I COPIED THIS FROM MY LAST A/N:
UPDATE: April 29, 2017, 1:47PM (From where I am, we are 12 hours ahead of US :D )
SO I read reviews and some got thrown off by the title change. The former title didn't really sit well with me so I changed it to something I have decided would go well with the story.
I'm really forgetful *sob*. I was planning to include it in my last chapter but I was excited to write this sooo, yeahhh. I'M VERY SORRRYYY! *bows*
I am hoping that some of you might get it (ahahahahah) but I would explain it to you, probably nearing the end :(
I hope you liked it :)
FOR THIS CHAPTER'S A/N:
I have written up to chapter 11 and it has been my intention that Ana's issues with her fins (question if she's taking shower etc.) is really planned to show up in this chapter. Call me sadistic but I'm planning to make you guys sweat a little. Now, here it is! lol
More questions will arise here but the answers will continue to hide *winks*
09
"Ana, how many times do I have to say that you must not waste water?" Christian sighs. "And, take a bath in your own room!"
Christian just got back home from work. It's still not dark, just five in the afternoon. After last night, he made it his goal to finish work as early as possible to somehow make up for their lost time. But being a billionaire with an empire to run, his work hours could be unpredictable. Now that he noticed, since Ana's arrival, he hasn't taken any business trips. He frowned at that, at leaving Ana. He knows it wouldn't take long before he would be needed to go out of the country for business.
But first, he have to deal with his shock at finding Ana at his bathroom, just removing her clothes to take a soak in his tub. There are bubbles and a … is that a rubber ducky?
If he was not mistaken, before he left this morning, Ana was talking Gail's ears off about taking a bath after breakfast.
Ana sniffs and looks away guiltily, "I-I like your bathtub. It's huger and- and spacey." She looks up to him and adds quietly, "I'm sorry. But I like it."
It has not escaped Christian and Gail that Ana loves bathing, or soaking herself. For hours. By now, she routinely bathes at least three times a day.
Her first time to bathe by herself – it was a day after her stitches got removed - was a disaster; she almost filled the whole house. You would think she was planning to make a pool out of Christian's penthouse. Thankfully, Gail was able to turn the tap off before Escala became an aquarium.
Gail wasn't able to keep it a secret though because of Christian's early dismissal from work that day. He was just in time to catch a wet and soaking Gail and Ana, plus half of his room carpet.
Christian gained another wrinkle from that. Ana, to them, is becoming more and trouble. An adorable trouble magnet. Is what Gail told him which she somehow took back after the bathtub incident.
Ana can't understand her new body. Every once in a while she had the sudden urge to soak in the water. She thought it is her fin calling her, but to her disappointment upon soaking herself, she is still staring at her two legs.
What does she have to do? She misses her silver fin terribly.
She missed the freedom of swimming and gliding in the sea. The way the corals would gently sway with her and caress her skin and fins. The way the ocean is filled with different tones and rhythms; from the sound of clams opening and closing, the audible drifting of a school of fishes, to the soft murmurs and hums of her merpeople.
But she doesn't miss the darkness. She likes having to see everything; a matter Ana thinks the people from the surface is taking too much for granted.
She likes having to see where to go and what to expect. She doesn't hate the sea. She just feels sad that merpeople are forsaken to live their whole lives, knowing only of two shades; dark and blue.
The heavy melancholy that is slowly building in her chest made her so sad. She held it off and just sobbed quietly and tearlessly.
Christian saw Ana's miserable face. He thought it was about her bathtub mischief. Feeling helpless and guilty, "Fine, once in a while you can take a bath here."
Ana felt less melancholic with Christian's words. She hugged him and told him that he's the best and that she'll take care of the bathtub and will enjoy her time in it.
And she didn't waste time. She immediately went for the said bathtub and soaked herself again in it. Nevermind about Christian's comment of, 'Once in a while'.
A buzz snapped Christian out. He went out of his room and saw Taylor at the intercom. He asked Taylor who is it. Upon learning the name of the intruder, Christian sighed and walked towards the foyer.
