Part IV

EPOV (Edward)

I was fairly adamant about getting the information I wanted, otherwise I would never plant myself at someone's doorstep. It was a bit degrading to my character but then again I didn't really have one. I had been gone so long that Emmett had come in search for me, I had no idea how he came to the conclusion that I was here but I didn't ask. "Edward you've been gone for a long time. What are you doing here, Robert is looking for you."

"Tell him to keep looking. I have business to attend to." I answered in monotone.

He scoffed. "At the Cullen's doorstep? What is wrong with you?" He asked.

"I'm looking for Bella."

"The who –"

"Watch your words, Emmett." I warned

"Since when do you care?"

"I care and that should be enough."

"What did she do to you?"

"Go home and tell Robert that I will be home when I'll be home. He can stop pretending to care." I hissed. He stood looking at me as if he were waiting for me to start laughing. After he realized I wasn't he mounted his horse and rode off.

After Emmett left, Mrs. Cullen emerged. "Sir, I truly apologize I was not informed that you were here."

I chuckled, the woman was deeply embarrassed. "Mrs. Cullen, I've been at your door step for hours though I have been attended to. Miss Cullen has spoken to me but as it may she refuses to give me what I want and so as sort of protest I have threatened to stay here all night, it looks as though I will make good on that threat."

"I apologize for the wait, Alice is known for being risky. If I can help, I would be glad to send you on your way."

I smiled knowing I had won, she would tell me what I wanted. For once I didn't curse being the Duke's brother. "Your daughter had a companion last night, a girl by the name of Bella. I want to see her but I can't find her, I don't know where to look."

"You are searching for Bella." I nodded. "Sir, at the risk of sounding vain, I don't want you to be misled. The girl is a wonderful person, beautiful and kind but she is a maid. I'm not one takes mind to that sort of thing but you should not be misled into thinking you are looking for a woman with a name or with your class." She looked troubled, obviously she was not the person to judge someone based on their economic state but she suspected that I did. She was mistaken, I knew that Bella was of the working class, I knew she had no name, no class, no money. I didn't care, she would not be the first woman in that situation that I have been with. Whores lack class, money and wealth, it didn't bother me a bit. I didn't walk with them on my arm, and that was the difference between them and Bella. I wanted Bella for myself. I wanted her with me all the time, I wanted people to see us.

"I'm aware of that, Mrs. Cullen. Now if you would so kindly send me in the right direction I will be on my way."

"Why do you look for her?"

"I want to see her, I may not have treated her as a lady last night and I've come with the intention to ask for her forgiveness. I want her."

She looked into my eyes as though she could look into my soul. "She is not a toy. Pardon me, please, but I have to say it, you act as though you are a child who has been denied what he wants. Now you'll do anything to get it, everyone outside your palace is a human being, they are people not toys. She is a girl not the whores you are used to."

"Mrs. Cullen you are bold."

"Am I bold or mistaken? Answer that."

"Bold, very bold and I understand. You don't want me to toy with her and I promise that I won't. If she were any other woman I would not care a bit if I ever saw her again."

"You are odd, if I may say that. You come in search for a maid that has left you in a daze. Very well, you'll have what you want only if you promise to treat her as a lady and not an object." I made her that promise and so she gave me what I had been waiting for. She told me where Bella lived.

As I mounted my horse she walked over to me. "If this is real, you had better change your ways because Bella will never tolerate that. It's wild to think that you could end up with her but you have a sincerity about you and I believe that you will find a way."

I took my horse and rode off into the direction of Bella's home. I walked up to her doorstep and a man answered the door.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Swan." I assumed that was who he was, I had never met her family but I assumed him to be her father. "I am Edward Masen."

"I'd be a fool not to know."

"Of course, I would like to speak to Bella, your…daughter?"

He was caught off guard, I don't think he would have ever thought that I would be looking for his daughter. "Of course, come in. Retta come." A woman came to the door. "This is my wife Loretta. Retta this is Mr. Masen, he has come to visit Isabella."

A smile spread on her face. "Hello, how are you?"

