I'm sorry but this week is going to be overly busy because I have soccer camp all week and I need to help, being the maid of honor, to make my sisters engagement invitations and plan her engagement party so, sorry! I will update as soon as possible, but it may be in a week or so. Sorry!
About the poll… if you want my personal preference, I really like "The Only One Left" just because it's original. Bella Cinderella is just SO unoriginal and it's just gross, same with Twilight, the Musical! I'll do whatever though… it doesn't matter to me.
WHY WAS THIS CHAPTER ALL UNDERLINED? I swear that it wasn't like that originally! I'm just updating to fix it… but I swear that I will continue this story as soon as possible! hpfanf has completely changed my mind and has motivated me to write! So, I will! Thanks to all of my readers! Love you lots!
DISCLAIMER:
Me: I have a plan! I will turn Stephenie into a flea, a harmless little flea, then I will put that flea into a box, put that box into another box, and then I will mail that box to myself, and when it arrives, MWUAHAHAHAHA!, I WILL SMASH IT WITH A HAMMER!
Carlisle: That is not going to work.
Me: Well, what do you know you stupid wonderful sexy but old vampire!!
Carlisle: I know everything!
Me: Oh yeah!! Well… what does pi equal!! Oh, I got you now!!
Carlisle: 3.141592653589793238462643383279…
Me: Damn you!! I hate you almost as much as I love Edward!!
Edward: (even sexier chuckle than before)
Me: SOOOO sexy.
Edward: Too bad you don't own me.
Me: (cries) why do you always bring that up!!
Edward: I am so sorry!!(rushes over to me, holds me)
Me: (smiles) God I'm good!!
See if my plan works. Tune in next time for; Disclaimer!
Oh, and I own Dr. James Isaac and Arianna Barker. They are mine… FOREVER!
NO FLAMES! All flames will be used to burn the mutt. Yes, you all know whom I am talking about… JACOB! While Leah makes me want to punch babies, I dislike Jacob more, so he will be the one to burn. And yes, that punching babies line is courtesy of Dane Cook. Thank you very much. FAKE FLAMES WILL BE USED!
Song of the chapter: Meant to Live by Switchfoot.
Chapter Two: Meant to Live
Cornwall. The place of my birth and the place that I have been missing for the last four years of my life. The moment that I this city for Law School I knew that I could miss it dearly. While I have visited during the summer, I find it quite dull. Spring, though, is much more entertaining. The city is full of life, both by the people and by the wildlife.
At the time of my leaving, I welcomed the escape, my mother, father's many quarrels did bother me, and a break was much needed. But as I was leaving the confines of the city, I felt a great loss, as if I was leaving something important behind me.
Although I didn't understand it at the time, I do now. I did leave something behind, my heart.
Four years ago, I was in love with a girl, and she was beautiful. I was foolishly in love with this girl; she was the reason for my life, all because she was beautiful. But I was naive. She stole my heart while dancing at a ball. I looked into her beautiful blue eyes and was captured.
When I finally had a chance to come back to town I felt a change. As Arianna and I spoke, I could tell there was a difference. She seemed as though she wanted to be through with me, as though she had something important to do. I asked her of this and she only responded that her mind was elsewhere. Oh, her mind was elsewhere, on another man. This man had been introduced to her a month after my departure. He was much wealthier than I, which drove her into his arms.
As I made my way back to Law School, I made an unconscious decision to take an unexpected visit to Arianna. As I promised myself, I was standing in her foyer but a fortnight later, telling her maid to allow me inside to see Arianna at that moment. The scene before me was appalling. Arianna was stark naked, lying on a desk. This man, who I later found to be a Doctor, was on top of her, kissing down her neck. My gasp alerted them of my presence and Arianna made many apologies, but I refused them all. I had trusted Arianna I had loved Arianna. She was my life.
I spent a year grieving the loss, ignoring the engagement notice of Dr. James Isaac and Miss Arianna Barker that I received, throwing it about my room in anger. The most important lesson that I learned that year, over all others that the teachers could teach me, was that love caused only heartache. While, yes, love does exist, love is an emotion to be dreaded, not praised.
I sighed as the carriage halted and I waited as the Driver came around to open the door. I looked up to see a large building with cement arches and very large pillars supporting an elegant roof bearing the words 'Ίσες δικαιοσύνη βάσει του νόμου' meaning 'Equal Justice Under Law'. I smiled at that, to be one to restore justice. My father is a Lawyer and that is all that I have ever wanted to be. I would watch him dress in a grand suit to leave the house. I would sit at his door when I was younger, listening to him as he mumbled about a case. I loved my father, he was my true hero. I opened the grand doors of the building, approaching a man behind a wooden desk.