"Kate."
"Christian."
They stared at each other for a while, not saying anything to each other except exchanging glares. The last things they said each other last time, was not forgotten. Ever.
For a few minutes, they just glared at each other. Christian not planning to waste anymore time, rolled his eyes and glared one more time before turning around and waving a hand,
"Well this is an absolute waste of my time, thanks to you. See yourself out."
Kate scoffed, walked ahead of him, then stopped in front of him, "I'm here for Ana."
Christian's eyebrow rose at her statement. "She's okay and well. Now you can go."
"I told your mother about her. And she said that you should bring her to the Coping Together gala this weekend." Kate smirked. Well, she didn't really told on Christian.
It was Elliot who slipped that he had a dinner with Christian and his woman. For a while Grace felt somewhat betrayed; that Christian doesn't trust her. But Kate, fond of Grace stepped in that Christian was just shy and still not ready. She also added how Elliot discovered Ana accidentally and how he blackmailed his brother to agreeing with the dinner.
Grace bought it, but said that she will need to call Christian about this. Kate, feeling guilty, went ahead to warn him. But this was just a sub-mission. Her main mission is to spend time with Ana. She was curious about her, the woman who has brought Christian Grey to his knees.
"What?!" Christian paced back and forth angrily, cursing but stopped when he realized that Ana might be lurking anywhere, "What the fu-heck Kate?!"
"Hey," Kate started, holding her hands up, "It was your brother. I somehow stepped in to save his ass from Grace. She took it hard too. For a month Christian. You had Ana for a month already and Grace didn't know what to make of it if his son didn't tell her he had found a woman."
He was silent for a while then he remembered how his mother is expecting to see Ana at the gala. Thinking about it deeply, he's not really concerned that his family found about Ana.
He's just reluctant. Especially with Ana's sudden disappearance last night, he was thinking about how he is still not ready to share her with other people.
The feeling of helplessness and fright is still fresh too. He's not ready to share Ana's time and show her to his family and to others. But feeling guilty about his mother, she must have really been worried and probably felt betrayed.
No one but Kate to direct his anger to, he indulged himself to berate her,
"You're telling me, that you went out of your way to talk to my mother about Ana?!" Christian's voiced boomed throughout Escala. And if there were any innocent birds lounging by, he would have scared them off.
Ana became curious why Christian sounded so panicked and upset. She was about to head out of the bathroom and Christian's room naked, when he remembered that he doesn't like it when she does it. Spotting the robe Christian kept handing to her when he spots her naked, she dons it on.
She followed the voices and was glad to see a familiar face, and oh, that oh so shiny, glittering hair, "Kate!"
Kate turned from Christian and made her way to Ana. "Ana!" She was surprised with Ana's enthusiasm. But then not so much when Ana reached for Kate's hair. "Right."
Ana's eyes are sparkling as she caresses Kate's hair. It's so shiny, Ana drooled. For while, Christian was jealous of the attention Ana was giving to Kate.
When Kate noticed Ana's damp wavy locks, Kate can't help but gush at it too. She started to caress it and found out it's too long, especially when it's damp. A thought came to Kate, "Ana, do you want a haircut?"
That stopped Ana. Haircut? A new word! "What's a hair-cut?" Ana asked excitedly.
Kate was stunned for a while. Has Christian been keeping her too much that she forgot other things?! "It's cutting your hair. You know, for a new look!" Kate caressed Ana's hair for emphasis, "You're hair is pretty but too long, it might get in the way."
And at that, Christian stopped the toxicity that is Kate. "Hold it right there. No one touches Ana's hair." Ana's hair looks just fine to him!
Kate raised her eyebrow, "Really, Christian. Even on Ana's hair you have a say?" Kate turns to Ana sweetly, "Ana, are you willing to let Christian decide for you what to do with your hair?"
Ana looked at Christian and turned to Kate with a smile, "Yes! I like him!"
Christian took Ana's word by heart and started overthinking about what could it mean. Does it mean she likes me like love? Or does it mean as a friend? Wouldn't that place me in what they call, a friendzone? Christian started overthinking.
