Fifty Shades of Secrets

Chapter Three: Fifty Shades of Dinner with the Family


Anastasia Steele,

"You're going," Scarlet stared at me, and suddenly, I understood most of the office feared her.

Scarlet's stare was so intense that it practically burned my skin. Her arms were crossed across her chest in manner that vaguely made me feel like an errant child waiting for punishment, and her four inch heels only emphasized our height difference, allowing her to truly look down at me.

I squirmed beneath her harsh gaze, and I avoided looking at her as I sat down on my bed.

Typically, I would have succumbed to this intimidation and just gone to dinner, but I couldn't do that.

I'd seen Christian Grey too much for one day.

After I'd rejected his dinner invitation for tomorrow night, Christian suggested to Mia that we all have dinner at her friend's new restaurant in town. Naturally, Mia jumped on it and even extended the gathering to include all of the Grey family members at the resort. I'd been backed into a corner to say yes, so I agreed, thinking I could get out of it last minute.

But Scarlet was showing no mercy.

"No, I am not going. You can go. I'm sure Mia would be fine with it. She loves you already," I reached for the remote, and Scarlet's eyes narrowed.

"She invited you, and you said yes. She was looking forward to it. You're acting like a child, Anastasia," Scarlet shook her head and went to my closet.

"I am not acting like a child! I am exercising my right as an adult to do what I want," I started to flip through the channels. As Scarlet returned from my closet, she turned off the television and shoved a tight blue dress at me. As I took it in my hands, I didn't remember buying it today.

"No, you are afraid, and you're just avoiding conflict. You knew you couldn't hide this forever," Scarlet rambled through the shopping bag from where we met Mia, and Scarlet retrieved a pair of black four inch heels I knew I definitely didn't buy.

"I'm sick," I crossed my arms on my stomach and doubled over, adding a cough for dramatic effect.

Before I could dodge her, Scarlet's smooth, freshly-moisturized hand was pressed to my forehead, and a small smirk tugged on her lips, "You're cold. No fever."

"I have the chills," I added defensively, and Scarlet rolled her eyes as she shoved the high heels at me.

"Listen, Christian Grey is here. And now, he knows that you are here. He's going to keep running into you. Would you rather go to dinner with him or him show up at your door?" Scarlet raised an eyebrow.

"Neither," I mumbled.

Scarlet groaned, rubbing her forehead.

"What are you planning to do? Hide in your hotel room until we go home?"

"Yes, actually, I am," I shoved the high heels away from me.

"Alright then, maybe he'll show up in New York," Scarlet stared at me, and I paled.

Fuck, that would be so much worse.

"Fine. I'll go," my voice was passive-aggressive as I stood up, and I made sure to pout as I grabbed the dress and high heels. I even added a slam of the bathroom door to demonstrate my unhappiness.

As I got ready, I tried to tell myself it was just dinner. I was doing it just to get along and protect my interests. Maybe if I rejected him enough tonight, he would give up, and everything could go back to normal.

But in all honesty, I couldn't imagine rejecting him. It killed me to leave three years ago, and I wasn't sure that I could do it again even if I needed to.

I used getting ready as a distraction from my thoughts, and I attempted to use that as an excuse as to why I was making such an effort in my appearance. But who the hell was I kidding?

I wanted to be hot in front of Christian Grey.

"Hey," Scarlet walked into the bathroom, making me jump, and the barrel of my curling iron nearly burned my cheek making me jump and drop it to the bathroom vanity. Scarlet smirked, raising an eyebrow, "You look pretty fantastic for a girl who didn't want to go in the first place."

"Thanks," I grumbled, looking away in hopes she wouldn't see the blush creeping onto my cheeks.

"We're going to be late," Scarlet leaned in, applying a fresh layer of ruby red lipstick to her plump lips, "I know you're trying to look sexy for your ex, but you're taking forever."

"I am not," I huffed, "And we weren't really dating either, so he's not an ex…" I turned off the curling iron and straightened my dress. With it on, I remembered trying it on to appease Mia, but I certainly didn't remember buying it. Mia or Scarlet must have bought it for me.

