Chapter Eleven

A/N: First & foremost, characters belong to the lovely Stephenie Meyer, but The Pin-Up Girl belongs to me, Cozmedic.*Notes: Please read the Notes section at the end. Not long this time…well, not as long (lol).

Chapter Eleven –

Hello, I love you.

“So, did you miss me Mr. Cullen?” she repeated herself as if I hadn’t heard her, but I was so enthralled with her that I couldn’t speak. The natural rose in her cheeks made her look radiant. It was hard to believe that she was real sometimes.

I shook myself out of my day-dreaming haze, “Isabella, love, I didn’t hear you come in. I see Edith hasn’t accosted you yet.”

“I snuck in through the back entrance. Edith hasn’t seen me to accost me as of yet. I’m getting quite good at this sneaking around thing, you know?” Bella turned towards the barkeep, “Martini, stirred, olive please.”

I sipped at my drink with an air of casualness. It was so pretentiously false. I felt like a charlatan. I felt like I actually belonged amongst my peers.

“I missed you.”

Goddamn you sound needy, Cullen.

Bella smiled, than whispered, “I missed you too.”

I wanted to ask her why she was an hour late, but I was far from sounding like a jealous lover. I wasn’t Jacob for Pete’s sake.

The barkeep placed an icy glass before Bella. She grabbed the stem and sipped without making a sound, “I hate these things, but they are…necessary.” A gorgeous smile played her face like a trained seal waiting for its fish. She took a long drag off of her cigarette and turned to me. The smoke filtering through her nostrils was the sexiest thing I had ever seen.

She continued, “I hate hob-knobbing, and dressing like this.” She gestured towards her cocktail dress.

“What would you rather be doing?” A devilish smile played my lips as I took another small sip of my Scotch and water. The bartender set Bella’s Martini in front of her. I placed a ten dollar bill on the bar as tip for the barkeep.

Bella leaned in close to me, “I would rather be in the side yard.”

“And what can be so interesting on Edith’s side yard other then her roses?” I questioned.

“You fucking me against a brick wall, praying like hell we don’t get caught.” Bella giggled, fingering the top of her Martini glass.

You naughty girl.

“Isabella!” Edith’s voice flitted through the air like champagne bubbles.

“Ms. Head.” Isabella raved with juicy enthusiasm, all the while giving an eye roll to the sky for my benefit.

Edith grabbed both of Bella’s hands and air-kissed Bella’s rosy cheeks, “Dah-ling, dah-ling, dah-ling…how many times do I have to insist you call me Edith.” Edith turned to me, “Edward, you must make her call me Edith.”

I took another sip of my drink and with a stern playful demeanor replied, “Isabella, love, call her Edith.”

Edith crossed her arms, and bobbed the long, elegant black cigarette filter she possessed between her index and middle fingers. “Oh honestly, Edward, you are such a playful little thing when you want to be.” Edith swatted at me gently, then turned back to Isabella, “Dah-ling, I want you to meet that pompous old windbag, Mr. Hitchcock. I want him to love you as much as Edward does.” Edith’s arm intertwined with Bella’s.

“Oh, Edith, you really don’t mean that, do you?” Bella gave me a quick wink, “Edward may get jealous.”

“Then Edward, will have to get another source of inspiration.” Edith returned smiling, clueless to the subtext in Bella’s statement.

“There is no other muse that could replace her, Edith.” I replied smooth as silk, not missing a beat.

Edith began walking Isabella towards the corner of the expansive living room. Isabella tossed her head back and laughed at something Edith had said. I didn’t know what they were talking about anymore. I didn’t care. All I could do was watch Isabella engulf Edith in the same charm and elegance and beauty that she constantly enraptured me with. Isabella was just an amazing woman.

She made me breathless, dizzy, sick, and delirious with happiness all at the same time. I could never harm a hair on her precious head. I could never leave her. I could never be without her.

I had never felt this way about another woman in my life.

And I never would.

I love this woman. I really love this woman.

And I almost didn’t care who knew anymore.

Be smart, Cullen.

How could a man fall in love so quickly? How did one person know they were destined to be with someone, even if that certain someone was married?

Bella stopped walking, turned and smiled at me. That precious smile.

We’re meant to be.

“Come, come Edward. You mustn’t dawdle behind. It just wouldn’t be right to leave you standing by your handsome self at the bar, dah-ling. It would make me look like a bad hostess.” Edith gave a pseudo-pout as she tapped her foot, waiting for me, as Bella stood unmoving.

