Chapter 8

EPOV

I stood up and was about to walk over and get something from the kitchen when I heard: "The big question is how did they do it? In such a high security apartment building, home to many of the elite families here in New York. Now people are wondering; are we safe?"

The the camera flashed over to none other than Jacob Black. "Yes, they took everything and ruined everything they left behind. They even broke my TV using a frame with a picture of my girlfriend, and I'm sorry but THAT is just sick." he spat.

"Would you like to say anything else? In case the culprit is in deed watching tonight?"

"Yeah, that if I were you, I'd sleep with one eye open. Because no one, and I mean no one messes with Jacob Black and gets away with it."

Funny, Bella said something similar tonight... oh wait "Oh No.."

I just stared at the TV in shock for a second, shit. This was not good. This was definitely NOT good. I walked, half ran to the phone and dialed Bella's number. It rang four times, "You have reached..." I hung up and dialed again. This time, on the third ring she picked up.

"Oh hey Edward, what's ugh.. what's up?" She said, sounding out of breath. Almost as if she had been running...

"Hey Bella, how about you tell me what's up?"

"What ugh, what do you mean?" She stuttered.

"Oh I think we both know what I mean."

"Um... well, I think that we both know what we think, but I'm not sure that I know, what you mean about what you think.. particularly.."

"Wait, what?"

"I don't know what you're talking about! Okay?" She blurted, defensively.

"Okay, then tell me this. Why are you out of breath?"

"Um.. well... that's just because, because I was running!... with Alice... in Central Park... um cause you know, exercise if good for pregnant woman. It helps the baby come down faster during labor, and you've seen Alice, she's about to pop she needs all the help she can get."

"Why does it sounds like you made that up as you went?"

"I don't know! Maybe you make nervous, have you thought about that Mr. I know it all?"

"Bella just tell me the truth please?" I pleaded with her.

I heard her sign on the other end "Okay, fine. I was running by myself on the treadmill because I feel fat."

"Bella!"

"Okay! Okay, fine I didn't listen to you when you said to let karma take care of things with Jacob, okay? Me and Alice broke in to his apartment... and might have done a tinsy bit of damage."

"So you mean to tell me 'a tinsy bit of damage' is what they're calling..." I glanced back at the TV. "'One of the biggest break ins, Manhattan has ever seen'?"

"Really? That's what they're calling it?" I could hear the smile in her voice, as she asked a little smug.

"I don't think that's really something to feel proud of..."

"I'm not! Come on, Edward you know better than anyone, that the media multiplies everything by ten."

"I know that, but regardless of how little damage you caused, you know it wasn't the right thing to do."

"Yes I know that. It's just, Edward you don't know how I felt. It was like... like the last thing in this crazy life that still made sense, shattered too. I felt stupid, disappointed, embarrassed and really the list goes on. I guess I just wanted to make him feel at least a quarter of what I was feeling." she finished, sounding exhausted. I understood what she meant, and how she felt. I knew this was hurting her, and somehow that was hurting me, so that's really all it took for me to forgive her. Because any lecture I had planned was wiped from my mind, and I just wanted her to feel better. Gosh, I was such a push over.

"Alright, well I guess Jacob did deserve it. Plus the look on his face when he said you broke his TV was priceless, I seriously thought he was about to burst in to tears."

I heard her laugh half heartedly, from the other end.

"Yeah, he did always have some weird attachment to that thing.."

"Anyway, we both better get some sleep, you've got the fashion show tomorrow and it's nearly midnight. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow Bella."

"Night Edward, and thanks for not being too mad at me... I didn't expect you to let me off the hook so easily."

I laughed. "I don't think I'm allowed to be mad at you, seeing how you're the one that can fire me."

"Yeah, but I would never fire you... you should know that, goodnight Eddie."

"Goodnight & please don't.." I heard the phone click off. "Call me Eddie..."

I smacked my alarm clock off, okay so 7 hours of sleep didn't sounds too bad in theory, but it felt like crap. I literally rolled out of bed and sleepily made my way to the closet. I had to wear an itchy suit today, how 'great' is that?

