Chapter 9
"Mommy, do I look like Cinderella?"
"Oh yes Ana! Come, lets show Ray before we go trick or treating." Mommy walks me to the living room, Ray has a big smile on his face; he say's I look more beautiful then Cinderella and I blush, twirling my dress around. Mommy is snapping photo after photo of me, her smile is perfection, loving, comforting. She puts the camera down and picks me up, spinning around the living room, laughing and giggling.
The rain is masking the tears and I welcome the cold air filling my lungs. It stings, a distraction from the memories of, of her. I know Christian is inside watching me, debating if he should say something to me. Life is quiet right now, almost peaceful, I can barely tolerate the stillness. My sleeping habits have been short, dreaming is painful and the memories are haunting reminders that she is no longer here. My mommy is no longer here, although I've called her; there are no responses and the voice mail is full. My mind still clouds the reality, intolerant of my loss. My breathing shortens, tears turn into sobs as I try to forget. I should have spent more time with her, I should have visited more.
"Come baby, lets get you in the bath. Carlene is running some tea. I promised Teddy we would meet him at the center to help set things up."
I almost forgot about Teddy's big day, I quickly stand and Christian surprises me by picking me up, carrying me into the house and upstairs to the master bath, already filled to the brim. He peels my wet clothes off me and slowly puts me in the bath then gets in after me.
"Is Teddy already at the center?"
"Yes, Taylor and Gail went with them this morning."
"Oh, Bee went to?"
"Yes, I promised we'd be there within the hour."
We bathe quickly, after changing and eating the breakfast Carlene made, we hurried over to the center. I see Mia and Ethan's car and a sea of men moving decorations, tables and chairs inside. Caterers are setting up the kictch and I can already smell the aroma of the food. We walk in and Teddy is busy with Elliott, looking at the blueprints deciding where everything is going. There are a stream of actors waiting for instructions and my heart swells with so much pride.
"Uncle L, you see where we have the banisters up here? I need some of the actors in harnesses, they'll jump from here down to the main floor. Bee, make sure you have all the actors sign the waivers. Aunt Mia can you tell the kitchen staff to hold off on the tables until the rest of the decorations are out? Uncle Eath, tell Dominick I want those decorations in the third hall! Where's aunt Kate? She's supposed to be working with the actors."
We walk up and Teddy tells us the schedule for the night. He has everything planned out, Christian will be playing the murder victim, he doesn't reveal the murderer, to my disappointment. Christian and him walk off discussing security, Taylor and Sawyer join them wondering what the plan for the night was.
"There are six exits above, two below ground and a fire escape upstairs in the attic." Teddy goes right into boss mode before Christian gets a word out. There's a smile across Christian and Taylors face, Sawyer is stunned, slight confusion etched on his face. "I'm having metal detectors put on every above ground entrance, I need four men to a door. There were strict instructions on the invitations, no mask no face paint until inside the building. No covered faces gets through those doors understood?" Sawyer nods, still confused. Teddy points to the wrap around balcony, "people who didn't pay to be part of the murder mystery will eat dinner and watch from up there, there's a cut of rope, they don't come down unless they buy a murder mystery ticket. There will be a wall of big screen TV's up there that are connected to every camera in this building."
"What is that for?"
"They allow the audience upstairs to see all the events happening down on the main floor. I also have a very keen eye keeping close watch."
"Who is that?" Taylor is surprised it isn't him.
"You guys know Ryan? I heard he used to part of the old team. Welch called in a favor for me." My mouth drops as Ryan walks in. Him and Sawyer greet each other in a very big, slightly unmanly hug and I can't help but chuckle.
"Getting the old team back." Taylor is amused as he shakes Ryan's hand.
"What about the attic and basement?"
"We'll have two people near each of those exits, they'll be locked from the outside and nobody exits them unless its an emergency. Taylor I need you inside, everybody table is broke into groups. Your eyes don't leave table one."
"Whose at table one boss?" He's trying to hide his smile and failing.
