When Dawn Breaks 57

“How do you feel about going to a black tie charity auction?”Bella asked Rosalie as she walked into their now shared office.Rosalie had officially set herself up in the room to give her a place to work because keeping track of everything caused her to need a large space.It also afforded her privacy so she wasn’t being constantly stared at.Most of the shifters were used to her and her changes but the newer visitors hadn’t gotten to the point of being comfortable around her so she preferred to leave them alone to work.Not that she didn’t check in with them but it was nice to have her own room.

“Why would we want to go to a charity auction?”Rosalie asked.

“Because my grandfather’s friend got back to me and said that I would find the attendees interesting.”Bella told her.

“I thought he was going to set up a meeting for you two to talk?”Rosalie knew that Bella had been waiting for the man to call her so they could meet in person.

“Once I got the email about the auction I looked up who will be going and a couple names on our list are going to be there.It leads me to believe that he knows what we are up to.”Bella figured that was why Thomas had emailed the information to her.

“Does that mean he knows about shifters and vampires?”Rosalie asked.

“I think so.It was hinted at when I was younger but I don’t have definite proof.If he knows about what’s going on and is giving us access to some of our targets then I think it proves he does.”Bella said.”It’s not like we can email him about it and with his reputation talking over the phone isn’t safe either.”

“This man makes me nervous Bella.”Rosalie wasn’t sure they should be involved with such a shady character. Even if Bella’s grandfather trusted the man.

Bella chuckled.”Thomas makes a lot of people nervous.”

“That isn’t reassuring.”Rosalie said.

“I know but think about how fun it will be to get dressed up and go to a fancy party where we are expected to spend more money than anyone else going.”Bella smiled at the grimace on Rosalie’s face.

“The only part of that that sounds like fun is the getting dressed up part.I definitely don’t want to spend any money.”Rosalie would always love a chance to see Bella wearing a dress but didn’t want to spend what she was sure where going to be millions of dollars.

“While I agree with you we will most likely be the wealthiest people there and it’s expected of us to spend large amounts because this benefits charity.It would be insulting to the host if we didn’t.”Bella explained.”Unless you want to donate something?”

Rosalie sighed not liking that idea either.”What would you even be willing to donate?”

“We could easily pick out one of the books in here as most of them are first edition and signed by the authors.There is also the jewelry and some paintings in storage. “Bella didn’t honestly care what they gave as long as it wasn’t something to personal.

“To bad we don’t have Edward’s stuff here. We could probably find some good things to donate.”Rosalie knew she couldn’t call Esme and ask her to send the stuff because of how they left the Cullen’s home. The relationship with her sire and Esme was up in the air and Rosalie wasn’t sure how it would play out.Nor did she know if she actually cared enough to mend it.

“We will keep that in mind for future events we are invited to do that ask for donations.”Bella said.

“Would you really not care if we donated a book?”Rosalie figured it would be the easiest thing they could find and Bella had thousands of them in the office alone.One missing wouldn’t make a big difference.

Bella shook her head.”I honestly couldn’t tell you what half the books in this room are.So I’m not overly attached to any.”

“Then I will enlist Charlotte and Alice’s help to go through and find one worthy enough of being donated.”Rosalie pulled out her phone and sent a text to her sister and Charlotte.It was easier than trying to track them down.

“Alice will also be needed to help us get outfits suitable for the event.”Bella told her.”We are expected to be dressed in extravagant pieces that show we are fashionable and respectable.”

Before Rosalie could reply the door to the office opened revealing a smiling Alice.”That was fast.”

”Hey guys what do you need.”When Alice got the text she wasted no time getting to the office hoping that she was going to be given a secret project like Emmett.

“Hello Alice.”Bella greeted.”If you aren’t busy we need a couple things from you.”

“I’ll help anyway you need.”Alice said.

“We are going to a black tie charity event and need the appropriate outfits.I figured you would be the perfect person to help us with that be it by shopping for them or making them yourself.” Bella explained.

“I get to shop for you?!”Alice squealed in excitement when Bella nodded.”This is going to be so much fun.”

“This is not an excuse for you to go to crazy Alice.I will not deal with you wasting money.”Rosalie warned.

“Fun police strikes again.”Alice grumbled.

“If it will help after the picture that Ms.Billings posted on the internet I have been overwhelmed with requests from designers to wear their clothing.My personal assistant said that she has been receiving samples and other items at the office for me.That being the case you are more than welcome to reach out to people saying you are my personal stylist and see if you can get things that way.”Bella figured it would be easier to get fashionable clothing to go right to the source.

“I am more than willing to be your personal stylist.”Alice was already making a list of different designers she was going to reach out to.”Maybe I should get business cards made.”

Rosalie sighed.She knew Alice was going to go over the top and the bill would give her heart palpitations.”I will need an outfit as well and you know that I prefer pants.”

“Don’t worry I will pick out the perfect outfits.”Alice said.

“Hey guys you needed me?”Charlotte asked as she entered the room.She was concerned with the grimace on Rosalie’s face and the smile on Alice’s. She just hoped it she wasn’t going to be asked to babysit Alice on another shopping trip. Buying shoes for Bella had been more stressful than she had imagined.

“Yes Charlotte, we were wondering if you had some time if you could find a book to donate to a charity auction.”Bella said.

Charlotte wasn’t expecting that request.”Sure I can do that.What book do you want me to find?”

“Can you pick out a few that are valuable and we will decide from your choices.”Rosalie wanted to make sure the book picked wasn’t some piece of valuable Shurlong family history.

“Yeah I can do that.”Charlotte happily made her way over to the book cases to begin her search.She had only been in this room once and had hoped for the opportunity to go through the books.From the few titles she could already see she knew she was going to find something extraordinary.

“I’m going to go back to what I was doing.”Bella turned her attention to Alice.”Alice, I’ll email my personal assistant and have her get in contact with you.”

“Thanks Bella.”Alice said.

Bella softly kissed Rosalie.“As always I love you and if you need me you know how to contact me.”

“I will sweetheart.Can you send me the information for the event so I can do some research on the attendees?”Rosalie asked.

“Of course.”Bella said.”I’ll get it to you as soon as I settle.”

“Thank you.”Rosalie wished that Bella could just work with her in the office but she knew that the things Bella was looking over needed to be kept a secret.Still watching her mate walk out the door caused her heart to ache.She wasn’t looking forward to going to a charity auction but it would be nice to have a night out with Bella.Even though they were going to spy on people Rosalie would like the chance for the pair of them to get dressed up and enjoy each other’s company.It would be better if all the things they did to stop the bad guys they could do together but because they couldn’t it gave Rosalie more incentive to get the job done faster.Not only to save the shifters but to finally have some time to enjoy her bond with Bella.She was going to see if she could push Bella past the two weeks she already promised.It wouldn’t be to difficult for Rosalie to convince Bella. All she had to do is show a little skin and use her skills as a seductress to get Bella to comply.