Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
A/N: This is not Beta'd and I only use spell check on Microsoft, so there are errors… I'm just too lazy to go fix any of them. Sorry about any missing and/or using the wrong word.
I was very thankful that this phone had a cord; it gave my fingers something to mess with as I waited for Charlie to answer the phone. It was also a good distraction from Sulpicia's thigh that she didn't seem to have a problem having so close to me. I twirled the cord around my finger as the phone kept ringing in my ear.
A part of me hoped that Charlie wouldn't answer and that I could put off this conversation for a little bit, at least another day. I knew this was going to be a hard conversation to have because no matter what Alice told Charlie, he's going to be mad. He's going to be mad that I left again for Edward and that basically Edward is hurting our family again. More than being angry though, Charlie would be disappointed.
Charlie would be disappointed that I had picked Edward once again after everything he had done to me. Charlie had said, several times actually, that Edward was a bad influence on me. Charlie would be more upset that I left for Edward than the fact that I left.
After the third ring someone finally answered; but it wasn't who I was expecting.
"Hello?" A gruff voice answered.
I nervously looked at Sulpicia before slightly turning away from her in a weird attempt for privacy. It didn't matter if I faced away from her or even had her wait in the other room, she would still be able to hear me. I didn't think Billy would be there, I didn't think he would answer Charlie's phone.
"Um, hi Billy, it's Bella." I nervously answered back, not sure of exactly what to say at the moment.
There was a moment of silence. I didn't know if Billy didn't say anything right away because he didn't really think it was me or if he didn't know what to say because he knew exactly where I was at the moment. I doubted Jake wouldn't have told his father about me leaving; I actually bet the whole pack knew by now. I didn't want Billy to know where I still was. I knew his stance on vampires and I was afraid he would talk with Charlie and get him to make me come home or threaten to come get me; I couldn't let the latter option happen.
"Where are you Bella?" Billy demanded in his gruff voice.
He sounded mad, like really mad. The tone of his voice made me aware that he knew exactly where I was and who I was with. I didn't want Billy to know though; maybe he had the wrong facts. I didn't know how far Alice's story would reach and I didn't want to risk contradicting it.
"Is dad there?" I asked, ignoring his question.
As soon as I asked the question I heard some movement in the background and what sounded like a man yelling at Billy but I couldn't make out what the man was saying. Suddenly, the phone was taken from Billy, I could tell because Billy had yelled out an 'hey'.
"Bells!" Charlie yelled into the phone in a relieved voice.
I briefly wondered if Billy had intended on keeping the phone away from Charlie a little bit longer to talk with me. I really hoped that wasn't the case but either way I didn't have to worry about it because Charlie was the phone now.
"Dad! I'm so sorry for not calling sooner." I said quickly.
I relaxed further into the chair I was sitting in, ready to handle the call better now that Charlie was on the phone and not Billy. Sulpicia rested one elbow on her knew and leaned her chin onto the palm of her hand as she leaned forward to give me more attention.
"Are you alright Bella?" Charlie asked. I'd bet anything that he wanted to ask more about where I am and what I'm doing but being that he's my dad, he wanted to make sure that I'm okay first and foremost.
I looked nervously at Sulpicia. I wanted to tell Charlie that I'm basically here against my will and that he should involve some government stuff and then with fear of exposure, just let me go home. I really wanted to do that because then I could go home to not only Charlie but also to Edward. I could pretend none of this ever happened. I knew that could never happen though. If I were to do that, that would probably get Charlie in a lot of trouble and I couldn't do that to him.
So instead of doing what I wanted to do, I'll have to lie. I just hope Charlie mentions what Alice told him soon so that I won't have to be on this call for too long talking about what I'm doing here.
"I'm fine dad, I promise." I said honestly. I was fine; they hadn't done anything to hurt me in any way. I didn't actually think they could hurt me if they wanted to since they claim I am their mate. If they're telling the truth that is.
"Good." Charlie said, followed by an awkward silence. I wasn't sure what to say and clearly either did Charlie. I had only wanted to call him and let him know that I'm alive and that I'm okay. I hadn't really planned much further than that.
Sulpicia reached a hand down and started to rub my back in a gentle manner. She probably meant that as a way to calm me down since by just looking at the way I was messing with the phone cord around my finger I was nervous about how the conversation was going to continue. Surprisingly her action had helped to calm me down a little. It also helped that she didn't stop after rubbing my back for two seconds, she kept it up. I knew I shouldn't have liked it, but I did and it actually helped me come up with what I said next.
