I don't own twilight. What I own is my character's behavior, personality, background, and plot of the story.
A huge thank you to my beta Madmooey18 for putting in the effort and helping me make this story what it is.
Author's Note at the end.
"What the fuck were the two of you thinking?" Esme whisper screams the moment Bella is out of ear shot. Edward crosses his arms across his chest and glares at both of them waiting for an explanation.
This better be good. After all, it's not every day that they are complete and utter assholes to someone they barely know.
Carlisle and Jasper who suddenly find themselves on the receiving end of the glares of everyone, look at each other before Carlisle says, "What I did wasn't bad. I was trying to include her in our discussion."
Esme, whose face was getting redder by the minute as Carlisle explained himself demands, "Oh really? Where was your brain when you thought that this topic would be the ideal topic? On a vacation?"
Emmett who has been silent since he came in states, "I have to be honest. I agree with mum on this one. This entire interaction has been a cluster fuck of a mess," he turns to his dad and states, "You should have thought deeply before speaking," and then he turns to Jasper and continues, "And you should have been nice to her. There was no reason for you to be hostile to her. She isn't a thug working for a rival family. There is no excuse to what you did."
Rosalie nods her head as Emmetts speaks and once he finishes, she states, "Let's hope this doesn't make her turn against us."
Edward who wishes that he could punch his father or brother but knows it's neither acceptable nor appropriate to do so, tells them with venom dripping from his voice, "This is why our company started doing better once, you stepped down. And you Jasper just showed illustrates to everyone why I never let you anywhere near anything related to the company. Both of you are too egotistical to consider how your words impact others, and both of you have been in the mafia too long as you think that since you are the big fish, you can do whatever bullshit you want and get away with it."
Everyone turns to look at Edward in surprise. Edward is the calm one. He is the person who is always cool and collected. He never let's his anger get to him. He always measures his words precisely and is careful to make sure that he never hurts anyone's feelings. This time, its almost as if he intentionally picked words that he knows will hurt his brother and father.
Jasper who has no words to defend himself and doesn't like that everyone is pilling on him snaps at Edward by telling him, "You only have a problem with us doing that because you like her."
Edward who finds himself at the receiving end of the family's scrutinizing eyes doesn't try to deny what Jasper states, instead he says, "You make it sound like defending the person I like is a bad thing? At least I don't claim to love my girlfriend and then act like such an asshole to her only friend that I drive her to leave the room."
Everyone is taken aback by what Edward just said. He is never this brutally honest and while he has on occasions made snide comments about how Jasper treats Alice, he has never directly called him out. He has always preferred going to Alice and trying to talk some sense into her.
Jasper is boiling with anger as the vein in his neck seems pretty close to bursting when he tells him, "Where was that best friend when Alice needed her?"
"She had just lost her mum you fucking idiot? What was she supposed to do? Skip on her dad and drag Alice to rehab to fix her nose candy problem? Do you even think before you spew this crap? You don't. I would reckon your behavior has nothing to do with your wretched indignation on behalf of Alice. Would you like to explore that? I know I would love to," Edward tells him.
Edward smirks as Jasper silently glares at him. He enjoys shutting up Jasper. As a general rule, he prefers a silent Jasper over a speaking one.
Alice who has been frozen in her place till this moment takes a step back and looks into Jasper's eyes before stating, "If I lose my friend over this, I will never forgive you." She spins around and walks to the room she recently came from.
Bella looks into the horizon. She feels better and more collected. A part of her still wants to leave, but she is no longer letting that panicking part of herself control her. Why the heck did she even run away? As those thoughts swerl around in her head, she feels a coat placed on her shoulder.
She turns around to return it but realizes that it's her own and finds Edward behind her. "Thank you."
"Figured with the cold weather that you would want it," he states giving her a small smile.
"Well, you figured correctly," she tells him smiling back.
He is stunned for a moment before he catches himself and tells her, "Your welcome. It's wasn't much." They are silent for a moment each one of them thinking of what they want to say next.
"Bella,", "Edward," they both say at the same time.
Both of them laugh and then Bella says, "You go first."
Edward shakes his head and states, "No, ladies first."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely, please go first," he tells her holding his ground.
Bella is silent for a moment trying to figure out her words then states while looking at him, "Correct me if I am wrong, but it felt like something was off inside."
Edward lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding and runs his fingers through his hair before the expression on his face turns serious and he tells her, "That is actually related to what I wanted to say. I sincerely apologize for what happened inside. It had nothing to do with you and it shouldn't have happened."
Bella waves him off and states, "Don't apologize for something you didn't do."
Edward shakes his head at her and tells her, "Doesn't matter. I was one of the family member who agreed to this party. I know my family. I should have at the very least told Alice to prepare you."
So it wasn't Alice's idea. What else has Alice not told me?
"I guess if you truly feel responsible then all I can do is accept your apology, although that doesn't answer my question," Bella tells him.
"That is complicated and there are more reasons for the shit show that just happened," he is cut off by the giggle that just bursts from Bella.
