I'm so happy so many of you loved last chapter. I love your reviews, ideas, and opinions on everything. This is a fictional piece. I get a lot of PM and some people get a little upset with me, but understand all will come into light eventually. Hope the holiday brings peace and love and togetherness to new heights for some and for those who didn't celebrate, well I'm thankful for your viewing my story lol. Shout of to all my faithful fans and to my Beta superior Audrey, I'd be so lost without her, sighs. Anyway On with the show! I do apologize if it's not an exciting chapter, bare with...
CHAPTER 23
"Well sweetheart I'm glad you are okay, but next time, call instead of just leaving a note, I thought something happened to you. Mrs. Hale came over and..." Rachael babbled on and on.
"Listen, they are calling our flight, I love you and I'll talk to you soon." I listened for her goodbye and hung up my phone.
I pulled the hoodie over my head and adjusted it. Edward had purchased me a couple new things since he didn't give me much of a chance to pack anything. Who are we kidding? He gave me enough time to grab my purse and get in his rental car before he dragged me off.
We were flying into Logan Airport in Boston and renting a car from there, driving the rest of the way to Hanover NH. Apparently Edward's private jet was otherwise occupied at the moment, so we were flying commercial. I didn't mind, this is how "normal people" travel.
Rose promised to gather my stuff up from my aunt's house and bring it back home with her. I made my way out of the bathroom with a plastic bag in my hand filled with my wet clothes.
Edward was sitting on one of the seats in the waiting area flipping through a financial magazine, at least that's what it looked like from where I stood. There was a black haired women sitting beside him. She was leaning too close. I could see her hand tracing the back of his chair. To any on looker you would swear they were together, but from how I saw it, he was blatantly ignoring her. She didn't even seem fazed by his apparent snub.
She leaned in to whisper something in his ear and he looked taken aback by what she said to him. He closed his magazine and adjusted himself looking at her with complete indifference. She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and crossed her legs, angling her body closer to him. That was my cue.
I stuck my shoulders back and walked confidently up to them and without even addressing this harlot, I plopped my ass on Edward's lap, dropping my bag on the floor of her feet and kissed him passionately. He didn't hesitate for a second, wrapping his arms around my waist. I heard the bitch clear her throat dramatically.
"Oh I'm sorry, do you know her honey?" I asked in an innocent tone.
"No, but apparently she is heading to Boston also." Edward snuggled into my neck, still having a secure hold on me.
"Really?" I said sardonically.
He seemed very amused.
"Hi I'm Isabella, his fiancée." I said a little too sweetly, sticking my hand out for her to shake.
She gave my hand and face a look of pure disgust.
"Fiancée?" She didn't even bother to hide her patronizing tone.
"Yes well, I figured after he begged like 10 times saying I'm the only woman who has ever been able to give him a proper blow job, that it was time." I said nonchalantly.
She immediately looked at his crotch area, then back at me.
"And yes it is everything you are thinking it is and more. Now if you don't mind, can you go and waste your time on someone with whom you may actually have a chance." I waved her off.
Edward coughed to hide his laughter and the girl immediately stood up and left us alone. I turned to face Edward and he looked more than amused.
"Well you seem to surprise me at every turn my dear." He chuckled into my neck.
"Some people need to be put in their place. I saw how uncomfortable she was making you. What did she say to you anyway?" I slid off his lap into the now vacant seat.
"She said she would love to fuck me in the bathroom actually." He shook his head out of amusement.
"Wow real classy." I mumbled.
"What did you say?"
"That I was waiting for my girl." He smiled at me moving a piece of hair from my face.
I blushed and gave him a smile in return. My heart skipped a beat. I knew at this point, she was the least of my worries. The real worry wouldn't start until we made it to New Hampshire. Soon we would be in the same state as her. I cuddled into Edward until they called our flight. It was time.
After Edward left to go to his meeting, I lay in pondering our travel from the day before, wondering if that type of encounter would happen often.