Bella held out her right arm, as Edith clung onto her left. I hurried to my place next to Bella, placing my left hand in the small of her back, making soft manipulations through the thin fabric as I guided her through the crowds with Edith, now in tow, while placing her right hand in the palm of my right. It was a simple, gentleman’s move, but wrought with sexual tension for both Bella and myself.

Every time we touched, electric sparks seemed to fly through the air like lightning bugs on a warm summer evening.

Edith cleared her throat as we approached Mr. Hitchcock. His attentions were being stroked with a delicate hand by the blonde bombshell Edith referred to as Grace Kelly. “Alfred, dah-ling?”

Mr. Hitchcock turned his sights towards Edith and her motley crew of sorts, “Yes Edith?”

“Alfred, I would like to introduce you to Hollywood’s own Edward Cullen and his irrefutable muse, Ms. Isabella Swan.”

Isabella held out her hand and almost half-curtsied, “Mr. Hitchcock, it is such a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

Breathtaking and exquisite as usual.

Mr. Hitchcock, looking almost surprised, half-bowed, gently taking Bella’s surrendered gloved hand and brought it to his lips, “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Swan.” His thick English accent dripped into Bella’s demure circle of radiance.

What the hell? Fucking fat bastard is only supposed to like blondes!

I stuck out my hand on impulse. “Edward Cullen, so nice to meet you Mr. Hitchcock.”

A look of disgust plagued his bulldog features as he straightened out of his slightly bowed stance, acknowledging my existence. “Mr. Cullen.”

Goddamn, I’m an idiot. I fucking looked like jealous Jacob.

Edith’s stare shifted from me to Mr. Hitchcock, “Alfred, give the boy a break. He’s just overly excited to be in the presence of greatness, aren’t you Edward dah-ling?”

Good rebound Edith.

“Absolutely.” I agreed with a pitched nod, “I’m a little nervous. I mean the last time I saw you I was taking publicity pictures of Ms. Bankhead for Lifeboat. Which, by the way, was exquisite Mr. Hitchcock. Your wide shots are always phenomenal.”

Alright, maybe I coated the gushing on a little thick, but I had to recover from the little slip in jealousy. The man could have my balls for breakfast if he wanted to.

Mr. Hitchcock grabbed my extended hand.

Gently.

He had the grip of a young woman. It made me shudder a bit on the inside. He shook it once, than let go of my hand immediately, as if I had burned him.

“Yes, well, I suppose.” Mr. Hitchcock went back to his bored, unenthusiastic demeanor.

Thank God!

“Mr. Cullen, my name is Grace Kelly.” The blonde took my hand into hers and shook it with a gentle up and down motion. Ms. Kelly wore a stunning ombre silk chiffon halter evening gown. The different shades of lavender and violet accentuated her light skin, and blonde hair. Her face was a little too square. Her features a little too perfect.

She’s no Bella.

“Ms. Kelly, Edith has said great things regarding Hollywood’s rising star.” I replied dropping her hand. My hand regained its posture in the small of Bella’s back.

“Grace, my name is Isabella Swan.” Isabella shot me a look of irritation then brought her hand out to Ms. Kelly’s.What was that look for?

“Well, now that uncomfortable introductions have been made, let’s have another drink, shall we, ladies and gentleman?” Edith replied motioning to a red-vested man.

He approached Edith with a little nod, “Ms. Head?”

“Demitri, I’d love a Gibson…Alfred?”

“Gin and tonic.”

Edith looked at me, “Another Scotch and water, Edward?”

“Would love one. No ice, Demitri.”

“A Manhattan, if you will, Demitri.” Isabella replied as she threw back the remains of her Martini, setting it atop the silver tray Demitri possessed.

“And you Ms. Kelly?” Demitri paused at Ms. Kelly.

In a smooth voice, Ms. Kelly replied, “I’ll have what Mr. Cullen is having, Demitri.” Her eyes locked onto mine, than she continued, “Now, Mr. Cullen, I’ve heard that you are the only one allowed to take pictures of this beautiful dame. Does that mean you aren’t allowed to take mine?” She nodded at Bella, than gave a flirtatious giggle.

“I do work with other studios, Ms. Kelly.” I replied with a good-natured tone.

“I only want to work with the best, Ms. Kelly.” Bella replied with a sharp tone.

What…the….fucking….hell?

My head snapped towards Bella’s soft features. She pulled away from my hand.

