A/N: Sherry rocks
Edited 17/04/15
Chapter 2
On Monday morning and I was running late for class. It seemed that I was developing a new pattern of running late and I hated it. I needed to get my act together. I had no idea where my head was at these days. Well, that was I lie, I did know exactly where my thoughts were. I just didn't want to admit it.
I sighed with relief when I saw that Mr. Baldwin wasn't here yet and slid into my seat beside Angela.
"Please, tell me you don't hate me," she whispered, before I even had the chance to take my books out my bag.
"Nah," I said, shaking my head. "I don't hate you ... Saturday night wasn't actually that bad."
Angela smiled. "I'm glad. I thought you were going to hate me for sure, but with things the way they are with Ben. I couldn't stay. The last thing I needed him to hear about was me sitting with a bunch of guys, getting drunk. He already hates most of my friends as it is."
"Hey!" I objected.
"No! You, he likes," Angela said, holding her hands up in defense. "He hates Kate and Carmen. He thinks they're a bad influence on me. I don't think he likes Jessica much either."
I sighed. I could see where he was coming from, but still, he had no right to tell her what to do. "You let him boss you around too much," I muttered. It annoyed me how controlling he could be with her.
"It's not like that," Angela frowned. She didn't like it when I pointed out the faults in her relationship.
Ben was a control freak, it was that simple.
He had caught her studying with Eric in the library and had been punishing her ever since. Angela had done nothing wrong, and I will tell her that until I'm blue in the face, but she always makes excuses for Ben. I don't think I will ever understand what she sees in him.
"So how did things go with Edward?" Angela asked, trying not so subtlety to change the subject.
"Things went well," I said, beaming from ear to ear. "He was a complete gentleman. He even helped me get Kate and Carmen home safely."
"Good, I'm glad you didn't have to deal with them all on your own. So did you go to his, or did he go to yours?"
Meaning, did you sleep with him?
"He walked me home, we shared a kiss at my door, and that was it. No pressure to come in, nothing," I said, answering her hidden question. "I think maybe I was wrong about him. He just seemed so forward at first, you know?" Angela nodded. "I agreed to go on a date with him on Friday night."
"That's great news-" Angela said, getting cut off.
"If I could have everyone's attention, we'll start today's lecture," Mr. Baldwin called from the front of the class. I signaled to Angela that we'd talk about it later at lunch.
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~Relentless~
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After my creative writing lecture, I said goodbye to Angela and headed towards English Literature. I was hurrying because there wasn't much time between the classes, and they were on different sides of the campus. As I walked past the main building, I heard an all too familiar voice, Mike Newton. I cringed. I had been successfully avoiding him for the past two weeks, and I didn't want to break that record now.
"Hey, Bella!" I heard him yell. Of course, it would have been asking too much for him not to spot me.
I continued walking, pretending I hadn't heard him. Maybe he would give up and leave me alone. When I heard someone running behind me, I knew it was him.
Mike grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. "Hey, I called you, didn't you hear me?"
"Oh, hey Mike. No, I never heard you," I shook my head and tried to keep the smile from my face. God, I was a terrible liar. "I'm just hurrying to class," I said, pointing in the direction I was going.
"I won't keep you. I was just wondering if you had any plans for Friday night. One of the guys is having a party and I'd kinda like to take you as my plus one."
"Actually, Mike, I already have a date Friday night," I watched his face fall. It actually felt kinda good to be able to knock him back with a real excuse for a change.
"Oh, you have?" He said, sounding rather deflated. "Is it anyone I know?"
I shook my head. "No, I don't think you know him," I realized then that I didn't sound very convincing. I could easily be making the date up. So, I choose to give him more information. Maybe he would back off once I gave him a name. "His name is Edward, he's a businessman."
"Ah, I see," he said, running his hands through his hair, he looked rather agitated. "Maybe another night then?"
"Yeah, maybe," I mumbled. Damn! I should have said no when I had the chance. What the hell is wrong with me? I had no idea why, but some part of me felt sorry for his ass.
I said goodbye to Mike and turned to head towards class when a figure on the lawn caught my attention. Hey, wasn't that the man from the café? The one with the muscles that had been in on New Year's Day. He was standing against a tree, in the middle of the lawn, looking in my direction. Was he watching me?
A shiver ran down my spine. I felt extremely freaked out. I looked away from him and hurried towards class, looking over my shoulder every few steps to make sure he wasn't following me.
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~Relentless~
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After class, I headed to the little bistro just outside the campus. It was where I usually met Angela for lunch. I sat at one of the tables outside waiting for her because I didn't like to go in on my own. As I looked at the café across the street, I saw a man sitting outside at one of the tables. He looked like the man from my work, that I had just seen on the campus, though he was wearing shades, which made it harder to tell if it was really him. Maybe I was just paranoid?
"Something wrong?" Angela asked, as she approached me. She was looking across the street wondering what I was staring at.
"No, nothing," I said, standing up. "Just my overactive imagination."
