Fifty Shades or Not
Ch 14: Family dinner?
Christian came out and faced the media and the board all at the same time. He told them he was going to do a full investigation on the whole fraud incident, and he would do whatever it took to see how far it went.
As president of the company he's prepared to take appropriate action against such person. Glenn Taggart wanted to know whose authority was he back as president, both Carrick and Christian it was theirs.
"Well it seems as though my father and I are on the same wave length here. Also since I have in possession Mr. Rodriguez's confession on a recording, I will be fully reinstated as president effective immediately. Now I ask you all to join me on this great adventure," Christian said so proudly.
Carrick spoke up. "I want to gladly vindicate my son as acting president of Grey Enterprises as I will be stepping down and letting him take the lead. From now on he is fully in charge of the company as well as the investigation of this fraud."
Christian smiled at his father. "Thank you, dad."
Grace was rather shocked with her brother as Elena was grateful that Carrick did the right thing for his son. After Christian was through making his rounds of shaking hands, he asked his dad to join him in his office. Grace began to get everyone to leave as she told them they would invite them back soon. Carrick joined his son in his office.
"Well, we are alone son, and I just wanted you to know I meant every word of what I just said. But I would like to know one thing, where exactly do I stand with you and this company?" he asked.
"In terms of?" Christian asked.
"I want to know if I will be investigated as well? Am I your target?" Carrick asked his son.
Meanwhile Ana was at her desk working of some documents when Grace came up to her.
"Ana, that was very brave of you to solicit that recording from Jose. Personally I always found him to be a very interesting young man but chilling as well and however he could never be trusted. But I think you handled him quite well young lady," Grace said to Ana.
"Thank you Mrs. Grey," Ana said, not quite knowing what to say.
Back in Christian's office he and his dad were having a talk and Carrick wanted to know if his son would be investigating him too.
"Father, I never wanted to believe you more, than I do right now. You had nothing to do with Jose, you supported me."
"Christian, those were never just words, I always supported you. The ring I gave to you a long time ago from your grandfather, it symbolizes a passing of leadership, from me to you."
"It meant the world to me when you gave me that ring. I always wanted to be the best I could for you."
"Son, I want the best for you and you deserve it."
Christian was taken back by his father's words, especially since their relationship hasn't always been good. However; Christian wanted to give his dad the benefit of the doubt.
"I needed to be sure, and want you to help me. Come to work for me, let's build on that father-son relationship," Christian insisted. "Will you do that for me, dad?"
Carrick smiled as he was so happy his son asked him to come and work with him. "Of course son! Yes I will," he said, as they hugged each other.
I want so much to believe in my dad, this was the only way I could know for sure.
"I wanted to believe you dad, thank you," Christian said with emotion in his voice.
Ana came in just as the two men got through hugging. Carrick thanked his son for the opportunity of working together and told him he wouldn't let him down. Ana was in shock.
"I can't believe you asked your father to come work with you. Why would you do that?" she asked Christian. "Do you really believe your father was telling you the truth about Jose? Please don't tell me you don't think he had nothing to do with that whole fiasco with Jose," she pleaded.
Christian looked back at Ana explaining to her what he was feeling. "The idea that my own father would try to deliberately to ruin me. Why would a father do that to his own son?"
Ana looked at Christian knowing that he and his father had a difficult relationship. "I don't know, but it happens."
"I pray to god that you're wrong. Ana, the truth is, I don't trust him. But, I need to be able to keep an eye on him every minute."
Carrick was home and he told his sister that his son asked him to work with him. Grace was very surprised that Christian would ask that. However she didn't believe her own brother and wanted to know what his angle was. He didn't answer her leaving her to question his motives.
Christian wanted Ana to go home and get some rest. He needed her refreshed and ready to go tomorrow.
"Christian, I'm fine," she said, as he led her to the door of his office.
"Look, Ana, I know you have to be exhausted after everything you've been through the last twenty fours hours and I wanted to apologize about my part in that."
"Christian, when are you going to stop apologizing?"
"When you get a good night sleep. I will call the driver and tell him to take you home."
Ana really looked at Christian. "You don't get it do you?"
