I´m sorry it´s taking forever to update. My baby just went through a surgery and it´s been hard to manage time so I´m only writing when the baby is sleeping. I hope you enjoy it and please review.

Chapter 10

It has been a few weeks since I last saw him. Julie was back and happy to see I was not alone during her time off, Alice has kept me company since they were back in my life, but I wouldn´t dare ask Alice about him, specially because we were just friends and I´m not supposed to expect him to visit me as often as he did in Forks, but the truth was I didn´t want to know.

"Bella? Are you paying attention to what I´m saying?" Alice seemed a bit annoyed by my distraction

"I´m sorry Alice, please go on"

"What´s wrong Bella?" She asked. I turned to the car window trying to hide whatever emotion was on my face now.

"Nothing really Alice, just a bit distracted" I knew I couldn´t fool her, but she let it go.

She drove fast through the landscape, I haven't visited the Cullens since I've known they were so close to me, I felt a point of anguish mixed with despair, I was not sure what to expect, especially because I had no news about him. With Alice in my life now everyday seemed a bit easier to think about him, to speak his name and even to dream about him.

Soon enough we arrived at the Cullen mansion. I spent a minute staring and I realized I felt frozen in time, the house was not the same it was back in Forks but the resemblance was great, they didn't change their taste. The memories started flashing in my mind, ever since I allowed myself to think freely about Edward the memories were involuntary and I couldn't control them anymore, so I just started to let them flood my mind and enjoy the happy times I had with them.

Alice had planned a big pajama party and the boys were supposed to be on a hunting trip, that meant being around Rosalie for an entire night, no escaping now. Alice took the bags out of the trunk and headed for the door, I went after her but I could feel butterflies forming in my stomach, I was already expecting romance movies and playing along with Alice as her Barbie doll.

"Since you were not paying attention to me I´ll have to explain it all over again"

"Ok, I´m all ears" I smiled with sarcasm

"First we have to make you relax with a nice bath, followed by a facial treatment and a massage. After that we are going to get your nails done, put on a nice make up and get you dressed for the party." She clapped her hands in excitement

"Fine Al… PARTY? I though you said this was a girl´s night, you know, movies and girly talk" I protested

"Don´t start! Everyone is going to be there, I wouldn't want you to miss the last masquerade ball this decade, it's something really special!"

"You of all people should know how much I hate this kind of events" I grimaced

"Come on Bella, it has been years since you have attended anything near to a party, not that a prom could actually match this." She begged with her eyes

"First of all, I was tricked into that one and second…" I stopped there trying to look for an excuse that would convince her. If I told her I didn´t want to go she would drag me anyway.

"You don´t have an excuse do you? Please Bella, I promise you will have fun. It´s not something you can say I just don´t want to go"

"Alright, but I'm not staying for too long, I have a test on Monday" I agreed in defeat.

As we walked inside I noticed in shock that Alice had setup a SPA in their living room. Esme was already expecting me with her arms wide open for a hug. I hugged her tight, I missed her she was like a second mother to me. While Esme asked the usual questions about my life Alice dragged me to a huge bathtub, the water was in a nice temperature and the bubbles helped me relax, in the end I guess I really needed that. After the bath Alice started on my facial treatment, it was so easy to forget that this was to be followed by a session of torture, even Rosalie was being nice to me, I guess they must really love masquerade balls. Rosalie did my nails and when she was done Esme started on my massage. Soon enough it was time for my torture, the make up! Alice used so many products that I had lost count by the fifth minute and Rosalie worked on my hair following Alice´s instructions. When they were done I started moving to a mirror to see what Alice had done to my face but I was stopped by Alice.

"You only get to see the master piece when it's done" They both laughed

"Here it is" Esme walked in with a huge English renaissance style dress

"Come! Let´s get you ready" Alice bounced

The dress was almost blood red and made of velvet, the cleavage was square and molded my neck line, the sleeves were tight to my arms until they reached the elbow line and then they opened up like bells. The back of the dress was tied with a golden stripe, the lower part of the dress was composed by two skirts, the over skirt was blood red as the dress and the underskirt was black and heavily beaded with water pearls.

"Ok, you can look now" Alice chanted turning me to face the mirror

"Wow" That was the only way I could describe Alice´s master piece. She made a really dark make up that put my eyes in evidence, my skin was a in a cream color and a tone of peach enhanced my cheeks, my lips for once didn´t seem out of proportion and had a hitch of pink to it, my hair was in a updo style with hair locks dropping here and there, there were also small pearls set up randomly on it.