Finally, I got dressed and reluctantly took the credit card he left for me and the car keys. I inspected the black card and low and behold it had my freaking name on it. For all that is holy, does this man have a plan for every contingency? How on earth did he know I would need a credit card?
Today I was sporting one of Edward's cashmere sweaters. It was about the only thing in his wardrobe that would remotely fit me; I accompanied it with a pair of sweat pants that read Dartmouth on the back. We got those at the airport too.
There was no need ot drive since the stores were all in walking distance, so I strolled out of the Inn down the street with my black credit card.
Could I ever get used to dating a billionaire? I doubt it. I felt so silly sometimes by declining his offer to pay for this or buy me that. I never wanted to come off like a gold digger. I had yet to formally meet his mother and I could only imagine what she thought of her son dating me.
I wanted to know, but didn't dared to ask him straight out, what his family thought of our "relationship". His father, Carlisle, seemed pleased that I was with his son. My thought were scattered, I doubt we would ever get as far as even talking about marriage, even if I pretended to be his fiancée as the airport. His family would probably want a pre-nup, thinking I would divorce him and take everything. I only wanted him, his heart and his love.
His love; he said in his sleep, I wonder if he knew that. Even though we had only spent the night together a couple times, it was interesting to listen to him. I wonder if he ever heard me. My parents used to say I was quite the sleep conversationalist.
I remember so clearly him saying my name, at one point I actually thought he was awake, but when I turned to see his eyes were tightly closed.
"Oh Bella, I love you so much. It's you; it will always be you. I can't live in a world where you don't exist. Please, please don't go. Bella? Bella? Where are you going?" His tone was plagued with sadness, loss.
"I'm right here Edward. I will always be right here." I tried to sooth him and he held me closer.
I was wearing a goofy grin now. He said he loved me in his sleep, yet he couldn't say the words in his conscious state. My grin faltered and brought up an unwelcomed thought. How had things really ended with the teacher? Had her rejection truly turn him into a heartless man? He was vague on the details, just a proposal gone bad, but was there more to it?
I turned my attention back to the task at hand. I remembered the boutiques we had passed last night on our tour and figured they would be as good as any. I had a black card of course, who would pass up an opportunity to shop with that? I entered the first small boutique. First thing I noticed was the display of Chanel bags; definitely high end.
I remember going into Alice's boutique in Seattle and the boutique by Cullen Inc. This place was definitely up there with those two. There wasn't much to choose from, so I decided to look around to see what else I could find. A well groomed sales girl came walking over to me in a nicely tailored black two piece skirt and jacket suit. Her whole outfit screamed designer. She cleared her throat and eyed me suspiciously.
"Can I help you?" Her voice was snarky.
"I'm just looking." I nodded at her tight appearance.
I moved a piece of hair that had fallen loose from my pony tail behind my ear.
"We don't have a clearance rack in here." there was an edge of agitation in her voice.
"Okay." I said confused.
I continued to look through the racks. I wonder what Edward, would like? I wish he was here. I sighed.
She was still standing there staring at me and I had just about enough.
"I can look around on my own, you don't have to stand there watching me." I remarked.
She eyed me up and down with a nasty expression on her face.
"Do you plan on actually buying anything or are you just going to browse. There is a Walmart a few miles up the road." She crossed her arms over her chest.
That was it! She took in my appearance and figured I wasn't good enough for her store, so the comment came out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"How much do you make an hour?" I crossed my arms looking dead at her.
"Excuse me?" She looked offended.
"How much do you get paid an hour to work here? Because it seems they either don't pay you enough to leave your personal issues at home or they pay you too much to just be a bitch; because honestly, your customer service skills suck."
She gave me a look of pure shock. I guess nobody has ever bothered to put her in her place, but I refused to be treated like I was nothing.
"Well I own this boutique and from the looks of you, I doubt you could afford Chap Stick, let alone," she held the piece tag of the shirt I was previously looking at; "a $600 Versace original."
