I rushed to the great room and I see why he is shouting. My blood started to boil too.
Taylor is pointing his gun covering Christian and Christian is burning with rage. I place my hand on Christian's shoulder.
'Anastasia… stay back. She tried to hurt you before.'
'No Christian. She got the taste of my hitting when she tried before. Let me deal with her.' Without waiting for his reply I ask, 'what do you want Leila?'
'Why are you still here? You are not fit to be a sub!' and she was ready to launch herself to me.
'Yes… I am not fit but I care for Christian and I am here looking after him.'
'So you are a NANNY! Leave master alone!'
'Leila… now.. calm down.' As I am talking to her, I edge closer to her and I took notice that Taylor has moved Christian to a safer zone and he is taking position behind Leila. I know what Taylor is doing and I do my best to distract her from them so Taylor could attack her from back.
'You left Master… I saw you leaving… why are you here?!' Leila asks me and she sounds furious. Her anger is all pointed at me that she failed to take notice what Taylor is doing.
'You are supposed to be at the other side of the continent. What are you doing here?'
'I am guarding Master.' With that she points her gun to me and at that minute, Taylor knocks her down and when he gun drops, I kicked the gun away from her and in a quick move, Taylor secured her hands behind with a tier.
'You all will regret this….' She is struggling but Taylor is proven to be stronger then her.
'Master… you need me…' she pleads towards Christian but Christian is out of her view. He is on the phone and I can see him from where I am standing. I wonder who he is talking to.
'Ms Steele, I will take over. Please stay with Mr Grey at the panic room.'
I nod and move towards Christian. Leila is still yelling asking to be released and wants to be with Christian.
'How did she get in? How she knows you are hurt? How she knows I am here?'
'I don't know' is the only answer I get and he is running his fingers through his hair as usual when he is upset.
'I have called Flynn and Welch. They will take care of her.'
'Are you going to surrender her to the police?' I need to know. She needs help and not police.
'No.. not the police. She needs help.' I nod in agreement. Christian leaves me in the panic room when Welch and Flynn arrive. Few minutes later, Taylor informs me that the coast is clear and I can leave the room. Leila was nowhere to be found. Christian is standing gazing out to Seattle view.
'Are you ok?' I ask and Christian turns to me and say, 'I should be asking you. Ana.. You are so brave. I am sorry that I hit you when you wrestled down Leila the first time she broke in.'
'I know self defense and I know how to shot. Be careful Mr Grey.' I replied playfully.
Christian smirks at me and I start giggling.
'How did she get in?'
'I don't know. I have to ask Taylor. We have changed the access code and all the locks and I am still not sure how she could get in.' Christian looks puzzled.
'Balcony?'
Christian gives me a don't be stupid look.
'Just a suggestion.' Before Christian could reply, Taylor interrupts us.
'Sir, Ms William has been taken to a rehabilitation center. She is high on drugs and her depression is too deep. Dr Flynn will be with her until she is admitted into the center.'
'Thanks… how did she get in?'
'I am on it sir.'
'10 minutes?'
'Definitely sir'
After Taylor leaves, 'Don't you guys speak more than 5 words in a sentence?'
Christian laughs at my question and I pout.
'He is man of few words, Anastasia.'
'Oh!' whatever.
I cleared the commotion area and grateful that the only damage done is one of the glass vase which I suspect is a crystal vase. Christian is with Taylor in the security room and I will ask him how she entered ESCALA. Christian walks out with Taylor and looking happier.
'Lunch is ready Mr Grey, Ms Steele'
'Thanks… come let's eat Ana.' I nod and followed Christian to have lunch. What a dramatic event.
'How did she come in?'
'Rooftop... she climbed up to rooftop through fire escape and then come in through the balcony.'
'What if she fell?' I asked surprised how much risk Leila has taken.
'I don't know.' and I decide to drop the subject.
After lazing the whole afternoon, it is Christian's sponge bath time – my favorite time. Yesterday, during the sponge bath, I knew Christian's fear of being touched. He has been abused during his childhood. He was burnt with cigarette which has caused the burn marks on his body. How his mother chose her fix instead of protecting him and how he is so afraid of being touched because the only time he was touched is when he is beaten by his mother's pimp. After being filled with these information, I realize the depth of his fear and why he is still having nightmare.
After the bath, 'I feel better.'
'Yah… you did not move or flinch when I touched your chest..' obviously with sponge. I have not gathered courage to touch him with my hand. I should give him more time.
'Stay here. I will bring your dinner. After dinner, you should take your medicine and sleep.'
'Bossy little Ms Steele.'
'Yes.' I said sternly and left to see what Mrs Jones has cooked up for us.
Doctor has removed the bandages from Christian's arm and head. The swelling on his jaw has gone but his ankle is still swollen and the hair line fracture is still healing. I guess he will still be using the crutch until the doctor gives a green light. I noticed that Christian is a little distracted since his short meeting with Taylor this morning. After getting into the SUV, I asked Christian, ' Why are you distracted since meeting Taylor this morning?'