He looked back at her. "What?"
"Remember that night on the porch at Mia's when we were looking the stars and you were talking about our future?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll never forget it," he lowered his voice and looked into her eyes.
"Neither will I," she said, looking deep in his grey eyes.
The way Ana looked back at me, made my heart skip a beat. Could we finally be making headway in our relationship? God, I hoped so.
Christian walked closer to Ana, as he pulled her closer to him and they embraced each other. This was the closest they had been since the whole Jose thing.
Oh wow, it felt so good to hold Christian in my arms. We have been through so much together, that I couldn't be more happier than I was right now.
The next evening, Christian wanted to spend some time alone with Anastasia. So he asked her to come out and blow some bubbles with him. Ana closed her eyes as he blew out some bubbles allowing them to hit her face gently and popping them. She giggled.
"This is nice...just enjoying the evening outside," Ana said to him.
"I thought you might like it," he said, continuing blowing bubbles.
Ray busted their party as he was asking why were they geting to have all the fun while he felt summoned to appear at a shindig at the Grey mansion.
"Now why do you two get to have the fun when I'm asked to appear at some shindig at the mansion?" Ray asked.
"What shindig?" Ana asked Christian.
Apparently, Carrick decided to throw a party for his lawyer and his new fiance a party. John and his girlfriend Roz, got engaged recently and the Greys were throwing the couple a party.
"I think you should go, Ray, and she and I will enjoy blowing these bubbles under the moonlight." Christian suggested.
"Why don't you two go and I'll stay. Why did Grace invite me anyway?"
Christian began to tell him that John and Roz were engaged and since John was his dad's new attorney, his dad thought it was fitting to throw them a party.
"But why invite me?" Ray asked.
Ana chimed in saying, "It does sound kind of weird," she agreed with her dad. "But, I think you should go anyway and tell us all about it tomorrow."
"Oh, I get it. Okay you guys have fun," Ray said leaving them alone.
"Bye!" Christian said, smiling, "Okay, back to more important business here," as he blew some bubbles.
"Aren't you the slightest bit curious about the dinner at your family's home?"
"In a word, no."
"Don't you think it's weird they invited my father?" she asked while he got up.
"Can't we just blow bubbles tonight?" he asked.
She looked up at him not knowing why he didn't want to go. "I thought you were the one who said look out for people?"
"Honestly? I just don't want to talk about business tonight, okay?" he asked, looking down at her as she sat on the steps.
"I think we should go," she said, getting up.
He got in her way fast saying, "Oh no, please. I really don't want to go, it would be so boring," he pleaded with her.
"No it wouldn't," she said.
"Ana, you would hate it," he commented. "Its nothing but country club people anyway," he said, trying to convince her.
"Oh, come on, they're people too," she replied.
"Yes the same people who talk nice to you to your face then they back stab you. It's all about what they can get from you, telling secrets and lies. I'm just tired of it all," he stated.
"That's exactly why we need to be there and you know it," Ana said, dragging him to the party.
Christian sighed knowing she won that discussion. They arrived at the party which was in full swing. Christian led Ana to the table, pulling out her chair for her. Once everyone arrived in the room, Carrick was ready to make his announcement.
"I'm glad everyone is here to help us celebrate the engagement of Roz and John," Carrick was saying. He raised his champagne glass toasting the couple. "Congratulations to the happy couple!"
Everyone cheered, clapped and drank their champagne. They all ate dinner together as Carrick beamed on how happy he was to have his son there too. It was almost time for dessert when Carrick wanted to make another announcement.
Since the rebuilding of of the community was going on after the fire, he had someone in mind for the job to get things moving along. He nominated John to get the job completed. While Ray was in shock as he was already working with Josh, he liked John and was willing to compromise with the guy.
Ana and Christian decided they had enough of the party and were leaving. Christian said goodnight to his dad as Ana said goodnight to her dad. They left, and went back to Christian's yacht. Once inside his boat, he offered to take Ana home. She told him she wanted to stay. This was the first in a long time they'd be alone together.
