A/N: Here I am again with all of you my lovely readers. I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter as I enjoyed writing it for you. A very special thanks to Susie - my coach (xlavendermoonx)…I love you hun…a ton…Thanks to my you tube and twitters friends…for your support and your love…You rock girls…You are great…

**All the characters belong to a very talented author S.M but Badassward is mine…all mine.

MY ALL

Chap.7

FRIENDS

BELLA

Real friends are jewels. They bring sunshine in your life. Cherish and love them.

France

This month has been a very busy one.

Every night after work, I've had to pack all my stuff into boxes.

Incredible…the things we can gather living in the same place for 6 years.

Some of the objects were never used…clothes that I had forgotten the mere existence of, dishes I never used…like that fine china I received years ago, which was still in the box…never opened.

And the papers…Oh!

My God!...how can someone have kept so many papers…telephone bills…electricity bills…internet bills…credit cards invoices…pamphlets…old contracts….it took me a long time to check all of them…keeping the good ones and tearing up the unnecessary ones and putting them in the recycling bin. I took many boxes full of clothes, books, and dishes to the church where volunteers would transport them to homeless centers for people in need.

My friends, Jessica and Angela, came over almost every night after work to help me. It was fun having them around, and I appreciated the time they spent helping me pack. We ordered food from a local restaurant, drank wine, listened to music, chatted, and laughed a lot. It was like a party every night…so very less-boring when they were with me.

Jake came around too…which was pleasant for Jessica…who had a real crush for him…and he seemed interested in her, too.

I wondered from time to time if he was actually offering his service to pack to be helpful, or if the real reason was because he liked being around her. I caught them often glancing at each other, something in their eyes. Maybe there was a love affair slowly building between those two. I was really happy for them because they were such very nice people.

The girls took me out, as we had planned, four days after my promotion. They wanted to celebrate this very particular moment and we had a great time. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday and we did a lot of different enjoyable things.

In the morning, Jessica called to tell me that she was picking me up to take me to a light breakfast at Starbuck's. As soon as we arrived to the café, we ordered croissants and coffee. We waited for Angie, who had a meeting with one of our clients. We took time to relax and talked about everything on our minds…Jake was very much in our conversation…Jessica intended to ask him out very soon for a dinner or a drink somewhere…That's it Jess…take the lead…ask him…it is about time…he is not going to eat you…well I am sure he will… I thought inwardly, laughing.

Angela soon joined us. She ordered a coffee, and we went on with our random conversation.

Then the girls announced to me that we were going shopping. They wanted to buy me clothes and jewellery as a departure gift. I told them it was not necessary at all, as this whole gift thing was embarrassing to me, but they told me to shut up and follow them.

So…as they did not seem to want to hear a single word about my embarrassment, we went to different boutiques to buy my outfit for the night. First of all, we went to Victoria's Secret to buy fine undergarments. Angela bought many different sexy bras, assorted panties, and garters…What the hell girls…I am going out with you…I am not going on a date…nobody is going to see that underwear…so why spend so much money on expensive lingerie…They both told me to shut up…the second time in about 45- minutes…so I went into the dressing room to try on the undergarments.

I finally picked out a pink demi-cup bra with matching bikini panties and garter, all silk and lace with tiny pink pearls at the waist of the bikini. Jessica paid for the whole thing, and we went out to continue our itinerary to the boutiques they had already decided to take me to.

The second stop was Abercrombie & Fitch. Jessica chose some very pretty dresses, throwing them to me, and ordering me to try on all of them…so my friends were bossing me around today…each one at their turn…I was not their employer today….I was Bella-- their friend.

I tried all of them on, parading in front of the two of them. And then Jess and Angie finally decided that the very short, blue, skin-tight dress with a deep low-cut at the front was the one that fitted me the best…It enhanced, they both said, the tone of my skin…the brown of my eyes and hair…giving them more brilliance….If they say so…why not?

It was now Angela's turn to pay the bill and we headed out for our third stop.

This time we went to Swarovski and they let me decide what I wanted.

I chose a delicate chain with a crystal heart and the matching earrings. Jessica and Angela split the bill and we left.

The girls were hungry and so was I. We went across the street to a snack-bar and ordered cheeseburgers, fries, and cokes. This time I told them I was the one paying the bill, no discussion about… enough is enough… they both laughed but didn't argue and we ate slowly, enjoying the time together.