"So, do you love it?" She asked with a smug smile on her face as she analyzed my reaction.

"Yes! It's amazing" And it really was I couldn't disagree with her on this one.

Esme, Alice and Rosalie started working on each other, of course they didn´t took as long to get ready as I did they were all perfect, there was no need for tons of make up and hair fixing. All the dresses had the same style. Esme was wearing a cream and golden dress, Alice´s was made of black and green velvet and Rosalie´s were gold and light blue. They have arranged a limo to pick us up and drive us, before we left the house Alice handed me a half face Venetian carnival mask, it had white as a background with red, pink and copper details.

Took us about forty minutes to get to our destination, at first I thought we were lost but before I could comment on that you could see a huge mansion far way in the horizon. As the car entered the property you could notice that all the trees were decorated with lights and that the path that leaded to the mansion had white silk ribbons with an arrangement of roses. As soon as we stepped out of the car I felt in an entire different reality, to be more accurate it didn´t feel reality at all. The entrance was heavily decorated with flowers and crystals and as we walked in there was a hall with mirrors covering both walls and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The main ballroom was incredible the ceiling was arched with three huge chandeliers hanging on top of the dance floor. Both sides of the room had a set of six arched windows from the ceiling to the floor. There were red burgundy drapes complementing their golden frames. The room was in half light with strategic spotlights enhancing the flower decoration. Around the dance floor there were round tables with black towels the table centers were made of roses and crystals. We headed to what I could only assume was our table but it shocked me to see four men figure in black tuxedo and masks were already sitting there, it was obvious who they were, no need to ask. I guess the girl's night was just a lure, a poor one but I fell for it. As soon as I saw them I couldn't appreciate the place anymore because I knew what to expect, the only thing I could look for was an emergency exit, but the only door I found besides the one we just came from was one that leaded to a garden, there is no escape. Alice danced to Jasper´s side. Carlisle had his hand out and Esme reached him and Rosalie glided to Emmet´s bear hug.

"Bella" Even though he was wearing a mask it was easy to recognize Edward´s velvet voice. He pulled a chair out for me and I willingly sat beside him

"Hi" Was the only thing I could manage to say. Every time I saw him he looked even more perfect, even more irresistible

"You look beautiful" He said staring into my eyes. I dropped my head and as usual I felt the redness on my cheeks

"Thanks, Alice´s work" I said staring my hands

"Indeed a master piece" He chuckled "So, how have you been these past weeks?" He said with no actual curiosity in his tone

"Good. Alice took me as a science project to test all her fashion experiments" As I spoke the words a waiter passed through our table with crystal glasses filled with white wine. Before I could decide if I would have one Edward had already set a glass in front of me. I stared in confusion, when did he get it?

"You don´t like wine? I can try to get you a beer but I doubt they are serving it" He grinned

"Wine is fine" I took a sip out of the glass. I was not used to wine, and it felt a bit heavier on the alcohol than beer. I would have to work on it, I didn´t want to get drunk again the last time was embarrassing. I blushed at the memory. "And what have you done?" I asked

"Nothing special" He smiled. That smile was not convincing, it was the kind of smile people give when they are up to something.

"Right" I said

There was a waltz playing on the background and when I looked around everyone was gone. As I watched the Cullen family floating through the dance floor I remembered the last time I danced, memories of the prom flooded my mind, and I was actually enjoying them. Those were happy memories even dancing fitted that memory perfectly. That night I couldn't ask for anything else because there was nothing else that could make it perfect I let myself go of the reality and sunk into the memory. After a few minutes I was back with a vision that seemed even more perfect that the memory. Edward was standing in front of me with his hand out.

"Will you join me?" He asked. My heartbeats halted for a second, I felt seventeen again with butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to give in even knowing I am a terrible dancer but I could not. If I gave in to this what else would I want? What if I couldn't control myself and scare him off.

"You know I´m a terrible dancer"

"I already told you, it´s all on the lead" He reached for me

"I´m sorry. Not tonight" I stood up and headed for the garden, on my way I grabbed another glass of wine I didn´t look back, I knew the second I turned I would regret my decision.

The garden was all lit up and there was a fountain right in the middle of it. I didn´t care enough to appreciate the garden, all I needed was peace. I found a bench and sat removing my mask. I must have been insane turning him down like that. A few months ago I would do anything he asked me, but things were different now. Back then I believed he could love me, that I could be the right person for him but now there was not even a thread of hope to hang on to. Why would I give into something that had no possibilities? I reached my glass for another sip only to notice it was empty. I let out a frustrated breath.

