CHAPTER 9: Relocation

Although Alice is talking, her voice is in the distant back of my thoughts. I can't seem to concentrate on what is going on in front me these last couple of weeks, which is a very bad thing because it was putting my life at risk due to my lack of gracefulness. Edward is all I can think about! This hunk, even when he isn't really doing anything, being around him makes me nervous. If he but breathed in my direction, I'd probably faint. Pathetic, I know, but he is a natural born charmer. Filming finally began so I am left to fend for myself while Alice did her job with the actors' costumes and makeup. She'd check up on me with a text or a call whenever she had a minute to keep me updated on what's going on. Today is her day off so we decided to go shopping. Well, she decided to go shopping. I am just along for the ride.

"Didn't you think that was a cute dress?" she asks.

"Yeah," I say, absentmindedly nodding my head.

"What about that one?"

"Sure."

"Let's go there next!"

"'Kay..."

"There's a monkey on your face."

"Mm-hmm….wait—what?" I start turning around in circles looking for this so-called monkey, wiping my face thinking it was really there. Stupid.

"I knew it!" she points accusingly at me. "You haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you?"

"Umm…yes?" I smile sheepishly.

"What's wrong with you, Bella? You've been zoning out more than usual."

"Sorry. I think being here is getting to me," I half-lie.

Alice gives me a strange look. I don't think she's buying it. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know," I shrug, looking away to avoid her judging stare. I can't tell her I was thinking about her brother, it's too embarrassing. Knowing Alice, she may drop hints around him or find ways to get us alone, which can make the situation worse for me. Edward isn't even interested in me and I want to prevent embarrassing myself more than I already do when I'm around him.

"That doesn't make sense, Bella," she rolls her eyes at me. "What's really wrong with you? Tell me. You know you can trust me."

"I just wish I could visit the set one of these days. See how the movie is going and say 'hi' to Aro. I haven't seen him or spoken to him in days." Again, it was a half-lie. I did want to see the setup of the filming stage and see Aro, but the inner crazed-groupie in me wants to see Edward more. No matter how nervous he makes me, I'd get withdrawals when I didn't get a chance to see him for long periods of time. A glimpse of him I'd be satisfied with even if he didn't see me.

"Well, I'm sure you'll see him more now."

"Huh?"

"Oh, you don't know?" she says as she applies more lip gloss to her lips.

"Know what?" I yawn. The warm weather and walking around is finally taking its toll on me.

"We're all moving into Aro's villa this weekend."

"What?" I exclaim, my breath escaping me.

"I guess I forgot to tell you since it's been so busy on the set," she shrugs. "He made an announcement a few days ago about moving the main actors into his villa to avoid the paparazzi. It has been such a madhouse on the set with those people popping up everywhere! It's distracting Aro and everyone else. Since they can't trespass on your uncle's property, they can finally get some privacy."

"I see…" I answer quietly. I suppose Aro's villa is ideal because of the tall gated fence and stone wall covered in thorn flowers and vines that surround the property. The walls are about as tall as two people with a security system attached to it. The paparazzi will have a hard time getting a clear picture even if they are able to reach the top since there are trees that still cover the inside of the property wall with the villa smack right in the middle.

"I think Aro also talked about hiring a security detail to watch the premises. But, if you ask me, it seems a bit much."

I shake my head. "You don't know, Aro. He tends to be very private and likes his private life kept…private. He really hates being in the media unless it has to do with one of his movies or an event. I've known him to lock himself in his office for days working on movie ideas, scripts, whatever pops into his head. He doesn't like to be distracted when he's in that zone."

"Just like how you were 'in that zone' earlier?" Alice teases.

I roll my eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Right," she raises an irritated eyebrow at me. "Anyway, start packing tonight. Our stuff will be moved tomorrow by some guy named Felix."

"Oh, Felix," I smile. He's a nice man.

"You know him?" she looks at me curiously.

