Disclaimer: I own nothing...
A/N: Sorry for the delay! Life is a little crazy! Thanks as always and enjoy!
On another note, please like my author page on Facebook – Author Kirsty-Anne Still – I'm trying to gain a wider web presence for my original work and would love the support! Thanks! Annnd if you love my work my first book is readying to be published on June 28th. Check out 'A Fire That Burns by Kirsty-Anne Still' on Goodreads =)
Please mind mistakes. I accept them all.
Beauty and the Beast – Chapter Thirty-Six
Ana pushed the skirt of her dress down only to feel the material snap back the moment the pressure of her palms was released. It pulled back into its loose hanging style and sat perfectly back in place. She did it again in a bid to rid her nervousness but, apparently she was too far gone to stop them now. They were rife throughout her body and her nerves were shot and way passed saving now.
Christian stood looking at her for a moment. She stood in plain black skater skirt, a burnt orange top tucked in with dark high heeled boots and he had never seen a more stunning sight. As she turned away he could see the necklace she had on to compliment the outfit and the simple earrings.
"You look stunning," he commented at her and watched her smile bashfully at him. "What jacket?"
"The cream one and I've got a cream clutch as well. Thanks to Kate," Ana giggled a little. "From the look of it though, it's quite warm out so I might need the jacket at all." She approached him slowly, reaching up to his collar to straighten it, "You look really good, Mr Grey." She spoke with a grin that grew as her eyes rose up to meet his, "Real good."
"Steele!" Kate's voice broke the moment just as Ana began to pull Christian closer and their lips began to cover the distance. The door flung open and Kate stood in the perfect figure fitting dress, hair pulled up into a high bun. "I'm guessing I'm killing a moment but, you two need to hurry up so we can go." She gave Ana a wink, "You can recover this moment later. I promise."
Ana giggled at her friend's playfulness especially now she had lightened up to the entire predicament and accepted Christian. She looked to Christian and knew herself that it was time to play the game that they had set into motion. Before she could even dare talk herself out of it, she told Christian it was time and took his hand before leaving the room entirely.
It didn't take them long to arrive at the place set up for this conference. Ana got out of the car and stood still for a moment. She didn't know if the temperature had just risen or if she was just feeling the ferocity of her nervous energy. Taking her jacket off she took a few steps towards the back of the stage and she had to inwardly laugh – only Christian Grey would get her to this point and she didn't actually care.
"Right, I'll be going up and leading this press conference," Christian began to say and stuck to his CEO demeanour. "I will tell them current situation before introducing them to you, Ana. Is that okay with you, baby?"
The moment Christian had set it all into motion, Ana found she was panicking. "I can't do this. I can't go out there. I can't. I just can't." Her rambling sped up and she began to look for her exit.
"Ana," Christian grabbed her, even with his grasp on her he could feel how nervous she was as her shakes became uncontrollable. He watched her look at him and he could see how ready she was to bolt. It was the same look she had given him before she had ran away that fateful night. Unlike then, he wasn't letting her run off anyway. "I know this is a big step and it's so soon but, something made you do this."
"Yeah," she spoke in a mirthless tone, "Stupidity!"
"No," he fought her back. He wasn't going to let her wane under the pressure. He was going to make sure she came out of this with smiles and more courage than ever before. "You're going to come out of this the bigger person and people are going to understand you and they going to value you and they are going to appreciate you."
"I'm scared," she mumbled, her eyes welling up with a new onslaught. She could hear everyone was ready for the couple's debut but, was she ready for them? She didn't know if she was or not. "Maybe if I covered up, Christian, it would be better. What if I just let you go out there."
"You'll regret doing either of them," he told her firmly and Christian could see the truth in her eyes. She was in such a battle with herself that he knew he just had to give her strength until she recovered hers. "You'll have me with you the entire time. I won't be leaving you. If you ever feel a moment of panic, you just grab my hand and give it a squeeze and I'll take over."
"Okay," Ana whispered back and looked up at him. "Together."
Christian gave one of his million dollar smiles and nodded, "Together." He pulled her close to him and kissed her, he gave no care to who was around. He pulled back, pushing his forehead to hers, "That's all we are, baby. We're together until the end and that I will make sure will happen."
"I know," Ana agreed because she did know that was the truth.
"I will come for you when the time is right," he told her and released her. He stood a deep breath, straightened his grey suit and looked around. He didn't need praise on how he looked or a pep talk. He was Christian Grey. Kissing Ana once more on her uninjured cheek, he turned and started up the steps to the main stage, Taylor immediately behind him.
Ana watched him stand up there, greeting them all and then she heard him speak and her heart began to race. Time was limited now and as much as she wanted to run off she refused. Feeling her parents step beside her, she took their joint strength and waited for her turn.
"I stand here today with one reason," Christian began to speak, not even rocked by the mass of people and cameras before him. "As most of you are aware I have spent a lot of time out of the way lately. I don't mean only from my job but, also the general public. Nearly two weeks ago the woman I have fallen in love with was brutally attacked in a nearby alleyway and left for dead. My relationship with this woman wasn't something I wanted documented and so we carried on a relationship in the private of our homes. Now, however, we realise that we cannot keep such a low profile until we have confronted the general public. Anastasia Rose Steele is the woman you have all been trying to get photos of and today we are taking a stand as a couple and giving you all what you want. After this, I expect no questions regarding my love life, I expect no invasion of any form of media and I expect total respect. After this I want my life to remain my life and if I find anyone stepping upon my privacy I will take action."
