Seventeen
BELLA
The moment we stepped into the event hall, I felt a shift in the air, as if all eyes were subtly drawn toward us—or, more accurately the shimmering red gown I wore. It clung to my body in all the right ways, the sequined fabric catching and reflecting the golden lights above.
The off-the-shoulder neckline dipped just enough to feel sultry but still elegant, and the bodice was fitted with a subtle draped detail that made me feel both classic and daring. A thigh-high slit revealed just enough leg to tease with every step, and the soft swish of the gown brushing against my heels gave me a confidence I hadn't expected.
The fabric itself was luxurious, silky to the touch but structured enough to stay perfectly in place. I'd swept my hair up into a loose, romantic updo, leaving just a few strands to frame my face. Rose had insisted it was the perfect touch to complement the gown's neckline, and now I could see what she meant. The crimson shade was bold, powerful, and made me feel like I belonged here—like maybe, for just tonight, I wasn't merely Cupid working behind the scenes of love stories, but the leading lady of one.
Rose strode beside me in her black halter dress, the sleek cut hugging her figure and making her look effortlessly stunning. But tonight, I didn't feel overshadowed. If anything, I felt like we were a duo, each commanding our own kind of attention.
The event was held in the largest hanger I'd ever been in - not that I've ever been in one. It'd be converted for the occasion with servers offering wine and caviar. Two jumbo jets towering over the party with pride.
He made this. My boyfriend made all of this. A wave of appreciation for his passions rolls right through me.
Across the room, Edward spotted us, and I knew the moment his eyes landed on me. His gaze darkened, and a crooked smile spread across his face. I started toward him, his presence alone making me feel warm and seen. When he reached me, his hand slid around mine, his fingers brushing my bare arm as he leaned in close.
"You're absolutely breathtaking," he murmured, his voice low and filled with awe, "I cannot believe you're mine."
The way his eyes moved over me—taking in the curve of my shoulder, the dip of the neckline, and the way the fabric shimmered with every subtle shift—made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room. I tilted my head, smiling up at him, and teased, "You don't look so bad yourself, Mr CEO."
He turned back toward the couple he'd been speaking to, his hand still firmly gripping mine. "I'd like you to meet Bella," he said with a proud smile. "My girlfriend."
Hearing those words from him—Edward Cullen, the man who once believed love was dead—felt like a quiet victory. I offered the couple a polite smile and a quick hello, but my focus was on Edward, the way he subtly tugged me closer, as if he needed me in his orbit.
They continue to chat with Edward, his arm around my waist as he talks business. Rosalie watches us smiling to herself, watching how Edward's body language has completely shifted.
"Let me show you both around," Edward says to both Rose and I, "you look amazing too, Rose."
Rose smiles at him, tossing her long hair behind her shoulder.
"Thank you boss man. This is pretty impressive. Does being here tonight impact my frequent flyer points?" Rose teased.
"For you I'll see what I can do," he laughs, wrapping his arm around me, "I want my girlfriend's friend travelling in comfort."
"Best friend," Rose corrects, "I'm actually deathly afraid of flying so I won't need to hold you to it."
"Why's that?" Edward tilts his head.
"I was in an accident as a teenager," she reveals.
I shudder, trying my best to hold the emotions at bay. Edward senses the shifts and wisely decides to drop it.
With his fingers laced through mine, Edward guided me through the clusters of sharply dressed investors and executives. Every now and then, he would glance down at me, his warm gaze lingering on my face before he introduced me as his girlfriend. Each time, the word sent a pleasant rush through me, making me smile just a little wider.
We stopped near the bar, where Edward spotted someone standing with a drink in hand. A smile spread across his face as he squeezed my hand and said, "Come on, I want you to meet my brother."
As we approached, Emmett turned, his grin stretching ear to ear. "There he is! The man of the hour!" His booming voice carried over the hum of the room.
Edward smirked. "Emmett, I'd like you to meet Bella. Bella, this is my brother."
Emmett's eyes flicked to me, and he nodded appreciatively, offering a firm handshake. "Bella, huh? I've heard a lot about you."