By 8 am, I was hailing a cab to Bella's apartment.

After ringing her doorbell about 6 times, it finally opened. Her apartment was full of people, everything was already in full swing here, apparently.

I looked around trying to spot her.

"Oh hey Edward! What took you so long? You look great by the way.." I heard her say from one side of the living room. She was sitting on a chair in a white silk robe, getting a pedicure, a manicure, her hair done, her makeup done, and there was a stylist next to her asking her what she thought about two dresses that looked exactly the same in my opinion.

I walked over to where she was sitting "Thanks, and what do you mean? It's barely 8:30."

"Yeah, but Alice has been here since 6."

I turned around and indeed Alice was sitting on the couch, getting her toe nails done and literally had someone feeding her grapes.

"Hey there." She said with a grin.

"Alice? What are you even doing here?"

She gasped. "Edward, I'm offended. I think the better question is, why did you just get here?"

"But I'm early, I wasn't suppose to be here until 9."

"And you think half an hour is enough?" she scoffed.

"Well... yeah."

"You know Edward, when I met you, I dubbed you for more than just a pretty face. But maybe what you see is what you get with you..."

"I was my class's valedictorian." I replied easily.

"Yeah, so? I was prom queen."

"No you weren't..."

"The voting was rigged! Rigged I tell you."

I turned around to face Bella, "So how are you feeling about the show? You ready?"

"Um well, I feel good about it, but I am nervous. There's always a big possibility that I could fall on my ass, like I did in rehearsals. Then become the laughingstock of America until I'm 62, but you know other than that I'm not that nervous." she said staring off in to space, probably visualizing the worst.

"You're gonna be great, I've seen what you can do up there. You're amazing, that one time at rehearsals you were just distracted."

"Yeah, by you." I thought I heard her mumble.

"What?"

"Oh nothing." she said, with a sweet smile.

By 1 o'clock it was time to hit the 'Pink' carpet, and yes it's literally pink.

I made sure Bella went through all the major networks, for interviews. It was always the same questions: 'How do you feel about the show tonight? Any surprises you can reveal? Rumor has it you're starring along side Tom Cruise for his new film, do you confirm this?' And the oh so famous 'How's Jacob? Has he popped the question yet?' Which is usually when I pulled her away and said, no more questions please.

Two hours and a lot of yelling (on the photographer's behalf) later, it was time to go inside. We went through a door at the back of the main building, which led backstage to where the models get ready.

Now if I thought it was crazy outside, I'd seen nothing yet.

People talking/yelling over each other, throwing clothes and props around, running back and forth with headsets and clipboards, and half naked models everywhere slapping on gallons of glitter and bronzer.

That last part is probably what a lot of guys dream about, and under regular circumstances I might enjoy it too, but right now I had to admit was a little scared...

I turned to Bella "I know I'm not being a good manager by asking you this, but what am I suppose to do now?" I asked trying to hide my panic.

She laughed. So much for trying to hide it.

"Well there's nothing else for you to do back here, so you can probably go find your seat and enjoy the show. Alice usually stays to make sure everything looks good on me, but I don't think I want to subject you to so much nudity back here. So you can run off and relax now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Absolutely sure?"

"Go!" She said, literally pushing me out the door.

I walked out into the main room, were everyone was getting seated. Seriously, it was like celebrity central around here. I felt about, ten times less important than I usually did.

I found my seat at one of the front rows, there was a big card with my name on it, sitting on my chair. I picked up the card and sat down, 'what was I suppose to do with the card?' I just slipped it under my chair. I looked at the seats around me, to my right it said Beyonce, wow cool. To my left it said Jay Z, wait... was I suppose to be between them? Awkward...

Everything in the show was going perfectly, now it was time for a 10 min -impasse before the last walk through. As I anticipated Bella lit up and commanded that stage, the rest of the models were good too, but somehow they paled in comparison.

"You should really do something about that girl, you know?" I heard Beyonce say besides me.

I turned around, but Jay Z was still missing then I turned back around.

"Who? Me?." I asked stupidly.