"What's funny?" he asks in surprise.
Trying to control her expression, she tells him, "I just find you cursing funny."
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asks raising his eyebrows.
"I am sorry it doesn't mean anything. I just found it funny, but please continue. You were saying that there were many reasons for what happened inside," Bella tells him cover her smile with her hand. She doesn't know why she found his cursing hilarious. Maybe it's because he is an artist and she assumed that he is one of those pretentious people who think that they are above cursing. Or maybe it's because what Aro said made her think that he was one of those sensitive tortured soul.
Edward wants to press the subject but the hopeful expression in her eyes makes him let go of that and tell her what she wants to know.
"The first part has to do with Alice. If you don't know please don't tell her that I told you. Alice after you left New York started dating this older guy. He introduced her to drugs. By the time her brother realised that something was wrong it had been going on for six months. Her addiction meant that she had no friends left and Alice isn't very social so she never made any new ones, so her lack of friends made bringing her into the family fold easy. She had no one to tell the family secrets. Of course, she could have gone to the police, but Jasper is a good judge of character and so the family thought that as long she doesn't have strong friendships, there is nothing to worry about,", "Now that I am here. The family has a reason to fear," Bella finishes.
"Also your close relationship with Aro doesn't help your case. Sure we have a truce with them, but that doesn't mean that we want them to know our secrets," Edward adds.
"That's it?" Bella asks. That doesn't make much sense when you think of what just happened.
Edward rubs his hand over his face and then states, "Dad's statement was the typical foot-in-the-mouth move." She raises her eyebrows in surprise and disbelief.
"Seariously, it's true. He didn't mean any offense by it," he tells her.
She doesn't believe him and tells him so which prompts him to say, "Honestly. I am not lying. Do you know why our company has been thriving since I took over as the CEO?" he asks her then quickly adds, "Aside from my phenomenal business savviness."
She notices the twinkling in his eyes as she replies, "Your one-in-a-lifetime humbleness?"
Edward throws his head back as he laughs before he tells her, "The fact that dad could no longer alienate our partners or customers with his ill timed jokes."
She looks around to make sure no one inside is near the door and tells him quietly, "Shouldn't he not have that problem since he is a boss in the underworld and all?"
"It's the exact opposite," Edward tells her as he tightened his coat against the cold gust of wind that came by, "When your gun and fist can do the talking, you don't need to learn tact."
She nods her head in understanding then turns to look at the city and asks, "What about Jasper?"
"Jasper is an asshole, but he is also very protective of Alice and thinks that since you weren't there for Alice during her addiction, you aren't a good friend," Edward answers.
Bella barks a laugh then says, "Let me get this straight, the guy that pushed his girlfriend away two seconds into a kiss, thinks she should be the center of the universe of everyone else?"
"Now that you are saying it out loud, it sounds stupid, but in his defense, Jasper thinks that if he shows too much intimacy in front of people, people will realize that he loves her and target her."
"Paranoid much?" Bella tells him thinking that the entire thing is a joke.
Edward nods his head and tells her, "Jasper isn't my biological brother. His father worked for the legitimate side of the business, yet him and his family were targeted. It's a miracle that Jasper survived the assasination. He is paranoid for a reason."
"Ohh," Bella tells him looking at her hands feeling sorry for him and understanding where he is coming from. She understands all too well the paranoia that comes with trauma.
Edward notices the expression on her face and tells her, "Don't feel sorry for him. He has had the time and resources to heal and move on. He chooses not to and continues to force everyone to deal with his shit."
"So I can talk shit about him in front of Alice but not so much that she breaks up with him because he is a traumatized asshole" Bella guesses.
"Ohh no, please make her break up with him. Alice deserves better," he replies to her surprise.
Bella is silent for a moment before she tells him, "You say that Alice doesn't have friends but I think you are counting yourself short," she pauses to take a step back and look him up and down before saying, "Edward Cullen I am pleasantly surprised."
Edward feels the heat rise to his cheeks and he quickly tells her, "Sure Alice is my friend, but Alice also is my stylist and if she feels like shit I look like shit hence why I want her to be happy."
Bella laughs lightly at what he says before telling him, "And here I thought you were the nice guy."
Edward shakes his head and tells her, "Nah, I am as bad as him. I just have a better time hiding it. I even have a reason, daddy didn't get me a new car in high school."
They both laugh at that and then Bella realizes how intimate this feels and turns her body away from him towards the party.
Her pulling back serves as a wake-up call for Edward and he clears his throat before he tells her, "Are you ready to go back in? I am one minute away from turning into a popsicle."
"Oh yeah, I need to be defrosted," she replies with exaggeration.
I can think of a way to help you do that.
Ignoring the thought that just popped in his head, he mentions for her to go inside before him. She thanks him but before she can go inside, her phone rings and she looks at the caller ID.
"I am sorry but I need to take this. Go and I will follow you once done," she tells him apologetically positioning her fingertips to take the call.
"Then take my coat. I won't need it inside," he tells her.