Kate's eyes perked in interest. From miles away, Kate could smell Ana's naivety and she knows that Ana simply means that she simply just like Christian. But Kate knows too, that people can be oblivious to their own feelings. It's time to dig in! Kate thinks, excitedly.
Kate would do this for Elliot, not for Christian. He is affecting too much of our love life, calling him a third wheel is not funny anymore. Kate laughs unhumorlessly.
"Why don't we have a girl's day? Just you and me!" Kate says, too much enthusiastically for Christian's comfort. He decided to step in.
"No-"
Kate interrupted Christian with a glare, "Shut up." She mouthed then turned to an oblivious Ana. "How about that? A day with just us girls, friends?"
Ana's eyes widened, "Friends?". While Kate is not her only human friend as there is Christian and Gail and maybe Taylor, she had a feeling that Kate will be Ana's 'it' friend. She was different with Christian and was in no way really associated with him unlike Gail and Taylor.
Kate put her arm around Ana's, "Yes, friends. We'll go shopping! Buy clothes, shoes, dresses! Maybe have our hair done!"
Ana was unable to catch on Kate's fast chatter but her tone made Ana giddy and excited too. Shopping! … Shopping?
Christian decided to once and for all step in, "No means NO, Kate." His voice boomed. "I mean it."
Kate gulped. She saw Christian mad numerous times but not this mad and tense. Kate heard from Elliot that Christian was uncontrollable in his teenage years. He was into fights, left and right. It toned down for a while then his family discovered that Christian turned into alcohol and drugs.
For Elliot, it was darkest moments of their family. Her mother is always crying and their father is always arguing with Christian for always keeping him out of trouble. With all of this, they had to enroll Mia into a boarding school to keep her out of everything.
Suddenly, one summer changed it. Christian had an accident at the sea. They were on a family vacation that summer. The night before they have to leave, Christian snuck a numerous amount of alcohol and drank it by the sea.
Elliot believed that Christian was planning to kill himself that night. From alcohol poisoning or drowning, Elliot never decided to find out even to this day.
It was by chance that Mia had the urge to go to the bathroom late in the night. She saw the liquor cabinet almost empty and the back door patio open. Immediately, she woke everyone up and they didn't see Christian.
When they saw a shirt and several liquor bottles washed off by the shore, they already thought of the worse.
They were searching for him all night until very early morning. By early morning, after searching high and low, they found him at the farthest part of the island, unconscious while lying on the sad.
He was examined and was indeed intoxicated but had signs of drowning, a bit of water still in his lungs but not too much to cause much complications. A miracle, they believed. He was gone for too long but he's alive and okay.
Mia was so devastated and started hitting him when he woke up then broke down after all that. It was a wake up call for him.
They sent Christian to rehab. They didn't want to but even Christian, admitted it himself that he needed help. So for two years he was in rehab. And when he got back, he was better than before but Elliot doubted that. He was more closed off and cold.
A ring stopped their glaring. They discovered it was coming from Christian's pocket. No surprise, it was Grace.
He dreaded it but found that he can't really ignore it now that he was feeling absolutely guilty. So he answered it.
"Mother, yes, I'm sorry."
In Ana's eyes, Christian looks really upset. She started to hate the small machine he was holding, the phone. She noticed about the home phone Gail has the habit of talking to but it's not too interesting for Ana.
Once she mimicked Gail, how she would answer it and hold it. But the only thing she could hear are continuous beeps. She tried talking to it; what it wants, why does it keep talking to Gail and what it tells Gail, then demanded it to speak when it just continued beeping. After that, she didn't bother with the home phone.
Now that she thought about it, Flynn did mention that phones or cellphones can reach people far away from you. What does it mean?
When Ana heard Christian talked to the phone, 'Mother', Ana's mind started going places. Could humans be trapped in such a tiny thing?
Why do humans like being trapped in box or rectangular things of their own invention? Ana thought, remembering about the TV too. Humans are really strange.
"Yes, her name's … Ana."
