Chapter Ten – Struck by Lightning

Ana

Today, there are dark, heavy clouds looming in the sky. They look angry. Not much people are out and about. Few shops and diners are opened for business along the main roads. I remain seated in my car watching random people move hastily along the sidewalk. I guess they're trying to get away from impending rain, but it's been threatening to burst for the last hour. Funny how quickly the day can change, just like your mood. The thought of the word change quickly makes my eyes sting with unwanted tears as I rest my head against the glass of the door. Protected by the quietness and serenity of the interior of my car, my eyes flutter close to chase the gloom away.

EARLIER. . . . .

Christian . . . it's the first image that cracks my sub-conscious slumber awake and unfortunately, the last thing on mind when I close my eyes at night.

As I deliberately smother my body into the sheets, I recall why the drapes are pulled back. Rousing slowly in stages, my eyes flutter under the cover of hair over my face. The brilliance of the midday sun beams through the window at the foot of my bed. For a brief moment, my mind floats high in the comfort and warmth remembering his tender hands and the kisses that tugged at my senses and shattered it at the same time. I can't decipher what I feel and the difference between the only man that's ever put his hands on me and the one I currently reside with. Under these circumstances, what I feel for Christian is so intense and energetic, it's more than what I felt for Ethan. After I kissed him, it made me question everything I knew about love. Maybe I didn't love Ethan after all, and what we had was purely physical. Christian's touch is far tenderer compared to Ethan's. His kisses, his arms around me, just thinking about it make thighs tingle.

Groaning in the back of my throat, I lazily pull myself out of bed planting my feet on the rug. Suddenly there's a mild sting on my hip, it pulses a bit when I touch it. Getting up, I walk to the full-length mirror to take a look. Perplexed, I notice a small discolored patch peeking from the edge of my panties, I inhale when I pull it back further from the side of my leg. It's blackish-purple and the size of my fist. Great, this had to come about when I bumped into Ethan last night, landing on the hardwood floor. After I brush my teeth and take a long warm shower, I go downstairs to prepare lunch. To my welcomed surprise, Gail is here. Gail? But why? It's Sunday. Upon my entrance she turns and smiles at me, it's an indebted gallantry to Christian's regressive shift in mood from last night. He's going under again, engulfed by that billowing, hollow chill . . . the same one that attempted to pierce me on the first day we met, and it's threatening to seep under my skin. But I won't let it.

"Good afternoon," she says cheerfully. "Did you sleep well?"

I pause, scanning the counter looking at the delicious spread of food.

"I did," I reply fascinated, "We're having breakfast for lunch"

"Yep, are you okay with that? I mean, I could make something else if. . . ."

"No, I'm good. I'm just surprised"

"Mr. Grey called a couple of hours ago, he asked me to come. He told me about what happened to Grace. He hasn't spoken at length about it but I can tell it was frightful . . . . I don't understand why he's so angry"

I draw my bottom lip into my mouth and look down on the counter, I'm about to collect two plates from the tabletop when she stops me.

"He doesn't want you stressing over food"

"I don't stress over food, I like doing this"

"I know, but you have to pack Mrs. Grey," she smiles. She cocks her head towards the entrance on the other side of the room, "Go sit, I'll bring you some tea"

Glancing through the entryway, I spot him sitting at the head of the table with a newspaper spread wide, blocking his face. I take a soothing inhale through my nose then exhale through my lips. The day began upbeat and luminous, the last thing I need is to face Christian's foul demeanor. Seeing him clench my chest and twist my stomach, the need to enjoy Gail's sumptuous cooking is a distant memory now. It was evident, Mia crudely raked her claws over his emotions, exposing a wound that clearly hasn't healed within the family.

"Good afternoon," I acknowledge him strong but gentle.

Yes. I'm tempted to probe about what Mia blurted out, but I've learned that you can't force Christian to talk about anything or worse yet, paint him in a corner. I shouldn't meddle, although I want to.

He replies, after curling the newspaper by a fraction. His eyes are almost bloodshot and weary. I would bet anything that he had little or no sleep. I part my lips attempting to say something to the effect of 'Why do you look like shit?' or 'Did you sleep well last night?', but I swallow my words instantly. His heavy eyes practically command me not to say anything. Looking away, I slink myself into a chair as Gail walks into the room. I accept my tea and sip in awkward silence while two by two she regales us plates of food from the kitchen. Once he folds the paper and places it to the side, I see the true extent of his weariness. My soft gasp is enough for him to glance at my face and hold my stare. There's a cold spell coming from him. The warmth I'd experienced for the past month has dissipated. Despite what I'd said earlier, I decided to probe.

