An Unresolved Past
This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.
Chapter 16 – Oh what a tangled web we weave….. *
Deciding it would be better for her father to sleep as much as possible during his stay at the Volturi mansion she looked for the medication Aro had used to subdue him during his capture. Realizing her father would be hesitant to eat anything served by residence of this house she decided to make something she knew he wouldn't be able to resist and carefully put the sleeping draught in it.
Once she had written everything down she called the local grocery store and in her faulty Greek she said "Hello, this is the manor on the outskirts of town. I wish to make an important order so could you please put me through to the owner."
It took a while to get through but once she did she said "Hello sir, I wish to order food from your store but I must be sure they are of excellent quality; if so you will be generously rewarded otherwise it would be better for you to give me the name and number of another supplier".
As soon as she was convinced of his sincerity she gave him a list of all the necessary ingredients for her father's favourite dish; enticing them with a large tip by quick delivery.
She left the money with a note in front of the door which had a shadowed alcove then sought and prepared the sleeping potion. Once the goods arrived, she swiftly prepared something she knew he wouldn't be able to resist. When she was finished she gathered everything on a tray and walked towards Charlie's room.
Upon entering his room Bella saw Charlie was still slumped on the bed with his head in his hands.
She wished to wrap her arms around him but knew it was a luxury that neither of them could afford; it would inadvertently expose the truth and bring her father in danger. Instead she stood in front of him and compassionately whispered "You will be taken to the airport as soon as possible. I have spoken with Aro; it seems that someone has been playing a cruel prank on both of you".
When Charlie looked up she could see by his bloodshot eyes that he had been silently grieving. Both she and her father always had difficulty expressing their emotions and it was excruciating to bear witness to his misery.
She set the tray down on his night table and turned toward him, her voice filled with compassion as she said "Don't worry Mr Swan I will make sure you get back home".
Ignoring her words he asked "It is you, isn't it?"
Taken off guard by his words she stammered "As I said it was a misunderstanding; a cruel joke if you wish …"
Charlie in his frustration exploded "Don't lie anymore; I have a right to know!"
The abruptness of his words and the desperation in his voice shook Bella. Realizing that the guards were in the vicinity she quickly attempted to put her hand in front of his mouth. The swiftness of her movements and the red colour of her pupils alarmed Charlie triggering a self-defence reaction and causing him to quickly move to the other side of the bed. She understood his reaction; had she not done the same when she had been human? Nevertheless she tried to cover her compassion for she knew; in this case she would have to be cruel to be kind.
Charlie looked into her eyes and quietly pleaded "After almost 6 years I have a right to know what happened".
Gradually, so as not to scare him a second time, she leaned toward him with a finger in front of her lips. She was cautious, realizing he was apprehensive and when she finally reached his ear she spoke in a soft voice "You're right but it is necessary that we are discreet and shouting at me will only cause the guards to come back! I don't think either of us would wish that".
She pulled back to assess his reaction and looking into her eyes he hesitantly nodded his head. She gave him a soft smile as she told him "I knew of your daughter. We met in Rome just before her accident; you see she was preoccupied and bumped into me when she came out of the elevator. Both of us were stunned by our resemblance that is why I understand your difficulty accepting the truth".
Charlie was about to interrupt but she held her hand up to stop him as she implored "Please hear me out"
He looked skeptical but nodded his head in agreement.
"Later that evening your daughter was in a bar with a girlfriend when she left and your daughter looked devastated so I walked up to her and asked if I could take a seat. She didn't refuse but was quiet; when I asked if I could help she tried to brush me off. I bought her a drink and pressed on she was very private; much like you, so I began discussing Rome. Slowly she began to thaw and we chatted about the Italian lifestyle which led to the American way of life. That evening I heard that her girlfriend was busy so we decided to hook up and spend some time together; I know it sounds bizarre but that's all I can tell you. A year later I heard about the accident from a friend and am very sorry for your loss".
Leaving her position she stood once more and when she turned to gauge his reaction she immediately regretted her words as she saw a tear sluggishly slide down his cheek, follow the contour of his jaw and subsequently plunge downwards.
Desperation stained his voice as he asked "They said my Bella died in a car accident but when I got the note and the tickets; I started to believe differently".
Her voice barely audible she declared "Maybe the person who sent it meant well. Maybe they thought I was her; after all, behind sunglasses we look almost identical".
He looked down at her, carefully touching her cheek as he mumbled "I just don't understand any of this; you have the same youthful appearance. The only difference is that you look more refined and your eyes are red."
