A/N: Okay, so we have some strong feelings about Rosalie and how the situation was handled. I know some of you wish Edward would have done more, but remember they're public figures in a public place. Besides, our Bella can take care of herself. Anyway, its time for the big MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) media shindig. And what's an event without a little drama? As always, thank you to everyone who has read, commented, followed, and favourited so far. If you'd like sneak peeks at this and future stories, come join us at hmerdan's fiction spot on FB. And, of course, thank you to my beta, Kneon. Now, let's party!
BPOV
After Edward's promise in the car, we did our best to keep the rest of the ride light until we finally arrived at the valet for Liberty Grand. As we joined the line, I could see Jasper's truck a few cars behind us, amidst the pile of luxury vehicles. Suddenly, I felt an unease creep up in the pit of my stomach.
"Don't be nervous," Edward offered soothingly, placing a hand on my knee. "Everything will be fine."
"I'm not nervous," I insisted, despite being a horrible liar.
"Bella, I can tell when you're nervous," he replied. "You bite your bottom lip and those beautiful brown eyes look like saucers."
"I just feel out of place," I admitted. "I've never even heard of this place, but it looks fancy. Combined with all these cars that I could only ever afford if I sold my parents' house…" I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "How many people are there?"
He just shrugged. "No clue. It's our entire organization plus the Raps, the Argos, FC, the Volterra execs, media-"
"I get it!" I interrupted. "Anyone who's anyone in Toronto. And me."
"You're the most important person here," he smiled, kissing my hand before pulling up to the valet stand. We exit the car quickly so as not to hold up the line behind us, and make our way up a red-carpeted staircase into the elegant foyer.
"Edward!" a tall, thin man with wavy gray hair called out to us within seconds of crossing the threshold. "I figured you'd be here soon."
"Beau! I knew I'd see you here," Edward grinned, pulling the man in for a friendly hug. "Beau, I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Bella Swan. Bella, this is my agent, Beau Dwyer. I've been with his agency since I signed with the Marlies."
"Pleasure to meet you, Bella," Beau smiled warmly, offering his hand. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Likewise," I agreed, although I only knew the barest detail - Beau worked for his father, Phil Dwyer, and had made a name for himself by signing Edward so early on. He was now a highly sought after sports agent, especially among the NHL.
"No Edie tonight?" Edward asked.
Beau shook his head. "No, not tonight. She said there was no way she was getting dolled up while she's about to pop. She's enjoying Chinese and chick flicks with her sister," he explained with a small chuckle as he pulled a small stack of badges attached to lanyards from his inside pocket. After a quick shuffle, he extracted a pair and handed them to Edward. "I already grabbed your credentials, so you're good to go inside."
"Perfect! Thank you," Edward smiled, placing both in his pocket. "We're just waiting for Jas and Ali to get here first."
"Sounds good. I already gave Emmett his passes, so he should be around here. If you'll excuse me, I have a few more of these to hand out." He clapped Edward on the shoulder as we said goodbye.
"That line took forever!" Jasper exclaimed as he and Alice finally joined us, Alice throwing her tiny arms around me. "Any sign of Em and Rose?"
Edward shook his head. "Beau said he gave Em their passes, but we haven't seen them yet."
"I'm sure Em already found the hors d'oeuvres," Alice replied before grabbing my hand. "We need to freshen up before we go in there."
Before I could respond, she was pulling me behind her. "Alice, slow down! I'd like to keep my arm in its socket," I laughed.
"Sorry," she replied sheepishly and dropped my hand. "I'm just excited for you and Edward making your debut. Aren't you?"
"That's one word for it," I murmured. Nervous was a better one. Even a little nauseated. But not as nauseated as the sounds coming from a stall as we entered the women's washroom.
"Are you okay?" Alice called out to the room, worried.
"Go away," a familiar voice groaned from inside the stall.
"That's Rose!" Alice gasped. "Rose, I'm gonna find Emmett. Bella, wait here." Before anyone could say anything, Alice left the room as quickly as she entered, leaving Rosalie and me alone.
