A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys.
Summary: Isabella Swan is the one person to go to about love – even though she has virtually no love life of her own…until a drunken blind date lands her married to the sexy Dr. Edward Masen. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: Rights go to SM, but I own the plot and any minor characters.
There are many reasons why you should read and review this story. Maybe you're reading this story because of the pairing. Maybe you're reading this story for the romance or the humor.
But this will have more than that. That Yahoo Answers reference in the first chapter? That's me. This story is based loosely on me. It isn't the story per se – I didn't get drunk and marry a man in the bar – but whenever I start writing the story, that first inner monologue by Bella is always about something I was thinking.
I love writing about love. I love schooling people on love. Any advice Bella may give during this story is true. I hope you learn something, or I hope certain things written in this story will make you ooh and aww and make you imagine the person you love.
Most of all, I hope you can relate to the advice. I hope that it means something to you.
I love you guys for your support on all of my stories.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE PREMISE OF THIS STORY HAS CHANGED. PLEASE READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS AGAIN. THE PART THAT HAS CHANGED IS THE LITTLE TIDBITS OF ROSALIE AND EMMETT. THEY NO LONGER EXIST. ROSALIE AND EMMETT ARE NOT TOGETHER. I REPEAT. ROSALIE AND EMMETT ARE NOT TOGETHER.
Em/R ACTION WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME IN THE STORY, BUT AS OF NOW, THEY ARE NOT TOGETHER. PLEASE NOTE THIS, OR ELSE THIS CHAPTER WILL BE A WEE BIT CONFUSING.
Urban Decay
Chapter 3: Five Years
B
I've been through a lot of embarrassing moments. I truly believe that any publicity was good publicity. I would hold concerts in the middle of a packed food court in the mall, messing up lyrics and singing off tune – just so people would remember me when they went home. Would it be embarrassing? Yeah. Most people didn't want to hear a wannabe singer belt out a song by Beyonce while they were trying to finish their soup.
But I didn't care much about what they remembered about me. All I knew was that they were going to remember me. They would go home, and recount the story about the crazy teenager who decided to jump on the counter and sing Halo. Or the crazy teenager and her friends who danced to the song Low on the tables with the plastic trees on them.
To this day, I thrive in spontaneity. Perhaps it's against my alternate personality (the one that involves being a perfectionist) but if I were to choose between my two lifestyles, I would choose the brighter, spontaneous one.
People always come up to me to ask me a question about love. Love isn't meticulous. It can't be planned. You might meet a man who is annoying and gawky, and tweaks every one of your nerves. You will never imagine yourself liking him, and then, four years later, you find yourself in a passionate relationship with the man you thought you'd never want.
Love is spontaneous. So why not live your life with spontaneity?
I tell my viewers this everyday. Don't go out and try to find love. Love will find you on its own. You just have to let it.
It might be staring you right in the face, but you ignore it because you deem it too difficult to pursue. Some people put up walls around them. If men see guarded women with these walls around them, they give up. What's the use of trying when the women are so careful in concealing themselves?
This is why you're single. Sometimes, people put up walls…not to keep others out, but to see who cares enough to tear them down. Do not make the same mistake that many men make.
Back to spontaneity.
I've made many spur of the moment decisions. I've done many things that I'd rather not relive. I've had my share of awkward moments.
Some women refuse to believe my advice, or follow my guidance, because they deem me too spontaneous. As if I act only on impulse, and that if they choose to live the same way, they will wind up on their bums with a broken heart.
At first, I believed them. I went through a phase where I planned everything I did. I ended up on my bum with a case of food poisoning. Do not listen to the women who say spontaneity is a hazard. It is the only way to live your life without regrets.
I know now that spontaneity is good. Women tell me that I shouldn't be stupid. That I shouldn't allow my viewers to believe me – you can't imagine the number of phone calls I have received about that. But I never allow these comments to get to me, because I believe in one thing. And this one thing is how I live my life, how I know that I'm living my life right.
People will say that I'm wrong, but I know, deep down, that my mind set will let me live my life without regrets. Who says we can't be crazy? Who says we can't be spontaneous? Who says that we have to be tamed? People are always going to talk about you – might as well give them something to talk about.
In fact, I live my life, abiding to this one thing. And this thing is so important, so inhumanely true that it deserves to be bolded. And I do not bold things very often.
Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they're supposed to run wild, until they find someone just as wild to run with.
