I'm back! I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews. It means a lot to me that you're taking time to do it, and it makes me happy. Please keep going with the reviews. I want to reach two hundred reviews before the story is over, if that's possible. :) I know that sounds like a really small amount, but it's big for me.

Now, some of you have guessed Edward's secret. I have already replied, so you'll know if your guess is right. Oh yeah- Aaliyah, you also got it right. :) To those who didn't guess, please don't look at their reviews if you want to keep the ending a surprise. You don't want to spoil the ending now, do you?

Okay, enjoy!

Oh yeah- here's a chip to everyone who reviewed! :D


Starlight – Chapter 18: These Last Moments

Edward's POV:

"Okay." I took a deep breath. "I'm ready to go."

"You look good dude," Emmett grinned. "If I didn't have Rose, I'd date you. That, and if I were a girl."

"Idiot," Jasper muttered. "Okay, just have a nice, romantic dinner with Bella, and forget all abut me and this idiot here."

"Sure," I answered easily. I headed towards the door.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" Jasper pointed to a box sitting on my bed.

"Right... I forgot about that." I got it quickly and got out of there. In my car, I quietly hummed to myself. As I drove, I occasionally looked at the box in the seat next to me. When I had to stop, I opened it and fingered its content. I knew Bella would love it… I got lost in my thoughts. I heard a horn blaring impatiently, and when I looked up, the sign had turned green, and I was causing traffic. I quickly placed the box next to me and sped away.

When I finally reached Bella's dorm, I hid the box before I went out to get her. I knocked on her door impatiently. Seconds later, she opened it slowly.

My breath got caught in my throat.

She was beautiful. She was wearing a blue dress with thin straps that fit her just right. It wasn't too tight, but it showed off her stunning figure. It had a v-neck, though it wasn't plunging. It reached just before her knees.

I was speechless.

"Hey Edward," she greeted me softly.

"Bella… you… you look beautiful," I was finally able say.

She smiled shyly. "You don't look too bad yourself."

"But you…" I shook my head. "Did Alice get to you?"

"No, she was at your house, remember? Rosalie helped me, though," she admitted.

I just wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her. At first, she tensed, like she was resisting me, and her lips froze. But then she relaxed and kissed me back, slipping her hand around my neck.

"Edward," she breathed.

"Let's go," I whispered in her ear.

She pulled away from me reluctantly and we walked to my car, her arm entwined in mine.

Our drive to the restaurant was quiet. Bella looked deep in thought, and I didn't want to disturb her.

"Here we are," I announced as I parked my car.

"La Bella Italia," she read. "Nice- a restaurant named after me."

I laughed as I opened her door. She got out and slipped her arm into mine again. We walked into the restaurant and the hostess greeted us warmly.

"Hello, a table for two?" I nodded, and she led us to a table in the middle of the restaurant.

I shook my head. "Something more private," I insisted.

She nodded, and led us to a quiet corner. I thanked her and we sat down.

Bella was grinning to herself about something.

"What?" I asked, smiling.

"Nothing," she smirked.

This beautiful girl never ceased to amaze me. I opened my menu and scanned their food.

"Are you ready to order?" A perky voice asked. I looked up to see a blonde waitress with too much make up staring at us- no, me, in particular. I didn't like the stare she was giving me.

"I'd like the mushroom ravioli," Bella said.

"And the steak, medium rare, for me," I said.

"Anything else?" Now the question was directed at me clearly.

"Nothing else," I clarified. I heard giggles.

"Are you sure?" she asked again.

"Yes," I gave her a huge smile. She blinked, and walked away immediately.

I looked at Bella to see her desperately trying to hide her laughter.

"What's so funny?" I asked, baffled.

"That girl… That girl is probably having a heart attack right now," she giggled. "It's your entire fault. You should have never dazzled her like that."

"I did?" That was new to me. "What about you?" I leaned in closer. "Are you affected by my dazzling?"

She nodded. "I don't think anyone's immune to it."

