Ana was sat in bed watching Christian's back as he spoke with the head of the secret service. She could see that Sawyer had just handed him something but she had no idea what it was. She just hoped nothing had happened to Mia which she assumed was also Christian's first thought. Christian and Sawyer spoke for a few moments but she couldn't understand what either were saying. She was trying to make out what was in Christians hands but it was too dark in the room for her to see it clearly. Finally, after speaking for a few more minutes, Christian shut the door before he turned back towards his girlfriend eying her warily from where he stood. He seemed to be preparing himself to tell her something and she could tell from his demeanour that it wasn't going to be something good.
"What is it? what's wrong?" she asked, sitting up completely on the bed with the blankets tucked around her watching her boyfriend as he walked towards the bed. Christian didn't reply. He was still looking at her with worried grey eyes and she was starting to think of scenarios in her head that might have happened. Was it her mother or father? was it the King or Lady Grace? had something happened to Mia on the way to her school? as he walked past the window the light hit him from a gap in the curtains she could see that he had something in his hands that was rolled up and she had a feeling it was to do with that.
"You're scaring me Christian," Ana whispered and he went to her side immediately, pulling her into his arms. "Whatever it is just tell me," she whispered, kissing his chest through the gap in his open dressing gown.
"There's something I have to show you, I need you to keep calm, ok baby?" he asked. She looked at him puzzled before he handed her whatever was in his hands. On closer inspection she realised it was a newspaper, todays national newspaper and her heart started to hammer in her chest. She unrolled the grey material and then looked down at the front cover and her heart fell in her chest. Picture after picture of them cuddling on the balcony - him in his boxers, her in his shirt. There were pictures of her alone yesterday morning looking out of Paris and the final one had her wrapped around Christian like a vine and him carrying her back into the bedroom. It was obvious from the picture what they were doing - what they had just been doing and were about to do and it was enough to make her want to cry. She hadn't even told her parents about him yet; she hadn't even told Kate that they were going to Paris but here it was, splashed all over the cover of a world wide newspaper. Her heart dropped in her chest and tears filled her eyes.
It was the title that bothered her the most. The word 'fling' made her sound like some whore who was there to satisfy the future King whilst he was in Paris. If only they knew. It was revealing, it was painful and it was a shock. Christian had said they were safe here, he'd said no media attention had ever been on him before whilst he'd been visiting his sister but here it was, their relationship for the world to see in pictures.
"Baby, say something, please," Christian said, he was worried and saw her open and close in disbelief, a single tear making its way down her face. He hated the fact that this had happened - he'd promised her safety and he'd failed her. He was going to get to the bottom of this.
"I ... I don't know what to say," she breathed, her voice hoarse from trying to keep her emotions at bay. She was overwhelmed.
"I'm sorry, so sorry. I've had a word with Sawyer and he thinks someone gave the press a tip, he's looking into it now," Ana nodded at his words but she was in too much shock to answer him.
"I'll get to the bottom of this baby, I promise," he said softly, running his fingers through her hair wanting to soothe her.
"Fling in Paris," she laughed humourlessly, "I'm apparently your Paris whore,"
"Don't you use that word about yourself ever Anastasia," Christian said sternly, turning her to face him, "baby, this isn't going to go away. I know you're not ready but I don't think we have a choice anymore, they'll keep hounding us now until we give them something to write about," She sighed and rested her cheek against his warm skin and closing her eyes trying to let it all sink in. They were leaving Paris this morning and she couldn't even imagine the media coverage they would get of them stepping off the plane, they'd be outside her house, outside her job, she wouldn't be able to see her boyfriend anymore without it being front page news. Their bubble had burst and reality had set in.
She suddenly felt angry - he'd promised her that they would fly in and out of Paris undetected, he'd said that the secret service were excellent at their jobs and had never let him down before but here they were - front page news. She hadn't even told her father yet - she'd only told Kate about him and now it was on every newspaper around the world.
"You promised me Christian, you promise me that we would go out here and not be detected by the media. How could you let this happen? - you knew I wasn't ready," Ana sat up and felt tears spring to her eyes. She was angry and panicking, a lethal cocktail of emotion as the reality of what this front page meant for her - for them - set in.