'Leila… '
'What is with her?' I feel my anger boiling again.
'She was the one who threw the white paint on your car.'
'And?' I press him after he paused for few moments.
'She was with Jack waiting for me and they are the one who attacked me with 2 more men.'
That b**. She hurt my Christian.
'I suggest you make a police report. Do you have proof?'
'Taylor suggesting it to. Yes.. CCTV footage from ESCALA garage captures the whole incident.'
'I advise you to follow Taylor's advice.' Christian agrees and once we reached ESCALA he meets Taylor and made the necessary arrangement.
After the detective leaves, Christian looks more relaxed.
'You are like a pillar to me Anastasia….'
I smiled at him. 'Christian… I need to get back to work on Monday. Do you want to go to your mother's place?'
'Why?' he looks hurt
'I am away from office for the last one week. I think I have to get back to work.'
'I understand…. I will stay at ESCALA. Mrs Jones is there… Taylor will be there. I will be fine.'
'That means, I have to…' and he cuts me off, ' You are leaving me?' His voice raised few decibels in fear. I can hear his fear in the voice.
'No… I am not leaving you. I need to get my clothes organized and everything is in the apartment.' I blurt out. Gosh….
'Ana… I will get everything for you… don't leave… please…'
'For crying out loud.. I am not leaving Christian!' and Taylor enters the Great Room where we are talking.
'Ms Kavanagh and Mr Grey is on the way sir.'
'Thank you Taylor.'
Seconds later, Kate and Elliot walks in and Kate is holding a travelling bag. Where is she going?
'Hi bro.. how are you doing? I can see that you are more mobile now…' Elliot says pointing to the crutch.
'Thanks Elliot!' Christian smirks.
'Hi Christian… how are you?'
'I am good… thanks Kate.'
I hug Kate and take her to the master bedroom.
'Why didn't you tell me you are coming?'
'Elliot wanted to surprise Christian. Here… this is for you.' He holds the travelling bag.
'What is it?'
'Your work clothes. Stay here until Christian is well.'
'Huh… ' I am puzzled and I can't help to think if this is Christian's arrangement.
'Look after him. He looks better now and Grace feel that his recovery is faster and you've got something to do with it'
'I am not doing anything…' I place the travel bag near the foot of the bed.
'You have a positive effect on him Ana… when are you going to realize that?' I just shrug. I know… but I want him as my lover… not my dom.. or anything else.
I drag Kate out and saw Christian is chatting away with Elliot which has never happen before according to Kate.
After some wine, they left us and we are alone again.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Missing you
Date: August 24 2011 10.05
To: Anastasia Steele
Hi…
I am missing you by my side…. Please come home. I am bored.
Christian Grey
Bored CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Busy at work
Date: August 24 2011 10.07
To: Christian Grey
Hi…
I am missing you too but I am busy at work. I don't think my boss's boss's boss' will approve me straying from my job.
Anastasia Steele
Working Commissioning Editor, Seattle Independent Publishing.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Need not to work
Date: August 24 2011 10.10
To: Anastasia Steele
I am pretty much sure that your boss's boss's boss's will be more than happy if you are with him now.
Christian Grey
Very Bored CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Trying
Date: August 24 2011 10.12
To: Christian Grey
Hi…
I am trying to work here.. please don't bother me.
Anastasia Steele
Very Busy Working Commissioning Editor, Seattle Independent Publishing.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: More or Love
Date: August 24 2011 10.05
To: Anastasia Steele
He can't bother you even if he is in love with you and wants more.
Christian Grey
In Love CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
I blink twice at the screen…. In love and wants' more? Finally…. Love is in his heart? Tears escape from my eyes and Roach walks in at that very moment.
'What is wrong Ana?'
I wipe my tears and say, 'Nothing… I am fine. How can I help you?'
'I am going away for the next one week and I need you talk to a writer.' After a short meeting with Roach and being briefed on the children books new venture, he leaves my office and I grab my phone to call Christian.
'Anastasia…' he answers on the first ring.
'Christian….' I started sobbing and he was quickly to comfort me.
'Hush baby… please don't cry…. I mean each every word… I am in love with you.'
'I am coming home….'
I end the call without waiting for the reply and when I get up, Christian walks into my office helped by Taylor.
'Hi baby..' after sitting, Taylor leaves my room closing the door behind him.
'Oh Christian…' and I hug him hard. 'What are you doing here?'
'I wanted to see you. I felt empty without you.'
'Roach was here. He was talking about…'
'I know… I approved it. I believe you can do it baby..'
I smiled and sit down… feeling contented. Christian produces a box from his jacket.
'This is for you.'
I opened the box and a beautiful two diamond drop earings.
'I love you Anastasia….'
Oh… the words that I want to hear….
'Ana?' Christian looks confused and I think I know why…
'I love you too Christian…'