CHAPTER 33: Strange Behaviors

"Where is he?" Alice is tapping her foot impatiently outside Edward's gated estate. "I can't get a connection. He must have changed his number…or has been kidnapped." I know she doesn't really mean that and it's not something I want to think about.

"Doesn't he have anyone looking after his place?" I ask.

"No," she sighs. "Edward just recently moved to L.A. before he was casted in Aro's movie so he's barely unpacked or gotten a housekeeper to watch his place. Rosalie has been taking care of his affairs until he's a little more…organized."

"Well, we should go."

"Are you sure?" Alice looks questioningly at me. "We can wait a little longer…I don't mind."

I shake my head. "I don't think that's a good idea. What if the paparazzi are staking out his place, too? It'd look weird if we were waiting here like a bunch of stalkers. And I'd rather not deal with them right now, not after my stunt at the airport."

I've had enough of the public's attention for one day. Whatever possessed me to jump onto that carousel, I'll still never know. I just know I wanted my bracelet back; a bracelet that now needs to be fixed. There was a part of me wishing Edward would be home but I know deep down he wasn't going to be. It'd be too easy if he was.

Alice tells the driver to take us to her place. "I'll take you home later myself," my friend smiles. "Let's go get happy hour somewhere. I'm hungry and need a drink after that long flight."

"I think I've done enough drinking for the both of us in the last twenty-four hours." The thought of more alcohol is starting to make me feel sick again.

"I'll drink, you eat."

Simple enough. But I'm honestly not in the mood to do anything. Still adjusting to life back in L.A. and not seeing Edward hasn't lifted my spirits. However, I also didn't want to be alone. Knowing Aro, he wouldn't be home either. He's usually on the go and probably looking into the production of getting the film ready by the scheduled opening date—whenever that is.

I I I

Alice welcomes the west coast air by taking a deep breath and sighing after she takes a gratifying sip of her mojito. "Much better," she breathes. We are seated outside, both wearing sunglasses and baseball caps she got out of the glove compartment of the tinted SUV chauffeuring us around to stay under the radar. This restaurant is popular for celebrates so I highly doubt we'd go unnoticed forever. "You want to stay at my place for a while?"

Barely paying attention to my surroundings, I look up at her as if I had been alone the entire time. The food on my plate looked appetizing when I ordered it, but once it came, my appetite left me. I've hardly touched it. "Stay with you?"

"Make your transition back a little easier. Last thing you need is to be alone right now. This whole Edward thing is bugging me and I want to get to the bottom of it myself," she says, with a thinking look on her face. "I'm sure we can solve it together."

"Thanks Alice," I weakly smile. I'm appreciative of her efforts but it's hard to show it when my mind is so clouded and she seems to understand. Edward has my flight itinerary information but glancing at my phone every few seconds, it still remains silent and dead on the table. With a sigh, I pick it up. "Let me just tell Aro I'll be staying with you so he doesn't freak out when he finds out I'm not at home." See? I know what common courtesy is. If Aro thought I went missing or something happened to me he'd want to know if I was okay and where I was. I guess Edward still has a lot to learn.

"What on earth…?" Looking up from my plate waiting for Aro or his voicemail to answer, Alice looks irritated. She's turned her back to me to find out what's going on behind her. There's some kind of noise in the distance and a crowd forming. I turn my gaze where her attention is and freeze at who the paparazzi are trying to photograph. The Hobbit removes the napkin from her lap and stands. "Is that…"

"Edward." I slowly stand after her. Aro's voice is barely audible in my ear when he finally answers. Seeing Edward has me at a loss.

"Isabella? Hello? Bella, darling are you there?" My uncle's voice is full of concern. "I heard about the airport incident." But I can't speak. Breathing has also become a challenge.

"Bella…" Alice finally around with worried, sympathetic eyes. I carelessly drop my phone on the table and take off my cap and sunglasses, exposing myself. I have to see what I'm witnessing without my disguise. The paparazzi are swarming Edward who is trying to shield himself with one arm as he makes his way down the street toward the restaurant where we are currently eating. He has his aviators on and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. What has me trembling to my core is who has her arm draped around his.

Tanya is holding onto Edward for protection, but unlike him, she's not trying to hide from the flashing cameras. Her eyes are also covered with a pair of sunglasses, walking with her head held high wanting the whole world to see them together. "Why…?" I manage to peep with a breath. I'm having another out of body experience while they draw nearer toward us, both still unaware of our presence.

"The nerve of that woman!" Alice spats, her hands balled into fists. She steps into the sidewalk where she can be seen better by the pair. "Edward Cullen!" she yells.

