A/N: Hey ladies! Sorry for the long wait. I had to update my other stories, give them equal love, and attention.
All mistakes are my own.
I do not own FSOG.
Let's watch Christian grovel. It's always so fun LOL BTW I am taking extreme liberties, as I don't truly understand the court system.
It'd been two days.
Christian tried calling, texting, emailing, sending flowers, even showing up at her door. But Ana never answered. Instead her doorman warned him off, her phone went straight to voicemail, and she would send the flowers back to his home. He knew he messed up, but he needed Ana. Today was the hearing between his sister, and Ana's family. They were trying to settle out of court. Knowing Mia, she would drag this out into a jury. Only one way to find out. He wanted to see her beforehand, but knew that would be virtually impossible. He was pulled from his thoughts by Taylor.
"Sir. We're here."
Christian inwardly groaned at the media camped outside the courthouse. He'd already gotten word from Elliott, and Kate that their parents were here. They were sitting in the back. Christian waited for Taylor to exit the car. Once he was beside his door, and opened it, he quickly got out, trusting Taylor to lead the way for them. The moment they entered the doors, and we're on the elevator, both men breathed in relief. Once it opened, he saw Elliott waiting for him.
"I thought you'd be inside."
Hands in pockets, he shook his head.
"No. I wanted to wait for you. Have you seen Ana?"
Shaking his head, Christian sighed.
"No. I thought she was already inside." Now it was Elliott's turn to shake his head.
"Nope. Her parents are here. Her father came over, and asked to speak with you."
"I know." Christian could only imagine. He was probably furious with how he handled the situation with his daughter. Deciding to bite the bullet, he asked Elliott if he could alert the man to come outside. Elliott's eyes opened wider in shock.
"Are you crazy, man? We are all in court right now, because of Mia. Her parents are filing a defamation suit, and you want to speak with them?" Smiling sadly, Christian shrugged.
"Mia made her bed, Elliott. I can no longer hold her hand. Maybe once Mia has figured out how wrong she is, she can seek some help, if she even wants it. Could you, please?"
Seeing the seriousness in his brother's gaze, Elliott reached up and clasped Christian's shoulder.
"Alright. But, Christian, this isn't your fault."
Then why does it feel like it is?
Saying nothing, he waited for Elliott to bring out Ray. He didn't have long. Once the heavy oak doors swung shut, leaving the two in the hallway alone, save for Taylor, and Ray's men, the elder spoke.
"I'm surprised that you called me outside, Christian."
Raising his gaze, he was surprised to see concern, and just a tad bit of sympathy.
"Sir?" Christian asked. Tilting his head, he signaled for Christian to follow him over in the corner, where the window was. Lowering his voice, he spoke.
"Listen, Christian. My wife and I am only here to get Mia to stop her slander on our family's name. Specifically, Anastasia. We seek no money, or retribution. Only that the girl leave my Annie alone."
"Are you not upset with me?"
Snorting, Ray slapped his back harsher then normal.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I am upset only because my daughter is. Apparently you two had an argument. Annie wouldn't tell me what it is, she only told Francesca, and she is sealed tight, determined to not break her daughter's trust. But, I can see the sadness in her eyes. The sadness you swore would never grace her face should I give you permission to marry her."
At that, Christian gulped as the man continued.
"I've already spoken with your father, and he has thanked me profusely for not allowing this to go any further. We are all here for this slander to be quickly settled. As for your involvement with my daughter, Christian; I will say this once. If you cannot give her what she deserves, and wants, then please leave her alone."
"I can, Ray." Frustrated, Christian ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm trying to get her to talk. I said some things i'm not proud of, but it doesn't mean I love her any less. I just need her to see that."
"I wish I could help you, son. But that is between you and Annie."
"I know. Do you know anything about Ana taking Mia to court? I heard from my brother and sister-in-law that she is trying to prove Mia to be an unfit mother."
"Francesca did tell me that. I honestly don't know much about it, Christian. Annie is playing this close to the chest. she is keeping almost everyone out of the loop. All I know is until this is resolved, I don't see my daughter having a moment's peace."
...
Ana knew she was running late.
She wanted to make a late entrance. She knew everyone was at the courthouse, but she was done playing nice. She knew Christian was trying to reach out to her, and apologize. One argument did not make her forget her love for him. But it also made her open her eyes. Really open her eyes. If she were to enter into anything with Christian, his sister would need to be taken care of, first. Jose would soon be dealt with, but Mia? she had to ensure her muzzled.
Permanently.
So, she enlisted the help of her best friend, and lawyer Isabel. Standing outside the courthouse, and ignoring the media, the two women locked eyes.