"You want to talk about it?" I say delicately.

"I prefer not"

"Why?"

"Because it's no concern of yours. It's not your place to question me about my life or my family," he yells.

Swiftly my hunger retracts and I shoot up from my seat, towering before him.

"Excuse me . . . my place?" I stress.

"Sit down," he orders pointing to the chair.

"No. I'm not eating with you like this. I offer to talk and you bark at me"

"Sit down and eat, goddammit," he stands, meeting me at eye-level.

"No," I say coolly, watching his angst slowly diminish. "What you're doing is unfair . . . I can't be here"

"What?"

"I'm not hungry anymore, I need to be somewhere else," I say to myself.

"Where . . . . Where do you need to be?" he enquires alarmed walking after me.

"You're angry. You need some space, you need some time to deal with whatever you're dealing with"

"W-what? Where are you going?"

"Away from . . . here," I gesture, "Away from you, Christian. I'm not going to let your darkness consume me, not today. You were angry with me last night for no reason"

"I wasn't angry with you," he tries to explain.

"I know. You were angry with your sister and what she said, which is totally understandable, although I don't know why. But I get it, something got to you, and that something obviously troubled all of you, and it's something she blames you for as well, but that's no reason to be cruel to me on our way home last night and today, Christian. We've been married for only three weeks, I've been living here for only one, and so far, I've had my fair share of personal problems since I've been in this arrangement, but not one day have I ever taken it out on you. You don't get permission to make me feel bad about myself for no reason, mister"

"I apologize," he says stoically.

"Really? You should say that when you mean it," I remark mockingly, drawing my hands through my coat, "Nevertheless, you should have breakfast by yourself, and think about what happens when you hurt the people that care about you"

Realizing what I'd just rattle off I pause while my eyes gaze at his shoes. I skirt past him to the entryway table and fish my keys out the draw. Tensely, I stab at the elevator button as his stare continues to be penetrating, making the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. Before I step into the lift I can tell he's about to object but I beat him to it before he opens his mouth.

"Don't ask me to go with Taylor, it's beautiful outside and I'm driving my car. I think I deserve some peace for a while. Don't try to take that away from me . . . . . I'll see you later," My mind resigns to ignoring his face and I glance at him through the open doors.

'Leave Ana, just leave. He needs this, you can't fix him'

At this point, tearing my eyes away is out of the question, I can't. There's a mild tick in his jaw, his fists are clenched and behind his eyes possess a mixture of worry and genuine remorse. The last thing I see as the doors dramatically close are his hands frustratingly raking through his hair.

. . . . . . . . .

I hate the word stupid . . . . it's a word I forbade myself from using a long time ago. Somehow, the word would make me cringe and it's sought of harsh to say it to others. Yet, I have no problems saying it to myself. I let my emotions blur my sense of reason. I was beginning to like him, to care. The scent of the ocean envelopes me and I closed my eyes as I casually stroll closer to the vacant commercial space alongside the boardwalk. In a strange way, I love the fact that it's remained unoccupied this long like it's patiently waiting for me.

"Soon," I murmur to my inner thoughts.

Hopefully, everything will pull through by the end of the week and I'll be one step closer to having my own pâtisserie, I stand inches in front of the cloudy glass to peer in for the hundredth time. Images of my ultimate designs replace the desolate emptiness and bare floors of the space behind the bleak window. My concentration is broken when I hear seagulls calling on my right and heavy footsteps ambling to my left. Customarily, I would greet him with a beaming grin but at the moment, I can only offer a small tug across my lips. He ignores my mood and smiles back anyway. He halts at my side and turns looking into the building.

"I knew you were close by," I exhale.

"This place is special to you?" It's more of an observation than a question.

"Yes," I whisper. "One day I'm going to own this slice of heaven. Can't you see it? It's a Pâtisserie shop"

"I can see it," he agrees smiling jolly, going along with my fantasy, "It's going to be a delightful place"

"How is your sister?" I quickly switch gears.

"Wonderful, Mrs. Grey"

I sigh heavily on the formal use of my name. Countless times I've asked him to call me Ana, but at the same time, I can understand the level of respect he is trying to maintain between us. Questioning him about his private affairs propels my mind into my run in with Ethan last night. My eyes drift back to the present when I hear him say my name, he's standing closer to me.

