A/N: There are a lot of firsts for me when it comes to this story. Themes are darker than usual, such as the mention of drugs, underage drinking, prostitution, and suicide. This is also my first real story with this pairing. Hope you enjoy.

Dame Fortuna

Chapter 1: Lamb

Bella was positive he didn't remember.

After all, she'd only been a wide-eyed freshman then, and he a sophomore. It was her first party. Her new friend Jessica––whose extremely extroverted nature and easygoing personality had made her popular with the older kids already––had invited her with a passed note during English.

It was also the first time she'd ever tasted alcohol. Beer wasn't as terrible as she thought it would be. However, with all the horror stories Charlie would tell her from his job at the local police, she made sure that single bottle lasted her the whole night.

It was an hour before midnight––her curfew––when they were playing the game. Seven minutes in heaven. Her breath hitched in her throat when the bottle landed on the senior sitting cross-legged across from her after it had landed on her.

Jasper Hale was beautiful, with that rugged blond hair and wicked smile. She'd harbored a small, innocent crush on him ever since she saw him drive up to school in a Mustang a few weeks before. She immediately felt the blood rush to her cheeks as his warm, brown eyes looked her over several times while he took a sip of his beer.

His smile widened as he shook his head. "Too young," he drawled, which earned the guffaws of everyone in the circle.

"Buzzkill," his best friend Alice groaned from next to him.

"How about a proxy, then?" Jasper suggested as his gaze wandered around their circle of ten. His lips suddenly curved into a frown. "Wait, where is––Let me go get him."

Jasper stood up swiftly and stepped out of the living room and disappeared through the door of one of the bedrooms. Even under the loud music, she caught a few grumbles of what sounded like a short conversation from the open doorway. Followed by a thud and the sound of dragging.

When Jasper reemerged, his hand was around the collar of an unfamiliar, bronze-haired boy with hazy, green eyes, looking like he'd just woken up from a nap. From next to her, she heard Jessica audibly gasp.

This must be Edward Cullen, then. She'd never seen him at school before, but she knew of him––albeit against her will––because Jessica was moderately obsessed with the boy. He was popular, yes, but not in the way the rest of his circle was. In fact, Bella hypothesized that he'd been inducted to Jasper's group against his will. Based on her friend's ramblings, Edward sounded aloof and unapproachable, and never went out of his way to greet or meet other people.

But seeing him now, for the first time, Bella had to agree that he was quite handsome. Even though he looked a little disgruntled.

"Go on, then," Jasper chuckled, dragging him to the closet across the room and shoving him inside.

"I hate you," Jessica whispered next to her, nudging Bella to stand up as well.

Bella found herself inside the tiny storage closet across the boy she'd never met before, her heartbeat ringing in her ears, both curious and anxious as to what would happen in the next seven minutes. She'd never been in this situation before.

"We don't have to do anything" were his first words to her. His tone was detached and mildly irritated, as she'd expected.

Bella nodded slowly, awkwardly.

His strange sage green eyes narrowed slightly. "Unless you want to?"

"I––don't know," she managed to breathe. "I was just kind of dragged here."

"You're new," he confirmed. "Word of advice, then. You don't have to do whatever they tell you to do if you want to be their friend."

Bella found herself narrowing her eyes at him as well. "Isn't that what you're doing right now?"

"Huh?"

"You're the proxy," she shrugged. Cheekily, she repeated, "You don't have to do whatever they tell you to do."

For the first time, Edward cracked a charming, lopsided smile. "He said it was either me or Emmett. Trust me, I'm the better choice." Then, after a pause, he decided to add, "And who said I'm doing something I don't want to?"

Bella inhaled sharply when he stepped forward once, cramping themselves even further in the already tiny space. She swallowed as his gaze roamed her face, until it landed on her lips.

"Yes or no?" he asked monotonously.

Bella made a split-second decision. It…couldn't possibly hurt, right?

She nodded once meekly.

He didn't hesitate anymore after that, and leaned down to steal her first kiss.

Bella's eyes widened as he sat down across from her in the booth, his familiar green eyes regarding her coldly, and she knew he couldn't possibly remember that. After all, he'd never even asked for her name back then. And the enigma that was Edward Cullen had mysteriously skipped town a couple of weeks after that party. Within a few months, he'd become nothing but a faint memory to her.

