The vampire's soulmate

Chapter 3

Bella POV

It was a nice and sunny day outside. I was in the garden, soaking in all the sun. My father was away for a few days and my aunt Maya and uncle Benjamin were at the market. Iris was, of course, on the phone with Jarred. They really hit it off, my sister was over the moon now and it was impossible for me to stand too close to her as I would hear her drooling over Jarred. Maybe I should just go and make the call I had been avoiding. Aunt Maya gave me Ian's number to call and appologize after I confessed to her that I kind of left him in the garden alone that night at the party. I dragged my feet in the living room and dialed his number. I was hoping that he wouldn't answer but he did.

"Hello!"

"Hi! This is Bella." I said with half mouth.

"Oh! Hi Bella! I was wondering if you were still alive. I thought that you were being hypnotized by aliens and forced to leave with them. You just walked away as if you were in a trance. Or, was my story that boring that you felt the need to run?" I had no idea what to say. He was right, I had been very rude.

"I...I... I am trully sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew but it turned out I was wrong. I went back to see if you were still in the garden, but you were gone too." Such a lie. I blushed and I was grateful for not being face to face with him. Through the phone, he wouldn't be able to see my poker face, which was a total fail.

"Hey, no harm, no foul!" Ian seemed sincere. And hope began to rise in his voice. "Hey, what do you say if, in order to make amends, we go out sometime. I know this cool place, down by the river, it is more like a club, where we could grab a bite and listen to great music. You know, they have this amazing group of singers coming every..." Ian was again succumbed in his story and I tried to listen but my eye caught some movement in the garden.

My heart stopped for a second. William was here. The phone just fell from my hand, I am positive that Ian was still talking, but my feet where heading towards my man. Since father wasn't home, I thought I could take advantage of the situation and talk to Will, find out more about him. He and his friend were standing in front of dad's office, phones in hand, trying to reach my dad, for sure. William looked so handsome with his wet hair, I bet he took a shower right before he came here. He was wearing black pants and a tight white t-shirt that revealed his muscular figure. Oh, my god, I got all horny again. I tried my best to compose myself and find my voice. To my surprise, it sounded a little squeaky.

"If you are looking for my father, he is not at home." Okay, maybe my voice sounded very squeaky. Both men looked at me while putting away their phones in tandem. As soon as I locked eyes with William, I felt like I was melting. Is it legal to be this handsome? He was just perfect. For me. Soulmate.

"Hey! Indeed we are looking for Charles." Will's friend, Gary, said. "Do you know when he will be back?"

"Father said he will be gone for a few days, he has some business to attend in Sunville." I was talking to Gary but my eyes never left William's face. I was memorizing every feature of his, the way his eyebrows were arched, his penetrating gaze, his soft lips. I wanted to kiss those lips so badly, it hurt not to do so.

"Okay then, we'll be on our way. Thank you!" Gary said and turned around to walk away.

"Wait! Is there anything I can do for you? Maybe I can help you instead of dad." My eyes were still on the man of my dreams.

"No, there is nothing you can do for us, unfortunately." Will spoke. "We are sorry to have interruped whatever activity you had going on. Have a nice day!" His voice was so soft, music to my ears. I was definitely in loved with this man.

"I am Bella, by the way. I wasn't doing anything important when you two came. Really! I would be more than happy to assist you with what you need. Can I offer you some ice tea perhaps?" I would give them anything just to have Will here for a few more minutes.

"Actually, if you could let us in Charles's office, that would be great. We just need to borrow something from him." Gary said. Before I could open my mouth and tell them that this is impossible since we are not allowed to let anyone in dad's office in his absence, Will spoke again.

"Our business is with Charles. We should come back when he comes home." His voice was a bit harsh now.

"I see. Maybe your girlfriend or wife is waiting for you at home." Will just looked at me and nodded. Was that a yes or a no? I didn't get his nod. "Is she jealous? I am just offering some tea." Again he just stared but said nothing.

"We are expected someplace else. We sure are to get in trouble if we are late." Gary responded.

"Yes, women tend to be jealous, especially when it comes to handsome partners." I said dissapointed. Will was involved with someone.

"Yeah, yeah! We ought to go, William! Have a nice day, Bella!"

"Goodbye!" Will said short and cold.

They just walked away. I stayed behind with my heart broken. I would never interfere in someone's relationship. Maybe they even had a child. Tears were forming in the corners of my eyes and I couldn't fight them off. I just let them run all over my face.

