This chapter was a beast! The revelation took up more pages than I'd imagined, I've therefore split it into three parts.

I'm also trying something a little different – I thought it would be cool to give you a glimpse into Edwards past, which is another reason why this chapters such a beast.

I'm not 100% sure about the chapter, I tend to ramble a little, but I didn't want to miss anything out. I also found it quite a challenge to write. But I hope some of you are still with me, and please let me know what you think :)

Chapter 20 - Part one:

"Can I get you ladies anything else?" the young and eager male waiter stood beside our table with his tiny notebook; his wide eyes bright, awestruck at the blonde that sat before me.

"No, that'll be all for now thank you…" Rose then turned to me, not at all fazed by the waiters attention. She reminded me of Edward, who always remained oblivious to the many pairs of eyes that stalked him everyday at school, unless of course he did notice, but simply chose to ignore? "Unless you want something else? A cake maybe?" she questioned me.

"No, I'm fine with this" I stirred my cappuccino thoughtfully with the spoon I'd been given, before setting it aside.

"Well, if you change your mind," his eyes lingered on Rosalie for a moment longer than neccessary, before the man turned and walked away. For a second I silently yearned to have that same affect on men, the one where they'd walk away with literally their tongues hanging out. But no, men usually looked through me, or past me, rather than at me. Well, most men… and then there was Edward.

"Mmm, this coffee's great. Very creamy. How's your Cappuccino?" Rose caught my attention, and I suddenly remembered why we were even there.

"It's fine" I said impatiently. Before looking her straight in the eye, my eyebrows rising as if to say, well then, where's that long and overdue explanation you promised me! But she either failed to interpret my non verbal ques, or she was ignoring the inevitable. "Are you sure you don't want a cake?" she then went to grab the menu, but I pushed it away from her, causing her to sigh.

"Come on Rose. Let's not beat around the bush here. You promised" I urged her. I'd waited far too long for this, nursed and sewn too many pieces of my broken heart back together, to just plod along with anymore of her small talk.

"I did" she nodded regrettably. Seconds passed by without any words, but I kept schtum, giving her the benefit of the doubt…

She eventually began. "What do you know about our past Bella?" she looked from me back to her coffee mug. "Our family?"

I shrugged. "Not much. I know that you're all very successful". Well, that was a given, considering the large diamond pendant she wore around her neck, almost blinding me with the intensity of its sparkle. "But that Edward doesn't really approve of your choice in lifestyle".

"Edwards never approved" she smiled lightly, fondly. "I guess it works for some people, and for others, not so much. At the beginning, he went along with it because he had too, but I think the excitement wore off for him after awhile, and now he just thinks it's a selfish world of money hungry thieves. Everyone competing to gain the upper hand. To win the respect of your peers, more so than even your family… And, on the most part, he's right".

I frowned, bewildered. "So, why are you even apart of it? If it's so bad," I questioned her, intrigued.

"Well … I went along with it to follow tradition. My mother had taken the company from her mother, and so on and so on. I felt bad almost, like I'd owed it to my mom to carry on the family name. So that's what I did" her shoulders shrugged a little. "First I started out in the jewellery quarter, then I branched out into fashion as well".

I nodded slowly. "I know what you're thinking Bella. You're thinking that I can't even think for myself, that it was a done deal and my mom basically forced me into doing it" she rolled her eyes, still smiling, "but, it's not like that. I am happy. I honestly don't have any regrets now".

I smiled sadly. "I would never think badly of you Rose. And it's nice that you didn't want to disappoint your mom. We all want to please our parents," I thought of Charlie then, and how I'd spent my entire life trying to please him and take care of him. But I concluded that that was different, Charlie was a single parent. And the majority of the time it was me guiding him, rather than the other way around.

"I know" she sighed, and I could almost see the cogs in her head turning thoughtfully. I hadn't meant for Rose to doubt her own methods.

"And, by the looks of it, you still seem pretty grounded" I felt the need to add. "Ok, so you don't have a problem flashing your money around" I signalled to the bag containing my thousand dollar dress. "But, that doesn't make you a bad person. You don't look down on people. You don't look down on me anyway, and, we're poles apart."

She smiled softly. "Well, I wouldn't go that far. We do have something in common you know" she emphasised as she eyed me knowingly. Her eyes glistened with meaning. And I knew exactly what, or who she was referring too.

