Guide:

Edward Cullen is the hottest young movie star in the world, and the attention that comes with that is a lot to handle. He looks forward to working on his latest project over the summer in New York City. His brother Emmett tags along, as well as his manager and good friend Jasper.

Bella Swan is a student at Columbia who bartends to help pay tuition. Between working and studying, Bella has little time for movies and has no idea who Edward Cullen is when he sits down at her bar one night.

A friendship begins that blossoms into more, but complications come up, not the least of which is Edward's fame.

Chapter One: Fantasy vs. Reality

When Edward Cullen arrived in New York to begin work on his latest movie, he looked forward to living outside the spotlight for a while. Assuming he would blend in with the

throngs of New Yorkers who walk the city streets in relative obscurity, this summer was going to bring a welcome change of pace. For the past year Edward's every move, even

his every facial expression, was photographed and analyzed a thousand times over. Good thing that on his worst days he was still better looking than ninety-percent of the

population. Standing over six feet tall with wavy brown hair, denim blue eyes, and an impossibly perfect jaw line, Edward was striking even in a ratty tee shirt and worn jeans.

The price of this perfection, and of starring in one of the highest grossing movies of the year, was a complete lack of privacy. But he was certain the next couple

of months would be different. Low key. No interviews or photo shoots, no promotional appearances. Having the summer to immerse himself in work and enjoy the Big Apple,

especially its nightlife, was going to be the closest thing to a vacation he'd had in a long time.

That fantasy was short-lived. Within a few hours of landing at JFK, paparazzi spotted the world's hottest young movie star and his brother, Emmett, walking outside their

exclusive hotel. By the next day, photos of Edward in his trademark blue knit cap, smoking a cigarette in front of the ornate "Parliament Hotel New York" sign, were all over the

internet. Changing locations did not solve the problem. Any building with a street level entrance created an opportunity for photographs. Paparazzi parked themselves outside

every door while crowds of fans, mostly female, nonchalantly yet overtly obvious, traipsed back and forth on the concrete sidewalks outside his latest hotel. Fans with deeper

pockets even went so far as to reserve rooms in the same spot, which created an especially sticky problem for Security.

A few weeks of being holed up in a hotel, even inside the presidential suite, was getting to the young star. So much for the privileged life. Except for being whisked to and from the

movie set, Edward's security was now so tight that he couldn't even walk down the hall to the ice machine.

"This is fucking insane!" Edward groaned. He wasn't the type of guy who easily lost his temper, but nobody could blame him under these circumstances. He dropped his head to his chest and slammed his fist down in frustration against the marble top of the wet bar.

"Shit," he grumbled, "That hurt."

Reaching inside the mini-bar, he pulled out a Heineken and rubbed the chilled green bottle against his injured hand for a few seconds to ease the pain. After prying off the top with a makeshift bottle opener, he took a giant gulp and then another.

"Edward," said Jasper, his manager, "We're gonna get you moved soon. Maybe tonight. Definitely by tomorrow."

"That's what you said yesterday…" Edward growled back in frustration.

Jasper had worked for Edward 24/7 over the past year and a half. Smart and very successful for a thirty-year old, he was usually able to balance the friend/employee roles

effortlessly. Lately though, managing Edward's stress level had become more of a challenge – and a strain on their friendship.

"Sorry dude, but its not as if you can stay in the Holiday Inn Express. We gotta make sure you're in a secure place," Jasper responded.

Raising both eyebrows, Edward turned to speak directly to his manager, "I thought this place was supposed to be secure."

"It was, until the paparazzi along with a couple dozen teenage girls found out you were here and started tweeting about it," Jasper shot back sarcastically.

Edward replied in an uncharacteristically snide tone, "So you're saying that this pricey hotel's high paid security staff has been outsmarted by a bunch of teenage girls and the

stalkarazzi?"

From the other room, Emmett noticed the thickening tension between his brother and Jasper. Rising from in front of the TV, he walked into the living room where the two were

standing.

"Ed, calm down, dude. Have another beer." Emmett said as he pulled another Heineken from the mini-bar and snapped the top off with his strong fist.

Now aggravated with both his manager and his brother, Edward snarled back, "Emmett, you specifically requested the 52-inch flat screen so you could watch every fucking sports

channel in high def. Go back to your cave."