William POV

Gary was rambling on and on about going out and getting some, but I wasn't in the mood for girls right now. He came by my place this morning, I barely got the chance to take a shower because he was in a hurry to go to Charles, get the book and take the rest of THE day off. I knew Gary was still planning the day and I could hear his voice but I didn't understand a word he was saying. My mind was on Bella. When we got to her place, I could hear her on the phone, she was speaking to some guy. He was pretty loud and I heard him ask her out. She didn't reply and I have this curiousity to know whether she would go out with that guy. f**k! I was jelous! All I wanted right now was to go back and ask her directly whether she would go out with that Ian guy.

"So, should I call her?" Gary distracted me from my thoughts with a fist in my shoulder and a question.

"Call who?" I said bewildered.

" Sharon. I have been talking about her for the past fifteen minutes. Were you listening to a word I said?" I nodded, again with my nod that didn't say yes but it didn't say no either. "She and her friend are itching to double date, so I made plans fir tonight. Are you in or not? I have to call and let her know."

"Neah. I am not in the mood. You go by youreself and have fun with both girls. I am just gonna chill tonight." And think about Bella, most likely.

"Don't be such a party pooper. It's been a while since we didn't hang out, let alone go out with girls, enjoy ourselves, if you know what I mean." He winked at me. "Come on man, we deserve to relax for a little bit. You know we have a major task to deal with. We will be swamped for quite some time. You don't have to fo anything. Just have a drink and talk to the girl, if you don't want to go further. Or maybe drink something special straight from the vein." Again he winked. I growled at him, he knew I didn't do that anymore.

"Okay, I'll come along. I guess one night out is what I need to get aome distance."

"Distance from what?" Gary was extremely curious sometimes. I needed distance from Bella. I needed to not think about her for a split second. I needed something to prevent me from running to her house. Having a stranger come to your house and take you in his arms and make you his will definitely be considered r**e, no matter how much I would explain that I like the girl, maybe even love her. Plus, I had no idea whether she liked me back.

"Nothing man, don't mind me. See you later." I didn't wait for him to respond, we were in front of my house and I ran inside.

I considered for a second the possibility of watching some tv, but I felt a bit tired and my enormous bed was calling for me. It is definitely the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in, and could confess that I slept in many, most of the times not alone. I got rid of all my clothes and succumbed between my sheets. They were cold but they felt soft against my skin. I liked sleeping naked, especially when I slept with someone. I wish Bella was here with me. Her small but curvy figure would fit perfectly in my bed. I closed my eyes and her image was stuck in my head and I swear I could almost reach my hand and touch her. I imagined her being in bed with me, her face deep burried in a pillow, her back on me. In my mind I was caressing her hair, then softly tracing the curves of her naked skin. She was asleep and a felt peace sitting here by her side. I hugged her, maybe it was a pillow but I didn't care at that point, I just let myself have this dream. She moaned and opened her eyes and smiled. I reached for her lips and kissed her so intense that I felt goosebumps all over my body. I needed her, I wanted her right then and there. How can a vampire feel such needs? We were unnatural, we weren't supposed to feel anything so strong. If this image in my head felt so intense, I wonder how the real thing would feel. I never had anyone in my life, besides flings. And that happened because I have never trully fallen for someone. This new thing I felt frightened me, especially since I knew that the prophecy was about her. A strong vampire was supposed to take her away from me. Take away my soulmate. Would I be able to fight him? Will I be able to win? f**k. I hated feeling weak. I mean I have always been considered one of the strongest vampires alive and, at some point, I was ruthless, but now, facing the possiblity of losing the one woman I have ever loved, made me feel like the weak link of a pack. I need to turn the tables. Even if I have to go back to my evil rooths, I would win this. Even if Bella doesn't want to be with me, she needs to be free, be happy. I will settle for this, as long as she is safe.

Bella POV

I was in my room, sobbing, when I heard a knock on my door. I immediately wiped my tears with the back of my hands and tried to compose myself. It could be my aunt eearching for me, and I didn't want her to know I was upset. I coughed once and invited whomever was outside to come in. As soon as she put her hand on the doorknob I knew who it was. Iris. She felt my pain and came to see me. I couldn't fight my tears anymore when she came in, I just let them fall. Iris came and hugged me, stroking my hair. She acted very motherly whenever I was sad. I needed her right now.

"He is a fool you know? He doesn't know what he is missing. You are wonderful, you are beautiful!" She put both hands on my cheecks and lifted my head so I could look at her. "Any man will be lucky to have you! You will find the right one. I promise you that!" I tried to smile but I couldn't. My eyes were red from all the crying and I just didn't understand how could I possibly have tears left, my eyes should have been dry by now.

