Chapter 2 - Like a deer in headlights
Seattle, Washington
Christian
Thankfully, the weather seems to be cooperating, I think to myself as I gaze beyond the tall structures to the heavens from the backseat of my car.
"We've just arrived at the hotel, é bello Christian . . ." she squeals in that annoying girlish way, I draw my phone a few inches away from my ear.
"I'm glad you like it Vittoria, buon compleanno and give my regards to your parents," I say distracted in a humdrum tone.
"Va bene, talk to you later, bye"
"Goodbye," I conclude, resting my phone on the seat next to me.
Relocating GEH Head Office to Seattle was the best thing I could have done for myself and my sanity. There's a matter I should be dealing with, instead, I throw money at the problem, hoping that one day she will realize that that is the only thing I'm willing to invest in this relationship. My on again off again Italian girlfriend Vittoria Sana. This time, I deliberately sent her and her parents away on a two week getaway to Madrid and Greece
How long has it been, five, six years and since then I've lacked passion for anything? Every acquisition, every conquest is lacklustre, and the world has run out of new locations for me to escape to. It doesn't matter what I do, I'm unable to remove the mental block that's locked my mind like a vice grip.
Seated inside the car, I take a brief moment to absorb the beautiful architectural structure of steel and glass outside. This is it, the Grey Enterprise Holdings flagship, Grey House. Outside, a fanfare is assembled on the steps of the building. City officials, my Executives, and the media are gathered to participate in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Taylor is already anticipating my directive when I glimpse his eyes in the rear-view, and he does so when I nod.
Ana
"Oh," he beams, forcing me to smile back, "Hello, Ana, it's good to see you. I missed you yesterday, is everything all right?"
"Yes," I reply, "I had a few errands to take of yesterday before work. How are you?"
The crow's feet in the corner of his eyes deepen, "I'm doing well. Why are you doing behind the cash register today?"
"I'm just helping out, Jessie's straightening up and we can't allow José to touch the money," idly putting my hand next to my cheek, I whisper, "It contaminates the taste of the coffee"
"Really?" his eyes crinkle and dip to the counter as if he's trying to examine my words.
"Would I lie to you, Mr Baldwin?" José smirks and shots me a deadly glare that can slice me in half. "So what can I get for you today?"
"Make it the usual with an extra teaspoon of sugar"
"Mr Baldwin," I admonish, "If your doctor was here he wouldn't approve of that extra sugar"
"I know, sweetheart, but my doctor isn't here and my sweet tooth is acting up again," he says wriggling his eyebrows suggestively, "if only I was forty years younger"
"That's very nice of you to say, Mr Baldwin" I tilt my head with a tiny smile.
"Mr Baldwin," José cuts in on my left, "How are you?"
"Good my boy, good"
"Great, so you want half-caff, a double tall non-fat chocolate peppermint without whipped cream and three teaspoons of sugar"
"That's right," he concurs. José double checks with me visually and I put up two fingers on the counter.
"So," he announces, turning my attention back to him, "have you changed your mind about that beauty out there?"
"Name your price, I can even buy you one of those electric or hybrids I been seeing on the TV. They're quite fancy, huh?" he prompts eagerly.
"Mr Baldwin, I haven't changed my mind, but kudos for your tenacity. I'm not selling Wanda and that's final"
"One day," he shakes his finger mischievously at me, "One day I'm going to wear you down"
"Sadly that day is not today," I pout mockingly, "Now step to the side before the customer behind you complains"
"You drive a hard bargain, Ana, but there's always tomorrow" he shuffles to his right.
"And I'll be ready" I conclude, focusing on the man in front of me, "Good afternoon sir, what will you be having today?"
"Good afternoon, I heard you have the best coffee along this stretch"
"It's true," I say with pride.
"Good, I'll have two regulars, double tall two percent, that's it"
"That's it?"
"That's it"
"You got that José"
"Yeah, I got you," he replies, without looking at me.