I wasn't sure what I should do, so I ignored Rosalie and reapplied my lipstick. However, that became impossible when Rose stepped out of the stall in the reflection behind me, looking just as dismissive, but slightly paler than when we had first met earlier in the evening as she moved towards the mouthwash on the counter. "Are you okay?" I piped up cautiously.
"Peachy," Rosalie snarked. "I just got rid of that entire dinner. Why wouldn't I be great?"
"How far along are you?" I asked without thinking.
Rosalie spat out the mouthwash and shot me a sharp look, making me wither under her glare. Stupid! Why would I ask such a thing? "What makes you think I'm pregnant?"
"It was just a few small things," I murmured. "Everyone seemed surprised at your aversion to fish, raw egg yolks, and wine at dinner. Edward mentioned you were more protective than normal. Topped off with…" I gestured towards the stall in emphasis. "Well, I remembered when Sue was expecting Seth, and just came to that conclusion."
She stared at me for a few more awkward seconds before letting out a resigned sigh. "Okay, how much?" I tilted my head in confusion. "To not tell anyone. How much will it take to keep you quiet?"
"I'm not gonna say anything," I assured her, but she didn't look trusting.
"Every media outlet in the city of Toronto is out there. They would gladly pay for the first scoop on Emmett McCarty's unborn child. So, how much to keep your mouth shut?"
"I'm not going to say anything," I repeated. "I get it, some women may take the money or take the scoop, but I'm not them." I gave her a look that told her I knew more about Tanya than I really did. "I know you have no reason to believe me, but I care about Edward, and I know you're like family to him. I wouldn't do anything to hurt him or any of you."
"I'll believe it when I see it," she muttered as she searched through her clutch for a wrapped candy.
"Sue swore by ginger," I blurted out. "Chews, tea, ginger ale… she had something ginger every few hours."
"I'll keep that under advisement." Rose rolled her eyes as she popped in the small peppermint candy.
"Rosie!" Emmett called as he entered the women's room. "Ali said you were sick in here."
"I'm fine, Em," she assured him. "It's just… you know."
"Alice, let's give them a minute. I should find Edward," I announced, wanting to give them some time alone. "You two want anything from the bar? My stepmom loves CC and ginger ale. I think you'd like the same." I gave Rose a pointed look, hoping she'd get what I was saying.
"Uh, well…" Emmett stuttered, but Rose hushed him.
"Yeah, sounds great," she smiled cautiously at me. "Thank you, Bella."
I gave her a quick nod and left the room with Alice, heading off to find our men and head to the bar.
"Everything okay in there?" Edward asked as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his side.
"Yep, just some girl-talk," I assured him before leaning towards the bartender and speaking as quietly as possible. "Can I get one CC and ginger ale, and one ginger ale in a rocks glass with a lime wedge?" He nodded and began making the drinks.
"I already ordered you a spiced rum and coke," Edward added, confused.
"I told Emmett and Rosalie I'd order their drinks," I shrugged. "This place looks amazing! Nothing like the outside."
While the outside and foyer had a classical 1900s style, the inside of the Artifacts Room was completely different. The room was very modern, covered in white drapes showcasing uplighting that shifted from blue to red to green, with leather couches and lucite tables and bars, also in white, spotted around the hall.
"The other rooms look more like the rest of the building," Alice explained. "Jazzy and I looked at the Governor's Room for our wedding but decided it was too traditional. But you should see the courtyard! It's stunning!"
"I'll have to take a look before we leave," I agreed.
"Are those ours?" Emmett asked as he and a still-pale-but-less-sickly Rose joined us.
"Yep!" I passed them each their glass, making sure Rosalie got the one with the lime wedge. They both thanked me, and I noticed a friendlier, but still standoffish, smile from Rosalie.
"What have I told you boys about drinking during the offseason?" An older blonde man I recognized as Coach Cullen laughed as he approached us, accompanied by a stunning woman with caramel hair.
"Don't get used to it?" Edward answered with a crooked grin.
"In that case, let me join you." He placed an order with the bartender before turning to me. "Miss Swan, good to see you again."
