A/N: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, the story is mine.

Thanks to you all and to my Beta Ashlie Christine.

Chapter Nine: The Meeting

Rosalie was furious. You could practically see fire coming out from her eyes and steam out of her ears. She couldn't have been more upset than in that moment. Jacob's words were still repeating in her head

"He ruined Bella's life, he destroyed her. Have you ever wondered why Isabella is terribly insecure sometimes or why she is so cold with men? That's because of him. It's the shadow of Edward Cullen lurking over her."

Although Jacob didn't explain what exactly happened five years ago back in Forks, the fact that the pain and sorrow Isabella has suffered was because of him, was enough for her to hate him with all her heart. And now, seated in the Ritz with her impeccable Chanel, her Manolo shoes, the nails and hair done, Rosalie Hale was waiting for Edward Cullen, ready to rip his eyes out his head.

On his way, the green-eyed man was flying through the New York streets in order to get on time to the hotel where he would meet his nymph after several weeks of dreaming of her. Funny thing also, he dreamt about a girl he seemed to know but couldn't identify, he was ready to end up with all that.

"I have a reservation." He announced once he made his way to the restaurant. The maître-dee looked for his name and finally lead him to his table. He assured him that his companion was already there, and Edward's excitement grew a little bit more, if that was even possible.
He followed the man to one of the farthest tables. He was almost shaking of anticipation, but was disappointed when he didn't find a beautiful brunette waiting for him, but a blonde one staring at him with blue eyes cold as ice.

"Where is she?" he demanded rudely. The young woman lifted up one of her perfect eyebrows in the same way Esme would have done it, so Edward thought.

"Take a seat." She ordered with her voice full of authority.

"Where is she?" he asked once more, with increasing irritation.

"As you would have it, you and my client," she started, expecting he wouldn't notice that she and Isabella had more than just a professional relationship, "will never meet. She has and always will refuse to have an encounter and you better accept it. In fact, I have a restraining order that forbids you to come closer than three hundred feet from her, and just so you know, her personal makeup artist and all of our crew are protected from any legal action against them." She stood up then. "If you have anything to say then we'll see you in court. Have a good day, Mr. Cullen." And she left.

Rosalie didn't even wait for him to say something. She left him there, standing like a statue. She came out of the hotel with a big smile on her face and jumped in the van where Garret was waiting for her. He turned on the car and headed to the place where Isabella was filming Dior's newest commercial.

Edward honestly couldn't believe his eyes. What was all that about? He barely could comprehend what had happened. A restraining order? What in the world has he done? They really would never meet?

"What the f& k?!" he exclaimed, with his mind and body functioning once more.

Edward ran after the blonde woman, but she had already disappeared between the new York streets, leaving him with more doubts than before and desiring an encounter more than ever. The only thing he could do was contact the designer again, fool her once more, and ask for a proper explanation. He asked for his car, damned again and ran all the way through fifth avenue passing by without even noticeing the van that was pulling over in that moment a couple streets before; delivering a very satisfied blonde that was jumping off it in that moment.

Isabella felt confident and secure. The photographer and the people around her were trustful and not even Rosalie's absence was bothering her. Alice was there, helping with the outfits, next to her was Jacob having a chit-chat with the other girls, and a little bit farther a smiley Alec was looking at her.

"All right, Isabella, now put your arms around Felix's neck and stand on your tip toes. Felix, I want you to put your hands very gently on Isabella's shoulders and slightly push her away." the commercial director asked of her and her partner, Felix Romano.

He was a polite, talented and very attractive young actor, with one good girlfriend that watched him like a hawk, as she talked with his agent. Every time there was a break the guy would run to his girl's arms and kissed her like his life depended on it.

"Tell me if I hurt you, okay?" Isabella smiled and nodded to his request.

Felix was definitely one fine man. Someone any girl could fall in love with without a doubt, but his heart already had an owner and for what Isaella could see, he was a one girl man. She looked up to the camera and waited until the flash hit her to set her eyes on the other side of the room where Alec was waiting for her, all smiles and cheeky looks. In the past couple of days Isabella had spent almost all her time with Alec. They had lunch or dinner depending on both schedules, they talked every night, and he was sending her a rose every morning to her house. The young woman couldn't help but feel like a teenager all over again, even when those days were long over.
However, five years had passed, and she had to understand she was different now. He was someone else and circumstances were completely different. She wasn't any more of that stupid girl that fell for Edward Cullen.

"Cut!" the director yelled. Without her even noticing, the first part of the commercial was done. Rosalie had showed up and was already there next to Alec and Jacob, who was ready to clean her face and change her hair.

"You're the best." Alec whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks." She replied and gave him a tiny kiss as well, letting Alice and Jacob drag her to her dressing room as Rosalie headed to talk with all the executives, so she couldn't see the satisfied smile on the young man's face.

"You and Alec? What's going on?" Jacob asked straight to the point, while he was cleaning her perfect face. Alice was pretending like she hadn't even heard it, looking for some more comfortable clothes.

