "Why not? Why should I stay here with you, of all people?" I asked.
He sighed, "Look, I get it. You're still angry about how things ended but… it was a long time ago. I'm not the same guy I was all those years ago." He told me.
I scoffed, letting out a cynical laugh, and shaking my head. "I'm sorry, it's just you seem to be under the impression that I'll believe what you're saying." I told him as Rose walked out with Emmett.
I could feel someone watching us as I stared Edward down.
"Bella, don't leave yet, come on, we wanted to talk to you about something… please...come back, and let's talk." She gently said.
I looked at her, betrayal clear on my face. I shook my head at her. "You're right. You had something to tell me..." I said, holding back everything I wanted so badly to say.
I knew that I probably shouldn't be this angry but it's been four years. Four long, painful years, that it took me to get to where I am and to try to forget about everything that happened.
Now, I felt like any fucking healing that I had done was for naught. I could feel the edges of my old wounds pulsing as I followed Rose back in the room.
"What's going on?" Emmett asked as Jasper, and Garrett slowly made their way towards us.
"Don't worry about it, Em." Edward said, looking at me.
"No, something is happening. You clearly know who Rose's sister is, and she clearly knows you. I'm not stupid, Ed. What the hell happened between you two?" He asked, moving to block his view of me as he spoke.
I sighed as I felt Rose look at me concerned. I ignored her, bitting back everything I was feeling, and stared ahead.
"You didn't tell your friends?" I asked, nodding in realization.
"Tell us what?" Emmett asked, looking at me, confused.
"Your friend, here, met me while we were studying in Jacksonville. We got to know each other pretty well, actually. Then when it all seemed to be turning into something more… your friend kicked me to the curb like I was a piece of yesterday's garbage, and told me I was nothing but a good lay to him." I told them, watching as he flinched.
I watched as their heads snapped in his direction as he stared at me with an indecipherable expression.
"Ed …" Jasper said as he shook his head at him.
"There's more." I said as I stared at him, coldly.
"What did you do, Ed?" Emmett asked, tensely.
"See? When I went to tell him that I needed his help. He threw money in my face as his new flavor of the month was cackling like a fucking hyena. Can you guess what I wanted?" I asked, sarcastically.
Rose stiffened as she turned to look at him, rage suddenly filled her face as she kept towards him, only managing to bitch slap him and knee him in the nuts before Emmett grabbed her.
"Put me down!" She seethed, as she tried to break free from his grasp.
"Rosie … calm down." Emmett told her as he turned to look at Jasper, before looking at me. "You had his kid… you're the girl he's been fucking writing about in all those songs..." He whispered.
Was I? Because it sure as he didn't seem like it back then. I didn't see him ever again, well, that is until tonight.
I scoffed, shaking my head as I looked at him expressionlessly. "Yes, I had a baby a few months after. Premature. I reached out to his friends, unfortunately they didn't say much, so we've been on our own since. So, don't worry, I don't want or plan to ask for anything from you. We don't need you." I told him.
"Please … I'm sorry." Edward rasped, from the ground.
I shook my head, "You chose to walk away then… Now, you need to stay away. I will not have you pretending to be there only for you to leave when your career becomes hectic again. That's not how parenting works, Edward. My child needs stability." I told him.
"Bella…" Rose whispered.
I shook my head, not wanting to say anything that I would regret.
"Bella..." She repeated.
I sighed, "You know, you've done a lot of fucking crap in the past, Rose, but this is an all-time low, even for you." I told her.
"I didn't know it was him." She told me.
I scoffed, "She fucking looks exactly like him, Rose! How did you not know?!" I snapped.
She flinched, "I'm sorry." She whispered as she covered her face with her left hand.
"Yeah, so am I." I mumbled with a head shake, as my eyes suddenly see it.
A cold feeling fell over me as I saw the shimmering rock on her finger.
Fuck.
"That's the reason why you asked me to come here. To announce your engagement to him." I whispered in realization. "Fuck. I'm so sorry I ruined your night. But there's no reason why the rest of the night has to be shitty. Go out and celebrate. I— I really need to go but I'll call you soon, okay? Congratulations." I told her as I rushed forward and pulled her into a hug.
I left without another word, speed walking down the hall, and running out of the building in the direction of my car.