"So, tell me about this date," Angela said, linking arms with me as we walked into the bistro.
I let her lead us inside to our usual spot. The waitress came up as we took her coats off, and we gave her our order. Angela sat staring at me, patiently waiting for me to begin.
"Well, technically he didn't ask me out on a date," I started. "He said he was going to start buying me more expensive gifts as I apparently didn't care for the ones he had gotten me since I hadn't bothered to call him. I told him that wasn't it. I had just been busy with work. I'm not sure he bought that though. He said he'd promise to stop sending me gifts if I let him take me out on a date, so I agreed."
Angela laughed. "I think it's sweet that he is showering you with gifts. God, I wish Ben would shower me with gifts. If I wanted him to get me flowers, then I'd have to buy them myself and hand them straight to him to give to me."
I forced out a laugh. I knew she was trying to make a joke of it, but it annoyed me that Ben didn't treat her better.
"So, did he say where he was taking you?"
"He told me he'd let me know before Friday, but I'm not sure how he plans to do that since he never asked for my phone number."
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~Relentless~
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After lunch, I headed straight home. I collected my mail from my postbox and headed straight up the stairs. I was only in the door two seconds when there was a knock. Hardly anyone knew where I lived and I wasn't expecting any special deliveries.
I peered through the peephole, but no one was visible. Strange. "Hello?" I called out, as I slowly opened the door open, but I got no response. I looked around the corner, but the stairs were completely empty.
Just as I was closing the door, I noticed a small black box on the doormat. I picked it up, the label read: To, The Curious Bella Swan.
"I thought we agreed no presents, Edward," I muttered, immediately knowing it was from him.
I closed the door with my foot, giving all my attention to the box in my hand. I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to see what was inside. I cut the lid open and was left breathless as I stared down at the white gold Armani watch that lay inside. It must have cost him a fortune.
The card inside read:
Bella,
I bought this for you so you don't miss our date.
See you at six,
Edward xx
I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last of his gifts before out date. Now, I wished I had kept the card with his number on it, so I could call him and tell him to stop.
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~Relentless~
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I was relieved when I was asked to cover the register for Kate's lunch break. I had been stocking shelves all morning, and I was starting to get pretty bored. As I filled a customer's bag, I looked up and noticed Muscles, the guy who I thought had been following me.
It was now Wednesday, and I had been seeing him all over town for the past two days. This couldn't be a coincidence. I wasn't paranoid. He was definitely following me, and I had no idea why.
"Have a nice day," I said, handing the bag over to the customer.
I watched them leave before I turned behind me to Angela in the café. "Cover me for two, please."
I walked away before she had the chance to answer. I had to find out what was going on with this guy. Why the fuck was he following me around?
When I turned back towards his table, he was gone. I looked around the café for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. I ran towards the front door and out into the street, searching for him. I caught sight of what I believed was the back of his head, in the middle of the crowded street.
"Hey!" I yelled, as I ran after him as I pushed and fought my way through the crowd. "Hey, you, wait!"
I somehow managed to make it to where I had last seen him, but he was gone, nowhere to be seen. Fuck! I turned around, standing on my tiptoes to gain a better view, but I still couldn't see him. It was as if he had just disappeared. I sighed and made my way back towards the shop. This wasn't over. I was going to find out who he was and why the hell he was following me.
"What was all that about?" Angela asked me as I came in.
I shook my head. "Nothing, it doesn't matter." I knew the truth would only freak her out.
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~Relentless~
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Just as it was nearing the end of my shift, I heard the stockroom door bang open, followed by Kate shouting my name. I stepped out from behind the counter, wondering what had her so jacked up. I saw her running towards me with a large cream colored bouquet gift box, which was tied with a black satin ribbon. "It's for you!" She shouted, bouncing up and down.
I sighed, knowing it was from Edward. His gifts were starting to border on ridiculous now. On Monday, he had sent me an Armani watch. I wasn't stupid. I knew how expensive it would be. Yesterday, he had sent me a white gold necklace with matching earrings, that was encrusted with diamonds, with a note that said:
Bella,
These match the sparkle in your eye,
Wear them Friday
Edward xx
I did not even want to begin guessing how much they cost, the thought made me sick.
If I could, I would have sent them back, but the thing was I didn't even know where to send them. I didn't know much about him.
"Open it!" Kate shouted.
I stared at the box, terrified of what expensive gift I might find inside.
"Bella! Will you just open it already!?" Kate screamed.
I slowly pulled the ribbon loose and lifted the lid of the box off, relieving a stunning black dress underneath.
"Oh, my god! It's Vivienne Westwood!" Kate screamed.
"Who?" I asked, confused.
"He is so enthralled with you!" Kate said, shaking her head.
I reached in and pulled out the gift note.
Bella,
I can't wait to see how hot you look in this dress.
Wear it Friday
Edward xx
His words sent an exciting shiver through my body I could not explain. I didn't want the dress. I didn't want to accept his gifts, but at the same time, I couldn't wait to wear them for him.