"Our family," he see's Taylors face change, etched with worry and Teddy catches on, "family means Gail and Sophie too." Taylors face changes again, slightly blushed but filled with pride. Christian is staring in amazement, complete awe of this man, everything comes to him with such ease, such grace. Christian nods at Taylor and Sawyer and walks over to me.
"Mrs. Grey, if I don't get him working for me, I'll have some serious competition." We laugh and watch him again, taking complete control of everything and everybody. There's no flaw to his plan and I know everybody is going to have an amazing time.
After a hard days work, everything is set and itineraries handed out. Nobody is questioning what they need to do and the whole gym is filled with security, well over 50 of them with earpieces in and armed. Teddy is shouting out orders from the stage and groups of men break out to do as they were told. The actors come in next, going over their roles and the cue at dinner to watch for. Teddy jumps down and walks to the kitchen to Mia, telling her what he expects done and the order of the courses. All decorations are double and triple checked as Teddy leads Christian, Taylor, Sawyer and two other security around the premises.
"Mr. Grey, sir there are multiple unidentified vans parked outside."
"Yes, my eagle eyes." Teddy points to extra cameras hidden in decorations as he asks one of the actors to walk over and he points to a pin on the collar of the young man, "a camera, there is no angle in this place that I wont be able to see." Christian, Taylor and Sawyers mouths hit the floor and I cant help but laugh at the site of them. "No risk, right dad?" He laughs at their faces and urges them on.
The place is filling up quickly, waiters seating people by the dozens. The place is packed and Carrick walks to the stage, he explains the event and the charity it's representing. Teddy then takes over the mic, briefly thanking everybody for their generous ticket donations. He seems at ease, completely at home talking to the crowds of people. The courses start and waiters come with plates of food and beverages. The night is going incredibly well, people have stopped by our table praising Teddy and his accomplishments. The lights flicker off and I scream, when the lights come back on Christian is on the floor trying not to smile, he has fake blood on his very expensive tux- that better come off, and the murder mystery is on. The people who paid to take part are getting excited, the above crowd is looking down on the live action play with amazement. Each table are given a hint and everybody is off to find the next clues.
"Well Grey, impressive boy you got there."
"Kate! You've been so busy I've hardly seen you."
"Yea well, that boy of yours had me running all over the place trying to get these actors to pull off the impossible." We laugh and watch the swarm of people running around, finding clues and pieces of the scavenger hunt.
Three hours pass and six more people, usually from our table fake a death. Elliott, Kate, Ava, Teddy's science teach Mr. Pullum, his friend Danny and Teddy's piano teacher Mrs. Klein. Thirty minutes later the lights flicker and there's a gunshot through the speakers. People hold their breathes as Taylor gives a very dramatic and hilarious fall to the ground. There's running around and laughing, people checking Taylors body for any clues. The next 45 minutes everybody is seated again, writing down their last suspicions. Before they choose the speaker to come to the stage and give their hypothesis, the lights flicker again and down goes Teddy, a fake knife sticking from his chest. The tables gasp and some have to rewrite their guess. One person from each table walk up to the stage, explaining who they chose as the murderer and why, a lot of people said me, because of the money. Our table laughs and Christian kisses the back of my hand.
"I guess I should be careful!" Christian jokes as more people walk to the stage. Some said Carrick, Elliott, Mia, Grace, another said it was somebody off Christians security, some people said it was one of the waiters. After each table has gone, a man dressed like Sherlock Holmes comes up, he's animated as he tells a story of the night while holding up different clues.
"I knew when Theodore Grey fell that it could only be one person. Somebody jealous of his accomplishments, someone who would not only inherit his money, his businesses and his parents praise! The killer is non other than Phoebe Grey!" People gasp from all over the room and Phoebe stands up, connected to a mic.
"That's right! It was supposed to be just Teddy but everybody just kept getting in my way! First my sweet daddy, he always loved Teddy more and I just couldn't take it! I'd do it again! It's my turn to get noticed, my turn!" Sherlock Holmes and some more pretend police grab Bee and drag her out of the dining hall. Everybody stands up and claps, cheering and laughing as Phoebe kicks and screams on her way out.
