Just to clear things up, I'm not a lawyer so I got the legal jargon from the internet alone. If it has mistakes- which I'm VERY sure there is -I have no idea what they are.

Chapter Three- Like a game of hide-and-seek, she says, "hide" and I say, "seek"

The thing about making mistakes in a relationship was that sometimes, the person you have hurt once might not want to give you another chance again. Truth be told, the probability of them giving you a chance may be a hundred to one and that's what I was trying to beat: the 100/1 chance of getting Bella back- because if there was even a slightest possibility of fixing this mistake, that's what I'd strive to have.

Having just finished last night's events to my friends, Emmett let out his boisterous laughter and slapped his lap for added effect. I leaned back on my chair, shook my head and waited for his hilarity to abate. Rosalie, Emmett's wife who usually would have slapped the back of his head by this time, laughed with him. And Jasper, my friend and lawyer I keep on retainer, wasn't laughing but he had a small smile on his face.

"What are the odds of two childhood sweethearts to be engaged since birth but they didn't know it? Quite a few," Emmett commented. "And what of those who break up for good only to learn years later that they have to get married in two weeks' time? Apparently, ten to nil but I should have known really. I mean, this is Eddie we're talking about; making the impossible happen since the year 2000."

Emmett was the typical joker of the group, the man you could count on for laughs but this time, I found him annoying rather than amusing. The subject was a sore topic for me because I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, one wrong move and I may as well find myself falling to my defeat.

"What about Tanya?" Rosalie suddenly interrupted.

Since the first day that Emmett introduced me to his gorgeous wife, I've always only formed one description for her personality: cold. I'm not saying that she doesn't have any feelings. She does; I've seen her being affectionate with Emmett but rarely do I see that. Rose is the kind of person who only speaks up when she thinks what she has to say is important. Now, I'm not sure if that part is true but based from my whole acquaintance with her, that's always the way she is. I've never asked Emmett their whole background so I don't know what caused that ice around her. Overall though, I could confidently say that Rose is fiercely loyal to the few people she considers her friends and I'm glad that she counts me one because that means that she'd always have my back in any tricky situations. Always.

I stiffened at the name of my ex-girlfriend; the woman I couldn't describe without having the urge to curse and because I was raise as a gentleman by my parents, I won't describe her in detail- only the crucial elements so as to avoid heavy swearing on my part. I'd tell some of the story and I'd leave it to you to decide what her character is.

Tanya Denali was my girlfriend before Bella, back when I used to think that drinking every Friday and Saturday night and placing bets on anything and everything with the guys of the football team was the ultimate form of amusement. You know that couple in high school that everyone predicts would have their happy endings? Well, that's us. We had it all. I was doing all right with my grades and my football games were improving. I was also starting to think that Tanya just might be the girl for me until Bella transferred to our school.

Sweet, naïve Isabella who was the number one source of entertainment for everyone during party nights on weekends; the girl who was the cause of the increased number of bets around the place, bets about who would be the first to get her to bed; Bella who was the new meat of the school and that was the reason why she was involved in one particular bet that involved me getting to know her intimately and then leaving her for good…

Tanya agreed to the bet, said it would be "good fun." She was eager to see Bella get broken because the girl was stealing all the attention because of all the whispers… whispers of where she came from and who her parents were and where she lived. She definitely lived in the outskirts of town because some of the team had checked the area but none were able to locate her house.

I had a month for the bet and I strived to win it. I have never lost any bet I was in before, I was persistent towards the goal, I was foolish…

If there ever was any girl who had brought me to my knees, it was Isabella Swan.

She wasn't who I thought she was. She wasn't just some frigid girl who doesn't know how to have fun; she does know but her shyness kept in the way.

And I started to look forward to our dates. By the end of the bet, I decided that I couldn't do it. I couldn't let her go… so I gave up on the bet, broke up with Tanya and continued with my relationship with Bella.