"Are you sure, Ana?"
Nodding, she smirked.
"Yep."
Returning her smirk, she took a glance over at her outfit once more.
"I must say, I love this Ana. Fire engine red suits you."
"I could say the same," Ana snarked, trying, yet failing to cover her blushing. Isabel was glad she could see her friend beneath her tough exterior. It the only reason she was agreeing to all of this." With one minute left to spare, Isabel opened the court doors, heading straight for the defense table. Keeping her eyes straight, trying to conceal her pounding heart, Ana strode to where her parents were sitting in the front. She could feel Christian's eyes on hers, and she refused to return his gaze. Touching her dress, Ray spoke quietly to her.
"Annie, dear, what is going on? You didn't need to bring Isabel? I have Rich, the family lawyer. We are just trying to get Mia to stop with defamation." She only looked at her dad, before turning her head, and facing the judge.
"All rise. The honorable Judge Stone is present. Please be seated."
The shockingly young woman glanced around the room from under her glasses, and spoke.
"I see this is a defamation suit. The defendant want's no financial restitution. Both parties have come to an agreement of-"
Standing, Isabel cleared her throat.
"Your honor, I am sorry, but I need to interrupt."
Stone studied the Spanish woman in the all red pantsuit, before nodding tersely.
"Thank you. Your honor, my client, Ms. Steele, does not want to settle with only a written consent."
"Ah. And what is your client proposing?"
"That she be given a financial restitutions totaling of five-hundred thousand dollars."
Meanwhile, Mia, sitting at the defendant table was fuming. slamming her fist on the table, she screamed, before turning to glare at Ana.
"That is insane! I cannot pay her five-hundred thousand dollars! That is my entire trust fund!"
Jose, who was also sitting beside Mia looked green at the thought of Mia losing all that money. Slamming her gavel down, Judge Stone glared at Mia, before looking at the girl's lawyer.
"Lawson. I suggest you reel in your client."
Equally upset, he glared at Mia, who instantly calmed somewhat. Sighing, the judge turned her attention back to Isabel.
"Is there a reason for this financial payment?"
Nodding, Isabel opened her briefcase before handing over several documents.
"Yes, your honor. May I approach the bench?"
"You may."
The Grey's were confused as to what Ana's lawyer was presenting to the judge. Even Francesca, and Ray were equally stunned. Christian however, sat in the back of the courtroom, grinning. Christian saw Elliott watching him, and his own smirk came on his face, when he saw how unbothered Christian seemed to be about Mia getting sued.
My woman didn't play, Christian thought in amusement. Make no mistake, Ana was still his. He just had to fix this rift between the two of them. He would however be playing his own dirty game.
All's fair in love and war, right?
He was pulled from his thoughts, by the judge.
"You are claiming the defendant to be a flight risk, and unreliable?"
"Yes, your honor. In less than a month, she has publicly humiliated my client, by discovering their affair, slandered her in the media, and ran off to marry my client's now ex-fiance. She has said multiple times that she would never commit an act such as this, only to repeat it. the defendant's husband, and my client's former ex was even approached by the man himself days ago. Because of the emotional, and physical stress, Ms. Steele feels that monetary compensation is the only way to settle this. If you will look further into the file, you will also find small instances of Mrs. Grey-Rodriguez defaming several others, and to this day, has not followed suit. Frankly, she has demonstrated that her word means nothing."
The judge read over all documents, her eyebrows raised several times, before she cleared her throat, and closed the file.
"I will hold on to this."
"Yes, your honor."
After several more minutes of silence, the judge spoke.
"I am granting Ms. Steele her restitutions of five-hundred thousand dollars, along with a signed decree between two parties stating that all harassment from Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez cease all contact with the plaintiff."
"Thank you, your honor."
Slamming down her gavel, she stood, and quickly left the room, as Mia began screaming in earnest.
"She cannot do this! This is wrong. I have to give all my money to her?"
The lawyer looked tired, and could only nod his head.
"Yes, Mrs. Rodriguez. Consider yourself lucky. Failure to pay could result in jail time." Turning her gaze to Ana, Mia started to walk over, only to have Ana stand and head to her. She immediately back pedaled, and placed her hand over her stomach. Turning on her pointed heel, Ana strode out of the courtroom, and away from all the drama.
Just for a bit.
Both the Grey family, as well as the Steele's were stunned into silence. Except for Christian. The moment Ana left, he went to follow her. They needed to talk.
...
LOL a short one I know, but I needed to get you all something. This is part one in taking Mia down. I hope you all enjoyed! Don't worry, I'll be back soon with more!