"That will be $7.50. . . . .You're new right?" his eyes flick up to me before he hands me the ten dollar bill, "I'm sorry, I mean I've never seen you around here before, and I know everyone around here," I couldn't help but eye him with curiosity.
"You're right, I'm new around here. . . . . .Taylor," he introduces himself, presenting his hand over the counter.
"Nice to meet you, Taylor, well I'm Ana, this is José" I gesture to my left when he hands Mr Baldwin his cup.
"Is it good?" José queries, awaiting Mr Baldwin's approval.
He takes a sip, "It's always good, see you guys tomorrow, bye"
"Bye," we say together.
"Ana, José, and . . ." he signals to the dining area, "Oh, that grumpy ray of sunshine is Jessie"
"I heard that," she frowns.
"Here you go sir," José comes back with his order.
"Well it was good meeting all of you, you enjoy the rest of your day," he says in a firm, military-style tone, but he has a smile that's far-reaching to his eyes. "Ana . . .José. . . .Jessie"
We acknowledge him in our own way and watch him exit.
My eyes continue to follow him until my little boy comes into view, casually strolling with his head down. Uh oh, something is wrong; he has that disappointing look on his face. I move from behind the counter and meet him outside.
"Teddy," his head shoots up by the sound of my voice, "how was school today?"
"We had a math quiz," he utters. "It was awful"
"Did you do your best?" I crouch to his eye-level.
"Yes," he also nods.
"Good," I inhale, "That's all need, for you to do your best. I promise, it will get better, and I'm here to help"
"I know" he begins to smile.
"So remove that smile from that cute face" I pinch his cheeks, knowing that he hates it.
"No, Mom, stop it," he blushes, darting away from me scampering into the shop.
Warmth spreads across my skin as I sigh and grin at my half-pint. Theodore is only eight yet he behaves like a fourteen-year-old, I adore that he's so admirable and mature. Then again, he shouldn't have to burden himself with taking care of us.
The sound of a horn brings me out of my trance-like state. There's a rowdy chorus of noise and expletives coming from the traffic pile up heading in opposite direction of my home, it's a good thing I don't need to go that way.
A week later
It's 8:30 pm everything is turned down after another day. We're about to exit the coffee house when Chester comes barreling out of the back office.
"Wait you guys, wait," he says gasping. "I have some good news"
"Teddy, go wait in the car," I instruct, about to hand over the keys.
"No, he can stay. . . . .Signature Coffee is about to open another branch"
"Where?" José questions, amused.
"In the food court at the Grey House, we were asked to set up a location there, and Ana, you've been given the position of Store Manager"
A wave of cheers goes off drowning out the silence in the empty shop. I should be elated but I'm not, it's another four blocks up the street and just the name Grey is making me feel uneasy. Since last week I've heard some of the customers talking about this new building, they say it's beautiful and grandeur but I haven't given it much thought far less go to see it, Teddy has been passing in front of the building every day since it was under construction, he thinks it's cool. It's silly really, just the word grey is a curse in my mind, I don't even own a piece of clothing or any article in that colour, just so I won't have to say the word.
"Congratulations," José slings his arms around my neck, invading my personal space.
All of a sudden I feel boxed in, claustrophobic. I know he means well but this is too much right now. I can't think straight, I yank myself from him like I've just been burned.
"Are you okay, Ana? I'm sorry," he says apologetically and takes a step back.
"It's okay," I lie, everyone's face is washed with concern even Jessie's.
"You okay, Mom?"
"I'm fine Teddy. I promise," I try to reassure him, "when do I start?"
"Tomorrow," he gushes, more excited than all of us put together. "it's shorter hours and a pay raise" My frown is obvious to all, I've spent the last four years as a Supervisor at this location. "C'mon Ana, it isn't different to what you're doing now. You'll get more money and you get to spend more time at home. Do you need time to think about it?"
Teddy is smiling up at me and nodding in agreement.
"No, I don't. . . .What time tomorrow?"
