CHAPTER 23: New Promises

"Still texting?" Alice lowers her sunglasses so I can see her raise her eyebrow at me to its fullest.

I smile sheepishly, hurrying with my last text to Edward. "There." I hide my phone back in my purse. Ever since my birthday, Edward and I have been texting each other nonstop while he's working. There were a lot of action sequences and stunts he and Riley have to do this week so he hasn't gotten a day off. But every chance he got, he would text me to see how I'm doing or to just say he misses me. It makes my heart swell with joy. I wear the charm bracelet he gave me lovingly on my wrist.

Jacob has left for Forks and I miss him, too. It was great having him here and believe it or not, I got his approval of Edward. Jake's known from the beginning how uncomfortable Edward becomes around him so he did it purposefully to see how he would react. I was somewhat annoyed at his little scheme but he says he did it so he knew if Edward was actually good enough for me. "I can tell he really like you, Bells. And yeah…I guess he's an okay guy," he rolled his eyes playfully as we were saying our good-byes at the front gate of the villa.

I smiled at Jacob when he told Edward to take care of me or he'd hunt him down, to which Edward replied, "Of course I will. You have my word." I know it's a promise Edward will keep seeing how overprotective he's already been. Jeez.

Jasper has also left Volterra to start his next project, much to Alice's disappointment. She's been moping since then so we made plans to enjoy the sun today on her day off to try to take her mind off missing him. We're supposed to go shopping later—retail therapy for Alice. I'm glad she doesn't mind half of my attention is on her brother today. She's actually quite happy for us. As long as I'm giving her the attention she wants, she's fine with my gushing over him as we lay at the beach under a large umbrella we brought with us. "It's a nice change of subject, even if it is about my brother," she says. "I'm happy you guys are happy."

Edward's been working late and usually arrives home after dinner. We keep close to the villa to avoid the prying eyes of the paparazzi. We text during the day and spend our nights in the backyard by the pond feeding the fish or talking about whatever came to mind as we dipped our feet into the water. And of course, the occasional make-out sessions. It's been so relaxing being with him. I feel more at ease and carefree now that we're more open about our feelings toward each other. Everyone around us notices our new blossoming relationship, some more shocked than others—like Mike and Jessica, but they've been good about giving us our privacy. Even Aro seems to have known something was brewing between us from early on and hasn't said much about it. I've asked Edward if my uncle's mentioned anything to him about us and Edward just shook his head. "I think he approves, too," he smirked when I asked.

"Can you believe it?" Alice sighs, sounding somewhat relieved yet sad.

My attention is back on her, my reveries disappearing into a cloud of smoke in my head. "Believe what?" Did she say something I missed?

"That we only have less than three weeks here," she replies. "I'm really going to miss this place."

I nod, remembering the movie is close to wrapping up in Italy. So much has happened on this trip. I can hardly believe it's already been three months since I first decided to come here, reluctantly. Edward and I haven't talked about any plans of where this new thing between us will go once we return to Los Angeles. The good news is that we'll both be in the same city. The bad news is that they'll be shooting some additional scenes there so he'll still be working once we hit stateside. But I prefer not to stress about the future. I'm happy living in the moment with him here in Volterra. Edward promises that on his next day off, we'll have the dinner and walk on the beach he's wanted to take me on. My heart jumps with giddiness thinking about our first real date.

I'm still trying to fathom what I did in a previous life to deserve this man. He accepts me for me—flaws, clumsiness and all. My ungraceful stature is one of the things he says he likes about me the most because he thinks it's adorable. And the way I blush at everything. I personally think he's delusional. "Those quirks you have are what made me like you, Bella. I like that you're different. You make me feel like an ordinary guy from Chicago when I'm with you. And it's…refreshing." He probably means how different I am from Tanya. She's more into the tight dresses and high heels. I, on the other hand, prefer my comfortable sweatpants with the holes in them. But unfortunately, Alice has banished them from my closet.