"See this." I pulled out the black sleek card along with my license to put emphasis that it truly belonged to me "I will not be using this in here today or ever; and I will make sure nobody else does either. You just judged me by how I look. It's no wonder I am the only person in this store; and with the state of the economy, I think that judgment will be bad for your bottom line." I shoved past her and walked out.
I never felt so insulted in my entire life. I was ready to call Edward, but I decided I didn't need let things go that far, I handled it, so I needed to let it go. I moved on to the next store and fortunately, the people were much more friendly and helpful.
I ended up getting a beautiful red silk dress for Edward's dinner and I also purchased a few other outfits for the rest of our stay here. I realized it was cold and found a beautiful leather coat. Edward had said he wanted me here, naked if he possible, so I guess this was my payback; using his card in excess. I must admit, I enjoyed being able to spend money and not worry about the cost. I guess having a super rich boyfriend had its perks!
Did I just refer to Edward Cullen as my boyfriend? Was he my boyfriend? Had we really established anything since he came to retrieve me? I felt like we had a long way to go before we got our relationship re-established. I finished up my day of shopping thinking that I would get some things for Edward too.
The day had been long and pleasant (with one exception). Being with Edward seemed easier, almost natural like before, but I decided not to overdo the sense of comfort just yet. When I questioned him about Carmen he seemed to always get very tense. There was definitely still a lot of anger there. It had been years since they parted ways, but I couldn't help but read more into it.
I didn't want to borrow trouble; but in my past experiences with people, normal anger was a form of not letting go; when you have moved past a certain event in your life, you should be able to look back and reflect, but there is really no more pain. In Edward I saw a lot of it. I really hope he was certain about getting closure.
It made me briefly reflect on my own behavior, kissing Jake was wrong on so many levels, even if he initiated it, I let it continue. Being drunk wasn't a plausible excuse. I was miserable and I had needed comfort. Those lips could have belonged to anyone, they just happened to be my ex boyfriend. To be completely honest, I was disgusted with myself for it. Even though I was hurting over leaving Edward, it was a choice I made all on my own and I was the only one to blame.
He tried to reassure me that had we both caused this mess, but maybe if I was more mature, more experienced, I would have handled our relationship a whole lot differently. I would work on it, I really wanted to, and he promised we both would. All I could do now was hope he was right about everything.
I had told him I loved him before I drifted off to sleep, not expecting him to say it back, I knew he was ready to, but I needed him to know it. He was slowly taking over my life and I didn't want him to stop. It wasn't in a creepy co-dependent kind of way, but in that soul mate kind of way. I was too connected, to emotionally involved to let him go again. I don't think I would survive.
The next morning I rolled over feeling for his warm body, but the sheets were cold. He must have gotten up a while ago. I pulled the blanket around me and looked to see where he was. The room was empty and the bathroom door was open with no light on. He must have gone out. I turned and looked at the clock on the table and noticed the time. It was already 8:30am.
I untangled myself from the sheets and headed to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and what not, I went into the closet to retrieve something to wear for the day. I pulled the large shirt off my body and was standing in only boxer shorts when the door opened. I spun around to see his piercing green eyes, taking in my nakedness.
For modsty, I placed my hands over my breasts. He simply chuckled and turned around like the good gentlemen Esme had taught him to be.
"Bella it's not like me and your gorgeous body aren't already acquainted. I'd like to think we are old intimate friends." He joked from his position.
"I'm just trying to not give you the wrong idea." I mumbled while looking through the bags for a tee shirt.
"Oh baby, no matter what; I always have the wrong idea." There was definitely a double meaning to his words.
"Can you ever not think about sex?" Rolling my eyes; I finally found a blue top tossing it over my head.
"Well maybe if you got a sex change that would solve it." He teased.
"That's a negative then?"
"Pretty much." He chuckled.
His laughter was wonderful and always put me at ease. Maybe if he laughed through our arguments we never would have any; I thought wistfully.
"Okay, turn around." I said while tugging up my jeans.
"What a shame." He shook his head.
"What is?" I said zipping my pants.