"Yeah—well, sort of. He's the one who picked me up from the airport and drove me here. He seems like a good guy. He's kind of big and brawny like Emmett. Speaking of your brother—how are him and Rosalie? I haven't seen them in a while either."

Alice sighs, "Busy as usual. I ignored Emmett for days when he and Rosalie didn't show up at that block party. To make it up to me, he got me an all day spa gift certificate and shopping money that I am spending right now," she smirks. I shake my head, chuckling at the fact that her older brother is giving her money to go shopping when she probably makes more than he does in her profession. However, I still think it's cute that an intimidating guy like Emmett is trying to please his baby sister. "Rosalie has been promoting Edward as much as she can by getting him as many interview spots and photo opportunities available here in Italy," she continues. "They're in Florence right now for a bunch of television and magazine promos."

"Why didn't you go with them? Florence would have been a better place for you to shop."

"It's okay," she smiles at me. "We haven't hung out in weeks and this is kind of nice and relaxing. There's not a lot of people out today."

"Most tourists only stay here for a few days then head to the main cities at the leg-end of their trip. As you can see, there's not a whole lot to do here," I laugh softly.

"That's true," Alice laughs along with me. "But, it does have a nice vibe. I think I'd come back here if I want to get away from the bustling sounds of the city. Oh, by the way," she grabs my arm excitedly, "the spa day is for two so you're my plus one!"

"Oh—okay…" I reply.

"You're not excited?" she looks disappointed.

"I've never been to a spa before or ever really had a massage," I confess.

"No way!" she laughs doubtfully at my words. "Are you serious? Oh, then you'll definitely love this! We'll go to Florence the day after tomorrow once we've settled into Aro's villa."

"Florence?" I raise an eyebrow. It was so far away.

"Do you see a spa place around here, Bella?" she points around the small shopping area to make a point.

"Yeah, yeah…okay…" I roll my eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be on set though?"

"Nope," she shakes her head. "They're setting up the next location and I already have everyone's outfits picked out and stored. I'm free for another two days, but Edward and the rest of them go back to work tomorrow to shoot some extra scenes by the water. Edward can be so immature sometimes," she adds with a hint of anger in her voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Since it was pretty warm out yesterday, he started throwing people into the water—me, being one of them—after the last roll of film was used for the day. Him and Jessica were out there for a while goofing around and laughing until it was time to leave. She's a pretty good swimmer. Edward says that she used to compete in high school and college and won a lot of medals or something." Alice walks into another store to check out the small trinkets they have while I stayed outside.

My heart slightly aches when she put Edward and Jessica in the same sentence. Did he like her? I wouldn't be surprised if she had a crush on him, too. I mean, who wouldn't? He's a devilishly good-looking guy. I shake the thoughts of them together from my mind and tell myself that I didn't care who he hung out with. It wasn't like we were together or anything. He is free to be around any girl he wanted to be around, but…why can't I shake this feeling of…jealousy? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Jessica Stanley. She seems really nice and is even peppy at times when she speaks to me. "This is stupid…"

"What's stupid?" Alice startles me when she returns.

"Huh? Oh…" I begin to blush. She tilts her head to the side, waiting for me to answer. "I just mean that I should be more open to getting pampered and…stuff. I'm not big on things like that so I thought it was stupid of me that I wasn't more excited." I'm really hoping she buys it because I have no other explanation to give. I want to keep my feelings a secret until I am comfortable enough to be open about it to someone.

Alice stares at me for what feels like an eternity until she finally brakes the silence and laughs. "Oh, Bella," she shakes her head, amused. "You never really were a girly-girl growing up were you?"

"Umm…no."

"Well, we'll have to change that. Like I've said before, you're a pretty girl. If you just get out of your shell once in a while, you'll make anyone fall in love with you like that," she snaps her fingers. "And when I say your 'shell' I mean you always try to cover your beauty up with these types of clothing that hide everything! Show off a little! I never put a lot of make up on you either because you already have a natural, beautiful glow about you."

