Chapter 10: Unveiling Desires

The Swans family had multiple properties, but this was Edward's first time stepping inside one. He'd been to their estates before, for business, never for pleasure. This wasn't exactly pleasure, but standing here, waiting for her, he couldn't ignore the way it felt. Like stepping past an invisible threshold. Like entering a world he wasn't meant to belong to.

The estate sprawled just outside the city, a carefully curated display of wealth. Manicured lawns stretched toward towering oaks, and a circular driveway curved smoothly around a marble fountain, wide enough to fit a fleet of luxury cars. This was not their main household, though, the one where the boss lived.

Bella had been invited to a charity gala downtown, and he had been ordered to escort her. Requested by name. By whom, he didn't know.

He'd done his research. The event was high-profile—politicians, business moguls, socialites. Hosted by The Haven Initiative, a charity focused on art therapy for at-risk youth, it made sense that Bella would be on the guest list. It fit the image.

He had dressed the part in a sharp black tuxedo. He wanted to look polished for her. But the moment she appeared at the top of the staircase, all sense of pretense vanished, and for a moment, all Edward could do was stare.

She was breathtaking.

She wore a floor-length navy gown that clung to her like it had been made for her alone, the fabric skimming her waist before cascading into soft waves at the hem. Thin straps left her shoulders bare, and her dark hair was swept into an elegant updo, a few loose strands framing her face. Diamonds glinted at her throat.

Edward had seen beautiful women before. He had been around elegance, wealth, and power. But Bella… Bella was different.

It wasn't just the cut of her dress or the diamonds at her throat; it was the way she held his gaze, as if she saw through him. She studied him for a moment, her light brown eyes tracing over his tuxedo, lingering longer than expected. A flicker of something crossed her face, something like… surprise?

Bella's lips parted slightly before she spoke. "You look…" She hesitated, her eyes flicking to his face; his sharp jaw, the crisp black of his suit… his eyes.

Edward waited, watching her curiously. Her voice was softer when she finally said, "You look very nice, Masen."

His lips twitched slightly, but his voice remained even. "If I may say, you look very beautiful, Miss Swan."

A faint blush touched her cheeks, a soft pink blooming across her skin. She let out a breathy chuckle, her gaze dipping for half a second before finding his again. "You know… it's time you start calling me Bella."

Hearing it from her lips, spoken like an invitation, like a permission… It did something to him.

Up close, she smelled like warm vanilla, something soft, familiar, and completely distracting. Another time, another life, he might have leaned in to see if it wrapped around him the way she did.

But he only nodded, keeping his distance. "Bella," he said, testing it.

She held his gaze for a second longer before exhaling softly. "Shall we?"

Her voice was both soft and commanding.

Edward fell into step behind her.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art had been transformed into a dazzling affair. Chandeliers cast golden light over the glittering crowd, the hum of conversation mingling with the elegant strains of a string quartet. The clink of champagne glasses punctuated the air.

Edward stayed close to Bella as she moved through the crowd. She moved through the room like she had gravity all her own, effortlessly pulling people into her sphere. But it wasn't forced. It wasn't calculated. It was simply who she was.

For Edward, it was a study in contrasts. Here she was, the daughter of one of the most feared men in New York, yet she carried herself with a warmth that seemed untouched by her family's darker dealings.

"Is it always like this?" Edward asked quietly as Bella paused to sip her champagne.

"Like what?"

"Everyone gravitating over you," he said, his tone light.

Bella laughed softly, a sound that sent an unexpected warmth through him. "It's not as glamorous as it looks. Most of these people just want something from me or my father."

Bella's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, and for the first time tonight, she looked… tired.
"And what if they don't get what they want?" Edward asked, keeping his voice low.

Bella's fingers tensed around the stem of her glass before she loosened them. "They usually do," she murmured. "One way or another."

Edward didn't miss the way her gaze flickered to a man across the room; tall, suited, watching. The way her breath hitched just slightly before she turned away.

Edward tilted his head slightly. "And what about you? What do you want?"

She hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. For the first time, her expression was unguarded.

"I'm still figuring that out," she admitted. Then, as if catching herself, she glanced away.

Edward watched as a group of women near the bar stole glances toward Bella, whispering animatedly. Occasionally, their eyes flicked to him. Bella joined her friends near a corner of the room, accepting their greetings with warm smiles. Their gazes darted to Edward, lingering just a moment too long before they exchanged knowing looks.