Tanya didn't take our break up too well. She got mad at me and believed that I was throwing everything away for some mistaken notion that I have of being in love. She also threatened to harm my relationship but I ignored it and shrugged. What could a girl like Tanya do to us anyway? I asked myself then. The truth was, she could do a lot.

And she did.

"What about her?" I questioned.

"Does she know that you're going to get married to Bella? And does Bella know about Selene?"

"They both don't know about the other," I answered shortly.

According to public knowledge, Selene Isabelle Cullen was my daughter but according to her birth certificate, Selene's father was Mike Newton, one of the guys in the football team. However, Tanya (the same Tanya who was my ex-girlfriend) made everyone believe that it was my child she was carrying and forced Bella to leave so that I could act as a father to "my" child.

Long story short, Bella left the town and I learned that Mike Newton was the real father (I wouldn't have found out if I hadn't seen the birth certificate and demanded to know what was going on; Tanya calmly explained that Mike Newton was her child's real father who didn't want the responsibility of taking care of his unborn child. Apparently, she put his name on the certificate so that I'd continually support her because her name is written as Selene's mother. I asked Tanya if I could adopt the child and she agreed but the papers still haven't been arranged because Tanya was "having second thoughts about giving up her child" but to the few people who knew what she really wants, it was her own way of getting my monthly support for Selene.)

"Why didn't you tell Bella about Selene? Are you afraid that she's not going to accept her-?"

"No, I know that Bella would accept Selene when she finds out but I've decided not to tell Bella until my adoption is complete. I'd want Bella to be Selene's mother. I know she'd be a good mother. She's always been good with kids."

"And what about Tanya? What if she learns about your engagement?"

"What could she do? From what I could gather, the agreement between mine and Bella's parents were locked seal-tight so I doubt that even she could stop this marriage when even Bella is planning to fight tooth and nail for the contract to get nulled." I turned to Jasper. "That reminds me, Jasper. The reason why I called you is because I need your help tomorrow to review the contracts. Check if my assumption is true and it doesn't have any loopholes. If it does, try to do everything so that Bella's lawyer wouldn't spot it."

"How do you know that Bella would bring her own lawyer?" He asked.

"Trust me, I know Bella well enough to predict this one. I told you she'd do anything to stop this from happening and I bet you, she will."

"You don't sound upset," Jasper commented as he searched my eyes swiftly for my emotions.

"Can you believe it? I'm actually looking forward to the next two weeks. Who knows what Bella would do?" I leaned back and gave a contented sigh.

Everything seemed to be falling in place and to think that I used to think that all hope was lost…

X

GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

OF

CULLEN-SWAN CORPORATION

THIS GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT is entered into this day 15th day of September, 1988, by and between Cullen Enterprises, Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Washington ("CE") and Swan, Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Washington ("Swan") (each of the parties hereto are hereinafter referred to, individually, as a "Partner," and collectively as the "Partners").

ARTICLE I

NAME

The business of the Partnership shall be conducted under the name "CULLEN-SWAN CORPORATION". The parties shall promptly comply with all laws regarding the use of such name as an assumed name by the Partnership, if necessary.

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION

2.1 The Partnership shall only take in effect if and only if the first-born son and daughter of both parties marry under the conditions set on this agreement (each of the parties' son and daughter hereto are hereinafter referred to, respectively, as "Child Cullen" and "Child Swan").

2.2 This marriage shall be for "beneficial purposes" only.

ARTICLE III

TERMS

3.1 "Agreement" means this Partnership Agreement, as amended, mollified or supplemented from time to time.

3.2 "Beneficial purposes" means that this marriage is for the sole benefit of Child Cullen and Child Swan. This means that anything put in this agreement is believed to be for their general welfare and well-being.

3.3 "Getting-to-Know-the-Other-Meetings" shall mean the period of time wherein Child Cullen and Child Swan will engage in social activities to get to know the other better before the time of the wedding.

