Disclaimer: All characters are not mine. No copyright infringement was intended. Thank you to Stephenie Meyers for creating Edward and Bella for our enjoyment. I just like playing with them, making them my own ... even for just a little while.
Oh, Bella ... I'm sorry that I'm torturing you so. I promise, you will have a knight in shining armor ... or a prince! He already has deep feelings for you, girl!
We're going back to Masen next chapter ... he's going to do something about that lock and talk to Charlie about the charity event. Will she go? Won't she? And who wants to tar and feather Alice? What. A. Bitch!
Chapter Ten
Masen
I didn't have anything planned on Thursday, the day after my date with Bella. I called my family, checking in with my mother and telling her about my diplomatic dealings, party plans, and discussions with United States officials about a trade agreement, which were still in the planning stages. I also spoke briefly with my father, asking how Emmett was doing. As far as we knew, he was headlong in detox, and was a complete mess. He'd been checked into Four Circles under an assumed name, but I knew that it wouldn't be long before the paparazzi found out about Emmett's drug problem and his time at the rehabilitation center. I prayed it was later rather sooner, but it was an inevitablity. I already had a statement drafted for when that situation arose, ready to send and to cover our asses.
By mid-afternoon, I was chomping at the bit, bored out of my mind and anxious to see my beautiful Bella. I had a name of a locksmith to repair the doorway of the bakery, but Jake could do the work since he was so handy. I didn't need to run background checks on him and I definitely trusted him. So, I finally stomped into Jake's room, eager to see the girl who was consuming my every thought. He didn't seem surprised when I requested, "Car, please?"
"Brooklyn, I assume," he deadpanned. I arched a deadly, royal brow. "Dude, you're so whipped."
"So, are you," I quipped back, tossing him the keys. "What wouldn't you do for Leah? Hmmmm? And if there was something, anything that prevented Leah's safety, you'd fix it, right?"
"Okay, I'll admit, that door is pissing me off. Come on. I'll fix it. Heaven forbid we get your royal hands dirty," Jake said, walking over to his closet and pulling out a huge toolbox. I grinned happily. "Along with being your driver, I'm also your handyman. We just need to stop at a store to pick up a new doorknob. The things I do for your royal ass." He rolled his eyes dramatically, but his smile was apparent.
"Jake, you're awesome," I beamed.
"Name your first kid after me, your princeliship," Jake snickered. I scowled at Jake and he just laughed. "Let's go."
We rode down to the garage, clambering into the car. It was dreary today, colder and rainy. I shivered in my jacket as we drove to Brooklyn and parked across the street from the bakery. We walked inside, finding it nearly empty. Bella was sitting at a table, her head buried over some ledger books, wearing the most adorable pair of glasses, while Charlie was flipping through a ragged notebook, seemingly a book of recipes. I cleared my throat and Bella looked up, her eyes twinkling and a smile spreading over her haggard face.
Did she sleep at all last night?
"Masen," she breathed, removing her glasses, getting up and smoothing her clothing. She wore a loose, men's button-down and some leggings. The possessive asshole in me got upset at seeing her in another man's clothes, but I noticed it was older and close to Charlie's size. I walked over to her, hugging her tightly. I could feel the tension in her muscles and she clung to me. "This is a pleasant surprise," she whispered, her voice shaking and sad.
"I wanted to see you," I whispered back. "And my driver said he'd look at your door. He's a bit handy."
"Oh, that's not necessary," Bella spluttered, looking at Jake, who had already begun removing the old doorknob. "Really ... we'll fix it."
"What's wrong with the doorknob?" Charlie asked, ambling toward us, leaning heavily on a cane.
"Alice got locked out and she jimmied the door. It won't lock. It happened two years ago," Bella answered, shooting her father a remorseful look. Charlie's lips thinned. "It's not like we had the money to fix it, Dad."
"My girls are working down here in a shop without a functioning lock?" he growled. He blinked to Jacob and put his hands on his hips. "What'll this cost me?"
"Some coffee and a bagel," Jake answered, grimacing as he held up the destroyed knob, tossing into the garbage. "Maybe a muffin?" He looked up at Charlie. "It's not a big deal. I'll get this installed and you'll be set with two new keys."
"Okay," Charlie nodded. "Is it a double lock? If something happened to either of my girls ..."
"I got the best lock out there, Mr. Swan," Jake said. "Short of a thumb print ID, along with a retinal scan." Charlie rolled his eyes, harrumphing.
I heard a buzzer go off and Bella wriggled out of my arms. I watched her go into the back. Charlie sat down in the seat that Bella vacated. His eyes were sad, and he looked down at the books, shoving them away angrily. "Is everything okay, Charlie?" I asked.
"I'm worried about my baby girl," he whispered.
"Alice?" I asked, barely containing my ire.
"No. Not her. Bella," he replied, snorted derisively. "Alice is making Bella's life hell. She found out about Bella canceling her cell phone and she took it out on Bella's meager wardrobe, cutting what few things she had into rags and bleaching the rest." He scrubbed his face and looked at me. "Alice is also jealous of her new relationship with you."