"I'm sorry, Taylor. My mind was somewhere else for a while"

"That's okay, Mrs. Grey. I could tell it wasn't a pleasant memory"

My body stills from his spot-on choice of words making me reveal, "Ethan came to the bridal suite as I was getting ready to leave the manor last night"

"Did he hurt you?" he utters.

"No . . . well, I don't think it was intentional. I tried to get away but he took me down to the floor. I hurt my hip in the process, nothing else. He tried to talk but I wouldn't let him, then it ended with him saying that he wants to see me Tuesday, he's staying at the Sheraton"

"Did you tell Mr. Grey?"

No reply is necessary when he catches the guilty look on my face.

"I am strongly suggesting that you let him know," he says firmly.

"I didn't plan on keeping it a secret, Taylor. Everything happened so fast. First, it was Grace, then Mia coming down on him, then Elliot coming down on Mia. And for the rest of the night, he was detached, he didn't want to talk, he shut me out completely. I didn't think that was the time to tell him about it"

"But you know you're going to be the one to tell him because I don't think he'll appreciate filtered information"

"What? You think I'm asking you to repeat this. He was dealing with a lot last night, I felt it," I emphasize by pressing my hand against my chest, "He isn't good at keeping his emotions from me"

"Or maybe you're beginning to understand him," I noticeably flinch, it's strange how he reads me better than my supposed husband, "I assure you, he's not a bad person"

"I know," I mumble to myself, "I mean, in the beginning, I thought he was a horrible man. But they're things I'm able to see without him telling me, small things," Taylor's face remains passive, "Did he tell you about Mia and what happened last night?"

"Yes, he did"

"And you know what she's talking about," unintentionally, it comes out as an accusation.

"Yes"

He gives no indication that answers will be forthcoming, I exhale. "But it's not your story to tell," I resign.

"No"

"I respect that. Christian is lucky to have you, you're a good friend"

"And he's a good man, Ana. I've only had the pleasure of knowing him for the last fifteen years. . ."

"So you knew his father?"

"Yes"

His face is blank again and my conclusion rests solely at the pit of my stomach. My hair whips in frenzied dance lashing my face, the salty air swirls around with us slight chill. The rains are finally here.

.

.

LAST NIGHT . . . . .

Forty minutes after we arrived at the hospital, a doctor enters the quiet private waiting room. Sticking to professionalism, he does a remarkable job of not expressing any hint of his findings initially when he came in, which made us all descend on him like an angry mob.

". . . . We'll give her more intravenous fluids, I recommend that we keep her overnight. So far, she's resting comfortably. I'm awaiting the results from a few more tests but it's safe to say that she's doing fine. Nothing to worry about"

"So this has nothing to do with her treatment?" Christian asks for clarity.

"No, Mr. Grey, it has nothing to do with the treatment," the man smiles sincerely, "She appeared to be dehydrated and she exerted herself. The progress of the treatment is coming along fine, and it's better than we all expected"

"How long will it be before she's well again?"

"I know you're all concerned with her development. Believe me, time heals everything. I already know that each and every one of you has been very, very supportive and she's lucky to have such a strong relationship with her family. But you also need to be patient. Your mother is a very resilient woman, she has been from day one"

"We know, Dr. Berry. It's just. . . . ."

"I understand," he says knowingly, resting his hand on Christian's shoulder.

"Can we go see her?" Mia shoots off.

"I'll allow it, but all of you shouldn't go in at once. And only for a brief moment. Like I said, she's exhausted"

"Thank you, Doctor," she mutters humbly before he departs the room.

Elliot and Kate embrace each other excitedly replacing the fear that we had all faced over the last hour with an exuberant sense of relief. I take a moment to close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief believing that the worst has passed. I'm startled out of my skin to find Christian standing very close, almost touching.

"Do you want to go ahead?" I motion, suddenly becoming warm by his proximity.

"No. We can go afterward," he suggests then turns to Elliot and Kate, "Why don't you two go with Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh. You have a honeymoon to get to, remember?"

"Thanks," Elliot nods.

"I was thinking that we can spend a few weeks with Mother at the mansion"

"Huh?"

"No?" he inquires.

I dip my voice and my chin, "No, that's not it. You kind of caught me off-guard, but that sounds good. I bet she'd like that. . . ."

