Chapter 25 - The Proverbial Fork in the Road

Ana

I automatically smile whenever someone else does, even if I'm not my best on any given day. Passing a few of my classmates along the corridor, I hastily go to the front entrance where Taylor is already waiting for me. My plastic smile appears once more when I hop into the backseat of the car. He nods when he makes eye contact with me in the rearview mirror before merging into the slow-moving traffic in front of the Institute.

My mind reflects on the past two days and the cold air looming in the Penthouse. Talking between Christian and me is almost nil since that afternoon on his office. Intentionally I been avoiding him, at night, I would immerse myself in reading management books until my eyes surrender. My concern doesn't include Vittoria and her emotions. I'm bothered by her threat, whether it's real or not. Christian has engaged more personnel to attend to the children's security, I'm grateful, but I'm still uneasy.

Christian

I tilt my chair, rocking it back and forth, as I stare on the other side of the desk.

"Ana does have a point, Christian, but I understand why you did what you did"

"Are you sure, Mia, because it appears that you're siding with her?"

She pouts, "I'm not siding with her, but in my opinion, you came off as the big, bad wolf and you made Vittoria look like a hapless victim, and on top of that, you were harsh to her in front of your new fiancée. I know you needed to get your point across, but Vittoria felt disrespected and humiliated. She told me so"

"Well, it's good to know you two are still talking," I say sarcastically.

"Hey, you may not like it, but Vittoria needs a friend. And it's good that I'm there to know what's on her mind, she's not in a good place right now"

"Then maybe you should talk down a bit"

"I'm trying, Christian, she's angry and hurt. You said a whole mouthful to her . . ."

"It was the truth. A month ago, I told her that I didn't want to see her anymore, move on with her life. She didn't listen, and now I have to deal with this all over again, legally this time"

"Did you speak to her parents about this?"

"This doesn't concern them, Mia"

"Oh it does, are you forgetting that from since day one the Mr and Mrs Sana have been an extension to their daughter's life. Wherever she goes, they go, they're attached to each other and heavily invested emotionally. You offend their daughter, you offend them too. So the only two people that can change Vittoria's mind, are her parents. You need to pacify all of them, together"

"I thought so too, so I had a meeting with Xavier Sana that afternoon. He said he understood what happened and he would speak to her, but something about his demeanour left me quizzical. I don't trust him, and I think he's about to take up his daughter's fight"

"Did you tell Ana how Vittoria lost the baby?"

"No, I didn't, Mia. That's in the past, and I plan to keep it that way-"

"I'm not going to tell her if that's what you're implying, but it's better if you tell her yourself. What if Vittoria tells her, then what?" she sighs, "Christian, Vittoria is bitter because of you, because you promised her things, and she trusted you"

"I know, but I couldn't pretend with Vittoria anymore"

"You weren't pretending, you were trying to heal her on your own"

"Yes, because I was responsible for what happened to her. I asked her to forgive me and she did, what else can I do?"

"I can't tell you that, but think you need to be straightforward with Ana, tell her everything or else this situation will become complicated. Look, you have Ana and two beautiful children now. She left her apartment, moved in with you so you could be closer to the children. Her life has changed drastically, so at least you can be honest about your past"

"Okay, but she's not even speaking to me" I admit.

"Have you tried?"

"I have, but every time I see her, she's either reading or doing something with the kids. I know she's avoiding me, and knowing Ana, she's disapproved of the way I spoke to Vittoria"

"I have an idea. I was thinking about taking Teddy and Pheebes to Tacoma this weekend. It would be perfect, this way you and Ana can mend your broken lines of communication" I open my mouth to contend but she doesn't permit it, "And you have no excuses, Phoebe told me she visited the doctor last week and she received five stickers. In kiddie language that means she perfectly healthy but Teddy is a little grumpy these days. Although, I can't blame him the weather here is horrible. So I, their wonderful fun-loving Aunt, will take them to the waterpark. We'll make a weekend out of it, stay at a nice hotel and spoil them a little bit. You know!" she waves her hand, "Have fun! You should get out of the city too" she winks.

When she reaches halfway across the room I say, "Okay, Gail will go with you"

"I don't need Gail, you can have one of your men take us there" she taps her finger against her lip and flick her eyes upward, "Hmm, how about Luke?"

"Sawyer, Luke Sawyer?"

"Yeah, Luke, he can stay with us for the weekend," her cheeks are clearly inflamed.

"Why Luke?"

She shrugs nonchalant, "No reason, I'm just familiar with him, that's all"

"Alright but he'll be part of a detail, I'll send three more with you," she purses her lips disapprovingly, "Wait a minute, you like him"

Her face turns beet red.

"You do" I grin toothily.

Refusing to respond, she turns on her heels and continues the path to the door.