"Oh really?" I said, glancing at Edward with a raised brow. He simply shrugged, a small, amused smile playing on his lips.
Before I could say anything else, I felt a presence beside me and turned to see Rose approaching. her sharp blue eyes scanning the room until they locked onto Emmett.
"Rose," Edward said, gesturing to her with a slight grin. "This is my brother, Emmett. Emmett, meet Rose, Bella's best friend."
As soon as their eyes met, I felt it—the overwhelming spark that seemed to charge the air around them. Rose offered a polite smile, her hand extended for a handshake, but Emmett didn't just shake it. He held it, his gaze steady on hers as his grin softened into something more genuine.
"It's a pleasure," Emmett said, his voice unusually warm.
Rose's cheeks tinged pink, and for a moment, she seemed caught off guard.
"The pleasure's all mine," she replied smoothly, recovering quickly.
But I could see it—the way her gaze lingered on him, the slight hitch in her breath as his thumb brushed her knuckles before letting go.
Edward leaned down, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "Did you see that?"
I nodded subtly, a knowing smile tugging at my lips. "I felt it," I whispered back.
Rose and Emmett were still talking, their voices blending into the background as Edward gently tugged my hand, guiding me away. Once we were out of earshot, I leaned closer to him and whispered, "Rose and Emmett… they're soul mates."
Edward stopped, turning to look at me with raised brows. "Rose and my brother?" He sounded genuinely surprised.
"Yes," I said, smiling. "It's undeniable. The spark between them is… intense. It's rare that I see this. Especially so early on!"
Edward glanced back toward them, watching as Emmett said something that made Rose laugh, her face lighting up in a way I hadn't seen in a while. Emmett leaned in, his normally boisterous demeanor softened into something quieter, more focused. Even Edward couldn't deny it.
"You're sure?" he asked, his voice lower now.
I nodded. "I've never been more sure of anything. They're perfect for each other. Trust me."
Edward smirked, shaking his head. "That's going to be… interesting." He paused, then leaned in close, his voice teasing. "You've met Rose. Do you really think she's going to make this easy for him?"
I laughed softly. "Rose never makes anything easy. But if anyone can handle her, it's Emmett."
Edward crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he studied me. "So, what happens now? Do you… do your thing?"
I shook my head, smiling. "No magic. Not with them. Their connection doesn't need me to meddle. It's already there—it just needs time to grow. The more organic the better when it comes to soul mates."
He tilted his head, his gaze softening as he looked at me. "You really love this, don't you?"
"Love what?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Seeing people find their person," he said simply. "It lights you up."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks and looked away, smiling. "It's what I was made to do."
Edward reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as his lips quirked into a soft smile. "Well," he said, his voice low, "if you're this sure about them, I guess I'll have to trust you. But if Rose breaks his heart, I'm holding you personally responsible."
"She won't," I said confidently, stepping closer to him. "Because when you find your person, you just know. And trust me, they know deep down."
Edward's eyes searched mine for a moment before he leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to my lips. "I guess we'll see," he murmured against my mouth, his words a mix of promise and intrigue.
I glanced over at Rose and Emmett, still locked in their own little bubble of flirtation. It was almost comical how oblivious they seemed to the rest of the bustling room.
Rose laughed at something Emmett said, a rare, genuine laugh that warmed her entire face. And Emmett? He looked like he was soaking up every bit of it, his usual boisterous demeanor melting into something softer.
I bit my lip, glancing up at Edward. "I always told Rose I'd touch her and let her know when her person came along," I murmured, my voice low enough for only him to hear. "Should I?"
Edward studied me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "You've never done it before?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
I shook my head. "No, I didn't want to mess with it. I wanted her to figure it out on her own. But this… Edward, this is it. She deserves to know."
He nodded slowly, his gaze flicking back to his brother and Rose. "Do it," he said after a moment, his voice firm but gentle.
I turned back toward Rose, her cheeks were flushed, whether from the wine or Emmett's attention, I couldn't tell.
"Hey," I said, touching her arm gently. "Can I borrow you for just a second?"