"Ana I didn't know this was going to happen," Christian sighed. He tried to pull her back into his arms but she resisted and he looked at her worriedly. "Ana?" he asked puzzled. She wasn't actually blaming him for this was she? he was as shocked as she was.
"Christian this changes everything," Ana said resting her head in her hands to cover her face, "I haven't even told my parents yet, my dad is going to think I've been keeping things from him - god how am I going to go to work? I'll probably get kicked off the paper. This doesn't affect you! it effects me!" Christian raised his eyebrows.
"Baby..." he breathed. He was worried that this was too much for her and too far too soon. He was terrified that she was going to leave him - she was all he had and he couldn't bare it if this was the end. He had to reassure her that nothing had to change but even he knew that was a lie. How had things gone so wrong in such a short space of time. He tried to put his arm around her again.
"No, don't." Ana shrugged him off.
"Why do I feel like you're blaming me? you don't actually think it's my fault do you?" Christian asked, offended and angry that she'd even think that.
"How would they know where we were Christian? we're in the middle of nowhere, there's no one for miles and ..."
"You are actually blaming me for this? for gods sake Ana - I love you, I'd never do anything to hurt you or jeopardise what we have. You're all I have Ana. I had no idea that anything had happened until Sawyer came this morning. This is as much of a shock for me as it is for you." He climbed out of bed, angry and hurt and walked into the en-suite bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Ana sighed. She knew she shouldn't be blaming him. It wasn't realistically his fault. She was just stressed and upset and looking for someone to blame for this turn of events and her boyfriend was in the firing line. It was the secret service she wanted words with. How could they let a photographer get intimate pictures of them when it was their job to make sure things like that never happened? now she was being portrayed at the Prince's 'fling' to the public.
She climbed out of bed wanting to apologize to him. He was right, she couldn't blame him for the photographer getting pictures of them and she had to remember that he was caught up in this two - it wasn't just her on the pictures. She opened the door to the en-suite slowly seeing her Prince urinating into the toilet. God, he sounded like a horse, how much water could one man hold in his body? he glanced around when he saw the door open but didn't make eye contact with her. She watched as he finished, tucking himself back into his boxers before going over to the sink to pour some shaving gel onto his hand. He started to lather his face with the gel and she couldn't help her eyes from running down his body. He really was the most beautiful man in the world and he was all hers to touch and love. His body was a work of art and she wanted to lick every inch of it with her tongue - although now probably wasn't the best time to enact her fantasies.
Her eyes met his in the mirror and she blushed at the fact that he had caught her checking him out - not that he hadn't caught her before. She thought she might have seen a ghost of a smile on his lips but it was gone as soon as it arrived and she could tell he was angry at her. She swallowed and took in a deep breath before walking over to him until she stood behind him. He was watching her every move in the mirror as he stroked the razor across his face. Angry grey eyes met apologetic blue ones once more in the reflective glass and she wrapped her arms around his torso, her hands brushing along his firm abs and her lips kissing along his spine.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to let you think I blamed you. I was just angry and I took it out on you." She breathed. He was too tall for her to look over his shoulder but she could tell he was watching her intently.
"I don't like the fact you thought I could betray you like that Ana. You're everything to me, absolutely fucking everything and I'd never risk losing you," his voice showed the hurt he felt and she felt her eyes water for the second time that morning. Her heart ached at the fact she'd hurt him.
"I'm sorry baby, I know you wouldn't," she felt the movement of his arm as he put down his razor and turned to face her - clean shaven. She continued to move her hands over his abs as he grabbed a towel to pat dry his face. She smiled when his handsome clean shaven face was revealed to her eyes but he didn't return it. He continued to stare at her intently before grabbing her face in his hands.
"Ana, this is a major fuck up, I know that. I'll do everything I can to protect you and get to the bottom of it. I'm terrified that this is all going to get too much for you and I'll lose you. I love you, more than anything and I can't lose you," Christian breathed. She could see the terror in his eyes as well as the immense amount of love he had for her. She moved her arms around his neck and stood up on her tip toes trying to reach his lips but he was still too tall. He smirked at her, leaning down slightly and she kissed him passionatly.
