Ana sat in a plush leather chair, gazing out her hotel window, enjoying the view of the Petronas Towers. There was something clean and serene about the structure. It seemed pure, blessed by God, Allah, Buddha and any other supreme entity. It didn't make her feel small and tiny, it just made her happy. She was happy to be here in Kuala Lumpur, to gaze on the building's majestic prestige. She felt safe and untouchable, wrapped up tightly in Christian's security blanket. Some people might feel trapped or imprisoned by the tight security, but not Ana. Instead, she felt truly safe for the first time in a very long time.
There was a light knock on the door and Fitz entered carrying a bag and wearing a grin
Ana's eyes lit up. "Can we go shopping?" She asked excitedly.
"You have thirty minutes in the hotel shops beginning in fifteen minutes. The only catch is you have to wear this."
Ana looked inside the bag Fitz handed her to see a Malay native outfit. She took it out. There was a knee length blouse, long skirt and headscarf.
Ten minutes later, she met Fitz who was dressed in a similar Malay attire. Fitz handed Ana a pair of dark oversized sunglasses and they were ready. Ryan and Molloy would accompany them as well as Winchester, one of the British security team. Ana thought that four people protecting her was a bit much, then she saw Fitz speak into her wrist and knew there were more. She didn't know if that should alarm her or if she should just feel even safer. She opted for the latter.
The hotel lobby was a large atrium with two levels. The second level held the shops. There weren't many, but they were all exclusive. Ana wanted to get gifts for Kate, Mia and especially Gail. If she was lucky enough to get gifts for the girls, she also wanted to she try and find something special for Christian and Ray, some kind of tourist momento that, despite it being inexpensive, would be a priceless reminder of their visit here.
Mia was easy. The first shop they entered had a modern pink silk cheongsam, with a mandarin collar embroider with small red flowers. For the first time in her life, Ana didn't look at the price tag, just pointed at the dress and Fitz handed it to Winchester who was arranging payment and delivery.
The next shop held a long, slinky green, silk dress that had Kates name written all over it. Winchester did his thing. Ana only had Gail and Ray left to find a gift for and time was running out. So far she was sure no one had recognized her. She was looking in the window of a small branch of Cartier when she saw what she wanted. It was a selection of charms for a chef. There was a rolling pin, a long wooden spoon, and dozens of other cute cookery charms. She bought a thick heavy 18k gold charm bracelet and the rolling pin charm and another of a big cookie. Christian loved Gail cookies; for that matter, everyone did.
Now, all she had left was Ray and Christian. She wanted something simple and unpretentious, more a momento, a souvenir than a gift. There was one souvenir shop. It was the only souvenir shop in the hotel as well as the only shop in the first level lobby.
Ana explained to Fitz what she wanted to do. Fitz said no. Fitz offered to go down and pick something up for her but Ana declined, explaining it would be from her if she didn't pick it out.
Fitz spoke into her wrist and used her phone and several minutes later got the ok. She had three minutes to go in the shop and choose something.
A beaming Ana headed for the spiral marble stairs leading to the lobby. She headed straight for the little shop and quickly purchased two small glass reproductions of the Petronas Towers. Taking the small bag from Winchester, a contented Ana exited the shop and turned to the elevators opposite the front desk. As she and Fitz crossed the lobby, her ears picked up the voice of none other than Elena Lincoln. Ana gasped as she heard the bitch say, "the eighteenth floor, the adjoining room to Mr Grey."
Ana looked and saw the old hag wearing a black wig, a baseball cap, sunglasses and casually dressed in an oversized tee shirt and jeans. If she hadn't heard her voice, she would never have recognized her. Without any thought, Ana spun and raced towards Elena screaming, "You bitch!"
A startled Fitz took off after her. A shocked Elena reached in her bag and brought out a small gun, aimed it at Ana and screamed, "She's going to kill me!" and promptly fired her gun. The first bullet missed Ana but hit Fitz who was trying desperately to grab Ana and pull her to the ground without sucess. Incensed that the bitch had fired at her, Ana surged forward again, only to be tackled to the floor as shots were traded back and forth.
