Chapter Nine

-The Parent Part Two-

What the fuck just happened?

I'm not certain whether I should follow her as a good boyfriend should, but judging by the loaded silence filling the room, I decide that it's probably best to stay out of it. Renee is looking at Charlie remorsefully and Charlie seems to be contemplating his escape…much like me at the moment.

Bella's reaction to Renee's words caught me off guard, but not nearly as much as her explanation thereof. It was clear by Bella's expression and the way she avoided my eyes that it hurt like hell to talk about it and that she despised the thought of sharing something so personal with me. This Jacob guy did a real number on her, that much is clear.

I shouldn't feel sorry for her, though. You see, I had a little visit from Jessica Stanley today. The chesty bimbo, who's been flirting with me shamelessly for the last year and a half, came to my cubicle after Bella left to pick up her parents. Expecting another round of incessant lip licking and pushing her breasts in my face turned into a rather serious conversation instead, exposing the woman I made one of the most important deals of my life with as the ruthless bitch I knew her to be. Apparently Lauren, Aro's secretary and fuck buddy, told Jessica about Bella's recommendation of my book. Imagine my surprise when Jessica told me that she had referred my book to Aro the Thursday before, and that Bella subsequently stole the deal from her. At first I was reluctant to believe Jessica's story, but when she told me that Bella called Aro and asked him to pretend like he didn't know about it, claiming that I was a proud man and needed this matter to be dealt with delicately, all the pieces started to fall into place. I thanked Jessica for the information and told her to lie low until we could see in what direction this was heading.

Initially I felt betrayed. I've been played, by the one person in the office I should know best. And then my feelings of betrayal morphed into anger at myself. I should have known this was too good to be true. Of all the qualities Bella has displayed since I started working for her, fairness certainly hasn't been one of them. Why would Bella even need me to convince her parents she has a boyfriend? Even now, after meeting them, it's clear that they love her and are reasonable people. They would have forgiven and understood her lie. She could have even told another lie and claimed that her boyfriend was out of town or that they broke up. No, she needed this to keep me close, to get this little scheme of her off the ground knowing that I was as reliant on her as she appeared to be on me.

I left the office at five, my head pounding in resentment. At first, I decided to stand Bella up tonight. To have her explain her sordid little lie to her parents and see what it feels like to be stabbed in the back by someone you placed your trust in. I pondered phoning Emmett to tell him about the way I've been duped, but wasn't in the mood to hear his I told you so stories.

In the middle of nursing my second beer, the inspiration hit me. I would show up to Bella's little soiree, but I would turn it into a circus. I would embarrass her as she embarrassed me. I would make a complete fool of her in front of her parents, and by the end of the night, I would unceremoniously drop the proverbial bombshell on them.

It's clear that this Jacob dude is a complete asshole; cheating on his girlfriend with best friend, but hey, shit happens, and he was probably tired of her unfeeling heart. I can almost sympathize with the man…almost. I'm not saying that what he did was right, but I can't imagine that being in a relationship with someone like Bella is an easy feat. She probably deserved what was coming to her…just like she does now. The possibility that the stunt that Jacob pulled years ago might have been the catalos for Bella's behavior ever since does not pass me unnoticed. It would explain why a girl that was brought up by two down to earth parents would turn into such a heinous bitch, but my ability to comprehend and sympathize is dwarfed by the bitterness building inside of me, effectively pushing any thoughts of emancipation from my mind.

I may sound as cold and heartless as Bella is, but this woman needs to be brought down a notch or two, and I'm just the man for the job. No more sympathetic Edward. Fuck her and her lies. I'm done with this show.

Just as I'm about to push my chair out and declare my departure, I hear Bella coming from the kitchen.

My eyes fall on her and what I see shocks and disturb me. Her eyes are bloodshot and sad. She looks like a broken little girl, and for some unexplained reason it pulls on my heartstrings. I've never been good with crying girls. I eye her suspiciously as she makes her way toward the table, head down and shoulders slumped. If this is another Bella act, I'm not being fooled again.

She softly takes her seat beside me and I watch to see Renee looking at her daughter with wide eyes, her father twitching nervously.

The strong, determined woman with a personality bigger than this room suddenly seems small and vulnerable. I swallow thickly, internally begging her to get her shit together. As much as I hate her right now, I need her to be the merciless cold woman I know. It's the only way I'll be able to stick to my resolve. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not the guy that kicks someone when their down.

The silence in the room is heavy and I'm watching the three other people around the table, hoping that someone will say something.

"When?" Her voice sounds hoarse and broken, probably from her earlier tears. My eyes are riveted to her, even though she still hasn't glanced at me once.

"May seventh." Renee answers softly.

"Why?" Is her next question, her voice coming out stronger this time.