"I'm not going anywhere Christian. We'll get through this," she smoothed her hands across his face feeling the soft skin. "As long as the world knows that I'm your girlfriend and not some Paris whore, I get to keep my job and I still get to see this handsome face as much as possible I know we'll be okay," Christian nodded and let out a breath. She smirked at him and started planting kisses down his muscular chest and torso.
"What are you doing baby?" Christian breathed as she played with the band of his boxers before dipping her hand inside.
"Distracting us," she winked before talking his hardening length in her mouth.
They had their things packed for them and taken down to the car and then they were off to get the plane back to England. The skies were gloomy, a grand representation of the mood between the couple as harsh reality set in once more. The minute the plane was in the sky, Ana took off her seatbelt and went to crawl into her boyfriends lap, cuddling him close and trying to forget about the storm that was surely coming when they stepped out of the plane. She'd seen it happen to other people - celebrities getting hounded by the media - but she never thought she would ever be on the receiving end of it and the thought terrified her.
"How will I even see you from now on? you can't come around for your dinner and sleep over anymore. Taylor can't wait outside for you whilst you come in and sweep me off my feet." Ana sighed against him. "This changes everything Christian,"
"Ana I will break one hundred cameras on my way to your door if I have to, I'll fly a private jet into your back garden just to see you, I will not let this end what we have, I will not lose you," He said softly. The thought of losing Ana was a knife to his chest. He couldn't lose her; he loved her more than anything. She'd made his life so much brighter since the second she'd walked into it with those soul shaking eyes and beautiful smile. She was his everything and he would fight anyone and anything to keep her in his life; by his side. She wasn't ready for the world to know about them but he wouldn't let her pull away from him, he wouldn't let her put her walls up because he'd knock each and everyone of them down. He loved her too much.
She sat up determinedly and Christian was internally glad to see the fire back in her eyes that had been gone since they woke up this morning. She looked alive once again and he watched her intently as she tried to formulate what she wanted to say to him.
"If this is going to happen, it's going to be on our own terms, not the media's. I won't let them control us. I won't let them think I'm your whore," Christian nodded. He was glad to see some fight in her - he could only hope that she'd continue to fight for their relationship because he couldn't lose her - not now that he knew what true love was.
"I agree baby,"
"I have a plan - an idea of how we handle this but I want your input too, we're in this together," he smiled, a relieved and happy smile that told her exactly where he thought she had been heading with her words. "Christian, I love you and I'm not going to lose you over this. The world knows now but the ball is still in our court and here's how," she explained the plan to Christian and he listened intently, nodding his head in understanding as she spoke. After their conversation they cuddled together talking candidly when there was a knock on the cabin door. Christian called for whoever it was to enter and saw Sawyer walking down the isle towards them.
"Sawyer, do you have news?" Christian asked.
"Yes, there was a leak I'm afraid sir, we have found out who it was,"
"And who was it?"
"Gretchen Bell, Your Highness, your mother's maid. The phone call was made from Lady Grace's office at 6pm last night and her name was given as the source, it should have flagged up on the system as an alert but for some reason, it didn't" Sawyer looked apologetic and contrite.
"Right, thank you Sawyer," the security man nodded and walked out of the cabin shutting the door behind him and Christian sagged back in his chair.
"How would Gretchen even know?" Ana whispered.
"I don't think this was Gretchen, in fact, I'm 99% certain who this was," Christian said angrily.
"Who?"
"My mother," Christian growled feeling the anger rise inside him.
They landed in London at a secret location and Ana was relieved to see that the secret service had done their job in protecting them. Taylor had come to pick them up and they climbed into the car with secret service following close behind.
"What do you want to do baby?" Christian asked.
"Can you take me to my office?" Ana asked. She just wanted to go to work and bury herself under a pile of reports right now but something told her that wasn't going to be possible.
"Sure, Taylor, drop Anastasia off at ... where's your office love?" he asked, turning to face her. She giggled at him and gave Taylor the address before cuddling back against her boyfriend knowing this might be the last time she saw him for a while.
"When will I see you again?" Ana asked.
"Soon Anastasia, I can't be without you for long, I'll sort this out with my mother and then come and see you," Ana nodded against him. They pulled up outside her office and Ana was shocked to see tens of photographers outside, lenses at the ready already snapping shots of the car.