"Charlie, I don't understand the family dynamics, but is Alice eighteen?" I asked. Charlie nodded. "Well, every person is entitled to an expectation of privacy. Regardless of the living situation, Alice destroyed private property and she could go to jail for what she's done."
"Are you a lawyer?" Charlie asked.
"I have passed the Bar, yes," I said. "I am a lawyer. I know you don't want to do that, but Bella's belongings are entitled certain expectations within her own home. The destruction of her clothing violates those expectations. And technically, she did steal money from you when she bought that dress." I folded my hands and looked at him. "How bad is it, sir?"
"We may be out of our home by this time next month," he breathed, looking down at the ledgers. "Bella's been trying to find investors, but no dice. With my medical insurance - which is at risk of being dropped - the bills for doctor's visits, upkeep of the bakery and such, we're drowning." He shook his head. "I shouldn't be telling you this. You're my daughter's boyfriend. You're not here to fix our problems."
I grinned, hearing Charlie call me Bella's boyfriend. I liked that. I liked belonging to her. "Charlie, I know that you're struggling. I may have someone who is interested in being an investor. With my work, I have a lot of connections," I said. "If you or Bella can create a presentation for what you need the money for, I could make sure it gets sent around."
"With what?" he grumped. "Sorry, Bella had to sell her computer and Alice ... she won't let us touch her computer with a ten-foot pole."
"It doesn't have to be a computerized presentation," I said, knowing that I'd be the investor. I wanted to make their lives easier. Well, Bella and Charlie's lives easier. Alice ... she could just suck it. Shaking my head, I smiled at Charlie. "Anyway, I mentioned this to Bella yesterday at our date. I have a charity event coming up in a couple of weeks. I invited her to be my guest, but she said she had to think about it."
"Nonsense," Charlie said, waving his braced hand. "Bells! I need you!"
"In a minute," she yelled back. "I'm putting the muffins into the oven."
"The pumpkin muffins?" I asked, rubbing my hands together.
"I think she tried something new. Chocolate decadence muffins?" he shrugged. "She was inspired by some cheesecake you served her last night on your date."
Bella came back, carrying a plate with two muffins and two mugs of coffee. She put a mug of coffee in front of me and handed me a pumpkin muffin. I beamed, tucking into it and Bella put a muffin on the table near the door for Jake. He thanked her, continuing the installation of the new doorknob. She sat down, taking a sip of my coffee and smirked at her dad. "What did you bellow for me for, old man?"
"What's this I hear about you and a charity event with Masen?" Charlie asked.
"I couldn't, Dad. Not with the bakery and ..." Bella trailed off.
"Nonsense, baby girl. You're going. You need to have fun," Charlie said, nodding firmly. He took her hand and stared into her eyes. "Baby girl, your life for the past few years has sucked. I think that Masen is your reward for dealing with my illness and your sister's bullshit. He's a winner."
"Dad, he's right there," Bella hissed, her pale cheeks flaming. "I'm sorry, Masen. My dad ... he lacks a filter."
"I find his filter-less remarks refreshing," I quipped. "So, are you saying yes? I'll gladly be your reward, treating you like a princess for the day for this event. Maybe spoiling you even longer, cherie." I tugged on her hand, pulling her into my lap. "I would hate to go alone, Bella. Jake is a great driver and fine handyman, but he sucks as a date."
"Plus, I'm engaged. Masen is too masculine for me," Jake snorted. "Delicious muffins, Miss Bella." He stood up and checked the door, locking and unlocking it with the keys provided. "Do you want more than just the two keys, Mr. Swan? One for you and one for Miss Bella?"
"We should get one for Alice," Bella said. "And possibly Angela. She's been spending a lot of time here."
"Perhaps two more, Jake," Charlie requested. "There's a hardware shop around the corner. Ask for Sam. He'll fix you up." Jake shot me a look, concerned about leaving me. I just shook my head and he sighed, ducking out of the bakery with the keys in hand. "Now, back to this charity event."
"Masen has to show more charity by inviting me. I can't ... it's black-tie, Dad," she grumbled, her pale cheeks flaming. "I can't exactly show up looking like this. And Alice ..."
"And as I said yesterday, it's not charity when it's freely given, cherie," I argued, picking up her hand, kissing her palm. I could smell the sugar on her skin, making me want to lick every inch of her. Down, tiger. Don't scare the girl. "One night. Well, technically two since you'll need to be fitted for your dress and such. Though, having you on my arm, that would be the most wonderful thing in the world to me, Bella. I'd have the most beautiful date."
"She'll go," Charlie proclaimed, arching a brow at Bella and daring her to disagree. "When is it, again?"
"Next Saturday. You'd need to meet with a personal shopper on Friday for your dress, but that could be done after you're done at the bakery. Perhaps Angela could go with you?" I suggested.
"Okay, okay. I can't fight both of you," she sighed, shooting her father a glower.
"And perhaps this personal shopper can help with ..." Charlie suggested, but Bella squeaked, shaking her head emphatically.