B
It couldn't have been a pretty sight. I almost felt bad for Alice. I'm sure it wasn't what she wanted to see in the morning. At some point, Edward had covered his misters with a pillow from the floor – god knows why I hadn't noticed that they were out in the open before. It had been awkward.
Very awkward.
"ROSALIE!" She screeched, and I covered my ears instinctively. Almost as if she were a rabbit out of a hat, Rosalie appeared next to Alice, her blond hair messy.
"What's so important?" She glanced at Alice, before her eyes narrowed dangerously as she looked back and forth between me and Edward. "Oh." She bit out calmly.
"Oh my god!" Alice yelled. "You two have been going at it while me and Rosalie have been going crazy looking for you? I soiled my new shoes!"
"Alice…" I warned. Alice almost never got mad, really got mad, so when she did get mad…it wasn't a pretty sight.
"Where the hell did you two go?" Rosalie screamed.
"Rose, believe me when I say that I don't—"
"Don't give me bullshit about this 'I don't know where we went so don't blame me.' crap" Rosalie mimicked.
"Hey! That sounded nothing like me." I argued.
"If I may, I'd like to—" Edward began.
"Who the hell are you?" Alice and Rosalie asked in unison. Rosalie gave him the once over, and I couldn't tell from her expression whether she liked what she saw or not.
"I'm—"
"Never mind, that doesn't matter." Rosalie waved him off. I almost laughed. "Do you have any idea how worried I was, Bella? God knows where you could wind up when you're drunk!"
I felt like a teenager again. "Well, sorry, Mom." I rolled my eyes. "I'm twenty-one Rosalie! I can do whatever I want! I'm a big girl!"
Alice snorted. "Yes, a big girl who got drunk and went home with a guy who could be a serial rapist."
"Hey! I resent that." Edward said, looking a little crossed.
"Edward." I warned. "Shut up and sit down." He sat down immediately, his eyes shining with annoyance.
"Now, Alice." I glared at her. "Weren't you the one who set me up on this blind date in the first place?"
"Yeah, but I didn't tell you to go home and fuck the guy!"
"Well you didn't tell me to get married to him either!"I yelled, tugging the sheet closer to my body. "I did that just fine on my own!"
The room fell silent. Rosalie stared at me, her mouth agape, as if I'd grown a second head. Alice gazed at Edward, waiting for a denial that never came. When the silence stretched too long, Alice spoke.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
I was having a silent conversation with Rosalie, and Edward seemed to notice I was preoccupied. He explained for me. "Last night, we were drunk out of our minds. Somehow…we wandered into the chapel in the casino, and we sort of…kind of…may have gotten married."
"No, you couldn't have." Rosalie had calmed down, but she was staring at me like she didn't even know me anymore. "I know you like being spontaneous, but you've never been stupid. If this is a joke, Bella, it isn't funny."
"It's not a joke." I said quietly. "I wish to God that it is…but it's not a joke. It happened…"
"How drunk could you have possibly gotten, Bella?" Alice yelled. Her anger had not stopped. "You have so much ahead of you. You finally got your life straight after your career in writing. How could you have let this happen? How could you have possibly have been so incredibly stupid to—"
Rosalie put a calming hand on her shoulder. "Alice, don't." She turned to me, her eyes burning with desperation. "Bella—"
"Get out." I said, simply.
"What?"
"I said, get out." I pointed at the door. "I don't need this kind of crap when I'm suffering from a fucking horrible hangover. I don't need to take this shit from you guys when my life is in shambles right now. You guys think you've got it bad – catching your best friend in a mess like this? Well guess what. I'm living this mess so get the hell out."
"Bella—" Alice started. Rosalie grabbed her hand.
"If she doesn't want us here, then why are we even bothering staying here? Perfect little Bella always has to get what she wants – ever since she got that god damn TV job she's been living like she owns everything." Rosalie bit out. "Let's just get out of here, Alice."
She pulled Alice out of the room, and Alice's face was filled with regret. Sorry she mouthed. I didn't even look at her.
Once they were gone, I let out a deep breath. I could have fainted from how exhausted I felt. "You okay?" He asked, staring at me with concern. I nodded mutely, and he helped me sit back down on the bed. I was feeling sick and I was annoyed and hung over. I couldn't handle all this in the morning.
Then I realized I was angry at Edward too – he was my problem not them.
"When I said for everyone to get out, I meant you too." I looked at him, and nodded towards the door.
His green eyes blinked in confusion. "What?"