She was positive it was the same case with him, as there wasn't even a minor sign of recognition on his end as he regarded her for the first time in twelve years. He'd aged gracefully since then, to say the least.

"This isn't going to work out," he said, crossing his arms.

"I––Sorry?"

"You have the face of a cartoon lamb," he said monotonously, not even blinking once. "Too innocent. I'm sure you've heard of this club's reputation?"

Bella's fingers tightened around the purse she held on her lap. "Sir, I have experience."

"Hmm." He turned to look at the printed resume she'd set across the table. Bella focused on keeping her breathing even as she watched his eyes flit quickly across the page. "Well, if anything, you seem overqualified. Why would a former journalist from Arizona suddenly pack up and move to the other side of continent for a bartender job?"

"Second line," Bella said after clearing her throat.

He raised a brow and followed her. His lips then curved into a familiar, lopsided smile. "I see. You were a bar girl."

"For more than a year," Bella added. "I was quite good at it. I've never earned as much as I did since then. Helped me get through college on my own."

"Very interesting," Edward hummed, looking up to face her again. His expression was more amused than she'd ever seen it. "How exactly were you good? What skill sets are we talking about?"

"Having this face has its perks."

"I'm sure it does," he chuckled. "Be more specific."

She puckered her lips as she thought about it. "I can get anyone to talk about anything. Even buy anything. I look…trustworthy. You can see how that helped me as a journalist, too."

Edward nodded slowly, looking her over again. "What else?"

"Because I look trustworthy, men instinctively want my approval," Bella continued. "They always seek out my advice. And I'm sure that's something an establishment like Bluewave would greatly appreciate."

He was silent for a long while after that, arms crossed and staring intently at her as he seemed to consider the explanation.

Soon, however, he seemed to have an idea pop in his head, and his pink lips curved up to a smirk.

"Do you dance?"

Bella widened her eyes. "Sorry?" she said again.

"I'd rather consider someone with experience in making drinks to get this role," he said, his eyes still roving her body across from him."But your supposed skill set…I must admit, I can't ignore it. We always have room for another dancer."

"Sir…" Bella cleared her throat then, feeling her cheeks warm. "That I have no experience for."

"I highly disagree," Edward chuckled, leaning back in his seat and cracking his neck. "You've actually ticked most of the boxes. Dancers don't just dance, sweetheart. They talk and listen. Our patrons believe it's to make them happy, but I'm sure you've heard enough about Bluewave to know how things work around here. Our sponsors would greatly appreciate to have someone move our…discreet dealings along."

She released a shaky breath. "I––don't know."

There was a strange, pensive expression on his face now. He hesitated a little too long before deciding to softly say, "You don't have to do whatever I tell you to do."

Immediately, her breath hitched in her throat. Could he…?

"Just think about it," he continued, his tone returning to normal.

He stood up swiftly and proceeded to fish through his coat pocket. The man pursed his lips as he gingerly placed a plain white card on her side of the table.

"Call me directly once you've made up your mind," he said. "I have to go. Feel free to get a drink before you leave, no charge."

Just like that, the enigma that was Edward Cullen disappeared from her life once more.

Bella lay awake half past midnight on the mattress, her fingers still clutching the small business card he had given her earlier that afternoon. She lifted the card and read the words again.

Edward Anthony M. Cullen

Head of Bluewave Properties and Landholding

She'd had no idea.

Her mind continued to reel from that conversation. If he was the head, why in the world was he the one who'd interviewed her for a measly bartender role? She was sure he had people under him to manage his several properties. Even more bewildering was his last request…

Call me directly once you've made up your mind.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing in the sheets next to her. She took a deep breath upon reading the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey," Jasper greeted softly, his voice unsure and mildly melancholy. "Still the insomniac, I see. I just wanted to check on you."

Bella sat herself up, massaging her forehead. "You know you're not obliged to call anymore, right? We've broken up."

She heard him sigh deeply. "I know. I can't help it. Six years…"

"It's a mutual agreement," Bella reminded him. Regardless, she felt a wistful smile form on her own lips, as she said, "I still care, too."

Her heart twisted slightly at the sound of his humorless laughter. "God, Bella…Why did you have to leave the state?"