Upon hearing his name, Edward finally looks up and freezes. And so does Tanya, but only for a moment. I swear she's smirking at Alice. Invisible steams of fury are radiating off my tiny friend. "Alice?" Edward replies, stopping in his tracks. The paparazzi turn once they notice her and snap more pictures of the drama unfolding on the sidewalk. "What the hell are you doing with that she devil?" Tanya looks appalled by her comment but doesn't retaliate.

"I—" Before he can give some kind of explanation, his eyes dart over to me. "Bella…?" He looks pale and more in shock than I do—or maybe guilty that he got caught. He also takes off his sunglasses to get a better look at my angry and questioning features.

He takes a half running step toward me but Tanya yanks him back. "Edward, we're in a hurry. You promised."

"I know, but I need to talk to Bella," he tells her and tries to get his arm out of her grasp. But, by then, I've already ran away. "Bella—wait!" I don't want to hear his explanation. I can't bear what he might have to say. All those thoughts and insecurities lingering in my mind have all come true. Tanya got her claws into him again. What more is there to say?

I ran and ran and ran until my legs felt like Jell-O. Not knowing my exact whereabouts, I look around for a familiar store or street sign. None of my surroundings make sense and I left my phone on the table back at the restaurant so I can't even call for help. Maybe if I found a payphone I can call collect to Jane to come find me. I know Alice will be worried but I'd rather distance myself from the Cullen clan at the moment.

Walking a few more blocks and my heart rate slowing back down there was still no payphone in sight. Did payphones even still exist? I've only now realized that I haven't seen one since I moved to L.A. In Forks, there was one on practically every corner as if they were a Starbucks. Frowning and the thought of walking back the way I came is daunting. I'm already embarrassed for running away and will feel even more embarrassed about returning to the so called 'scene of the crime.'

"There you are…" Spinning around, I see Edward jogging in my direction. I want to run again but my feet feel like they're buried in cement. Did he run all this way after me?

Shaking my head, I try with all my might to not let the tears fall—to not let him see how badly I'm hurting inside. Mustering what courage I have left, I walk away since I don't think I can manage another marathon after just catching my breath. "Go away, Edward," I say. I can barely look at him. I'm still pissed at the display I saw earlier.

"Bella, please. You have to let me explain." He's keeping his strides with me as I pick up my pace.

"Ha! Explain?" I respond hysterically. I think I'm finally losing it. "What's there to explain? I'm gone—what? Four days? And find her all over you? Is that why you haven't been answering your phone because you've been canoodling with her?"

"Canoodling?" He looks confused. It could be by the word or my accusation. Either way I don't care.

"You heard me," I glare. "Just go back to Tanya." And whatever his promise was I'd rather not know about it.

"Bella, you're misunderstanding."

"Oh, am I? Look Edward," I finally stop to face him, "let me make one thing clear to you. I am so hurt and angry right now that I can't even see straight. So just go away!" Whatever last bit of strength I possessed, I booked it again. This time I duck into an alley way, away from the prying eyes and ears on the street as we pass onlookers curious at the quarrel we're having.

"Dammit, Bella! You need to listen to me," he replies, clearly sounding frustrated. Well, too bad! I can tell he's right on my heels so I try to run faster.

Briefly glancing back, he has a sudden look of horror on his face. "Bella! Watch out!"

Huh? Facing forward, I find myself instantly colliding into man carrying a white plastic bag. Stepping out of a back door, he didn't see me coming until it was too late. We tumble down together, the bag ripping and the foul items inside spilling out, cushioning my blow to the ground. From the smell of it, it looks like he was taking out the restaurant's garbage. "Ow…" I rub my elbow.

"Are you okay, young lady?" the older man asks after he gets his bearings back. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you coming."

"Bella!" Edward is quickly at my side, helping me slowly to my feet. He takes the banana peel off my head and throws it in the dumpster near the exit door the man had come through. "You okay?"

"Yeah…" I rub my elbow again. I'm more embarrassed now than hurt. Clumsy Bella strikes again! Can this day get any worse? After the man confirms he only has a few scrapes himself, he and Edward clean up the mess I help create.

"Sorry again," he apologizes once more and discretely scrunches his nose at the aroma linger in the air courtesy of yours truly.

"Me, too," I reply quietly, slightly blushing from the embarrassment. He nods and reenters the building. I'm glad we're both fine, but now I smell like banana peel and seafood—a very unattractive combination to smell like.

