Chapter Four:

As Bella made her way towards Aro's office, she heard her name being called out. Turning around, she spotted Rosemary, a new member of the guard, rushing towards her. Rosemary had recently submitted a story to Bella, and Bella knew that she would soon have to deliver some disappointing news to her.

"Hey, Bella," Rosemary greeted with a beaming smile. "Have you finished reading the first draft of my story?"

"Hey, Rosemary. Yes, I have," Bella replied, pausing briefly as she considered her response. "Unfortunately, I think it requires some significant revisions."

Rosemary's expression faltered slightly, but she displayed a willingness to accept constructive criticism. "Okay, what were some of the issues?" she inquired.

Bella took a few moments to gather her thoughts and organize them. "Well, one of the main concerns is that your story lacks a clear purpose. It appears to be a mere depiction of a few years in the life of your main character. While the events that unfold in the character's life may be intriguing, a book requires a central action or objective to strive for and achieve by the story's end. Additionally, your story lacks significant drama. The main character's life appears to be relatively smooth-sailing, without any major disruptions or conflicts. Readers are often drawn to stories that encompass emotional turmoil or significant events."

Rosemary pondered Bella's feedback for a moment. "I see," she acknowledged, considering the points raised.

Bella felt it was necessary to provide further guidance. "Additionally, in your story, your main character doesn't encounter her love interest until the final act. It might be more effective to have their meeting occur earlier in the narrative, as it can serve as a driving force for the plot and contribute to the storytelling throughout the entire story."

Rosemary chimed in, defending her work. "But once they finally met, they shared some really great sex scenes. Surely, that would grab the readers' attention and pique their interest, right?"

Bella knew she had to be honest with Rosemary. "While those scenes were indeed steamy, it presents another issue. Mainstream stories can't include explicit or graphic sex scenes. It's important to be more subtle when portraying the romantic relationship between the main characters. For instance, you can describe a moment where your main character catches a glimpse of her love interest swimming naked in the ocean under the moon light. They can share a tender embrace and a kiss, but then the scene would transition to the next morning, leaving what happened to the readers' imagination."

Bella continued with a smile, "That's just how stories are written. It would definitely not show the main character of the story at the beach on her hands an knees, getting her brains fucked out doggy style while she screams and moans! While we both know that would be what really happened with the main character in the scenario I just gave you, we just can't print that in mainstream books. While I personally loved reading your sex scenes, it would not be a story for the masses to read. The world is still too prudish, I'm afraid to say."

Rosemary's expression turned downtrodden as she responded, "I suppose there were indeed many flaws in my story. Honestly, I don't think I can convey my story within those specifications. It wouldn't align with the type of narrative that truly captivates me."

"That's perfectly alright, Rosemary," Bella reassured her with a warm smile. "Your story was exceptionally well-written, and there's actually a thriving community of fan fiction sites on the Internet. You might consider sharing a version of your story there, where I'm sure you'll find a large audience that would greatly enjoy it. I was just pointing out that it would not be the right fit for a mainstream book."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know," Rosemary replied, her voice tinged with quiet appreciation.

"Don't let one negative response get you down, Rosemary," Bella encouraged with a supportive tone. "You have a natural talent for storytelling, and I believe you should continue writing. If you come up with a different story in the future, I would be more than happy to read it. And hey, if you do, please include some of those steamy sex scenes, even if they're not suitable for publication, they definitely gave me and Garrett a few ideas, so I thank you for that."

Rosemary chuckled, her spirits lifted. "Well, you're welcome. I'll catch you later, Bella."

"Take care, Rosemary," Bella said, flashing a warm smile, as she walked off towards Aro's office.

As Bella knocked on Aro's door, she heard an immediate response, "Come in."

Opening the door, Bella was met with Aro standing up from behind his desk. "Ah, Bella. How delightful to see you, my dear," he said, moving around his desk to greet her with a warm hug.

"It's always a pleasure, Aro. So, how's your week running the vampire world been? Any dramatic power struggles or uncover any vampire's plotting to take over the world?" Bella asked, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

As Aro motioned to the sofa, they both sat down. "As well as can be expected. I must say, it's calmer now than it has been in the past. Only a few places seem unruly," he explained.