We finally headed to Jessica's car, a silver-grey Mazda 3…Angela walked to her own car, saying good-bye. We all now had to get dressed for the evening. Jessica drove me back to my loft, telling me that she was picking me at 19:30 for the restaurant, and she then went back to her own apartment.

I relaxed a bit, throwing all my bags on my bed, taking of my shoes, and sitting on the couch for awhile flipping through the TV channels. There was absolutely nothing interesting on, so I went to the bathroom to take a hot bath and relax a bit more.

I poured my vanilla-peach bubble bath in the water and let my sore feet soothe in the water. I washed my hair and my skin with my favourite body shampoo and gel, rinsed thoroughly, and towel-dried. I put vanilla-peach lotion on my body, massaging it into my skin, and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. I unpacked the bags, took the undergarments out, and put them on. I slipped on my sheer nylon stockings, my pink garter, and finally my dress…Gosh…those girls are so nice…I love them so much…and that dress is so beautiful and well-fitted...if I was going on a date…I am sure the guy would find me stunning and irresistible…Okay, Bella…you don't want and you don't wish to have a love-affair right now…You just broke up with Tyler…so take your time…you are moving out soon…so change your thoughts.

I climbed into my silver four-inch high heeled stilettos and went to dry brush my hair and do my make-up. I left my hair naturally-wavy and added some eye-shadow, a trace of eye-liner, my mascara, and a natural pink lip gloss. I fixed my Swarovski necklace and earrings in place and I was ready for a splendid evening with my friends.

I looked at myself in the mirror, pretty much satisfied with my reflection, and then went back to the couch again to see if there was something on tv…I flipped through the channels and stopped the moment I saw Ryan Seacrest from 2008 on the screen, and then there was that bastard fucking-Cullen on the screen with some paparazzi who were taking pictures of him and asking him questions…Ryan said the pictures were taken in the airport three days ago…That the star was going to Pittsburgh…he could go to hell and burn in damnation…fuck you Cullen… and that they didn't know about his future projects because he refuses to answers all the questions.

Just the sight of him made me almost sick, all my anger coming back, so I turned off the TV, almost throwing the remote control across the living room. Then I picked a book…Time's traveller wife and began to read it…

I'd almost finished chapter one when my cell rang. It was Jessica waiting for me in her car. I picked up my silver purse, my shawl, my keys, and went out.

I walked to her car and got in. Jessica was beautiful. Black short linen dress, her hair twisted in a bun…she was gorgeous.

"So hun…where are we going?" I asked her.

"We are going to la Santa Fé. There is a new band performing. From what I heard they are going to rock the place tonight." she answered back.

"I am sure it's going to be fun….better than the last time I went there…No fucking Cullen to insult me…" I added in a frustrated voice.

"Certainly not…I read in a magazine that he is in Pittsburgh with his family." Jessica said.

"Yep…that guy is everywhere…I heard that news on TV….Like I care….I don't give a

damn…."

"Bye the way, Bella, Carmen is going to join us tonight. She wants to celebrate. too."

"Oh! Great…I love that girl. She is the one for a good party."

Carmen was the receptionist at the office. A short blond-haired girl, always in a good mood, very goodhearted…a very sweet girl.

We were now in La Santa Fé's parking lot. It was full. Jessica found a place in between a yellow corvette and a red van. We got out of the car and walked to the restaurant.

As soon as we went in…the place was crowded… came to greet us. The man was very welcoming and nice….even though he had some very disrespectful friends…he was a good man.

"Hello ladies….I am very happy to see you….Hope you have a nice evening." and then he approached near my ear and whispered…"I would like to talk to you later…if you don't mind."

"Is it about the fucking asshole…if so I am not interested to hear any explanations whatsoever…" I snapped back.

"Please, Miss Swan….Just give me a few minutes of your time."

"Okay, Mister Masen…I'll come and talk with you…Later…"

He asked us to follow him to our table. Angie and Carmen were already there. both of them talking and laughing, already drinking cocktails.

"Hey, girls…already partying? You two seem to have a lot of fun." I said.

"Yep…Angela was telling me about a certain Aro Volturi… It seems the guy has a ten inch stick…and she rode him a lot the past few days."

That was my Angela….direct, simple, and not embarrassed at all with anything dealing with sex.

The bartender came to our table and asked us what we would like to drink.

"Give me an Islander Cocktail, please," I said

"I'll take a Corona," Jessica said.

"Okay, Ladies…I'll be back in one minute."

"So, gals…How are you tonight? You look radiant."