"Same time and José is going with you"
"What?" Jessie frowns, "Not fair"
"I need you here, Jessie," Chester grumbles, "Besides, you'll have two more attendants, I'm only sending José because he knows the ropes. . . .I'm happy for you Ana, your hard work has finally paid off" I avert my eyes quickly from him. Even though it's an old saying, his words raise the hairs on the back of my neck. . . .it's something she used to say to me too.
. . . . . . .
"Hey guys," she beams as we enter the apartment.
Teddy races down the short corridor to her, "Hi Auntie Kate . . . Guess what?"
"What?"
"Mommy got a promotion" he gushes.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really," José chimes from the doorway of the apartment. "And she's being all sour and moody about it, can you believe it"
"I am not sour. It just came as a surprise, that's all" I say faintly.
"Yeah and she gets to work in that brand new building a few blocks up. Tell her, Mom," Teddy interjects excitedly.
"The Grey House!" Kate exclaims.
"Yeah, that one," I say monotonous.
"Oh," she adds lifting her eyebrows.
José darts his eyes between us, "I'm missing something, aren't I?" his question is solved with deafening silence, he sighs "Okay nobody's answering. I'll see you guys in the morning"
"Goodbye, Uncle José"
"Buenas Noches, adios" he closes the door quickly.
I give her quick side glance and roll my eyes. I hate it when she does that. She's giving me that 'do you want to talk about it' look, well I don't, honestly . . . .I don't.
"Go wash up for bed, Teddy" he scoots off. Okay by now I'm totally ignoring Kate and she's catching on to the coldness that's oozing out of me.
"Mrs Stephenson would like to see you tomorrow, three o'clock. I'm guessing that you'll want to pick her up from school yourself"
"Yeah. . . .thanks. Was everything okay?" I move about the kitchen without making eye contact.
"Uh huh, the usual" she passed off nonchalant, "helped her with her homework, had dinner, we played Scrabble. . . .she's getting better at it"
I close my eyes and grin, leaning my back against the kitchen counter. "Kate thank you for everything, for being here with me, with us. You're truly a good friend. I don't know what I would have done without you and José . . ."
"It's okay, Ana; we're always here for you and the kids. When you're ready to talk, I'm here too. No pressure"
I sigh, "Thanks"
FLASHBACK
We're sitting too close to each other, so close that it feels like we're attached. His fingers are intertwined with mine on his lap and his other arm is curled around my waist, his fingers are giving me featherlike circles close to my skin. Four pairs of eyes are staring at us, wide smiles, bubbly and with awe.
"I've asked you all here to announce," he looks at me longingly, "that I'm in love with Ana very much"
"Chris-" I start almost apprehensive about our parents ogling. It isn't anything he hasn't said before, but to admit it to the world is another thing. He cuts me off before I can continue.
"Ssshhhh, let me finish before I lose my nerve. . . .Ana I love you. I know that we're young but I know what I want. I want you. . . .I want you to be my wife" he gets off the couch and sinks to one knee, gently taking my left hand between his fingers, then slipping a pink diamond ring my finger. "Anastasia Rose Steele, will you be my wife?"
Quickly my eyes scan the faces on the opposite side of the room, everyone except for one is thrilled and jubilant, my Mother is holding her breath with a slight scowl on her face, prompting me with her glare to say yes.
Tears begin to pool in my eyes when I look at his gorgeous face, he really wants this, I can't say no. "Okay" I respond, "okay" I repeat, that time was to encourage myself.
In no time our parents are exchanging hugs with us and celebrating. Mother gives me a toothy grin and a girlish scream then squeezes into a hug. This is nice. We hold each other swaying slightly from left to right, I close my eyes and lose myself in her warmth and comfort while her hand strokes my hair.
"Ana" she utters without letting me go, "I'm so proud of you. . . . .your hard work has really paid off"
My eyebrows furrows, her statement appears dirty and offensive to me, to Christian. I gently pull away, her hands move down to my waist. Making sure that no one isn't an earshot away, I whisper.
"Mother. . . .I'm not like you. . . .and I'll never be like you. I love Christian and the only reason I said yes, was because of him, nothing else"
"Nothing else . . .what about your father?"