Iris holded my for several minutes in silence. I could tell I made her sad too. She had been very happy all morning because things were going great with Jarred and I just ruined her happiness. I couldn't allow that. So I tried to change her mood.

"Enough sulking. Tell me about you and Jarred." I tried to look a little bit gloom, but she could see right through me.

"I see what you are trying to do. It is all about you right now. We can talk abiut Jerry when you are better."

"Jerry? For real? This is your nicknane for him?" I smiled a little at the image of seeing Iris call him Jerry. It must be nice to have such bond with someone, to connect and give him a pet name. Iris laughed.

"Yeah, that's what I call him. He hates it but I keep telling him that he resembles the mouse from Tom and Jerry."

"How so?"

"Jarred is nice and helpful but he can also be wicked and sneaky if necessary. He is not big and muscular but he gets things done, he is smart and knows how to make a good plan."

"Wow! You really like him!"

"Bella, I think I love him! I bever felt this way before. Whenever I think about him, my heart feels like it may burst. And when he touches me, kisses me, I lose my mind." Iris was looking at the window now, lost in her thoughts. She pictured Jarred's arms around her waist and, his lips kissing hers. Her body was on fire. This image was so livid that I almost felt as if Jarred was kissing me, like Inwas the one falling for him. "Hey!" Iris screamed.

"Sorry! You draw quite some pictures in your mind! I am very happy for you, sister!"

"You know, it takes up all my will not to run in his arms right now, I want to be with him all the time." It must be really nice to feel this way.

A soft knock on the door made us both wake up from daydreaming. Aunt Maya was standing in the doorway, smilong at us.

"How are my two favorite girls in world doing?" Whenever she was home, everything felt right in the world. She would do anything for us and we would give our luves for her. She was a mother to us.

"We're fine, aunt Maya! Just having a girl talk." We giggled for a moment and auntie joined in.

"I wanted to let you know that dinner will be ready in one hour. We will be having a nice brisket today. Ben has been itching me to do my secret recipe for weeks now."

"That sounds delicious, auntie. Your hands make miracles in the kitchen. Uncle Benjamin will be happy you made things right and listened to his pleas." Iris laughed.

"Speaking of setting things right, Bella, have you called Ian?" My mind went bonkers.

"Sure thing I did, aunt Maya!"

"Good. It's important you two are friends. See you in an hour girls!"

Fuck! I ditched Ian again. I just realised I left him in the middle of a concersation. Again. I would have to call him again. And lie. To set things straight. For my aunt's sake. I dialed his number again, this time from my room. I didn't want anyone to hear me. Ian did not respond this time. I didn't blame him. I mean, who would answer to someone who had left him in the middle of the conversation twice. It didn't take long and my phone rang. It was Ian. I guess he is massochistic.

"Hey!" I answered. I didn't know what else to say so I just waited for him to say something. We both stood for a minute in awkward silence. He broke the silence first.

"Aren't you going to say anything? You left me hanging. Again."

"Yeah, something happened that required my immediate attention and I just ran. I came back and you had hung up."

"Sorry for not waiting on the phone while you attended something or someone important. Silly, petty me should have waited nicely and silently on the phone. Maybe I will do just that next time you take me for a fool."

"Look, I am really, really sorry. I appologize. It was something very serious." Will was here and he is very important. To me.

"What happened? What disturbed your conversation with me?" What the f**k should I say?

"Hmm.... It was Iris. She sprained her ankle pretty bad and she was screaming." I hope he won't call my aunt to ask how Iris is feeling or else I'm screwed.

"Oh, sorry. Is she ok now?"

"Yeah, just bruised up and a little swollen. She should be okay in a couple of days!"

"Good. You know, I am willing to forget this happened, you ditching me, if you go out with me. On a real date." I didn't see Ian as a potential lover but, since Will seemed occupied, I should at least try to get my mind off him.

"Sure, we can go out."

"Sweet. We will go to the restaurant I told you about. I will pick you up on Friday. Wear something nice. And sexy. For me." He laughed sweetly at the end. I knew he was a nuce guy, I just wasn't attracted to him that way. But maybe, who knows, things could develop into something nice. I had no idea what restaurant he was talking about, but I had pretty dresses, I would be presentable.

"See you then! Have a nice evening Ian."

"You too! Try not to think about me too much!" I laughed a little. He got my mind off William for a minute, maybe he can help me forget about him permanently.