Good Morning, Good Morning, it is wonderful to be back in the saddle and writing chapters instead of thank you notes. I want to apology for the long hiatus, but I want to thank everyone for their well wishes for my new marriage.
Now, down to business, for the last few months I have been having several very long IM/PM/Email debates with a few Readers, which I personal love – I'm sure I annoy the hell out of them but anyway, the main reason for these debates is that they do not believe that I'm being true to Christian Character in the aspect that Christian's lack of caring for Ana. It's gotten to the point that I have created a forum thread for it. Please visit the link below.
forum/The-Forgotten-Princess/134362/
Chapter Seven:
Isabella sat back in her seat and pulled out her cell phone as Christian and his father climbed into the SUV. She checked her emails, several text messages and then looked up at Christian. "Is your staff completely trustworthy, Mr. Grey?"
Christian was surprised by the question but quickly answered, "I trust every member of my staff with not only my life but the lives of my family; they are beyond trustworthy."
"That eliminates one source, who else knew of our plans to file for custody today? Carrick, did you provide any details of the case to your associates last night?"
Carrick thought for a moment and answered, "No, I called Rickie at home, told him that I was working a business deal that was headed to family court because the heir was a minor and needed the paperwork to file on behalf of an estranged partner. No names, details, nothing that would come back to Christian or this case."
Isabella took a deep breath and Christian put his phone away, watching her, "We have a serious problem. Tomorrow's front page of the Seattle Spotlight is going to read, 'West Coast Billionaire Calling It Quit and Is Keeping the Kid.'" Isabella opened her email and read, "Christian Grey, Billionaire-CEO, and wife, Ana Grey nee Steel, are calling it quits after only a year and a half of marriage, an inside source tells the Spotlight that Christian's controlling ways have gone too far as he had staff members remove his son from Ana's custody and kicked Ana out of the family home. Ana is currently staying with family outside the city and Christian has wasted no time in beginning the court proceedings to remove Ana from Baby Grey's life.'
"Question number one, did this actually happen? Christian?"
Christian looked away and refused to make eye contact but final stated, "It wasn't like that. It is true that Teddy was removed from the SUV when Ana was attempting to go to her father's, but I didn't kick her out and we're not getting divorced."
"Who was there when this happen? Staff, friends, family, everyone."
"Sawyer, Ana, Mrs. Jones, Taylor and I." Christian looked over at his father and Isabella could see the wheels starting to turn, "There was one other person at the house that day. Kate was there."
Carrick jumped in defensively, "Christian, Kate doesn't work for the Spotlight and she would never do anything to hurt Ana." Carrick tried to reassure his son but Christian was not having it.
"It had to be her. She is the only one that would talk about it to, well, anyone."
"You don't know that, Christian, Ana could have called in to her assistant and needing to vent, she –"
"I don't believe that."
"What is her full name and I'll check it out." Wanting to defuse the situation between father and son, Isabella typed the woman's name into an email on its' way to her partner. "We're just lucky to be hearing about this now. Clare is watching the news outlets for us but there is not much we can do except damage control. We may need to make a statement, Mr. Grey; I assume your company has a PR department. We may need to use it."
"Do whatever you need to do, just keep this as small as possible."
"I understand, Mr. Grey."
The ride to Isabella's hotel was silent as Christian continuously checked his email and messages. It bothered him to no end that Kate would do something like this. He replied to the three email he has received from the crew that was removing the playroom equipment and one from the interior designer that had been selected to repurpose the room. All of these people had signed an NDA without names filled in, had been hired on the recommendation of a Seattle Madam, and had been paid in cash. Privacy came at a high cost.
Christian climbed out of the SUV as they stopped at the Pan Pacific Hotel. He handed Isabella out the door like the gentleman his mother had raised. She smiled her thanks openly and continued into the building without a backwards glance. He watched her until she turned into the lobby's elevator loading area and she had taken her phone out. Christian took a deep breath and looked around the street. He was about to climb back into the car when a flash of white light caught his attention.
Across the street was a young man with very large camera in his hands, Christian stood outside the car and put his arms on the roof and leaned in. He made eye contact with Taylor but his driver/body-guard/etc. was already focused on the photographer. Christian gave the nod and Taylor was out of the SUV and halfway across the street before the man figured out what was about to happen. Christian followed Taylor across the street at a slower pace but with the same urgency.
Not that the camera guy was going anywhere, Jason had him pinned to the alleyway wall outside the general public eye. The guy was hollering something fierce when Christian strolled up calm, confidence and deadly.