. . . . .

Ana

I crane my head to the side to take a peek at the clock. The penthouse is quiet and it's a few minutes after eight. The children are asleep, I'm in the living room and I assume Christian's in his office. Without moving my head, my eyes become alert and I can feel someone watching me. I turn to the direction of my gut feeling and there he is, Christian, is standing by the corridor holding up the wall. I smile, mentally, quickly I place my attention back to my book that's lying in my lap.

"Can I have a word?" he requests, keeping his distance. I frown at our distance and the current situation.

"Of course", closing my book and uncurling my feet.

Soon enough, he takes a seat on the single chair.

"Did Mia call you today?"

"Yes, she wants to take Teddy and Phoebe to Tacoma. I don't have a problem with it" I shrug my shoulders.

"Neither do I . . . . The weather has gotten better over the last few days" he states and pauses.

I agree, even though we're talking about the weather, which is usually for us.

"Would you like to go to Bainbridge Island, we could spend the weekend. I bought a house for us to spend the weekend"

"You bought a house so we could spend a weekend, why?"

"It was impulsive, I bought yesterday" he concedes candidly.

"Did you put Mia up to this?" I enquire lightly.

"No, I didn't. I know you're in the middle of studies, so if you can't, it's alright"

"No, it's fine. In a few weeks we'll have to write a paper, so taking a break now won't be so bad"

"So you'll go?"

. . . . . . .

When I woke up Christian and the kids were gone, but Gail's cooking permeated the entire penthouse. Instead of having breakfast, I dived straight into lunch, packed a few bags for Phoebe and Teddy, watched some TV, then Gail and I went to the corner patisserie to satisfy our sweet tooth. When we returned Christian and the kids had just gotten home. He ended his workday early so he could pick up the children himself. Teddy and Phoebe are so excited they didn't bother to change out of their uniforms. Hastily I see them running down the stairs with their bags tossed over their shoulders.

"MOM" they explode together, sandwiching me with a hug.

"I should ask how did your day go, but I think it wouldn't matter" I comment.

"Alright, guys," Christian states coming into the room, "What are the rules?"

"Stay with Auntie Mia at all times, don't go anywhere by ourselves, no diving and no running by the pool" Phoebe counts on her fingers, "and Teddy no peeing in the pool"

"He didn't say that," Teddy retorts embarrassed, "And I don't ever pee in the pool, Phoebe"

"Oh yes you do," she counters, Mia is off to side a bit amused by the tiff going on between the two of them.

"No I don't, stop it"

"Yes-"

"Okay you two," I say peaceful, "Just be safe, have a good time and listen to your Auntie Mia. She's going to report everything back to me" I turn a pair of stern eyes to Mia, "Isn't that so Mia?"

"Of course," she waves casually.

Seconds later, she looks past my shoulder and her eyes light up, Luke Sawyer just walked into the foyer. Phoebe and Teddy dart over to Christian and he gives both of them a hug. But before they leave him they're speaking to him softly, Christian shots me quick look before he answers them with an involuntary smile.

. . . . . .

Stepping out of the car, I breathe in the cold, crisp morning air. Sunrise is peeking over the trees behind us, the early morning breeze hits my exposed arms like a cluster of sharp needles, making me shudder slightly. Instinctively, I hug myself as my huge eyes dart around, clearly, it was foolhardy of me not to wear a sweater. Besides the night watchman, I'm assuming that we're the only ones here. The sudden warmth of a fleece blanket envelopes my shoulder and to my side, Christian is rubbing my arms on the surface. Gratefully, I pinch the edges and draw it closer. With a brusque touch, I feel him take my elbow and guide me down the jetty. We stroll through the long file of yachts and sailboats on both sides and the sound of the water lapping on the vessels. The sun's light slowly creeps across the morning sky and it's taken on a smoky blue colour accompanied by a few light clouds.

On turning right, I can see two men conversing at the end of the jetty, they become alert when they spot us heading their way. We all greet each other and exchange firm handshakes. I find myself gazing around offhandedly at the other crafts in the marina as Christian questions the men. Behind me, I listen as he thanks them and they wish us a safe and enjoyable trip. Quickly I turn around, wiggle my fingers through the thick cover, and give them a courteous farewell. I tear my eyes from their retreating backs to Christian whose standing cool gaping at me and his hands shoved in his pockets. Wordless I look away and turn my attention to the graceful vessel we're poised in front of. Before I could ask, I hear his slow footsteps approach.

"Are you ready?"

I hear myself inhale softly, "We're getting on this boat?"

"Yes"

"I didn't know you owned a boat"

"Remember I told you that I sailed for a while back in Europe"

"I remember"

"Well this is the boat"

"It's beautiful," I marvel, scanning the length and breadth.

