Chapter 21 – The last straw

Ana

Yesterday was somewhat difficult but manageable, Grace has taken on a new game to compete with me for her son's undivided attention or to be the main focus whenever I'm with him. Otherwise, the children are enjoying themselves with their Aunt Mia, and Grace has used the opportunity to get closer to Kate. Behind Kate's façade, I can tell there's a hint of discomfort whenever she's with Grace, and I think I know what it is. Things haven't been completely resolved between Kate and Elliot, and Grace is trying her utmost best to glue them back together.

While I'm here I'm going to keep my distance from her, so I've confined myself to our room deliberately, the last thing I need is to have a falling out with Christian's mother with my children around. Planning has been excellent and smooth, the arrangements are final and on track, so I was thrilled to receive confirmation this morning via email. The overall cost seems pricey, but that can be negotiated. Everything appears to be great until I scroll through the page and my mouth drops. The attached pictures are all wrong, the arrangements are hideous and colour scheme is all wrong, this isn't what we discussed at all.

In my haste, I almost run her over when she bends the corner unexpectedly.

"Kate, glad I found you. Did you do this?" I say, breathing heavily and scrolling along the email on my phone.

She scrunches her face, "What am I looking at? . . . The arrangements . . . No, I didn't do this, Ana, I didn't change anything"

"Well someone did, now I have to call them back and fix this"

"Don't worry," she attempts to calm me, "It's probably a mix-up, we should go see them right now"

"Alright," my mind wanders a bit, suspecting that someone is trying to thwart our efforts.

Next morning

I'm up just in time to feel the first rays of sun on my sink. Looking out to the grounds, it's going to be a perfect day. I gather myself quietly, leaving Christian to sleep a bit more.

Since yesterday, I've been on high alert regarding today's arrangement, I want nothing to go wrong. My thoughts are derailed as I'm coming down the stairs. Sawyer is carrying a couple of bags through the living room towards the foyer. I silently follow him then I see Kate outside the front entrance poised to the top of the stairs with an elderly man. I look on in the background, Sawyer is packing the bags in the trunk and other man gets behind the wheel of the taxi. She's leaving.

"Kate," I say in dismay. Her head whips around from the absolute terror in my voice. She slumps her shoulders when I approach her, "You were going to leave without saying goodbye?"

"Yes I was," she admits, "But I was going to call when I get to the airport"

"I thought you and Elliot were doing fine. Why didn't tell me you weren't going to stay?"

"Because you would have talked me out of it, Ana, I can't stay here and sorry to leave you alone. You, Christian and the kids have things to work out and I need to get back home"

"So you're running away, just like that"

"I'm not running, I need some space, I'm not sure about this anymore . . . . You see why I didn't tell you anything"

Yeah, I see. I shouldn't be doing this; I should respect her decision and not badger her to remain with us. If this had happened to me I might have done the same thing, I would have wanted my space and time to think things through. I say nothing else and wrap my arms around her giving my utmost support. When I pull away, she displays an iridescent glow with the morning beams across her face.

"Call me when you get back," I comment sincerely. "Love ya, Kavanagh"

"Aww, I love you too, Steele" she gives me a crushing endearing embrace.

My tiny reluctant wave goodbye continues until the car leaves the crescent and drive onto the road to depart. Two cars and a moving truck are crisscrossing the taxi, heading towards the house. The event team is here to set up, I'm mildly pleased, but it's overshadowed by the fact that my friend is hurting and she's gone.

The time goes by quickly, the grounds are transformed into a gorgeous outdoor teashop. A widespread canopy with white tables and chairs are accentuated with light blue tablecloths, floral bouquets as centrepieces, matching cups, and saucers, plates and cutlery. There are two reserved tents for food and drink, which is the only thing missing to bring this event together. I'm caught in a whirlwind of satisfaction and gratitude until I hear the frantic sound of my name coming out from Elliot's mouth.