"Shit," Christian groaned, "Taylor, contact the secret service and tell them to walk Ana to her office and to stay until she leaves," Christian said before turning back to his worried girlfriend, "I'm so sorry Ana," he breathed, holding her close to him. This was what he was dreading. He could deal with the press but he wasn't sure if Ana would be able to.
"It's not your fault Christian," she stroked his chest, thankful of the black out windows. All she needed was for some hotshot paparazzi man with his camera poised to catch a glimpse of them cuddling in the car.
"I love you Ana, so much, we'll get through this baby," she nodded and leaned over to kiss him softly.
"I love you too, I'll miss you, please come and see me soon,"
"I will Ana, I promise," he said. She was gone in a flurry of lights as the secret service escorted her into her building, guarding her from the relentless snaps of the men with cameras. The door was shut before they could see him inside the car and he sighed as she walked in wondering if this would be too much for her. He knew the power of the media - they were relentless, they'd pour your heart and soul onto the front page without a care in the world if it hurt you or not.
"Drive on Taylor," Christian directed. There was one thing on his mind right now - he needed to confront his mother and it couldn't wait. The anger was bubbling inside him at her betrayal. How could she do this to him? and then try to blame Gretchen who would never have known that they were in Paris and certainly would never have risked her job knowing how quickly they could track down the culprit. He knew the staff spoke but he also knew them well enough and trusted them enough by now to know they didn't talk. They were loyal to the flag and wouldn't betray the Royal family like that. His mother however was a different story and he needed to get to the bottom of it all.
Ana meanwhile had entered the building of her office. The usual staff were there but instead of getting on with their work they were staring at her wide eyed like she was some kind of icon. Ana ignored their glances, leading the two secret service members who were her guards against the media storm outside to the elevators to get to her office. Her heart was going at a million miles an hour and so many things were racing around in her head. She needed to get to her office; her sanctuary. She needed to be on her own and to have a think. She'd been on an emotional rollercoaster since she'd been woken this morning and she needed a few minutes to herself. They reached her floor and she dodged past her work colleagues as they came to ask her questions. She just needed to reach her office.
"I'm going to go in there and I want to be by myself," she said to the secret service outside her office. She didn't need two strangers in her office staring at her whilst she was trying to do her work.
"We'll need to wait out here, Ma'am," One of the men said.
"That's fine but don't come in," the two men nodded and Ana walked into her office, slamming and locking the door behind her and letting out a deep breath that she'd been holding in. She was overwhelmed and felt tears come to her eyes as the shock and enormity of the day came crashing down on her. She collapsed into her chair at her desk and put her face in her hands, allowing her emotions to come pouring out. She didn't want to cry in front of Christian this morning and she'd been brave all the way here but now that she was alone she could let everything she was feeling out.
She could hear a calamity of voices and sounds outside but blocked them out as she cried as quietly as possible not wanting anyone to hear her. All she needed was for one of her colleagues to write a piece about how she was crying in her office as soon as soon as she got back from her weekend away with her Prince. She needed this, needed to have her moment of weakness and vulnerability in order to become strong again. She cried for the loss of their privacy, she cried for the loss of Christian's strong arms when she needed them, she cried for everything that would change from now on. Was this worth it? was the attention, the camera's, the hounding worth it? of course it was. She'd go through worse for Christian and his love but that didn't mean she wasn't allowed to be unhappy about it. She had been so content within their little bubble where no one could hurt them and now that had been well and truly burst.
She couldn't let the media win, she couldn't let Grace win, she had to be strong. She sat back rubbing her eyes to get rid of any trace that she'd been crying - thankful that she hadn't worn any mascara this morning and turned on her computer. She ignored the hundreds of emails that had been pouring into her account since yesterday and clicked her blank journal template for tomorrows paper. With a deep breath, she started to type.
Christian meanwhile had just climbed out of the car outside of the palace. Taylor had taken his luggage into the house and he took a calming breath before walking into the house, secret service following behind him. He was angry - so angry but he couldn't let it out until he saw his mother and got an answer from her. He was struggling to comprehend how his mother could want to tear him and Ana apart so much that she'd cross the line and leak something to the press about her own family - her own son.