"You know why."

"I do, but I just wish––" He sighed exasperatedly. "Don't get me wrong, I'm really sorry about what happened to your father."

She tried not to wince, but failed miserably.

"But how can I be there for you when you just pack up and leave out of nowhere?" Jasper said. "I know you're hurting. But I'm hurting, too. I just––I wish you didn't put me in this position. I wish you could've given me more time to follow you."

Bella couldn't go through this again. She released a sharp breath and said, "It is what it is, Jas. I need to start clean. I'm––really done with Arizona."

A long pause. "And why the east coast again?"

Bella scooted until she pressed her back against the headboard. "No memories. He never went here. And he certainly didn't die here."

Jasper sighed again.

She mindlessly picked up the card again on the sheet, her eyes rereading his name. "Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember Edward Cullen?"

Another long pause. "Er, high school Edward?"

"Yeah." She pursed her lips. "You must remember that party. The game where we first met."

There was some slight rustling on Jasper's end of the line, which sounded as if he was adjusting his position on his seat or his bed. "Right. Yes. I made you kiss him. That's––Well, it felt like sound judgment at the time."

"He was my first kiss," Bella revealed, chuckling.

"Damn it," Jasper said, laughing along with her. "Can't believe I passed that up."

They laughed for a while as they talked about that night, reminiscing the sweet, innocent memory. It was almost forever ago. Back when everything was simple.

Eventually, Bella decided to return to reality.

"I saw him today," she finally said.

"I––What?"

"I had an interview earlier," she explained. "I mean, it's not as if…he left me a fortune. I decided I want to try something else this time. Bartending."

"Bartending." Jasper's tone was off.

"The tips are great," Bella shrugged. "Anyway, guess who interviewed me?"

"Cullen? What the––Don't tell me you're actually considering this."

She furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"Stick to journalism," he insisted. "You're good at that."

"Like I said, I want to try something different," Bella repeated, feeling annoyed now. "I'm done with writing for now. Ever since––I've got writer's block. I need something simple. And I was good at this, if you recall."

"Well, you're not in college anymore. Stop playing around, Bella."

She couldn't help it anymore. "Don't tell me what to do. You're not––I don't have to tell you why."

Bella heard him breathe unsteadily on the line. After a few seconds, he said, "The guy's a freak."

She raised a brow at that. "What? Weren't you friends with him?"

"It was high school, Bella. The girls loved him. Of course we had to take him in." Jasper was silent again for a moment. "I've met the guy's parents. They're––I don't know how else to describe them, except that they're shady as hell."

What?

"As much as Edward tried to hide it, they're loaded. Suspiciously so. My first guess was drugs. Alice thought it was guns. We tried prying it out of him but he just wouldn't budge. Then he suddenly ups and skips town without warning?" Jasper chuckled darkly. "As I said, shady."

"I…see." Bella already had an inkling on that, especially after she did some minor research on Bluewave prior to applying. The strip club was grandiose and snazzy, but some of its regulars looked anything but reputable. There were also large private rooms with poker and even conference tables, which was unnecessary if the place was only a setting for lap dances. She was sure this was the hotspot for underhand, illicit meetings.

The owner basically confirmed it. Our sponsors would greatly appreciate to have someone move our…discreet dealings along.

It should've scared her. That would've been a normal reaction. But instead, the mysterious club only piqued her interest further, and for the first time since her father's death, she felt very much alive and awake.

"Well?" Jasper's voice called her from her reverie. "Did you take the job?"

"No." Then, decided to admit, "Not yet."

"Jesus––" He sounded more frustrated by the second. "Bella, I swear––What will it take? Because I will come down there if I have to. I'll drag you back home––"

"Stop it," Bella cut him off. "This––It's my life, Jasper. We're over. You have no obligation to do this anymore."

"Please," Jasper said, his tone softer now. "I'm just so worried about you."

"No obligation," Bella repeated coolly. "Please stop calling now."

She hung up then, lying herself back down to her original position on the bed. Again, her fingers wandered to the calling card.

"Fuck it," she muttered to herself before deciding to text.

Tanya must've done something wrong because the man in the lounge suddenly began to laugh, just as she'd finished her private dance.