"Alice, I'm not here to impress anyone," I sigh. That might be a half-lie, I'm not sure.

For some reason Alice smirks at me, the kind of hidden smile like she's up to something. "Whether or not you're trying to impress anyone, I highly doubt you've gone unnoticed."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" I raise an eyebrow. I have no idea what she's talking about. Who in their right mind would notice me? It would be nice if Edward did, but there's plenty of other girls he can flirt with and seduce—girls who are much prettier than me.

"I understand that you must have lived a sheltered life in the Northwest with only like three hundred people in your town, so I'll forgive you for being oblivious to the opposite sex," my pixie-haired friend sighs.

"Hey! I wasn't sheltered," I argue back. "I spent a good majority of my life in Phoenix before I moved to Forks. I know when guys liked me. When I take an interest back, of course I'd go for it! I just…haven't felt like that toward anyone lately…" Okay, now that is a full-on lie. I hate talking about this with Alice because it feels like she's trying to get something out of me and she knows I am not a very convincing liar. She can have easily called me out by now, but I'm surprised she hasn't.

"Fine, Bella, but remember…you are in the City of Love," she reminds me before finally dropping the subject.

I really didn't care for the nickname of the city. Just because it was called that doesn't mean it brings something magical for everyone. I am not here looking for love. I just agreed to get away from my everyday life and be in closer proximity to Aro to keep him from worrying about me so much. I would like to experience love, real love, but not here. Meeting someone here means complications for when I have to return to LA in two and half months and I am not one for flings or one night stands since I've kind of already been there, done that.

"Hello?" Alice answers her phone as I was deep in thought, not even hearing it ring. She usually has her ringtone on full blast. "Hey, babe!" she says happily. "Oh, really? So soon? …They didn't tell me…Okay…Yup! I'll see you tonight…love you, too."

"Jasper?" I ask.

"Mm-hmm," she nods with a smile. "He's on his way back from Florence."

"Wait, he was in Florence, too?" I tend to forget Jasper's also here in Italy because I rarely saw him. According to Alice he's mixing his vacation with business, which she didn't really like but it can't be helped.

"He's kind of Edward's resident paparazzi when he's touring around being promoted by Emmett and Rosalie. Some of the pictures Jas takes he sells to different magazines that usually sell for a good price because they're exclusive photos. It's also a good way of promoting himself as a professional photographer. He said that my brothers and Rosalie should have arrived already since they left before he did."

My heart skips a beat knowing Edward has returned. It makes me wonder what he's doing this very moment. He's probably packing his belongings like the rest of the actors because of the relocation to Aro's villa tomorrow. "Did you…want to see them?" I ask nonchalantly. If she did then that meant I can see him as well, even for just a brief moment.

"Why would I want to see my brothers?" she snorts, laughing. "I see those two lug-nuts all the time! That's another reason why didn't I want to go with them. I need to get away from all the teasing. I can only take so much of those two before I go crazy!"

I try to cover my disappointment with laughter. "Yeah, I'm sorry."

"Wait—did you want to see them?" she asks with a curious look on her face.

"What? Oh…no, that's fine," I shake my head. "It doesn't matter to me." I'm trying hard not to blush at her question, my heart double skipping all around my chest.

"Well, you said you haven't those guys in a while and I'm sure they'll be happy to see you. So, I guess it's okay if we stop by their hotel. They don't tease me as much when you're around." Before I know it, she's waving down one of the bicycle street cars.

"Alice…really it's okay! We don't have to go if you don't want to. I don't really need to say hi. I'm sure I'll see them at the villa," I try to reason with the Hobbit. What the hell did I get myself into? At first I want to stop by to see Edward and now that my wish is coming true, I panic about it!

"It's fine, Bella. We can swing by for a second. It'll give me some time to kill before I meet up with Jas, too."