"Right, I forgot. He wasn't really your ex-boyfriend. He was just a guy you used to have a lot of sex with and never got over," Scarlet shrugged, and my jaw dropped as I processed her bluntness.

She certainly wasn't wrong, but it felt like so much more. Despite everything, I really did love Christian Grey, and I liked to think that in his own, "Dominate" way, he loved me, too.

Then again, he probably loved all of the subs in that way…

I grimaced at the idea and shook my head.

"It's complicated," I muttered, "Let's go. You said we're going to be late…" I adjusted the strap on my heels and walked out of the hotel room. With my speed significantly hindered by the height of my shoes, it didn't take long for Scarlet to not only catch up with me but reach the valet before me.

As Scarlet drove to the restaurant, I tried to decide if her bad driving was due to inexperience after living in Manhattan for so long or if she was a born speed demon. I muttered a prayer under my breath and held onto my seatbelt for dear life until Scarlet slammed her foot on the brake, stopping us with a violent jolt in front of a trendy restaurant downtown.

"Stop making that face," Scarlet adjusted her hair in the rearview mirror and turned off the car, "You're not even injured. And we're not late. Win-Win."

I was still trying to catch my breath when Scarlet handed the terried valet our keys and calmly strutted into the restaurant with her arm hooked through mine. I scanned the large, industrial space and froze when I caught the gaze of Christian Grey.

Fuck, he looks pissed.

I squirmed and bit my lower lip, trying to figure out a way to get out of here. I should have just broken my damn ankle outside on these stupid shoes. It would have been more enjoyable than what I was about to go through.

"Ana! Scarlet!" Mia's excited voice stood out in the crowd, and she weaved her way to us. Before I knew it, Mia's arms were wrapped around the two of us, and I nearly winced from how tight the hug was.

"Hey, Mia," I did my best to wiggle out of Mia's firm embrace and maintain a warm smile.

"I'm so glad you came! I was worried you wouldn't!" Mia laughed, obviously relieved, "Come on. Our table is going to be a little while longer. Come hang out with Christian and me at the bar. Their signature drink here is fantastic!" Mia seemed eager to make us both happy, and in that way, I felt bad for her. She really was trying, and I was just rejecting her because of her brother.

Before I could truly make a mental note to be nicer tonight, I was beneath Christian's icy scowl. Noticing his demeanor, Mia and Scarlet stood a bit away and exchanged compliments.

They were practically feeding me to the wolves.

"Hello, Christian," I hoped my civil tone would deter his anger, but it nothing of the sort.

"I saw you pull up," Christian's jaw was tight, and I timidly met his stare, "That reckless. You easily could have been in an accident."

I had been just as terrified in the car when she was driving, and I knew there was no way I would allow her to drive us back. But I wanted to stand strong in front of Christian. I was an adult woman who didn't need him to look after her.

"I wasn't driving. Scarlet was. It was her car, and she is an adult who can make her own choices. Besides, I'm fine. She's fine, and the car seems fine," I crossed my arms, doing my best to mimic his expression.

Christian pursed his lips, and I could tell that he was weighing his options. Finally, a grin spread across his lips, and I knew he was picking his battles.

He really had changed in the last three years.

"I'm so glad you decided to come tonight, Miss Steele. I expect that we will finally talk after dinner." As Christian looked at me, I felt more like a business deal than an ex-almost-sub-almost-girlfriend, and it pissed me off.

Good. When I was angry at him, I was less likely to succumb to his charm and overpowering sex appeal. I wanted to be angry with him, and I wanted to make sure he knew it.

"You can expect whatever you want, Mr. Grey. But I hardly think I owe you said conversation just for calling you drunk last night," I firmly stood my ground, and Christian shot me an unreadable stare that slowly wore on my resolve.

"We'll talk later-" Christian began, but he was cut off by a familiar laugh.

"Are we finally getting Christian a date for the wedding so he doesn't appear so 'forever alone' in front of the guests?" Kate's voice was just as strong and confident as ever, and Christian looked even more annoyed with her than he was with me.

Kate. I'd honestly forgotten about meeting Kate tonight. I'd been so concerned with spending an entire evening with Christian Grey that I forgot about the woman who was marrying into his family this June. My heart starting racing, and I felt like a deer in headlights as I turned around to prove my suspicions right.