ARTICLE IV

PURPOSE

The purpose of this is to (i) form a merger between both companies (ii) to engage both companies in international trade and manufacture and sale of certain products stamped with the Cullen Crest and to (iii) form a partnership not only in business matters but domestic matters between both parties.

ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS

5.1 Child Cullen and Child Swan shall have to both be of age before the introduction of this Partnership.

5.2 (1) In order to avoid any possible reason of unfairness, both parties have agreed that Child Cullen and Child Swan shall have a time to get to know each other whether or not Child Cullen and Child Swan agree to this partnership or not. This period shall henceforth be called "Getting-to-Know-the-Other-Meetings."

(2) The "Getting-to-Know-the-Other-Meetings" is going to take place during the two weeks allotted for preparation of the wedding. The said meetings shall take place three times a week every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

5.3 At the moment that both Child Cullen and Child Swan have both said their "I do" in the ceremony in whatever word they may have put it as long as it expresses their assent, the Partnership is henceforth considered to be in effect.

5.4 Both parties have stated that after the wedding, no act can ever terminate this Partnership. The said act could entail anything from "divorce" to "break-up" whether in the long- or short-term.

ARTICLE VI

BENEFITS

6.1 Both parties have provided a private resort to where Child Cullen and Child Swan could spend their honeymoon.

6.2 (1) As part of their wedding gifts, Child Cullen and Child Swan shall receive a furnished house with state-of-the-art appliances, employees and a BMW.

(2) Child Cullen and Child Swan shall have a shared position of presidency to the newly-formed Partnership.

X

I didn't know where to comment first when I read the entirety of the contract so I chose the easiest. "It says here that we will receive a house after our honeymoon in a private resort of an island."

"That's the part of the bargain- or our wedding gift for you too. We'll give you the keys to the house after your honeymoon. It comes with full maid service, a pool and a special-made garden for both of you," Charlie responded- rather enthusiastically, I might add. "I had to pay an exorbitant price for an expert gardener to decorate the hedge and plant beds but it was worth it."

Hmm, I wonder what gave it its "worth."

I guessed that was the time to let Jasper in.

"If you'll excuse me, I have my lawyer with me today. I just wanted to make sure that this contract won't contain anything I may not like."

Like loopholes that could let Bella escape from my grasp, for one.

"You're allowed to do that, Edward," Esme said.

Jasper entered the room bringing with him his usual air of confidence and warmth. I saw Bella inspecting him before she smiled.

"I'm Jasper Hale, Edward's lawyer," he introduced himself and shook hands with everyone. I immediately gave him my copy, eager for him to start. "If you all find something to occupy yourselves for a moment why I read this contract that would be great." He sat down next to me, took out his pair of reading glasses and began to read.

"Uh excuse me," Bella suddenly said, giving me a reason to look at her. "While Jasper is reading the contract, I guess it's time for me to say that I also had the same thing Edward had in mind."

"What do you mean?" Renee questioned. There was an air of suspicion around her.

Hmm, she didn't trust her daughter to go through with the contract. Though considering the way Bella had acted, I couldn't blame her.

"I hired a lawyer to check the contract for me as well and make sure I'm making a right choice if I sign this contract."

After everyone had agreed, she called out for her lawyer to enter.

Her lawyer entered the room; her energy was evident from the bouncy movements her step made. It would have looked awkward for another but to this girl- no, woman –it made her look graceful and enthusiastic at the same time. A glaring contradiction but it suited her.

I wondered how Bella came to know her but then she smiled at me and then I realized who she was.

"Alice?"

Alice Brandon was Bella's only friend in high school. The two of them were inseparable since day one. I've always wondered why Alice hadn't figured out our relationship but since we weren't close before, I guessed that was one reason.

"You must be Edward." A smile was playing at her lip that was similar to the Cheshire cat's in Alice in Wonderland. "Bella told me so much about you."

Uh-oh, this girl's geared for fight. I'm glad I know some things about her because it looked like she was planning to bring out the big guns.