Christian excused himself for a moment while Ana saw his guitar. She went over to it as she tried a play a tune. He heard her and was watching her. Ana felt him watching and stopped.
"Hey, don't stop," Christian suggested as he came over to where she was sitting.
"I'm a terrible guitar player," she said.
"No, it's okay. Here let me help you," as he showed her how to place her fingers.
He began to spread her fingers along the strings of the guitar. He looked at her saying, "You need to just loosen your fingers a little."
Ana laughed. "So that's how it is huh? I just loosen up and I will play just like Eric Clapton?"
"Everyone has to start somewhere," he said, lowering his voice.
Christian was helping her as he touched her hand and could feel the electricity flow between them, they looked at each other.
Oh wow...I could swear that Ana could hear my heartbeat out of my chest. Being this close to her was sending signals to my lower region. God how I wanted to be close to her. Could she feel it too?
"Um...your fingers are getting stiff again," Christian said, as he tried to move them.
"Oh, sorry," Ana said, as she moved her hand all together.
"It's, okay," he breathed out. "You just have to work the stiffness out is all," he replied, loving their moment together.
"I don't even know why I picked this up when I only know one song, Row your boat ashore," Ana said, quietly.
"It's a start," Christian said back.
"Yeah. I learned it when my dad and I were on the run a while back."
"You've certainly have come a long way since then."
"Nah, I just dress differently. Listen, Christian I want to thank you for all that time you took care of me during the whole thing with Jose. You really don't have to keep taking care of me like I some cat that you took in," she started saying.
"Wait...what? Where is this coming from?" he asked. "Did your dad say something to you?"
"No...It's just that…"
"Look, Ana, I know that I may screw up somewhere along the way… that's a given with my track record."
"No, he didn't say anything. I don't know it was…"
Christian was pushing a few stray ends of her hair back as he said, "It's okay, Ana. I just wanted to making sure you knew that I'm here for you, always."
Christian reached around to bringing Ana closer to him as they embraced again. Christian loved feeling her in his arms, it felt so right. When he pulled back, their faces were close together that they could feel their breath fan each other's face. He leaned in closer to kiss her, just as their lips were about to touch, Ana pulled away. She wasn't ready for that yet.
"I'm sorry, Ana," he said to her.
"No, I'm sorry...I wanted it...I ...um," she said trying to form the words.
"It's okay Ana, I will wait," Christian to to her.
"I need to get going as it's late," Ana said as she was about to leave.
"I'll take you home, Ana," Christian said as she tried opening the door but it was locked. She looked back at him a little nervous.
"I...um...sorry, Christian."
"Ana...you have no reason to apologize...I want you to feel safe again. I know it's going to take some time and patience but, I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank you," Ana said, hating that she was always pulling away from him.
"Listen...it's late and if you like you could stay in one of the rooms. It was made up for you last time," Christian suggested.
"Actually that sounds nice. See you in the morning?" she asked, looking back at him.
"Absolutely. If you need anything, I'm just down the hall." Christian replied.
Christian watched her go to her room as he exhaled. He made himself a brandy as he flashbacked to their almost kiss. Everything about Ana made him feel so good inside.
Why in the hell did I waste so much time when all along the right girl was in front of me? If I hadn't of waited to tell her how I really felt, we wouldn't be in this mess. I drank my brandy as I went to bed.
The next morning, Christian got up and went to check on Ana. Her door was open as he stepped in calling her name. When she didn't answer, he panicked as he ran into the salon calling her name.
"Ana! Ana!" he shouted.
She came running in with a spatula in her hand. "What? What's wrong?" she asked, looking at him.
"Oh...there you are," he said, practically out of breath. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" Looking back at Ana.
"Why?" she asked.
"I thought that something had happened," Christian said, catching his breath.
"Well, something did happen. It's a bright beautiful day, a new start of my life. Jose is gone and I'm making breakfast," she replied, excitedly.
Ana went into the galley, got the food on a tray bringing it in the salon on the table.
"Wow! You must have slept really good last night," he commented on how much she made.
"Yeah, I slept great!" she said, getting the food off the tray. Ana seemed to be on autopilot as she kept talking. "I can't wait until we get to the office, now remember we have to call our clients over at Berlin," she said sitting across from Christian.