When Ana heard her name from Christian's lips, she snapped out of thoughts. And looked at Christian, watching him. Kate on the side is watching Ana curiously who has a strange bewildered expression while looking at the phone.
Kate noticing that Christian is occupied thought this as an opportunity to talk to Ana. So Kate links her arms with Ana and directs her to the kitchen.
Christian glared at Kate as if saying she should behave around Ana, and then turns his back on them to continue placating his mother. "The gala? Yes, Kate mentioned it. …"
Christian's voice decreased in volume the more they got near to the kitchen. Once there, they sat on the kitchen barstool facing the counter.
Kate's eyes glint, "So, we never really talked the first time we met."
Ana was snapped out from admiring Kate's hair and turned to Kate, pondering about her question. She did faint before even more talking can ensue that night. She nodded in agreement.
"So I'm Kate, " Kate held out her hand again and smiled at Ana, "I'm Elliot's girlfriend."
Ana heard the words, it's familiar from TV shows but she always forgets to ask about it as she always has many things to ask Flynn. But their time is always too short for it. Speaking of Flynn, next week will be their last meeting.
"Girlfriend?"
Kate raised her eyebrows, "Yup. I'm the girlfriend and Elliot's the boyfriend."
Ana became interested. From what she observed Kate and Elliot are really close. They have this feeling around them that just screams, they are together, if their googly eyes at each other is any indication. "How does one do that?"
Kate nervously laughs, "You mean how we became a thing? Like a couple?"
Ana nodded. So a girlfriend and a boyfriend is a couple or a thing.
Kate scratched her head at Ana but just went along. Seriously, there are still girls brought up this conservatively?! She suddenly felt bad for Christian. A beautiful woman on his arm yet can't be touched. Kudos to Christian and his self-control.
"Well, we like each other which is a must in every relationship. And I guess, along the way you must love each other too." Shall I tell Ana about sex? She doesn't know about the B and G word so obviously she doesn't know a thing about it. Kate debated in her head. Seriously, just where did Christian found this girl?
Love? Love! Ana's eyes widened at the familiarity. The word 'Love' is the only word that she knows that exist in her language and the human's. She heard it from her mother and was surprised when she heard it once in a TV show, when she still wasn't able to converse.
From Kate's tone, this 'Love' seems to be an o-kay thing. But she remembers how her mother says it with sadness and disdain. She was confused about the meaning of this word. Her mother never really got around with explaining it to her clearly.
"Love? Can you tell me more about it? And how does one actually have it?" Ana said so fast; Kate was almost unable to catch it.
Oh. My. God. Is this really happening? Someone is asking me, ME, about Love?! Kate stared at Ana. Taking her under her wing, Kate thought about it.
Kate is having doubts about educating Ana in the romance department especially since she haven't really excelled at it until she met Elliot. Still, 6 months is still not enough for Kate to even really teach about love, as she also just knew of it. Huh, guess I was a virgin in at least one department, the matters of the heart. Kate cringed at her words.
She redirected her attention to Ana again, and sighed softly while gently patting her hair. What the hell? What is her shampoo? It's so freaking soft! "Oh my sweet little duckling, meet your master at the romance department. I assure you, at the end of the day, your mental cherry will be popped."
Ana can't understand Kate but she seems excited so she became excited too. Ana nodded madly.
Now I can somehow understand why Christian is selfish with her. Ana is naively adorable! Kate's eyes glint. Kate started getting smug and proud about how Christian's helplessness in his love life will be solved with her help. Oh, can't wait to rub it in his face! Plus, Kate not only gained an adorable student, but a BFF!
That is the start that Kate will slowly and fully begin to corrupt Ana's soon-to-be-not-so-innocent-mind.
Christian felt a shudder. "Christian? Christian! Listen to your mother!" The phone in his hand got so loud he moved it away from his ear.
"Yes, mom. I'm still here." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Mom, Ana's just recovering. She's still not used to many people."
Christian gave her a brief explanation of how she found Ana, how she came into his life etc. And Grace, the empathic human being that she is, somehow felt bad about her intrusion. But for the first time, her son is with a girl! And from the tone of his voice, she can already feel that he cares for this woman, so much. She can't pass this up!