Katherine Kavanaugh was standing before looking more beautiful than I'd even seen her. But more importantly, she was more quiet than I'd ever heard her when her eyes widened with recognition.

For what felt like an eternity, Kate just stared at me, and it terrified me.

I wanted her to be happy and laugh or to be angry and scream. I wanted her to do something -anything- other than quietly stare at me like I was a ghost she never expected to see.

After I left, I'd imagined seeing Kate again. Of course, I'd hoped she was completely uninvolved with the Grey family and could be friends with me without Christian noticing. I'd expected us both to cry and hug and tell our grand tales of our lives in the last three years. Right now, I would have even settled for Kate screaming for me to leave and refusing to see me after I what I'd done. I just wanted her to react to me in some way.

"Ana?" Kate finally asked, her voice hardly above a whisper.

I nodded slowly, "Hey, Kate."

A slow smile spread across Kate's lips, and I swear her eyes even started watering as she practically tackled me in a hug.

Did Kate cry now?

"Oh my God, I've missed you so much," Kate laughed in my ear, and suddenly, she pulled back just enough to stare at me coldly, "Where the fuck have you been? I've been looking for you for three years. I've called your mom a million times and Ray even more than that, and José got so annoyed with me asking about you that he won't even speak to me!"

Oh…

My face fell as I faltered for words. My first reaction was to tell her everything, but I knew I couldn't do that with Christian Grey less than a foot away from me. No, I needed to find a way to satisfy one of Kate's inquest without really telling her much of anything.

"I'm so sorry. I really am. I wanted to call you, but everything got so busy. Time just flew. I hope you can forgive me," I genuinely begged her for forgiveness, and I took a deep breath, "I've just been moving around. You know, I was young, and after my job didn't really work out, I just wanted to try new things."

"Your job didn't work out? But you were so excited about it in your emails," Kate tilted her head with a combination of curiosity and friendly concern.

"It's complicated…" I trailed off, biting my lower lip.

"It's complicated?" Kate repeated, "And everything got so busy?" Kate's eyebrow raised, and I nearly trembled as I prepared for Kate to bitch me out, "You're not telling me anything. What was so damn busy?"

I couldn't do this. I wanted to cry or run away or both. In fact, both sounded pretty nice…

"That might be my fault," Scarlet stepped in, offering Kate a cordial handshake, "I'm Ana's boss, and I've honestly been working her too hard. She's so good at her job that she just never stops working, right, Ana?" Scarlet looked back at me, and I gave her a relieved smile.

"Yes, I never stop working. Eat, Work, Sleep, Repeat," I nodded to Kate.

"What do you do now?" Kate asked, and before I could answer, Scarlet already had her mouth open.

"She's vice president of Rhodes Publishing," Scarlet put her hand on my shoulder as she bragged on me, and Kate's eyes widened with pride.

"Really?" Kate's anger was momentarily forgotten, and I sighed with relief.

"Yes, really."

Kate leaned in to hug me, and this time it was one of Kate's typical hugs. In a lot of ways, it was amusingly awful to hug her. She always squeezed too tight, and I ended up with a face full of her perfect, blonde blowout. But I loved it anyway.

I had my friend back, and it was perfect.

As Christian stepped towards Scarlet and began discussing the publishing business, Kate pulled me off and sat beside me at the bar, ordering champagne to toast to being reunited at last.

"I can't believe you're really here," Kate laughed as she sipped her drink, and she reached for my hand, squeezing it, "So much has happened while you were gone."

"I know," I smiled back at her, "Christian told me you were engaged to Elliott. Congratulations."

"Christian told you?" Kate couldn't focus on her curiosity as she looked at her large engagement ring, "It's amazing, right? Elliott is so wonderful. He just… calms me down, I guess," Kate laughed, and she even seemed giddy, "The wedding is in June. Please tell me you'll come. I always wanted you to be there, and if you say yes now, I still have time to order a bridesmaid's dress…"

"Well-" I began, nervously pushing my hair behind my ear.

"Ana, please," Kate begged, jutting out her lower lip in a pout, "I could always guilt you into it… Come on, the food'll be amazing," Kate winked at me.