“Well, darling, don’t you think you should share the clever man with the rest of us?” Ms. Kelly replied with a somewhat brusque tone as Demitri returned with his silver platter full of drinks. Demitri slipped the tall glass of Scotch and water to Ms. Kelly.

“Thank you Demitri, you always make the best Scotch and water.” Ms. Kelly replied taking a small lady-like sip from her drink.

I grabbed my drink from his tray. I was going to need it.

“It’s a Scotch and water. He didn’t have to do much to it.” Bella replied under her breath as she swept up her Manhattan off the elegant tray.

“It’s the Scotch.” I swirled the liquid in my glass into swishing circles. Bella turned her scrutinizing eye back to me.

What?

“I only serve the best.” Edith shoved a cigarette into the long, black fiberglass. She spoke like we should just know she wouldn’t serve anything but the best to her guests.

“So, Mr. Cullen, I would like you to take my publicity shots for Mogambo with Clark Gable in the coming months.” Ms. Kelly’s voice moved into a devious little hush, “And maybe you could talk me into one of those wicked little cheese cake shoots.”

I gave her my best half grin, “I’ll give you my card and your agent can set something up with my assistant, Heidi.”

“I don’t share well with others, Ms. Kelly. It’s not a part of my nature.” Bella spat out.What the fuck are you doing, Bella?

Ms. Kelly pushed her blonde locks away from her forehead with a gentle nudge, and then replied, “Maybe that’s why you haven’t gotten any further then the pages of Wink and Eyeful, pet.”

DOH!

I nearly chocked on my drink. Alfred shifted his already uncomfortable stance, shuffling his feet.

Bella’s eyes turned from brown and alluring to black and threatening within one breath.

Instead of throwing her drink into Ms. Kelly’s smug smile, Bella smiled back with an alarming apocalyptic sneer, “Edward chooses to take my pictures on a regular basis, so he’s very busy. By the way, I think Edith introduced me as his muse, earlier. Or did you miss that, Ms. Kelly? At any rate, at least I didn’t get my last role because of the emotional meltdown of another actress. I have never been…what would you call it? An understudy? I don’t get the leftovers. I get the first fruits.”

Bella raised an eyebrow at Ms. Kelly while sipping at her pink concoction with self-assuredness.

Damn woman, fuck me now, you little belligerent vixen.

“Well, DAH-lings!” Edith gave a nervous chuckle and motioned towards the black baby grand piano that sat next to our small group, “Edward, you still tickle the ivories every now and again, don’t you?”

Before I could object, Edith grabbed my arm, ripping me away from Bella’s side, sitting me on the hard bench. With a threatening tone, Edith whispered through clenched teeth and a smile, “Play something nice. Something soft. Something to calm these she-cats or I’ll rip your balls off dah-ling.”

I was stunned.

What just happened? What was Bella thinking?

I sighed, than played the first thing that came to mind.

Debussy’s, Clair de Lune. My favorite.

The smooth ivory keys slipped underneath my long fingers with ease as I got lost in the song’s brilliance.

All I could think about was Bella.

The soft allure of her brown smoldering eyes. Her chestnut hair falling into her face in the bathroom mirror as she told me she loved me. The heat of her supple skin underneath my searching fingertips every time I touched her. Her hot voice dripping in love and seduction.

I barely noticed that someone was sitting to the right of me as the gentle notes flowed from my fingertips.

Oh, my sweet Bella.

Lost in the music, lost in the thought of my passionate Bella, I snuggled a little closer. I wanted her arms wrapped around me like a safe cocoon. I couldn’t wait to get her to Chateau Marmont and just hold her. In my arms. Intertwining our bodies, making us one again.

I love you, my darling.

“Mr. Cullen, Clair de Lune is my favorite.”

But it wasn’t my Bella sitting next to me, whispering in my ear.

What the—

It was Ms. Kelly’s voice…

Shit.

As the piece hit its pique crescendo, I tailored the music off into its soft ending. I looked up from the keys; I noticed Ms. Kelly’s face next to mine.

“You play beautifully, Mr. Cullen.” Ms. Kelly cooed. Applause broke out around the room in a soft swell.

Ms. Kelly began to gently prod my elbow, encouraging me to stand, “Take a bow, Mr. Cullen. That was brilliant.”

I stood and did a mock bow, smiling widely.

Bella? Bella, where are you?

I felt like a lost child searching for its mother. Fear crept over me like a tidal wave in the midst of a tsunami.

Bella?!