Thinking about Tanya again makes me feel queasy and her reaction once she finds out about me and Edward—if she hasn't already. He says she's in Iceland for another cover shoot and promo spots and might not even return to Volterra since she has no real business here. He's left her a message saying it's not going to work out between them and that he wishes her the best of luck in her career. He left the message a few days ago and hasn't heard from her since. It makes me think she's plotting her revenge, waiting to pounce at the right moment.

"You know," Alice turns on her stomach, her cheek resting on her arms, "Rosalie likes you for Edward, too."

"What?" I exclaim in utter disbelief. "Rosalie? You mean the one that looks like she's wanted my head on a spear since I've met her? That Rosalie?"

Alice chuckles. "Yes, the very same. She likes you more for Edward than Tanya. With you, Edward can lay low, which makes her job easier. Tanya's also a lot flashier than you and that's not really Edward. I think Rose and Emmett have been enjoying these past few days themselves."

"What do you mean?

"The permanent crease in Rosalie's brows seems to have lifted," she giggles. "She and Emmett can finally spend time together as a couple, going to quiet dinners, walking the streets—stuff like that, while Edward stays at home."

"With me, you mean."

"Yes, with you," my little pixie friend smiles again. "Everyone seems really…happy." I suddenly notice her frown. I know she's thinking about Jasper again. She feels left out without her other half here.

"Oh, Alice. Don't worry. You'll get to see Jasper soon enough. I'm sure the mood on set will be busier now that the shoot here is almost done. Before you know it, you'll be buried in your designer outfits."

"Yeah…I guess you're right," she pouts. "And I do have to focus on my winter line and get the last stages of it complete. I have my show at the end of the month in Milan. Will you come?" She's looking expectantly at me.

"Of course!" I smile. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Great! We can stay longer in Italy then." Alice flips over and sits up with her knees bent. "I have my show about a week after we're done filming. After that I have to scramble over to Milan. I'll have my team pack up the wardrobe on set and have it shipped to my warehouse in LA. Oh, I'm so excited!" she squeals.

"How long are you planning on staying in Milan?" I was hoping to fly back to LA with Edward but I have to support his sister. She's dressed me in so many of her designer clothes for free, outfits that top celebrities would die for the opportunity to wear, so it was the least I could do. Edward still has a few weeks of work anyway. And I'm not that enthusiastic about returning to my own job. Which reminds me, I should email Lucy that I'll be in Italy longer than expected. I hope she's not too mad.

"We'll only stay for a few days. Once the show is over, I just need do some press and pack up the collection. What are you going to do once we get back to LA?" she asks as if being here has somehow changed my life.

I shrug. "What else? Go back to work at Starbucks. My manager is holding my position for me."

Alice snorts. "Really, Bella?"

"What?" Was it so bad going back to my old life?

"You know, you really don't have to work there. You're meant for better things than a barista in Los Angeles."

"Well, I'm not mooching off Aro. I need to work. I want to work." Aro's done enough for me and I am too independent to rely on him for everything. I like doing things for myself. It makes me feel accomplished. Graduating with a degree should be worth something, right? Although I never thought working at a coffee shop would be my door to opportunities after college.

Alice applies more sunblock to her fair skin, the boys around the way ogling her as most of the male populace at the beach have been doing since we arrived. Earlier I saw a woman hit her husband in the arm for staring too long in our direction. It was pretty amusing. "Come work for me."

"Huh?" I'm not sure if I heard her correctly.

"Come work for me," she repeats. "As my assistant. I really should get one and I know how reliable you are. I can also pay you a better salary than working minimum wage at Starbucks," she scoffs.

Me? Alice's assistant? I suddenly see myself dressed like Jane with a padfolio constantly glued to my arm. "I don't know the first thing about assisting anyone, Alice. And you know how clumsy I am. Do you really want me backstage?"