"No, the gingerbread man... yes you. I see the way you look at her. Let me tell you honey if there's one thing to learn from me, is that if you like it, then you should put a ring on it." She said with a wink and got up to talk to Lady Gaga.

I sat there a little stunned, okay so apparently I need to work on hiding my feelings about Bella a little better, and did I really just have a 10 second conversation with Beyonce?...

Well, don't I wish I had a Twitter now.

BPOV

I literally ran once I was back stage, and there was someone already waiting to rip off the previous outfit and help me put on the next one.

I'd never timed this, but I think we probably had it down to a minute in a half.

Then I ran to the make up chairs where, they re-powder my nose and added more glitter, if it was even possible to add more.

I moved to my spot in the line up, okay so: smile, own, it and sell it. I repeated over and over in my head, key terms I'd learned to go by on the runway.

Hey... shut up and let me go

this hurts I told you so

for the last time you will kiss my lips, now shut up and let me go

your jeans were once so clean, I bet you changed your wardrobe since we met

now oh so easily you're over me...

I watched as each girl went, everything felt like it was going in slow motion. I felt the hot lights glaring down on us even though I wasn't fully on stage yet. In a matter of what felt like a minute later, it was my turn I watched Jessica go 10 seconds before me, and I automatically followed.

I put on a big smile, which I actually meant and pulled out all my energy for this last walk

I ain't freaking I ain't faking this,

I ain't freaking I ain't faking this,

I ain't freaking I ain't faking this

now shut up and let me go, hey!

I lifted my arms to get the crowd pumped, which cause loud woo!'s and whistles from the audience, I smiled wider and pointed to the area the crowd was the loudest.

I took each stride confidently, showing off the clothes. I finally made it to the end of the runway, put my hands on my hips and posed my little heart out. I finished off by blowing a kiss to the crowd, a classic. My walk back was pretty much the same, I finally made it back stage where everyone was hugging and clapping, already celebrating.

After the final line up; walking through together, the show was finally over. Until next year that is.

I threw on a dark blue strapless wrap dress that came just above the knee, with black Steve Madden pumps. Now I was ready for the after party.

However before leaving, it was time to meet back up with Edward, Alice, and Jasper.

I walked out from the dressing rooms and a little pixie with a huge belly ran up to me and hugged me.

"Oh my gosh Bella, you were unbelievable! Seriously, I'd never seen you as good as you were tonight. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you Alice, and thank you guys for coming too." I said to Jasper and Edward who were standing behind Alice smirking at her excitement.

"No problem Bella, you were awesome." Jasper said with a smile.

"Yeah, even if it wasn't a job requirement, I'd probably still be here." Edward said with a grin, as I smiled back.

"Oh! I almost forgot, we got you these!" Alice said, turning back to Jasper and yanking a bouquet of pink flowers away from him, and excitedly handing them to me.

I smiled hugely "Oh wow, thanks. These are beautiful, you guys."

"I know, right!" Alice replied grinning back.

"So are you ready for the after party?" I asked them, with excitement of my own.

"About that..." Alice said and looked back at Jasper with guilty eyes.

"What?"

"Well, it's just that. It's been a long day, and I'm tired... Jasper thinks it would be better for the baby, if we just skip out on the party this year." She said, looking a little afraid of my reaction.

Alice had come with me to every after party, for this show since my carrier began. So it definitely was depressing to think I was gonna have to face a room full of models, rich guys, and celebrities without her. I know technically I fit in to one of those categories, but it never actually felt like it. I guess a lot of things were changing now, specially for her, so I wouldn't be selfish about it.

"Oh that's okay! Um.. yeah, don't even worry about it." I tried to reassure her.

She put her hand on my shoulders "I know you're gonna be okay, plus Edward will be there. Just think of him as a taller, less talented, less attractive, less perky, version of me with more facial hair!"

"I'm right here, you know?" Edward said, as if it should be obvious.

"What's your point?" Alice quipped.

"Okay never mind, you ready to go Bella?" He asked, motioning towards the door.

I leaned down and hugged Alice one more time. "Have a good night guys. I'll see you soon."

"Bye Bella, have fun tonight."

"Thanks." I said, with one last wave, before we both parted ways.

