Author's note: Once again, thank you to everyone for favouriting, following and reviewing my story . I have to give a quick reply to a review on here, as the reviewer doesn't have an account, meaning I can't PM her.
Donna: I can't believe you actually got to work with Mr Facinelli! I'm glad you liked their first proper meeting. I want to show that Bella's fascinated by him and overwhelmed by his looks etc...but I didn't want it to come across immediately that she's in love or anything. I want their relationship to build up properly to have some real meaning behind it. P.S sign up for an account!
So here's the latest update. Sorry it took a bit longer than the previous ones, but I pray your enjoyment can make up for the wait.
Chapter five
The next few weeks fell into a pleasant routine. Every work day lunch time was spent with Alice, either chatting in the diner, or-on a dry day-walking around Port Angeles. Charlie had decided to make a habit of giving me one night a week off from cooking dinner by taking me to The Lodge and I actually really enjoyed it. Having had limited time with him during the past twenty two years, it was nice to hang out on a regular basis. The rest of my time was split between seeing Angela, visiting Jacob-although that was rather sporadic-and relaxing alone at home. The latter periods involved doing housework with my iPod blaring or reading some of the books Jerry had started to let me borrow from the store. It was an arrangement we had come to after he quickly learned just how high my interest in literature was. However, I was sworn to ensuring they returned in pristine condition under penalty of death.
The tome currently resting on my bedside table was Bitten by Kelly Armstrong. Urban fantasy wasn't a genre I had ever tried before, but I was finding the story enjoyable so far. Whenever I read a book, I tried to imagine myself going through the events the protagonists faced, but this plot was a little too farfetched for me to do that. And, to be perfectly honest, the idea of being a werewolf and living amongst them didn't really appeal.
Although I saw plenty of his cousin, I hadn't seen Carlisle since the day he came into Thunderbird and Whale. That didn't mean he had left my thoughts, though. I had a near photographic recollection of the encounter, even the parts containing my cringe worthy attempt at conversation-which I tended to fast forward through. As much as I planned to be far more eloquent next time, I knew it wouldn't happen. That just wasn't the Bella Swan way.
000
You know it is going to be a bad day when you begin by smacking your face on the bedroom door. Although my rota hadn't varied since starting at the bookstore, this week was different and my Thursday had been swapped for the Monday, but I was beginning to regret even leaving the bed. Luckily, the door's collision with my cheek wasn't hard enough to leave a bruise, but the same could not be said for my thigh as I yanked opened my chest of drawers.
Showering went without incident, as did dressing and breakfast. When I was rooting through my bag to find my car keys, however, I managed to drop my mobile phone into a puddle, cracking the screen.
"Shit!" I muttered under my breath, before reaching down to retrieve the broken device. Inspecting it, I saw several spidery lines spreading out from the bottom right hand corner of the screen. The backlight was on and I guessed it was still a functioning phone, but it would only suffice for incoming calls as I couldn't make sense of anything displayed and I had never bothered to memorise anybody's numbers. There wasn't time to dwell on the mishap as I was due at work, so I stuffed the phone into my trouser pocket and climbed into the car.
Which wouldn't start.
Great.
In a battle of wits, my stubbornness won out, though, as the engine eventually roared into life and I was able to begin the hour long journey to Port Angeles. I thought back to Jacob's threat about not fixing my car anymore and was so thankful he had only been joking. I'd have to get him to look at it as soon as possible. Maybe he could even install a new radio...if I could afford one.
Given my spate of bad luck, I was sure some kind of disaster involving me, a bookcase and hospital might occur the moment I entered work, but it didn't. Sadly, I did manage to accidentally offend a customer with a slip of the tongue, who promptly demanded to see my manager. Luckily, Jerry knew me well enough now to believe my protests of innocence, but offered the lady a reconciliatory discount in apology for the mix-up.
