CHAPTER ELEVEN
Once I made it to town, I found a taxi and gave the man James's address. We had been driving for about twenty minutes when the driver slowed and turned down a long rustic driveway. James's house was a small cozy little cottage with big bushes surrounding it. I paid the man the fare being sure to tip him well and let out a huge breath I had been holding.
I looked up at the house, Edward's words were playing in my head and it was then I began to have my doubts. Come on Bella get it together, Edward was just mistaken. However, another voice crept into my head, Bella when has he ever lied to you he may not like James but do you really think he would make up a story like that. Oh, shut up Bella! I had been standing at the bottom of the steps to go up to James porch for about a minute when James opened the door.
"Well are you going to stand there all night?" he joked. Well, this was it.
I laughed and promptly walked up the stairs to him; he took me in his arms and kissed me, pushing his tongue in before I had a chance to know what was happening. God, how I miss Edwards's lips, snap out of it you shouldn't be thinking of another man's lips when you are kissing another man! I pulled back, the moment ruined in my mind.
James brought me into the house and took my jacket and purse and threw it in the corner on a chair. "You have a lovely home," I said trying to think of anything else but what was playing in my mind.
"Thank you, I'll give you the tour later."
In the middle of his living room, there had been a small folding table set with paper plates and plastic ware. I couldn't help make a comparison to the beautiful table Edward had set for me. Thinking about it, this is probably more what I deserved. The fine china and linen cloth should be reserved for someone far grander than I.
"Would you care for a drink?" he asked walking behind the kitchen counter.
What if I said no, would that prove something to me? Damn Edward for making me question this poor mans every move.
"I like a glass of water; he turned to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. He tossed it to me, "Bella we are having roasted chicken, I have the perfect wine for it. Please say you'll have a glass with me to toast to new beginnings."
Be smart Bella.
"I'll have what you're having." I smiled at him he returned it with a smile and nod himself. He turned his back to me and over his shoulder asked me to go and turn on the radio near the television. I couldn't see what he was doing, it was obvious he was pouring the wine, but I did as I was told and turned the radio on. He had just placed the glasses on their respective places at the table and pulled my chair out for me to sit down. He walked back to the kitchen and while he was bent over pulling the chicken out I hurriedly switched the glasses. There now if he did, in fact, drug me, I was covered, if he didn't then there would be no problem.
He brought over the main dish, proud of his chicken he proclaimed Bon Appetit. He raised a glass and we clanged them together, each of us drinking with our eyes on each other, I laughed trying to ease the tension I knew I was feeling. "This wine is very good, thank you for doing all this for me tonight."
"It's always my pleasure, now let's dig in," he replied.
James's chicken was a tad bit dry for my taste but of course, I wasn't going to say anything. Ten minutes had passed since we first drank the wine; James had completely finished the contents of his glass and already started pouring a second glass. I wasn't sure how long it would take for any drugs to work; this wasn't exactly my area of expertise. I needed to relax and just enjoy myself and stop worrying about this.
James all the sudden started looking at me kind of funny. He looked like he was trying to focus on me.
"What's the matter, James?" I asked innocently.
He looked to be concentrating like he was trying to rewind things in his mind.
"Awe did you have a bit too much wine there?" I think I may have sounded bitchier than intended.
"You switched the glasses?" he slowly said.
"There would be no problem with me switching the glasses if one of them wasn't laced with something." I was getting angry and far to brave.
"You bitch!" He tried to get up but was having balance issues; I immediately got out of my chair.
"You think you can drug me, asshole. God, I can't believe Edward was right about you; well I fucked over your little plan didn't I?" I shouted.
James was barely standing, all the sudden he backhanded me so hard across the face I instantly landed on the floor. My face felt like it had just exploded, little spots came floating into my vision. I looked up at him just as he kicked me in the stomach. I had never been physically in pain the way I was now.
Every part of me was throbbing, as I started to try and get up. James landed on me on top of me pushing himself between my legs and pinning me down with his weight. I tried fighting him with everything I had in me, but it wasn't enough. Even drugged he was so much stronger than me. Tears were streaming down my face, I started screaming for help. He put his hand on my throat, "Scream again and I'll break your neck."