As the night wore on, Edward's focus remained divided between his role as her security and his growing awareness of her. At one point, Bella leaned in to laugh at something an older woman said. Edward's gaze lingered on the way her lips curved, the delicate arch of her neck, the absent stroke of her fingers against her glass.

It wasn't just her beauty. It was her mystery.

Later, as she stood near a marble column, sipping her champagne, Edward approached. He kept a polite distance. She was the only thing interesting here.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked.

Bella smiled faintly, her light brown eyes meeting his. "That's a loaded question."

"How so?"

"Most of these people aren't here for the charity," Bella said, gesturing subtly toward the crowd. "They're here to network or be seen. I am used to it, though."

"And you?" Edward asked, tilting his head slightly. "Why are you here?"

Bella hesitated, "Because my dad asked me to. And because... I really enjoyed art, so why not?" She toyed with the rim of her glass.

Edward nodded, her words resonating in a way he didn't expect. "Looking at this exhibit, I must say your pieces are way better."

Bella laughed and glanced at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "That's a nice thing to say."

"It's the truth," Edward said simply. Because it was.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the noise of the gala faded. Bella took a step closer. Edward's chest tightened. He knew he should step back, put distance between them. But his feet stayed rooted to the floor, betraying him.

"You should…" She started, but the words died on his tongue as a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Masen."

The sharp voice sliced through the moment, freezing Edward in place. His spine went rigid before he even turned, instinct kicking in before reason. The Underboss stood a few feet away, his piercing blue eyes fixed on him. He wasn't angry. His silence carried a weight of its own. He was not aware that he would be present at this event,

"Sir," Edward said, his tone even.

Bella hugged and kissed her uncle. Caius's demeanor changed completely. They started talking and moving away, not before Caius gave him a pointed nod before turning and walking away, but the message was clear. Not going to lie; his heart dropped at that moment. He did not want him on his ass because one thing about the underboss, he enjoyed getting his hands dirty. So, he went back to do what he was hired to do.

Bella approached him later where he was stationed. He was not going to lie, but he enjoyed the look that he got from some guys knowing that she was walking towards him. He did not blame them. He would envy him too.

"Is everything okay?" she asked. She was watching him, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Yeah," Edward said quickly, stepping back to reestablish a professional distance. "Just doing my job."

Bella's lips pressed together as if she wanted to say more, but she nodded.

As the evening progressed, Edward noticed subtle changes in Bella's behavior.

When she laughed at someone's joke, she'd glance toward him, as if to see his reaction. When she moved through the crowd, she'd pause just long enough for their shoulders to brush, too fleeting for it to be accidental. Maybe he was imagining stuff. Where was Emmett when he needed him?

It was maddening. She had to be doing this on purpose. Right?

The air inside the ballroom was warm, heavy with the scent of champagne and expensive perfume. Voices murmured over the sound of clinking glasses and soft string music, but Edward's focus narrowed to her.

At one point, Bella rejoined her friends, who immediately leaned in close, their voices dipping into hushed whispers. Bella's laugh floated over the noise, but Edward caught the way her friends' eyes flicked toward him before giggling among themselves. Was she telling them something about him? Or were they simply noticing what Edward was trying so hard to ignore?

Edward forced his gaze away. As she smiled for yet another conversation, her fingers curled into the fabric of her blue gown. A subtle tell. If he weren't watching so closely, he might have missed it.

Were those nerves? Or restraint?

Edward shifted his weight, his jaw tightening as he forced himself to focus on his surroundings. On anything but her.

He was pretty proud of himself for the next hour or so. He was able to stay focused on his task, making sure that there were no threats around, without getting distracted. Toward the end of the evening, Bella slipped away from a conversation, her gown catching the golden light as she approached Edward.

"Are you bored yet?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Edward allowed a small smile. "Not yet."

Bella studied him, her eyes searching his face as if trying to piece something together. Then, slowly, she leaned in just slightly, lowering her voice. "You're different, you know. Most of my father's men are... predictable. But you're not."

Edward held her gaze, careful. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is," she murmured.

She hesitated then tilted her head, a smirk ghosting across her lips. "Careful, Masen," she murmured. "Someone might think you enjoy spending time with me."