She raised an eyebrow, glancing at Emmett, who looked mildly disappointed at the interruption. "Sure," she said, following me to a quieter corner.
"What's up?" she asked, leaning against the wall. "Is everything okay?"
I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "You remember how I said I'd let you know when your person came along?"
Her brows furrowed slightly, and then realization dawned on her face. "Bella…" she said slowly, her voice laced with both curiosity and caution.
I reached out, resting my hand lightly on her arm, letting the warmth of my power flow through her. The spark between her and Emmett was undeniable, even stronger up close. It radiated through me, and I felt the deep, resonating connection like a pulse in the air.
When I pulled my hand back, Rose blinked, her lips parting slightly as she processed the surge of emotion. "Oh my god," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "It's him, isn't it?"
I nodded, smiling softly. "It's him."
For a moment, she just stood there, her usual confidence replaced with something more vulnerable. "I didn't… I didn't think it would feel like this," she admitted, her voice quiet.
I reached out, squeezing her hand. "That's how you know it's real," I said gently. "It's not forced or rushed. It's just… there. He's… he's your person. I promised you I'd touch you both and make it obvious to you, but your connection is so strong you don't even need me."
Rose glanced back toward Emmett, who was watching her from across the room, his expression somewhere between hopeful and amused. She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, and looked back at me. "What if I mess this up?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"You won't," I assured her. "And even if you stumble, he'll catch you. That's the kind of man he is."
She nodded, a small, determined smile forming on her lips. "Okay," she said, exhaling shakily. "Okay. I better get back."
"You better. He's waiting," I smile at her.
As she walked back toward Emmett, I felt Edward's presence behind me. He placed a wine in my hand and kissed my temple, his free hand sliding around my waist and to my stomach. He leaned down to whisper in my ear, "How'd it go?"
I smiled, leaning into him. "It went perfectly," I said, watching as Rose and Emmett gravitated back toward each other like magnets.
I smiled softly, my eyes lingering on Rose as she laughed at something Emmett said, the sound brighter, lighter than I'd ever heard it before. "She's my best friend," I said quietly, leaning into Edward's warmth as his hand rested on my lower back. "And to know she's finally going to experience the deepest form of love… it means everything."
Edward's gaze followed mine, his expression softening as he watched them. "You're happy for her," he murmured.
"Happy doesn't even cover it," I admitted, turning in his arms. "She deserves this—someone who looks at her like she's the only person in the room. Someone who's going to fight for her and adore her and just… love her completely."
Edward turned his attention back to me, his lips curving into a small smile, my hand coming to rest on his chest casually. "You have a way of making love sound like the most powerful thing in the world."
"That's because it is," I said simply, adjusting his tie. "When it's real, when it's raw and messy and still so deeply unconditional—it's everything."
He was quiet for a moment, his eyes studying mine. "And what about you?" he asked softly. "Do you feel that?"
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, my heart skipping a beat. "I think I'm starting to," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
His hand tightened slightly on my back, pulling me closer. "Good," he said, his voice low, almost possessive.
I smirked, tilting my head up to meet Edward's gaze, the mischief in my eyes unmistakable. "Would it be an HR issue if I kissed the CEO of this company?"
His lips curved into a slow, teasing smile, and the way his hand slipped just a fraction lower on my back made my heart race. "I think he could convince them to look the other way," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.
I laughed softly, leaning in just enough for him to feel my breath against his lips. "Well, in that case…" I whispered, before brushing my lips against his.
It was soft at first, a delicate press of warmth, but when his hand tightened on my waist and his lips parted slightly, I let myself melt into him, my fingers curling lightly into the lapel of his suit jacket. The kiss deepened for a moment, his tongue grazing mine before he pulled back just enough to whisper against my mouth.
"At the end of the day I could always fire them all if they dare touch the inappropriate behaviour in the workplace binder," his hand drifts down to my ass, giving me a playful squeeze.
Laughing I smack his chest.
"Lucky for me I don't work here. Otherwise they'd be reaching for the binder hourly if I was your employee," I kiss his jawline.