Kate's parents have already left the room with Elliot and Kate closely following them out the door hand in hand when furious opposition comes from Mia across the room.

"NO," she shakes her head looking directly at us, "In the first place I objected for this long, drawn out wedding. Small and quick, like your meaningless wedding, but did anyone listen to me, no. Now Mother is exhausted from spending half of the day exerting herself"

"Mother didn't mind-"

"Mother doesn't know what she wants," she cut in, "She doesn't know what's good for her"

"And you do"

"Yes I do, that's why it would be a good idea that you don't back to the house," her eyes flick dangerously to me.

Christian's serenity swiftly morphs into its contrast on hearing her objection. And furthermore, the budding savagery in his glaring eyes does nothing to deter her oncoming rant. In record speed, she marches across the room standing almost nose to nose with him.

"You heard the Doctor, she's doing well. She's just tired and dehydrated. Mother already has the care she needs, professional care. You shouldn't be there, either of you. I'm sure your constant, unwanted presence will simply derail her progress. I doubt you want that, Christian"

"Quiet, Mia," he cautions through clenched teeth.

"Don't bring your antagonism and contempt back into that house, Christian, it's best you stay away"

"Mia," Elliot bellows, moving back into the room.

"Remember the days when you were always angry, Christian. She would always go after you like some hopeless, lost soul. . . ."

"And that is all in the past," he interrupts her, "If I want to be with my mother I don't need approval from you," his eyes bounce from left to right searching hers then her scrunches his face his in repugnance. "My god, why are you so fucking bitter? Hmm? This is none of your goddamn business. . . ."

"It is my goddamn business," she fires back, "You moving out of the house was the best thing that's ever happened to her, to all of us, and now you want to go back after she's been at peace for so long. You'll upset her, and I won't have that. I won't allow it," her lips curl into a vicious sneer, "Isn't it enough that you took. . . ."

"MIA" Elliot cuts in, this time putting an end to her outburst.

Christian pales and stumbles as if the ground was pulled away and if she'd just stabbed him in the chest. Gobsmacked, he stares sorrowfully into her soulless eyes. Elliot is unmistakably angry, he steps into our view confronting Mia head-on with flaring arms, accusing fingers and colorful language. The sibling confrontation fades into the background as my concern centers on Christian's vagueness. Unimaginable hurt is etched on his face and an unrecognizable ghost of a man stands before me. It's obvious that he's crushed and even though I have no idea what's going on, my chest clenches in agony. It's uncanny how I feel what he feels and at this moment, I want to do nothing more than to comfort him.

After whispering his name for the fourth time he looks down to my hand clasped around his wrist then to my apprehensive face. Wrenching his gaze from me, he tugs his hand from mine and hastily exits the room.

Kate is dumbfounded as her eyes trail around the room to me, Elliot and Mia. Christian almost ran into her before he got to the door. With an exasperated huff and scowl, Elliot's eyes pierce into Mia giving her a disgusted once over. She matches his appearance with the same amount of scorn and disregard before he turns away to gently escorts Kate through the open door.

My mind is stumbling with everything that just played out in front of me. There is no denying that something personal just foamed between Mia and Christian, and apparently, it has inverted his emotions. That receptive link I've seen in last six weeks dissipated with his sister's last statement. He's shut off again. I know by the way he glared at me before he left the room. I almost didn't recognize him. The promise of trust and hope between us evaporated in a matter of seconds.

"It's going to take more than a few kisses to get to know him you know," she begins. My thoughts had been so loud that I'd forgotten that she hadn't left the room. "It's clear you don't know the man you agreed to marry . . . . Yes, I know about this arrangement you two have. Although I don't support this lie I get that he did it for Mother. . . . . and even though Christian and I don't see eye to eye on most things, he's still my brother. Don't bother to wrap your small mind around things you won't possibly understand. As far as I can tell this union is to serve one purpose and if you step outside your boundaries or trap him in this marriage, you'll have me to deal with me"

The stoic expression on my face deepens, unconsciously I arch my eyebrows and straighten my back. This is the first time she's spoken to me this way and frankly, I will admit I've totally misread her inclination towards me.

"You're a walking contradiction, Mia Grey. You just accused your brother of unintentionally wanting to harm your mother like he was some kind of monster and when he leaves the room you're trying to defend his repute against me and furthermore, you're trying to protect him. That's odd. . . . . . Let's get something straight, I don't have to deal with you. It's very simple. As a matter of fact, you're the one who's got this all wrong. I'm not into disrespect, intimidation or threats so I'm not going to entertain whatever this is. Your brother and I are married. . . ."