She gave him a cautious smile saying "Well the red eyes are a family trait" and a nanosecond later she added "or curse…. it's how you look at it. So you see, I am not your daughter and it would do you no good to believe otherwise. At the moment I wish to help you so please listen; you're safety of the upmost importance to me""
Astonished by her words he grumbled "But why? If you're not my daughter why would you even care?"
She smiled timidly answered "Just chalk it up to common courtesy; I met your daughter and the way she spoke of you told me that you are a good man. Coming all this way in search of her not only proves that but it also proves your love for her. However I know my family, they can be ruthless if it comes to keeping our family together".
"Is that a warning?" he snorted
She shook her head refusing to acknowledge his words "No, a bitter reality! And something you must take into consideration. This is my family and although I am not totally in agreement with everything they do my loyalty lies with them. I however don't want them to hurt any innocent bystanders".
He looked up his eyes holding hers as he asked "How did you know about my wife Sue? She wasn't in the picture when Bells was living with me"
Bella panicked realizing she had slipped up! However after a moment she explained "I'm sorry, I am a little embarrassed to tell you but I realize that if I don't you will never put this to rest.
Looking at her father's perplexed expression she added "When your daughter died I was curious as to her family. So and a couple of years after her death I decided to find out more about her life, I know it sounds strange and I feel like I have infringed on your privacy. I am sorry if I have but what she told me of her life was very fascinating. As you know I am not without means so I send a friend to investigate and with the little information I had, he was able to find you".
"I can't believe this; why would you do that?" he asked, his voice grave as his eyes scrutinized her face.
"As you have probably noticed I have always been protected and pampered; she however was very emancipated and yet very shy, a strange combination and the total opposite of myself. That is what fascinated me! I love my family but I must admit they can be very stifling. Meeting her made me want to see where she had grown up and why she had become who she had become."
She saw the doubt in his eyes and repulsed by the ease in which she had unflinchingly fed him lies, she stood up to leave his company saying "I must go. As you see I have prepared a light lunch and hope that you will like it. Later tonight I will have someone prepare our meal.
"There is a television" she said walking towards the closet at the foot of the bed and opening the door to show him. She then gave him a friendly smile as she said "we also have a satellite connection so that you can get your American channels". Then putting the remote control on the serving tray she walked towards the door. The moment her hand grasped the doorknob she turned around to say "Again, I sympathize with your situation. I too know how difficult it is losing someone you love" she then left the room being careful to walk in a more human fashion.
On her way back to his room she asked the guards to protect the outer ring so that they would be out of sight when her father came through.
First she knocked on the door and slowly turned the knob to peek inside.
Almost nine hours had passed and she expected that the medicine had worked itself out but she saw he was still asleep.
"….Mr Swan" Bella said, almost calling him Charlie. "I came to wake you for your dinner"
Her father began to move but as soon as he opened his eyes he moaned "how long have I been asleep?"
I don't know but it is almost eleven o'clock and I have had your dinner prepared. Maybe I can't get you home tonight but I can at least give you a hot meal".
Charlie slowly sat up in his bed and Bella flinched when she noticed that in such a short time the fight had gone and his age had caught up with him. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands and trying to wake up when there was a knock on the door. They both looked at it just as Aro came in, his regal presence and strange watchful eyes brought silence to the room.
"Dear Isabella; how is our guest doing?" he inquired.
Bella gave Aro a strained smile but it proved difficult considering the forced bond that he had blackmailed her into just a short while ago. She tried to ignore her anger, frustration and contempt as she quickly explained "Mr Swan is doing fine; once you told me your story and I heard his I realized someone had been playing a cruel joke on you both. Do you know if the plane tickets have arrived?"
"No, not yet they will probably come tomorrow" Aro then turned to face Charlie saying "I'm so sorry for the mix up Mr Swan; even I thought that my Isabella was your daughter. When Isabella explained the situation and that your daughter had lived with you until only six years ago, I knew there must have been a mistake".
Charlie's looked at Aro with suspicion as he asked "What's wrong with your eyes; both of you have red irises".
Looking and listening to Charlie Aro realized just how similar he and Bella were; 'hadn't she gotten
anything from her mother?'
Although it was against his policy to answer what he deemed a rude question Aro, still in euphoria by the battle he has just won with Bella, said "It's a family affliction; in the outdoors we wear sunglasses to protect them".
Charlie then suspiciously asked "If you thought she was my child; how could she have red irises?"
"You must forgive my initial anger. Isabella is a very distant niece of mine whose father had left her mother when she was but a tiny infant. My father brought her and her mother to our estate and Isabella and I have become extremely attached; I was afraid you had come to try and claim her after all these years".