"What have you been up to Charlie?" It wasn't the best question I could have thought of and the smirk on Sulpicia's face told me she agreed; but it was all I could think of to break the silence.
"What have I been up to? My daughter goes missing, I find out she's with two other friends who haven't even graduated high school yet and then I find out that she's apparently gotten a job on the other side of the country without even telling me." Charlie said practically all in one breath.
Charlie sounded very annoyed, mad and relieved all at the same time. At least through that little rant, which I'm pretty sure is the longest either us have ever talked to each other before; I found out what Alice said to Charlie… well, at least a little. Apparently I got a job somewhere in the United States. Thank whoever that Charlie doesn't have caller id and that he doesn't look at his phone bill, he only pays it. Now I just had to figure out what kind of job I got and why Charlie hasn't bothered trying to make me let him come visit me at wherever he thinks I am.
"Um, yeah, sorry." I said trying to sound as sincere as possible. From the heavy sigh I just heard from Charlie, I he may have bought it.
"I know Bells; I was just worried, especially you're now just calling me. I'm upset though that you couldn't tell me. I would have been happy that you signed up for this internship, I actually would have liked to say goodbye you know, since we don't know when you'll get to visit next." Charlie said, sounding more like himself.
An internship? That's what Alice had come up with? Well, at least it worked. I think I could actually work with that.
"I know dad, I'm sorry; it was just a really good opportunity." I lied while mentally crossing my fingers that he would believe me. I heard him let out a heavy sigh while I'm sure he either rubbed his forward or the back of his head.
"I know Bells, it's just, I would have liked a little warning; you know? I don't like that you can just disappear on me whenever you want." Charlie said in a sad tone. I was about to say something that might comfort him since clearly he's still mad at me, but he beat me to talking. "I'm afraid that with how easy it is for you to leave that one day you won't come back." Charlie said insecurity clear in his voice.
I opened my mouth to say that I would never leave him, but a side-ways glance at Sulpicia had me rethink that. According to their laws, I will have no choice but to disappear eventually and I won't be able to go back to Charlie. No matter what they claim me to be, if they're telling the truth or not, with the Volturi knowing I know their secret, there's no way they can let me live as a human. At least they wouldn't be able to do that and not become hypocrites; which I didn't think any of them would be okay with being called that.
"I'm sorry dad, it's just I didn't want you to worry about me traveling this far and I didn't think I would actually get it. Once I was accepted, everything just moved so fast, I'm so sorry." I said, holding back a sob that wanted to break through at how much I had hurt Charlie. He hasn't even mentioned the Cullen's yet and why I would have suddenly been with them after they left me and hurt me as much as they did. I didn't think Charlie would mention that, I'm sure he was just so relieved to have heard from me and to know that I'm okay that he was okay with over-looking that.
After a few seconds of silence that was quickly becoming awkward, Charlie cleared his throat and talked in much more calmer voice than the upset one he was just using.
"So, um, how's the job then? Everything easy I hope?" Charlie asked.
I didn't know, again, what Alice had said to him, so I was afraid to go into too much detail about what I was doing or at least what I would claim I would be doing. Without even thinking about it, I looked to Sulpicia with a silent plea for help with coming with some sort of lie. I didn't have any idea what to say and I had hoped that, being a vampire with the ability to think a lot faster than me, she could at least come up with a good enough lie that's vague enough to not mess things up.
Sulpicia, understanding right away what I wanted, leaned in closer to me, placing her lips right next to my ear. I did everything I could to not make any sound so that Charlie wouldn't think that something was happening, but I couldn't stop the shiver that ran through my body when I felt Sulpicia's un-needed breath on my ear.
"Tell him it's as easy as I make it; the boss is really nice." Sulpicia whispered in a sultry voice. The hidden meaning in her words were definitely not lost on me. I knew she meant about what her and her co-leaders are doing to me, I knew she meant that I'm the one being difficult about it. But can you blame me? I have Edward, I love him, I couldn't just forget about so easily and walk into their arms.
"It's alright dad, a lot of busy work but I guess that's what interns are for." I said. I was going to ask how he was doing to not only get the focus off of me but also because I wanted to make sure that he was in fact doing okay since I'm not there right now. Before I could ask though, I was cut off by Athenodora walking into the office.