Before she can tell him that he doesn't need to, he shrugs out of his coat and puts it on her shoulders which prompts her to thank him.
"Edward," she calls to him when he has one foot in the door.
He looks at her and she tells him, "You can't trick me. I see through you. You are an awesome person and no amount of self-deprecating jokes will change that." The small and shy smile he gives her turns into a mega-watt one, once he closes the door behind him.
Bella waits until the door is closed to answer her phone, "Hello, Aro."
"Hi dear, I hope I am not calling at an inconvenient time. I noticed that it took you some time to get to the phone," comes the deep voice of Aro through the phone followed by a chuckle.
"I am at a party and needed to get away from the noise before answering," She says not feeling the need to tell him exactly what happened.
Aro is silent on the opposite side of the phone for a little bit before he replies, "And here I thought you would need more time to settle in and I would have time to lure you back to Washington before that. Anyone I know?"
Bella laughs at what he said. He doesn't know that she wouldn't want to even be buried in Washington if it was the only state with cemeteries. She would rather be left in the streets for the stray dogs and cats to eat. Washington is not somewhere she would ever return to for anyone or anything.
"It's funny that you say that because I am at a party Alice is hosting. You know her boyfriend. He is Jasper Cullen," she replies.
"Well I know that you are at least having fun. Those Cullens know how to throw parties like no other."
They both chuckle and they are silent for a moment until Bella breaks the silence by asking, "Not that I don't appreciate your call, but why did you call?"
"You sent me a message earlier about my work offer. I am calling to let you know that it is still available," he replies.
She feels a weight lifted off her shoulder as she asks him, "How soon do you want me to start?"
"As soon as you can," comes Aro's eager reply.
"I can't start tomorrow. But I can make it happen the day after." The truth is that she doesn't have the luxury of letting this job go or taking her sweet time starting. She needs cash in her pocket as soon as yesterday.
She hears clapping through the phone in Aro's typical exuberant fashion then he tells her, "I appreciate your eagerness. You have no idea how much your work is needed."
"Well, I did leave you high and dry when I quit and the next couple of months are going to be slow for me as a model, so I thought why not help you a little bit until my career picks up," she tells him. Of course, she won't tell him that she is also broke.
You don't show anyone your weaknesses.
Her mind parrots Charlie's thoughts back to her.
After saying goodbye to Aro she goes inside. She returns both of the coats to the coat closet then sets out to find Jasper. She has a deal to settle.
She finds him where the family was standing with Edward and catches the end of what he is saying, "You only think that cause you want to get into her pants."
Not wanting to hear the rest of what they are speaking of, Bella makes her presence known by saying, "You have such a way with words Jasper." Both men turn to look at her. Jasper in a challenging way and Edward apologetically.
"Although, I have a feeling that it doesn't extend to your girlfriend," she continues after she waved a waiter over and took a glass of water from him. The last thing she needs is to get drunk.
"What is that supposed to mean," Jasper states barely concealing his anger.
Bella rolls her eyes at him and then tells him, "Don't do the I am so angry I could punch a wall schtick. It doesn't work on me. Don't fuck with my friend. If I find out that you made her sad, you won't like the consequences."
Jasper for a second looks like someone slapped him on the face before he states, "That's rich coming from a friend that has been absent since high school."
Bella wrinkles her eyebrows as she tells him, "A smart comeback, I will give you that," then she pauses to sip from her glass of water then continues, "But not one that will deter me, so try another one."
Jasper is silent for a moment then looking at Edward he states, "She thinks that she can scare me." It doesn't escape their notice that Jasper turning to Edward instead of her is him being intentionally disrespectful.
"I can think of 10 different herbs that can cause your heart to stop and make it look like a natural death." Bella watches as the expression on Jasper's face shifts from fear to disbelief to shock to surprise and back to disbelief.
"Although I could always get my hands dirty. I don't mind shooting you and sending you to swim with the fishes," she pauses for a moment and then leans forward and whispers, "You are underestimating the amount of weight I can carry and the resources at my disposal."
She leans back and beams at him, and that's how the rest of the family finds them.
"You guys looked intense from the other side of the room. What are you talking about?" Rosalie asks.
"I wouldn't say we," Bella pauses to point at the three of them, "Since it was mostly me doing the talking."
"I still want to know what you were talking about," Rosalie tells her smiling.
"I was telling Jasper the different ways I could kill him."
Hello lovely people,
I apologize for the late update. I have had to deal with exams, and some other unpleasant things over the last week. Would you believe me if I told I finished the chapter over a week ago, but I haven't had the chance to edit it?
Anyways, hope Edward and Bella's talk answered some of the questions you had. What do you think of this story so far? What is your favorite part of this chapter and the whole story so far? My favorite part of this chapter is the banter between the characters. If you ask is it the one between Bella and Edward, I won't be able to answer cause I almost equally enjoyed the one between Bella and Jasper.
Let me know your questions, thoughts, and predictions in the review section.
until my next update,
Stay Safe.