"Alice? It's Edward. Can you pick us up?" Somehow he's managed to call his sister on my cell phone. He peeks around the street corner to give Alice our exact location. "Can you hurry? Before the paps finds us." He finally hangs up and sighs. Walking back to where I'm sulking, he's shakes his head.

"This is my fault. I'm sorry," he says grimly. Edward's demeanor has suddenly changed again. He dials another number on my cell and takes his out of his back pocket. It rings immediately. After capturing my number, he hangs up. "Here," he hands my device back to me. "Now you have my new number. And I have yours again."

"Again?"

"Most of my contact information got erased when I lost my phone."

"Is that why—"

"Bella! Edward!" Alice calls out the window from the tinted SUV that pulls up alongside the curb. "C'mon!" She's motioning for us to hurry since she was most likely followed. Because she found us so quickly, I don't get a chance to ask my question.

I nod solemnly, heading to the car. Edward grabs my arm and faces me toward him. "I'm not going with you. It's better if we're not seen together right now. I'll call you and explain as soon as I can." He plants a firm kiss on my lips and disappears in the other direction.

I I I

"She's so lucky there were people around!" Alice is still seething with anger. After a nice hot shower to get the dumpster smell out of my hair and clothes, I relax on Alice's couch donning one of her plush bathrobes with my hair still wet. Smelling fresh was her first demand when we arrived at her condo. A few minute more in the car with me and she probably would have lost her lunch, even with the windows rolled down and her nose plugged. I can tell the driver wasn't very thrilled about the smell either.

"So what happened after I left? And how did Edward get my phone?" I ask. Everything seems like a blur now, which has to do with the fact that I don't want it replaying in my head.

"He picked up your cell when he chased after you. I'd tried to keep the paparazzi at bay for as long as I could with the help of some of the waiters at the restaurant, but most of them got into their cars. I'm surprised they didn't catch up to you."

"I hardly remember the direction I left in. I just kept running like Forrest Gump." If the paps have cars, there's a chance they could have pulled over a few blocks from us taking pictures without us realizing it. "What about your best friend Tanya?" I roll my eyes sarcastically. "What happened to her?"

"She called after Edward but didn't go after him. She was whining and couldn't believe how he left her there alone. I had half a mind to slap her where she stood but the media was in the way and I don't need to draw attention like that. Not with the winter awards coming up." And she's right. Alice has always remained professional and never did anything too outrageous to jeopardize her career or reputation. Although…I wonder what the media is saying about her joining me on the carousel at the airport.

"Edward dialed his number from my phone so he has it again. And now I have his. I guess that's why he never called me. He didn't have my number." Emmett told Alice his phone was stolen but he says he lost it. I'm trying not to overthink on what really happened to it because losing it and having it stolen can mean the same thing depending on whose perspective.

"Well, that explains that. But what's the explanation with Tanya?"

I frown and merely shrug. He appears to be a different person. More serious and not the sweet, caring Edward I know. Even his kiss feels different. It was urgent and needy but also cold and insensitive all rolled into one. I tell Alice what he said right before I jumped into the car and it didn't make sense to her why he decided not to join us. She assumed he would have gotten into the car to hide and asked to be dropped off somewhere when the coast was clear.

"So he said he'll call you but didn't say when?"

"He said as soon as he can." I quietly sigh. Whenever that'll be. My paranoia still working overtime tells me he disappeared because he wants to check up on Tanya and still go with her to wherever they were originally heading. New questions are plaguing my mind and it makes me even more uneasy. Staring at my phone I debate whether or not to text him now that I've acquired his new number.

"Just do it, Bella." Alice rolls her eyes at me. How did she know what I was thinking? "It's written all over your face that you want to contact him. It's not that hard to guess. You've been trying to reach him for days."

"I can't bring myself to do it." What was wrong with me? Here lies the opportunity and I'm taking it for granted. 'What if he doesn't answer?' 'What if he doesn't want to speak to me after all?' 'What if he's really back with Tanya?' are the questions circling my mind. I have to shake the last concern away because why would he still kiss me if that were true? Edward's actions are so confusing and I don't understand them.

Alice and I finally log onto the Internet and search through the gossips blogs, and sure enough, Edward and Tanya are seen photographed together over the weekend. If they weren't sitting down eating at a restaurant, she had her arms firmly placed around his while he keeps his hands in his pockets. Hurt soars through me like a sharp knife at seeing them together like that because it reminds me of us. Tanya always looks affectionate toward him while he looks impassive, almost as if his thoughts are in another place.

