Two weeks after Cheatergate, and I'm ready to get back out on the dating scene. I need to stop sulking and purge Jacob out of my system. I'm ashamed to admit that I answered one of his calls a few days after he got busted. I missed the sound of his voice, his laugh, his sense of humor... I just missed him, period. He apologized profusely and swore up and down that he was through with Leah, but I just couldn't believe him. He lied so damn easily, it was borderline psychotic. I'd never be able to trust him. I told him goodbye for good and we both cried. He begged and pleaded with me to give him another chance. It was incredibly hard, but it had to be done. Before I hung up, I was on the verge of giving him another chance because he sounded so hurt and remorseful and it broke my heart. And being with him was always so fun and easy. Right when I was about to tell him we could try again, I heard Leah yelling in the background, demanding he hand her the phone and know who he was talking to. He hurriedly rushed off the phone whispering about having to hang up because his mom was being overprotective. What an effin' dickhead.
I've been spending a lot of time daydreaming about Club Guy. We only spoke a handful of words to each other, but I just couldn't forget the way he made me feel. The way his words caressed my eardrums and his touch lit my skin ablaze. Sometimes I feel so pathetic, obsessively thinking of this man who I know nothing about. We shared a dance, no big deal. But he just got under my damn skin, invaded my senses, and I can't get him out. I need to purge him out of my mind as well as Jacob.
So here I am, getting ready to go on a date with Aro, a self-made millionaire who's ready to settle down. Somehow he'd seen a picture of me and showed great interest. I have no clue why he would. I mean, I'm pretty damn attractive, but I'm not trophy wife material. I don't have huge boobs or major curves or bleached hair... Maybe this guy is different. Maybe he isn't your typical vapid millionaire.
It's time to get ready and once again, Alice is a no-show. Rose is holed up at Emmett's place doing god knows what and Angela's on vacay with Ben. So I'm stuck to my own devices again. I miss spending time with my girls. I've grown accustomed to them picking out my clothes and dolling me up. I love the girl time.
I don't know what the hell to wear, Aro's taking me to this new fancy French restaurant, Le Altier et Prétentieux, so I guess I need something fancy. Cocktail dress, maybe? I choose a black cocktail dress with an empire waist that pushes up my boobs and makes them look great. I style my hair in a low ponytail and swoop my bangs to add some style. Hmmm, what else? Oh! Pearls! I walk into my room and gently pull my grandma's pearls out of my jewelry box. After putting on the necklace, I realize I need earrings and decide on two-carat diamond studs. You can mix diamonds and pearls, right? Oh well. Finally I put on my face: eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss. Simple.
I hope this isn't the type of place that serves nickel sized portions of meat. I'm hungry.
After twiddling my thumbs for about 15 minutes, there's a knock at my door. Here goes nothing. I take a deep breath and open the door.
"Ah, you must be Isabella," he says in a sexy Italian accent, then picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles. A gentleman!
"And you must be Aro. It's a pleasure to meet you. And please, call me Bella."
He smiles. "Beautiful Bella."
I blush. Somehow being called Beautiful in an Italian accent is really freakin' hot.
"Thank you, you're very sweet. Would you like to come in for a drink, or...?"
"Oh, I'm afraid not, Bella. Our reservation is for 7 o'clock, so we really should be going. I hope you don't mind."
"No, of course not. Let's go," I smile at him.
The ride to the restaurant is uneventful. He spends the whole ride on his cell, talking in Italian. He keeps apologizing, saying they're very important business calls. I understand, but I hope the whole date doesn't go this way. He finally hangs up when we get to the restaurant, telling me that he told his partners not to call unless it's extremely important. We head into the restaurant and are immediately seated. It's a very nice and romantic place. Like something out of a Danielle Steele novel.
"Wow, this is beautiful," I say while observing my surroundings.
"You've never been?"
"Oh no, I'm more of a Taco Bell kind of gal," I smile sheepishly.
"Fast food, huh? I haven't eaten at a fast food place in quite awhile. Maybe we can visit Taco Bell together sometime soon."
"I'd like that."
The waiter comes to take our order and I ask Aro to order for me since he's been here before. When Aro is finished placing our orders, the waiter takes our menus and leaves.
"So, you're Italian?"
"It is that obvious?" he smirks. "Yes, I am from Italy, but I've been here in the States for years. Are you from here?"
"Actually, I'm from a little town called Forks. You've probably never heard of it."
"You'd be surprised to learn that I have heard of and have been to Forks. I have a few associates who live there."
"Oh, wow, what a coincidence! I don't think anyone I know has ever heard of it. You're the first!"
"It is a lovely and quaint little town. So tell me Bella, what do you like to do?"
"Honestly? I'm a bit of a homebody, so I enjoy staying home and reading books. My life is pretty boring, actually. I play a little acoustic guitar and dabble in singing... What about you?"