I gave her a nod of understanding. "So, where does Edward fit into this?" Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring him up, although I felt nervous having done so. And following a long soundly exhale that brushed her lips, Rosalie began. "7 years ago." I leant forward, my arms on the table in front of me as I awaited her story…

...

"Edward!" Esme,' his mother, acknowledged him with a smile as she entered the grand penthouse. He rose from where he was sat on the floor, and let the pen in his hand slip through his fingertips, to where it dropped with a tap onto his school work book, "meet Elizabeth. Anna's daughter".

Anna Manfield had been Esme's 'best friend' for years. Well, best friend and also arch rival in the Jewellery Quarter, although they'd never openly admit it. The two companies dated back to well beyond the 60s, and both had roared to the prestigious front line, though the Cullen's tended to snag the upper hand when it came to riches, earning that little bit more due to quality and successful exploitation.

Edward almost lost his breath at first sight of young Elizabeth Manfield. Her exotic bright blue sparkling eyes were like a whirl pool so deep, Edward thought he could get lost in them. The smile on her heart shaped face and that blonde, sleek straight hair that cascaded down her shoulders and back, just added to how truly magnificent she was. She reminded him of a long lost princess you often read about in stories as a kid.

He remembered having met her once before, but that was several years ago, when girls hadn't really been on his radar. In fact, he'd hardly given her a seconds glance back then, but now, he could barely look away. "Nice to meet you, Elizabeth" his voice was dreamy, and everyone in earshot could tell she'd compelled him already. He held out his hand to take hers, and she stepped forward to accept, "Nice to meet you, and please, call me Lizzy"…

...

"Edward was only 13 at the time and still very naïve," Rose went on, "understandably, he had very little life experience in the way of girls … Elizabeth was 14, although she acted like she was a lot older; a consequence of her upbringing. I guess you could say she was kind of like a show dog, no disrespect, but she was groomed in a way that made her seem irresistible, visually and mentally. She was very much a miniature version of her mother, who, as we later found out, was rank number 1 on the money hungry scale" her voice was laced with a tang of bitterness. And I had a feeling I knew where this was headed. I swallowed hard, fearful of what I'd find out, but wanting to know more.

"So, they met," I summarised, "then what…?"

"Well, they started out as distant friends at first, and then when Elizabeth moved to the same private middle school as Edward, they shared the same classes and grew closer. It was all very orchestrated to ensure they became an item…"

I snickered back incredulously. "You make it sound like it was some kind of arranged marriage".

"Well, if it'd been up to Anna, then it most definitely would've been" she added pointedly, and my eyes grew wide at that. Since when was High Society like some freaky farfetched religion?

"Anyway, they spent so much time together they became virtually inseparable. They did pretty much everything together. School work, charity events for the company, you name it. Suddenly they were like the star couple for the future, and my mom and Anna were beside themselves with excitement. It couldn't have been more perfect for them really …

… But, as they got older, things started to change"…

...

"You just wait until you see my gown Edward." Gushed a delighted Lizzy. "It's red with scattered diamonds that run all the way down the train and neckline. And I have the most amazing killer heels to go with it. My moms going all out this year for the Summer Gala, you'll be really impressed." Lizzy burst with pride and anticipation for the upcoming Charity Ball, scheduled for Friday Night. They were huddled up on his bed, with Lizzy sat between Edwards legs as he propped himself up on a pillow that leant against his grand-sized bed. Edward couldn't have been more content at that very moment in time.

"I've already told you, I can't go to the Gala this year, I have plans I can't get out of" he said softly, as he rested his cheek on the side of her head.

She pulled a face. "Well I figured you were joking or something," she ignorantly shrugged her shoulders.

He smiled lightly. "Why would I joke about that, silly?" giving her a nudge.

A small laugh of gobsmacked disbelief burst from her mouth, and she pulled away from him, angling herself to look into his eyes. "Well great. I'll just go by myself then shall I?"

"Liz, come on, you already know every single person that attends these parties. You'll hardly be by yourself" he went on to rub her back soothingly, but she turned her face up at him, fidgeting out of his legs in annoyance.

"So what exactly is so important that you have to miss out on a night with me in a stunning ball gown!" she stood up from the bed, folding her arms across her chest as she glared down at him.

"I told you, I have…"

"Let me guess" she interrupted. "You have keyboard practice" she mocked him.