"That's reassuring," Bella replied, a knowing look in her eyes. "Let me guess, you're referring to Mexico? Jasper has filled me in on Maria's more recent ambitions to expand her territory. Perhaps it's time she receives a warning or something a bit more permanent," she hinted, her tone making it clear that she hoped Maria's reign of terror would finally come to an end.

"I'm afraid you might be right. Ignoring what she was up to hundreds of years ago was easier, but with the rapid advancements in human technology, it's only a matter of time before someone sees something we can't erase," Aro admitted with a hint of concern in his voice.

Bella thought for a moment, then said, "You know, it might be a good idea to hire some production firms that specialize in creating special effects. We can make some videos that showcase abilities similar to what vampires can do. With the incredible advancements in computer technology, humans can make anything happen and look real. We could strategically place these videos throughout the Internet, promoting them anonymously to generate a buzz. This way, it would be in the public's knowledge that they have seen abilities like ours. And if a vampire is ever caught on video doing something inhuman, people can easily dismiss it as just another fake, pointing to the videos we've created," she explained, quite liking the idea after she thought it through.

"You know, I think you might be onto something there," Aro said, a spark of intrigue in his eyes. "It provides deniability and could potentially prevent certain incidents from escalating into full-scale exposure. Well thought out, Bella. I will inform Caius and Marcus about your idea."

"Always trying to be of assistance," Bella remarked with a playful smile. As her gaze wandered to Aro's bookcase, her eyes landed on the book she had published for him. She couldn't resist bringing it up. "Speaking of which, your book is still garnering attention. We receive numerous inquiries about the possibility of a sequel. If you ever decide to pursue another project, just let me know. I'll be more than happy to assist," she offered, her enthusiasm evident in her voice.

"I'll definitely keep that in mind. I have some ideas brewing, but it's a tough task to come up with something truly unique. If I do come up with another story idea, I would want it to be completely original, and you know how difficult that is, as almost everything has been done before," Aro responded, his tone thoughtful and contemplative.

Bella sensed it was time to steer the conversation towards the purpose of her visit. "Now, as for the reason behind my visit today," she began, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "I've been making significant progress with my shielding ability, and I know you have expressed an interest in experiencing it firsthand. Well, I'm pleased to say that I've discovered a way to place my shield on someone and it will remain intact even after I cease projecting it. So, the question is: would you like me to give it a try on you?" Bella asked, her tone a mix of confidence and curiosity.

"That sounds very promising, Bella. Yes, I would be thrilled to test it out. I'm genuinely excited to experience what it feels like," Aro responded, his voice brimming with genuine enthusiasm.

"Okay, but first, a word of caution. It's important you understand that this new ability is still a work in progress. Here's what I'm going to do: I'll place the shield on you and then start slicing sections off to separate it from my projection. One of the main issues I need to improve on is ensuring that the shield perfectly conforms to your body, but at the moment, there will be a small gap between you and any objects you come into contact with. You'll understand what I mean shortly," Bella explained, her voice composed and focused.

Taking a moment to center her mind, Bella took a few deep breaths. "It might be helpful if you stand up and remain perfectly still. Please, don't make any sudden movements. I wouldn't want to accidentally shave off your arm," she added, a playful smile on her face but with a serious undertone.

Aro stood up and recognized the seriousness in Bella's tone, so he positioned himself with absolute stillness, as effortless for a vampire as it was.

Bella placed her normal shield around Aro, pouring every ounce of strength into it that she could, ensuring it would remain in place once she finished. She and Garrett had been practicing this new skill of maintaining her shield after she stopped projecting for the past month, and thus far, it had consistently held steady every time. Confident now in the steadfastness of the shield, she began delicately slicing sections from its surface. In her mind, she drew a parallel to sculpting with clay, envisioning the gradual transformation of a rough human form into a meticulously detailed figure beneath, which, in truth, was her unbreakable shield.

Bella did not want to slice off sections of her shield directly touching Aro at this early point in her testing. She wanted to become more accustomed to slicing the sections off first, ensuring she wouldn't make a mistake. Over the years, she had learned that even if she accidentally sliced off a body part of a vampire with her shield, it would reattach easily with minimal scarring due to her precise cuts. Nevertheless, she believed it would be highly undesirable to mistakenly decapitate one of the rulers of the vampire world. Pica would likely have a few choice words if that were to happen.

