Chapter 12: The Ceremony

I was pacing back and forth, my anxiety was getting to me. Only 4 hours? I Must occupie myself once again. I searched through the room, yet i didn't find much that interested me. It was most likely because everything was either doused in feathers, silver, सोना या silk. The thought of my family not returning cut through me,

"No." I whispered to myself. I musn't worry about that, they कहा it would be fine. So it must be. I heard my phone ring, i stared at it for a moment. Jacob did tell me to not answer calls.I looked at my phone, But it was only alice. I hit talk,

"Alice?"

"Oh renesmee! Im glad आप picked up. The fight will be happening sooner then expected, Just so आप don't have to worry for much longer. Oh! I must go-"

"Alice!" But the call broke off. How soon was soon? Why the sudden change? Panic started to set in, were they prepared for an early battle? But would anybody be ready to die?.

I sat down on the सोफ़ा, सोफे and stared blankly at the empty टेलीविज़न screen. A knock on the door broke my train of thought, i froze. I wasn't expecting anybody.. i debated answering it, but when the knocking didn't seize, i decided i should.

I walkd swiftly over to the door and turned the shiny, golden knob.

"Yes?" I asked as polietly as i could. I saw the manger, even और stressed out then usual. He gave me a one over and gasped,

"Ms. Cullen! आप should have been down there a half घंटा ago, and look at you!"

I stared down at myself, i had on a t-shirt and a comfy pair of sweats, What does he mean i should've been there?

"I'm sorry, but may i ask आप what in the world your talking about?"

"The ceremony of course! Your fathers business just got one of the most presti- आप are aware of right? Your supposed to be at the relese party on your fathers behalf.."

I thought about it for a moment, my fathers business? I guess he must get the money from somewhere..

"Of course! I'll be down in a moment. I apologize for keeping आप waiting." Just then a little
filapino women in a maids outfit rused down the hall with a bag and box towards us.

"So sorry ms. Cullen! Here is your outfit!"
I took the shoes and dress from the kind woman.

"Thank-you very much" I hid my confusion as well as i could, She scurried off.

"We will see आप down there, soon, i hope" The manager spoke

"Yes, i am sorry. It must have.. slipped my mind. Well i sha'll go change now."

I closed the door and quickly made my way into the washroom. I hung up the dress and started quickly on my make-up. I finished it off with a red lipstick then moved onto my hair. I felt through my curls for a moment, pondering what to do. I settled with just throwing it up into a sophisticated updo.

I then carefully unzipped the bag which contained the dress that i was to wear tonight;

The bag contained a simple black dress, It had a high neckline and stopped just above the knee. The चोटी, शीर्ष of the dress was और fitted, as the bottom flowed. Obviously Alice hadn't picked it out, and i was glad. Imagine how over the चोटी, शीर्ष i would look then!

I carefully slipped into the dress and zipped it up. I then took out the small box which contained the shoes. There were a pair of black heels, i slipped them on. I proceeded into the bedroom and rumaged through my things.

"Ah!" I exclaimed "There it is!". I picked up my small clutch and slipped my phone and room key inside it. I Hurried out the door and carefully closed it behind me.

"Ms. Cullen?" I heard an unfimiliar face ask. "Im your security, i'll be escorting आप to and from the party"

I looked up, the man was quite tall. Not much taller then Jacob though. He wore a black suit and tie. He wore some sort of bluetooth in his ear and a phone sat of the left side of his pants, and a gun sat on the right side.

I smiled. The only person he would need to use that gun on wouldn't be inflicted much damage..

"Renesmee, actualy" I corrected him "I would much rather Renesmee."

"Sorry Ma'am"

I followed him towards the elevator, he made a signal towards it as i stepped inside. I turned to him as the hotel started to lower within the
many floors;

"I do not mean to be rude या such, but may आप please inform me on why my father insists on having me "escorted" everywhere"

"Ms. Cu- Renesmee, he is quite an important man. This is the grand opening of his 27th hotel. This is his first in Chicago, one of the most anticipated. If i was a multi millionaire such as him i would also be insuring my daughters saftey."

I turned back around and nodded slightly. At least i knew what was going on now. Although i don't beilive he did it to insure my saftey as much as he did to make sure i didn't do anything i would soon regret.

The large doors slowly opened as they revealed the ballroom area. I couldn't start to describe this room. Chandeliers were placed at the top, as the rest of the room was draped with सोना and every other valuble unecesarry things. It was as if i had stepped into a movie that placed an fancy party scene.

Everybody was over dressed, as i ,and most likely rich and stuck up. Waiters made thier way through the crowd serving coctails and snacks. I heard people talk of the buisnuess, some of thier own and some of my fathers.