I nudged his leg with mine and winked. With Alice's childish behavior, she had nothing and I wanted to help her. I'd gladly do that. He flipped a thumbs up to me and waited for Jake come back. When he did, he handed the keys to Bella and Charlie. Jake went out to the car, saying we'd needed to go. Charlie got up, moving to the counter and buried his nose in the old notebook. I sighed, taking Bella's hand, kissing her wrist. "At least, I'll know my girl is safe," I said, looking at the lock.
"Am I your girl?" she asked, a beautiful blush spreading over her cheeks along with a shy smile.
"If you want to be," I answered. I want you to be. "You're everything I'm looking for in a woman, Bella. As elementary and childish as it may sound, I'd like to be able to call you mine." She smiled, shyly nodding. I felt my heart stammer in my chest and I cupped her chin. She looked at me, her melted chocolate eyes swirling with emotion. I brushed my lips with hers and she sighed happily. "I'll talk to you tonight, ma cherie."
"Kay," she breathed, her lips barely grazing mine. I kissed her tenderly again, feeling a tightening in my jeans and I knew I had to step away. I caressed her cheek and stepped out into the gloomy afternoon, making my way to the car.
"Mase, she's got you by the short and curlies," Jake snorted.
"Must you be so crass," I growled, rolling my eyes.
"Admit it. It's true," Jake laughed, pulling out into traffic.
"It is and I'd do anything for her," I whispered, watching as we moved away from the bakery. I pressed my hand to the window, wanting to be back with her, kissing her and holding her. Perhaps, even loving her. Could this be my love match? Could she be my future? Heaven knows I wanted her to be ...
xx AMDFT xx
The rest of this week and the next week went by slowly. I had a number of royal obligations that forced me to not spend time with Bella. I couldn't call her that much because of the timing of my 'down time' and the time we spent on the phone, was either late at night or after her morning rush. I could still hear the stress in her voice, but she was tentatively excited about the charity event. She had convinced her friend, Angela, to join her at Bergdorf's for her personal shopping experience. I also made arrangements for them to have a catered meal afterward. I wanted to share it with her, but after hearing Bella talk about Angela, they needed time to reconnect as girlfriends.
With Bella's job and overwhelming issues, their friendship had fallen to the wayside. I could see how much Bella loved Angela and how much she needed time with her friend. Selfishly, I wanted to spend time with her, but I didn't want to force Bella to choose between me or Angela.
With that, I planned on using the time while she shopped to look for the perfect jewelry to compliment her dress. The personal shopper was going to, at least, she told me, tell me what color dress Bella was getting and if it was traditional, modern or chic. That way, I would be able to find jewelry for her to wear for the charity event. I wanted to bedeck my girl with jewels, but I knew she'd be hesitant to wear that. So, I would purchase her jewelry, but I would keep it simple, but tastefully elegant. Something that she could wear every day, but make her feel special, beautiful.
She was so beautiful and kind and selfless. I wanted her. I wanted her happy. I wanted her not to have to work her ass off for her family. I wanted to support them, too. Charlie was a good man but was dealt a shit hand of cards. One of his daughters was a saint while the other was a devil, uncaring and cruel.
"Your princeliship," Jake snorted.
"Don't call me that, jack ass," I sighed. "What's up?"
"When do you want to leave for the jewelers?" he asked.
I checked my cell phone, I saw that the car I'd sent to Bella's bakery was driving to Bergdorf's. "We can leave now. Tia, the personal shopper, will text you with information about Bella's dress."
"Why not you?" Jake asked, arching a brow.
"I'm a royal and heaven forbid that some royal scandal happens with a private shopper?" I sighed. "So, I gave Tia your number. Your work number."
"You owe me, Cullen," he grumbled. "Let's go." We put on coats and I adopted the royal persona, standoffish and distant. With this trip to the jewelers, I knew that some rumors would begin to fly. I wasn't as famous as the Prince of Wales, but I'd been listed on several magazine's hottest lists as an eligible bachelor. But, in those magazines, I was listed as Edward and not Masen.
We arrived at a private jewelry store. Jacob stood off the side, looking every bit as menacing as I knew him to be. I met with the jeweler I spoke to on the phone. "Mr. Masen?" said the jeweler.
"Yes," I answered, shaking his hand. "Felix?"
He nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet with a client with your stature," he gushed. "I hope that we can provide you with what you need."
"I hope that your discretion will be assured," I said, a tight smile spreading over my face. "My transaction here will not be disclosed in the media, Felix."
"I can assure you, nothing will be leaked," Felix squeaked. "We have a lot of high profile clients. Their anonymity is paramount, Mr. Masen." He looked at me, his beady eyes as wide as can be and his glasses slipping off his bird-like nose. "Your highness."
"Good," I replied. "Now, I'm looking to spend a lot of money today to make someone special feel every ounce of beauty that I believe she is. I'd like to see diamond necklaces, diamond earrings and diamond bracelets. No expense spared."
A/N: We're going back to Bella and spending some time with her and Angela, plus time for her to get ready for the benefit and the first part of the benefit itself. Leave me some loving and thank you for reading! I appreciate it more than I can express!