"Sir? I am Edward Cullen. I was asked to gain the acquaintance of Mr. Ackley this afternoon."
I struggled to have as confident an air as possible, smiling as I finished speaking. The man looked slightly awed, as though he idolized me. Or maybe he was just hamming it up.
"Y-yes Sir!" The man was enthusiastic, though rather annoying. He stood up, leading me to a set of marble stairs, beautifully shining like opals. The man constantly smiled at me as we made our way up the staircase. At Law School, many of my courses were very far from each other, giving me the excuse to use the grand staircase. While the man next to me was grunting as he made his way to the fifth floor of the building, I was having no trouble at all. The man gave me a small look of jealousy as we exited the stairs and made our way through the elaborately decorated corridors.
I smiled as I glimpsed a picture of my father on the wall, for he was a greatly known lawyer in Chicago. I grinned at the thought of joining him with my own portrait, which would certainly make him proud. The man knocked softly on the door, and a deep voice from the other side answered deeply.
"Sir, I have Mr. Cullen for you." The man still sounded anxious.
"Edward Cullen? Junior or Senior?"
"Junior, Sir." There was a deep sigh of relief heard from the other side of the door.
"Come in, Mr. Cullen."
The man beside me opened the door wide, allowing me to view the luxurious office of Mr. Ackley. The windows stretched across the entire wall, lighting the room. Mr. Ackley was a heavyset man who had what looked to be a permanent frown upon his face. His eyes were small and focused the kind of eyes that never missed a single movement in an entire room.
"Mr. Cullen, I have something very important that I feel needs to be discussed. It is of high importance." I paused before answering, thinking he would continue.
"What would that be Sir?"
"Mr. Cullen, I expect that you are aware of my circumstances." Mr. Ackley's eyes were cold as he examined my face.
"No Sir, I am not aware of any unusual circumstances."
"Sir, as you already know, your father owns this law firm, and is my boss. Mr. Cullen, if you expect special treatment, I will be forced to disappoint you. Yes, you are Mr. Cullen's son, but you will be treated as any employee would."
"Sir, I would never expect anything more."
"Thank you. The keys to your office are on the table in the foyer; Robert will escort you there. Robert!" The man slid his head into the room and glanced at Mr. Ackley nervously.
"Yes S-Sir?"
"Please escort Mr. Cullen to his office." Mr. Ackley turned away, dismissing us. I picked up the key to examine it, looking at the polished silver with interest.
" Mr. Cullen? If you would follow me, Sir."
"Yes, good day Mr. Ackley." Mr. Ackley just grunted at me in an extremely rude way, I scowled at his back and turned to leave the room. Robert led me down the hall and made a sharp turn into a small hallway with three doors at the end.
"Your office is number 913, please organize your supplies and enjoy the rest of your day."
I smiled dismissively as I made my way down the hallway, opening my door to see an office almost as extravagant as Mr. Ackley's. I walked to the wooden desk and opened the doors, lifting my finger to run my hand through the dusk collecting at the bottom.
"Excuse me Sir, but are you the new lawyer? Edward Cullen?" The man in front of me was dressed well, obviously important. I smiled at him and responded; he smiled tentatively back as he sat in the chair across from me.
"It is good to make your acquaintance," His hand rose and extended before me; I latched on to give it a strong shake.
"I am Benjamin Cheney."
"Thank you Benjamin."
"My office is across the hall from yours, although I am but a defensive lawyer, not a prosecutor." I smiled at him, wondering how this was in any way important.
"I have always wanted to be a prosecutor, but I cannot bring myself to do it."
"Yes, at times it is difficult. Defending criminals and convicting innocents is very difficult at times, you soon learn to become immune." He smiled at that, shifting in his chair uncomfortably.
"Mr. Cullen, I do not mean to impose, but would you like to have lunch with my fiancée and myself? Her close friend Isabella Swan will also be present." Isabella Swan, what a beautiful name. I smiled, imagining becoming friends with both Mr. Cheney and Isabella Swan.
"Mr. Cheney that would be fantastic. Thank you so much, I was expecting to go out tonight for I have not bought a house yet-"I was cut off mid-sentence.
"Mr. Cullen, you may stay at my manor! You are more than welcome!"