"Thanks, Bella. You are amazing, too and Jess, you are stunning."

"Thanks, Carmen. It's going to be fun tonight. The food here is exquisite and Jess told me about a great band that is going to perform tonight."

"Yep…The Beach Warmer…I love them…..I heard them this summer…They are really talented," Carmen said.

"Are you gals hungry? I am starving."

"Yep, Angie, we should order…I am hungry too," Jessica said.

The bartender brought the drinks and we asked him for the menus. He picked them up and handed them to us.

"Umm! I'll take the rib steak well-done, curry rice and asparagus, and a Caesar salad."

"I'll take the same as Bella here," Carmen said.

"And for you, Miss?" The bartender asked to Jessica.

"I'll take the rainbow-trout, vegetable salad, and the garlic noodles."

"And you, young lady? What would you like to eat?" The bartender asked, winking at Angela.

"I'll take a veggie salad with Feta please….and can you bring us a bottle of your La Santé Fé wine? We are here to celebrate."

"Sure, Miss…It's a pleasure serving you."

"Oh…OH…Angie," Carmen said laughing, "What's with all those innuendos? He seems to be attracted to you."

"He is cute, isn't he? That baby face and those blue eyes…Maybe…why not??"

And we all started laughing.

The food was, as usual, delicious. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, drank…..well, we drank…

The bartender, smiling and winking at Angie, went to pick up the dishes and we ordered dessert and liquors.

The band had taken the stage now, each of the players behind their instruments. They were tuning them and testing the microphones.

As we waited, Angela (who else) noticed three guys at the bar that were looking at us quite intently.

"Hey, Bella, look at those guys. They are…..WOW….The brownish-blond guy keeps looking at you."

Without waiting for my response, she went straight to the bar to talk to the guys…What the hell Angela!!...Come back here…

And she did come back…with the guys.

The brownish-blond man addressed me first.

"Hello, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Robert Lautner. These are my friends and co-workers, Jackson Stewart and Kellan Green. Do you mind if we join you?"

"Umm….no…. errr…not all….Stop behaving like a fucking idiot…get a grip Bella….you know how to speak English… I know the guy is absolutely-fucking cute…… send a message to your grey cells and speak clearly… Jesus-Christ.

We all shook hands and introduced ourselves, and they took a seat at our table.

The guys were tall, broad-shouldered and absolutely magnificent. Jackson had curly blond hair with blue piercing eyes. Kellan was huge - Almost six feet four, with short curly brown hair and greenish-blue eyes….and Robert….Oh…Jesus….OH….My god….This guy was…absolutely divine…with the sexiest smile I've even seen in my whole life…except for Edward Cullen's smile--but he was a son-of-a-bitch…so fuck you again asshole…and this reminded me had to talk to Marcus….later…

Robert's eyes were blue…so blue…the color of the ocean….when the sun was shining on the sea….His face was almost perfect….almost….Edward's face was perfect…Okay…shut the fuck up…you-the voice in my head…Cullen is a jerk.

His hair was brownish-blond and a bit untidy….I guess when he worked he had to use gel to fix it…pilots were always clean-shaven and well-dressed in their uniforms… and they were so incredibly sexy…Oh…my…him in an uniform…Okay, Bella...calm yourself…he is looking at you and your mouth is open…close it…if there is a fly in this restaurant you certainly are going to swallow it … Look at it the way a mature, beautiful, in-control-of- her-charms woman would do it.

I noticed that his nose had a slight bump…his lips looked so kissable…all pink and soft….. his face was still perfect even with these imperfections.

Yes - Robert was a real beautiful, handsome man.

We talked a lot, almost forgetting the people around us. He was 30-years old and a pilot. Jackson and Kellan were his co-pilots. They all worked for American Airlines.

Everything was easy with him. We talked about our jobs, our lives, our relationships, our family and our friends.

I told him about my one-year relationship with Tyler. I told him about how he had been a great guy when we first met. Generous, considerate, tender. How his behaviour changed when his buddies from high school moved to New York. Then his attitude changed. Tyler wanted to have fun. He wanted to go out and I felt like a third wheel. We had plans but everything went up in smoke…He was not the serious man I wanted to spend my life with….He became a teenager again.

Robert told me about his recent divorce. His wife did not want a child. Her career was very important. She became pregnant and decided to abort the child, without even telling him. He discovered it because she ended up with a very bad infection…and he learned of it at the hospital…the doctor told him that there was had been residue of the fetus left inside her uterus that was causing the infection. As he had wanted a child for such a long time, feelings of deep sadness, frustration and betrayal overcame him. He left her and asked for a divorce.