We made it out and into the limo quickly, tonight was the night with the most coverage on every celebrity news channel. It went beyond just getting the models, tonight other celebs littered the streets too. Which ultimately meant, more and more paparazzi.

"Wow, it's insane out there." Edwards gasped, after sliding in after me.

"Yeah, remind me never to invite you to the Movie Awards."

"You mean it gets worse?"

"Ooh yeah..." I chuckled.

"So, did you enjoy the show?" I asked, with a smirk.

"Ugh, you know as much as any guy would enjoy an hour of hot girls modeling lingerie."

I feigned shock and elbowed him playfully causing him to laugh along with me.

"No but seriously, pretty much anything would beat how I spent Saturday nights before I started working for you... Ordering Chinese and watching discovery health with my cat."

I laughed "Wait... you have a cat?"

"No, but I thought it'd be a nice addition to the mental picture I drew."

I laughed again, something I seemed to do a whole lot of around Edward.

"You're a dork, you know that?" I said, smiling up at him.

"So, I've been told..." He said with a grin.

Somebody mixed my medicine...

somebody mixed my medicine...

will you hurt? Will you sleep? And you sleep where you lie

and now you're in deep, & now you're gonna cry

A woman to your left and a boy to your right

you start to sweat, so hold me tight

cause, somebody mixed my medicine, I don't know what I'm on.

Somebody mixed my medicine, now baby it's all gone.

We could hear the music blaring as soon as we stepped through the doors of the Hilton Hall, where the after party was being held.

I walked in confidently with Edward by my side, as I took a look around the room.

Pretty girls flirting with rich men, Tanya trowing herself at another rapper, Rihanna wearing something totally ridiculous but managing to look completely bad ass, and Leonardo Decapreo about to hook up with yet another model. Oh yeah, this was the VS fashion show after party all right, and once again I felt totally out of place. Except this time, I didn't have my perky little sidekick with me... Yeah, I need a drink.

"Oh look an open bar!" I pointed out to Edward, who was still taking everything in himself.

"Already? Don't you think it's a little early for that?'

"Is it ever to early to start drinking?"

"Um, yeah... it is."

"Oh come on , lighten up." I said pulling him along with me, to the open bar.

"A Sex On The Beach." I ordered as soon as we sat down.

The bartender nodded and looked to Edward expectantly. "Um, oh just water for me. Thanks." He answered quickly.

"Water? Are you serious?" I laughed.

"What? I'm here as your manager, I can't drink. If I were to get drunk, who would look after you?"

"I'm not a kid, you don't have to 'look after me'" I said, putting air quotes around the last three words.

"I'm just not drinking, end of story." He said finally.

"Whatever, suit yourself, but I promise you. After an hour of this" I said, pointing around us. "You're gonna be begging for a drink."

"I wouldn't count on it."

"Whatever you say..."

I rested my chin on my hand and tapped the counter, as I looked out the huge balcony window. I felt ridiculous trying to get him to drink when in reality, I'm usually pretty sober myself. The truth was, if I stopped for five seconds, that gave me time to think, and my mind always went back to one thing; Jacob. My heart even clenched at the mention of his freaking name, god I was pathetic. I needed to drink, and get my mind off of things. At the end of the night, I was doing it with or without Edward.

30 minutes and 4 drinks later, you could say I was a little tipsy.

I don't tolerate alcohol very well, did I mention that? Probably not, I never do until I'm drunk.

"Oh my god Edward, has anyone ever told you, you have the most beautiful eyes?" I asked him starring intently into them, because they were beautiful. They were like endless pools of green, they reminded me the town I grew up in, Forks. It was always green there too.

He laughed at my comment and looked away.

"Wow Alice was right, you really do get drunk after just 2 drinks. I thought she might have been exaggerating but, I guess not."

"Me, drunk? No way!" I gasped, that's so unlike me, I would never do that.

"Right..." He said the word slowly, making it two syllables.

Oooohh Oooohh, caught in a bad romance...

I heard the song blaring from the speakers, oh no they didn't!

"Oh my gosh! This is totally my song!"

Automatically I started belting out the lyrics.

