CHAPTER TWO: The Reminder

Mia's house is huge, the yard is big and it has the perfect view of the water and Seattle. I was right about Mia, she is extraordinarily privileged. She grabbed my hand and as soon as we walked into the house she nearly dragged me upstairs to her room, dropping her stuff on the floor near the bed and turned on some music.

"Mia, dinner will be ready in 30 minutes please get ready!" Her moms voiced echoed through the great hall and up the stairs and over the music. Mia rolled her eyes and leaned against the door frame.

"Yes, mommy! I'm just showing Ana around." With no respond, Mia started showing me some of her books, first edition classics. I gawk, wide eyed, impressed, and with a hint of jealousy.

"Where did you get these?" My hands gently, barely run across the cover of Robinson Crusoe, I'm sure if I press any harder the book will crumble at my uncoordinated finger tips.

"My grandpa bought them for me for my 10th birthday. You should see my brother Christians collection, he's the reader of the family."

"Christian? He didn't seem like the book type. I suppose he didn't join the club just for the girls though."

Mia laughs, loudly, holding her stomach. "Oh no Ana, that was Elliott, you'll meet Christian at dinner. Remember, he's the one helping at the Lincolns today, he takes his summer course with you the next half of the summer. Elliott is the one looking for some 'homework help.'"

"Oh yea, the plastic wonder!"

"The first generation barbie!" We share a laugh and come up with some more creative names for Ms. Lincoln, 'the science project' and 'the plastic Frankenstein' were some of our favorites.

Once we hear Mrs. Grey yelling for us to get ready, Mia shows me the bathroom to wash up. When we're finished we head downstairs and I see a young boy around my age and an older woman, beyond beautiful walk in. Her body is too perfect not to have had some surgical help; I totally get why Mia says her plastic surgeon is on speed dial. Maybe I'm being too judgmental. her hair doesn't look naturally blonde either, she must be graying. I stifle a laugh and follow Mia downstairs.

"Hi Mrs. Lincoln, Christian, this is my new friend Ana."

"Hi dear, lovely to meet you."

I shake Mrs. Lincolns hand and say hi to the boy but he doesn't look up, just a barely audible hello before he goes upstairs. What a strange guy, maybe he had a hard day. Mrs. Grey walks from the kitchen and makes small talk with 'too blonde' before she leaves. I hear her asking how Christian was but couldn't hear the answer before Mia pulled me into the dining area.

Mr. Grey and Elliott are sitting at the table, big smiles talking about the Seahawks and how the Mariners didn't do too well the past season. I recognize sport talk from Ray and his buddies, they used to crowd around the living room and talk about all the Seattle teams. I remember how heated things got when Mariners went to the playoffs in 2001. Ever since then, Ray starts the beginning of the season the same way he did in 2001. My heart aches at the idea that he's home alone, I miss him so much. I try to focus on the conversation between Elliott and Mr. Grey, anything to distract me from Ray.

"How about you Ana? You watch much sports?" Mr. Carrick snaps me back to the now.

"I used to read in the living room while my dad and his buddies watched the Mariners. He's convinced if he does his 2001 ritual, they'll go back to the playoffs." The table laughs and the strange boy walks to the table and takes the empty seat next to me.

Mr. Grey says a prayer and we start to eat the fish the maid prepared. It was delicious, I'm not sure what type of fish it was; you can tell it was fresh, perfectly seasoned, the side of potatoes and greens complimented the main course well. I'm not sure how these people aren't fat if they eat this well all the time. Mia asks Christian to pass some crescent rolls and as I grab the bowl from him, my sleeve rides up and I catch Christians eyes on my rope burns. I hurry and pass the rolls to Mia and look back to evaluate Christians expression, I hope he doesn't think I hurt myself. As I turn to face him his eyes are already on me; those gray eyes, God obviously took the time to chisel his face to perfection. I feel my face becoming crimson again but I can't tear my eyes from his and I can feel an energy between us, some unspoken force that keeps trying to pull us together. He leans back a little and I can see his Adam's apple slowly move down then back in place; he feels it too, I know he does. Those gray eyes, bright and dark at the same time, unnerving; I'm sure he see's right through me and I feel like he knows my deepest darkest secrets and surprisingly, there's something familiar in his eyes, almost like I know his secretes too, as if we share the same dark soul.

