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Chapter 9: Findings

"That's impossible," I stated flatly. There was no possible way that could ever happen.

"Actually Bella, it is," he answered back.

"No, no it can't be. You smell human! You act human, you even kinda look human…well not that much but-," I rambled.

"Well…you see technically I'm not reallya vampire like you. I'm half human as well. The only vampire abilities I have are immortality, speed, and strength, although I have to say I'm not the strongest vampire."

"What about your looks?" I asked him.

"What about them?" He asked puzzled.

"Aren't they part of you being a vampire?"

"Bella! I'm hurt!" he exclaimed, putting his hand to his heart and pretending he actually was experiencing physical pain. "What, a guy can't my handsome without being accused of being a mythical creature?"

"No, no! That's not how I meant it at all I just meant…" I trailed off, turning a bright red.

He chuckled, "Never mind I know what you meant, but believe it or not my body is 100 human."
"How is that possible? To be half and half?" I asked.

His face turned dark for a moment.

"My mother was human, and when her water broke, she was attacked my an insane vampire. Despite the pain that she felt, between childbirth and transformation, she delivered me but died soon after," he explained solemnly.

"Oh Brian," I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "That must have been terrible, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Bella," he said smiling again. "Besides I hardly knew her but still…"

I couldn't resist then, I gave him a quick, hug. I made sure it was friendly and sympathetic, but that didn't stop me from feeling well…something.

The rest of the day was on a lighter tone. Brian was back to his happy, cheery self again, and we were sure that we probably filled the whole woods with our laughter. Now that my 'secret that was never really a secret but I just thought it was' was out, I couldn't help but feel an amazing feeling of being myself. All these years working as a secret undercover assassin (wow, it sounds kinda bad when you think about it…) made me always have to hide myself. But now…I could be as free as a butterfly…literally. I loved this kind of freedom that I wished I could have had with Edward.

It turns out that my powers came in handy when evading the paparazzi. I turned Brian and myself invisible and we slipped by them undetected. Although they were very confused when they found our two horses walking back to the barn alone at the same time we were grabbing a snack at the local café. We ended up eating diner together, and unfortunately could not avoid the paparazzi there so we just had to grin and bare it. When it was finally time to go home, Brian dropped me off in his limo to the Volturi castle and walked up with me to me door. Oh god what now? I thought to myself because we were awkwardly standing in front of my front door, waiting for something to happen.

"So, umm I guess I'll see you later then Bella?" he asked.

"Sure, I had a lot of fun today. Do you remember that reporters face when we totally ditched him?" I asked, lighting up the mood.

He laughed a sweet laugh and smiled.

"Ah yes…priceless. Anyways I had a lot of fun tonight too," he said and then lifted my hand to his mouth and gave it a sweet kiss. "Goodnight Bella," he said with a twinkle in his eye, walking back to his limo.

"N-night Brian," I called back, still a little shocked from the sign of affection he just showed and blushed a deep red before going into the castle.

The moment I walked through the door however, someone pounced on me. Alarmed I threw them off of me and was about to attack when I realized it was Jane.

"Oh, Jane are you okay? You scared me!"

"I'm fine, besides you hit like a girl," Jane said, brushing herself off.

"Whatever Jane, anyways…why did you pounce on me like that?"

"First, because I wanted to see your face. Which was really funny by the way, and second because I want to hear about your date with the world's most desirable man/prince."

"First off, don't ever do that again or I will hurt you," I threatened. "And second; it was not a date!"

"Yeah, uh-huh sure," she answered sarcastically. "You just spent the whole day with him on a romantic horseback ride followed by dinner and a little kiss," she summarized. "Sure, it wasn't a date at all."

"I'm serious! We're just friends! Besides I just met him…"

"Do you like him?!" Jane asked excited.

"I told you, I just met him. Besides, I don't think I could even like anyone after Edward…" I trailed off sadly.

"You still have feelings for him?"

"Yes, even if he will never return them I fear I will always love him. However I'm trying to get over it and it's very hard to when I have a small annoying pest like you to bug me all the time," I said annoyed but with a smile on. I messed up her hair affectionately by rubbing her head, which I knew she hated and ran off the bed before she could say anything, locking the door and knowing she would get me in the morning, but too tired to care. I lied down on my bed and was asleep in an instant, dreaming for the first time, of my new friend.