"Well, since we're talking honestly, I can't say I enjoy anything but work. It's all I've ever really done in my adult life and I've found myself quite lonely. My family keeps telling me I need to find a good woman to settle down with and for once, I agree with them."
"What is it that you do? I hear you've made quite a name for yourself."
"That I have, Bella. I work in sales and my business has been quite lucrative. But as I've said, I've spent years obsessing over my work, neglecting anything having to do with a normal life. Tonight, let us forget about my occupation and get to know one another. Do you have any siblings?"
The rest of the night runs smoothly. Aro is quite the character. Very charming and a little old fashioned. I'm really surprised that he's so down to earth and I tell him so. He laughs a deep belly laugh and tells me his mother would make him pay dearly if he became too snooty for his own good. While eating dessert, his phone rings. He looks pretty annoyed, but I tell him he should answer since it's probably important. He reluctantly agrees and apologizes before excusing himself from the table.
About five minutes later, he comes back looking a little worried and distracted.
"Is everything okay?"
He smiles, "Yes, of course, everything is fine. But I'm afraid we'll have to cut the evening short. I would love to go out with you again, Bella. You're lovely company to keep," he tells me as he pulls my chair out and offers me his hand.
"Thank you, Aro. I'd love that. I had a good time tonight."
While waiting for the valet, Aro keeps glancing at his watch. He seems a little paranoid. I put my hand on his arm to get his attention.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Hmm? Oh. Yes. Nothing to worry your pretty head about," he smiles at me.
When the valet pulls the car up to the curb, he opens my door for me. I could get used to this!
"Thank you," I tell him while getting into the car. He gently closes my door and walks around to his side.
"I really enjoyed our time together, Bella. You're a very beautiful woman, and you've got the brains and wit to go with it. A rather rare combination these days."
"You keep that up and you're gonna have me blushing from head to toe! I had a great time, Aro, really. You wouldn't believe some of the guys I've gone on dates with lately. My friends have made it their life mission to tease me mercilessly about it. It's like I attract the worst guys on the planet or something," I laugh for a few seconds before realizing he's not laughing or talking.
I look over at him and see he's sweating and looking into the rearview mirror with bulging eyes. What the hell?
"Aro? What's wrong?" I ask while looking through the side view mirror.
"Oh my GOD!" I yell. "What the hell is going on? Why are there all of those police cars following us?!"
He starts mumbling to himself, shaking his head and cursing under his breath.
"Aro? What's going on?!"
There's a bright beam of light and suddenly I'm having déjà vu. I look up and see a fucking helicopter with its beam directly on top of the car. Great.
He sighs heavily and pulls the car over. I hear a noise to my right and look out of the window. A huge gun is pointed in my face. I scream bloody murder and try to duck away from the window. My door is quickly opened and I'm being yanked out of the car. There are at least six guns aimed at my face, and a barrage of questions is being yelled at me. My heart is pumping so hard, I can hear it in my ears. It feels like I'm under water. I can't hear or breathe. I feel like I'm gonna faint. I'm being dragged away somewhere and I hear sirens and helicopters and screaming, but I can't really make sense of it.
I'm thrown against something hard, which makes me come to my senses. I'm leaning over a cop car and my hands are being handcuffed.
"What's going on?! Please don't arrest me! I haven't done anything!! Where's Aro?"
Three hours and multiple background checks later, I'm finally allowed to go home. Apparently Aro is a big time drug dealer, one of the top five wanted men in America. In sales, huh? Sales my ass! The police tell me they'll be in touch if they need further assistance and I call a cab.
By the time I get home, I'm ready to call it a night. I'm exhausted and just wanna put this whole night behind me. As I'm changing into my nightclothes, the phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Bella, can I talk to Alice?"
"Jasper? Alice isn't here. I just came back from a date. Please don't ask how it went."
"A date? Alice told me it was girls' night..."
"I'm sorry, Jas, she's not here. Have you tried calling her?"
"Yeah, but she's not picking up," he says distractedly. "Uh, okay. I'll uh... talk to you some other time, Bella."
"Okay. Bye, Jasper."
"Bye, Bella."
What the hell are you doing, Alice?
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APOV
Jasper's called for the fourth time and I ignore it. I feel so horrible, lying to everyone. But they wouldn't approve of my activities. I've spent weeks sneaking around, staying out late, paying people off... and it's taken its toll. I'm mentally and physically exhausted and sleep is becoming harder every day. Sometimes I want to give it all up, but I know I can't. This is too important to me and I've invested too much time. I'm meeting with him tonight and my heart is about to beat out of my chest. I hope no one I know sees me.
I walk up to the hotel concierge
"Hello, I have a reservation under the name James."
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I know I'm evil. Hehehe! Leave me some love!