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aurora-by-jacqui-natla · 1 year ago

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19. A FEW ERRANDS

THE NEXT DAY, BELLA SUMMONED ME TO accompany her on an errand while Jacob and Renesmee made their way to Charlie's house abode. I was clueless as to what the task entailed, but I knew it was of utmost importance to Bella. Whether it was a joyous or sorrowful affair, she needed me by her side.

As we made our way to the car, I observed Renesmee's excitement as she eagerly awaited Jacob's arrival. She was adorned in a brown coat, grey leggings, and brown boots, looking like a miniature fashionista. I sat at the back with her while Bella hopped into Edward's Volvo.

"Hey, Nessie," I greeted her, causing her to turn her small head towards me. "Are you excited to see your grandpa?"

She nodded and placed her hand on my cheek, a gesture she often used to communicate with others.

"Where are you and Momma going?" she inquired in my mind.

I shrugged my shoulders, and Renesmee removed her hand. "I don't know," I replied. "Perhaps it's a surprise."

"Why can't we take your Ferrari?" Jacob grumbled as he joined us in the garage.

"Too conspicuous," Bella retorted. "We could walk, but that would alarm Charlie."

"She has a point," I concurred.

Jacob grumbled some more but eventually settled into the front seat, with Renesmee clambering onto his lap.

"How are you?" Bella inquired as she gracefully manoeuvred her car out of the garage.

"What do you think?" Jacob retorted, his tone laced with bitterness. "I'm sick and tired of these putrid bloodsuckers." He caught our disapproving glances and spoke before we could interject. "I know, I know. They're the supposed good guys, here to lend a helping hand and save us all. Blah, blah, blah. But let's be real, Dracula One and Dracula Two are beyond creepy."

Bella and I exchanged amused grins at his remark. The Romanian coven had never been my cup of tea, especially after what they had done to Gabriel and Joseph.

"I couldn't agree more," Bella chimed in.

"I'll drink to that," I added with a smirk.

Renesmee's head shook in a silent denial, yet her eyes betrayed a deep fascination with the Romanians. Unlike the rest of us, she found their enigmatic aura alluring. Perhaps it was her youthful curiosity that made her so intrigued by them. Despite their reluctance to be touched, she had mustered the courage to engage them in conversation. Her inquisitive mind had probed them about their peculiar skin, and I couldn't help but wonder if they would take offence.

Her curiosity had not appeared to have caused any distress among them. Perhaps a hint of wistfulness lingered in their demeanour.

Bella made a valiant effort to shield Renesmee from their venomous presence, and I couldn't fault her for it. But their words, oh their words, they reverberated through my mind like a never-ending echo.

Their insidious plan to use the child as a weapon to obliterate the Volturi was sickening. The mere thought of it made my skin crawl. And yet, they were willing to sacrifice everything, including any of us, to achieve their twisted goal.

Their taunting words lingered in the air like a foul stench, "You think apologising will change anything?" They sneered, their eyes glinting with malice.

But it was the final blow that left me reeling, "Well, if the child is not going to destroy the Volturi, then perhaps she will." The callousness of their words was enough to make my body sniff.

"Hey, how long do we get to hang around with Charlie?" Jacob's voice cut through my thoughts like a sharp knife, interrupting my reverie.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself from their words. Jacob seemed to visibly relax as we pulled away from the house, his muscles loosening as we drove further away.

"For quite a while, actually," Bella replied, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery. Jacob's attention was piqued, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her.

"Is there something else going on here besides visiting your dad?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

"Jake, you know how you're pretty good at controlling your thoughts around Edward?" Bella's voice was soft, almost conspiratorial.

Jacob raised one thick black brow, his eyes flickering with understanding. "Yeah? Considering you're taking Violet with you?"

Bella nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, that's part of it. But there's more to it than that."

I couldn't help but feel curious. "Why did you want me to go with you?"