"Raah rah ah ah ah, roma roma ma ma

gaga uh la la

want your bad romance!

I want your ugly, I want your disease

I want your everything as long as it's free

I want your love, love, love, love

I want your love."

My singing sounded bad even to my own ears, but I was having way too much fun to stop.

Meanwhile Edward was looking at me with an amused look on his face, what's so funny?

"This is like my favorite song Edward!"

He continued to look at me like I was telling a joke. "Yeah.. I can tell. They played it at the fashion show too."

I stopped dead in my singing tracks and gasped "Oh my gosh!... I remember that." I said totally astonished, by my capability to remember the little things.

"Yeah well, it happened just a few hours ago. I'd be worried, if you didn't remember." Whatever, I lost him after 'yeah', besides I'm tired of singing. I want to move on to something more fun.

I leaned in real close to his face and started whispering "So Edward, is there a girl you like?"

He seemed to get paler for a second, and then stammered "Ugh, no of course not. Why would you ask me that?" I leaned back in my chair again.

"Oh no reason, just wondering..." I said as nonchalantly as I could, but come on, I wasn't stupid. He totally liked someone, and he just wasn't telling.

"What's her name? Is she a model too? Do I know her?" I blurted, yup totally smooth about it.

"Why do you want to know?" he asked trying to smile, but it looked more like a cringe.

"Because, we're almost like best friends. Right after Alice of course, I need to know these things." I said punching him in the shoulder to emphasize that we're friends.

"Well... there's only one person that knows, and weirdly enough it's Beyonce. So if you can get it out of her, then you win, otherwise I get to keep it a secret." He said with a smirk, as if he had already won. Little did he know, me and Beyonce are like two peas in a pod.

I smirked back, standing up and involuntarily swaying side to side slightly.

"Oh Beyonce!" I called loudly, as I made my way through the crowd.

"Bella, No! Wait up!" He called after me, and in that moment of distraction, I bumped into a big meaty wall. I looked up and into the face of Jacob Black. I squinted my eyes at him, yup this was totally Jacob, in the flesh... and looking a little pudgy I must say.

"Jacob! What are you doing here? And why do you look so fat!" He quickly looked down at himself in confusion. "What? I am not fat, wait.. Bella, are you drunk?"

"NO!" I yelled back, and stuck my tongue out at him.

"You are so drunk." He said, nodding his head in disapproval.

Just then, Edward finally made it to where I was standing. Jacob automatically yanked him forward, by the front of his shirt. "You punk, what did you do to my girlfriend?" He seethed at Edward.

Okay if I was being honest with myself, everything seemed kinda muddled right now and I still don't know how many licks it takes to get to the center of Totsie pop. But all I knew was that I had to protect Edward from that fat meaty wall. So I grabbed someone's drink at random, and threw it at his face.

He immediately let go of Edward. "What the hell Bella! This suit is Calvin Klein!"

"Oh shut your pie hole Jacob!" I said loud enough, so that pretty much everyone in the room was now looking at us.

"I've got a lot to say to you, and I couldn't think of a better place to do it than in front of all our friends, cameras, journalist and random strangers. First of all, you kiss like a dog. Second of all, guess what... I know everything. I know you've been cheating on me with any peace of ass that crosses your path, very classy of you by the way. I know you were just using me, because it looked good to be dating a famous model. You've just been playing me since the first day we met, haven't you?

But I'm afraid you just played your last round, so game over. But It wouldn't be fair for me not to let you know, I've moved on too. To someone who makes me happier than you ever did." I said with a playful grin before turning around and grabbing a very shocked looking Edward.

I threw my arms behind his neck, and whispered against his lips, just low enough for him to hear.

"Play along, and I'll owe you big time." However, I didn't really wait for him to reply.

I leaned in kissed him. Something I'd secretly wished I could do for a very long time.

His lips were soft and gentle against mine, and this must have been his way of agreeing because he was kissing me back. We continued like that, until my hands were in his hair, which kinda didn't take very long and I started to deepen the kiss.

"Okay we get it!" Jacob growled from the side. His voice immediately snapped me back into reality and I pulled away from a disappointed looking Edward.