We're finally home and it's just past three, the car was filled with laughter and reenacting Phoebes Oscar winning performance. Bee fell asleep on the ride and Teddy swooped her up to take her inside. He kisses us good night and retires for the night. I'm glad tonight went so well, for Teddy's sake. He really did have every ground covered. Christian and I lay down and I fall into a deep sleep, dreaming about an adult Teddy, running GEH and an adult Bee, dancing around the world. How did we get so lucky? Oh, mom, you would have loved tonight. I miss you so much.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Thanksgiving
Date: November 10, 2028 2:08pm
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
I called Ray about Thanksgiving, do you think I should call Bob? I've only spoken to him a few times since... Kate and I are going out for dinner and drinks tonight. Will you make sure Phoebe practices for her recital? Ms. Nelson will be over to practice her solo with at six tonight. Have you heard anything about Prescott? You haven't said much to me lately.
Anastasia Grey
CEO, Grey Publishing
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Missed You At Lunch
Date: November 10, 2028 2:10pm
To: Anastasia Grey
Mrs. Grey
I think an invitation to Bob would be more than appropriate. Where will you and Kate be heading tonight? Make sure you take someone. I haven't heard anything, things have been quiet but Welch and his team is working hard. They still have no leads, they found two beer bottles, one print belonged to Eric Lincoln.
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
From: Anastasia Grey
Subject: Strange
Date: November 10, 2028 2:14pm
To: Christian Grey
Mr. Grey
That's odd, are you sure it's an old bottle? Prescott did say to look at his suicide.
"Mrs. Grey, I already know what your about to say," Christian is leaning against the door frame, "forensics checked and said the bottle was at least two months old. Welch is searching for clues, if anybody is going to find it, it'll be him. Are you sure you have to go with Kate tonight?"
"Mr. Grey, please. I'm in the middle of a very important email." I try to hide my smile and I pretend to type. Christian closes my door and sits in the chair on the other side of my desk.
"Oh please, proceed, I'm patient. His chin is resting in his hand and he's looking at me seductively.
"Christian I know what your doing."
"Come, we have some business to attend to."
He grabs my hand and we walk out of the office, Taylor is waiting out front and we drive to Escala, I'm excited to finally go back in the playroom. There's no sign of Gail and Taylor stays in his office, I wait for Christian to lead me to the playroom but instead, he carry's me to the bedroom.
"Christian, I want to have some fun."
"We will Ana."
"No, I mean, some kinky f**kery." He puts me down and sits at the edge of the bed.
"Ana there's no more playroom."
"Funny Christian, please, I need to release. Hand me the key."
"Anastasia, I had Taylor and Gail empty out the playroom."
"I don't get it." I look at him but his face remains serious. I turn around and walk quickly up to the playroom. The door isn't locked and when it opens everything is gone. The walls are white and the dimmed lights are replaced by normal ceiling lights. I gasp in horror and turn to Christian. "Why? Why would you do this?"
"I'll protect you from anything Anastasia, that includes myself."
"If this has anything to do with last time, your insane. I loved it Christian, I needed it."
"You were a sub Ana, I saw you and I saw my sub, not my wife. You were no longer the mother of my children-"
"Christian I liked the room as much as you did. What you did to me, how it made me feel-"
"You were Leila, Anastasia!" His hands are running through his hair, he's walking back and fourth, and Leila's words are screaming through my ears, 'beat it out of me.' "You asked how it felt Ana, seeing Leila in this room, knowing she'd do whatever the f***k I wanted. Knowing she could handle the whips, the canes. I've never wanted it as bad as in that moment. It wasn't enough for me last time, I had to think of beating the shit out of you to find my release."
"No, Christian," I throw my hand over my mouth, shaking my head. "No, that's not true." I'm begging him to tell me different. To tell me he still doesn't have those feeling.
"Anastasia, I wanted to break you." His voice is a whisper, a dirty confession he's been hiding.