"Clothes covering your luscious body; it's a crime really." He placed the bag and cups he was holding on the desk and stalked toward me.
His eyes burned when he looked at me. He licked his lips and I felt my knees buckle. He grabbed my hips securely and massaged his hand approvingly down my waist.
"You do things to me. I doubt I will ever get tired of it." He hummed while he kissed my neck.
"What's in the bag?" I tried to distract myself.
"Bagels." His voice vibrated in my ear as he continued his lips assault skimming my collar bone.
"What kind?" I breathed out.
"Cinnamon raisin." I felt him edge his nose down the center of my cleavage.
"Edward." I said in a moaning warning.
"Bella." He said seductively.
"Stop" I whispered.
Hmmm." He moved his face away.
I wasn't sure how I appeared, but he had me completely undone, but I needed to stand my ground. He was way too tempting, but I promised myself to follow through on this punishment.
"I like this side of you." He smiled rubbing his thumb over my erect nipple, I shivered.
"What side?" He was pushing my composer.
"You're dominating side; it's very becoming, sexy even." He stepped away.
"I hate you." I pouted.
"That's not the vision I have." I looked amused touching his chin, appraising me.
"Whatever." I mumbled and he laughed as I grabbed for the bag on the desk.
He handed me a coffee and I sat down at the tiny table by the window. He took off his coat and laid it on the bed. Then he took the seat across from me, placing the bag on top of the table.
"I didn't like you not being here when I woke up." I said sipping the hot delicious coffee.
"I was hoping I'd be back before you woke up, but I ran into an old friend at the coffee shop, we got to talking." He took a sip from his cup.
"Was this a woman?" The words came out before I could retract them.
"No, a man; actually someone I would be very interested in you meeting. You will love him, I have no doubt." He smirked.
"Will he be at the party?" I started pulling the bagel apart.
"Yes. You'll get to meet a lot of people tonight. Some you may be grateful to meet, others you may wish you hadn't." He bit into his own bagel.
"One in particular." I muttered to myself.
"I told you, don't worry about her. There will be so many people there; you may not even run into her. That would be to your great fortune, trust me."
"I think I can handle it."
"Good, now what would you like to do for the day? The party isn't until eight, so I figured maybe I could show you around the town. We could go to the Hood Museum on campus. I used to go there when I needed to think." He looked peaceful in his thoughts
"Sounds great." I smiled.
"Good, finish up and then we can go." He nodded.
We spent a good portion of the afternoon walking around the museum. Edward explained the different paintings and their history. He seemed so at ease here. He spoke freely in a way I hadn't seen since I met him. He almost seemed like your average 27 year old guy, it was refreshing and I loved it!
"When we were enrolled, Peter had a lot of his art on display here. This art dealer from New York came to see one of our shows and actually bought one of Peter's pieces. I thought it was interesting considering his teacher gave him a C- on it." Edward chuckled.
"Are they allowed to do that? Buy student's work?" I was trying to sound interested.
"I'm not really sure, I guess so with permission. I'm a lover of the arts, but not much of an artist."
"So how much did they buy his piece for?" I asked linking my arm around his.
"I believe it was $20,000."
"Wow! Not bad for a C-." I was surprised.
"He's gifted. I buy his art all the time. He is one of my best friends. It was just luck that you happen to be there at his gallery that night." He kissed my hand.
"I'm sorry for messing things up with your friendship with Reilly." I mumbled.
We had been walking and he stopped and faced me.
"Bella." His tone sharp.
I couldn't look at him.
"Bella, look at me." He placed his hands on the sides of my face.
I looked up into his soft green eyes.
"Reilly isn't a friend. He is a great business associate, I now realized he never was a friend. So don't believe you ruined anything. He ruined that a long time ago." He kissed my forehead and we continued to browse.
Then what was he talking about?
"How did he ruin it?" I couldn't let it go.
"Does it matter?" He asked exasperated.
"I guess not." I conceded.
"Are you hungry? We could have lunch."
"Sure, I found this cafe by the inn yesterday. They have really incredible hamburgers." I smiled like a child at him.