Bella turned to me, her eyes warm and friendly. "Just spending some time. Catching up, you know. It's been too long since we've hung out together."

Bella gave a subtle nod, her gaze darting towards Renesmee. I followed her line of sight and saw her daughter staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. It was hard to gauge how much she was absorbing from our conversation, but we didn't press the matter any further.

Jacob lingered, hoping for someone to break the silence. His lower lip jutted out as he pondered the scant words we had exchanged. The car hummed along, the only sound the pitter-patter of raindrops against the windshield. Bella squinted through her contacts, trying to make out the blurry scenery outside. I glanced over and saw the rain trickling down the glass, leaving a trail of droplets in its wake. It was too warm for snow, but the chill in the air was palpable.

I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the window and noticed that my eyes were still as bright as they had been when we first set out. They glowed with a golden sheen, almost otherworldly in their intensity.

Jacob was still mulling over our abbreviated conversation when we pulled up to Charlie's house. We stepped out into the rain, hurrying towards the shelter of the porch. Charlie was already waiting for us, his hand on the doorknob before Bella could even knock.

"Hey guys! It feels like forever since we last met. Look at you, Nessie, come to Grampa! By the heavens, you've grown at least half a foot! And you look so skinny, Ness," he said, his eyes fixed on Bella.

"Are you not feeding her up there?" he asked, his tone accusatory.

"It's just a growth spurt, Dad," Bella interjected. "Hey, Sue," she called out, trying to divert his attention.

The aroma of chicken, tomato, garlic, and cheese wafted from the kitchen, tantalising everyone's senses. But amidst the delicious scent, I could also detect the freshness of pine and the mustiness of packing dust.

Renesmee flashed her dimples, but she remained silent in front of Charlie.

"Come on in, kids. It's freezing outside," Charlie said, ushering us inside. "Where's my son-in-law?"

"Entertaining friends," Jacob replied, snorting. "You're lucky you're out of the loop, Charlie. That's all I'm going to say."

Bella playfully punched Jacob in the kidney, causing Charlie to wince and me to chuckle.

"Ow," Jacob muttered under his breath.

"Better him than me," I whispered to Jacob, making him shrug it off.

"Actually, Charlie, I have some errands to run," Bella said, and Jacob shot me a knowing glance.

"Behind on your Christmas shopping, Bells? You only have a few days left," Charlie reminded her.

"Yeah, Christmas shopping," she replied, her voice lacking conviction.

Charlie's gaze shifted towards me, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Hey there, Violet," he drawled, his voice laced with a playful tone. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over for Christmas?"

My heart skipped a beat at the invitation, and I couldn't help but smile. "I would love to," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Charlie's grin widened, and he leaned in closer. "That's fantastic," he murmured. "Oh, and Leah mentioned that Ethan might be joining us. You know him, right?"

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing to come up with a plausible story. Then, an idea struck me. "Yes, he's actually a friend of mine from Oxford," I lied smoothly.

Charlie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? Did you guys study together?"

I shook my head, trying to sound convincing. "Not exactly. We just hung out a lot outside of class."

He nodded, his attention shifting to Renesmee, who was playing quietly on the floor. "Don't worry, Nessie," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I've got your back if your mom drops the ball."

Bella rolled her eyes at him, but I couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness. As for me, I hadn't even thought about the holidays until now. But with Charlie's invitation, I knew it was going to be a Christmas to remember.

"Lunch's on the table!" Sue's voice echoed through the house, beckoning us to the kitchen. "C'mon, guys."

Bella and Jacob shared a fleeting glance, bidding farewell to her father.

"See you later, Dad," Bella said, her voice laced with affection.

"Bye, Charlie and Sue," I added, my eyes scanning.

As we climbed into the sleek Volvo, our friends waved goodbye with bittersweet smiles. Bella revved the engine and we sped off, leaving the quaint house behind us. The wind whipped through our hair as we drove, but the silence between us was deafening. Suddenly, I noticed Bella's knuckles turning white as she gripped the steering wheel with a deathly grip.