"I can't handle all of this right now. I need you to get out. You're the worst of my problems, so please, just leave."
"Telling me leave won't fix your problems, Bella."
"You're the last person I want to see right now, Edward. Don't take this personally. It's just…this kind of thing doesn't happen to me. And I can't deal with it right now."
"Bella, please. We have to talk about—"
"Edward." I whispered softly. His eyes met mine, and I could see the silent desperation reflect from my eyes to his. I must have looked lost beyond belief, which is probably why he didn't say anything when I grabbed his arm, and pushed him towards the door.
I grabbed my clothes off the floor, and pulled on my dress. How did I get myself into a mess like this?
E
I was dazed for a moment. Her eyes were so desperate, searching, as if she was lost. It was almost as if she didn't even know who she was any more. For a moment, my mind was fogged by how frightened she looked. I felt guilty – I was just as involved as she was.
It was after a few moments that I realized I was standing in the middle of the hallway, naked with the exception of my pillow. I looked down, and I realized that I wasn't covered in the least. I turned around and banged my fists on the door. "Bella! Bella please let me in! I'm naked out here!"
A few people from the rooms around us started walking down the halls. They stared at me as if I'd lost my mind – which I probably had. A couple of kids were snickering, and I did my best to ignore them, but I could feel myself growing more embarrassed by the minute.
"Bella! Please!"
When I got no reply, I groaned in frustration. An old couple from the room across from us went out to get the newspaper. The elderly lady glanced up and pointed at me, yelling something in German. I dropped my pillow in surprise, and the old man came at me with his cane – I assume he thought I was coming on to his woman.
I grabbed my pillow off the floor, and sidestepped my way down the hall. I had to find a way out somehow. I made sure to cover my more private areas with the pillow while keeping my arse hidden and facing the wall.
I spotted a telephone near end of the hall. I looked around me quickly, noting that there wasn't anyone walking down the hall. I lifted the pillow and sprinted towards the telephone. Dialing Jasper's number, I waited for him to answer.
"Hello?" His voice sounded tired.
"Jasper?" I asked, uncertainly. God knows I'd made enough mistakes in the past few days.
"Edward?" His voice was confused. "Why are you calling me?"
"I'm in a lot of trouble, Jasper. You've got to help me."
"What could you have done now?"
"I may have gotten married."
"Married? To who!?" His voice immediately sounded alert.
"…Bella." I admitted, defeated.
"You…" He drew in a ragged breath. "You got married…to BELLA? Alice's best friend, BELLA?"
"Perhaps." I said, lamely.
"Oh god, you just about ruined her image for her TV show." He yelled through the phone. "You both ruined her TV show. This is horrible."
"I didn't have any power over my actions last night! We were both drunk off our heels."
"That didn't mean you had to go marry her!"
"I didn't know any better!"
"Where are you now?"
"I'm in the hallway. She kicked me out without my clothes."
He laughed. "So wait, let me get this straight. You're streaking in the hallways of one of the best hotels in the city?"
I glanced at my pillow concealed area. "Yeah, pretty much."
"That's hysterical – well, not for you. Why don't you go back and get your clothes?"
"She's mad." I said simply.
"Bella is scary when she's mad."
"Tell me about it."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to run back and try to get my clothes. Do you have any advice?"
"She gets annoyed easily. Just keep banging on the door, and duck if you see she's about to hurl something at you."
"Yeah, thanks, that's really helpful."
"And just so you know, Edward. You better hurry up."
"Why?"
"The Medical Convention's general assembly starts in about four minutes. I'm on my way up the elevator as we speak. The preliminary meeting is on your floor – all the major surgeons and lecturers are going to be there. You don't want to earn the title of the crazy naked surgeon."
"…oh….shit."
"Good luck, Edward. I'm rooting for you." He snickered.
I hung up, and glanced around the hallway. It was still empty. I sprinted back to the room where Bella was at – which reminded me…it was my room.
I banged my fists on the door. "Bella! Open the door!"
I received no answer. I hit the doors harder, turning the knob frantically. I heard the elevator ding.
"Bella! Please! I'm naked out here!"
I heard the elevator doors open.
"BELLA!" I yelled, nearly punching a hole through the wall.
The door to the room opened slightly. My clothes were thrown through the gap like lightning. I fished through the pile and picked out my boxers. I slipped them on and got rid of my pillow. I heard the voices of a group of men down the hall. I lifted my gaze, and saw their shadows on the wall. I grabbed the remaining clothes on the floor, and ducked behind the large vase near the corner of the hall. Their footsteps were getting louder now, and I could hear their conversation.