Looking to his left, Christian walked away from the podium and put his hand out for Ana to take. He saw her hesitate and so he smiled at her, gave her a wink and took a small step forward to see how ready he was for this to turn out right. Slowly he watched her feet move and she climbed the steps to the top and cross the stage to the podium.
"Anastasia was the one that decided this that this conference was for the best," he spoke up before Ana as she stood shocked in her spot. "I am so proud to be able to share with you a woman that is truly magnificent and strong. She had overcome so much in the past two weeks and I know we have a long way to go but, mark my word, we will get over it."
Ana was pulled from reverie, her stomach swirling as if the medication she was on that controlled her depression were suddenly meddling and making her feel the need to be sick. She took a few calming breaths as her name was screamed at her from every direction in front of her and she was overwhelmed. With Christian's hand still in hers she quickly gripped it and felt him step a little closer to her.
She was out in shark invested water and she was sinking. What the hell did she do right now? All eyes were on her and she hated it. Suddenly her scars began to pulsate as if they were glowing at the attention.
Christian, seeing her wide eyed terror, turned to the microphone, "Any questions?" He watched and pointed to one of the blonde news reporters. "What's your question?"
"How long have you been dating Miss Steele?" She asked.
"Over a year now," Christian alerted them and saw the shock. "Like I said before, we wanted total privacy and we achieved that." He looked to opposite of the crowd and picked out another reporter, "Yes?"
"What were your families' views on your unconventional relationship methods? Were they against it?" The man asked, and noticed his question got everyone begging for answers.
"They weren't best pleased," Christian coolly replied and didn't see it as a lie. They might not have known but, the rest of the country wouldn't know. "My family however love and dote on Ana and I hope when I say her family do me too that I am speaking the truth."
"Anastasia!" One of the reporters snapped up and forgot about Christian and went straight for Ana. The moment Ana's eyes met hers; she asked her question, "What is life like now you have a disfiguration? How are you coping?" It wasn't a malicious question; it was an endearing moment of worry. "It must be hard to now live with the aftermaths of such a horrible act. You show strength being out here. Is this all an act?"
Looking to Christian, she begged for an answer. All she got was a whisper of "Honesty's the best policy" and so she listened. Looking at him, he nodded in encouragement and she decided to just be open. After so long of hiding, Ana wanted everything out. She wanted everyone to know how much she loved Christian and how hard this time was but, how willing she was to fight to get her life back and most of all, she wanted Kaitlyn to be watching and see how Christian still loved her.
"Right now, I am shaking so hard the only thing stopping me from falling off the stage is the man beside me holding my hand," Ana joked, trying to win the general public over with some light humour. Hearing them laugh she felt herself relax a little. "I wouldn't say I am coping but, also I wouldn't say I am struggling. Sure, I look in the mirror at how I am now and hate the reflection but, it could have ended worse for me. I could have died that night and yes, at times I have had moments where I wish I had but, with the people around me I haven't been allowed to sink into depression as much as I could have. I am currently seeking help for clinical depression and I am not afraid to admit it. To be fair, I would rather tell you now than you publish it later and out of the blue. I won't be your victim just to get your kicks."
She heard a round of applause and wondered how it got to be so easy to just accept herself as she was right now.
"How are you going to deal with the scars in the long run? Surely they will place a major strain upon your relationship to someone such as Christian Grey?" A mousy looking man called out, stretching out his microphone more and he saw his question hit Ana harshly. "By the look of it you have already questioned it, Miss Steele."
The guy who owed the question quickly felt a large hand clamp on his shoulder. Turning around he was met with two large men so big they blocked out of the sun and wore looks that could kill. In one swift moment, he gulped and then found himself picked up and taken from the crowd.
"Moving on," Christian spoke with a tight tone, his voice vibrating with venom for the lowlife that question his love for Ana. Christian listened to several people question his love for Ana and how dishonest he was being to her and suddenly he felt Ana take command.
"I know Christian is a well-known, respected member of society but, for the meantime, we would appreciate our privacy to get our life back on track," she started off shakily but, calmed herself. "I know he could look elsewhere than at me and I know the option is there but, Christian loves me and if you cannot understand that then that isn't our fault. He loves me and that is final. He has been exactly what I have needed throughout this experience and he has been there for me twenty-four seven. If you cannot respect the love he has for me then fair enough but, I know it's there and I love him for it."
This time Christian's hand tightened around hers and she gave a small smile.
"One day in the not so far future I hope to have justice for not just myself but, Christian and our families who have been nothing but supportive. One day I will be married to the man next to me, scars or no scars. If you believe me to be a victim then you can think such little of me but, you will be sorely mistaken. I have a man that loves me, a family that adores me and a career that I will strive to be the best at. I'm a survivor and I know full well I am not alone."
What Ana didn't expect was a round of applause and sudden rush of public love.