Ana thought her heart would stop when she realized some strange Malay man had tackled her to the cold marble floor. Then he whispered in her ear and she knew it was Sawyer. From the corner of her eye, Ana could see Molloy and Winchester wrestling with Elena and shots were still being fired. Ana wanted to get to Elena. She wanted to strangle her and squeeze the last breath out of her lungs so she tried desperately to get Sawyer off of her.
"You're safe. Stop struggling!" Sawyer hissed in her ear. Then he yelled "Ryan!No!" There was the sound of another shot and Sawyer cursing and then cries of "Police!"
Taylor glanced at the screen on his phone as he felt it vibrate. He frowned. It was Sawyer. Not good. Definitely not good. He opened the text and his eyes grew large. He glanced over at Grey and and then interrupted the meeting, something he had never done before. Advising all present in the conference room that Mr Grey had a personal emergency and needed to leave immediately. Trying to notify their driver and pilot as he walked, without sucess. Grey quietly stood and silently followed. It had to be Ana. Something had happened. Once outside in the hallway, he grabbed Taylor and demanded, "Is she okay?"
" Sir, Ana isn't hurt but she is in police custody and the entire security team is down."
"What? Say that again, Taylor?" Christian demanded.
Instead of answering, Taylor grabbed Grey by the elbow and led him inside a utility room.
"Sir, we have a major problem. I can't reach anybody else here from our security team. We need back up and there isnt any. Ana was not injured. As far as her security team is concerned, everyone requires medical attention and are in police custody, including Ana. The security team are refusing to allow the police to approach Ana in any way. Sawyer says he's forwarding pictures. There is no way one person took down a five man security team. No damn way. Ana is alive and uninjured. She's not the target; you are. If we get on the elevator, I have no doubt there is a team waiting to grab you on the next floor."
A concerned Christian subconsciously yanked at his hair and asked, "What the fuck are we supposed to do?"
"Be as unpredictable as possible and that means no elevator." He grabbed a pair white of paint stained overalls hanging on a hook and eye balled first them and then Christian. Then he handed them to Christian asked him to try and squeeze into them. Somehow, he managed to get them on, though the pant legs ended well above his ankles. Taylor added a white painters cap and a face mask and lastly, gloves.
Taylor checked him over one last time. Satisfied, he explained the plan. "I am going to set off the fire alarm. People are going to rush to the stairs. You rush with them. We have to split up. I am always by your side. They will look for me because I am taller and will stand out in a crowd. I will be behind you, looking back up over my shoulder, making them think you are behind me. We'll meet in the men's room at the train station. Once you're outside, walk to the train station. Slowly."
"What train station?"
"Keep walking to the main gate, then turn right. The station is only half a block away."
Grey nervously nodded his understanding.
"You can do this Christian. Ana needs you. She's counting on you."
Grey nodded again, more confidently.
"Here. Carry this pail. It's got paint and brushes. Act like you do this every day. When you get in the men's room, start painting and pray. Wait five minutes and if I am not there, wave this bill in any cab drivers face and tell them Petronas Towers. Nearby is a big hotel, the Mandarin Oriental. There are phone kiosks in the lobby. Use this bill to buy a phone and call Ana or Sawyer. If they don't answer call -"
"Wait! I don't know anyone's number! It's all built into my phone!"
"Give me your phone."
Christian dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone and handed it to Taylor.
"We don't want anyone tracing you. I'll get rid of this. Don't worry. It's okay. I've written some numbers down for you. You'll be fine. Odds are, I'll be beside you and you won't need to know any of this, but just in case..."
Christian frowned but nodded his understanding.
"Lastly, I want you to take this." Taylor handed a small revolver to Christian. "I know. You hate guns. This is the safety. This is how you take the safety off. It's fully loaded. Six shots. Dont be afraid to use it if you have to. It's the only back up you will have, ok?"
Christian backed away, shaking his head no, refusing the weapon.