My eyes searched the sea of faces: Cary Grant’s smile, Audrey Hepburn’s coy stare, Jerry Lewis’ over enthusiastic clapping, Grace Kelly’s blue eyes, Montgomery Clift’s mischievous grin, Mr. Demille’s grandfatherly gaze…I wanted to find her face. I needed to find her face.

Her eyes. I searched amongst the faces. Laughing, joking, applauding, slapping me on the back as I passed. It was like a dream turning into a true nightmare.Where did she go?

I had to find her.

I took my bows like a gentleman, kissed Edith, quickly thanking her for her generous hospitality.

“Oh, Edward, don’t go.” Edith pleaded as I looked back at Ms. Kelly.

“Where did Isabella go?” I asked Edith in a hurried hush.

“Edward, let her go. She’s married.” Edith replied in the same urgent whisper. The applause was starting to fade away. Edith continued, “Edward, dahling, please listen to me. Grace is single and she adores you--”

“Edith, love, I don’t want Ms. Kelly.” I looked over towards the blonde bombshell and smiled cordially.
Ms. Kelly waved with her fingertips, “Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Cullen. We’ll work together very soon, I promise you that.”

Not in this lifetime sweetheart.

Thunder rolled over the house in giant echoes against the thin walls of the hacienda.

“Edward, my dahling, I love you, but for once, don’t think like most men.”

“Dully noted, Edith. Thank you.” She grabbed my face in both hands and kissed my cheeks like a mother to her son. “We’ll talk next week. Phone me and we’ll have lunch at Chasen’s.”

“Of course, my dear Edith. Thank Bill for me.” I rushed through the small throng of people to the front entrance.

Rain began to pelt the Spanish tile as I crashed through the gate. James stood with several other valets against the wall, underneath a short awning, watching the rain begin to pound against the driveway.

“James, have you seen Ms. Swan?” I shouted over another roll of thunder.

“Ms. Swan gave me ten dollars to tell you she was on the side of the house.”

The side of the house? In the rain?

I ran around the large hacienda to find Bella sitting on a small stone bench next to Edith’s roses. The rain was starting to permeate through my dinner jacket into my white dress shirt. My hair plastered itself down the sides of my face.

“Bella?” I called to her. “Bella, love, what are you doing?” I chuckled a little.

What was she doing sitting in the rain?

“Edward…” she sniffed. She looked up at me with the saddest eyes I had ever seen on a human being. I wanted to wipe that look off of her face.

He’s back. That’s why she was late.

I kneeled in a small mud pit that had accumulated around her feet. Splatters of muck began to coat her beautiful shoes. I could feel the thick mire soak through the knees of my pants, but I didn’t care.

My eyes began to get used to the darkness. As I looked deeper into her face, I noticed her make-up caked down her cheeks, her heart-shaped face looked as though she had been crying.

“Love, what’s wrong?” My voice crept an octave above normal. She was scaring me.

“I can’t…I can’t…”

My heart sank into the mud puddle. Tears flowed down her cheeks just like the angels above were crying on me.

She can’t be with you, Cullen.

“You can’t what, Bella?” I was trying to sound gentle as I began to rub her drenched, gloved arms.

Fuck, spill it!

“You were flirting with her, dammit!” Bella shouted suddenly pushing my arms away from hers.

“What?” I was confused. Again.

“You! Grace! In there! Debussy! Christ Edward! Are you stupid?!”

“I…I wasn’t…I mean I didn’t…” Honestly, I didn’t even know how to respond. I was so involved in my thoughts of Bella, I barely noticed Ms. Kelly.

She began to mimic me, the bitterness of a scorned woman tainting her voice, “ ‘I…I wasn’t…I didn’t mean to’ Is that all you got, Cullen? Pitiful, you sound just like him!”

I was stunned. Like she had slapped me in the face.

She continued, attempting to light a cigarette with her Zippo and failing miserably because of the rain. She tossed the wet tobacco to the ground, laughing cynically, “Jacob used to tell me that too. Philandering bastard used to go to parties with me. Flirt. Tell me it was all about the contacts and making connections. And I believed him Edward! I believed him like a fool! He would look at me with those puppy-dog eyes and beg me to stay. And I would fall for it every time.”

“Baby, please, really…” I pleaded.

“NO!” She shook her head not wanting to hear me. Not wanting to hear my explanation.

And how could I explain? She had been hurt before. I couldn’t blame her for her suspicious mind going into overdrive.

Jacob had hurt her. Badly.

What was I supposed to tell her?

