A new chapter because it's Sunday and it's been more than a week since I updated. I apologize.
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- FS - FS - FS -
All rights go to EL James.
CPOV
Ana had been right, Lily had gone all out and organized this huge party for Ana's graduation. Since they lived in Bellevue and had a property that could rival my family's they decided to host the party in their backyard. It was summer and the temperature was 'just right' for a party outside, according to Lily that is of course.
Ana had ended up staying the night at my place because we talked late into the evening and she could barely keep her eyes open. Being the good friend that I am, I took her to one of the guestrooms- I made sure it was not the one I gave to my subs- and laid her down in there. When she woke up, she woke me up as well and dragged me to the estate with her. She told me that as a friend it is a duty to share her torture with her. She told me she hated parties and definitely the one that Lily would organize.
I can see why.
All the people that were present were all bussiness associates, people I have dealt with in the past and I was quite sure that Ana had never even talked to them in her life. My family was also present as they lived just down the street and they had also invited the entire neighborhood but I didn't see anyone that was the same age as Ana except my sister and I knew those two didn't know each other.
Ana had left me as soon as Ella came to tell her that their Aunt was here. I had no idea who their aunt was so I decided to leave them alone and join my own family. Of course Elliot just had to ask about the 'hot chick he wouldn't mind banging' that was around me all the time and that I could be so carefree with. I told him in no uncertain terms that he'd never have Ana and that she was my new friend, someone I'd met at Escala.
"That's good, dear. It's good to see that you are finally going out a bit more. I'd like to meet this girl, care to introduce me after she's done with Elena?" Mom asked.
I whipped my head around at the mention of Elena. I knew for certain that I hadn't mentioned her name when I told Ana about my past but she was a clever woman an- Aunt... Ella Lincoln... Elena Lincoln. Elena is Ella's aunt and the woman that Ana has spoken so highly of. Now I really needed to make sure that Ana would not know about my past with Elena, it could ruin their relationship.
"Sure, Mom. I'll see what I can do." I said, turning back to her. "Where's Dad and Mia?"
"Your father had to return to the office for a minute and Mia has joined him though I think she was bored here." Mother answered.
Elliot snorted. "I wonder why. Isn't this party supposed to be for your friend? Where are all her friends? What are all these people doing here? Except for Elena, I don't think she actually knows anyone here."
"She doesn't." I replied. "She told me this is how it goes everytime. Whenever there's a party for her, there are none of her friends and only business associates. She even said that if she were ever to get married, the entire guestlist would consist out of business associates that she's never met and wouldn't have a thing to say about it."
"Poor thing."
"She doesn't mind. She hates parties anyway and absolutely revolts being the centre of attention so if she can push that off of her by letting them invite these people that will only talk to Richard and Lily, she's happy to let them plan a party for 'her'."
"I wonder how she knows Elena, though." Mother said casually.
I turned around quickly, not quite believing what mother said. I didn't know that she knew Elena either, she never talked about her.
It hit me when I saw Elena and Ella interacting. Both shared the same surname- Lincoln- and I knew that she had a brother. Ana had told me she would see their Aunt while I would go to my family. Seeing how close the two were, I knew I had to make sure that Ana never found out that Elena is the woman who introduced me to BDSM when I was fifteen. She knew there was a woman and that she had done it so early on in my life but she didn't know who and I had to make sure that she didn't find out either, it could cause a rift between the two.
I cursed myself and Elena when the trio started walking to us. There was no way Elena woul not touch me, not kiss my cheek or something but she knew where to touch me and Ana knew that, she wasn't stupid- she'd figure it out herself.
I knew then that there was no way that I'd be able to keep this from her. She'd figure it out sooner or later and then we were screwed. I had no idea how she'd react towards me but Elena, she'd probably ignore her, perhaps even let her fall completely and I'd be the cause of it.
"Grace, dear. How wonderful to see you here." Elena greeted as she stepped closer to kiss my mother.
"Elena, I didn't know that you'd be here."
"How could I not be here? We're celebrating the graduation of my niece, of course I had to be here." Elena explained, looking down on Ana proudly.
The relationship between the two is something I never thought Elena'd engage in. She looked so proud of Anastasia and she looked as if she truly loved her, as an aunt would love her niece but this was a side of Elena I'd never seen and I didn't think I'd ever see it. This was very new but it suited her, somewhere.
"Elliot, you look good." Elena said.
"Thanks." Was the only reply my brother gave.
I know my brother didn't like Elena, he quite frankly hated her. He didn't like the way she dressed or how she acted, he didn't like the amount of plastic in her body- he didn't like her. Not that I could blame him, once upon a time I was just like him. She looked too fake, and she acted too familiar. I understood him but she helped me so now that was different.
"Christian." She sounded surprised to see me which was probably true. It was the middle of the day and I was anywhere else but my office or a meeting. "It's a lovely surprise to see you here."
"Yeah, I didn't really have a choice. Someone here forced me to come. Isn't that right, Ana?" I teased her.
Ana looked down with a blush. "I didn't force you to come, I just reminded you that it was today and that I'd like you to be there. Big difference, dude."
I didn't like being called 'dude' at all. I hated it. It sounded so wrong, definitely coming from her. I enjoyed it when she called me Christian or Grey but not dude.
"You two know each other?"Elena asked, looking between the two of us.
Ana nodded. "Yeah, that's the man I've told you about. The one I bumped into at Escala."
Elena looked at me with a hard glare. "Ah."
I knew I was screwed. She didn't like my friendship with Ana, at all. And I'd pay for it.