Edward's fingers curled slightly at his sides. His pulse skipped, but his expression stayed neutral. "I do," he said, though his voice came out rougher than he intended. Bella stepped closer, too close. Close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body just beneath the silk of her gown.

"You know, it's okay to relax a little bit." She said while holding his gaze.

Edward's jaw flexed. Relaxing wasn't an option. Not around her.

"I should get you back," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "It's getting late."

For a moment, Bella just watched him, something unreadable in her gaze. Then, finally, she smiled faintly and took a step back, giving him space again. "Of course. Let's go, I am ready."

She turned, and Edward exhaled slowly.

Then, without another word, he followed.

The ride back to the estate was quiet. Edward kept his focus on the road, but the tension sat thick between them.

At a red light, Bella shifted in her seat, her fingers tracing the smooth fabric of her gown. He kept his gaze on the road, but he felt her watching him. The hum of the engine filled the silence.

When they arrived, Edward stepped out, opening her door with precise professionalism. Bella stepped out, pausing just long enough to meet his gaze.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Anytime."

Bella lingered for a second before turning and heading inside. Her heels clicked softly against the stone steps. Edward waited until the door closed behind her before exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Needing an outlet, Edward stood in the gym, hands wrapped, breathing steady. The soft hum of the overhead lights buzzed against the quiet as he rolled his shoulders. Across from him, Emmett grinned, stretching out his arms before cracking his knuckles.

"Ready to get your ass kicked?" Emmett teased, shifting into a loose stance.

He did not know what he would do without his brother being there with him. He would lose his mind. He knew that he would have to come clean to him eventually about his struggle and tell him the truth, but not now.

Edward smirked. "You talk too much."

Emmett threw the first punch. Edward dodged, shifting just out of reach, his movements instinctual. He didn't strike back immediately, just studied his brother's rhythm, letting the tension settle in his bones.

"You're holding back," Emmett dodged, aiming a body shot. Edward blocked.

"I'm being smart."

Emmett snorted. "Right. Like how you're being smart about Bella?" That's the thing with Emmett, he was observant.

Edward barely dodged the uppercut, his jaw tightening. Damn Emmett. Damn himself. He shouldn't have looked at her the way he did tonight. Shouldn't have wanted to. He fired back, low, fast, catching Emmett in the ribs. Not hard enough to do real damage, but enough to make him take a step back.

Emmett grinned, shaking it off. "There he is."

Edward exhaled through his nose, adjusting his stance. "Drop it."

"Oh, come on," Emmett taunted, circling him. "I would bet my own kid that you were staring at her all night."

Edward swung, a little sharper this time. Emmett ducked, but just barely.

"See? There it is," Emmett said, amusement lacing his voice. "You're all wound up, and we both know why."

Edward forced his breath to stay even, but Emmett wasn't wrong. His muscles were tense, his mind running in too many directions at once. He threw another punch, and Emmett caught it with a grin.

"You know," Emmett said, stepping back, "we… you cannot afford to mess up."

Edward stilled for half a second. Just long enough for Emmett to land a clean jab to his ribs.

Edward grunted, stepping back, but his expression didn't change. He inhaled through his nose, steady. "I know, trust me."

"Yeah?" Emmett dropped his hands to his sides, tilting his head.

Edward didn't answer. He just unwrapped his hands, tossing the cloth onto the bench.

Emmett studied him for a second longer, then sighed, shaking his head. "Look, I get it. She's… something else. But don't let it mess with your head. You can't afford to slip."

Edward flexed his fingers, the phantom feeling of Bella's touch lingering in his memory.

"I know," he muttered.

Emmett studied him for a second longer, then sighed, shaking his head. "Just... be careful, alright? Don't start putting your emotions into this because you will not land on your feet. Our goal is pretty simple, get these sons of bitches. No emotions."

But as he walked off the mat, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was already too late. Whatever he was feeling with Bella, it was a fight he might lose.

Another week, Another Chapter. :) Guys, the amount of love I received this past week is unimaginable. All of you keeping track of this story, adding it to your favorites, leaving comments... It does something to my little heart. :) Thank you so much. These are the things that drive me to not only deliver my best for the sake of the characters and you but also deliver fast.

Now, with that being said. What do we think about these two so far? About Bella? Who do we think requested Edward by name?