His selfish tendencies didn't escape her too. The normal Christian wouldn't bother if they want to meet someone he knows. He'll just go along. But this girl, Ana, for some reason, Christian is hesitant to let Ana meet them. This is suspicious enough for a mother. With her own eyes, she wants to see the effect this woman have on her son.
Must. See. This. Ana.
"Christian, why don't you ask Ana how she feels about this?" Grace threw a bait to see if Christian would bite. "If she's not up for it, I won't push her. But Cary and I, especially Mia, is really looking forward to meet her."
Would Christian take the bait? Apparently he did! "Okay, mom. I'll ask Ana."
He was actually planning to pretend to ask Ana then be the one to say the bad news of Ana's 'NO' but Grace knew him too well. "Good! Now, let me speak to her."
"W-What?-"
Grace almost laughed out loud, "I'll ask Ana myself. Don't worry I won't persuade her." Directly. Grace thinks. She didn't really want to do this, but she thinks this is kind of her payback to Christian from keeping Ana to them. But she will keep her word; if Ana says 'No.', she would let them go. But of course, if it comes to that, she'll plan a new tactic to meet Ana.
Christian almost begged her and even almost pleaded, but he is not that. He'll just have to man-up, give Ana the phone. And hope and pray that Ana won't get any ideas and say 'Yes.' to his mother.
In cold sweat, Christian gave the phone to Ana who swiftly dodged his hand when he was about to put in on her hear. "Christian, what are you doing?" She looked at him like he was crazy.
"My mother wants to speak to you." Christian forced the words out loud.
Ana frowned at the phone, looked around and didn't saw anyone. Christian kept handing the phone to her. Ana cautiously gets it and places it on her ear, just like how Christian did. She looks at Christian who mouths to her to say 'Hello'.
"H-Hello?"
"Hi Ana! Are you-" Before Grace can continue her words, she heard a thumping sound and a small gasp and shriek. "Christian? Christian?!"
When Ana heard a voice, she almost can't believe it! A human being is really trapped there! She jumped at the voice and let it go to hide behind Kate who is also in too much shock and disbelief to react. Christian in reflex, immediately reached for the phone.
Ana pointed at the phone on Christian's hand, "Christian! T-That thing! Talked to me!" Ana whimpered in shock, "I-It even knows my name!"
Christian and Kate would have laughed but Grace's panicked calls stopped them. Christian placated his mother and told her that Ana was just … so overwhelmed about talking to Grace, Christian's mother.
Christian motioned for Kate to talk to Grace for a while which she accepts and started talking about how Ana is really nervous and just needs a break. Soon they started talking about the gala.
Christian sat with Ana for the couch and gently explained to Ana how phones work.
"No human is trapped there?"
"No. I promise. They also have another phone like mine, so they or we can talk to other people. People use phones to call or send a message to other people without actually seeing them."
Ana is once again amazed with humans. They can talk to each other without actually facing them? Merpeople talk through their minds but they first have to do it while in eye contact. Call it a fish-induced ability and perk.
"So, " Ana started, "Your mother has the same phone like yours,"
"Yes."
"… and then you, " Ana moves her hands around, "perform magic to connect this phones to talk to each other?"
Christian stopped and frowned at the word 'magic', "It's more like electricity that connects them but yeah, that's one way to go about it."
Ana nodded, then handed her hand out sheepishly, "Uhm, I think I have been what you call, rude, to your mother."
Christian chuckled and took her hand to help her get up. They walked to Kate who got the signal that Ana is ready to talk. Kate handed it to Ana, who still regarded it with caution, held the phone not to close to her ear but enough to hear Grace.
"H-Hi."
"Ana! Oh dear, are you okay now? Don't be nervous! I don't eat people! Those who I hate only!" Grace laughed but Ana got pale.
"I-It would be nice if you don't do that at all." Ana replied. Humans can eat other humans?!
Christian, having heard his mother, mentally face-palmed at Ana's literal interpretation of Grace's words.
