"You're screwed up and brilliant."

—Lana

For the last few days I lived in the house like a ghost. Watching everything around me happen but couldn't do anything about it. Edward was back to his business. Gone most of the day, we almost never saw each other. He usually came home at three in the morning, taking a shower in adjoined bathroom, and going straight to sleep beside me or spending his time in his office. Sometimes he would wake me up and we had sex. Then, of course, he was gone before nine in the morning to do only God knows what. It now became a perfect pattern. The longer I was here, the less interaction we had. And this always left me wondering what had been running through his mind.

The man was so complex. Like a puzzle I was itched to rearrange.

One time he acted like he needed me the most, but then he treated me like I was just a fucking dust in his house.

He was bitter and sweet. Kind, but evil.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, I was alone. If I was lucky, Paul would join me in the kitchen. But our conversation had been kept to a minimum. So I stopped asking him about anything. Right now it became a sick, tiring cycle.

I skipped lunch. Decided to have early dinner only to break my boring routine. I walked downstairs, surprisingly found Paul behind the stove, cooking Mexican food. Yeah, because today was Friday.

He slid in a plate of nachos as soon as I sat on the barstool. Then, continued to make some burritos. The only sound in the room was a hiss from the frying pan as he mixed the ingredients together. I ate silently. He cooked silently. It was uncomfortable but I was used to it. .

His phone rang suddenly, and I almost jumped because of it. Paul checked the caller id before swiped the screen. His face was impassive, but the crease in his forehead showed.

"Yes, Boss?" he greeted.

It piqued my curiosity. Was it Edward?

Paul turned to me. "Yes, she's here." He replied. The look on his face somehow made me uneasy. He seemed confused for a second but put the phone on speaker anyway.

"How are you, principessa?"

It was impossible to not recognize the voice.

"Jamie?"

"Ah, you remember." I could picture his amused smirk from here. What did he want? "What are you doing in the castle over there?"

"Nothing."

"Pretty boring, huh?" he chuckled.

When you were a prisoner, it was.

"Come to my place." He said all of a sudden, grinning. I raised my eyebrow at Paul who sighed quietly. "Paul will drive you here." It was a command, not an offer. I and Paul shared the same hesitant look. He was as confused as I was right now. "Or I can get Jas to pick you up." Jamie added, didn't leave us a choice. This family was so freaking demanding.

"I'll drive her." Paul replied.

I saw his evil smile before heard his voice. "Good. See you, principessa."

And I had a feeling it would be a fucking bad idea.

His place was massive. Very much like Edward's but in more modern way. Paul parked the Range Rover in the driveway while I was looking around. From the greenest grass to the beautiful fountain and the house itself. If not for the expensive clothes Hailey gave me, I would totally look out of place.

Jas greeted us as soon as we hopped out the car, wearing his usual black clothes.

"He's waiting for you inside." He said to me, straight to the point as freaking usual. "And I need to talk to Paul for a moment if you don't mind."

I did really mind.

"What does he want from me?" I couldn't help but asking. Something about being around these people made me really nervous. And of course, as a new player, I was always oblivious of their games.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Jas replied with a raised eyebrow. Yes, I completely forgot the fact that I was surrounded by assholes.

Paul seemed reluctant to let me go by myself, but in the end couldn't do anything about it.

I entered the house hesitantly, surprised to find it filled as though someone was throwing a party. The beat drop of the music was loud in the background. Girls were in their bikinis or less, champagne in hand. Their eyes were curious. As if they were aware I was unfamiliar face. To make the situation less awkward for me, I walked past them coolly. Toward a huge sitting room with the view of the sea. And more girls. They were like, everywhere. Snorting a line on the coffee table, smoking joint in the corner, skinny dipping in the pool outside…God, this was such a mess. What if the police suddenly barged in?

I found Jamie sitting on couch with a console game in hand, didn't even give a flying fuck about what happened around him. So different from Edward who was organized and in order.

He put the game on pause and turned to me, smirking when he saw me in my jeans and boots. "Have a seat, principessa."

"Prisoner." I corrected him. He laughed his ass off. When I found nothing funny about it…

"What can I get you, girl?" he offered once his laughter died down, giving a sign to one of the girls who stood up right away. She looked annoyed, but faking a smile anyway.

"No, I'm fine, thank you."

"Oh, I insist." He replied, signaling the girl to grab a drink for me. She did it dutifully. Coming back with a beautiful soft purple colored cocktail in hand. I finally took it after she huffed impatiently. "Drink, Bella."

"What's in it?" I couldn't help but asking.

"Try it." I sipped. And wow, it was surprisingly good. He chuckled at my reaction. "You have plan tonight?"

No, absolutely not. What did he think? I barely had a say in my life anymore. It was such a rhetorical question.

"Why?"