"I am fine thank you."

"I'm going to go get her. Make yourself at home." She hurried off into the hall of rooms.

BPOV (Bella)

Today was my day off and it could be spent in a better way but instead I was musing over last night. I could not forget him. He was pestering me by his very existence. I wanted nothing more than to forget about the entire ordeal.

"Bella?" my mom called from outside my door. She had that too happy tone which made me think she brought no good news.

I got up from my chair and opened the door. "Yes, mother."

"He is here to see you." She announced with a huge smile on her face.

"Who?" I asked suspiciously.

"Mr. Masen."

I took a deep breath. "Tell him I'm flattered that he has come to visit but I am busy...honestly I prefer not to see him."

"Why not?"

Of course she was appalled. She was ecstatic that William had brought me home, I couldn't imagine how she felt about Edward being here for me. "Mother I don't want to see him."

"He wouldn't have come all this way if he wasn't motivated." She insisted. She had that glint in her eye. She was planning…not planning, plotting. I could tell she had these plans and these expectations. If only she knew…well not even then, she'd put me through anything if my future was guaranteed.

"No, I don't think he was motivated for the right reasons."

"Why do you say that? He's impeccable."

"Mom, you don't care do you?"

She came closer. "Honey, I care about you."

"You don't care that I will be miserable for the rest of my life as long as I am married to a man of power. My life is this twisted game for you. You move me like chess piece and I'm not. Tell him to leave."

"Bella." She warned.

"I will tell him." I got up and headed towards the main room.

"Bella." He breathed at the sight of me.

My mother reached my father and took him by the arm. She still had hope. "We'll leave you two alone."

"No you don't get to come here and act as if nothing happened. Leave, act like you have acted towards other women. I'm no different I assure you."

He smiled a crocked smile. "But you are."

"What?"

"You've motivated me." Exactly as I thought, he was a sick sick man.

"To do what exactly?"

"Bella I don't know you –"

I cut him off. "Why are you here? How do you even know where I live?"

"Do you want to know where I've been all day?" he asked. His green eyes warmed up.

"I do now." It is always said that curiosity killed the cat but I am still alive so that is yet to be proved right.

"I've spent my day at your friend's house. Alice refused to tell me where you lived so I spent my day at her doorstep."

"Why?"

"Is it not obvious?" I shook my head. "I told you I would make it up to you because I am sorry. I regret it. I've never regretted anything until yesterday." His words were touching, I cared. I shouldn't but I did.

"I'm glad I was of service, it's late and I have to set the table. You should go home to your family." I turned my back on him though I didn't want to tear my eyes off of him.

"I'll help." He offered. This personality was the one I believed to be his last night during the ball but then it changed and now its back. I was beginning to think he was very a complex person. I honestly couldn't understand why he was here, his explanations did not make sense to me.

"Edward, go home."

"Bella give me a chance to make it up to you." He insisted. He had the irresistible look.

"You setting the table will not get me to forgive you."

"Well it's a start." I ignored him and began. My mother had started to cook but the food wasn't quite done. He hovered over me. "Can you hand me the hand me the pepper?" I asked. He was there and well I needed the pepper. "Black powder on the third shelf." I clarified when I saw him struggling.

"You must think I'm a rich boy who's never set foot in a kitchen."

"Am I wrong?"

He chuckled. "No, I have never set foot in a kitchen until today."

I laughed. "That should've been nice."

"You'd think." He muttered. He was implying so much with those two words.

"You you're the guy with the terrible childhood who acts like the world owes him something."

"Ouch."

"Mmm, sorry I might've been a little harsh." I try to be nice on a daily basis and usually it come naturally being mean is not a good trait of mine, it would be like lying. I can't lie either.

"Nope you might not be too far off."

I smiled. "I'm sorry."

"So am I?"

"Should I set another plate for you?" I veered off his apology.

"Would you like me to stay?" He asked hoping for the answer I wasn't going to give him.

"No I would like you to go home."

He pulled out a chair and sat down. "What is for dinner?"