"Hamburgers huh?" He gave me that crooked smile.
"Hey, I love all foods, bad or good." I blushed.
"As long as it does your body good, which it obviously has, I'm not complaining." He kissed me quickly and pulled me toward town.
We finished up lunch and we strolled down the street. Passing by the shops, I noticed the one with the rude woman from yesterday. I noticed that a few people walked in.
"Good luck with that one." I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" Edward asked with an amused look.
"I went in that store yesterday to look at clothes and the woman was so rude to me. I put her in her place though." I shrugged.
"Elegant Designs?" Edward questioned.
"Yeah, I will never shop in there again." I grumbled.
"I know the woman who owns the shop; maybe I should report this employee to her. That is unacceptable."
"Edward she claimed to be the owner. Listen I handled it, don't even worry about it." Suddenly I felt uncomfortable.
"I will worry about it since I am the one who helped her get it. Come, she owes you a huge apology." He pulled me by my hand toward the store.
This could not be happening!
"Edward, please, it's not necessary. I'm fine; I will never have to speak to her again. Please don't." I tried to beg.
"No way, I will not allow her to make another person feel the way you obviously feel about this. You were doing nothing wrong."
Before I knew it we were walking into the boutique. The bell above the door rang indicating customers and the same sour faced woman from yesterday was standing in the far back with a customer.
"Stand behind me." He ordered.
I did as I was told and he pulled my hand gently to where the evil bitch was standing. When she noticed Edward she excused herself from the women and walked toward him with a huge grin on her face. Where was that yesterday? Well at least I knew her face wouldn't really crack.
"Edward Cullen, what do I owe the extreme pleasure?" She purred at him.
You got to be kidding? Apparently his height and size blocked me perfectly from her view.
"Melanie. I believe you had a customer in here yesterday, a brunette. Some words were passed between the two of you." He got straight to the point.
"A brunette?" She tapped her chin like she had to think really hard.
"Oh yes, her." Her voice was full of disgust."What a rude girl. She threw her fake credit card in my face like I should be impressed. I can't stand these women who think they can actually afford to shop here." She joked with him.
"Well let me ask you another question." Irritation was clear in his tone.
"Anything." She touched his shoulder.
"Did she happen to look like this young woman?" He slid me from behind him.
A look of complete shock that ran over her features made it more than worth coming in here.
"I, I, umm." She was speechless.
"This Melanie is my girlfriend and would have been a potential customer, but she has informed me of how rude you acted toward her yesterday and I don't appreciate that. You judged her by what she was wearing and let me tell you, the sweater she had on was worth more than half the garbage you carry here. So next time you decide to be a bitch, I hope it's worth it." He was serious and definitely forceful.
I think I would have dropped my panties for him right there. That was so hot and the fact he stood up for me didn't go unnoticed. If I had told Jake a similar story, he would have told me I was overreacting. Wait did I hear him correctly?
"Girlfriend?" I looked up at his face.
"Girlfriend." He smirked back.
Well fuck me up and down.
"I'm so sorry Edward, I had no idea. I truly am sorry." She babbled.
"Don't apologize to me; apologize to my girlfriend, Bella." He emphasized the girlfriend part.
Had I ever heard sweeter words? Definitely not.
"I'm sorry Bella." She tried to sound sincere.
Now it was my turn.
"Apology not accepted. Learn to treat people with more respect." I tugged Edward's hand and led him out the door.
He looked completely amused.
"So seriously, I'm your girlfriend?" I asked excited once outside.
"You never cease to amaze me." He chuckled
"Come on Edward, say it again!" I jumped pulling at his arm.
"Bella, yes, you're my beautiful, sweet, kind, caring, amazing, girlfriend." He kissed me softly and then pulled away.
"I'm Edward Cullen's girlfriend." I cheered and he laughed.
"I like you this way." He hugged me to him.
"I like you this way too."I smiled like the Cheshire cat.
"We should get you to the beauty parlor before it gets too late."