After carefully slicing as close as she felt comfortable, Bella ceased projecting her shield. Sensing the continued presence and malleability of her shield on Aro, she knew her efforts had succeeded. With a confident tone, she addressed Aro, saying, "Okay, Aro. You can move around now. I've gotten as close as I want to at this point."

Aro began to move around, inspecting himself to see if he felt any different. "So far, I feel normal. Let me try doing a few things," he remarked. Aro approached his desk and attempted to pick up his pen. As he gripped it, he realized that he wasn't actually touching it, as the pen seemed to float slightly between his fingers due to Bella's shield.

"Well done, Bella," Aro complimented. "Now, I'm curious, how long will this shield last?" he inquired.

"Well, I conducted a series of tests on Garrett, and the shield showed no signs of weakening over several days," Bella explained. "Initially, the results were so promising that I had some exciting ideas. I thought about creating shield versions of everyday objects like a coffee table or a bookshelf and incorporating them into our home. However, I soon realized that they would be invisible. What if I misplaced them? There would be an invisible coffee table just out in the world. What if humans found it. It raised a lot of intriguing questions like that, so for now, I'm holding off on indulging my creative impulses," she concluded, her tone thoughtful and contemplative.

As Bella's words sank in, Aro contemplated her concerns and nodded in agreement. "I understand your point. There are undoubtedly numerous practical applications with an ability such as this, but caution is paramount," he acknowledged, his voice reflecting a thoughtful tone.

"I agree," Bella remarked, her voice tinged with excitement. "But imagine the possibilities. Could I potentially create something as vast as a whole house with my shield? It's a fascinating idea to explore in the future. But for now, let's focus on perfecting your shield before I embark on constructing my own shield castle to rival this one." she suggested, a smile playing on her lips at the whimsical thought.

Suddenly, a realization struck Bella, causing her to exclaim, "Shit, I just thought of something important! Garrett and I never tested whether he could eat while I had the shield on him. Aro, do you happen to have any blood bags nearby?"

Aro nodded, understanding Bella's concern. "Give me a moment. I'll prepare a drink for us both," he offered, heading to his refrigerator to retrieve two bags of blood, which he then placed in the microwave.

"Thank you," Bella replied appreciatively. "I don't think it will work for you, but I have an idea on how to address this issue once you've given it a try."

After Aro handed her the glass, Bella took a few sips while observing Aro's attempts to drink from his own glass. She couldn't help but chuckle as he realized that there was no opening for the blood to reach his mouth. Thankfully, Aro managed to avoid any spills on the carpet.

"Yeah, just as I suspected," Bella remarked with a hint of amusement. "Alright, Aro, I want you to open your mouth wide and remain completely still."

As Aro obediently opened his mouth wide, Bella rose from her seat and deftly sliced a hole in her shield specifically around Aro's mouth, creating an opening in the shield.

"Alright, give it another try, Aro," Bella encouraged.

Aro attempted to take another sip, and this time, he succeeded. "Well done, Bella," he acknowledged, a note of satisfaction in his voice.

"It's my pleasure, Aro. With more practice, it will become even easier for me. For now, you'll find yourself well-protected, although there are certain limitations. However, in a fight, you'll be virtually unbeatable, unless your opponent figures out to push fire down your throat. While the shield is in place, you might want to give Caius a challenge. I can imagine after 3000 years, you might relish the opportunity to take a swing at him, knowing you can't lose right now," Bella suggested, a wide smile adorning her face.

"I think I might do that, Bella. I'll let you know if I have any other issues," Aro replied.

"Sounds good. If you decide you want me to remove the shield, just come by my house, and I'll take it right off." Bella offered.

Bella and Aro engaged in further discussions on vampire affairs until Bella bid him farewell and headed home to Garrett.

As Bella was driving home, she asked Janet to tell her the headlines of the news around the world.

Janet began "Last night, the United States held its first presidential debate for the 2044 general election scheduled on Tuesday November 8th. During the debate, the Democratic candidate…"

Bella interrupted, "Please skip over US politics." She was trying to have a relaxing time going home.