"Oh yeah and one more thing. Screw you Jacob Black." I said smugly as I heard the crowd erupt in to cheers.

I smiled and turned around walking out and pulling Edward along with me.

As soon as we were outside the hall, I started laughing uncontrollably.

"Did you see his face? Oh my god, that was epic!." I said as I swayed a little too far to the left and was about to fall on my ass, before Edward moved quickly and caught my waist.

"Thank you." I said steading myself. I was on a high from getting back at Jacob, but that was dimmed by my pounding headache and I was so sleepy.

"Edward I'm sleepy, can you take me home?" I asked sweetly.

"Yeah, I'm calling the driver now. He'll be here in a few minutes."

"I don't think I can make it that long. Bella's a little tipsy." I whined.

"A little? More like a lot, and what do you mean you can't make it?"

I heard the last part and then my knees gave out, and I let sleep take me.

EPOV

I turned around as I asked her, just in time to catch her before she hit the ground. I put my phone in my pocket and picked Bella up in my arms, until the driver arrived.

Meanwhile not thinking about what I was doing, having Bella's body up against my chest, no big deal.

Just another day's work, I feel nothing what's so ever... yeah right.

We went out through the back door, so we avoided any paparazzi. Although I'm not sure how much good that would do, seeing how she had made herself tomorrow's headline ether way.

We made it to her apartment by 2:56 am, I carried her the whole time, which earned us some stares from people. Today random strangers, tomorrow's 'close sources' for tabloids, I thought bitterly.

When we finally made it to her room, I laid her down gently on the bed, slipped off her shoes and covered her with a blanket.

I started for the door, quietly trying to make my way out. When I heard her mumble

"Edward? Is that you?"

"Yeah Bella, it's me. But it's night time, it's time for you to sleep." I whispered back.

She whimpered, I don't know if she was sleep talking or actually awake. "But I want you to stay. I'm all alone."

I sighed, there was so many things wrong with this picture. But somehow I couldn't say no to her.

I slowly walked back to her bed and sat on the edge. "How about I sleep on the couch, I'll be right there if you need me." I whispered again.

"I want you to stay here." she seemed emphasized on the last word.

I ran my hands through my messy hair and sighed once more. Then walked around the bed and sat down on the other side and leaned back against the headboard. Yeah this was a bad idea, I could feel it.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, she turned over and wrapped her arms around my waist, and whispered "Night, Edward." I sat there completely still, this was not good. I could feel my pulse race and my heart beat faster, I was enjoying this no matter how badly I wanted to deny it. It was hard to remember that Bella was drunk, that if she was sober none of this would be happening right now. It wasn't real, it was all alcohol induced. I repeated in my head to no avail.

No matter how much I tried to steer clear of any unprofessional feelings for Bella. I think it was obvious now, that I was falling fast and hard for Bella Swan... my... boss, and the most unattainable girl on the planet.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that chapter :) I tried to make drunken Bella funny, I hope I succeeded. I was probably off however about what goes through a drunken person's mind, because I have never been drunk myself, it's not even legal right now lol. But anyway, I wanted to clear up, that Bella does mean everything she does when she's drunk, it's just that her logic is basically turned off. So she did some things, her sober mind would have told her not to go through with.

Also thank you guys so much for all the reviews on the last chapter! I'm so happy that you guys enjoyed it. Things have been crazy, I celebrated my 16th birthday, thank you for all the happy birthdays by the way! They made my day, even the belated ones lol. Anyways, I also celebrated my older sister's birthday this month, she turned 25, and I went on Vacation to Miami Florida which was extremely exciting for me, since I'd never been there before. It was gorgeous and I loved it, but overall I hate to say it because some of you might disagree, but there is really no place like home here in California lol.

-oh & songs mentioned in this chapter are

runway song

-Shut Up & Let Me Go by The Ting Tings

after party songs

-My Medicine by The Pretty Reckless ((I LOVE this song atm, I recommend it lol))

-Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

you can listen to them while you read those parts, that's what I did (:

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review!

Hopefully we can make it to a 100 with this update... that would be awesome! :D