I smiled. "Am I dazzling you right now?"

"Yes," she admitted.

I laughed quietly and leaned towards her from across the table and kissed her. We broke away, and she leaned her forehead against mine, staring deep into my eyes. I stared back into her chocolately brown ones, until someone cleared her throat. I slowly looked to see the same waitress staring at us incredulously. She slowly put our plates on the table, giving Bella a wary look. I smirked.

"Enjoy,' she mumbled as she quickly went back to the kitchen.

"And you said she was having a heart attack," I laughed.

She also laughed along, but the smile on her face didn't reach her eyes.

-0-

Bella's POV:

I laughed along with him though inside, I was crying. This was the problem. Other girls are bound to go after him- much prettier girls. He's going to get tired of me, and leave me.

So far through the evening, I had managed to keep a mask on my face and pretend that I didn't know about anything. He seemed to buy it. That is, until he kissed me. I hadn't expected him to do that, and I froze, literally, right there on the spot. It was a good thing that I was able to make myself kiss him back. And, I have to admit, I still enjoyed it. The rest of the time, I was able to keep it up, and when he kissed me again before the waitress interrupted us, I didn't freeze like the last time. As we ate, we chatted animatedly, occasionally having an intimate moment here and there. It almost made me forget all about Tanya.

Almost.

I wasn't going to forgive him directly. No, I was going to enjoy this dinner, probably my last moment with Edward, and forget all about Tanya. Because I knew that I had to confront him already. I couldn't go seeing him like this when I know that he's cheating on me behind my back. I know that it's weird, having dinner with him still, but I wasn't ready to let go of him, not yet. But I know that sooner or later, probably sooner, I had to let go of him, and I wanted to make the most of these last moments.

"That was delicious," Edward grinned in satisfaction as he swallowed his last bite.

"So is mine," I forced a real looking smile on my face as I quickly finished my ravioli. He smiled back at me, and I swallowed my food in a gulp, almost choking. Did he have to go dazzling me like that?

"Ready for desert?" he asked, flashing me a crooked smile.

"No!" I protested. "I'm stuffed!" Well, that wasn't the only reason. Keeping up the happy-I-know-nothing act was difficult. I didn't want this night to end, but I couldn't keep up this charade. I had to confront him- now, before I chickened out. I thought about doing it in the restaurant, but I didn't want to raise attention in any way, so I just decided to just do it back at my room.

He laughed. "So am I," he admitted. "Why don't we just skip it?"

I shrugged. "Fine by me." He called for the check and paid for the meal. One of the reasons why being a girl rocks. Free meals, free movies, free stuff... you get the point. (A/N: It's in my profile. Check it out! :D)

I stood up, and so did he, after giving the waitress a huge tip. Her eyes grew big when she saw the amount.

The guy's rich! I could almost her brain whirring. But he's taken. By her.

But he won't be anymore, I thought sadly.

He opened the door to his car and waited patiently as I got in, and then he closed the door softly. He was the perfect gentleman. I almost cried out loud. I didn't want to let go of this. I had waited too long to be with him, only to end it many months after. He was my other half, for crying out loud. I don't think I can bear being away from him. But he had cheated on me, and I can't just forget that. I don't want to be taken advantage of. I never knew Edward could be like Jacob. It was just like Jake, I realized, to take advantage me. But not Edward. Back when I first met him, he was this shy and quiet boy. When we had gotten closer, he had opened up to me. When we have been going out all these months, it was like he had transformed. He had come out of his shell. True, there was the occasional blush of embarrassment, but he had become more outgoing. More brave.

But I thought he would stay loyal to me.

I realized that both times I had been in a serious relationship- or at least, serious for me, the guy cheats on me. First Jacob. Now Edward. I don't think I can take this anymore, having my heart ripped apart. Maybe I'll just go join a convent and be a nun. Nuns don't have to worry about guys. Or about having their hearts ripped and stomped on.