"Uhm.." Grace stammered, did she offend Ana? Or maybe she is playing along with my joke! Grace went for the latter and chuckled at Ana. Her sense of humor would do Christian good!
"I don't know if Christian has told you but we have a party this weekend, a gala. We would like it if you come! Oh! I'm Grace! Christian's mother! And My husband, Carrick, and I, especially Mia, Christian's little sister, is very excited to meet you!"
Ana held her head, overwhelmed with Grace's words. But she did catch on a party she was being asked to go to. "What do you do there? At this party or this … gala?"
The moment Grace talked about the food. Ana was sold. No explanation needed. Ana needed to go.
Ana looked at Christian with those sparkling eyes that one day he would like to be declared illegal for its hypnotic abilities. "Christian…" Ana whimpered and Christian already knew that he lose Ana to his mother … or to the food.
After the phone call, Ana can't shut up about the party and the food. She didn't understand most of what Grace talked about but she was excited. Meanwhile, Christian sent a message to his mother; a thanks – it was painful for him to type – and a warning about no seafood because Ana is allergic to it.
Fortunately her mother agreed, wanting to make a good impression on Ana. Grace was now very, very excited to Ana. Grace talked all throughout the phone call but it was enough for her to feel that this Ana is a sweet girl. Though she did find herself confused at her words sometimes, she still can't help but laugh at her responses.
Still, Christian refused Kate's invitation to Ana. Ana was okay with going with Kate but when she felt that Christian is getting upset with Kate's talks of shopping with Ana, Ana asked Kate if they could not do it now.
Kate saw how Ana looked at Christian in worry and accepted Ana's rain check. Before she left, she gave Ana her phone number to tell her when she is ready to have their day. Ana smiled, hugged Kate while drooling at her hair and waved her goodbye at the elevator.
With Ana not leaving, Christian was relieved. He reluctantly said Ana she could go but when she refused, he couldn't be any glad. For now, Ana will still be by his side. Until the gala that is. He knows that his mother and his sister would keep Ana for themselves that night. But of course he would do his best to avoid that.
"Christian." Ana tugged at his sleeves, "Kate told me that I need this, clothing she called a gown, for the party." Ana didn't know that gown is actually just a fancy word for dress.
"Of course. I will take care of that." Christian smiled then got an idea. "Why don't we do it now? It's Friday but it still not that late."
Ana's eye widened in excitement at the idea of going out.
Christian decided that it would just be the two of us so he was the one who drove. But of course, Taylor and some of his bodyguards are tailing them.
How did he deal with Ana's car fright? He too didn't know how he did it. He just made Ana watch him get in the car and drive slowly around the parking lot. After that, he went around the parking lot again, with Ana inside this time who is holding on the car seat for dear life, while driving slowly.
With Ana placated, they went on their way. And of course, this also wouldn't be easy without the Seattle's nightlight that kept Ana occupied. When Christian opened the car window, Ana's car fright was forgotten. When she felt the air she stuck her head outside which Christian scolded her for.
Since his car is convertible, he was planning to actually just open the roof but when Ana lolled her head outside, he suddenly got the fright that Ana might jump out of the car. He didn't want to find out if it would be true.
"Good evening Mr. Grey!" All the clothing staff were shocked and immediately smiled then bowed at the arrival of Christian, "What can we get you?".
When the people suddenly bowed, Ana gasped in shock and automatically latched on Christian. She had never got this treatment before. "Christian, what are they doing?!" Ana whispered to Christian who just slightly chuckled at her reaction. By now, he is not surprised at Ana's reactions. If ever, he is actually already expecting it.
"It's a greeting. Sign of respect in particular."
Ana's eyes widened and nodded at that. So human slightly incline their head at each other in greeting aside from waving and saying 'hi' or 'hello'. Merpeople's greeting is the slight contact of the end of their fin. Any further than the end of the tail is a greeting between family or even lovers. Lovers. Boyfriend and girlfriend. Ana thought.