She turned to face him, already mentally preparing for a lecture, when she realized he wasn't even watching. He had propped his legs on the lounge and was staring at his phone, rare humor sparkling in his usually cold green eyes.

"Something funny?" she decided to ask, picking up her lace bra from the floor and putting it back on.

Edward merely chuckled again, shaking his head as his eyes flitted over the screen. "Oh, yes. This…is going to be interesting."

"What are you talking about?" At this point, Tanya made a gesture to sit on the couch with him.

Edward raised his legs and let her sit and scoot backwards, before placing his feet back down to rest on her bare lap. "I have a surprise for you."

He propped an arm behind his back to sit up, his other hand holding up his cellphone for her. Tanya narrowed her eyes as she checked the screen. He'd pulled up a photo of a girl. A pretty, slender brunette with a kind smile. She looked a little young at first glance, but her dark brown eyes betrayed her true age. "Hmm."

"Well?"

"Which dump did you pick this one up?" Tanya asked quizzically, taking the phone for herself to take a closer look. "She looks like…"

"A lamb," Edward finished for her, laughing again as he leaned back down in his seat. "I told her that, too."

"Why choose her then?" she asked, handing the phone back to him. "She doesn't look like she's got the stomach to handle things around Bluewave."

"I'm working on a hunch," he shrugged. "Said she was a bar girl before."

Tanya scoffed. "Like that's even close."

"Yes, she lacks all the conventional experience," Edward admitted. "But I have a good feeling about this one. She…said some things."

She raised a brow, waiting.

"She's highly self-aware," he continued. "She knows how to use a strange, demure masquerade to get what she wants. Sure, she may have only used it to troll for tips and write articles before, but I'm curious as to how much she could get actually get done. With the proper, er, training."

He reached out to take Tanya's hands in his.

"That's where you come in, sweetheart." His voice had turned sickly sweet.

"Like I can even say no," she said, rolling her eyes. "Well, let's say she makes it. What sort of clients would you want her to handle?"

Edward's expression suddenly turned cold. This was more familiar, at least. He let go of Tanya's hands and turned to a sitting position, facing the pole in front of them. His lips quivered slightly, as if he was struggling to find his words. "Nothing heavy," he decided to say. "The lightest of the light."

Tanya snorted then. "I thought you were excited to use her. Maybe with the three a.m. patrons––"

"I said nothing heavy," he cut her off angrily.

"Oh-kay," Tanya said slowly, scooting over until her elbows touched his. "She's a new favorite then?"

"I know her," he admitted somberly, still staring blankly ahead. "I've met her before. Back when we were young. She was…lovely. And innocent."

"Not so much anymore apparently, or she wouldn't have applied."

"I suppose not." His brows were furrowed now.

Tanya pursed her lips, before slowly standing up until she was a few feet away from him. She gauged his reaction as she lifted his hands from his lap and placed it on her waist. Surprisingly, he didn't pull away.

"You know I can't touch you," he said simply, still not looking at her. "Or want to."

"I just want to make you feel better," Tanya cooed, tracing a finger on his sharp jaw. "You were in such a good mood, thinking about her. And you don't have to touch me."

She leaned down then, her face inches from his, and reached out to the buckle of his pants. He met her gaze with an indecipherable expression–-she was still in awe that he was letting her undress him this way. This new girl must be something.

As soon as his pants were down, Tanya took several steps backwards, smirking minutely as she regarded his already-hard member.

"Brunette, no?" she clarified, turning around for a moment towards the dresser at the opposite wall. She picked out the closest wig she could find and easily put it on. After a beat, she decided to pick up a plain white costume half-mask as well.

She walked over towards the center of the room as soon as she was ready. Edward was already languidly stroking himself as his scrutinizing, green eyes regarded her. They were dark now, immersed in his fantasy.

"Song?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Lovers Rock," he suggested immediately.

Jesus, this is going to be hard. Regardless, Tanya humored him and played the song from the stereo on the table. She took several seconds to get herself immersed into the slow beat, internalizing the descriptions Edward had given her. Lamb. Lovely. Innocent.

She wrapped a hand around the pole and began to dance.

A/N: Really scratching an unbearable itch with this. Will only be satisfied once it's finished. Might be more focused on regularly updating this one for now than my other open story. As always, thank you for reading!