Chapter 4

After an intense work out where I kept trying to get Edward out of my head. However, every time I did even for a second, he would creep back in. I made it back up to the suite and took a shower. I put a robe on as I air dried my hair and worked on my project. I checked the weather for our return flight home. I made a mental note there was a front in the Midwest coming in that I needed to keep an eye on. At five, I went into my room and started to get ready. I put on makeup and started curling my hair. Then I added my dress and heels. I picked up my flight jacket to wear; it was all I had for a jacket on this trip. As I checked my reflection one last time, I noticed I had no jewelry except for my simple diamond studs I always wore from my brothers. Oh well, there is nothing I can do about that now I said to myself. I was headed to the kitchen for water to hopefully settle my nerves.

Edward came out in his tuxedo and found me in the kitchen getting a drink. Edward said, "Bella, you look elegant."

"Thank you."

"By the way, I like that you are on the petite side." I made a face at him for picking on me being all of 5 foot 3; but Edward then continued and said, "Because even with your heels on, I'm still taller than you."

"Thanks, a lot," I said.

"Bella, trust me, I'm not complaining in the least. You are a perfect date for me. I'm quite happy my flight instructor is you and you're willing to go with me to this ball. Now, I have two more surprises. Come with me to the dining room!" Edward took my arm and led me into the dining room. Once he finally let my arm go, he picked up a fur coat and said, "I thought you might need a dressier jacket for tonight."

"Yes, I do. But I can't wear that or accept it."

"Bella, it's okay. It's synthetic and we're just borrowing it."

"Thank you, Edward. I will take very good care of it. I was very self conscious about using my flight jacket tonight."

"You're welcome. Now Bella, close your eyes for the other surprise."

"Why?"

"Just please."

"Fine," I said with a hint of an attitude though.

Suddenly, I felt something settle on my neck and then around my wrist. Then I jumped when Edward said, "Go ahead and open your eyes." I felt my neck and realized a necklace was sitting there; so I went to look in the mirror. Edward suddenly appeared in the mirror along with my reflection. He brushed my hair away from one side of my neck and said, "The sapphires and diamonds make your chocolate doe eyes pop even more. There are earrings you can go put on as well that match."

I went to speak and gasps of air came out instead of my normal voice. I gasped out, "Edward, I'm sorry I can't do this." I tried to walk away and continued saying, "This is way out of my league. I hate to say it; but I feel like Pretty Woman. I fly people to go to these parties; I don't go to them. I don't want people looking at me." By the time, I finished saying all that I was hyperventilating.

"Bella," and he carried me to the one of the sofas. "Calm down, relax and breathe." Once my breathing had settled some, Edward left and then returned with a glass of water. "Take a drink." Which I did, though I was still craving more oxygen. "Now sit back, relax and breathe evenly and slowly. I promise if you want to leave at any point tonight just say so and we can."

"Okay and I'm sorry for being so nervous."

"Bella, you have nothing to be sorry for. I understand you have never done anything like this before. I promise I'll get you through it and protect you, as well. Now, can you put the earrings on? Then, I can take you to the ball that you deserve to go, too."

"Yes and thank you, Edward. Give me about ten minutes to clean up and we can go." I then slipped on the sapphire earrings, fixed my eye make-up and lip gloss. Thank goodness for water proof mascara. When I made it back out to the living room, Edward helped me slip on the jacket and away we went. The elevator by passed the first floor. I became a little scared and Edward pressed the first floor button again. "Edward, what is going on? I'm scared."

"I'm not sure, but I have you and will make sure nothing happens to you."

The doors started to open and Edward had his arm around me protectively. Edward pulled me in even closer and then door finished binging and sliding open. Aro was standing there and Edward said, "What are you doing?"

"My apologies, Mr. Cullen. There was too much press upstairs waiting for you; so we brought the Rolls Royce down here for you, instead of the other limousine and now you can slip away quietly."

"Thank you, Aro," Edward said shaking his hand.

"No problem, sir that is what I'm here for. Now let's get you and your lovely date on the road." As we stepped through the garage, Edward's arm was looped in mine until I slipped into the Rolls Royce.

"Thank you, Aro," I said as I leaned forward. "I really appreciate you protecting the both of us." As the Rolls pulled away, I brought my hand gently into Edward's and they were resting on his lap. I said, "Thank you; you have a very calming voice."

"You're welcome."

"I've never heard this voice in any of your movies."

"Well, would you rather have heard my English accent from Far and Away? My sexy voice from Cocktail? Or better yet my save the world voice from Mission Impossible?"

"No you used the right voice. So tell me what is this dinner and ball for this evening?"

"It's for the youth center that I help fund in the Brooklyn area. I filmed part of a Cocktail in an area nearby years ago and decided to set up this youth center. Several of the kids unfortunately lost their parents after the 911 attacks; this is for scholarships for them."

"That is very kind and cool." I proceeded to open my purse and pulled out my checkbook.

"Bella, stop that is not why I told you. I didn't talk about it to get your money."

"I know, but this is something I want to do." I finished writing out a check for $500.00 and then gave it to Edward.

"Thank you," and he kissed my hand.

"Will you answer a question for me?" I asked.

"What's that?"

"What was a typical date like with Tanya or your other dates?"

