Chapter 7
A/N: I apologize for being late posting this chapter, real life reared its head several weeks ago. Would you all keep the Franklin family in your thoughts? They lost their home due to predatory lending practices, loss of income, and apathetic city officials. It is truly one of the saddest situations I've ever witnessed.
To the guest reviewer Robin Scott: Thank you for the heads-up, but I don't think Paige resembles Alice from Fifty Shades Older at all, with exception that they became aware of Christian in a restaurant. I believe Alice was a server, and Paige is a hostess. Rest assured that I did not get my idea for Paige from that story, though I did read it and loved it. I took that bit of Paige straight from my own life. I met my husband when I worked in an upscale restaurant, in Philadelphia, as a hostess.
Recap and narration: Christian has been rocked by the reaction to his revelation. He is in the midst of much needed introspection and self examination. Ana is struggling with her feelings and the best way to move forward.
~oo0oo~
Friday morning after the fall
Ana
I believe it would take a team of horses to pry me from this bed; a team of horses or one copper mop headed cutie. One thought of Teddy and my heartbreak starts anew. Christian you have no idea what you've done, you selfish bastard. And here it comes again, that searing pain, the hurt that threatens to crack me in half. No, half would be good, half can be put back together, but the million little shards, those jagged little pieces have no hope in hell of repair. And that's exactly how I feel, like I've been shattered into a million tiny shards of glass.
My husband is in love with another woman. How do I begin to recover from that? The torrent of tears take over again. I press my face into my pillow and howl, I mean really let it go, purge it from my system, hopefully forever. After a soul shaking cry I sit up in the bed, the copper mop winning. Alright then, I have a son to look out for, no more wallowing in self pity, get up and get on with it.
I glance at the alarm clock and it reads 6:18 am; I do a double take, well, isn't that the height of irony? How long will mundane little things conspire to remind me of him, I wonder bitterly? I know the words 'vanilla' and 'playroom' will never have the same meaning, and will always lead to thoughts of him. Now comes the anger. In the last two days, I have vacillated between an unholy trinity of anguish, anger, and undiluted fear; I like the anger better than the anguish and the fear. I need to call Flynn, see if he can refer me to a good counselor.
I finally haul myself from the bed and search for my cell phone to call Gail and the office. After digging furiously through my purse it dawns on me that my phone is sitting on my desk in my office. Damn it all to hell! One more thing I have to do today, get a new cell phone. Padding to the next room, I check on Teddy and Ava, as I am backing out away from the door I bump into Kate.
"Still sleeping?" She whispers.
I hold my finger to my lips in a, 'shh' gesture, and nod my head rapidly.
We duck into her bedroom. "I'm not going to the office today; do you want to jump in the shower while I listen out for the kids?" I ask.
"Okay sure," She eyes me before asking, "Why aren't you going in today?"
"I just want to spend the day with Teddy," I am a horrible liar, but I don't want Kate to know I am afraid of dissolving into a blubbering mess in front of my colleagues. That I am having wild emotional mood swings; one minute crushing sadness, the next murderous rage, and finally irrational fear that makes me want to hide in a closet. I can't look her in the eye, "Bedsides, I have the meeting with the family law attorney at 3."
"Wow that was fast."
"Well, the name Grey has that effect." I murmur sarcastically. "Scoot," I shoo her toward the en suite. "Go get your shower, I have to call Gail and Grey Publishing, I'll get the coffee started."
While starting the coffee pot and putting the kettle on for tea, I dial Gail's number and explain that she doesn't need to hurry over this morning as I'm not going to work, but I do have an appointment and if she could come over about 2pm that would be helpful. I leave a message on Hannah's extension that I won't be in today and if there is an emergency she can reach me at Kate's number. I head back upstairs to see if the little people are up yet.
Once everyone has been watered and fed, I ramp up for a morning of toddler mayhem with my son and niece. Kate breezes in around noon and we feed our progeny. Getting Ava and Ted down for a nap was like watching an episode of Super Nanny. The inmates are running the asylum. With the two terrors finally subdued and napping Kate and I settle on the patio for our own lunch and talk time.
"Ana, I don't understand; how can you not want to know?" She is looking at me like I've grown another head. "If it were me, he'd still be answering questions."
"Yes, I'm sure. We have all, at one point or another, been treated to the Kavanaugh Inquistion." I roll my eyes. I'm beginning to think talking to Kate about this was a bad idea.