Meanwhile… EPOV

I couldn't believe this…Bella left… she left me… she didn't want me… Well could you blame her? You broke her heart you idiot and then you weren't there to protect her from Victoria. You ruined all of her chances of a normal life you monster. The voice in my head scolded, and the worst part was that it was true. I replayed that image of her in my mind, over and over again of her leaving. She looked like she was in so much pain and the worst, worst most terrible thing was that Bella was afraid of me. I buried my face in my hands, ashamed of myself. I was lying on Bella's bed, as usual where I've been staying ever since she left. I felt so numb again. That feeling that I had after I had to leave her, the most precious thing in my existence. I was still curious as to why Bella was here, disguising herself as Claire, but I was too filled with grief to care at the moment. I realized that changing forms must be Bella's power. I smiled to myself at the memory of her beauty. She had grown up to be even more beautiful than before, and powerful too. I felt the circles under my eyes from not hunting again, but I could care less. I leaned my head down to the bed and inhaled the remains of her smell. Why didn't I notice before? I sat there, miserably, wallowing in my heartbreak of losing Bella all over again. When I finally got up it was dark outside and I was just about to leave when I saw a piece of paper sticking out from her desk. Curious, I picked it up and started to read.

Dear 'B,'

First off, I'm really sorry about the whole surprise Cullen thing. And although I am quite fearfully of the day when you return, I don't regret it. Bella, you needed closure, I couldn't keep letting you live with the feeling of not knowing. As for the Lady Isabella thing well… we were kinda hoping that you wouldn't find out about that. We did it just in the hope that you might like to try living as well royalty. You see your title is now quite more than Lady, but now Princess, we thought it would get your mind off well, the Cullen's, if you got to run your own country. However now we see that that would have only been a temporary solution to your problems, and what you really needed was go back to them. I know you're going to be very angry when you hear about this, but please keep in mind that we were only thinking of your wellbeing.

We all love you Princess!

Aro

What was this? A letter to Bella from Aro? I recalled when Claire first moved in she said something about being his 'niece,' but why? This made no sense at all. Was she part of the Volturi? If she was, again, why on earth would she come here? I know she probably hated me and was pretty torn up after I left her from reading the letter about her 'wellbeing.' And what was this about Lady Isabella? And Princess? It was all so deeply confusing. I read the letter over again and found that it appeared that Aro seemed quite close to Bella. Then at that moment I did something totally against my character. I grabbed the letter and went to find Alice. We were going to the Volturi, and I was going to find Bella, and make her mine again.

BPOV

Thankfully that morning now one woke me up, which was a surprise considering that I thought Jane was going to dump cold water on me. Instead of the water to wake me up, I found something that had all the effects of the bucket, without the water, lying on the pillow next to me.

The Prince's New Secret Romance

Feb 28, 2008

It was a little bit of a shock when we found the Prince, escorting the Lady Isabella of England at Lady Jessica's Ball on the 26. After all, Lady Isabella is the newest addition to society, making her first appearance on that very ball. In fact, we had no idea that she was even acquainted with his royal highness, but now there can be no doubt. Apparently the Prince Brian picked up Lady Isabella at her home (The Volturi Castle). The two then went back to his estate in Italy, where they said to some of our reporters that they were, 'just friends.' However the two were seen riding horseback which each other along some of Italy's most beautiful and romantic trails. We then caught the 'friends' lying on a picnic blanket in a not so 'friendly' position, if you catch my drift. After there little ride their horses came back rider less, and fearing something had happened to them we sent our reporters out, only to find them having coffee at a nearby café at around then same time the horses came back. We don't know how they managed to pull that trick off but we are going to find out. Later on, we found the 'friends' eating dinner together at one of Italy's most popular restaurants. They then drove back to the Volturi castle where Lady Isabella received a kiss on the hand before parting for the night. We plan to be watching closely on this new romance and we will keep you updated.

-Maria Sands

Gossip Girl Weekly

I couldn't believe this! This was an outrage! How dare those stupid paparazzi interfere and report with my person life! Did they have any sense of self-preservation? What was I going to do!? They made it seem like Brian and are...well…together! And we weren't on the blanket doing…well…you know. I tripped and fell on him. Oh, blast these clumsy feet of mine!

"Jane!" I screeched.

She was in my room in a second.

"What is this?" I demanded, holding up the stupid magazine. "Please tell me this is some sort of twisted revenge tricks!"

"Oh god Bella, I'm so sorry this has happened! They wrote all of those untrue things about you! I didn't want to show it to you, but I had to," she explained distressed.

"You mean…this is real?" I asked disbelievingly.

She nodded. "I'm afraid it's very real, it's on TV too."