"Its piano" drawled Edward through gritted teeth. "And we have an important rehearsal on that night. I can't get out of it, I'm sorry" he rose from the bed in a huff; her constant whining was becoming exhausting.

"You know what Edward, ever since you joined this little keyboard club, you've changed" she accused. And she wasn't entirely wrong. Edward was 17 now, and quickly growing tired of dressing up for the sake of other people. Finding the advertisement in the local paper for a Piano club had been a blessing in disguise, especially since the family owned a grand piano, which had sat un-used in the penthouse since as long as he could remember. It had been passed down from his great grandfather, who was an avid player in his youth, but now it merely sat there as a novelty item, a very dusty one at that. At least now it got some use.

Attending the club also allowed him to escape the same-old banter of the over-privileged. No more discussions about outfits, yachts, parties or anything else that came with that level of prestige. People from all backgrounds and generations came along to the Piano club; giving him an insight into what life was like outside the box.

"I'm still the same person Liz, I just, have hobbies now. And maybe if you came along, you'd see it's not all that bad. I really think I've found my calling with this one".

"Your calling?" the look in her eyes screamed hilarity. But he'd turned away before he could notice it. "Edward, just listen to me. You're a Cullen, I'm a Manfield; our only calling is the one on Friday night. People will expect us to be there! Our parents will! Just think how disappointed your mom's going to be when she finds you're not even there!" she tried her hand at blackmail. And at the mention of his mother, he visibly started to back down, Lizzy knew Esme' had always been Edwards weak spot, never wanting to let his mother down. Although without surrendering completely, he opted for an eventual compromise.

"Fine. I'll go" Edward relented with a sigh. And Elizabeth rushed forward victoriously, wrapping her arms around his neck and squealing.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" she beamed delightedly.

"But… I'm still going to the rehearsal" he added, and her face immediately dropped.

"What?" she recoiled once again, her arms falling to her sides. "But you just said you'd go" she whinged.

"Yes, and I will. But I'm going to the rehearsal first. I'll come home, change and then I'll go straight to the Gala afterwards. I can be there for 10, I promise. You won't even miss me anyway; you'll be too busy mingling".

Her lips pouted, trying to win him over with her charm of adorable innocence. But for once, Edward failed to budge. "I'm sorry, that's my final offer. Take it or leave it".

"Fine" she took an exasperated glance to her left, but Edward simply smiled back at her, stepping forward and kissing her cheek…

...

"What a bitch!" I couldn't hold my fury back as it exploded from my mouth without thinking. I froze, remembering where we were, sat in a quaint coffee shop in the middle of the mall. I noticed as several heads turned towards us in surprise, and they flashed me distinct looks of disapproval. I awkwardly smiled back, mouthing the word 'Sorry' as my face turned bright red. I wanted to hide.

"Rose" I lowered my voice, trying to be secretive, but she simply looked back at me in amusement. "I hate this girl" I felt the need to inform her. As far as I could see, this Elizabeth was a manipulative shrew that needed to be abominated in every sense of the word. I already had that down to a tee though. And I could see as Rose told the story, she'd never exactly been Lizzys biggest fan either.

I was about to see why…

...

Friday Night. Spring Gala. 10.30pm.

"Where've you been? I've been looking for you everywhere," asked Edward, having walked around the entire complex for 20 minutes without finding her. Lizzy had eventually popped up from one of the sideway entrances, with Matt, Edwards best friend of 15 years close in toe. The crowds of people had shifted where they walked, like Moses parting the red sea. And it seemed odd to Edward that he hadn't found them that much sooner, what with Lizzy's flowing bright blonde hair and Matt, with his unmistakable thick jet black hair; they both stood out a mile under the fluorescent orange lighting.

"Oh, erm…" she took a cautious glance behind her, into Matt's expectant eyes, before turning back to Edward with a smile, "no where". She latched onto his arm. "I'm so glad you came."

"Yeah; me too man" Matt piped up; mocking a sense of relief. "I was starting to worry I'd get stuck with this one for the entire night" he smirked in reference to Lizzy, who simply rolled her eyes back merrily.

"Come on Matty, as if I would ever subject you to that kind of torture!" Edward joked in return, and earned a playful whack from his girlfriend.

"Don't you just love my dress" Lizzy twirled on the spot for him. And Matt excused himself, saying he needed the toilet.