"Look Kate, think whatever you like," I sigh in frustration, "but I don't want all the dirty details yet. I don't want the name of that bitch ringing in my head. I have no desire to watch him speak her name from his lips."
"But…"
"How bout for once you be supportive?" I cut her off. "How bout for once you don't badger and bully me? Don't you think I've been through e-fucking-nough, huh Kate?" I'm shouting, on the verge of full meltdown, again. "Goddamn, do I have a 'kick-me' sign on my back?"
"Oh God, I'm sorry Ana. Shit, you're right," she at least has the decency to look contrite. "I just can't stand to see you hurt. I'm sorry, I got carried away."
"Can we just drop it?" I ask quietly. I am so tired of all this shit. I look over at Kate and she's got a shit-eating grin on her face and a mischievous glint in her eye.
"What?" I ask warily, with an eyebrow cocked. What the hell is she up to now?
"Me and El discussed it this morning, we're going to have a BBQ tomorrow." Oh god, no. My discomfort must be written across my face, because she is now whining. "Come on Steeeeele, it'll be fun, just the distraction you need right now," Kate begging and whining, what a novelty.
"You think Gail will help us prep?" She continues.
"I'll only ask her if you intend to invite her and Jason."
"Consider them invited." Good grief, she's cheesin' so hard I can see all 32 of her orthodontically-enhanced teeth.
I shake my head as I move toward the back door, "I have to go get ready for my appointment. Do you mind keeping an eye on Teddy, Gail should be here before he wakes."
She flaps here hand, waving me into the house.
As I am walking through the kitchen the phone rings. Grey Publishing…
"Hannah?" I ask a little alarmed.
The voice on the other end sends my heart racing. "Christian!...Are you in my office?" Of all the nerve, sneaky bastard knew I'd pick up a call from my office.
I listen to his reason for being in my office, and I still don't like it, arrogant, self-important sneaky bastard. But when he mentions wanting to see Teddy tomorrow afternoon I bristle.
"I don't know Christian…I don't want my son around your…friend." We're both silent for so long, I'm guessing I've thrown a wrench into his plans to play happy instant family with my son and his girlfriend. "If you will promise me that you won't have her near my son, then yes, you can have him for the afternoon. He misses you too." He's agrees to my stipulation, stating that he just wants some Daddy/Teddy time. If that true it works for me, and I say so.
"That works." I disconnect before he can say another word. I find talking to him unsettling to say the least.
~oOo~
The Law of Offices Schuler, Newson, & Pratt are massive and a little intimidating. A pretty African American receptionist shows me to a conference room, and asks if she can get me a drink.
"Yeah, vodka, straight," I deadpan.
The look on her face is priceless. Her brow shoots to the sky, but a smile slowly spreads her lips, and she knows I am joking. Am I?
I join her in the smile and say, "Tea would be great, thanks."
In no time she's back with my tea. "Here you are Mrs. Grey, tea with a shot of vodka." She says with a wink. My jaw pops open. She smiles again shaking her head. "But don't sell me short, I'm sure I could have found you some if you really wanted it."
"Thank you,….uhm…" I reach for my tea. "I'm sorry, what's your name."
"Gina."
"Thank you Gina," I say trying to convey my appreciation; her easy way, and light banter have helped to take the edge off my nerves.
"You're welcome; here is a packet of information that Atty. Mason has all her clients fill out on their first visit. Feel free to look through it and Atty. Mason and her paralegal will answer any questions you have. They'll be in shortly. As she lays the packet of papers on the table, she also gives my left shoulder a little squeeze, and bids me a good day.
Two hours later I leave the law office more confused than when I arrived. I've just shared more personal information with two strangers than I have with my own doctor, of a different nature of course, but nonetheless very personal and private.
I feel skittish, open, and vulnerable, as if my private shame is on display for public perusal. I want anonymity. The idea of running the only thing that brings me comfort; my home town, my dad, sometime away from this circus. I head off to Kate and Elliot's with a plan and a genuine smile on my face.
Christian
Stepping out of the elevator I know instantly something is wrong. Ros is standing at the reception desk her expression pinched and she's speaking in a rapid fire cadence. Andrea, Olivia, Ros' PA Britta, and the summer intern, whose name I haven't bothered to learn, are all in state of panic.
"Mr. Grey!" Andrea all but shouts while covering the phone's receiver, and alerting Ros to my arrival.
"No, get me all up-to-date data." Ros barks into her phone. "Look fuckhead, I need you to pull your head out of your ass and do your job. I want that report in two hours!" She taps her phone to end the call.
