Chapter Six: Father Knows Best

Grey Enterprises 10:30AM

The Day Before Ted's Party …

"Hello Mr. Grey!" One of the interns cooed at Theodore. He waved politely but cringed inwardly "Mr. Grey" was his father, not him. This was the only place he was forced to really being called Mr. Grey a lot. Ted strolled to his father's office where his package was located.

"Hey Gabby is he in a meeting?" The poor girl went to must at the sight of Ted. He sighed as he waited for the girl to give a response. He wanted to snap his fingers in her face and tell her to wake up, but he's thoughts shifted to Tamera. She always said that he was too mean to women who ogled him this way. Ted personally thought it was rude and a bit idiotic for them to stare at him and Gabby looked as if she was about to drool. "Okay. I'm just going to knock." Ted gave his famous thanks for nothing stare. He went over to the large black double door as knocked lightly before letting himself in. Christian turned toward the opening door and the stern look on his face softened. He was on the phone but he quickly wrapped up the call with a dismissive statement of get it done and fast.

"Hey dad," Theodore said as he crossed the sitting area and sat in the chair across from Christian's desk.

"Hey Ted, I was on the phone with the chef cooking for us tomorrow, I told them to incorporate the couple of stir-fry dishes into the menu. There's bound to be a way for them to make it work." Christian was thrilled that his son was coming to age. The older Ted got the more he shifted his confidence over to his father. It wasn't that he didn't love his mother, at times he could be a bit of a momma's boy, but he found his dad's advice more relatable in most situations. That's the reason Ted was in his office now. Ted had just recently confided in his father and confessed quite of bit of information to him. Ted told him what really happened at his 16th birthday party. He told him about Tam's insecurities and what she went through in high school and how he tried to protect her. He also explained how she was starting to act like she used to, and how he was scared for her. The reason he told his father all these things is because he needed help making it right.

"Cool, so you added the one with the shrimp and chicken?" Ted verified as he picked at his phone.

"Yes, because it's Ms. Black's favorite," Christian teased; Teddy looked up but didn't respond. He was very serious about lightening Tam's mood. "I talked to her mom yesterday she wanted to confirm that the dress made it on time." Christian strolled over to his closet and pulled out the dress Imani Black had designed specifically with her daughter in mind. Ms. Black was quite talented, Ana and Phoebe had more than a few of her dresses from last year's collection. Ted quickly took the garment bag and unzipped it. The dress was short and made to fit her like a glove.

"It's grey?" Christian pretended to look surprised even though he'd already looked at the dress. He knew that his son was planning to where all black and understood the irony behind it.

"You know what I thought when you told me you wanted to have a package delivered here? I was expecting a little blue box … I thought you were giving her a ring," Christian explained and Ted snorted.

"A ring?" Ted chuckled and shook his head. "Tam and I aren't even dating."

"I know, but that doesn't really doesn't mean anything. Tam has been filling the role of what I'd consider girlfriend for a long time." Ted glared at his father.

"Tamera J Black is my friend and that's the only way I've ever viewed her!" Christian felt his son was full of shit and he was only going to take one pot shot at making him see reason. If he was too stubborn then he'd simply have to figure it out on his own.

"Son, you see this woman every day, she cooks for you, you take her everywhere with you. Either you two or dating or … honestly I have nothing else to compare it to." Christian placed his hands in his pockets and prodded his mind for a proper comparison.

"Tam and I have a really strong reliable friendship. We aren't fucking; we are just friends … that's all." Ted was a step away from yelling.

"Me thinks you protest too much," Christian chuckled and then took a deep breath.

"Dad," Ted tried to calm himself. "This conversation needs to be tabled." Christian nodded looked at the dress.

"This dress is really short," Christian mused.

"Tam is really short," Ted shrugged as he explained. "She can wear what she wants."

"It's so nice of you to give her permission." Christian said dryly and shook his head, he was sounding more like him everyday. Ted chose to ignore his father's statement and switch gears.

"Is Phoebe home yet? She said that her flight would be coming home today?" Christian trotted over to her desk and took a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, she got in right before I went to work. Needless to say your mother decided to take the day off." Both men chuckled, even though Ted was a bit of a momma's boy, Phoebe was still the baby and was treated as such.

"I wonder if Pheebs knows a designer that would have shoes to match this." Ted zipped up the bag and his father watched him warily.

"Taylor dropped these of a half hour ago." Christian handed him Gucci shoe box with black and silver stilettos inside.

"Nice thanks Dad," Christian just nodded.

"So what are your plans after this?" Ted didn't want to tell his father where he was going. He'd make too big of a deal over him gong to see Tamera yet again. Christian had only asked because he was going to suggest they grab lunch but Ted's phone went off.

"Hello? No, no … no. I was very clear … I didn't. Okay." Ted hung up and then looked at his father. "Nothing really I may chill with Pheebs for a while ..." Teddy's phone went off again. This time he stepped away for privacy.

"Hey, yeah I was just with my dad. What's up? Tam … dammit. No don't cook. I'll bring something. Have you had lunch? WHAT?" Ted sighed and held the bridge of his nose. He pressed a button on his phone to mute. "Dad I've gotta run. Thanks for everything."

Author's Note: So do you want to know what Tam's dress looks like? Visit my website … there's a new Black and Grey Exclusive! The Dress!