He was still having trouble focusing but I felt him push his hand up my dress. I laid there knowing what was coming, praying that Edward would rescue me. But he didn't come. James had managed to roughly make his hand through my underwear and he had started to push a finger inside me, pain horrible pain.
He suddenly became limp, passed out on top of me.
"Oh god," I cried out as I tried to push his body off of mine. I couldn't stop crying; once I was free I got up as fast as possible. My body hurt all over, my face felt like it had been hit by a truck. I grabbed my coat and purse and stumbled out of his house. I didn't know where to go I was almost in the middle of nowhere. I needed to get away from the house just in case that stuff wore off fast but I had nowhere to go. I remembered I had my cell phone in my purse so I made a hiding place in the bushes next to the house.
I took out my phone. I couldn't call Edward even though I was scared; I think a part of me was more scared of what Edward would do. I decided to call Alice.
"You have reached the lovely and talented Alice Whitlock," She sang.
"Alice," I managed to mutter out.
"Bella? Is everything ok?" She quickly became serious.
"Alice I need you to do me a favor. Can you come pick me up? Please don't tell anyone," I pleaded.
"What happened, Bella?"
"I need you to hurry." My voice broke. But she complied. I gave her the address and prayed she would get here fast. I sat outside in the bushes in the dark, praying. It didn't sound like anything was happening in the house but I had seen enough horror movies to know that it wasn't over till the bad guy was dead. I couldn't allow myself to get comfortable any moment he could come running out in a rampage.
Alice finally arrived and I ran to the car as quickly as possible, yet when I opened the door it wasn't Alice driving. It was Emmett. I looked at him in shock; my one eye straining to open was now swollen.
Emmett looked me over as I sat down in the front seat. His eyes turned murderous, he opened his door and got out. I started shouting for him to come back. Emmett yelled at me to stay in the car, he ran into the house so fast, I didn't know what to do. I could faintly hear crashing noises, I sat there with my hands in my face sobbing. This was entirely my fault if I hadn't been so determined to go against Edward none of this would have ever happened.
A couple more minutes passed and Emmett finally exited the house, he stomped down to the car and roughly got in.
"I'm sorry," I said softly.
"Sorry, you're sorry. Bella! Edward told you what kind of a guy he was. Why the hell would you go running off to him?" Emmett's voice rose with every word. "You and Edward have got to get your shit together. You have a perfectly great guy sitting in front of you, but you still want to go for the psychopath."
"I didn't know he was a psychopath, I just wanted to be...wanted. I don't deserve someone like Edward. Before tonight, James could have been a respectful alternative. People like me don't get to end up with people like you or Edward;" I defended.
"People like what? Celebrities? You think that the only way we get to be happy is if we end up with another celebrity. Have you ever read US Weekly? Every other cover is a celebrity divorce."
"I'm not saying just celebrities, ugh never mind you could never understand." I looked out my window determined to not look at him the rest of the way home.
"You're right Bella. I don't understand. I don't understand how you could have someone like Edward who is completely head over heels for you and you just treat him like he isn't worth anything. If you don't get your head out of your ass, you are going to miss the best man out there."
We pulled up the driveway. We both got out, I was determined to get to my room and finish my night with a crying jag. I made it to the stairs when I heard Alice and Edward approach. Emmett called after me.
"Bella come back here." Long gone was the crazy joker Emmett.
I slowly turned to face them. Alice gasped. Edward came forward to take a closer look when he got about a foot in front of me he stopped. His eyes held more anger then Emmett's, I suddenly became very frightened.
"That son of a bitch." He spits out, he went around me towards the front door, but Emmett caught him.
"Stop bro, I already took care of it. Alice can you help Bella get ready for bed." Alice nodded and walked with me upstairs. I could still hear Emmett and Edward talking in hushed voices when I reached the top. I couldn't find it in me to care.
Once we were in my room Alice helped lift my dress over my head and put on my pajamas. The place where James had kicked me was really starting to hurt. I pulled off what was left of my underwear and threw them in the trash. My eyes started watering.