"I have a copy of the contract. . ."

"Okay," I say shrugging nonchalant, damping the sizzle on her supposed juicy revelation, "I'm not threatened by what you think you know or what you have. I may not know your brother completely but I know he didn't deserve what you just did. So don't worry about me, Mia, when it's clear you're the one who's harming him, and by extension this family"

I'm a bit taken aback as she nears me and I catch a whiff of her fragrance. It screams musk, sweat, and Ethan. Keeping a neutral temperament, she lifts her chin high and skirts past me out of the room.

Christian

If Taylor won't tell me where he left her then I'll have to find out from Kate. Since he's been back, his answers have very cryptic. When we pulled into the driveway of the mansion, I requested a private moment before I call my brother. Currently, he's standing a few feet away close to the steps of the house.

"Is everything alright?" his voice bellows on the other end.

"Yes, she's fine," I hear him release a low sigh, "I spent the night in her room"

"I thought you went home"

"I did. I took Anastasia home, but I left a couple of hours after she went to bed. I couldn't sleep. So I went back to the hospital until they released her"

". . . . . . . ."

"What is it, Elliot?"

"Nothing," he deters.

"Oh don't give me that. I read your email this morning, I'm fine. I'm not going to take my frustrations out on Anastasia if that's what you're thinking"

"But that's not true, now is it. She spoke to Kate an hour ago, she said you yelled at her and she had to leave to give you some space"

"So you know where she is? She isn't taking my calls-"

"She's alright; she's at her old apartment. Kate says she's probably watching a movie or something"

"Then I should go there. . ."

"And what are going to do when you get there, Christian, shout at her some more. Just leave her alone until you calm down"

"I AM CALM" I yell into the phone.

"Sure"

"This is bullshit; I have a good mind to go over there. What gives her the right to leave me when things get heated?"

"The last time I heard you two weren't in a real marriage unless you're starting to believe in it"

". . . . . . ."

"Okay, I need to say this. A word of advice, bro; Ana is not your emotional cushion, so stop using her as your buffer. I know you have no vested interest in her, so don't lead her on . . . I'm serious, Christian. I saw you kissing her last night"

"I've kissed her before," I defend.

"No that was different; it meant something to the both of you, I saw it, hell everyone saw it. Not only is she my wife's best friend but she's a nice girl. You're my brother and I love you but I'm not going to stand by and watch you fuck with her. She's had it rough for the last couple of years and she could do without another bout of heartache"

He's talking about that idiot, Ethan Kavanagh, "Kate told about her asshole of a brother-"

"You're a bit of an asshole too, Christian, take a look at yourself before you go judging others-"

"I would never cheat on Ana-"

"But you're shutting her out and you don't know her, you're not giving her a chance. Every time you two get close you mess it up by pushing her away"

"Did she say that, did she tell Kate that?"

"Never mind what she said, this is about you. Ana behaves like she doesn't care like nothing ever bothers her but she's very conscious when it comes to other people's feelings, and sometimes she allows it to affect her, especially when she cares. Look, she already agreed to this arrangement, and sometimes I hate that I even suggested it in the first place . . . it was a stupid idea. Honestly, I don't want her to get hurt, so save her the emotional grief and stick to the arrangement . . . Can you do that?"

"I didn't plan on hurting her, Elliot"

"But you are"

His speech comes down on me like a ton of bricks and he's right. We've only been married three weeks and I've broken a fundamental rule, I allowed myself to get acquainted with her and past. I promised to protect her and I would, but we should keep it strictly impersonal.

"Christian?"

"Yes, I heard you, stick to contract," I mutter.

"I'm serious, Christian," he warns,"Have you spoken to Mia?"

"No, and I don't plan to either. . . ."

"Christian" he cuts in,"I've never said it but . . . . . I don't blame you for what happened to Dad, it wasn't your fault. He made his choices and it's time for you to stop thinking that his death had anything to do with you. The way I see it, he could have hurt Mother really bad if you didn't stop him. . . . You saved her. And believe me, she's eternally grateful"

"But Mia doesn't think so. . . And she'll never let me forget"

"I know, Dad was the center of her universe, he could do no wrong"

"Even if we tell her otherwise. . ."