I gasped and grabbed my phone. I had to call Brian. Quickly I dialed his number.

"Oh god Bella did you see it yet?" he answered distressed.

"Yes! Of course I've seen it! How could I not it's everywhere!"

"Oh, god I can't believed this has happened. They've done some pretty low things before but this is the worst."

"This has happened before?"

"Well of course Bella, I'm the Prince of England for Christ sake. They follow me around like bees to honey. Oh, Bella, I'm so sorry I got you wrapped up in this stupid bee attracting honey mess as well."

"Okay, enough analogies I get it." I sighed heavily. "So what are we going to do?"

"I honestly don't know, but it would probably be best if we didn't hang out until we find a way," he explained sadly.

I understood. I didn't want any more lies to be spread about me.

"Okay, I understand. But is there no way to see each other? I'm afraid I'm going to miss your company," I confessed.

"Well we can always talk on the phone, when I'm not in meetings and such and your not going shopping with Jane. Oh, that reminds me. Are you going to the ball on Saturday? Carolina Burke's annual masquerade?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Well I am too, and we can see each other there where no one will be able to recognize us."

"Brilliant Brian, see you then," I replied, and we both hung up.

I collapsed back on my bad and ripped the magazine up to shreds. What a great way to start the morning.

After the morning shock the rest of the day went by uneventful, well except that I now had a bunch of paparazzi staking outside the castle. If they only knew what was dwelling in that castle. I had to admit, it was quite ironic. However I thanked the heavens that the whole Volturi family were now full fledged vegetarians, which meant that it was safe for them, well…except for Heidi's state of the art security system that should be kicking in right about…now. Almost as if on cue, I heard the surprised screams as the reporters were suddenly being sent running by water guns and paint balls. Quite silly if you asked me but they did their job and after all…it wasn't as if we could use other materials. I laughed and ran upstairs in my window to go watch. There were reporters running everywhere, in a chaotic frenzy looking for shelter from are system, and I knew very well that no place but inside at the moment was safe, but then again this was a castle of vampires… Smiling I walked away from my window and realized that tomorrow would be the last day before that crazy ball. Oh well…at least I would get to see my friend without that crazy paparazzi following us everywhere. I climbed into bed and dreamed of people in masks, and for the first time in a while, my Edward. I enjoyed the dream while I could, remembering Edward's perfect face, for I knew I would only ever see it in my dreams.

"Wake up sleepy head!" Jane's voice exclaimed, breaking through my dreams.

"We have to get ready for the ball!"
"Jane…"I answered groggily. "The ball's tomorrow, just chill…"

"Bella! Are you mad! We have to go get new makeup and shoes, and possibly a new dress to match that pretty mask of yours. Oh, and a purse! Oh the work to be done and you're still sleeping!" she exclaimed grabbing my ankles and dragging me off the bed.

"Jane! What did you do that for!"

"To wake you up! Now get your butt in that bathroom, and I want you ready to go in fifteen minutes or else I'll call GossipGirl. Now MOVE!"

"Alright, alright!" I screamed angrily at her and bitterly started getting ready for the day. Is this what Edward was talking about when he was talking about Alice? Because Jane defiantly tops Alice in the annoying sister kinda thing department.

Fifteen minutes later a very grumpy and sleep deprived Isabella walked down the stairs and bitterly let Jane pick out various items for the ball tomorrow. By the time we got back, it was dark. I grabbed all of my new things and deposited them in my closet, too lazy to unpack them and went to sleep, making it very clear to Jane that I could sleep in until noon. She disagreed strongly to that but then I threatened to destroy her credit card and she instantly complied. I went to bed exhausted for the fourth night in a row, and didn't wake until noon the next day.

"Alright Bella, it's noon, now get up, and shower!" Jane exclaimed.

"Fine," I replied and willingly got out of bed to shower while Jane turned my room into a beauty salon. She curled my hair, putting sliver clips in it and pinning it up in ways that only made my face look more beautiful with each pin. Then she added a tiny bit of sparkle to it, to make it shine. I slipped on my light blue silk ball gown and my silver slightly raised heels (anything higher and there would have been a disaster). I slipped my mask on and looked in the mirror one last time. It was amazing. I could barely recognize myself with the mask on. It was amazing what one little mask could do. I smiled once more and grabbed my bag. Had I'd know who I'd meet at the ball that night, I would of stayed home, but I didn't and that's why I stepped out my front door, into the limo, and to the party that I will surly remember for the rest of my existence.

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