"Why what Honey?" Renee nervously asks the same question I've been pondering about.

"Why did you tell me, Mom?" Bella finally lifts her head and looks at her mother pleadingly, causing a huge gaping hole in my chest.

"Because you're invited. I had to tell you."

"They invited me?" And there it is. The strong treble of her voice showing the strength inside of her, and I breathe a sigh of relief. She's going to be okay. I don't know why I care. Why I would even hope that she will make it through this, but I do. A lot. I guess when you've watched someone as long as I have Bella, witnessing their unwavering prowess, you don't want them to fail. It's like failure would mean the ultimate failure of something great, something bigger than you, something you've secretly admired. It's like seeing a big tree fall after you chopped it down because it's pushing up your pavement. You know it has to go, but once it's gone, you actually feel sorry for it…feel empty due to it.

"Yes Honey, of course they did. Billy Black has been you're father's best friend for many years as you know. How could his only son get married and you not be invited?" Renee is tiptoeing through her explanation, probably as nervous as I am about the fallout that might ensue.

"Maybe because Jacob Black is a cheating dick? Because he broke my fucking heart! Because he was my best friend and betrayed me in the worst way possible?" Bella's chest is heaving due to her rant. It's the first time I've ever heard her curse, and holy shit…that…was…hot. To my own disgust I feel my cock stir slightly. I look at the woman beside me from the corner of my eye and see the all too familiar fire burning behind her eyes. That's my girl.

Wait. What?

"Language young lade." Charlie scowls from across the table and I feel like kicking him in the shin. I think the circumstances warrant a couple of expletives, and I personally won't mind hearing her utter those words again. My dick agrees wholeheartedly.

"Not now Dad." Bella dismisses her father's reproach and keeps her eyes level with Renee's.

"I'm sorry Honey." Renee sighs heavily and rubs her temples with the tips of her fingers. "I guess seeing you and Edward together, and how well you've been doing; I presumed that you were all over the Jacob incident. That you would handle the news better, I guess."

And there it is. The reason why Bella is doing this. The realization makes me feel like a light has been shed on this whole sordid affair and I look at the woman beside me with different eyes…enlightened eyes. Bella told the lie to her parents because she was hoping to convince them that she is indeed over Jacob Black…a lie that I'm not sure even she believes.

"I was over it. I am." She says the second part with less conviction and I can tell Renee doubts her daughter's sincerity, as am I.

"Of course you are." Renee smiles encouragingly, but her eyes are telling a different story.

"Look Bells," Charlie starts and I'm surprised that he actually has something to add to this drama playing out in front of us, "you're mother couldn't have foreseen your reaction. She was probably under the impression that Edward knew about Jacob, too." He looks at her and then me suspiciously, and I just know that the wheels are turning inside his head. Bella's binder mentions that her father is the Chief of Police in Forks, and he certainly smells a rat. I can't blame him. One would think that her boyfriend of two years would know about the asshole that ripped out her heart.

I look at Bella imploringly. She'll need to explain this situation as I've got nothing. She turns her head to look at me for the first time since she re-entered the dining room, and I can see that she is defeated and tired. I almost feel sorry for her…almost.

"I didn't tell Edward because I didn't want something like that hanging over our relationship." She explains carefully, begging for forgiveness that I can't give her. There's nothing to forgive, this is her show, not mine. Whether her parents believe in the validity of our relationship will impact her life, not mine. What I do however realize is that tonight is not the right time for me to bring her house of cards tumbling down. She's taken a good beating and my vengeance will have to wait for another time.

"That's okay, baby." I smile at her encouragingly. "It doesn't change anything." I reassure her, and for the most part it's not a lie. It doesn't change anything. It doesn't change my plans and it most certainly will not deter me from teaching Bella Swan a lesson in manners. I emphasize my words by lifting my hand to her face and running my thumb over her cheek. It's a very nice cheek and I've been waiting for the opportunity to touch it again, even if it means nothing. What surprises me most though, is the fact that she leans into it. It's a very small movement, but it's there, and for some strange reason it causes a pull in me towards this girl. I feel a possessive side that's been dormant for years, and for a split second I want to reach out and fold her in my arms. I want to tell her that everything will be okay and that I won't allow anyone to ever hurt her like that again. I don't of course, but the realization makes me drop my hand abruptly.

Her eyes are boring into mine and the uncertainty and fear there is stifling. I clear my throat and divert my eyes to her parents who are staring at us. Renee has a calm, peaceful expression on her face, whereas her dad looks less suspicious…for now at least.

"Is that why you came here?" Bella asks her parents, and the hurt look in Renee's eyes makes me sympathize with the woman. She's nothing like her daughter. Her emotions are visible on her face and I don't believe that she is able to intentionally hurt anyone. Yes, her announcement of Jacob's upcoming wedding might have been ill timed and a tad tactless, but her reasons are fair and innocent.