"I agree," he mutters, but his eyes are fixed on me.

. . . . . .

It was my first boat ride and it was spectacular, the morning sun, the city behind us, the rhythm of the sea lifting the boat and dusting my face with salty dews. Christian is a master at his hobbies and he handles himself very well.

Minutes after we arrived at the quaint three bedroom structure, a local caterer comes to the front door with trays of warm pastries and breakfast items. We situate ourselves on a small table at the back of the house. Then fifteen minutes of soft clanking of cutlery and passing food back and forth to each other.

This is ridiculous, this is the closest we've been in days and we're acting like strangers.

"The kids think we're fighting" when I look up from my coffee he's pensively staring.

"We have very cognisant children, Christian"

"So this is a fight?" he asks, mainly for assurance.

"I hope it is," I say with a musing smile, "Because why should you be doing all of this. Why are we here?"

"I'm trying to apologize, Ana. I understand that you're bothered by Vittoria dilemma, I spoke to her harshly in your presence. It must have been uncomfortable for you-"

"Yes, I'll admit it was, but that's the least of my worries. Knowing that the children are safe, I feel better, but you're keeping something from me. I can see it in your eyes"

He remains mum and we lock eyes for what seems like an eternity before I spring up from the chair.

"Fine, I'll clear the dishes" I announce walking away from the veranda.

I don't know how long I've been standing here, staring, reflecting, deeply immersed in thought. I blink a few times when a hand holding a cup comes into view by the sink. Realizing that he caught me daydreaming, I'm about to step away when his hand curves around my waist.

Before I can process what's happening his lips were already on mine, kissing me gently and I'm kissing him back. My hands reach up to push him away but instead, I end up gripping his shirt, I can feel my heart swelling. I'm mentally cursing myself for my body's betrayal, his fingers slip under my top ghosting along the skin of my back. Reflexively I arch and press myself into him, deepening our kiss. His hand move away from my body and begin to caress my face. I moan shamefully into his mouth when I feel his taut erection pressed against my tingling core.

Recently, whenever we had a disagreement it would be followed by a hot session of love-making. Mentally, I fight my roaring emotions and trade them in for some common sense. We have to talk, and we shouldn't try to fix this with sex. I place my hands against his rigid chest and push him gently.

"Christian, tell me" I whisper against her lips.

Placing his hand on my back, he guides me to the small living room. We sit together and he grips my hand between his. The moment is drawn out as he exhales and pauses dramatically but I wait patiently.

"I'm responsible for Vittoria's miscarriage, it was my fault"

"How?" I whisper, flabbergasted.

"After we'd graduated, we decided to tell everyone about the pregnancy. Her parents came to the Rye where they met my mother and father after that things began to move quickly. Everyone was happy, there were whispers of an engagement, but when my mother candid about it, I refused but she'd hope I would change my mind when the baby comes. She was close to her fourth month, things were going well, and we were having an argument about everything that was happening. She told me I wasn't being supportive, which was true. Very quickly, things escalated and she began hitting me, and without thinking, I pushed her, hard, and she fell. We never told our parents the truth of what happened that day, and we promised to keep it between us until she told Mia a couple of years ago . . . After the incident, she became depressed, possessive and demanding. If I didn't satisfy her, she would say I didn't care. If I didn't pay her enough attention, she would accuse me of having another lover or she would threaten to harm herself. I didn't want her to do that, so I gave her everything she wanted, including making a promise that I won't leave her"

My eyes flutter closed, "Christian . . . ."

"Yes, I know," he shakes his head. "I shouldn't have done that, but didn't know what else to do"

"Why couldn't you tell me about this before?"

"You weren't there, so it's irrelevant"

"No it's not irrelevant when it comes to us nothing is irrelevant, do you hear me?"

"Yes," he nods.

"She needs help, you know that"

"Yes, I know that now, and I should have told you all of this beforehand, so you would have had an idea of what you were getting into"

"I'm glad you told me now," I pause, getting ready to make a recommendation, "I think you and should see someone before we get married . . . A therapist" I clarify.

"Why?"

"I want us to have a fresh start, get all our misconceptions on the table"

"We can do that together, right now. We don't have to see a shrink to do that"

"And why not, we don't talk, Christian, it's been happening since we were younger. We would argue then have sex, it's a pattern"

He leers at my body then smirks mischievously.

"No, we need to talk, about everything," I pull my hand away and get off the couch, "And no sex until we see someone"

"What?" he frowns, "this is emotional blackmail"

"I'm doing this for us, I love you" I wink, then blow him a kiss.

"I don't like it" he yells as I walk away.

There are a few changes to the story because I was informed that my story resembled another published story. Sorry if you preferred the original but I wanted to fix that.