"There you are Bella!" Athenodora said, loud enough so that Charlie could clearly hear her. "I was wondering where you had taken off to; I'm going to show you around a little bit more now that your break is up." Didyme said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You're only on break Bells? Let me let you go then, I don't want you to get in trouble while you're so new there. Call me whenever you can though and we'll talk some more okay?" Charlie said, clearly still concerned on my over well-being.
"Sure Charlie." I said in a resigned voice. There's no way that I could convince Charlie, after what he had just heard, that I really didn't need to go and that I could still talk with him. A part of me though was glad that I could get off the phone since I knew either I or Charlie were phone people… or talkers for that matter. "I'll call you as soon as I can." I promised. Charlie quickly accepted that and we hung up; as soon as I did, I glared at Athenodora for interrupting the important phone call when she really didn't need to.
"You're really sexy when you try to glare at me; I should piss you off more often." Athenodora said as she walked towards the desk I was sitting at. My face went bright red from her words and before I could try and defend myself Didyme made her appearance.
"Don't listen to her Bella, she knows what she did to your phone call was bad and I'm willing to bet that if you ask her to do anything she would." Didyme said as she stood next to Athenodora.
"She really would do anything you told her to do." Sulpicia said, not helping with my blush and causing her and Athenodora to laugh at my expense.
"Although, her blushing is just good; it makes her smell even better." Athenodora said with a smile.
"I know something that would make her smell even better." Sulpicia said from her still too close spot next to me.
I stood up right away, intent on making a quick get-a-way, if it wasn't for the fact that I'm not the most graceful person. Instead of just simply pushing the chair back and away from and me slipping away from being behind the desk, I ended up knocking over the chair and then tripping on the leg of the chair. With three vampires in the room that claim to love me, I naturally didn't fall flat on my face, I was caught.
"I caught you; does that mean I get a prize?" Athenodora said as she held onto me. I was still at such an angle from falling, luckily Athenodora somehow turned me so that I was facing up instead of down, that if she were to let go of me I would still fall.
"Yeah, you win a prize." I said with a smile and while doing my best to ignore the blush still on my face. The smile on Athenodora's face got even bigger because I'm sure she wanted a kiss or something for catching me. "You can show me the way to the kitchen, I'm hungry." I said with an innocent smile.
Athenodora lowered her head a little in disappointment before lifting me back onto my feet and guided me out the door and towards the hall to the kitchen. Sulpicia and Didyme chuckled for a couple minutes behind us at Athenodora's expense.
Once we got about half way to the kitchen, I knew that because the decorations were starting to become familiar to me, Sulpicia stopped us.
"You know, I was planning on having some more alone time with Bella and you two rudely interrupted us." Sulpicia said; the last part had a bit of a growl in her voice.
"We can't help it if we couldn't keep our hands off of Bella any longer." Athenodora said while slightly lifting our joined hands.
"Says the one that caught her and is now holding her hand." Didyme said in a hushed voice that was laced with jealously.
"Be that as it may, we had agreed earlier that I could spend some alone time with Bella, if she didn't mind and you both interrupted it. So Bella, dear, if you don't mind, would you mind if I took you to a nice bistro that I have is good?" Sulpicia asked as she moved to be in front of me.
The first thing that ran through my mind was that she's asking me on a date. The next thing that went through my mind was that the first thing Edward and I did was him taking me out for food. The third thing though, something I had to actually try really hard to ignore, was that I really wanted it to be a date. The moment that went through my mind though, I quickly discarded it because I was still with Edward. I can't go on a date with someone else, that's cheating and I'm not a cheater. I should just say no, that's the best thing to do. I shouldn't lead them on like I have been. I keep getting closer to them when I should be distancing myself because I want Edward.
"Like a date?" So, my mouth needs to learn to speak what my mind tells it to; they need to work together. My face went red as the question came out of my mouth.
All three women, whom had quickly gathered to be in front of me at an inhuman pace, smirked at me. The smirk had a slightly predator undertone to it.
"Love, when we ask you to go on our first date, I can assure you, you will know it." Athenodora said as she gently moved a piece of hair behind my ear.
"My dear, our first date will not be to some random restaurant. It will be something you will remember forever." Sulpicia said.
"Now that it seems you are eager for that first date though, we will have to plan faster so that we can have that first date." Didyme said with a smile.
"I just want to take you out of this castle so that you can see more of this little town we live in. What do you say Bella?" Sulpicia asked, fortunately getting back on topic and ignoring my flushed face.
"S-sure." I stuttered, still very embarrassed about my assumption and slightly worried about what they might be planning now.