"Oh god, Bella. He didn't rape you did he?" Alice asked with tears forming in her own eyes. I slowly shook my head and walked over to the bed. Just as Alice was helping me in, Edward arrived.
"I'll take it from here, Alice." He was calmer than before, good I don't think I could stand a lecture right now. He came and sat on the bed with me, in his hand was a piece of meat.
"Lay your head down, this will help with the swelling," He said as he placed the meat on the violated side of my face.
"I'm so sorry, Edward," I paused. "I know I deserve this."
"Hey! Nobody ever deserves something like this."
He was mad. I can't blame him.
"Bella, we both messed up, we screwed up and unfortunately you were the one to pay the price. I should have stopped you. I could have stopped you; you may have hated me for it but at least then you would have been safe. I am so sorry. I failed you, all I wanted to do was at least protect you and I failed."
"It's not your job to protect me, bad things happen. I'm not your responsibility," I said sadly.
"It was so hard for me to give you time that you asked for. I thought the best way was to step back and leave you be, hoping you would come around and realize that you wanted me to. But all that did was leave you to run off to someone else's arms. I don't want to take time anymore, if you don't want people knowing about us then fine we truly wanted will hide our relationship from the world, but please just give me a chance to prove to you how much I lo… I care for you. I want to be exclusive. And yes Bella it is my job to protect you, even if that means protecting you from yourself. I am no longer going to sit back and allow you to make poor choices without proper consequences."
My head was spinning, I wasn't sure if it was the pain or Edwards declaration. I had to think for a moment. If Edward trulywanted to be with me and I truly wanted to be with him, I needed to start trusting him. Edward had always been trustworthy in the past like Emmett said I needed to give this kind and good man a chance before the opportunity for happiness past me by. I needed to stop being so stubborn and allow myself joy in life. Edward and I were both stubborn creatures but it was time to allow ourselves this. I know it may not be easy down the road; we both like to think we are right. But I would rather fight with Edward, then not have Edward at all.
I looked at his face; he looked desperate for some kind of answer from me. "Okay, Edward. I want to give us a chance."
He closed his eyes taking in my words and then slowly leaned down and kissed my cheek. "You won't regret it, Isabella Swan."
He lifted the meat from off my face and placed it back on the plate. "How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you?"
My stomach hurts where he kicked me. Do you have any Tylenol?" I realized quickly that I hadn't told him what exactly happened between James and I. His face was suddenly outraged. "He kicked you?"
"Uh. Yeah." I muttered.
"I am so sorry Bella." He looked damaged.
"Please don't be sorry, my fault remember. Well me and my hard-headedness."
"I'll go get you a pain reliever." He got up from the bed and took the plate with meat on it with him.
He was back entirely too fast, he had to have run up and back. He went to my bathroom and got a glass of water and brought it to me with two pills in his hand. I swallowed them then laid back down.
"Bella, can I see where he kicked you? I want to make sure it's not more serious then we think." I slowly lifted my nightgown making sure the sheet was at least covering my lower half. He ran his hands over the newly bruised area. He exhaled and brought my nightgown back down. It sounded absurd but just thinking about what happened started to scare me. What if James came after me and finished what he had started. I began crying again, I knew it was exhaustion but I couldn't find it in me to stop.
Edward climbed over me to lay down beside me, he took me in his arms and held me rocking me gently. "I switched the drinks when he wasn't looking if I hadn't switched the drinks…it was twenty minutes into our meal when he became affected by the drug he had meant for me. I have to admit I did taunt him, he had a hard time focusing and an even worse time standing. When he landed the first blow to my face I quickly realized just how bad this was going to get." Edward rubbed my back with small circles. "He kicked me when I was on the ground and the landed on top of me, he was so heavy and so strong I was even having trouble screaming for help. He grabbed my throat and told me he'd break my neck if I screamed again. His hand was under my dress and he was violently trying to attack me, he had just ripped the underwear and placed his finger…when he passed out." My tears were soaking his shirt. "Why was I so stupid? Why didn't I listen to you? " I wept.
"It's over now Bella, he won't touch you again. I promise to protect you. Sleep now sweetheart, I'll be right here when you wake in the morning." I closed my eyes. And fell asleep.
AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.
STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.