"You are supposed to be wearing your mask" A tall muscular men said

I nodded reaching out for the mask, but he stopped me.

"You don´t have to" He smiled

"Thanks" I rested my head on the back of the bench

"I noticed your glass is empty so I thought about bringing you a refill" He laughed handing me a full glass of wine

"Thanks" I reached for the wine

"I know it's none of my business, but may I ask why you are alone here while there is an incredible dance in there?" He questioned me

"Just needed some fresh air" I said

"I´m sorry but you are a terrible liar" He was right, this was none of his business

"I don´t feel like sharing my reasons with someone I barely know" I pointed

"True. Again, none of my business, but I bet your date is disappointed." Right again

"No date" I said. He was quiet for a few moments so I looked up to see if he was gone. He looked confused almost like he was considering a million possibilities for my answer at the same time.

"Friends" I added hoping to pull his out of his thoughts before his brain melted

"I see. If that is the case do you mind if I make you company?" What an inconvenient guy, this glass of wine was costing me more than I was willing to give. I just wanted to be alone

"I don´t want to be rude or anything and I appreciate the wine but I just want to be alone right now"

"Another time maybe?" He asked

"Maybe" I answered finishing the glass fast to dart out of there. I got up and headed for the door

"Won´t you at least tell me?" He inquired

"Tell you what?"

"Your name" He smiled

"Bella" I answered, he moved to my side and took my hand

"It was a pleasure to meet you Bella" He kissed my hand barely touching it with his lips

"Won´t you tell me yours?" I asked

"Maybe on another opportunity" He answered with his lips still close to my skin. He stood and headed to the ballroom.

Seconds after he left I felt my knees getting weaker and breathing was hard, I had to sit, if I tried to go back inside I was sure I would fall before I was half way so I decided to go back to the bench. I sat and once again rested my head on the back of the bench, as my breath recovered its normal rhythm I started to think about what just happened. I´ve had experienced these symptoms, they used to appear when Edward kissed me but even if it looked like the same it was totally different, especially because I didn't have feelings for this guy. I waited until I was fully recovered, put my mask back on and headed in. As soon as I reached the table we were at I had to sit once again, I felt tired and my body seemed to weight twice its normal, it was probably the wine kicking in, soon enough I started to feel light headed as if I had too much wine, but I was pretty sure three glasses of wine wouldn´t affect me like this. I needed to get home, I was not feeling well, but ruining their night was not on my plans. I even considered calling for a cab but before I could put that plan in action I realized I had no idea where I was.

Every minute that passed I felt worse, it was getting hard to form cohesive thoughts and my body felt heavier. My heart was beating a lot faster than its usual, like if I had gone through a battery of exercises, I focused trying to make my heart come back to its usual rhythm without much success. Controlling my body was an impossible task and the only thing I could poorly do was endure it. I was so concentrated I didn´t notice Edward approaching.

"Is everything okay Bella?" It was hard but I managed to look up, I could see concern on his face.

"A bit out of breath but it will pass soon" I forced myself to smile and calm him but it didn´t work. Before I could protest he had removed my mask and was analyzing my face.

"You are pale. Don´t move, I´ll get Carlisle" He turned his back to me and started heading to Carlisle´s direction.

"Please don´t" I pleaded

"Why not, you are not feeling well Bella"

"Please Edward. I don´t want to ruin this night for them." It seemed every time they were having fun I was there to ruin it. With all my human fragility.

"But Bella…"

"Please." I held his hand to stop him in case he would try to go against my wish.

"Let me take you home at least. You should rest." Before I could answer I was already in his arms, it was hard to be bothered by my state when I was in his arms.

I didn´t dare to protest or say anything his face was hard, creased with worry. Only after several minutes in the car he spoke again.

"Are you feeling any better?" He didn´t look at me

"Yeah" I lied. I was actually feeling worse.

"How many glasses of wine did you have?" He asked in a reproving tone

"Three"

"Hmm…"

"What?" I sensed mocking

"Only three glasses and you are like that? I guess wine is much stronger than beer" He chuckled

"I don´t think it was… the wi…ne" After that everything seemed a blur. I could hear Edward calling my name but I couldn´t answer, as longer it took for me answer greater was the despair in his voice, and soon enough I couldn´t hear or see anything. It was just darkness.