Emmett's muscles tensed. "Now your being an asshole, little brother" Emmett snapped back. "I'm keeping this beer for myself."

Edward cursed under his breath then grabbed the Heineken from Emmett's hand (Emmett was stronger, but Edward was quicker). Then he plopped himself down on the suede

sofa, stretched out his long legs and buried his head in his hands. After a few moments, he sighed, "I know I'm being a dick."

Just as Edward started to sit up, a cell phone rang.

"That's me," said Jasper. He pulled the phone from his hip pocket and walked a few steps away from the brothers before answering.

"Yeh, this is Jasper….". Speaking quietly and quickly, it was only a minute before the call was over and Jasper had a huge smile on his face.

"Alright, let's pack up. We're moving uptown to Park Place."

From Emmett's cave, Randy and Chris, Edward's round the clock security detail, overheard Jasper's news.

"Pretty nice digs," Randy called from the other room, "And an underground garage for guests only. So no paparazzi tracking every time we come and go from the place."

Visibly relieved, Edward smirked before mumbling, "I dunno, Uptown? Not really my scene."

Jasper was quick with his comeback, "Fuck you, asshole. Your choice is uptown scene or no scene at all. Park Place can put you in a penthouse suite with a terrace so you can

smoke your cancer sticks all day and night, if you want. Plus a pool and sauna, semi-private elevator and round the clock concierge service"

"What? No private gym?" asked Edward.

"Like you'd use a gym without it being a contractual requirement…" interrupted Emmett.

"You know me too well," laughed Edward as he punched his brother in the gut then winced after realizing that was the same hand he hurt earlier. "Shit, that hurt!"

"You'll learn one day, little brother" laughed Emmett. "Now let's get the hell out of here."

--------------------------------------------------------

By dusk Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Jasper's girlfriend Alice were sitting outside on the brick terrace of Edward's new penthouse suite at the Park Place Hotel, drinking beer and

looking at the breathtaking view over Central Park.

"I grew up here," Alice said as she gazed over the skyline, "and it never still ceases to amaze me how gorgeous this city is."

"I'm glad you could make it , Alice," said Edward sincerely. Then he chuckled mischievously before adding, "Jasper's been kind of uptight – you're a calming influence."

Alice looked perplexed. She turned her head to Jasper, running her perfectly manicured fingers through his blonde hair. "Have you been stressing out, Jazz?" she asked.

Glaring at Edward, Jasper decided to play it cool then whispered "Just missing you" into Alice's ear. "Wanna get out of here?"

Alice giggled self-consciously. She and Jasper had been together for a long time, but it was fairly recently that she hung out with him while he was with clients. She was just getting to know them and wasn't yet completely comfortable. "Whatever you want to do is good with me," she quietly said to Jasper.

Standing up from the love seat he was sharing with Alice, Jasper took her hand and began to say their good byes.

"See you later, man" said Emmett with his trademark devilish grin. "You two love birds have fun tonight. Don't worry about Edward and me. We'll just be up here looking out over

this beautiful city, with two terminal cases of blue balls. But you guys have a great time!"

Blushing before turning beet red, then almost purple with embarrassment , Alice began to laugh nervously.

"Nice mouth in front of the ladies," quipped Edward. But secretly he thought it was pretty funny. It would be even funnier if it weren't so true.

"That's okay," laughed Alice. "Don't be afraid to be yourselves around me just because I'm a girl. And I have lots of girl friends in this town, by the way."

"Is that right?" asked Emmett. "To tell you the truth, I usually do okay on my own, but my brother here has a tough time attracting women."

At that comment, everyone burst into hysterics except Edward, who flipped his middle finger at his older brother.

"Alright, alright," laughed Jasper, "We're out of here. See you in the morning." Taking Alice's delicate hand into his, Jasper led her out of the suite.

Edward lit a cigarette and took another sip from his beer. Emmett slouched back into his chair, looking deviously over at his brother.

"What?" asked Edward nervously. He did not trust Emmett when he had that look on his face.

"Let's go out." said Emmett.

"Out where?"

"Anywhere. A restaurant. Bar. Strip club. I don't care. But I need to get laid."