We continued chatting for awhile, each one of us in our little bubble, and then Jessica asked us to come to the dance floor. The music was good and very entertaining. So we went to the dance floor and began to dance.

The band was playing their own version of the Black Eyed Peas -- 'I Got a Feeling', so everybody was on the floor dancing, pressing against one another one and jumping all around. I was dancing very close to Robert, our bodies almost touching and swinging to the rhythm of the music. Then the Beach Warmer band began to sing a ballad…their own composition, and Robert took me in his arms, pressed me close to his body and we began to sway and move with the slow beat of the music. He grazed the nape of my neck gently, moving his fingers along my back…all gestures so sweet and tender…then he kissed me softly on the lips.

"You are beautiful, Bella," he murmured in my ear. "You are so beautiful."

"You are beautiful too, Rob. I enjoyed my night here…But you know I am not ready to…"

He cut me off in mid-sentence. He lifted my chin and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Bella…I am not ready for anything either…I just got divorced…Let's just enjoy the time we have together….But I would like to see you again…"

"You know I am leaving New York…I am going to live in Montreal…very soon."

"That's not a problem for me, hun. I fly to Montreal often. I am a pilot - remember…I often fly from New York-Toronto-Montreal route…I could see you there …if you want too. And you are leaving in three weeks….I would like to take you out before you go…let's call it a 'friends' date."

"I would be happy to see you again. You are a very nice person. I already consider you my friend. I like you, Rob."

"I like you too, Bella. Here is my cell number." He handed me a piece of paper with his cell number on it. "Would you mind giving me yours?"

"Not at all…Give me your cell…I will put the info in your phone."

As I was pressing the keys Rob asked me, "So would you like to have a drink?"

"I had the same thought….Let me buy you a drink….anyway, I have to talk to the owner…What would like to drink?"

"Surprise me, Bella. I'll take the same as what you're drinking."

I went straight to the bar, feeling a bit dizzy and very warm inside. Robert was a very sexy, gorgeous man, very clever, well-mannered and very interesting.

Jessica was at the bar with a very tall man….Uh….I knew this man…Jake…Jake was here.

"Jake….hey…hello…What are you doing here?"

"Hey…Hi, Bella…I heard there was a special event here tonight…I came to celebrate with all of you."

"Oh…I am so happy….you already have a drink?"

"Yep, beautiful Jessica here is taking care of me," he retorted with a crooked smile.

I saw Jessica blush. Her face was glowing….yes….there was something going on between those two.

"I'll see you later, Jacob. I have to talk with Mr. Masen."

was behind the bar helping the bartenders with the drinks.

He came up to me and asked, "Would you like to drink something, Miss Swan?"

"Yes, two A-Bombs….thinking of Rob was a sort of sexual bomb….stop this, Bella…you are not going to be entangled in a love …or sex…affair here tonight….so calm yourself and your damn hormones…okay the voice….shut the fuck up.

"But, Mr. Masen you had something to tell me…what's it about…the drinks can wait."

"Okay Miss Swan…Please follow me."

He led me to his office at the back of the restaurant. He let me enter first then he closed the door.

"First of all, Miss Swan, I would like to apologize for Edward's bad behaviour Tuesday night. I was hoping to see you after driving to his apartment, but when I came back you were gone. A client of yours…I think his name is Phil…overheard a bit of Edward's remarks and I want to tell you that Eddie is very sorry for…."

"I don't think that Edward is sorry, sir. He is sorry to have annoyed you, but he is not sorry he insulted me. I saw him the next day at Starbuck's…he did not even recognize me…..So stop making excuses for him… He is a bastard, he is judgemental…and you are wasting your breath right now."

"Miss Swan…I know you are really angry, but Edward drank too much and he lost his temper."

"Well -Famous-Cullen is an adult. So if he can't handle his alcohol then it is his problem, not mine. I think this discussion is closed. I am here to have fun tonight…I am leaving the city in three weeks, moving to Montreal for my job…and there is no chance whatsoever I am going to see him again, so let's forget about the asshole. I think there are drinks waiting for me at the bar."

I left him and went directly to the bar to fetch my cocktails.

I walked back to the table where the beautiful brownish-blond pilot was waiting for me.

"Hey Robert….here is your drink."

"Thanks, Bella….mmm….it's delicious. What is it?"