I threw my dress pants on and my long sleeved shirt. I fixed the color and jumped out from behind the vase. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed that they hadn't realized I was hiding behind the vase.
A balding man with thick bifocals examined me. "Well, hello there. Who are you?"
"Dr. Edward Masen." I greeted, breathlessly. Get a grip! "Head surgeon of the Manhattan Cedars Hospital."
"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Masen."
"Pleasure to meet you too, Dr…?"
"Dr. Chance."
Holy god. This was the head lecturer of the conference. If he had caught me running down the hall naked…I would have been fired.
"It's a pleasure."
"May I ask you a question Dr. Masen?"
"Anything, sir."
"Why are your pants on backwards?"
R
"I feel like shit." I muttered, flopping back on my bed. Alice sat in the recliner in the corner.
"You're just moody today, Rose. Don't worry about it."
"I pretty much stabbed my best friend in the back, Alice. She's going through this mess and I added to her problems."
"It just surprised me."
I sighed. "I hope she forgives me."
"She always does, you know?"
"She's too kind for her own good."
Alice nodded. "It's amazing that she's still single." She threw a hand over her mouth, her eyes twinkling in amusement. I threw my head back and laughed.
"God, Bella is married now. Bella. The girl who can't stand to be in a relationship for more than a few days. Married."
Alice laughed. "We shouldn't be laughing about this."
I blinked back tears from my laughing fit. "Ye-yeah." I choked out.
A knock on the door stopped our conversation. I looked at Alice, and she sighed, and walked to the door.
"Yes?" She asked through the door.
"…Alice? Rosalie?" Bella's soft voice came from the other side of the door.
Alice immediately opened the door and threw her arms around Bella's petite frame. "Bella! I didn't think we'd see you for a while. I'm so sorry we acted that way."
Alice withdrew her arms and they moved into the room, closing the door soundly behind them.
I sighed, and locked gazes with Bella. "I'm so sorry, Bella."
She smiled a little. "It's okay. We act pregnant when we're angry."
I laughed. "True dat."
"Don't ever say that again." Bella laughed, and the mood immediately lightened.
"How are you?" I asked, a little hesitant.
"Don't ask that." She sighed. "I'd take up all your time with my answer."
Alice nodded understandingly. Bella spoke again. "Can we leave Atlantic City, please?" she asked timidly. "I know I'm being selfish for asking you to cut the vacation short…but I'd really love to be home right now."
"Of course, Bella. That's not a problem." Alice smiled. "I'll look for my valet ticket after this."
She nodded appreciatively. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." I smiled. "What did Edward say?"
Her face fell. "I was too scared to face him." Her expression turned pained. "I'm such a coward. This was partly my fault, and I blamed it all on him."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. It's not an everyday occurrence – you're just a bit surprised I think."
"I'll talk to him when we get back home." She muttered, and that was the end of that. She started to leave the room, and we didn't stop her. She needed time alone, and we'd be the worst types of best friends if we didn't leave her alone. I knew she was going to be miserable for a little while – maybe cry a little. Everyone deserved a good cry, and sometimes, that's all you need.
"Do you think she'll talk to him?" Alice asked once she left.
"No chance in hell." I replied, easily. "She's too terrified to have a rational thought."
"You noticed?"
"It's obvious. What's even funnier is that she'll probably end up liking the guy too." I smiled a little. "Irony has a tendency to pick on her."
Alice laughed, and nodded. "True."
"So tell me. What's her husband's name?"I suppressed a smile. Bella had a husband. It was like an apocalypse.
"Edward…Edward Masen, I think. Dr. Edward Masen. He's Jasper's friend."
"Masen, huh?" I furrowed my brow. "That sounds incredibly familiar."
"Masen is a fairly common last name." Alice shrugged.
"Maybe, but it's so familiar for some reason. Did we know anyone with that name?"
"Not that I remember."
I frowned. "I'll figure it out later."
"We should probably start packing if we're going to leave tomorrow."
"I thought we were leaving today?"
"Nah, let's just stay her for a little while. I have about four hours worth of quarters in my bag."
I laughed. "I'd like some of that. Is that okay?"
"Naturally."
E
I sat in my room, fuming. Bella had left – probably to move to her own room. I glanced at the mess we made on the bed, and the various pillows and sheets on the floor. I had taken a quick shower in an attempt to wash away traces of the alluring woman I slept with. It worked, but I could still feel it in my blood. It was driving me crazy.