"Bella?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "Are you alright? You seem a bit... tense?"

Bella bit her lip and took a deep breath, her amber eyes fixed on the road ahead. "It's Alice," she finally said, her voice heavy with worry.

This caught my attention. "What about her?"

"She had a vision of the Volturi coming for us," Bella explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's why she and Jasper haven't returned."

I nodded, my mind racing with questions. Why hadn't they come back? What did Alice see? The weight of the unknown hung heavy in the air as we drove on.

"Before they left, Alice wrote a message for us, saying we need to gather witnesses before the snow hits the ground."

"Why?" I was confused by her.

"That's when they'll come," Bella answered grimly. "Then I realised that she wrote it on a torn paper from a book: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. On the other side, it said the address at Seattle and a name."

"Wait, Seattle?" I sounded surprised.

The name of the city sent shivers down my spine, for it was there that I had unknowingly spent my final days as a human, where Victoria turned me. It was where the newborn army were staying at before going to Forks at kill Bella. And Bree...

I missed her. Greatly.

The memories flooded back, and I couldn't help but wonder what Alice's message meant for us. And why Seattle out of all places?

The roads were slick and dark, a perfect backdrop for Bella's newfound fearlessness behind the wheel. Her reflexes were razor-sharp, and she navigated the treacherous terrain with ease. The only challenge was keeping our speed in check, lest we draw unwanted attention to ourselves. We were on a mission, after all, and we couldn't afford any distractions. We needed to solve the mystery at hand so we could get back to the business of learning. Learning to protect some, learning to kill others.

Bella had been honing her skills under the tutelage of Kate and Zafrina, and her progress was nothing short of remarkable. Kate had stepped back, content to let Zafrina take the reins, and Bella had risen to the challenge with aplomb.

As we made our way through the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I found myself visiting Evelyn's grave more often than usual, even though I was no longer human. I had managed to find the perfect gift for Ayla's Christmas present, but my mind was preoccupied with the looming threat that was only two weeks away.

Seattle was a familiar place, but not a pleasant one. The Cullens' cars stood out like sore thumbs on the dilapidated streets, surrounded by crumbling buildings and faded paint. The area was a mishmash of old houses converted into apartments, with a few businesses scattered here and there. A dingy bar with blacked-out windows, a psychic's supply store with neon hands and tarot cards flickering in the darkness, a tattoo parlour, and a daycare with a broken window held together by duct tape. It was a far cry from the pristine world we were used to, but we had a job to do, and we were determined to see it through.

The rain poured down in sheets, drenching the few people who dared to brave the weather. Two figures shuffled through the downpour in opposite directions, their heads bowed against the deluge. A lone figure sat on the shallow porch of a boarded-up cut-rate law office, reading a wet newspaper and whistling a tune that was much too cheerful for the dismal setting. The sound echoed through the empty street, a stark contrast to the dreary atmosphere. The dilapidated building had no numbers, but the tattoo parlour beside it was just two numbers off, a beacon of colour in the grey surroundings.

Bella pulled up to the curb, her car idling for a moment as we surveyed the scene. We needed to get into that dump, but the whistler on the porch made me nervous. He could be a witness, and we didn't need any more attention. Bella could park on the next street over and come through the back, but there might be more people to avoid on that side.

"Hey, ladies," the whistler called out to us.

Bella rolled down the passenger window, pretending not to hear him. The man laid his paper aside, revealing his clothes that were surprisingly well-dressed under his ragged duster. His dark red shirt looked like silk, and his crinkly black hair was wild and tangled. His dark skin was smooth and perfect, a contradiction to his unkempt appearance. His white, straight teeth gleamed in the rain.

"Maybe you shouldn't park that car there, lady," he warned. "It might not be here when you get back."

"Thanks for the heads up," Bella replied.