Alice's condo line rings, briefly taking me away from my thoughts. "Oh, that must be Rosalie." Rosalie? What's she doing here? "Hi Fred…Yes, please let her upstairs," she says to the front desk clerk who has to have everyone check-in with him first before they're allowed into the building elevator. Fred's a muscular man with a permanent scowl on his face but a real sweetheart once you get to know him. The nice perks about this place is that you need a special access code to get to each floor that only Fred and the residence are given to avoid unwanted guests and intruders. "Rose text me asking if we were home and I told her you were staying at my place for a while," she explains. Again, how does this Hobbit know what I'm thinking? And when did she text Rosalie? She either has super human speed or I just wasn't paying attention.

Once Alice gives Rosalie permission to make her way to us, she's at the door within seconds. She doesn't bother to knock and opens the door like she lives here. She looks at Alice then at me. "We need to talk." Her words are short and to the point. Well, hello to you, too.

"About what? Edward and Tanya?" Alice folds her arms in front of her. "What the hell is going on Rose?" Yes, what the hell is going on? I'd like know myself and I hope she can shed some light to this gloomy mystery I've been trying to cope with since Italy.

The tall model-looking publicist puts her purse on Alice's dining room table along with her phone. Her long, wavy blonde hair falling halfway down her back bounces as she walks over to us in her high-heeled pumps. Very rarely did I see Rosalie dressed down. She always looks professional in her pencil skirts and tight business-like suits.

"I chewed out Edward earlier," she says as she sat down on the couch opposite us. "I've told him not to go out in public with that spoiled little model because it's not good publicity. He's giving the public the wrong impression of what he's doing—no thanks to her."

I sat up from my comfortable position. "What's going on with him, Rosalie? What don't I know?" I ask, frustration dripping from my voice.

She sighs, looking as frustrated as I do…which is surprising. "Look Bella, I haven't necessarily liked you because I thought you'd be a distraction to Edward; make him lose his focus on his career—not when we've built up his reputation to where he's finally receiving the credit he deserves. But I was wrong. I apologize." I couldn't believe my ears. This woman who made it clear she wasn't fond of me from the beginning is now saying she's sorry for always being so cold to me. I understand where she's coming from as Edward's publicist and how creating a good buzz for him in the industry is her number one objective. But, I made sure I never got in the way of his work and I'm glad she's finally realizing that.

"Apology accepted."

"You're good for him—but don't let that go to your head." I smile inwardly at her attempt to be nice in her own unemotional, unfriendly way that I've gotten used to. "Tanya's using him like she always is to continue to build up her own career now that people are taking notice of Edward. Whatever she's up to—I don't like it."

"So, why has he been spending so much time…with her?" I ask, my voice sounding smaller than I want it to. Do I really want to know the answer?

Flipping strands of her hair over her shoulder, she shakes her head. "He won't give me or Emmett any details and it's driving me crazy! How does he expect me to do my job if he won't let me do my job? All he's told us is that he's helping her with a personal matter. I've seen the waterworks she's displayed and I have yet to conclude if they're real tears or a sympathy act for the public. Either way, I honestly don't care. That's not in my job description. I could care less what Edward does during his personal time, but when it affects his work responsibilities—that's when I have to intervene."

"What are you talking about? What about Edward and his work?" Alice asks curiously.

"He's missed two meetings already for a potential role and a spot in a new comedy pilot series coming out next year. All because he's been helping Little Miss I'm Helpless with…whatever it is," she waves her hand in the air with a roll of her eyes.

"That's not like Edward," the Hobbit's eyebrows knit in concern.

"I know," agrees Rosalie, looking more annoyed. "What's even more interesting is how Edward's phone suddenly goes missing as soon as she lands back in L.A. It took me almost an entire day of trying to track him down only to find her snaking her way back into his arms."

A shiver ran up my spine causing the hairs on my head to prickle. Although I tried to give Tanya the benefit of the doubt, I knew she wasn't going to give up Edward without a fight. And playing fair isn't her style. But why was Edward falling into her trap again? He's told me numerous times how he was over her and that I had nothing to worry about. His words are contradicting his actions, which makes it hard to trust him.

"Was his phone stolen or lost?" I ask. It's been bothering me since my encounter with Edward.

Rosalie shrugs. "The day after we got back, Edward and Emmett decided to play basketball at some outdoor court. I don't know how they still had energy from that long flight but I was still too jet-lagged to deal with their left over energy so I went home and slept after our meeting. Emmett thinks someone might have taken Edward's phone from his gym bag while they weren't paying attention. But—I later found out Tanya had shown up there out of the blue as well. I think she took it for her own selfish reasons."