He got up and moved closer to where she sat as he said, "Listen, before we launch, could we talk about something that's not business."
"Sure, but we have an agenda," Ana said, looking at Christian.
He looked her in the eyes as he said, "I want to talk about what about between us last night. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I had a great time." She spoke quietly.
Christian was rather surprised with her comment. "You did?" he asked.
"I enjoyed spending time with you. We talked, blew bubbles and went to dinner with your family."
"And we came back here and things were getting a little romantic and you got scared."
"No, I didn't...not really," she said with some hesitation in her voice.
"Ana- don't deny that you were scared when I tried to kiss you. You pulled away…"
"I know...Christian. It's just that…"
"I know it's going to take some time to get passed all that Jose stuff. I told you I wasn't going anywhere."
"I get that...please don't worry about me."
"Too many things have happened to both of us to just sweep under the rug, Ana. I think it would help if we went to somebody to talk…"
"W-what do you mean talk to someone? What? It happened, it's over," she stated.
"Ana, we both know it's not over, it's in your head and in your dreams."
"Talking about it makes it much worse," she said back.
"Ana-there are groups out there that deal with this issue. I think we need to get help…"
"Christian, I don't need to talk to some stranger about the rape. I have my family, friends, plus you. You are the one who is getting me through this. Talking about the rape makes it worse and I just want to forget it even happened." Christian sighed for now.
Ugh! She is one stubborn woman. I just wish she would admit she needed help, but I guess she needs more time. This is just frustrating.
Meanwhile at Grey Enterprises, Grace was already talking to someone from the press. She was letting that reporter know that any accusations about her nephew is false and that Jose's part was being looked into. Carrick showed up just as she was dismissing the reporter.
However; another reporter from the Seattle Times wanted a full statement from Carrick asking what was going on in the company regarding Mr. Rodriguez. Carrick let him know that all accusations between Rodriguez and the company were false, but the reporter wasn't buying it.
Four men showed up just as Carrick was telling that one reporter about the incident at Grey Enterprises. One of the men told Carrick they were there to audit the accounting department. Carrick looked at his sister Grace as she had no idea who they were. Christian and Ana arrived together just as Carrick wanted to know who the men were.
"Who hired these men?" Carrick asked.
"I did, father," Christian answered as he came into the office. "I hired them to audit over the company's last ten years, I figured we needed to get to the bottom of the financial figures. Do you have any objections?" Christian asked with Ana standing next to him.
"No, son, I don't. I just don't understand why all of this is necessary," Carrick said to his son.
"Father, I wanted to protect our company's interest and make sure all of our tenure is protected. I mean, you do want to get to the bottom of this Jose fiasco, don't you?" Christian asked his father curiously.
"Of course, I do."
"This is totally unnecessary, Christian," Grace replied.
"Aunt Grace, if we want a healthy company, do you think we should start with a clean slate?" he asked her as well.
Both Ana and Christian knew each of them had something up their sleeve or they wouldn't be anxious about him looking into the financials of the company. Ana stood behind Christian knowing that those two were up to no good in her opinion. While they were in Christian's office, he told his father and aunt he was looking in the company's best interests.
"You are the president son." Carrick stated.
"Well, the Grey's working together, a new age dawns," Grace said to them all.
Carrick excused himself as he said he needed to get ready for the press conference and Grace did as well.
"Would you like me to show these gentlemen to the financial department?" Ana asked Christian.
"Yeah. That be great. Thanks." He replied.
Ana showed the men out as Christian made a phone call to the head nurse at the nearby hospital.
"Cedars, Lillian raines," a nurse answered.
"Hey, Lillian its Christian."
"Hi, what's up?" she asked.
"Well, um...I heard that you could help me with a problem I'm having," he said into the phone.
Carrick and Grace were talking outside Christian's office. He was telling her he was going to "help" the accounting firm with what they needed. She told him that was a good idea and that he would give a statement to the press.
A/N: So the plot thickens. Christian and Ana are growing closer together. Will Christian get the help he needs to get through to Ana?