After having said this he offered his hand to Bella who gracefully walked over to him and took it. Then in an attempt to give emphasis to his words Bella kissed Aro's cheek as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Looking into his eyes she gave him a seemingly warm smile saying "I would never leave you; you should know that by now". Then turning her attention back to her father she explained "You see; Aro and I are to be wed".
Charlie looked at the two his mind mulling over the facts. This Aro character had something evil about him; even when he smiled. He seemed so controlling. If she really cared for him, nothing would matter she just wouldn't want to leave. Normally he would say this out loud but after all her warnings he kept his thoughts to himself.
Aro eyes caressed her face as he said "Yes my dear; you're right! I have become very possessive with the years. I could never imagine the thought of you leaving me". Slowly removing his arm from Bella's waist he took a step backwards. He then brought the index fingers of both hands to his mouth and looking from Bella to Charlie he said "Mr Swan, I believe my Isabella has your dinner ready; I will take my leave and allow you to eat it in peace".
He kissed Bella's cheek and was about to leave but as he reached the door Bella quickly asked "Aro, after dinner I wish to take a walk with Mr Swan. He has been cooped up for quite a while; some fresh air will do him good."
Aro looked at her his eyes searching for any hidden deceptions and seeing none he replied "That would be nice but please stay close to the estate; you know how I worry".
"You are welcome to join us" she innocently said, knowing he wouldn't.
"No my love I have so much to do; the last few days I haven't been able to do much, not with this situation". He turned the door knob and was about to leave when he turned towards Bella and asked
"You will not forget our appointment?"
Bella knew this was no question but a distinct demand and giving him a modest smile she said "Of course not!"
Charlie listened and observed them both getting the impression that they were not as attached as their little performance had suggested. He felt an underlying tension as if they were in a dispute with one-another but he was oblivious as to what it was.
After dinner Bella led Charlie past the guards and into the gardens enjoying the nightly sounds. Nervously clasping her hands in her back she walked in silence; neither her nor her father were very talkative.
Bella had asked him out to probe his thoughts; she wanted to be sure that he had accepted her story and would no longer investigate her disappearance.
Once Charlie felt they were far from the mansion he turned to observe her and when she gave him a puzzled look he said "You know; I don't believe a word of what you said back there" absentmindedly raising his thumb and pointing it in the direction of the mansion behind them.
Bella groaned inwardly and dared not look at him "I am sorry that I haven't been able to convince you but looking at me you must believe; I have crimson eyes and your daughter had brown ones. That is something someone does not fabricate; it is a very rare trait that only a few families have and we are one of them".
She should have known he would be tenacious, after all that was a trait that they both shared. Bella however was determined to keep on course knowing what the consequences would be if she did not.
Shaking her head she rationally added "Please Mr Swan, don't put yourself through this emotional roller coaster; it doesn't help and I very much doubt your daughter wouldn't have wanted you to".
Charlie narrowed his eyes as he retorted "I don't know about the red eyes but there is something about you. The way you move, the way you are; seem to discredit everything you said. Another thing I don't get; this Aro and you. I understand you are an item; and yet there is something strange going on between you two".
"Please don't talk of things you have no knowledge of" she said guardedly while scanning the area for eavesdroppers.
Looking in the same direction as Bella he whispered "What are you afraid of?"
She looked back at him saying "I am afraid that no good will come from all your inquiries; it will only hurt you in the end. You've had a bad enough time to accept the truth; don't let anyone take away the equilibrium you have found".
He stopped walking and asked "What the hell is going on here! You may want me to leave and I'll respect that but you or your 'so called family' can't stop me from find out what the hell is going on here. Do you think I can just walk away?"
Suddenly Bella gave into her frustrations and snapped "You must! I want you to leave as soon as you can; I want you to get as far away as possible. You must promise me that you will never come back; it is too dangerous for you and your loved ones. Please, for the love of all that is sacred to you, forget everything and continue to pick up your new life. Even having thoughts like these can only shatter your future".
Getting closer to the mansion they became silent both lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived at his room and she was about to leave he grabbed her hand. At that moment he felt the ice cold temperature of her skin once again.
She pulled back and as she did he realized that this was yet one more piece of the puzzle she could not explain but instead of backing off he asked "Is that normal?"
"Yes very at least for my family, but it is not uncomfortable. Actually living in a warm country it can be very comfortable but enough of this! I hope to take you to the airport tomorrow but you must sleep for now; rest assured by this time tomorrow you be well on your way back home".
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive." ~ Walter Scott, Marmion