She turned off the engine, and we stepped out of the car. Perhaps the whistling man could give us the answers we needed faster than breaking in. Bella opened the big grey umbrella, shielding us from the rain. The man squinted through the downpour at our faces, then his eyes widened. He swallowed, and I could hear his heart racing as we approached.

"We're looking for someone," Bella began.

"I'm someone," he replied with a smile. "What can I do for you, beautiful?"

"You're J. Jenks?" I asked.

"Oh," he said, and his expression changed from anticipation to understanding. He got to his feet and examined us with narrowed eyes. "Why're you two ladies looking for J?”

"That's our business. Are you J?" Bella asked.

"No."

We all faced each other for a long moment while his sharp eyes ran up and down. His gaze finally made it to her face. "You don't look like the usual customer."

"I'm probably not the usual," she admitted. "But I do need to see him as soon as possible."

"I'm not sure what to do," he admitted.

"Why don't you tell us your name?" I asked him.

He grinned. "Max."

"Well, Max, why don't you tell me what you do for the usual?"

His grin became a frown. "Well, J's usual clients don't look a thing like you. Your kind doesn't bother with the downtown office. You just go straight up to his fancy office in the skyscraper."

Bella repeated the other address, making the list of numbers a question.

"Yeah, that's the place," he said, suspicious again. "How come you didn't go there?"

"This was the address I was given—by a very dependable source."

"And why is she here?" Max questioned my presence.

"A friend requested her to be here," Bella replied.

"If you were up to any good, you wouldn't be here."

She pursed her lips and I gritted my teeth.

"Maybe I'm not up to any good," she spoke.

Max's face turned apologetic. "Look, lady—"

"Bella."

"Right. Bella. See, I need this job. J pays me pretty well to mostly just hang out here all day. I want to help you, I do, but—and of course, I'm speaking hypothetically, right? Or off the record, or whatever works for you—but if I pass somebody through that could get him in trouble, I'm out of work. Do you see my problem?"

"You've never seen anyone like me here before? Well, sort of like me. My sister is a lot shorter than me, and she has dark spiky black hair."

"J knows your sister?"

"I think so."

Max pondered this for a moment. I smiled at him, and his breathing stuttered. "Tell you what I'll do. I'll give J a call and describe you to him. Let him make the decision."

What did J. Jenks know? Would my description mean something to him? That was a troubling thought.

"My last name is Cullen," she told Max, wondering if that was too much information, and looked at me. "And her's Khotler."

What was Alice doing?

"Cullen and Khotler."

Max dialled, easily picking out the number. "Hey J, it's Max. I know I'm never supposed to call you at this number except in an emergency. . . ."

There was a brief pause from him.

"Well, not exactly. It's those girls who want to see you. . . ."

Another silence.

"I didn't follow normal procedure 'cause she doesn't look like any kind of normal— No— You can't be sure about that. Does she look like one of Kubarev's—? No—let me talk, okay? She says you know her sister or something."

Then, Max turned his gaze on us.

"They look like . . ." His eyes ran from my face to my shoes appreciatively. "Well, they look like freaking supermodels, that's what she looks like." Bella smiled and he winked at us; I gave him a cringed look and then went on. "Rocking body, pale as a sheet, one has dark brown hair almost to her waist and the other has black hair. Both need a good night's sleep—any of this sounding familiar?"

Supermodels? He's joking, right?

"Yeah, so I'm a sucker for the pretty ones, what's wrong with that? I'm sorry I bothered you, man. Just forget it.”

"Name," I whispered.

"Oh right. Wait," Max said. "They said Bella Cullen and Violet Khotler. That help?"

There was a beat of dead silence, and then the voice on the other end was abruptly screaming, using a lot of words you didn't often hear outside of truck stops. Max's whole expression changed; all the joking vanished and his lips went pale.

"Because you didn't ask!" Max yelled back, panicked. "I said that, didn't I?"

