Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Unlock Your Heart

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 06:

Edward continued up the stairs and passed her on his way to his room. “Just leave it for tonight, Bella. Goodnight.”

Bella turned and watched him walk past her with tears in her eyes. Her decision made, she watched him walk into his room and shut the door before turning to her own. She reached up into the closet, grabbed her suitcase, and began packing her clothes. When she felt she had enough to last her for more than a week, she sat at the desk and wrote Edward a note. Once it was written, she dressed quickly, and then quietly left her room and the house.

Bella checked into a suite at the Biltmore and settled in. She called her mother and told her where she was and why.

“Mom, he told me he loved me.”

“Bella, sweetie, he does love you. Why are you running from him?”

Bella sighed. “Mom, he’s been my best friend since we were kids. I don’t want that to change and it already has. When I asked to speak with him this evening, he rebuffed me. I couldn’t stay there, so I left.”

“Bella, does Edward know you’re gone?”

“I left him a note. He’ll find it in the morning. I know it was the cowardly way, but…” she trailed off, not really having an excuse.

“Isabella Marie, you, young lady, are going to get a good night’s sleep and then call that man in the morning. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Bella hung up her phone and tried to sleep. It was well after two before her eyes closed, but it was not a peaceful rest. Her dreams were plagued by Edward. She woke with a start and looked at the clock. Only an hour had passed, but Bella knew she wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon.

After another thirty minutes of staring at the ceiling, Bella got up and went to the adjoining bathroom to start the shower. It was four in the morning when she emerged and decided to get dressed and go for a walk. She left her hotel room and found herself walking down by the harbor. After walking for a while, she found a bench where she sat down and watched the sun come up over the water. All the while, her thoughts were on Edward.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, but was soon joined by a familiar presence. The pair sat in silence for a while before either of them moved. He reached over and laced their fingers together, not saying a word. Bella felt the tears hit her cheeks softly as she gave over to her feelings.

**UYH**

Edward tossed and turned all night. He couldn’t forget the look on Bella’s face as he walked past her when he came home. Devastation was the only word that came to mind. He had never wanted to be the cause of that look in her eyes, but sadly he was.

He gave up trying to sleep around four and decided to check on her. He showered and dressed quickly, and then walked down the hall to Bella’s room. He knocked softly and eased the door open. He was surprised to find the room empty and the bed made. He stepped in more fully, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. He saw the envelope on the bed, his name written in Bella’s script.

He ripped it open and felt his heart break at her words.

Dear Edward,

By the time you get this, I’ll be gone. I know you won’t understand, or you will be angry, but I need some space.

For as long as I have known you, you’ve been my rock and my best friend. Last night you changed that, and made me question everything I believed. I need some time to process all of this and to try to make sense of what I am feeling since your confession.

Don’t try to find me. I’ll come to you when I am ready.

Bella

Edward crumpled the paper and ran down to his office. He grabbed the phone and immediately called Renee. He knew she was the one person who would know where Bella was.

“Good morning, Edward. She’s at the Biltmore,” Renee’s voice greeted him.

Edward grinned. “Thanks, Renee.”

He replaced the phone and strode out of the room, calling for Felix, who he knew was lurking around somewhere.

Felix turned the corner, took one look at his boss’ face and went to get the car. He pulled around front just as Edward stepped outside. Once Edward was in the vehicle, he told Felix where to go and settled in for the ride. He was starting out the window, lost in his thoughts, when he caught sight of Bella walking along the harbor.

“STOP!”

Felix slammed on the breaks, forcing Edward to jolt forward. “Sorry, Boss.”

“It’s fine. I’m gonna get out here. Park the car and keep an eye out.” Felix nodded as Edward exited the vehicle.

Once he was outside, he took a deep breath and followed Bella at a respectable distance, all the while making sure no one was around. When she sat down on the bench, he leaned against a tree and watched her. He must have stood there studying her for fifteen minutes before he decided to approach her.

He sat down beside her silently and waited. He finally moved and laced his fingers with hers. He looked over at her and watched as a tear slipped from her eye.

Bella looked over at Edward. “I’m sorry.”

He reached up and wiped the tear with his thumb. “For what?”

“I don’t know how to do this. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“Bella, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here; I’m still your best friend. I just happen to be in love with you, too.”

“That’s just it, Edward. I don’t know how to reconcile the difference. I know that I love you, but is it as my friend or is it as someone I want as my lover? How did you know?”

Edward sighed; he wasn’t sure how to explain it to Bella. Before he could utter a word, his cell rang. “Yeah…Wait, what? Garrett, slow the fuck down…okay, we’re on our way.” He snapped the phone closed and looked at Bella. “Babe, we gotta go now!”

Edward pulled Bella up and the pair ran for the car. “Edward, what the hell is going on?” Bella asked breathlessly as they settled in to the car.

“Garrett said your studio is on fire.”

“WHAT?” Bella screeched. Hearing her reaction, Edward met Felix’s eyes in the rearview mirror and gave a discrete nod.

Felix pressed on the gas to get them to the studio faster, while reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out the portable detonator he had with him. He pressed the red button and set off the bomb Liam had created and placed in the back room of Newton’s sporting goods.

**UYH**

The car stopped and Bella flew out, only to be stopped when Edward grabbed her around the waist and held her back. “Let me go, Edward!” She fought against his hold.

“Stop, Bella. You can’t go in there. Let the firemen do their jobs, Sweetheart,” Edward crooned, trying to calm her.

Bella stopped fighting and sagged in his arms, watching helplessly as her business went up in flames. She knew who was responsible and vowed he would pay. She didn’t realize she had spoken out loud until Edward whispered in her ear.

“He already is, Love.”

Bella looked up and saw the determined set of his jaw and knew Mike’s troubles had only just begun. She turned and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Edward pulled her chin up and forced her eyes to his. “Bella, you are soon going to learn I would do anything for you. I love you.”

Bella closed her eyes and nodded at his declaration. She wished she could say it back, because she thought she felt it, but she needed to be sure before she destroyed their friendship permanently by crossing that line.