Taylor glared at him, and angrily insisted, "You take this fucking gun and if you need to shoot someone to stay alive, then you damn well shoot them. I am missing eight men. Eight men, Christian! You will protect yourself for them, so that their sacrifice wasn't in vain. You will do it for Ana. You will do it for your family, for your Mother and Father. For your pain in the ass brother and for your sister who idolizes you. You will do it for me. Do you understand me?"
Christian nodded yes and reluctantly reached for the gun.
"That a boy! Like I said, you'll probably never need it, but you know me, some people say I am over cautious."
Christian broke into a grin, knowing that Taylor was referring to numerous times when had accused Taylor of being overly cautious.
"Okay, boss, it's showtime. I will leave first. Don't let the door shut all the way. When you hear the alarm go off, wait until the hallway is crowded. Then just blend in with the crowd and keep moving. Use the stairs. Good luck!"
And just like that Taylor was gone. Christian waited nervously, and then suddenly the air was split by the shrill, piercing sound of a fire alarm. At first, there was no movement, then, all of a sudden, the hallway filled. Christian counted to ten and then shoved his way into the crowd head for the stairs. Relieved he had made it down the stairs without incident, he followed along with crowd emerging outside, certain he would soon see his missing security team. To his dismay, he saw no one. He didn't want to think about the possibilities. He kept walking to the Main Gate, even as fire engines approach. He turned and could see the train station in the distance and just kept walking. Once there he entered the men's room. It was filled with men squatting. He didn't have to fake it. He squatted and relieved himself. Everything was wet. There was no toilet paper, only a hose. He watched someone else and then duplicated their actions. Somehow, he ended up wet all over, but felt somewhat clean. When he turned around, Taylor was standing there, holding up a green ankle length Muslim thobe in moss green.
Christian quickly slid out of his wet painters outfit and pulled on the thobe. Then Taylor handed him a large white round Taqiyah cap. Christian put it on and Taylor smiled. He showed Christian the pockets where he could keep the gun and the cash. Then they switched places and Taylor pulled a large cream colored thobe over his head and a matching cap. Christian noticed the cuts on Taylor's knuckles and knew the previous owners had not volunteered their clothing.
Their old clothes were tossed in the trash and before he knew it, he was sitting in the back seat of an old, smelly taxi, on his way to Petronas Towers.
Ana knew only one thing; she needed Christian. Where was he? She turned to Sawyer and asked how much longer Christian would be. She watched as Sawyer swallowed nervously, his Adams apple bouncing up and down. Just watching his reaction to her innocent question turned her whole world upside down. She felt a growing sense of horror and knew that something terrible had happened.
"Sawyer! Where is Christian? I need to speak with him."
"Uh, well, Mame, Mr Grey has run into some problems. We haven't been able to reach him or anyone on his security team, including Taylor. Taylor's last text said we are on our own here and that everyone else on the security team there was m.i.a."
A suddenly alert Ana gasped, "Oh my God! Sawyer, we have to do something!"
"With all due respect, Mame, we are not capable of much right now."
"I disagree, Sawyer. Things are about to change."
The next thing he knew, Ana was standing up between Sawyer and Fitz screaming in Malay. Soon an officer approached and made the mistake of threatening to restrain her if she did not sit back down. Sawyer didnt know what Ana said to him, but he immediately backed up and retrurned with the highest ranking official there. Ana calmly and concisely explained her dilema. Christian was incommunicado. His entire security team was m.i.a. She was going to hold this man, Inspector Wu, directly responsible if anything happened to her fiance. Whatever she said must have been impressive because soon Inspector Wu was bowing before her, frantically apologizing. Soon medical people were attending to everyone as Ana reassured them they were no longer in custody. Elena Lincoln was missing. The ambulance had finally arrived at the hospital where the driver quickly discovered the attendant dead and Elena was gone. Fear clutched at her heart, but she refused to give in to panic. She was a new Ana. She needed to control her fears and emotions in order to help Christian. Police all across greater Kuala Lumpur were instructed to be on the lookout for Christian Grey, possible victim of a kidnap plot and also Elena Lincoln, wanted for questioning in a double homicide as well as a possible connection to the disappearance of Christian Grey.