"Hi, I'm Christian." His voice is breathy, barely audible.

"Anastasia." I tried for more but nothing came out.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Anastasia."

I hear Mia take a sharp breath in and I know all eye's at the table are on us. I see in the corner of my eye Grace smiling.

"Are you guys going to kiss?!" Elliott's obnoxious voice breaks our connection and Christian gives him a face that threatens death.

Grace scolds him and Mr. Grey changes the topic back to sports. Christian is talkative now, explaining why Seahawks wont have a great season this year. The maid walks out with strawberry shortcake and cool whip for dessert, simple but so good. As soon as my dish is clear, Mia grabs my arm and runs upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her.

"What was that?!" The question comes out as a squeal.

"What are you talking about?" My eyes dart to the floor and my skin blushes.

"Oh no you don't Ana, you know exactly what I'm talking about." Her voice goes to a whisper as we hear someone walk past the room. "C'mon, what happen between you and Christian?"

"Mia," I give her a scolding look, "you were right there, nothing happen."

"The way you guys were looking at each other, I know you felt something!"

I turn to hide my smile, remembering those eyes, those bright but dark gray eyes. Then the feeling of being indisposed comes over me, he knows my secretes, I can sense it.

I woke up and Mia was still asleep. We talked about everything last night, she told me more about her adoption and what her brothers and her were like when she was younger. We talked about boys, well, she talked about boys. We don't have very many things in common but, we seem to connect despite our differences. She likes to talk which is ok because, I prefer to listen. I look over at her on the other side of the bed and I slowly crawl out and make my way into the hall. I hear Mr. and Mrs. Grey talking and laughing downstairs, I think they're the only ones awake. I can smell coffee and bacon that just started cooking. I look around trying to remember what door was the bathroom, somebody must be using it because it's usually open. I turn around to walk back into Mia's room when I hear the door open and the light from the bathroom lighting a dim path to Mia's door.

"Anastasia?"

I turn around and see Christian standing there, hair still wet from his shower.

"Christian?" he really does looking amazing, slim but strong, really strong; especially for his age.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?"

"G'morning, I slept good, thank you. How about yourself? I thought I heard you moving around even after Mia finally fell asleep, around one this morning I believe."

"Yes, I have a hard time sleeping sometimes."

"Oh, I know how that is."

"Do you have nightmares?"

Like you wouldn't believe, "yes, some nights worst than others."

"And last night?" His look is captivating, I can't seem to look away from his eyes.

"No, no nightmares last night."

"Good to hear, I'm surprised your up this early. Mia usually sleeps in until 8 during the summer." He glances at his watch, "about two more hours."

Well, that's disappointing, I'm not real sure what I could do while Mia is sleeping, maybe read one of her books.

"Oh? Well, I'm sure I can-"

"I'm going down to the water to get a couple rows in before breakfast, would you like to join me?"

"It's not too cold to go out on the water this early?"

"You didn't bring a jacket?"

"I have a sweater?" I'm not sure why that came out as a question. He looks a little annoyed, maybe at me not having a jacket; it's summer, he should be surprised I have a long sleeve shirt. Maybe he was just being nice and wanted a quick yes or no.

"I have a heavy hoodie you could wear."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, I wouldn't want Mia to get up early and not see me around."

"We'll be back before she wakes."

I suppose a little while with Christian wouldn't hurt maybe, I can give him an excuse to my rope burn; I know he saw it; maybe that's why he wants to take me out, ask about my marks. Maybe I should stay here.

"Anastasia?"

I look up and he looks puzzled, I bite my bottom lip and take a deep breath. "Just let me take a quick shower and get ready. I'll meet you downstairs?"

He nods and opens a hall closet and hands me a loofah and two towels. I look at both towels confused. "One is a wrap around for your hair." He laughs a little and walks into his room, closing his door behind him.