"Ana, Ana I can't find her. I went to her room and she isn't there, her things are gone, and, and I'm trying to call her but. . ." Elliot is heavily rambling and I'm trying to get a word in. I'm hearing myself say that she's not here, but he's not listening.

"ELLIOT . . . . . she's gone," he's frozen.

I can see he's having a hard time processing those two words; his eyes are darting back and forth in his head.

"When?"

"She left early this morning"

"Did you know she was going to leave?" he denunciates.

"You think I had something to do with this" I respond guarded.

"I don't know, this is something you would know beforehand," he accuses staunchly.

"Elliot Grey, what you did was wrong and you should deal with that. Stop looking to someone else to blame for this. She didn't tell me she was leaving, I caught her right before she got in the taxi . . . . . I'm sorry Elliot. I think you should give her some time"

Without another word, he turns away dazed and thunderstruck. The front entrance opens and bangs shut as I'm standing inert. He's appears devastated. My mutual melancholy is deadened when I view Mia's agitated expression. She approaches me, force her eyes closed and pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Ana," she begins in a serious tone, "the caterers aren't coming"

"What do you mean the caterers aren't coming, why?" Just then, Grace strolls into the room where she's attracted to my outburst. I turn my back standing shoulder to shoulder with Mia.

"They said someone called and altered a few things. The event was changed from an outdoor brunch to an indoor luncheon, and then the menu and . . . . . they'll be here in two hours"

My senses turn my body around and I'm gazing half-lid into the sardonic eyes of Grace Trevelyan-Grey. "Two hours, we're supposed to start in the next hour" I whisper under my breath keeping my gaze on her.

"I'm really sorry, Ana"

"It's alright, Mia, this isn't your fault, everything's going to be fine, we'll get through this" I end absolute, before walking past Grace's condescending appearance.

. . .

Elliot's absence is flagrantly apparent and worrisome; his parents have been trying to contact him ever since they questioned Sawyer about the events with Kate, then Elliot. Christian and Mia, however, are strangely calm. People are beginning to trickle onto the compound and Grace's face reflects her discontentment of the obvious absence of food and refreshments on the compound. Since she found out about the strange mishap, she's been giving Christian the 'I Told You So' scowl.

After much threats and badgering from Mia, the caterers were able to cut their two-hour time lapse to one. They bought half the order now and a crew will be returning with rest later, so there is enough to please the present gatherers. Mia called on a couple of bartending friends to arrange some light alcoholic beverages. Teddy and Phoebe are involved with a group of children that are running freely on grassy fields and I'm strolling arm in arm with my Christian. Yes, the proverbial train was back on track and I couldn't be more contented.

"Are we happy now?" Mia beams, holding out her hands to greet me.

Her ensemble puts everyone in the shade, Mia looks so pretty. She's wearing a white lace dress that goes up to her mid-thighs and a high updo with fresh flowers in her hair.

"Yes, I'm relieved actually"

"Good . . . . Christian, I want to steal her away," her hands boldly remove my fingers from him, "I want you to meet my friends"

Christian crossed his arms and chuckles, "Go have fun"

I look back he's already accosted by three older men, they look like business associates. When we get to Mia's friends, I see why they suit her personality. They're just as loud, witty, intelligent, and funtastic like her and for this reason, they all stick out among this snobbish socialite group.

Mia's face turns from exuberant smile to mild shock in under a few seconds, she eyeing someone next to me. The expression on her face is giving me the chills and afraid to look myself, but eventually, I do behind me.

And there she is, in all her glory, wiggling her fingers innocently to Mia in a pink flowery sundress with legs a mile long, Vittoria Sana. The rest of the group exchanged hug and kisses with her, Mia and I stand on the sidelines. I can feel my eyebrows scrunched together tight, what's going on here.

Mia shakes her head, "It wasn't me, Ana, I didn't invite her here. Her parents are shareholders and they were already on the invitation list . . ."

"It's okay, Mia, I can handle this," I say softly.