Janet continued, "Certainly. In other news, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan. King William of Britain celebrated his seventh year anniversary as king since his coronation. The European Union voted in favor of accepting Turkey as a member. In sports, the Boston Celtics clinched their 20th NBA title. And at the box office, the number one movie was 'Back to the Future,' a remake of the 1985 classic. Would you like to continue hearing the headlines?"

"No, that's all for now, Janet," Bella said. She was surprised they finally did a remake of Back to the Future. She had loved the original trilogy when she was human. It still pissed her off to this day that they still didn't have flying cars like they did in the 2015 future. It was 2044 for fuck's sake. Where were her flying cars? Bella thought it a small consolation that she herself could fly, but that didn't help anyone else. She would have to tell Garrett so they could plan a movie night.

When Bella arrived home, she swiftly parked the car in the charging station and made her way into the house to find Garrett. As she stepped inside, her eyes lit up at the sight of him sitting on the sofa, prompting a wide smile to grace her face. Eagerly, she nestled herself beside him, seeking the comfort of his embrace.

"I missed you today," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Garrett responded by wrapping his arm around her and planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, drawing her closer against his chest. "I missed you too, babe," he replied tenderly, his voice laced with warmth and sincerity.

"What did you do to keep yourself entertained while I was away?" Bella inquired curiously.

Garrett grinned, "Ah, I went shopping. After winning that bet the other day, I decided to treat you to some new outfits. I have a feeling you'll really enjoy them."

Bella's smile widened, anticipation sparkling in her eyes. She thoroughly enjoyed engaging in role-playing scenarios with Garrett, and she couldn't help but wonder what he had chosen for her. "I can't wait. Please don't reveal anything until it's time for me to try them on. I love surprises," she expressed with enthusiasm.

"My lips are sealed," Garrett replied, motioning for Bella to turn around so he could begin to massage her shoulders. As his skilled hands worked their magic, he shared the news about a unexpected call he got today. "By the way, I received a rather intriguing call earlier from Kate Denali."

"Seriously, how many times do I have to tell that woman I'm not interested in having a threesome?" Bella said with a smile on her face. She did not think that joke would ever get old.

"It was actually a business call," Garrett explained. "She has written a manuscript and wants us to take a look at it."

"Really? What's it about?" Bella asked, setting aside her jokes. She had met Kate nearly a decade ago, and while she rightly deserved her reputation for being slutty, Bella knew she was not a bad person.

"She told me it's a historical fantasy story and has a unique take on the succubus legend," Garrett said.

"Okay, I will call her back tomorrow and guide her on the necessary steps," Bella replied. "But do you really think those three were the basis of that legend? Personally, it sounds like utter bullshit to me."

"I highly doubt it as well, but I've heard some stories from my friends about what those three were up to back in the day, and let me tell you, it sounded like some pretty freaky shit," Garrett shared with a smirk.

"Let's hope she understands that our publishing firm is not interested in putting out smut. However, if she can write a genuine story with an intriguing premise, it sounds like it might be worth exploring," Bella remarked, her voice filled with a mix of caution and curiosity.

"So, how was your time in Volterra? Anything noteworthy to report?" Garrett inquired with curiosity.

Bella chuckled, recalling her experiences. "I got the usual updates from Heidi. Jane was thrilled with the news I shared about her book. I gave Pica and Dora some combat training. But the funniest moment was when I placed the shield on Aro," she explained, a smile spreading across her face. "After I finished placing the shield, I realized he couldn't drink with it in place. It was something we hadn't tested before. I quickly made a hole in the shield to allow him to drink. It would have been quite amusing if I had forgotten and received a late-night call from him, seeking assistance."

Garrett chuckled, his voice filled with amusement. "I actually had thought of that. I thought it would have been quite funny too, but you were too clever and quickly fixed the problem."

Bella, feeling utterly relaxed and content, paid little attention to his words. She playfully pushed him down, causing him to lie on his back on the sofa, while she comfortably settled on top of him, simply enjoying the moment of pure relaxation.

Garrett asked, a playful smile gracing his lips, "Are you up for some fun or just resting?"

Bella, her eyes still closed, responded with a peaceful tone, "Just resting for now. In a little while, I need to read and take notes on a few manuscript drafts. Let's just lie here for a little bit."

Garrett wrapped his arms around his wife, their bodies sinking into the soft cushions, and they surrendered to the soothing comfort of the moment.