Chapter One:

24 hours earlier

I stumbled off the plane, dazed and disoriented by the 16 hour long flight. Well at least the view was good. I hurried off to retrieve my bags and called my sister, Analice (ana-leese), to tell her that I had made it safely. She was getting married tonight, and I got an invitation—which was the reason why I had left my home in Phoenix, AZ to come to London. Her husband-to-be's name was Jason, and he was not at all my type, but perfect for my sister. They were both loud and rambunctious, while I was quiet, shy and really clumsy.

I stood patiently by the luggage cart and grabbed my bags. I hauled a taxi on my way out and gazed at the wonderful scenery throughout the sprawling city. We arrived shortly at the hotel—which was very grand by the way—and I rushed inside to check in. I started to walk down the hallway to my room when a musical voice interrupted me.

"Excuse me ma'am, but would you like for me to carry your bags?" I turned, curious to see what wonderful creature could possible have this wonderful voice, only to see a beautiful man standing in front of me. He looked about my age; he had long muscular limbs, flawless white marble skin, and a weird color of bronze hair. But his eyes were a warm honey color—almost like liquid topaz stones. I ogled at him for a few seconds, stunned by his inhuman beauty, and had to find my voice before I could answer.

"Sure. That would be great." I answered politely with a warm smile. They were a little heavy. He grabbed them effortlessly and walked by my side as I led him to the elevator.

"So," He asked conversationally, "what brings you to London?"

"My sister, Analice, is getting married tonight." I explained. Apparently my answer surprised him because he stopped short to stare at me.

"Did you say Analice?" He asked me abruptly.

"Yes" I was wary.

"Is she marrying a man named Jason?" I was utterly shocked. What could this man know about Jason?

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"I'm Jason's best friend. I got invited to the wedding, too." He smiled again.

"Wow. It's a really small world. I'm Bella by the way." I said in awe.

"I'm Edward Cullen," He shook my hand, and an electric jolt passed through us. His hands were icy cold. "Would you like a ride with me? To the wedding I mean." He offered. Wow, this guy sure likes me, I thought

"That would be very nice. Um, do you think we could leave soon? I still need to get a dress." I bit my lip. Hoping he would say yes. I was becoming very fond of him.

"Sure. My shift ends in a few minutes. I'll finish taking these bags up for you and I will go clock out and get you in a little while."

"Okay, that's fine." I replied. We got to the elevator then and I pressed the number 17, my floor.

"What kind of dress are you looking for?" Edward asked me on the way up.

"Well, the colors are deep blue and silver, so maybe a blue one. I'm not sure; I'll see when I get there." I looked at him and he was staring at me intensely. The elevator dinged and we stepped out. He handed me my bags, and I went to unlock my door.

"Well, Bella, I guess I will see you in a few minutes." He said.

"Okay, Edward. See you later." We smiled at each other and I dashed inside the room and flopped onto the large cushy bed and tried to rule out my thoughts.

I thought the obvious. I liked Edward. Edward liked me. He was gorgeous. I was not—well in my mind, maybe not in Edward's.... He was the best friend of my sister's fiancé. And I might be in love with him. I know that I had only just met him 5 minutes ago, but I already felt a bond in through him. I felt attracted to his magnetic personality beyond my will. Not that I didn't like it or anything, it was just weird. I decided to get up and get a shower.

I let the hot water unknot my stiff muscles and let the steam clear my mind. I got out and dressed in a tight fitting purple shirt and a pair of jeans. I blow dried my hair and grabbed my wallet. I went to grab the door handle to go find Edward when someone else opened it, and out of shock and my clumsiness, I stumbled back and the next thing I knew, I was in Edward's arms—he had caught me before I hit the ground. Our eyes locked briefly and I felt warmth seep under my skin as I blushed. He noticed that I had blushed and he took it the wrong way. He let me go and smiled. I smiled back.

"Sorry about that, I'm a little clumsy at times." I said. Edward laughed.

"That's okay, just as long as you let me catch you when you fall." How flattering. He wanted to save me.

"That's perfectly fine with me." I answered. He under stood what I was saying and he held my hand as we walked out of the hotel. It was cold, but I liked it. He said that his car wasn't working at the time, so we got a cab to the nearest department store.

When we stepped inside, it was any girl's dream. Racks and racks of clothes and big glass display cases of jewelry. I ran strait to the dresses and grabbed the one I spotted out from across the room. It was silk in a deep blue color and it was strapless about knee length, and flowing at the bottom. It had a bright silver tie at the waist, and embroidered down the left side in tiny silver beads were roses and swirls. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. I glanced back at Edward, who was appraising my stance with the dress in my arms.

"This is the one." I told him sincerely.

"Okay. That was easy. Let's go try it on." He put a hand on my elbow and I followed him to the dressing room. He waited out side and I rushed in to try it on. I slid the slick fabric over my head and it glided smoothly into place, hugging all the right curves. I had to admit it—I looked pretty good. I stepped out to show Edward, and his eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets.

Do you like it?" I asked him, twirling around to watch it flare out at the ends.

"You look beautiful." He stammered after a minute. I blushed deeply.

"Thank you, Edward." I said gratefully. I ducked back in the dressing room so he couldn't hear my heartbeat accelerate. I hastily took off the dress and skipped out to get some accessories.

"Jewelry time," I told Edward.

"Okay. I really like the dress."

"Thanks." I dragged him to the counter where I purchased a silver rose necklace that would perfectly match my dress.

"I'm done Edward; I really appreciate you taking me here." I told him.

"It's nothing." He told me as we slid into the backseat of a cab and headed back to the hotel.