"It's an A-bomb," I said winking at him.

"This drink suits you well," he retorted laughing.

"It suits you well too, Rob…You are kind of a bomb yourself," I added, giggling.

"Okay then, Bella…Let's drink to two beautiful bomb-people."

"Yep…Cheers," I said smiling.

Jackson, Kellan, Carmen and Angela came back to table. We began to talk and laughed about everything…enjoying our evening. Kellan was a very funny guy, with a great sense of humour. Jessica and Jake were still at the bar, very close to each other. Jake was running his fingers in Jess's hair….so I think those two are having a good time…great …yes…

From time to time we all returned to the dance floor. This band was indeed very good and the musicians knew how to entertain the crowd.

It was almost two in the morning when people began to gradually leave the place. Jessica came back to the table and asked me if I was ready to go. I nodded and said good-bye to everyone and to all my new friends. We certainly would meet from time to time. They were great people.

Robert hugged me and told me he was going to call for our 'friends' date. I kissed him on the cheeks telling him that I was waiting for his call then followed Jess to the doors.

As soon as we were in the car, Jessica began to tell me about how Jacob was charming, gorgeous, nice-to-talk-to, sweet, generous, sexy as hell…that we know, Jess, I thought inwardly...and that they were going to go out Sunday for dinner and drinks….well hun….hope you can appreciate all his gorgeousness in bed…I said to myself, slightly grinning.

She asked me about the handsome 6 foot tall, brownish-blond hair guy and I told her everything. How he was nice, witty and fun to talk to. The ride home was fast…Jessica loved to speed, so it took less time then before to reach my loft. We kissed each other on the cheeks, and she told me that she would come back tomorrow to help me pack more things.

So I went to the loft, undressed and took a quick shower. Then I lay down on the bed and quickly felt asleep…dreaming of a nice, handsome pilot who was tenderly kissing me on the lips. I woke up in the morning in a very good mood. I had a light breakfast and a hot chocolate and started to pack more boxes.

Time flew by fast. I did not remember the days at all. I had many things to do at the office, meeting my successor, who by the way, bought my loft, explaining the job to him, and giving him all the details on the different dossiers. I attended some events all related to my job. We had that fashion designers gala, which was a real success and other activities with the designers. Most of my work day time was in the office though. I had a considerable amount of tasks to fulfill there before leaving.

Rob and I went out two weeks after our meeting at La Santé. He took me to a very fine restaurant in Manhattan. The place was called Mori Moto. It was cozy. The food was absolutely divine and we had a great time together. Talking, laughing and getting to know each other better. Yes, this man was really charming and interesting.

Finally, the final day was here. The moving company I hired did a very nice job packing all my furniture and boxes in the van. The moving men had the responsibility to replace all my furniture in the new condo my employers had so generously bought for me in my new city, Laval.

The day of the departure all my friends were at the loft to say their farewells. Angela and Jess promised to come to Montreal as soon as possible….it was not the end of the world…we kissed, hugged, cried, and kissed again.

I decided to drive to Montreal. It was a six hours drive and I couldn't leave or sell my Chevy Van, she was my baby, and I had to have a car in Montreal. I took my keys, my purse, my cell…and looked at the loft for the last time. I was really happy here but now my new life was beginning. My friends followed me to the van. We kissed again. I opened the door, turned on the ignition and was ready to go.

"Good-bye, girls….Good-bye, Jake…I love you all, I said, tears very nearly falling.

"Good-bye, Bella…Take care of yourself…and call us…We are going to miss you," they all said in unison.

"I'll call you…promise…Love you all."

Then I put my van in reverse, waving for the last time…and hit the accelerator…I left New York.

End of chapter:

A/N:

A-Bomb recipe…(Bella and Rob's cocktail)…I love this one…

One and a half oz. Gin

One oz. Benedictine

One Splash Curacao

Build over ice in an old-fashioned glass

I recommend: Almost Like it's Love and Midnight Sun from chap.13 by lionandlamb01

And – Blinding by xlavendermoonx

So is there a new-player in the game now?…Oh! Edward…There is a beautiful, sexy man around Bella now….His name is Rob by the way…he seems to find her charming… and you still have to find Bella and make amends….That is beginning to be very interesting…Let's see how you will deal with it Badass…

I would like to hear your point of view…What do you think? Bella knows Robert now and she is soon going to meet fucking Cullen…Hope to hear from you my readers…Thanks to follow me…I love your comments and reviews…and I usually reply…xxx