"I think we should visit Edward."

I didn't like the reflection I saw in the mirror. No, not that I looked ugly or something, it was just… Hell, I didn't know what to say. The dress I was wearing right now was short and silver and backless, with glittering crystal and extreme plunging in front. It was such a daring, jaw-dropping, provocative dress. Skin was everywhere. I got my lilac grayish hair tied in stylish high ponytail and my makeup done flawlessly. It was so bold, yet so seductive. But damn, I looked so trashy. I couldn't go out like this.

The door was suddenly open, revealing the navy suited Jamie behind it. His blonde curls were tied in man bun and he got both hands tucked inside the pocket of his pants. He looked so hot and handsome, a bit messy but still presentable.

"Are you ready, princess?" his naughty smirk appeared as those eyes scanned my body shamelessly.

"No. Never. No, Jamie. I can't go out like this." I said, pleading. He approached me casually and I unconsciously wrapped my arms around myself. This was just not right. Why did everyone have to be so mean?

His finger lifted up my chin. I had no choice but looking straight into his eyes. "You're perfect to me." He uttered. It didn't sound soothing in my ears. It was more like he just informed that this was what he wanted. That I should go by his rules.

"Please, can I cover myself a little—"

"No." He refused, grabbing my wrist in the process. "Let the world see you."

An hour later Jamie's matte black BMW i8 stopped in the driveway of what looked like an elite and exclusive nightclub in Tampa, Black Moon. The bouncer let us pass through the VIP entrance. He nodded his head at Jamie in acknowledge. "Boss." Then of course, staring at my outfit and exposed skin. God. It would be a long fucking night.

I inched closer to Jamie involuntarily as we made our way inside. He chuckled beside me. As if my reaction entertained him. This guy was just as crazy.

The club was well packed. And it looked like it was made for the rich people and elites. Clearly not my scene. Jamie stopped here and there, greeting back a few people genuinely—something that Edward wouldn't even bother to do—and I would be hiding behind him because the look I was getting at every corner. Great, now everyone might think I was one of sluts. I didn't blame them, though. I dressed like one.

"Can we go home, please?" I slightly begged, tugging his elbow when we were finally alone.

"I'd like to. But don't you think it's a little rude if we don't greet the owner?" he winked. I hoped there was a hole appeared beneath me and swallowed me whole. "Edward will be so happy to see you." He assured with a glint of amusement. I knew it. I knew he was plotting something.

He took my hand and linked it to his arm as we went upstairs. To a total different world. An extremely private area. There were so many security guards here. So I bet my life these people inside were important. Rich, powerful, and important.

The guard opened the double door for us and Jamie walked into the room, pulling me along with him. It was filled by at least fifteen people, excluding the waitresses and the bartender.

"Well, well, well, where have you been, Mr. J?" One of the men said as soon as he found us entering. His words made the others divert their attention to Jamie. Then to me. I felt so uncomfortable under their curious, hungry gazes.

"Gentlemen." Jamie greeted them with a wide grin while I looked down, totally embarrassed. He then took a seat on the black leather coach, tugging me to sit on his lap. Was he serious? At the freaking same time I sensed a move from my peripheral eyes. Turning my head, I was met by furious green eyes.

Edward looked so perfect, dressed in black suit minus the tie. Hair was in usual disarray, a drink in hand. His stare was dark and intense, raking over me from head to toe. There was desire there, but also anger. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.

"Who is this sexy lady? I've never seen her before." Another man asked with such interest, making me nauseous.

"Name is Bella." Jamie grinned, putting his hand on my knee nonchalantly. Edward's hand twitched a little. The man had been dangerously calm. Still, his emeralds…those screamed murder.

"Ah, it suits her." Much older man said, winking at me. I almost cringed.

"Indeed." Jamie added before turning to Edward. "What do you think, dear cousin?" My body tensed as I felt his hand creeping up to my thigh. Edward was trying so hard to keep his composure. Jaw hardened and those eyes were so, so cold. I shivered.

"Exquisite." He replied in I-don't-give-a-fuck tone. It apparently didn't fool Jamie because then the man smirked knowingly.

"Oh, you don't like her?" he inquired, placing a soft kiss on my bare shoulder. Those green eyes darkened immediately.

And just like that, we all now became aware of the changing atmosphere. The silence was heavy and deafening. Edward's mood worsened as the clock ticked by, but Jamie was enjoying every second of it. I didn't fucking dare to move while the others were just watching their exchange and shifting uncomfortably. When I was almost sure, the hell would break loose, a familiar voice cut in. Hailey, the lifesaver. "How can you all start the party without me?" she pouted, drawing the attention to herself which I was so thankful for.

The minute those men were occupied by her company, Edward snatched me from Jamie. He let him, smiling widely. "You will pay for this, J." He warned before we were out of the room.