I rolled my eyes, playfully shaking my head, "Alright, but the dress better not be too ugly."

Kate nearly giggled as she hugged me again, "It's not, I promise. Mia wouldn't have stood for it," Kate beamed back at me, "I'm so glad you're here…. Why are you here, by the way? I know it's not to see Christian. He's the reason you ran away."

"Kate," I frowned, "He's-It isn't that simple," I shifted in my seat and quickly changed the subject, 'Mia invited me. She wanted me to see everyone."

"Of course she did," Kate laughed, rolling her eyes, "More like she wants to plan a wedding for Christian as soon as she's done with Elliott's."


Dinner was surprisingly wonderful.

The food was delicious, and the company was surprisingly enjoyable. Mr. and Mrs. Grey were eager to be friendly, and Mia and Kate were more than happy to fill me in on the details of the wedding. Mia even went as far to make me an appointment in town tomorrow to get my measurements professionally done so that the dress could be ordered as soon as possible.

I felt like I was back in the warmth of the Grey family, and I had to periodically remind myself that I was the ex who was going home to the east coast on Sunday morning. The only reason I would return to Seattle would be for Kate's wedding, and that was it. I would be back to my old life without Christian Grey.

"Anastasia, water," Christian motioned towards the glass of water beside my champagne flute.

"Why do I need to drink water?" I raised my eyebrows as I turned to look beside him. Naturally, Mia insisted on deciding where everyone would sit, and I was put beside Christian.

"You've been drinking all day, Anastasia, and I don't want to see you in that state tomorrow morning as well," Christian's voice was forceful yet quiet enough that I was the only one who could hear him.

It didn't feel like I'd been drinking all day, but he was right. I'd had a mimosa with Scarlet this morning at breakfast and a bloody mary with Mia and Scarlet at the beach. Then there had been the two and a half glasses of champagne with dinner. Given the spacing between them, I should have been fine, but I was a notorious lightweight and could already feel everything go hazy.

"Fine, water," I reached for the glass and took a few sips, but Christian raised his eyebrow, silently urging me to have more. He was so controlling.

I finished half of the glass before resting it on the table.

"You've hardly spoken to me all night," Christian's voice had shifted to be caring once more.

"You haven't said much all night period," I murmured in response,

"You've made it very clear I'd be wasting my breath if I kept asking," Christian stared at me, and I looked down at my knotted fingers.

"There's nothing to tell you, Christian," I reached for the water again.

"Anastasia Steele, you are a terrible liar," Christian almost seemed to be laughing at me.

Before I could respond, Mia gasped, catching my attention. Her hand was over her heart, and a wide smile spread across her lips.

"Oh, she's beautiful, Scarlet. What's her name?" Mia stared at Scarlet's phone screen, and I knew that Scarlet was showing off her toddler, Wini.

"Thank you," Scarlet seemed delighted with the reaction, "Her name is Winifred, but everyone calls her Wini. Wini's with her nanny, and she's been sending pictures to show how much fun they're having."

"Look, Kate. I expect you and Elliott to give me a little niece just like this by next year,"Mia smirked playfully as she handed Scarlet's phone to Kate who looked embarrassed by the idea.

"Mia," Grace, Christian's mother, chastised her daughter, but Mia was hardly sorry.

As Kate took the phone, she gave the toddler in the photo the usual compliments, but her head tilted as she zoomed into the picture. And briefly, she seemed to look at me.

"This little boy in the background is precious. Do you know him?" Kate turned to Scarlet, and I felt my stomach drop. I knew exactly who she had to be talking about.

"Oh…" Scarlet paled momentarily, "I think that's Theodore. He is Wini's little friend. They have the same nanny. I thought it would be nice for Wini's socialization to have another child around."

"Theodore," Kate repeated, "He looks so familiar, doesn't he, Mia?"

Oh that wasn't fair.

Fuck, I felt like I was going to throw up, and I couldn't help but stare at Mia in fear she'd find Theodore just as familiar as Kate did.

"He does," Mia nodded quickly and looked at Scarlet, "Maybe I've met his parents. Before going to culinary school in Paris, I lived in New York City for a gap year. Who are they?"