Beautiful and pale? Did this man know about vampires? Was he one of us? What had Alice gotten us into?

Max waited for a minute through another volley of shouted insults and instructions and then glanced at us with almost frightened eyes. "But you only meet downtown clients on Thursdays—okay, okay! On it." He slid his phone shut.

"He wants to see us?" Bella asked brightly.

Max glowered. "You could have told me you were a priority client."

"We didn't know we were," I said.

"I thought you both might be cops," he admitted. "I mean, you don't look like a cop. But you act kind of weird, beautiful."

Bella shrugged and I smiled.

"Drug cartel?" he guessed.

"Who, us?" Bella asked.

"Yeah. Or your boyfriends or whatever."

"Nope, sorry. I'm not a fan of drugs, and neither is my husband. Just say no and all that."

Max cursed under his breath. "Married. Can't catch a break."

I smiled. "And just a heads up, I'm already taken."

"Damn. Okay, back to business. Mafia?"

"Nope."

"Diamond smuggling?"

"Please! Is that the kind of people you usually deal with, Max?" I inquired. "Maybe you need a new job."

"You've got to be involved in something big. And bad," he mused.

"It's not really like that," Bella assured him.

"That's what they all say. But who else needs papers? Or can afford to pay J's prices for them, I should say. None of my business, anyway," he said and then muttered the word married again.

"You know, I'm single," I said to him, his eyes glimmered with hope, and a smile grew on his face. "I'll keep you in mind."

He gave us an entirely new address with basic directions and then watched us drive away with suspicious, regretful and hopeful eyes.

At this juncture, I was prepared for just about anything. A high-tech hideout seemed like a plausible option for us. Perhaps Max had played a prank on us and given us the wrong address. Or maybe the lair was concealed beneath this mundane strip mall, nestled against a wooded hill in a charming family-oriented neighbourhood.

Bella manoeuvred the car into an empty parking spot and gazed up at a subtle sign that read "Jason Scott, Attorney at Law."

The interior of the office was a bland beige with accents of celery green, unremarkable and unoffending. I had no idea what this Jenks fellow did for a living, but he had certainly amassed a fortune. There was no trace of vampire scent here, which helped us relax. Just an ordinary human. A fish tank was embedded into the wall, and a blonde receptionist sat behind the desk.

"Hello," she greeted us. "How may I assist you?"

"We're here to see Mr. Scott," Bella replied.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Not exactly," I responded. "We were—."

She smirked a little. "Then it may be a while. Why don't you take a seat while I—"

April! A man's voice barked from the phone on her desk. "I'm expecting Ms. Cullen and Miss Khotler shortly."

I grinned and gestured to her and myself.

"Send them in immediately. Do you understand? I don't care what it's interrupting."

I could detect something else in his voice besides impatience. Stress. Nerves. A hint of anxiety.

"They've just arrived," April said as soon as she could speak.

What? Send them in! What are you waiting for?

"Right away, Mr. Scott!" She got to her feet, fluttering her hands as she led the way down a short hallway, offering me coffee or tea or anything else we might have wanted.

"Here you are," she said as she ushered us through the door into a power office, complete with heavy wooden desk and vanity wall.

"Close the door behind you," a raspy tenor voice ordered.

As we settled into our seats, I couldn't help but take in J's appearance. He was a curious sight, with his balding head and paunchy belly. His dark skin was a stark contrast to the sickly pallor that had overtaken his face. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused such a reaction in him. Was it the sight of us? Or was it something else entirely?

His attire was impeccable, with a red silk tie that stood out against his blue-and-white-striped shirt. His navy blazer hung haphazardly over the back of his chair, as if he had thrown it there in a hurry. But what caught my attention the most was the way he trembled, his hands shaking as if he were in the midst of a seizure. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and I couldn't help but imagine an ulcer churning away under his spare tire.