She rolls her eyes. "Clumsy, perhaps. But you're very organized, Bella. I am, too, but with all these new projects I have lined up—it'll be hard to keep track of everything. You'd be my backup in case I forget anything." The Hobbit makes it sound so easy, which I know is not the case.

Her proposal is unbelievable. It makes my heart quicken in my chest for some reason. Why am I feeling nervous about her offer? "I know nothing about the fashion industry though," I sigh.

"You don't have to," she waves off the idea in my head. "I can teach you everything you'll need to know just like my mother taught me. It'll be so much fun, Bella!" Her eyes are gleaming at me. "We can travel together, go sightseeing—it's a great opportunity to see the ins and outs of the world of fashion. Who knows, you might even pick up a thing or two and create your own sense of style worthy of the red carpet. And it'll be so nice to have a real friend around." She's now giving me the pleading, puppy dog eyes.

I have to look away before I'm caught in it. "You make it sound so great, Alice but…it also sounds a little overwhelming."

She turns to face me with her legs now crossed in front of her. "It might be in the beginning while you're still learning and getting the hang of things, but I promise once you're in the groove of everything, it'll be a piece of cake! C'mon, Bella. Do you really want go back to a boring nine-to-five job? I'll even throw in health and dental benefits. How's that?"

I scoff a little. "Can you really do that?"

"Of course I can!" she says confidently. I knew how companies provided their employees with benefits but I didn't quite understand how people with their own personal business and profession like Alice would go about it, or if there was even a difference.

"It sounds very tempting…"

"C'mon, Bella, please," she begs. "I'm practically handing you this job on a silver platter. No resumes, referrals or background checks necessary."

"Aren't there a million of other qualified assistants out there who would be more suited for this job?" I smirk at Alice because of everything she's trying to throw at me like she's some sort of advertisement commercial.

She straightens her posture and thinks about it. "Well…yes. I suppose, but I already know you, which makes the hiring process so much easier!"

"What if I do a horrible job as your assistant? What if you lose some of your valued clients because they can't stand me? What if I rip some expensive material that can't be easily replaced?" I have to ask all these questions so she thinks a little more clearly of what she might be getting herself into if I agree. "What if—"

"Oh, alright! Alright—I get it," she throws her hands up in the air, looking exasperatedly at me. "The assistant thing isn't your calling. But can you at least please think about it? You know with Edward travelling all the time, too, you'll need some flexibility in your schedule which I'm willing to give you. Just sit on that for a while."

"I will," I agree. She does have a point. Working at Starbucks won't give me much of flexibility if I want to see Edward while he's shooting another movie half way across the globe. Can I stand only seeing him weeks or even months a time if he gets more offers from the success of Aro's film? There's also traveling for the premiers and interviews to promote the movie. Thinking about all these things is starting to give me a headache. I rub my temples and sigh.

"You okay, Bella?" Alice looks at me with concern.

"Yeah, it's nothing," I dismiss it. "Let's go grab lunch?"

"Sure," she nods, not furthering her inquisition. We pack up our things and head to the town car we borrowed since the umbrella and our belongings won't fit in Alice's tiny Porsche. The final beach towel is in the trunk when a man with a hat and sunglasses approaches me. Alice is putting her purse in the back seat. "Mi scusi…are you Isabella Swan?"

Alice stands besides me looking very protective. I glance at her then at this stranger. "Do I…know you?" I ask hesitantly. I can't see his face very well because of what he's wearing but I'm pretty sure I don't know him. There aren't many Italians here that I know.

"So, yes! You are Isabella Swan?" he smiles, showing his teeth.

"Che cosa vuoi da lei?" Alice says to the man in a not so very friendly tone. I'm so confused!

He looks apologetic. "Solo poche foto, per favore!" he says and lifts the Nikon camera dangling on his neck, snapping pictures of us—mostly of me. I'm immediately blinded by the light.