"Well," Scarlet began, turning to me for assistance, "I feel so silly, and their names escape me right now. Do you remember, Anastasia? I think you've met them on occasion."

"Right… I think I have. Briefly. I think her name began with an A. Or maybe it was an E. But I do remember that she's relatively new to New York. Only a few years," I did my best to seem cool and collected, and everyone seemed to buy it. Except for Kate.

"It's alright. They're both so beautiful," Kate returned the phone to Scarlet who promptly put it back in her purse.

"Dinner was lovely, but I think that your father and I should get back. We're exhausted," Grace smiled tiredly at the table, and Carrick nodded his agreement.

"Kate and I were planning on going to the club a few blocks up. Scarlet, Ana, you should come with us," Mia smiled excitedly, and Scarlet quickly accepted the invitation, causing the entire table to look at me for my response.

My head started spinning just imagining going to the club with them. I'd already had too much to drink, and I couldn't risk getting drunk within a one hundred mile radius of Christian Grey again. Today had been long enough.

All I wanted to do was go back to my hotel room and sleep off the stress.

"I don't think so. Really, I just want to go back and sleep. I hardly slept last night," I smiled softly, and my cheeks flushed as Scarlet smirked at the last part.

"Ana, please, you have to come. You'll probably miss the bachelorette party, and it'll be so much fun. Please," Kate begged, and I shook my head slowly.

"Maybe another night," I tried, but I knew there was no way I was going out again after last night. What if I called Christian again and didn't pass out in time to avoid telling him everything?

Mia sighed dramatically but nodded her approval to me going home. As we all got up from the table, Scarlet handed the the card to give the valet for her car.

"Would you mind driving it back? I'll catch a ride with Mia and Kate," Scarlet explained, and before she could hand me the piece of paper, Christian stepped in.

"Miss Rhodes, I could drive it. My parents are riding with Taylor, and Ana, you've already been drinking. Would either of you mind me driving?" Christian suggested, and Scarlet happily handed him the card.

"Perfect. Thank you, Christian-Do you mind if I call you Christian? By the way, you should really call me Scarlet."

"Of course not, Scarlet. Have fun with Mia and Katherine."

"I will," Scarlet winked at me before walking with Mia to the ladies room, and Christian started towards the valet where he handed him the card and waited for Scarlet's rental.

As I was walking towards the car, an arm hooked through mine, and I jumped, turning to see Kate standing beside me with a wicked smile.

"You know, it's starting to make a bit more sense," Kate began, and my face paled.

"What is making a bit more sense?" I asked nervously, and Kate simply shrugged.

"Why you ran away," she explained as if it was obvious, "Now, my only question is where on earth you got the name Theodore."

I sucked in a gasp and nearly lost all strength in my knees.

"How did you know?" I whispered as if I was afraid Christian could magically hear me from outside the restaurant.

"Theodore is practically a clone of Christian just with your blue eyes," Kate matched my voice, and squeezed my hand, "It's okay. I won't tell him. I know the guy, and I'm sure you had your reasons to run away with Theodore."

I shook my head, "It isn't like that. Christian isn't as evil as you think he is. I just…" I trailed off.

"If he isn't that bad, why are you hiding his son from him?" Kate looked confused, and I honestly didn't have an answer to that.

"I…" I stopped, and Kate looked over my shoulder.

"He's coming. We'll talk about it tomorrow, alright? Maybe just you and I can get breakfast before the dress fitting," Kate suggested, and I nodded my head in agreement.

"That's sounds great," I smiled, and Kate hugged me quickly before going in search of Scarlet and Mia.

"Anastasia, are you ready?" Christian asked from behind me, and I turned around, reevaluating him for a moment.

Theodore really did look like him. I'd always avoided thinking about Christian, so I never truly noticed.

"Yeah, let's go…" I walked with Christian towards the sports car.


I actually completed this chapter a few days ago, but my flash drive crashed with all of the data on it. I rewrote this, and I hope you enjoyed it. Honestly, I felt like the first part could have been better, but I had writer's block on how to reunite Kate and Ana.

Leave a review about what you thought about this chapter and what you think should happen next!