5
EXECUTIVE MEETING
Carlisle had left, presumably to find his own room, because he was staying for a few days and he would be at the ball and it suddenly occurred to me that I had better put on a gown before Vicente arrived. It was a good thing I did because he arrived shortly thereafter. I had just finished brushing my hair and I left with him and followed to where Aro was. He was in a different room than any I had been in; it was a conference room with several business men seated around. Aro in his usual flamboyant way welcomed me.
"Well Bella my love, you came to me. This is my very charming, very beautiful conquest and I want her near me constantly," he explained to the company, "She's a very smart little girl and is presently attending Dartmouth College in the USA. While she's here, she's doing home study and she's also making this old man very content." The company laughed knowing what he meant but I didn't mind Aro referring to me as his conquest because that was true and after my conversation with Carlisle I felt proud to be loved by him. I went directly to his side with confidence and kissed him on his lips.
"I love you," I whispered softly, just for his ear alone. He smiled broadly.
He patted the chair beside him obviously saved for me, "Sit here next to me, please," I sat and he reached over and hugged me but retrieved my hand and held it tight.
Not all of the business executives were vampires, bur Aro was obviously a business executive himself and in fact owned all the companies these men were connected to. The companies were worldwide and some of these men were not English speaking. Aro was in fact fluent in many languages other than his native language which was Italian and of course English and he demonstrated his knowledge at this meeting. It occurred to me, I knew very little about him and I wanted to know more about him. I listened carefully to what was being said and found that I could follow along without too much difficulty. The only language I had any knowledge of other than English, was Spanish and when Aro spoke Spanish to one of the men, I actually understood the conversation. An answer to a question spoken in Spanish caused me to nod my head, unconsciously agreeing with the answer. Aro didn't miss this and looked at me with a strange expression before continuing his discussion. The Spanish gentleman also noted my nod and addressed me in Spanish, asking if I understood his language. I was able to answer that I understood some things he spoke. This gentleman smiled and continued his thoughts with an attempt to bring me into the conversation I was able to follow along and reply to some questions directed towards me. After the meeting ended he came up to me and complimented me on my knowledge of Spanish and continued to talk to me, telling me of my beauty and how young I appeared considering my attachment to Aro. Aro came over then and told the man, he intended to make me his bride as soon as arrangements could be made and he kissed me on my lips. He excused us then and left the business executives to partake of the provided refreshments. I went with Aro to his office.
"So," he said, "You speak other languages?" he asked.
"Only Spanish, which I learned in high school," I answered.
"So fluently?" he persisted.
"Actually, I'm surprised I knew so much, Edward told me that if I think deeply into my memory banks of things which I have learned and forgotten, it will come to the surface, that's how I'm learning to play the piano."
He swept me from the room, through the maize of corridors and into a room where there was a grand piano.
"Play something for me," he ordered.
I picked the latest classical piece, Edward had been teaching me and it was beginning to sound very good.
"You are a beginner?" he questioned.
"Yes," I answered.
"That was more than just beginning," he said.
"Edward plays much better than I do and he is a good teacher," I said.
Aro moved me over on the seat and started to play himself, I listened enthralled to his music and when he stopped he looked at me, smiling.
"I think Edward and I should play a duet together, should we not?"
I detected a double meaning and didn't answer as I looked into his eyes and he in mine. His hands caressed my face, my neck and my bare shoulders; finding his mark on my breast, he kissed me there.
"You own me," he said.
Then he looked away, "Now is not a good time to make love and you are teasing me. I meant what I said to Senor Salazar when I said I intend to make you my bride," he said intently.
"How can that be if I'm already married?" I asked.
"This is a different law and a different country, it will be fine. Besides this is a vampire world and we have different laws; I don't have to marry you but I want to make sure my name is included when I introduce you to my friends and colleagues," he said, "I want everyone to know you are mine in every way. What is your full given name?" he asked.
"Isabella Marie," I said.
"How do you have an Italian name?" he asked, surprised.
"It was just the name my parents gave me; probably the Italian is from my mother's side," I said.
"It seems we were meant to be, your name will be known as Isabella Marie Cullen De Volturi del Conti but to me you will be Isabella from now on; you will also learn Italian which is my native language," he finished.
He didn't give me choices it seemed, what he said was how it would be, 'you will marry me, this will be your name and you will learn Italian.' For whatever reason, I couldn't oppose him; it was not in my power.
"It occurred to me, while we were in the meeting that I know very little about you, the fact that you speak Italian should have been obvious but it wasn't; will you tell me about the man who I must marry?" I asked.
"Is it important, who I am, don't you love me regardless and you will marry me, why don't you find out for yourself, who I am?" He said impatiently.
You know the worst about me and you love me, I have existed for eons and we will exist together for eons more, what is past is gone and the future we will learn together, what more is there?"
"Nothing I guess," was all I could respond.
Just then Vicente came, followed by Demitri.
"Ahh Vicente, I'm sorry we eluded you, I see Demitri helped find us, we are coming." he said smiling.
Vicente answered in Italian and then rattled something off and left, Demitri looked at me and smiled.
"So your beauty has indeed increased from when I saw you last, a frightened little human girl who stole the master's heart," he said.
"Hands off Demitri, she's all mine, only Edward may lay claim to her and with her encouragement he will be here soon so neither of us will have to miss her for any length of time; unfortunately my Isabella, I still have appointments so I will let Demitri take you back to our room and you can do your school work until I return." Aro said.
He kissed me on my lips and then glided away quickly, Demitri took my hand and kissed it.
"I am at your service, Isabella," he said smiling as he bowed over my hand.
"You can still call me Bella, if you like, Aro is insisting to call me by my full name," I said.
"If Aro wants your name to be referred to as Isabella, then none will oppose him, you will learn to do his bidding my dear," he said as I rolled my eyes, "Are you staying with the master in his apartment?"
"Yes Demitri," I said, a little irritated.
"Then I will walk you there, he said, "Were you and the master playing the piano, just now?" he questioned.
"Yes except, Aro plays well and I play a little, I need to practice if I'm given the opportunity," I said.
"I'm sure it will be afforded you in due time," he said.