"For?" I asked forgetting we had a dinner to attend.
"Oh right," before he had time to answer.
"I made an appointment for this afternoon, I hope that's okay." He asked concerned.
"Yes, I totally didn't even think" I shook my head.
"Wonderful. Come on."
I spent the next three hours in the salon by the Inn getting pampered and beautified. They did my hair, nails, and even gave me a wonderful facial. One of the women who worked there, Carol, she was an older woman with red hair and chubby features; she reminded me of a sweet grandmother. I would love to take her home with me. I felt completely at ease with her.
She helped me back to the Inn. Edward had to go pick up something and asked her to escort me back when I was done. She assisted me into the long red dress and clapped her hands together once I was finished.
I looked myself over in the large bathroom mirror and felt almost out of place. I had never thought of myself as ugly, but I never thought of myself as overly beautiful either. This gorgeous reflection looking back at me was unrecognizable.
"Oh my darling, you look amazing." Carol came from behind placing her hands on my back.
I gripped one of her hands. I missed my mother often, but for just a moment I had her back in Carol.
"Thank you for everything; you really did a great job." I smoothed out the front of the dress.
It plunged in the front revealing a bit of cleavage but classy. It was fitted and down to my ankles. I had on tall heels; hopefully I wouldn't fall and embarrass myself.
My hair was down and curled at my shoulders and brushed off to the side. My make up was red lips and pink cheeks with a bit of mascara. I was ready to meet the devil.
I heard the room door open and Carol squeezed my shoulder.
"He's here. Ready?" She beamed from behind me.
"I guess." I shrugged.
"Bella?" I heard his velvety voice call out from the other side of the door.
I took one last look and opened the door feeling confident. When I opened it up I was a little awe struck myself. Edward stood in his tux looking so perfect, beautiful, any word to describe good looking, he was it. His hair was neatly combed back and it was killing my eyes to look at him, so perfect.
He looked at me the way I must be looking at him.
"Perfect." He gasped out.
"Yes." I said in a low breath.
"Well excuse me you two love birds. Have fun tonight." She laughed walking out of the room.
I was too elated to move at the moment. I looked to his hands and noticed the black velvet jewelry box in his hand. Then I looked back up at his face.
"I got you some jewels to go with your outfit. That dress, it's so..." He looked as stunned as I felt.
"I know."
"Um, here." He broke out of his trance.
He opened the box and presented me with a beautiful diamond necklace with diamond droplet earrings and a bracelet to match.
"They don't really compare to the person that will be wearing them, but I figured you needed a little sparkle." He chuckled nervously.
I smiled and turned to present my neck to him so he could place the necklace on. But suddenly I remembered my collar. This would be the perfect moment to wear it; to want to show it off. But I had no idea if he even had it in his possession.
"Edward, wait. Do you have my collar with you?" I turned to look at him.
"What?" He looked perplexed.
"My collar, do you have it with you?" I repeated.
"Yes, but I don't understand why that matters."
"I'd like to wear it, tonight, if that's alright with you." I bit my lip waiting for his answer.
"You want to wear the collar for what? To prove a point?" He gave me an accusing, but humored look.
"You said a lot has changed since then, I want to prove to her that it has."
"Okay." He said without slight hesitation.
"Just like that?" I asked confused.
"Like I said I would do anything for you. If you want to show off, I can allow it." He smirked.
I smiled and he went into his overnight bag and pulled out my necklace aka, collar. He placed the simple heart around my neck, but it held a much deeper meaning than it had before. He helped me pull on my shawl and a long elegant coat that he must have purchased while I was getting my hair done.
We made our way across the green following the cement path; I noticed a number of other people doing the same. I shivered slightly from the cold. Edward rubbed my arms to give me some warmth. I would be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly nervous. I didn't know what to expect, but I had no fear that Edward would allow anyone to talk down to me, that much was sure.
