Don't hate Edward. He was just frustrated ;)
"You don't want to be like me. Don't want to see all the things I've seen."—Lana
Edward was livid. He looked like he wanted to kill someone really, really bad. The drive to the house was extremely tense. He didn't say anything and I didn't dare to. Keeping my mouth shut was the best option. As soon as we arrived home, I was going upstairs. Okay, probably ran. To the bedroom I knew too well. The only place I preferred to be right now. I felt safer somehow. The view outside made me calm. And the familiar surroundings made me less anxious. Well, it was…before Edward walked in.
His presence ruined all.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" He snapped after closing the door with a loud thud, making me wince. With the left courage I had, I looked up to those cold green eyes. Because no, this was not my fault. He had no right to be angry with me.
"What? Me? What's wrong with you?" I pointed out. Being here with him was scary enough. Let alone having this angry conversation. "You are aware Jamie did this intentionally!"
"Why were you with him at the first place?!"
"Fucking ask Paul." I spat venomously. "This game between you two is stupid and childish, Edward. Don't drag me into it." There, he made me say it out loud.
His expression changed all of a sudden. The man in front of me looked so distant and terrifying. I was brave, but afraid. "I can fucking do what I want." He narrowed his eyes, far from pleased. "Who the hell do you think you are?" Shaking his head, he added while laughed humorlessly. "You're crazy if you think you're more than a random whore to me."
His words stung, but I fixed my reaction. "You don't mean it." I said, holding my chin up. I didn't know why I said it. It just came out.
An evil smirk playing on his lips as he waved his hand over me. "Well, look at you."
"No, I'm not some fucking random whore to you." I stated, refusing to believe his words. This was like a denial. Hell, I didn't know. I was just thinking he only did it to hurt me. Because if I really were a random whore to him, he would let Jamie parade me in front of everyone.
"You think so highly of yourself, bellissima." He approached me slowly. Hatred and something more in those emeralds.
"Why are you keeping me here?" I asked, shaking off the tremble in my voice. "Why don't you kill me already then?" He seemed to be startled for a second before covering it with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Be grateful. I'm doing you a favor—" I slapped him hard across his cheek.
It took him by surprise, but his response was immediate. The last thing I expected him to do was wrapping his hand around my neck. I grabbed, scratched, pulled his arm as he put the pressure around my throat. His eyes became wicked and scary, watching me gasping for breath in silence. It felt like forever and I began to stop fighting him out of exhaustion. When I was sure I would pass out—or die—he loosened his grasp. I coughed hard as the air filled my lungs. My hand gripped his forearm tightly to keep my balance.
"Stop making me angry." He whispered harshly before letting me go. I watched as he turned away and left the room. My tear rolled down at the same time he slammed the door.
I stripped off my dress and shoes, untied my hair, and removed my makeup. With a fresh clean oversized t-shirt on my body, I was standing in front of the bathroom vanity. A tired, pathetic face was staring back at me. With a red mark along her neck. Shaking as recalling the event that just happened. After everything, I thought he changed. Now I thought I was too naïve.
I felt the need to lay down when the weariness became too much. But the bed was too far away and the bathtub was closer. So I sat there, drawing my knees to my chest for God knows how long. The emptiness surrounded me and I welcomed it. What did I do to deserve this?
Hours passed, but I was wide awake. The sound of the door being opened and his footsteps echoed. Deep down I hoped he didn't bother searching for me. That he would let me be. But universe had to hate me. I held my breath the moment he came into the bathroom. And before I knew it, he was standing over me. He said nothing as I sat still. Then all of a sudden his toned arms were under my knees and around my back. Goosebumps were all over my skin at the contact. I was lifted up and carried out of the bathroom. To the bed that felt cold beneath me.
He reached back to pull on his shirt. Shoes and pants off. Only in his boxer shorts when he joined beside me. I turned my back because I had enough of this shit. But Edward pulled me in his embrace. His leg draped over mine, drawing me closer. His bare chest was against my back. His finger lightly touched the redness around my neck before his lips followed. He mouthed sorry over and over again. I closed my eyes and tried to forget.
I expected him to be gone by the time I woke up. But, no. Although the digital clock on the bedside table read 11:30, Edward was still here, snuggling to me, breathing evenly. I tried to remove his hand on my waist carefully, but the movement disturbed his sleep. I knew he was now awake because then he tightened his hold, burying his face deeper in the nape of my neck.
"Where are you going?" he mumbled groggily, palm was now flat against my navel. "Stay here." His breath tickled. I sighed. With a flick of finger, he turned warm and sweet, making me wish last night didn't happen.
"Which one is the real you?" I asked out of the blue. Because this thing was so fucking confusing. "You almost killed me. Again." Edward was silent, but I knew his eyes were wide open now. He heard me.
I heard him sigh as I touched my neck. Turning me to face him, I was met by a sea of tattoos. They distracted me long enough before I could focus at his eyes. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. So I was the one who did the talking.
"Did you kill Jacob?" The name tasted bitter on my tongue. But the way he reacted was worth it.
"Don't. Don't fucking start, bellissima." His tone was acid. Jaw stiffened. He knew what I was doing. Still, this wasn't enough.
"Yeah, I'm just a lonely whore who has no one." I added with thick of sarcasm. He closed his eyes briefly, muttering fuck under his breath.