I sighed, I really did not want to be here but i must. As soon as i had stepped in i heard the clinging of cups. A man dressed in a black suit slowly rose from a long rectangular तालिका, टेबल at the front of the room. Everybody went scilent as his gaze met mine,

"Ladies and gentalmen, Renesmee Cullen" He pointed towards me as everybody turned.

There was a roar of clapping as i made my way through the crowd. I put on a smile although the attention made me feel quite uncomfortable. They all looked at me as the man dircted me up to the table, i slowly walked up, yet everybodies eyes were still on me.

They didn't expect me to give a speech, did they? After a moment i realised they did. I guess i would be winging it now;

"I hope आप all have been enjoying the night" I started. I stared out into the crowd of overly dressed people. "My father couldn't be here tonight due to buisnuess so i am here in his place. He apologizes for his abcense though. When my Father first built this buisnuess, he didn't expect it to turn out to much.." All eyes were on me, i took a breath. "But that one small hotel in arizona grew to two, then three and then eventualy expanded into other places like LA and New York. Without great guests and amazing staff we wouldn't have an outstanding service. And now, it is my honour to present the opening of the Chicago hotel."

A burst of clapter filled the room, I carefully sat down with the others. The man who presented me turned and spoke to me;

"Hi, i'm Victor. I am your fathers, how do i put it? "Right hand man" for his hotels" He put out his hand, for me to shake and i did so.

"Renesmee Cullen" I कहा introducing myself although i knew it was unessacary.

A women came up behind me, "Ah, Renesmee!"
I looked up, but i didn't reconize her. She wore a red dress that touched to the floor, as well as many jewels. She was quite tan and wore a little too much make-up, Her jet black hair was pinned up to the चोटी, शीर्ष of her head. I carefully stood up and met her greeting,

"Why! how much you've grown! How old are आप now? 15, 16?"

"14 Acutaly" I कहा smiling,

"My, i havn't seen आप since your were just small! Sorry, i should properly introduce myself; I'm Danijela Taj. I've worked for your father since his Arizona opening and have loved everyday since. Where is your father tonight?"

I had to think of somthing to say.It isn't like i could just come right out and say a bunch of वेयरवोल्फ are trying to kill me so my vampire family, my werewolf boyfriend and the rest if his pack are having a big battle as we speak to keep me safe. So instead

"To be honest im not to sure, i think he planned an inspection at one of the other hotels. My guess is probaly as good as yours"

She smiled "Well it was nice to see आप again!"
I nodded in agreement, suddenly my phone rang. I Carefully opened my Clutch and picked up the phone;

"Renesmee?!" My mothers voice asked urgerntly.
I excused myself from the others and made my way out of the room, into a quiet area.

"Mother? Is everything okay?" I suddenly felt a knot tie in my stomach,

"Renesmee, there has been some .. complications. Jacob is on his way now, he will be staying with आप until we come to get you.."

"What do आप mean complications?"

"We got most of them, but there was और then expected..."

I gasped "What! who's hurt?"

"Renesmee, Renesmee, Everyone is fine. Except for some of Stills tribe.." She added darkly

"Some?" I कहा in almost a shriek
"There are about alex and seven others that headed your way... We figure you'd be safe, we could get them and hunt them down before they reach आप but we sent Jacob down just incase. He should be there soon.."

"Are आप sure everything is okay?"

"Don't worry renesmee, I must go now. Oh! and your father says your doing great"

I let out a sigh and smiled, "Thanks.." I कहा a bit bitterly. I hung up the phone and headed back into the room,

"..Ah! here she is. Renesmee, why don't आप tell theese people about your fathers plans for expansion?

I looked up at the people for a moment, i did hear my father discussing this with my mother breifly,

"Well, my father is looking to expand his hotels into other countries. He wants to make it और diverse and-"

I had noticed a bit of comotion that broke out द्वारा the door, I excused myself and swiftly walked over to one of the security guards.

"Excuse me, what's going on?" I stared up at the man,

"Nothing to worry about Ms. Cullen. There is just some guy who claims he's here to meet you-"

I quickly walked away from him, yet he followed close after. I walked over to the door. That's when i spotted him, Jacob. He was arguing with a couple other security guards as i broke my way through towards him.

"Ms. Cullen!" One of them had called trying to stop me, yet i had ignored them. Jacob immeditly saw me and tried to break free of the walls of security that had stood between us.

"Jacob!" I exclaimed smiling, I turned to one of the security "Is there a problem here?"

"You know him?" They asked skepticly

I nodded and looked at them dissaprovingly. They immidetly aplogized to Jacob and then turned to me;

"Sorry for the mix-up Ms. Cullen, Is there anything i can get for you?"

"No thank-you, But I'll have to excuse myself from the party"

I took Jacobs hand and pulled him towards the elevators as the security guards dispersed.
I knew he was anxious to keep me away, somewhere were he could protect me. Just him and I. The large doors opened once और and we stepped
inside.