As April made a hasty retreat, J rose unsteadily from his chair, his hand outstretched in greeting. Despite his obvious discomfort, he managed to put on a brave face.

"What an absolute delight," he said, his voice quivering slightly.

Bella crossed the room and shook his hand quickly, her cold skin causing him to cringe slightly. But he didn't seem surprised by it, as if he had expected it all along.

"Mr. Jenks," Bella said. "Or do you prefer Scott?"

J winced again as he shook my hand. "Whatever you wish, of course."

"How about you call me Bella, her Violet and we'll call you J?" Bella suggested.

"Like old friends," J agreed, mopping a silk handkerchief across his forehead. He gestured for us to have a seat and took his own. "I must ask, am I finally meeting Mr. Jasper's lovely wife?"

Bella gave him a brief smile, but my mind was racing. So this man knew Jasper, not Alice. Knew him, and seemed afraid of him, too. What kind of person was Jasper, and what kind of world had he gotten us into?

"His sister-in-law, actually," Bella replied.

He pursed his lips, as if he were grasping for meanings just as desperately as I was. "I trust Mr. Jasper is in good health?" he asked carefully.

"I'm sure he is in excellent health. He's on an extended vacation at the moment."

J looked at me, his dark brown eyes glaring at me. "And how do you know Ms Cullen?"

"We're friends from school," I replied, my arms folded over. "Have you known Alice and Jasper long?"

"I've been working with them for more than twenty years," he answered. "And my late partner knew Jasper fifteen years before that. He is... unusually well-preserved."

"I guess you could say that. What type of work do you do, J?"

"Oh, you know, this and that," he replied. "It's always different, which keeps it interesting."

I could sense the tension in the air. J, the man we were here to see, seemed uneasy around us. But as soon as he caught our eye, he nodded to himself and templed his fingers, as if to calm his nerves.

"You both should have come to the main office," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "My assistants there would have put you straight through to me—no need to go through less hospitable channels."

We nodded, unsure of what to say. I couldn't help but wonder why Alice had given us the fake address in the first place.

"Ah, well, you're here now. What can I do for you?" J asked, his eyes scanning us up and down.

"Papers," Bella said, her voice surprisingly confident. "We need some important documents."

J raised an eyebrow. "Certainly. Are we talking birth certificates, death certificates, drivers' licences, passports, social security cards... ?"

Bella took a deep breath and smiled, trying to hide her nerves. I knew we owned Max big time for getting us this far, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. And then I saw Bella's smile fade, replaced by a look of concern.

The only conceivable reason for her to require these documents was if she were in a state of flight. And the only conceivable reason for Renesmee to be in such a state was if we had suffered defeat. If Edward and Bella were accompanying her in her flight, then the need for these papers would not be immediate. Edward was well-versed in the art of obtaining or fabricating identification, and he knew of ways to evade capture without them. They could traverse thousands of miles with her, or swim across entire oceans.

If only we were there to protect her.

But why would Alice take such drastic measures? The conflict had not yet come to pass. Unless she had foreseen it. If either of us were to survive, what fate would befall Renesmee? Would she still be alive? Would she be safe?

Bella's voice was hushed, almost conspiratorial, as she revealed her plan. "Three birth certificates, three passports, one driver's licence."

I tried to make sense of what she was saying. Three false documents? What was Bella up to? I searched her face for any hint of an explanation, but she remained stoic, her expression unreadable.

"The names?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Jacob... Wolfe. V... Lilac Wolfe. And... Vanessa Wolfe." Bella's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

Lilac Wolfe? The name sounded almost poetic, but why was Bella acting so strange? I couldn't help but wonder what was going on behind those amber eyes of hers. Nessie seemed like a perfectly fine nickname for Vanessa, and Jacob would undoubtedly get a kick out of the Wolfe thing.

I watched as J's pen scratched furiously across a legal pad. "Middle names?" he asked, his voice calm and measured.

"Just put something generic in," Bella replied, her tone clipped.