My eyes suddenly brimmed with unwanted tears which threatened to overflow.

They did not go unnoticed.

"Are you crying?Hey, what's wrong? Bella, answer me!"

I didn't want to lie to him. "I don't want this night to end," I mumbled. Which was partly true. But I don't want this relationship to end might have been more appropriate.

He chuckled. "I don't either, but I don't start crying. We can just have another dinner, you know? It's not like this is the last time."

Wrong, I wanted to say, but I didn't respond, the tears in my eyes drying up quickly. He looked at me and stroked my cheek. "Smile! Don't go ruining that beautiful face of yours." I forced a smile, hoping that I don't scare him. "See? That wasn't difficult now, was it?"

"No," I lied pathetically. The rest of the drive was passed in silence. When we reached my room, Edward told me to wait, because he was going to get something. I sat down nervously, wondering what new thing he bought. He occasionally showered me with little things. I told him to stop, but he insisted, and I couldn't change his mind. I later learned that just accepting whatever he gives me was easier that arguing with him and insisting he returns it to the store.

I tried to muster the courage to confront him, practicing what lines I was going to say.

He returned a few minutes after, a smile on his face. He was holding a box in his hands. "Close your eyes," he said.

I did hesitantly.

I heard him walk towards me. I felt something soft wrapped around my neck. "You can open them now."

I opened them. I gasped as I saw what he gave me. It was the same green scarf I wanted. The one I saw in the movie. I couldn't believe he actually bought me one.

"Now you could be Edward's Girl in the Green Scarf," he grinned cheekily.

"Edward… this is beautiful," I said. "Thank you… I don't know how I can ever repay you for this."

He leaned in and softly kissed my lips, his cool breath fanning my face. "You don't have to. Being here with me is more than enough."

I instantly felt guilty. How could I break up with him?

"Edward…Edward, I can't take this," I blurted.

"Well, you just have to," he simply replied, kissing me again. How am I supposed to concentrate when he keeps on kissing me like that?

"Okay," I said in a daze.

He chuckled. "There's my girl… I really don't want this night to end. Tonight has been perfect. Thank you, Bella."

I just nodded while I mentally yelled at myself for being so weak.

"It's getting late. I have to go now, love." He leaned in and kissed me passionately, his lips soft against mine, leaving me breathless.

"Okay… I still can't thank you enough for this scarf."

He laughed. "It's nothing. Good night, love." He pressed his lips against my forehead. With one final glance, he left.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!

I screamed over and over- in my head, of course. That was the perfect time to tell him, but then he had to give me the scarf! I don't think I'm ever going to be able to do this, not if I keep on losing my courage. I still can't believe this. He's probably going to go see Tanya now while laughing at me. My face burned crimson in embarrassment.

That's it.

At the thought of him laughing at me, I knew that I was going to do it. I'm going to confront him- but not now. I thought of letting a few days pass, before suddenly yelling at him and catching him in surprise… Or better yet…

My lips suddenly curled upwards as I thought of a plan. A plan that will surely catch him off guard…

My mind worked quickly as I perfected it.


Ooh… what is she planning? :D I had to put this chapter because I thought this story lacked Bella and Edward moments. So even though Bella already knew about Tanya, I made her say yes so they could have some romance. :) Now, I know you guys already want to know how she's going to confront him… so I'll tell you that it happens in the next chapter. And I know I said that this story was almost over a few chapters ago, and let's just say it turned out that I had to put more stuff.

Answer to last chapter's question: Edward actually bought a candle and a match, and he filled the room with light. Remember, he was given only a coin to buy the stuff. This chapter's question:

Alice was going to the mall, and coming towards her were three guys. Each guy had a wife. Each wife had three children. Each child had two friends. Each friend had five sisters. Each sister had a dog. So, how many, pets and all, were going to the mall?

Please review if you want to see the next chapter! :) If you review, your own imaginary Edward will give you your own green scarf… Remember, we're aiming for two hundred reviews!

Jen