Thank you so much for all the reviews. They're all wonderful. Some of you actually had me laughing so loud that my brother actually burst into the room, asking if I was okay since there was no one else with me.
This Chapter is in Edward's POV. I'm sorry if its out of character. Its hard to picture what goes on in a guys mind ;)
Disclaimer: Nope, all recognizable characters don't belong to me. They belong to Stephenie Meyer.
"Hey, Eddie," Tanya said as she placed both her hands on my chest and moved closer to me.
I shoved her off. I didn't care if I appeared rude. Couldn't she take a hint? I do not like her. I don't care if she's a swimsuit model or if she's one of Rosalie's friends. She may be what normal people would consider 'hot' but I think she's just a vain little...
"Aww.. Eddie. You can stop playing hard to get. I totally like, dig you a lot already," she said as she smiled alluringly. Truth be told, she looked down right scary.
"Don't call me Eddie," I growled as I stormed off to my car.
"Hey, Edward. Where you going?" Alice asked as she passed by me.
"Going to check out the place for the music shop," I muttered.
When I got into my car, I slammed the door shut and drove at full speed towards Seattle. I played my Debussy album in hopes of calming myself down but to no avail. After about an hour in the car, I had arrived at the shop. It was a strip club located in one of the abandoned parts of Seattle. Hopefully I can change this place into something better. I locked my car and went inside, taking a seat furthest from the stage. I was not interesting in watching girl like Tanya, show off their assets for other men. Had they no dignity?
Songs were played as each stripper came out and did their 'dance'. Then, a new song played and a new girl appeared. I was about to order a coke when my eye caught the sight of the stripper who had just come out. She was extraordinarily beautiful. I couldn't help but stare. She looked no older than 20. Her face literally took my breath away. I actually had to remind myself to breath. She had luscious pink lips and brown mahogany hair cascading down in locks. But her beautiful And she would occasionally flinch while doing some steps. I wondered why...
Suddenly, her eyes flashed to mine. We stared at each other, the connection pulling me in more and more every second. Then, she looked away and headed backstage. From my table, I could see her, backstage, grabbing a coat to cover herself as she picked up a book and left.
Who was I kidding? This girl was a hooker. Another woman with no dignity or self-respect. But there was something different about her. The reluctance which showed in her eyes perplexed me deeply. Soon, the music had died down and the customers had all left. Jerry, the owner of the strip club whom I had met once before, was cleaning up behind the bar. I walked over to him.
"Good evening, sir. Nice to see you again. I hope we can talk business tonight," I said, trying to sound as business-like as possible.
"Mr. Cullen!" Jerry exclaimed, surprised. He gave my hand a firm shake.
"Nice to see you again. Unfortunately, I will not be able to do business tonight. Will Wednesday night be alright?" he asked, rubbing his head anxiously.
"Yes, that will be fine. I'll see you then. I have some financial matters to discuss," I gave a nod and walked out.
When I got back, I turned on my music, full blast, and stared pensively into space. I thought about the gorgeous woman with the beautiful brown eyes. I was soon lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of Debussy's pieces.
The next two days passed by in a blur. Carlisle, being a well-known business man, had much influence and had gotten help from previous clients of his to help set up the store. There were so many things to do, I hardly had time to think. All thoughts of the beautiful woman had gone.
That Wednesday night, I drove to Seattle once more. The image of the woman's beautiful face flashed in my head, causing a smile to form on my lips. When I got there, Jerry walked over to me and greeted me.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Cullen. Please, follow me," he said as he led me to a table on the opposite side of the room from the bar.
I laid out all my papers and began to go over them. Suddenly, I heard a slapping sound. I looked up and saw the beautiful woman with the brown eyes from before. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. And by the shocked look which crossed the man's face she was looking at, it was her who caused the slapping sound. She then marched off into the opposite direction. Why was it that right then, I felt like running over to her a holding in my arms. I mean, I hardly even knew this girl. Heck, I don't even know her name!
Suddenly, my view was blocked by one of the hookers. She leaned her hands on my table, bending over, giving me a good look at her chest. I felt like barfing. The woman appeared to be her thirties.Couldn't she find areal job?
"Hey there, hun. I could make tonight the best night of your life for a reasonable price," she said, bending over more. I looked away, disgusted.
Then, I heard the clicking of heels heading this way and the hookers head turned to see who it was approaching.
"Jerry had requested I wait his table," said a voice. But it didn't sound like any other voice. No, this one was so angelic, so mezmerizing. My head shot up and saw the beautiful girl. We stood there, transfixed in each others gaze, until Helena have an annoyed 'hmph' and stomped away. But that didn't distract me from looking at her. She noticed me staring and blushed an extraordinary shade of pink before looking down at her notepad, covering herself with a curtain of her hair.