It doesn't take me long to get ready and I'm downstairs in twenty minutes, as I walk closer to the kitchen I can hear him telling his parents our plans. His mom seems happy, not the reaction I expected.

"Make sure your back before Mia wakes up and don't stray off the property."

"Yes mother."

I walk in and say good morning, they greet me back and offer me some fresh squeezed orange juice. Perfect, just like everything else in this home. I wish I could stay longer, stay away from that devil preoccupying my mothers bed. I shake the thought from my head and follow Christian out the back door. He hands me a Nike hoodie; he leads me to the boat house and grabs some life vest off a rack near the door. He wasn't lying about this hoodie being thick, it's warm and smells like him; the most intoxicating smell, I couldn't resist pulling it over my nose and taking a deep breath in. It smells so good, a hint of cologne, laundry detergent and Irish Spring soap and that unique smell of Christian. I hurry and pull the hoodie down as Christian turns around to face me, I notice him trying to hide a smile and I look down at the ground as my face turns bright red.

"Let me help you." He opens the vest as I slip my arms through and he buckles me in and pulls the tab until its tight around my body. "Too tight?"

"No, just right."

He looks up and our eyes lock again, that similar feeling grows between us, engulfing us in silent need and desire for one another. I want to know more about you Christian, I want to know everything; I want to tell you my darkest secrets and a part of me knows that one day I will. He leans in closer, his body heat radiating on me- pulling me into him, I close my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine; suddenly his body heat is pulled away from me and I jerk my eyes open.

"Anastasia I ca-"

"Ana, please."

"Ana, I can't do this. I'm sorry.

"No, it's ok. I just thought we had a moment."

"We did, it's not you its-"

"Me. Yes, the line every man uses when the two clearly knows its the girl."

"No, really Ana. Things are complicated for me right now. I want to, you have no idea how bad I want to."

I look up at him, locking eyes again.

"Then why don't you?"

He presses his forehead against mine and his eyes are close as if he's in a pain, battling some type of internal demon and losing.

"I, I just can't Anastasia"

"Ana."

"I love your name," he pulls away from me and opens his eyes to look at me again, "let me call you Anastasia."

"OK." I say in a whisper.

"Christian?" We hear Mrs. Grey from the house and look back to see her standing near the back door. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes mom, we were just talking. I'm taking Anastasia out now."

Christian pulled a small row boat out and onto the water, he takes my hand and helps me find my balance as I get in; he carefully gets in after me and turns so we're facing one another.

"Don't I need a paddle thingy?"

He looks and laughs at me.

"Not this time, not when you call it a thingy."

We share a laugh and he starts rowing further into the water. We spend an hour talking about each others lives. I tell him about my mom and dad, and even Stephen; obviously leaving out a lot of details. He tells me about growing up with the Grey's, how it's hard trying to live up to the Grey expectations. We even talk about our plans growing up.

"Grey Enterprise Holdings. GEH for short. I'll live in the city, the highest master penthouse available. I'll own the world eventually, feeding the worlds hungry on my way."

"That sounds noble enough. I'm not sure if owning the whole world is necessary though." We share a laugh again.

"I never want money to be an issue. I want to be able to buy whatever I want and when."

"Why?"

"Because, I was never able to." His answer seems simple but there seems to be much more behind that answer. "Your turn, what is your dream path?" He leans back and looks at me with that already knowing face.

"I don't really know, maybe I'll work in publishing and eventually retire to the woods."

"The woods?"

"Yeah, I'll have someone build me a huge tree house I can live in."

His eyes brighten and he can't hide his amusement.

"Anastasia, I don't think I see you living in a tree house!"

"Oh? Why not? I'll live in a tree house, just me, my books, and the man who took the time to build me my dream living space."

"I better get to work then." His smile is infectious and I day dream of a day that Christian and I are in the middle of Washington's forest; high above the ground, sipping tea and reading to each other. "Anastasia, what's this?" He takes my arm and pulls my sleeve up, revealing the rope burn. My face blushes bright again and I look away, if I don't look, I wont remember how I got them.