"Sawyer?" Christian asked, turning to face the head of his secret service. He was going to be having very stern words with all of the secret service who were on duty whilst they were in Paris but first he wanted to speak to his mother.
"Yes Your Highness?" the man replied, coming to stand in front of Christian. He looked sheepish but Christian kept his expression neutral.
"Please go and get Lady Grace,"
"Yes sir," Sawyer left and Christian paced the empty hallway trying to configure in his mind what he was going to say. Did he come straight out with the question or did he let her think he didn't know for now until she tripped up on her words. Or maybe he should ask about Gretchen and see just how far she would go to cover her tracks. His mother was manipulative and cruel when she wanted to be and he was determined not to get caught in her web of lies. He heard her heals clicking along the hallway tiles and turned to face her.
"Hello dear, did you have a good time with your sister?" Lady Grace Grey was cunning. She floated down the hallway towards him with a smile on her face as though she hadn't just betrayed her son and told the world about his 'secret romance'.
"I did mother, until this morning,"
"What happened this morning?" Grace feigned innocence angering Christian to no end. She knew what had happened this morning - she'd read the papers.
"The front page spread in the World News of Anastasia and I in Paris," Christian had to hold himself back from snarling. He was burning with anger - steam almost coming out of his ears as he looked at his mother. How could she act like she'd done nothing wrong? how could she stand there and speak to him normally without cracking?
"Ahh yes I saw that this morning dear, terrible those paparazzi," she tutted. Christian looked away and took a calming breath trying not to explode. She was getting him to that point, his anger levels rising and rising with every second he spent in her presence. She was a liar, a cunning one at that and he wasn't expecting an easy ride. He counted to ten in his head feeling his anger start to dissipate a little and then turned back to her.
"It's strange you know mother, because we found out who the source of the photos was already," he thought he saw anxiety flicked in her eyes for a second but it was gone the next time he looked. She was quick to conceal emotion; quick to put on that fake smile and dig her way out of any hole she'd got herself into.
"Did you? I'm sure it was just some Frenchman who saw the car and secret service go past and wanted to make some money," she shrugged, not making eye contact with him. Bingo.
"It was traced back to here mother," her eyes flickered to his and he swear he saw her eyes dart to the side in panic before she smiled her fake, over exaggerated smile.
"Was it a member of staff? we've never had that before, did you find out who it was?" he detected a slight shake in her voice. To any other person she would have looked completely normal but Christian knew her better. Over the years he'd learned to see when her façade was cracking and right now, it was crumbling like wet sand before his very eyes.
"Do you want to know what I think happened?" he asked. She didn't respond, only looked at him, her fake smile slipping from her lips slightly and her brows furrowed. "I think you don't like Ana because she isn't royalty and you knew she didn't want the world to know about our relationship yet. So you betrayed your son and tipped off a paparazzi about us under Gretchen's name hoping it would break us. Am I right?" he seethed. She hesitated for a moment and then gave the most rehearsed, unnatural laugh he'd ever heard in his life.
"Don't be ridiculous son," Grace smiled placatingly but her eyes were anything but calm, darting around the hallway at the various staff who had been walking past them going about their daily business. She was embarrassed that her son was accusing her in front of them but Christian didn't care, he was glaring at her, his eyes cold and angry.
"I'm not mother, I know that is exactly what happened, do you want me to go and get more proof from the staff? shall I go into your office and check the dial outs because you and I both know that newspaper isn't one of the programmed numbers and will be flagged up, or maybe I should ask Gretchen," her smile was completely gone now, her eyes shifting from side to side never looking at his face. He could see her hands shaking slightly under his unwavering gaze.
"Christian..." she laughed shakily.
"Are you going to admit what you did and explain yourself or do I need to get more proof?" she was trapped, shrinking under her son's angry watch. There was no way for her to get out of it. He knew and he wasn't going to let this go. She'd thought he'd come back heartbroken that Anastasia had broken up with him over this - that she couldn't deal with the media and didn't want all of the fuss that came with being with him. She'd have given him a hug, soothing his pain and organised another ball for him to find a nice upper class wife which wouldn't ruin the aristocracy of the Royal family. But here he was angry and blaming her for it and she didn't even know if her plan had worked and Anastasia had indeed broken up with him. There was no sign or her, that had to be a good thing didn't it? she could mend her relationship with her son after this, he'd get over it and realise she was only doing it for him.