"You can't do this, man. I know my rights. I was on public property. This really isn't cool man," he winced as Taylor gave him a "gentle" shake.
"If you did nothing wrong, then why did you run?"
"Because your G-Man was coming across the street like there was a bomb strapped to his chest. These are crazy times."
Christian wasn't in the business of ruffing up underpaid lackeys but he wanted answers. He took a moment to look young over and asked, "What's your name, kid?"
"Parker."
"First or last name?" Christian put his hand on Taylor shoulder, signaling that he could let Parker's feet touch the ground.
"First, Parker Lane is the name."
"It nice to meet you, Parker Lane, I'm Christian and this good fellow is Taylor. I have some questions for you, what newspaper do you work for, Parker?"
"I don't work for any one."
"So you are a free-lance photographer. That doesn't pay particularly well," Parker stood very still. "I want answers and I'm willing to pay very well for them but you're going to be complete honest and you are going to give me that camera." Christian saw the young man's Adam's apple bob once then twice and knew he had him.
"Taylor, call Ryan and have him take my father home, Mr. Lane and I have a lunch appointment." Christian left the alleyway straightening his coat and looking to see of Parker was following. He heard Taylor on the phone and waved at his father across the street, signaling that Carrick should stay there. From the corner of his eye, Christian saw Taylor make it back across the five lanes of traffic and begin explaining the situation to his father.
Christian knew that there was a restaurant at the corner. It was the kind of establishment that Christian would have come to with business associates had they been staying at one of the dozen five star hotels in the area. Before he reached the white gloved valet parked by the door and in the cover of the crowd he pulled out his wallet, taking out three hundred dollar bills that were crisp enough to cut his finger.
The doorman had the door open as soon as Christian stepped onto the plush sidewalk runner. As he stepped through the door, he turned to make sure that Parker got through the door without any trouble. At the questioning glance the doorman gave Christian nodded and slipped him one of the bills then opened the main interior door himself. A tall, reedy man in a black classic cut suit with tails stood in the entrance with a guest-board.
Christian walked up to the man and stated, "Table for two, Grey."
The man nodded and looked around Christian at Parker questioningly. "Mr. Grey, your guest does not have a jacket. I'm afraid –"
Christian smirked and stated, "That will not be an issue, will it? I'm sure that we can come to an agreement." Christian slide the last two bill down the guestboard and waited.
"I suppose that we can make an accommodation."
"Thank you."
"If you will please follow me, sirs."
Christian was lead to a table that was less than he was use to but given the circumstance he did not comment. Instead he took a seat and began to look over the wine selection as Parker stared, openmouthed at his surroundings. Christian imagined that he had never been in an establishment such as this but once again he did not comment.
Parker was only snapped out of his sight-seeing when a young man approach the table. "My name is Peter and I will be seeing your comforts this afternoon."
"Bring us a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino 2004, and make sure that it is sealed when you bring it out."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as the waiter was out of ear shot Christian looked at Parker and stated, "I believe that we have some business to discuss."
"Mhmm, yes."
"Now, first order of business, that camera, how much is it going to cost to have you hand it over?"
"I don't kno-know, it was a gift fro-from my G-ma."
"Do you think that five thousand dollars is enough to give it to me for, say, 72 hours?" Christian knew it was an outrageous amount but if the kid got half the photos that Christian thought he got no amount of PR work was going to save his case or his marriage.
"I suppose." Parker slipped the strap from around his neck and held it across the table.
Christian waved it away and said lightly, "I don't need it right this instant. Go ahead and set it down and relax. I just want the photos and information."
Before Christian could ask his first questions, Peter came back with a black labeled bottle. Christian nodded as young man showed him the seal, the year, and wax stamp bottom. Peter placed the bottle on the table and pulled out a bottle opener.
Christian held a hand up to stop Peter, much to his surprise. "I will open it, (Of course, Sir.) and I would like to place an order, who is in the kitchen this afternoon?"
"Paulo Signure, Sir."
"I will have the Veal Piccata. Parker, what are you going to have?"
"Uhhmm," Parker stammered.
"Has your dinner deliveries been made?" Christian interrupted him.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then he will have the Pacific Halibut grilled."
"Very good, Sir."
"And Peter, do not disrupt us again until the service, understand?
"Yes, Sir." As Peter exited to the left, Christian turned to Parker, "Now, where were we?"