"Fine…" I reply, defeated. Once her mind is set on something it's hard changing it. Alice merely smiles at me and tells the bike peddler where to go. About ten minutes later, we arrive at their hotel. It's made of white marble and much bigger than the villa we are staying in. I see a few body guards outside of the hotel as well, most likely screening the people walking in and out to make sure they aren't a part of the media trying to get to the actors. Alice politely smiles at one man who is the size of the Rock. He nods at her and then at me.

When we finally get to the eleventh floor, more detailed security is walking around. Aro really didn't spare the VIP escort for these guys. "Hey, Billy," Alice says to another man dressed in a suit.

"How are you, Alice?" he greets her.

"Are my brothers here yet?"

"Yes, go right in. They're in Edward's room."

"Thank you," she smiles again and proceeds to one of the rooms in the hallway. As soon as we enter, I can hear the television on full blast. We walk in further and see Emmett on the couch playing video games. No wonder why it was so loud. He's playing some kind of war game video with a lot of shooting involved. Emmett's entire focus is on the flat screen and doesn't even notice us enter.

"Emmett!" Alice shouts over the sounds of the guns.

"H—Huh?" he slowly turns around. "Oh, hey you two!"

"Can you turned that down a little?" she asks annoyed.

Instead of turning it down, he stops playing altogether. He gets up and smiles at me. "Hey, Bella, long time no see," he gives me a small hug. "Any new battle scars since I saw you last?"

"Funny," I roll my eyes with a sarcastic smile. I have gotten used to Emmett teasing me about my clumsiness and didn't mind it so much now since we're more acquainted now. "Umm…where's Rosalie?" I look around. I know she didn't particularly like me but I thought I'd ask about her to be nice.

"She's not here. She's back in our room taking a nap, so don't worry about her," he smirks. I blush since I know he can sense how she intimates me.

"Hey, Eddie!" Emmett shouts to a closed door. There goes my heart jumping in my throat again. It finally occurs to me that are standing around in Edward's room.

"What?" we hear him say through the door.

"Get in here. We have guests!"

The door opens and out comes the devilishly handsome man I have been waiting to see. I think a small gasp escaped me when I saw him. We lock eyes for a brief moment before I look away, embarrassed as always. He has a blank look on his face before a smile curls up on his lips. "Hey, Bella," he says.

"Hey! What about me?" Alice whines. "That's rude!"

Edward just chuckles at her behavior. Emmett has left the room to get us something to drink. "Hello, baby sister," he smiles at her, too. "I see you all the time. Aren't you sick of us yet?" he keeps his tone light and amusing.

Alice rolls her eyes. "More than you know. But, I thought I'd bring Bella by since you haven't seen her. I'm also waiting for Jas to get back."

"Yeah, it's been a while," he nods, focusing his attention back to me. "How've you been, Bella?"

"Umm…good," I nod back, "just trying to keep myself busy."

"Have you packed yet, Edward?" Alice suddenly changes the subject.

"Yeah, I'm almost done. Some of our stuff is already at the villa." The little pixie walks pass her brother and into his room. "What…are you doing, Alice?" he gives her a confused look.

"I'm making sure you pack the right clothes," she answers.

He shakes his head at her, laughing a little again. "She always has to approve what I pack since she refuses to be seen with me wearing anything less than Alice-perfect," he says to me. "Even though no matter what she packs, it's still all going with me since we need to empty the room!" he emphasizes his words so she can hear.

"I don't care!" she yells back from the other room in a stern tone.

I had to laugh. "I guess she does it with everyone."

"You would think," he walks over to me to close the big gap between us. "But, she actually only does it to me and Emmett…and I guess you."

"Really? Only you two?" I'm surprised to hear. "I wonder why she does it to me. Well, it really shouldn't be that hard to guess. I'm not exactly a budding fashionista," I look at my clothes. I'm wearing what Alice picked for me again. Sometimes I give up and stop struggling and not care since her clothes are going to get on my body in one way or another. I'm just glad that she still lets me wear my own bra and underwear!