"Don't do this"
"Why not. . . .don't you think it's killing him that he can't be the way he was, to give you everything your heart desires"
"Stop it. . ."
"Your father did all that he could to make you happy, just look at him," her sudden unexcited stare goes to him. I cast my eyes to a happy and proud man; he arches his eyebrows when he catches a glimpse of my sincere gaze. When I turn back to her façade, I tear myself away and storm out of the room. She's using my father's illness to strong-arm me to do her bidding. It's a conspiracy she's been drilling into my head for months since she found out about my relationship with Christian.
Damn her. . . . .
. . . . . . .
The smell of breakfast fills the air, rousing me from my slumber. In haste, I jog down the corridor to the kitchen and smile. Teddy is standing by the stove preparing eggs and bacon. Phoebe is seated, swinging her legs under the table.
"What is this," I giggle.
"Breakfast," Phoebe singsongs. "Orange juice, Mommy?"
"Yes please," she climbs off the chair and I assist her tiny hands, pouring the juice into a glass.
"Sit," she directs, pointing to the chair.
Teddy portions out the eggs and sets the frying pan in the sink. We all sit, hold hands and say a prayer at the table. I'm so proud of my children they're all I have and I'm so blessed. Their gentle smiles remind me of how fortunate I am.
. . . . . . .
Christian
"Anything else. . ." I drone with Andrea walking by my side. She has to double up for every step I take. In the corner of my eye, I notice the coffee shop I've requested Corporate to furnish in the food court. A whiff of coffee scented goodness wafts to my nostrils and I stop in my tracks, forgetting that Andrea is still talking to me. Absentmindedly I change my course and head towards the opened doors, Andrea is reminding me that I have a three o'clock appointment and it's fifteen minutes to the hour. There's no one in line so this isn't going to take long, I take a quick glimpse at the nametag of the attendant behind the counter before he greets me.
"Good afternoon, what would you like sir?"
"Good afternoon, José, I would a coffee, regular, double tall, two percent"
"No problem" he turns away and begins to prepare my drink.
In the meantime my eyes wander across the area, at no time have I been able to just stop and take this all in. I realize it's bit noisy, there are a lot of outsiders walking off the streets to scrutinize the lobby and food court.
"Hey Uncle José," next to me on my right, a young boy is addressing the man behind the counter.
"Hey champ, you're here early"
"Yeah, I ran half the way I wanted to see what the building looks like on the inside"
"Well. . . .you're here, go take a look around. But stay where I can see you" he cautioned. "Here you go Sir, that will be $3.75"
"Thank you," I collect my drink, but for some strange reason, I'm focused on the boy. He reminds me of my older brother, Elliot"
"Enjoy" José nods before turning away.
I exit the shop to the boy standing close to the entrance.
"So you like it," I remark grasping his attention, he arches his right eyebrow slightly and squares his jaw, "The building . . . I heard you tell that man that you like it?"
"I know what you meant," he utters half-lid, "My mother doesn't like me talking to strangers"
"And your mother is right. . . .I'm Christian Grey" I extend my hand to him.
He looks down at it suspiciously and after some delayed seconds, he shakes my hand.
"I'm Theodore . . . You said your name is Grey"
"Yes"
"You mean like the name outside this building?" he points towards the lobby.
"Yes"
"So you own this building"
"Yes, in fact, I do"
"Oh, well, it was nice meeting you, Mr Grey. But I have to go and get started on my homework" he says coolly.
"Of course, it was good to meet you, Theodore"
"Good to meet you too, you can call me Teddy, everyone does"
"Well I'm not everyone, so if you don't mind I'll call you Theodore"
"No problem"
He jogs away and I help but follow him with my eyes, he addresses José behind the counter.
"Uncle José, I have to get started on homework"
"Oh, um" The man looks around, "well the office isn't spacious like the old one. Can you do your homework in the café?"
"It's kinda loud" he shrugs, "but it would have to do"
I don't agree, so I step back into the café.