"Let's just say anytime I went out, I easily spent thousands of dollars. For holidays, they expected lavish gifts – jewelry, cars, $1000 bottles of wine or perfumes. They want the most expensive tickets to shows. They went to spas all the time on my money and want everything their way which in the end is what aggravated me with Tanya. So I sent her packing on New Year's Day with a one way first class ticket wherever she wanted, because on New Year's Eve she thought I should charter another jet to take her to some party in New York she wanted to go to. What about you when was the last date you were on?"

"About a month ago, another pilot and myself were on an overnight trip, he offered to take me out for a drink. I accepted and he wanted way too much in exchange for the two glasses of wine he bought me. So I slammed my hotel door on him. Let's just say I'll never fly with him again. My dad refuses to fly with him, too."

"We're almost here, are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'm going to be."

As we pulled up in the Rolls you could see all the press, but Edward got out first. He turned back to the car and offered me his hand as I slid out. Once I had finished slipping out, the flashes started going crazy and they were asking Edward a million questions. Edward easily pulled me in close to him; almost like I was tucked into his side. I felt so protected in his arms and he easily guided me into the reception area of the Governor's mansion. Once inside, Edward and I checked our jackets and we headed to the receiving line.

Edward leaned into me and I said, "I have never seen a receiving line before."

"Just relax. It's okay."

"Just smile and say a lot of hellos. I'll introduce you and I'll just say Bella."

"Okay."

"Now smile. Here we go." As we made it through the reception line, everyone was happy to see Edward. I felt like everyone was very nice to me because I was just an attachment to Edward. But I was not going to complain with the anonymity. As we headed for the bar, Edward said, "If anyone asks what you do, I would say that you are student finishing up your masters. Then be vague about your major."

"Alright."

At the bar, he ordered two glasses of white wine which we took and started walking around in the reception room. People would stop and talk to Edward about anything. The ones from the center or the students were always so nice. They talked to me as well as Edward. Other celebrities would just talk to Edward like a long lost buddy and ignore me. This wasn't very much fun for me. Fortunately, fifteen minutes later we went and sat down for dinner. We were sitting with Caius and his wife, Marcus, the pop star, and his date and a senator and his wife. It was a very interesting conversation. The notoriety of all the roles and what I learned from their significant others. I excused myself and went to the restroom.

I heard a few women by the sinks talking about Edward and Marcus. Then I heard a conversation about who is Edward's date? No one famous. Tanya must have gotten sick or she would have been here. Edward could have called anyone; why did he bring that little brunette she is a nobody. Maybe Edward will let me have a dance or two since he is with a nobody tonight. I just sat there and silently cried. Soon the ladies left, I cleaned up and stayed in the back of the dining room. The mayor got up and thanked everyone for coming. They did four auctions - the first was for a day with the mayor, the second was a weekend at the Westin including Broadway tickets, third was front row tickets of Marcus's concert and backstage passes and the fourth was a day on location with Edward at his next movie location. Overall they rose over $100,000. I then finished walking up to Edward and he whispered, "Are you okay? You were gone for a while."

"Yes, I have been at the back for the auction; I didn't want to get in anyone's way." So I sat back down and dessert was served. Edward then led me to the ballroom. Edward let me sit on a bench at the end of the ballroom to watch first. Several women came and asked Edward to dance and he politely said no. I leaned in and whispered, "I don't mind, you know? I'm just a nobody after all."

"Bella, I promised you that I would protect you tonight so all of my dances are saved for you. You're not a nobody trust me. I know exactly who you are."

Edward then looked at me even closer and whispered, "Now, are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Edward easily guided us out to the dance floor, he took one hand in his and the other arm pulled me in close around my waist. He quietly told me to put my one hand on his waist. Then we moved in a simple box shape around the floor. I kept my eyes on our feet trying to avoid stepping on his toes. After a minute or two, he brought his hand holding my hand into my face and lifted my chin so that we were looking at each other's faces and whispered, "Relax, if you step on my toes; it's okay. Please look up; I want to see your beautiful cocoa eyes."

"Alright, but you've been warned."

Now instead of staying in basically one place, he gradually led us around the room. After two songs, he smiled at me and said, "You did great; you deserve a break. How much longer do you want to stay because I need to call the hotel for the limousine?"

"How about 45 minutes?"

"Okay. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes."

But as we left the senator stopped us and asked, "May I have the next dance Bella?"

"Okay," I said. "But be fair warned, I step on toes."

"That's okay; I'll take my chances." We danced as a second song started, we just kept dancing because Edward hadn't returned yet.

As a third song started, we continued dancing and I was surprised Edward hadn't returned by now. I looked around the room and I soon saw Edward dancing with someone else and I was a little upset; I truly was a nobody and he had promised all of his dances were for me.

"Excuse me, Senator." I left his hold and started to leave the dance floor that is when I saw the girl and Edward still dancing. I immediately headed for the back of the ballroom. I found where the coat check was at in the lobby and asked for my jacket. I then asked the representative to call a cab for me.

I stood at the entrance to the ballroom waiting for the taxi to arrive hoping to flee as soon as possible. No matter how I may have felt for Edward; he was always going to want the next best thing. The only reason he was being so kind and nice to meet was because I was his flight instructor and he was stuck with me for the week. I just had to keep my chin up and be strong until I made it back to the suite. I would call Aro on my way back and ask the safest way into the hotel since I was coming back solo. I looked at my watch and thought to myself just a few more minutes and then I could escape.

A/N Please Enjoy and leave me some love. I will see you again next Sunday. I just edited to fix a typo that I found. Secondly, I was uncreative and borrowed some of Tom Cruise's movies as Edward's movie fame.