Alice shoves him out of the way, opening the passenger door for me. "Get it the car, Bella!" she snaps, her tone very demanding. I quickly jump to my feet and get in the town car, shielding my face in my hands and hair even though the windows are tinted dark. I can still hear the clicking of his camera and Alice saying what I'm guessing is unpleasant things in Italian to the man.

Moments later, Alice is in the driver's seat looking angry. With maneuvered precision, she speeds away like a bat out of hell. "Alice, what is going on?" I finally ask. My heart is running another marathon in my chest. It all happened so quickly. "What'd you say to that guy?"

She checks the rearview mirror to see if anyone is behind us. Luckily, we're the only ones currently on the road. From the rising dial of the speedometer, it would be wise for other vehicles pull over to the side. "I told him to stay away from you," she finally says, glowering at the street in front of us.

"What? Who was he?"

"He's one of those horrid paparazzi, Bella!" My friend enlightens me. "He was asking who you were so he could take pictures of you. I wouldn't be surprised if those sneaks were taking pictures of us on the beach." Alice looks angrier than she did before, shaking her head. "I hate those guys. No sense of moral privacy or space."

I'm more confused than ever. "Why would he want pictures of me? I'm nobody, and I hardly doubt extras get that sort of paparazzi treatment for a couple of lines in a movie that's still in production."

The little Hobbit shakes her head again. "There could be plenty of explanations. There's a good chance they've found out you're Aro's niece. Some of them have been known to sneak onto sets. Maybe word got out that he let you play a small role in the movie."

My head is spinning with her speculations. "Over a small thing like that?" I exclaim. "It was like two lines!"

"That's not the point, Bella. There's a lot of hype with Aro's film and already mixed reviews are circulating. Some say it's going to be another box office hit while others think it won't hold up to his other movies because he didn't cast any well-known actors in Hollywood."

I slump into my seat. "I had no idea," I reply quietly. I know there was a lot of buzz about Aro's movie but I wasn't aware the critics were already giving their opinions on it. I look utterly shocked, and I am.

"Don't stress about it, Bella," Alice places her hand over mine and squeezes it to give me some reassurance. "You're not alone. It'll be fine."

"But what if they already have pictures of me and Edward? And he doesn't even know about it?" I'm in panic mode now. "What if…what if Tanya sees them?" My hairs stand on end. I see flames coming out of her eyes and ears, charging at me like a wild, untamed bull.

My pixie-haired friend can probably see the horror on my face because she's now squeezing my leg. To keep me still, perhaps, so I don't jump out the window in the moving vehicle. "Bella, calm down. You're over exaggerating. I know this is all new to you and yes, it's a little overwhelming but you'll be fine. I mean, being in the media's eye one day has surely crossed your mind knowing you're related to a famous director?"

"Honestly…I never really thought about it," I whisper. I was always so good about evading the attention because I've always kept to myself. "I'm really just a small town girl…"

"Which the media loves," Alice almost says matter-of-factly. "A lot of actors get their beginnings in small towns that are now larger than life, trading in their farmhouses for plush, expensive mansions." But I'm not that person. I don't care for the fame or attention. I prefer to go unnoticed. "Are you going to get that?"

"Huh?" I'm once again snapped out of my reverie. My phone is buzzing quietly in my purse. I'm surprised Alice can hear its faint hum. I dig through my things and look at the caller ID. It's Edward. "Hello?" I say half-heartedly.

"Bella? What's wrong?" he says on the other line. I'm not able to disguise my worried thoughts. "Bella? Hello? Are you there?"

"I'm here," I whisper.

"Please tell me what's wrong? I'm starting to get nervous." I can tell how concerned he sounds. It's the last thing I want—to have to tell him this.

"Just tell him, Bella…" Alice quietly encourages me. "We're almost home." Well, I guess lunch in town is out of the question now.

I take a deep breath, Edward patiently waiting for me to say something. "Some paparazzi guy showed up at the beach right before Alice I left. He was asking who I was and started taking random pictures…"

Edward's silent for a moment. "Are you okay?" he asks softly. "You sound pretty shaken up."