I take an intentional step away before she collides with Mia, she squeals and embraces her unnecessarily solid, making her lose her footing for a while.

"What are you doing here, Vittoria?" Mia enquires deadpan.

"What do you mean? I receive an invitation, I come. I'm not welcomed here," she asks a bit alarmed then turns to me "Hello Ms Steele, nice to see you again"

My eyes stare questionably at her outstretched hand, and how does she even know my name. I spot a few people looking at us or covertly eavesdropping on what's going on.

"I guess it's nice to see you too, Vittoria. I have nothing against you, even though you called me a tramp"

"I apologize for that day, it's not something I'm proud of. I love Christian, and when I saw you, I just . . . Well, I was jealous of this new woman. I misread the entire thing," she looks around and notices numerous eyes on us, she turns away from them and comes closer to me, "I found out what happened between you and Christian, it's quite unfortunate, but I'm happy that you're open to your children having a relationship with their father"

"Who told you this?" I whisper, almost horrified.

She purses lips ruefully, "Someone close to the family . . . I promise I won't get in the way, Christian should have this time to get to know his children. But I should know that I'll be waiting for him when he's ready"

I stare questionably into her eyes, the woman is serious. "You're planning to rekindle the relationship with Christian"

"Of course, I haven't told him yet but, when the time is right, I will tell him how I feel. Oh don't worry, it won't be the first time we've broken up and gotten back together" she says nonchalantly.

A wave of nausea takes me and there's a sudden urge to grab the nearest chair.

"Are you alright?" she asks, genuinely concerned. "You look pale, maybe you should sit down"

"It's fine, I have to go" I breathe.

Before I even realize it, my feet were taking me away from the crowd and I'm heading to the house. Somehow, I manage to slip past Christian as he's conversing with a group of men. I'm kind of glad he didn't see me, I can do with a few minutes by myself.

Christian

Family, this thing should have been strictly family. Hearing all this chatter in my head about business is boring me to death. My eyes shoot up when she zooms past me, I about to go after her when I feel a gentle grip on my arm.

"Christian, Mr and Mrs Sana were asking for you?" my mother proclaims, "I hope you don't mind"

"No, I don't," I say absentmindedly, staring after Ana jogging towards the house.

"Christian, we haven't seen in so long" Mrs Sana reaches to embrace me and give me a kiss on the cheek. Mr Sana greets me with a firm handshake and my mother is pleased, bubbling with pride.

"Thank you for the invitation" Mrs Sana smiles generously looking directly at me.

"You're welcome, not only you're part of our company but you'll always be considered as part of this family" I reply then take a quick glance back to the house.

"I've always admired your maturity, Christian. I do admit, Vittoria was a bit irrational in her thinking. But it was nice of you to invite her today," Mr Sana commends.

"Excuse me?" my eyes narrow. I bite back my words and a deadly glare flicks to my mother's face.

"Come along, you can sit at my table," she affirms instantly, herding them in the opposite direction.

Now I understand why Ana had the sudden urge to disappear. Mia appears in my view and I walk directly towards her. She notices me from across the way then breaks away from her friends, meeting me halfway.

"I know that look, you're silently fuming and you have every right to be. But believe me, Christian when I say that I had nothing to do with this," she says defensively.

"Then how did she end up here?"

"I don't know, she said she received an invitation"

"It's Mother," I say convinced, glaring at her, "I know it's her, she's always had a preference for Vittoria, she had no right to do this"

"You're telling me, Vittoria was talking to Ana, then all of a sudden, Ana took off to house"

I sigh then calmly close my eyes.

"I should go check on Ana . . ."

"No need to, I'm right here" she appears next to me smiling and bubbly.

I examine her face carefully, "Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" she shrugs.

I glance sideways at Mia then back to her, "Are you sure?"

"Why would I not be sure?" she giggles, "Are you worried about Vittoria, I'm not. Let's forget all of this and have a good time, okay? It's a beautiful afternoon, things are going well and children seem to be enjoying themselves"

"You're right" I nod.