"That makes sense," says Alice. I turn my attention to her. "She's always been selfish with Edward and never liked him hanging out with his friends. And if he did, she always wants to tag along, which I know bugs him sometimes. Taking his phone and probably hiding it or throwing it away somewhere guarantees that he'd have to spend his time with her without any interruptions because no one can get a hold of him and vice versa."

"And the last time Edward backed up the information on his phone was months before we left for Italy," adds Rosalie. What Edward said about not having my number makes more sense now and makes me feel better knowing he was telling the truth...not that he should have any reason to lie to me.

"Tell Rose what Edward said to you."

Emmett's girlfriend turns her attention to me, waiting. "Well…nothing really. He just said he'd call me later to explain and then ran off."

"Tell me as soon as he tells you," she instructs. "I need to keep his career intact."

"Okay…" I reply quietly.

After she leaves, Alice decides to order take out Chinese for us since we never get to finish or enjoy our lunch at the restaurant. While she's on the phone I wonder why Edward hasn't told Rosalie or Emmett anything. And what personal matter is he helping Tanya with? Doesn't that woman have any other friends she can go to for moral support or whatever it is she's having my boyfriend do for her? I know Edward's a sweet, caring guy, but in this case I wish he wasn't!

"I ordered some noodles and vegetables for you…that okay?"

"Sounds perfect." I nod with a half-smile.

We don't talk anymore about Edward when the food arrives. Instead, we focus on our meals in silence, keeping to our own thoughts of how this day's gone and what Rosalie has told us. I'm frustrated that Edward's been spending time with his ex-girlfriend when he should be spending it with me—his current girlfriend…or at least I still think am I? The thought of not knowing is depressing. Finishing what I could eat from the take out box, I tell Alice I'm going to take a nap. The day's events have finally caught up to me and I suddenly feel exhausted. She agrees that a good nap for the both of us should do the trick. We both look worn out.

As sleep quickly takes over me, my phone buzzes relentlessly on the bedside table. My body feels so heavy and I can barely move to grab it. My eyes still closed, I answer. "Hell…o?"

"Bella?"

Hearing my name with that voice jolts me awake like an IV shot of caffeine. "Edward?" I sit up in bed.

"Hi," he replies quietly. It feels so good to hear his voice again. I hope I'm not dreaming. "I know I have a lot of explaining to do."

"Yes. You do." My voice turns a little toward the angry side, which I have the right to be.

"Where are you?" he asks after a beat. He knows I'm not happy about what I saw earlier but he's acting as if he hasn't noticed.

"I'm at Alice's place. I'm going to stay here for a few days. But I need to go to work tomorrow and check in with my boss."

"I thought you were my sister's new assistant?"

I take my phone away from my ear and stare at it briefly. "How did you know that?" I ask curiously. The last time we spoke I didn't get a chance to tell him since he hung up so quickly on me, which still hurts to think about.

I can hear him smiling on the other line. "Rosalie told me. Congratulations." How did Rosalie know? Did Alice text her that, too, before she came over and I was completely oblivious to it?

"Thanks…"

"So, tell me again why you're going back to Starbucks?"

"Well, I promised I'd return after my trip to Italy and because I wasn't planning on Alice springing an assistant offer on me, I still need to give my two week notice. And my manager wants to see me…and find out how my trip went." I hardly even know where to begin with explaining what I did across the sea to her. Mentioning to Edward the kinds of things Lucy wants me to gush about sends an uncomfortable chill down my spine. The last few days have been the worse and I feel less than enthusiastic about telling her about my love life at the moment.

"I see…well, can I see you tonight? I can have a car service collect you around…seven?" How can I say no, especially when seeing him and being with him has been the only thing on my mind. But after the emotional ride I've been on, I can't form an answer. He also knows I have my guard up otherwise I wouldn't hesitate to see him. "I promise I'll explain everything. Please, Bella? I miss you..."

And that did it. "Okay…I'll be ready by seven."

Author's Note: I know! I know! Another cliffhanger…whomp, whomp, whomp. At least Bella's willing to hear Edward's explanation. I promise his strange behavior will be revealed in the next chapter…be patient!

Then after this drama, I'll go back to lightening things up a bit. :) But, forewarning, some sort of drama will still continue in the upcoming chapters.

Lastly, thanks a whole bunches for your reviews. You guys are always fantastic! It doesn't seem like it at times, but I really AM trying to get these updates faster to you guys. Writing is only a hobby for me that I enjoy, which means I have to prioritze other things in my life. But please continue to review and I'll see you on over in the next chapter…