"Of course not Bella." It's the first time I hear Renee call her daughter by her name. "We came here because we missed you. Because we feel separated from your life and want to be a bigger part of it again."

Bella looks down at her folded hands guiltily. "You are part of my life." She mumbles.

"Not as much as we want to be." Charlie sighs tiredly. The argument is taking its toll on him and he suddenly looks ten years older. "You hardly come to visit us, and though we understand you want to avoid running into Jacob, we can't see you only once within a year or two. So, if Mohammed doesn't want to come to the mountain, you bring the mountain to Mohammed."

"I try to visit as much as I can." I can hear the pout in Bella's voice and would have laughed at the uncharacteristic sound of it, if I wasn't completely enthralled by the change in her normally controlled demeanor. I guess no one is immune against their parent's well used you don't have time for us anymore guilt trip. I know the feeling so well.

"We know Honey." Renee is back with the trusted pet name. "That's why we thought we would spare you the trouble and come out to see you. This visit is long overdue, don't you think."

Bella nods in reply and I smile reassuringly at Renee, who accepts my smile with a thankful nod.

"Let's not talk about this anymore, okay?" Renee's voice notably brightens as she reaches over the table and gives Bella's hands a squeeze. "This has been such a great day, meeting Edward and seeing you."

"Indeed." I agree with fake enthusiasm. "But as great as this has been, it's getting late and I should probably be going."

Renee's face falls slightly, but she manages an understanding smile. I rise and Charlie shoots up at the same time, probably dying to get excuse himself from the situation.

"I'm beat too." He explains and yawns in affirmation.

"Oh Edward, it's been great to meet you." Renee walks over to me and gives me a motherly hug. I reply by hugging her back and pull back to give her a bright smile. It has been great meeting her and even Charlie. They're good people.

"Nice meeting you too." I nod enthused and step aside to shake Charlie's outstretched hand.

"I presume you're a Mariners fan, Edward." He asks as we shake firmly. The man has an iron grip and I'm sure he's putting a little extra into it as warning. He's papa bear and he's watching me. Got it Charlie, now let go.

"Yes sir." I say proudly and place my hands on my hips.

"Well then, maybe we can discuss that in length when we see you tomorrow." I'm surprised by his veiled invitation and blink a couple of times.

"Of course." I eventually respond and receive a stoic nod from him. At least it's clear where Bella gets her no nonsense approach from.

"I'll walk you out." Bella says softly beside me and I nod for her to take the lead.

I follow her towards the foyer with a final wave at Renee who's looking at us like a content mother hen. My eyes follow the gentle sway of Bella's hips in the dark denim. The woman certainly has curves that go on for days, and if I wasn't as appalled by her unattractive personality, her body would have me panting and begging for more.

She opens the door and steps aside for me to pass. I walk into the hallway of her building, and as I turn around to say my goodbyes, I find her standing outside her front door, the door pulled slightly shut behind her.

She looks at me for a measured beat, her hands twisting at her sides.

"Thank you Edward." She offers softly, her eyes shimmering in the light of the overhead lights. "You've been…" She trails off.

"No problem." I offer lightly, trying to dismiss the heavy feeling settling over us.

"When the evening started, I was afraid that you've decided to forgo our agreement, but in the end…you really came through for me Edward. I have to thank you for that." She seems uncomfortable, and I can only imagine it must be hard for her to express thanks and really mean it.

"Yeah, like I said no problem." I dismiss her quickly and try to feign indifference.

She looks at me skeptically, probably surprised by my aloof response and then finally nods in acceptance.

"You seemed upset earlier, and I know I said we could talk about it later. Do you think you could tell me what happened tomorrow?" She seems reluctant, but only because she most likely doesn't have the strength to discuss anything after the night she's had.

"We'll talk tomorrow." I confirm and offer her a small smile. "Good evening Miss Swan."

She looks a little taken aback by my formal farewell but takes it in her stride. "Good night Mr. Cullen."

And with that I take my leave. A moment later I hear her front door close softly behind me and I turn to look at the closed door.

Well, that certainly is not how I pictured this evening to end. I definitely didn't get the much needed vengeance I planned, but it gave me a very good insight into the life and troubles of Bella Swan. Insight I plan to use to my advantage. Timing is everything, and my time will undoubtedly come. I'll make sure of that.

I set out this evening to bring Miss Swan to her knees, but it seems like someone in her past has already done that for me. Did she kill all the trust I had in her…yes…maybe? Am I still hell bent on breaking her as much as she broke me…sure…why not? Do I feel sorry for this woman…yes…I definitely think I do? Will the rules need to change…for sure. Will I be bending them to my advantage…you bet your damn life on it.