"I'm sure you still look pretty in whatever you wear with or without Alice's name attached to it," he smiles. Did he just say I was pretty? I must be hearing things.

"Umm…thanks," I smile back shyly.

"So, I guess we'll be seeing more of each other." His eyes are light and sparkling. It makes my heart skip a beat knowing how I will get to see him almost every day under the same roof. I think my mind is playing tricks on me because he appears really happy about it from the way his eyes are smiling at me.

"Yeah…I guess so. I'm sure….Jessica and the rest of the cast are excited as well." I can't help but bring up her name. I want to know what he thought about her, even though whatever he might say could bruise my heart.

"Maybe?" he shrugs nonchalantly. "I don't really talk to them much outside of work. Emmett and Rosalie usually have me on a tight schedule when we're not shooting a scene. I've seen Jessica spending a lot of time with Mike lately."

"Oh, really?" So does that mean she doesn't like Edward after all? But, what about Edward? Did he like her? Is he jealous that she's been hanging out with Mike? All these thoughts are driving me bonkers.

"Yeah, they seem to have a lot of the same interests, mostly sports and such they played in high school, which unfortunately I can't relate to," he chuckles.

"You didn't play any sports?"

"In college—but not in high school. I was in the drama and musical department during and after school," he smiles, slightly embarrassed.

"You sing, too?"

"A little. I'm not very good though," he laughs again. "Acting is more my passion."

"Stop being so modest, Edward," Alice finally joins us once more. "He has a single out."

"Alice!" Edward hissed at his sister.

"You do?" I ask surprised. What didn't this man do?

"What?" she looks at him innocently. "It was a good song, Edward. Just because you didn't get the airplay you wanted doesn't mean it wasn't record material."

He laughs shyly toward me. "It was amateur work. My buddy who is a deejay at a local radio station back in Chicago put it on rotation for a while—but was during the late hour so no one really heard it, which is fine. Like I said, acting is more my passion."

"It doesn't hurt to have more than one talent," I smile.

Edward smirks at me as if he wants to say something in response, but instead, he just laughs it off again. Why did his voice sound so sweet to my ears? "Thanks, Bella."

We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity until Alice deliberately clears her throat. "So…it looks like Jas is almost here. I'm going back to the villa hotel to freshen up. Do you want to say here, Bella, and keep Edward some company for a while?"

"Leaving so soon, baby sister?" Emmett returns with a tray of lemonade drinks.

"Yeah, sorry. I gotta meet up with Jasper," she takes the one he hands her and sips the cold beverage. "So, Bella," she turns to me again, "You want to stay here with Edward?" Why did she have to say it like that? Like I was the one requesting to stay!

"That's cool, stay as long as you want, Bella," Emmett nods his head, also handing me a glass. "I gotta go wake up Rosalie and make some calls so you and Eddie can play catch up. I'll have one of the drivers take you back later." That right there did it. I blush…again.

"Well, I…don't want to impose. You're probably tired from your trip and want to rest," I say to Edward. I can still see a hint of a smirk playing on his features.

"Nah, he's fine. He slept all the way back here from Florence!" Emmett answers in his stead. I can't believe he's not saying anything!

"It's settled then, Bella will stay with Edward, while you do…whatever it is you do," Alice says to Emmett. I try giving Alice a hint that I really didn't want be alone with him but I'm not able to break free from Edward's gaze.

"Okay, then, bye Bella! I'll see you tomorrow!" she gives me a kiss on the cheek and does the same thing to her brothers.

"Bye Alice," Edward simply says.

"Later baby sister," Emmett waves her off while he also proceeds to leave the room. "I'll leave you two at it," he winks at us, which makes me blush times ten! What am I going to do alone with Edward and in his room no less! I start to suddenly feel sick and lightheaded.

Author's Note: Alone at last...well, I guess almost (hehe).

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