After sitting down in silence, the events of last night drifted into my mind. I haven't slept with someone since my disaster of a relationship with Victoria. Sure, I had been drunk when we had sex, but that didn't mean I didn't feel everything that we had done. The sad thing is, I remembered I everything that happened last night. I remembered going to my room after getting drunk out of our minds at the bar. On the way to the elevator, we'd spotted a quirky sign to the entrance of the chapel. Bella snagged a cup of quarters from one of the slot machines and we had entered the chapel, getting married in front of an Asian Elvis and a drag queen.
I ran a hand through my hair. When did I ever get into a mess like this? Not since high school when I was caught smoking in the courtyard.
I guess we could get an annulment since we were drunk. I glanced at the glinting gold band on my left ring finger. It was nothing special, just a simple band made of cheap materials. For some reason, I couldn't make myself take it off. It felt almost wrong to even consider taking it off.
"I should probably talk to Bella." I muttered to myself. I got up to my feet, and had an immediate head rush. I've always been superstitious. That couldn't have been a good sign.
I flopped back into bead, burying myself in the thick blankets. "Aw, what the hell. Five more minutes."
A
"Do you really have to go?" Jasper whispered, grazing my hand with his fingertips.
"Yeah." I sighed. "Bella needs some time back home. And it is partly my fault anyway."
"How do you figure?"
"We set them up on the date in the first place." I reminded him.
"But we didn't tell them to get drunk and married." He reasoned. His eyes were pleading. I didn't want to go, and he didn't want me to go. In truth, we had gone to Atlantic City for a little time off work. I'd spend the days with my friends, but the nights would always be ours. Just him and me.
"Bella didn't want to go on the date – but I forced her. I always force her. I just never listen." My eyes dropped.
He lifted my chin and our eyes locked. He leaned in and captured my lips with his. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as I let my desperation break free. I needed him more than he could possibly understand. We were still in a heated exchange until a jolt in the door brought us back to our senses.
Rosalie, blue eyes furious and blond hair sticking to her face from her sweat, stood in all her glory as she threw the doors open. I waited patiently.
"We're fucked!"
"Why? What could have possibly happened that could be worse than Bella marrying a stranger?" I asked. Jasper placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I remember where I heard that name." she groaned, flopping down on the floor. "And we're fucked."
"Calm down, Rose." I said. "Tell me what's going on."
Rosalie's eyes zoned in on her brother. Jasper flinched a little – and I almost laughed. Rosalie was the only person he was afraid of. "Why did you set my best friend up with a Masen? She's finally got her life on track – she's famous for God's sake. This blind date may have ruined her life!"
"What's wrong with Edward?" Jasper asked, confused.
"Rose, please just take a few breaths." I sighed. "What's going on?"
She exhaled noisily. "Bella's new husband is the cousin of Emmett Masen!" She snarled, and I knew she was very close to strangling Jasper with her bare hands.
My eyes widened at the mention of his name. Emmett Masen. The Emmett Masen. "So?" Jasper asked. He was clueless.
"Wait, Jasper." I said, moving towards to Rosalie. "We'll just have to do some damage control. Grab a hold of some of your people, and I'll get my publicist. We'll need to make sure the press doesn't know about this."
"We have to get home now." Rosalie muttered. "It's not our job to take care of Bella. But if its her life at stake, than she's my first priority."
"Same here. Go pack. I packed already. We'll leave when Bella's ready." I said. She nodded and left the room.
"What am I missing?"
"Emmett Masen…he's a fucking powerful person in the entertainment industry. His show is the leading competitor to Bella's show. This could ruin her!"
"I didn't know, I promise."
"I'm sure you didn't…but if he finds out about this…Bella's career is as good as gone."
"But Edward is his cousin. Wouldn't his involvement have some backlash on Emmett's career as well?"
"No. Edward's a doctor. He has nothing to do with the industry we're in." I groaned, thinking of Rosalie. "Rosalie is going to be a helluva more angry and annoyed than she was this morning."
"Why?"
"Rosalie and Emmett…well, they used to have a…you know. Thing."
"What? Really? Why didn't I know about this."
"They were in love." I shook my head. "They're careers got in the way. She didn't want anyone to know. It was in college. It didn't end very well…and they haven't spoken to each other since. We know that Rosalie still loves him, even though she refuses to admit it."
"Rosalie? She never has luck in relationships."
