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Chapter 4: Royce (not so) King

So, I was asked if I'd be doing EPOV. For now, the answer is no. It's just more difficult to do more than one POV. I might decide to change that later, but probably not.

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She snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"Hello! Earth to Bella! Is anyone home?"

I shook my head sharply and looked up at Rosalie.

"Sorry, Rose. I was just spacing out."

She snorted at me.

"Yeah, I hadn't noticed."

I rolled my eyes while the make-up artist continued working on me. We were at the studio getting ready for the charity ball tonight. It was being hosted by Tom Cruise to fund St. Jude. Jessica told me to smile as she applied the blush to my cheeks.

Alice piped up, "What are you thinking about Bella?"

I instantly felt the blush start in my cheeks and go down my neck. Rose smirked at me knowingly. She'd always said that Edward and I should hang out just to hang out. Not for the sake of the public. I had told her about how Edward asked me out. Her only reply was to tell me it was about time.

"Uh, nothing, Ali. Are we almost done here, Jessica?"

She smiled sympathetically at me and shook her head. There was a reason we got here two hours early. She was still working on my make-up and we had an hour to go. Lauren was just starting on my hair when Alice came out in a red floor-length gown. I squealed but stayed in place.

Once we were all dolled up we waited in front of the studio for our escorts. Rosalie was going with her boyfriend, Royce. Yes, as in the politician, Royce King. I honestly didn't know what she saw in him. I mean, yeah, he has money. But there's more to a person than just money. I still had no idea why her parents set them up.

Alice was going with Jasper. She'd had a major crush on him since he moved into the Cullen household, but had always been too chicken to do anything about it. The black limo came up and four men came out. I smiled up at Emmett who was playing bodyguard.

Edward walked over to me and offered his arm. I put my small hand on his forearm and we were all off to the ball. It was a twenty minute drive and only five minutes in I could tell something was off about Royce. I looked at Rosalie and she just sighed. She had figured it out. He was drunk.

Edward subtly squeezed my hand as I looked between Royce and Rosalie. I wasn't the only one who knew that Royce had been known to throw a few punches when he was drunk. Maybe that was the real reason that Emmett was here.

"Oh! Before I forget, Rosalie meet my friend, Emmett. Emmett, this is Rosalie Hale. I'm surprised you haven't met Jasper's sister, actually."

Emmett smiled at Rose and nodded politely. She smiled back which Royce had noticed. He was the super-jealous type of boyfriend. Aside from being a drunkard, of course.

"R-Rosie. What is your problem?" Royce asked not-so-quietly.

"What are you talking about, Royce?"

He hiccupped and leaned in closer to her with a threatening look.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why are you flirting with Emmett right in front of me?"

I had to bite my tongue to not say anything. Rosalie would be beyond pissed if I said anything in front of Royce.

"I'm not flirting with anyone, Royce. Since when can I not smile at someone?"

He huffed and I saw his face start to turn blotchy. He picked up another glass of champagne and downed the whole thing in one gulp. We pulled up to the charity ball and we all walked out with our respective escorts.

The paparazzi were already there shouting questions. Could you talk about ridiculous? We were at a charity ball and they were asking about our love lives. Emmett kept them at bay and as we entered the massive building.

"Welcome everyone!" Tom said into a microphone. "St. Jude and I are very glad that you've decided to join us tonight. Donations can be made out to St. Jude, obviously. Please enjoy yourselves."

We walked around the room, looking at the blown-up pictures of children and their stories. I smiled when I would get to the end of a story with a happy ending. I felt someone's arms wrap around my waist and turned around to see Edward.

"May I have this dance?"

I nodded slowly and we made our way to the dance floor, dancing to a familiar slow song. Edward rested one hand on my waist and the other held my hand.

"I can't wait for our date," he said with a smile.

I smiled back slightly as Edward pulled me closer.

"I've never had the guts to say it, Bella. But I'm glad that Hollywood threw us together like this. I've always secretly liked you…"

My mouth was agape at what Edward had said.

"You must be drunk or something, Edward."

He chuckled darkly and the music had stopped. Tom Cruise went back up to the microphone but I didn't hear what he said. Edward led us back to our table and I pulled out my checkbook. I wrote a check to St. Jude and put in the bowl as I went outside. I really needed some fresh air.

I walked around to the balcony and heard some voices drifting over.

"Royce, we've talked about this. You don't control me. I control me."

I heard Royce grunt.

"I own you, Rosalie. You're my girlfriend. Mine."

"No one owns me, Royce! No one."

Then, I heard the sound of a slap. I was really hoping that it was Rosalie doing the slapping. I rushed over to the couple and saw Rosalie on the ground holding her cheek.

"Get away from her!" I screamed at Royce.

"Oh, look, Rosie. Your dear friend is here to rescue the damsel in distress."

I suddenly felt a familiar strong hand on my shoulder, pulling me away. I looked up at Emmett and saw the anger on his face. This was one of those moments where I don't question Emmett. He walked up to Royce, picking him up by the collar.

"You are done, Royce. I'm not putting up with your crap anymore. You touched Rosalie and you will pay. Bella, take Rosalie and leave. Now."

I grabbed Rosalie and we ran away as fast as we could.