Alice was a no-show at lunch time and disappointment briefly settled on my shoulders, but I was unsure if she even worked Mondays, so the discontent didn't last long. I decided to just sit in the back of the store and browse through the nearest book as I ate, until it was time to recommence my shift.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, but I was still glad to head home at five thirty. As I turned the ignition key, the engine whirred for a couple of seconds, before deciding it was too much effort and cutting out. I tried again, but to no avail. I don't know how long I sat there, battling with my piece-of-shit car, until I gave up and slammed my fists down on the steering wheel. Reaching into my pocket for my phone, I suddenly remembered it was broken and a black cloud of frustration swirled in front of my eyes. How the Hell was I going to get home? Jerry had already driven off and I didn't know anybody else nearby. I grabbed my purse from my bag, praying I had enough for bus fare. I didn't. I suddenly felt a surge of loathing for the bagel I'd bought earlier.
Before panic overrode the senses, I took a deep breath and assessed the situation. The car was out and so was my phone. I couldn't afford the bus, didn't know anybody's number to call on a payphone and, even if I asked a local store for the number of a mechanic, wouldn't be able to pay to have my car fixed, anyway. The situation was looking increasingly dire, although I would have probably eventually worked out a solution had I not been so beleaguered by my own doom.
Oblivious to my surroundings, a rap on the passenger window caused me to yelp with fright and jump so high I almost hit the headliner. Peering through the window with eyes framed by cupped hands was Alice. My mind fired two questions in rapid succession:
1) What was she doing here?
2) Could she drive?
I leaned over and wound down the window.
"Hi," she greeted, a frown of confusion creasing her otherwise flawless forehead. "I didn't realise you worked Mondays."
"It's just this week," I explained, wondering how best to politely inquire about her current plans. Would it be impudent of me to ask for a ride home?
"Oh, you should have called," she said, before adding with a smile, "I would have come out here earlier for one of our customary lunch dates."
"Sorry." I pulled out my damaged phone to show her. "Phone's dead."
She gave her eyes a roll of mock exasperation. "What happened to it?"
"I did," I shrugged, at which point she chuckled.
"Well, what are you up to now?" she asked, her eyes lighting up a little. They were gold today.
"Well, I was trying to get home," I replied, slouching in defeat. "But my car has other ideas."
"You've broken that too?"
"Apparently so!" I declared, throwing all the acrimony I could at the faulty vehicle. "My friend's a mechanic, but I can't call him."
She bit her lip momentarily as regret flooded her features. "Gosh, I'm sorry, Bella, but I left mine at home, otherwise I'd let you borrow it."
"It's alright,"I said. "I don't remember his number, anyway-or anyone else's, for that matter." Then a spark of ingenuity hit me. Charlie would have the Blacks' number. That spark was stamped out when I realised he wouldn't be home yet and I still needed a way to get there.
"Bella," Alice gently admonished. "What are we going to do with you?"
"Lock me in a home," I responded, trying to keep my bitterness at a minimum. "But, I just had a thought. Do you think the restaurant might have the number for the station in Forks? My dad has the mechanic's number, I think. If I get it from him, I can call him after."
"Oh, don't be silly," she began and my ego was a little hurt. What fault did she see with my plan? It was the best I'd managed to come up with, so far. "I'll take you to mine and you can call the station from there. I'm pretty sure we have the number somewhere, what with Carlisle being a doctor and all. I can drop you home after, too."
Angles sang Halleluiah as I gazed at her in that moment. "Are you sure?" I checked. "I mean, didn't you just get here?"
"It's fine," she assured, waving a hand dismissively. "Come on."
I had little choice but to comply as she was skipping away before I could argue. After ensuring nothing valuable was visible inside and locking the door, I left my car in front of the bookstore to follow my friend to a vehicle that made my jaw slacken. The passenger door of a Porsche was open, beckoning me inside, but it wasn't the model of the car that made me gawk, it was the colour. Bright canary yellow. Not a night passed where I wasn't assaulted by some image or another from my recurring dream, with it hitting me full force every few days, but, since I first had it a few weeks ago, it seemed as though the colour was stalking me. First it was Angela's jewellery, then I saw it on people's clothes and now it was taunting me as it enveloped Alice's beautiful car. Time to see a shrink, perhaps?