"Yeah…I'm fine. Alice was there to protect me," I half-smile at her. She gives my leg another squeeze.

"Where are you now?"

"We're on our way home. Alice says we're almost there."

"Good. Because I'm here."

Wait, what? Back, where? At Aro's villa? "Where are you?"

"I actually got done early and wanted to surprise you but you weren't here."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'll be there soon."

"I'll keep an eye out for you."

"Okay…bye." I end the call and lean back into my seat, letting out a big sigh. Alice and I remain silent for the rest of the car ride that lasts about another ten minutes. A security guard is posted outside the gate waiting for us. I glance around the streets, paranoid, and see no one but a few cars passing by. The security guard punches the gate code for us and we enter once the gate opens. We're nearing the front of house when I see Edward run outside to meet us.

He rushes to open my door once Alice has the car parked. I leap into his arms and hug his neck tightly. "It's okay, Bella," he says softly against my cheek as he caresses my hair. Just being in his embrace is enough to calm me down, but I still can't say a word. "C'mon, let's go inside." He gently releases me and takes me by the hand and leads me inside.

The three of us are in the kitchen sitting on the barstools. Alice is still clearly annoyed. "There's goes my shopping therapy," she grumbles.

"Okay, now tell me…what happened?" Edward looks confused at the entire ordeal we just went through. He's asking Alice while I remain silent. I focus on his thumb drawing soothing circles around my knuckles. She tells him about the strange man we encountered and the words that were exchanged between us, even what she said to him in Italian, and how she sped back to the villa. The explanation was shorter than actually living through it.

Edward looks remorseful at me. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Bella." He's drawing bigger circles with his thumb to comfort me.

"I'll go order us something to eat," Alice says, getting up from her seat.

"Is that a good idea?" I ask, finally finding my voice again.

"It's fine, Bella," she assures me. "We haven't eaten all day and it's easier ordering take out than trying to cook something right now. I'm famished! One of the security guards can pick it up for us."

"That's a good idea," Edward agrees. "The cook just left to go grocery shopping and there's plenty of guards around to keep watch of the area. I told them to stay alert." Alice gives me a brief hug and leaves the room to make the call, and I think to give us some time alone.

After she leaves is when Edward turns to face me again. "You sure you okay?" he asks once more.

"Yeah…" I nod. "I was just startled." Edward's eyes look distant as he frowns. "What's wrong? I said I'm fine. Really, I am." I'm actually starting to feel better knowing he was here with me. It's my turn to get him to talk to me. "Edward?"

He pulls me to him so that I'm now sitting in between his legs as he holds me. "I told you what would happen with being with me." He looks sad and almost mad at himself for some reason.

I twist my body to the side so I can see him better. "It's not your fault, Edward," I caress his cheeks with my thumbs. "It was bound to happen. I can't keep the secret of being Aro's niece forever."

"But I feel like I had to do something with it," the grim line on lips harden.

"How, Edward? That the paparazzi somehow saw us together or that one of the people working on the film told them who I am? Yes, I admit I don't like my privacy taken away from me but I realize…I can't hide forever. Well, maybe if I move back to Forks," I scoff. I doubt the paparazzi would follow me there. They'd stick out like a sore thumb.

Edward holds me tighter. "Then I will just have to follow you to Forks," he whispers, his forehead against mine. A small smile finally escapes his lips, which makes me happy. "You mean a great deal to me, Bella Swan." He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. My face flushes. He's now holding me like I'm the very air he breathed. He opens his eyes again. "Promise me we'll get through this—together."

His green eyes are full of longing as he gazes at me. I know I can trust him. I know he'll protect me. I know we'll be okay. "I promise," I nod, kissing him.

Author's Note: A new turn of events! I still have lots of good things in store so stay tuned! And please, don't forget to review!