"You, too, Coach Cullen."
"Please, call me Carlisle," he offered. "And this is my wife, Esme."
"Great to finally meet you," Esme greeted, radiating warmth.
"Anyway, I'd like to propose a toast," Carlisle held up his glass. "Here's to the team. New owner, new season, new chance at the cup. It's our year, boys! I can taste it!"
"To the team!" The guys chanted as the rest of us took a sip of our drinks.
"So, Coach, how did the meeting go with the new suits?" Emmett asked, leading Carlisle and the teammates into a discussion of plans for the new season.
"But it all depends on what happens at the draft. We'll have to see what happens in Vegas," Carlisle concluded.
"Talking shop, Carlisle?" A short, older man with black hair chuckled as he approached. "This is a celebration."
"That's what happens when you get a bunch of hockey guys together," Carlisle smirked. "Aro, let me officially introduce you to some of our top players. Edward Masen, Emmett McCarty, Jasper Whitlock, this is Aro Volturi, the CEO of Volterra Financial."
"Oh, Carlisle, I'd have to live under a rock not to know who these gentlemen are!" Aro laughed. "It's a pleasure, boys. And who might these lovely ladies be?"
Edward let Emmett and Jasper introduce their partners before jumping in. "And this is my girlfriend, Isabella Swan."
"Isabella, it's a pleasure," Aro greeted, kissing my hand the same way as Rosalie and Alice. "And what is it you do?"
"Bella, please," I corrected. "And I'm a U of T graduate student in Financial Risk Management."
"A finance girl after my own heart!" Aro chirped. "Edward, you lucked out with this one."
"Mr. Volturi? Coach Cullen?" A nervous young man with a headset and clipboard said. "We need to get you to the stage. The introductions are about to begin."
"We're on our way," Aro replied. "Carlisle? Shall we?"
"Lead the way," Carlisle gestured. "Boys, I think Garrett's up there with Kate if you want to join him."
The three nodded in agreement, and went to join their teammates near the front of the crowd where I met Kate, or as Alice referred to her, head WAG. Thankfully, she was just as warm and welcoming as Alice had said, although Jane and Irina made Rosalie look like head of the damn welcoming committee.
As Aro began his opening remarks, I did my best to give all my attention to his vision of the future for MLSE until I heard Rosalie sneer beside me. "What the fuck is she doing here?"
I had hoped we had gotten over the utter disdain but noticed she was looking in the opposite direction toward a statuesque blonde near a tall, muscular man with a shaved head and bushy beard.
"Of course, she's latched on to a new sucker," Alice snorted. "Had to settle for an Argo."
"Who is that?" I whispered, but the hard look on Edward's face was all the answer I needed.
"Ivan Dukes, quarterback of the Argos," Alice explained. "And the whore on his arm is Tanya Denali."
I looked up at Edward, who only gave me a curt nod and wrapped his arm tighter around my waist. Looks like tonight was about to get interesting…
I struggled to pay attention as the various general managers spouted their optimism for change in the organization, but my mind was solely focused on Edward's ex-girlfriend standing thirty feet away from us, occasionally shooting her beady little eyes in our direction. All my mind wanted to do was run out of that banquet hall, and into the first Uber that would arrive, but I knew I needed to be stronger. For Edward. So, instead of ripping off my heels and bolting to the exit, I sipped on my drink and leaned into Edward's toned chest.
As Larry Tanenbaum finished his closing remarks on the hopeful unity of the organization, and the hope for more championship rings coming home to Toronto, the crowd applauded, and an older man with glasses and a recorder maneuvered his way up to Garrett and Edward. "Boys! Can I get a comment on these recent developments?"
"Of course, Kevin," Garrett agreed. "Volterra has shown a firm commitment to supporting not only us, but all the teams under the MLSE family, and taking us to the next level."
"It's an exciting time for the organization," Edward added. "And we can't wait to get back on the ice and make this city proud."
"Perfect! Thanks, guys!" Kevin said before moving off towards the coaches leaving the dais.
