Unforgivable Lacerations

Chapter Fifty

JW Marriott Grand Rapids is mentioned later in this chapter, it is a real hotel. I would look it up if interested. 

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"Bella," Edward hummed as he sat down beside me on the couch, arm flung around the back of the chair. I glanced up from my book, eyebrow raised. "The family has been invited to accompany Carlisle to a charity gala later this week, and I was hoping you would be my date." An inviting smile reached Edward's lips afterward, as he nervously waited for a reply. I, of course, didn't hesitate to decide as I would happily support Carlisle whilst spending time with Edward. Hopefully, it would be a pleasant night.

"Absolutely," I beamed. "And you get extra Brownie points for asking me this time...unlike prom." Edward replied with a light chuckle, raising his free hand palm-forward in an innocent gesture.

"Oh, please, you loved prom! If it wasn't for my lack of information, you would have never even stepped into that dress, let alone gone and enjoyed yourself." I smirked and shook my head, knowing he was correct.

*_*_*_*_*

That was how I ended up in Alice's leather chair, in her room, surrounded by productive women as I was enduring the makeup and hair procedure. Thankfully, with Alice's ability to work quicker than the average human, I wasn't subjected to the various brushes and hair straighteners for long, yet it seemed long enough as I was beyond ready to step out of this damn white chair and begin moving!

"Your dress is hanging in my closet," Alice murmured whilst she slapped on layers of mascara. Rosalie and Esme were also in the room, sharing eyeshadow palettes and helping the other with hair.

I didn't have to say anything or even move for Alice to sense my instant nervousness at what she had chosen for me to wear. After what Jacob had put me through, and the scars that were still here to show as evidence, I was extremely fussy about what I wore and the amount of skin I displayed. Alice was speedy to diminish my fears.

"Don't worry, Bella. There are lace sleeves to cover your arms, the material falls just above the knee, and it's a modest dress when concerning your cleavage." Alice smiled encouragingly. "I have also bought skin color nylons for you to cover your legs with, that's optional, though." Alice retreated her hand from my face, enough to allow me to look at her.

"Thank you," I smiled, feeling the grip of anxiety loosen its fingers.

"Edward likes you in blue, doesn't he?" Rosalie chirped, gliding into the room with a pair of dark blue heels in her hand.

"Um...I think so?" I glanced at Rose as she plopped the heels beside my dress before Alice swiped some lipstick on me. I swore I was always going to be hesitant when speaking of what Edward liked about me, for Jacob had programmed my mind into thinking I was a disastrous wreck, who caught the attention of Edward merely because he pitted me. Additionally, I knew Edward was only downstairs, feet away from me, and could very easily hear and see- through the women's minds- what we were saying.

However, Edward had ensured me that the family gave each other as much privacy as they could, for they were unlike the pack, who would listen to everything I did, this family respected each other. That was slightly comforting when I was in the bathroom, believing they were listening to me on the toilet.

"Rose, come on, he drools over her in anything. No matter the color or the attire," Alice replied.

"Very true." Esme nodded to my surprise.

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After another twenty minutes, the four of us women were ready and standing up, doing the final touches in the mirror before we paraded downstairs. To say the women looked incredible was an understatement; Rose was adorned in a deep ruby red, with lips to match and golden hair pinned into a delicate style; Alice was attired in a slender pine colored dress, with massive heels that increased her height; Esme was sporting a luscious plum cocktail dress with hair curled and half-up, dark eyes but light lips; whereas I was in a fitting navy dress, which was canvased by a fragile lace, with hair straight, lips and eyes dark, and nylons that gave the illusion my skin was a perfect rosy-peach.