We walked into the hall and we shrugged out of our coats and Edward handed them to the coat check guy. He wrapped my arm in his and we proceeded into the party. There were a lot of elegantly dressed people all around. Mingling and sipping from champagne glasses. Edward nodded his head at a few people, while smiling the entire time. He was beaming.
"Do you know all these people?" I whispered.
"Most of them." He smiled.
"I don't even think I had this many people living where I grew up, let alone in my life." I giggled.
"Well as long as you are around me, you will always be meeting people. Good arm candy helps." He kissed my cheek "You look breathtaking by the way." Then he winked.
I felt my face flush and he whisked us off to find a table.
"Would you like a drink before we sit?" He offered.
"Sure, whatever you decide is fine." I nodded.
"Okay. I will be right back, don't leave." He teased.
"Where am I gonna go?" I said sarcastically.
"Aw that's my girl." He laughed and walked away.
I noticed the décor then and it was beautiful and old. The place was decorated with a lot of gold and green, Dartmouth colors I assumed. I fidgeted with my dress waiting for Edward to come back. I noticed him standing in line waiting to place his order.
"That's a gorgeous dress, Bianca West?" A whimsical feminine voice asked.
I looked up to be greeted with brown eyes similar to my own. Her hair was a reddish brown color. Her smile was genuine and beautiful, of course it would be. She had on a baby blue dress with one shoulder strap and her hair was swept up in a side ponytail. She had on white heels and diamonds all over. She wasn't overly done, naturally lovely.
"I'm not sure. I bought it because I loved the color." I made a sweeping motion over the front of the dress.
"Well it's magnificent. The color suits your complexion." She smiled brightly.
"Thanks, your dress is great too." I returned the same enthusiasm.
"Oh how rude of me, I'm Carmen Naples." She stuck her hand out for me to shake.
All I wanted to do was break her face at that very moment. Of course she had to be beautiful and if my memory served me right, she was supposed to be 35, but looked no older than 22. Put my mask up, show a brave face Bella!
"I'm Isabella Swan." I took her out stretched hand.
"Isabella, that means beautiful in Italian, it definitely suits you." She winked.
"Thank you." I blushed.
I turned to look by the bar where Edward had been and he was no longer standing there. Where did he go? I turned back to face a still smiling Carmen. She was sipping out of her champagne flute.
"It's a great party. I've never been to a lavish party like this," I laughed trying to break the tension.
"Oh Dartmouth is known for its parties." She shook her head.
"Yes it is." Edward came to my side handing me my glass.
"Edward, it's wonderful to see you again." Her face lit up.
"Professor." He tilted his glass at her.
"Bella, this is Professor Naples." He eyed me with concern.
I instinctively touched the necklace and noticed her looking at it curiously then back at him.
"We met." I gave him a brave smile.
"That's a charming necklace." Her voice no longer pleasant, but accusing.
"I bought it for her." Edward smiled proudly while placing his free hand on the small of my back.
"Jewelry; who would have thought?" She took another sip and it sounded more like she was speaking to herself than to him.
"If you will excuse us, we are going to find our table." Edward nodded and pulled me away.
"You did well." He whispered in my ear.
"She doesn't seem that bad." I leaned into him.
"Give her time, the night is still young." He chuckled.
We made our way to our seats and Edward pulled my chair out for me to sit. He made himself comfortable next to me.
"Why did she make a comment about the necklace?" Not that I didn't already know.
"She recognized it as a collar." He spoke softly.
"How did she know?"
"You touched it when I spoke to you. It tuned her in to what you are to me."
"She didn't like it?"
"No." She then leaned back and smiled as others joined the table.
He made introductions, but I was only half heartedly listening to them. My eyes were glued to the devil in the blue dress. She was good; I could see Edward's original pull to her.
We had a lovely dinner and there was dancing going on all around. Edward had introduced me to about everyone in the room except for a young man who happened to join the party much later than everyone else.
"Come, I want you to meet someone." He pushed me toward the young attractive man.
"Haven't I already met enough people?" I grumbled.
"Trust me, you want to meet him." Edward smiled.