Mia is silent but smiling and I'm not one bi relieved, she's faking her demeanour and putting on a brave face. I commend her, but it's not what I want. A soft tapping of a fork against a glass catches our attention and everyone else's around us, our father is about to welcome the guests.

. . . . .

Mia

Everyone applauds courteously after his welcome speech, my eyes follow him back to their table when I observed Mother herding Phoebe and Teddy into a group of people. Phoebe is uneasy and clutching her brother's arm for safety, it's an unnerving spectacle to view. Mother's interest in displaying her grandchildren have made her oblivious to Phoebe's discomforting.

Periodically, Teddy would nod or smile politely when he receives a handshake or a gentle pat on the back. Everyone even the Sanas are getting an introduction. The crowd begins to thicken, it's here I notice the deep frown on Phoebe's face, she's becoming nervous and soon enough they're being swallowed up.

I look over to Ana, she's frozen and her eyes are wide with worry. She shoots up from the table, making her topple over onto the grass. Christian takes her by the hand gently to discourage her.

"It's okay," I raise my hands to calm her, "I'll go get them out of there, you stay here, both of you"

Ana

"It's okay, Ana, sit down"

Hesitantly, I do as he says, and soon enough, Mia comes away with Phoebe in her arms with Teddy at her side. She signals that she's taking them to the house and I agree with a nod.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes I'm fine, you know crowds makes Phoebe nervous," I say in an angry whisper.

"Yes I do, but it's not going to look good if you go over there and berate her for showing off her grandchildren. To begin with, my mother doesn't know about Phoebe's anxieties and she will point that out in front of everyone, making you look like the bad guy. Remember, you're on the path to reclaiming your father's business and when you do, some of my mother's acquaintances will be your allies or your rivals. You don't want their first memory of you as having a squabble or tantrum with her"

"A tantrum, that's what you think I'm going to do?"

"Ana, my mother is a very cunning woman. She has a way of making a saint look like a tyrant. People will think you're trying to rip your children away from their grandmother. You will be seen as unbalanced and hot under the collar. And on top of that, people will know that you're having a problem with Grace Trevelyan-Grey. Trust me, there are people right now staring at us who are ready to blow this way out of proportion

"So I'm supposed to be fine with Grace parading my children to you ex-in-laws and your former girlfriend. . . ."

"That's not what I saying, I know you and my mother haven't been seeing eye to eye since we came here. I spoke to her a few days ago, and she said she's going to try her best to make thing right"

"Oh did she, that's not what she said to me a few nights ago," I clamp my mouth shut, realizing that I've blurted out the last thing I wanted to say.

"Good, now we're getting somewhere. So what did she say, because I've trying to get you to tell me since that night? Mother's been doing all the talking lately while you say nothing. What are you afraid of?"

"Honestly, I'm afraid you won't believe me. She's playing the both us, she doesn't want me here, and she doesn't me to take back Steele Collaboratives. She called me ungrateful and she even hinted that people are going to call our children bastards. And to top it off, she's been doing everything to sabotage this event and she even invited Vittoria here, personally"

He stares at my face for a long time, then ask in a low voice, "Did she tell you this?"

I scoff, "You see, you don't believe me. You think your mother is going to admit to everything I just said. What? You think I'm trying to turn you against her or force you to take sides"

"I didn't say that Ana-"

"You didn't have to, but there'll come a time when you'll have to pick a side, Christian. I hope when that day comes it won't be too late" With that I storm towards the house, ignoring him calling after me.

. . . . . . . .

I stop suddenly on the way to check on the twins. The piercing eyes of Cecil Trevelyan are boring into me, his mammoth-size portrait has a life of its own. I stand immobilized with my arms crossed gazing at the depiction of Grace's influential father. Before I left for boarding school I remembered this vivacious, magnanimous man. Wherever he went, he commanded respect and his vision and voice were deemed to be prominent.

"You remember him?" she says, standing close to my side.