"Darling, I did it for you," she admitted, "Anastasia was only going to drag us down, you need to do what's right, not what you want and she was only after the title," Grace said, reaching up as though to stroke her sons cheek but he flinched and stepped back from her.
"Anastasia is the best and most wonderful person I have ever met and do you want to know why? because she doesn't care about our money or our name. She loves me with or without the title," Grace choked when she heard the word love. They loved each other? they'd known each other for five minutes!
"Sweetheart, I understand that you care for Anastasia but ..."
"There is no but mother, I love Anastasia and your stupid little plan didn't work. All it did was make me resent you," Christian said, walking away before she could get in another word. The second that he got to his room, he locked the door and he punched the wall so hard he broke the skin on his knuckles. He was so angry and felt betrayed that his own mother would do this to him - would want him to be unhappy just so they could keep with tradition. He lay in bed for a few minutes, a headache beginning to form and his fist throbbing. He knew he couldn't sleep so decided to check to see that the secret service had done their job and protected the love of his life. It was the least they could do after their failure to protect them both in Paris. He called for Taylor who patched him through to one of the two members who'd been with her.
"Your highness,"
"Yes, I need a report on Anastasia Steele,"
"She is still in her office sir," Christian furrowed his brow. It was quite late in the evening and he thought she would have gone home by now.
"Are you with her?"
"Yes Your Highness, we're outside her door,"
"Please put me through to her,"
"Affirmative sir," there was a knock on Ana's door and then he heard her sweet voice on the line.
"Christian?"
"Hi baby, are you ok?"
"I think this is the first time you've ever been able to call me," she giggled and the sound melted away all of his worries as though the last hours had never happened.
"I needed to check up on you and see how you were,"
"I'm okay, I haven't phoned my parents yet but I finished my column for tomorrow, I have a feeling we might make the front page again," he could almost sense her rolling her eyes through the phone and laughed.
"I might just buy the paper tomorrow then,"
"Make sure you do, you might be getting a mention in my Royal column," she said suggestively.
"I'm coming to see you tomorrow Ana, I don't care if I have to battle paparazzi on the way, I will see you tomorrow," she sighed.
"I'm scared to go home," she admitted. She could still hear the crowds outside and knew that she would have to go out there and face the cameras once again.
"Don't be baby, the secret service will be there with you," Christian said. He hated the fact that he wasn't there with her and that she was scared. He hated the fact that she was on her own dealing with all of this.
"Yes but what about after that? what about tomorrow? what if I wake up tomorrow morning and they're standing outside my door waiting for me with their big cameras ready to snap a front page shot?" Ana sighed. She'd been doing a lot of thinking the last few hours and her mind had gone through every scenario - good, bad and downright silly.
"Ana, I promise you this will all die down soon my love, we just have to ride this out until its over. That being said, it will not stop me from seeing you," she laughed at his determination. Her knight in shining armour.
"I don't know whether I'm going into work tomorrow so come in the evening, at least then maybe some of the paparazzi will be off duty,"
"I love you Ana," Christian breathed, needing to make sure she knew. He knew how she'd be feeling right now - alone, scared, vulnerable and he hated the fact he couldn't be with her.
"I love you too," she handed the phone back to the secret service man once they'd finished talking and then pulled the landline off her desk tapping in number 3 on speed dial. She had so many missed calls she didn't know who had called or how many times.
"Anastasia? is that you sweetheart?" her father said on the phone and she broke down in tears at his comforting voice.
"Yes daddy,"
"How are you sweetheart? I think we need a little catch up, I had no idea you were dating a Prince," he laughed. She needed this. The light-hearted conversation. She needed her dad to make her feel better in this time of worry.
"Oh dad, its all such a mess," Ana cried, "It was perfect until this morning, now I have camera men outside my office and I'm scared to go home and see more," she admitted, trying to wipe her eyes but every time she did, a new batch of tears would fall.
"Oh Annie, calm down sweetheart, first of all, how long has this been going on between you and Prince Trevelyan?"