Sulpicia practically beamed at me, took my hand and started leading me down another hallway that I wasn't familiar with. I barely had enough time to say goodbye to the other two, who seemed to decide to do their own thing now, before Sulpicia started a new conversation.
"If you don't mind me asking, since we haven't had the time, how old are you?" Sulpicia asked, obviously starting a round of get to know you questions.
"I'm eighteen." I said, barely managing to leave out the sorrow from my voice because of the memories of my birthday party brought up.
"So, by the United States law, you are legal." Sulpicia said in a teasing voice, making me blush a little. "Why did you sound so sad when you answered though?" Sulpicia asked; her tone full of curiosity and concern. I had thought I had kept the sadness from my voice, but I guess vampire hearing was able to pick it up.
"I just didn't like what had happened at my birthday party is all." I admitted to her. For some reason I didn't seem to have a filter around these women. It's almost as if I wanted them to know everything about me and to an extent, vice-versa. It shouldn't be that way though, I should only want to know everything about Edward.
"If you don't mind me asking, why is that?" Sulpicia asked as she led me into a big room. It's the reception room that we had first arrived here, when I still had Edward and Alice. Gianna was at her desk typing away on her compute just like normal, at least until she noticed Sulpicia and I walking in.
"Was there something I can get you?" Gianna asked quickly as she stood from her desk.
"No, nothing at all. We're just going for a visit to that restaurant you told us about." Sulpicia said, not slowing her pace down at all and barely giving a glance towards the other human in this place.
Gianna nodded to show she heard Sulpicia, sat back down and started typing away again on her computer. Sulpicia opened the doors and led me through another hall that I'm fairly certain led outside. I was proved right when we turned a corner and large doors greeted not that far ahead of us. The doors, as with most castles, we large and decorated to match the rest of the castle but also very clearly led outside because I could see the light from underneath the door.
When Sulpicia opened the door, I had to close my eyes briefly to get used to being in direct sunlight again. After a few seconds, giving Sulpicia time to use a mechanism to close the door, for appearances sake of course, I was able to finally open my eyes and look out towards the square.
"The town was basically built around the doorstep of the castle; everything is within walking distance from here. The restaurant we're going to is this way, a very short walk. When we get there, perhaps you can tell me what happened at your party?" Sulpicia asked, clearly eager to hear more about my life.
"I don't if I can tell it here, it involves the Cullen's." I said, hinting that it involved vampirism in some way. Her hand tightened around my briefly, giving me the impression that she thought the worst of what could have possibly happened at the party. Although, I guess technically the worst did happen; not that I blamed Jasper at all nor am I mad at him, but the worst thing to happen around vampires did happen.
"I'm sure there is a way you can." Sulpicia said, apparently not concerned that I could end up giving away, literally the biggest secret the entire species has. I was actually a little touched by how much faith she had in me. I'm sure that she would be able to get me stop talking easily enough if I did start to give away their secret, but still, it's nice to know she had this much trust in me already.
The walk really was short. In less than five minutes we were already at the little bistro type place that apparently Gianna had recommended. I made a quick mental note to thank her later whether or not this place is any good because it was still nice of her to recommend a place.
The moment we walked into the place, Sulpicia had all eyes on her. Some though, my ego was proud to admit, had eyes on me. Once we started following the host to our table, everyone had gone back to staring at their company and not us. Even with Sulpicia's vampire lure, people were polite enough to not stare and a part of me was glad no one was staring at her anymore.
As soon as that thought had crossed my mind though, Sulpicia did something that garnered people to stare at us. The host, as I'm sure it was literally part of his job description, started to pull out my chair for me. He was only able to pull it about half way before Sulpicia intervened.
"I've got it from here, thank you." Sulpicia said as she took the chair out of the host's hands.
One wouldn't think that would garner the attention of some of the other patrons, but the tone and aggression Sulpicia showed was a bit too much. So naturally, people had to start staring again. Luckily once I was seated and Sulpicia was and of course once she glared at some of the people staring, we were left alone in our little corner of the restaurant.
"I'm pretty that was his job." I mildly scolded Sulpicia once I had all her attention again.
"I know it was his job, but when it comes to you, I'll be the chivalrous one." Sulpicia said with a smile. It was that smile that made it click in my head what had happened and I gave her a smile of my own.
"You were jealous." I pointed out, amused by her being jealous by suck a simple thing.