The store staff inclined their head again when they saw a woman beside Christian. "Good evening Miss.". Christian Grey never bothered to shop by himself so just his presence alone is a shock. And when they saw a woman beside him, well, they almost thought they were dreaming.
Christian looked at Ana, ignoring the staff's gaping mouths and widened eyes. "Ana, pick what you like."
Ana frowned while looking around, staring nervously at the other people for too long, not removing herself beside Christian. She shook her head shyly at Christian. He was confused at first and can't help but chuckle at Ana's shyness. Well, Ana can be shy too. Christian reveled in that thought.
When he turned back to the staff that is looking boldly at them, he understood that Ana's nervousness is actually her uneasiness with the attention. So he asked the staff to make themselves scarce except for the manager and at least two helpers to aid him and Ana.
When it was only tree of them, Ana started gushing at every shiny thing she can see. "This looks like Kate's hair!" Ana gasped pointing at a gold purse, which for Christian is looking anything but Kate's hair.
"Ana pick what you would like to wear at the gala." Christian pointed his palm over the wardrobe the staff prepared. Ana walked curiously at it. She started pulling out everything, just glancing before putting them back with a scrunched face.
Christian can't help but took a seat and just watched Ana for a while before he brought up his phone to reply to his emails. With the time Ana is taking for every dress, she would take long.
Ana doesn't know why can't she just wear the clothes Gail bought for her at home. Not that she liked them but the clothing she is seeing here looked like it will be uncomfortable.
One dress made her stop her musings and slowly get it. She stared at it for a while and inhaled slowly. It is the same color of her fin.
"Miss Ana?" the manager snapped her out of her thoughts, "Would you like to try that on?"
Ana nodded absentmindedly. Ana knows how to dress herself up now, even jeans, a clothing she didn't appreciate with how it is restricting to her legs.
One staff aided Ana in putting it on. And when she turned around to see herself, she got nostalgic upon seeing her reflection.
She didn't look near her mermaid look but the similarity of the color of her fin and the dress made her melancholic about her fin.
The staff gasped so hard the manager peaked in and gasped with her. Of course, Mr. Grey would pick a woman of his caliber. She looked ethereal even with just a simple dress before but now, she looked like a goddess on earth. They almost felt embarrassed for themselves just being near her; they look like frogs near her.
The dress is simply elegant. The upper part of the dress, the bodice, is just thin skin-toned cloth that you won't even notice is there unless you're near. There is a space between her breasts, a v-shaped, but still looked modest. Ana's breasts are only covered by big shiny silver ornamental embroidery that also covers around her waist and half of her back. It's juts like how her silver scales would cover some of her body parts.
The pattern flared and spread unevenly after the waist. Starting her waist, is layers and layers of silver fabric, called organza, that's also patterned but thinly with silver threads. It's not poofy, just like an evening gown would.
Ana heard Christian asking the staff for her. But she didn't move, still gazing at her reflection. She started missing her home.
Despite the staff's attempts at keeping him away from the changing room, he barged in to find Ana looking at her self in the mirror with longing in her eyes.
Christian can't help but admire her beauty. Christian is very much aware of her ethereal beauty but her crazy antics and her sudden arrival often distracted him from her beauty. But seeing her now reminded him just how much beautiful Ana is.
He was snapped out of it when he heard Ana sniff and blink her tears away. He immediately faced her to him and hug her to him. "Ana? What's wrong?"
Ana breathe for a moment and smoothed the dress, "I-It's just … reminded me .. of home."
Christian stopped breathing at her last word. Ana is missing her home. She is thinking of her home. Christian tensed at his thoughts. If Ana is thinking of home, she must be thinking of missing and going back to it. Leaving.
Christian's chest got tighter and he held her tightly. No.
"Mr. Grey?" the manager hated to interrupt especially since they know that it is no rumor about Christian Grey's short temper and short tolerance with people who snoop his life. This is a good scoop for media to sell but that is if they have a wish to be fired and never get a job again. "Is everything okay?"