"Are you getting in?" Alice queried as she patiently sat in the driving seat.
I mentally shook myself. "Uh...yeah," I responded distractedly as I climbed in. "Nice car. The dress business is booming, I see."
"Not really," she replied as she briefly checked her mirrors. "I'm just good with money."
She was good at driving too. Despite moving at-or occasionally above-the speed limit, she always seemed perfectly in control. She took no prisoners, either; if there was an opportunity to overtake, she seized it. Although the speed worried me, I still felt a little rush of excitement at being transported in such a fancy car. My own could barely do half the speed I was currently moving at and it informed me of exactly how many bumps or potholes were in a road. Right now, I felt like I was gliding and I loved the deep purr the Porsche's engine made. My car made me endure a journey, this one made me enjoy it.
We reached Forks in the half the time it usually took me and I was taken down an unfamiliar road. Daylight was still far from over, but I couldn't determine our exact location as we were surrounded by a dense blanket of trees. Finally, we reached what I assumed was the Cullen household and I gaped for the second time that evening. Alice Brandon did not live in a house, she lived in a mansion! Charlie's home was just about adequate to fit two, but this place could easily triple that. Exiting the Porsche, I stood and surveyed the building. Three stories high, its defining architectural feature was glass. Long panes stretched from top to bottom on each floor and I wondered just how breathtaking the views would be from the very top windows. The walls surrounding the second floor windows were wooden, with the rest of the house made of soft grey concrete. It exuded wealth, without ever being ostentatious. It was the sort of place you found in those magazines about dream homes and I reckoned it could easily pass as a holiday home for Bruce Wayne.
My observations were interrupted by Alice telling me to wait where I was until she'd parked her car. I heard the garage door beside the grand front porch open, but was still too enchanted by the house to pay any notice.
"Ready?"
I gasped and span to see her beside me. I envied her quiet grace. I'd never been able to move stealthily enough to surprise someone like that.
"I take it you like the house," she commented with a grin.
"Yeah," I confirmed. "But where do you keep the batcave?"
Confusion wrinkled her brow and an odd expression flashed across her eyes, but it was gone in a second as understanding rearranged her features into amusement. "Oh, right!" she laughed. "Well, if you're lucky, I might give you a tour."
Obviously not a Batman fan, I reasoned, before following her up the steps to the entrance. As I entered the building, the gentle tinkling of piano keys greeted my ears and I took a moment to listen. After a minute or two, I recognised it as Trois Gymnopedies no. 1 by Satie. The piano had always fascinated me, despite being unable to play it. While by no means a connoisseur of classical music, my favourite CD at home was a compilation of classical piano pieces, hence my recognition of the one currently being played.
After walking along a hallway, we came to a wide open space big enough to incorporate three rooms in one. The section I stood in was the lounge, with the dining area following and the kitchen last. Minimalism seemed to be the overriding theme for the interior decor and the house felt bright and airy. If I was honest, it lacked some of the cosiness of other homes I'd been in, but it was still stunning. The music had increased in volume as we entered the room and it filtered down a wide wooden staircase on the left, which Alice ascended to retrieve the promised phone number. Within minutes, she was beside me again, leading me to the phone attached to the dining room wall. She then disappeared back up the stairs to offer me some privacy.
You'd have thought the world was about to end when Charlie heard my voice. He immediately demanded to know what was wrong and I had to repeat myself a couple of times to assure him I was okay. Eventually, I was able to explain my situation and ask for Billy's number, which he had to spend a few minutes searching for. After a few final promises that I was safe, I hung up, murmuring Billy's phone number over and over to ensure I didn't forget. Unfortunately, Jacob wasn't home when I called, but Billy promised to pass on a message and get his son to call my home phone ASAP. I desperately hoped the car could be fixed before my next shift on Friday.