"Demetri Clay, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful girlfriend, Bella Swan." Edward proudly announced.
My mouth hit the floor. No way was this the infamous Demetri Clay. I should have recognized him immediately. He wrote a book about vampires living among humans in everyday life. Vuman. It had become my all time favorite book this past summer. I mentioned it once in passing to Edward, how could he have remembered?
"A pleasure Ms. Swan." Demetri kissed my hand and I just about swooned.
"She is a huge fan, maybe you would be interested in telling her what you have been working on. While I talk to some members." Edward mused.
"I'd be delighted." He smiled.
He was tall, dark and handsome. Very well built and dashingly good looking, but nowhere near as gorgeous as my Edward.
"Would you like to dance Bella?" He gestured with a bow.
"I'd like that." I placed my hand in his and he waltzed us into the sea of dancing people.
He talked about his book and future plans, which I found highly interesting, Edward had been right about that, but after four dances and no Edward, I decided it was time to make sure the vulture hadn't gotten to him. Namely a certain Professor.
I thanked Demetri for his time and he offered to let me see his manuscript. I told him to get a hold of Edward. I walked away trying to find him, but he was nowhere in sight. I turned a corner in the hall to find Edward looking agitated as Carmen questioned him. I walked closer to see if I could hear them.
"Stop acting like you give a shit about me. I'm so done with your games. Carmen, seven years have passed and now you have this new found interest in me?" Edward spoke harshly to her.
"I was wrong and if you had replied to my letter you would have known how I truly felt. How sorry I was. Everything I gave up for you." She pleaded.
"I didn't give a fuck about you after that day, I burned the fucking letter. I didn't care what you had to tell me then, just like I don't care now." He went to turn away, but she grabbed his arm.
He looked at her with such a vicious stare, it hurt to see. She dropped her hand.
"I'm no longer your toy, so don't you dare think you hold any influence over me. That died a long time ago". He spat.
"I love you Edward. I know you still love me." She looked convinced.
He looked away from her and for a moment I thought he was going to break. I thought he was fighting to say the exact same thing, but his reaction caught me off guard. He started to laugh.
"Love?" He chuckled without humor.
"Let me refresh your memory. Our relationship wasn't about love, , it's was about fucking, hard. It was about giving and receiving pleasure in ways I never knew existed. But outside that room, outside that contract, we didn't exist." He stared intensely at her.
"I know my own words. I don't need you to remind me." Her tone was patronizing.
"Are you really that stupid? Honestly? To think I could ever love you? Maybe when I was a young jack ass, I thought I did, but I had no idea the intensity of love. I had no idea how it could consume everything and leave you feeling incomplete without the other person. How my entire fortune would never amount to how much I feel in my heart." He declared to her.
"What are you trying to say Edward? That you never felt anything for me? I taught you to be the man you are today. I made you strong and confident" She huffed crossing her arms over her chest.
"Actually Carmen that's exactly what I'm telling you. You met me when I was a naive 18 year old hormone racing kid. Even when I was 21 I had no idea what the hell I was doing when it came to women. You think you taught me to be a man? All you taught me was to fuck really well and I must thank you for that. But you never taught me how to love; Bella has."
My heart stopped and I suddenly couldn't breathe. Did I just hear him right? Did he just say what I think he did?
"You love her? You can't be serious?" She rolled her eyes.
"I've never been more serious. I'm so completely and absolutely in love with her. She is everything you never will be. She is everything to me, and she owns me completely."
I couldn't stand eavesdropping anymore. I rushed out of my hiding spot and ran to him. He looked surprised to see me, but greeted me with open arms. I threw myself at him and kissed him passionately basically knocking him down. He held me close to him and the whole world disappeared.
My hands grabbed at his bronze head and he dug his nails in my back holding me so tight that I couldn't breathe. I pulled back to hold his face in my hands and he did the same. Tears streamed down my cheeks and he kissed them all away.
"You love me?" I sobbed.
"I love you more than anything." He kissed my nose and smiled.
Well? Do you love me, tell me!