It's not until I've shut my office door that Ros starts giving me the details.
"There's been an accident in the Monterrey, Mexico plant. Christian, it's bad."
"Skip the foreplay Ros, just give it to me." I growl.
"A Mr. Jorge Vargas was electrocuted while inspecting some machinery. I don't have all the details yet, you heard me on the phone just now with the plant manager."
"Fuck! I don't need this shit right now." I hit the intercom.
"Mr. Grey," comes Andrea's disembodied voice, and I start barking orders.
"Get Jenson from Public Relations up here, now." I turn back to Ros. "Two hours is unacceptable. There's absolutely no reason he can't have the last 5 years safety reports faxed here within the next hour. Call him back. Is this the plant the failed the JCIS certification last year?"
"Yes, you know one of us is going to have to go down there and handle this personally, right."
Both hands plow through my hair. "Ros, I'm dealing with a family crisis at the moment and there's no way I can leave the country right now. You're going to have to handle it. I'm delegating this to you." She doesn't look happy, but so the fuck what. That's why I have her.
"What I haven't told you, is that this has the potential to become an international incident, there was nearly a riot right after he was pronounced dead. He was evidently very popular, and the media is already sniffing around for a story."
"Then that's what you should have led with…shit. When Jenson gets here, and where the fuck is he by the way, get a press release hammered out, assemble a team and get your asses to Mexico. I want to be updated hourly. Contact Mr. Vargas' widow and give her our condolences. You know how I do things Ros, get it done." I dismiss her.
"Andrea," I bellow. "Call and make reservations for two at SkyCity Restaurant, 8 o'clock. See if Dr. Flynn can take a call from me sometime this afternoon, that's all.
Sinking back into my desk chair, I rub tight circles where my upper and lower jaw meet. Whatever that muscle is it's tense as hell, probably from me continually clenching my teeth. I'm going to have a fucking stoke before I turn 35. My attention drifts back to my fucked up personal life.
I need to text Paige. Shit, there it is, that spark; the thought of seeing her tonight has me zinging with excitement.
*Meet me at Escala at 7:30, I made reservations for dinner.* CG
*I'll be there, I can hardly wait. Is this a formal affair?* PD
*Just be tasteful, we're going to dinner, not clubbing.* CG
*Aye, aye, captain. ;)* PD
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur. We are crisis management, and damage control mode. It seems this Mexico thing is going to be a disaster, and I will more than likely have to put some face time in to handle the situation properly. With Ros and her team preparing to head to Mexico, the situation is as stable as it can be right now. Flynn can't speak with me, seems he has another patient more fucked up than me. Is that's possible? I feel marginally comfortable heading off to my dinner with Paige.
"Sir."
"Taylor."
"Sawyer just filed his daily log and seems Mrs. Grey met with an attorney this afternoon."
"Given your recent…disposition, I'm surprised you're divulging this information."
"I'm hoping it helps you pull your head out of your ass…Sir."
I look up into the rearview mirror and catch his eye; and raise an eyebrow, "Be careful Taylor, I still sign your paycheck."
Ana is not wasting anytime. I find this new development more than a little disturbing. I can't help but wonder if this was just the push she needed to end our marriage, she's awfully eager to wrap it up. You told her you were in love with your mistress, you asshole. All the blame for this falls right at your feet, Big Man.
We make it to Escala just as Paige is pulling into the garage. Before exiting the SUV, I remind Taylor that I have Teddy for a couple hours tomorrow, and that I'll drive myself for the rest of the evening. I expect to get some push back from him, but oddly enough he just gives me a terse 'Sir'. Lately he makes no secret of his dislike of Paige or our relationship. I shake it off and hop out walking toward my R8.
I watch as she exits her car, a brand new Audi, Ana was right; I'm not very original. She's making a show of this, undoubtedly she knows I'm watching.
First out are two shapely slender legs, feet clad in 4' bronze toned strappy sandals. She leans back to retrieve something left in the passenger seat, as she does she stretches her left leg straight, pointing her toes, making her leg look a mile long. Shit, that is sexy as hell. I reach down and adjust myself. Her dress is conservative but very sexy all the same, with a hint of cleavage where the straps cross just above her breast, pushing them together enticingly. Her stride toward me is deliberate, the sway of her hips a metronome, she drags her eyes from mine only to point her key fob at her care to lock it, her thick chestnut mane swinging freely over her shoulder as she flicks it absently. Returning her gaze to me, she's beaming. In this moment there is no denying what a beautiful and alluring woman she is. I step around the back of my car to open the passenger side door, and give myself some space. But she's having none of it and stalks me until she's right before me. Bold and playful.