"What are you talking about?" Isabella responded. Alice snorted and Jacob gave her a look that clearly said he wasn't kidding.

"Don't play with me Swan. I know you better than yourself, spit it out." He warned her. Isabella sighed tired and nodded. He was right, he knew her better than herself.

"I like him… a lot." The brunette admitted, making Alice squeal out of excitement. Rosalie came into the dressing room in that moment, red as a Christmas light and with steam coming out of her ears.

"Jacob, can I speak with you for a minute?" And without even looking at Isabella she left.

"Alice, finish this up, please?" He asked the dark-haired one that jumped up happy to help, as he left behind Rosalie.

"What's going on with those two?" Isabella asked, suspicious.

"I have no idea, but let's continue with Alec. Do you really like him? Like as in love?" Alice asked, with her pretty eyes sparkling.

Isabella bit her bottom lip in sign of doubt. If there was someone who she could talk to, it was Alice. Her personality was nicer than Jacob's or Rosalie's, and also sweeter. She would understand her and even guide her. Alice hadn't exactly been the luckiest girl when it came to love, and even though having the perfect example of true love with her parents, she had made big mistakes. She had made wrong decisions that caused her a lot of tears and more than a broken heart. After a couple of years thanks to therapy, success in her career, and her loving friends; she was ready to find love again and hopefully, the real one.

"Yeah, I think like in love." Isabella accepted after a couple of minutes.

Alice squealed again and started to dream about a beautiful weding, and a loving home with five kids. Isabella let her be because there was no one who could be more adorable than Alice, and at least someone could think of all those things that Isabella couldn't for herself. Only at one time had she dreamt about living happily ever after, getting married and having children; even when she was never good with kids, and marriages seemed a little too cheesy for her, but not anymore. There wasn't a happy ending in her story, and all those dreams had faded away with the love she once had. At least she had Alice, and she could dream for the both of them.

Outside the dressing room the conversation was completely different. Rosalie and Jacob weren't talking about love and babies, they had a bomb ready to explode in their faces.

"Rosalie, what have you done?" Jacob grunted trying not to yell at the blonde one.

"I had to do it." She replied upset, the young man snorted.

"You've only made it worse, he's obviously obsessed with her and now he will insist on meeting her even harder. He's probably ready to sue you for the damn restraining order!" He exclaimed, about to lose his temper.

"Don't talk to me like that, I'm not stupid," she barked, "There's no restraining order, dumbass, but there's no way he can find out"

"You don't know that bastard! He has resources and a lot of money, he will find out, sooner or later."

"We have that too." She replied, indignant.

"Come on, Rose, he can get the best lawyers and researchers from within the country, and he's the owner of the most important company in Seattle. Compared to him we don't have any chance." Jacob assured her.

"I know his mother." Rosalie replied, trying to defend herself.

"So what? Are you going to call his mommy so she spanks him and send him to his room without dinner? Don't be naïve, Rosalie, there's nothing in this world Esme Cullen protects more than her children." Rosalie had showed insecurity for the first time. She had pretty much gotten anything she's wanted, just by saying so, since she was three; now she was questioning her power aginst a man like Edward f&%*#n Cullen.

"Now what? Luckily Angie was in Paris when he called, but her assistant tell me that he will call every day until he finds her." Rosalie was reminded of what the girl had said to her minutes ago.

"You know Angie; she will tell everything if he pushes hard enough." Unfortunately Jacob was sure of that too, and he was sure as hell Edward Cullen would push; that son of a bitch.

"Let's pray Angela stays long enough in Paris until that asshole can cool off, and we can keep Isabella away from him. The sooner we head to Milan the better."

That was the only thing they could do right now. Jacob had noticed Edward hadn't recognized Isabella, otherwise he would have gone directly to Forks and would have asked her parents where the hell she was, instead of insisting so much with Angela. Lucky for all of them, they had to fly to Milan for the shooting of Dior's commercial and that would put some distance between them and Edward, but for how long?

Rosalie's attitude had made everything worse and now his fury and obsession would increase. He would ask and research, and in any moment he would find out the truth.
That mousella (as he and his gang of jerks used to call his precious girl) and the beautiful top model he is obsessed with were the same person.

"Only over my death body he will hurt her again." Jacob thought, besides, it seemed like now he had an ally on that boy Alec. He seems trustworthy, but there was something about him that wasn't clear to Jacob, but Isabella liked him and he couldn't do anything about it. Isabella was wonderful, a really unique and beautiful person, but she was way too stubborn for her own good.

"Are you a believer, Rose?" Rosalie looked at Jacob confused by his question.

"Not much, why?"

"Well you should start to, because we're gonna need a miracle to keep Edward Cullen from Isabella" Rosalie made an upset smirk but nodded, she now understood that she had blown it. Behind them and hid between the shadows, there was a person carefully listening to every single detail of their conversation.

"So Edward Cullen, huh? This is gonna be easier than I expected." the person thought as an evil smile grew on their face.