"Urm, what will you be having tonight, sir?" she asked, ever so quietly
"I'll take anything as long as there's no alcohol," I replied, flashing a crooked smile. I don't drink. I've been taught better.
I heard her silently gasp. She then nodded and headed over to the bar. Not a moment to soon, she returned with a can of coke in her hand as she placed it on the table.
"Thanks," I said, flashing her a smile. She looked dazed.
"Would you like to sit down with me?" I asked, hoping she would. I just couldn't get enough of her face. I know it sound kind of freaky but it was the truth. It was as if she were a drug or some sort. I just wanted to know more about her.
"Sure," she replied, taking a seat on the chair across mine. I raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was cold in that costume of hers. She caught my curiosity and became self-concious, blushing furiously and hiding her face with a curtain of hair again.
"Would you like to borrow my jacket?" I offered, holding the jacket towards her.
She nodded. She took the jacket from my hand and put it on. I smiled slightly. She looked adorable in my jacket. It was two sizes to big for her, making her look extremely small in it.
"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at me.
I took sipped a bit of my coke before offering her some. She shook her head and murmured, "I don't think I should,"
I insisted. She sighed in defeat and drank a huge gulp.
"I'm sorry," she apologized as she set the can back on the table. This made me chuckle.
"It's fine,"
I finally realized that we were the last ones in the shop. I saw Jerry walking over towards us. I stood up and shook his hand.
"Jerry," I greeted.
"Mr. Cullen," he replied, "I hope Bella here has been nice," he said, glaring at Bella. She had fright written all over her eyes.
"Yes," I replied quickly, hoping that he'd stop glaring, "Now, to business,"
We walked towards his office. I took a seat in the arm chair opposite his. Before he closed the door, I heard him shout, "Don't change just yet, Bella!"
Sothat was her name. Bella...
"Right then, Mr. Cullen. Back to business," he said, clearing his throat.
We then discussed the financial aspects. It took me more than an hour to explain the most simplest of things to him. Finally, when we were done, I slumped into the arm chair and sighed exhaustedly.
"Thank you, Mr. Cullen," he said as he stood up. I followed in his lead as he walked towards the door. "I have a little 'treat' waiting for you. I hope you enjoy it," he grinned as he opened the door and walked towards the bar.
I saw Bella emerge from the shadows, her eyes blotchy from crying. It shattered my heart to see her like this.
"Mr. Cullen, I will leave you and Bella alone. You may request anything you please of her," Jerry stressed on 'anything' a little too much for my liking. He then walked off into one of the rooms in the corridor.
I then walked to her and held her face gently. An electrifying feeling pulsed through me when I touched her face. I brought her head up so that she was looking at me. I just stared into her eyes, searching. Searching the answer to why I was so attracted to her. But all I could see was fear, sadness and worry.
I finally said, "You don't have to do anything. I just want to talk to you. I'm not like other men,"
She didn't answer. She just looked at me with confusion. She probably wasn't used to generosity. I doubt they give much of it around here.
"Oh, really? Then why were you watching me the night before then?" she replied harshly.
I chuckled. "I wasn't watching the other performances. I only came to make a deal with Jerry to buy this place. I was looking at you because," I breathed in, "Because you mesmerized me. I don't usually look at strippers, no offense, of course, but you were extraordinarily beautiful. And the look in your eyes tell me that you do not desire to be here. It tells be that you wish to be free of this place, but can't," I finally confessed in a whisper. I looked away, afraid to see her reaction to my confession.
"H-how do you know me so well?" she asked.
I chuckled in response. Honestly, I had no idea. It just came.. naturally. I finally replied, "I don't know. But I just do, you know?"
She looked down shyly and whispered, "I am far from beautiful,"
I stared at her, incredulous. This woman before me was insecure about her beauty? She was more beautiful than Aphrodite herself. How could she think that?
I lifted her face towards me and breathed against her skin, "I'm afraid I have to disagree,"
She looked at me as her eyes started watering. Then, her tears spilled over. I pulled her into my arms, hoping to comfort her as much as I could. I stood there, stroking her hair, waiting for her to calm down. Having her small, fragile body in my arms made me question what life was once life without her. Her small body molded with mine. It just felt so.. right.
Finally, when her sobbing calmed, I cautiously asked her, "Are you okay?"
She nodded and apologized for staining my shirt.
"Its fine," I replied. I took this opportunity to introduce myself, "I noticed I never really introduced myself. I'm Edward Cullen,"
She smiled. It took my breath away. If I could, I would dedicate my life to making her smile more often.
"Isabella Swan," she replied, "Please, do call me Bella,"
Then, I remembered what Bella finally meant. Yes, it did suit her very well.