"Hey," She breathes against my lips, before placing a feather light kiss on the corner of my mouth.
"Mmmm" I hum back and begin to deepen the kiss; I catch myself and pull back sharply. "Come, we don't want to be late for our reservation." I notice the fleeting furrow of her brow just as she replaces it with a more amiable expression.
"Where are we going?" Her question tinged with something a little more than excitement.
"SkyCity, have you heard of it?" I fasten my seatbelt.
"Have I heard of it, are you kidding me?" Her excitement is contagious; I can't help the grin that splits my face.
"Have you been?" I chance a side long glance as I back out of my space.
"No, that place is upper-crust, highfalutin', that's the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, right?"
I nod my head and remind her to buckle her seatbelt. The remainder of the ride is in discussion of other touristy attractions and things to do while visiting Seattle. Her childlike enthusiasm is in direct contradiction to her regular persona. We hit a bit of tension when she mentions being excited about the Coping Together Gala coming up next week.
"I overheard some society matrons discussing your mother's event," She twists in her seat to look directly at me. "I must admit I am excited about it, you know our first public event together."
My hands tighten around the steering wheel, in fact, my whole body tenses. What the hell could she possibly be thinking?
"Paige, how can you think we're going to that event together….as a couple?" I'm not looking at her but I know her face has taken on a different expression. "I don't know if I'm going, but I know YOU definitely aren't." She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. "Given my families reaction to our…involvement, I'm not sure how welcome I'll be, this is a big night for Anastasia, and my mother has already voiced her concern for it not being ruined. Not to mention I don't want to see it marred for her." My dad's words are echoing in my head, 'grasping, schemer'.
"I just thought that since we are, in fact, going to be seen together tonight, and that she now knows about our relationship, and has taken Teddy and left, that yes, we would take the next step." She turns in her seat to stare out the window.
"Despite our actions to the contrary Paige, I am a married man," but for how long I ponder, Taylor's report of Ana's afternoon appointment turning through my mind.
Blessedly, the valet sidles up to the driver's side door waiting for the keys, effectively ending that most irritating conversation. We are the only ones in the elevator and I take the opportunity to gently reiterate the need for discretion, no PDA's. Her attitude is still in place, but I get no push back, just sad eyes and a tight little nod, all of which quickly dissipates when she gets a view of the lights of Seattle twinkling below us.
"This is spectacular," her awe evident in her voice.
The hostess shows us to our table. The topic I plan cover calls for privacy, therefore, I've reserved the tables around us. At this time of day the lighting and ambiance in the restaurant is nothing short of magical. As the slow spin transforms from the glittering lights of Seattle to the sun setting over the sound. I order a nice chardonnay. I have the grilled gulf prawns and say a silent prayer that she does not order the shigoku oysters, I've had those here with Ana. It's a singular memory that I don't want tainted. Luckily Paige decides on the hearts of romaine to start. Conversation settles into a replay of our respective day. I tell her about the death of the worker in Mexico, adding that I will more than likely have to make a trip to smooth things out. She is suitably shocked and asks me questions about what the backlash will be. Just before our starters arrive the waiter takes our dinner order. Wine and appetizers delivered and savored; I hesitantly introduce the topic I really want to discuss.
"Paige," I call to pull her attention from the dramatic colors of the beautifully setting sun. Her head turns languidly, pinning me with her hazel eyes. Sitting back in my chair, I fix my features to appear somewhat softer than my usual CEO impassive mask. I'm unsure how she'll accept this but it's what I need to do.
"We won't see each other for the rest of the weekend." I have her full attention and that dreamy eyed love-struck look has morphed in to panic.
"This dinner is certainly not developing the way I envisioned." She says reaching for her wine. After taking a healthy sip she asks, "Why?" with a little shake of her head.
"I have a lot I have to sift through, a lot I need to consider, and figure out." Our meals arrive, I wave the waiter away and we both sit there staring at the plates.
"Christian, I don't think I can eat this right now."
"Why?"
"Because you are making me nervous, I don't like the turn this evening has taken." She tells me candidly.
There's nothing I can do to comfort her, no words, or gestures; if I'm honest with myself I've planned it this way. It's why I decided against dining at Escala, so I could hide behind the excuse of public discretion.
"Try, you need to eat," I add softly. We eat in relative silence, both of us in our own heads.