Edward nodded back, before giving his girlfriend the once over. "Yeah, you look stunning". He smiled, but inside he felt deflated, supposing there was no chance she'd even ask how his night had been.

He wasn't lying though when he'd said she looked stunning. She really did. The flowing red dress with its twinkling diamonds laced across the neckline, and those blonde wavy curls trickling down her back like a waterfall. He'd never been much of a fan of the colour red, if he was going for a colour on a girl; he'd go with purple or black. But the red certainly complimented her fair features. "I must be the luckiest guy in the world" he mused.

And she grinned back at him, "Well, you're not far off" before leaning forward to kiss him. "Come on, my mom wants to introduce us to some new buyers" she pulled his arm as they submerged themselves further into the grand hall. From then on the spectacle began. And Edward found himself subject to a variety of meetings with people he'd never even heard of, with Lizzy ushering him from one group to the other, her mother Anna also getting in on the action, even going as far as introducing them as 'the future faces of the company' to one prospective buyer. Well that was certainly news to Edward, who knew for certain there was no chance of that ever happening, not if he had anything to do with it anyway, but he chose not to intervene and let Anna Manfield promote her quite extravagant pipe dream. He switched off after awhile, his brain eventually leaving his body as he allowed these two women to lead him around the room, like a puppet on strings.

...

I scoffed as Rose paused to take a sip of her drink. "So Elizabeth got what she wanted" I rolled my eyes bitterly, wishing Edward had just stuck to his guns and stayed as far away from the Gala as possible. That would've served her right! "Well good for her" my words were drowned in sarcasm "…But why do I feel like there's something you're not telling me," my eyes squinted inquisitively. "And who's this Matt guy? Edwards never even mentioned him". I stated obliviously. And Rose's mouth curled with a soft but saddened smile. I felt like I was listening to a soap opera, or one of those High Society Teen American TV Programme's, like Gossip Girl. It was strange to think that this had been Edward's life not 12 months ago.

...

"I am so proud of you Edward," Esme' gave her son a warm embrace, as he stood before her in a dashing black tuxedo. "I'm proud of both of you" she pulled away, turning to Rosalie who stood obediently by her side. "You're going to take the world by storm one day, I just know it" she touched her daughters cheek affectionately. Nothing meant more to her than to have her families support. It was just a pity Edward wanted nothing to do with it. Esme' then left soon after.

"I'm surprised you even came" Rose noted after her mother was out of ear shot, holding onto her glass of champagne she took a sip.

"Yeah, well, it's a big night for everyone. I didn't want to let them down".

She smiled softly. "How did it go anyway? Are you all ready for your concert next week?"

He blushed, excitement sizzling inside of him. "Yeah, it went really well thanks," Edwards eyes shone as he spoke, and Rosalie couldn't help but admire her brothers dedication. He'd grown up so much in the last year; and even though he was still only 17, he looked and acted more like a man than half the 20 something bachelors at the Gala that night. "I just hope it goes well on the night. I'll probably mess up knowing my luck" he scratched his head nervously.

"Don't be ridiculous" she scolded him, whacking him on the arm with a grin. "You'll ace it; I've heard you play Edward, in the penthouse when you think no ones listening. You're amazing".

He laughed back in surprise. "You little eavesdropper!" But Rose merely shrugged her shoulders, smiling at him sweetly.

"Listen, I'll be there alright. I promise," she added kindly. And he nodded back, always appreciative of his sisters level of support. "Well, I've always wondered what it'd be like to have a groupie" he smirked back, trying to play it cool. But the truth was, he was over the moon she'd agreed to go. He was just glad he could share this with someone. "I guess now I know" he teased.

"Yeah yeah, don't let it go to your head mister. It's not like I'll be holding up banners or anything … I may customize a shirt though. 'I heart Cullen' wouldn't go amiss" she joked. Before she leant forward and gave him a hug. "I love you" she said into his ear, and he responded by squeezing her tight.

"Well, I guess I better go find Liz, she's, wandered off again" he chuckled lightly as they broke their loving embrace, but Rose could see there was more than amusement in his eyes as he spoke. He was concerned, concerned he was losing her.

"Alright. I'll catch you later little bro" smiled Rose as she walked off towards a large group of individuals. Glancing back she watched as Edward strolled off in the opposite direction, his head flipping left to right in search of her …

...

"Poor Edward" I sighed. And Rosalie's head twitched in confusion. "Hmm?"