"She wouldn't believe us, Christian . . . She never will. We need to stop living in the past and move on from that night"

"I've moved on or at least I thought I did," Curds of nausea grip my throat trampling over the echoes that are angrily berating me from all corners of my mind. I close my eyes and exhale, "I haven't had a drink in two months, Elliot. Two whole fucking months I lived without those voices in the night. I was okay for two months and she couldn't let me have that"

"But she broke you, didn't she . . . How much did you have, Christian?"

"I have to go; we just pulled up in front of the house. . . ."

"Christian. . . ."

"Thanks for the talk; I won't disturb you again unless it's important. . . ."

"This is important. . ."

"Goodbye"

"Chris-"

I end the call swiftly and get out of the car.

.

Nostalgia tingles my psyche as I cross the threshold to my old room. Spending time here is a good idea but I hadn't worked out the details mainly, accommodations. Anastasia and I are married but we sleep separately at the Penthouse.

"My goodness, you're really here," I hear her say from the doorway.

"And you should be resting," I smile, stepping into her embrace.

"Oh I'm fine, I came as soon as I heard you were here," her eyes slightly narrow looking past me into the bedroom, "Isn't Anastasia with you"

"No," I frown, "We had a . . . ."

"Hi, Grace!"

Anastasia appears next to my mother and draws her into her arms, my wife gives me an unreadable glance in the corner of her eye before smiling back at Mother.

"I couldn't come with Christian because I had to attend to something important"

"Oh! Is everything alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be," my wife grins.

"Good, well I'll leave you two to get settled in. Oh, Gracie is here and Mia is joining us for dinner," she concludes happily before retreating down the hallway.

"Perfect" I grumble below my breath before closing the bedroom door. When I turn around Anastasia is staring at the bed in abject horror.

"Where am I sleeping?" she states whilst pointing to the king size bed, "I'm not sleeping in that bed"

"I know you would say that, and I wasn't planning on sleeping in that bed with you either," I retort gruffly, "There's a comfortable chaise in the next room, I'll have it brought in"

"Good, I don't mind-"

"No, I'll take the chaise"

"Noooo," she drawls, "If I don't get the chaise I'll sleep on the floor like I said I'm not sleeping in your bed"

"Fine"

"Fine"

Nervously I comb my fingers through my hair, "Okay, seeing that this is the way it's going to be I have one thing to say. I don't need you doing this in front of my mother"

"Doing what?"

"This", I gesture between us, "upsetting her"

"Me . . . . Really? You think I would upset Grace. How dare you even suggest something like that? I would never do that to her. As far as I can see you're the one who's been pissing people off lately, namely me. So you're the one who needs to keep his emotions in check"

"I couldn't agree with you more, Anastasia Steele," she inhales sharply, "I've allowed this arrangement to cloud my judgment because of an intimate connection that shouldn't exist. We're bound by a contract for one reason and one reason only, nothing else. We don't incorporate each other's lives and we don't interfere, that was the original agreement. Anything that's happened outside of that . . . was a mistake, and it will not happen again . . . I'll make sure of it"

She closes her eyes and her lips are firmly together; and regretfully, I've accomplished what I set out to do, to take a jab at her heart. My words struck its intended target. All the fight in her suddenly drains but only for a moment until she opens her eyes again . . . . and now I see a fire.

"You're a coward," she fumes.

"Excuse me," I retort.

"Don't play dumb with me"

"I don't know what you're talking about And. I. Don't. Care"

"You're being an asshat and childish. Is this how it's going to be from now on? Are you going to shut me out every time we have a few laughs or talk? What, you think it's a bad idea if we become friends, Christian?"

"I'll leave you alone to unpack your things" I digress, "and I'll have them bring the chaise. You'll have to be discrete though; I wouldn't want my mother finding out about our sleeping arrangements. And another thing, you have access to anything you need in the house. That includes any car that's parked in the garage, I expect you to use one"

"My car is parked outside. . . ."

"Your car doesn't have GPS tracking or it isn't monitored by my security team and since you declined to have any of my security personnel with you, your only option is this"

"I can install my own GPS . . . ."

"No, Anastasia. This is not a debate; I want you to use one of those cars. The contract specifically spells out the terms of your protection which is solely managed by me. You took off earlier and I didn't know where you were"

She turns her back to me and crosses her arms over her chest, "Just go, please"

"I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon with my mother. I'll see you at dinner"