I sat down. In the mud. With my heart.

I fucked up.

I had hurt her.

Like Jacob.

Bella stood up, her clutch in her hands.

“You belong in the mud. Just like Jacob. A pig in the mud.” She muttered with a disgusting tone. Bella started to walk away.

Anger began to rock my fragile being. Anger at Bella for making me insane with jealousy and comparing me to a pig…comparing me to Jacob.

Unshakable wrath permeated my soul as I thought of Jacob lying to her all these months and taking her from me to begin with.

Oh no, you crazy bitch. It’s not ending like that.

I stood up, nearly slipping twice. My pants were covered in mud. I looked like I had been rolling in shit.

Before she could walk two feet, I was on my feet. I grabbed her by the shoulder, spinning her towards me.
“WHAT?!” She screamed with vehement fury.

“Don’t even think of walking away from me like that, do you understand me Isabella?!”

The thunder cracked overhead and the rain began to fall around us even harder.

Bella pulled away, “Are you kidding? You don’t own me, Mr. Cullen!” she spat.

Pit viper little shit!

“Holy shit Bella, we’ve been together all of a day. One fucking day and you think you own me! I mean what in the hell was that in there with Ms. Kelly? Making stupid pot shots in there? You know I can speak for myself. These parties? They’re FAKE! Everything is for show. The schmoozing, the people, EVERYTHING! Including Grace Kelly’s sucking up to me!!”

“Don’t you mean Ms. Kelly sucking you off?. I hear you like that sort of thing.” Bella scoffed.

I rolled my eyes at her petulant comment, running my hands through my wet hair, “Let’s make something crystal clear little girl, we are not ‘we’ in public. We need to be careful! You are MARRIED Isabella! I am screwing a MARRIED woman!”

“Is that all I am to you? A screw?” She replied with a sharp tone.

“Don’t you dare turn this on me! You’re the one who’s married. Just because he asked, that didn’t mean you had to say yes.”

“I had to say yes!”

“No. You. Didn’t!” I screamed.

“Yes, I did!”

“Why?!” I shouted.

“Because I was pregnant!!”

I think I died a little right there.

Bella looked down to her feet, her chin trembling. Sobs ripped through her chest like an untamed beast.

I was a bombarded with an arsenal of emotion: Wrath, hurt, confusion, hope….love.

I wanted to hold her. To tell her everything was going to be alright, because we were together. And together, we could get through all the bullshit.

Bella looked up at me and my eyes burned into hers, “Please Bella, I love you! I could never hurt you Isabella. I am not him and dammit, you need to see that!” I was pleading with her now. Begging, and pathetically failing. “And we’ll get through this.”

Groveling for my girl.

Not groveling, Cullen, fighting. You’re fighting the mistake that grew into regret. You’re fighting for her love. You’re fighting Jacob for her love. Right now.

She was six feet in front of me. Still crying.

“Please Bella. I’m sorry.” I repeated reaching out for her. My fingertips grazed the wet flesh of her shoulder. With that touch, she looked up at me and stepped backwards two steps, shaking her head.

“No.” Bella stated in a simple tormented tone. Her hair hung in limp, strands down her chest.

“Please, let’s go to the hotel. Let’s talk about this. You haven’t even given this a chance. You haven’t given me a chance.”

I probably look diseased and pitiful out here. But what in the hell do I care who sees or hears us? I love this woman. She can’t go.

“No. I can’t do this Edward. I can’t put you through this.”No, please stay. We can get through this.

Before I could grab her, she turned and ran into the black rainy night. Never looking back.

Leaving me.

Alone.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Notes:

~First and foremost, again, I love every actor, actress, and director mentioned in this chapter. They were “Hollywood”. Kudos & applause to them.

~Grace Kelly was a beautiful actress who had more grace and poises in her little finger than any other actress of the day. She ranks right up there with Audrey Hepburn in the way she carried herself in the public eye. Now, I did read reports that Ms. Kelly had been a little bit of a tart before she married the Prince of Monaco, Prince Rainier III. Ultimately before she wed, her name was linked with every major actor and player in Hollywood at one time or another, including Ray Milland who was 22 years her senior and married.

Now she did replace Gene Tierney in Mogambo, but the studio didn’t fly her out until September 1952, so please forgive the slight timeline warp in the story. Ms. Kelly earned the role through audition and the role did give her a 7-year contract starting at $850/week with MGM. Ms. Tierney did have an emotional breakdown, forcing her to leave the role.

Thanks for reading!!