No. Christian immediately thought but turned to Ana who seemed to be calming down. "We can still get you another dress-"
"No." Ana smiled gently while caressing the silver threads in her dress, admiring it. "I … I like it."
Christian, as much as possible want to burn the dress for reminding her of home but shut up when he realized his thoughts. He turned to the staff peaking at them, "We'll get this."
"Excellent choice Miss!" The staff smiled brightly. "Thank you for your purchase Mr. Grey."
That night, Christian can't sleep. For the last hour he kept turning and turning in his bed, reminiscing about Ana's sudden thoughts of home.
He went upstairs, peaked at Ana's room to see her sleeping soundly. She was breathing gently with her hair fanning around her like a halo. Like the angel she is.
He gently sat on her bed, watching her. All he could think about is how he wants to assure himself that Ana is still there, that she is still not a dream to him. So he let himself gently caress her hair then her cheek.
Ana, I think I'm not yet ready to say goodbye.
I'm sorry I didn't update sooner! This one is longer than the rest (6k words), so please forgive me T.T
I know many would go crazy in some revelation in this chapter. I'm prepared for it.( ・`ー・´)
Assumptions and more questions will arise but will it be answered? (buwaahahhah)
IN MY PLACE, WE ARE 12 HOURS AHEAD OF USA.
I wish that could explain my irregular updates lol
Shout out to the one who connected the story to the title! Thank you!
Shout out also for the guest review that wrote that I based Ana from a Korean drama called 'Legend of the Blue Sea' . I know of that show but I never really watched it so, no.
Actually, I had done a few binge watching about mermaid films for this but I never really watched the K-drama 'cause I'm scared that it will be too much alike (?) I'm easily influenced after all, sad face.
My Sources:
The Little Mermaid (like many of you, I REALLY LOVE THIS so I re-watched it)
PotC: On Stranger Tides (Ana's reference for her mermaid look)
Splash, which I watched for the first time because I was really curious if it was really alike (many reviewed that it reminded them of this). And on some points, it does, especially the TV thing.
Plus a few mermaid legends and folktales
So you could say, I wrote Ana with a bit of everything of the mermaids I watched but mostly, I thought of how a mermaid turned human would behave (according to my ideas of mermaids) :D
But since I want this to be a bit more believable, I made Ana experience a few hardships. Educate her how to be a human, in a kind of a hard way. Mostly because this can pave the way for Christian to slowly develop feelings for her. And what a better opportunity but to have it happen during Ana's (kind of) vulnerable state.
Plus, don't deny that Ana's mermaid turning human phase is cute and very amusing especially with Christian involved.
ANNNDDD I WAS KIND OF SAD THAT NO ONE NOTICED THE HINT I GAVE ABOUT MERMAIDS LAST CHAPTER ༼ಢ_ಢ༽ someone somewhat guessed it but not really near the truth.
THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE BUT ONE OF THEM IS NEW AND KIND OF IMPORTANT. THE OTHER ONE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN HINTED A FEW TIMES :D
ANYYYWAAYY,
Thoughts about this chapter?
Now, you know Ana showers lol but the answer to why her fins still don't go back is still a mystery (´∀`ゞ
Plus, some of Christian's past is revealed. Yup, no BDSM. I'm not really confident to write that and I don't want to risk it so I thought of, what if Christian dealt his rebellious phase in a different manner?
But, really, I just hate Elena.
Lastly, I am curious why some of you guys want for Christian to know about Ana being mermaid this early in the story? I'm not angry or sad, I'm really just curious about your thoughts about it because actually I have a plan on what chapter it will be revealed, not anytime soon I assure you, but I am still thinking about it and taking into consideration of the events that would happen. So, you never know ಠ‿↼
So should Christian know earlier or should the suspense be kept?
Let me know your thoughts! Thank you guys! I wouldn't be encouraged without you!
I MADE A PINTEREST FOR SK! BUT THE LINK WON'T SHOW UP ON MY PROFILE :(
Do you guys know how I can share the link to you guys?
Ana's dress is there, there are 2 actually because I can't pick.
Other stuff there are mermaid stuff, to give you some feel to the story.