"I was trying to get something from my garage and I had to move a gym rope. I thought if I wrapped it around my wrist, I'd have a better grip to pull it. I wasn't completely wrong. I managed to move it a little." I smile, trying to pretend that I was remembering a memory of it. It takes him a moment but eventually he smiles back at me.

"You look like you'd struggle with a gym rope." He squeezes my arm jokingly and starts to row back to the house. "Mia will be up and breakfast should be ready soon. Will you be coming back this weekend?"

"I don't think so." I look at him questioning why he asked, he looks at me shaking his head.

"I know you felt it Anastasia. Yesterday, this morning, and right before we got on the water. I felt it so, I know you felt it too."

"What do you suppose it means?"

"I don't know but, I'd like to find out."

"Oh? Why?"

"A part of me feels like I've known you my whole life, I've never felt this way and I'd like to know why."

We get back to land and I help Christian put the boat and our life vest back in the boat house. We walk to the house and before stepping in, he kisses my cheek and slowly he runs his finger down my cheek to the bottom of my chin and lifts my head so I'm staring into his eyes.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Thank you for keeping me company this morning but, things are still complicated with me. I want to know everything your willing to tell me but, I can't promise you the same favor."

"Why Christian? What are you hiding?" He backs up, he looks shocked, scared almost. He just shakes his head and walks into the house without another word to me.

I just don't understand him, why would he want to know everything about me without being willing to tell me about himself? Before I can get angry, Mia comes skipping into the kitchen.

"Good morning, I thought you left before I looked out my window and saw you and Christian in the row boat." She winks at me and I can't help but laugh.

I walk past her and into the dining room, sitting at the table. "Nothing happen Mia."

"Mhm, of course nothing happen." She laughs a little then looks at me with the most serious face she's had since I met her. "He seems to like you Ana, this has been the happiest I've ever seen him. Don't mess that up, ok?"

"I don't want to but Mia, there really isn't anything there to mess up." Is there?

"If something does come up though, don't get involved if there's a chance he could get hurt." Her face goes from serious to a sad expression. "He's been through so much Ana, he doesn't need something else in life hurting him."

I wonder what she means maybe, I can get her to tell me more before I leave.

"Mia, if something were to happen, there's a higher chance of me getting hurt." I turn my head remembering the almost kiss from the boat house. I know I don't have any experience but, I didn't know things could be so complicated you can't kiss someone.

The rest of the Grey's enter the dining room, taking the same seats as the night before and we have a breakfast full of laughter and jokes, Christians not as talkative as last night though. I wonder if he's thinking about this morning, he looks more depressed then earlier though. He sure does change his mood a lot, it's like a tidal wave of emotions around him. When breakfast is over, Elliott and Mr. Grey get up and excuse themselves, saying bye to me as they leave the house. Mrs. Grey goes into her home office to do some paper work and Christian, Mia and I are in the living room with the TV on. A few minutes pass when there's a knock at the door and the maid leads Mrs. Lincoln into the living room, Mrs. Grey comes in just a few moments after. They talk about something 'too blonde' needs Christian to do and as he gets up he looks at me, apologetically. Whoa, why is he sorry? Maybe because of earlier this morning? He stands next to Elena, that's what Mrs. Grey called her and looks down at the ground. Why does he do that? He was like that yesterday when she dropped him off too. I look away from Christian and to Elena whose already staring at me as if she doesn't approve, she doesn't even know me! I stare back, reflecting her glare and she finally turns to Mrs. Grey with a fake flashy smile.

"I'll have him back by five tonight."

"It's only past 10 Elena, what could you possibly need him for so long?"

"I could bring him back sooner. I'm just so determined to get that rock fall in. If Linc would just spend some more time home, he could help poor Christian."

"Oh, ok Elena. Well try not to work him too hard. When you drop him off we might not be back yet. The kids have their summer programs"

"Nothing he can't handle. I can drop him off later?"

"No, can you drop him off at the center?"

"Sure, of course!" She turns to leave and looks at Mia and I, "have a good day ladies."

I suddenly have an awful taste in my mouth, there's something about that woman I don't like. She reminds me of someone; I can't put my finger on it but she's dangerous, dark.