"A few weeks," Ana whispered.
"Ok, and is it serious?"
"We love each other dad,"
"Wow that was fast, I want to meet him before you too kids do anything else,"
"You will Daddy, he's amazing, he makes me so happy,"
"I'm glad you're happy sweetheart, I just worry that's all, this is a lot to take in," Ana sighed. That was putting it lightly but she loved Christian and he was worth it.
"I know but I can't give him up, I can't give us up,"
"Keep strong Annie, I'll be home soon and we'll have some time together eh?"
"Yes, I miss you daddy,"
"I miss you too sweetheart, one more thing before I go, have you phoned your mother yet?" Ana scoffed.
"No, I haven't spoken to her in ages dad,"
"I think maybe you should call her, this will have come as a shock to her as well,"
"I will, I promise, bye Daddy love you,"
"Love you too sweetheart,"
The line went dead and she slumped back in her seat. Her dad knowing was one thing but her mother would have a field day. Carla Adams would love the fact Ana was dating such a 'rich and titled man'. She wouldn't care that Ana actually loved him and couldn't give a toss about his wealth or privilege. She decided it was now or never and dialled the number she knew off by heart.
"Hello?" the distinct voice of Carla Adams came though the speaker and Ana prepared herself for an onslaught of questions and lectures.
"Mum its Ana,"
"Anastasia Rose Steele! why did you not tell me you were dating Royalty? I've called over 20 times since this morning, why haven't you been answering,"
"I've been busy mum," Ana replied.
"Too busy to speak to your own mother?" Ana rolled her eyes, "anyway, is it serious? do you think you'll get married, can I meet the Royal family? I bet they're all so sophisticated, you might need to go to a special school to get more manners to join the Royal family Ana and.."
"Mother, I only rang you so you could hear it from me and not the tabloids,"
"I'm just saying darling, you need to know that this is huge, we could become rich from this, wealthy for life and then I could..."
"I'm hanging up now," Ana didn't wait for a reply, putting the phone down quickly. Trust her mother to be bothered about the money and titles rather than her own daughter. She sighed and stood up, clicking 'send' on the column she'd just finished with determination. Tomorrow would be a big day and she was tired but now she had to go back and see whether her flat was surrounded by media and camera crews. She met the secret service who were still stood outside despite everyone having gone home. They walked her out of the office block and the flashes started the second she left. There weren't as many but they were relentless asking question after question.
"Anastasia are you are Prince Trevelyan an item?"
"Is it true you were having a secret romance in Paris?"
"Are you and the Prince going to make it official,"
The car door was shut and she slammed her head back against the car seat, closing her eyes for a moment and praying that she could just go home and get in bed without any hassle. Luck was not on her side however and her street was swamped with people waiting for a glimpse of her. As fast as possible, the secret service opened her door and ushered her out of the car to blinding lights and more shouting. It was a circus and she didn't want to be part of it any longer. The people swarmed around her and she was thankful for the protection of the security otherwise she thought she might have been hurt in the race to her flat. She opened the door as fast as she could and headed into the flat, the secret service following her in.
"We're been asked to do a perimeter search Ma'am and to keep guard outside tonight," Ana sighed and allowed them to do what they needed to knowing it was futile to argue with them. One of the men walked off whilst the other stayed stood to attention beside her like a statue. It was awkward and all she wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep todays emotions away. Within a few minutes the man came back and nodded at her.
"All clear Ma'am, we'll be outside and will switch in a few hours." Ana nodded feeling incredibly vulnerable. The fact she needed to have secret service outside was a bit indicator as to how unsafe she was tonight and she wished Christian were with her. His arms made her feel safe and he would reassure her that everything would be alright and that he loved her. She needed that right now and wished she could phone him but she knew she couldn't. The secret service left, shutting the door behind them and she locked it, quickly going around to close all of the curtains and head to bed. She was exhausted by the time she'd gotten her pyjamas on and brushed her teeth and knowing her column was going to be released tomorrow didn't help matters. The second her head hit the pillow and the duvet wrapped around her like a protective shield she fell into a deep but restless sleep.
A/N - The secret is out and as most of you guessed, Grace is the one behind the leak. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.