"I just mean, it seems like you're the only one who's ever really understood him. And accepted him for who he is … your parents, I take it, weren't a fan of his passion for music?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I think my dad was, he'd grown up with it because his father played the piano. But, my mom just, didn't really have time for it. Between designing and travelling to meet buyers and then organising the next function or show, she rarely had time for anything else. The music thing's all very alien to her".

"That's awful Rose". I couldn't say I approved of Esme's child bearing methods. It seemed a mother's support and encouragement was seriously lacking here.

"I know." I could see by the look of shame on Rosalie's face, that she was disappointed in her mother's behaviour. "But it's the way she's been brought up. I think deep down, now, she realises she should make more of an effort with Edward. And she will, I'm sure ... She said, when we moved here, that if Edward was ever part of a music concert, she'd make sure she attended".

"Yeah well, she might need to live up to that pretty soon. You know he's playing in the Christmas concert this year," I informed her, thinking nothing of it as I took a sip of my cappuccino, I cringed at the taste however. Cold cappuccino wasn't exactly appetising. But something flashed through Rosalie's eyes; surprise and then confusion. "He is?"

"Yeah, didn't he tell you?"

"No … no, he didn't." she paused for a moment, clearly pondering why on earth Edward would keep this from her of all people. "I'm sure he would've nearer the time though" she added smiling, obviously trying to make herself feel better.

"Yeah, I'm sure it'll come up"…

...

Concert Night. 8pm.

"I can't believe how nervous I am. My hands are shaking" he held out a hand horizontally to show his sister. "What if I can't even hold a note Rose?" He was panic-stricken and red faced, but Rosalie found that shade on him simply adorable. And anyway, she knew he'd be the star of the show with his startling good looks and undeniable talent.

"You'll be fine, seriously! I have never had faith in anyone as much as I have in you" she told him. "What times Liz getting here anyway? Shouldn't she be here by now?"

His eyes scanned the room and the many faces ahead. But he held hope for her to be there. She'd promised him, and if their love meant anything, he knew she'd make it on time…

"She'll be here… she promised me".

But as the lights went down and the show began. The seat at the front with Lizzy's name on it remained empty and bare; meaningless, like a skeleton without skin.

...

"I'll never forget the look on Edwards face, when he got her voicemail saying she was sorry but something important had come up" Rose informed me regretfully, but I'd already guessed that Elizabeth would only let him down. She seemed the type. "He was so grieved by it. I'm surprised he could even think straight by the time the lights went down and the show began. I remember thinking to myself, aside from wanting to beat the crap out of her, that it was beyond pathetic that she couldn't attend his show. That given everything they'd been through together, and how much Edward had compromised and tolerated for her; yet she still couldn't even attend one single hour of Edward's music concert!" The passion and emotion almost poured out of Rosalie's face as we delve deeper into the story. And every second, I was right there with her, clenching my fists in frustration, and just wanting to cry for him.

"Rose, why was he even with her? How could he stay with someone like that?" I sounded so helpless as I asked, wishing we could go back in time and I could suddenly appear to save the day.

"Because, he genuinely loved her" she looked across at me with sad eyes. "And, because she was manipulative. And because, he knew how much my mom adored her, and how happy she was that they were together. He knew she would never approve of his taste in lifestyle, but she would always approve of his taste in girls. Elizabeth was the perfect face for a daughter-in-law; he would've hated to take that from her".

I tried to smile, but the muscles in my face must have been napping. "It sounds like, your mom has very high standards," … standards I could never live up too, I added in my head, disheartened.

"She used too," she nodded. "But times change, and I think after everything that's happened, she'd only want to see Edward happy now. Whoever the girl" her head tilted a bit in my direction as she smiled; and I presumed she meant me. Well, that was all well and good coming from Rosalie, but I wasn't about to get my hopes up too high. Edward was quite clearly a lot more complex than I'd realised. Whilst on the outside he was nothing but a kind, happy and fun loving individual, on looking closer however, he was also a man with deep insecurities, someone with a past and consequently, a fragile heart. A heart he now has locked up tightly in a cage. It was now my job to release it. But in order to do that, I needed to know what I was truly dealing with. So with that in mind, I delve deeper into his past.

A/N: The next part will be up soon, I'm hoping to get them out pretty quick, like every two days, because they're essentially the same chapter. And please let me know if the italics are hard to read as I plan on using them throughout the next few chapters.