"I have a question, one I've had a feeling about for a long time." I say to her as I lay down my utensils.
She gives me her full attention without uttering a word.
"The bracelet….you didn't really find it, did you? Don't lie, I'll know." My timbre is low, slightly menacing. The mood of the evening chilling further.
Her expression doesn't change for the longest time. Then a cocky little grin spreads across her face. "I'm busted." Her head dips slightly, she then regards me through her lashes. "I did find the bracelet, just not where I said. I found it out in the hotel's lobby. But the moment I saw it I knew, it was like a sign, a harbinger of good luck. I immediately knew it was something that could get me in to see you again. I'm sorry for the lie, but I needed to see if what I was feeling could go any farther. You were feeling the heat too, I know you were, don't bother denying it."
She's just confirmed what I've known in the back of my mind.
"Has this been just a game for you? You came after me knowing I was married; did you give any thought as to how this would affect my wife and family?
She counters defiantly.
"Did you? When you reached out to me, you too knew you were married, between the two of us only one made vows to Ana, and that was you. So, no, I did not think of how Ana would feel." She stares me directly in the eye. She's very audacious, and direct. That was a trait in her I found refreshing and enticing, but right now it just seems self-centered and callous. There's that tapping again
"Christian, haven't you figured out by now, I go after what I want." She shrugs like 'whatever'. "And I make no apologies."
Shit she's me with tits. I now understand that the depravity in her is what was calling to the depravity in me. With Paige I don't have to try and be a better me, I can give free range to my dark impulses.
Something occurs to me in that very moment, and it makes me angry and sick to my stomach. "Did you have anything to do with that delivery to my house? Again, don't lie, because I will find out." I'm sure my eyes are blazing, and before I realize what I am doing I have her arm in a viselike grip. "Tell me, did you have the address changed to force my hand?"
The fear in her eyes belies the calmness in her voice. "No Christian, I didn't."
She is tugging on her arm trying to get me to release her.
"You are hurting me." She hisses. I am searching her face for the truth, not until the waiter clears his throat does the fog of anger begin to dissipate enough for me to see sense.
"Are you done with these?" The waiter asks trying to clear the last of our dinner.
"We're through," I say boring my gaze into Paige. "Bring the check." My eyes snap to the clearly uncomfortable waiter. He scampers away in a hurry to escape my glare.
"Is all of this coming from your family's reaction to our affair, and your sudden realization that Ana is hurt by our…involvement?"
I wait to sign the check before answering her.
"In part, yes, though questions have been lurking in the back of my mind, and are now coming to the fore. " I offer her quietly. "The last 48hrs have been shattering for everyone involved. Things are tumbling too fast, everything is out of control."
"Does this weekend of so-called introspection exile me so you can go play happy family with Ana and Teddy?"
"I don't need to make excuses to you to spend time with my family." Her attitude only services to make me more resolved. "I haven't seen my son in two days, that's unacceptable to me, so I am spending the afternoon with him tomorrow."
I've had enough of this conversation and stand abruptly to let her know it's done.
"Come, I'll take you home."
The ride to her condo is tense to say the least. I park and come around to help her out of the car, and walk her to her door, ever the gentleman.
"Are you coming in?" She gazes up at me.
"No," I shake my head.
"You coming clean to your wife was suppose to set us free, we should be able to be open about the way we feel for each other, but all I feel is you pulling away from me. And it scares the shit out of me." She says stepping closer to me. I place both my hands on her shoulders to stop her advance.
"Go on in, I'll have Sawyer or Ryan bring your car by later." I have nothing else to offer her at the moment. I return to my car and wait until I see the lights of her apartment before I start the engine and head to Escala.
~oo0oo~
Again and always thanks to fungirlygirl and FiftyShadesOfJess your input gives me the courage to keep going.
As I wrote to some of you who PM'd me about my progress, not only did real-life drama divert my time and attention, but I had a bout of writer's block. Maybe writer's block is the wrong phrase, writer's reluctance may be a better description. I, Diane, want to rip that bitch's hair out from the roots, so I was having a very difficult time writing 'the date.' As is probably evidenced as there is no real warmth in it. But my God, I just couldn't find it, so I wrote what I felt (he couldn't really love anyone but Ana anyways), that's a big part of why it took me so long to post, I couldn't get it right. Still don't know if I have. I just hope it advances the story and that you enjoy it.
Thanks to E. who invented these rich, full, and complicated characters that we only play with, I own nothing.