"Mr. Cheney-"Again I was stopped mid-sentence.
"Benjamin, please."
"Benjamin," I smiled, "I would never impose in such a way. Your hospitality in inviting me to dinner is already too much."
"Mr. Cullen-"I smiled as I cut him off as he had done to me.
"Edward."
"Edward, it would be no trouble at all. I insist!" I thought for a moment, deciding to allow this.
"Alright, I will stay at your manor Benjamin, but only until I can find a suitable home. I will repay you somehow." Benjamin ignored my last comment and led me out of the office, beckoning to his own automobile as we exited the building.
I watched as the country rolled by through the small window, smiling at the children who met my eyes on the street. All these people had grins on their faces, in high spirits now that spring was finally here.
I watched the green pastures roll by as we left the city, noticing the flowers starting to bloom on the trees. The smell of freshly baked bread was wafting through the air as smoke came through the chimney of a small cottage where children were playing in the brambles.
The automobile suddenly pulled to a stop in front of a large mansion, made almost completely of marble. It was glorious, the type of manor that I one day wish to own.
"Edward, you may follow me this way. The girls will arrive soon." For an unexplainable reason, my heart beat erratically at the thought of meeting Miss. Swan. Irrational, idiotic.
Benjamin led me though the main hall and into a small, unused guest bedroom. I noticed the golden bedding, maple furnishings, and matching curtains. This room seemed comfortable, rather homey. There was a door leading out of the left side of the room to which, I presumed, a bathroom lay behind. A second door was located on the opposite wall, but it looked quite smaller, making me think that it could possibly be a closet.
"Would this be satisfactory?" Benjamin's voice came from behind me; I had not realized that I was slowly moving further into the room.
"Yes, excellent. I appreciate this." I let gratitude color my tone, adding a surplus for his benefit. He only smiled at me as he exited the room, hearing a maid calling for him.
"I will have one of my maids get you when we are prepared to dine, is that acceptable?"
"Yes, perfectly acceptable." I watched him walk into the great hall, leaving the shadow of my temporary bedroom. I faintly heard the closing of a door; this sent me flying out of my room into the shade of an overhang. Benjamin's manor had two levels, the second overlapping the first. This caused a shadow to hang over the left wall in the morning and the right in the evening.
"Benjamin, your manor is simply fantastic!" This voice was of a woman, it was quiet but enthusiastic. I presumed this voice belonged to Angela, for the figure it seemed to be coming from the figure standing very close to Benjamin's side. My eyes did not stay fixed on her though, for they were soon attracted to the brunette following behind her. Her heart shaped face was exquisite, perfectly symmetrical. Her eyes were large, though they fit her face nicely. Her full lips were parted in awe, eyebrows raised. Her clothes suggested that she was of the lower middle class, perfectly acceptable. She was obviously not destitute, my father would approve.
The girl, Isabella Swan, glanced in my direction; she seemed to meet my eyes. Her face, beautiful from a distance, was simply stunning. My eyes explored her many features, drinking in the sight of her. I smiled a crooked smile as I watched her glance around me, obviously seeing nothing but my profile. She blushed an amazingly appealing red color and turned away, most likely thinking that she was delusional. I smiled as I heard Angela reprimanding her for not paying attention, knowing full well that it was I who distracted her. My smile grew as Angela dragged Benjamin and Isabella to the dining hall, talking excitedly the entire way.
I noticed a servant coming toward me, and I walked to greet her, knowing she was to tell me that lunch was to be served soon. I smiled at her as she explained exactly what I had anticipated, responding that I would be there momentarily. I waited but a few seconds before making my way into the dining hall, excited to see Isabella from less of a distance.
As I entered the room, my eyes were only for her. I spoke in a loud clear voice, greeting the entire table without so much as moving my eyes. I noticed the corners of her mouth twitching as she hid an embarrassed smile. Her voice was quiet, but musical. It was as though bells were chiming instead of someone merely speaking. I was entranced as she blushed and hid her face from me once again, keeping my eyes on her face. Her long hair slid in front of her face, blocking my view. I continued to gaze, though, as she stared past me onto the wall.
"Edward, where did you live before you came to Cornwall?" Benjamin's voice was calm, obviously did not notice my staring. Angela, on the other hand, had a large smile plastered to her face, as if she had an incredibly important secret
"I had a residence in London; I was employed by a firm there as well. My father is the co-owner of that one, giving me the chance to work without his influence. Before that, though, I was in Law School. I was born here, of course, in my father's home town."