"Of course I was. You're mine and I can and will do stuff like for you, not someone else." Sulpicia said, pouting just a little afterwards. It took all my willpower to not coo at how cute I thought she looked right now. "Something you should know is that newly mated vampires tend to be a bit… possessive with each other. Clearly you don't demonstrate those characteristics since you're human, but we will. Since we're so old, we will be able to tone a lot of it down, but not all the time. If we get too much, just tell us and we'll back off. We won't be happy about it at the time, but we'll do it to keep you happy." Sulpicia explained just as our waitress got there. I'm going to have to remember that and everything else they have told me about the mating. I'm just so used to how things are with Edward, that how they act just throws me off.
"So, what happened at your party?" Sulpicia asked once the waitress had left. I had let Sulpicia do all the ordering because naturally the waitress spoke Italian and I was at a complete as to how to order even a simple glass of water.
"Well, you know how clumsy I am right?" I asked her with a smile, trying to start off this conversation on a lite note. The slight frown she had as she nodded her head though said that she was already thinking the worst. I'm actually surprised she didn't get all this from when she read Edwards' mind, unless she wants me to tell her. Maybe she thinks it will show I'm getting more comfortable with or something, but honestly it's just because I don't mind talking about. What I mind talking about is what happened afterwards. "I was opening one of my gifts that I didn't actually want in the first, not that I hold anything against them for what happened or anything because it was just an accident. But when I was opening one of them, I got a paper cut and started to bleed. Jasper couldn't contain himself and tried to get at me. Edward moved me out of the way and I accidently fell onto a table with glass on it and got cut up even more. Everyone but Carlisle had to leave until I was stitched up and even then I went straight home." I said, for once telling someone what happened. I had to talk in a hushed voice so that no one else could hear me but I'm guessing Sulpicia had requested a secluded table as the host had started walking us to our table because we are in a bit of a secluded area.
Sulpicia's eyes darkened slightly in what was clearly anger. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths that actually seemed to calm her down. I had thought vampires couldn't do that because with all the scents of everyone, it could end being too much for them and cause them to lose control of themselves. Apparently Sulpicia worked the opposite, or at least I had thought she did until she opened her eyes to show once again bright red eyes and explained what she just did. Either I looked really confused or she can just read me that easily; I really hope it's the former.
"Your scent overrides everyone else's because as you already know it is very strong. Because you are my mate, your scent is very calming when I'm upset." Sulpicia said but stopped talking as our waitress appeared again and put down my plate of food in front of me. I didn't know what it was, but it looked good, so I dug right in since I was hungry. "You didn't fall into that glass my dear; Edward recklessly pushed you into it. Granted, he didn't do it on purpose, he still should have known what was behind you and how strong he had pushed you away. He was reckless and didn't think things through like he could and should have." The tone Sulpicia used meant that she didn't want to talk about that particular subject anymore, so I let it drop.
I really wanted to argue that Edward would have never done something like that, but it's kind of hard to dispute when it just happened a few months ago. It's also hard to argue against her when she said Edward didn't do it on purpose that it was simply an accident that he could have avoided, she wasn't blaming him for what actually happened, just that he didn't do anything to prevent it. I also couldn't argue because she has literally read every thought he's ever had, including what had happened at that particular time, so she would, aside from Edward, would be the expert of what did and what could have happened.
The rest of the meal was filled with meaningless questions as I finished eating. I had asked simple things about what she's done and seen in her life and she asked me simple things like my favorite color and school subject. I was actually just about to take another sip from my glass when I saw Sulpicia's eyes focus on something just over my shoulder. About a minute later Heidi appeared right next to me.
"There's a minor matter that needs your attention Master, I was sent here to replace you." Heidi said with her head just slightly bowed in respect. Sulpicia was quick to take hold of Heidi's hand so that she could know all of what has happened.
"I'm sorry my dear, it seems there was an incident involving exposure and my presence is requested. I'll make sure to see you later if time permits, if not tonight tomorrow for sure." Sulpicia said then made a hasty retreat out the restaurant and I'm sure back to the castle.
Once Sulpicia was out of sight, Heidi took her time to sit down in Sulpicia's spot and then sat there for a few seconds. After I'm sure Sulpicia was out of hearing range, was when Heidi finally spoke up.
"So, Bella, I see that Sulpicia fancies you. Might I ask what your intentions are concerning her?" Heidi asked with a straight face. I instantly felt like I was some random guy that was taking out a girl for the first time and was about to get third degree from the father.
I felt like I was about to be in for an interesting time while I was lone with Heidi.