I frowned. "They were so close. Almost got engaged – god knows what happened."
The door opened a little, and Bella's head popped through the gap. "I'll be waiting downstairs, Alice. We have to go as soon as we can."
"I'll be right there." I nodded. I kissed Jasper one last time, before grabbing my luggage and leaving the room. "I'll miss you." I called.
"I'll miss you too. I'll see you when I get home."
"I'll be waiting."
R
I told them to wait in the lobby of the hotel. I told them to hang out and play with the slots. I told them to enjoy themselves. I wasn't going to be back for hours. The drive to Manhattan was long, and I didn't want Bell and Alice to come with.
I had some things I needed to settle alone.
I grabbed the keys of Alice's Panamera and ran to valet. I jumped into the driver's seat. I could hear my heart beating, and my breaths were ragged. I couldn't stand it. I could barely breathe every time I had to stop at one of the lights. I was lightheaded.
I was not going to see a person she wanted to see, or even a person I liked, or even a person I tolerated. Right now I was about to meet the devil incarnate, the devil himself even. The most cunning and ruthless male I've ever known in my life. The man who had stolen my heart when I was a wet-behind-the-ears freshman in college, and had never given it back to me: Emmett Masen.
When I arrived at the studio – the god damned studio he had dreamed of when we were still in college – I could barely stand up. I left the car for the valet, and moved towards the building. I rode the elevator to the executive floor. I couldn't maintain my breathing.
I paused outside the office with his name on it. I straightened the dress I was wearing – god, he was going to think I was dressing up for him – and knocked on the door. I heard the voice I had tried to hard to forget. "Come in."
I opened the door, and tucked a blond lock behind my ear. I stepped in fully, and he turned in his office chair. Our eyes locked, and I saw them widen a fraction, before his surprised expression was masked with a blank one.
I haven't seen that face in five years.
Em
I stared at the statuesque blond standing at my doorway. I could hardy believe what I was seeing. I knew a friend of Bella's would come, but I thought Alice would have taken the burden of coming to me.
Not Rosalie.
She had not changed at all since I last seen her. Sure she had matured a little, but she was still as beautiful as I remembered. She moved with the same angelic grace, and her eyes still held that glitter of supremacy and defiance that had fueled so many fights between us. The same eyes that fueled the fight that became our downfall. She still had the power to make me lose my breath just by smiling.
"Rosalie." I said evenly. You couldn't be in this business without a poker face, and without the ability of maintaining your emotions.
"Emmett." Her voice was somber, but I could sense the distaste in her words. I had to control my memory, hoping to stop the onslaught of flashbacks that I sealed after she left me all those years ago.
"We have a problem." I replied, trying to mask what I was feeling. I didn't want her to see the effect she still had on me. Even after five years. My heart and my mind could never forget her.
"Yes." She moved forward, her hips swaying the way I had memorized. Her eyes were captivating. She sat down in front of me, and I had to keep my breathing even. "You're cousin. My best friend."
"A scandal like this could ruin my career, as well as hers." I replied. "One of my friends called me from his Medical Convention and told me he saw my cousin running naked in the hall, yelling Bella's name. I thought one of you would come here, but I didn't expect that it would be you."
She ignored my comment. "She wants an annulment as soon as she can. It would be the best for all of us. I'd hate to see her suffer any more than she has to."
"That could still affect her career, Rosalie." I couldn't bring myself to call her Rosie or Roza the way I always did.
"That's not your concern, Emmett." She said, icily. I cringed. "I'll care for Bella, you worry about your cousin. Hopefully, our paths won't cross again." She stood up, and I followed her.
"I hope so too." I lied between my teeth. "Have a good day."
"You too." She nodded. We exited the room together, leaving in separate directions as if we were polite strangers having only met each other. We parted the same way we had five years ago. I felt the same way I did five years ago. Five years made us older, but not wiser, at least when it came to what my heart craved. Putting distance between us was the only way to ensure strength, to guarantee survival…to avoid getting hurt.
….But love didn't guarantee a happy ending.
A/N: I hope this mess of a chapter wasn't too confusing. I'm sorry that I threw this Emmet/Rosalie thing on you. I hop you understand that this was an idea that popped in my head whilst I was writing Bella's monologue for this chapter…and I really hope you keep reading. It adds a bit of drama to this, something I think it was lacking.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Remember…Review is LOVE.
-Kim
Number of Pages: 15
Number of Words: 5,612
Completed: Yes
Edited: No