"Bella. I agree with your name. You truly are beautiful," I lifted my hand to gently caress her cheek.
She then stared at me. I stared back, memorizing everything about her lovely face. From her deep brown eyes to her full, pink, cherubic lips.
Suddenly, she looked away and stared pensively out the window. A tear slid down her cheek as she sniffed.
"Bella?" I called. She didn't look my way. She just closed her eyes, making more tumble down.
I cupped her face with both my hands and brought her face towards me. Her eyes were still wet with tears. I just wished I knew what it was that was upsetting her so. It was obvious she had a bad past experience. I just wanted to stop those tears from coming down.
She sighed and looked down again. I pulled her into my arms again. She leaned her hands against my chest and slowly slid her hands higher around my neck. I knew she could hear my heart beet beating erratically. If only she knew what kind of effect she had on me.
"Please, tell me," I pleaded.
"Don't worry about me," But how couldn't I? Seeing her in such a state was breaking my heart.
She pulled away and straightened my jacket which she was wearing.
"So, what brings you here? I mean, I know you wish to purchase this shop by why?" she asked, faking enthusiasm. I could tell she honestly wanted to change the subject.
I told her about my love for music and how my family was pitching in to help out. Throughout, she looked at me, flabbergasted, clinging onto every word I said.
"Wow," she said, still trying to comprehend what I had just told her.
"You have no idea how easy it is for me to open up to of you. It's just so different with you," I confessed.
"So," I said, breaking the awkward silence, "Now its my turn to ask you the questions,"
She told me about her past. The death of her parents, Susan. And Ryan. If I could, I would drive over there and give him a piece of my mind. She then told me how she ended up here. And how she wishes she would be free of this place. And most importantly, how she blames herself for all the tragedies that have happened. She truly amazed me. She was unlike any person I'd ever met.
She then told me her attempts at escaping this place and how she planned to run away once she had reached the age of eighteen.
I was speechless. "Bella..." I whispered.
She grabbed on to my sweater and looked up at me, "Please, don't go," she whispered.
I sighed and pulled her toward my chest. How could someone like her suffer so much? How I wish I could take her pain away, to give her the happiness that she deserves.
After a while, she slid out of my arms, looking down. Then, I heard her sigh and look up. I wish I knew what it was she was thinking. Most people's thought can be easily read by their expressions. But her, she amazed me. She was so different. Everything about her drew me in, wanting more.
I snapped out of my reverie and saw her looking at me. I then realized I had been staring at her. Suddenly, I did something that I hadn't done in a long time.
I blushed.
We then talked about lighter things. I told her about Carlisle and Esme and how they had adopted me, Emmett and Alice. How I got interested in music and the mishaps that me and Emmett got into when we were young boys.
We were abruptly interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
"Mr. Cullen, sir. I'm afraid I have to close down the store soon. I would prefer if we could discuss a bit more before I do," Jerry's gruff voice called from the other side of the door.
"Um, very well then. I'll be out in a few minutes. Let me collect my things," I lied, trying to buy myself a bit more time with Bella.
"I guess you have to go," Bella finally said, disappointedly.
"Don't worry. We'll see each other soon. I'm coming back tomorrow night. I'll see you then." I said, excited myself.
I saw her nod before walking towards the table to pick up my things and handing them to me. "Promise?" she whispered worriedly.
I chuckled and nodded. I collected my things and ruffled her hair slightly. After taking one last good look at her eyes, I walked towards Jerry's office to discuss me coming tomorrow night. Finally, I left. The roads were nearly empty when I got into my car. One my drive back, all I could think of was Bella. Bella. Bella.
Suddenly, I realized the the traffic light was red and I slammed on the breaks. I sighed in relief and chuckled nervously, running my hands through my hair. I finally arrived back home and parked my car into the garage. By the time I got back, nearly every one was asleep. Everyone except Alice, who was watching her favourite late-night show which kept her updated on the latest fashions. I rolled my eyes and carefully walked upstairs, hoping not to make a sound. Unfortunately, my sister was too observant for that.
"Good night, Edward," she squeaked from the living room. It makes me wonder how she can be so enthusiastic this late at night.
"Night, Ally," I called tiredly. I finally made it to my room. I dumped my bags in the corner before jumping into bed. I was too tired to bother changing. As I drifted off, the last thing I thought about was Bella.
Hey! Sorry about this sucky chapter. I tried my best. Truly, I did. If I've made any mistakes, please let me know so that I can correct them. The next chapter is Edward's torture make-over! Pickles! Review and please, if you have any ideas for the next chapter, don't be afraid to share. Sharing is caring.
-Sabrina ;)