"So, anyone else need a refill?" Emmett asked, holding up his empty glass. The majority ruled, so we all headed towards the bar where we all got fresh glasses of our chosen beverage. I saw the same bartender as last time and got Rosalie her virgin drink discreetly once again, earning an appreciative smile. Maybe she was warming up to me.
"Isabella!" Aro called as he approached me. "Let me give you my card. If you want to talk shop or discuss opportunities at Volterra sometime, I'd love to chat. We offer a wonderful internship program."
"I appreciate the offer, Aro, but I'm not sure what route I plan to take after graduation," I smiled appreciatively as I slipped the card in my clutch. "But I'll let you know."
"Please do," he nodded and bid the others goodbye before slipping off to speak with another group.
"Sounds like quite the offer there," Rosalie mused sceptically.
I merely shrugged. "I don't know if I picture myself in a large, faceless investment conglomerate like Volterra," I answered honestly. "I mean, I know I don't want to sit around the Kawartha Credit Union back home, moving everyone's life savings into GICs, but I doubt Volterra's the right place for me either." One of the perks of grad school was another year to figure out my life goals.
Rosalie simply nodded and took a sip of her drink. Seriously, she was impossible to read. I was about to change the subject when an unfamiliar, haughty voice called over. "Eddie!" I looked to see where the sound came from to see Tanya sauntering towards us in a short, low cut red dress followed by her burly companion. "I was hoping to run into you."
"Tanya," Edward replied stiffly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Why wouldn't I be here to support my man?" She giggled as she pawed at her date. "This is Ivan, he's the Argos starting quarterback."
"Run, dude," Emmett muttered under his breath, causing me to stifle a laugh.
Unfortunately, this caused Tanya to snap her attention to me and raise an overly-sculpted eyebrow in judgement. "And who's this with you, Eddie?"
"It's Edward," he muttered. "And this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan. Bella, this is the worst mistake I ever made, Tanya Denali."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic!" She laughed haughtily. "Besides, it's not like your tastes have changed all that much, it seems."
"Excuse me?" I asked. How dare she think I'm anything like her!
"Oh, please! I saw the way you're getting chummy with everyone. Especially Aro Volturi. Now, going after the married CEO from Volterra Financial? That's ballsy. Shame, you're just the starter version of me." She turned to Edward and let out a fake sigh of concern. "Seriously, Edward? Letting this little girl use you like that?"
"Who do you think you are? I'm only here for one person - Edward. I'm not just trying to be seen with whatever pro athlete will have me. No offence," I added with a nod at Ivan. I doubt he even heard me with the way his eyes were glued on Rosalie's cleavage.
"I think we're done," Edward interjected firmly. "Tanya, I wish I could say it was nice seeing you, but I hate liars. We're done here."
"You'll regret this, Edward. Mark my words," Tanya scowled before storming off with a dumbfounded Ivan.
"Well, what's a party without a little drama?" Jasper chuckled, breaking the silence.
"Thanks for standing up for me, baby," Edward murmured, leaning down to kiss me softly. "Why don't we step outside for a minute? I could use some fresh air."
I nodded in agreement, and we excused ourselves before he led me out of the banquet hall and through the foyer into the large courtyard. Now, this space looked like it worked with the exterior of the building. Surrounding the space were lush greenery and many well-groomed trees. Towards one end were four trees framing what I could imagine would be a perfect ceremony space. On the other side was a stone fountain with statues posed inside.
"This is beautiful," I sighed, taking in the space.
"Breathtaking," Edward added, however when I looked back at him, his eyes were trained on me. "Come on, let's take a seat. As sexy as those heels are, I'm sure they're not very comfortable."
"Please," I agreed, taking a seat on a nearby bench. "There's a reason I never wear heels."
"I'm sorry about Tanya," he started. "I didn't expect her to show up. Last I heard, she wasn't seeing anyone coming here."
"It's fine. I wish I'd been more prepared for her, but she wasn't anything I can't handle."
"I know. I wish I'd told you about her earlier," he sighed.
"But you promise you'll tell me more about her when we get back to your place?"
"Absolutely. Anything you want to know," he vowed.