"Are you an only child?" Benjamin's voice was politely interested he was smiling slightly.
"Yes, I am."
"Excuse me, Mr. Cullen, but I have a question to ask you. As you know, you are not accomplished until you widen your mind with reading. What types of books do you prefer?"
"Are you an avid reader, Miss. Weber?"
"I am. Books are my passion." I smiled at her she was an interesting girl.
"Non fiction, mostly. I enjoy some of the Bronte sister's works, though Wuthering Heights is simply dreadful. I do enjoy books from an earlier time period, such as the seventeen hundreds."
"Do you enjoy Jane Austin?" I was mesmerized by Isabella. I glanced at her face, only to see that her eyes were already on me. She flushed and looked away, making me smile.
"No, I do not." I was not concentrating on my words anymore, only on Isabella.
"May I ask for the reason?"
"Miss?" I did not realize that I was actually talking. The look on her face was surprised as I studied her.
"You must be Isabella Swan, is that correct?" I smiled nervously, hoping that she did not notice the way my voice slightly shook. What was I doing? I had no idea. This confidence that suddenly possessed me was strange, and unfamiliar.
"Yes, but you may call me Bella if you wish." Her returning smile was very confident it dazzled me. I stared into her eyes, noticing for the first time how deep they were. Bella, meaning beautiful in Italian. Such a fitting name for her, perfect.
"Thank you Bella." I turned, very embarrassed at my sudden outburst, back to the conversation. My cheeks and neck were a bright red color, but I tried to ignore it.
"I believe that she was a fool. Love doesn't happen that way." My voice was slow and sure as the embarrassment faded. I concentrated on Benjamin and Angela, for if I glanced Bella's way I would surely become distracted.
"Her books are fascinating. Pride and Prejudice was excellent. It displayed love and loss." Benjamin seemed frustrated, as if my outlook on life was exceedingly annoying. I grimaced at him.
"Are you speaking of Jane Austen? Oh, I adore her books!" I glanced to Bella, seeing her eyes excited. She talked of this mad woman as if she should be revered and worshiped.
"Her books are utter madness. She believes that love always conquers all, but doesn't she know that sometimes people cannot marry for love? Doesn't she know that life does not always go as planned?" I gave her a hard glance, struggling to concentrate as her cheeks flushed with anger. My comment obviously angered her, but it only made her more attractive.
"Love can conquer anything. If we put all of our heart and soul into a relationship we will be able to see the answer to most problems!" She was mad! 'We will be able to see the answer to most problems'? Ludicrous! She must not understand. Love only brings heartache. Arianna proved this to me.
"How is it you know this? Have you ever been in love?" She was so naïve about love. She has obviously never felt the betrayal that is sure to follow the feeling of love.
"Have you?" Her voice was stubborn, ignorant.
"I have known people who have been in love and it only leads to heartache!" I would not admit to my situation. My own parents do not know of Arianna's betrayal. They thought I had only lost interest. If they knew the true story, Arianna would be killed, that is something I could still not bare. While I was betrayed, I could not deny that my feelings for Arianna were still there, only stifled by anger.
"Your acquaintances are not the entire world! Love may not work for them, but that does not mean the rest of us should not try!" I snarled at her, she didn't understand.
"It is a wasted effort!"
"Not always!"
"Name one instance!"
"Our mothers and fathers!"
"My mother and father are separated!" I knew what I was doing; I was trying to make her feel guilty about this subject. As much as this was a low blow, I could not help but feel pride in it. As if I had won something.
"Well if they were as stubborn and bitter as you I can see why!"
"You are intolerable!" I glared at her, pushing my chair back as I stormed out of the room. I was growling under my breath as I walked to my guest room, standing in the bathroom.
How dare she speak of my parents in such a way! How dare she even speak to me in such a way! I am her superior! She has no right she is a filthy rat. Although she was physically attractive, her personality was dry. She was obviously uneducated, how could any educated human be so ignorant of the world around her?
She was uncontrollable.
She was vile.
She was the type of woman that made me cringe at the thought of her.
Bella Swan is an intolerable, idiotic, rat.
This was nine pages on word; I think I did pretty damn good! What do you think? REVIEW!
If you guys would like to know how Angela knew that Edward was there, Ben sent a letter via servant to go get her. Yes, I didn't tell you that in the story because it is unnecessary, but you know how. I'm just heading off future questions that I am sure would be asked…