"Yes I do" I answer without looking at her, "There were times I wished he was my grandfather, he was a kind man"

"True. You never knew your grandparents, did you?"

"No Grace, I didn't" I reply exasperated, "that's why I'm ensuring that my children get to know theirs"

"Funny you should say that" she states, crossing her arms, "Why aren't my grandchildren carrying my son's name," My face changes and my mouth open when cuts me off, her face contorts in revulsion and displeasure, "I had to simply introduce them as Theodore and Phoebe"

"And that boiled your blood didn't it, you insensitive creature. Good, something you have no control over and there's nothing wrong with their names, Grace. It's mine, and how dare you insinuate that it's not as good as your family's" I declare.

"Yes, but they're Greys, a very powerful family name and it's only natural that they carry their father's last name. You had ample time to do this, Anastasia"

My voice drops in a threatening tone and I move closer to her face, "You listen to me, when or if their names have to change that will be a decision made between Christian and me, not you. I'm their mother-"

"Yes, but I am Christian's mother, and I don't approve. I'll make my voice loud and clear until he does something about it. Usually, he's determined and rational, but you Anastasia Steele, make him lose focus. That's the fault with my boys; Elliot abandoned his family to go after your ill-tempered friend"

"Why do you insist on fighting with me," I declare before walking away, but she's hot on my heels trailing me into the kitchen.

"You have a nasty habit of walking from people when they're talking to you," she declares.

I stop abruptly turning to face her, I'm one short of fucking angry and she'll keep this up until I crack. "You know what your problem is Grace? You're trying to control our lives, but I won't let you. What's happening between Christian and me is none of your business-"

"That's where you're wrong, Anastasia Steele, this time around, it is my business, all of it. And I'd watch my attitude if I were you, the Steeles have no standing in this township, in this county, not even in this State. You're supposed to re-establish your father's company in the near future, to stand on solid ground you need this family"

Over her shoulder in the next room, I spot an audience, it's Elliot, Kate, and Christian.

"What are you saying? Are you saying that I can't do this, that I can't develop my father's business into much more than what it is, and to get support from the Greys I'll have to play by your rules" she smirks and remains mum, "You are something else, ever since you step foot in here you've been doing everything you can to upset me, and furthermore you've been trying to skew my image to the rest of the family. You lecture me about gratitude and in the end, you called my children bastards, then parade them around to a woman I cannot tolerate, oh and you try to sabotage this event," her eyes flick a bit wider, "Oh yeah, I had a feeling it was you . . . . . I use to admire you. I thought you had goodness in you-"

"I did, but that all changed the day you tried to deceive my son-"

"I love Christian, then and now. And that's no lie" I fume, balling my fists tight at my sides.

"It doesn't matter, trusting you isn't my priority. Your mother fled the country disgraced and wasted no time sinking her hooks into another wealthy businessman and your father left this world with nothing but a promise from my honourable husband. And you, look at you, you're nothing, you left here jilted, pregnant and labelled a common whore"

With that, I feel the blood drain from my face, and my eyes begin to well with tears. I can hear nothing as my vision looks down to the ground. Suddenly I feel someone grip my shoulders and pull me to them, trying to comfort me.

"Ana, Ana, it's okay, it's okay" he murmurs.

I look up, and it's Christian with tears in his eyes.

Grace jumps to speak quickly, "Christian, I . . ."

"No, Mother, you stay away from us," he raises his palm forward, keeping her at bay.

Elliot comes into the room glowering at his mother. "You crossed the line, Mother"

"What's going on here?" Carrick walks in.

"Christian, I can explain, she provoked me into saying those things. You weren't here when she spouted those vile words to bring this on herself"

Just then, Grace begins with quiet and mournful sobbing catching everyone's attention, and soon she bursts into tears clutching her face. Carrick is genuinely concerned and he moves past all of us to comfort his wife. I turn to Christian again and take another look at his face, I'm looking for doubt. This time, I want him to be on my side.