J nodded, jotting down a few notes. "Ages?"

"Twenty-seven for the man," Bella said, turning her head to look at me. Her amber eyes scanned my face, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. What was she thinking? "Twenty for her and five for the girl."

Twenty for me? I couldn't believe it. Could I really pass for a twenty-year-old? I knew Jacob could pull it off - he didn't look like a fifteen-year-old boy anymore, not since his transformation - but Renesmee was growing so quickly. It made sense to estimate high, but why did Bella have to drag us into this mess?

Interrupting my thoughts, J interjected, "I'll need pictures if you want the finished documents. Mr. Jasper always preferred to finish them himself."

Bella hesitated for a moment before reaching into her bag and pulling out her wallet. She rifled through it, revealing several family photos, and handed two to J. One was of Jacob holding Renesmee on the front porch steps, and the other was of Bella and me at Forks High.

J studied the pictures for a moment before commenting, "Your daughter is very much like you."

Bella tensed at the mention of Renesmee, quickly retorting, "She's more like her father."

J's finger grazed over Jacob's face in the photo, causing Bella's eyes to narrow and sweat to bead on J's forehead.

"No, that's a very close friend of the family," Bella clarified, her tone sharp.

"Forgive me," J mumbled, his pen scratching against the paper once more. "How soon will you need the documents?"

"Can I get them in a week?" Bella asked.

"That's a rush order. It will cost twice as much, but forgive me, I forgot who I was speaking with," J replied, clearly aware of Jasper's connections.

"Just give me a number," Bella demanded, her voice firm.

J scribbled the digits on the legal pad, his hand shaking with anticipation. Bella remained composed, her demeanor as cool as a cucumber. But I, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves, watching the exchange unfold before my very eyes.

Bella reached into her bag and pulled out a stack of cash, neatly clipped into five-thousand dollar increments. She counted out the exact amount with ease, as if she had done this a million times before.

"Here you go," she said, handing over the cash to J.

J couldn't help but interject, "Bella, you don't have to give me the full amount now. It's customary to hold back half until the job is done."

Bella simply smiled at J, her eyes conveying a sense of trust that I couldn't quite comprehend. "I trust you, J. And to show my appreciation, I'll give you a bonus when you deliver the documents."

J looked taken aback, as if he had never encountered such a generous offer before. "That's not necessary, I assure you.”

But Bella was insistent. "Don't worry about it. Consider it a token of my gratitude."

J nodded, still looking slightly uneasy. "So, same time next week?"

Bella's smile faltered for a moment. "Actually, I prefer to conduct these transactions in more discreet locations. I'm sure this isn't your first rodeo, J."

J's expression softened, as if he finally understood the gravity of the situation. "Of course. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

"I'm used to having no expectations when it comes to the Cullen family." He grimaced and then quickly composed his face again. "Shall we meet at eight

o'clock a week from tonight at The Pacifico? It's on Union Lake, and the food is exquisite."

"Perfect."

Not that she would be joining him for dinner.

We stood up, our bodies rising in unison as we extended our hands to meet his once again. This time, his grip was firm and unwavering, a sign that perhaps our previous encounter had left a lasting impression on him. However, his demeanour had shifted, his once relaxed posture now replaced with a tense and guarded stance.

Bella's voice broke the silence, her words laced with concern. "Will you have trouble with that deadline?"

He looked up, caught off guard by her question. "The deadline? Oh, no. No worries at all. I will certainly have your documents done on time." His words were confident, but his pinched mouth and rigid back betrayed a different story.

I let out a sigh, causing him to glance up at me. "There a problem?" he asked, his eyes searching for any signs of distress.

"N-No," I stammered, my nerves getting the best of me. "I thought that Bella and her husband would be travelling together with their daughter."

"Jasper said only three will travel. His instructions were very clear." He turned his head back to Bella, his voice firm and unwavering. "I'll see you in one week."

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