"I said I was sorry." He gritted his teeth. Emeralds were sad, but at the same time clouded by anger.
"Yeah, easy, I'm a forgiver." I rolled my eyes. He ran his hand through that beautiful bronze hair, contemplating something. He looked scared for a second before looking straight into my eyes.
"If I let you, will you really go?" the words were out before I could comprehend. Like a dream between nightmare. Like cold water splashing my face. Was this for real? Did I hear it right?
"What do you mean—"
"You know exactly what I mean." He cut in, rolling his eyes. "You are free now. Go. No one's gonna stop you." His face told me he was one hundred percent serious. Was it guilt talking? Or was it just his way to fix things that got out of hand? "But, sweetheart, the question is…do you really want to?" His eyes were searching for an answer, but I bet I looked far from determined.
Fuck, did I really want to? Of course I did…right? I wouldn't be stuck here again… I could do everything as I pleased…There was no Edward Masen in my life…God, why did I seem hesitant now?
"Do you want me to?" Yeah, I purposely dodged his question. This shit was harder than I thought.
"Honestly? No."
Hailey was in the kitchen, wearing a big smile on her face as she saw me descending the stairs. She was sporting a cropped gray sweater and skinny jeans today. And a very, very cute Pomeranian puppy was sitting on her lap. It was small and white. Damn, I really wanted to touch it.
"Ah, glad to see you alive." She said. I wanted to roll my eyes. What kind of greeting was that?
"Thank you." I scoffed, going straight to pour myself a coffee. It was the only thing who would keep me sane throughout the day. Well, after everything that happened.
"I feel you, B. Didn't expect you to be this strong, though." She admitted. As if I just did something that made her proud.
"I barely survive." I told her after gulping my coffee.
"Still." She shrugged, stroking the puppy's chin. "Don't you think you need a fucking break from this? I know how stressful it can be to be around those lunatics. We can go to the mall, you know, girls' day out." She offered. Actually it sounded like a good idea. She was right. I really needed a fucking break. "I think Edward will be okay with that. I'll let him know."
"What do you want me to know?" speaking of the devil…
Edward stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing exactly the same boxer shorts and nothing at all. I actually wasn't ready to face him after that talk. Especially that question that I desperately tried to get away from. He approached me casually, then pouring himself a coffee.
"I and Bella will go shopping. I hope you don't mind." Hailey said cheerfully.
"You want to?" he turned to me, his hand reached to tuck strands of hair behind my ear.
"Of course, she does. She needs a fucking distraction to forget how much an ass my cousin and brother can be." She sneered. God, I adored her.
"I'm not talking to you, Hails."
"Yes, I want to." I replied, ending their argument.
"Alright. I'll give you the debit card."
"No need. Mama has so much cash in bag." She waved her hand dismissively before getting up from the barstool. "And don't think I will let you ease your guilt toward her. Remember that woman may forgive, but never forget, Edward."
"Whatever." He rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Where's Paul by the way?" she abruptly asked, looking around us as if she just remembered something. There was a beat of silence before he answered.
"He's taking a day off."
She definitely didn't buy it. After a moment processing it, she put two and two together. Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. "Fuck, Edward. Tell me he's alive." She closed her eyes briefly, trying hard to tame her anger. "Because if you killed him, I swear to God, I'll fucking kill you.
"Lucky bastard." He murmured.
"You are such an asshole."
Hailey didn't lie when she said she had so much cash in bag. Because as soon as she put her leopard printed Audi R8 in parking at International Plaza and Bay Street, she pulled out wad of cash from five different wallets. Well, men's wallets to be exact. She then threw the money carelessly in her Hermѐs purse.
"What?" she raised an eyebrow as she found me stare.
"You—"
"Steal for living, yes." She was grinning, proud and pleased, to my surprise. My frown deepened. I didn't get it. Her family…wasn't she so rich already? "It's a talent and practice combined, B. I'll teach you someday. It's so fun and addicting."
"But why?"
"Because I'm a lazy bitch and suck at business, that's why." She explained.
When we went in to the mall, the first place we entered was salon. Hailey said she want to dye her hair a new color, which was rose gold. And her comment about how ugly and faded the color of my hair was made me dye my hair too. So yes, it was auburn now.
After spending a good amount of time in salon, we went shopping. And shopping with Hailey was new experience to me because this woman was so crazy. Gucci, Zara, Michael Kors, Victoria's Secret, every fucking store we walked out with at least five paper bags in hand. She bought almost everything she saw. Definitely crazy. By the end of the day, we went home with sixty paper bags. Thank God, she had her guards stand by anytime she needed them. It was impossible to carry those things without help.
Before I knew it, we had arrived at the house. Hailey stopped the car in the driveway while her guards unloaded the stuffs we bought and brought them inside. I rubbed the sleepy puppy on the head. She seemed tired following us all day. She was almost sleeping on my lap.
"Thank you for today. It's a bit…refreshing." I said, earning a smile from her.
"Yeah, I haven't had a girl company for so long."
"No female friend, huh?"
She chuckled. "Nope."
"Alright, I think it's time to go. Goodbye, baby." I kissed the puppy before holding it out to Hailey, careful to make a minimal movement. I didn't want to disturb her. She was so cute.
"Take it. She's yours." She smirked.
"What?"
"An apology from my coward brother."