Lonely Hearts

By Tvdfanpam

Chapter 25

Engaged or Not?

Christian rushed home after a longer than anticipated phone call with the Chinese. He jumped into the shower and dressed hurriedly. He didn't want to be late for his celebration dinner with his engaged to be engaged girlfriend. He grabbed the gift wrapped package off the hall table before going down in the elevator to Ana's apartment. Taylor stood quietly beside Christian. They got off the elevator on Ana's floor and went to her door. He knocked softly then used his key to go inside. Taylor waited outside.

"Baby, I'm here. Are you ready to go?" He stopped talking when Ana walked out of her room. He was speechless. She twirled around so he could see the back.

"Does this make my butt look big?" She asked. He blinked at her, still not able to talk his mouth opening and closing no sounds coming out. "Oh no. It does, doesn't it? It's tighter than I usually wear. I'll go change." She said as she turned to go, disappointed that he didn't say anything.

"You look amazing Ana." He stammered, his voice gruff. "I love that red dress on you. No, it's not too tight. Don't change." His eyes were dark. "That is very sexy Miss Cavanaugh. Thank you for dressing up for me." He said as he realized he was holding a box. "This is for you. I thought you needed a treat after the morning you had." She shook it.

"You don't have to keep buying me presents. I love you anyway." She smiled as she opened her gift. "These look too pretty to eat." She said as she opened the box housing handmade chocolate truffles that were works of art. "Thank you." She kissed him softly on the lips. Her stomach growled killing the mood. She looked sheepishly at Christian. "I forgot to eat lunch."

"Let's go get you something to eat baby." He said as he led her out of the apartment and he locked the door behind him with his key. "Where's your sister?" He asked making conversation. "She's usually glued to your hip in the apartment."

"She's not very happy with me. She's trying to figure out what to do now that there won't be a picture of me to go with her article." Ana sighed. "I'm not backing down though, don't worry. She will have to think of something else or find someone else to be in the pictures. My Little Sister's dad didn't want her in any photos anyway so I would have had to pose with another girl."

They went down to the parking garage and got in the car and drove to the Mile High Club. It was a short ride since there wasn't much traffic surprisingly. Taylor pulled up under the awning to let them out. Sawyer was off that night, getting settled into his new apartment.

They went into the building and waited for the elevator to take them up to the club. A Paparazzi was standing off to the side. "Mr. Gray, is it true that you and Miss Cavanaugh are engaged?" He called as he snapped a few photos of the two together. You look great Ana, love the dress. Can you turn so we can see your shoulders? Show us the ring." He said as he kept snapping photos. Ana pressed herself into Christian's side and he put his arm around her protectively. The elevator opened and they jumped inside and shut the door. They rode up the elevator in stunned silence. The elevator door opened and they walked into the restaurant. The host was waiting for them and seated them immediately in the private dining alcove.

As they were reading the menus, Taylor came in and stood a minute in front of their table. "Sir, the paparazzi have been dealt with." Christian nodded to him and he walked a discreet distance away to his own table sat down and took his phone out. He texted someone while he watched over the couple.

"Well, I didn't expect that to happen so quickly Ana. Are you okay? I guess Mia let the cat out of the bag this morning and they were lying in wait for us. Your dad is going to be angry with me if he thinks I asked you to marry me without asking his permission first." He sighed as he pulled his hair with one hand and rubbed his face with the other one.

"I'm fine Christian. After my morning, I realized that I can't control the actions of those around me, only my own. We are together and I don't want to hide the fact. Let them think we are engaged. I won't deny it or confirm it. Let them speculate!" She smiled and drank a sip of iced tea. "We have more important things to worry about, like what are we going to have for dinner? I'm starving. Let's get appetizers, I need food now." She said as her stomach growled again. He signaled the waiter.

"Bring us a basket of bread; we're ready to order." He said and the waiter ran off to do his bidding. "I would be happy to take this a step further Ana and get engaged for real." He leered at her. "You are so beautiful Baby that dress looks amazing on you. I can't wait to see the pictures!"

A/N: Do you think they will get engaged now? More date and then ballet class next chapter. Picture of the Red Dress on Pinterest.