"Can I help?" I interject, raising my finger, "I have a conference room upstairs that's available"
José eyes me with the necessary amount of suspicion so I jut out my hand quickly to him.
"I'm Christian Grey . . ."
"I know who you are, sir. I've seen you on the news, I was just thinking how admirable of you to assist this boy you've just met" José explains.
"It's not a problem . . ."
"But, I have to speak to his mother first"
"Of course" I concur.
"It's okay, Uncle José, and mom is meeting with Phoebe's principal. You shouldn't call her now, I'll be fine"
"I know we've just met, José, but I guarantee he's in safe hands. That young lady over there is my assistant," I summon her with a hand gesture while I'm talking when she's at my side I continue, "This is Andrea, Andrea this is Theodore and José. The extension to that room I believe is three-five-six-two, once you call him there and he'll pick up, right Theodore" I turn to the boy.
"Right, Mr Grey"
His eyes switch between us, "Well I guess it's okay. He does need to study. . . . All right you can go"
"Thank you, Uncle José" he grins
"Andrea, can you escort him to the meeting room"
"Yes, Mr Grey"
"You can call me Theodore," he grins at her as they walk away.
"Thanks again, Mr Grey, that was really nice of you"
"It's okay, just inform his mother when she comes. I wouldn't want to worry her"
"I will, thanks again" José raises his hand for a curt wave.
Ana
It's almost six; I wasn't expecting the meeting with Phoebe's Principal to take so long. As I approach the shop hand in hand with my little girl, I don't see Teddy but I see José packing up.
"Hey, you two," he greets us, "How did it go?"
"Good," I boast, "the teachers are impressed with her progress, she's doing much better"
"Before you ask, Teddy is on the 61st floor"
"How did he get up there?"
"The owner of the building happened to be here when Teddy was looking for a spot to study. He told him that he could use the meeting room on the 61st floor"
"So he's alone with this person?" I say concerned, narrowing my eyes.
"No, he said he'll have the room to himself, but he also there with his assistant. You can call him, the extension is three-five-six-two"
Immediately I make the call, the phone rings twice before I hear Teddy's voice. I release a silent sigh and smile, "Hey I'm back"
"Hey Mom"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, Mom . . . Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, I'm sorry, are you ready to leave?"
"Yeah, I'm ready; you'll see me in a minute"
"Wait, I'm parked in the underground carport so I'll get on the elevator when you get to the 1st floor okay"
"Okay" he hangs up.
Phoebe is in the middle of the eating area spinning on her toes like a ballerina, I go over to José to help him organize the chairs.
"I'm sorry for letting him go without telling you but Mr Grey said it would be okay"
"Mr Grey?" I breathe and my eyes are wide.
"Yeah, the man in charge, he came by the coffee shop"
Mechanically, I begin to chew on my bottom lip.
"You okay, Ana, you don't look so good"
"No, I'm fine," I lie and feign a smile, "Do you need a ride home?"
"Naw, Michele is coming by in thirty; we're going to catch a movie"
"Okay, tell her I said hi" I swallow, trying to calm my heavy breathing.
"Ana, you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good . . . . . see you in the morning"
Frantically I'm tapping my foot as Phoebe and I are waiting in front of the closed doors of the bank of elevators, two are moving and they're heading down. My hand envelopes her tiny fingers, I look down and she wide-eyed and impatiently bouncing on her toes.
"Where is he?" she asks petulantly.
"He's coming sweetheart, you see those numbers up there," I point to the small display, "can you count them backwards for me?"
"Sure, Mommee, 11, 10, 9"
The other elevator comes to a stop when the door opens four people get out with broad smiles passing me by. It means that Teddy is in the other one.
". . . . .3, 2, 1", the doors open and Phoebe screams, "Teddy"
I take one step and my breath gets caught in my throat. Teddy is standing between two men, both I recognize. One of them is pleasantly surprised and the other's face slowly morphs from astonished into a terrifying scowl which cements me into place.
The one on the left is Mr Taylor that nice man I met last week . . . . . and the other is the man, well he's the only man I've ever loved and he's my former fiancé, Christian Grey.