I heard footsteps clicking down the stairs as I hung up the phone and turned to see Alice stroll towards me, tall blonde in tow. This blonde wasn't Carlisle, though, leaving me both happy and disappointed. He was probably roughly the same height as the doctor, but, whereas Carlisle's hair was a pale gold, this man's was a rich honey blonde, which curled delicately about his jaw and brushed his collar. His skin was as pale as the pixie beside him, but his eyes were much darker in colour than hers, framed by purplish shadows around the sockets. Just like his housemates, he was extremely attractive. This lot didn't come in ugly. I was prepared this time, though-I avoided looking directly into his eyes, although it didn't help as much as I'd hoped. Although he was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, there was something a little old fashioned about him. There was no slouch in his posture whatsoever and his free arm rested against his back. Looking at the pair's pose, he and Alice could have passed for a modern day, if slightly gothic, Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I had to bite my lip to keep an unbidden smile from my face.
"Bella, I want you to meet Jasper," she introduced, linking one arm with his, her free hand resting on his bicep. The relationship between them was obvious. "Jasper, this is Bella."
"It is very nice to meet you," he drawled, his smooth voice decorated with an interesting accent that had me wanting to hear more, just so I could identify it.
"You too," I returned, wondering whether to offer my hand or not. Despite Alice's ease and his friendly greeting, his body language was a little stiff and, if I wasn't mistaken, possibly even wary. I tried not to let it affect me, but found myself subconsciously leaning away from him.
"Were you able to get through?" Alice asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Jake wasn't there, though, so I'll have to wait until he calls me back at home."
"Jake? Is he the mechanic?"
"Yeah, an old family friend. Whenever I come down this way, he's the first person I go to in times of a vehicular crisis."
The sound of the front door clicking shut brought our conversation to a halt and a smile spread across Alice's face. "Ah," she commented. "That'll be Carlisle." Something about her smiled seemed a little off. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was looking forward to my reaction.
From my vantage point, I was able to see right the way down the hall and spotted him hanging his coat and scarf on a hanger, before dropping a black medical bag on the floor beneath them. He made even the simplest task seem elegant, but that was a family trait, if his cousin was anything to go by. He made his way over to us, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. At least, I hoped it was pleasant.
"I didn't realise we were having company," he remarked, but his tone wasn't reproachful, it was actually apologetic.
"Oh, well..." I began, desperately trying to convene my senses.
"Her car broke down in Port Angeles," stepped in Alice. "As did her phone, so I gave her a lift back here to use ours." She turned to address me once more. "Talking of which, are you in a hurry to get back? I've just got something I need to do."
"No, it's fine," I said.
Realising, as she went back upstairs, that I was now left alone with two people I barely knew, I started to regret letting her go. I predicted a period of awkward silence, but, thankfully, Carlisle didn't let that happen.
"I would offer you something to drink," he smiled regretfully, slowly making his way towards the kitchen. "But our cupboards are a little bare right now."
"That's alright," I assured, noting out the corner of my eye that Jasper hadn't moved an inch. He could've easily passed for a marble statue, which was a little unnerving.
"What kind of problem are you having with the car?" Carlisle asked.
"Um, well, I'm not really that hot on cars," I admitted. "All I know is the engine won't start. I was there for about fifteen minutes trying to get it going."
"My knowledge isn't that wonderful either," he revealed, with a self-depreciating smile. "Hopefully, it won't leave too big a dent in your bank balance. Just don't let them know you know nothing about cars," he added with a small chuckle.
"Well, I'm lucky on that score. My friend's a mechanic and refuses to charge me, despite my offers."
Carlisle raised his eyebrows. "Then you're very lucky and I would very much like to meet him. Sadly, as soon as a mechanic spots the medical bag and my car, I turn into a giant dollar sign."
I laughed and that was when my unusual situation dawned on me. Here I was, stood in Carlisle Cullen's home, making small talk with him. And I hadn't embarrassed myself...yet. I tried not to get too excited about the last part-there was still plenty of time. After hearing his comment, I was curious as to what kind of car he had. He pointed to the tall window beside him and I stepped closer to the pane of glass to peer out. In front of the house was a sleek, black vehicle and, from the badge decorating the bonnet, I saw that it was a Mercedes. Despite my ignorance, I knew it was expensive. He must be a mechanic's dream.
