Chapter 35

APOV

We've decided to have our families over to the apartment for dinner to announce our engagement. They all know we are engaged now, but we want to tell everyone in person. I wanted to cook even though Christian said I didn't have to. I have it set up as a buffet in the kitchen so everyone can take what they want. I've made creamy polenta with garlic and basil butter, squash & goat's cheese bruschetta, wine-braised chicken with roasted grapes, fried stuffed olives, candied beet salad with buttermilk dressing, and a chocolate & caramel tart with hazelnuts for dessert.

"Baby, everything looks and smells so good." Christian comes into the kitchen just out of the shower wearing a gray button-up shirt and black jeans. He walks over to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "I bet you taste better, though."

"Christian!" I scold him jokingly. "Shoo! I'm busy in here!" I kick him out of the kitchen so I can finish the last touches for dinner. Once dinner is finished I change into my Versace Collection long sleeve printed jersey mini dress and my magenta Manolo Blahnik Aziamo suede point-toe slingbacks and quickly put my hair up in a high ponytail. Just as I am walking out to the great room Carrick, Grace, and Mia arrive. A few minutes later Ray, Kate, and Elliot walk in.

We all gather together with glasses of champagne after saying hello. Christian addresses us, "Anastasia and I are very glad you could be here with us tonight to share our wonderful news. As you all know, I asked Ana to be my wife and she consented." He looks over to me and gives me a sweet smile. "I have never been happier. I love you, Anastasia. Thank you for being in my life." He leans down and gives me a sweet kiss while everyone toasts us.

We all grab plates of food and sit down at the dining room table engrossed in conversations. Mia asks Christian, "How bad has the paparazzi been since you're now engaged?"

Christian smiles at his sister, "I am releasing a statement tomorrow so I imagine the craziness will start in the next couple of days." Craziness? What craziness is he talking about?

"What craziness?" I'm confused. I know Christian is a very wealthy businessman but why would anyone care about our engagement?

Christian walks up to me and places his hand on my back. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll have protection so no one can get to you."

Being in the spotlight for the tabloids makes me feel uncomfortable and I worry that something could happen to Christian. There are horrible stories of things that happened to celebrities when paparazzi were chasing them for a story. I go into the kitchen to get some more wine, still disconcerted for Christian's safety. As I am deep in thought, I don't hear Christian walk up behind me. He whispers very closely into my ear, "Dinner was delicious but I would rather have you as a buffet." He gently sweeps his hand up my thigh and under my already short dress.

I try to disguise my worry but he can see right through it. "Baby, what's the matter? What has you so distracted? Tell me."

I turn to face him and caress his cheek. "I don't know. I guess I worry about something bad happening to you because some tabloid wants an exclusive picture of you or something."

"Anastasia, you don't need to worry about me. I am fine. I know how to deal with this stuff and I have Taylor. Which reminds me… I am going to have a CPO assigned to be with you until at least this all dies down. Do not go anywhere without him. Got it?"

I stare into his passionate gray eyes and nod.

CPOV

The statement about our engagement was released this morning and my sister texted me to tell me it was already on TMZ. I was hoping we'd at least have a day's reprieve but I guess not. When I walked into Grey House this morning, even the security staff congratulated me. I honestly didn't think word would travel so fast. I guess everyone really did think I was some reclusive gay man.

I have a lunch meeting and don't get back to my office until later in the afternoon. I'm tired and frustrated from the meeting and would like to go home to see my Ana but there are some things I need to take care of first. As I am checking my email, my cell phone rings. I don't check the caller ID like I normally do. It's Elena.

"Christian. Engaged, really?" she asks me with a dissatisfied tone in her voice not even giving me a proper greeting.

"I take it you read the news, Elena." I don't really have time for her shit.

"This is no time for your smart mouth right now. Fucking around is one thing but how could you propose to her?"

"Well, it went something like this, I got down on one knee, told her I loved her and asked her to marry me. Then she said yes."

"Christian, if you were still mine I would beat you senseless for this attitude you have towards me. I demand respect." She gives me her dominatrix voice that now turns my stomach.

"Lucky for me I am not yours. And respect is earned, not gained, as I'm sure you know."

"Someone like you, with your needs and desires, doesn't get married. Love is for fools, Christian. I thought I taught you better."

"Elena, you know nothing about me and my needs or desires. I love Ana and will always love Ana. And, if loving her with all my being makes me a fool, then so be it."

"Christian, she is just using you. She's a social pariah, just ask Julian Lamb." I am seething mad, so much so I can barely see straight.

"Listen here, Elena. I will tell you this once and only once; you know nothing about Anastasia and you know nothing about our feelings for each other. And Julian Lamb is a slanderer and leech."

"Christian, don't act like you are some holier than though innocent. You loved what we did together. You craved it and me. You enjoyed all of your submissives."

"I didn't crave you. I was a teenager with a constant hard-on who enjoyed getting deep throated and having you swallow my load. At that time of my life, you could have been practically anyone and I would enjoy it."

"Christian, I don't understand where you are suddenly getting all of this hostility towards me. I helped you get on the right path to be driven and successful. I taught you control. And what you learned from me is why you are one of the youngest CEOs and billionaires in the US if not the world."

"What you did was take advantage of a troubled teenager for your own sick and twisted state of mind. That's all. I was just a fun convenience. I don't agree with Linc for beating the shit out of you but I do agree with him that you are a selfish, cold-hearted bitch."

"How dare you speak to me like that. You are nothing but a poor bastard child of a crack head whore. You may wear the fancy suits and live in a fancy apartment but underneath it all, you are still that bastard. You should be grateful to me for what I did."

"You are more delusional than I thought. I'll make it clear for you. You are a fucking selfish bitch and I want you to get out of my life forever. You don't exist to me and you don't exist to Anastasia. From this point on I never want to hear from you again."

"You don't mean that, Christian. You'll regret treating me this way."

"I do mean it and for good measure, fuck off." I hang up not even waiting to hear her response. I abruptly get up from my desk and walk out to Andrea.

"Andrea, Elena Lincoln is to be put on the proscribed persons list. I will not accept any calls, mail, or visits from her or anyone on her behalf. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Grey. I will make sure security and the mail room also have the list updated, Sir."

"Thank you, Andrea. I am about to head home in a little bit. Why don't you take an early evening? I'll see you tomorrow.

"Thank you, Mr. Grey. Have a good evening." Andrea quickly shuts off her computer and grabs her purse making her exit to the elevator. I guess she's afraid I'll change my mind. I will admit this is out-of-character for me.