"Carlisle," chirruped Alice's musical voice. "Are you showing off again?"
"Quite the opposite," he explained. "We were discussing our ignorance about cars,"
"I'm surprised Jasper was able to bear it," she teased. "He's becoming somewhat of a connoisseur these days. Are you ready to go, Bella?"
"Sure," I replied, dragging my eyes from the doctor's impressive means of transport to face her.
"Alrighty," she said, her eyes darting back and forth between the two men in the room. "I won't be long," she told them.
"Goodbye, Bella," Carlisle said. "I hope your car isn't too much of a hassle to fix. Feel free to lament the injustices served upon us by mechanics any time."
"I will," I replied with a giggle and gave a small wave goodbye. Jasper nodded his farewell and I followed Alice out of the lounge. I couldn't believe it. I'd actually managed to spend more than a few seconds in Carlisle's company without making an idiot of myself. I'd even conversed with him! My pride was quickly deflated when I managed to trip over absolutely nothing and almost end up with a mouthful of carpet. An arm around the waist saved my taste buds, however and I became vertical once again. I looked over my shoulder to thank whoever the arm belonged to and my face immediately blazed a vibrant scarlet. Carlisle's face was inches away from mine and I was paralyzed by shock, embarrassment and beguilement. This close, I suddenly noted all the various shades of yellow in his golden irises.
"I see your father wasn't joking about your clumsiness," he remarked and I suddenly realised where I was.
I couldn't speak! I tried to say something, anything. One little response was all I needed and I was incapable of doing a thing to prove I didn't fit the totally imbecilic image my body portrayed. His hold loosened as his arm slipped away from me and I could feel the heat radiating from my face. I couldn't bring myself to do anything more than give a brief awkward nod of thanks and hastily scuttle after Alice. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to leave the house.
The cool evening air almost stung as it met my flushed cheeks, but I welcomed it. What the Hell must they think of me? I acted like a smitten ingénue and it was making me angry. Embarrassment played a large part in the anger, but it was also my inability to understand exactly why these people made me feel and act this way. What had these three done to enthral me so-Carlisle, especially? Sure, he was handsome, but I had also reacted similarly to Alice when I first met her and I had no interest in her that way at all. It also wasn't the first time I had met a gorgeous guy, there were plenty at college, but they never had this effect on me. Then again, there was nobody else quite like the Cullens.
The drive home was quick and quiet. Alice astutely sensed my mood and probably thought better of trying to console me. I felt a little bad towards the end of the journey, as it wasn't any of them I was mad at, it was myself. As we reached my driveway, I was about to think of something to say to assure her, but she spoke first.
"If, for whatever reason, your car isn't fixed by Friday, would you like me to drive you to work? I start a bit earlier than you, but, if you don't mind waiting around for a little while, I'm more than happy to pick you up."
"Um, sure," I said, a little overwhelmed by her kindness this evening. "That'd be great, actually. Hopefully Jake won't have any trouble, but thanks for the offer."
"You're welcome," she replied breezily. "I'll give you my number so you can call to let me know." Opening the glove compartment, she retrieved a small notepad and pen and scribbled a few numbers down, before handing it to me. "I've put the house phone number on there too."
I stuffed the piece of paper into my jacket pocket. "Thank you, Alice, for everything." I said, my mood immediately improved by the rush of appreciation I felt for all she'd done for me. I hoped the smile I offered truly conveyed my feelings. I grabbed my door keys from my bag, before opening the car door to exit the vehicle. Alice waved as she drove away and I turned to go indoors, awaiting Jacob's call. I briefly wondered what I should say if he asked how I got home, but then I decided I didn't care. After all the help she had given me this evening, Alice was someone I now happily considered a friend.
A/N: I couldn't resist adding the Kelly Armstrong reference for two reasons. Firstly, I ADORE her books. I highly recommend reading them, if anyone hasn't already done so. Secondly, I thought it might be a fun little jibe, given the nature of a certain close friend of Bella's. I hope you all enjoyed and with a hi ho hi ho, it's off to chapter six I go!